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L-R: Representative of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Dr. Femi Majekodunmi; Governor of Osun State, Rauf Aregbesola and his Oyo State counterpart, Abiola PHOTO: NAN Ajimobi and the new Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, Alhaji Dawud Akinola, during his installation in Ibadan, yesterday.

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Dasukigate: Bleeding of an anaemic nation

Seven Days TALKING POINTS OF THE PAST WEEK December 20, 2015

Leptospirosis and how to control it

Leptospirosis is a life-threatening bacterial disease which affects humans and animals. It is caused by bacteria of the genus, leptospira, while in human it can cause a wide range of symptoms, some of which may be mistaken for other diseases. However, infected persons may have no symptoms at all; those with

pneumonia, young children under five, and elderly individuals are more likely to suffer from the disease. Without treatment, leptospirosis can lead to kidney damage, meningitis such as the inflammation of the membrane around the brain and spinal cord, liver failure, respiratory distress and even death.

Pascal Facon, when he paid courtesy call at Defence Headquarters, Abuja, in furtherance of the French Government’s bilateral cooperation with the Nigerian Armed Forces. General Olonisakin, who maintained that no matter the several forces that are bent at entrenching disunity in some section of the country, the military was capable of ensuring that Nigeria will come out clean and even stronger.

NNPC awards crude lifting contract to 21 off-takers Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, yesterday announced 21 Off-takers as winners of the open bid exercise conducted in October for lifting the country’s crude. The exercise witnessed the unprecedented public harvesting of 278 bids submitted by indigenous and foreign firms seeking to secure contract for the sale and purchase of the 26 Nigerian crude oil grades on offer. A breakdown of the 2015/2016 crude oil term

contract off-takers for the 991, 661bpd Nigerian equity crude indicate that 240,000 bpd, representing 24 per cent of the volume on offer is awarded to four refiners classified as major current receivers of Nigerian crude with capacity to process all Nigerian crude grades. The Off-takers in this category include: Emirates National Oil Coy, ENOC, Indian Oil Corporation, CEPSA Refinery, Madrid and Sara SPA Refinery. Each of the Off-takers in this category was awarded 60, 000bpd.

Senate probes Army/Shiites clash in Zaria

The Senate, yesterday, resolved to investigate the incident involving the Nigerian Army and members of the Islamic Movement Group (a.k.a. Shi’ite) and all subsequent events that surround the clash in Zaria, Kaduna State, last weekend. To undertake this task, the Senate has set up an ad-hoc committee comprising the chairmen and vice chairmen of the Senate committees on Defence; Army Intelligence and National Security; Judiciary; Police Affairs; Internal Affairs and Foreign Affairs.

The ad-hoc probe committee will be chaired by the chairman of the Senate Committee on Defence, Senator Ahmed Lawan (Yobe North). The decision to investigate the incident, which occurred last Sunday, was taken by the senators at a closed door meeting yesterday. The Nigerian Army and the Shi’ite Islamic Movement of Nigeria, led by Sheikh Ibrahim Zakzaky, clashed in Zaria, Kaduna State at the weekend and the conflict claimed the lives of over 20 people.

Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, yesterday said he has no regret kneeling down in church during a thanksgiving service held to conclude his installation activities last Sunday. A picture showing the monarch kneeling down during the installation thanksgiving held at St. Paul’s Anglican, Ile Ife, on Sunday, December 13, had gone viral on internet, attracting diverse comments. While many that commented

on the picture saw no wrong in the action of the newly-installed monarch, many were of the view that the act desecrated the revered stool of Ooni. But reacting in a statement issued in Ile Ife yesterday, the director of Communication and Public Affairs, Ooni’s Palace, Ile-Ife, Comrade Moses Olafare, said the monarch would never equate himself with God Almighty, saying no king exist when the Creator does not want him.

NERC issues licence to 8 companies for 1,648.25mw Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, yesterday licensed eight companies with a combined capacity to generate 1,648.25mw and a distribution company. NERC in a statement in Abuja said the licences were a mixture of on-grid, offgrid, embedded generation and distribution of electricity. One of the licensees, Os-

siomo Offistes and Utilities/ Ossiomo Power & Infrastructure, based in Edo State, will engage in electricity distribution and in embedded generation of 55mw gas power electricity. Anambra State Independent Power Generation Company Limited, located in Onitsha, an on-grid gasfired plant, has the capacity for 528mw.

D’lyte MUSICIAN

MON

Chief of Defence Staff, CDS, General Gabriel Olonisakin, yesterday, warned those clamouring for selfdetermination to desist, vowing that it was unachievable as the military would fight to keep Nigeria indivisible. The CDS therefore, assured that the military would continue to ensure that Nigeria remains one. Olonisakin was speaking when he received Commander of French Forces in Senegal, Brigadier General

I’ve no regret kneeling down in church —Ooni Ogunwusi

My Mondays are like Sundays to me, they are my rest days, Monday is a day I stay home to arrange and strategise my activities for the week. Only very important meetings or improptu studio schedules can move me out of my house on monday, I work as a project manager apart from music and it has to be three times in a week

TUE

Wellness

We won’t watch Nigeria break-up —CDS

merchandise trade dropped to N4,021.4bn. This represents 7.8 per cent less than the revised value of N4,359.5bn recorded in the preceding quarter. The Bureau attributed the negative trend in the export-import trade to a decrease of N320.6bn, or 12.1 per cent, in the value of exports combined with a marginal decline of N17.4bn or 1.0 per cent, in imports value against the levels recorded in Q2, 2015.

Tuesday is one of the days I jog especially in the mornings to keep me energetic and ready for the day.

WED

I never dreamt of becoming beauty queen –Stephanie Korie

In what seems a clear proof that Nigeria’s economy is going through serious fiscal and macro economic straits over the last 18 months, the nation’s merchandise trade value slumped by N2,497.1bn year-on-year by the third quarter of this year. The Foreign Trade Statistics Report published by the National Bureau of Statistics, NBS, indicated that at the end of the third quarter this year, the nation’s total value of

Abacha loot in council. The Accountant General of the Federation reported that the dollar account as at November 2015 ending has a balance of $26,389m, while the pound sterling has a balance of £19, 033m. That is where we are today,” he said. Also speaking, Minister of Budget and National Planning, Udoma Udo Udoma said his ministry made presentation to the council on the Medium Term Expenditure Framework, MTEF, and the Fiscal Strategy Paper, FSP.

This thrid day of the week is for studio session with my producer . Whether we have a song to do or not I must touch the studio 2/3 times in a week , it helps my sound because it gives me an opportunity to improve on myself and my songs, we could touch a song over and over again then at night I attend a Bible class or evening service and then I head home and continue with the usual home activitites-cook food, watch TV, listen to the news and rest till the next day.

THU

Federal Government yesterday said the balance in the account of the loot recovered from the late Head of State, Gen. Sani Abacha stood at $26.389m and £19.033m as at last month. This was disclosed by Benue State Governor, Sam Ortom, while briefing State House correspondents after the National Economic Council, NEC, meeting chaired by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. “We were also briefed on update on

Thursday is when I start getting ready for my weekends. Especially if I’m invited to a show where I’m supposed to perform.

FRI

Passion

procurement of arms to counter insurgency in the country. Earlier before his arrest over the alleged arms deal, operatives of the Department of State Security, DSS had on July 16 carried out a search on his property in Abuja.

Nigeria records N2.497trn drop in merchandise trade value

Most fridays I make sure I visit my designer for a new outfit, do my nails and hair just to prepare for the weekend events or shows , I also drop by the studio to work although there are times my studio work gets so tough I go almost everyday. Friday nights are always booked with one show or an event to attend and if there is no performance I stay home and I read.

SUN SAT

For Colonel Sambo Dasuki (rtd), the National Security Adviser, NSA to former President Goodluck Jonathan, life has not been the same since his arrest by security agents over allegation of diversion of $2.1 billion meant for the

N10.48bn Abacha loot still left in account –FG

I attend events and shows especially the ones I’m invited for. I go to church. This is important to me because it is God that renews my strength

*By Adaeze Amos (08023012293)

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

THE

Big Read SUNDAY SPECIAL INVESTIGATION

DECEMBER 20, 2015

Separatist agitations and the Nigerian state Recent agitations by some Igbo groups for the resurrection of the defunct Republic of Biafra have again brought to the fore issues of how Nigeria should be constituted. Indeed, it is a growing challenge for the Muhammadu Buhari administration and calls for dialogue have become more strident. PAUL OMO OBADAN looks at the reasons for such agitations and how they should be addressed.

he questions of ethnicity, religion, resource control and distribution, in conjunction with other issues of general significance have defined the evolution of the Nigerian state since the British impetuously welded the Northern and the Southern Protectorates together one hundred years ago – the

‘NATION’S RESOURCES NOT EVENLY DISTRIBUTED’

Amalgamation of January 1st, 1914. Unlike the processes that culminated in the formation of most European nation states consequent to the outcome of the Westphalia Treaty of 1648, the integration of all the groups constituting modern Nigeria – as was the case in other African states that were created conse-

quent to the agreements reached by European nations at the Berlin Conference of 1884-1885, was without the consent of the people. In all, the issues raised by the advocates of a Sovereign State of Biafra are real matters that cannot just be swept under the carpet. Nigeria has about 389 ethnic nationalities. There have been urgent calls for these disparate groups to sit together on a round table and decide the terms on which they would like to continue being members of the Nigerian state. In May 1967, Biafra began with a wily, charismatic and highly educated leader, the Oxford-trained historian and army officer, Lt Col Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, the governor of the defunct Eastern Region comprised of the present day South East and South South regions. The result was horrendous - a civil war that left nearly three million people dead. Biafra didn’t make it to its third birthday. But 45 years after it was reabsorbed into Nigeria, its name lives on among pressure groups, who say they haven’t benefited as citizens of CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

PEOPLE DON’T HAVE EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

The Big Read

Sunday, December 20, 2015

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

‘Nation’s resources not evenly distributed’

Buhari

Uwazurike

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4 Nigeria. One of the formost agitators for the State of Biafra is the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB, whose erstwhile leader, Mr. Ralph Uwazuruike told Sunday Mirror that the concept of Nigeria was man-made in 1914, when Lord Lugard saw to the amalgamation of Northern and Southern Protectorates. “And we learnt that it was even his wife that got the name Nigeria from the Niger. There was no constitution backing the formation of Nigeria. (General Yakubu) Gowon himself said there was no basis for one Nigeria. I think (Chief Obafemi) Awolowo also called it a mere geographical expression. No one has concrete interest in Nigeria. |So my idea is that let Nigeria divide into as many places as possible; let the people go. “I mean it is funny for somebody to try to perpetuate a forced marriage. It cannot work. And it is not only Biafra that is asking for self determination. Many are asking.” The recent rise to prominence of the indigenous people of Biafra IPOB led by Nnandi Kanu has also undelined the escalation of agitations for the Biafran State. Indeed, Kanu’s arrest by the authoriroes on terror charges and subsequent protest in parts of the East and even Lagos with resultant loss of lives has forced call from leaders across the country for a dialogue between government and the agitators. Unending marginalisation Eze Oliver Ubaferem Njoku, the Abazuma 1 of Abazu in an interview with Sunday Mirror said the long neglect of the South East by the Federal Government as the reason behind the sporadic demand for the creation of a sovereign Biafra State, which has affected economy and social life in the region. He said that the South East region of Nigeria has been neglected and marginalised since independence, noting that the agitators are reacting to the poor distribution of the country’s resources which has culminated in the underdevelopment of the region. “Nobody cares about the South East Zone; we have the highest number of unemployed youths. We have the highest rate of bad roads, which is as a result of erosion that has crippled the region. Some communities have been cut off due to flooding and erosion and other natural causes. “Our people cannot go to the farms again because their lands are no longer safe. “We have suffered marginalisation, deprivation, ostracisation and all manner of inconceivable deaths in the hands of an enemy that is so cruel, so wicked and has used all manner of weapons to not only cage us as a people and stop us from developing at our own pace, keeping us in a state of arrested development, but has without respite hounded us into detention and daily, murdering us for daring to ask for our freedom. ‘Treat Ndigbo fairly’ Adding his voice to the need for peace to reign, elder statesman, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu urged President Muhammadu Buhari to treat Ndigbo fairly and ensure they

Ndigbo are the major shareholders in Nigeria. If Nigeria is a corporate enterprise, Ndigbo own over 70 per cent equity and deserve to be given their due.

Police Combat vehicle

Biafra detainees

Nnamdi-Kanu

Dokubo in solidarity with Biafra

find more accommodation in Nigeria in the interest of the unity of the nation. Iwuanyanwu, who stated this at the Integrated Economic Summit organized by Aka Ikenga in Aba, Abia State, said Ndigbo are major shareholders in Nigeria who have paid more sacrifice than any other group to develop the country.

He also called on President Buhari to shun people who feed him with false reports that Ndigbo hate him. According to him, “Ndigbo are the major shareholders in Nigeria. If Nigeria is a corporate enterprise, Ndigbo own over 70 per cent equity and deserve to be given their due. The Igbo man is the only Nigerian who believes in one united Nigeria. This is why you find Ndigbo investing in all parts of Nigeria. We don’t have any problem with Buhari; we respect him but he must shun those who tell him that Ndigbo hate him.” Biafra agitation move to frustrate Buhari However, Former Minister of Power and Steel in the Second Republic, Wartaregh Paul Unongo, stated in a recent interview with journalists said that the agitation for a state of Biafra is a move to frustrate the war against corruption by President Muhammadu Buhari. The former minister said that the change mantra was what beneficiaries of the old system was resisting and opposing and are actively organising the unsuspecting youths. Unongo noted that the sponsors of the Biafra agitators wanted Buhari administration to continue with the manner their kith and kins dominated the administration of the Goodluck Jonathan which he alleged, brought the nation to its knees as been revealed in the media where several billions of naira were looted. He asked what manner of marginalisation the Igbos were complaining about in the present administration when, according to him, ‘all the five south eastern states representing Ibo race ‘Biafra,’ are represented in Buhari’s cabinet in addition to other critical appointments in public parastatCONTINUED ON PAGE 4

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

The Big Read

Sunday, December 20, 2015

People don’t have equal opportunities Joe Ajaero is a Human Rights Activist and leader of a faction of the NLC as well as General Secretary of the National Union of Electricity Employees. He sheds more light on the pursuit of Oriental separatist groups like BIM, MASSOB to secede from the entity called Nigeria in this interview with PAUL OMO OBADAN Is the pursuit of seperatists groups like Biafra Independent Movement to break out from the entity called Nigeria legitimate? It depends from which side of the divide you are looking at it. If you are looking at it from the divide of the Nigeria, you would say it is not legitimate. If you are looking at it from the divide of the Civil war, you would say it is not legitimate. But if you are looking at it from the divide of the indigenious people of the bite of Biafra, then to a very large extent, you could justify it. Before the Nigerian / Biafra civil war, there used to be a map of Nigeria in Geography places known as bite of Benin and Bite of Biafra. Bite of Biafra happened to be the area the then Republic of Biafra was situated. Although, after the war, you no longer see that bite of Biafra in the Nigerian Map. So, they did not just manufacture it. But if forty five years after the civil war, the people have not been reintegrated, you can’t equally say they must belong to where you have refused to accepted them. So this are two issues that we must look at. If I wasn’t a trade unionist, I would be leading that group today. Especially after the treatment meted to me to reintergrate fully in the trade union movement and coming from the Biafran soil. I won an election, and they said no. It is like saying you are not wanted. The Biafran you are seeing, is a Biafra of a rejectd people who now say okay, if you reject us, we can remain rejected. We have to carve a niche for ourselves. To a very large extent and to the extent of expresing their fundamental rights of coming together to decide where they want to belong, it is legitimate. To the extent of looking at all known United Nations resolutions of people, it is happened in Sudan, it happen in the then soviet union, it is legitimate. To the extent of even our historical accident. The people from that area never came, to say they want to be Nigeria. To a very large extent, it is legetimate. It is not something you think you can muscle out. These are people who tried it through arms and it did not work; now they are trying it through peaceful means. Now do you equally resist them with arms? If you do that, you are equally trying to agravate the problem. If they had rebeled with arms before it did not work, and they are now saying, they want to pursue it in a peaceful means; you don’t come down on them on that. You equally go to them peacefully and tell them that this can’t work based on so so reason. How should President Buhari negotiate with the separatist group? He does not have to tackle them with arms because the people are not carrying arms. It is only if he tackles them with arms that it will degenerate. I am surprised, if the

A Nigeria of my dream is a negotiated Nigeria, where all of us will agree that

these are the basic minimum that everybody must take for equity and fair play to exist.

Ajaero

Boko Haram issue was handled initially without attack on their leaders, I am not sure not sure we would be where we are today. By the time we also attack the leaders of this other group with arms, they may equally go back to think of the arms alternative. What chance does Biafra have bearing in mind that their leaders are not in support of the pursuit ? I think to a very large extent, he (Buhari) is being decieved by the so called Igbo leaders. Who says that the guys are not serious? Ohaneze and the rest of them cannot even go home. These guys are on ground and they will threaten them. Let them go to the streets of Enugu or Owerri to say that MASSOB is not a serious organisation. You don’t talk in the air. The best thing is to find out their leaders are engage them in frank talks to see whether you can pressurise them to stop what they are doing. But if you don’t want them and you still don’t want them to go, then there is a problem. I am among the people who don’t want to see the Biafran agitation as a secessionist group. Theirs is a people; it is a nation that was muscled up in 1914 through the so called almagation. The almagation of Northern and Southern Nigeria was not a product of consensus of the peple. It was for the convenience of the British government then

who decided to govern them. Since that time, there has been series of clashes. Before it was Adaka Boro in Rivers area who started the issue of secession. And it did not work. And there have been some other secessionist movements to show you that Nigeria is not made up of the same people, not the same culture, not the same religion. So that is semblance of what you are seeing. It is not that it is a terrorist organisation. No. These are are independendent peope saying this is where we belong. We have to equally renegotiate Nigeria. If after a hundred years, the British muscled us together, we need to come down and say, This marriage, is it a marriage of convenience? Can we sustain it or do we part way? Personally, do you believe in the entity called Nigeria? I was at the Naional Conference. And we said we must discuss Nigeria whether we are still one. I believe in the entity called Nigeria if we all agree to have a Nigeria that will respect everybody. A Nigeria where merit will be the order of the day. Not a Nigeria based on nepotism or where you come from. A Nigeria where children will have equal opportunities. A Nigeria where a child scores 100 and will be given admission anywhere; and not a Nigeria where one scores 100 and is not admitted and another scores 30 and is admitted based on quota system. A Nigeria where people don’t have equal opportunity is not a Nigeria of my dream. A Nigeria of my dream is a negotiated Nigeria, where all of us will agree that these are the basic minimum that everybody must take for equity and fair play to exist. That Nigeria is a Nigeria of my dream. In the absence of this, I think any of the units that desires to leave can be negotiated. We can have a United States of Nigeria. I think it is possible, where others will be autonomous, they will be independent. But all us can collectively sustain the group called Nigeria and people will develop at their own pace like a confederation. If you check the regional government, before the civil war, you will see that the East was developing at its pace. The West, same. They had the first TV station and a lot of firsts. The sky was their limit if they had not been brought together to move at the same pace. If you have a kind of loose federation like the United States of Nigeria,where the loose nations : Igbo nation, Ijaw nation, Yoruba nation, will devlop at their own pace, and contribute less to the center called Nigeria, I believe things can move on well. The time has come to correct the historical blunders of a hundred years.

‘Agitators should desist from reckless provocations’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5

als, boards and as permanent secretaries, despite not voting for Buhari or APC in the last general election. While making references to the circumstances surrounding first and Second World Wars, the octogenarian warned that any section of the country that dragged the nation to another civil war may not live to relay the experience this time. According to him, ‘As an elder statesman, I question and advice advocates of a renewed Biafra to re-examine the reasons for which they are advocating for Biafra which took so many lives and put the reasons forward for examination. Let them desist from making inflammatory, provocative and reckless vituperations that look reasonable. “The history of Nigeria is replete with credible roles that have been played by the people of northern Nigeria, particularly, Tiv in joining hands to champion a united strong Nigeria even in battle. “We remain resolute to resist, confront and respond appropriately to any threat to national unity and the ter-

ritorial integrity of the federal republic of Nigeria which a huge majority of our people shed their blood to consolidate in the Biafra war 45 years ago. “Let me refresh your memories, in 1917, the world was confronted by a Germany that sought to dominate it as sponsoring, a very demagogic and a very dangerous philosophy of the superiority of the Germany race over all races, which led to world war many people were killed, Germany became defeated but did not lean a lesson from the experience as it quietly prepared and launched another war, today the rest is history.” “Coming home, the Biafran civil war of 1967-1970 killed approximately three million Nigerians including those who called themselves biafrans... Just imagine and calculate the casualties of the Nigerians in our second Biafran encounter,” he said. The reasons why the Eastern Region of 1967 opted out of the Nigerian federation are well known but include the massacre of Easterners, mostly Igbo, in the larger Nigeria. In effect, the erstwhile peaceful protests by groups like

the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) and Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) clearly indicate that the defeat of the Biafra ‘arrangement’ of 1967, spearheaded by then Governor of old Eastern Region, Col Chukwuemeka Odimegwu Ojukwu, has done nothing, or not much, to assuage the thirst and passion of the ‘vanquished’ in the civil war 1967-1970 – to re-enact the promises that ‘Biafra’ offered in its turbulent and sordid existence for all of 30 months. Moreso, the Igbos should learn from the present predicament of the world’s youngest country, South Sudan. South Sudan believed it will prosper if it secedes from Sudan because of its crude oil reserves. After so much appeal to world leaders, it was allowed to gain independence from Sudan. However, what became the country’s lot? There was nothing but chaos, as there are so many discordant tunes coming from various interest groups in South Sudan. This shows that the crises an independent state of Biafra will bring to the Igbos might be unprecedented.

News

December 20, 2015

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Mutiny: Military commutes death sentences to 10 years imprisonment …elevates 97 officers, 1,598 soldiers for gallantry UBONG UKPONG AND INUSA NDAHI

he Nigerian military has commuted the death sentences of 66 soldiers convicted of mutiny to 10 years imprisonment. Director of Army Public Relations, DAPR, Colonel Sani Usman, made the disclosure in a statement yesterday. The 66 soldiers were to die by firing squad following the judgement of separate General Court Martials, GCM, in January and March this year. Seventy-one soldiers

were arraigned on several charges in joint trials by the GCM following their rebellion against their Commanders at the battle front against Boko Haram insurgents in Borno State. The soldiers were arraigned on several count charges that include criminal conspiracy, conspiracy to commit mutiny, mutiny, attempt to commit an offence (murder), disobedience to particular orders, insubordinate behaviour and false accusation, among others. They were tried, discharged on some charges but found guilty and convicted on other charges

which included mutiny. Of the number, 66 were found guilty on some of the count charges and sentenced to death, while five were discharged and acquitted and one was given 28 days Imprisonment with hard labour (IHL). However, the sentenced soldiers appealed and wrote a series of petitions against the judgement and sentences. Consequently, the Chief of Army Staff, COAS, LtGen. Tukur Buratai, ordered a legal review of the cases. “The directive was carried out to examine the merit of each case. It was

on the basis of the review and recommendations that the COAS commuted the death sentences of the 66 soldiers to 10 years jail term. The sentences are to run concurrently”, Usman said. He further disclosed that the cases of other soldiers are being reviewed also, and would be made public once the appropriate reviews are completed. Meanwhile, the 7 Division of the Nigerian Army has yesterday promoted 97 military officers and 5, 198 other soldiers to their next levels of ranks for “hard work and gallantry” in fighting Boko

Haram insurgency in the northeast sub-region of the country. Decorating the promoted military officers and soldiers yesterday at the Maimalari Cantonment, Maiduguri, General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the Division, Maj-Gen. Lamidi Adeosun, said the promoted soldiers benefitted from this year’s elevations to higher ranks from the Almighty God and the Chief of Army Staff, LtGen. Tukur Burutai. His words: “These promoted officers and soldiers today (yesterday) were all worthy of being elevated to their next ranks in the Nigerian Army; and for exhibiting their gallantry in the battlefields to end this Boko Haram insurgency in this part of the nation. “The Division is privileged to have a total of 97 officers elevated from one rank to the other. It also includes the soldiers’ ranks. We have from Lance Corporal to Master Warrant Officers of 5,198.

This goes to show that God Almighty rewards hard work; the Chief of Army Staff recognises hard work and also rewards hard work, before they are all promoted today (yesterday) in Maiduguri.” He however noted that it was unprecedented for the Division alone to benefit this large number of personnel for promotion within one year. Adeosun therefore expressed gratitude to the Chief of Army Staff for giving them the privilege of moving to higher ranks in the Nigerian Army. He also congratulated the beneficiaries, expressing happiness and appreciation to God Almighty for making it happened to the officers and many others that have benefited from the massive promotions within the Division. Those prompted yesterday include 37 Captains, 25 Majors, 21 Lieutenant Colonels, 10 Colonels and four Brigadier-Generals.

PDP paying for past election crimes, impunity, says APC OBIORA IFOH ABUJA

L-R: Sen. Dino Melaye; Speaker, Kwara House of Assembly, Dr. Ali Ahmad; Senate President Bukola Saraki; his wife, Oluwatoyin; Governor of Kwara State, Abdulfatah Ahmed; Alhaji Kawu Baraje; Deputy Governor of Kwara, Elder Peter Kisra and Sen. Rafiu Ibrahim, cutting the 53rd Birthday cake of the Senate President, in Ilorin, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

APC engaging in political terrorism in Rivers, Akwa Ibom –Secondus OBIORA IFOH ABUJA

he Peoples Democratic Party has said it is disappointed by a recent comment credited to Chief John Oyegun, National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), which it said conveyed the desperation of the party and the Presidency to forcefully take over PDP states in the South-South zone. While reacting to the ruling of the Court of Appeal on Rivers State governorship petition, Chief Oyegun was alleged to have said that he was confident that his party would win in Akwa Ibom than any other state in the South-South and that it was almost a certainty

that APC would take the state. But Acting National Chairman of PDP, Prince Uche Secondus, said such a comment was not only careless but also smacks of impunity and arrogance that have characterised the APC. He said, “This comment also further betrays APC’s dirty underhand deals with unscrupulous electoral and judicial operatives, which give its national chairman impetus to make sweeping statements that has no place in electoral reality. “Perhaps, it is pertinent to ask: ‘how could Chief Oyegun have known for certainty the outcome of the gubernatorial dispute in Akwa Ibom State, a matter that may end up

in the Supreme Court? Is this not a clear indication so far that Chief Oyegun and the APC are indeed interfering with the judicial processes in their quest to forcefully take over PDP states? “Having on several occasions alerted Nigerians and the international community of the plans of the APC to decimate the opposition by “taking over” states controlled by the PDP, especially in Rivers and Akwa Ibom states of the South-South zone by every means possible, we warn of dire consequences of actions by the APC to disrupt the will of the people of these two states. Secondus said PDP had warned that “this script being played out by Chief

Oyegun and his ilk in the APC clearly portends danger to the democratic project and national stability.” He added. “History is our witness that similar desperation by the ruling party to unduly win in the opposition strongholds in the 1964 federal elections precipitated the collapse of the first republic. History repeated itself in 1983 after the “moon slide” agenda of the NPN was implemented. “Against this background, Chief Oyegun and the APC are cautioned to desist from acts of impunity and inordinate plots that jeopardise our hard-won democracy, which the PDP painstakingly nurtured in the last 16 years.”

he All Progressives Congress, APC, has described as hogwash Friday’s outburst by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors Forum that the nullification of elections of PDP governors was a plot by APC to take control of “oil-producing states by all means necessary”. National Secretary of the APC, Mai Mala Buni, dismissed the statements credited to the PDP governors as “clannish” and “sectional”. According to Buni, “The APC and indeed Nigerians are increasingly worried by the clannish and sectional positions being canvassed by the PDP governors. “We reject the PDP governors’ attempt to polarise the country along oil-producing and non-producing lines. All geo-political regions of the country are important and equal partners in progress in efforts by the APC and President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration to return Nigeria to its respected position in the comity of

nations. “During the 2015 general elections, in many parts of the South-South, particularly Rivers and Akwa Ibom, Nigerians and the international community watched in horror how the PDP used a combination of security operatives, thugs and party agents to rig elections against the popular will of the electorate. “Nigerians are still recovering from the last 16 years of the locust under the PDP. We invite the PDP to support current efforts aimed at social, economic and institutional reforms. Change has come!” On court/tribunal decisions in Akwa Ibom, Rivers and Taraba states, Buni said, “The Judiciary remains the last hope of the common man. Recent court decisions in Akwa Ibom, Rivers and Taraba states are not partisan but simply a confirmation of PDP’s brazen election malpractices, manipulation and intimidation perpetuated during the 2015 general elections. We advise the PDP to wake up to the new Nigeria where a few will no longer stifle the voices and collective decision of the majority.

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News 7

Sunday December 20, 2015

Rights Commission decries conditions of detention centres T

he National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, yesterday expressed worry over worsening conditions of detention facilities at the various offices of the Special AntiRobbery Squad (SARS) in the country.

Executive Secretary of the commission, Prof. Bem Angwe, expressed the feeling in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.

Angwe also expressed concern over the rising cases of un-gazetted places of detention across the country. One major and consistent finding from the commission’s daily monitoring exercise of prisons and detention facilities is the worsening conditions of detention facilities at the various offices of the Special Anti-Robbery

Squad (SARS). “Another is the rising cases of un-gazetted places of detention; because emboldened by the enhanced mandate, the commission has up scaled its activities outside the regular complaint treatment to the area of prison audit.’’ He said the commission had achieved a landmark by extending the initial

periodic annual prison audit which it commenced in 2009 to daily monitoring of detention facilities. He said some agencies which the commission monitored their facilities were Nigeria Police Force, Department of the State Services and Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. Others are Nigerian Army, Nigerian Customs

Service, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency and Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps. The executive secretary noted that under its Public Interest Litigation Programme done in partnership with the Nigerian Bar Association, over 1,000 cases had been assigned to legal practitioners on pro bono bases. These legal practitioners have filed class action suits for the enforcement of the fundamental rights of awaiting trial inmates in Nigerian prisons in various courts across the country, he said. He said the programme had so far yielded desired results as many courts had released many awaiting trial inmates and awarded damages in their favour. Commenting on other achievements of the commission for the year, Angwe said the commis-

sion had recorded an enormous increase in the number of public complaints it received. “A reflection of the increased access to the commission’s services is the exceptional growth in the nature and number of complaints that comes to the commission from all parts of the federation. “In the year 2015 alone, the commission has received over 308,000 complaints from members of the public. “In addition to the general complaint treatment system, the commission has authorised and held a number of inquiries to investigate grave violations of human rights violations monitored in different parts of Nigeria,” he said. He stressed the need for value and adherence to fundamental human rights of all citizens and residents of the country.

