Saturday, November 3, 2012 by GLOBAL MEDIA MIRROR LIMITED

Boko Haram: North not fighting Jonathan –Yakassai P. 53

Vol. 02 No. 47

Gunmen kill retired General in Borno

P. 54

N150

Saturday, November 3, 2012

Petroleum Revenue Committee

INSIDE

Ribadu, members in war of words P. 6

Celebrity Ego Omalicha

Why I changed my name P. 18

MAGAZ INE

Sex talk

Sex with the kids around: What are the rules?

Fashion •Thigh high slits •How to be a stylish mom

Relationships Are Inter-tribal marriages ideal?

Cynthia

P. 17 Rising to expectations

Oransaye

Ribadu

THE REPORT WAS NOT WHAT THEY ACTUALLY EXPECTED. ORANSAYE WAS NOT IN THE COUNTRY, HE ARRIVED THIS MORNING TO COME AND ATTACK THIS REPORT. IT IS UNFORTUNATE

Fuel price hike

...

THE REPORT THAT HAS JUST BEEN SUBMITTED TO THE HONORABLE

MINISTER IS A KNEE-JERK REACTION TO

MR. PRESIDENT’S DIRECTIVE THAT

THE REPORT BE SUBMITTED TODAY

One dies as fire guts 3-storey building in Lagos P. 8 P. 9

NLC threatens strike, mass protest •FG increasing price by trick –ACN

Page

Two P.33

Horror tales from Kaduna

Top Stories

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

November 3, 2012

Police kill 14 kidnappers in bold rescue of Turkish national CHINEDUM EMEANA PORT HARCOURT

S P.35

World’s longest married couple share secrets of enduring romance

P.51

How tanker driver committed suicide after battering wife to death

ecurity agents in Rivers State yesterday killed 14 suspected kidnappers in a gun battle when men of the Rivers State Police Command and operatives of the Anti Kidnapping Brigade stormed the camp of a notorious gang. It was a daring operation to rescue Mr. Biram Karakus, a Turkish construction worker abducted about three weeks ago along the Andoni Unity Road, in Rivers state. Among those felled by Police bullets were a notorious kidnapper identified as Bishop Nelly, who was the leader of the notorious gang. The late Nelly was an ex-militant who participated in the federal government amnesty programme, but thereafter went rogue, masterminding armed robberies, kidnappings and paid assassinations. In 2011, Bishop Nelly and his gang specialised in targeting Policemen and actually succeeded in killing six officers, including an Inspector and a Constable at Eliozu Flyover in Port Harcourt and snatching their rifles. Another Corporal, who was also involved in the attack by late Nelly and his gang, luckily survived but sustained serious injuries. Around June 2011, Bishop Nelly escaped arrest when the

Amaechi

Rivers police command smashed his gang. He subsequently went underground. In that operation, the Police recovered seven AK-47 rifles, including those stolen from the felled officers, one Brownie pistol, over 500 live ammunitions, 55 magazines, a mask and an array of charms. Also recovered were two Sports Utility Vehicles (SUV); a Range Rover and a Toyota Infinity, as well as master keys, which are said to be capable of opening any Toyota vehicle. Apparently Nelly resurfaced again and formed another gang, which according to Police sources, has also been responsible for kidnappings, armed robberies, killing of Policemen and civilians in the recent past in Kaani, an

Ndabawa

Ogoni area. Commenting on the rescue of the Turkish National, which led to the killing of the kidnappers, Mr. Ben Ugwuegbulam, Public Relations Officer of the Rivers State Police Command, who confirmed the incident to National Mirror, said the security operatives arrived the camp in the early hours of Friday about 2.50 am, but were greeted with gunfire as members of the gang attempted to shoot their way to escape. “On arrival at the camp, the hoodlums opened fire on the team to enable them escape. However, the operatives returned fire and in the ensuing gun battle, six of the hoodlums were fatally wounded. The gang leader, who was later

Student wins MTN’s N2m, changes career CHINEDUM EMEANA PORT HARCOURT

P.37

Rape of 12-yrold student tears Ondo community apart

identified as Bishop Nelly and 10 others, including two ladies, sustained gunshot wounds and were rushed to the hospital. According to the Police spokesperson, “Seven of the wounded hoodlums, including the gang leader, died on the way to the hospital.” The Police spokesman also said items recovered from the kidnappers include six AK 47 riffles, 44 rounds of live ammunition, 17magazines, assorted charms, two bags used to deliver the ransom money and the sum of N98, 900 believed to be part of the ransom of N20m paid to them for the release of the Turkish national. He assured that the Police investigation is still progressing.

iss Vivian Pepple, a student of politics and International Relations at the Osun State University had plans to be a professional in that field until MTN came calling with a gift of N2 million. However, after receiving her cheque in a ceremony in Port Harcourt as part of the organisation’s ongoing “Ultimate Wonder Promo,” Miss Pepple changed gear. She is now planning to hit the business world, even though she has not really made up her mind on which line of business she would pursue. “I am in my final year. Trust me, the money will be used for business. I have a lot of businesses on my mind. But first, I will fix the money in a bank until next year, before I start doing anything with it,” the overjoyed winner

Pepple

enthused. “I could combine being a professional in International Relations with doing business,” she gushed Speaking on her initial reaction when she was informed of her good fortune, the Rivers State indigene, who said she did not do anything to win, said the information was so shocking that she was lost for words. “It came to me as a shock, beyond surprise. I could not say

anything when I heard that I won N2m…I was lost for words, I didn’t know what to say, I didn’t even tell anybody in my house until I was sure”, she said. The event in Port Harcourt also had 12 winners of N150, 000 being handed their cheques. The winners include Victor Francis, Wariboko Daniel, Umoren Ndifreke, Chinonso Nwokocha and Okirie Konye. Mr. Mmayie Simon-Jude, systems audit manager with MTN,

explained to National Mirror the efforts put into ensuring integrity in the process which throws up the winners. “There are different stages in this process. The selections are not manual. It is an automated process based on the business rules that we have defined. It is not something that you opt in for. Once you load your recharge card and you are qualified based on the value that you have loaded, the system automatically picks your number and using the same algorithm, it pools them and then the selection is done from that stage. “We, at internal control, audit the process to make sure there are no system issues that can hinder or give priority to any number in particular. Local and international regulators also monitor the selection process to ensure integrity and transparency,” he stressed.

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

November 3, 2012

Saturday Starter

Blood on our highways Twenty dead on Abeokuta-Shagamu expressway, 18 on Shagamu-Ore expressway, 29 dead and 19 injured on PotiskumKano Road, 16 on Okene-Benin Road, another 95 dead and 18 injured in a petrol tanker accident in Ahoada – Mbiama on the East-West Road, Port Harcourt.... The grim toll from literally avoidable road accidents goes on and on. SEGUN ADIO, TEMITOPE OGUNBANKE, MURITALA AYINLA AND OSEYIZA OOGBODO

s the year gradually approaches its twilight, Nigerians are again in the throes of fear; fear of death from sundry catastrophies, especially road accidents. Being religious and superstitious people, most Nigerians firmly believe that the celestials have a strong influence on their affairs. Statistics have, however, revealed that the major killer of Nigerians is the road. More deaths have been recorded on the country’s roads than tuberculosis and malaria combined. Still, the majority of Nigerians cling to their fears. Actual events indeed do nothing to lighten

that fear. Only this week, the Caretaker Committee Chairman of Akoko South West Local Government Area of Ondo State, Lady Opeyemi Adefarati, along with yet to be identified people was killed at Iwara-Oka junction in a ghastly road crash. A trailer lorry that lost control rammed into her vehicle. By that single stroke of fate, or whatever, the departed LG boss has just become a datum to be added to the statistics of road crashes and resultant deaths. As at the close of September, no fewer than 4,447 road crashes had been recorded across the country. “For road crashes, we have witnessed a 30.7 percent increase in the last two years between

January and September. In 2011, 3,401 road crashes were recorded while this year posted 4,447 accidents for the same period under review,” Ohaeri Osondu Staff Officer, Media Relations Corps Public Education Office, Federal Road Safety Corps FRSC, National Headquarters, Abuja told Saturday Mirror. It is on record that the nation has lost some of her best through road accidents. The list is long and endless. Astute politicians, erudite scholars, lawyers, military top brass, movie stars, music maestros and promising youngsters, male and female, have been lost to our blood thirsty highways. One can only ask: When will the carnage cease? What will stop the needless deaths?

November 3, 2012

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Saturday Starter

Ohaeri Osondu Staff Officer, Media Relations Corps Public Education Office, Federal Road Safety Corps FRSC, national headquarters, Abuja, speaks with SAKIBU OLOKOJOBI on the efforts of his commission to reduce to the barest minimum, the rate of road accidents.

as it got anything to do with the “ember” season? For us in the FRSC, road crashes have no linkage with any special season. It boils down to attitude and safer use of the roads. We believe strongly that road crashes are not as a result of bad roads but bad use of the roads. To justify this, it is amazing to note that FCT ranks the highest consistently in road crashes even with improved traffic engineering and good road network. What are the major factors that can be said to be responsible for the accidents? Basically, road crashes can be attributed to three major causes such as mechanical (vehicle condition), environmental (weather and road condition) and human factors. Of all these, the human factor accounts for almost 85 percent of these causative factors because the vehicle cannot move itself without human effort and it takes common sense speed limit for a driver to glide through pot holes and a rainy situation. What is the level of accidents this year as compared to last year? Has there been an increase or decrease? For road crashes, we have witnessed a 30.7 percent increase in the last two years between January and September. In 2011, 3,401 road crashes were recorded while this year posted 4,447 accidents for the same period under review. In the same vein, the number of injured persons rose by 15.6 percent as 12,692 were injured last year while 14,673 persons were also injured in 2012 between January and September. However, the Corps recorded a 2.6 per cent reduction in deaths through 3,245 in 2011 and 3,160 for this year Would you say there has been an increase in the rate of accidents in the ‘ember’ months as compared to other months? As stated earlier, we do not have a special attachment to ‘ember’ season in respect to road crashes but the attitude of road users. To underscore this assertion, our statistics for this year indicate that the while the months of July and August posted 613 and 579 road crashes respectively, September accounts for 538. What measures has the FRSC taken in recent time to reduce the level of accident rate? Added to the strategies I mentioned earlier, the FRSC has prescribed national standards for the driver’s license part of which is the mandatory attendance of

‘Ember’ months have nothing to do with road crashes -FRSC driving school by fresh applicants. I must state here that the driving school must be certified by the Corps under our Driving School Standardised Programme. We have also introduced compulsory and routine medical checks for commercial drivers. Similarly, the FRSC has introduced the Road Transport Safety Standardisation Scheme to ensure minimum safety standard among fleet operators. So far, 2,843 operators have been registered on our database while 927 have been certified and are under our radar watch to sustain these standards. FRSC also runs a 24/7 Call Centre services which has been infused into an Emergency Ambulance Service scheme to ensure prompt response to road crashes. We have formally launched a toll free emergency line, 122, to ensure a seamless interface between the FRSC and the motoring public in the event of a road crash. The toll free line was a complement to 070022553772 which was unveiled earlier. Similarly, the FRSC re-aligned its patrol and enforcement strategies by introducing a week long enforcement-free operations in order to stimulate improved safety consciousness among road users in the country. As we speak, the Corps has modified its operations to ensure in-

es were recorded in 2011 while 423,770 were posted this year for the period under review but we are not resting on our oars. What are the figures of deaths recorded since the Ember months started and the one recorded before the Ember months? Our records for this year indicate that the months of July and August recorded 448 and 425 deaths respectively nationwide while September posted 346. We are still compiling October report and this will be made available.

Chidoka

creased presence in the highways. Do you notice compliance in road traffic rules than before? I must say that there has been a reasonable level of compliance because our records show a 4.8 per cent reduction in offences in the last two years between January and September as 445,402 offenc-

How many people have been arrested for traffic offences in recent times by the FRSC? Permit me to state that from 2004 till date, we are presently hosting 2 million offenders’ record on our database having created an online solution in order to have a real time assessment on offenders’ record. For the last two years, we have recorded an increase in number of offenders apparently due to our initiatives to address the trend of traffic violation which has resulted to a 5.0 per cent decrease of 405,741 in 2011 and 385,444 in 2012 respectively.

80% of Nigerian roads are terrible – FERMA OSEYIZA OOGBODO

o the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) the issue of bad roads leading to accidents is two pronged. The first is that bad roads reduce accident rate while the second is that bad roads indeed cause accidents. Speaking with Saturday Mirror, two senior officers of FERMA, Omotayo Daniel Awodun, Federal Roads Maintenance Engineer for Lagos East, and Tayo Aluko, his counterpart for Lagos West, offered the two opinions above and explained. “When roads are bad, you record less accidents because drivers drive carefully where roads are bad,” said Awodun. And offering the second opinion, Aluko said, “Bad roads do cause accidents so drivers must apply caution when driving on bad roads.” Unhappy at the bad road situation in the country, Aluko said, “FERMA wasn’t established to repair roads but to maintain them. However, you maintain what is good, not bad, and the deplorable condition of our roads is now beyond the scope of FERMA. “FERMA inherited bad roads so FERMA is doing more than it’s supposed to on the low budget it’s operating on. In the last few years, the budget that comes to FERMA is about N25bn for the 37 states so we have to do more than what

Scene of an accident

we can for roads repairs and rehabilitation as 80 per cent of our roads are in deplorable condition.” Explaining why roads are bad, the duo said there are many reasons for that, but the basic one is excess axle load. “Roads are designed to carry specific loads but we have a situation whereby a 20-ton truck carries a 30-ton load. That is excess axle load and it makes the roads bad. I can tell you that 80% of the damage of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway was caused by tanker trucks carrying excess loads. “Another major cause of bad roads is poor drainage, particularly within Lagos Metropolis. We carry out de-silting of drains on weekly basis. But our discovery is that the drains are soon filled with debris again due to the attitude of drivers and people. So when rain falls

and the drainages are silted, the water will stay on the road and water is not a friend of asphalt. So when water stays on the asphalt, it percolates it and eventually leads to cracks. “For instance, I remember on the Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway. People filled a drain with sand so they could park their cars. That is very wrong and only led to the road becoming bad.” Speaking further, they said, “In Lagos where roads are bad, you will see it’s because drainage has collapsed. And asphalt has two enemies: water and fire. People burn refuse on roads and also burn tyres during riots. Fire also destroys roads.” But according to them, there is hope in sight as the government is planning to reintroduce weighbridges. “Weighbridges measure the tonnage of vehicles and if a vehicle’s weight is more than is allowed on a road, it will have to shed the excess load before it can be allowed to pass on that road.” They also disclosed that another major reason roads are bad is because they have outlived their usefulness. “Some roads were constructed many years ago and they have outlived their span. Most roads are designed for 25 years but many roads are far older than that. With proper maintenance by a FERMA method known as pavement strengthening, they can last more than twenty-five years though.”

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

November 3, 2012

Saturday Starter

Causes of road accidents are multifaceted –NURTW SEGUN ADIO

iodun Awotubo is the Secretary of the Somolu branch of the National Union of Roads Transport Workers (NURTW). “Accidents happen due to the carelessness on the part of the drivers or sometimes mechanical faults that have gone unattended in the vehicle concerned. The ember months are just figment of the imagination of the people,” he said. Awotubo claimed that there are associations like the Road Transport Employers Associa-

Awotubo

Balogun

tion of Nigeria (RTEAN) which are directly involved in conditions of vehicles on the roads. On the claim that some NURTW buses are often not

well maintained and always lead to accidents on the road, Awotubo maintained that people just want to give the union a bad name. He said that not all vehicles with NURTW in-

scriptions on the road actually belonged to the union, but that some unscrupulous elements in the society often put the union’s logo on their vehicles. Dare Balogun, the NURTW unit chairman at Onipan, said that because of the activities usually lined up for the “ember” months and people see it as the period when they want to make brisk money to be able to celebrate the end of the year, they become more energized and thus engaged in rough driving. Balogun claimed that bus drivers want to make enough money but that does not always result in accidents. Balogun claimed that

“accidents are bound to happen but because over the years people have placed negative things on those EMBER months, then they think accidents only happen during the period. Balogun accepts the fact that within such period people tend to travel a lot and that the flow of traffic seems to be high, which is also a risk to the roads. He agreed with Awotubo that it is not the union alone that is responsible for the errors on the roads. He said accidents from other organisations and private vehicles are more than the one caused by the NURTW vehicles of personnel.

Bad roads majorly responsible for crashes – Accident victim SEGUN ADIO

r Abiodun Talabi a.k.a Minister was a victim of road accident. He shares his story with Saturday Mirror. Talabi, 40, resides at Surulere Area of Alagbado, in Agbado/Oke-Odo Local Council Development Area of Lagos State. On July 10, 2011, while on his way to Lagos from Ogbomosho, at Ibafo area of Ogun State, the SUV in which Talabi was travelling in somersaulted three times apparently as a result of the gullies that litter the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. Sharing his experience, Talabi said, “That day it rained cats and dogs and the whole road was flooded. Because of the many gullies that abound on the road, it was difficult for our driver to see clearly and know where the gullies were because they were all covered by the water. Just as the driver wanted to manoeuvre from a gully, the vehicle skidded and we rammed into a stationary truck on the road. That was the last thing I knew until I found myself at the Emergency Ward of the Lagos State Ambulance Service. I was later transferred to the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Igbobi Lagos. I spent two months there with the expenses running close to N2 million. In the accident, my thigh bone was cracked; I lost the use of an eye. But it was later restored as I had several tears on my left eye,” Talabi said.

Talabi

Many motorists don’t care about safety – LASEMA Dr. Femi Oke-Osanyintolu is the Chief Executive Officer of Lagos State Emergency Management Authority LASEMA. In this interview with MURITALA AYINLA, he spoke about the capacity of the state emergency management team in responding to road accidents in the state. Excerpts:

s former Head of Operation of the Lagos State Ambulance Service, (LASAMBUS), how prepared is the state government in managing road accidents and victims? We are very well prepared. Governor Babatunde Fashola is so passionate about the life of every citizen in the state and that is why efforts are being made to increase the fleet of ambulances of LASAMBUS. There are now more than 24 ambulances. The LASAMBUS is the first of its kind in Nigeria and is very reliable, effective and efficient. There is synergy between the state public hospitals and LASAMBUS What do you really think are the causes of the high rate of accidents recorded in the state in recent time? Looking at it holistically, you will discover that it is just the economy and act of cutting corners common among some of our motorists. They have lackadaisical attitude towards safety issues. Many of them are using inferior materials in term of tyres and other things needed on their vehicles to make them

function optimally. Also we can’t rule out the effect of climatic change in the weather. How prepared are LASEMA and LASAMBUS in case of any emergency? Our emergency response time is between is 10-20 minutes averagely, because LASAMBUS has been strategically positioned in all over the place in the state on the bridges, major bus stops and other areas you can think of. They are not only positioned strategically but also have backups of hospitals to compliment their activities. The LASAMBUS and LASEMA are well equipped. The type of ambulances used in Lagos State is the one with lifesupport machines and other sophisticated materials. What is the state government doing to reduce the increasing rate of accident within the metropolis? That is why the state government through the Ministry of Transportation is advocating the need for everyone to go for driving test so that they can

be certified. There is need for attitudinal change among our motorists; they should not drink alcohol when they must drive. They should go for eye test and other medical tests and ensure they are okay before driving. So in all, people need to take safety precaution in whatever they do.? How does Lagos State Government tackle incidents of emergency especially road accidents? We have call centres which alert us on any case like that. Besides, our ambulances are strategically positioned across the state. We also have a twoway radio communication. It is also in Lagos State that you find doctors and nurses working outside the hospital environment. These people work handhand with other stakeholders that are important in managing emergency in the state. LASAMBUS is now better, because when I was at LASAMBUS, we had about 10 points but now they have 24 ambulance points. This means that the state has tried as much as possible to bring ambulances nearer to the people to improve on our response time.

NATIONAL NEWS

November 3, 2012

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Committee report

Ribadu, members in war of words

•The process of the report is flawed –Orasanye, Otti •Oransaye never participated in the report –Ribadu •Report’ll be considered –Jonathan ROTIMI FADEYI ABUJA

here was drama inside the Council Chamber of the Presidential Villa in Abuja yesterday as the Chairman of the Petroleum Revenue Special Task Force, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, and his deputy, Mr. Steve Oransaye exchange words during the presentation of the report of their committee to President Goodluck Jonathan. At the event the duo disagreed over the procedure adopted in producing the report. Ribadu had barely finished making a brief presentation of the recommendations of the committee’s report and submitted it when Oransaye raised up his hand ,

seeking to be recognised by the president to allow him to express his opinion on the report. After raising up his hand many times, he got the attention of the president and told the gathering that he was not part of the decisions and recommendation contained in the report. He specifically questioned the process through which the report was prepared, saying that he never participated in preparing or signing it. He stressed that the process was flawed. However, the other two committees, namely, the Special Task Force on Government and Control headed by Mr. Dotun Sulaiman as well as the Task Force on Refineries, chaired by Dr. Kalu Idika Kalu submitted their re-

ports to the president without any disagreement on the procedure adopted in preparing the report as well as their recommendations. While expressing his grievances on the report of the Task Force on Petroleum Revenue, Oransaye told the president: “I did not join the committee until much later because I was busy with some assignments but when I joined, I made certain observations. But I want to make a general statement. No matter how elegant a house may be, if the foundation is faulty, it will collapse. “In the same vein, if the process is flawed, the outcome of that process will not be sustainable. I want to say to you Mr. President with all sense of responsibility that the pro-

cess that has been followed is flawed and the report that has just been submitted to the honorable minister is a knee-jerk reaction to Mr. President’s directive that the report be submitted today. “I want to also say this that the last time this committee met, I think it was the last week of June or early July, when a draft report was to be considered, and I raised certain pertinent issues, and it was agreed and it was suggested and accepted at that meeting that a small group be put together, review, modify and return to the report drafting committee before presenting to the whole house. “I want to say that did not happen. No matter how good the effort that has been out into this re-

L-R: President Goodluck Jonathan; Chairman, Special Task Force on Governance and Control, Mr. Dotun Suleiman; Chairman Petroleum Revenue Special Task Force, Malam Nuhu Ribaldu, and Alternate Chairman, Refineries Special Task Force, Alhaji Yusuf Alli, after the submission of the report PHOTO: STATE HOUSE of petroleum special task forces at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, yesterday.

Mali: Jonathan, ECOWAS seek Germany’s support for peace ROTIMI FADEYI ABUJA

resident Goodluck Jonathan yesterday said the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) was committed to restoring peace and normalcy to Mali with the support of Germany and the European Union. Jonathan spoke in Abuja when German Foreign Minister, Dr. Guido Westerwelle, who is in Nigeria for the Ni-

geria-German Bi-National Commission meeting visited him in the State House. While expressing appreciation to German Chancellor, Angela Merkel for Germany’s cooperation and support to Nigeria’s efforts to transform the economy and improve noted the efforts of the Chancellor towards strengthening relations with Nigeria in many areas, especially the improvement of energy supply.

Responding to a request from the German Foreign Minister for information about the situation in Mali, President Jonathan said interactions with a cross section of Malians during his visit to Mali recently showed a desire for peace and a commitment to remove the rebels from Northern Mali. “‘The Economic Community of West African States is committed to restoring peace and normalcy to Mali,

and therefore seeks the support of German and the European Union,” he told Dr. Westerwelle. “We must take action to root out the Al-Qaeda, drug traffickers, kidnappers and other criminal elements who are turning Northern Mali into a home for terrorists,” he added. The president also said Nigeria’s contribution to Mali would include technical support to the Malian military.

port may be, for as long as with the report of the comthe process is flawed, that mittee because of the far report is one that cannot reaching recommendations contained in the report be implemented. “Let me say this your which he considered unfaExcellency, this other vourable to government. The former chairman report that was circulated for discussion was of EFCC said, “Mr. Presiactually not accepted by dent, it is your governmembers and that was ment, it is your adminthe reason the commit- istration and the truth tee was to go out to re- must be told and it is the view, modify and return. truth that can set us free. Then, on Wednesday by Mr. President, when this 5pm, the notice came that task force was set up and there will be a meeting at we started working, Steve 12noon on Thursday with never participated in the work, he only jumped in at an attached report. “With all due respect, the end of the work. “Steve became a board I refused to open my mail because we had agreed member of NNPC while if any report were to be Otti became an Executive considered, it should be Director, so the report was circulated, it must be at not what they actually exleast five clear days for pected. Orasanye was not members to review, make in the country, he arrived meaningful contributions in the country this morning to come and attack this and consider. “When Mr. President report, it is unfortunate gave the directive that the that with the hard work report be submitted today, done in the committee, we should have been man this is what we are doing. enough to say it is not fea- I think the president desible because of a process serves more respect than what you are all doing reason… “I thought I should here now”, Ribadu said. Another member of make this view because I don’t even know what the the committee, Sumaila report contains. There- Zubairu who spoke in supfore, in my view, I don’t port of Ribadu explained think this is a report that that a committee was set should be accepted at this up for members to contribtime and I challenge any ute and review. “I was part of that commember of this committee to contradict what I am mittee, we solicited comments from all members saying right now.” Another member of the and received the comcommittee, Bon Otti, also ments. We did not receive corroborated what Oran- any comment from Mr. saye said and stated that Stephen Oronsaye on the report. We did not receive the process was flawed. He stated that they any comment from Mr. never met to consider the Bon Otti. But all other recommendations and the members sent their comentire content of the re- ments and it was incorpoport before it was brought rated into the report. “They indicated that the for submission. “From the onset, I was report was too harsh, the very clear that we were report was based on estinot following necessary mates and stuffs like that. procedures and processes We made it clear to them that will enable us arrive that this is the results of with evidence, data and experts and professionals information of minimum willing to make specific refstandard of integrity and erence in areas where you don’t have knowledge and credibility” Otti said. But Ribadu fired back we will consider them.” Before the Minister of and countered Oransaye, saying that the former Petroleum Resources, DieHead of Service never par- zani Allison-Madueke received the reports of the ticipated in the work of the committee or involved three committees and prein the production of the sented them to the president, she told the gathering report. He disclosed that Oran- that she never at any time saye was not comfortable CONTINUED ON PAGE 7

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CONTINUED FROM 6 interfered with the work of the three committees. She disclosed that in the next two weeks, a working meeting would be held to still do some work on how to improve the petroleum sector saying that her ministry was determined to make necessary reforms in the sector. Allison-Madueke said that it was a new beginning for the oil sector. But President Goodluck Jonathan, while responding to the allegations raised by Ribadu and Oransaye stated that it was normal for such disagreement, stressing that government would still consider the report. According to him, the government had nothing to hide. He said the report of the committees, particularly, the Petroleum Revenue Task Force was not to investigate anybody in government. His words: “Let me assure Nigerians that government has no interest in hiding anything, this report is not to investigate anybody in government, it is to look at the oil industry and tell government the best approach to maximize our revenue base. “I don’t think they are major issues, there are situations that government set up committee and there will be what they call minority report where people write completely different report disagreeing substantially from the main report. Of course, government will take the majority and minority report but in this case there was no clear minority report. The issue is that there are some lapses in the processes, probably not everybody agrees on some of the conclusions. “What I will advise is that any member who has certain issues, observations should please write it and bring it either directly to me through Chief of Staff or Minister of Petroleum Resources.” Jonathan explained that even if Oransaye and Otti are Board member and Director in NNPC, it did not disqualify them from being members of committee Ribadu, later in an interview, said that it was the same report that was being circulated in the media that he submitted to the president.

NATIONAL NEWS

November 3, 2012

Boko Haram: Nigerians support call for truce •Terrorism has no cure for now –Air Force chief AUGUSTINE MADU-WEST, OBIORA IFOH AND AZA MSUE KANO, ABUJA AND KADUNA

he call by Jama’atul Alhlis Sunnah Lidda’awati Wal Jihad, known as Boko Haram, to call for dialogue over the insurgency in the North has attracted reactions from prominent groups and members of the society, particularly, in the North. The group which gave the federal government some condition for a truce made the call on Thursday. But barely few hours after the announcement, groups and individuals have been expressing their happiness over the development. In its reaction, the apex Northern socio-political organisation, Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), yesterday commended the federal government and Boko Haram’s proposed peace

process. In a communiqué signed by its spokesman, Mr Anthony Sani, ACF said apart from its happiness over the call for a truce, it stressed that dialogue remained the only solution to the lingering crisis. In a similar vein, Christians in Kano State have expressed happiness over the decision to embark on cease fire to pave way for dialogue and a lasting peace. The Christians spoke through their chairman, Bishop Ransom Bello, who said the development is a welcome one, especially coming from the sect. “I have not been disposed to government initiating this dialogue; but coming from them it’s a good idea, we need to address this act of terrorism which is alien to us. Any peace loving person must support it, whether Christian or Muslim. I have my reservation over the choice of Saudi Arabia as venue. Why not in the

country? Other peace talks held here were successful. If they must give conditions, it must be acceptable ones. We need peace and any move that will promote it should be encouraged.” Former civilian governor of old Kaduna State, Lawal Kaita also expressed happiness over the development. “It is a welcome development that should bring some relief to the people; it’s a good omen because peace is better than conflict which impedes national and economic growth of any country. I have confidence in the calibre of people listed in the dialogue, and with them, I am sure of success in the renewed effort,” he said. Another northern leader, Bashir Tofa, who was the presidential candidate on the platform of the defunct National Republican Convention in the aborted Gen. Ibrahim Babangida’s transition programme in 1993,

said the those that would be involved in the negotiation must ensure sincerity and commitment to reign. “There must be immediate ceasefire as no meaning negotiation can take place with killings going on. There is no reason why this time around we won’t succeed,” he said. Meanwhile, the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) has warned against the dropping of the name of its leader and presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari ,by the federal government in whatever relationship it has with the Boko Haram sect. It insisted that such moves were only diversionary. The party said that the widely publicised news that Buhari had been appointed to take part in a Boko Haram/Federal Government parley merely convinced it that the latest gambit was the desire of PDP-led federal government to divert attention of the unsuspecting

L-R: Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Power, Dr. Dere Awosika; Vice President, Economic Community of West African States Commission, Dr. Toga Mcintosh and Chairman, Executive Board, West Africa Power Pool, Engr. Joseph Makoju, during the 7th General Assembly of West Africa Power PHOTO: ROTIMI OSASONA Pool in Abuja, yesterday.

1999 constitution irrelevant, expensive –Belgore

ormer Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Alfa Belgore, has described the current Nigerian constitution as “irrelevant” to the aspirations of the citizens. According to Belgore, who is also the chairman of the Presidential Committee on Review of the Constitution, the constitution “is difficult to practice and expensive”. He made these assertions in his paper at the fourth Justice Bola Babalakin annual Public Lecture organised by the

Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), in Osogbo, on Thursday. In the paper entitled, “Nigerian Constitution: What is the Future?” Belgore, who was the guest speaker, argued that the current system of government places too much priority on recurrent expenditure, especially the emoluments of political office holders, to the detriment of infrastructural and human capital development. He said: “Our constitution from 1979 had done away with the process

where each region had its constitution before the coup d’etat in 1966. But we do not need the type of parliamentary process we have. It will be very expensive, so expensive that the personnel emoluments of legislators, ministers, commissioners, governors and presidency consume so much that the infrastructures suffer a lot.” While justifying the clamour for the restructuring of the country into a true federation, Belgore said: “I would have liked our country to be called

Federation of Nigeria rather than the Federal Republic of Nigeria, because we are not a true republic as our cultures do not reflect the republican tendency. “What type of republic is this that has traditional rulers - the Oba, the Obi, the Emir, and Bale etc? The truth is that we are a Federation not a Republic. Whenever there is crisis within the country, these traditional rulers mobilise the populace for peaceful settlement. We cannot do without them.”

Nigerian public from the on-going massive looting of their common patrimony. In a statement by the National Publicity, Rotimi Fashakin, the party said, “General Muhammadu Buhari has never been directly or remotely connected with any insurrection or insurgency against the Nigerian Nation and her people. “He remains the quintessential patriot that continues to magnetise the very best across the ethno-religious boundaries within the Nigerian nationspace…. “As a party, we remain unfazed by the cheap propagandist endeavours of the PDP, knowing that Nigerians are the best judge of the under-performance of this regime.” In a related development, the Chief of Air Staff, Nigerian Airforce, Air Marshal Alex Badeh , yesterday declared that the military could not eliminate Boko Haram insurgency, but that it could only be reduced. Air Marshal Badeh stated this at the occasion of the passing out parade of basic military recruits course 1/2012 held at Nigerian Airforce Base parade ground, Kaduna. He said it would be difficult to end insurgency due to its crime nature. Represented by Chief of Policy and Plans Headquarters, Nigerian Air Force, Air Vice Marshal G.A.Adekunle, the Air Force boss urged graduating recruits to be firm and resolute in the defence of the nation. His words: “God will help us to overcome the security challenges. Insurgency is something we can never eliminate, what we can do is to manage it and reduce its impact on the society to a minimal level. You are graduating at a time of unprecedented security challenges in our great country.” Air Marshal Badeh added “These and other activities of a few misguided elements in the society will test your resolve and determination. You will no doubt be pushed and challenged in the discharge of your duties. Your discipline, proficiency level and commitment will go a long way to determine how you tackle these challenges and ultimately your progress in the service.”

NATIONAL NEWS

Plane crash: Suntai’s ADC yet to be flown abroad MARCUS FATUNMOLE ABUJA

espite promises from Taraba State’s Commissioner for Information, Mr. Emmanuel Bello, on Wednesday that the ADC of Governor Danbaba Suntai, Dasat Iliya, whom hospital sources claimed to be critically injured, would be flown to Germany for medical attention, he has remained on the hospital bed at the time of filing this report. Spokesperson of the hospital, Mr. Tayo Hastrupp, confirmed to Saturday Mirror, yesterday, that the three injured aides of the Governor were still within the hospital’s premises. The aides are Dasat Iliya, Tino Dangana and Joel Dan who are the Governor’s Aide De Camp, Chief Security Officer and Chief Detail respectively. They were brought in thirty hours after the governor was taken out of the institution. Bello had told reporters that the ADC would have

been moved to Germany earlier but due to his critical condition which had to be stabilised before he could be taken on a very far journey abroad. Suntai was the pilot of his Cessna 208, 5N-BMJ Jet that crashed in Yola, Adamawa State ten days ago. According to report, none of the occupants of the crashed jet would have survived but for the timely rescue operation by Fulani herdsmen who rushed to the scene, upon sighting the jet plummeting from the sky. “If the cattlemen had not arrived the scene to rescue the victims from the wreckage of the jet, I doubt if the Governor and his aides would have survived the accident,” one Abdullahi Bako told Saturday Mirror on telephone from Yola, yesterday. Meanwhile, the condition of the Governor Suntai has remained in the realm of speculations. As at the time of filing this report, since he was flown abroad, no official statement had been made about his condition.

FCT, judiciary partner to decongest city EMMANUEL ONANI

s part of measures to further reduce the worsening traffic situation and indiscriminate parking in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory,FCT, and the judiciary, yesterday commissioned an ultra-modern car park located at Maitama. The 350 capacity car park was commissioned by the Minister of FCT, Senator Bala Mohammed, who was represented by his Secretary of Transport, Engr. Jonathan Ivoke. In an opening remark at the commissioning yesterday, Chief Judge of the FCT Judiciary and Chairman of the FCT Judicial Service Commission, Justice Lawal Gummi, stated that the initiative, which was conceived in 2010, was aimed at creating conducive parking space following the increase patronage of the court.

Justice Gummi further observed that the move to construct the car park was to help the FCT administration’s commitment to enhance infrastructural development, with full capacity to accommodate the needs of the growing population of the capital city. According to the judge, since there was bound to be a corresponding increase in economic activities of a city such as Abuja where opportunities abound, the need for disputes and the desire for settlement of same was envisioned. It is against this backdrop, therefore, that “the idea of building a befitting car park for our staff,clients and others who come around here daily” was conceived and delivered. “This edifice being commissioned today is a product of vision and a testimony to what can be achieved with foresight and careful planning,” Gumi said.

November 3, 2012

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

One killed as fire guts three-storey building in Lagos MURITALA AYINLA

ire gutted a three storey building on Breadfruit Street on Lagos Island yesterday leaving one person dead. This incident occurred barely six days after a five-storey building located on 10/12 of the same street housing wholesale and retail shops was engulfed by inferno late afternoon on Saturday. The incident led to the collapse of two top floors and the destruction of properties worth millions

of naira. Saturday Mirror gathered that the recent tragedy which occurred at about 2 p.m. on 46 Breadfruit Street destroyed the three storey building, housing 9 flats and some stores on the ground floor. Many people were injured while trying to escape the inferno and several worth millions of naira were destroyed. One of the occupants of the building was burnt beyond recognition and was taken to the mortuary by the emergency team of

the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA). Speaking with Saturday Mirror, the General Manager of LASEMA, Dr Femi Oke-Osanyintolu, who confirmed the incident, said the relevant emergency teams were able to rescue some of the occupants. He added that the State Fire Service, State Environmental Health Monitoring Unit (SEHMU), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and the Nigeria Police Force were on ground for the operation.

According to Oke-Osanyintolu, the dead person could have been trapped as a result of electrical surge which triggered sudden explosion. While lamenting the recurrence of the fire disaster on the same street in less than a week, he said proper investigation would be carried out to ascertain the cause in order to averta future occurrence of such. He said that the area had been condoned off by his agency to avert any disaster pending further investigations.

Rescue team at work at the scene of the fire incident on Lagos Island, Lagos, yesterday.

NAMA completes first phase of AIS project next month OLUSEGUN KOIKI

here are indications that the first phase of the Aeronautical Information Services (AIS) project of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) will be completed next month. Information gathered by Saturday Mirror yesterday revealed that the project, which costs NAMA about 12 million euro to complete has 27 sites across the country. Already, the contractor has received about 95 per cent of the contract sum from the agency. The contractor for the project, according to the source, is Mocom Commu-

nications, in conjunctions with its foreign partner, Mocom GMBH, Germany. Out of the 27 sites, 11 sites like the headquarters of NAMA, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Maiduguri, Kano, Jos, Sokoto, Ilorin, Wukari, Lagos Airport and the headquarters of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) would be completed by December this year. The remaining 16 sites, the source said, would be completed by 2013 while the antennas for the 11 sites are already in the country. A source close to the agency who does not want his name mentioned because he was not authorised to speak on the issue confided in our correspon-

dent that factory acceptance test has been completed on the Aeronautical Fixed Communication Network (AFTN) and the Aeronautical Message Handling System (AMHS) switches. The source informed that one of the switches would be located in Lagos while the other would be installed in Kano, adding that civil works had already been completed in Kano, Abuja and Lagos while plans were underway to move to Jos and Ilorin soon. On completion, it would further aid safe and secured air transportation in the country and complement the existing Total Radar Coverage of Nigeria (TRACON) project, which the agency

commissioned in 2010. However, Saturday Mirror gathered that the project, which commenced some few years ago would have been completed earlier in the year, but the insecurity in some parts of the country, most especially in the Northern states, led to the delay. It was gathered that some of the foreign contractors who were supposed to go to site abdicated it because of the insurgent of Boko Haram in the North. When our correspondent contacted the General Manager, Public Affairs, NAMA, Mr. Supo Atobatele, he only said that the agency had embarked on various projects in recent time to enhance safety of the country’s airspace.

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

NATIONAL NEWS

November 3, 2012

Power: FG targets 5000 megawatts by December CHIDI UGWU ABUJA

n response to power supply challenges in the country, Federal Government yesterday reaffirmed its resolve to achieve viable and sustainable power sector saying it targets to attain 5000 Mega Watts by December 2012. The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Power, Mrs. Dere Awosika, who stressed the determination of the government at the 7th session of the West African Power Pool (WAPP) in Abuja assured Nigerians that the projection was attainable since a national peak of 4,321 Mega Watts had already been achieved in August this year. “The target of Nigeria is to attain 5000 Mega Watt by December 2012. This is attainable especially since we have achieved a national peak of 4,321 Mega Watts on 31 August 2012” she said. She stated that the Independent Power Project (IPP) presently contributes 50% of electricity genera-

tion in the country, adding that the project contributed substantially to the improved generation with the commissioning of Olorunsogo, Omotosho, Sapele and Alaoji gas thermal generating stations. Awosika further stated that federal government is also implementing renewable energy projects with 1 Mega Watt Solar plant and 10 Mega Watt Wind Farm in Katsina State. Earlier, the Secretary General of WAPP, Engr. Ahmadu Diallo, in his remarks noted that the organisation’s revised master plan had allowed for significant mobilisation of resources for the implementation of projects in the year 2012. According to Diallo, funding of the interconnection project for Cote d’Ivoire-Liberia-Sierra Leone-Guinea (CLSG) totaling 323 million euros, was fully secured from the World Bank, the African Development Bank Group, and the European Development Bank.

FG spends N430m on tuberculosis in 10 months explaining that MDR-TB is a severe form of TB that are he Minister of resistant to the conventionHealth, Professor al treatment. According to the minisOnyebuchi Chukwu, has said that the fed- ter, “MDR-TB is more expeneral government expended sive to treat in specialised N430 million within the centres like the one being last 10 months on the con- commissioned today, and it trol and treatment of tu- also takes a longer time for the treatment to be completberculosis in Nigeria. The minister who made ed than the ordinary TB.” Professor Onyebuchi the revelation in Kano during the commissioning of Chukwu however stated Drug Resistant Tubercu- that as part of conscious eflosis Treatment Centre , fort to address the menace Infectious Disease Hospi- of the MDR-TB, the Federal tal in Kano noted that the Ministry of Health has escollaborative effort by the tablished four state-of-thetwo tier government, and art reference laboratories international donor agen- and seven treatment centres cies is yielding the right across the country, adding that “we have also adopted dividend. Professor Onyebuchi newest technology for the Chukwu who was rep- diagnosis of drug resistant resented by a director in TB. The minister noted that the ministry, Mr. Joshua Osibanye, stated that the Kano centre, like few others multilateral effort was se- in the country, is in fulfillquel to UNO statistics that ment of the commitment ranked Nigeria 10th among of the Jonathan-led adminhigh TB burden country istration in providing effective health care system globally. The minister said that to halt and reverse disease the World Health Organisa- burden in the country and tion (WHO) 2012 report es- making Nigeria one of the timated that no fewer than strongest twentieth econo3,491 MDR TB cases oc- mies in the world through a curred in Nigeria annually, healthy workforce.

AUGUSTINE MADU-WEST

Permanent Secretary of the Health Service Commission, Dr. Funmilayo Olatunji (left); Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris(second left); Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola SAN (second right), interacting with a patient, Master Anuoluwapo Masha, during the presentation of the latest beneficiaries of the Limb Deformity Corrective Surgery Programme organised by the Ministry of Health at the General Hospital, Lagos, yesterday.

Fuel price hike: NLC threatens strike, mass protest

z FG increasing fuel price by trick -ACN OLUFEMI ADEOSUN, ABUJA AND TEMITOPE OGUNBANKE

he Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has threatened to embark on a nationwide strike and mass protest in the event that the federal government increases the pump prices of petroleum products. The threat followed the lingering fuel crisis in the country which the labour union described as a ploy by the federal government to increase pump prices of petroleum products. It also threatened to picket fuel stations selling above official price if the necessary authorities that are expected to play a regulatory role fail to exercise their powers. “The January mass protests and strike will be a child’s play should government hide under the guise of the current scarcity to increase the pump price of petroleum products,” said the union in a statement it issued on Friday in Abuja. The declaration by the labour group came just as the Action Congress of Nigeria, yesterday, also accused the government of raising the price of petrol through the back door by creating an artificial scarcity that is now forcing Nigerians to pay more than the official price. NLC, in a statement jointly signed by it Deputy President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, and the Acting General Secretary, Comrade Olusegun

Rotimi, and made available to our correspondent, while vowing to crush the new attempt to increase fuel price through the backdoor, lamented that government had not done anything to stop the increasing rate of poverty in the country. It said that the refusal by the Department of Petroleum Resources to check the arbitrary prices being charged by some unscrupulous marketers and the failure of government to end the fuel scarcity or offer any useful explanation, was a ploy to foist another price hike on Nigerians. The statement said: “In several fuel stations across the country, prices of petrol in particular are higher than the official pump price without any control by government. The Department of Petroleum Resources, DPR, under the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources is responsible for inspection and control of fuel stations has not acted in anyway against unilateral price increases by marketers. “For us, this indicates a clear conspiracy on the part of government to force another price hike on Nigerians. This will sure deepen the economic hardships the current official price has unleashed on our people. “The NLC will never accept any further price increase. And we will mobilise workers and their allies against any such increase. We urge the Federal Government to fulfil its respon-

sibility to the Nigerian people by taking urgent steps to restore normal supplies. “The poverty level in Nigeria has increased and nothing is being done by government to reverse our collective sufferings. The January mass protests and strike will be a child’s play should government hide under the guise of the current scarcity to increase the pump price of petroleum products. It is the responsibility of government to ensure and guarantee the welfare of every citizen.” In a similar vein, the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) yesterday accused the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)-led Federal Government of raising the price of petrol through the back door by creating an artificial scarcity that is now forcing Nigerians to pay more than the official price. ACN, in a statement issued in Lagos on Friday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, posited that the government’s anti-people policy of raising the price of petrol was rejected earlier this year, it has now resorted to underhand tactics to increase the price. It said since the orchestrated scarcity started several months ago, Nigerians have been paying anything from N110 per litre in Lagos to as high as N130 and N140 per litre elsewhere in the country at many filling stations, and far higher than those prices at the black market.

‘’For example, in the capital city of Abuja, 10 litres of fuel goes for 2,500 at the black market, representing N250 per litre. For motorists who are unable to withstand the painfully-long queues in the few filling stations selling the product, this is the only way to keep their vehicles running. “By failing to clampdown on the filling stations selling at prices higher than the official rate, and by not ensuring the availability of the product nationwide, the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan has simply rammed a price increase down the throats of Nigerians. “This governance by deceit, a hallmark of the PDPled Federal Government, is sure to make life more difficult for Nigerians, most of whom provide their own electricity through generators that are powered by petrol. The high fuel cost is also having a bandwagon effect on the cost of goods and services,’’ ACN said. The party challenged the Federal Government to tell Nigerians why it has been unable to make petrol widely available to its citizens, who are already reeling under the effects of poor governance manifesting in massive unemployment and poor electricity supply, among others. “The Jonathan Administration has shown itself to be an expert in setting up committees after committees for one reason or the other in the oil sector. These committees have yet to make any appreciable impact in cleaning up the sector,” it said.

REGIONAL NEWS

November 3, 2012

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

SOUTH WEST

HAKEEM GBADAMOSI AKURE

wo persons including the Caretaker Committee Chairman of the Akoko Southwest Local Government Area of Ondo State, Lady Opeyemi Adefarati, lost their lives in a ghastly motor accident which occurred on OwoIkare Expressway on Thursday night around 8:25pm at Iwaro -Oka junction. Four other people were also seriously injured in the accident. According to an eyewitness, the accident occurred when a truck with registration number ABJ 413 XA lost control while descending the Oke Maria Hill in the town and rammed into the Toyota Camry car with registration number GG268 EKY conveying the late Adefarati.

Ondo LG boss dies in road crash The source disclosed that seven other people were involved in the acci-

dent but that only two of them, including the council boss, lost their lives im-

mediately. He said three others who sustained serious injury including the

council boss’ police orderly, were rushed to the Federal Medical Centre in

Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi; with pupils of SUBEB Nursery and Primary School ( winners of the Best Primary School in Nigeria award ); and other recipients of the 2011/2012 President’s Teachers and Schools Excellence Award, in Ado-Ekiti, recently.

Amosun denies deduction of LG funds O gun State governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, has said his government does not make any deductions from the monthly allocation of the local councils in the state. According to a statement by Funmi Wakama, Senior Special Assistance

ABIODUN NEJO ADO EKITI

wo days after the Nigeria’s Ambassador to the Republic of Congo, Princess Jolaade Onipede, was forcibly ejected from the palace as the Regent of Ilasa-Ekiti, the state’s police command has said it has not been briefed on the matter. Spokesman for the command, Mr Babayemi Victor Olu, told journalists on phone yesterday that he could not comment on the matter as his office had not been officially informed of the development. The Ilasa-Ekiti palace was reportedly invaded last Wednesday by some elements believed to be government agents and forcibly ejected the regent. It is being rumoured that Princess

to Amosun, the governor disclosed this yesterday in Abeokuta when he received in his office the executive of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON). Amosu also wondered how a state government would deduct funds that could not meet the recur-

rent expenditure of the local governments. “Every month, we support the local councils with about N500 million before they can meet their recurrent obligations. So I’m usually amazed when I read about allegations of state governors deducting money from

the monthly allocation of councils from the Federation Account. That does not happen in Ogun State under my watch,” the statement quoted Amosun. The governor tasked the chairmen to evolve ingenious ways of increasing their Internally

Generated Revenue (IGR) without putting unnecessary burden on their people. He said funds coming to the local governments must be judiciously expended and warned against graft and wastage of public funds. Amosun also called on the association to evolve a

Owo for urgent medical attention. Confirming the incident, the Public Relations Officer of the state Police Command, Mr. Aremu Adeniran, said those who were injured in the accident were rushed to FMC in Owo. He explained that the truck had knocked down and killed one person before ramming into the car of LG chairperson. Adeniran said the bodies of the Adefarati and that of the yet to be identified person had been deposited at the General Hospital in Ikare. Men of the Federal Roads Safety Commission and the Nigerian Police Force were said to be at hand to carry out the rescue operation.

peer review mechanism in order to accelerate the pace of development at the local level. Earlier in his remarks, the National President of ALGON, Chief Nwabueze Okafor, commended Amosun “for ensuring that local governments in Ogun are democratically governed in line with the 1999 Constitution.”

Ekiti regent crisis: Police yet to be briefed Onipede’s ejection was to pave way for the installation of Mrs. Comfort Dayo Idowu as the regent. The invasion of the palace on Wednesday

followed government’s declaration that it did not recognise Onipede and that Idowu was the authentic regent for the community pending the installation of a new

Alasa. It would be recalled that Onipede was on Tuesday installed the regent following the October 1 demise of her father, the Alasa of Ilasa,

Oba Abel Ajibola. Ekiti State Commissioner for Information, Funminiyi Afuye, however, refuted the allegation that the government was responsible for the attack, say-

ing the government had only done what was necessary in the matter and was never responsible for the ejection of the embattled regent from the palace.

Fuel scarcity bites harder in Oyo, sells for N250 KEMI OLAITAN IBADAN

he scarcity of petroleum products in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, and other major towns in the state yesterday assumed a new dimension as product was sold for between N200 and N250 per litre. Long queues were seen in most parts of the Ibadan metropolis. During Saturday Mirror’s visit to many of the

filling stations in Ibadan, Oyo town, and some parts of Oke-Ogun, they were under lock and key because the products were either unavailable or hoarded in order to create artificial scarcity. But at some of the NNPC mega stations like that on the Iwo Road/ Ojoo Express in Ibadan, traffic hold- ups were encountered, with queues stretching to the busy road, thus creating a se-

rious bottleneck for commuters and private vehicle drivers. While the product sold for between N120 and N150 per litre in some areas in Ibadan, some residents of Oyo town complained that they hardly got the product and that at the few filling stations that sold it, N250 was being collected for a litre. Commuters were yesterday morning forced to pay higher than what they

paid on Thursday evening, but unfortunately without any definite reason for the scarcity of the petroleum product . A worker of the Directorate of Petroleum Resources (DPR) in Oyo State simply identified as Mr. John, while speaking with reporters on phone said, “there won’t be fuel now as long as the marketers are not ready to abide by the dictate of the government. The government said they

should not sell above N97 but they insisted on N110.” He added: “When we started shutting their stations, their leaders had meeting with their co-marketers and they decided that they should no longer sell if the government would not allow them to sell at N97. That is why there is scarcity of the product as you have observed. Until they comply, the situation may remain like that”.

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

REGIONAL NEWS

November 3, 2012

SOUTH EAST

Uwazuruike, others kick against planned declaration of Biafra NWABUEZE OKONKWO ONITSHA

rominent Igbo leaders, including the leader of the Movement for Actualisation of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), Ralph Uwazuruike and the Ogirishi Igbo, Chief Rommy Ezeonwuka have reacted to the proposal by another Biafran group, the Biafra Zionist Movement (BZM) to declare an independent state of Biafra on November 5. While Uwazuruike dissociated himself and his members from those he identified as faceless group who he said are just trying to destabilise the relative peace being enjoyed in parts of Igbo land, by proposing to declare a Republic of Biafra on November 5, Ezeonwuka cautioned the Igbo par-

ticularly those involved in the proposal to avoid any act of lawlessness capable of generating public disorder in Igboland. Reacting to a recent statement credited to BZM that it would officially declare Biafra as a republic on November 5, Uwazuruike who spoke in a statement jointly signed on his behalf, by Uchenna Madu and Mazi Chris Mocha of the MASSOB’s Directorate of Information warned: “MASSOB will partner with police to deal with any person or groups under the cover of Biafra to cause mayhem on Saturday, November 3 or any other date”. Ezeonwuka, on his own part, while briefing reporters in his office at the Rojenny Games Village, Oba in Anambra State, said that the Igbo at this point in time are not

ready to engage in any act of confrontation with the Federal Government of Nigeria, as according to him the Federal Govern-

ment has a lot of challenges that require every body’s support at this point in time Uwazuruike recalled

that some expelled members of MASSOB had threatened to declare Biafra on November 5, adding that he was using the

medium to caution such dissident group that he would not allow them to make mockery of ‘the new Biafra struggle’.

Governor Peter Obi (r), with South African investors, Jacques Mulder (m) and Alan Barnes, (l) while inspecting the moribund Mineral Water Industries in Onitsha, recently.

FG releases N400m for Imo flood victims CHRIS NJOKU OWERRI

he Federal Government has released the N400 millionIntervention Fund meant for the flood disaster victims to the Imo State Government. The fund’s release was announced by Vice President Namadi Sambo yesterday when he visited

the recent flood disaster communities in Ohaji/ Egbema and Oguta Local Government Areas in Imo State. The Vice President was accompanied by Senate Leader, Victor Ndoma-Egba, Sen. Hope Uzodinma representing Imo West Senatorial District, Minister of Environment, Hajia Hadiza Melafia, Minister of Water Resources,

Enugu Assembly backs creation of Adada State

he Enugu State House of Assembly has unanimously adopted a resolution in support of the creation of Adada State out of the current Enugu. Presenting the motion during plenary, the sponsor of the motion and leader of the Assembly, Mr Sunday Ude-Okoye, said the history of the struggle for the creation of Adada State began 31 years ago. Ude-Okoye said it was the oldest demand in the South East zone of the country that was yet to be actualised. In his six-point motion prayers which was

co-sponsored by 21 others, Ude-Okoye urged the relevant stakeholders, members of the National Assembly, state legislators, elected chairmen and councillors from the seven local government areas that constitute Enugu North Senatorial zone to initiate actions for the actualisation of the state. He says, “That this honourable House, today, first day of November, 2012 do hereby pledge total support and commitment to the creation of Adada State out of the present Enugu State in the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Mrs. Serah Ochekpe and Director-General of National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) Mohamed Sani-Sidi. Sambo reassured the victims of the Federal Government’s continuous support towards ameliorating their plight. Addressing a gathering of the victims in Egbema, after accessing the level of devastation

NWABUEZE OKONKWO ONITSHA

human rights activist and chairman of Anambra State chapter of the Campaign for Democracy (CD), Vincent Ezekwueme, has called on Governor Peter Obi to constitute a committee that will be made up of people with impeccable integrity to help rehabilitate those affected by the flood disaster. Reacting to the ongoing speculations that some of the relief materials do not get to the victims at the camp, Ezekwueme noted that concerted efforts should be made by government and good public spirited individuals to contribute towards

in some of the affected communities, Sambo, said the Federal Government is also packaging a special post-flood era programme to ensure a total rehabilitation of victims of the unfortunate disaster. His words, “You are aware that this is a natural disaster which we all know is a new phenomenon to the whole world.

We have never witnessed this before and we pray that we will not continue to witness this unfortunate development. I want to assure you that all the victims will be taken care of as Federal Government is packaging a special programme for the post-flood era. He explained that President Goodluck Jonathan has set up a com-

mittee in addition to the instant measures drawn up by the government to cushion the effect of the devastation caused by the flood. Also speaking, Gov. Owelle Rochas Okorocha said the state government has mobilised resources to assist the victims in anticipation of Federal Government’s intervention.

Rights group tasks Obi on flood victims’ rehabilitation ameliorating the pathetic condition of the victims. Ezekwueme noted that the proposed committee should embark on on-thespot assessment of houses of the flood victims to ascertain areas that needed help, adding that most of the victims are peasant farmers who took loans from banks. He also called on the government to write off the loans taken by the farmers before the advent of the flood disaster and give them fresh loans to enable them cultivate during

next farming season. Ezekwueme maintained that Obi should monitor the disbursement of funds from the Federal Government and public spirited individuals in order to actualise the good intentions of the donors. Meanwhile, the Chief Executive Officer of Emzor Pharmaceuticals Plc, Mrs. Stella Okoli, wept bitterly at both the Bishop Crowther Memorial School, Onitsha and Fr, Joseph Memorial School, Aguleri, displaced people’s camps as she donated various

relief items, including drugs and medical testing equipment, bottled water, mattresses and unspecified amount of money. Addressing the victims shortly after she administered some oral drugs on children of the victims to deworm them, Okoli described the flood disaster as horrendous, embarrassing and disastrous, adding that the situation was capable of exposing the victims to various contagious diseases, hunger and mental disorderliness.

REGIONAL NEWS

November 3, 2012

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

SOUTH SOUTH

Akpabio picks Valerie Ebe as new Dep Gov TONY ANICHEBE UYO

overnor Godswill Akpabio yesterday forwarded to the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly a nominee for the vacant office of the deputy governor following the resignation last Wednesday of Mr Nsima Ekere. Akpabio picked Mrs Valerie Ebe, a former member of the state executive council as his deputy, thereby putting to rest speculations that he was going to nominate either the incumbent commissioner for education, Mrs. Eunice Thomas or her local government and chieftaincy affairs counterpart, Mr. Effiong Abia. However, Ebe’s nomination as deputy governor came with a caveat from the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Mr. Sam Ikon, that she might be impeached if she did not act accordingly. ‘’If you do not behave accordingly the House may be forced to act otherwise’’, he warned.

Ebe who hails from Mkpat Enin Local Government Area in Eket Senatorial District as the immediate past deputy governor, is adjudged as a loyal party member and strong supporter of the Akpabio administration. She had served severally in various capacities as commissioner for environment, culture and tourism as well the Ethical and Attitudinal Reorientation Commission (EARCOM). She was also a onetime state publicity secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and chairperson AKIWOL. Her choice for the number two position in the oil rich state came as a surprise following her seeming disappearance from the political scene since she was dropped as a commissioner over three years ago by Akpabio. It was gathered yesterday that her nomination as deputy governor may not be unconnected with her brilliant performance in Akpabio’s

first term in office as well as her solid educational background as both an educationist and a lawyer. It is also believed in the political circles in the state that Ebe would not pose any challenge to the powers that be in the state as she is not nursing any ambition to contest the 2015 governorship elec-

tion. Appearing before the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly yesterday, Ebe got nice words from the lawmakers for her contributions to the development of the state and her outstanding loyalty to the party. First to speak was the house member represent-

ing Mkpat Enin State Constituency, Mr. Ekong Sampson, who described Ebe as a ‘parcel of distinction’. Also speaking, the Deputy Speaker of the House, and former member of the state’s executive council, Udo Keiran Akpan, said that the deputy governor nominee was an

epitome of excellence and womanhood. Leader of the House, Mr. Okpolum Etteh, had urged the Speaker and members of the house to allow Ebe take a bow and leave having satisfied all constitutional requirements suitable for the office of the deputy governor.

Governor Godswill Akpabio (right) presenting a souvenir to the Irish Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Patrick Fay (left) in traditional Akwa Ibom attire after a courtesy call in Governor’s Office, Uyo, Friday. Fay had just been made an honorary Akwa Ibom Chief and was in his chieftaincy regalia.

Dickson demands hard work, commitment from Bayelsans EMMA GBEMUDU YENAGOA

ayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson, yesterday renewed his appeal to the people of the state to shun rumour mongering and work hard by supporting his administration for a meaningful development in the state. Dickson, who claimed the era of rumour mongering by some persons to cause disaffection in the state was over, blamed the negative trend on underdevelopment and illiteracy among the populace. The Bayelsa governor spoke yesterday in Yenagoa at the maiden annual state thanksgiving day organized by the state government. Government had declared yesterday a public holiday in the state to observe the thanksgiving day passed into law by the state legislature.

Dickson had earlier in the day performed a ground breaking ceremony of the state’s Christian centre located at Igbogene, an outskirts of Yenagoa. In the words of Governor Dickson, “Power comes only from God. Power does not come from the east or from the west, neither

from the north nor from the south. It is only from God. When I was elected I could recall that I said all these. I have come as your governor to proclaim restoration on this land; I have come to talk about peace; I have come to bring about an accelerated development, prosperity and security,” Governor Dickson.

The Governor advised persons in positions of authority to be answerable to the people and not to enrich their pockets to the detriment of the people. He continued, “We all saw what this state had passed through in the last couple of years. We now have an opportunity to build a new Bayelsa where things must

be done rightly. I enjoined all sons and daughters in positions of authority in the state to be ready to serve the people and put the people first in the discharge of duties to the state. ,” Dickson said. Among dignitaries that graced the event were the former Governor of the state, Chief Diepriye Ala-

Sunny Odogwu donates to Delta flood victims AMOUR UDEMUDE ASABA

hairman of Grand Hotels and Resort, Asaba, Chief Sunny Odogwu, has joined the league of well-meaning Nigerians to donate to the flood victims in Delta State. Presenting a truck load of relief materials at the St Patrick’s College camp, Odogwu, who was represented by his cousin, Victor Isiche said he was pained by natural disaster. He sympathised

with the flood victims adding that he would continue to evaluate the situation in order to render assistance to the people. While commending the state governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, and the Federal Government for all their efforts in managing the relief operation, Odogwu stated that “I have personally visited the camps for first hand information and on the spot assessment of the whole situation.” Odogwu, who de-

scribed the entire situation as pathetic and sorrowful, said this is the time the victims need assistance and called on public spirited individuals, NGOs and corporate organisations to assist in

whatever means they can. Receiving the items which comprise 500 pressure washing machines, 500 pieces of wrappers and 200 bags of rice among others, the Commissioner for Special

mieyeseigha, erstwhile Military Administrator of Delta and Ebonyi state, Navy Capt .Walter Feghabo (rtd.), President of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN)Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor and former Governor of old Rivers State, King Alfred DieteSpiff. Duty, Dr. Tony Nwaka, thanked the donor. Nwaka who promised the evenly distribution of the materials to the affected victims appealed to well meaning individuals, groups and organisations to emulate the donor as government cannot do it all alone.

Mark condoles with Attah over wife’s death

he Senate President, Sen. David Mark, on Friday commiserated with the former governor of Akwa Ibom, Obong Victor Attah, on the demise of his

wife, Allison. Mark, who expressed sympathy to the family, the people and government of Akwa Ibom, noted that the deceased lived a life worthy of emula-

tion. He added that Allison lived a passionate life and made significant impact on the life of the underprivileged during and after the tenure of her husband.