Gunmen abduct Gov. Dickson’s younger sister in Yenagoa Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode; his wife, Bolanle, with kids cutting the cake, during the 2015 Children’s End of the Year Party at Lagos House, Ikeja,yesterday.

Sultan tasks FG on Islamic, Christian religious studies in schools …as new Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland is turbaned Kemi Olaitan IBADAN

he Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, yesterday in Ibadan, cautioned the Federal Government against the proposed replacement of Islamic and Christian Studies with religion and national values in secondary schools.

While advocating the maintenance of the status quo, the royal father, who is also the PresidentGeneral, Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, said it was one of the surest ways to promote the ebbing moral rectitude in the pupils. He said this in an address read on his behalf by the Secretary-General of the council, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, at the installation and turbaning of the new Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, Edo and Delta states, Alhaji Dawud Akinola. Prominent among the

dignitaries on the occasion were former President Olusegun Obasanjo who was represented by Dr. Femi Majekodunmi, Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State, his Osun State counterpart, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, Minister of Communications,

Barrister Adebayo Shittu, and Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly, Hon. Michael Adeyemo. Akinola succeeds the late mogul, Alhaji Arisekola Alao, who died in his London home on June 18, 2014, arising from reported complications from

prostate cancer. He was 69 years old. The Sultan expressed concern over religious disturbances, militancy and immoral acts among the youth, a development he blamed on lack of parental care and poor upbringing.

Westminster market, LASPOTEC, LUTH, others gutted by fire Francis Suberu

here was a multiple fire incident in Lagos yesterday as the State Fire Services was inundated with distress calls from different locations across the state.

According to the Lagos State Fire Service, there was fire outbreak at the popular Westminster Market, Apapa Lagos where goods worth millions of naira stored in about 12 containers were consumed by raging inferno at the early hours of Saturday. There was another fire outbreak at the Lagos

State Polytechnic, LASPOTEC Ikorodu campus just as another was recorded at Jakande Estate, Gate Bus Stop, Alimosho Area of Lagos. There was yet a fire outbreak at No.23 Marina, Lagos Island where the Bank of Industry was gutted by fire. The fifth fire incident of the day occurred at LUTH at Idi araba. It was gathered that no casualty was recorded in any of these incidents as officials of the Lagos State Fire Service, the National Emergency Management Authority, NEMA and the

Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA responded swiftly and was able to stop the fire from spreading. Though several calls to his cell phone was not answered, Director, Lagos State Service, Rasaq Fadipe via text messages confirmed all the incidents. Spokesperson for NEMA in South West, Ibrahim Farinloye also confirmed the incidents, noting that investigations are on to establish the cause of the inferno but urge Lagosians to be more careful in handling inflammable materials.

Osahon Julius YENAGOA

midst the tension and anxiety created by the political atmosphere in the wake of the controversial and inconclusive Bayelsa gubernatorial poll, dare devil armed men yesterday abducted the youngest sister of Governor Seriake Dickson, Nancy Keme Dickson

Aged 26 years, Nancy and her sales girl were abducted at her shop located at Okaka road in the Yenagoa metropolis at about 2:30 pm by the gunmen without any hindrance. Though details of the abduction are still sketchy, the Bayelsa State Police Command confirmed the abduction of Miss Dickson, who is the last daughter of the Dickson’s family. The Command’s Public Relations Officer, ASP Asinim Butswat, said, “On 19 December, 2015, at about 1450hrs, four unknown gunmen in an ash coloured Lexus Jeep, trailed one Nancy Keme Dickson, 26 years, to her shop at Okaka road, Yenagoa, and abducted her and her sales girl to an unknown destination. “The Command immediately embarked on a Stop

and Search/Cordon Operations in a bid to rescue the victims and apprehend the perpetrators. Efforts have been intensified to arrest the abductors. Investigation is ongoing.” Meanwhile, Govenor Seriake Dickson yesterday called on his main opponent in the inconclusive governorship election in the state, Chief Timiprie Sylva, of the All Progressives Congress, APC, to concede defeat. Dickson, who is the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the election, said this while briefing newsmen in Abuja. He said he was the leading candidate in the poll having won six out of the seven local government areas so far declared with good margin. The governor also expressed confidence that he stood a chance to win more votes in the remaining local government, adding that Southern Ijaw was his stronghold. He added that there was no APC presence in Southern Ijaw, stressing that his administration in the last three and half years had done so much in the local government.

News

Sunday December 20, 2015

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Be patient with APC, Dogara tells Nigerians ...says party won’t fail

Ubong Ukpong ABUJA

peaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Yakubu Dogara, has appealed to Nigerians to exercise patience with his party, the All Progressives Congress, APC, over its promises, saying that the party won’t disappoint Nigerians.

Dogara, in a statement through his Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Turaki Hassan, said that Nigerians would soon begin to

reap dividends of the promises made by his party, when the 2016 budget is passed into law. Claiming that the APC government inherited an empty treasury and battered nation, DOgara said the last six months could not be used to judge the performance of the Muhammadu Buhari-led administration. Hassan said that Dogara spoke when he paid a visit to the Emir of Misau in Bauchi State, Alhaji Ahmed

Suleiman, in his palace. The Speaker maintained that President Buhari was facing enormous challenges but that he was determined to surmount those challenges. Nigeria, according to the Speaker, is passing through difficult times and the citizens need to show more understanding and patience as damage done to the country will take time to fix. The Speaker told the emir that the 2016 budget

would soon be presented by the President and assured him that the appropriation bill would contain promises for the masses. Dogara argued that it was only after the budget was implemented and government failed to deliver that the citizens would have the right to criticise, but assured the nation of better days ahead. ”We cannot afford to disappoint you and the mandate you gave us. Give

us and the President maximum support and we shall not disappoint you,” he assured. According to him, “Change is a gradual process, with patience we will bring the desired change and development you clamour for”.

No justification for Zaria, Onitsha killings –Gani Adams Boladale Bamigbola OSOGBO

ational Coordinator of Oodua Peoples Congress, OPC, Otunba Gani Adams, has stated that no explanation can justify killing of members of Shiite sect in Zaria last week and the recent one in Onitsha, alleged by the soldiers.

110 metres Mt Eyuwa vessel laden with 670 metric tons of suspected stolen crude oil apprehended by the Nigerian Navy at the Forcados oil terminal in Burutu local council of Delta State, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

Economic downturn: Aisha Buhari calls for women empowerment

ife of the President, Hajia Aisha Buhari, yesterday called for the empowerment of women through various skill acquisition programmes to enable them support their families to cope with the current economic downturn.

The first lady made the call in Abuja at the 7th AlHabibiyyah Women forum. Represented by Hajia Salma Makama, the managing director, Shelter Plus, Buhari specifically called for the empowerment of widows and those displaced as a result of insurgency in some parts of the country. In his remark, the Chief Imam of Al-Habibiyyah Mosque, Imam Fuad Adeyemi, encouraged women to be supportive of their families. He said the forum was designed to cater not only for the spiritual needs of the women, but other aspects of their lives. He stressed the need for women empowerment and the diversification of the economy in view of the declining price of crude oil in the international market. “The theme of the forum

this year, ‘The Muslim Woman and Entrepreneurship’ is of such importance and significance. “This could not have come at a better time than this when we are witnessing economic downturn associated with over-dependence on the export of crude oil,’’ he said. Adeyemi also called on Nigerians irrespective of religious beliefs to support the Buhari administration to

positively change Nigeria. “We sincerely commend the efforts of the Federal Government in repositioning Nigeria and enjoin all Nigerians irrespective of creed to support the government,’’ he said. Earlier, Hajia Rekiya Momoh-Abaji, Chairperson, Al-habibiyya Women Forum, stressed the need to empower women for economic stability. Momoh-Abaji stated that families nowadays need

more than one source of income to survive. “More than ever before the women of the world require more than one stream of income to support their families. “Entrepreneurship is really the new direction of the world and we urgently require Muslim women to key into various forms of entrepreneurship to reduce the burden on men,’’ she said.

Rwanda’s Kagame gets nod for third term in office

wandans have voted overwhelmingly to allow President Paul Kagame to extend his term in office, initial referendum results show.

Some 98% of voters support changing the constitution to allow him to run again in 2017 after his second term ends, the National Electoral Commission said. Mr Kagame, 58, could remain in power until 2034 if the changes are passed. The vote took place despite criticism of such an amendment by the US and other Western donors. Rwanda’s electoral com-

mission said 21 out of 30 districts had published results so far, covering about 70 per cent of voters. Full results are due to be released later on Saturday. Mr Kagame has not said if he will run again, but he is widely expected to. Asked at the polling station if he would stay on, he said: “What is happening is the people’s choice. Ask people why they want me.” However, the US has said Mr. Kagame should step down in 2017 to allow a new generation of leaders to emerge. Rights groups accuse the

government of stifling the media and political opposition. The small opposition Democratic Green Party claimed it had been prevented from campaigning against the change. Kagame has been president since 2000 but has held power since 1994, when his rebel force entered the capital Kigali to end the country’s genocide. The debate over extending presidential terms has led to instability in other African countries such as Burundi and Congo Republic, but has not caused unrest in Rwanda.

Emir Suleiman expressed gratitude to the Speaker for the visit and said it was the first time that Misau Emirate received a sitting Speaker of the House He also prayed for success of the present administration.

It will be recalled that unspecified number of members of Shiite sect in Zaria were last Saturday killed for allegedly planning to attack the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Buratai, who was on his way to the palace of Emir of Zazzau. Also on Thursday, five people were allegedly killed by the soldiers in Onitsha during the jubilation that followed the release of Nnamdi Kanu, the director of Radio Biafra by a court. Speaking shortly after receiving award for his role in promoting Yoruba culture from members, Correspondents’ Chapel of Osun Council of Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, during the weekend, Otunba Adams said in advanced countries, no security agent would dare kill unarmed civilian regardless of the level of provocation. Adams said killing Igbo was never the best way to address agitation for Biafra Republic, saying the Onitsha killing could trigger already tensed situation in the East into a bigger security issue. “It is very barbaric and uncalled for. Any good society will not encourage that. I think we should appeal to our law enforcement agencies because any form of trigger-happy attitude should not be

condoned in any normal democratic setting. “What happened in Kaduna State is not what we are expecting right now, especially when the crises of Boko Haram, the agitation of the MASSOB, are ravaging the country. But I will appeal to the military and other security agencies to be calm under provocation. “Their work is to safeguard us and maintain peace and order in the society and to guard the country against external aggression. With the pictures of the Shiite killing that I saw on the internet, the people killed in the attack were more than 200. In civilised countries, you don’t kill your citizen like that, even when they provoke you, you should pamper them in order to avoid that ugly situation. “Even though they embarrassed the Chief of Army Staff, they should have disarmed them and arrest their leader for questioning and not using weapon to kill people like that. No explanation can justify such action. International community will not overlook such a thing,” Adams bemoaned. He however advised President Muhammadu Buhari to be careful and thread softly so as not to allow negative effects of the actions of the security agencies to damage his reputation. “I am not saying the Shiite are right, because when people do procession, you don’t block the road, but the military has to be mature in their approach because we cannot continue to shed innocent blood and expect progress in the country,” Adams added.

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Appeal Court verdict:

Wike in battle for survival

Politics PROVIDING FRESH PERSPECTIVES TO ISSUES

December 20, 2015

P 10

THE COURT RULING TODAY SHOWS THAT IF YOU ENGAGE IN VIOLENCE DURING ELECTION, THE JUDICIARY IS THERE TO NULLIFY SUCH ELECTION. –RIVERS STATE CHAIRMAN OF APC, DR DAVIES IKANYA, COMMENTING ON THE APPEAL COURT RULING THAT NULLIFIED GOVERNOR NYESOM WIKE’S ELECTION.

Dasukigate: Bleeding of an anaemic nation

Dasuki

Dpl[eso

Since the trial of former National Security Adviser, NSA, Colonel Sambo Dasuki (rtd) began, there have been more shocking revelations on the $2.1b arms deal which many Nigerians may not believe considering the fact that the nation is still battling to contain the insurgency in the country. ROTIMI FADEYI examines the issues involved and the way forward for the nation.

or Colonel Sambo Dasuki (rtd), the National Security Adviser, NSA to former President Goodluck Jonathan, life has not been the same since his arrest by security agents over allegation of diversion of $2.1 billion meant for the

erty in Abuja and Sokoto after which he was charged to court for illegal possession of firearms on August 24 At his first appearance on September 1 before a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja to defend himself on the allegation of illegal possession of firearms, Justice Adeniyi Ademola granted Dasuki bail on self recognition after he pleaded not guilty to the charge which was said to violate provisions of 27(1)(a) (i) of the Firearms Act, Cap F28, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004. While granting Dasuki bail , the judge CONTINUED ON PAGE 37

LG staff responsible for low IGR –ALGON boss

P 38

Briefly

Taraba youths laud Umar

ouths and various political groups in Taraba state yesterday rolled out drums to celebrate the former Acting Governor of the state, Garba Umar UTC on his 68th birthday. The youths under the umbrella of Taraba State Students and Youths Movements, TSSYM said its decision to celebrates the former acting governor was in appreciation of his giant strides in area of education and youth development during his tenure. TSSYM Coordinator, Joseph Auta said Umar has shown over the years that he’s a worthy mentor to hundreds of youths in Taraba State. “His commitment towards youth’s development and education was glaring during his tenure as chief executive of the state. “Reactivation and construction of the College of Nursing which was abandoned for over four years and effecting completion to over eighty per cent, employment of 170 staff for the Board of Internal Revenue and recruitment of 170 graduate and non-graduate indigenes for training at the National Power Training Institute of Nigeria. NAPTIN, boasted youths engagement in the state,” Auta said. He added that Umar also paid three years backlog of scholarship in tune of N230 Million to Taraba Students in various tertiary institutions in the country.” Auta said the youths will be holding an online discussion and symposium in the state capital to celebrate the former acting governor. Also Coordinator of the Taraba Peoples Assembly, TPA, Martins Andekin said close associates of the former acting governor will be gathering at his personal residence in Jalingo to discuss his ideology and political achievements in the state. Describing Umar as an apostle of peaceful co-existence, Jinadu Yawe said Garba Umar influence has cut across ethnic and religion divided. Yawe who heads the Utciya Political Movement said “today, UTC has continue to be a rallying point of peaceful coexistence in the state, he has developed the state beyond the imagination of his critics. “His peaceful innovations in resolving the lingering crisis in the Southern part led to the signing of a peace pact that saved hundreds of lives and properties in Wukari, Yawe said the emergence of Garba Umar UTC as the Acting Governor and leader of the people of Taraba State is not by accident. “Even his political opponents admit his divinely emergence took the state to a new realm of massive development and job creation”, he said.

Politics

December 20, 2015

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Appeal Court verdict: Wike in battle for survival DENNIS NAKU, PORT HARCOURT

een watchers of political events in Rivers State, especially in the last three months may well have predicted that the unfolding drama there suggests that a governorship rerun election in the oil and gas rich state of the Niger Delta might just be inevitable. In the main, Governor of the oil and gas rich state, Rivers, Barrister Nyesom Wike still has the option of approaching the Supreme Court in a bid to reclaim his mandate which only days ago was nullified for a second time by a constitutional process. The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja and presided over by Justice Dongban Mensem last Wednesday affirmed the annulment of the April 11 governorship election which brought him to power as governor under the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. Wike had filed a case at the Appeal Court to challenge the nullification of his election by the Rivers State Election Petition Tribunal, which also sat in Abuja , but Justice Mensem of the Appeal Court held that the appeal lacked merit and substance and consequently dismissed it. Like the October 24, 2015 judgment of the said Tribunal headed by Justice Suleiman Ambursa, the Appeal Court in the unanimous judgment of the Justice Mensem- led panel of five justices of the appellate court, ordered that a fresh election be conducted by Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, in conformity with the Electoral Act 2010 and other relevant laws for the governorship of the state. The lead judge agreed with the Tribunal that the Electoral Act was grossly violated and that the election was manipulated when the card reader failed on the election day, even as it further held that INEC should conduct a fresh election within 90 days. As expected Governor Wike is bent on exercising his constitutional right when in reaction to his sack from office by the Appeal Court declared that he would proceed to the Supreme Court in a bid to reclaim his mandate. While addressing party members and supporters who thronged the Port- Harcourt International Airport on Thursday, December 17, 2015 to welcome him back from Abuja he said he had already instructed his lawyers to appeal the judgment of the Court of Appeal which ordered fresh governorship election in the state. The governor however called on all his supporters and the people of Rivers State to remain calm, just as he expressed the optimism that justice would be done at the end of the day. Pledging his resolve to follow the law, Wike said he will use all constitutional processes to protect the mandate freely bestowed on him by the people, reiterating what he said when his election was first annulled by the Tribunal that he is still governor of the state “I still remain the duly elected

Wike

Pete ersid de

I WANT TO WARN, LET NOBODY ATTEMPT TO DO WHAT HAPPENED IN BAYELSA STATE HERE. SINCE THEY SAID THEY (COURT) HAVE ANNULLED THE ELECTIONS, LET THEM COME AND CONDUCT FRESH ELECTIONS

Governor of Rivers State, pending the determination of this appeal by the Supreme Court,” he stated with both optimism and despair in a manner of speaking. He promised to complete all on-going development projects in the state and promote the security of lives and property there. But that was not all the governor said. In fact, he broke his rather curious silence since the Tribunal nullified his election. While describing the verdict of the Appeal Court as a temporary setback he said with renewed optimism God’s will and the mandate of the people will prevail at the end of the day. While commissioning the multi-purpose hall at the state PDP Secretariat, the governor said after the Supreme Court, the PDP will work with whatever judgment that emanates there from. On the National Assembly elections which the Appeal Court upturned all but one victory of the thirteen PDP House of Representatives members, while all its three senators were sacked, Wike said the party is ready for the rerun as ordered by the Appeal Court . Among the affected PDP Senators are Olaka Wogu of the Rivers South East Senatorial District who lose to Magnus Abe, George Thompson Sekibo

(Rivers East), where Andrew Uchendu’s appeal scaled through, while immediate past Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Otelemaba Dan-Amachree (Rivers West), also of the All Progressives Congress, APC saw the better of Wilson Ake of the PDP. Speaking rather tough, Wike warned that Rivers people will resist any attempt by the Federal Government to use soldiers and policemen to manipulate the elections. He said, “I want to warn, let nobody attempt to do what happened in Bayelsa State here. Since they said they (court) have annulled the elections, let them come and conduct fresh elections. “Let nobody think that they can use soldiers and policemen to intimidate us. We will resist any such attempt. We have maintained our cool for a long time. Our calmness should not be mistaken as a sign of weakness,” Wike warned. The governor stated that Rivers people are peace loving, but they hate injustice and intimidation. He advised all PDP members in the state to commence unit to unit and ward to ward campaigns for the National Assembly elections. He further said, “We shall return all our National Assembly members as a way to disgrace those who think they

will snatch the mandate of the people”, he said. He said that the administration will continue to work for the people of the state and deliver good governance and projects to the people. However, APC expressed satisfaction over the ruling of the Court of Appeal, maintaining that the judiciary had once again shown that it remained the last hope for the common man. State chairman of the party, Dr. Davies Ikanya, who stated this while speaking with our correspondent, said the Appeal Court ruling would pave the way for the electorate in the state to vote without fear of violence. On his part, the man of the moment and governorship candidate of the APC in the last general election in the state, Dr. Dakuku Peterside praised the Nigerian judiciary for its courage and efforts towards deepening the nation’s democracy and political process. According to him, “the judiciary will be remembered for standing tall even in the face of unwarranted provocation and vilification by those who brazenly stole the peoples’ mandate during the March and April elections in Rivers State .” Peterside in a statement issued by his media aide, Sylvester Asoya congratulated Rivers people for their patience and understanding especially over what he termed ‘the painful process of reclaiming their mandate.” Continuing, he said, “I am happy that the Nigerian judiciary is rekindling hope in our electoral process and in our country generally. This is so because the judiciary is sending the right signal, particularly to those who perpetrate violence and fraud during elections. “We pray never to experience the level of persecution, violence and deaths that characterised both the March and April elections in our state. Democracy is about freedom, equality and justice; so everybody must join hands to defend it at all times. “I therefore wish to dedicate our victories in the legislative and executive arms to our fallen brothers and sisters (member that allegedly died), our supporters and the entire Rivers people for believing in us and for keeping faith. “Our state will be great again if and only when we vote into public office, our sons and daughters who will not bring shame to us by their words and actions. In a rather different view, the state governorship candidate of the Labour Party in the last poll, Prince Tonye Princewill chided Wike for not heeding his advice to go straight into the re-run poll, rather that appealing the nullification of his election. Princewill said, “Ordinarily I would not bother to comment on news that is not only inevitable but in progress. We still have to wait for the Supreme Court. Wike refused to accept my advice at the tribunal stage and still went ahead to appeal the judgement. CONTINUED ON PAGE 39

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December 20, 2015

Man in the News Mr. Nyesom Wike

Sitting on a shaky mandate AYO ESAN

r. Nyesom Wike is fighting the battle of his life as he is resting on one leg to maintain his position as the governor of Rivers State. The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja last Wednesday sacked him as governor and ordered a rerun of the April gubernatorial election in Rivers State, which produced him as governor. The judgement was an affirmation of the decision of the state Election Petition Tribunal which had earlier on December 24 sacked him as governor. Delivering judgement in the appeal case filed by Wike to challenge the nullification of his election by the Rivers State Election Petition Tribunal, Justice Dongban Mensem, held that the appeal lacked merit and substance and consequently dismissed it. In the unanimous judgement of the panel of five justices of the appellate court, Justice Mensem ordered that a fresh election be conducted by Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, in conformity with the Electoral Act 2010 and other relevant laws for the governorship of the state. The lead judge agreed with the Tribunal that the Electoral Act was grossly violated and that the election was manipulated when the card reader failed on the election day. The court resolved all the seven issues raised by Wike against him and in favour of All Progressives Congress, APC, governorship candidate, Dakuku Peterside. Justice Mensen had, in the 110-page judgement, held that Wike’s election did not conform with the provisions of the Electoral Act and added that the Tribunal’s judgement did not occasion miscarriage of justice as claimed by the appellant. “Having resolved all the seven issues raised by the appellant against him, I have no option left than to strike out the appeal. “The appeal is hereby struck out for lacking in merit and I uphold the decision of the Tribunal which held that Nyesom Wike was not validly elected and cannot be returned as the winner of the April 11, 2015 governorship election held in Rivers State,” Justice Mensen held. The court further held that INEC should conduct a fresh election within 90 days. It also struck out the appeals brought before it by PDP and INEC, challenging the decision of the Tribunal for lacking in merit. Wike has however indicated his intention to approach the Supreme Court for justice and that will be the final lap for

him to save his job as the governor of the oil-rich state. Meanwhile, the governor has said he would proceed to the Supreme Court in a bid to reclaim his mandate. Wike, in a statement issued through Simeon Nwakaudu, his Special Assistant on Electronic Media, said he had already instructed his lawyers to appeal the judgement of the Court of Appeal which ordered fresh governorship election in the state. The governor said he would exhaust

his constitutional right by challenging the Appeal Court judgement. He however called on all his supporters and the people of Rivers to remain calm as justice would be done at the end of the day, insisting that he would use all constitutional processes to protect the mandate bestowed on him by the people. “I still remain the duly elected Governor of Rivers State, pending the determination of this appeal by the Supreme Court,” he said. He promised to complete all ongoing

projects in the state and promote the security of lives and property. But as expected, the APC expressed satisfaction with the ruling, maintaining that the judiciary had once again shown that it remained the last hope of the common man. It would be recalled that on May 13, the Rivers State Election Tribunal sitting in Abuja, began hearing in the election of Wike. Dr Dakuku Peterside of the APC sought the tribunal to nullify the election of Wike who was declared winner as governor in the poll held on April 11, 2015, on the grounds that it was fraught with malpractices and non-compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act. Wike opposed the hearing of the case in Abuja arguing that the Tribunal should hold in Port Harcourt, the state’s capital. But the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Zainab Bulkachawa, rejected Wike’s arguments and ordered that the tribunal be held in Abuja, for reason of security. After all efforts to serve Wike with court summons proved abortive, presiding Justice Muazu Pindiga approved the request of Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN), counsel to Peterside, to grant an order for substituted service on the governorelect because Wike had been evading service of court summon and other processes in the petition challenging his election. Ruling on the petitioner counsel’s motion, Justice Pindiga, who granted the prayers, ordered that the court processes should be pasted on the wall of Wike’s house or at the office of the PDP secretariat in Rivers State or in Abuja. The Rivers State Governorship election tribunal nullified the election of Wike on October 24, 2015. It ordered a rerun within 90 days from the day of judgement. Wike however appealed the ruling of the tribunal. was Born on December13, 1967, Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, a lawyer, is from Ikwerre in Obio-Akpor local council of Rivers State. He first served as aide to former Rivers governor, Rotimi Amaechi. He was later appointed Minister of State for Education on July 14, 2011 by ex-president Goodluck Jonathan. He was subsequently made acting Minister of Education after Mrs Riqqayatu was sacked by Jonathan. He resigned before completing his term to campaign for governor in Rivers State. In 2014, he won the Rivers PDP primaries and he chose former Secretary to the State Government, Ipalibo Banigo, as his running mate.

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Wellness YOUR HEALTH AND HEALTH RELATED ISSUES December 20, 2015

Leptospirosis and how to control it

A ward overflows with leptospirosis patients at a Hospital

TITILOPE MORAKINYO

eptospirosis is a life-threatening bacterial disease which affects humans and animals. It is caused by bacteria of the genus, leptospira, while in human it can cause a wide range of symptoms, some of which may be mistaken for other diseases. However, infected persons may have no symptoms at all; those with pneumonia, young children under five, and elderly individuals are more likely to suffer from the disease. Without treatment, leptospirosis can lead to kidney damage, meningitis such as the inflammation of the membrane around the brain and spinal cord, liver failure, respiratory distress and even death. It exists globally, but it is more common in tropical and subtropical parts of the world. The bacterium thrives in hot and humid environments. The bacteria are spread through the urine of infected animals, which can get into water or soil and can survive there for weeks to months. Different kinds of wild and domestic animals which include cattle, pigs, horses, dogs and rodents, when infected may have no symptoms of the disease

but could continue to excrete the bacteria into the environment continually or every once in a while for a few months up to several years. The disease is of two main types such as mild leptospirosis where the patient experiences muscle pains, chills and possibly a headache. The other severe leptospirosis, which can be life-threatening, has the risk of organ failure, internal hemorrhaging and occurs when the bacterium infects the kidneys, liver and other major organs. According to the World Health Organisation, WHO, approximately 10 million people are believed to be afflicted with leptospirosis annually. In an interview with Sunday Mirror, a medical practitioner with Divine Will Hospital, Isolo Lagos, Dr Dolu Arinola, explained more about leptospirosis. “It is an uncommon bacterial infection and commonly transmitted from animals to humans when people with unhealed breaks in the skin come into contact with water or soil that has been contaminated with animal urine. The bacterium can also enter the body through the eyes or mucous membranes. “Leptospira bacteria can be found in fresh water that has been contaminated by animal urine. The infection occurs in

warmer climates but it is not spread from person to person, except in very rare cases. It occasionally spreads through sexual intercourse, breast milk, or from a mother to her unborn child,” he revealed. On the risk factors, he said it is common in occupational exposure jobs such as those of farmers, ranchers, slaughterhouse workers, trappers, veterinarians, loggers, sewer workers, rice field workers, and military personnel. Also are recreational activities such as swimming, canoeing, kayaking, and trail biking in warm areas. Household exposure pet dogs, domesticated livestock, rainwater catchment systems, and infected rodents also are risk factors. The disease has also been associated with swimming, wading, kayaking and rafting in contaminated lakes and rivers. “As such, it is a recreational hazard for campers or those who participate in outdoor sports. The risk is likely greater for those who participate in these activities in tropical or temperate climates. “Contact with urine, water, food contaminated or other body fluids can also cause the ailment,” the medic explained. However, the bacteria can enter the body through the skin or mucous membranes (eyes, nose or mouth), especially

if the skin is broken from a cut or scratch. Drinking contaminated water can also cause infection,” he added. Signs and symptoms of leptospirosis, he said, include high fever, headache, chills, muscle aches, vomiting, jaundice (yellow skin and eyes), red eyes, abdominal pain, diarrhoea and rashes. About the treatment, Dr Arinola said, “It is treated with antibiotics, such as doxycycline or penicillin, which should be given early in the course of the disease. Intravenous antibiotics may be required for persons with more severe symptoms. Persons with symptoms suggestive of leptospirosis should contact a health care provider.” He explained that the risk of contracting the ailment can be greatly reduced by not swimming or wading in water that might be contaminated with animal urine, or eliminating contact with potentially infected animals. “Avoid areas of stagnant water, especially in tropical climates. If you are exposed to a high risk area, taking doxycycline or amoxicillin may decrease your risk of developing this disease. Protective clothing or footwear should be worn by those exposed to contaminated water or soil because of their job or recreational activities,” the medic emphasised.

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EDIFYING GOD

–Bishop David Oyedepo

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2015

How to inherit God’s Kingdom, by Pastor Muoka 16

QUOTE

Forgive me of my sins. Cleanse me with Your precious Blood. Deliver me from sin and Satan to serve the Living God. Today, I accept You as my Lord and Saviour. Thank You Jesus for saving me! Now I know I am born again!”

What barrenness means, says Oloruntimilehin 17

The reality of the birth of Jesus 32

Significance of Christmas

14 & 15

Cover

he term Christmas, gotten from the Old English word Cristesmæsse, meaning Christ’s Mass is an annual festival commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ, observed most commonly on December 25 as a religious and cultural celebration among billions of people around the world.