Politics

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

November 3, 2012

2015: Battle for South-West hots up TEMITOPE OGUNBANKE

ince the beginning of the Fourth Republic in 1999, the tussle for the soul of the South-West geo-political zone of the country has always been between the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Alliance for Democracy (AD), which metamorphosed into Action Congress (AC) and later, Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN). AD, during the 1999 general elections, swept the SouthWest and governed for four years. The internal wrangling in the party, especially the tussles between the Yoruba social political group, Afenifere, and AD leaders led to a woeful performance of the during the 2003 general elections. In 2003, apart from Lagos State under the grip of the Bola Tinubu-led AD government, the remaining five states were ruled by PDP governments. Between 2003 and 2007 there were a lot of leadership tussle in PDP and AD. The crises left the political parties with members forming different factions. The internal wrangling in the two political parties led to the registration of more political parties by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), a situation which opened the South-West to a serious contest from other parties as well. During the 2007 general elections, all the PDP’s five governors were returned to office while Governor Babatunde Fashola won Lagos State on the platform of AC. But three years after, the political structure in South-West changed as PDP lost three states to the opposition parties through judicial process. PDP, in 2009, lost Ondo State to Labour Party and also lost Ekiti and Osun states to AC in 2010. With the new developments the 2011 general elections were keenly contested by the three political parties in the South-West. Except in Ondo State, where governorship election did not take place, ACN won five states while Labour Party swept the entire national and state assemblies seats in Ondo State. With the outcome of the 2011 general elections, many people looked forward to the October 20, 2012 governorship election in Ondo State with eagerness. They believe that the election will be a major determinant of how the political parties will perform in the general election in 2015. Prior to the election many people saw ACN as the viable political party that would pose a big challenge to Labour Party, considering its strength in South-West. But the outcome of the election was a surprise to many as ACN did not come second much less win the election. According to political analysts, the outcome of the Ondo governorship election has introduced a new dimension into South-West politics. The outcome of the election showed clearly that the power to elect resides in the people; therefore it is believed that the people will determine what will happen in future elections in South-West. Before the Ondo governorship election, ACN was rated above the PDP because of its popularity as the major opposition party in Nigeria. But with PDP coming second in the Ondo gubernatorial election, some analysts are of the view that with more determination and dedication, PDP or any other political party may end ACN’s reign in SouthWest. The tussle for political leadership and relevance among various Yoruba leaders and groups will also be a major factor in determining who and who will have control of the South-West in future elections. Without any iota of doubt, Afenifere leaders, who are not in good terms with ACN leaders, may work with any opposition party like they did for PDP during the 2007 general elections and for Labour Party in the last Ondo elections to ensure that ACN loses

South-West. Afenifere, in a recent statement signed by its leader and Secretary, Chiefs Reuben Fasoranti and Seinde Arogbofa, said that the defeat of ACN in Ondo State had marked the collapse and final death of the party in the South-West geopolitical zone. The group said that the outcome of the election signified that Yoruba people had had enough of the ACN and were willing to vote out the party at the appropriate time. If the position of Afenifere is anything to go by, then ACN may not have it smooth in forthcoming elections. At present, virtually all the ACN governors in South-West are having challenges with their people based on government’s policies, especially policies that have inflicted more pains on the masses than expected. Therefore, many people believe that PDP or any opposition party may build on ACN weaknesses to win South-West. Among the present five ACN governors in South-West, only Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State will not seek for re-election in 2015. The second term dream of the remaining four governors will be determined by the electorates. Governors Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State and Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State will seek to renew their mandate in 2014 while Governors Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State and Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State second term ambition lies in the hands of the electorate in 2015. Looking at the various scenarios in the ACN states, the party may find it difficult to extend their reign in SouthWest beyond 2015. At present, some people seem to be dissatisfied with the mode of governance of the ACN government in South-West and therefore they may possibly look for an alternative like they did during the 2003, 2007 and 2011 general elections by voting against the ruling party. On the part of the PDP, the internal wrangling within the party may also affect the party’s performance in future elections if they refuse to put their house in order. But if PDP leaders and members sheathe their swords and work in one accord like they did during the 2003 general elections, they will definitely have a good outing. With the myriad of problems in the ACN and PDP, some analysts are of the view that people may look outside ACN and PDP to elect their representatives. This is because Nigerians are gradually voting based on personality and not political parties. This is reflected in how how some relatively unknown parties like Accord Party, Peoples Party of Nigeria (PPN), KOWA Party, among others produced lawmakers at the national and state assemblies during the 2011 general elections. Some are also of the view that Labour Party, with its success in Ondo State can also spring a surprise in forthcoming elections in South-West to extend its reign from Ondo State to others. Ahead of the forthcoming elections in South-West, the battle for the soul of Yoruba states would be keenly contested for and all the political parties, gladiators and non-political groups will play major roles to determine the direction the people will go in electing their representatives. Speaking to Saturday Mirror, former Minister of Transportation and Aviation, Chief Ebenezer Babatope declared that “We are working very hard to ensure that we have unity in the party (PDP) because without unity we cannot do anything. Once we have the unity of the party, you can be sure that we will defeat ACN. The Ondo election has shown that ACN is a weak party and the election shows that people will only vote for those who have achieved. ACN has not done anything in South-West, so I believe people will vote for PDP to throw ACN away from South-West. What happened in ACN in Ondo State will be applied to the party in CONTINUED ON PAGE 15

Obasanjo

Tinubu

Fasoranti

POLITICS

November 3, 2012

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Lack of national dialogue gave W

hat is your view on the call for a national conference to discuss the nation’s prob-

lems? If the situation in the county is tense, then dialogue is very important. Tension portends misunderstanding and you cannot understand something or an issue if you do not talk about it. The truth of the matter is that those who call for dialogue and those who resist it are in fact engaged in an informal dialogue, making various demands challenging the status quo. What is left really is formalising and co-ordinating the engagement by all the geopolitical zones of the country that have been raising issues of concern to them. The biggest problem with misunderstanding is the disintegration of communication channels and building up of suspicions instead of empathy and trade-offs. The main reason why extreme groups have taken centre stage in our national discourse is because of the needless fears and chasm created as a result of lack of dialogue by elite blocks, some of whom, even arrogantly, make statements that certain matters about the entity called Nigeria are ‘settled’ without pointing out those settled matters. In my view, what we all stand to lose by extending this vacuum or chasm of dialogue is far worse than what we stand to gain, even if the consequences of the actions of the extreme groups do not affect us directly. But many people are of the view that convening a national conference may lead to the break-up of Nigeria? Why are people expressing unnecessary and needless fear over what is taken for granted elsewhere for collective good. I do not think that those who call for dialogue want a break-up of Nigeria. If that fear were real, how many countries would emerge from the Niger-Delta which is a miniature Nigeria? We all know what it means to belong to a big country and not just a tiny entity called country. Our real challenge is how we can all live in a country where we all have a sense of belonging, where no group should see itself as superior to others; a country where there are no limits to how far one can aspire, achieve and contribute. You see, when you have a recurrent problem, it is foolhardy to deal with it in the same way that has not worked; you will find out that this may be why there has been enthusiasm for the different approaches to the power sector reform. The Nigerian problem worsens every time we tend strongly towards unitarism and because of this there has always been a tension between federalists and unitarists. We do not all have to embrace the same way of doing things to be a nation, but when we are able to live together without acrimony despite our diversities, eventually a central Nigerian culture will emerge. This is the case since independence; there are things that are uniquely Nigerian irrespective of where you are in Nigeria, but it does not mean that we should eclipse those things which are peculiar to each area of the country, the accommodation of these diversities can best be done in a federal system, but in embrac-

Mr. Mike Igini, a lawyer and human rights activist is the Cross River State Resident Electoral Commissioner. He speaks on the call for a national conference, amendment of the constitution, state creation, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and preparations for future elections, among other national issues. TEMITOPE OGUNBANKE reports.

Igini

ing federalism we must not learn the hard way by ignoring the useful lessons from other federal states. Even though I am not pessimistic to the point of fearing for a disintegration of Nigeria, we must not tempt fate, instead we should create channels for trust building. On the need for rapid growth and development of many parts of Nigeria, many are agitating for the creation of additional states. Do you think additional states should be created? Except for just one more state for the South East zone which is fair, just and deserved, creating more states is not the answer to our failure to develop even though the arguments put forward for the creation of a number of nonviable states was that it would bring development to those areas. We are merely going to expand the bureaucracies with more non-viable states, more civil servants and huge salaries at the expense of needed monies for basic infrastructures. Except in very extreme cases where people point to very emotive

reasons, in most instances the key motivation for such demands is to accelerate development closer to those who make such demands. If this is the case then we must not see state creation as the only means to that end. It is quite possible for the federal government and states to agree instead on a mechanism which introduces the concept of growth centres on development. Under such a mechanism a periodic policy of deliberate development of parts of a state of a zone may be approved by the federal and state legislatures upon the recommendations of a joint body of the different tiers of governance. By an approved prorated contribution, such places will be developed using a strategic template. Given such a mechanism, groups will lobby for development status rather than interminable fission of the current administrative structures which we are all already aware is a heavy burden on the national wealth to maintain. The National Assembly has embarked on the amendment of the 1999

Nigerian Constitution. What do you think is wrong with our constitution that requires urgent attention? There are several things which are wrong with the constitution and the very first is the matter of its legitimacy before the majority of Nigerians. Now, on the issue of legitimacy, keep in mind that the very conception of a constitution is that it is the will of the people expressed in textual form, and that agreement flows to all other realms of governance to which that collective will delegate power. If the people therefore question the very fulcrum from which the legitimacy of all the realms of the state flows, it is very imperative that such equivocation be removed. This is why the input of a very wide cross section of the people is vital to enhance the legitimacy of the constitution as representative of the will of Nigerians. There are sections of the constitution that have proved from their implementation to be hindrances to development. Now, let us not imagine that we can have a perfect document which can address all our problems now and forever. If that was possible then we would not need to make new acts, laws and by-laws because the usefulness of every policy is dependent on its impact on the society. In that respect, the weakening of the federating units over time through extensive centralisation inherent in the exclusive list from 44 items in (1960), 45 (1963), 66(1979) and now 68 items under the 1999 constitution does not lend much strength to the implementation of the federal structure unlike that of the United States with just only 18 items in the exclusive list. And we pretend to copy the practice of federalism from the US. Why should the federal government be in charge of prison exclusively whereas majority of the inmates were brought in by state laws? These, amongst others, require review in order to have accelerated development of every part of Nigeria as we witnessed in the first Republic that still remains as the golden era of development. Credible voters’ register is essential to conducting a credible election and many people seem to be complaining about the voters’ register. What is INEC doing to ensure that a true and faultless voter’s register is in place? INEC is working very hard to build on the biometric register that is already in place and its updating will be a continuous process as people migrate, relocate, come of voting age and other relevant demographic indices that would normally affect register. Recall that recently the commission informed the public that the electronic chip embedded voters’ cards with the specific biometric data of each voter will be available in due course. This is part of the process of ensuring that a credible voters roll is in place. As a testament to the efforts of the electoral commission under Prof. Attahiru Jega, it must be noted that since 2011 the era of election results where we have number of voters like the counting of a bacteria culture is gradually receding, and though there are places where people have expressed misgivings, we have to admit that we have made significant progress in ensuring

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POLITICS

November 3, 2012

rise to extreme groups –Igini that results reflect ballots cast by actual voters. This is why the continuous authentication of the voters roll is very important. Looking at how some election tribunal cases were handled, Nigerians seem to be worried over allegation of corruption in handling election petitions and high profile corruption cases involving politicians. As a lawyer, are you not worried? You will agree with me that if you take the opinion of a cross section of Nigerians today, not very many will give the courts very high marks. This is because justice and its effective delivery is at the heart of an ordered society. When justice cannot be delivered at individual level and this lack of justice is institutionalised as the bastion of justice, the glue that holds the sanity of society together becomes unstuck and things will fall apart, to use a cliché. I am sure that when you go through the different spectrum of society you will find stories of profound concerns for our judiciary over election petition cases and their outcome. People continue to express consternation over judicial decisions emanating from election cases where even appellate courts cry helplessness. A good example is the provisions of Section 285 of the amended constitution which gives Election Tribunals 180 days and Appeal Court 60 days to conclude election petitions, then the Supreme Court 60 days so to do. But we

Igini

saw situations where Appeal Court’s decisions were delivered outside the mandated periods, and some appeal courts delivered judgment without giving the reasons for their judicial decision, when they were no longer the final courts of appeal. Appellants were made to suffer for the action or inaction of the courts. In terms of legal procedure, is it the norm for a court which is not the final court

2015: Battle for South-West hots up CONTINUED FROM PAGE 13 other parts of South-West.” A PDP chieftain, Senator Lekan Balogun said: “How much better is the opposition party in government doing? PDP should put its house in order and lead a worthwhile struggle against all the identifiable problems in the party. We did it in 2003 and we can still do it again. Hopefully, we have learnt our lessons and we are going to put our house in order. I think it can be done and ACN is helping that trend of event by the way they are performing. The trend of event is changing and PDP would probably regain some of the South-West states in 2015.” The ACN national chairman, Chief Bisi Akande in a recent statement made available to Saturday Mirror believes that despite the outcome of the Ondo governorship election, his party would not relent in its efforts to ensure that they provide effective leadership to the people. “No one race or political contest is worth damaging our democracy. We would rather lose the race and gain democracy than win the race and lose democracy in the process. For us in the Action Congress of Nigeria, the Ondo State election is a battle in a larger war; the war of deepening democracy and ensuring accountability in our country. We are therefore resolved to put the elections behind us whilst pursuing the task of providing leadership to our people effectively.” An ACN chieftain in Ogun State, Kayode Soyinka, believes that the people would determine what will happen in future elections. He said people have demonstrated

through the Ondo governorship election that the Yoruba people must not necessarily belong to the same political party to secure regional integration. He said the election result had confirmed that democracy has indeed taken firm root in Nigeria and the citizens now have freedom of choice and association and therefore urged his party to put his house in order for future elections. His words: “I recall the troubles we faced and the battles we had to fight when the opposition PDP took over the reins in all but one of the South-West states in 2003. For eight years, we were in the wilderness and our people suffered the consequences of our failure to provide them progressive leadership. “Indeed, if PDP had not imploded in a state like Ogun, we probably would still have PDP in government today. Our leaders in ACN must show that they have learnt from that terrible experience and retrace their steps by allowing true democracy to have a pride of place within the party and in the region as a whole.” With the different parties, learning one lesson or the other from the last governorship election in Ondo State, it is obvious that the battle for the South-West in 2015 is not going to be a tea party. While the ACN has been stared in the face with the reality that it is not as possible as it had thought afterall, PDP is brimming with much hope that it can do better. LP is even more confident and would want to ensure that those who voted it back into office in Ondo are not disappointed as a way of seeking more grounds in 2015 in other states.

of appeal to reserve reason for its judgment? Such procedure is reserved only for final courts of appeal. Nevertheless, having instigated such default, the Supreme Court that the last amendment of the constitution has given the final court of appeal on governorship elections, carried forward this anomaly, by purporting to rely on the unfinished business of the appeal court, that it cannot examine what was unfinished at the appeal courts. The question then arises, what is the use of Section 22 of the Supreme Court Act, if it cannot examine the merits and depth of public records before it as a court of records? Should the errors of procedure on the part of judicial officers in lower courts be visited on those who seek justice? These questions are important because of the perception of the public of what the courts have done to sustain or diminish the faith of the public in our courts. The courts should not be seen to be complicit in creating a fertile ground for electoral roguery. Electoral rules and procedures should be interpreted strictly in order to discourage the tribe of politicians who rig or attempt to rig elections to occupy public office. Despite government’s perceived war against corruption through anti-graft agencies, the level of corruption in Nigeria is worrisome. Do you anticipate a corrupt free society in this country? Corruption is as old as society itself but how people in different nations respond to

matters of corruption and its impacts on development is what separates the least corrupt nations and the most corrupt nations of the world. Corruption has many dimensions, but most damaging of all is moral corruption, because all other forms of corruption derive from a famished ethos. In order to establish a strong national ethos which will diminish moral corruption, there must be consequences. Positive consequences for values which we want to enhance and negative consequences for those we want people to refrain from. This is where the leadership at all levels has a strong role to play, because they must be the moral exemplars of society. If the people see judges, elected officials and leaders in the private sector involved in monumental corruption, cutting corners or trying to beat the system without consequences, the damage it does ripples down to every section of the country. The greatest tragedy of our country is that those who occupy position of trust who are supposed to be role models that should be looked up to are the ones involved in high profile corruption cases lining their unpatriotic pockets with public patrimony. We need value reorientation because our value pyramid is upside down at the moment. Dishonesty and corruption are now on the top and celebrated. It is for this reason that the cases you mention must not only be dealt with but also be seen that justice is done.

In your refreshingly different Flood Relief Camps: The sharp practices…

Victims of flood disaster are crying to the heavens for succour. Their wailing is pitiful and the government continues to offer all within its powers to alleviate their sufferings. But there are some unscrupulous elements in the society who are not bothered by the plight of these unfortunate Nigerians. They are making brisk business from the items and money pouring in for the refugees. As you will find in this report, while flood victims are dying of hunger in their camps, there are some people out there who are diverting relief materials both from government and the charity organisations. It is a must read.

Kogi House of crisis

The conflict in Kogi State House of Assembly is far from being over. The House is yet to reconvene and even remains suspended on the order of the House of Reps. Is there any solution in sight? What is the grouse of the ousted principal officers? We provide insight tomorrow in an interview granted by one of the members. We also tell you what he has to say about Gov Idris Wada’s role in the saga.

Terror attacks in the eyes of teenagers On Sunday, October 28, it was the turn of worshippers at St. Rita’s Catholic Church to experience terror attack. When the rubble cleared, eight worshippers had died while about 145 were injured. Ever wondered how teenagers feel about the terror attacks? Probably not. This week, we tell the story of terror from the perspective of the kids who witnessed the St. Rita’s attack. It is interesting.

‘Why marriages marriiages crash among Nollywood acts’

Ifeoma Anyiam, an actress, is one of the screen divas who have paid their due in Nollywood having been there for over a decade. She tells in this interview that the strength of her marriage lies in the fact that she is married to a man who understands her. Besides, she explains why many artistes are unlucky with marriage. These and many more available tomorrow in your

November 3, 2012

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

MAGAZ INE

Sex talk

Sex with the kids around: What are the rules?

Fashion •Thigh high slits •How to be a stylish mom

Relationships Are Inter-tribal marriages ideal?

Cynthia

Rising to expectations

November 3, 2012

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Celebrity

From Ego

Omalicha

to Safarie Safarie, formerly known as Ego and Ego Omalicha, shocked the entertainment industry when she quit her label, Questionmark Entertainment, earlier this year. Now, she tells OSEYIZA OOGBODO how she is coping without the backing of her former sponsor.

ou were already popular as Ego Omalicha. Why did you change to Safarie? Well, there are plenty of Egos in the industry. I just heard there’s another girl somewhere called Ego and let’s not forget, we have Lagbaja’s Ego. So it was really hard on my brand because how do you differentiate us all? Ego gets nominated, which is it? Ego is performing. Is she performing Fall In Love? No, not that Ego, the other Ego, the yellow Ego. So it just kept on dragging me back. At first, Kevin really wanted me to be Ego because while he was signing me, he decided my name was gonna be Ego, because Ego is actually my personal name, that’s what my parents call me, so he decided I was going to be Ego, I think he wanted to cause some controversy then, and everything worked out, I blew up so big and it became really hard. The other Ego gets nominated for an award and people are congratulating me. So I thought it was high time I stood on my own. And when you say Safarie now, that’s me, and it embodies everything that I stand for. It sounds African, it means an adventurous, exciting person. So how are people taking Safarie as your new name? I’ve gotten a lot of good responses. Until I changed my name, nobody told

Why I changed my name God, it can’t be quantified. I have achieved … I’m beginning to achieve my dreams. I love the fact that I perform and I hear people screaming my name that I actually give them joy, that they love what they are seeing. I love to entertain people. I’m an entertainer. It gives me joy that Why did you go into music and not people can relate to my song, that it plays a part in their lives, in their memories, some other profession? Because it is all I live and breathe. Mu- and of course we all know that music is an integral part of life, it plays a huge sic. role in everybody’s life. There’s a song How did you then discover your you hear and you remember old times and there’s a song you hear and it makes music talent? I think it has to do with my upbring- you happy, right? So it gives me great joy ing. If you really go back and see my that I can touch the lives of people. biography, you know, I was schooled by How often do you perform? nuns. I went to a catholic school and you I still performed last Saturday at the know the role that hymns play in the catholic community. So I grew up know- Beat of Lagos concert. And I’m always ing all I could ever do to make me happy ready to perform if you want me. Though was sing and inspire people and put joy for a while, I wasn’t performing as I wantinto their faces. That’s where I get my ed to work more on some other aspects of my music. happiness from. me they didn’t really feel that I’m Ego. Everybody’s loving the new name and I’ve even had people from abroad calling and saying they downloaded my song because of the name and that they love the song.

conquer. What are your strengths as a musician? First and foremost, I’m an entertainer, like I spent four years of my life on the stage while I was in school. I love performing. It releases this rush of creativity in me. It gives me this joy, I love performing, I like choreography, I love dancing a lot, I get ideas every minute of my life from things about me, from things that happen around me, I’m a philosopher, I observe things normal people wouldn’t. So you are saying you are equally adept in singing, dancing and all the rest? Yes. But as a performer first and foremost.

What aspects are those? How long have you then been a proWell, I wanted to work more on the fessional musician? Professionally, it was about four years promotion of the song, on the production ago as I was writing my final exams in of the video, work with my dancers, my choreographers, so it’s really been busy. Unilag where I studied music.

Many artists fade away when they lose the backing of their record label. How are you coping now without your former label behind you? Well, somehow, somehow, you know when one door closes, another opens. God has been able to put me through. He’s providing all that I need for my promotions.

Most Nigerian artists want to win the Grammy. Do you have that aspiration too? I feel we’re closer than we ever imagined we could ever be. And you know, everybody has big dreams, I have big dreams, I want to go on an international playing field. I want to be one of the top five artists you are calling from Africa, not Nigeria now, but Africa, and that’s why I chose an ethnic name like Safarie. So just watch out and see. With God on my side, I know there’s nothing I can’t

It is said that you have to belong to a clique to succeed in music. Is it true and do you belong to a clique yourself ? Well, I don’t know about that and I don’t care to talk about it because clique or no clique, what do you have to offer to the people? Do good music people and let the people judge. I mean, I don’t think being in a clique has any impact on the level you get to or whatsoever. The first thing is that good music sells itself. You should be able to stand on that alone.

Since you studied music, can you play instruments and read music notes? Well, those are the theoretical aspects of music and they really have nothing to do with the main aspect of music, that’s actually singing, that’s actually conveying emotions through what you sing to people. As per the theory, who can’t do that, you know? What have you achieved as a musician?

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

November 3, 2012

Entervaganza

With OSEYIZA OOGBODO

08023755142 kingseiza@gmail.com

Cynthia Morgan’s rising profile S

Morgan

ince she featured on Jhybo’s Ejo Le Fe Ro, good things have been expected of Cynthia Morgan. Just like Waje rose to prominence when PSquare featured her on Do Me, it was believed that Morgan too was set for the top, going by her critically acclaimed performance on the Jhybo hit. Two years down the line, Morgan finally begins to live up to expectations. Even as her latter singles, High High High and Ojoro, continue to gain ground by the day, she has earned another feather to her cap. She was chosen as one of the artistes to record for the hot mixtape, The Whosendu.Com Mixtape Vol. 1, and Who Send U, the song she recorded with respected rapper, Overdose, has been released as the first record off the mixtape. With the mixtape geared towards reawakening consciousness for quality music, Morgan’s choice to be on it is another indication that great things are indeed expected of her and that it’s only a matter of time now before she rules the industry.

Ed Jatto takes over Remi Aluko’s management

he hottest fuji musician in town, Remi Aluko, popularly known as Igwe of Fuji, whose album, BlackBerry, is selling fast in the market, has gone into a management partnership with veteran entertainment personality, Ed Jatto. Speaking about the deal which is about Jatto’s outfit, Jatto Music, managing his career henceforth, Aluko said, “I’m just thankful to God that He brought Ed Jatto my way. It’s not because of the name I already have. I’ve been thinking of ways to get my career to the next level and I believe it’s now possible through Jatto’s management,” he added. Already, the partnership of the duo is paying dividends as Jatto is already introducing Aluko to new contacts that will further his career as well as getting him shows. Having been in the entertainment industry since the 70s, Jatto relocated to the United States in the 80s and he returned recently with the sole aim of helping Nigeria’s music industry grow further.

Dakolo

Timi Dakolo set for Kenya disability concert I

t has now been confirmed that one of Africa’s finest R&B artistes and the winner of the first West Africa Idol is set to perform for the first time in Nairobi, Kenya at a concert put together by Opa Williams Production. The tender-hearted humanitarian will be the star artiste at the concert dubbed The Evening scheduled for Safari Park Hotel on the 17th of November. Other artistes expected at the concert include Chris Bitok, Suzzana Owiyo, Daddy Owen and Nairobi Choir. According to Efe Omorogbe, CEO of Now Muzik, the concert is a fund raiser for people living with disability and it will also feature other artistes from Kenya as well as Nigerian ace comedian, Ali Baba. The reason for Timi’s choice as the star artiste is not far-fetched. His rich choice of words, lyrical depth and soulful vocals combined is always an experience for listeners. His Great Nation single off the Beautiful Noise album is a listening pleasure any time with its timely message and words of encouragement. Timi has been involved in a number of charity work. He performed pro-bono at Valentine At Christmas, a charity concert organised by British Council in 2008 for the benefit of Lagos State schools and also the Inspired Africa Benefit Concert in 2009.

Niteshift Coliseum

relaunches Wednesday live gig

Aluko

To this end, he established a studio and runs a record label. And speaking about his deal with Aluko, he said, “Remi is the most promising fuji artiste presently. I believe so much in him and what he has to offer. Our intention is to set the fuji music industry on fire through meaningful lyrics that will make him into an international brand,” he said.

iteshift Coliseum, one of Nigeria’s leading entertainment events venue, is repackaging with the reintroduction of its popular every Wednesday live gig. The weekly gig that was suspended early this year for appraisals will be making its return on 7 November and every other Wednesday, with a new band consisting of versatile younger instrumentalists and vocalists. Ken Calebs-Olumese, the Guv’nor of the club, said the hangout, renowned for first-class entertainment, decided to reintroduce the weekly event in order to satisfy the yearning of the club’s patrons who complained on the dwindling mid-week night life. He said with the reputation already built by the club as the pacesetter in the

area of live music, the weekly gig has been revamped and it will now feature the best in Nigeria’s music scene performing as guest artistes and DJs. And on the inaugural Wednesday, the club will unveil the new band which will share the stage with some popular hip-hop artistes. The show will be a four-hour fun-filled with live music starting from 8pm to 12am. Afterwards, guests DJs Shina and Solex of Rainbow 94.1FM will take over the proper disco session. Olumese noted that in conformity with the trending contemporary culture, the club’s ambience has changed, while a special VVIP lounge has been opened at the upper section of the club for the club’s special patrons and senior members.

ENTERVAGANZA

November 3, 2012

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

CLASSICAL RYHMES

AIRWAVES LINK

Jim Iyke takes to reality TV

Iyke

hen reports filtered into town recently that Omotola JaladeEkeinde had begun production of her own reality show, it was obvious that it was only a matter of time before her colleagues would join her on the bandwagon. So it’s no surprise that Jim Iyke too is now reported to be working assiduously on his own reality show. As a matter of fact, considering Iyke’s antecedents in the entertainment industry, it is even expected that he should come up with a reality show as he’s probably the one actor that people really want to get to know in-depth and a reality show based on him will certainly shed more light on him. Iyke’s reality show is to be known as Jim Iyke Unscripted and will air on satellite TV and it is certain to amass viewership.

Naija FM celebrates second anniversary

opular radio station, Naija FM, is set to celebrate its second anniversary with the Naija FM Comedy and Awards Night scheduled to hold today at Banilux Hall, Yaba. Awards that will be given out are for comedian of the

year, comedy event of the year, TV comedy show of the year and many others. The awards were voted for by Naija FM listeners and the station’s many presenters will also be the ones to present the awards to the deserving winners. And thrilling the guests on

the night with h comedy are AY, Basketmouth, outh, Julius Agwu, Koffi,, MC Abbey, Seyi Law and d Elenu while K-Switch, BrymO, Omo Akin, Davido, do, Ajebutter 22, Chuddy K, Phenom,, W4, Jaywon n are musicians.

Malone

ers. Musicians, DJs, producers, s o n g writers, record label prooprietors and nd every other her music industry practitioner all have the he chance to perform and nd showcase their services ices to the international al community at NIMEX X and expose themselvess to the global music industry ndustry decision makers and nd probably broker a deal that at will take their career to the international level.

Don’t Break My Heart Artist: Banky W

NIMEX brings global music experts to Nigeria he Nigeria International Music Expo (NIMEX 2012) holding from 28 through 30 of this month at MUSON Centre is set to expose the Nigerian music industry to the world as renowned international music practitioners will be attending and coordinating the sessions. Some of the music heavyweights coming in from outside the country are Nick Hausling, Senior Director A & R, Warner Bros Records; Monte Malone, Senior VicePresident, A&R Worldwide; Seven Webster, founder and President, 7PM Management UK; Ernesto Elias, Head of Music & Talents, MTV International and so many oth-

Banky W

Elenu

Chorus (2x) You’re the only one for me Why can’t you see Cos I knew it from the start Don’t break what’s left of my heart Verse 1 Every time I see your pretty face, my heart skips a beat And I get so, yes I do Every time I see your pretty smile, MY heart runs wild And I get real high I need you I love you I want you here with me (oh yes I do) Oh babe, oh baby, baby Chorus (2x) Verse 2 Maybe I wanna become the man you deserve And I’ll always put you first Maybe you dont wanna let me Cuz you’ve been hurt But I love you I need you Just like the air I breathe So don’t leave me Don’t leave me Baby, baby, baby Chorus (2x) Verse 3 And I will love no other Can’t live without you I’m always thinking of you All my life You’ll soon know what I know If you realized That my love was made for you So please don’t go Chorus (2x) Refrain I can’t live I can’t breath I can’t live I can’t breath

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ENTERVAGANZA

November 3, 2012

BOX-OFFICE HITS

BRAIN BEHIND THE SCENE

eedless to say, Skyfall, the latest James Bond movie is a guaranteed box office sensation. It is the twenty-third James Bond movie and it will certainly continue the tradition of Bond’s success at the box office. As is usual with Bond films, Skyfall’s plot too is one of its main selling points apart from its other selling points of being shot in locations worldwide, advanced special effects and cinematography. The last Bond movie before Skyfall, Quantum Solace, was released in 2008 and Bond lovers have had to wait a long time for this latest one, Skyfall, so the anticipation has greatly helped it at the box office to the extent that it opened at number one on the box office charts of twenty-five countries. Again, Skyfall is like no other Bond movie. It projects the emotional side of James Bond who is known to be a cold, calculating secret agent whose only

Coker Jr

Adeniyi A Coker Jr … consummate filmmaker

deniyi A Coker Jr is an extremely talented brain behind the scene. He is a producer, director, playwright and a professor at the University of Missouri’s Department of Theatre, Dance and Media Studies. One of his movies, Pennies For The Boatman, was nominated for four awards at the Madrid International Film Festival and was also an official selection of the St. Louis International Film Festival and London’s I Will Tell International Film Festival. His astounding success is however as a result of many factors the first of which is that artistic talent runs in his family. His uncle was the renowned Nigerian playwright, Ola Rotimi, and he (Coker Jr) began writing plays at a very young age. The outstanding thing about him is that he takes on unique projects and presents them in the right manner for the world to enjoy. Preemptive is one such project. It is a play about preju-

dice against Muslims and he took it on a world tour to critical acclaim. His success is not however due to just his innate talents. Though he began writing and directing plays as early as when he was in secondary school, he continued his education in theatre at Obafemi Awolowo University and eventually ended up at Brooklyn College in America to study directing. Very passionate about his roots even though he’s based in America, he runs the Africa World Documentary Film Festival, now in its sixth year, which travels from St. Louis to Alabama, Kansas, Barbados, Cameroun, London and Nigeria. He also organises the E. Desmond Lee Playwriting Competition. And revealing what is unique about him, he says it’s his attention to detail. “I explore every strand, every detail of a text and a script to make sure there are multiple layers of meaning and significance.”

he setting is Los Angeles, California, USA in 1949. Ruthless, Brooklyn-born mob king Mickey Cohen (Sean Penn) runs the show in this town, reaping the ill-gotten gains from the drugs, the guns, the prostitutes and, if he has his way, every wire bet placed west of Chicago. And he does it all with the protec-

ambition is to protect England from its enemies. But now, Bond faces the toughest test imaginable as his boss, M, has her past haunting and this tests Bond’s loyalty to her as their operation comes under attack and Bond must track down and destroy the threat, no matter how personal the cost.

tion of not only his own paid goons, but also the police and the politicians who are under his control. It’s enough to intimidate even the bravest, street-hardened cop ... except, perhaps, for the small, secret crew of Los Angeles Police Department outsiders led by Sergeant John O’Mara (Josh Brolin) and Jerry Wooters (Ryan Gosling) who come together to try to tear Cohen’s world apart. Gangster Squad is a colourful retelling of events surrounding the LAPD’s efforts to take back their nascent city from one of the most dangerous Mafia bosses of all time. Like all movies that have to do with the Mafia, Gangster Squad is also guaranteed a good showing at the box office. The only snag is that it will be released on January 11, 2013 so just watch out for it.

November 3, 2012

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Relationships

Are Inter-tribal It can be very challenging

mmm… inter-tribal marriage, that hydra-headed situation in which nobody wins and nobody loses. I may be crucified for my position here, especially in these days and age. Some people may even say that what I will write here is not in conformity with the ideas of the modern man that I’m always talking and preaching about, but the truth is that when it comes to inter tribal marriages, especially in Africa, there are so many inbuilt fears and differences that in most cases, people who go into inter tribal marriages especially the women are the ones who come out the worse for it. Most people will tell you that inter-tribal marriages bring unity and understanding between people from different backgrounds. They will go further to say that broaden the views of the people in the marriages about life, issues and makes them better at coping with varieties. They will finally say that help in nation building because builds tolerance of other people’s cultures. Most people who also support inter-tribal marriages will say that it helps to enlarge ones frontiers and entire concept and opinion about life, because they believe that you get to appreciate other people more. Yes, everything I have mentioned above is true and I’m not one to disprove all that without letting you know why. I must tell you its challenges can be daunting. And that trust and bonding may be difficult to achieve and the ease of separation is high. It is expensive as it entails patronizing two cultures whenever there are challenges – death in any of the families and its attendant burial, marriages in the families, other cultural ceremonies and parties. Children born into such homes may end up not having clear cultural identities about where they belong. This is one of the major reasons why a lot of our cultures are dying out today, especially as English language will become the language of both choice and necessity in the home. There is also the problem of the parties trying to adjust and accommodate each others’ differences especially when we think of the fact that they both had different backgrounds in terms of orientation while growing up in different cultural settings. In some cases, issues such as which

language should the children also learn and master while growing up aside English becomes a serious bone of contention that if not quickly checked and resolved, can tear the fabrics of the relationship apart, the husband will want the children to be identified on his side and the fact that he is not always at home and the woman is close to the kids makes it difficult for this to happen. The marriage will at this point become an issue of whose culture is better, thereby creating more problems for the relationship. The ‘in-law problem’ is magnified in inter cultural marriages. It is not as if there are no ‘in-law’ problems in intra cultural marriages, it is just that intra cultural marriages brings in people of the same cultural perspective who understands the politics at play in marriages. A woman who is coming from a culture where woman are culturally emancipated will be at a lose when in a marriage in which the man comes from a culture where woman are only to be seen and not heard or where the woman is not even reckoned with at any social settings. Another point to be seriously looked out is that of different cultural practices like female genital mutilation. This is a practice erroneously referred to as female circumcision. This is a practice that whether we like it or not, is still common in different parts of the country. For someone that is an advocate of its’ abolishment, getting married to a woman or vice-versa who come from a culture that still supports it may seriously cause a major wedge in the marriage. Some cultures abhor it while some are still holding it in high esteem. Other cultural extremes can be seen when there is a preference for male children and the clamour may even get to the point where it is only male children that gets sent to school at the detriment of brilliant female children. That people marry into new and different cultures will not stop our attitude towards nepotism or any other anti-social behaviour. What we need is a mindset based on attitudinal change that will make us tolerant of each other whether we are married into those cultures or not. Mindsets that will make us see each other only as humans. This is the only way we can truly say we have evolved beyond the petty and narrow mindedness of the hobbesian man.

SEX TALK

This column is x-rated

Sex with the kids around: What are the rules?

As much as you would like to keep your parenting life and sex life as far apart as possible, there will be times when they sometimes awkwardly cross paths. Here are the rules on what’s appropriate and what’s not With an infant Scenario: The baby is fast asleep in bed with you. You accidentally graze your husband’s foot with yours, he rests his hand on your hip and before you know it, old flames are getting fired up. But what about the baby? The rule: While experts agree that it’s distressing for kids to be exposed to sex, a young infant in bed with you is more of a gray area. If the child’s younger than six months old, you probably don’t need to worry. It’s unlikely there would be problems. What to do: Within the realm of reason, do what feels right. If you’re comfortable doing it with the baby in the room, keep a cot or bassinet by the bed where you can move him when things heat up. If you’re worrying too much about the baby or it just doesn’t feel right, all isn’t lost: Put him in his cot, or bassinet, while you hit the floor. With a toddler Scenario: Your 13-month-old is playing quietly in your bedroom. You and your hubby are on the bed ogling the baby when it mutually occurs that perhaps you should be ogling each other instead. You start getting up to something, only to find the little one standing upright, looking straight at you and making sounds that can only be described as...cheering you on. The rule: Your child might feel fear. What you and your husband experience as sharing love, your child might see or hear as “Daddy is hurting Mommy.” Beyond that, a little space is needed for good sex. Being where your baby’s big eyes can see anything and everything can take you from hot to not, especially for a mother. Women usually need the parts of their brains that are associated with stress and anxiety to deactivate in order to feel sexual. What to do: Put the baby (or yourselves) safely in another room. If the baby is awake, and in the room with you, try distracting him with a favorite toy. Even then, you need to hold the hot and heavy passion for later and keep things simmering with subtle cuddles and coos.

With preschoolers Scenario: You preschooler climbs into bed with you. Even though she has her own bed, she still gets into yours. Maybe she just had a nightmare. She pulls up the covers and instantly passes out. The rule: No-go. Bottom line: People should not be having sex in front of kids. Your relationship is important, but put the well-being of your child first. What to do: Do it somewhere else. Hit up the guestroom, study, or even the bathroom. Be sure to keep the television on to mute your own sounds of love. Keep the lights low and the door locked too. When your 5-year-old walks in on you Scenario: You tuck the kids into bed and head back to your bedroom. You slip into some sexy lingerie and, bam, your husband wrestles you to the floor. You’re both so caught up in the moment you don’t realize until it’s too late— that you’ve been caught mid-act by your 5-yearold standing silently in the doorway. “Mommy, I heard a loud noise. What’s wrong with you and dad?” The Rule: An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of explanation here! Once your child is asleep, turn the TV on, LOCK the door, not shut the door. If possible, put a chair against the door handle. What to do: Have a script in place. If the unpalatable happens, that is, if your 5-year-old catches you in the throes of love, tell your kid, “Whoops, Daddy and I were just having private time.” Then, pull yourself together, reassure your kid and deal with things head-on. Ask if he/she is okay, and say, “It looks like you were scared.” To a kid, sex may look scary, almost as though you’re in a fight. Start by apologising and say, “I’m sorry if that scared you. It’s nothing to be afraid of.” Tuck her back into bed, and once you’re sure she’s asleep, if you’re still in the mood,…why not? Maybe this time you need to lock the door. When other people’s kids are around Scenario: The girls are watching a movie

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RELATIONSHIPS

November 3, 2012

marriages ideal?

CHINWE ANNIE AMAECHI 07028684481 chinweamaechi@gmail.com

It should be approached with caution

T This column is x-rated

in the living room. You and your man are snuggling in your bedroom watching an adult movie, which is the most romance you’ve had in weeks. You want to capitalise on the opportunity, but it doesn’t quite feel right. The rule: When it’s someone else’s kid involved, err on the side of caution. Kids don’t understand what you’re doing, and they shouldn’t have to. Seeing and hearing too much can be distressing to young kids. And, it’s your responsibility to keep them safe, physically and mentally. That means not (even accidentally) exposing them to sexual activity. Besides, do you really want to have to explain yourself to the parents of the other kids or worse, at the next PTA meeting? Kids have a habit of telling stories! What to do: Use those desirous feelings to build anticipation and connection for next time. It’s important to engage in nonsexual touch in relationships. Holding hands, cuddling and sitting next to each other help build a sense of intimacy. And when the parents come to pick up their kids in the morning, you will get back your space. Besides, you can make sure the next sleepover is at their house! When your kid walks in on you two in the shower Scenario: Desperate for a little alone time, you set your toddler down for her nap and set out for the shower. You’re both soapy and naked when your kid lets herself in. She points to your husband’s member and says, “What is that? I want to touch it!” The rule: Of course, if you were planning on getting serious in there, you should have locked the door. But being caught naked isn’t the end of the world. It’s okay to be naked around your kids if it doesn’t clash with your family values. But pay attention to your kids’ cues. They will let you know when they’re no longer comfortable with it. What You Do: Talk to your toddler. Say something like, “Oh, that’s a private part of daddy’s body. He’s not comfortable if you touch it.” Then get dressed, move on and save the extralong double- lovey shower for after bedtime.

This column is x-rated With older kids Scenario: You’ve set your older kids up with cartoons on a Saturday morning and tell them Mommy and Daddy are going in to ‘rest.’ Just as the cuddling gets good, the kids push against the creatively barricaded door demanding that you open up and let them know what’s going on. Whoops! You are naked, flushed and the room smells like the sex you’re frantically wrapping up? The rule: It’s important for kids to know that parents need private time. Though you don’t have to dwell on the details. So, don’t feel bad leaving them out there to stew for a minute while you get cleaned up, just as long as there isn’t an emergency. What to do: Again, prevention can save a lot of aggravation. Introduce the concepts of private time and knocking before entering to them. Model these concepts by respecting your children’s privacy and knocking on their doors as well. If your kids have questions, answer them simply and honestly, but don’t share the (gory) details. When you have other adults around Scenario: Your parents are spending time at your place. The two of you are in your room while the kids are in the next room. You’re worried your kids might hear something through the paper-thin walls or ask, “Mommy, was there an earthquake last night?” in front of your parents. The rule: If you can’t keep things quiet, bite a pillow, get off the creaky bed, keep the TV on to mute your love noise, do whatever to avoid embarrassment What to do: Take another route and use the family around you as a buffer. Ask Grandma to take the early-morning shift with the kids so you two can “sleep in.” It’s okay to be a little selfish when it comes to your relationship. Millions of people are in a sex rut, which can make a relationship vulnerable. Go on, ask for help in fixing that! It might feel awkward at first, but your relationship is worth it.

he concept of inter-tribal marriage is something that is discussed all the time and despite the alleged disadvantages or challenges of such marriages, there is no indication that the world-wide rate has dropped. With over 370 tribes/ ethnic groups and over five hundred and twenty languages, the level of inter-tribal marriages in Nigeria is very high. There are several schools of thought for and against inter-tribal marriages, but the point for discussion is whether such marriages are ideal from the woman’s point of view. Generally, marriages are bound to face challenges because of the differences in gender, background, education, preferences, temperament, etc which naturally exist between husband and wife. Let’s face it: no matter how alike two people seem to be, there must be friction in relating to each other from time to time. You would still have marital problems if you were married to your clone!! However, it has been said (and it is quite true) that the chances of such challenges or marital problems can be reduced by deliberately cutting out points of difference which are avoidable. This is why we hear about the different areas of compatibility: mental, emotional, spiritual, physical, cultural, etc. Educated people are advised not to marry illiterates, people who have the ‘A-S’ genotype are not to marry each another and people are told to marry within their religious beliefs. In the same way, people are strongly advised to marry within their tribes, and in a lot of cases, from the same village. The ‘marry-from-thesame-tribe’ syndrome is so bad amongst some tribes that parents have disowned their children for insisting on marrying their “true love” from other tribes. The truth is: there are many levels of compatibility for the purpose of marriage and tribe is just one of them. Therefore, it is the individuals that would decide whether tribe is such a fundamental factor in choosing a spouse. When it comes to choice of relationships, there is a thin line between caution and tribalism. If one looks deep into this issue, you will see that those who make personal vows not to have close relations with persons of a different tribe than theirs do so not because of the differences in culture (language, beliefs, religion, etc) which may cause friction, but because of their mindsets about tribes other than theirs. Let’s be real: the Hausas feel the Igbos are ---, while the Yorubas are ---; the Igbos feel the Hausas are --- while the Yorubas are ---; and the Yorubas feel the Igbos are --- while the Hausas are ----. (Please fill in the gaps, dear readers!) These are general mindsets that people develop over the years. People say that humans are tribalistic by nature, but of course, there are exceptions to the general rule. There are people who have risen above tribal idiosyncrasies and other unnecessary avenues of conflict in order to live harmoni-

ously with those around them. In spite of all these, the pertinent question is: who does an inter-tribal marriage relationship affect more, the man or the woman? I say it is the woman. It is she who has to adjust to fit into the man’s culture and traditions and has the mandate to train her children accordingly. It’s a big task, but it need not be burdensome. Women must understand that an agreement to marry a man from a different tribe amounts to an agreement to give up (or at least render secondary) her cultural roots and all its off-shoots – language, food, dressing, etc. Also, she must take all necessary steps to imbibe the man’s culture and tradition, speak his language and cook his tribe’s food. But if this is all that is required of a woman in such a marriage arrangement, it would not be a big deal. In other words, the need to acclimatize in terms of culture, tradition, language, food, etc is not the main challenge a woman married to a man from another tribe would have. There are many other issues which, if not handled properly, can lead to a failed marriage. The truth is that the problems women face in inter-tribal marriages are hardly caused by their husbands; the problems come from third parties like the husbands’ family members and friends; the women’s friends and, sometimes, neighbours. For instance, if a man’s mother had a ‘better homegrown candidate’ for her son to marry and he marries this ‘outsider’ instead, no matter what the chosen wife does to ‘blend’ into the family’s culture and traditions, she may have a hard time pleasing her mother-in-law. In such an instance, the man’s mum may attribute the wife’s flaws to her tribe. Woes betide a woman who cannot understand or speak her husband’s language!!! She must be ready to ignore a lot of conversations in that language if she must remain sane. Trust me; suspicion can drive any human being crazy! So, it is either you learn the language fast or you just deafen your ears to such ‘suspicious’ conversations. I must admit that not all inter-tribal marriages face such problems/challenges. In fact, from what I hear, the stereotype which a lot of us have of such marriages is quite unfounded. I remember listening to a popular call-in radio show recently when the challenges of inter-tribal marriages were to be discussed. To the shock of the host and lots of listeners, almost all the callers who were in such marriages testified that they were enjoying their marriages. The said that most of the presumptions people have about such marriages are false and baseless. At a point, some people started calling-in and sending text messages to allege the callers of telling lies. That experience gave me a new mindset about inter-tribal marriages. So, are inter-tribal marriages ideal from the woman’s point of view? It depends.

November 3, 2012

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Woman W

hat attracted you to establishing a school after spending over two decades as a banker? Naturally, I have interest in children. I love children and love to see them grow wonderfully into worthwhile adults that anyone can be proud of. Ever before now, while I was a banker, I was always drawn to them even when I had not developed the thought of having a school. A lot of people always thought I was a teacher because of my gestures and interest towards them all along. I simply love to impart knowledge unto the young ones and be part of their glorious growth. So, it was simply natural for me to go into it immediately I retired from my banking work.

Mrs. Oyinlola Comfort Modupe is a retired banker-turned-school proprietress. She tells YEMISI ADENIRAN, in this interview, the main reason for her decision to leave banking. She also speaks on her recipe for a long lasting marriage.

‘Selfishness is a major cause of broken homes’

Are you sure it is not because of the financial reward that we all believe is attached to setting up a school? Like many other businesses, reward is expected. But for this particular one, I am involved because of the passion I have for children. It has been like a calling for me; I believe there is a quota I need to contribute to the lives of the children. Of course, reward is expected but you see, we don’t expect it to come now because I believe Rome was not built in a day. For a project like this, we will sow the seed for some time before the harvest will come. My experience in banking has encouraged me to set a standard for the school and the children involved. I have a focus and really, this has been what has kept me going. Like I said, Rome was not built in a day and I am willing to wait to see the seed I am planting blossom gloriously. How would you describe the experience so far, especially with the numerous schools that are set up on a daily basis? In Mowe where I have my school, , schools spring up everyday and so, there is a strong but positive competition which I believe is healthy for any worthwhile establishment. I am not bothered about the number of schools and the population of children or pupils in the schools. My vision, like I keep telling my pupils’ parents, is to have a set of children that are strong and good academically and in all other areas to compete with other children outside Mowe and even outside Nigeria. I love good standards and that is what I am instilling in my pupils. I am ready to wait for as long as it takes for our fruits in this school to speak for us. I won’t be one of the empty barrels that make loud noise or blow their trumpets by themselves. Our products are and will continually speak for us. A lot of people believe private schools are responsible for the set back in the standard of education in the country. What is your candid opinion about this? I won’t say this is far from the truth because looking deep into the kind of private schools we have around now, one finds out that many are established just to make money and not to impart quality education to our children. Many have teachers that are half-baked and not in any way qualified. Most of these teachers are secondary school leavers who barely can identify their right hands from the left where quality education and teaching knowledge is concerned. But because they need to do something to make a living, no matter how little, and the proprietors and proprietresses need to make some money from their venture, they both usually strike a deal. The latter seeking cheap labour at the expense of the pupils and the parents. This is far from my own vision and my prayer is that God Almighty will help us. It is not easy to have a good school running; a lot of money is involved but I know it is an investment that will bring its returns soon. This is what some proprietors can’t wait for, they want to reap their fruits almost immediately they start, which is not right. How do you think parents can be guided to put their wards in the right school? I will advise them to be free to make enquiries with the teachers and even the kind of pupils in that school. They shouldn’t get carried away by structures and other things. They should know that it is not all that glitter that is gold. They should find out and be sure that their wards are in the right hands and not in the hands of exploiters and half-baked teachers. They should also be sure that the school is truly government approved. There are lots of schools that say they are approved even when they are not.

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WOMAN

November 3, 2012

Keeping ABREAST Which would you encourage parents to pick between public and private schools? Naturally, I would support public schools because there, we have qualified teachers and all but the problem is, are these qualified teachers really doing their work? How available are they? How committed are they to their job. Gone are those days when teachers’ rewards are said to be in heaven; gone are the days when teaching is a job for the noble. These days, teachers in public schools are involved in other businesses that take most of their time and attention than their main job, teaching. Many don’t come to work regularly and punctually and worse still is the fact that no-one is there to monitor them. Since it is the business of the government, no one is shouldering the responsibility of instilling discipline in teachers any more. This is why they all do what they like and the pupils and students left in their care suffer a great deal. This is not what we have in private schools. The proprietor or proprietress at the helm of all affairs in the schools are ever present to ensure discipline and make sure that no teacher is careless with his or her job. He or she does not need any government to do this for him or her and of course, the teachers wouldn’t want to have their jobs on the line. So, they are up and doing all the time. This is the situation, it is now left for parents to decide the one that pays them. They should be very strict at making their choices at the end of the day. At what age were you married and how did you meet your husband? I got married at the age of 24 and some months. I met my husband while I was still with my father. He used to come to visit my brother. That was how we met. How would you say marriage has treated you so far? I am grateful to God for how far He has helped my marriage. Staying long in marriage is no joke. Marriage is ordained by God. I have been married for 23 years now and we are still on. What are those things that have worked for you in your marriage? I can’t say I am perfect or that my husband is perfect. God and our ability to understand ourselves on a daily basis has been the pillar holding this marriage. Our sound consciousness that marriage is a give and take issue and constant effort to submit to ourselves is another factor working for us. What would you say is responsible for the many broken homes we have today? It is nothing but selfishness. Many

of us women do not consider the other party – the men. That is why many women are not able to exercise patience and exhibit the expected passion that is needed for a long-lasting marriage. Many are drunk of the desire to satisfy their needs only, they want to live like one of their friends. So, they continue to compare their homes with others endlessly. They do not consider their husbands and their children at all. Even the men too. Some of them keep saying, I want this, I want that and not we want this, we want that. As soon as two people get married, they are no longer two. The Bible says they are one. Until when we begin to see it that way, consider the other parties in our desires, homes will continue to break. It is nothing but selfishness that is breaking marriages these days. Everyone, especially women want to have this and that like one person or the other and once that thing is not realised, they begin to lose interest in the marriage; they begin to see the man as below standard, at the end of the day, they conclude on trying other men. Couples must learn to give unto each other. Giving and taking is not supposed to be one sided. Wives must give to their husbands while husbands must give to their wives. They must share their secrets too. It is out of selfishness that a spouse keeps a particular secret from the other. Do you know that it is those secrets that destroy the homes? The day the other party discovers the secret you have been keeping, hell will let lose. It is good to live a transparent life all the time. When an intruder will come with the knowledge of that secret, if you have been open with everything about you, the intruder will end up getting disappointed because the man or woman will just say ‘ Oh thank you, I know’. How do you think mothers can help influence their children positively? Mothers should live an exemplary life. They should set good examples for their children. They should devote more time to their children’s wellbeing too. It is injurious to leave children at the disposal of house-helps as we have now. Some mothers even abandon their children in schools in the name of keeping them in boarding schools and even day care. This is very pathetic and it is affecting the youths we have now. What moral education can anyone say is behind a three to five year old child that is put in a boarding school even in far away towns? I call this a systematic abandonment. If parents and mothers especially will be well-disciplined in all they do, children will get to learnt to live a disciplined life too. Besides, it is sheer irresponsibility to leave one’s duty for others in whichever way available.

The pin sticking out

Surgical pin pops out of pregnancy bump •Horrified mother-to-be believes needle was left inside her when she had an appendix operation in 2009

mother-to-be was horrified when a surgical pin popped out of her pregnant bump. Kelly Donegan, 26, who’s due to give birth in six weeks’ time, had experienced a needling sensation on the left side of her stomach but was assured there was nothing to worry about. But one day she looked down to see the pin poking through her skin just inches away from her unborn baby. She realised it must have been left inside her three years ago during an operation. Ms Donegan had noticed a tiny bump on top of the bigger baby bump and mentioned it to her doctor. ‘He said it was nothing to worry about’ she said. ‘It must have been inside me since 2009, when I had my appendix removed. ‘My stomach is getting bigger and bigger and all the pressure must have forced it out.’ Even though Kelly is in pain, doctors cannot remove the pin until she has given birth. ‘They can’t even do an X-ray to see how much of the thing is inside me because X-rays are dangerous for pregnant women,’ the mother of three said.

Kelly Donegan

Ms Donegan, who lives in Milton Keynes, Bucks, has been assured the baby will not be harmed. However, Kelly will probably need another operation, complete with general anaesthetic, to remove the pin after she has given birth. ‘All they can do until then is trim the sharp end off it so it doesn’t catch on things. It’s horrible and it’s also quite sore. But there’s nothing I can do except wait,’ she said. Culled from www.dailymail.co.uk

November 3, 2012

Parenting

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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

Five ways to teach your child kindness

arents always want their children to be the best. But to be the best one has to practise to be the best. In the same way kindness comes from practice. Parents are best people to train their children. Luckily some simple, efficient techniques can help your kid to grow up as a kind human being. Here are five techniques that parents can use:

. Assist your child in telling his or her own view: First and foremost, kids have to understand their own feelings in order to understand the feelings of others. When kids are young the only feeling they understand is happiness and sadness. Later they will learn the other strong feelings. So, when a child has a strong feeling, we can lay a base for kindness by helping our child put their feelings into words.

. Assist your child in understanding facial expressions and body language: Help your child understand the different emotions and body languages seen. You can show pictures and

tell them about the emotions that are shown and the body languages used. You can also play a game with your child. Put down different emotions and body languages on paper and enact it and let your child guess it. This exercise can help them to understand various expressions.

. Talk about how actions control feelings: Talk to your child about how actions can control feelings. For example, a word of kindness can bring a smile on the face of the other person. You can also tell how a small mistake breaks a person’s heart. A small mistake could be ignoring them without your knowledge.

. Offer models of kindness: When you show kindness to your children, you are not only giving emotional support but also a role model that they can follow. It is very important to show kindness to kids when they commit a mistake unintentionally. May be when they hurt someone without their knowledge you need to make them understand their mistake.

ParentingUpdate

You can also point out real-life examples of kindness in stories, in the past, in our locality or in our faith society.

. Provide ample training: Never let go of any opportunity to show examples of kindness. Maybe you see someone helping a physically challenged person to cross the road, show your child and explain to your child the need to help someone who is disabled. Make them understand that their act of kindness can bring a smile to the disabled person. The more we involve our children to act kindly, the better they understand the need to be kind. Remember- your child will imitate your actions, so make sure you act kindly if you want your child to be kind. Whenever your child does any act of kindness appreciate them or reward them. Always remember that you are guiding your child to a better future by helping them learn the art of kindness. •Culled from parenting.ygoy.com

www.

Tiny Feet

NAME: Demilade Oluwapemisire Ipaye

BORN TO: Mr. and Mrs Akinwale Richie Ipaye AGE: 5 months BIRTH WEIGHT: 2.5 kg Have you just had a baby? Send a picture of your bundle of joy to mirrorbabies@gmail.com

Maths CAN make your child’s head hurt -Researchers

z Researchers say a fear of maths can activate regions of the brain linked to physical pain z They claim maths-fear is caused by anticipation

ear of maths can activate regions of the brain linked with the experience of physical pain, a study has found. The higher a person’s anxiety of a maths task, the more it increases activity in regions of their brain associated with visceral threat detection, and often the experience of pain itself, according to researchers. The authors say that previous research has shown that other forms of psychological stress, such as social rejection or a traumatic break-up, can also elicit feelings of physical pain. However, they say their study examines the pain response associated with anticipating an anxiety-provoking

event, rather than the pain associated with a stressful event itself. The authors say their results indicate that maths task itself is not painful but merely the thought of it is highly unpleasant to certain people. “Math can be difficult, and for those with high levels of mathematics-anxiety (HMAs), math is associated with tension, apprehension and fear,” the authors said in their paper titled, When Math Hurts. “Interestingly, this relation was not seen during math performance, suggesting that it is not that math itself hurts, rather, the anticipation of math is painful. “Our data suggest that pain

network activation underlies the intuition that simply anticipating a dreaded event can feel painful. The researchers found some people suffer from major anxiety around maths. “These results may also provide a potential neural mechanism to explain why people with High Mathematics Anxiety tend to avoid math and math-related situations, which in turn can bias those with high levels of mathematics-anxiety away from taking math classes or even entire math-related career paths. “We provide the first neural evidence indicating the nature of the subjective experience of math-anxiety,” the researchers conclude.

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

November 3, 2012

le StyGlam and

with Yemisi Adeniran

lits took on soaring heights as cuts got higher and wider. Since high slits make your legs appear longer. Just slip on a pair of dangerously high heels and tower above the rest. When thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s already so much to reveal, stay conservative up top with long sleeves, single shoulders and jackets. For a work related do, wear your slit skirt with a modest blouse and ladylike pumps. And for cocktail hours, always pair with killer heels (a bright colour looks great!) and bronzer. For weekend brunch, do colourblock with a loose-fit shirt or feminine blouse in lace or cutwork for an elegant ensemble. If you are one of those who shy from showing off their hot legs, thigh high slits are another way to show off just a glimpse of them. Try one now and have fun.

(08037801158) ydiran@yahoo.com

STYLE & GLAM

November 3, 2012

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

How to be a stylish mom YEMISI ADENIRAN

re you a career mum and at a fix on how to be stylish? Here are some tricks to be elegant without breaking the bank.

1. Get a wash and wear hairstyle… or at least a style that you can manage half-asleep and in the dark. It may be a style that can be achieved with five minutes of a wet-to-dry flat iron, or one that uses some molding mud, your fingers and a hot blast of the dryer. Whatever it is, stop trying to reinvent the wheel every morning, trying to make your hair something it isn’t. Work with what nature gave you and you can spend less time with the styling tools, less time in a messy ponytail and more time with your child. 2. Buy the polish. Instead of spending time at

BEAUTY

Q&A

the hairdresser’s, buy your own set of manicure and pedicure and do it at home. You can get an expert to assist at home.

your wardrobe (tip: a colour will be more versatile than black or brown), and make sure that it has enough room for a few kid essentials.

3. Create a uniform. Fill your wardrobe with simple and ready to wear outfits , may be dresses, tops on different shape of pants and skirts. Just ensure they afford you the best comfort and elegant ever. They don’t have to be expensive, just let them allow you breathe and accommodate your motherly roles.

5. Simplify your makeup bag. It’s totally okay to wear the same exact shadow, liner, mascara, blush and lipstick every single day. Buy a second powder and lipstick and keep it in your purse for touch-ups.

4. Keep a uniform of your accessories. Wear shoes that you can be in from eight to five without stress. Instead of adding silhouettes to your closets, get them in different colours and shapes and catch your fun. It’s okay to wear the same earrings or necklace every day – stop thinking of it as boring and consider it your signature piece! Purchase a bag that looks great every day with

6. Quality, not quantity! A higher-quality garment can handle being washed and worn time and time again. Purchase bras that lift and separate, panties that are invisible under your clothes, shoes that look more expensive than their price tag. Spend money on your hair and skin so you can save time (and the cost of multiple beauty products that never work). The smaller your collection, the easier it is to dress every morning.

Your candid response to all fashion questions Lipstick tricks for older women

As we age, our lips thin, they can become more wrinkled and lines may develop around our mouths. You can combat this with some lipsticks secrets. Embrace pinks if you have light skin Older women look good with the pink shade. It looks great on wom-

en with light to medium-coloured skin. Women with dark skin look better in reds, browns and even purples. If you have fair skin, consider lipstick shades such as nudes in a slightly apricot shade, pinks and light corals. Stay away from browns. Women with a medium skin tone can go a bit darker. You’ll look great in roses, mauves and berries. Deep plum, chocolate or red is fabulous

with dark While d lip colours women wh the frames Just rem

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

November 3, 2012

Fashion Frenzy

or black skin. dark shades can be aging on some skin tones, bright, bold s can be flattering. Bright lipstick is especially stunning on ho wear glasses. The bold lip balances out the heaviness of s. member to tone down your eye makeup and blush if you are

STYLE & GLAM

Facelift

Simple tricks to finding your best shade of lip colour The most flattering lip tones will be one or two shades darker than your natural lip colour. To test shades, apply lipstick or gloss to one lip. If that colour is just a shade or two deeper than your bare lip, then you’ve found your shade. Yes, it’s as simple as that. So, what do you do if you like to buy your lipsticks at a grocery store or department store where you can’t try the lipsticks out before you buy? You can trust the colour printed on the box. Simply hold it up to your lips in the store and check it out in the mirror. Or better yet, check the colour out in a window, where natural light shines through. Many women wrongly believe they can’t wear red lipstick. The secret to choosing the right red lip colour is in the undertones. Pink-skinned girls should opt for cherry red. Those with olive skin can wear fireengine red. Dark skin looks great with deep reds. One big red lipstick no-no: It’s best not to match lips to your outfit.

going bold on your lips. Too much makeup and you risk looking like a clown. Add a gloss or matte Every woman needs a good gloss. Gloss brings more attention to your lips than matte shades. They can also temporarily “plump up” lips. Glosses are great for day, night and especially in the dry season.

While picking the right shade is as easy as going a couple shades darker than your natural lip colour, we can delve just a wee bit deeper in the science of shades and skin tone. Women with fair skin, look great in lipstick shades such as nudes in a slightly apricot shade, pinks and light corals. Stay away from browns, which will appear blah. Those with a medium skin tone can go a bit darker. You’ll look great in roses, mauves and berries. Skip the bright reds and consider a deep burgundy instead. Deep plum, chocolate or red is fabulous with dark or black skin.

November 3, 2012

Male Essentials

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

08036961187

with Oseyiza Oogbodo kingseiza@yahoo.com w

Six-pack allure a la D’Prince

here is no doubt that Mavin n Records artist D’Prince is a very fashionable guy. Astutely, he has employed the development of his body as one way of making a fashion statement. t. After several hours in the gymnasium sium pumping ng iron, he has built a physique that is fashionable shionable in iits ts own right. His six-pack body is one thatt ladies saliv salivate vate over and which he is proud to display y anywhere, e, anytime as there’s no ounce of flab on it. He is however not the first man whose se toned and muscled body has made them hem fashionable. The American rap supererstar 50 Cent also developed his body to o become a fashion force so D’Prince iss on the right track. Do you want to be like D’Prince? Then visit that gymnasium today.