Christmas is a feast central to the Christian liturgical year, it is prepared for by the season of Advent or the Nativity Fast and initiates the season of Christmastide, which historically in the West lasts twelve days and culminates on the Twelfth Night. Christmas is an integral part of the holiday season in many of the world’s nations and it is celebrated culturally by a large number of non-Christians. According to Wikipedia accounts, the month and date of Jesus’ birth were said to be unknown, until the early to mid 4th century when the Western Christian Church placed Christmas on December 25, a date later adopted in the East, although some churches celebrate on the December 25 of the older Julian calendar, which, in the Gregorian calendar, currently corresponds to January 7, the day after the Western Christian Church celebrates the Epiphany. Though some people doubt the choice of December as the month to celebrate Jesus Christ’s birthday, the date of Christmas may have initially been chosen to correspond with the day exactly nine months after the day on which early Christians believed that Jesus was conceived, or with one or more ancient polytheistic festivals that occurred near southern solstice (i.e., the Roman winter solstice); a further solar connection has been suggested because of a biblical verse identifying Jesus as the Sun of righteousness. The celebratory customs associated in various countries with Christmas have a mix of pre-Christian, Christian, and secular themes and origins. Popular modern customs of the holiday include gift giving, completing an Advent calendar or Advent wreath, Christmas music and caroling, lighting a Chris-tingle, an exchange of Christmas cards, church services, preparing special meals, and the display of various Christmas decorations, including Christmas trees, Christmas lights, nativity scenes, garlands, wreaths, mistletoe, and holly. In addition, several closely related and often interchangeable figures, known as Santa Claus, Father Christmas, Saint Nicholas, and Christ-kind, are associated with bringing gifts to children during the Christmas season and have their own body of traditions and lore. Due to the gift-giving and many other aspects of Christmas, the festival involves heightened economic activity; and the holiday has remained a significant event and a key sales period for retailers and businesses. The economic impact of Christmas is a factor that has grown steadily over the past few centuries in many regions of the world. According to Professor Kunle Macaulay, Director of Studies, United Bible University, Ojodu, Lagos, there is nothing like Christmas since there is no record of the date or time of Jesus Christ’s birth in the Bible as December 25 as people claim.

Sunday, December 20, 2015

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Significance

Members in the church

There are a lot of controversial opinions regarding whether or not Christmas is a Christian holiday or a pagan festival that should be rejected by Christians and ignored by enlightened citizens of the modern world? Some also want to know if the feast is a set of nice stories and traditions about love and giving that are worthy of being emphasized once a year, or just an aggressive business strategy to get millions of people to buy and give a lot of goods? ODINAKA URUAKPA speaks to clerics to get an answer to these lingering questions over Christmas. “For many people, Christmas is a celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. If that is true which it is not, we need to find out when Jesus Christ was born. It is stated that He (Jesus) was born on December 25. How do we know that Jesus was born on December 25? Who told this story? Where is the record of His birth? All these are things we need to find out. For me, Jesus was not born on December 25; as far as I am concerned, there is nothing like Christmas. That notwithstanding, I don’t want to discourage anybody if they want to celebrate the birth or presence of Jesus Christ. If they want to thank God for giving us Jesus Christ, there is nothing wrong with that. But, I need to say it that there is no record of the date or time of Jesus’ birth in the Bible. If you look at it from that angle, you will find out that the feast celebrated on December 25 is somehow difficult to reckon with. Like I said earlier, there is nothing like Christmas; Jesus was not born on December 25 and as such, He did not celebrate His birthday when He was on earth, and He never asked His disciples to celebrate His birthday. When you look at biblical record, only Herod and Pharaoh celebrated their birthday. Though I don’t see why we should celebrate, but there is nothing wrong in

For many people, Christmas is a celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. If that is true which it is not, we need to find out when Jesus Christ was born. It is stated that He (Jesus) was born on December 25. people who love Jesus Christ and who want to show by celebrating His birth”, he explained. On Christians coming together at some point and agreeing to celebrate Jesus Christ on December 25, Macaulay said: “people celebrate something they call founder’s day. You can fix any date and say it is in remembrance of the founder of a particular organization; we can celebrate the person’s life by fixing a date, contribute money, rejoice and come to thank God. It is okay when two or three people gather to say let us celebrate. But it is wrong; when you impose it on all and make people believe that Jesus was born on December 25. Moreover that period is even a wrong time for the feast. December is normally a rainy month, meaning that shepherds can’t be outside then, especially at night. We are told in the Bible that

when Jesus was born, the shepherds were in the field. If you go to Europe, Asia and the rest, December is always a season of rain so shepherds couldn’t have been outside by that time; that is one point. Another point is that people believe that Christmas originated from the Roman Catholic Church. The Roman Catholic didn’t invent Christmas; they only accepted it and encouraged the celebration. Christmas, as it is, started as a pagan celebration. When asked if he was in support of those Christians who don’t celebrate Christmas, Macaulay said: “I am not supporting any denomination, but the fact remains that December 25 was not the birthday of Jesus. December 25 was the birthday of Nimrod, the son of Noah and grandson of Ham. I always tell people that if they want to study the Bible, they have to study it historically, to know how

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Cover

of Christmas things happened, when they happened and where they happened. Just like I said earlier, I don’t discourage people. If they want to dance because of Jesus, let them dance; it is positive. What I would advise Christians is that they should stop buying and selling in the name of Christmas because when they do this, it is no more something that has to do with Jesus Christ, but a money-making venture, where people are enticed to spend money. There are some people; businessmen I call them, especially church leaders who encourage such as they turn it into a festivity that would make them go to the bank with a lot of money and ironically, at the same time make some people very broke at the end of the celebration.” Pastor Jude Anyaemele of Praise Pentecostal Mission, Apapa criticised the reckless way people celebrate the commemoration of the birth of Jesus Christ, urging Christians to concern themselves with the facts surrounding the birth of the saviour of the world, as well as become more appreciative and reverent in celebrating Christmas. “People celebrate this memorable day in various ways, depending upon their own concept of the significance of the day. We have to admit that many celebrate the day in a manner that is foreign and even contradictory to the spirit of Christmas. It is becoming increasingly horrifying to any person who does any thinking at all that we are commercializing and paganizing the great Holy Day and have changed it to a holiday. It is appalling what happens immediately after so many frivolous celebrations; the day after Christmas you discover the number of drunkards and those who were hauled to court because the occasion was to them a period for dissipation and indulgence. I want us to meditate upon the Christmas spirit and the significance of the day. Were we to reflect seriously upon the underlying purpose of Christmas, we would be awed to know that it involves some tremendous facts of world shaking significance. Let us concern ourselves with the facts surrounding the birth of the Saviour so that we might be-

come more appreciative and reverent in our celebration”, he admonished. Reverting to the Bible for the proper approach to a right understanding of the significance of Christmas, Anyaemele said: “We find this statement in the letter of Saint. Paul to the Galatians 4: 4-6 with which the Epistle for this day (Christmas) begins, ‘When the fullness of time was come, God sent forth His Son, made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them that were under the law that we might receive the adoption of sons.’ When we analyze this statement, we discover that it sets forth three basic truths dealing with this most significant subject, namely; incarnation, redemption, adoption. Taking them in their respective order, we have first of all the birth of the Saviour from the Blessed Virgin Mary, which is called the incarnation, that is, Jesus taking upon Him the form of a human. This is one of the most staggering mysteries of all time; Jesus, the Son of God, assuming human form and nature. When the fullness of time was come, God sent His Son, made of a woman. Is not that a poser for all of us to reflect upon? Have you ever actually tried to think how great, deep and immeasurable God’s love must have been, to consent to dwell in human flesh? God, in time past, before the coming of Christ, revealed Himself to holy men by inspiring their thoughts to record something of this greatness. Righteousness, mercy, justice and redemption were some of the beautiful attributes of God. Some of the prophets had a fore-gleam of the birth of Jesus Christ. Micah, the Prophet, predicted the place, Bethlehem. Isaiah predicted that a virgin would be the recipient of the high honour, bearing this wonderful child. Inspired men throughout history had fore-gleams of some great revelations of God relative to His advent to humanity in a way we would understand, a way which we could not misunderstand. So, when the fullness of time was come, when God’s clock struck the hour, He (Jesus) reached down to man, by being born as the rest of us, having human nature and flesh. As Saint John the Divine aptly put

Sunday, December 20, 2015

Though it is true that Christmas is celebrated as the day of the birth of

Christ into this world, yet it also

symbolises a very deeply significant

truth of the spiritual life.

Jesus Christ is the very personification of divinity.

it, and the Word became flesh and dwelt among us and we saw His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.” For Pastor Afolarin Adebola of Freedom Christian Miracle Assembly, Lagos, though Christmas is celebrated to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ into the world, it also symbolises a deep significant truth of the spiritual life of Christians. “Though it is true that Christmas is celebrated as the day of the birth of Christ into this world, yet it also symbolises a very deeply significant truth of the spiritual life. Jesus Christ is the very personification of divinity. He was born at a time when ignorance, superstition, greed, hatred and hypocrisy prevailed upon the land. Purity was forgotten and morality was neglected. In the midst of these conditions, Christ was born and He worked a transformation in the lives of people. He gave a new and a spiritual turn to the lives of man. There came a change upon the land. People started upon a new way of life. Thus a new era dawned for the world. At a point, people had no thought of God or higher spiritual life. Man lived a life of lust, anger, greed, deluded attachment, pride and jealousy. For man to enter into a new life of spiritual aspiration, purity and devotion, then the Christ-spirit must take its

birth within his heart. That is the real Christmas when the divine element begins to express itself in the heart of the man. From then onward, light begins to shine where darkness was before. On the significance attached to Christmas, Adebola said, “Christmas is the time and the manner of the birth of the Lord upon the world. Jesus Christ was not born in a grand palace. He was not born to very wealthy or learned parents. Jesus Christ was born in a simple lowly place, a corner of a stable. He was born to humble and poor parents, who had nothing to boast about, except their own spotless character and holiness. This signifies that the spiritual awakening comes to the seeker, who is perfectly humble, meek and poor in spirit. The quality of true humility is one of the indispensable fundamentals Christians are expected to exhibit. Christians should celebrate the birth and presence of Christ in their lives every day through simplicity, holiness and the renunciation of all desire for worldly wealth and pride of learning. Christ was born unknown to the world and in the obscurity of darkness; even so, the advent of the Christ-spirit takes place in the inwardness of man when there is total self-effacement and selfabnegation, which is the significance of the presence of God in us as He sends His son into our live at this period.”

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From the

Pulpit Sunday, December 20, 2015

How to inherit God’s Kingdom, by Pastor Muoka General Overseer of the Lord’s Chosen Charismatic Revival Ministry, Pastor Lazarus Muoka, in this piece, explains requirements for inheriting the kingdom of God. Excerpts:

any people in this world want to have a good life after death without making effort to know what it will cost them to inherit the Kingdom of God. Many are not willing to bear the cross in this present life, in order to obtain a crown in the future. Some of them think that heaven could be gained by performing some meritorious act. But this is far from it as could be explained by the Scripture below.

Mark 10:17-27 says, “And when he was gone forth into the way there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, good master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life? And Jesus said unto him, why callest thou me good? There is none Good but one, that is God; Thou knowest the commandments, do not commit adultery, do not kill, do not steal, do not bear false witness, defraud not, honour thy father and mother. And he answered and said unto him, master, all these have I observed from my youth. Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, one thing thou lackest; go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven, and come, take up the cross, and follow me; and he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved; for he had great possessions. The above verses present a picture of a man trying to justify his self righteousness. He believes the certainty of a life after death. Though he lacked nothing in this world, he was a ruler and a rich man but needed to know what his fate would be in the world to come after his death. A happy life after death was his aspiration, as he thought it could be gotten by self righteousness, thus he asked, what he shall do that he may be happy for ever. Many people today are asking same question. Some have concluded what they believed should be done, like the young rich ruler who after hearing about the kingdom of heaven preached by Jesus, considered that he was qualified to inherit this Kingdom because he observed all religious doctrines. Little did he know that the Kingdom of Heaven is a prepared place for prepared people. Taking the above argument into consideration, it is therefore very necessary that we should take time to explain what it entails to enter the kingdom of heaven. What motivated the rich young ruler? Before we proceed, it is necessary to analyse what was the motivating factors that caused this rich young ruler to ask this question. The first factor was his conviction that he was living a righteous life and hence should merit the kingdom of heaven. The second factor was because from the teaching of Jesus, he discovered that those that are qualified to inherit eternal life must be childlike, and for him his manner of generos-

ity was childlike, hence, he came to the conclusion that he was qualified for this eternal life. This thought motivated him to seek confirmation from Jesus on what would be his fate in the world to come taking into consideration his acclaimed righteous life. In this same manner, many people who have heard the truth about heaven and hell fire are asking what they shall do to escape hell fire and be in heaven at last. Many may have concluded that they are qualified. May be because they have not committed fornication, adultery or have not stolen anything, therefore they assumed, they are qualified. That position amounted to self righteousness. All such people should give heed to the response of our Lord to the rich young ruler. The response of the Lord From the text we read, it is evidently clear that the response of our Lord Jesus Christ was shocking to the young ruler. Jesus Christ explained that the observation of the commandment of God is not a sufficient pre-requisite to inherit the kingdom of God. The young ruler in his effort to demonstrate and convince Jesus Christ that he is a good man called Jesus a good master which our Lord Jesus took to be a show of outward righteousness that is not enough to take one to heaven. But when it came to the rudimentary requirement that would qualify the righteous for heaven, he was found wanting. The truth is that the ignorance of the spiritual nature of the divine law makes people think they are in a better condition than they really are. The Lord told the rich young ruler what remained in his qualification to eternal life was to sell all he had and pick up his cross and follow Him. By this he would make obvious his willingness to place his desire for heaven above other matters. But on hearing the divine counseling, the young ruler became disappointed. He could not understand why he should dispose everything he had and follow Jesus. That was a hard saying which made him walked away in frustration. Today, many self righteous people would end up disappointed. Many who are optimistic to make heaven because of how they are devoted in observing the 10

commandments or religious dogmas would be disappointed on the last day. The purpose of grace and our response Zech. 4:6b says, “Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of Hosts”. These scriptures have clearly stated that it is not by any form of human effort that man can make heaven. Heaven is not by your righteousness or power to inherit it. It is only by the grace of God in Christ which is the undeserved acceptance and love received from God. Making it in heaven at last is only through His grace which manifests itself in the redemptive work of Christ by which sinners are forgiven and accepted by God. Without grace, there won’t be anything like salvation because it is grace that calls one into salvation, reveals Christ, gives the faith which is the condition of salvation and equips one for service in the Christian life, for no one goes to the Father except through Him. Jesus Christ is the embodiment of grace. The appreciation of grace is the appreciation of Christ. In this era, no one can experience the power in the grace without believing in the redemption work of Christ. The book of Titus 2:11 says; “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation, hath appeared to all men” and also John 1:14 says, “And the word was made flesh and, dwelth among us, and we beheld His glory, the Glory as of the only begotten of the father full of grace and truth? If you are not in Christ and Christ is not in you, forget about eternal life. Religious observation cannot help you. Paying tithes in the church or working in the house of God can never qualify you for heaven. All those strict life disciplines of trying to live a life of self righteousness cannot help you. Making it into heaven at last is only by the grace of God through our Lord Jesus Christ. It is not by our power or might as stated by Prophet Zechariah but by His spirit. The scripture has made it known to us that our righteousness is like a filthy rag before the Lord. (Isaiah 64:6). If our righteousness has been described as rotten and good for nothing, why then should we anchor our faith on self righteousness? It is therefore very obvious that nobody who relies on self righteousness can make heaven at last. It is only the righteousness that God inputs in us as genuinely born-again Christians that can qualify us for heaven. In Matthew 5:20 says, “For I say unto you, that except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven”. The righteousPastor Muoka n e s s

that Jesus requires in His kingdom is purity, chastity, honesty, temperance, the fear of God, and the love of man. It is pure, eternal, teaching the motives, and making the life holy. The righteousness of true Christians is seated in the heart and is anchored on the finished work of grace on the cross of Calvary. In John 19:30 says, “When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, He said, it has been finished: and he bowed His head, and gave up the ghost”. It is finished means that the sacrifice for sin has been done once and forever. The debt of sin has been paid. And no other sacrifice is required by God for our sin and none would supersede the sacrifice of His only begotten son Jesus Christ. In Hebrew 10:4 says, “For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins”. If you kill a goat so that you will go to heaven, you will never go to heaven. If you kill your mother so that you will go to heaven, you will not go to heaven. If you kill yourself so that you will go to heaven, you will not go to heaven. If you give all your money to the church so that you will go to heaven, you will not go to heaven. The only thing that qualifies you for heaven is the blood of Jesus Christ that was shed on the cross at Calvary. For it is written that almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood, there is no remission of sin. Christ paid the price of sin just once with His blood. Anything you do without reference to this blood must fail. So, everything must be done through Jesus Christ. If you are in the church and have not accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and personal Saviour, you will not make heaven. Righteousness without Christ is in vain. If you are in the Church and are stealing, telling lies or you have divorced your wife or husband and have gone into second marriage, you will not make heaven. If you drink alcohol or are working in the brewery where it is produced, you will not make it. If you belong to cult whether secret or open, you will not make heaven. The Bible says that the unrighteous shall not inherit the Kingdom of God. Do not fool yourself, because those that indulge in sexual sins, idolatry, 419, rituals, etc, will have no share in the Kingdom of God. Finger rosary, scapular, wearing of crosses or white garment cannot help you to make heaven. Peter, Paul, Christopher or any other human being dead or alive cannot help you to heaven. The only way is Jesus Christ. He is the way, the truth, and the life, none cometh to the father but by Him. There is only one mediator between man and God, the man Jesus Christ; that is the decisive statement of the Holy Bible in 1st Tim. 2:5. John 1:12 says, “But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name”. So, are you looking forward to eternal life – the kingdom of God, accept Jesus as your Lord and Saviour, so that it shall be well with you now and forever.

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From the Pulpit

Sunday, December 20, 2015

What barrenness means, says Oloruntimilehin

General Overseer of Omnipotence Mission of God, Prophet Joshua Daramola Oloruntimilehin, in this admonition, teaches on the meaning of barrenness. Excerpts:

eople are viewing barrenness from one perspective and believe it is only concerned with child bearing. A woman that could not bear children is regarded and called a barren woman. What is barrenness? Barrenness is concerned with a person that lacks a lot of things, not successful in life and crying everyday. In a nutshell barrenness means fruitlessness. It is a kind of affliction. A business, marriage, career and ministry that is without fruit is barren. Some people are crying that they are not bearing children while some are crying that they could not sell the children they have. These two categories are barren.

The two are experiencing the same pains and agony. Some people are so rich and wealthy but lack peace of mind and good health. Meanwhile some people are healthy and strong but they are thinking of what to eat for the day. They are sorrowful and depressed so they are barren. In fact barrenness causes the kind of pains and sorrow, that no food, drink or consolation can remove I Samuel 1:6-10 “And her adversary also provoked her sore, for to make her fret, because the LORD had shut up her womb. And as he did so year by year, when she went up to the house of the LORD, so she provoked her; therefore she wept, and did not eat. Then said Elkanah her husband to her, Hannah, why weepest thou? And why eatest thou not? And why is thy heart grieved? Am not I better to thee than ten sons? So Hannah rose up after

Idol worship background with

Dr. Chima Emmanuel

Okereke

nd God spoke all these words saying, “I am the Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the Land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above or that is in the earth beneath or that is in the water under the earth: Thou shall not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me” (Exodus 20:1-5).

The above scriptures give a clear picture of what happens to anyone whose fore-fathers worshipped idols; “visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me”. If your forefathers or parents worshipped idols, what will the future hold for you? – constant evil attacks which you may liken to natural occurrences. Sometimes, as they are happening as arranged in a particular form or within a particular period, you might call them coincidence. The spirit worshipped by one’s ancestors or parents will automatically demand worship also from the individual or group of persons. If the reverse is the case-that such people are not worshipping them and at the same time, are not serving God in spirit and in truth, the evil spirit worshipped by their

they had eaten in Shiloh, and after they had drunk. Now Eli the priest sat upon a seat by a post of the temple of the LORD. And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the LORD, and wept sore”. It is only God that can remove the pains and sorrow of bareness because He can make the barren to be fruitful in no time. A lady or man that supposed to have been married but no husband or wife, a lady or man that men and ladies are willing to marry but do not have what it takes to go into wedlock, they are all barren. Therefore, barrenness is not only concerned with child bearing but with the lack of good things of life. In fact nonchildbearing is the least among the categories of barrenness. A Yoruba adage says ‘a mother that her children fail to take care has lost child-bearing’. But a woman that has no child, it is the child that

would bury her. The adage finally says the person that the children buries is the one that bears children. It is pertinent to share with you a true story of a woman that died recently. This woman was the senior wife of her husband and had no child. In her lifetime, she was marrying other wives for her husband. She was so compassionate and loving that the upbringing of the children of other wives became her concern. She saw to it that her husband took care and educated all the children. They were under her care, so when she died at a very old age, all the children came from abroad and within to honour the woman with special befitting burial that some could not honour their biological mother. In fact the burial became the talk of the town because the children were great and marvelous in honouring the woman. They built a place for the woman’s final resting place. Therefore, a person that is buried by children bears children. Brethren, barrenness in a person is the lack of what he or she desires. A mother that is 80yrs old have not started enjoying the fruit of her labour on her children is barren. Parents need to tell their children to take care of them when they are alive than to organize an elaborate burial ceremony for their parProphet Oloruntimilehin ents. The impli-

cation is that parents are cursing the children. The Bible says in Ephesians 6:1-3 “children, obey your parent in the Lord, for this is right, honour your father and mother which is the first commandment with a promise. That it may be well with you and you may live long on earth” People that failed to take care of their parents faces the consequence after an elaborate burial ceremony. Parents that their children refuse to take care or cater for are barren. I fervently pray that the barrenness in everbody’s life shall vanish in the name of Jesus. I have classified type of barrenness but what is essential is to be aware and identify the barrenness in your life; whatever type of barrenness anybody is experiencing, I pray heaven will set you free in Jesus name. The Bible says in Judge 13:3-5 “The angel of the Lord appeared to her and said you are sterile and childless, but you are going to conceive and have a son, now see to it that you drink, no wine or other fermented drink and that you do not eat anything unclean”. The above passage implies that people who want their barrenness to vanish or do not want to encounter any type or level of barrenness should ensure a good relationship with their parents, then keep to the laws of God and the church. People should do the right thing in the environment they have find themselves. Finally, do not let all the glorious door that will be opened to be closed again. •For further enquiries call: 08023020108, 08058110288, 08023991354. www.facebook.com/pastoroloruntimilehin.

Idol worship background parents will be pursing them for disobedience while God will be visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon such persons. As long as you refuse to worship the Lord in reality and not as a religious ceremony, you are regarded as one that hates him, therefore falling into the category of those that hate him. The sixth verse of the scriptures above says that mercy is shown to thousands that love God and keep His commandments, even though their parents or forefathers worshipped idols. The word “mercy” here signifies pardon with an executive authority, irrespective of the fact that such individual had been found guilty by reason of blood patterns. The life of man is in the blood. So when your forefathers were condemned, thereby having a death sentence in their blood for polluting it with food scarified to idols and all kinds of incisions in their blood; being completely entangled into satanic activities. The blood passes on with the same condemnation from parents to children, mainly from the fathers, because the life of the baby is given by God through the father of the baby. This is why every evil spirit that had access to the father’s blood also has access to the son’s or daughter’s blood. The evil spirits recognize the people through their blood to launch any attack. Satan goes for the blood of a man because that is where life is bestowed. This is the reason Jesus died on the cross, shedding His own blood for us. It is only the blood that can rescue blood. When Moses went into Egypt to deliver the people of God from the house of bondage, the satanic symbol of Pharaoh’s empowerment came from the spirit of the serpent, whose main duty was to deny the children of God every good

thing given to them by God and cause them to suffer. Remember the Garden of Eden. So if God should destroy the serpent that can destroy serpent. Jesus Christ has seen that men have been condemned to death by the pollution of the blood. He came and shed His own strong and righteous blood, the heavenly blood; all other condemned blood would come back to life again. Remember that before Jesus came, the blood of goats, sheep and ram that is animals were being used for atonement. This signifies that instead of the blood of men, condemned to death facing the penalty, animals, which are of less value, die in their place. Glory be to God who sent Jesus Christ to come and pay the price from the foundation of the world to the end thereof. The good news is that Jesus has delivered you from death, so if your blood is alive, you are automatically alive. Once the heart stops pumping blood to other parts of the body, the whole systems collapses and the person dies. But I want to let you know that every idol power that is designed to fight your blood has been destroyed in Jesus name! The worship of idols by African forefather made God to allow the whites to come and buy their children in the slave trade era. During this period the slaves were chained together; some of them fell sick and died before they got to their destination; some were thrown into the sea to be eaten by sharks; their masters raped them to any level they wanted; the slaves had no free body movement. They were called black monkeys. It was terrible. The people that were selling their children for a token, were out of their senses, they lacked exposure and were being controlled by evil spirits. The Lord allowed all these. Nonetheless, the while need to give special compensation to the blacks. Thank God some of them are assisting them in some areas.

We thank God for our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ who came and delivered all of us from death, our white brothers and sisters inclusive. Their fore-fathers did all that in ignorance. The Bible says, “And now, brethren, I wot that through ignorance ye did it, as did also your rulers” (Acts 3:17). Ignorance contributed greatly to man buying his fellow human being to become his slave, with all kinds of inhuman treatment. We thank God for everything. Therefore, if you have this wonderful opportunity given to you by Jesus Christ, the only Saviour of the world, yet you find yourself patronizing herbalist or native doctors and worshiping evil spirits, you are not the only one in trouble but also future generations of your lineage. This is why people should rise up and refuse to allow anyone put them into eternal bondage because life has no duplicate. I decree that every evil arrangement of the wicked to manipulate anyone of you be destroyed in the mighty name of Jesus! It is written that no weapon formed against thee, child of God shall prosper and any tongue, no matter whose tongue, that rises up against you in judgment, the Bible says you shall condemn. No one shall help you to condemn that tongue but you alone shall condemn it. So wake up, child of God and posses your possession, for greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world. Remember, the Lord is your shepherd you shall not want. Email: info@globalsucessministries.org; Website: www.globalsuccessminitries.org; Address: Plot 34, Global Success Street, Alao Bus Stop, Amuwo-Odofin, Lagos, Nigeria. Mobile Number: 08033599027, 08168858635, 08101597149; Watch us live on SuccessTv on your MYTV Decoder or on www.globalsuccessministries.org

December 20, 2015

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

A PUBLICATION OF GLOBAL MEDIA MIRROR LTD BARRISTER JIMOH IBRAHIM, CFR

PUBLISHER

All the Facts, All the Sides

SUNDAY OLAJIDE BEN MEMULETIWON GBEMI OLUJOBI AYO OLESIN OBIORA IFOH DOZIE OKEBALAMA

MANAGING DIRECTOR/CEO ACTING DAILY EDITOR SATURDAY EDITOR SUNDAY EDITOR AG ABUJA BUREAU CHIEF COORDINATOR, EDITORIAL BOARD

CALLISTUS OKE

EDITORIAL PAGE EDITOR

AUGUSTUS IMEKAN

ACTING HEAD, GRAPHICS

Time to resolve the oil subsidy conundrum

ast Monday, the Federal Government revealed its future macroeconomic policy thrust for the country. Some of its fundamentals include fuel subsidy removal, increase in the pump price of premium motor spirit (petrol), drastic reduction in personnel cost, and strict monitoring of the expenditures of all ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) to cut down wastes. The new economic outlook was unveiled when its team that included the Ministers for Budget and National Planning, Udoma Udo Udoma; Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun and State for Petroleum Resource, Ibe Kachikwu, appeared before the joint committees on finance of the National Assembly (NASS) to defend the 2016, 2017 and 2018 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP) presented to the legislature by President Muhammadu Buhari. On paper, the economic package looks promising. It is dictated by current realities. If faithfully implemented, it could address some of the nation’s systemic issues that have hobbled and retarded it for many decades. However, nobody should live under illusion that the package will come without pains. The authors have admitted “it is going to be tighter for everybody” in the months ahead. Nigerians should, therefore, brace up for what lies ahead, believing that their leaders would be diligent and faithful in package’s implementation. The most disconcerting disclosure is that oil subsidy will still consume over N1 trillion this year. Political exigency has had to force President Buhari to approach NASS for approval of N413 billion supplementary budget to pay domestic oil marketers that have been bridging the gap between the nation’s domestic supply and demand through importation. The payment is seen as the key to ending the crippling fuel scarcity currently being faced by Nigerians and business nationwide. Independent petroleum marketers have had to withhold fuel supply to create artificial scarcity in the past as ploy for sustaining the subsidy regime. The prospect of ending the fuel subsidy regime excites this newspaper because of the huge damage it has done to the national psyche. Subjected to critical cost-benefit analysis, fuel subsidy scheme has not achieved its objectives. The scheme is perceived to have only helped in creating rent-seeking oppor-

ONE OTHER COMPELLING REASON FOR THE WIDESPREAD SUPPORT FOR SUBSIDY REMOVAL IS CONTINUING CRASH IN THE SPOT MARKET PRICES OF CRUDE OIL AND THE DISEQUILIBRIUM IT HAS CREATED IN THE NATION’S ECONOMY tunities for privileged Nigerians. Many have become emergency billionaires. It is against this backdrop that a groundswell of pro subsidy removal opinion has crystallised in recent times. Popular imagination is that the scheme has undermined the repairs and privatisation of existing oil refineries, while obstructing the construction of new ones. In 2005, former President Olusegun Obasanjo licensed 18 private refineries, but only one of them operated by Niger Delta Petroleum Resources (NDPR) has come on stream as at date. President Buhari has equally licensed scores of modular refineries since assuming office. They will end up a pipe dream unless oil subsidy is removed. One other compelling reason for the widespread support for subsidy removal is continuing crash in the spot market prices of crude oil and the disequilibrium it has created in the nation’s economy. Since 2014, prices of crude oil have been on the downward spiral in the international spot market, hitting a sevenyear low with global reference crude, West Texas Intermediate and Brent trading at $34.7 and $36.7 per barrel respectively. There is now palpable anxiety at

government circles; Nigeria’s $38 per barrel benchmark for the 2016 budget has become unrealistic. Many have said it loud and clear that subsidy is Nigeria’s only hope. Recently, the International Institute for Petroleum, Energy Law and Policy (IIPELP), a think-tank that provides institutional and structural support to the energy sector in Africa, warned that the country could go bankrupt if it gets stuck with the scheme. The Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), and the Emir of Kano, an erstwhile CBN governor among others, have called on the FG to jettison it without delay to save Nigeria. The World Bank’s lead economist, John Litwack, has told the Buhari administration that the current crash in the prices of crude oil provides the most auspicious time to scrap fuel subsidy. His argument is that doing so now would not push retail pump price beyond an average of N100 per litre, or generate the kind of pressure that would negatively impact on the people beyond what they are currently facing. It is very glaring that oil subsidy has exerted enormous pressures on the nation’s resources and compromised government’s monetary policies. Reports show that Nigeria has spent about N8 trillion between 2011 and 2015 to service the scheme. The social opportunity cost of this is high – the money could have been used to provide healthcare services, security, employment creation, development of infrastructure and boosting power generation. We unequivocally support subsidy removal as it would encourage competition in the downstream sector of the oil and gas industry, reduce inefficiencies in the petroleum product value chain, discourage wasteful consumption, eliminate cross-border smuggling, and reduce product shortages and adulteration of lower subsidised fuels with higher ones. There is no doubt the implementation will come with a huge socio-political cost. The opposition could use it to stir up trouble for the administration, and the civil society organisations might force a showdown with it. However, there is nothing in all this that the FG’s sincerity of purpose and equitable sharing of the pains of the removal could not mediate.

Reminiscences DECEMBER 20 IN HISTORY 1989: President Bush moves to Oust Noriega President George Bush launches Operation Just Cause and has sent U.S. forces into the Central American country of Panama in a bid to oust dictator Manuel Noriega. 1900: Turkey leader wants women secluded Abdul Homid, leader of Turkey, would have liked to see women in his country secluded, but they were getting less so. Turkish women were often more educated than the men and the best Turkish newspaper was edited by females, some of who are authors. 1929: Switzerland relocates banking headquarters A large Swiss palace, built in 1783 along the Louis XVI style, was to become the new quarters of the Bank of International Settlements. 1933: Greece outlaws Chicago businessman Chicago business mogul, Samuel Insull, was no longer welcome in Greece after January 31. Insull was a fugitive from U.S. justice, wanted on charges of embezzlement and his passport had been cancelled by Washington. 1945: Nazi doctors, soldiers charged with torture At Nuremburg, Nazi doctors and soldiers were charged with cruel and bizarre torture of concentration camp prisoners. Experiments such as shooting poison bullets through the prisoners’ legs and oxygen deprivation of prisoners were only a few of the atrocities that were committed. 1957: Elvis Presley drafted into U.S. army Elvis Presley receives his draft notice for the United States Army on December. 1963: Berlin Wall opened for one day passes The Berlin Wall is opened for the first time to West Berliners, who were allowed oneday visits to relatives in East Berlin for the holidays. 1973: Terrorists kill Spain’s Prime Minister Spanish Prime Minister, Admiral Luis Carrero Blanco, is killed in a terrorist car bomb attack in Madrid. The bomb was believed to have been planted by Basque nationalists.

PASSION

A Lifestyle Magazine

Sunday, December 20, 2015

APPLAUSE

‘We can stop posting corps members to the North’

>>21

I never dreamt of becoming beauty queen –Stephanie Korie >>20

>>20

25 19

Passion

Sunday, December 20, 2015

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I never dreamt of becoming beauty queen –Stephanie Korie Stephanie Korie is Miss Imo State. This final year Computer Science student of Abia State Polytechnic is the third of four children of her parents. In this interview with ADAEZE AMOS, this great beauty says she never thought she would be a beauty queen someday. How was growing up? And did it ever occur to you that you would be a beauty queen someday? While growing up, I always loved to watch pageants. Usually I mimicked the contestants with my friends. We would pose and choose our countries or states and then catwalk. But I never knew I would be a beauty queen someday. Thanks be to God for that. I was fulfilled, very happy and I even cried when I was crowned. Tears of joy, I suppose. Relive what happened on the night of pageant. How many were you? We were 27 girls representing the 27 local government areas of Imo State. In my camp, we were taught some etiquette, catwalk and more. Each night different tasks were given to us and we dare not misbehave. It was a real camp. On the final, we did our introduction, choreography, bikini exhibition, traditional exhibition and then dinner gown. There was a time for questions and answers and then the winner was crowned. Yes, I was crowned (laughs). What gave you an edge over the 26 other contenders? I think my aura of beauty and the ability to tolerate and be dedicated to the contests. I was also very accom-

the

modating towards every one there. In fact, there were lots of pretty girls that contested for the diamond-studded crown but God favoured me. Now that you are a beauty queen, what next? As a beauty queen, I’m not meant to be everywhere. I’m meant to dress as a queen. To always represent and be a role model to our young girls. What would you be busy with during your one year tenure? What is your pet project? My pet project is themed ‘Health for the aged’. I chose this because oftentimes when I go to my village and maybe my friends’ villages, I see really old people who are very weak and have no one or family to care or cater for them. My project aims at helping old people who have no one to care for them. Who is your role model? My role model is Oprah Winfrey; she is educated, principled and hardworking. She inspires people, is passionate about her job. She grew from a very poor home and because she didn’t want to end up in the streets, she worked very hard and today she is the most popular black woman in the world and also one of the richest. Who are those present and past beauty queens you admire? Agbani Darego

and Collette Nwadike. Why do you admire them? Because they have really achieved a lot for themselves and every beauty queen should be somebody people would look up to. Do you hope to be enrolled in bigger beauty pageants? Yes, I hope to be enrolled in bigger beauty pageants because they are platforms that help you achieve your goals in life. They tend to nurture and grow women of substance in the society. When your tenure is over, what would you like to be remembered for? I would like to be remembered for my humility, simplicity and my love for the old. What impact are you going to be making on the fashion world? I will always want to be seen as a fashion icon whose dresses are sexy and not trashy or worthless. What do you do right to retain your beauty and shape? I drink a lot of water and I do my sit-ups once in a while. Where do you think some beauty queens get it wrong? Some queens are just queens and nothing about them inspires people. I want to be able to inspire people.

Beauty queens are in the habit of dumping

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sunday, December 20, 2015

their boyfriends once they are crowned believing that levels have changed for them. Have you dumped yours? Friends and family are the reason we live and I don’t see any reason we should dump or leave them behind when things become rosy for us. Are you proud to be a woman in a maledominated society as ours? Of course, I’m proud to be a woman. The joy of carrying a child and nurturing it is worth being proud of. I mean women bring men into the world. I’m proud of that.

Applause

‘We can stop posting corps members to the North’

What lesson has life taught you as a queen? As a queen, I have learned that nothing is unimportant. What is your philosophy? My philosophy is never to look down on anyone; you never know what tomorrow brings. What’s your style? My style is simplicity and a touch of class. On the red carpets of glamourous events, how do you outshine others? I just love to smile. I feel my smile complements my outfit.

Adaeze Amos What is that item you wouldn’t mind spending a fortune on? lubunmi Stella, a graduate of Lagos State University (LASU), I think I can spend is a field officer of National Youth Service Corps, NYSC. Her all my money on hair job, she says, entails a lot. because the beauty of a “My job takes me around to places where corps members are woman is her hair. posted, under different employers to see how they are faring, whether they are serious with what they are assigned to do. I do check on What is that fashion them on a daily basis. Sometimes I go to their employers to find out blunder very common in their opinions about them. The reason is for them to put all their efforts in what they ought to be doing for the whole year that their our society? Most ladies don’t service would last,” she explained. Though she enjoys her job, this mother and wife did not rule out know what suits their body type the challenges she is confronted with. “The major challenge has to do with locating places they are postand colour. They just ed. My duty is to locate them wherever they are in order to oversee want to look what they are doing. At times, the corps members relocate without our knowledge and it is still my duty to find out where they are. That like others. is the major problem. You get at a place and they tell you that corps members posted there had been reassigned without my knowledge. I would now take the new address and start looking for the person. But all the same, I still enjoy my job. I’m happy with what I’m doing. You know corps members are intelligent people, they are graduates from different universities and higher institutions, different backgrounds, places, families and different cultures. So, what I like is the way and manner they interact with me. I’m usually happy being in their midst. They know I’m there for them and they interact with me well. They feel at home with me and that gives me joy,” she explained. About the corps members posted to the North, she has some words bearing in mind the insurgency which has been a problem in the country for some years now. “My advice to them is to restrict their movements to their environment, to wherever they are posted. When you start changing your posting, the intension of the service is defeated. You know what the NYSC is all about, to bring us all together. So, if you are posted to the North, remain there but listen to instructions from your state coordinator, restrict your movements, don’t leave the camp without permission, or go to places you don’t know and always be security conscious. The idea of posting northerners to the North and southerners to the South cannot happen in view of the aim and objective of NYSC. It was created after the civil war, so the aim is to bring everybody together and share love among ourselves,” Olubunmi said. How good is it that after spending several years in school, you are posted to a volatile area where your life is threatened? “No one is happy about that at all, that is why when they apply for relocation they are attended to without hesitation. But the truth is that they can’t stop posting corps members to the North because it is part of our country,” she said. Olubunmi mentioned a major issue the Federal Government needs to pay adequate attention right now. “I think the area of skills and acquisition needs more attention. We have what is called SAED

(Skill Acquisition Entrepreneur and Development). This has been on for about three years now. I would like government to pump in money there to encourage NYSC because SAED is mandatory now. This enables corps members to learn skills before the service year is over. This is needed because when a corps member finishes her service and couldn’t get a job, she wouldn’t have to depend on anyone to make a living. This is the area where I want government to help,” she eadvised. Advising NYSC members, she chose to speak mainly to the female ones. “It is the moral aspect of their lifestyles that I would love to talk about. I don’t like the idea of a lady, for instance, walking about looking for a man to get money from at all costs. You know what I mean when I said at all costs. That is not why she went to university. My advice to you (all female members) is that you should try and keep yourselves and pray to get to whatever level you want to in life. “The reason is that any blunder or mistake you commit now can affect you in life. Live your lives bearing moral in mind. If you think that service time is when to sleep around with moneybags you just got it wrong. I’m saying this because we have had cases of some ladies falling into the hands of men who are into rituals. So, ladies be careful and desist from doing things you would regret at last…a lifestyle that would ruin you in future. “It infuriates me when I hear some of the females discussing among themselves where they would like to be posted so that they would buy car and live big. My questions to any lady who has this mindset is, where do you think you want to get money to buy a car? If not hoping on rich men? Please desist from such a lifestyle,” she counselled. She stressed: “Even in orientation camps, watch how you behave. You shouldn’t be morally bankrupt. Maintain your integrity because integrity is everything. I say this because most of them in orientation camps are not married; so if you come into a camp and behave well, you may likely get your husband there. The male corps members too are watching, wanting to know who the wife materials are. Camps are good grounds for people to meet their spouses,” she said. She didn’t leave out parents of those whose wards are posted to the North. “Please such parents should try and bear with us. Why they were posted there is because we don’t want to separate this country. None of them is posted there to go and die. Remember that our brothers and sisters in the North are also part of us, so we can’t rule out the fact that no one should be posted there. So, our duty as parents is to talk to our children before going there to curtail their movements. That they should remain wherever they are asked to and they should always be vigilant. “The problem is that most of them feel that the time of service is for freedom, hence they go to places they are not supposed to. Advise them to go to work wherever they are assigned for their primary assignments and after work, they come back to their house. They shouldn’t move about unnecessarily. There is need for them to be disciplined and vigilant,” the NYSC supervisor emphasised.

Opinion

Sunday December 20, 2015

Uncensored

Sheriff Folarin

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

he “giant of Africa” sits comfortably at home, hosting West African heads of state to celebrate the forty years of ECOWAS, and imagining too, that it is indeed a giant whose stature is so overwhelming, that those tiny West African nations can only tremble and hold it in awe. Yes, they should; but most of those presidents that gathered in Abuja have in their prisons backyard, Nigerians in their thousands. The prisons along the West African coast are filled up with Nigerians, and this would have kept them wondering as they were being feted by their wealthy host, why there is so much at home but Nigerians choose to commit crimes abroad and be thrown into and forgotten in West African prisons. They would have wondered why the Nigerian government grandstands all the time but cannot even intervene in and stop the obnoxious trend of battery, intimidation and shortchanging of its citizens ‘nearby abroad’. Security agents in neighbouring West Africa prey and pounce on Nigerians most of the time, first because in actual fact, some Nigerians engage in criminal acts or flout the rules of their host nations and also because they know that their big African neighbour will not even hear the story of its people being victimized, or budge if it does eventually hear. Of a fact, there are more Nigerians in West African countries who are well to do and live,legitimately, ostentatiously. Nigerians are hardworking people and many of them are smarter in terms of business skills than their hosts. They make most of the money and like true Nigerians that they are, they buy

Safety Tips with

Jonas Agwu

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

know that Christ is the reason for this season but I also do know that during this season, there are demons that delight to steal, maim and kill through shedding more blood on the highway .Their operation through irresponsible and foolish driving daily reminds of a counsel given to me by Assistant Corps Marshal Oludare Fadogba, a colleague at the national Headquarters of the Federal Road Safety Corps Abuja some years ago. As head of media then, I was busy compiling road traffic crash deaths and injuries when he stumbled on me and solemnly cautioned me to pray and guard against becoming part of the data that would be announced by the Corps someday through reckless and irresponsible driving. His million dollar counsel has become my watch word as I have learnt to watch and pray by ensuring that I not only preach safe driving but that I also practice what I preach. In just six days, it would be Christmas. Another end of year. As usual the end of year fever and frenzy is on the air with the last minute rush that includes patching together coffins in the name of making last minute bucks. Incidentally, Christmas falls within the ember months season usually characterized by increasing human and vehicular traffic. The

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The ‘giant’ and its citizens in West African prisons and ride in the most exotic of cars, build or live in the most imposing houses, and patronize the hottest eateries and pubs. And they are willing to flaunt their Nigerian identity wherever they go, including their vehicle registration number, dress sense, traditional attires and the pidgin English that binds them together. Nigerians are easily identified- they must be either rich or loud. These attract attention from the envious hosts and indeed the security agents, who consider them as a cheap source of making money. In the process, crimes are easily traced to them. This however, does not discount the fact that some of them genuinely engage in sharp practices or violate the laws of the host, which make them easy preys for the police or gendarmes, who have set eyes on them for future apprehension. Some months ago, the Nigerian community in Togo cried out to Nigeria to intervene in their precarious and helpless situation. The head of the community had given a clear but unwholesome picture of how Togolese gendarmes go after them on the slightest provocation and even sometimes concoct fabrications against Nigerians, just to have the excuse to confiscate and covet their cars, houses, money and businesses. According to him, in no distant time do they see their cars already being driven in Togolese registration numbers and their houses being taken over, while the hardworking Nigerians languish in Togo prisons forever! I was curious about this situation and went to the Ministry of Justice in Lome. I met and got friendly with one senior officer (name withheld) who confirmed that there are so many Nigerians, mostly Igbo, in Togolese prisons. He alleged that most of the prisons are filled with my people, who had engaged in acts, chief of which were money laundering, drug peddling, advance fee fraud, and all those other ‘big men’s’ crimes. I gathered that they had been tried and sentenced to various terms, from 5 to 20 years. Sadly, I learnt that there had never been a time the Nigerian government made any representation or pull any string or compel the Togolese authorities to release the prisoners and extradite them to Nigeria for punitive measures. He told me too, that there was no single week, that another Nigerian was not

hurled into the prison. I met a gendarme, who got me really angry. I got friendly with him in order to get more comprehensive details from him, as it is always easier to get deeper insights from junior officers, who would give informal information and create no bounds. Pointing at the huge walls around the ministry of justice, he boastfully said Nigerians “are all over those prisons you see there”. According to him, there are 3 Nigerians out of every five prisoners in Togo, and that there are plans to build more prisons to meet the challenges being posed by Nigerians in Togo. This got me really angry that I felt like slapping the fool. What is Togo? A very poor, tiny (though clean and organized) country with its citizens almost in every household in Nigeria, pitiably working as domestic servants (houseboy and housegirl) or in every street trading in petty wares or selling mashed and pepper-sauced cooked beans (ewagoin). Togolese are all over Nigeria, looking for daily bread. And Nigerians, in their characteristic big-man manner, are willing to help, forget about their illegal residence and give them jobs. Many Togolese have understood a Nigerian language and English and gotten lost into the Nigerian populace, claiming to be Nigerians. Hundreds of thousands of Togolese live among us, albeit illegally, making good fortunes as artisans, fixing tiles and involved in building chores, that they return home in Togo as rich persons. Unknown to many Nigerians, those Togolese you look down on and think you are helping, despise you and are the first that would applaud the gendarmes in Lome, Kpalime, Kara or anywhere else whenever a Nigerian is apprehended on trumped up allegations of crime. My interaction with some Nigerians and few good Togolese people reveal that most of Nigerians languishing and forgotten in prisons do not even know anything about the crime they are punished for. Some are minor traffic rules or expiration of vehicle papers, or even little mistakes on laissez-passé. Any error would do to get them arrested, prosecuted and thrown in prison, while the seized property becomes spoils for the security officers.

I visited the Nigerian embassy in Benin (Cotonou) some time ago and learnt that Nigerians are arrested, arbitrarily tried and imprisoned every hour. The good thing about Benin is that the Nigerian embassy is always on top of the situation. At a time, calls came just as I was discussing with a very senior officer, that some arrests had again been made of Nigerian students at a university in Cotonou. My discovery later was shocking- the number of Nigerians in Benin prisons is unbelievably high. Benin, of all countries! Our immediate neighbour and a country with whom we share so much, historically, culturally and linguistically. A country that needs Nigeria for almost everything, to survive. Benin, like Togo, Burkina Faso and Ivory Coast, depends on Nigeria and its citizens for so many economic variables. Yet, what Nigeria gets in return is hostility and mistreatment of its people from these countries. The blame lies squarely on our government. They are the custodian of the only giant in the world that its citizens are haunted, hunted, preyed on, victimized, disrespected, and brutalized by smaller neighbours and indeed all other nations of the world, without its government showing concern, intervening or making bold attempt to stem the tide. Can any neighbouring country try this with the USA? Or Russia? Can they even try it with smaller countries like Kenya or South Africa? What stops Nigeria from using its size and advantages over these countries to compel them to extradite every culpable Nigerian back home for prosecution? What stops government from instilling some fears in its neighbours not to even try to intimidate a Nigerian, let alone hurl him in prison? It is most disrespectful to single out and treat citizens of a country which you even depend on so shabbily. Government should also make the home comfortable enough for Nigerians to stay back and instill discipline in Nigerians so as to make them law-abiding wherever they go.

Sheriff Folarin (PhD), an Associate Professor of Politics and International Relations, writes from Sango Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria.

Demons of December (1)

2013 version was the same. So was 2014.I am hoping that 2015 will be different not just in terms of how responsible our driving will be but also on how the FRSC will fare in their effort to cut down crashes and deaths. I am hoping that there won’t be deaths and injuries; that motorists would drive in the spirit of operation zero which aims at no deaths during the yuletide. Between 2013 and 2014, there were crashes and deaths. Comparative analysis of the end of year patrol for 2013 and 2014 shows that 23,339 arrest were made in 2013 as against 25,742 in 2014 for 25,475 and 28,174 offences for the two years respectively Road traffic crashes stood at 760 and 504deaths in 2013 and 439 and 257 deaths in 2014 representing 49percent decrease with speed violation, dangerous driving and tyre burst and loss of control responsible for most prevalent causes. This is why I have chosen to treat these offences which I referred to as the demons of the season as a guide, hoping that as you drive, that you will make the choice to spend this season with your loved ones and not in the hospital, mortuary or grave. Vehicular and human traffic would increase as motorists dare the global economic meltdown to team up with families to savor the joy of the season. Road violation or better put, bad driving habit would be on the increase leading to avoidable crashes. All this would happen because in every road crash, the predominant factor is the human behavior. Human behavior makes a direct contribution to crash risk, through the knowledge and understanding of traffic systems, driver experience and skill and the relationship between risk and factors such as speed choice and alcohol consumptions .The road, the

weather and the vehicle will no doubt play their roles too. To some, the Christmas season is jinxed as too many road traffic crashes occur. Too many deaths. Too many injuries. This group believes there is a demon responsible for all the road crashes that would occur this December, including others that occurred previously. They don’t believe that motorists should be blamed .Rather the demon that delight in sucking blood, the same demon that holds sway over the highways will as usual ensure deaths occur. As a safety practioner, I have seen a lot to know that, the devil does not need to do much to cause a crash. All he needs to do is sit down and watch us drive in December the same way we drove in January, June and august despite repeated warnings. To others, however, the season is normal except for the above which demands extra caution. Without sounding the death knell, this Christmas might be the last for some. Not because it is divinely ordained, but because in keeping with divine injunction, they would make a choice, a choice of death, not life through their actions. Actions that has formed their driving habits over time. Road crashes are avoidable even though a good number of people prefer buck passing. The remedy is not to plead the blood. Neither is it in trusting on voodoo or charms. Prayer will no doubt be good but ultimately, simple obedience to traffic rules would be appropriate. I don’t know if you share my view that there is nothing like a demon. A review of driving habit reveal these as responsible for road crashes .My focus would however be on select few. Tyre blowouts are among the major causes of road crashes that has claimed the lives of

some prominent Nigerians. Incidentally, motorists exhibit a high level of ignorance which explains why you will see people travelling with their families with fairly used tyres or tyres not properly cared for. What really causes tyre blowout? The major cause of tyre blowout is incorrect tyre inflation especially under-inflation are the most vital part of a car. It denominates stability. That is why tyre manufacturers specify the correct tyre gauge and the expiry date which is usually stamped on the side of the tyre. It is very easy to find out the expiry date. Just check the side and you will find a 4-digit number stamped on it. This number indicates the week and year of manufacture and the expiry date will be four years after. Manufacturers also indicate the maximum allowable inflating pressure for specific tyre. Different tyres are designed for different pressures. Unfortunately most of us careless about this vital information and have become victims of quacks marauding as vulcanizes. Under inflation causes two things that ultimately lead to blowouts. First, it causes undue flexing of the tyres as the vehicle speeds along the undulating surface of the road. This causes a separation between the internal materials used in making the tyres and the rubber flesh that holds the materials. This separation weakens the tyre. Secondly it causes an increase in what is known as rolling resistance as the vehicle moves.The increases rolling resistance generates a tremendous amount of heat which together with the separation of the internal materials leads to an explosion. Continued next week

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Opinion

Sunday December 20, 2015

The EU Export Ban: Can SON bail Nigeria out? Chimeziri Franklin

or some time now, the Nigerian dried beans have been prevented from entering into the European market for failing to meet the European food safety requirements. This suspension, it is learnt, has been on since June this year and will remain in force until June 30, 2016, when it may be removed provided Nigeria is able to provide sufficient guarantees of compliance to the European food safety regulations. Dried beans is not the only Nigerian product that is under ban in Europe but also such products as dried meat, smoked fish, peanut chips, palm oil, melon seeds and sesame seeds. And unconfirmed reports said that many other Nigerian commodities may follow if proactive measures were not taken by the government to mitigate the situation by addressing the issues that necessitated the suspensions. Recently, the head of the European Union (EU) Delegation to Nigeria, Mr. Filip Amato, was quoted in the media as saying that the suspension of the importation of dried beans from Nigeria was as a result of over 50 rejections of the commodity in the European market. According to Amato, the rejection was traced to the overdose of “unauthorized pesticide, dichlovos,” used in the preservation and processing of the dried beans in Nigeria. These bans raise serious concerns over the direction of the nation’s economy when viewed against the backdrop of the down-

ward trend in the oil price in the international market. Since last year, the price of oil, the mainstay of the nation’s economy, has continued to plummet. This thus re-enforces the calls by the organized private sector (OPS) for the urgent need to diversify the nation’s economy. The OPS specifically, called for the re-invigoration of the agriculture sector, which used to be the cash cow of the nation’s economy before oil took the front seat. In fairness to the government, proactive measures have been taken to upgrade the non-oil sector especially the agriculture. The immediate past administration did quite remarkably a lot in this regard and which the present regime of President Muhammadu Buhari has acknowledged and promised to improve on. However, the real issue now is how to make the Nigerian agricultural products acceptable in the international market. It is against this backdrop that the recent concerns raised by the media, the National Assembly and lately the Federal Executive, which recently inaugurated an inter-agency committee charged with achieving zero rejection of Nigeria food products, can be appreciated. The Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON) is a member of the committee. Given its mandate, it is the responsibility of SON to save the country from these frequent embarrassments by the nation’s international trade partners. SON should drive the policy of Made-in-Nigeria for the World (MINFOW) by ensuring that all the products leaving the shores of this country meet the required international standards. Anything

short of this will be unacceptable. As stated in the foregone paragraphs, the EU is not in a hurry to remove the ban on the dried beans even in 2016 unless it sees sufficient guarantees on the issues raised regarding the European food safety regulations and the commitment to consistently follow the regulations. It is, therefore, the duty of the SON to ensure that the Nigerian dried beans and other Nigerian banned products, re-enter the European market and other parts of the world. Also, according to media reports, the EU ban of the Nigerian products is largely on account of the nation’s long-standing quality infrastructure deficit. According to analysts, it is also for this reason that Nigeria could not maximize the window provided AGOA provided by the United States Government to give Africa the opportunity to access the American market. What this means is that Nigeria must upgrade her quality infrastructure, whose components I gathered, include standards, testing labs, metrology, certification, accreditation and legislation. For instance, it takes metrology to develop standards and testing/measurement devices. It takes testing to discover overdose of a chemical. It takes standards to know the pesticide that is authorized and unauthorized. It takes certification and accreditation to separate the reliable laboratories and professionals from the- not –so- reliable. It also takes legislation to establish the administration that harmonizes the disparate technical regulatory bodies in the standardization system. SON must as a matter of urgency ensure

that all these are in place. SON Director General, Dr. Joseph Odumodu, was recently reported as saying that the agency is doing something to address all these issues. In fact, he stressed the need for National Quality Infrastructure (NQI), adding that this would put a halt to disgraceful threats such as the EU ban of the Nigerian products. According to him, this involved bringing up dilapidated laboratories to world class so that they can be accredited and then having an accredited lab for each product in which Nigeria has comparative advantage or strategic interest. That means having at least 19 accredited laboratories in the near future. Only accredited labs are internationally trusted for valid test reports (scientific proofs of quality). According to Odumodu, SON Food Technology Labs have won accreditation for both biological testing and chemical testing while 10 others are already undergoing accreditation tests. Thus, what this translates to is that products certified in Nigeria within its competences are acceptable without further testing anywhere in the world. Odumodu also said that quality being a matter of measurement of accuracy; metrology is witnessing a massive build-up. The metrology upgrade started with the upgrade of the metrology unit to a wellequipped department with two mobile units for calibration at distant sites and with staff that have been trained in some of the world’s renowned national metrology institutes. He must act fast. •Franklin wrote from Lagos

The truth about Africa’s rising middle class Razia Khan

pinion on Africa’s middle class opportunity is divided. Earlier this year, Nestlé announced its disappointment with the scale and growth of Africa’s middle class, and cut its regional workforce by 15 per cent. Only a few months later, however, AB InBev’s takeover of SABMiller – one of the largest proposed corporate takeovers ever of a UK-listed entity – was motivated in large part by SABMiller’s proven growth markets in Africa.

‘Middle class’ households are typically defined as those that spend at least half of their income on goods and services beyond just food and basic necessities. The emergence of this ‘consumer class’ helps to propel growth to the next level. Buoyed by supportive demographics, a rising middle class will make demand grow, businesses prosper, employment increase and economies flourish. It’s a virtuous cycle. Traditionally, the ‘middle class’ has also played an important role in political developments. In Sub-Saharan Africa, the rise of multi-party politics in the 1990s, with calls for greater accountability, was often closely correlated with improved economic management and faster growth. Despite weak overall growth, the new middle class has continued to rise. Newly-democratic South Africa saw an impressive emergence of a middle class, even against the backdrop of sometimes disappointing growth. According to the Unilever Institute, South Africa’s middle

class grew by around 250 per cent between 2004 and 2012. By the eve of the global financial crisis, South Africa’s new ‘black’ middle class exceeded its more-traditionally ‘white’ middle class in terms of spending power. Despite weak overall growth, the new middle class has continued to rise since then. South Africa’s progress – with its welldeveloped retail and financial sectors – is well-documented. But accurate measurement of the rising middle class has been more problematic elsewhere. Just how developed is Africa’s middle class? Different studies have offered very different interpretations. How big is the middle class? An African Development Bank Study (AfDB) from 2011 attempted to generate a definition of middle class more suited to local conditions in Africa. Somewhat controversially, it defined middle class as those living on USD2-20 international dollars a day (adjusted for purchasing power parity). This included the so-called ‘floating middle’ – households living on USD24/day, who might be knocked back into poverty in the event of a severe economic shock. The AfDB study, using this definition, suggested that roughly one-third of Africa’s population was middle class. In Nigeria, the share of the poor fell 18 percentage points between 2001 and 2011. However, another study, published by Pew Research Center this year– using the narrower and more internationally accepted definition of middle class (incomes of USD10/day or more) – suggested that only

6 per cent of Africa’s population could be classified as middle income. The Pew study implied that while African economies had made great strides in lifting many millions of households out of poverty in the recent past, a far smaller proportion had reached middle-income level. In Nigeria, according to Pew, the share of the poor fell 18 percentage points between 2001 and 2011, and the proportion of low income earners grew 17 percentage points, while during the same period the share of middle income earners rose just 1 percentage point. There were similar results in Ethiopia, where an even greater share of its population was lifted out of poverty. The share of the poor fell by 27 percentage points, while the proportion of middle income earners increased just 1 percentage point. Should we be concerned? Africa’s middle class experience does not necessarily set it apart from other developing regions. Even in Asia three or four decades ago, the large majority of people lifted out of poverty remained on low incomes – for a while at least. Development does not stop there. The ability to earn a steady income is now increasingly recognised as the one factor that distinguishes those living in poverty from those able to emerge as middle-income earners. Consequently, the debate has correctly turned to whether Africa is generating conducive employment opportunities to ensure growing income levels.