How to speed up your shaving T

h here’s a scene in the new Morgan Spurlock film Mansome (out May S 118) where the director takes a shave brush and a lather bowl to prep the removal of mustache. This produco his trademark t es mild es a m i panic attack in his toddler, who prefers prefe efers Dad with facial cial hair. Also a mild m panic by p by us here at The Style Blog: Couldn’t B g: C n’t this whole process, proces with th the badger’s badger’’s brush brus and whatnot, be a lot si simpler?? Here’s how: pre-shave Her re’s how -shave oil, which workss like a brush bru ush but without ut all the e retro pomp.. few drops of A fe ew dro a good, llight, lubricating llubrica oil (natu( ral ingredients in ngr gred red like coconut oil, olive oil, and sunflower oil won’t w clog pores or your razor) softens and lifts hair, and moistens skin deeply enough en to make it mak give to the blade. You won’t have to drag the razor

across your face any more than you’d want to. It also doesn’t take a lot of time to use, especially when rushing through your morning. A good brush (usually made from pure badger hair, which breaks less than boar’s hair) delivers moisture directly through the cream, while staying lathered on its spongy fibers. In turn, this physically sweeps hair upward and exfoliates the skin. With the use of a bowl to mix up the lather, it also requires something like Spurlock’s laborious process. If you really like shaving, the routine of it all, this isn’t necessarily a bad thing. In the end, the choice of brush versus oil says more about style than substance. The truth is, though, as long as you have a good quality, moisturizing shave cream, a fresh blade, and exfoliate your face in the shower, you could probably skip both. Go ahead and buy some new razor blades with the savings.

People OSEYIZA OOGBODO

daora Ikokwu is the maiden winner of Face of Sylvia’s Hair (FOSH). This is in addition to the Master’s degree in International Relations that she’s already attained. Considering that a Master’s degree in International Relations has prepared her for a career as a diplomat, Saturday Mirror thought it prudent to ask her why she put in for FOSH which is in a sector, fashion, that is totally unrelated to the diplomatic corps. “I really love what Sylvia’s Hair represents. I love anything that has to do with beauty and that’s what Sylvia’s Hair is all about. Then again, I love Sylvia’s Hair products so much and I know I can be a good ambassador which is the whole essence of FOSH as a medium to choose a suitable lady that will be the brand ambassador of Sylvia’s Hair by being its face.” She however adds that she intends to eventually become a diplomat. “Currently, I’m serving the country as a youth corps member and my main ambition is to eventually serve Nigeria in the external affairs sector.” Though she was the only Master’s degree holder of the 13 girls who contested for the FOSH crown, she refused to at-

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

November 3, 2012

Adaora Ikokwu:

Entrepreneur in embryo tribute her success to her educational status. “I really can’t say if the fact that I’m a Master’s degree holder helped me become the maiden FOSH. I really don’t know what the judges looked out for exactly to choose the winner or why they picked me. But I can only say that if my Master’s degree aided me in any way, it was probably that it helped me in my knowledge and the way I carry myself. “Education is very important and I will like to advise everyone to do their utmost best to get educated. That is why I went for my Master’s after my first degree and I intend to keep furthering my education.” As the maiden FOSH, Ikokwu won herself N1million, a car and a trip to Dubai and she told Saturday Mirror what she would do with the cash prize, a sum which she admitted she had never had before. “First of all, I’ll pay my tithe and I have come to realise that money doesn’t really have value now so I have to reinvest it in

a business I’ve always wanted to do.” In addition to being a beauty ambassador and budding diplomat, is she also business oriented? “Yes I am business inclined,” she confirmed. “I want to go into the jewellery business. Every lady loves jewellery but I don’t think jewellery has been explored as much as clothes and other fashion sectors, that’s why I’m really going into it.” She, however, sees her winning the competition as her due. “If I didn’t feel I deserved to win, then I wouldn’t have gone for the competition in the first place. All the girls were unique but I deserved to win because I worked hard to win and once you work hard, you should be rewarded adequately,” she added.

Morufdeen Alani:

Champion of farming FUNMI SALOME JOHNSON

espite the level of vegetation and mineral resources Nigeria is endowed with, recent happenings have actually shown that the country is at the brink of food shortage. Little wonder why Bello Morufdeen Alani also known as Murphy Alabi, Adeboye Olalekan Adelani, Ogundeyi Olanrewaju John, Olorode Olanrewaju Akeem and Balogun Emmanuel Olaomo came together to form an initiative called Youth in Agricultural Revival and Development Initiative (YARD). Born over three decades ago, Morufdeen Bello Alani popularly called Murphy had his childhood in different areas of Lagos. At a point, he lived on Lagos Island, Mushin and Ilupeju respectively. As a child, he had a lot because his parents were very comfortable. The father was an accountant in a textile company while the mother was into the rice business. However, for some reasons better known to his parents, he was also

brought up by his aunt and his maternal grand mother. After his primary school education at Santa Maria Nursery and Primary school, Olorunsogo, Mushin, St. Patrick Primary School, Idumagbo, Lagos Island and finally to Nigeria Armed Forces Resettlement Centre(NAFRC) Primary School in Charity Oshodi, he proceeded to Ilupeju Grammar School where he for his secondary education. This graduate of the Nigeria College of Administration, a Master’s degree holder from the Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago Iwoye, Ogun State has had his fair share of the labour force before he finally decided to establish 3konnekt International Ltd in 2008. However, Alani has a passion: farming. Till date, he is the president of Afokosoro (Oba) broilers Producers Cooperative Society Limited in Ogun state. He is into cassava and vegetables alongside poultry. According to the Owu born administrator turned farmer, the idea of the NGO came as a result of the concern he has for the growth of farming in Nigeria especially with the recent happenings.

“It is indeed time for Nigerians to get back to farm so that together, we can build the country and explore our agricultural resources to the brim without limiting our major source of revenue to petroleum. Nigeria is a blessed country if only we could have a rethink and cultivate our own” remarked Alani. He noted further that another objective of the initiative is to encourage the younger generations to pick up interest in the agricultural sector because “it is the future of our nation and it is a way of drastically reducing the rate of the unemployed youth. “We want to encourage the younger generations to pick interest in agriculture because it is the future of the nation and we have the potential and the world. We also want to help our youths put a stop to unemployment and this is not just limited to educating people on the potentials in agriculture but it is also meant developing mega farms across the country, starting farmers association in schools and joining hands with the government at all levels to develop the sector. “We don’t have to live our lives depending only on the revenue we get from petroleum. What happened to our cocoa, rubber and palmkernel? We need to go back to the farm and individually and collectively play our part in contributing to nation building.”

Dear Igho

November 3, 2012

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TTel: e 08023924679 (SMS only) ighomit@gmail.com

Having diﬃculties with relationships, family, work or any other aspectt off your life? lif Help is at hand with TOBORE IGHO OVUORIE

Does he still have feelings for his baby mama? Dear Igho, Recently, I started dating a guy in my office work who has a threeyear-old son. This is really new to me, because I don’t have kids of my own and have never had to deal with a “baby mama.” Unfortunately, I am a jealous person, and it is hard for me to act like it doesn’t bother me when he spends time with his son and his baby mama is there. He told me she has a boyfriend and the reason they still do things together is because they feel their son is too young to know what is really going on. I understand that, but I can’t help but worry that he still has feelings for her. He doesn’t talk about her a lot, and he did say that I would need to meet her before I meet his son. She cheated on him, and he moved out May of this year, and he has since dated other girls before we met. She still has pictures of them together on her facebook display picture, yet none of her current boyfriend. My concern is how do I know he’s really over her? I am starting to really like him and I am scared I may just be temporary or a rebound relationship. Please

help. Ebunoluwa, Abuja. Dear Ebunoluwa, You have a right to be concerned. Although your jealousy will do nothing more than ruin the relationship, from what you’ve told me, you can’t know if he would go back to her. A “baby mama” can have a lot of pull, at times, and they seem to be getting along just fine. His wanting you to meet his ex first is a red flag. I wish I had better news for you. Mov-

ing out, last May, thrust him into the dating world because he had a void in his life, and he felt scorned. If she hasn’t taken his pictures off her FB display picture and postings, and there are none of her new boyfriend that, too, is trouble. A child of three is not too young to meet another lady in his father’s life, in my humble opinion, as long as it’s handled appropriately. I assume, then, that her boyfriend has not been in her son’s life either? Right now, I’m not sure you can know he’s over her, and she doesn’t have some hook in him. There are no guarantees

How do I handle a controlling friend? Dear Igho, I’m 25, and have a friend that seems to be very controlling and brings me down. We work together. When we first started hanging out, I enjoyed spending time with her. But over the last two years I’ve noticed she gets mad if I don’t feel like doing something she wants me to do. Her attitude sometimes changes towards me and she has a temper. She always asks me questions about my personal life, finances, my family relationship, or my health as to why I went to the doctor, and then puts me down about certain things that get to me. I feel like she’s interrogating me. I don’t enjoy seeing her everyday. I sit with her every break and lunch at work, then, she usually

expects me to hang out with her after work. I hate working out when I don’t feel like it. She makes remarks about my boyfriend. Now my boyfriend and I are having relationship problems because I let her get to me. She always wants to know what I’ve been doing over the weekend. She doesn’t treat anyone else this way. To most people she is very nice and funny. I am physically and mentally drained from her. Since we work together, I don’t know how to get away from her. I hope you can give me some good advice to deal with this friend. Tricia Momoh, Lekki, Lagos Dear Tricia,

His friend controls him Dear Igho, My boyfriend has this friend who is very controlling. He seems to get my boyfriend to do anything even if he says no. At times, I feel like his friend comes first before me. I just moved into a mini-flat with my boyfriend, and his friend came

along. He even sleeps on the floor of our bedroom when there are couches in the living room. He’s into drugs, and I think he’s getting my boyfriend into them, too. Every time I say something to my boyfriend about him, he says he’ll handle it but never does. My boyfriend’s

It’s possible she doesn’t treat anyone else this way, because only you’ve allowed it! Throughout your life, you’ll find people who are controlling, and that’s why setting boundaries early is the only way to handle this type of individual. I’ve said it a thousand times: People get away with bad behaviour when it’s allowed. She may have no real life of her own, deep insecurities, thus a need to control. Now, in fairness to you, a new friendship, like a romantic relationship, takes time to settle in. And once it does, that’s when you get to know the real person. If you don’t have the courage to talk to her about this, nothing will change. I understand that she may become defensive, turn on you, and act as if she’s the innocent in this, but that is the exact behaviour you’d expect from someone who cannot face her

always in a bad mood because of him. What should I do? Debbie, Surulere, Lagos

Dear Debbie, What you should do is put your foot down: your friend, or me! Your boyfriend obviously is gutless, or his friend does come first, because he’s displaying all the hallmarks of lovers I call losers. Don’t blame his friend

in any relationship, but I do think if he were serious about his relationship with you, you would have already met his ex, and his child. I admire parents who put the needs of their child first, but if a relationship is truly over, as I said, it can be dealt with in a sensitive manner without alienating others. Until he’s willing to make you a part of all of his life, I’d say be cautious, but not paranoid. As I said, jealousy is a useless emotion. What you need is to use your head, as well as your heart in guiding you in this relationship. Good luck! own “issues” and has a need to put the blame on the aggrieved party. But in an odd way, she would be right in this sense: You needed to set her straight when she started to behave in ways that you found objectionable. Neither choice -- putting up with her, or confronting her is easy, and the outcome of confronting her may not be satisfactory in many ways -- but you will be free of her as a friend and, that alone, makes it worth getting this out in the open. I really doubt she’d choose to change her behaviour, but it is her choice on how she wants to handle your kind rebuke. And it boils down to choice for you too. You’ve reached the point where the sight of her almost sickens you, and part of the anger you have is anger directed at yourself for putting up with her. Your relationship with your boyfriend should not suffer because of her, and if it does, you have no one to blame but yourself for not standing up for what’s important to you. And this lady, clearly, is not.

for his manipulation of your boyfriend -- blame your boyfriend! This creep should not be sleeping anywhere in the apartment! If you put up with it, you become an enabler to both of them and you’d be to blame for that. If you’re on a lease, and are obligated for half the rent, you need to take action to get this mooch out. He’s not paying, and the landlord will find out he’s there, eventually. If you do

not pay rent, find a new place to live and let these two losers (sorry but it-s true) live happily ever after. To put up with this behaviour, and to think there are drugs involved, you could be courting big trouble which would eventually cause you harm! Take action now. If your boyfriend gets huffy about it, then he’s not a boyfriend, but a fool. And you will be, too, if you put up with it this arrangement.

Living

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

November 3, 2012

Horror tales from Kaduna The remain of St. Ritas Catholic church after the attack on last Sunday

That there was a bomb attack on Saint Rita Catholic Church, Unguwan Yero Malali, Kaduna in Kaduna State last Sunday is no longer news, but the gutwrenching tales of the survivors are. AZA MSUE reports the experiences of some of the scarred and scared victims.

unday 28 October, 2012 began like every other one in Kaduna especially when respite had been believed to have come to the season of anomie which had overtaken the city. But the tempo was soon to change as the angel of death would soon harvest yet again its unripe crops. The venue was to be the St. Ritaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Catholic Church Unguwan Yero Malali,Kaduna. Saint Rita is a sub catholic church under the Saint Monica Parish Malali, suburb of Kaduna metropolis. On the fateful day, the faithful had trooped to the church for the morning

Saint Ritaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Catholic church Parish priest Rev. Father Mike Bonet being prayed for by CAN state Chairman, Rev Samuel Kujiyet

mass hoping to get home with blessings. It was singing, dancing and praying galore. The faithful were full of pious passion as the morning mass was being celebrated. But, their expectations were to be rudely and cruelly cut short. The mass was in full session and as the officiating priest Rev.Father Michael Boni Bazza, lifted his hands and about to commence the blessing of the holy communion as Jesus Christ did to his apostles, something sinister happened.

Those who saw it coming were perhaps those who did not concentrate too well or those who had one or two reasons not to have their eyes shut tight in prayer. They were few. They were even fewer those who could recount the tale. A big Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) was approaching the church in break-neck speed. Before anyone could react, the big vehicle had rammed into the church fence with its highly explosive cargo. Behold, a suicide bomber was behind the wheels. A

resounding explosion rent the air as the SUV crashed into the church fence. The effect of the blast was better imagined. It flung everybody off their feet. The priest, the wine cup and bread found themselves in different directions. And within seconds, real human blood had mixed with that of Jesus Christ as represented by the wine of the Eucharist. Immediately, the joyful noise of the worshippers had turned into that of pain and anguish. Those who could cry were the fortunate ones. Their less unfortunate brethren lay strewn all over the floor in grotesque shapes of death. The angel of death had visited the church in the form of the lone suicide bomber in the SUV. At the last count, eight people had died from the unfortunate incident while no fewer than 145 were injured and some of them severely. Saturday Mirror gathered that the priest, Bazza preached about faith and healing emphasizing the need for Christians to have faith in God for whatever they intend to do. The Sunday school children and choir were the worst affected when the lone bomber used his Honda CRV to ram through the fence into the church where they sat listening to the teachings of the CONTINUED ON PAGE 34

LIVING

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 33 gospel. The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), confirmed that eight persons lost their lives at the St. Rita’s Catholic Church suicide bomb attack. A statement signed by NEMA’s Kaduna Zonal Public Relations Officer, Aliyu Muhammed, corroborated the claim that 145 people were injured in the attack while eight were killed. It said that the bodies of the victims had been deposited at various hospitals in the city. According to the statement, four of the bodies were deposited at Barau Dikko Specialist’s Hospital, three at 44 Military Hospital, while one was taken to the Garkuwa Specialist Hospital. The statement said that 81 injured persons were receiving treatment at Barau Dikko Specialist Hospital, while 35 others were being treated at 44 Military Hospital. It said that 15 injured persons were also receiving treatment at St. Gerrad’s Hospital with five among them in critical condition. However, when Saturday Mirror visited some of the hospitals most patients with minor injuries had been discharged while others on admission were responding to treatment. Survivors of the attack have continued to narrate their experience. One of them is Mrs Egilo Vero who has a five-year-old child. They were both wounded in the blast. Both of them, at Saint Gerald Catholic Hospital Kakuri,Kaduna, thanked Almighty God for sparing their lives. In her encounter with Saturday Mirror, Egile an indigene of Bayelsa State said they were both unconscious when they were brought to the hospital by security operatives. “We were in the church that day and the service was on. The Rev. Father raised his hands up to pray. That was when I just turned round to look behind me. Then I saw a big jeep speeding towards the church and entering the premises. Immediately, something flung me on the ground. I was holding my four months old baby. But luckily, the baby was not hurt. Only my five-year-old boy and I sustained serious injuries. When I opened my eyes I saw myself on the hospital bed together with my fiveyear-old boy. I was soaked in blood “The bomb blast was near where the choristers were sitting. So many people died and so many people injured. I saw some people lying down flat within the church premises. All of my four children were in the church when the thing happened, but my husband was not in the church” she recounted. Another victim, Miss Jacinta Oko narrated her experience: “We just heard the loud sound of the bomb blast when were preparing to take the Holy Communion. But before I knew what was happening, I found myself on the floor. I can say that so many people died because it affected the side where the choir members were sitting. The service today was about faith and healing. The priest preached about God’s possibility, he said with faith everything is possible. He gave us the story of King Solomon, how God healed him. He said whatever we do, we should hold unto our faith, and that everything will be alright. The mass was okay. He was about

November 3, 2012

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Bloodshed in the house of God

Mrs Egilo with her wounded four year old boy at Saint Gerald Catholic hospital

I SAW A BIG JEEP SPEEDING TOWARDS THE CHURCH AND ENTERING THE PREMISES.

IMMEDIATELY,

SOMETHING FLUNG

ME ON THE GROUND.

I WAS HOLDING MY FOUR MONTHS OLD

BABY.

BUT LUCKILY,

THE BABY WAS NOT

HURT.

ONLY MY FIVEYEAR-OLD BOY AND I SUSTAINED SERIOUS INJURIES

giving communion when the blast occurred.” The bomb attack had, however, been rounded condemned by all. The state government through the Special Assistant to the Governor on Media, Reuben Buhari, described the attack as barbaric. “The Kaduna State government condemned the attack on innocent people at the worship place today. It was inhuman, barbaric and uncalled for. We are appealing the good people of the state to refrain from carrying out reprisal attack. “In particular, we want to urge the

people to completely disregard the rumour making the rounds that there is a reprisal attack in some parts of the state following today’s attack on the church. It is completely false. There is nothing like that going on in any part of the state. “We learnt that there are text messages going round the state that there were reprisals in parts of the state. It is not true. We are warning those circulating such text messages to desist from doing that. There is peace in the state. There is no reprisal anywhere in the state. “Residents are advised to remain calm as the state government is doing everything possible to safeguard the lives and property of the citizen” On his part, President, Civil Rights Congress of Nigeria, Mallam Shehu Sani, said the attack on worship centres was against civil liberty and rights to religion. Sani appealed for calm stressing that the Northern region had suffered enough bloodshed. “The reported attack on the catholic church in Unguwan Yero ward in Malali area of Kaduna stands condemned. It’s a dastardly, evil, ungodly, barbaric and unprovoked attack. It’s an attack on our freedom, peace and humanity. The attack is a savage and despicable onslaught against civil liberties and our constitutional rights to life and religion. We condemn it without reservation” Sani continued “The northern part of Nigeria has suffered from so much bloodshed and violence. We live in an era of bloodletting. We must not submit to violence or succumb to fear. Intolerance is eroding our civil liberties and insurgency is destroying our constitutional rights. No progress and development comes to a part of the country where there is no peace.

The voices of freedom must speak out” He called on the people not to embark on reprisal over terrorist activities and that such might worsen the already tense situation “Silence sustains violence. Our churches and mosques have now become a hostile arena for deranged and murderous psychopaths. The Government of Nigeria must wake up and live up to its duties and constitutional responsibilities. We must find a lasting solution to this carnage and arbitrariness. “We call on all the people of Kaduna to remain peaceful. We condemn and reject any attempt at reprisal. Reprisal against innocent persons is as vicious and condemnable as the unprovoked attack,” he maintained. Archbishop of the Kaduna Catholic Diocese, Bishop Mathew Man’oso Ndagoso, while reacting to the incident enjoined Christian youths, especially Catholics to shun violence by carrying out any reprisal. Archbishop Ndagoso debunked insinuation going round that catholic churches are the most targeted by terrorist group. Archbishop Ndagoso spoke with Saturday Mirror while commissioning Saint Gerard Catholic hospital new administrative block and the renovated burnt female hostel of its nursing school in Kaduna. He said the attacks should not be viewed along religious lines adding that terrorist activities have no boundary. Archbishop Ndagoso urged Nigerians to stand against terrorism: “The attack not targeted at catholic churches alone government offices are under attack too. We should ask why Nigeria is under attack by terrorists. There is yet another attack on a catholic church in Kaduna by people who want to plunge this nation into confusion. We must not allow this to happen” Archbishop added, “I passed through Pokistum in Bauchi recently, the town is totally down by the activities of terrorist group, the majority of the people there are Muslims. So we should not look at this issue as purely a religious thing,” he said. Kaduna has been one of the targets of the dreaded Boko Haram group. Three people were killed in a bomb blast on April 14 in Kaduna on a road leading to a mosque where a cleric had condemned the Islamist militant group Boko Haram. The bomb was said to have been transported by two people on a motorcycle. It was said that both riders were killed along with a passerby. On Sunday June 17 three suicide bomb attacks were launched on churches in Kaduna State killing at least 21 people and wounding about 100. The first two blasts occurred within minutes of each other and targeted churches in the city of Zaria. A third blast hit a church in the city of Kaduna about half an hour later. The incidents prompted protests in a region An Easter Day blast in Kaduna also left at least 38 people dead.

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

LIVING

November 3, 2012

World’s longest married couple share secrets of enduring romance ly proud of his parent’s relationship, added his own words of wisdom. He said: “One piece of advice that I can’t stress enough is to keep your parents very close. We live with them in Bradford and look after them because we want to help them live as long as they can together. “I don’t want to see their love story end. I truly believe that by helping them over the last few years we have enabled them to enjoy their time together with no stress and being looked after. “Also, you have to value them while they are here because you never know how long they are going to be around for.” The still loved-up couple, who met through an arranged marriage, are having a big party in November to celebrate Karam’s 107th and Katari’s 100th birthday. The Mayor of Bradford as well as lots of community members will be joining in the festivities.

Their top five tips to keeping romance alive

Karam, 107, and his wife Katari Chand, 100

n an age where few marriages endure the test of time, 107-year-old Karam and his wife Katari Chand, 100, are proof that happy ever after does exist. The couple, who have eight children and 28 grandchildren together, have lived in wedded bliss for 87 years making them the world’s longest married couple. The pair say that the key to success is looking after each other in every way possible: “My trick is to make Katari laugh. I like to tell jokes and make her smile. Being funny is my way of being romantic,” says Karam. ‘I have been told laughing makes you live longer... my wife is still alive so it must have worked! I love her so much and I want to spend another 80 years by her side,’ said Karam. From romantic meals to sharing jokes, the couple, who hail from Punjab, India and now live in Bradford UK, ensure that they do little things for each other to keep the romance alive. Katari says: “When I was young I used to make him a nice fresh meal every night. We are vegetarian so I brought lots of fresh vegetables and made sure he was eating healthy food.

THE COUPLE, WHO HAVE EIGHT CHILDREN AND 28 GRANDCHILDREN, HAVE LIVED IN WEDDED BLISS FOR 87 YEARS, MAKING THEM THE WORLD’S LONGEST MARRIED COUPLE “Health is very important and I wanted to look after him so we could grow old together. Some would say it has worked! “Oh and how can I forget, I always save a bit of my chapatti for him. Just a little gesture that he appreciated a lot and it kept me a bit slimmer.” Karam, who likes to do a word search every day to keep his mind alive, believes that spending plenty of time together has helped their marriage last. “We have not spent any long span apart in over 50 years. We go everywhere together – up until a few years ago we went to India every year with the family and for all family weddings we make sure we get to stay together,” he said. Their marriage has lasted nearly five years longer than that of the current Guinness World Record holders and the

couple are in the process of getting confirmation from the company that they will be named as the new record holders. Many modern day romances fail to stand the test of time but longevity and experience makes Karam the best man to go to for relationship advice. ‘In the past people used to listen. Now I don’t think people take the time to listen to each other properly. People seem too busy today with work, TV and other stuff going on around them. “Relationships are about understanding one another and listening to concerns and problems, so my advice to men and women is to listen to their partners, show interest in what they are saying and help them overcome any worries or problems they are going through,” he said. And their son Satpaul, who is extreme-

 Always be faithful: always be faithful to one another. When you get married you commit to devoting your life to that person and even when the times are tough, don’t believe that the grass is greener...because it isn’t.  Look after each other as best you can: if you want to grow old with your partner you have to make sure you always look after each other in every shape and form. Whether it is making a meal, holding your partners hand when crossing the road or being a shoulder to cry on when something goes wrong.  Be tolerant of each other: everyone has bad habits or annoying traits. Whether it is leaving a towel on the floor or listening to the radio too loudly, you have to tolerate each other and realise that no one is perfect. Of course we irritate each other occasionally, but if you want to last nearly 90 years, learn to love bad habits or it won’t work.  Listen to each other: the most important thing in a relationship is to listen. People don’t listen anymore because they are too busy with work and TV. Listen to your loved ones’ problems and concerns every day, because then you can help them overcome them and be happier. Also, it brings you closer together because you are the first port of call for each other when there is an issue in your life.  Follow social and religious values: always make sure you follow social or religious values. Respect, care, cherish, love and value your partner – always treat them how you would want to be treated yourself. •Culled from MailOnline.com

November 3, 2012

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Justice Phillips, Lagos State Chief Judge

IGP, Abubakar

Nemesis at last: Man to die for stabbing woman to death The relationship between Abdulkadir Issa and Mrs Catherine Kate-Amadi was purely business. But in the course of transacting business, one killed the other. Six years after, nemesis came calling for the culprit.

SEGUN ADIO

hen the Good Book says that “he who kills by the sword, shall die by the sword,” it simply means that a man will duly get the reward for his actions and inactions even right here on earth. This biblical injunction manifested recently in the story of an electrician, Abdulkadri Issa, who has been ordered to face the hangman’s noose. Thirty one years old Issa was a known electrician in the Ebute Metta/ Oyingbo axis of Lagos State. On October 30, 2006, a housewife, identified as Mrs Catherine Kate-Amadi, had reportedly invited Issa to her house to help fix an electrical problem in her kitchen. Kate-Amadi lived then at Block 3, Flat 8, LSPDC Estate, Ebute Meta, Lagos. It was reported that Kate-Amadi had wanted to make her breakfast when she suddenly realised that the socket serv-

ing the kitchen was bad and she needed to fix it to make her food before she set out for work. Hence, her request for the services of Issa. Issa reportedly went to meet KateAmadi in her apartment and both agreed on the terms of the job for the electrician. A neighbour of Kate-Amadi, who spoke with reporters, claimed that after Issa had completed his job, he demanded for more money than what was agreed upon at the beginning. But Kate-Amadi would not be couched by Issa’s antics: the woman refused bluntly to increase the charge as being demanded by the electrician. An argument soon ensued between Issa and Kate-Amadi which dovetailed into exchange of abusive words between the two. Some neighbours around reportedly called on the woman through her window, demanding to know what was amiss. She yelled back that she was being swindled by the electrician she called upon to fix a socket in her kitchen. Apparently enraged by the woman’s abusive words, Issa reportedly grabbed a knife from the kitchen and stabbed the woman in the neck. The woman’s cry when the knife hit her neck sent her neighbours running to her apartment. Kate-Amadi immediately slumped as a result of the knife stab. Issa, sensing trouble, grabbed one of Kate-Amadi’s wrappers he found in her living room and used it to stop the blood flow. A couple of Kate-Amadi’s neighbours soon crashed her doors open only to

find the woman in the pool of her blood. By the time the neighbours came to rescue her, Kate-Amadi was cold dead. But it was said that when the neighbours entered Kate-Amadi’s apartment, Issa was nowhere to be seen. Apparently sensing trouble over what had happened, Issa hurriedly entered the woman’s toilet, hoping that he would evade arrest. The confused neighbours made frantic efforts to save the woman’s life, but it was too late. While some of them dashed to the streets in search of a vehicle to convey her to the hospital, others ransacked the house for some of her [personal items supposedly to be used by the woman in case she recovered at the hospital. That was how one man reportedly opened the toilet and found Issa with a deeply blood-soaked cloth in his hand. Issa was immediately taken to the FESTAC Police Station where he was detained and questioned. During police interrogation, Issa initially claimed that he did not lock himself inside the toilet but two of the neighbours that came in locked him there. It is reported that Issa had in the statement at the police station claimed that he was locked inside the toilet by two men, apparently trying to give the impression that he and the deceased were only fighting when the neighbours came in and did not know what transpired thereafter leading to the woman’s death.

The matter was taken over by the Lagos State government and Issa was arraigned in court on December 7, 2009, where he pleaded not guilty. During the hearings of the case at the at a Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja, Issa later admitted that he locked himself inside the toilet when he heard noise being made outside by the deceased’s neighbours. On the blood-soaked cloth found on him the day the deceased died, Issa could not give convincing evidence. The judge, Justice Iyabo Kasali, last Wednesday, convicted Issa of the murder charge preferred against him. In her ruling, Justice Kasali said, “The sentence of the court upon you, Issa, is that you be hanged by the neck until you be dead. May the Lord have mercy on your soul.” A woman, who claimed she was at the apartment on the day of the incident, but pleaded not to be mentioned, told reporters that Issa tried to deceive the neighbours that rushed into the woman’s apartment. “At long last, justice has been done. That man (Issa) thought he would escape being punished for the heinous crime he committed. He just killed the innocent woman just like that,” the woman said. Issa’s counsel, Yemi Omodele, however, claimed that his client would appeal the judgment. His words: “We are going to appeal against the judgment because it goes against the weight of evidence before the court,” he said.

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November 3, 2012

TUNDE OSOWE

lessing, a 12-year-old student of Ofedepe Comprehensive High School, Okitipupa, in Okitipupa Local Government Area of Ondo State, woke up on Saturday, the October 6, 2012, without any inkling that the day would mark a negative turning point in her life. She woke up bubbling and full of life. What more, it was Saturday, a day of rest after the week-long school activities. She was determined to make the best of the weekend. Things, however, took an awry turn when one of her neighbours on Obiri Street, Isale Ebutte, Okitipupa , a man old enough to be her father asked her to help him buy a telephone recharge card. Like the well-brought up girl she was, she hastened to run the errand, totally oblivious of the danger that was lurking around the corner. To the alleged assailant, a man said to be in his late 49 and who is well known in the neighbourhood as by the nickname “Politician,” it was a long awaited opportunity to fulfill the desire of his heart. According to investigations, as soon as the girl returned with the recharge card, Politician allegedly pounced on her and raped her. Inumidun Akinsola, an HND II student of Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo, a neighbour of the victim’s family, who was the

Rape of 12-yr-old student tears Ondo community apart first person to notice the strange development between “Politician” and Blessing, gives an account of the dastardly act. “On getting home on that Saturday evening, I started looking for Blessing because everyone is fond of having her around, either for one domestic assignment or the other. To my amazement, the condition I met her was terrifying and quite unusual. The little girl was crying profusely, and a strange odour enveloped the area. It was at that point I insisted on getting to the root of the matter. “After much pressure and persuasion, the poor girl, who had earlier refused to inform her mother, Mrs. Florence Banjo, about the whole thing that transpired between her and Emoruwa, finally confided in me. “The man had earlier warned her not to reveal the act to anyone, else she would die. I think that was why she was afraid of telling her mother. But after a lot of pleading and persuasion, she eventually told us what happened. Immediately she revealed the whole thing, I was baffled, completely traumatised that how could a man be so callous

and wicked. A family man for that matter? I, alongside other sympathizers, insisted that the girl be taken to the hospital for medical check-up and treatment. She was later taken to the State Specialist Hospital, Okitipupa, where the Doctor confirmed that she had sustained injuries consistent with forceful carnal entry. They later carried out a medical procedure on her. As I speak with you today, she is still in shock. She cannot talk, she cannot say anything.” Akinsola attests further that in a bid to cover up his shameful act, the alleged rapist, who has disappeared from the neighbourhood with his family since the incident, sent N4,500 to the girl’s mother for her upkeep. She says, “He has disappeared now. Nobody can say anything about his whereabouts. Even his wife and children have all gone into hiding. He is a well-known man in the area. He is a businessman who deals in palm kernel. And this is not his first time he will be involved in sexual harassment. I was told he sent N4,500 to the parents of the girl for her up-keep. This, I think, is unacceptable. That was the ultimate insult. Everyone was angry. We decided to expose the

Lousia Ono Eikhomun is the Executive Director of Echoes of Women in Africa Initiative, Non- Governmental Organisation (NGO).

the stronger power overcoming the weaker. The view that one man cannot rape a woman is wrong. A woman does not prepare for rape but a man does. It is usually premeditated. He must have planned that this and this were what he would do. So she is brought to the scene of rape or he goes to her. The shock itself is a weapon against the victim. The shock first paralyses the woman. The fact that she knew that she was going to be raped is paralysing. Most times, they just struggle, they just want to escape. They do not even remember to scream or shout so they end up giving consent under pressure. But remember that the consent was given under pressure and the law says that even if consent is obtained under duress or threat or intimidation, it is still rape. There are no two ways to it, she was forced. Whether she was lured to the place or not, once her consent was not freely obtained it is rape.