Sub-Saharan African economies with their more chequered histories – often marred by dependence on a single commodity – have seen much more volatile growth paths than elsewhere. In the past, this may have been a factor holding back the emergence of Africa’s middle class. While the recent decline in poverty is encouraging, to build further on the progress so far, the policy prescriptions for Africa’s economies are also clear. Anything that can be done to reduce the volatility of growth, and in particular, the volatility of employment, should be put in place. The region represents one of the best counter-weights to the secular stagnation that threatens developed economies Africa needs more investment, more consistency of capital inflows, especially counter-cyclical flows, and more democracy, with greater progress in improving governance. There are no short-cuts to future prosperity. Given that the region, with its favourable demographics, represents one of the best counter-weights to the secular stagnation that threatens developed economies, perhaps Africa’s needs also deserve an even greater policy focus on a global level. Important foundations for the emergence of Africa’s middle class have already been put in place with its success in poverty alleviation. It is in the ultimate interest of the global economy that this progress is built upon •Khan is Managing Director/Chief Economist, Africa Global Research, Standard Chartered Bank, London

Perfect Cut

African Look Adaeze Amos

African print fabrics ever alluring

frican print fabrics have remained colourful but they are more alluring on fashion runways amid their klieglights. Interestingly, our models slip into dresses made with these fabrics with pride. They walk boldly in them showcasing styles that can be designed using these fabrics. Take a closer look at the models on this page and see how these native fabrics have never relented from splashing alluring colours on fashion runways.

Sunday, December 20, 2015

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Fashion tha

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Sunday, December 20, 2015

at covers flaws,flaunts good sides Adaeze Amos

n every Eve that God created, there are the good and ugly sides. The good ought to be flaunted wisely and the ugly should be covered. That is the reason you should consider what you wear before stepping out. As a result some ladies insist on not following vogue. They prefer to stick to those styles that suit them without experimenting. But this is not proper. You need to experiment, to follow vogue but do so with your eyes open. You can inject some little changes to suit your body structure. If you have a flat tummy, for instance, nothing stops you from slipping into body-cons that are in vogue. Or if you have long, well-built legs, you can flaunt them through dresses with long slits. But if your tummy is slightly big, not that you are pregnant but because of fibroid, ovarian cyct or just fat slip into roomy dress with vibrant embroidery and you would still look elegant. Then for your colours, choose according to your skin tone. Blend well, perhaps tone your red down with cool green accessories today and look fabulous.

Perfect Cut

Sunday, December 20, 2015

Dude Style

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I don’t wear foreign attires –Ajobiewe Popular artiste, Suleiman Oyebanji Ayelara, aka Ajobiewe, who is famous for lineage praises, in this interview with VICTOR UDOH speaks about his growing up and his rise to stardom, among other issues. Excerpts: Tell us about your background. I was born in Ilaoregun in Osun State. I am the only surviving child of 14 children my father had from 13 wives. They all died shortly after birth. My mother also had four children; I am the only one left and this has equally informed my lineage praise. I attended St. Julius Catholic Primary School in Ilaoregun. After a while, I left my place of birth for Ikire to complete my primary education. I was with my uncle working at a bakery and also schooling. However, poor performance at school discouraged me from further schooling. I spent 10 years in primary school. How did you come into your profession? My profession is called lineage praise and it has taken me far and wide. I became motivated in the job through my father - a genius on the job; he was very good in it so much that in the southwest he was popular. Many of his mates learned so much from him. Consequently, I followed in his footsteps, of which I am very good in also. This seems to be a gift to us. But one thing that stands me out from him is that I do theatere art, which I learned from one of my uncles, Olu Olaiya, a travelling theatre which he established in 1962. In those days it was very difficult to find someone doing theatre, hence he absorbed us, his younger ones, so we worked for him. When he relocated to Ilaoregun, he gathered all of us; I was the youngest at just seven years and I danced a lot. I later went to Ibadan where I engaged in bakery. In 1974, my father died. These bakery activities, experiences and the opportunity to live in about 22 different cities and towns in the southwest enriched my knowledge in lineage praise. Also, in Ibadan, I used to present a fiveminute lineage praise on radio. I also performed a t parties. T h e first theatre that I joined was Aw a d a kerikeri, led by one Mr Bello. T h e drama group did comedy while I

wanted lineage praise. So one day while I was at Mushin, I saw a bus with the inscription ‘Moremi Theatre’. I approached the man that alighted from the bus. He later asked me to join them for rehearsal. When I joined, I did not quickly unveil my talent. So at a certain time, we had presentation at one primary school. At a second presentation, our group members thrilled the audience with oration, which inspired me and I sparked. After about an hour, the two orators went silent while I continued to entertain the audience to the surprise of everyone. At the end, our director lauded my performance as he expressed shock over my brilliant ability which I had kept to myself for more than six months. Meanwhile, I also danced impressively to the awe of everyone present as the drummers played very well.

Feyikogbon. Gradually, Feyikogbon cut its teeth across some other media houses. Ajobiewe became a household name due to my role in Feyinkogbon. I was the character that used to herald the drama in every episode and after the play, I would dance energetically to whet the appetite of my audience. Who is your mentor? My father mentored me and his friend, Ajobiewe, whose name I adopted. While my father trained me in lineage praise, Ajobiewe taught me dancing. What is your dress sense like? I like to wear outfits that portray our culture.

What is that fashion item you can never be caught in? Is that where your star attributes began to I don’t wear foreign attires beshow? cause Yes, with those performances, my director m y henceforth assigned me a lead role in all our faoutings. The next outing we had at a secondary school, I performed an introductory dance and this performance provoked tears from the teachers. I complemented the dance with different lineage praises. At the end of the performance, the principal said they were satisfied. We could not finish our drama presentation that day because my performance had whetted the audience appetite. This was about 35 years ago. We later staged in a play entitled, ‘Aremu Oduduwa’: it was a drama piece where Sango and Obatala, Yoruba legends, fought and that work marked the beginning of my fame as it brought me into the limelight following the lead role I had in the play. Many actors consequently approached me to star in their works. I was one of the first actors to perform at LTV 8 when founded in 1980. One of us called Abalaye theatre met me at LTV and wanted me in his record. He said he was to perform seven films in 30 days, in a project called Feyikogbon. Before then we had established our own theatre called Orisanla theatre group. After a while we joined another group called Irinkerindo. I recorded with Abalaye theatre for

ther does not wear them. Anything my father didn’t do, I don’t do them. What is that fashion item you love? Buba and shokoto with its Fila are my favourites. I love to wear stuffs that depict my theatre works. As a Yoruba traditional dancer and lineage praise artiste, I believe I should often reflect what I do. What is your philosophy of life? Love your neighbour as yourself. One should not do what he or she is not comfortable in, like being lured to indulge in what is wrong. Life of pretence should be jettisoned. What are your challenges? Honestly, I have not really considered any phase of my endeavour as a challenge because I believe anything someone proposes to do to achieve greatness, has its difficulties. But I don’t dwell on that because the achievements recorded tower above any problem you may have faced. If you persist and are determined to succeed, challenges would not deter you. My father did not visit any city throughout his lifetime but here I am; I have travelled to many countries due to my job. What significant memories have you of your travels? When I got to the U.S., I was given a rousing reception, with convoy taking me right from the airport to my hotel room. I was moved to tears by the long convoy. There in Dallas and Houston, I was given awards in recognition of my contribution to arts and entertainment. Throughout my stay I never for once had to spend my own money to feed. When I got to London airport, the convoy that welcomed me comprised over 50 posh cars. When I was coming back to Nigeria, they threw me a large send-off party and many of them cried at my departure. What is your advice to those looking up to you in this profession? My advice to them is to remain focused and not see any challenge that comes their way as discouragement. No doubt situations that would bring depression will come but they should not let it take away their dream. They should know that success has its own price which must be paid.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

December 20, 2015

Pregnancy Talk

Naughtiest Thing

with

The naughtiest thing I’ve ever done

Adaeze Amos

Amby Opara

Why expectant mums cherish Agbalumo

r on e h t a f y m h it w e ‘I talked lov y guy’ m s a w it g in k in phone th

he popular Udara or Agbalumo, our local cherry that pregnant mums crave for, would soon be in the market. The season is here. You will start seeing them around. Don’t be surprised that any pregnant mother reading this would start salivating for it. You don’t blame them for that. Udara or agbalumo usually has a sour-like taste that

holds the mouth, hits the palate and stops you from throwing up. A man once complained how his pregnant wife insisted he should look for udara as late as 10 p.m. and how he was combing all over the place for it until he got some. Amazingly, medics have asserted that the exotic yellowish and chewable fruit has some health benefits. Below are there:

Vitamins and minerals: Udara serves as a good source of calcium, each one you chew provides you with 10 per cent of the amount you require each day. The calcium strengthens your bones and teeth, and it may also lessen symptoms of premenstrual syndrome such as cramping and abdominal bloating. This fruit also contains five per cent of

the daily recommended value of vitamin C and vitamin A. Additionally, the fruit provides two per cent of iron, a mineral vital for oxygenating your body, which you need every day. So, pregnant mothers, hold your peace, soon you would start having your desired fruit all over the place.

have done numerous naughty things in my life but the one I would like to share is that which landed me in trouble. This happened recently when I mistakenly said sweet nothings to my father on the phone thinking it was my guy that called. What actually happened was that I was discussing with my boyfriend on the phone. You know the normal thing lovers discuss on the phone secretly. All of a sudden my credit was exhausted and I needed to hear the conclusion of the chat. I ran out, bought a card and recharged my phone. After loading, a call came and I thought my guy was the one on the line. I didn’t check well. I just picked and continued the discussion from where we stopped. I never knew the person on the line was my dad. Yes, my strict father! When I was talking

and laughing without a response from the person on the other side, I continued, thinking that my guy was listening as usual. He has always been a good listener, one who speaks less but listens more. I fired on and was talking and he was listening. It was when I asked a question that my dad shouted at me. I was shocked! My heart skipped and I quickly dropped. He called me back but I didn’t pick because he would be mad at me. I was ashamed of myself that he heard all I said. I was worried. I never spoke with my father for about two weeks because I was in school. I was busy sending text messages apologising to him. That mistake cost me a lot, my dad is a disciplinarian. •Amby is the current Miss Afrik Queen International.

Movies & Music

Sunday, December 20, 2015

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& usic M Movies With Victor Udoh 07067124302 e-mail: victorudoh804@yahoo.com

Platnumz, Flavour, others thrill at BET concert in S’Africa

he BET Experience Africa 2015 had some of the biggest names in the International and African scene light up the Ticket Pro Dome recently in Johannesburg, South Africa. The festival which had various activities throughout the day reached its peak with a mind-blowing concert with performances from R&B superstar, Maxwell, Mary J Blige, Young Thug, Raphael Saadiq, Diamond Platnumz, Nigeria’s very own Flavour Nabania and South Africa’s AKA. During the show, International award-winning singer and guitarist, Raphael Saadiq, gave a tribute to Nigerian music icon, Fela Anikulapo Kuti, with different renditions of his music with videos of the late Fela playing in the back-

ground. Nigerian highlife superstar, Flavour, who wore a blue African print pants and a black shirt, gave female fans a run for their money as he took off his shirt on stage during his performance. Other activities during the all-day festival included comedy sessions from African comedians such as Churchill, Tats Nkozo and David Kau, fashion runway session hosted by Bonang Matheba, car drifting, free makeovers, Black Girls Rock meets and Greets, celebrity basketball game, sneakers expo as well as music performances from fast-rising talents such as Emtee, Fifi Cooper, WTF, Patty Monroe, Moonchild, Stilo Magolide, among many others.

Faithia Balogun caught in the act!

Platnumz

Olamide storms Lagos with #OLIC2 on Dec. 27

Olamide

fter one of the most epic years ever recorded by a Nigerian recording artiste, YBNL front-man Olamide is set to wrap up his widely successful 2015 with the second edition of his flagship mega concert, Olamide Live In Concert. It holds on December 27 at the Eko Convention Centre, Eko Hotels & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos. Tagged OLIC 2: Beast Mode Unleashed, the show brings Olamide to the fore in one frenetic night of entertainment alongside the entire YBNL family at the end of a year that has seen the squad drop hit after hit from Olamide, Lil Kesh, Viktoh, Adekunle Gold and Pepe. Organised by Right Entertainment, YBNL and Achievas Entertainment, #OLIC2 is set to be even bigger than last year’s concert which sold out the same venue with guest performances from Wizkid, Davido and many others. Commenting on #OLIC2, CEO Right Entertainment, Adetoro Suleiman said, “It’s not often that you see an artiste as consistent and committed to his art as Olamide and this year has been the biggest proof of that. He has become arguably the biggest contemporary artiste in Nigeria currently, and #OLIC2 is a rare opportunity to see him on stage for an extended performance all night alongside artistes he has collaborated with and surprise performers. It promises to be one of the biggest nights of the year and I personally am looking forward to seeing the show live.” Olamide Live In Concert: Beast Mode Unleashed tickets are available for N7,000 Regular and N25,000 VIP. You can join the conversation about Olamide Live In Concert 2 on social media using the hashtag #OLIC2.

Omolara

opular Nollywood actresses, Faithia Balogun, Omolara Giwa, Joke Jigan and her colleagues have been caught in the act of prostitution in a New Yoruba thriller entitled ‘SADE OLOSO’. The story is about some female university undergraduates, who are involved in prostitution. The talented Delta State-born actress leads an array of talented thespians in this suspense-filled movie. The girls are seen having fun with a lot of men before they were finally caught in the act. Before then, they had dumped many men, both young and old. So it was a sort of relief for the community when the news of their arrest was announced. Hold it! don t call Faithia for confirmation of the story, as what you read above is nothing but a story from the latest movie from the stable of FAD Productions, and marketed by independent Nollywood Distribution Company. According to Fidelis Duker, the executive producer and marketer of the film, it has been released into the market. Omolara Giwa who co-produced and played the lead role said, “It is a film we want people to enjoy for yuletide season, hence we released it before the Christmas. It’s based on true life experience.” It will be recalled that Duker is also the CEO of Abuja International film festival, the longest running film fiesta in Anglophone countries

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Movies & Music

Sunday, December 20, 2015

Kelvin emerges winner of Glo’s Dance with Peter

Kelvin

he public’s anxiety over who among the seven finalists in the Globacom-sponsored Dance with Peter reality television show will win the crown came to an end on Saturday night as 24-years old Kelvin Ayanruoh from Delta State was named winner of the show. The anxiety was heightened by the huge talent displayed by the finalists in the elimination stages which made it difficult for viewers to say for sure who was likely to win the coveted prize. From Kelvin Ayanruoh to Julius Fakta, Amazing Amy, Mali Hot Boy, G-Xtreem, C-Fly and Da Octopus, any of the finalists was good enough for the title of West Africa’s Dance King. However, when the votes from viewers were tallied, it was Kelvin who was finally declared winner at the grand finale of the show held on Saturday night at Bamako Studio, Ojodu, Lagos. He beat his closest challengers, Mali Hot Boy, and third place winner, Ghanaian Julius Fakta, to win the coveted crown of best dancer in West Africa. In fourth place was Amazing Amy, while Da Octopus finished fifth. With this, Kelvin has won Globacom’s top prize of a Toyota Rav 4 SUV and N3million cash with an opportunity of featuring in PSquare’s next music video. First runner-up, Mali Hot Boy, goes home with a Honda Civic

car and N2million, while Julius Fakta gets a Kia Rio car and N1million cash prize. Both of them will also have a chance to feature in a top Glo Ambassador’s music video. From his conquest in the four-month-long competition, Kelvin who says his philosophy in life is “respect all and fear none” appears to be moving closer to his dream of being a top international choreographer. His victory is also remarkable, given that he started out as a member of a dance group called Elevators NG. At the audition stage, the judges picked him out for his dexterity to progress to the next stage as a solo performer. He has repaid that faith by winning the competition. The other finalists Amazing Amy, Da Octopus, G-Xtreem and C-Fly were voted fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh respectively by followers of the show. Dance with Peter was launched in August by Globacom in partnership with Peter Okoye, the twin brother and partner in musical group, PSquare. The company disclosed that its decision to sponsor the show was because of the need to promote the dance culture among Africans and assist those who may want to go into the dance profession to discover their potential. Glo ambassador and entertainer, Dapo Oyebanjo, popularly known as D’banj, featured as guest judge on the show. He also performed along with Peter Okoye to the delight of the audience.

Collete Nwadike crowned Miss Universe 2015

istory was made recently as Nigeria’s Collete Nwadike emerged the First Black Exquisite Face of the Universe in Sao Tome and Principe.

She arrived in the country on Tuesday to a resounding media welcome. Collete, among the top 10 finalists from Ghana, USA, Brazil, Aruba, Angola, Ghana, Cape Verde, Germany, Sudan, Sao Tome and Principe, emerged the winner of the crown. She triumphed beating the first runnerup Miss Germany, second runner-up Miss Angola, third runner-up Miss Aruba, and fourth runner-up and the contestant from the host country Miss Sao Tome and Principe. Collete, who succeeded Miss Dominican Republic, Susan Castano, put up a stellar performance to outshine the other contestants, bagging the award for the best eve-

ning gown. On winning, Collette said: “It’s like a dream come true. I have always dreamt of winning an international pageant and here I am, living my dream. I thank God for making this possible and I also thank my family for their support. “Special thanks to my wonderful groomer/national director, Tomi Lydia Salami, who left no stone unturned in preparing me for this journey. I also want to appreciate the officials of the Nigerian Embassy in Sao Tome and Principe and the Nigerian Community in Sao Tome. Much love to Rikaoto my fab designer & BiBiyonce MUA, extraordinaire and to my sponsors, friends and fans, I say a huge thank you.” Collete will spend her reign promoting charitable causes, tourism and goodwill around the world with special focus on Af- Collete rica.

‘Nobody cares about you until you’re made’

Sholly

n e o f Nigeria’s fast-rising artistes, Sholly X, has said that people only want to be associated with you when you become a star. Sholly X a graduate of Religious Studies from Adekunle Ajasin University, Ondo State. The Afro HipHop star lamented on the poor state of the nation and the inability of upcoming musicians to get

help. “Nobody wants to help you, even when they see the talent in you. People only want to be identified with success, not with your struggle. They only want to be called your brother or sister when you have made it.” Sholly also said that things are very tough this year, especially after the election with its delay in political appointments. “Being a graduate actually helped me a lot, people from my family taught I was going to sing Fuji, but education made me go into Afro Hip-Hop and I am happy with it.” Sholly just returned from the United Kingdom where he went to perform. In a few weeks he would be performing in South Africa, Belgium and Italy. He is grateful to the Almighty Allah, his father and his loving and caring mother who stood solidly behind him. He however, urged the young ones with talent not to feel daunted because of lack of assistance; they should believe in themselves that one day they will excel.

Cally

NMVA 2015 postponed

he Nigerian Music Video Awards, NMVA which prides itself as the most credible, attractive and highly respected awards in Africa and which also rank as one of the most consistent in the Nigerian calendar has been postponed. The event which is scheduled to hold on Thursday December 17th, 2015 at the Eko Hotel & Suites will now get a new date. Speaking concerning the postponement, the founder of the awards, Mr. Cally Ikpe said the postponement is inevitable. “Due to Circumstances beyond our control, it has become inevitable to postpone by a few weeks the 9th edition of the annual Nigerian Music Video Awards earlier fixed for December 17th, 2015. A new date will be communicated shortly. We deeply regret all inconveniencies”. The Nigeria Music Video Awards is a project that seeks to project the cultural ideals of Nigeria, via music as represented with music videos. It debuted as Nigeria’s first ever music video awards in 2007. Prior to this time, awards of this kind and magnitude were mostly organized by foreign media like; MTV and Channel O. The NMVA, as a wholly Nigerian initiative represents an important milestone in the promotion of the Nigerian spirit of innovation and creativity. Thus far, eight episodes have held consecutively.

B’Dash set to release ‘Ojuelegba’

t is obvious that the true definition of good music is the combination of good quality production and vocals. In this peculiar song ‘Ojuelegba’, B’Dash really took her time to create the beat. Yes, Beauty Aghedo aka B’Dash (The StarQuest Winner 2011) a gospel pop artiste went the extra mile to record the gospel version of Wizkid’s ‘Ojuelegba’ song with cover produced by Dj Substance. In this cover song, B’Dash disclosed the functions of the name of Jesus Christ in one’s life irrespective of their profession. According to her, “Despite the fact that I do gospel pop, I love Wizkid and I’m his core fan, so working with him is a privilege.” Moreover, B’Dash, ‘The Brand Ambassador of Healing Wings Foundation’, has taken the Wizkid ‘Ojuelegba’ song to the next level by rapping into the beat. Currently, she is being managed by “Ambassador Showbiz Plus” a renowned entertainment company and she’s ready to make her own mark in the music industry as she is open to do business with record label owners and colleagues.

B’Dash

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

December 20, 2015

Lessons of Life TRUE LIFE STORY ON MATTERS OF THE HEART

ADAEZE AMOS Adanneamos@gmail.com 08023012293 (sms only)

‘I can’t marry a guy I caught kissing my elder sister’ Modestus and Maureen met for the first time in a cinema hall, somewhere in Lagos and got talking. They were both engulfed in a love movie they came to watch that they never spoke a word to each other. The hall was dark but they could still see each other.

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Modestus sat by me and kept a long face. I stole glances at him; he was cute and dateable but because he seemed not to pay attention to me and pretended as if I never existed, I concentrated and watched the movie with rapt attention. “But we spoke the first time when the protagonist of the movie cried. His babe dumped him for another guy. The actor cried so badly that it was indeed emotional. I didn’t know when tears started dripping down my cheeks. That was when he looked at me very closely and asked ‘lady, are you also crying? You know some ladies are heartless. See how the lady dumped a guy who had loved and taken care of her all these years because the other guy is richer. I keep saying it that money rocks. It has power and women certainly worship it’. Modestus said, looking pensive. The movie really got at us. That was when we started discussing. “I told him that it’s not all women that worship money. That it’s true a lady can date a rich guy in order to get his money but she would happily spend the money on another guy she truly loves,” she said. When we were through, they left the cinema hall together. “We introduced ourselves and exchanged addresses and phone numbers. Because I drove in my car, there was no need to ride with him. But before I could get home, he had already dropped a text message in my phone. I only read it when I got home because the traffic jam was heavy. His text message was all about expecting his midnight call so that we could discuss at length. When he called, he did so a few minutes past 1. “The first question I asked was if he was alone, because his girlfriend ought to have asked who he was calling that late. He said his call friend got an admission abroad to study and she had stopped picking his call for almost a year. That he assumed she had called it quits

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A model

with him. I was happy when he said that and within that short space of time I wondered why a lady should ignore calls from such a cute guy. We discussed at length. He asked me questions about my family, education, village and I answered not concealing anything. When I told him that my parents were both late, he paused for a while and said, sorry. When I told him that the only family I still had was my immediate elder sister. Though immediate, she was 10 years older than me. He told me about himself, he too had a small nucleus family, his father, mum and elder sister. Before we ended the phone chat, I knew I would date him,” Maureen believed. When she retired to bed that night, her mind wandered off and she started remembering all that her mum told her about her family. “My mother could only conceive and had me 10 years after having my sister. When she had me, she named me Maureen, after the female doctor that detected that her womb wasn’t properly positioned. When her womb was positioned, she conceived and had me 10 years later. She never had a male child and my dad didn’t disturb her about that. He loved his two daugh-

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ters dearly. He also loved my mum but his weakness for women killed my mum. He built a house which he rented out and his tenants were mostly young unmarried ladies. Some of them were his girlfriends who were staying there without paying. Mum knew what he was doing and was always crying her eyes sore. I pitied her. She complained continually but dad couldn’t stop. It was dad’s escapades that made her had blood pressure which later killed her. “When mum died, dad was heartbroken. He cried like a baby. I never knew he loved her that much. When she was in coma for three days, he pleaded with her and promised never to have anything to do with any other woman, nor to cheat on her. He pleaded to mum not to die, as if she had the power to prevent death. When she breathed her last and the doctor confirmed her dead, dad broke down. That was when he stopped extramarital affairs. He drove his tenants away and allowed his house agent to manage the house for him. He now wasn’t talking much and was always sitting in front of the television and watched from morning till night as if his whole life depended on it. He watched mum’s burial video over and over and

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blamed himself for killing a poor woman who loved him dearly. He would cry and refuse to eat. “I couldn’t console him alone but when my elder sister came back from London after her divorce case was through, he felt relieved. The reason was that Florence my elder sister resembled my mum. They had same face and complexion. It looked as if my mum vomited her. Her presence reminded my father of his late wife and he was happy when she came to live with us,” she recalled. It wasn’t long Florence returned that their father died. “He died while watching TV. When my elder sister came back from the supermarket, she said she met our father sitting in front of the TV as usual but this time with his neck bent. She said she thought he was sleeping. She then went to him, gently tapped on him to go and rest in his room but he couldn’t wake up. She shook him vigorously but all to no avail. That was when she let out a loud cry that attracted neighbours who helped to stretch him. •To be continued.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sunday, December 20, 2015

Chapel of Holiness and Testimony with Pastor K. I.

Bona

Continued from topic 5 of last week I will divide the spoil When he said I will divide the spoil what he is saying is that he would lay hold on the destiny, fulfilment, glory, fame, and testimony of his victim and share it in his kingdom. Which is why, sometimes, you would notice a young man or young lady who came out from school but could not use their certificate to work. The glory and or destiny of such one attached to the certificate had been taken by the familiar spirits. Recently I met a young man, whose appearance was tattered unschooled and uncomposed. During counselling the Holy Spirit revealed that he was on a wrong profession, because of frustration. That the reason behind his frustration was that powers in his father’s house had stolen his glory. Responding back to the spirit of revelation, the man admitted that what was said about him was true. He continued, that as he sat down with me, he had master’s degree in business administration in a very reputable university of this country. However, since he graduated every effort to secure a good job with that certificate had failed. He was finally forced by the pressure of hardship to be a clearing agent. Even as a clearing agent, he had not been finding life easy. No client, no connection, no contract. All efforts he had made to keep contacts and have clients, always ended up in disagreement and hatred. That means the enemy had divided him as a spoll. My lust shall be satisfied upon them It has been the pleasure of the enemy to have his lust satisfied upon the children of God. The lust of the devil are his wicked schemes, intentions and purposes. Just as the Bible says, it is the pleasure of God our father to give us the kingdom. The kingdom of God are the thoughts

Familiar spirits (6) of God for us. Ephesian 1:3-12 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself; that in the dispensation of the fullness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him; in whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will; that we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.” The thoughts and blessings of god packaged for us in the heavenlies as contained in the above scriptures are: 1) We are special and the chosen of the Lord 2) We have been adopted into the family of God in Christ Jesus 3) He has bestowed special grace on us. One of the grace among many is that we should ask, seek, and knock. That when we ask, we shall receive when we seek us shall find, and when we knock the door of opportunities, riches, connections, favours and a lot more shall be opened to us. Through this open door, he promised us that we shall suck, the milk of the Gentiles and that the hidden treasures of darkness shall be freely given to us. 4) We are the redeemed. 5) He has given us wisdom and insight

into his future plan. 6) That we shall share in his Glory after this life. 7) We have been made God treasure. The apple eyes of God. 8) We have been sealed with the Holy Ghost for that day of rapture. 9) Finally we are heavenly citizens candidates of the Kingdom, licensed for salvation. Beloveth, what other glories can be compared with these? Our God is wholesome, our God is a good God. If you have not made peace with God in his Son Jesus, you among all men on earth is the most pitiable. Beloveth rise now and make peace with God. While the lust of the devil upon us are his wicked schemes evil intentions bitterness of his heart and snares. This could be itemized as follows: 1) Untimely death – Devil want you to die unfulfilled 2) He wants you to be a widow or a widower 3) He wants you to live a life of joblessness 4) He wants you to stay unmarried even after reaching the age of marriage 5) He wants you to keep having miscarriages 6) He wants you barren, unfruitful, unproductive 7) He wants you to lose your children 8) He wants to see you weep and sorrowful 9) He wants people to always pity you 10) He wants people to visit you every year and tell you sorry 11) He does not want your certificate to be useful to you 12) He wants you to have a broken home, which is why he causes frequent misunderstanding between you and your spouse. 13) He wants your job terminated

14) He wants your business or shop folded-up 15) He does not want to hear your progress. Therefore, he puts set back on your way to progress. When any of these his wicked schemes is achieved in your life as he had purposed, then his lust is satisfied upon you. I will draw my sword When the victim of the devil, fall into his trap. Then he draws his sword to destroy. The trap of the devil is temptation. When he has put temptation on your way and you fell into it, you are at the mercy of the devil. And you know that there is nothing like mercy in the language of the devil. James 1:1315 “Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither temptedth he any man; but every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.” Prayer point – Whatever familiar spirit has constructed in my life, marriage, careers, profession, and or business as a stronghold to control me, be pulled down by fire in the name of Jesus. Testimonies Breaking through the gate of jamb For three years now, I have tried in vain to secure admission but failed. When I came to this church the man of God prophesied on me that this year’s admission will not pass me by. Behold today, I have secured admission to the University of Calabar. Praise the Lord! Sis. Ifeoma Address: Pastor Kingson I. Bona, General Overseer Chapel of Holiness and Testimonies Ministries, No. 6, David Egbetuyi Street, Fagbile Estate, Ijegun, Ikotun, Lagos. Tel: 08023404926, 08038206508 Website: wwwchapelofholiness.org facebook: pstbona@chapelofholiness.org

News

Nigerian Christians urged to hope in Christ …as Diocesan Bishop gives Christmas message

igerian Christians have been urged to see hope Christ brought to the world and rise together to overcome their challenges as they set their priorities right and appropriated the message and lesson of Christmas to the salvation of the nation.