Eikhomun

matter. We went on the streets to protest, all in a bid to get justice for the girl.” Another neighbour, who gave her name as Maryam Ajimuda reliably informed Saturday Mirror that the girl’s parents are helpless because they are afraid of the alleged assailant. She says, “The girl’s mother, an Ijaw woman wouldn’t wish to comment about the whole issue due to fear. The parents couldn’t confront him. But this time around, the father, Mr. Bernard Ege, was bold enough to approach the Oba of Okitipupa, Oba Akintoye Michael Obatuga, the Jegun of Idepe-Okitipupa Kingdom, who later alerted the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) about the incident. The DPO has given his words to unravel the mystery behind the whole issue, thereby bringing the culprit to book.” Saturday Mirror gathered that several youths in the area and some Okada operators took to the streets to protest what they termed “a dastardly act”. The DPO of Okitipupa Division could not be reached until press time to comment on the matter. Several telephone calls and text messages to him have remained unanswered.

‘It is the highest denigration of womanhood’

‘Rape is traumatic’ hat are the things you do to ensure that it is not difficult to secure the conviction of the suspect? The first thing is to establish corroboration. That is why in most cases we go to the hospital to conduct test that will establish this. A rapist will not go and call people and say come I want to rape this person. So the medical tests usually establish corroboration. They will establish that there was penetration and if the suspect did not use condom then they would also establish the deposit of semen and or bruises, the presence of HIV or any STI and pregnancy. All these help to establish corroboration. A minor cannot give consent. Even if she is naked before a man, he must not sleep with her. If he does, it is defilement. Children should also be given preventive tips. Parents and guardians should not allow rape to happen before they act. Parents have a lot of work to do in this area. They should also know that they should be able to shout out so that somebody nearby would hear and help. In most cases, victims do not shout, they only try to struggle. The only thing in their mind is escape. This is not good enough. There is the belief in some quarters that it is very difficult for one man to rape one woman and that eventually when the deed is done the woman must have consented one way or the other. What is your take? Rape is a game of power. It is a game of

Ojo

Adekunle Ojo, is a former Second Vice President of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) and onetime chairman of the Ikeja, Lagos branch of the association.

hat exactly is the difference between defilement and rape? Basically it is an age issue. Defilement is somebody that is 13 years of age or below, when it is rape you must have grown beyond that. For somebody to be raped there must be a level of maturity. If it is rape, you do not need a corroborative evidence of anybody for the offender to be convicted. But I think that these are basically the differences under our law. Some of us have actually argued that the dichotomy is uncalled for because if we won’t need witness for rape then why are you asking for extra witness in the case of defilement? We feel that the segregation is highly uncalled for and should not be. The general belief is that it is difficult to secure conviction for an alleged rapist. Why is this so? I don’t really believe that it is that diffi-

cult to get a person convicted for rape because if the person is able to establish especially through medical report that there was a penetration by a man and that it was unlawful and done without the consent of the victim, it should not be that difficult. I think the problem we actually have is the society and the stigma attached to rape. Most people would because of this prefer not to even talk about it, or expose themselves as a victim of rape. The person is likely to suffer some deprivation in the society; nobody wants to marry a rape victim; people see such a person as somebody whom an unusual thing has happened to and rather than securing favourable disposition from people, she becomes an anathema. I think that is why most people would not come to say that they have been raped. What is needed to be established is penetration. If there is penetration, what other evidence do we need? Must we wait until the man deposited semen into the woman before we know that he has raped her? I don’t really think that this issue of deposit is an issue. However, I think I will be on the side of stricter penalties for rapists because it is the height of the denigration of womanhood. Because of this, I would rather subscribe to the view that rapists should be severely punished. Even if they are not earning the maximum, they should earn something big enough that would keep them in the cooler for a very long time. But again, we should look at our prison system.

TOURISM

November 3, 2012

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Behold the first storey building in Nigeria

First two Bibles in Nigeria ...In the first storey building in Nigeria SEGUN ADIO

adagry is home to many firsts. Among these firsts is the first storey building in Nigeria. The white-painted structure is located on Marina road. The care-taker of the edifice, who also doubles as the curator, Emmanuel Segbemu Akala, welcomes tourists to the landmark. His narration of the history of the building to tour-ists is simply spellbinding. The build-ing is said to be probably the most vis-ited site in the town. The buildingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s foundation was first laid in 1842 by Reverend Henry Townsend, but was completed by his successor, Rev. C. A. Gollmer, some three years later. The first storey build-ing then served as Mission House, with over 14 structures that were designed for different purposes. The building, which was originally built of brick blocks imported from the United King-dom, is still standing strong 169 years after. The building is today managed by the Lagos Diocese of the Church of Ni-geria (Anglican Communion). Amazingly, virtually all materials used in constructing the building are still intact and durable. Akala, the curator, explains, in detail, all that a tourist needs to know about the first storey building in Nigeria. He would later take the visitor to the foundation site of the first school building in Nigeria, originally named Nursery of the Infant Church, but which was later changed to St. Thomas Primary School, and which was first built with bamboo trunks. The

IN THE BIBLE ROOM, THERE ARE VISIBLY DISPLAYED THE FIRST ENGLISH BIBLE TO COME TO NIGERIA. THERE IS ALSO THE FIRST ORIGINAL YORUBA BIBLE TRANSLATED BY BISHOP CROWTHER HIMSELF AND PRINTED BY LOWE & BRYDONE LIMITED ABOUT 169 YEARS AGO. BUT THE YORUBA BIBLE IS ONLY166 YEARS OLD school is now relo-cated from the compound to behind the Mobil Petrol Station in the town. The curator recalls that upon completion, the first storey building housed the missionary leaders who introduced Christianity to this part of the world. With three large rooms on the ground floor and another three rooms on the first floor, the building reveals a wide range of materials used by the missionaries of the 19th century. Conspicuously hung by the wall of one of the rooms on the ground floor is the portrait of the first teacher in Nigeria, Mr Claudius Phillips, who actually introduced the culture of learning into Nigeria. The first school in Nigeria, where Mr Phillips taught, had 40 adults as its first intakes. These 40 men, who were fed and clothed free by the school, spent 12 solid years before they could have a firm grasp of reading and writing the English way, thus becoming the first people to receive western education in Nigeria.

Climbing the 14 wooden stairs up to the first floor is no easy adventure for a curious tourist. Though the wooden stairs there now are not those left behind by Rev. Gollmer, the colonial wooden deck of the building is unmistakable. The first room on the first floor is the master bed-room which used to house the likes of Bishop Ajayi Crowther, who later came to superintend the Nigerian Christian Mis-sion. Referred to as the Bible Room, there are visibly displayed the first English Bible to come to Nigeria. There is also the first original Yoruba Bible translated by Bishop Crowther himself and printed by Lowe & Brydone (Printer) Limited, London about 169 years ago (though the Yoruba Bible is only166 years old). From the Bible Room, the tourist proceeds to another room which serves as Treasury Room for the missionar-ies. There, the vault where church pro-ceeds and other incomes were kept is by the corner of the room. The vault, manufac-

tured by Twithers & Sons, West Bromwhich Albion, in Birmingham, still works well 155 years after it was brought into the country. Inside the vault are currencies, like farthings and cowries, which were the legal tender of that generation. The first cemented well still stands at the back of the building. According to the Curator, Rev. Gollmer dug the well to provide drinking water for the missionaries in 1842. It is striking to note that though the well is just about 200 yards away from the lagoon, the water is clean, tasteless, colourless and odourless, in contrast to other wells in the town which no one can drink from. The hand of God, one would say. The well is as old as the building itself. A trip to the site of the first storey building in Nigeria cannot be carried out without the tourist having a feel of the first government house in Nigeria, which is just a minute walk from the other old first storey building. This building was built for one Mr Warara, a British warlord, by the then King of Eng-land in 1853 after the abolition of Slave Trade. Warara was the man assigned to ensure that European slave masters never came the to the territory for slaves again. Upon Wararaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s return to England, the King of England sent Sir Fredrick Lord Lugard and Miss Flora Shaw, to the area to administer on behalf of Great Britain. Akala recalled that it was from that building that Lord Lugard and, later his wife, Miss Shaw, jointly amalgamated the northern and southern protectorates to become one country, Nigeria.

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

November 3, 2012

ost adults have experienced insomnia or sleeplessness at one time or another in their

lives. Insomnia is a symptom, not a standalone diagnosis or a disease. By definition, insomnia is “difficulty initiating or maintaining sleep, or both” or the perception of poor quality sleep. Insomnia may therefore be due to inadequate quality or quantity of sleep. Insomnia is not defined by a specific number of hours of sleep that one gets, since individuals vary widely in their sleep needs and practices. Although most of us know what insomnia is and how we feel and perform after one or more sleepless nights, few seek medical advice. Many people remain unaware of the behavioural and medical options available to treat insomnia. Insomnia affects all age groups. Among adults, insomnia affects women more often than men. The incidence tends to increase with age. It is typically more common in people in lower socioeconomic (income) groups, chronic alcoholics, and mental health patients. Stress most commonly triggers short-term or acute insomnia. If you do not address your insomnia, however, it may develop into chronic insomnia. Causes: Insomnia may be caused by a host of different reasons. These causes may be divided into situational factors, medical or psychiatric conditions, or primary sleep problems. Insomnia could also be classified by the duration of the symptoms into transient, short-term, or chronic. Transient insomnia generally last less than seven days; short-term insomnia usually lasts for about one to three weeks, and chronic insomnia lasts for more than three weeks. Many of the causes of transient and short-term insomnia are similar and they include: Jet lag Changes in shift work

Insomnia

Excessive or unpleasant noise Uncomfortable room temperature (too hot or too cold) Stressful situations in life (exam preparation, loss of a loved one, unemployment, divorce, or separation) Presence of an acute medical or surgical illness or hospitalization Withdrawal from drug, alcohol, sedative, or stimulant medications Insomnia related to high altitude (mountains) Uncontrolled physical symptoms (pain, fever, breathing problems, nasal congestion, cough,diarrhea, etc.) can also cause someone to have insomnia. Controlling these symptoms and their underlying causes may lead to resolution of insomnia. Causes of chronic or long-term insomnia The majority of causes of chronic or long-term insomnia are usually linked to

an underlying psychiatric or physiologic (medical) condition. Psychological causes of insomnia The most common psychological problems that may lead to insomnia include: Anxiety, depression, stress (mental, emotional, situational, etc),schizophrenia, and/or mania. Insomnia may be an indicator of depression. Many people will have insomnia during the acute phases of a mental illness. As mentioned earlier, depression and anxiety are strongly associated with insomnia. Out of all the other secondary medical and psychological causes of insomnia, anxiety and depression are the most common.

Physiological causes of insomnia Physiological causes span from disturbance of the biological clock, sleepwake imbalance, to a variety of medical

conditions e.g asthma with night time breathing symptoms, chest pain from heart disease, etc High risk groups for insomnia: In addition to people with the above medical conditions, certain groups may be at higher risk for developing insomnia: Travellers Shift workers with frequent changing of shifts Seniors Adolescents or young adult students Pregnant women Women in menopause People who use abuse drugs Alcoholics Medication related insomnia: Certain medications have also been associated with insomnia. Among them are: Certain over-the-counter cold and asthma preparations. Some medications used to treat high blood pressure have also been associated with poor sleep. Some medications used to treat depression, anxiety, and schizophrenia.

Other causes of insomnia Common stimulants associated with poor sleep include caffeine and nicotine. You should consider not only restricting caffeine and nicotine use in the hours immediately before bedtime but also limiting your total daily intake. People often use alcohol to help induce sleep, as a nightcap. However, it is a poor choice. Alcohol is associated with sleep disruption and creates a sense of non-refreshed sleep in the morning. A disruptive bed partner with loud snoring or periodic leg movements also may impair your ability to get a good night’s sleep.

TO BE CONTINUED NEXT WEEK

LETTER

Dear Mirror Doctor, I just want to ask about drugs to be taken to cure ‘mouth odour’. 703-----59. Mirror Doctor Replies Mouth odour (halitosis) treatment is not about the use of drugs. The origin of mouth odour may be oral (within the mouth) or extra oral (outside the mouth). It may be as a result of bacteria and decaying food particles. There are hundreds of nooks and crannies in the landscape of the mouth where these offenders can get lodged. Brushing is not enough. Some causes of mouth odour are retention of bad smelling food particles on and between the teeth, retention of food particles on the tongue thereby forming a coating which further results in production of offensive odour, accumulation of food particles in the tooth cavities thereby leading to acid production

How do I get rid of mouth odour? and intolerable odour, infections or lesions of the respiratory tract, and some medical conditions. There are many ways to cover up bad breath, but if you are tired of quick fixes and want to get rid of mouth odour once and for all, take these instructions to heart or should I say mouth! First, the tongue which is like a shaggy carpet where all kinds of smelling stuff can hide should be ‘scraped’ using your tooth brush. Make the use of dental floss instead of tooth pick as much a mindless habit as brushing your teeth. This way, you are able to dislodge chunks of food that have ‘stuck’ to your teeth and gum. Ensure you keep your mouth moisturized as a dry mouth is a stinky mouth.

That is why bad breath is worse in the morning because the mouth produces less saliva as you sleep. Saliva is the enemy of bad breath because not only does it physically wash bacteria and some food particles away, it also has antiseptic and enzymes that kill bacteria. Next, choose your gum carefully. Chewing gum simulates saliva production (in addition to covering up the odour with some kind of scent). Though any gum will help with bad breath, some gum however have, better bad-breath fighting abilities than others. You may look for gum sweetened with Xylotol as this is a sugar substitute that actually works to prevent bacteria from replicating in the mouth. Mints do not encourage saliva production.

Furthermore, if you are on a low carbohydrate diet, you might have what is known as ‘ketone breath’. Basically as the body breaks down fats instead of carbohydrate for energy, it creates ketones some of which are released in your mouth. Unfortunately, ketone smells bad and so will your breath. If you are on a diet that forces you to burn fat instead of carbohydrate, consider taking apples or banana along with your diet. Now days, lots of mouthwashes are available which help to get rid of bad breath. Flavored mouthwashes are of great help. Finally, if you have followed the above steps diligently and the bad breath persists, you may have a medical issue that needs to be treated.

LEISURE

November 3, 2012

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sport

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

November 3, 2012

SAYO OGUNDEJI

espite winning their first two matches at the ongoing 8th Africa Women Championship (AWC) in Bata, Equatorial Guinea, the Super Falcons of Nigeria will battle Côte d’Ivoire’s senior women’s team tomorrow, knowing that a victory over their West African neighbours will not only guarantee their passage, but avoid a possible semi-final clash against the host, Equatorial Guinea. Falcons had on Monday opened their title defence account with a 2-1 win against bitter rivals, the Indomitable Lionesses of Cameroon in Bata and showed no sign of slackness on Thursday as their three unreplied goals from Esther Sunday, Stella Mbachu and Perpetua Nkwocha confirmed Ethiopia’s exit from the tournament. Nigeria currently tops the Group B with six points having defeated Ethiopia 3-0 on and beaten Cameroun 2-1. According to a former assistant coach of the team, Joy Etim, the Falcons must raise their game against Côte d’Ivoire if they are to avoid the Group A leader, Equatorial Guinea. Côte d’Ivoire has garnered three points from two matches and a victory for them against the defending champions will no doubt brighten their hope of a semi final qualification. And Etim, who has followed the team’s progress so far in the tournament, predicts a tough match against Côte d’Ivoire. “The Falcons so far have performed up to the standard we expect of them, but the tournament is still at its early stages and the team must raise its game in order to go far in the tournament. “Picking up two consecutive victories against Cameroun who denied them the London 2012 Olympic ticket and Ethiopia shows their seriousness about defending the title. I believe they have the experience to go far in the tournament. “Côte d’Ivoire will no doubt prove a tough customer because they are also nursing the ambition of qualifying for the semi finals, but I have no doubt that Nigeria will top the group at the end of the day,” Etim said. She also singled out coach Ikhana for praise, saying the former Kwara United manager has brought his wealth of experience to bear on the team, but cautioned the Falcons not to underrate any of their opponents. “Coach Ikhana has brought a lot of changes in his short time with the Falcons, but they have to prove that by making sure they win the championship one more time. “Teams like Cameroun, Equatorial Guinea and South Africa have shown that they have come of age as far as

Super Falcons ace, Perpetua Nkwocha, celebrating after scoring against Cameroun in their opening Group B tie at the ongoing African Women Championship. INSET: Coach Kadiri Ikhana.

AWC 2012: Falcons seek semi final ticket against Côte d’Ivoire women’s football is concerned in Africa, which is the more reason why the Falcons must not underrate any of their opponents as they progress in the tournament,” she added. Meanwhile, Joseph Ladipo, who was in charge when Falcons lost the title to hosts, Equatorial Guinea in 2008, says the host remains a threat to the Nigeri-

Eko 2012: Jonathan hoists flags today P. 42

an team, but added that the Falcons are more matured and will not allow the repeat of the mistake which cost them the title four years ago. “It is a good start for Nigeria winning their first two matches as this has sent strong signals to their opponents about their resolve to defend the title and they must continue in the same manner till

South Africa 2013: Ekpo cautions Eagles P. 43

the tournament comes to an end. “Personally, Equatorial Guinea seems to be the most-improved team among the lots and they pose a serious threat to the Falcons’ lifting the trophy, but the Nigerian team is more experienced and I hope they score lot of goals in order to avoid the host in the semi finals,” he said.

Fergie dismisses Chelsea’s Clattenburg P. 45 claims

SPORT

November 3, 2012

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Lessons from Williams sisters visit

he passing week was one Nigerians and those in the Diaspora will not forget in haste because of the visit of the Williams sisters. Apart from the fact that their visit was timely, it brought to the fore the need for Nigerian women to strive for excellence in sports or any area of human endeavour. Factually, the superstar sisters, Venus and Serena were in the country as part of the ‘Breaking the Mould’ (BTM) tour; a programme that aims to empower women and young girls to believe in themselves and achieve their full potentials. According to records, the exploits of these great female tennis stars in the courts have fetched them combined 22 major women’s singles championships. No wonder they have remained as role models to many young ladies and many followers of tennis across the world. As expected, Nigerians defied all odds, like heavy traffic in the city of Lagos to give the October visitors rousing welcome and the damsels did not disappoint as their simplicity overwhelmed many. They were indeed a true reflection of successful women, who despite all they have achieved in tennis never allowed stardom to get into their heads. Aside the fact that they expressed their excitement over their visit to Nigeria, they promised to visit again after they saw the potential inherent in Africa’s most populous black nation. The lessons that could be learnt from the visit of the Williams sister are many, especially

HARD TACKLE with

Andrew Ekejiuba anelsports@yahoo.com

08023103605

L-R: Head, External Relations, Procter and Gamble, Temitope Iluyemi and the Williams Sisters, Serena and Venus, at the ‘Breaking the Mould’ press conference supported by Always Feminine Product, held at Federal Palace Hotel, Lagos on Wednesday, October 31, 2012.

to the present generation of young ladies who have derailed in many ways, while some of them believe that short-cuts to stardom are the best way to withstand the travails of life. The Williams sisters’ life story displays a tale of passion, determination, hard work and selfbelief that has triumphed over obstacles and circumstances, to become world champions on and off the tennis court. As a kicker, on Wednesday, the Williams sisters paid a short visit to the Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola, to confirm their

presence in the state and ran a tennis clinic at Ikoyi Club 1938, where they schooled a group of children in some tennis basics. The following day, they visited a puberty education class for girls at the Government College Ikoyi, Lagos, where they interacted with the students on the need for them to believe in themselves and embrace hard work as the key to success. On arrival, the Williams sisters were greeted with warmth and enthusiasm by the girls as they entered the class. Serena began by sharing her

stories on their setbacks and how she had overcome them to return to the peak of her game. “Luck has nothing to do with it, because I have spent many, many hours, countless hours, on the court working for my one moment in time, not knowing when it would come,” she enthused. Commenting on the importance of sisterhood in facing challenges, Serena mentioned how supportive her sister had been through the years helping her cope with a variety of challenges both on the field and in life as their stories almost drew tears from the eyes of many. Also, Venus talked about the importance of self-belief: “Some people say I have an attitude, maybe I do, but I think you have to believe in yourself when no one else does. That makes you a winner right there.” They rounded up their visit with a head-to-head exhibition match on Friday before leaving for South Africa for the second leg of their visit to Africa. From the foregoing, it is worthy to note that prior to their departure, the damsels left an indelible mark in the country, where the local and international media focussed attention on Nigeria positively. This time the issue of insecurity like bombings and kidnapping was shown the back door. And commenting on the Williams sisters’ visit, the Head External Relations, Procter and Gamble (P&G) Nigeria, Temitope Iluyemi told HT that, “The Williams sisters being here today has empowered more girls to break the moulds that have

stood between them and their potential. Their support of our puberty education programme is another way to help give these girls the confidence to enjoy womanhood without limits.” And HT feels this is a great challenge to majority of our great athletes who had made the nation proud in the past through their exploits in sports. According to Iluyemi, the programme is designed to empower girls to live life to their fullest and it has seen 800,000 Nigerian girls take part every year, as more than 8 million ladies have benefited so far since its inception 12 years ago. HT also gathered that the Always brand has always been advocating for and empowering women and girls positively the world over. Aside that, the brand serves over 1.3 billion girls and women around the world by providing them with the best protection built on superior product quality and constant innovations. This was why the Williams sisters became the driver of the aforementioned vision which eventually brought them to the country. Nigerians are indeed grateful to P&G Nigeria and other companies who have helped in bringing the Williams sisters to Nigeria to empower our women. HT uses this opportunity to challenge other multinational companies doing business in the country and Corporate Nigeria to wake up from their apparent slumber and see what they can contribute to the nation where they do business so that posterity will remember them for good.

SPORT NEWS

Novelty match: Ex-Eagles’ stars ready for Akpabio

x-Super Eagles’ players led by Henry Nwosu are gearing up for a November 24 novelty football match against Akwa Ibom State Governor, Chief Godswill Akpabio and members of his cabinet. Pastor James Bassey, Chancellor of Apabioism Centre of Leadership Development disclosed this midweek in Uyo, the state capital. According to Bassey, prominent members of the Governor Akpabio government including the Secretary to the State Government, Obong Umanah O. Umanah, Commission-

ers for Sports, Finance and others are already very enthusiastic about the game, which will be broadcast live on the NTA and AIT television stations. “All the necessary security agents have been informed and they have equally pledged their unalloyed support and commitment to the success of the tournament- these include the police, army and civil defence corps among others,” Pastor Bassey said in a statement. He further said that after the first edition, the novelty match between the ex-Eagles and Team

Eko 2012: Jonathan hoists flags today

Pastor James Bassey

Akpabioism would become an annual national event.

he Local Organising Committee (LOC) of the 18th National Sports Festival said on Thursday that President Goodluck Jonathan had been scheduled to lead the flag hoisting ceremony for the festival today in Lagos. The festival, tagged ‘Eko 2012’ is scheduled for Nov. 27 to Dec. 9 at the Teslim Balogun Stadium. According to a statement signed by Kweku Tandoh, the Secretary of the committee, in Lagos, Jonathan will be joined by the 36 state governors and the FCT minister.

‘’The event symbolises the participation of all the federating units that make up Nigeria in the forthcoming festival. “On Saturday, Nov 3, Gov. Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State would be hosting Mr. President and all the other state governors at the flag hoisting ceremony. ‘’The importance of this is to confirm the participation of all the states and to show that the festival is about the unity of Nigeria as one entity,” Tandoh said. He also revealed that 11,000 athletes were expected

President Goodluck Jonathan.

to participate in the fiesta. Based on initial registration figures, the LOC envisaged a maximum of 11,500 athletes, but the number is expected to drop after the zonal elimination, where some state teams failed to qualify.

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SPORT

November 3, 2012

Kano intensifies South Africa 2013: preparation for Ekpo cautions Eagles Eko 2012 against complacency I

Cowbell Football Academy increases in membership

IFEANYI EDUZOR

x-international, Friday Ekpo has advised the Super Eagles against underrating their opponents at the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations slated for South Africa, insisting that Nigeria’s group is not a weak one. The Super Eagles were last week drawn against current champions, Zambia, Burkina Faso and Ethiopia in Group C of the competition. In an interview with our correspondent, Ekpo advised Nigerians not to see the group as a weak one because any of the teams is capable of causing an upset in the group stage of the competition. “All the teams in the group are good and should not be underrated. Experience has shown that there are no more minnows in African football. “When one considers how small countries like Cape Verde, prevented Cameroon from qualifying for the Nations Cup, the person will appreciate the fact that football has really grown

Ekpo

in the continent,” Ekpo said. He however expressed optimism that the Coach Stephen Keshi-tutored side will qualify from the group, and advised the coaching crew to select the best players to prosecute the Nations Cup as doing otherwise will lead to ugly experience.

n a bid to win medals, the Kano Sate Government said on Thursday it has intensified preparations for the forthcoming National Sports Festival, tagged ‘Eko 2012’. The 18th National sports Festival is scheduled to hold in Lagos in December. The state Director of Sports, Nasiru Suleiman, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kano that athletes had also intensified training for a successful participation. The director said that the state would participate in 13 events, including track and field, special and traditional sports. He said that training had been lined up for the athletes to boost their form before the commencement of the fiesta. “As part of the preparation, the state Taekwondo team has taken part in the just concluded first Chika Chukwumerije taekwondo competition in Abuja. “It won two gold and three bronze medals, while the wrestling team won one gold and two silver medals in the Anambra State wrestling competition,” he said. The director said that some of the athletes had represented the country in different tournaments during the year, winning laurels.

Ocheje laments Ogunbote’s departure SAYO OGUNDEJI

unshine Stars of Akure goalkeeper, Moses Ocheje, has described the resignation of the club’s coach, Gbenga Ogunbote as unfortunate which could disrupt the success achieved under his leadership but expressed confidence in the management to find a suitable replacement. Ogunbote brought his three-year relationship with the club to an abrupt end on Wednesday after tendering his resignation to the management, sighting failure by the club to fulfil some of the contractual terms as reasons for his departure. “I have resigned as coach of Sunshine

Stars with immediate effect. The truth is that Sunshine Stars is very challenging both on and off the field. I have tried my little best and I have to go now so that I won’t have all my hair grow grey,” Ogunbote said on Thursday. And Ocheje who played a vital role in his side’s road to the semi-final of the 2012 CAF Champions League before losing to Al-Ahly of Egypt praised the departed coach for his style of leadership, saying the club must build on its recent success. “It is unfortunate for us to lose a good coach like Ogunbote who has contributed a lot to the development of the club but we have to respect his decision and wish him the very best in his endeavours,” he said.

GTBank Heritage Cup: Anwar-ul-Islam begins title defence SAYO OGUNDEJI

fter a successful outing in the maiden edition of the GTBank Heritage Cup, the defending champions, Anwar-ul-Islam College, Agege, has set sights on the defence of the championship title they won earlier in the year as the second edition kicks off later this month. GTBank in a bid to re-ignite the pas-

sion and sentiment that once greeted the Lagos State Principals’ Cup competition initiated the Heritage Cup to bring about the re-involvement of those schools that dominated the Principals Cup competition since its inception in 1954. The Heritage Cup being sponsored by Guaranty Trust Bank has attracted more Heritage and private schools in Lagos and the competition which enters its second season will begin this month with the semi finals and final billed for February and March 2013 respectively. The draws for the second edition of the championship which held recently in

ANDREW EKEJIUBA embership of Cowbell Football Academy has increased by more than 100 per cent following the sponsorship of Promasidor Nigeria Limited, makers of Cowbell milk. Mr. Dudu Orumen, Rector of the academy disclosed this in Lagos, remarking that at “first we were an academy that had only about 60 children, but now have about 140 between aged between 4 and 17.” He said on the Cowbell platform, Promasidor has demonstrated that it listens to the needs of the environment and where it does business, adding that the number of coaches has also increased to six because of the financial support from the company to run weekly activities. “We have activities on Saturdays where all the kids attend, but we also run extra trainings on Tuesdays and Thursdays for about 33 players aged between 14 and 17. “The Cowbell Academy is a place where play and learning never stops. So we build sound minds and sound bodies who are able to do anything. “We have played about 42 or 43 friendly matches at different categories in U-11 and U-17 age categories and we are achieving one of our strong points which is, discipline,” Dudu Orumen said. In his contribution, Mr. Andrew Enahoro, Head Legal and Public Relations of Promasidor said the company is very excited at the increase recorded at the academy as it has given them opportunity to touch more lives.

Ekiti distributes N1.6m sport equipment to LGAs SAYO OGUNDEJI Ogunbote

Lagos, has in the boys category, students from St. Gregory College Ikoyi, Ansar-uddeen Isolo, Atlantic Hall and Whitesand College, Lagos, in Group A, while Group B will have the defending champions, Anwar-ul-Islam, Agege, Grace High School, Dowen College, Lekki and Corona School Agbara. Lagos Principal’s Cup most successful team, St. Finbars College, Akoka leads Group C alongside Ansar-ud-deen Randle, Eko Boys High School and Western College, Yaba. Group D will have Kings College Lagos, CMS Grammer School, Bariga, Adrao Int’l School, V/ Island and Methodist Boys, Lagos slogging it out. Speaking after the draw, GTBank’s Jide Shokoya maintained that the bank will continue to contribute to grassroots development of sports in the state and Nigeria at large.

n its bid to boost grassroots sports, the Ekiti State Government has distributed sports equipment worth N1.6m to the 16 Local Government Areas in the state. The Chairman of the state’s Sports Council, Prince Ademola Adetola, assured the beneficiaries of government’s continuous support for the development of grassroots sports. Adetola who appreciated the contributions of Caretaker Chairmen and Sports Officers across the 16 Local Government Areas, towards the success of the just concluded 3rd Ekiti State Sports fiesta, urged them to work harder to improve the quality of sports in their respective domain. Earlier, the Director of Sports, Mr. Olukayode Adewumi, said the equipment was donated as part of government’s effort at encouraging youngsters’ participation in sports.

SPORT

November 3, 2012

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Serena Williams’ journey to stardom ANDREW EKEJIUBA Background

erena Jameka Williams was born on September 26, 1981, in Saginaw, Michigan, to Richard Williams and Oracene Price. She is of AfricanAmerican heritage and is the youngest of Price’s five daughters: half-sisters Yetunde (1972–2003), Lyndrea and Isha Price, and full sister Venus. When the children were young, the family moved to Compton, California, where Williams started playing tennis at the age of five. Their father home-schooled her and the elder sister Venus and to this day, both sisters remain coached by both parents. Williams’ family moved from Compton to West Palm Beach when she was nine so that she could attend the tennis academy of Rick Macci, who would provide additional coaching. Macci spotted the exceptional talents of the sisters and did not always agree with Williams’ father, who stopped sending his daughters to national junior tennis tournaments when Serena was 10, since he wanted them to take it slow and focus on school work. Another motivation was racial, as their father allegedly said he heard parents of white players talk about the Williams sisters in derogatory manner during tournaments. At that time, Williams had a 46–3 record on the United States Tennis Association junior tour and was ranked No. 1 among under-10 players in Florida. In 1995, when Serena Williams was in the ninth grade, Richard pulled his daughters out of Macci’s Academy, and from then on took over all coaching at their home. Williams’s first professional event was in September 1995, at the age of 13, at the Bell Challenge in Quebec City. She lost in the first round of qualifying to world no. 149 Annie Miller in less than an hour of play and earned US$240 in prize money.

Playing style Serena is primarily a baseline player, with a serve that critics, pundits and tennis experts consider the greatest serve in the history of women’s tennis. Her game is built around taking immediate control of rallies with her powerful and consistent serve, return of serve, and forceful groundstrokes from both her forehand and backhand swings. Williams’ forehand is considered to be among the most powerful shots in the women’s game as is her double-handed backhand. Her serve has been hit as hard as 129 mph (207.6 km/h), the third-fastest all-time among female players (Venus and Brenda Schultz-McCarthy both recorded the fastest with 130 mph) and is generally considered the greatest female serve of all time. At the 2012 Wimbledon Championships, Serena Williams hit a tournament record of 102 aces which was more than any of the men hit during the two weeks. She also possesses a very solid volley and powerful overhead which is very useful for her net game. Although many think of Williams as only an offensive player,

Serena (Center Left) and Venus dance with children during a programme entitled “Kick Like a Girl”, after an interactive session with students of the Federal Government College in the Ikoyi district of Lagos, on November 1, 2012.

she also plays a strong defensive game.

Achievements As a professional American tennis player, the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) has ranked her World No. 1 in singles on five separate occasions. She became the World No. 1 for the first time on July 8, 2002, and regained this ranking for the fifth time on November 2, 2009. She is the only female player to have won over $40 million in prize money. Already regarded as one of the greatest tennis players of all time, her 30 Grand Slam titles ties her for eighth on the all-time list: 15 in singles, 13 in women’s doubles, and 2 in mixed doubles. She is the most recent player, male or female, to have held all four Grand Slam singles titles simultaneously (between 2002 and 2003) and only the fifth woman ever to do so. Her total of 15 Grand Slam singles titles is sixth on the all-time list, and fourth in the open era, behind Steffi Graf (22 titles) and Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova (18 titles each). Among active players, male or female, she holds the most Major titles amid singles, doubles, and mixed doubles. She won her 13 Grand Slam doubles titles with her sister Venus Williams and the pair is unbeaten in Grand Slam finals. Serena Williams is also a three-time winner of the WTA Tour Championships and has won four Olympic gold medals, one in women’s singles and three in women’s doubles. On August 4, 2012, she became the second player after Steffi Graf to win a career Golden Grand Slam after winning the gold medal at the 2012 Summer Olympics in Wimbledon, and the first player in history, male or female, to win the Career Golden Grand Slam in both singles and doubles.

Injuries Injury forced Serena to retire from her semifinal match at the Medibank International Sydney and to withdraw from the 2002 Australian Open. Serena rebounded from the loss at the 2003 Wimbledon Championships, defeating Henin in the semifinals and Venus in

the final, 4–6, 6–4, 6–2. This was Williams’ second consecutive Wimbledon title and her sixth Grand Slam singles title overall. Unexpectedly, this was her last tournament of the year, as knee surgery prevented her from competing in the year’s remaining events, including the US Open. As a result, she lost the world no. 1 ranking to Clijsters in August, having held it for 57 consecutive weeks finished the year ranked world no. 3 and with four titles. On September 14, 2003, while Williams was still recovering from surgery, her sister Yetunde Price was murdered. Between 2004 and 2006, injuries and inconsistent results forced Williams to withdraw from the Australian Open to continue rehabilitating her left knee which generated speculation that she was losing interest in the sport. After eight months away from the tour, Williams began her comeback at the Tier I NASDAQ-100 Open in Key Biscayne, Florida, where she defeated 16-year-old Russian Maria Sharapova in the fourth round and world no. 8 Elena Dementieva in the final. This was the third consecutive year that Williams had won this tournament. In Munich on July 7, 2010, Serena stepped on broken glass while in a restaurant. She received 18 stitches, but the following day she lost an exhibition match to Kim Clijsters, 3–6, 2–6, in Brussels before a world-record crowd for a tennis match, 35,681 at the King Baudouin Stadium. The cut foot turned out to be a serious injury, requiring surgery and preventing her from playing for the remainder of 2010. As a result, she lost the world no. 1 ranking to Dane Caroline Wozniacki on October 11, 2010 and ended the year ranked no. 4 in singles. In 2012, Serena started the year by playing her debut at Brisbane International. However, during her match against Bojana Jovanovski, she injured her left ankle when serving for the match late in the second set. As a result, Williams was forced to withdraw from the tournament. Next she participated at the Australian Open where she was seeded 12th and cruised pass the first three round without dropping a set but lost 6–2, 6–3 to

Serena

Ekaterina Makarova in the fourth round. Serena Williams however, came back from her loss at the Australian Open, by cruising to a 5–7, 6–1, 6–1, victory over Anastasiya Yakimova, completing the U.S sweep over Belarus in the Fed Cup. In her final scheduled tournament was the 2012 WTA Championships in Istanbul, where she went 3-0 up in her group defeating Kerber 6–4, 6–1, Li 7–6(7-2), 6–3, and Azarenka 6-4, 6-4 to advance into the semifinals. She defeated Agnieszka Radwa ska 6-2, 6-1 in the semis to advance to her 5th WTA Championships Finals. She defeated No. 2 seed Maria Sharapova 6–4, 6-3 to win her 3rd WTA Championships Finals and her 7th title in 2012. Currently she and her elder sister, Venus are in South Africa to conclude their two-nation tour that began in Nigeria on Tuesday. The visit will see the siblings host coaching clinics in Soweto at the Arthur Ashe Tennis Academy and play an exhibition match at the Ellis Park Indoor Arena in Johannesburg on Sunday. The match will be their first on-court battle in South Africa and is set to be the first tennis match to feature wheelchairbound tennis players as ball kids. Serena, 31, is currently ranked third in the ATP world rankings after her victory over Maria Sharapova in the WTA Championship final last Sunday, while her sister Venus, 32, is ranked 24th in the world. The Williams sisters, who share between them 22 major women’s singles championships, are promoting the ‘Breaking The Mould’ campaign in Nigeria which is aimed at promoting the role that women play in shifting perceptions and encouraging development.

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

SPORT

November 3, 2012

United look to bounce back against Gunners

anchester United will try to return to winning ways when they face Arsenal in the Premier League at Old Trafford today. Victory for Alex Ferguson’s men in the day’s early kick-off match will see them replace leaders Chelsea, if only for a few hours, at the top of the table and provide their fans with an upbeat end to a week that saw them knocked out of the League Cup. An unfamiliar looking United side, with several senior players rested, were just seconds away

from beating Chelsea at Stamford Bridge and advancing into the quarterfinals when they conceded a last minute penalty to leave the match all square at 3-3. Today’s match will be the first time United striker Robin van Persie has faced Arsenal since being sold by the Gunners for £24 million ($39 million) following the end of last season. The Dutch striker’s exit was seen as further proof by some observers of the inability of Arsenal, without a major trophy for seven years, to mount a real-

Fergie dismisses Chelsea’s Clattenburg claims

ir Alex Ferguson says he does not believe referee Mark Clattenburg made racist comments during Manchester United’s clash with Chelsea. Chelsea have made an official complaint to the FA over the incident during the Premier League encounter last week, while the Metropolitan Police have stated that they are working with both parties after also receiving a complaint regarding the referee. But Ferguson said on Friday that he does not think a referee would ‘stoop’ to making racist or offensive remarks, adding that he has never had a player make a complaint to him about a referee swearing. “I don’t believe Clattenburg would make comments like that,” Ferguson said. “I refuse to believe it. I think it’s unthinkable in the modern climate. I just don’t believe it. It’s as simple as that.

Ferguson

“There’s no way a referee would stoop to that (racist or offensive remarks). I’m convinced about that. I think the modern game - if we see the game of 25 years ago - has completely changed. I played myself, and I know the banter goes on between referees and players are completely different from today,” he said.

Mourinho undecided about life after Real Madrid Mourinho

eal Madrid coach Jose Mourinho has conceded that he has not made plans for when he eventually leaves the club. After helping Los Blancos

to the La Liga title last season, the Portuguese became the first coach in history to win the domestic league in Italy, England and Spain. Mourinho revealed that his

istic challenge for the title. Van Persie has scored seven goals in nine league appearances for United but Arsenal, seven points adrift of United in sixth place, will have additional motivation to put in a good performance following their 8-2 thrashing in last season’s corresponding fixture. Arsenal though have kept just one clean sheet in their last 11 games and conceded five, having been 4-0 behind, in an astonishing 7-5 League Cup win over Reading on Tuesday.

Messi refutes Villa problems

arcelona star Lionel Messi has made it clear that he does not have any problems with team-mate David Villa. The two had a heated discussion on the pitch during the Catalans’ win over Granada earlier this season, and a number of recent reports suggested that the duo’s relationship has gone sour since the incident. However, Messi has stressed that their argument ended there and then on the pitch. “It led to a bit of controversy when what happened took place. That obviously all stayed on the pitch, though. “We get along just fine, just like everybody else in the dressing room. “David is a great guy who doesn’t fight with anyone. It is very difficult to fight with someone with his character. “We talked about what happened, but we absolutely don’t have a problem with each other,” Messi said. Barcelona take on Celta Vigo in a La Liga clash at home today. hunger to constantly improve is the key to his unprecedented success in football. “From an early age I knew that to progress in my career I had to go to other countries. I knew I needed to travel, to meet new challenges in order to grow,” Mourinho said in an interview. “When I started travelling, I aimed for England, Italy and Spain. When I finish up here at Real Madrid, I do not know which path my career will take. “I’m in a constant struggle with myself. I always try to be the best. More and more, however, I am thinking about others and this is serving me well,” he said.

EURO BRIEFS City targets Japanese whiz kid

anchester City will bring rising Japanese star Hideki Ishige to England to run the rule over the midfielder. Reports in the Japanese media revealed that City have made an offer for the 18-year-old, who plies his trade with Shimizu S-Pulse, but appears to be wide of the mark.

Mancini

Mancini ignores critics

anchester City manager Roberto Mancini insists he is not interested in the thoughts of his critics. Mancini won the Premier League title last season and has made an unbeaten start to the current domestic campaign but has come under the spotlight because of City’s poor European form. A disappointing 3-1 defeat at Ajax, in which the manager’s tactics again came in for criticism, leaves City with just one point from three UEFA Champions League games. But Mancini claims he is only focused on doing his job, despite newspapers reports this week claiming he held talks regarding a move to Monaco in the summer. “I don’t read the newspapers,” said Mancini. “I know my job and I know when I make a mistake or do the right things. For this I talk with my club, my chairman and my staff. The other situations are not important,” he said.

Cambiasso: Hats off to Juve

nter midfielder Esteban Cambiasso has shown his admiration for Juventus’ unbeaten run ahead of this weekend’s Derby d’Italia in Turin. The Bianconeri never lost a match in Serie A throughout the 2011-12 campaign, and this form has continued into this season as well, with Juventus having the opportunity to make it a 50-game streak at the weekend. And Cambiasso is looking forward to taking on the Scudetto holders. “Juventus have done well to keep up this unbeaten run, so you have to tip your hat to them. “It’ll be an important match, and definitely a different one from the others. This Inter team is now in the situation that it should be in,” Cambiasso said. Of his own side’s title ambitions, the holding midfielder said it was still too early in the season to talk about the Scudetto. Inter currently sit second in Serie A, trailing leaders Juventus by four points.

Ishige

Suarez is brilliant –Taylor

ewcastle United defender Steven Taylor has labelled Liverpool striker Luis Suarez as a ‘brilliant player’ ahead of the two clubs’ clash on Sunday. Suarez has been saddled with a reputation as a diver for much of his time in the Premier League, but Taylor prefers to focus on the Uruguayan’s football ability.

RVP rejected City, says Wenger

rsenal manager Arsene Wenger has revealed that Robin van Persie rejected a move to Manchester City in the summer. Van Persie opted to join Manchester United instead and while Wenger does not want to go into those details he does hope the Dutchman gets a good reception when he faces his old club today.

PREMIERSHIP TABLE P

PTS

1. Chelsea

2. Man Utd

3. Man City

4. Tottenham

5. Everton

6. Arsenal

7. Fulham

8. West Brom

9. West Ham

10. Newcastle

-2

11. Swansea

12. Liverpool

-2

13. Stoke

-1

14. Sunderland

-2

15. Wigan

-6

16. Norwich

-11

17. Aston Villa

-7

18. Reading

-6

19. Southampton

-12

20. QPR

-11

November 3, 2012

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

‘Vehicle theft will soon become history’ MESHACK IDEHEN

hat is the vision of your organisation? The mission of Courtevile Business Solutions Plc is to become a business solutions development company that is driven by the passion to touch the life of every citizen of the world. It is all about the provision of business solution products and services that can consistently meet both customer and consumer requirements with the use of automated processes. This is company has been operating in strict compliance with all applicable regulatory and satisfactory requirements at both domestic and international levels. Furthermore, the company has the mission to deepen business relationships and to optimise stakeholder’s values, while believing at the same time that the relationship with each set of stakeholders is unique and all should be mutual, satisfactory and optimal, including client, shareholders, the government, staff, and the community and alliance partners. We are also committed to periodic review and continual improvement of the company’s quality management systems in order to achieve maximum resource utilisation and profitability. In what way would you say your company’s operations and activities have boosted economy growth and development in the country and beyond? There is no doubt that you are aware of how almost impossible it was in the nott too distant past to conduct the simple business of seamlessly documenting properly, the millions of vehicles that come into the country, that challenge have been totally eliminated with the coming of AutoReg. toReg. That is just a single example. In the same vein, what Courteville ville Business Solutions Plc as a company is doing g has also enabled governments at all levels to get all ll the income due to them as far as registration and documentation of vehicles are concerned. The revenues nues of most state governments that have embraced the scheme have shot up in that aspect. Moreso; touting, uting, counterfeiting and other challenges that accompanied ccompanied these processes have all disappeared, and nd have also been eliminated from the process. Car snatching from the statistics cs we are receiving have also declined considerably, derably, y,, because these days it’s almost impospossible to successfully steal a car and d move due to the various technologies in place. The company has contributed to the socio economic development and stability in the country’s economy. Presently, the company has over 7 million records in its data base, and these data which are usually made available to agencies of government for development purposes when there is the need to do so, have assisted in the areas of security and policing. Very soon with the technology and projects that the company is working on, vehicles

BOLA AKINDELE, Managing Director of Courteville Business Solutions Plc., speaks on the vision of his organisation and how it will impact on not only the country’s economy but that of the continent. Excerpts: snatching will soon become history in Nigeria and on the continent, due to the technology that the company is deploying. As I said before, the revenue of some state governments and private sector operators have risen and we have successfully eliminated all forms of manual documentation of vehicles in the country. Again, due to the computerisation of the company’s processes, all income due to the government in the sector where we operate have been successfully delivered. The company has been able to provide road users with better services that have contributed in no small measure towards bringing about sanity on our road. As a publicly quoted company, how is its share doing in the capital market? Courteville Business Solution Plc about three weeks ago announced a turnover of N855m for the financial year which ended December 31, 2011.That announcement from the company represents an increase by 36.2 per cent when compared with N627.8m recorded within in the same period of 2010. Also, the company’s profit after tax has rose by 36 per cent in the year under review, from N179.4m in 2010 to N245.4m in 2011, while gross profit increased to N364.1m in 2011,

Akindele

from N238.7m in 2010. Recently when I addressed shareholders of the company during the company’s presentation of facts behind the figures at the Nigerian Stock Exchange, I said shareholders will receive five kobo dividend per share for the 2011 financial year, an increase by 11.1 per cent from 4.5 kobo dividend per share in 2010. What this means is that we are the only company that has consistently paid dividends to our shareholders for the last couple of years. So our share and other stakeholders while we continually thank them for their support are also aware that the company is not only meeting their expectations, but also on the path of sustainable progress. How do you think your eyeing opportunities for growth and expansion in and around economies in Africa will impact on the Nigerian economy? We are already in Sierra Leone and a few countries in the continent. And we are set to extend operations to more African countries in the next 18 months as we continue to consolidate our Nigerian engagement. At the recent interactive session with capital market stakeholders at the Nigerian Stock Exchange, I reiterated the commitment of the company to expand its operations beyond Nigeria and Sierra Leone. Already, the firm has become a household name in Nigeria where it has operations in more than 18 states, where Courteville’s Autoreg has been accepted as a form of motor vehicle documentation and administration. Meanwhile, it is also important to mention that under the AutoReg franchise, through which Courteville provides services for vehicle licensing, hackney permit, road worthiness certification and vehicle test, among other services, many more services have developed, which have made agencies and organisations to come to us for advice on how to go about documentation and registration. We intend to take all these innovations and developments to the economies in and around Africa. Those objectives will not only have a positive impact on the Nigerian economy, it will also positively affect the economies of those countries where those business solution models are taken to in the immediate and long term. Very soon, Nigeria will start exporting technology and business solutions to other nations in the world, because that is the resource that we as a nation have that can never run dry like other natural resources. An example is India, which today exports technology to other countries in the world. What does your firm have with the National Agency for Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC)? Courteville is partnering with NAFDAC in order to ensure easy registration processes for all NAFDAC-regulated products. This partnership will facilitate the remote verification and authentication of information on all NAFDAC approved products in Nigeria, as NAFDAC would be able to provide its services for the seamless registration of products, just like Courteville has successfully done with vehicles registration. The Courteville’s solution for NAFDAC came in three modules; the first front-end module would allow the clients of NAFDAC to do their registration on-line.

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

November 3, 2012

Rice farm, milling plant: Sure money spinner

Rice farm

he Federal Government of Nigeria has proposed to ban importation of rice to encourage local rice production. Nigerians can start now to prepare grounds to take over the market as soon as the policy takes off. The Federal Government budget 2012 and 2013 indicated that there would be no waiver for importation of rice and wheat. According to the President, “1 wish to reiterate here that the principal objective of my administration’s fiscal policy in the area of tariffs and trade is to promote industrialization and the growth of the manufacturing and agricultural sectors of the economy and above all to generate employment for Nigerians” IT may not be easy for Nigerians but banning of those items that can be produced in the country and encouraging the local production of those items is one the ways to come out of our economic problems. It will generate employment; self-sufficiency in food production; development of rural areas and above all export to add to GDP. Rice has become a staple in Nigeria. Every household both rich and poor consumes a great quantity of rice everyday. Of the total projected population figure of 150million, about 80 percent feed on rice, hence the huge amount of money spent on importation of rice annually. From publications made by the Federal Office of Statistics and Federal Ministry of Finance, of the total foreign debts and importation figures totalling billions of naira, rice importation has the greatest figure of over 60 per cent. The Federal Government of Nigeria must therefore have to do something about this. It is not advisable to impose a total ban on importation without first

assuring that the country can produce at least 70 per cent of what is needed in this country. It is based on the above decision, that the government has entered into agreement with the World Bank and ADB to increase the production of rice in the country. As a result, substantial amounts are being worked out by the bodies to commence massive the production of rice in the country. Some individuals are to be encouraged by the government to ensure that the private sector participated in the venture. In the country today, some states produce paddy rice in abundance due to favourable climatic condition for rice production. Some of these states are Enugu, Ebonyi, Anambra, Abia, Imo, Kwara, Edo, Ogun, Ondo, and some Nothern states such as Sokoto etc. Rice milling project will best be sited in these areas where rice is grown in order to reduce cost of transportation of the paddy. To set up this project, a large space is required to dry paddy rice after harvesting. The components of machines required to set up this project are cleaning facilities, dehuller, boiling tank, polisher, bagger and other miscellaneous equipment such as wheel barrows, weighing scales. Also pickup vans and generating sets are essential for smooth running of this project. These machines can be fabricated locally. They can also be imported from Europe and some known Asian countries that specialise in the area. Prospective investors would be given details on these machine produces and specialists. Rice milling could be done on cottage,

small, medium and large scale bases depending on availability of capital and the raw materials- paddy rice. Output could be from 2MT to 150MT per day. Generally one metric tonne of paddy rice yields about 60kg- 70kg of milled rice, depending on milling efficiency company management practice and the variety of rice purchased. In the process of milling well parboiled rice free from sand, stones, unpleasant odour with less breakages, etc from purchased paddy, whole rice, broken rice and bran are obtained. Whole rice are packed and sold for human consumption. Broken rice is further milled into ‘’Tuwo Shinkafa’’ (a flour meal) while bran is very important input for manufacturing dietary products like rice bran bread which has been acclaimed good for the decrease of blood cholesterol, rice bran oil and livestock feeds. From rice can also be obtained puffed rice, rice cakes, rice pudding etc. The husks are used for the production of Potassium Hydroxide solution or as fuel for milling plants. It can be seen that virtually all parts of paddy rice is useful. From market analysis, the market for rice is national. With the estimated national population growth rate of 2.9 percent and population figure estimated at over 130million, Nigeria is a large market and demand is so high and local supply so low that rice importation into the country is a very big business. Hoarding, rationing and smuggling and sharp black market practices were the profitability associated with the business. This situation should not be allowed to continue forever. Those importers must channel their huge returns to the establishment of such producing firms in the country instead of fastening the growth of some

foreign countries. The huge demand for rice is further accentuated by increasing and expanding urbanisation, endless social parties where rice is the main menu, Nigerians eating habits (preference for foreign rice). The preference for foreign rice should be stopped. The likely cost of total project will not actually be stated safely unless one knows the scope (whether cottage, small, medium or large scale) a proposed investor would like to embark upon, the capacity to produce, the source(s) of the machinery, whether to construct his own building or rent one, the location etc. Therefore to embark upon this project, one needs a business plan (feasibility studies), with detailed costing for all the aspects of inputs, and before he can obtain the likely total estimated cost. To do otherwise is to take a leap in the dark or take our characteristics shortcut to distinction that is always ruinous. In conclusion, rice milling, an agro based business is profitable (35-45 per cent on sales), and sustainable. It has low capital requirement, technical know how is complicated. The machinery and equipment are 100 percent locally available. The project has a short pay –back period. It is highly recommended for serious and aggressive promoters, local and state governments and private investors particularly those that are thinking good for this country. For details on comprehensive and bankable feasibility studies, investment advisory services, funding arrangements, please contact the writer.

Courtesy: Uba Godwin, u b a g o dw i n @ ya h o o . com

November 3, 2012

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Class in session: Inset Francis

School business: Lucrative but capital intensive FUNMI SALOME JOHNSON

ith the decadence that permeates the Nigerian public schools; discerning parents have continued to seek alternative means of preparing their wards for life challenges. They are increasingly enrolling their children in private schools where the standard of teaching is high and sustained; hence, owning and running a school has become a booming a business. Oluremi Francis is the proprietor of Gladys Nursery and Primary Schools located in Ipaja area of Lagos. She told Saturday Mirror that the quest for education in private schools has been on the increase following the fall in the standard of public schools in the country since the late 70s. Francis, who has been running a school for more than 20 years, said nursery and primary schools fall into different categories depending on the size and standard in terms of facilities. However, the choice of any category, according to Francis is a function of availability of fund at one’s disposal.

Francis further explained that she conceived the idea of setting up the school solely to contribute to the resuscitation of education in the country knowing well that monetary benefits would be essentially added to it. She recalled how she began the school from an uncompleted building. Hence, she said that nursery and primary school can take off in a small apartment and grow with time. “You can start off a school in a small apartment and gradually grow big. I started off in a two bedroom apartment in an uncompleted building and with time, we grew bigger to what we are today. Francis further enthused that she started with as low as N7, 000. “I started the school with less than N7, 000 in 1987, but with the prevailing economic situation in the country now, one will need a minimum of N500, 000 to establish such a small scale school, excluding the cost of securing a building for the venture” She noted that getting a building for the establishment gulped a large percentage of the capital. “However many nursery and primary schools took off with more than N20m,” added Francis. “Basically, apart from the classrooms, one must provide lockers and

I STARTED WITH LESS THAN N7, 000 IN 1987. BUT WITH THE PREVAILING ECONOMIC SITUATION IN THE COUNTRY NOW, A

MINIMUM OF

N500,

000 IS NEEDED TO

ESTABLISH A SMALL SCALE SCHOOL benches, chalk and its board, dusters, rulers and other materials that will ensure efficient delivery,” she added On the source of funding, Francis said that the money to set up nursery and primary schools could be raised from personal savings like in her own case, assistance from friends, taking soft loans from banks, contribution from co-operative societies, among others are the various ways one could raise fund. According to her, a small scale nursery and primary school needs at least two or more teachers for a start and that more and more teachers and non-teaching staff should be recruited as the school expands. She recommends that the teacher to student ratio should not exceed one to 15 for effective teaching. She also adds that a fast developing area is the best location for setting up a nursery and primary school as developing areas are usually confronted with the problem of availability of public schools. She advised that the school should

engage in moderate publicity for its growth and popularity. This, according to her, is to ensure patronage from the public because nursery and primary schools without a reasonable number of pupils, say 200 pupils, after three to four years of existence, cannot cope in the face of the challenges in the Nigerian economy, In addition, the educationist further noted that programmes like Christmas carol, professional day, end of year party, prize giving day and others serve as avenue to showcase and market the school to the public. “Recruitment of competent staff should never be compromised in order to ensure the success of the venture. Having effective communication between the school and the parents is another key, as this is an essential impetus to boost the growth of the school,” she remarked. She further remarked that school fees are determined by the prevailing economic condition at a particular time adding that prudence, love for children, transparency, friendliness with people, hard work, effective management and fear of God must be embraced by proprietors to succeed in the venture. Among the challenges of running nursery and primary schools are the unavailability of funds, delay in payment of fees, unnecessary charges by government, and others. She explained that the challenges are surmountable. Francis however warned that cost and benefit analysis must be properly done to determine appropriate fees and that though educational investment is quite lucrative, “the love for money should not be the bedrock of setting up a private school”.

Crime Watch Crime Watch

P. 51

How tanker driver committed suicide after battering wife to death

BRIEFS

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

November 3, 2012

Tales of woe as robbers sack community

z I was beaten like an unruly child –Middle-aged victim Kano police kill robbers’ mercy, insisting that they were suspected armed robber AUGUSTINE MADU-WEST KANO

he Kano State Police Command yesterday claimed it shot dead a gang of robbers who had reportedly snatched a KIA Sportage Jeep, 2009 model, Registration Number BQ181KMC from one Aminu Yusuf, at gunpoint along Jogana to Tsamiya Babba Road in Gezawa near Kano. A statement issued by the Kano police command and signed by the commissioner of police, Ibrahim Idris, said the gang members were pursued by policemen on patrol from Gezawa Police Divisional Headquarters and were intercepted at Ring road by another set of policemen. The release said, “They immediately opened fire on them, the policemen retaliated and shot dead one of the robbers who was driving the stolen vehicle in whose pocket three live ammunitions of AK 47 riffle and some quantity of hard drugs were recovered.” Police said his corpse has been deposited at the morgue. The other robbers reportedly took to their heels adding that the stolen vehicle was recovered.

Man docked for alleged mischief, theft

he police on Friday arraigned a 25-year-old man, Achiehiga Ajashi, of Anguwa Rogo village, before an Abuja Magistrates’ Court for allegedly causing mischief and stealing N8,000. The police prosecutor, Insp. Clement Egwu, told the court that one Rosemary Ukena of the same address reported the case at Life Camp Police Station, Abuja, on Oct. 12. Egwu said the complainant reported that the accused went to Two Seasons Hotel, Anguwa Rogo, fought with the customers and damaged some property. He said the damaged property included tables, chairs and bottles of beer valued at N30,000 and that he also made away with N8,000. The accused pleaded not guilty. The magistrate, Mrs Habiba Bello, granted Ajashi bail in the sum of N30,000 and one surety in like sum. She said the surety must be a resident within the court’s jurisdiction. Bello adjourned the case to November 13, 2012, for further hearing.

Throughout the last Eid-el-Kabir festival, residents of Shomolu, Lagos were not in the best of moods. Reason: armed robbers had made a game of the community, carting away valuables and subjecting residents to untold pain and humiliation. SEGUN ADIO

hile many Muslim faithful and other residents of Lagos State, celebrated the last Eid-elKabir festival with pomp, some residents of some parts of Shomolu area of Lagos State were rather in a pensive mood. On two different days that week, the men of the underworld visited AnuOluwapo and Mosalashi streets in the area. On Friday, 26 October, 2012 the robbers reportedly went on rampage at Fola Agoro and snatched a Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) with registration number EC 480 GGE and a Toyota Quest car with registration number XM 03 SA at gun point. From Balogun through Anifowoshe and Awoseyin Streets, the robbers, reported to be around 15, forced their way into people’s homes and took their valuables at gun point. A resident of Awoseyin, Dallas, claimed that the robbers barged into his house and gained forced entry. Dallas claimed when he heard the loud bang on the door, he ran from his room to the door thinking policemen were the ones banging at the door. It was a mistake which nearly cost him his life as he claimed to have come face to face with the barrel of the robbers’ gun. He quickly retreated into the house and scaled the fence into the next compound. Other occupants of the house were reportedly robbed of their valuables by

the armed bandits. While the said Dallas managed to escape the onslaught of the robbers, his uncle, identified as Mr. Taiwo, who reportedly just returned from overseas trip, was not so lucky. To the chagrin of Taiwo, the robbers allegedly demanded for the foreign currency he came home from overseas with. Taiwo told them pointedly that he did not go overseas for business reasons but went at the behest of his children. One of the robbers reportedly snatched his wallet from him and made away with it. In the same building, the robbers reportedly seized a female occupant’s phones, jewellery and money she had wanted to trade after the festive period. If the agony suffered by Dallas in the hands of the robbers was harrowing, the one by Akinkunmi Afolabi and his family was better imagined. Akinkunmi, whose wife just put to bed, lives at No. 4, Awoseyin Street, Shomolu. When the robbers called on their house, they reportedly announced to all occupants that they were robbers and ordered them to open to door for them. There and then he committed his first “sin”. He did not open up fast enough. Unable to wait for Akinkumi anymore to open their door, two of the robbers reportedly forced the door open and pointed guns at the couple. A bewildered Akinkunmi was ordered to lie face down. His wife and children were also ordered to follow suit. At that point the hapless man begged for the

without money as the wife just put to bed. “I have never experienced the kind of torture the robbers subjected me to in my life. When they forced the door to our apartment open, I told them that my wife just put to bed and that we just spent some money at the hospital but all my pleas fell on deaf ears. I was beaten like an unruly child and in the end, they were able to make away with some of our valuables with some money in the house,” Akinkunmi said. From Akinkunmi’s apartment, the robbers reportedly headed for the landlady’s apartment where they met the elderly woman saying her early morning prayers. The landlady holding her rosary, demanded what the robbers wanted, and she was reportedly told to bring all that she had at home. When the woman could not respond to the robbers’ demand, one of them reportedly ordered that the old woman to be tied, but a counter-order reportedly came from the leader of the gang who asked that the woman be spared. But the robbers did not leave the landlady’s apartment without taking some of her valued assets. The elderly woman, said to be 72 years old could not be reached on phone. A female occupant of the house, however, told Saturday Mirror that the woman was traumatized after the robbers left. “When the robbers came into the building, it was getting to the early part of the morning, and it looked like they were in a haste to get out of the area. So, they were very desperate to gather a lot of things with them. But they could not get anything much apparently because people had spent money on shopping for the Sallah,” the woman said. The robbers did not leave the area without adding some drama to their operation. At No3, Awoseyin Street, the robbers reportedly untied a cow meant for the Sallah. It was reportedly owned by the youths of the area. The robbers were not lucky after all and the cow reportedly gave them a lot of problems. When it became clear that it would not be easily subdued, the robbers abandoned it and fled in their stolen cars with their loot. The Divisional Police Officer in charge of Alade Police Station could not be reached as his phone lines were switched off. But a Police constable in the division, who craved anonymity, confirmed that some robbery incidents were reported at the station during the last Muslim festival. But he claimed that the police at the division responded to them accordingly.