Giving this charge in his 2015 Christmas message, the Dean Emeritus, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) and the Diocesan Bishop of Lagos, the most Revd (Dr.) E. Adebola Ademowo assured that God is still very much with the citizens especially at this time the world commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ. Giving Luke’s account of Jesus’ birth, Ademowo noted that though the first Christmas lacked modern-day parties, gifts and feastings, it did include worship after the angel announced Jesus’ birth to shepherds in the field. “The wide eyed shepherds with a chorus of angels began praising God and saying; Glory to God in the highest Luke 2: 13-14. The shepherds responded by running to Bethlehem where they found the new born king lying in a barnyard bassinet. They returned to their fields glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen. Coming face to face with the Son inspired the shepherds to worship the father. Today, consider your response to Jesus’ arrival on earth. Is

there room for worship in your heart on this day that celebrates His birth? We should see anew His glory shine throughout this sincursed earth. Heaven’s choir came down to sing when heaven’s king came down to save. This is the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. ‘Though He was rich, yet, for your sakes, He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich’ (2 Corinthians 8:9). This is the gift of lavish salvation of all gifts, the greatest gift that you and I will ever receive. The goodness and love of God became incarnate at Bethlehem”, he claimed. On the state of the nation, He said: “In today’s world, especially Nigeria, the myriad of problems and challenges are evident everywhere, ranging from neglect, suffering, poverty, diseases, robbery, kidnapping, political fracas, violence and insurgency which are fast becoming part of our everyday life. They are the numerous challenges we battle with everyday. They are the mountains, the hurdles we need to surmount in our national life before we can make the desired progress that we all yearn for as a country. The message and lesson of Christmas must therefore be appropriated to the salvation in our land, we must see hope that Christ brought to the world and must rise together to overcome our challenges as we first set our priorities right. Christ is the reason for

Christmas.” On positive expectation for the country the Bishop said: “God is still very much with us if we draw close to Him especially at this time, as we celebrate and commemorate His birth. He alone knows those things that make for our peace. Christmas is the season of peace Isaiah 9:6, tells the story of how God set the stage to introduce the Prince of Peace. Jesus came to break the cycle of sin and blame by making peace for us with God through the blood of His cross (Colossians 20). Instead of blaming us for

all the trouble we cause, He bore the blame for all of us. He is now recruiting followers who, having received His Forgiveness, want others to receive it as well. When we accept forgiveness from God, we lose our desire to withhold it from others. When we live in peace with God, we are eager to make peace with others. We can both give and receive the gifts of peace this Christmas. As we celebrate the birth of Christ, the peace of God will saturate every home and permeate every nook and cranny of this country in Jesus name.”

Cleric reaches out to widows, orphans

astor in charge of the Beloved Global Church and founder of Jubilation Widows and Orphanage Foundation, Evangelist (Dr.) Hilary Esikalam has reached out to widows and orphans in the society food items and scholarships to them respectively.

According to Esikalam, who is also founder of operation feed the beggars; an organization that distributes food to beggars on streets of Lagos on monthly basis, life is all about donation and not duration. On his aim of championing such course, the cleric said “As a son of a widow, I have seen what widows pass through and the almighty God placed it as a great burden on me to be a succor to them. I am doing this to alleviate the

suffering of the poor masses irrespective of religion. Our goal and aim as instructed by God is to de-populate hell and populate Heaven through aggressive prayers, deliverance and crusades, to unite the church through love, to build a violent end-time army aggressive in warfare prayer to dislodge the devil and his agents, to set the captives free, to heal the sick through deliverance through the help of the Holy Spirit and to prepare a pure and holy assembly for his second coming.” Esikalam claimed that the foundation which was established in 2009 is a non-governmental ministry that is committed to helping widows in every area of life; spiritually, physically, morally and otherwise.

From the Pulpit Learn with Kunle

Macaulay

Email: profkunlemacaulay@ yahoo.com (08023032698, sms pls)

hristianity is one of the religions in the world but with largest followership. It has affected many of the great nations because of its positive message to the people especially the message that focuses on the future of man. Christianity is mainly about Jesus Christ – his preexistence as God, his birth as man, his life and work on earth, death on the Cross to save man, his miraculous resurrection and ascension into heaven with the promise of his coming back.

The message of the Bible especially concerning Jesus Christ can be very difficult for an ordinary man to understand. As a matter of fact, it is meant for a purified heart and that is why Christians who have accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour and filled with Holy Spirit are specifically called and mandated to spread the message of the Bible to the entire world. Jesus who is declared God that existed before the creation of the world was born into the physical world as a man for a purpose that could not be fulfilled by any other person. Religion is a search for the unknown god. But in Christianity, it is the unknown God that reveals himself because man on his own cannot find or know him. The Bible revealed how Mary conceived and had a baby son. It said, ‘’ This is how the birth of Jesus came about. His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph but before they came together, she was found to be with a child through the Holy Spirit.’’ Matt 1: 18. Research into the Word of God revealed this, ‘’ God sent an angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to

The Bride’s voice with Pastor Moses

Alu

et me use a few minutes to give a short exhortation. I will e very brief. Let us go into the Word and pick our text from Gal. Chapter 4. Let us stand up as we reference the Word. We read from verse 1 and 2. Listen carefully. The Word faith means revelation. You can never have faith without revelation. Faith and revelation are the same. The Bible says, without revelation, it is impossible to please God. So it is only normal that if you want to live a life that shall be pleasing before God, you will look for revelation. Without faith, it is impossible to please God. The Bible says, the just shall live by faith. And this faith cometh by hearing! It is not hearing your husband or your wife. It is by hearing the word of God. So when we are about to read the word, it is a period that demands absolute attention. There should be no distractions. Let us read Gal. Chapter 4 from verse 1 to 2. Now I say that the heir, as long as he is a child, does not differ at all from a slave, though he is master of all, 2, but is under guardians and stewards until the time appointed by the father. May the Lord and blessing to the reading of his word. God bless you. Be seated. I am looking at a topic; an exhortation… it is not a teaching but an exhortation that I have titled. The keys to the Kingdom of Heaven.

Sunday, December 20, 2015

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

The reality of the birth of Jesus a virgin pledged to be married to a man called Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary’’. Let us study more about the message of the angel and the reaction of Mary. ‘’ The angel went to her and said, ‘’ Greetings, you are highly favoured! The Lord is with you’’. Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this must be. But the angel said to her, ‘’ Do not be afraid, Mary you have found favour with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son and you are to give him the name Jesus’’. Lk 1: 26 – 31. I want us to study how the miraculous event took place. ‘’ How will this be’’ Mary asked the angel, since I am a virgin?’’ The angel answered, ‘’The Holy Spirit will come upon you and the power of the Most High will over shadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God’’. Lk 1: 34- 35. Let us theologically see the picture of this event in our spiritual mind. Mary was a young beautiful woman who had never had sexual intercourse with a man. She was a virgin. So the prophecy of Isaiah 7:14 that stated that a virgin will conceive and bring forth the Messiah was to be fulfilled. Yes, Mary was not yet married to Joseph but she was engaged. In the Jewish system, a couple can only perform their marriage ceremony and live together as husband and wife a year after engagement ceremony. Mary was no doubt favoured, that is, she was specially chosen to give birth to the incarnate Son of God. The conception of Jesus was the miraculous work of God. He is the ‘’ only begotten Son of God’’. Theologically, this birth is based on the most fundamental teaching of the New Testament. Some theologians reject the miraculous conception and birth of Jesus Christ. They consider him as an ordinary man but favoured and endued with power

by God. This teaching in theology is called ‘’ DOCETISM’’ The Bible said that there was to be a census in the then Roman world, so, Joseph went with Mary from Nazareth to Bethlehem, the town of David to register because he belonged to the house and line of David. While they were there, it was time for Mary to give birth, so, she gave birth to her first born – a son. The Bible said that when she gave birth, the glory of the Lord appeared to some shepherds in the nearby fields who were watching over their flocks in the night. An angel appeared to them and gave them the good news of the birth. The angel said, ‘’ Do not be afraid, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today, in the town of David, a Saviour has been born to you, he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you. You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger. Suddenly, a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel praising God and saying Glory to God in the highest and on earth, peace to men on whom his favour rests.’’ Lk 2: 10 -14. When the angels had left, then the shepherds said to one another, ‘’ Let us go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has told us about. So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph and the baby who was lying in the manger.’’ Lk 2: 15 – 16. After seeing the baby, they spread the news about the birth of Jesus. No record confirmed exactly when Jesus was born and the idea of Christmas celebration was introduced in the fourth century into the Roman Catholic Church. It was not part of the early Christian Church ceremony. The Christmas tree, Santa Claus and the exchange of gifts were introduced by business people to make money. If God wanted us to celebrate

the birth of Jesus, he will specifically instruct us on when and how to do it. My main concern is about the religiosity of Nigerians. The many revivals, prayer meetings, night vigils and other Christian programmes attended by followers of Jesus Christ in Nigeria have not given majority of them intellectual and spiritual satisfaction. Many of them long to have direct relationship with God which the church of today does not encourage. Human situations in Nigeria have not changed with the increase in the number of churches. Christians and their leaders put the blame of war, kidnapping, crime, hunger, unemployment and other societal troubles on God who is angry and government that is inefficient. The study of the Bible reveals the personal reality of God. The fact I want to emphasise today is that God initiates, man responds. God called Abram out of his father’s house, stopped Moses from shepherding for leading Jews out of Egypt and moved Joseph to Egypt for the betterment of Egyptians. The New Testament brings God closer. He is our father. Every Christian is’’ in Christ‘’. What every Christian should note is that God is in control. He is seeking those who love him with all their heart. Miracles, gifts and spirituality have their honour in Christian life but know today that God and not we holds the key to the problems of the world. Bible is warm and inspiring. All we know of Jesus is revealed in the Bible. David said, “My heart and my flesh cry out for the living God” Ps 84: 2. WHAT ABOUT YOU? •Prof Kunle Macaulay is the Director of Studies of United Bible University, Lagos Phone: 0802 – 303 – 2698: email : profkunlemacaulay@yahoo.com Twitter : KunleMacaulay1

The keys to the kingdom of heaven

There are two things I have observed that called my attention to this exhortation and these are two things I have observed in Christianity and more importantly, in this ministry. I have observed two groups of people. The number one group are the people that anytime they have problem, they rush to fast. They are always fasting. They know all the prayer mountains in Nigeria and Africa. They know all the prayer houses. In this church, they know which minister to be connected with. Do you know there are members of this church who do not know where the pastor’s office is; they don’t know the pastor’s phone number; they don’t know who the pastor’s wife is, but they know the house address, the office, cars and hone numbers of all the prophets. Every time you see them, they are fasting. I am not condemning anybody but I want somebody’s eyes to open so you can see what I want to say today. Listen church, Christianity is the simplest and easiest faith. Go made the relationship between he and man easy through what he did on the Cross of Calvary. He took away unnecessary labour. And that is why he said, come unto me all yet that labour and are heavy laden and I will give you rest. He went further to say, my yoke is light. Christianity is easy. I have met ministers who told me god called them and I see them struggling and laboring and they are feeling, ‘Pastor, I don’t know what is happening. I will gather today and the thing will go down. I am frustrated. Since I came into the ministry, I have been strug-

gling’. And I keep thinking and asking, how can somebody who is employee by a company be bothered more than the owner that the company is not progressing? An employee would be more concerned with his/her salary. You are a servant of god and the ministry belongs to God. God called you into the ministry and you are busy laboring. They keep fasting jumping from lace to place until it sometimes leads them to even go and get extra means of adding anointing. So when you come to me and narrate all the ordeals you go through in your ministry, I will ask you if God actually called you. And if your answer is positive, I will tell you to go meet the one that called you. What do you think I could. So that is category one. I am a very observant and an analytical person. I have observed that analyzed some of the people in this group and what I find out is that when you get close to them and you try to open a portion of the Bible, they know nothing scripturally. They know nothing about God’s process of salvation but they can cast out devils; speak in tongues as well as the grace of pray for long. And because they have the grace to pray until seat flows, they speak in tongue and cast out demons, they pray until their voices crack, they thing they have a ministry. It is much more than that. The second group that I have noticed are those who come to a ministry like the Brie Assembly and all they know about are the gifts here. So what they do is to make sure they come here every Friday. They do not m iss ay f our

prayer programs. They come here on Friday but return to the Catholic Church and their denominational churches on Sunday. They will say, ‘that church is a wonderful church. Bride Assembly, I will keep going there o” What are you coming for? You are coming her for prayers. Now let us read Mathew Chapter 16. That is a discussion we quote every time but let us look at it deeper. But may be you are asking how this place is related to what we read in Gal. Chapter 4. I had to read that place to bring out the principles of God and to show us that God sometimes also operates with us the way our earthly parents do especially when it comes to his principles. For instance, in organized settings like the United Kingdom where the king or queen plays a major role, once you are called a prince. The implication is that you are an heir to the throne. And peradventure the one that is next to the throne dies, you will ascend. But the Bible is making us understand that though you are an heir to the throne, as a child, that authority will not be given to you. And as the custom is in the Middle East, they will put tutors will determine whether authority would be given to you or not. And we can see this in practice with Jesus. He did not start his ministry at the ge of twelve although he was born to the’ King of Kings’. In Luke Chapter 2 verse 52, the Bible says ‘Jesus Christ increased in stature and in wisdom and he increased in favour with God’. He had to grow under the tutorship of his father.

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Briefly

Vineyard

Celebration Sunday, December 20, 2015

CPF provides succour to orphans, disabled persons

enultimate Sunday was a memorable one for the orphans, the motherless and people with disability as succor was brought to their lives. The occasion was the annual carnival for the disabled persons and the less privileged by the Care Peoples Foundation, an arm of the Bible way Crusaders Church International.

Prophet Kehinde

CAC’s POWEC holds 60 days revival

he annual 60 days revival programme of Christ Apostolic Church’s Power of Christ (POWEC) District tagged, ‘Power for total transformation’ which began on November 1, 2015 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. daily will run through December 31 at the church’s headquarters located at No. 55 Memudu Street, Orile Iganmu Lagos. Speaking on the programme, the cleric in charge and host, Prophet David Kehinde, said the programme was designed to positively impact on the lives of the children of God. “This progarmme has been designed to have positive influence on the lives of worshippers and invitees who attend. Since we started, God has been doing wonders in the lives of His people as He has backed the programme with signs and wonders,” the pastor disclosed.

The carnival featured Para soccer competition among disabled persons, a lucky dip where the winners took home DVD, Refrigerators, Television, standing fans among other items. Over 20 orphanages and schools for the handicapped in and around Ibadan came and participated in the activities which also include dancing competition among the orphans, motherless and other less privileged children. At the occasion, items were presented to the homes based on their requests and the items shared include pepper grinding machines, fridges, rice, clothing, and 22 brand new wheelchairs which were distributed to the people with disability to aid their movements. Also staff quarters, blocks of classrooms and a play ground was commissioned for the children of the Care People Foundation Orphanage Home, Ibadan as they now have a school built in the premises for them to pursue their education. Speaking during the ceremony, the President of Care People Foundation, Rev Paul Tunde Tioluwani said the foundation is God’s answer to church’s critics who often say that churches are milking the society and her congregation by way of tithes, offerings and high tuition in Christian school. “I will say that I felt so humbled to be involved with a project that betters the lives of the downtrodden in the society. The truth of

Dr Abeeb Olamitoye presenting a TV Set to one of the winners of the lucky dip

the matter is, if we look at our nation, the country has population of about 170 million people. So there are far better people than me that God can use for this kind of programme. So I feel so humbled and opportune by God to be counted worthy to be a partner in this project. It is always a thing of joy for me to be involved in putting smiles in people faces because I was once a sorrowful person. I was in sorrow for about 13 years and I promised in my heart that I will be championing the cause of the downtrodden. I didn’t know that God heard the prayer. God now solved my problem for me and He gave me the enablement to be able to do what I am doing today. Anytime I am doing this I am usually very happy”, he said. Tioluwani encouraged other churches to borrow a leaf from what Bibleway Church is doing. “Churches should be seen as ploughing back into the society. Churches should be where people with problems would run

Leadership: Mirror of the society (1) Hour of Change with Primate I.O

Oyelowo

et no man despise thy youth: but be thou an example of the believers in word in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity’’. 1 timothy 4:12. Mirror is a smooth surface, usually made of glass with reflective material painted on the underside that reflects light so as to give an image of what is in front of it. it is also an object, person, or event that reflects or give a picture of another. It can safety be said that followership mimics or copies what leadership does or fails to do because leadership is about influencing people to do something. Therefore a leader should lead by example. Parents assume leadership position in their respective homes, a pastor, or whatever title he bears, takes up mantle of leadership in his church while people elected through ballots or by appointment had leadership position entrusted to them. It is in-contestable that children hold. Tenaciously unto practices and points of view they either either learned from their parents or picked up along the way in life.

Leadership entails rights and responsibility. How this responsibility is performed will determine whether there is going to be peace, progress and development or otherwise in its constituency. When timothy was appointed as the bishop of the church in Ephesus, paul, his God father, enjoined him to do three vital things that will help him in no small measure to transform the life members of his congregation. They were reading of the scripture, preaching and doctrine or teaching. (1 Timothy 4:13). However, this can only be done with un-paralleled success if and only if he had the will to display the six attributes enumerated in 1timothy 4:12. Paul was convinced that timothy was more than competent to hold that enviable position because of the training he (Timothy) had received from both his mother and his grandmother. (2 Timothy 1:5-6) There is an adage that says; ‘’You cannot give what you do not have’’. It is important for parents to be well versed in the word of God before they can venture to teach the word the word, what they teach must be practiced by them for it to have meaning. Gone are the days when Christian parents had family chapel where they not only studied the bible together with their children but also prayed together, it is few parents that do this nowadays

largely due to the un-favourable condition of the country’s economy. The Almighty God had un-flinching confidence in a Braham that he would teach the ‘’word’’ to his children and his household after him so that a Braham’s blessing would be their portion (Gen. 18:18-19). Blessing here does not necessarily mean riches. It means peace and tranquility if they acted according to the commandment of God by being impartial in their dispensation of justice. Conversation: How do parents talk to each other at home? Is it with love? Is it with anger? Is it with pride? Or in a humble manner? Bear in mind that you children are carefully watching you as leaders to them. Because you serve as mirror to them, they copy you. The Bible enjoins Christians not to engage in grievous word that is capable of stirring anger, (Proverbs 15:1, Eph. 4:29) but to display sense of maturity while they engage in conversation with their neighbours. Jesus asked two men on their way to Emmaus, ‘’what manner of communications are these that ye have one to another’’? (Luke 24:17). Continued next week •You can contact us at: The Word of Life, Agbo Igbala Ti Kristi Aladura Church 70 Patey street Lagos State. Tel: 07040517413

A boy with disability enjoying himself at the carnival

into and would leave smiling. Churches should not be places where people are milked out of their substance and finances, it should be where people will have hope when they come into and they would leave hopefully. So I want churches around to do it the Jesus way. The best message for the poor is to address the needs of the poor by rendering assistance to them or give them money. So God knows that the poor should be taken care of and that is why out of all the mandate of Jesus, the very first one is to minister the gospel to the poor. I have been involved in this for a long time. It is a divine mandate”, he said. He was very pleased with the establishment of the school at the home saying “the best that can happen is to house them (orphans, the disables and the less privileged children) here and schooled them here and God has made that a reality. Also speaking, the founder of Ibadan Central Hospital, Dr Abeeb Olamitoye, who is also a stakeholder in the Foundation thanked everybody especially those that provided money and materials for the success of the carnival saying “God has been able to grant some level of comfort to the less privileges in the society through their support. “This is a wonderful outing because we have been able to establish a school for the children who are orphans and then we can be able to impact knowledge on them. They can be able to say they are an integral part of the society and they have not been abandoned. They can at one time in the future contribute their own quota to the country they belonged to”, he said. He said government cannot serve everybody, saying “ the rest of us that are not in government but are blessed by God should be able to take over those aspects that the government have not been able to reach . “I think God is reaching more to the heart of the people and we can conveniently say we have a Home in Ibadan and that it is an umbrella to other homes and that there is a school we build which will cater for more homes. This place will be a centre for meeting the needs of those who needs education and who are orphans and who have not been touched by the impact of government agencies”.

From the Pulpit

The voice of wisdom

with Dr. David

Oyedepo

rom scriptures, we understand that love is the greatest spiritual asset of every believer. It is what defines our worth in the race of life, because that is our connectivity to divinity. In other words, divinity is full of wonders, and love is our access to same. That is what makes every certified lover of God a living wonder on earth. Remember, the Bible says: Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him (1 Corinthians 2:9). Therefore, love the master key to a world of wonders.

When we are truly grounded in the love of Christ, we become supernaturally connected to divinity and that in turn, guarantees our dominion on earth. Again, we understand from scriptures that love is the greatest of all spiritual virtues (1 Corinthians 13:13). Thus, without this virtue at work in our lives, we will remain spiritually poor, beggarly and the struggles of our lives will continue. Love is our spiritual connectivity to God and as such, it is the platform for the flow and operation of signs and wonders. What is Love? If we don’t know what love is, we will not know when it is at work in us.

Let’s go

BIBLE with Favour

Tioluwani

Email: letsgobible@gmail.com

s a single parent, have you ever wondered what your kids would say about the way you date?

Dating with two people is difficult; dating in a crowd is downright complicated. Single parents need to consider tricky questions. For example, when and how do you include your children in the process? How much should they influence your decisions about dating? Or, if you’re dating a single parent (with or without kids of your own), what should you be? Wise dating begins by avoiding these three myths: 1. “If I’m happy, my kids will be happy.” Single parents sometimes tell themselves that their happiness is at the center of their children’s happiness, and therefore, “If I fall in love, my kids will be happy as well.” In truth, there’s no guarantee that finding romantic love will improve the lives of your children. In fact, your happiness can actually bring great unhappiness to your children. To remain balanced in dating, give equal consideration to your needs and

Sunday, December 20, 2015

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Understanding the Miracle Power of Love! • Love can be defined as a Godfirst Lifestyle: That simply means, God having the first place in all our considerations. The “God-first Lifestyle”is loving God with all our heart, soul and mind (Matthew 22:36-40). When we make room for God first, we become man and woman wondered at. • It is a Kingdom Priority Lifestyle: The Bible says: But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you (Matthew 6:33). What Jesus meant was, seek ye first the advancement, promotion and expansion of His Kingdom – in righteousness not faking it, and all these things that others desire to get, shall be added unto us. Again, Jesus said that upon love hangs the whole commandment. As it is written: Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets (Matthew 22:37-40). Therefore, when the law of love is fulfilled, the blessings of Deuteronomy 28:1-12 flows natural into our lives. • Love is Identifying with Jesus: Love is publicly identifying with Christ and His Word, wherever we find ourselves (Mark 8:38). When we are truly in love with God, we will identify with Him openly and publicly. • It is Placing God above all else

including Self: In an account of scriptures, a large crowd was travelling with Jesus when He suddenly turned and said: If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple (Luke 14:2627). That means, whosoever does not love Me more than he loves his father, mother, children and his own life, is not truly in love nor fit to be My disciple. When we come to the point where we place God above all else –including self, we are set to be released as wonders to our world. • Love is, loving what God loves: God’s greatest love is the salvation of souls (2 Peter 3:9). When we are truly in love, we are never ashamed of telling people about Jesus. How great is this Virtue of Love? The Bible makes us to understand that love is greater than faith and hope. This implies that “Love” will always deliver what faith cannot deliver (1 Corinthians 13:13). In other words, Love is FailureProof: Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away (1 Corinthians 13:8). Love never fails, because God is love; that is what makes love a failure-proof virtue. Love makes us Indestructible: Whatever will destroy a certified and genu-

ine lover, will have to destroy God first. For instance, fire cannot destroy God, because He is a consuming fire (Deuteronomy 9:3). God is the fire that consumes fire; as such, when we walk in His love, we become indestructible. However, it takes grace to love God wholeheartedly and that grace is only available to God’s children. To become a child of God, you must first accept Him as your Lord and Saviour; that is what being born again is all about. If you wish to be, please say this prayer and you shall be born again: “Lord Jesus, I come to You today. I am a sinner. Forgive me of my sins. Cleanse me with Your precious Blood. Deliver me from sin and Satan to serve the Living God. Today, I accept You as my Lord and Saviour. Thank You Jesus for saving me! Now I know I am born again!” For further reading, please get my books: Walking In The Miraculous, Operation In The Supernatural, Releasing The Supernatural, Commanding The Supernatural and All You Need To Have All Your Needs Met. Christmas is just five days away! It is my prayer that this shall be a season of joy unspeakable full of glory for you, in Jesus’ name! I wish you and your family a Merry Christmas in advance! •I know this teaching has blessed you. Write and share your testimony with me through: Faith Tabernacle, Canaanland, Ota, P.M.B. 21688, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria; or call 01-4548070, 01-4548280; or E-mail: feedback@lfcww.org

Dating considerations for single parents those of your children. 2. Your kids can’t be successful unless you are married. This myth claims that children raised in a single-parent home have deficits that will be eradicated if they are, instead, raised in a two-parent stepfamily home. Actually, research suggests the outcomes for kids are no different. Children can fare just as well when raised in a single-parent home as they can in a stepfamily. Therefore, when it comes to the well-being of your children, single parents should feel permission to stay single if they so choose. If you meet someone who is a good fit for your children, great. If you don’t, great. 3. Marriage repairs your home and gives children a family. Divorce or the death of a parent fractures a family, and understandably, single parents want to restore their family to a state of wholeness. But in truth, this isn’t possible. A decision to marry and form a blended family does not return a missing parent to the home. Instead, remarriage provides children with a stepparent and creates a parenting team that is very different from the biological family system into which they were born. This is not to say that stepfamilies cannot be loving, healthy homes—they can! But to date and marry with the expectation that “all will be restored” is to set your-

However, Hagar is for us a model

representing single mothers ev-

erywhere, and her story displays both the problems and the solutions in

God’s program for single mothers. self, your spouse, and your children up for great disappointment. However, Hagar is for us a model representing single mothers everywhere, and her story displays both the problems and the solutions in God’s program for single mothers. In Hagar especially we see God’s love for those women in our world who have been abused and misused, forgotten and forsaken, the single mothers on welfare, the woman fleeing abuse and living with her children in the family shelter. As God loved and blessed Hagar, God will love and bless each of them. They may be forgotten by the world, but not by God. If it is

the will of God for you to get into another family He will be the one that will work it out. On the other hand, you must know that it is only a rightful single parent that will receive the support and leading of the Almighty for God can never be involved with sin or with a sinner. But if you thus find yourself at that junction don’t throw yourself away let God restructure and perfect your life. •You can send in your QUESTIONS and the Holy Spirit will be set to give you the ANSWERS. Barr. (Mrs.) Favour Tioluwani Tel: 08050272259 or 07062738213. Email: letsgobible@gmail.com

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From the Pulpit 35

Sunday, December 20, 2015

Prompt response to His high and heavenly calling (3) MOMENT OF MIRACLES with Pastor W.F

Kumuyi Continued from last week

Single-mindedness in difficult times Nehemiah 4:1-23 Nehemiah was a single-minded believer who was focused and determined, especially in times of difficulty, conflict, opposition, persecution, confusion, and pressure. Nothing could dissuade, discourage or distract him. He must have taken to the path of his predecessors that made up his name. When fully spelt out, each letter of his name, NEHEMIAH, could stand for: N - Noah. Noah was a single-minded believer who was focused till he finished the project of building the Ark. Despite the opposition and frustration from scorners around him, he kept to his vision for 120 years. E - Enoch. Enoch followed the Lord faithfully in spite of challenges and oppositions. He walked with the Lord without deviation for 300 years when he was taken away. H - Hezekiah. Hezekiah was a single-minded believer who reversed the prophecy of death through prayer. He knew that he still had much to accomplish for the Lord; hence, he prayed and another 15 years were added to him. E - Elisha. Elisha was a man who coveted a double portion of Elijah’s spirit. Hence, he was focused on his goal, purpose, desire and request, distractions notwithstanding. He was a man of one goal and destination. M - Moses. Nehemiah often referred to Moses in his prayer. He saw him as a model who had the opportunity of becoming a great political leader in Egypt but

rejected the throne and royalty in order to be a deliverer of God’s people (Acts 7:22; Hebrews 11:24-26). I - Isaiah. Through the Holy Spirit, he gave prophecies that were difficult to be believed during his time. A - Abraham. He was a singleminded believer who willingly offered Isaac, his only son, to God. H - Hannah. She was so singleminded that she wept and requested for a male child whom she would give back to the nation of Israel as a prophet. Like these Old Testament believers, when we see what others fail to see through faith, our focus will be on one goal, passion and pursuit. Nehemiah was a single-minded man. He had set his face steadfastly in the direction of God’s calling upon his life and nothing was going to deter him from it. Like Moses, Daniel, Ruth, Esther, Stephen, and Paul (Acts 20:24), he was the opposite of a double-minded man who is unstable in all his ways. There was nothing unstable about Nehemiah. He was going to rebuild the walls to restore the lost glory. There was no hesitation, indecision, excuses, fear, retreat or compromise. Everything about a single-minded man points to his whole-hearted determination to do God’s will. He deliberately refused royalty; choosing rather, like Moses, to suffer affliction with the people of God. Although there was no pressure or motivation, the information he got about the state of Jerusalem made him to work for God, the challenges he faced notwithstanding. Single-mindedness does not only show in one’s attitude or language, it is also revealed in comportment, character and consecration. Nehemiah was resolute and irresistible. Like him, we must be determined and resolute in giving our lives to the work and ministry the Lord has called us into. 1. Single-minded commitment amid reproachful contempt Nehemiah 4:1-6; Isaiah 50:6,7; Psalms 57:7; 108:1; 112:7; 119:23,22,51,6063,69,83,87,95,110;141,143,161; 2 Corinthians 4:1618. Nehemiah came from the palace with royalty, prestige, position, experience and letter of

recommendation from the king; yet, the people did not recognise him. In the midst of reproach and contempt, he was single-mindedly committed to the call God gave him. The great work Nehemiah did could not have been done by an attention-seeking, praise-hungry, self-conscious, skilled and talented minister. Nehemiah was single-minded; and he was dead to self. When he knew that God had set the direction of his life, he committed himself unreservedly to following through. The enemy may want to make us forget the promises of God, the prize of our high calling and goal. But, like the Psalmist, our hearts must be fixed on God’s unchanging word and promises. Tobiah and Sanballat were no mean or weak enemies: they were strong and powerful. They had royal authority and military might on their side. They had patriotic citizens too and noble supporters behind them. They were also well connected with influential people in the inner circle of Nehemiah. They employed some people with prophetic ministry who made him afraid by their prophecies and dreams. Without single-mindedness, Nehemiah would not have had a chance in a thousand to be successful. These enemies, Tobiah and Sanballat, were actively opposed to him from the very beginning to the end. It took a single-minded man to persevere in the face of similar opposition and persecution. Anyone with less dedication and devotedness would have lost his bearing; and the walls might never have been built. Each of us needs the mind and motivation of Nehemiah today. 2. Self-sacrificing courage despite relentless conspiracy Nehemiah 4:7-11; daniel 9:25; psalm 2:1-8. The goal of the enemy is to try to stop us from doing God’s work through his emissaries. But with Christ on our side, we shall overcome all their tricks. No good thing has ever been done on earth without opposition. Because Satan is still in the world, he opposes the work of God. And those who wait for better times before answering God’s call will never find it. Some

believers, not knowing the Scripture and the purpose of God, think the persecution they suffer is too much and therefore give in. While the wicked men are waxing worse and worse, we should be waxing stronger and tougher. While the enemies engaged Nehemiah full-time, he was determined that nothing would stop the work of God he was involved with. 3. Strategic creativity under recurrent conflicts Nehemiah 4:16-23. Nehemiah was always ahead of his enemies because of his strategic plans. He divided the workforce into two: those who were committed to building the walls and those who kept watch with their weapons of war. Although Nehemiah had not been a builder, captain of an army or governor before this time, he allowed God to use him to accomplish His purpose. He was a focused and single-minded man. Like Nehemiah, when we depend on the Lord in the face of oppositions and persecutions, He will give us a better strategy. And with God on our side and unity among us, the Discipling A Whole Nation (DAWN) project will be accomplished. Freedom through faith that pleases God Hebrews 11:4-6 We are living at such a time and place when faith in God is so needful for a purposeful life. We will always need God and we need Him now more than ever, speaking in human language. All around us, we see and hear of adversity and disaster, “no peace, great vexations upon all the inhabitants of the countries,” “men’s hearts failing them for fear.” And yet, there is no end in sight. This is not the time to play religion; this is the time to seek the true and living God with unwavering faith in Jesus, His only begotten Son. “And ye shall seek Me, and find Me, when ye shall search for Me with all your heart” (Jeremiah 29:13). Continued next week