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CRIME WATCH

November 3, 2012

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

SEGUN ADIO

aybe Kelvin Chinedu Onwurah grew up in a very strong Christian home where the principle of sanctity is highly regarded. Upon his graduation from school, and confronted with the harsh economic climate of Nigeria, Onwurah set his sight on seeking a highly rewarding job overseas. For many years, Onwurah did all manners of menial jobs in Enugu and Lagos hoping to save towards the foreign trip where he hoped life would be fair to him. His dream was to go to Spain where some of his friends had assured him he would get highrewarding jobs. Hence, a couple of years back, Onwurah chose to enter Madrid via Algiers, the capital of Algeria. Onwurah, 32, left Lagos with all he had worked for and headed for the North African country. He was however unfortunate when he was apprehended by Algerian border authorities for illegal emigrations rules. Onwurah, together with a couple of other illegal immigrants, were detained at the Algerian border. Onwurah tried, albeit unsuccessfully, to secure his freedom. For those months that Onwurah stayed at the detention camp, he barely ate one meal in a day. But several months after his detention, luck smiled on him as a fellow countryman came to his rescue. The Nigerian not only helped free Onwurah, he also bought his return ticket to Nigeria, giving him some amount as pocket money. What Onwurah did not know was that his Nigerian benefactor was not a Father Christmas: he would later demand for a repay of the favour. Within days, Onwurah’s release papers were worked on and he was back in Nigeria. Days after Onwurah had arrived in the country, his benefactor, with whom he had exchanged addresses, came looking for him. At their lunch table somewhere in Lagos, Onwurah’s benefactor reportedly encouraged him not to give up life, claiming he could make him rich. It was there that Onwurah claimed he was recruited into the drug trade. Onwurah said he felt he owed the man something in return for his gestures to him back in Algiers. So, when the man asked Onwurah to courier drug for him into a European country, he felt that was the opportunity to repay a good turn. Onwurah immediately obliged to embark on the journey. Onwurah was thus given 1.235kg of banned substances suspected to be cocaine. Were he to have successfully carried the drugs to Europe, Onwurah’s gains would have been a new, fully-equipped boutique at a choice location in Lagos, as promised him by the benefactor. On the night of his trip, Onwurah arrived at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja hoping that he was journeying out of poverty. During the onward screening of passengers on his scheduled flight, On-

Ibeh

Kelvin

I only tried to repay a good turn –Drug courier Kelvin Chinedu Onwurah is currently in the custody of the NDLEA. He was arrested for being in possession of some banned substances. But Onwurah does not see anything bad in what he did. His argument: he did what he did to show gratitude to a benefactor. What could the benefactor have done for him to make him agree to be a mule? wurah was picked up by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA). In his confessional statement, Onwurah claimed that he was aware of the trip he was embarking on, but that he was only going in order to express his gratitude to his erstwhile benefactor. “Initially, I wanted to go to Europe in search of better job opportunities but I was detained at the border detention facility in Algeria. I could not regain my freedom and even to get water and food was at the mercy of the officials. I was there until a Nigerian came and assisted me regain freedom. The man even bought my ticket and assisted me with some cash back to Nigeria. I felt I owe him my entire life. He later joined me in Nigeria because we already exchanged addresses in Algeria. “Back in Nigeria, the man promised to resuscitate my ambition of making it big in life. It was then he asked me to smuggle drugs to enable him give me enough money to settle down. I

was glad to accept his offer. I did not even negotiate with him because of what he had done for me. I think the gratitude spirit in me landed me in this trouble,” he said. Around the time Onwurah was being apprehended by anti-narcotics operatives, another courier, Emeka Ibeh, was also being whisked into the interrogation room of the agency for a similar offence as Onwurah. Ibeh, on his part, had been living in Guinea Bissau since 2005. He had thought he could climb the rich ladder in the African country but it would not turn out to be. Ibeh, a native of Anambra State, returned to Nigeria in January 2012, and began sale of ladies clothes and bags. But he was not content with his new job. He still wanted ‘big cash’. While he ponders and seek assistance for foreign travel from customers and business associates, Ibeh was introduced to the illicit trade by a friend he once lived with in Guinea Bissau. That friend would later introduce him to drug trafficking for which he is in

anti-narcotics detention. Ibeh was arrested with 5.200kg of banned substances found to be methamphetamine hidden inside his luggage. His words, “When I left the country in 2005, I thought everything would be rosy. Unfortunately, this was never the case. I suffered hardship until my return to the country in January 2012. I now live in Lagos where I sell ladies clothes to earn a living. It was in Lagos that I met an old friend I knew in Guinea Bissau. He told me he is now an importer. During our discussion, he promised to make me one of his managers and that I will be managing his business in India. The agreement was for me to take a bag to India for 2,500 dollars with all expenses paid. I was on my first trip when 5.200kg of methamphetamine was found in the bag he gave to me,” he said. Reacting to the arrest of the two men, Chairman of the NDLEA, Alhaji Ahmadu Giade, urged members of the public not to be driven by greed. He urged Nigerians to be self-driven, hardworking and to identify opportunities in their environment. “I want members of the public to support the campaign against drug. The story of these drug suspects is very sad. It is a warning that people should look before they leap. There are numerous opportunities in this country and I urge members of the public to shun drug trafficking,” Giade said.

Crime Extra

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

November 3, 2012

How tanker driver committed suicide after battering wife to death Jubrila Olurotimi and his wife, Omosebi, had been having some domestic squabbles over infidelity for some time. But one day the argument went too far. Both husband and wife died. How did this happen? SEGUN ADIO

aturday, 20 October, 2012, was a day that residents of Owode community in Ogun State would not forget in a hurry. It was the day one Jubrila Olurotimi reportedly committed suicide after reportedly inflicted injuries on his wife with metal objects which eventually claimed the woman’s life. He was said to have accused her of infidelity. Olurotimi was an inter-state oil tanker driver with one of the notable oil firms in Lagos, while his wife, Omosebi, was said to be a teacher at a private nursery school in Sango Otta area of Ogun State. The couple had been married for eight years. They were blessed with a set of twins three years ago. It is reported that for months now, both husband and wife had been living like cat and mouse over allegations of infidelity. Twice had Olurotimi’s parents invited the couples to Ilisan Remo in Ogun State to broker peace between them but Olurotimi had insisted that his wife must leave his house. That fateful day, Olurotimi, 38, was reported to have woken his wife at the middle of the night, and subjected her to rigorous questioning about her alleged romance with a neighbour of theirs, identified as Ignatius. Omosebi, 34, apparently disturbed by the allegation from her husband flared up and reportedly walked out on her husband. She reportedly left their one room apartment and went outside the building to sit at the veranda of the house. But Olurotimi went to her to invite her back into the room to continue their discussion but the woman would not bulge. Eyewitnesses said that when Olurotimi could not succeed in bringing his wife back into the room after about three attempts, he resorted to threatening her with eviction from his house. At this stage, their co-

tenants had gathered around them pleading with Olurotimi to give peace a chance. When it was clear to Olurotimi that his wife was not going to come back into the room, he reportedly told his landlord to help him appease his wife to come back to him claiming that he would let the sleeping dog lie on the issue. With pleas from co-tenants, Omosebi reportedly returned to the room hoping that her husband was truly going to let peace reign supreme. It was reported that immediately Omosebi returned to the room, her husband securely locked the door and resumed his threat. Crying bitterly, Omosebi was reported to have begun to swear that she had no affair with any man but Olurotimi seemed bent on teaching his wife a lesson. Apparently when the problem became unbearable for her, Omosebi reportedly began to rain curses on the friends that her husband claimed to have told him of her alleged romance with the said Ignatius, said to be a parent of one of Omosebi’s pupils. With the curses coming thick and fast, Olurotimi reportedly subjected his wife to beating. It was reported that he even beat the woman with an iron rod he brought home that night from work. All efforts by

the landlord and the co-tenants to gain access into the room to rescue the woman from her husband were unsuccessful as the man refused to open the door for them. At a stage when the beating persisted, Omosebi reportedly fainted and it was then that the man left her alone. When Olurotimi realized that the wife had fainted he opened the door and raised their neighbours to offer a helping hand. The reluctant neighbours later took the fainted Omosebi to a private clinic at Sango Otta. It was reported that three days after, doctors at the hospital asked that the woman be taken to a higher hospital in Abeokuta for further treatment. Omosebi later died of the injuries sustained from her husband’s beatings. It was reported that Omosebi told his co-tenants that he would go to inform her parents of her situation. He has not been seen since then. News, however, filtered into the neighbourhood two days after Olurotimi left home for his in-laws’ place, he headed for his own family house at Ita-Elega, Abeokuta where he reportedly jumped into a well near his family compound. Saturday Mirror spoke with the landlord, Chief Adebisi, of the house on phone.

Police arraign woman, 25, for fraud

he police on Friday arraigned a 25-year-old business woman, Amarachi Josiah, before a Karu Senior Magistrates’ Court, Abuja, for criminal conspiracy and forgery. The prosecutor, Cpl. Pascal Njoku, told the court that the accused, who resides at No. 32, Wuse Zone 1, Abuja, came to Dia-

mond Bank PLC, Area 11, Garki, Abuja, with a stolen cheque belonging to Lamitee and company, which is based in Port Harcourt. Njoku said that Christopher Lagi, who is a member of staff of the company, reported the case at the Garki Police Station that the accused withdrew N250,000.

The prosecutor added that Lagi said the accused withdrew the amount without the consent of the account owner and diverted it to her personal use. He noted that the accused forged the account holder’s signature to withdraw the money. ``The accused also confessed during in-

According to the Septuagenarian, Olurotimi had been accusing his wife of infidelity for a long time and that he had tried his best to mediate on the matter albeit unsuccessfully. “I think the devil was at work that day. There was nothing we did not tell Baba Ibeji (Olurotimi) that day but everything fell on deaf ears. Until he beat the woman to coma and begged other people to help him carry the woman to the hospital. The following day, he claimed he wanted to go to the woman’s parents to inform them of the development but he has not been seen since then,” Adebisi said. A female neighbour, identified as Mama Lolade, who claimed Olurotimi stopped her friendship with his late wife over the issue, claimed that she did everything in her power to convince Olurotimi that his wife was innocent but that he warned that the two women should stop being friends. According to the woman, “The man got what he wanted. I had been friends with Mama Ibeji since they moved into the area many years ago and I can say I have never smelled such a thing in her, but the man would not listen. He chose to believe what his friends told him and he has seen what he wanted to see,” she added.

terrogation that the cheque was given to her by one Ekene of no fixed address, who is now at large, and agreed to have committed the offence’’, he said. The prosecutor stated that the offence contravened sections 97, 309, 287 and 364 of the Penal Code. However, the accused pleaded not guilty to the offence.

November 3, 2012

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

REGIONAL NEWS

November 3, 2012

NORTH

Boko Haram: North not fighting Jonathan –Yakassai AUGUSTINE MADU-WEST KANO

enowned Northern political leader, Alhaji Tanko Yakasai, has said that his kinsmen have nothing against the government of President Goodluck Jonathan which he said they played substantial role to install during the last convention of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). The elder statesman told Saturday Mirror in an interview that those who harbour such feelings are either uninformed or are doing so out of mischief. Tanko recalled that the President Jonathan got 65 per cent of the northern votes during the PDP convention in which he defeated former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, a northerner, pointing out that most of the votes that gave him victory over Atiku came from the northern caucus of the ruling party. He reasoned that with

such tremendous goodwill from the region, it would be sheer mischief for anyone to associate his kinsmen with any plot to run Jonathan’s government down. The former chieftain of the defunct All People’s

Party, now All Nigerian People’s Party [ANPP] said it is unfortunate that a section of the country sees the Boko Haram saga in the north as a northern agenda to bring down the current administration because a southerner is

the President. “Anybody who holds such view is grossly uninformed because the current religious unrest which is carried out by the Boko Haram started way back in 2003 when former President Oluse-

gun Obassanjo was in power. In 2007, there were strikes in Yobe, Borno and Bauchi states. In 2009 it was the turn of Kano, in Wudil, Yobe and Borno again, during which their leader was killed and late President Umaru

Yar’Addua instituted an investigation into the killing of the sect leader. So, for anyone to associate or interpret the Boko Haram saga as a northern agenda to frustrate Jonathan’s government is mischievous,” Yakassai added.

L-R: Deputy Commandant, Armed Forces Command and Staff College(AFCSC), Rear Adm. Duke Osuofa, Chairman, Jaji Community Forum, Alhaji Balarabe Jaji and Chief Entrepreneural Development Officer, National Directorate of Employment, Mr. Samuel Ella, at the graduation of 2012 skills acquisition training programme for dependants of Armed Forces personnel in Jaji, Kaduna State , yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

Group faults House of Reps’ suspension order on Kogi Assembly ADEMU IDAKWO LOKOJA

group, the Confluence Transparency Network (CTN) has faulted the suspension order placed on the legislative proceedings by the Adhoc Committee of the Federal House of Representatives on Kogi State House of Assembly for its crisis. The coordinator of the group, Adex Ozi Shaibu, said the committee did not follow due process in the supposed re conciliatory meeting adding that it was not only good enough for the adhoc panel to have gone on air to send invitations to the warring parties, instead of using courier services to reach out to them since many might be out of electronic media coverage. The group particularly exonerated the clerk of the house, Mr. Simon Momoh for being absent at the committee sitting stressing that an official letter was not conveyed to

him. The CTN which also described the impeachment as one of the processes that strengthened the democratic system condemned what its described

as ‘ confusion strategy’ created by five members who had earlier signed for the removal of the speaker and later decided to distance themselves from the action they had inten-

tional taken. The group added that the impeachment of the principal officers of the house should be left alone in the hands of the members warning outsiders

who are fanning the embers of disunity to desist from such act in the interest of peace. It would be recalled that the Kogi State House of Assembly has been

enmeshed in leadership crisis since the last three weeks following the impeachment of the house leadership by alleged group of members in the House.

Flood: What we’ll do with donations – Wada ADEMU IDAKWO LOKOJA

ogi State government has said that the donations received from relief funds for the victims of flood disasters will be used in building houses for those whose buildings were close to water channels on a yet to be allocated land. The state governor, Captain Idris Wada, stated this when he received a N50million donation and several truck loads of rice from the Kogi State-born Lagos industrialist, Chief Jide Omokore, for victims of the recent floods in the state . The statement has brought to an end the fu-

elled speculations going around the state that the cash collected as donations from well wishers may be diverted into other ways instead of serving the original purpose it is intended for. The governor fur-

ther stated those whose houses were not badly affected may have them rebuilt and resettled. He stressed that his administration remains committed to the judicious and sincere utilization of all the resources it

has received by reason of the flood. Wada described the task of good governance as a collective effort; even as he added that the state government would do everything humanly possible to im-

prove the welfare of its citizens despite the setback caused by the flood. The governor described Omokore as a leader the present administration would work closely with, thanking him for the donation.

Boko Haram ceasefire: Kano CAN reacts AUGUSTINE MADU-WEST KANO

hristians in Kano State have expressed happiness over the decision of the dreaded Boko Haram sect to embark on cease fire to pave way for dialogue that may usher in the much sought peace. The Christian commu-

nity spoke through their chairman, Bishop Ransom Bello, who said the ceasefire is a welcome development especially coming from the sect. “I have not been disposed to government initiating this dialogue, but coming from them (Boko Haram), it is a good idea. We need to address this act of terrorism which

is alien to us and every peace-loving person must support it, whether Christian or Muslim,” Bello said. Though expressing his reservation for the choice of Saudi Arabia as venue of the proposed peace parley, the clergyman believed such could be achieved here in Nigeria.

He continued: “I have my reservation over the choice of Saudi Arabia as venue. Why not in the country? Other peace talks held here were successful. If they must give conditions, it must be acceptable ones, we need peace and any move that will promote it should be encouraged.”

REGIONAL NEWS

November 3, 2012

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

NORTH

Gunmen kill retired General, guest in Borno INUSA NDAHI MAIDUGURI

unmen suspected to be terrorists yesterday shot and killed General Mamman Shuwa (rtd), in Maiduguri, yesterday. Shuwa, aged 70, was coming out of his volatile Gwabnge 1 residence to attend the Friday Jumat service in a mosque in the area when the gunmen struck. Gwange Ward of Maiduguri metropolis is one the identified black spots areas by the Joint Task Force (JTF), where series of killings and bombing have occurred in recent times and a Lieutenant Colonel and Lieutenant attached to the JTF were killed. General Shuwa, Saturday Mirror learnt, was once the commander of 2 Division of the Nigerian Army. He captured important towns

during the Nigerian civil war. After he retired, Shuwa came back to his home state Borno and settled with his family in Gwange ward.

Shuwa, it was also learnt, was a staunch supporter of the ruling ANPP and a strong associate to ex- Governor Ali Modu Sherrif. This brings to two

prominent associates of the former governor who were assassinated in three days, the first was Alhaji Mustapha Fulawama last Wednesday.

An eye witness who does not want his name mentioned in the print told Saturday Mirror that the gunmen trailed the late General to his house

L-R: Project Architect, Current MEC Engineering Services, Mr. Ali Madu; Chief Press Secretary to Bauchi State Governor, Mr. Ishola Michael and Commissioner for Health, Dr. Sani Malami, during the visit of the commissioner to the construction site of the State Specialist Hospital in Bauchi, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

and when he was about coming out from the house, they forcefully entered the house at about 12 noon and opened fire on him killing him instantly. A hospital source at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital where the remains of the deceased were conveyed amidst tight security including the Commissioner of Police Mr.Yuguda Abdullahi and other JTF officials said, the late General died on the way to the hospital. Confirming the incident, the JTF Spokesman, Leuitenant Colonel Sagir Musa, in a statement issued in Maiduguri said, four people suspected to be General Mamman Shuwa’s guests visitors entered his house in Gwange 1 residence at 1200 hours noon and shot him alongside one guest dead.

2015: Daniel Saror advocates parties’ merger against PDP HENRY IYORKASE MAKURDI

he All Nigerian’s Peoples Party (ANPP) guberna-

torial candidate in the 2011 general elections in Benue State, Professor Daniel Saror, has identified merger of the all opposition parties in the country as the only way

of wrestling power from the ruling party in the country. Saror who spoke in an exclusive interview with Saturday Mirror at the weekend in Makurdi ex-

pressed the view that it is only by coming together like in the days of Social Democratic party (SDP) and National Republican convention (NRC) that one can oust the PDP dur-

ing polls. He opined that mere alliance by the opposition ahead of 2015 might not be strong enough to weaken the strength of the ruling party thereby reminding

Group urges Nasarawa govt to end Fulani-farmers crisis IGBAWASE UKUMBA LAFIA

socio-cultural group, Tiv Development Association (TIDA) in Nasarawa State has called on the state government to urgently put an end to the Fulani/farmers crisis that has engulfed parts of its southern senatorial district. The group expressed concern over the ongoing killings of Tiv people and destruction of their property. The crisis has reportedly consumed over 100 lives and property worth millions of naira in Rukubi, Ajimaka, Gidan Rai and Doka areas of the state. The call was contained in a statement signed by Solomon Pevkyaa and Bernard Ashi’akaa, Pres-

ident and Secretary of the association, respectively, and issued to journalists yesterday in Lafia, the state capital, at the end of its congress meeting held at Imon village. The group expressed its dismay over the seem-

ing silence of traditional rulers in the affected areas as well as the state government over the prolonged dastard killings going on the state. The communiqué read in parts, “Up till date, our people have not been al-

lowed by the perpetrators of these heinous crimes to return to their ancestral homes. We, therefore, call on the state government to involve adequate security measures that would facilitate quick return of the displaced persons to

their ancestral homes. Consequently, we call on the government to establish a permanent military and mobile police base in the affected communities to avert the reoccurrence of the crisis in the volatile areas.”

Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee: Northern govs laud Obasanjo’s role PRISCILLA DENNIS MINNA

orthern States Governors Forum (NSGF) has called on former President Olusegun Obasanjo to use his influence and connection in the Commonwealth of Nations to raise funds for the Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust. Obasanjo was appoint-

ment to lead Nigeria’s fund raising efforts for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Trust in the country. The northern governor’s position was contained in a congratulatory message to Chief Obasanjo by the Chairman of the forum and Governor of Niger State, Dr Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu, and signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Danladi Ndayebo.

The northern governors expressed confidence in the appointment of the former president to serve as Nigeria’s country representative. adding that such would help lift the profile of the Trust. The message read in parts: “We have no doubt that former President Obasanjo would use his influential networks to ensure that the Trust generates funds to provide an enduring tribute to Her Majesty’s dedication to

public life through investing in charitable projects that will make a real and lasting impact on the lives of people throughout the Commonwealth.” The forum explained that the former president would promote the work of the Trust and encourage donations from businesses, communities, and individuals within Nigeria and beyond. It then wished former President Obasanjo well in his new endeavour.

stakeholders to embrace more serious approach towards ensuring that solutions are found to put to rest the issue of party supremacy at the federal and state levels. He further observed that some of the problems militating against the leaders of opposition parties have to do with ‘stay put attitude’ and regional consideration whereby many of them prefer to hold down to their party machinery rather than align forces as one strong organ to defeat the People’s Democratic Party at the polls. The former Vice chancellor of the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria stressed that parochial considerations of individuality as well as their party has to be set aside and national interest brought to focus. The former Senator who represented the Zone ‘A’ axis from Benue State between 1999 and 2003 added that the opposition should put behind their personal ego for the overriding interest of Nigerians.

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

November 3, 2012

US election update

Our visions for America –Obama, Romney

ccording to Obama, his vision for America’s progress is anchored on change. “Change is an America where people of every age have the skills and education that good jobs require. We took on banks that had been overcharging for student loans for decades and made college more affordable for millions. Now we’ll recruit 100,000 math and science teachers so that high-tech, high-wage jobs don’t end up in China and train 2 million workers at community colleges for the skills local businesses need right now. “Change is an America that’s home to the next generation of manufacturing and innovation. I’m not the candidate who said we should “let Detroit go bankrupt,” I’m the president who bet on American workers and American ingenuity. Now I want a tax code that stops rewarding companies that ship jobs overseas, and starts rewarding companies that create jobs here; one that stops subsidizing oil company profits, and keeps supporting clean energy jobs and technology that will cut our oil imports

Romney (left) and Obama after a presidential debate

Change is all that matters –Obama in half. He, however, admitted that there are still grounds to cover. “We’re not there yet. But we’ve made real progress. And on Tuesday, America will get to choose between two fundamentally different visions of what makes America strong. I believe America’s prosperity was built on the strength

of our middle class. We don’t succeed when a few at the top do well while everyone else struggles to get by. We’re better off when everyone gets a fair shot, everyone does their fair share, and everyone plays by the same rules.” He also promises not to give room for America’s enemies. “Change is an

America that turns the page on a decade of war to do some nation-building here at home. So long as I’m commander-in-chief, we’ll pursue our enemies with the strongest military in the world. But it’s time to use the savings from ending the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan to pay down our debt and rebuild America

– our roads and bridges and schools. “Change is an America where we reduce our deficit by cutting spending where we can, and asking the wealthiest Americans to go back to the income tax rates they paid when Bill Clinton was president. I’ll work with anyone of any party to move this country forward.

Our military must be strengthened –Romney

he Republican candidate said he along with his running mate, Paul Ryan, has put forward an economic recovery plan consisting of five central elements that will in four years create 12 million jobs. He said: “We will produce more of the energy we need to heat our homes, fill our cars, and make our economy grow. We will stop President Obama’s war on coal, his disdain for oil, and his effort to crimp natural gas by federal regulation of the very technology that produces it. We will support nuclear and renewables, but phase out subsidies once an industry is on its feet. We will invest in energy science and research to make discoveries that can actually change our energy world. By 2020, we will achieve North American energy independence. “We will retrain our work force for the jobs of tomorrow and ensure that every child receives a quality

education no matter where they live, including especially our inner cities. We will eliminate redundancy and empower the 50 states and the private sector to develop effective programmes of their own. “We will make trade work for America. We’ll open more markets to American agriculture, products, and services. And we will finally hold accountable any nation that doesn’t play by the rules. I will stand up for the rights and interests of American workers and employers. “We will restore fiscal sanity to Washington by bringing an end to the federal spending and borrowing binge that in just four years has added more debt held by the public than almost all previous administrations combined. We will put America on track to a balanced budget by eliminating unnecessary programs, by sending programs back to states where they can be managed with less abuse

and less cost, and by shrinking the bureaucracy of Washington. “We will champion small business, the great engine of job creation in our country, by reforming the tax code and updating and reshaping regulations that have suffocated economic growth.” Romney said he is offering a contrast to what is

seeing in Washington today. “The most important task for any president is set out in the preamble to our Constitution—providing for the common defense. As commander-in-chief, I will roll back the president’s deep and arbitrary cuts to our military. Our soldiers should never lack the tools they need to complete their

mission and come home safely. I have always believed that the first purpose of a strong military is to prevent war. And preventing war is a supreme national interest. I will ensure that our military is strong enough that no adversary dares to challenge us. “Let us remember our history. We have accom-

But I won’t agree to eliminate health insurance for millions of poor, elderly, or disabled on Medicaid, or turn Medicare into a voucher just to pay for another millionaire’s tax cut. “The folks at the very top don’t need another champion in Washington. The people who need a champion in Washington are the Americans whose letters I read at night. The men and women I meet on the trail everyday. When these Americans do well, America does well. That’s the change we need right now. It’s time to finish what we’ve started – to educate our kids, train our workers, create new jobs, new energy, and new opportunity – to make sure that no matter who you are, where you come from, or how you started out, this is the country where you can make it if you try.” plished so much, both in the world and at home. We’ve defeated tyrannies. We’ve lifted hundreds of millions out of poverty. We’ve transformed our own society into a more perfect union. We’ve created a land of freedom and prosperity. The problems we need to overcome now are not bigger than we are. We can defeat them. I am offering real change and a real choice.”

Sandy-hit areas sputter back to life

t every turn, there are signs - sounds of trains grinding back to limited service, buses hauling commuters down roads strewn with debris, and shivering people, peeking from bulky sweatshirts, waiting hours to fill their gas cans at stations - that storm-ravaged cities along America’s East Coast are sputtering back to life despite numerous challenges. But challenges remain, including fuel and food shortages, and lack of electricity to more than 3.3 mil-

lion customers in 15 states and D.C. Days after Superstorm Sandy barreled ashore Monday, survivors pleaded for basic necessities. Donna Solli rode out the storm in her Staten Island home in New York City because she has an elderly dog. She told visiting officials she had not had much to eat. “One slice of pizza in 48 hours,” she said Thursday. “We’re going to die, we’re going to freeze. We got 90-year-old people. You don’t understand. You gotta

get your trucks down here on this corner now.” Sen. Chuck Schumer, who was touring the area, said conditions are grim. “This is the worst thing I’ve ever seen, and it’s killing me what these people have to go through,” the Democratic senator from New York said. “We’ll get whatever federal help we can, that’s for sure.” A senior administration official said a convoy of 10 Red Cross trucks filled with food, water and medicine arrived Thursday evening in Staten Island.

Superstorm Sandy howled over a series of countries, killing an overall 161 people, including 92 in the United States. Deaths include two in Canada and 67 in the Caribbean. New York state, the worst-hit, had 48 deaths, including 41 in New York City, authorities said. Organizers vowed to hold the New York City Marathon as scheduled on Sunday. Event organizer Mary Wittenberg said the race will not divert resources from the recovery.

Quote

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There is absolutely no reason for me to resign as we are on top of the security challenges in Kaduna State and there is no part of the world where you don’t have security challenges. Kaduna State Governor, Patrick Yakowa, while discounting claims that he is under pressure to resign over the constant bombings and killings in the state.

Saturday, November 3, 2012. www.nationalmirroronline.net

Africa: The new frontier (III)

frica has more than 1 billion consumers, 60% of whom are beginning the seismic shift from rural subsistence agriculture to urban employments is home to some of the world’s fastest growing economies. This makes a huge potential workforce – 1.3 billion by 2040 vs. 582 million today – and a consumer market that is hungry for goods and services. Beyond consumers, Africa offers opportunities for technology consumerism, high-impact infrastructure investing, a vibrant telecoms sector and value-added exports. Global economic shifts offer Africa enormous potential for economic transformation and a more resilient pattern of growth. This potential will be realized so long as the region can enter higher valueadded areas of trade. For that to happen, investment partnership are crucial: African governments and companies need to broaden and deepen the region’s links to economic markets beyond China, and beyond the unprocessed minerals that dominate current trade with the BRICs. Manufactured goods and value addition to agricultural commodities will be the way to go to enhance African trade relations with her old development partners and new emerging markets. Increasingly, governments are acknowledging the need to do more to create an enabling environment for companies and agricultural producers by

with President Olusegun Obasanjo hexcellency2011@yahoo.com focusing on infrastructure, regional integration and productivity. And they know they need to encourage forms of investment that transfer the skills, technology and know-how that enhance competitiveness. Poor infrastructure development remains a major constraint to investment and international competitiveness but some countries are starting to address the infrastructure deficit. For example, Senegal is upgrading its energy and road infrastructure with a view to becoming a regional hub. The government of Kenya issues infrastructure bonds on a pilot basis aimed at financing the large upfront costs of investment while spreading repayment over time. The African Development Bank is playing a more active role in leveraging infrastructure finance.

Broader and deeper public-private partnerships are needed to mobilize resources on the required scale for national and regional infrastructural development. Governments are moving towards larger trade groupings that offer access to wider and more diverse markets. One encouraging example is the East African Community (EAC). The five-member countries – Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda – represent a market of 135 million people, with a total GDP of $80 billion, intra-regional trade more than doubled between 2004 and 2008, reaching $1.8 billion. Another example is the power pole in West Africa to link electricity generation from renewable and non-renewable sources together for the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) sub-region.

SPORT EXTRA

I’ll beat Serena any day –Venus YEMI OLUS

ormer world No.1 women tennis player, Venus Williams upstaged her sister, Serena, in the exhibition match played at the almost-full centre court of the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club in Onikan, Lagos yesterday. Venus won the game in two straight sets of 6-4, 7-5 in an encounter that lasted more than an hour under the sweltering Lagos sun, following a display by Nigeria’s Fatima Abinu and Sarah Adegoke. Some of the dignitaries present at the event included former Vice President Dr. Alex Ekwueme; elder statesman, Dr. Tunji Braithwaite, industrialist and

former Minister of National Planning, Chief Rasheed Gbadamosi, among others. A bigger portion of the fans seemed to have lined up behind Venus perhaps in sympathy to her declining career and gave her encouraging lines such as “Come on Venus”, “You can do it Venus” and so on. Serena seemed to have been overwhelmed by the sun and at a point Venus made a gesture to one of the ball boys to hold an umbrella for her younger sister. The older Williams further thrilled the crowd when she danced to D’banj’s ‘Oliver Twist’ during change-over. However Serena received her own share of love from the fans when the

content of one of the placards carried by a supporter caught her eye. The contents read “I am the Nigerian husband Serena never had” and the tennis star shook her head and arm akimbo. After the game Venus said, “It is very tough playing against Serena because with her, you never know what to expect. To have won means that 2013 is going to be a great year. Obviously hard work pays. We have ups and downs but what matters is how you handle these challenges. The crowd also was great.” Serena who beat Maria Sharapova earlier this week to win the Istanbul title promised that the duo would keep up the momentum of their brilliant performances in 2013.

Governments are currently exploring the potential for developing a monetary union to facilitate trade integration. There are plans to establish a Continental Free Trade Area by 2017, endorsed at the January 2012 African Union Summit. This is in addition to African Central Bank and African Monetary Union that have been approved by the AU a few years back. Africans are Investing in Africa Unless Africans believe in the new face and prospects of Africa, one cannot expect non-Africans to do so. One of the most exciting developments is the investment of Africans into Africa. For example, intra-Africa foreign direct investment has increased to 42% since 2007. The emerging African pension fund community, for example, provides a hugely important pool of long term capital for both public investing (public capital markets) and private investing (private equity). In Nigeria, for instance, $18bn pension fund assets are under the management of 24 Pension Fund Administrators, and 7 Closed PFAs permitted to invest up to 5% ($900m) of total pension assets in private equity. While in South Africa, the Public Investment Corporation (SA government pension fund) has earmarked up to $3.8bn in Africa private equity.

TO BE CONTINUED NEXT WEEK

PREMIERSHIP FIXTURES Today’s Matches Manchester Utd v Arsenal 12:45 Fulham v Everton 15:00 Norwich City v Stoke 15:00 Sunderland v Aston Villa 15:00 Swansea v Chelsea 15:00 Tottenham v Wigan Athletic 15:00 West Ham v Man City 17:30

Sunday, November 4, 2012 QPR v Reading 13:30 Liverpool v Newcastle 16:00

Monday, November 5, 2012 West Brom v Southampton 20:00

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