Destined to be fruitful

ruitfulness is a command from God and everything that can make you fruitful in every area of your life is already placed in you. (Genesis 1: 28). The first command of blessing upon mankind is ‘be fruitful’. This is the foundation for the rest of the blessings God pronounced upon mankind. If your fruitfulness is hindered then the rest of the blessings will automatically be prevented from happening in your life. And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. (Genesis 1:28) Fruitfulness is the beginning of the blessings that was released upon mankind by God. If a man is not fruitful he cannot move to the next level of multiplication and if there is no multiplication, there can never be replenishing. You cannot subdue if there is no means for multiplication and there is no room for a small man to dominate. You can see the reason devil will try all means to prevent a man from fruitfulness. 12 Then Isaac sowed in that land, and received in the same year an hundredfold: and the LORD blessed him. 13 And the man waxed great, and went forward, and grew until he became very great: 14 For he had possession of flocks, and possession of herds, and great store of servants: and the Philistines envied him (Genesis 26:12-14) You fruitfulness is also is a proof that you

have been blessed by God and a threat to the kingdom of darkness. The proof that God has blessed Isaac was his fruitfulness and at the same times a threat to the people of Philistines. And it was reported that the man (Isaac) was a very great man because of his fruitfulness through the power of God. Devil will do everything to hinder your fruitfulness in order to stop your greatness that is why you must resist him with all God has given you to destroy all his (devil) attempt to stop your fruitfulness. In the story of Isaac, devil tried to use the people of Philistines to stop the fruitfulness of Isaac. The enemy became jealous because his life was colourful and gloryfying to God. 15 For all the wells which his father’s servants had digged in the days of Abraham his father, the Philistines had stopped them, and filled them with earth. 16 And Abimelech said unto Isaac, Go from us; for thou art much mightier than we. 17 And Isaac departed thence, and pitched his tent in the valley of Gerar, and dwelt there. 18 And Isaac digged again the wells of water, which they had digged in the days of Abraham his father; for the Philistines had stopped them after the death of Abraham: and he called their names after the names by which his father had called them. 19 And Isaac’s servants digged in the valley, and found there a well of springing water. 20 And the herdmen of Gerar did strive with Isaac’s herdmen, saying, The water is ours: and he called the name of the well Esek; because they strove with him. 21 And they digged another well, and strove for that also:

Opayinka

and he called the name of it Sitnah. 22 And he removed from thence, and digged another well; and for that they strove not: and he called the name of it Rehoboth; and he said, For now the LORD hath made room for us, and we shall be fruitful in the land. {Rehoboth: that is Room} (Genesis 26:15-22) Isaac did not give in to the devil in stopping his fruitfulness. You must not allow the devil through his human agents or natural occurrences to hinder your fruitfulness. When devil realised that famine cannot stop Isaac from being fruitful he tried human agents (Philistines) Naturally you must be fruitful because God has said that you should be fruitful. Just as every seed is carrying power to be fruitful so you are. However power any seed is carrying, it will not be fruitful until it is planted in the right place. So you cannot be fruitful as a man, until you are planted in the right place which is Jesus. Your fruitfulness to great-

ness will manifest only when you are deeply rooted in the Lord. It is only a man who is planted in the Lord that will overcome all the hurdles to fruitfulness as we see it in Isaiah 61:1-3, 1 The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the poor; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; 2 To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn; 3 To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified. As you can see some of the obstacles which include: poverty, disappointment, captivity and bondage. It will only take the power of God to overcome these hurdles. If you must be great in life, it will start from your fruitfulness may it be in ministry, career, business and whatsoever you are doing. The anointing of God will come upon your life when you are planted in Jesus and allow your root to deeply firm in Him.

Bishop Joshua K. Opayinka Glorious Tabernacle International, Behind Adegbemile Cultural Centre, Akure, Ondo State. 08060297831 glorioustabernacle@gmail.com

From the Pulpit

Sunday, December 20, 2015

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Waiting for The Consolation

uspense, Anticipation, Expectation, Apprehension, Lingering, Trepidation, Eagerness, Hope. Who likes to wait? Waiting drives people crazy! Many ask: “Why do I have to wait so long?” Waiting long! We become impatient. We become upset. We become agitated! Christmas reminds us about waiting. It teaches us how to wait. The first Christmas account in Luke 2:25-26 introduces us to an old man who stands like a bridge between the Old Testament Messianic expectation and the New Testament manifestation of Jesus, the Messiah. The text reads: “Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.” The first Messianic promise was given by God in Gen 3:15—“And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed; He will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.” Beginning from Adam and Eve, all of humanity had been waiting for the manifestation of this Messianic Seed: Jesus. In the birth of Cain and Seth, mother Eve thought the Seed had arrived so soon (Gen 4:1, 25). Not that quick! The wait had just begun! Abraham believed the promise of the Lord for a Special Seed (Gen 12:1-3; 15:4-5). “And Abram believed the Lord, and it was credited to him as righteousness” (Gen 15:6). All through the Old Testament, the saints waited in anticipation for the Messiah. There were four hundred (400) anxious years between the Old Testament and the New. They waited still in vain! Then comes Simeon, “waiting for the consolation” (Luke 2:25).

Miracle Arena with Bishop

Theo Ugochukwu

ometimes God the Omnipotent Redeemer uses suffering and the evil intentions of your enemies to advance you for good. An instance in Philippians Chapter 1:12-13 recorded Paul’s account saying “But I want you to know, brethren that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel, so that it has become evident to the whole palace guard”. Apostle Paul was actually suffering unjustly in a Roman prison when he wrote this letter to the Church at Philippi, and he writes the Philippians and says to them, “… Don’t worry about me and all that I am going through rather rejoice, because my suffering is actually turning out for the furtherance of the gospel”. Those who lied against him and got him into prison thought they have succeeded in caging the spreading of the gospel. His enemies and those who hated him joined in spreading the gospel, so that Paul would be punished the more in prison. But Paul saw it that what he was not able

Jesus was referred to as the “Desire of all ages” (Haggai 2:7; 1 Sam 9:20). He was the Cause of all the waiting of the saints of all ages. He is worth all the “wait” and more! All the promises in the Scriptures point to him. He is the Center of the Bible. He is the “Alpha and the Omega” (Rev 1:8, 17-18; 21:6-7). “As for God, His way is perfect” (2 Sam 22:31). God’s people are always in the waiting room. Adam and Eve waited for the good Seed (Gen 4:25). Abraham and Sarah waited for 25 years to conceive the promised child. His progeny would have to wait for 400 solid years in servitude in Egypt where God incubated them into the nation of Israel! Jacob and Isaac waited for years for children. Simeon’s name means “hearing” or “heard.” Simeon heard the Messianic promise from the Scriptures, took hold of this promise from God and said” “I’m not letting go of this until You give to me what You promised.” God loves faith like that. Learning the Word of God brings comfort as one waits, learning to have faith as you wait. There are innumerable benefits of waiting on God. When we wait on God, He hears our prayers (Isa 40:1). When we wait on God, He acts on our behalf (Isa 64:4). When we wait on God, He keeps us from shame (Psa 25:3). “They who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength” (Isa 40:31). God uses the process of waiting and trusting to make us into the kind of man or woman that He wants us to be. Hence, He wants us to wait! In the wait, we become more like Him! Waiting on God may be difficult, but it is always a blessing. While you wait, turn things over to God and draw strength from the Word of God that gives peace, assurance, and comfort. Take heart in the promises God has given you. Focus on things above and not on earth as you wait during those difficult days. Wait for God’s will, His timing, His purpose, His grace, and His promise. “Wait, I say, on

the Lord” (Psa 27:14). Of waiting Simeon, the Bible testifies that he “was righteous and devout.” This kind of “righteous” is not some theoretical idea; this is practical righteousness. Simeon’s life modeled what he professed. His walk matched his talk. His actions pleased God. “Devout” deals with attitudes. It means the attitude of heart that gives God His rightful place. He was a worshipper of God. He always thought about the Lord and what would please Him. He lived in an attitude of reverence. He was waiting for the Consolation! He waited for decades to see the Messiah. Sometimes God wants us to wait that long. Simeon waited on God in the power of the Holy Spirit. In his own strength, he never would have made it to that phenomenal moment when he held God’s answer in his arms. Neither will you. God has not equipped His people to wait in their strength, but only in His strength. Only God can enable you to wait on Him. “In the biography of our Lord nothing is more noticeable than the quiet, even poise of His life. Never flustered whatever happened, never taken off His guard, however assailed by men or demons in the midst of fickle people, hostile rulers, faithless disciples-always calm, always collected. Christ the hard worker indeedbut doing no more, and no less, than God had appointed Him, and with no restlessness, no hurry, no worry. Was ever such a peaceful life lived, under conditions so perturbing?” [Geraldine Taylor, Behind the Rangers: The Life-Changing Story of J. O. Fraser. Singapore: OMF International, 1998, 191]. We too should learn to wait on the Lord without the usual frantic panicked rushing. No matter what becomes your lot to wait for, be patient! Are you waiting for justice? God is the God of perfect justice. He shall vindicate you. Are you painfully waiting for reconciliation for a severed or broken relationship? God will fix it!

Are you waiting for a life partner? Do not compromise. You don’t want anything other than God’s highest and best—even if you must wait till you’re in your forties to get married or even if marriage is not in God’s plan for you. Jesus is the Eternal Husband! Have you being waiting for the fruit of the womb for years? Be patient and wait on God. If that is His will for you, you will receive the gift of a child. The barren shall be the mother of children and their reproach shall be reversed (Isa 54:1-4). Are you health-challenged? “Let the weak say ‘I am strong’” (Joel 3:10). “By His stripes, you are healed” (Isa 53:5). God is preparing something special for you! May be that is why it seems to be taking so long! That financial breakthrough shall be yours: Overflowing, Pressed-Down, Shaken Together, Blessings! Your promotion is coming. Deeper anointing shall be yours! “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end (a hopeful future)” (Jer 29:11). God shall make “everything beautiful in its time” (Eccl 3:11). This wait shall make you stronger. All we care about is the result, but God cares about the process. The remaining days of this year are not too few for God to surprise you. Remember, God delivered a nation in a night, saved the world in three days, and created everything we see today in seven days before Him, a day is like a thousand! Waiting is part of God’s plan to make your life beautiful. At the end, it will be worth the wait! Christmas is about waiting for the Consolation. You shall be consoled in Jesus’ name! •Tunde Ojewole, PhD, is the Babcock University Pastor in charge: Division of Spiritual Life. Get your copy of the newly released book: GOD’S FOOTPRINTS. For enquiries, contact: ojewolea@babcock.edu.ng or call/SMS 08058299434/08060376577

“God will use their evil intentions to advance you” to accomplish when he was free, is now spreading like fire even as he was being kept in prison. In God’s eyes sometimes, He will raise a man or woman to go through the desert of life, master it so that he or she could lea his/her generation to the Promised Land. Are you facing some challenges or difficulties right now, almost at the verge of giving up? I want to announce to you, there may be people whom you love and have been praying for, that may be drawn to God as a result of seeing you walk with the Lord through the valley you are in. This is one of the more reasons that God allows challenges and difficulties in order to advance your destiny or the gospel. I prophesy to you right now that your life is under God’s construction. That situation is not your destination. It is only a process to your destiny. Stop seeing those challenges and difficulties as permanent situation in your life. Joseph survived it, you too survive it. Gen. 37:25-28 says “So when Joseph came to his brethrens, they stripped him of his robe, the robe of many colours that he wore and they took him and threw him into a pit. The pit was empty and there was no water in

it. Then they sat down to eat, and looking up the saw a Caravan of Ishmaelite coming from Gilead, with their camels bearing gum, balm and myrrh on their way to carry it down to Egypt. Then Medianite traders passed by and they drew Joseph up and lifted him out of the pit and sold him to the Ishmaelite for twenty shekels of silver. They took Joseph to Egypt”. Joseph went through a lot in the hands of his own brothers. They mocked him, ridiculed him and even sold him as a slave, thereby ignorantly helping to transport him to the land of his destination. Today, your life may not speak volume; it may seem abandoned and forsaken, just hold on for God is constructing something special and very great. It may tarry, but it shall surely speak. When it will come to pass, all eyes shall see the manifestation of the glory of the Lord revealed in your life. When God revealed Joseph’s glory, check out what the Bible said {Gen.45:3} “And Joseph said to his brothers, I am Joseph, is my father still alive?” But his brothers could not answer him for they were dismayed at his presence. Glory be to God. The man they tore his coat, put in the pit and later sold as a slave, the Bi-

ble recorded that “They were dismayed” when God’s glory appeared at the end of all the challenges, trials and the mockery of men and women, they would be dismayed. God has a good and wonderful plan for your life. Jeremiah 29:11 says “I know the plans that I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” (NIV). God’s thought towards you is to bring out the best in you. He wants to give you a future that will be the envy of many nations. Today, I declare your present situation is not your destination. You will overcome the situation. I wait convincingly for the day of your decoration. Make sure I am invited. I love this God! Till next week, remain blessed and uncommonly favored this week. •For more information, contact: Bishop Theo Ugochukwu – General Overseer, Miracle Assembly Bible Church, a.k.a. The City of Joy, 80, Ajose Street, Mende, Maryland, Lagos; Tel: 08033461482. Email: bishopgracemiracle@ ymail.com

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Politics

December 20, 2015

Dasukigate: Bleeding of an anaemic nation CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9

also ordered that the former NSA should surrender his international passport and other traveling documents to the Deputy Registrar of the court in charge of litigation. Although the charge against Dasuki was later expanded by the Federal Government to include money laundering, Justice Ademola on November 3 granted his request to travel abroad for medical treatment and ordered that his passport be given to him to embark on the medical trip. But contrary to the order of the court that Dasuki be allowed to travel abroad for medical treatment, he was put under house arrest until early this month when operatives of the DSS took him to their office and began his interrogation over $2.1 billion arms deal. The action of the DSS followed the order issued by President Muhammadu Buhari on November 17 that those indicted in the audit of the procurement of arms and equipment in the Armed Forces and Defence sector from 2007 to date be arrested. Buhari had in August this year directed the office of the National Security Adviser, NSA, to set up a 13-man committee to carry out the audit. Following his interrogation by security agents, Dasuki was again arraigned in court over the $2.1 billion arms deal. He has pleaded not guilty to the charge. However, since his arraignment in court, there has been more revelations on the arms deal as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC disclosed how Dasuki allegedly shared N30 billion to some members of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP as well as some members of the House of Representatives. The Commission further alleged that the money was delivered to him in dollars from the Central Bank of Nigeria and part of the money was used for special prayers Another revelation on the arms deal scandal was how about $2billion meant for arms purchase was allegedly diverted by some top government officials and politicians during the last administration A former Director of Finance in the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), Mr. Shuaibu Salisu, said $47million was withdrawn from the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN in 11 suit cases. While trying to exonerate himself of any complicity in the matter during investigation by the officials of the EFCC, Saliu said that as a civil servant, he only carried out instructions from the ex-National Security Adviser, Mr. Mohammed Sambo Dasuki. Specifically, Salisu was said to have told EFCC operatives that he was directed by the former NSA to go to the CBN and collect the sum of $47m in cash and the balance in Euro and the directive was obeyed and the monies were delivered to the NSA in about 11 suit cases. Another revelation from the arms deal saga was the mention of Chairman and Publisher of Thisday Newspapers, Nduka Obaigbena who was invited by the EFCC to account for the N670 million

Obaigbena

Bafarawa

A FORMER DIRECTOR OF FINANCE IN THE OFFICE OF THE NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER (ONSA), MR. SHUAIBU SALISU, SAID $47MILLION WAS WITHDRAWN FROM THE CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA, CBN IN 11 SUIT CASES

traced to him as part of the $2.1 billion arms budget. But Obaigbena who is presently out of the country in his response to letter of invitation from the EFCC explained that the money he received from the Office of National Security Adviser, ONSA was duly approved for him by former President Goodluck Jonathan as compensation for the bombing of his offices in Abuja and Kaduna by Boko Haram insurgents in 2012. Obaigbena explained that the the payment of the sum of N550 million that was approved by former President Jonathan was in response to the letters of appeal he personally wrote to him pleading for assistance following the destruction of his buildings and printing facilities by the Boko Haram sect. He also told the EFCC in his response that such compassionate approval by the former president and subsequent payment could not mean that he received suspicious funds from the office of the NSA. “We have never received any suspicious funds from the Office of the National Security Adviser. All funds received from the Office of the National Security Adviser were payments for compensation to mitigate the dastardly Boko Haram Haram twin bombings of the Thisday Newspapers offices in Abuja

and Kaduna on Thursday April 26, 2012, during which four innocent Nigerian lives were lost. “During that attack, our buildings were destroyed and we lost full colour Goss printing towers and three pre-press Computer-To-Plate and anxiliary equipment and other invaluable property valued at over N2.5 billion. “This was aside the daily costs to pay third party printers of over N1 billion having lost our printing facility to terrorists due to inadequate protection by the Federal Government of Nigeria. That amount of money was drawn down from the ONSA in March 2015 following the appeal made to Jonathan by the Newspaper Proprietors Association of Nigeria ,NPAN, where he serves as the President. “As President of the NPAN, it was my duty to lead media leaders to hold discussions with President Goodluck Jonathan to avert a class action lawsuit against the Armed Forces and the Federal Government of Nigeria. “On both occasions, President Jonathan said he did not wish to lay precedence and in our case, he specifically said there were many victims of Boko Haram. I had to confront President Jonathan on the issue when I learnt of approvals for the reconstruction of the Abuja United Nations Building, since we were the second major organisation

to be attacked by Boko Haram after the UN attack. “Jonathan therefore directed me to meet the National Security Adviser who processed the three payments in question.”, Obaigbena said ThisDay Publisher also explained in his response to the EFCC invitation that he received N120 million in March 2015 on behalf of the Newspaper Proprietors Association of Nigeria,NPAN and 12 newspapers. According to him, the newspapers had demanded compensation for the unlawful seizure and stoppage of circulation of their newspapers by armed soldiers in Abuja and several cities during the Goodluck Jonathan administration. While some newspapers admitted that they collected money, others denied that they received N10 million each through NPAN by the Office of the National Security Adviser as compensation for the disruption of their circulation operations, seizure of newspapers and damage to their property by soldiers in June 2014 Following the revelation, the Nigerian Guild of Editors called for a thorough investigation of media executives alleged to have received billions of naira from the former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki. The position formed part of the decisions reached at the fourth quarterly standing committee meeting of the group in Abuja which was contained in the communiqué signed by its President Garba Deen Mohammad and Secretary General, Victoria Ibanga. At a dinner hosted by President Muhammadu Buhari for members of the House of Representatives at the Presidential Villa on Wednesday, December 5, he used the occasion to bear his mind on the $2.1 billion arms deal scandal, describing the development as a breach of trust. Buhari, who was obviously not happy about the diversion of the funds to procure good arms and ammunition to prosecute the war against insurgency expressed regret that the process was abused at various levels. The President said that his administration would ensure that the matter was thoroughly investigated and prosecuted to a logical conclusion with the hope of recouping diverted funds. Buhari is not alone in the thinking that the matter be diligently prosecuted, Edo state governor, comrade Adams Oshiomhole also has the same opinion. Oshiomhole who said he was not shocked about the revelations from the arms deal explained that he had always been talking about fraudulent activities in government even before the change in government The Edo governor who described the arms deal as a tip of the iceberg explained that the NSA supposed to be an advisory officer and not procurement agent for government. “I am happy the figures are coming out and I know that this is a tip of the iceberg and I read some reports, the numbers are in billions, Dasuki is just one bleeding point, there are several bleeding points in the system”, OshiomCONTINUED ON PAGE 39

Politics

December 20, 2015

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

LG staff responsible for low IGR –ALGON boss all these decisions. We have to sit down and agree on how we are going about this without any hiccup. And we thank God His Excellency, Governor Al-Makura has allowed each of the local governments to go its own way, but if we go in our own ways and we have taken the first line JAAC, operationally, some local governments would not be able to pay their staff. So by the time we take the first line JAAC, we will pay the emirate councils, we will pay one percent of the local government service commission, we will pay the teachers as the first line JAAC, the local government staff would not be paid. So we are at the crossroads. We have to come down and harmonize the way and manner we are going to do before we finally domesticate the idea into reality.

Staff of local government councils in Nasarawa State are presently in a dilemma as payment of their salary is now inconsistent due to drastic fall in the revenue accrued from the federation account. However, Hon Suleiman Wambai, chairman of the Nasarawa State chapter of Association of Local Governments of Nigeria, ALGON, in this interview with IGBAWASE UKUMBA speaks about the association’s efforts at addressing the financial mess bedeviling local government areas in the state. There are rumours going round that staff of local government areas in the state are yet to receive their October salary. If true, what actually is causing the delay? We are at a crossroads because the August, September as well as July salaries were not paid fully. We are trying to see that having used the platform of biometric data capture, we discovered that there were a lot of omissions however we tried to call the people who actually came out with the biometrics platform. Even after ratification, we discovered still there is a problem and we have come back to our platform; the local government platform and the chairmen’s platform so that we can harmonise the two platforms and come up with a single platform that would enable us to pay completely. However, we know in a situations like this there may be shortcomings or limitations but very minor, which we would rectify. But then after finishing all these, then we would fall back to the state Joint Account Allocation Committee, JAAC, and decide on the October salary, probably with the coming of November federal allocation, we may even do these at once. But time and space would determine this. In essence, you are assuring that the balance of salary local governments in the state owes workers in the previous months would soon be paid to them? Of course, the money is meant for the workers’ salary. Nobody has touched the salary. Even the delay has a positive advantage because during this exercise performed by local government executives, there were a lot of savings. That savings would be used to augment the October salary to a certain degree. You should recall that the October allocation from the federation account was on N1.2 billion which by that it is a little bit higher than only 50 per cent. But because of the way and manner the screening exercise was conducted by the local government chief executives, we are in no doubt that we would be able to pay either 90 to 100 per cent salary be-

Wam mbai

BECAUSE OF THE WAY AND MANNER THE SCREENING EXERCISE WAS CONDUCTED BY

THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT CHIEF EXECUTIVES, WE ARE IN NO DOUBT THAT WE WOULD BE ABLE TO PAY EITHER 90 TO 100 PER CENT SALARY BECAUSE THERE WERE SAVINGS

cause there were savings. And when you want to achieve success in any organizational platform and you carry everything at a goal, you end up messing up the system. So we appealed to workers to be patient, to endure. Their endurance is not going to be in vain; it is for the benefit of the local governments, benefit of the workers in the entire local governments in the state and we are credible hoping that all the local government chief executives are men of culture. They were elected but not selected. They are representatives of their various communities and definitely what they are doing is in consonance with the concept of good governance. How soon do we expect to see this relief coming the way of worker? Like I told you, by this week all the

remaining omissions would be passed to the local government councils for onward disbursement to the workers. But that cannot be holistically achieved 100 percent. Maybe there would be shortcomings and limitations of one percent which can be addressed by the JAAC. When we hold the JAAC meeting, we would determine because there is a problem now, local governments would lost their resources allocated to them by the Federal Account Allocation Committee, FAAC. But if we say we are going to use the platform where we take the first line JAAC, the local government staff would not be paid and you know JAAC is a constitutional matter. We cannot sit down between the abrogation of the joint account, and the operational paradise of the joint account and the law. There is something cumbersome somewhere. However, we have to tailor

So are you saying now that JAAC is still operational despite Governor Al-Makura’s recent pronouncement that the JAAC system has been abolished in Nasarawa State? The governor has already abrogated JAAC in terms of local government operations. Like I used to tell anybody who cares to listen that our money always comes to our local government without being tempered with by the long hand of the state government. However, in our decision, in our magnanimity we have decided, because some of the local governments would not be able to pay, to say let us be brother’s keeper. Now the brother’s keeper concept is cancelled because the governor has made a pronouncement. However, the JAAC account itself is a constitutional issue. Now there is a pronouncement from the governor, who is the chief accounting officer of the state and there is a lacuna by the constitution that mandates the usage of the JAAC. However, we will operate within the balance of the two. But however, every local government would be given its money. Each of the local government in the state would be given as directed by the constitutional provision. Local council workers in the state are raising eyebrows about the Internally Generated Revenue, IGR, of local governments in the state alleging that councils executives have converted the IGR into their personal estate. How can you defend ALGON on that allegation? Let me tell you that if we come to the IGR issue, most of our people need a fresh orientation. How many people in the Nigeria society pay tax? It is inconsequential number. The percentage is very low. Collection of IGR is difficult; harmonizing the money is far more difficult. Even the people collecting the IGR are problems to the local government chairmen. The staff of the local governments are the collectors. If you bring in a consultant, it is a problem. If you give it to them (council workers) to collect it, in fact somebody will be having personal receipt and will be collecting that money and the money will not reach the account of the local government. Who actually is causing the problem of the IGR. Is it not the local governments’ staff. So what are they talking about?

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Politics

December 20, 2015

Appeal Court verdict: Wike in battle for survival CONTINUED FROM PAGE 10 “It is therefore reasonable to assume he will maintain the same stubborn stance and delay the inevitable yet again. It is, after all, his prerogative. “Anyone who is truly confident of his popularity should not be afraid to face the electorate. PDP has a lot of supporters. But everyday they drag this process out, they may lose more and more and more. Pointing out that nobody knows what the outcome of an election will be, he insisted that what took place in the state in 2015, was neither free, fair nor credible, saying, “ It can’t stand scrutiny. As we have now seen.” On whether he plans to contest the rerun poll, he said, “ I would rather focus on adding value to society. “As for the conduct of future elections in Rivers, it is worth noting the supremacy of the card reader as now contained in this judgement and the way elections were conducted in Kogi and Bayelsa went. “We still have lessons to learn. My main concern remains security. Both APC and the PDP have shown desperation and an unmitigated desire for power at all costs. The recent black and white march charades cannot conceal the blood they both spilled. People are not foolish. “What I will say is I will sponsor every Labour Party candidate who shows a real desire to contest their rerun. A statement on my election will be made when a vacancy arises,” the son of the Amayanabo (King) of Kalabari said. For now, it is still a waiting game for the Supreme Court to look at the issues that will be brought before it by Wike and gives its verdict, which ultimately will put paid to the months of legal battle between Wike and Peterside.

Amaechi

Secondus

AS FOR THE CONDUCT OF FUTURE ELECTIONS IN RIVERS, IT IS WORTH NOTING THE SUPREMACY OF THE CARD READER AS NOW CONTAINED IN THIS JUDGEMENT AND THE WAY ELECTIONS WERE CONDUCTED IN KOGI AND

BAYELSA WENT

Already the governor has finally constituted his cabinet, having inaugurated his 22 commissioners and five newly appointed Special Advisers on

Thursday afternoon, over two weeks after they were appointed. However one looks at the unfolding political drama in the state, especially

the two time nullification of Wike’s election, there are implications. Though the governor hit the ground running, as politicians will say from the ontset of his administration on May 29, 2015, nay his involvement in many projects, the outcome of the court processes may just come as a distraction, especially as he already preparing to ensure victory for his federal lawmakers when the rerun is scheduled. His determination to deliver his party’s NASS members who lose at the Appeal was succinctly expressed when said “We shall return all our National Assembly members as a way to disgrace those who think they will snatch the mandate of the people.” More importantly, he is currently in a battle of survival and undoubtedly so, he is just applying a basic of international relations of preparing for war, while negotiating peace. In this case, preparing to test his popularity with the APC governorship candidate, Peterside and the latter’s political godfather, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, who is now Minister of Transportation, while buying time and testing his luck at the nation’s apex court. A certain school of thought says he may slow down on the number of projects being embarked upon having failed to reclaim his mandate both at the Tribunal and Appeal Court . There is yet another who are of the view that that the governor started more projects when he first lose at the Tribunal to show that he was not shaken, even as this time around he also vowed to continue work with the same zeal, the verdict of the Court notwithstanding. Whether he is working round the clock to fulfill his campaign promises to the people and giving them democratic dividends or have his confidence shaken can only be revealed with time.

Dasukigate: Bleeding of an anaemic nation CONTINUED FROM PAGE 37 hole said. With the resolve of the present administration headed by Buhari to fight corruption to a stand still, recent development however revealed that there may be plans to distract the President from focusing on his anti-corruption drive as there were reports last week alleging that the President collected $300,000 and up to five armoured Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs) from the Office of the National Security Adviser in the aftermath of the attack on his convoy in Kaduna last year. This was an allegation that the Presidency came out to deny through a press statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina In the statement, the Presidency said, “we unequivocally deny that President Buhari received $300,000.00 or any monetary compensation whatsoever from the Jonathan Presidency or any of its officials, in the aftermath of that attack, or at any other time since then” “While it is true that one armoured SUV and one untreated SUV were sent

to the President in the aftermath of the attack, the vehicles were in keeping with his entitlements as a former Head of State under the Remuneration of Former Presidents and Heads of State (And other Ancillary Matters) Decree of 1999” “Section 3, Sub Section 1 of that Decree provides that three vehicles will be provided for former heads of state and replaced every four years” “There was therefore nothing untoward, illegal or tending to corruption in former Head of State Buhari and Presidential aspirant, as he then was, receiving vehicles, to which he was statutorily entitled , from the Federal Government of Nigeria” “President Buhari had in keeping with his austere, spartan and frugal disposition shunned most of his entitlements as a former Head of State, but was prevailed upon by his supporters to accept the two vehicles for his personal safety in the aftermath of the dastardly attempt to assassinate him” “It is preposterous to think that the President will allow his acclaimed reputation of honesty and incorruptibility to

be tarnished by accepting a questionable monetary compensation from a discredited regime”, the statement added. There are many people who believed that the said report that Buhari collected $300,000 was an attempt to put the President on the spotlight and make him soft pedal on the prosecution of those alleged to have dipped their hands into the nation’s coffers. Buhari had also been accused by the opposition PDP that the fight against corruption was aone-sided fight . For Ikechukwu Ezechukwu, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria,SAN, it was still too early in the day to say that the corruption fight is one sided, stressing that for everything in life, there must be a starting point. “It may seems that the starting point may be one sided but all the same, at the end of the day, that is the time we will be able to judge whether it is one sided or not; but for me it is still very early in the day”, Ezechukwu said. On whether the trial of Dasuki was an act of vendetta as perceived by some Nigerians, the Senior Advocated said, “the issue with respect to Dasuki’s trial is for

government to prove that he really committed those offences otherwise perception; you can never do away with it. “The perception of the people is that he is being witch-hunted; but all the same, if there are concrete evidence and government can show it and prove, it will disperse the perception that people have. People will now know that he actually committed the offences”, he added. However, as events unfold regarding the activities of the last administration, Nigerians at the end of the day would be able to give their own verdict about the governance of their country and how their resources had been managed. But the Buhari-led administration has vowed that there is no going back on the fight against corruption in the country as the President was to step on big toes in order to bring sanity into governance. However, there was a new twist when operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, arrested the Chairman of Daar Communications Plc, Chief Raymond Dokpesi and a former governor of Sokoto State, Attahiru Bafarawa.

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STORIES THAT TOUCH YOU December 20, 2015

Ajah Doby’s Haven Estate residents at war

ood neighborliness entails people living side by side in a cordial, civil, possibly on mutually beneficial terms devoid of rancor. That is why the owners of Dobys Haven Estate, Ajah, believed it was to be a place of refuge or safety. However, the haven part of the estate is fast disappearing with some of the residents at loggerheads. At daggers drawn are Greg Odutayo and Aisha Tosan. Odutayo, who is a former staff with the Nigerian Television Authority, and a producer/director and Managing Director of Royal Roots, a television production company accused the producer of Crime Fighters, Mrs. Aisha Tosan, of using the police to harass him over a frivolous petition. According to Mr. Greg Odutayo, in an interview with Sunday Mirror in the estate, Tosan, the pioneer chairman of the estate’s association, has been using her relationship and affiliation with the Police ranks to make residents be in awe of her at the Estate and spearheading the arrest of respected residents on frivolous and false claims. According to him, Chief Tosan, had once ordered the arrest of a lady in the estate over petty issues involving children. The latest victim of the alleged reign of terror on residents of the estate by Chief Aisha Tosan at Dobys Haven Estate is Greg Odutayo. He was arrested by the police on a false claim made by Chief Tosan. Odutayo, said following a frivolous petition engineered by Chief Tosan, the police picked him up for allegedly stealing a 350 KVA generator set belonging to the estate and detained him for 24-hour. In the petition made available to Sunday Mirror, and submitted at Zone 2, Onikan, Chief Tosan claimed that Odutayo who is the first person to take up residence in the estate, and the pioneer secretary of the estate’s residents association stole the estate’s generator set. Consequently, he was arrested in his office at Ikeja, and detained till the following day as several appeals for bail on self-recognition ground allegedly fell on deaf ears of the Police at Zone 2. Odutayo claimed that while he was in detention, Tosan boasted around the estate, that she had put him behind bars, and also ordered the withdrawal of spy policemen from the estate. It was also alleged that Chief Tosan goes around town with a retinue of police escort including a driver despite the fact that she is not a police office. Rising up in defense of Odutayo, the estate residents association in a written response to her petition forwarded to police authorities wondered why the Crime Fighter’s presenter would accuse Odutayo of stealing the generator set after he paid N2m for it about 18 months ago. They said Tosan was chairman of the estate association then and she supervised the spending of the N2m, which was used to buy a 13 KVA generator set that is currently being used to power common areas like streetlight and water borehole. The statement read in inter alia: “There was an estate resolution to sell the estate generator to any willing buyer at a resident association meeting. This decision was

…accuse TV broadcaster of intimidation …they’re all liars - Aisha Tosan

Odutayo

Tosan

prompted by the high maintenance cost of the generator. “The exco members were mandated to dispose of the generator accordingly. Subsequently, at another meeting of the estate, the EXCO presented amongst others the cheering news that the generator has been sold for the sum of N2 million. “The sale decision was applauded by members present at the meeting, especially as the proceeds were going to be utilized in the execution of certain urgent projects in the Estate. “Let us reiterate that it was the collective decision of the Estate Association to dispose the Estate Generator to any ready and willing buyer including members. May we also state here that there were two quotes received for the sale of the generator from residents, the quotes were: N1.7million by another resident and N2 million by the final buyer. “As stated earlier, Mr. Greg Odutayo, was one of the first occupant and a house owner in the estate. He has served the estate in the past in various capacities meritoriously and without blemish. Every member of the estate can readily attest to this and he is well respected in the community.” Sharing their ordeal in the hand of their alleged tormentor with newsmen, the incumbent chairman of the residents association of Dobys Haven Estate, Mr. Lakin Soleye, said Chief Tosan is causing fear among residents, and her withdrawal of spy policemen who were being paid by the association to provide security is a threat to life and properties. “This is a grand abuse of power and affiliation with police. It is completely unacceptable that Odutayo was picked up. It is absurd that 18 months after the generator set was sold to him, she wrote to the police that it suddenly disappeared. “Nobody is superior to anybody in this estate. Funny enough the houses were built in the same way. “Greg Odutayo is one of the respected and

senior members of the estate, and we are saying she cannot do that to him. It means anybody can be arrested for anything. To buttress her sinister inclination, Zone 2 is in Onikan and we have Ajah Police Station here. How come she didn’t report the case at Ajah. This is not the police the Inspector General is preaching every day. At every argument she brings in police.” On his part, Odutayo said he will seek all legal means to seek redress of an infringement of his right to fair hearing by the police, and the harm he suffered from the defamation of character Chief Aisha Tosan. Sunday Mirror contacted Chief Aisha Tosan and she gave her own version of the story. “Engaging the media with such falsehood by Greg Odutayo is an attempt to blackmail me, the Nigeria Police Force and to obstruct the course of justice. The expression of intention in a general meeting to sell a joint property does not amount to consent by all the joint owners, for anyone of the owners to sell the said property without following due process. Such conduct is unlawful. “Yes, on the 28th of November, I reported Mr. Greg Odutayo to the police for stealing and unlawful converting a 650 KVA Generator, collectively owned by home owners in Dobys Heaven Estate in Lekki, Lagos. The police did their investigation, and found it being used in Odutayo’s private company, Royal Roots Communications. “Mr. Odutayo was subsequently invited by the police to answer to the petition of criminal conversion and stealing of a relatively new 650 KVA Generator valued at over N10 million, which he surreptitiously sold to himself as the then Secretary of the Estate for a ridiculously low and knock down price of N2 million. The police thereafter granted Mr. Greg Odutayo bail within 24 hours in accordance with the provisions of the law. “On the claim by Greg Odutayo that I used the police to harass him, As I said in my petition to the Police, it was agreed in a

general meeting that the generator should be sold, however as the Chairman of the Estate Management Committee, I was not aware when it was sold at the ridiculously low price of N2 million. There was no bidding for and no offers from prospective buyers presented to the joint owners for consideration. No receipt or letter of sale and authority to remove the generator was issued by the joint owners. Due process was also not followed and the illegal sale was carried out secretly in a clandestine manner. Mr Greg Odutayo, the then Secretary of the Estate Management Committee who sold and secretly removed the generator from the estate, apparently was the person who bought the generator at a ridiculously knock down price and so my report to the police for thorough investigation does not amount to any form of intimidation. “It is also imperative for me to debunk his claim as to the length of time it took me to challenge the suspicious sale of the generator to himself. Reporting a crime has no time limit or deadline in any existing law in Nigeria. A crime can be reported to the police anytime it is detected. In this case I only detected the anomaly when I had the privilege to go through the estate bank account statement wherein I observed a strange lump sum amount of N2 milion deposited in the account on the 30th of June 2014 by Royal Roots Communications, a company owned by Greg Odutayo. According to Tosan, “As the Chairman of the Estate Management Committee, I am not aware that the Estate had any transaction with Royal Roots or Greg Odutayo that would warrant such amount to be paid into the Estate account. Naturally this aroused my curiosity as to my earlier doubts about the sale of the generator, there and then I concluded that Odutayo had single-handedly sold the generator to himself without following due process, this I consider a criminal act and was treated as such by petitioning the police to investigate the matter.

December 20, 2015

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Doctors demand immediate sack of UBTH CMD …accuse him of destroying institution

SEBASTINE EBHUOMHAN BENIN

he Association of Resident Doctors, ARD, of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital has accused the Chief Medical Director of the hospital of destructive management. In a statement containing the damaging allega-

tion, personally signed by the UBTH-ARD President Owen Omorogbe and obtained by Sunday Mirror in Benin City, Edo State, the association accused UBTH CMD Professor Michael Ibadin of systematically reducing UBTH, an erstwhile “centre of excellence and hospital of glory” to “a shadow of its

old self ” through incompetence, mismanagement, exploitation and corruption. According to Dr Omorogbe, the executives of UBTH-ARD unequivocally deplored the maladministration Ibadin has allegedly unleashed on staff and patients of the hospital as well as the un-

told decadence his management has malignantly brought to erode the institution that is meant to take care of the health needs of citizens. The association alleged that patients at UBTH pay N3,900 daily for the general wards after paying an admission deposit of N20,000. On the

other hand, bed fee for the specialist ward goes for N15,000 daily after an admission deposit of N50,000; the highest fees in comparison to what obtains in other hospitals of equal and better status in the country; and, therefore, called on the Federal Government to immediately look into the management of UBTH while wondering what the hospital management does with the huge funds it rakes with little or no transparency and accountability. The UBTH-ARD alleged, “Despite being a government hospital, UBTH has

the highest billings in fees, admission deposit and costs for services in the country. The services provided cannot be compared with these unwarranted charges on unsuspecting Nigerians.” As a direct impact of the management’s incompetent leadership, Dr Omorogbe said that the insistence on extorting high fees from patients who obviously cannot afford them has forced many Nigerians to seek alternative care that in effect has grossly affected the training of medical students and doctors through declining patient load.

5,500 residents beneﬁt from free medical outreach in Kogi WALE IBRAHIM LOKOJA

Nema Camp Coordinator for Adamawa, Mr. Sa’ad Bello (left), with NEMA Director for Search and Rescue, Avm. Charles Otegbade (2nd left), checking luggages of Nigerian returnees from Cameroon, at the NEMA Camp for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPS) In Fufore, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

Rivers presents budget of N307b for 2016

ov. Nyesom Wike of Rivers has presented a budget of N307 billion for 2016 fiscal year to the state house of assembly. Presenting the budget on Friday evening, the governor said that N187 billion was earmarked for capital expenditure while N120 billion was for the recurrent expenditure. He said that in the recurrent expenditure, N55 billion was appropriated

for workers’ salary, N15 billion for security and N18 billion for pension and gratuity, among others. Wike said that in spite of the economic challenges of the country, the government was committed to serving and improving the lives of the people. Mr. Ikunyi Ibani, Speaker, Rivers House of Assembly, said that the budget presented by the governor was conservative.

According to him, it shows that the government has the interest of the people at heart and will provide adequate service to the people. The speaker announced the approval of the budget by the house following the recommendation of the committee on budget. Ibani however, announced that he was stepping `aside after the approval, giving no reason

for his resignation. Mr. Victor Ihunwo from Phalga Constituency 3 was immediately elected as the Acting Speaker of the house. Ihunwo immediately called for the election of a new speaker and Mr. Adams Dado-torudima from Okrika Constituency was unanimously elected. In his remark, Ihunwo thanked the house for its support.

t least 5,500 residents of Zariagi/Kabba Junction in Adavi and Adankolo in Lokoja Local government areas of Kogi State have benefited from the free medical outreach where medical personnel attended to them on various health challenges. The Free medical Outreach, which jointly organised by National Agency For Control of Aids (NACA) and Center for Health Education, Economic Rehabilitation and Social Security (CHEERS) was expected to last four days in Adavi and Lokoja local government areas of Kogi State. The Team Leader of National Agency For Control of Aids(NACA) Mr.

Tajudeen Arowolo, who disclosed this while speaking in a chat with journalists yesterday, stated that the city health programme targeted at Kabba Junction and Obajana because of their strategic locations as transit camps. He explained that the more residents of the area are expected to benefit from the two day free health services and Free HIV/AIDS test provided by qualified medical personnel and free drugs. The Team leader who was represented by a Higher Executive Officer of National Control of Aids (NACA), Mr. Peter Shakari, noted that the free Medical Outreach will afford the people of the area the opportunity to know their HIV/AIDS status, sugar and blood pressure level.

Yuletide: FRSC advises motorists to drive with caution

he Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Lekki, Lagos, has advised motorists to drive with caution this festive period. The FRSC Lekki Unit Commander, Mr Olufemi Olonisaye, gave this advice in an interview with the

News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, after a programme tagged; Flag Off Motor Park Rally at Ajah, Lagos, on Saturday. He particularly warned motorists against the use of bad tyres, especially the ones referred to as ``tokun-

bo’’ otherwise called fairly used tyres. The motor park rally has ``Operation Sanity: Driving safely into 2016’’as its theme. According to him, the rally was part of the FRSC ember months programme

to educate, sensitise motorists as well as create awareness for all road users on safety during these festivities. ‘’Yuletide is always characterised with heavy human and vehicular movement, therefore, drivers

need to drive safely and adhere strictly to the rules and regulations guiding the use of roads,’’ he said. Olonisaye, however, urged motorists to shun all unsafe practices as speeding, driving under the influence of alcohol, over-

loading and use of mobile phone while driving. “Your actions or inactions will either cause or prevent Road Traffic Crashes (RTC). Remember that only the living can celebrate, drive to stay alive,’’ the FRSC commander said.

Business

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

FRESH BUSINESS NEWS AT YOUR FINGERTIPS Sunday December 20, 2015

N1.4trn fine: Stakeholders back MTN legal action

Isaiah Erhiawarien

ey stakeholders in the telecoms industry have backed the decision of the MTN Group challenging the N1.04 trillion fine imposed on it by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) at the Federal High Court, Lagos. The President of the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria, ATCON, Mr. Lanre Ajayi, told Sunday Mirror that the mobile network operator has

done the right thing by going to court. He said that since MTN is not satisfied with the decision of the regulator on the fine, the best thing to settle their grievances is the court noting that he does not see an implication on that for the industry. According to him, his earlier concern over the imposition of the fine as an unhealthy signal for investors willing to invest in the telecoms industry still stands, saying that use of fines no longer solves issues in the

sector. ATCON had earlier queried the persistent use of fines by the regulator to address issues in the industry, when mobile operators where fined over quality of services noting that nothing can stop MTN from getting justice through the court. Already, the National Association of Telecommunications Subscriber, NATCOMS has also promised to challenge the fine in the court this week. NATCOM President, Mr. Deolu Ogunbanjo in an interview said that NAT-

COMS wants subscribers to get compensation for poor quality of service rather than that the fines going to government. He also added that the fine is not the best way of addressing issues of friction in the industry noting that it will scare away investors who have the potential to create jobs for millions of unemployed Nigerians. Acting on legal advice from its lawyers, MTN Nigeria at the weekend said the manner of the imposition of the fine and the quantum thereof was not in

SEC revokes licences of 84 inactive capital market operators

he Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC, says it has revoked the operational licences of 84 Capital Market Operators, CMOs. This is contained in a statement issued by the commission on Saturday in Lagos. It said that the CMOs’ accounts had remained inactive in spite of the commission’s earlier notice to them

to rectify their accounts. According to the statement, the commission Is empowered under Section 30 (1) and (2) of the Investment and Securities Act (ISA) 2007 to revoke inactive operational licences of any capital market operator. The statement listed the affected firms to include: IQ Venture Capital Fund Managers Ltd., (private equity fund manager) Allbond

Investment Ltd., (broker/ dealer), Amalgamated Capital Funds and Associated Investment Trust Ltd. Others are: Ventures & Trust Ltd., Vileo Capital & Asset Management Ltd., Visa Investment & Securities Ltd., Wizetrade Capital & Asset Management Ltd., and WT Securities Ltd. They also include Eazytrade Concept Ltd., Elyon’s Asset Management, EMI

Capital Resources Ltd., Enterprise Capital Management Ltd. and Equinox Asset Management Ltd. The statement said that SEC had directed the Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE, Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers, Central Securities Clearing System, investing public and all capital market trade groups to desist from dealing with them.

accordance with the NCC’s powers under the Nigerian Communications Act as such there are valid grounds upon which to challenge the fine. According to reports, a statement issued to its Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) shareholders, it advised that all factors having a bearing on the matter have been thoroughly and carefully considered including a review of the circumstances leading to the fine and the subsequent letters received from the NCC. Spokesman of MTN

Group, Chris Maroleng, said the company has followed due process and has instructed its lawyers to proceed with an action in the Federal High Court in Lagos seeking the appropriate reliefs. His words: “That in the current circumstances in line with the lis pendens rule (pending legal action) the parties are enjoined to restrain from taking further action until the matter is finally determined. This is consistent with previous judicial decisions in Nigeria.”

Diamond Bank, Total partner on ATM service stations rollout

n a bid to make financial services more accessible to customers, Diamond Bank and Total Nigeria PLC, have partnered to provide Automated Teller Machines, ATM,at select Total Service Stations across Nigeria. Speaking at the launch held at the Total Service Station, Lekki-Ajah Expressway in Lagos, Director, Operations and Technology, Diamond Bank, mr. Premier Oiwoh, who represented the MD/CEO, noted that the initiative was aimed at deepening customer satisfaction among customers of both organisations by providing them with convenient lifestyle solutions. He said: “We are pleased to flag-off this partnership between Diamond Bank and Total Nigeria PLC, two nota-

ble, customer-centric brands, that have come together to provide secure and convenient lifestyle solutions to customers in Nigeria.” “Diamond Bank ATMs are fitted with best-in-class security systems to ensure that users can confidently carry out their financial transactions no matter the area of deployment. Supported by Total Nigeria’s extensive service station network, we are providing our teeming base of customers with safe, accessible and convenient centres where they can carry out all their regular ATM transactions using credit cards or Diamond Bank Magic Cash, a cardless alternative to using the ATM for customers who do not have their debit cards,” he added.

Ayeni emerges NASCON chairman

L-R: Managing Director, Hellofood (Online Restaurant Service Provider), Guillaume Leblond; Managing Director, Lamudi ( Online Property Service Provider), Akua Nyame-Mensah, and Managing Director, Kaymu ( Online Shopping Service Provider), Sefik Bagdadioglu, during a news conference to enlighten the public on activities of the e-Commerce sector, in Lagos at the weekend. PHOTO: NAN

FG takes skills development to rural areas, IDPs

he Federal Government said it will take skills acquisition and development to the interior and rural parts of the country, and will ensure that training and development opportunities are provided to internally displaced persons in their various communities across the country. Speaking when the Industrial Training Fund, ITF

commissioned the mobile training units/truck, alongside the unveiling of training programmes for internally displaced persons, (IDPs) in Abuja, the Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Hajia Aisha Abubakar, said the Federal Government will work through the ITF to achieve its job creation and youth empowerment pro-

grammes. According to the minister, President Muhammadu Buhari directives that all internally displaced persons be returned to their communities next year will receive greater impetus and will be successfully executed, given the fact that the mobile training units acquired and commissioned by the ITF is capable of penetrat-

ing all the nooks and crannies of the country. The ministers said with the mobile training units capable of providing skills acquisition in various trade areas, that it was only a matter of time before all the internally displaced persons starts rebuilding lives with skills acquired, thereby contributing to the growth of the nation’s economy.

he National Salt Company of Nigeria (NASCON) Allied Industries Plc has appointed Mrs. Yemisi Ayeni, as the Chairman of the Board of Directors. This is contained in a statement issued on Saturday in Lagos by Mr. Adedayo Samuel, the Company Secretary. According to the statement, Mr. Paul Farrer was appointed the Managing Director while Mr. Olakunle Alake, Halima Aliko-Dangote, Knut Ulvmoen, Sada Ladan-Baki, and Abdu Dantata were appointed as Directors. The statement said that the incumbent Chairman of Diamond Bank, Dr

Chris Ogbechie, and Mrs. Fatima Wali-Abdurrahman were also appointed to the board as non-executive directors. It stated that the new appointments were made at the company’s board meeting held on December 15, following the resignations of former Directors - Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Sani Dangote and Suleiman Olarinde. Ayeni, according to the statement, was formerly the Finance Director, Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Ltd, (SNEPCo) and is presently a Council Member of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE).

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

North

December 20, 2015

Irate youths kill six in Taraba revenge attack JUSTIN TYOPUUSU JALINGO

ome irate youths in Bela village, Bornon Kurku area of Bali local government in Taraba State at the weekend mobilised and killed six persons on false assumption that relations of their victims were responsible for the robbery incident in the area that left two dead. Sunday Mirror gathered that the youth led

by the son of Maiaungwa Iliyasu, district head of Bela, acting on false assumption that Tivs were responsible for the killing of their relations in a robbery attack on Chediya-Bornon Kurku road, killed six Tivs in the village. An eyewitness, Zasha Terpase, who said he escaped death by the whiskers told our correspondent when he visited the area that when the corpses of the two slained by

suspected armed robbers were brought to the village (Bela), the son of Alhaji Iliyasu led the youth who vent their anger on innocent Tiv people, killing six. “On seeing the corpses, he went into his room and came out with a gun and shouting Allah Akbar, Allah Akbar, he shot and killed three Tiv people instantly. People scampered for safety and they pursued and killed three others.

“I escaped by the whiskers because we all came to witness the terrible things that befell the community and suddenly we, the Tiv people, became targets. It’s unfortunate that anything bad that happens, they usually blame it on us. “We have just returned to the village after an attack on us by the Fulani herdsmen last year and we are just managing to survive, no Tiv will want to go and cause trouble. We are peace lovers,” he said.

Aero uses ladder to disembark passengers at Bauchi Airport OLUSEGUN KOIKI

he oldest surviving airline in Nigeria, Aero Contractors yesterday explained why it had to use ladder instead of a gangway to disembark passengers from its aircraft. The airline in a statement issued in Lagos by its media consultant, Mr. Simon Tumba said that the aircraft in question had operated a charter flight to Bauchi, but had problems with unserviceable equipment by the airport management in disembarking about 34 passengers from Abuja. He hinted that the absence of this equipment propelled the airline to use a ladder against its wish to disembark the passengers. But, an industry source confided in our correspondent that it was not the first time the airline would be using an unprofessional way to either board or disembark its passengers even at the Lagos Airport. The source alleged that the troubled airline whose fleet depleted from 12 to five within three years was trying to minimize cost, adding that instead of paying its ground handler, the Nigerian Aviation Handling Company, NAHCO, Plc, it at times adopts several unapproved means to render services to its clients. However, Tumba in the statement hinted that at the time of boarding, the air stairs became functional and the passengers boarded successfully. The statement added,

A source who confided in Sunday Mirror said to keep their crime under cover, the irate youth butchered the corpses of the deceased victims and dumped them in a nearby pond before they fled the village. The source added that the district head, Maiaungwa Iliyasu, had been arrested by the police and was currently undergoing interrogation at the Divisional Police Headquarters in Bali.

When contacted, Taraba State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Joseph Kwaji confirmed the incident, saying two persons were robbed and killed by yet-to-be identified robbers and youths in Bela mobilised and killed some Tivs in the village. He said investigations were ongoing by the police to bring the irate youth to book, adding that normalcy had been restored in the village.

Kogi: CNPP urges Wada to withdraw suits against Bello WALE IBRAHIM LOKOJA

onference of Nigeria Political Parties, CNPP, Kogi State chapter, has urged the state governor, Captain Idris Wada, to withdraw the court litigation against Alhaji Yahaya Bello’s election to enable him enjoy a smooth takeoff of the next administration in the state. A statement jointly signed by the state Chairman, Alhaji Abdanis Abubarka Ibrahim, and the Secretary Ilyas Badanga, yesterday said the new chief executive should enjoy a pleasant transition in order to run an allinclusive government that would be beneficial to all. The CNPP however commended the measures taken so far by Wada’s administration towards a

smooth transition. Kogi State chapter of CNPP, which comprises ADC, DPC, DPP, ID, KOWA, NCP, PDM, UPP and YDP, which contested the governorship election in the state also appealed to Bello and James Faleke to ‘enrich the fertile ground of change’ in the state by blending their political and business experiences in a synergy that would put their names in gold. “CNPP hereby challenge Hon. James Faleke to honour the people’s clarion call to him to offer his leadership services in compliance with the party’s interest. Disputations and litigations will only deafen his sensibilities against the will of the people now that matters most. Please Honourable come and join hands with the people’s administration,” the CNPP stressed.

‘Lawmakers won’t handle constituency projects fund in Adamawa’

Passengers disembarking from an Aero Contractors aircraft with a ladder at Bauchi Airport, yesterday.

“Aero wishes to state that it took adequate and safety measures for this operation, including the airport’s ground staff crew to handle the air stairs equipment in Bauchi, unfortunately it became unserviceable at the point of disembarkation.

“Although the airline crew tried to calm down the passengers to wait while the equipment was being fixed, the passengers insisted on their own volition to disembark against all safety protocol of the airline. “Aero Contractors

wishes to state that it is reviewing its safety measures with all charter operations to all airports to prevent such reoccurrence. Aero will continue to take adequate measures to ensure that its operations remain safe and secure.”

damawa House of Assembly Committee Chairman on Information, Malam Hassan Barguma, says the N1 billion approved by the state government for constituency projects will not be handled by lawmakers. Speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, yesterday in Yola, he said the clarification became necessary to curtail rumours making round that the money had been shared to the lawmakers. “This money is meant for constituency project and not for House of Assembly account or sharing

to individual lawmakers as being insinuated. “Where we came in as lawmakers is just to identify the sites and projects to be executed in our respective constituencies. “If one identified water as the need of his constituency, he will identify the communities and communicate to ministry of water resources who will handle the project’’, Barguma said. Barguma said, so far, most lawmakers had identified the project needs of their respective communities and had communicated same to relevant ministries for action.

South

December 20, 2015

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Drama as cultists seize corpse of Ife high chief BOLADALE BAMIGBOLA OSOGBO

high drama ensued during the weekend, when members of Isoro cult hijacked the corpse of Obalufe of Iremo Quarters, Ile Ife, Oba

Solomon Omishakin and prevented the remains from being interred. Isoro cult, headed by Obadio, is a powerful sect in Ile Ife and only an Ooni, among all palace traditional title holders, is a member.

The late Obalufe, the traditional prime minister of Ile Ife, is the next to Ooni and died at the age of 85 after an undisclosed illness in September. A close family source, who preferred anonymity, told our correspondent

that the Obalufe was due for burial early Friday. He added that the initial plan however changed when some people said to be members of Isoro cult appeared and demanded a sum of N500,000 before the burial rite can proceed.

The source said: “The plan was to bury him early Friday but that had to change as members of Isoro cult appeared at the house of the deceased located at Eleyele area of Ile Ife, hijacked his corpse and demanded money before its release. “The initial rumour that his corpse was seized by Ogboni Confraternity was not true. It was the Isoros that seized his remains and it took us time before we could settle the

matter.” When asked if the demanded sum was paid, the source declined further comment. But another source also within the late Obalufe’s family confirmed that the money was paid before the corpse was released. During the visit by Sunday Mirror to Iremo on Friday, the remains of Obalufe was in his palace at Iremo Quarters and were later interred in the evening.

Ikom council boss lauds free HIV/AIDS test initiative he Council Chairman for Ikom local council in Cross River State, Hon Ayiba Ojong, at the weekend commended the authorities of National Agency for Control of AIDS, NACA, and two NGO`s for organising a free HIV/AIDs test for residents of Ikom township and the people of Edor community. The non-governmental organisations which the council boss applauded include the State Action Committee on AIDS (SACA) and the Local Action Committee on AIDS (LACA) for assisting the locals to know their HIV/ AIDs status at no cost. The Council boss said in an interview with Sunday Mirror a day after the start of the four-day medical outreach for HIV/ AIDS organised by NACA, SACA and LACA in conjunction with the Cross River State Ministry of Health it was to enable residents know their status and possibly begin treatment. Similarly, the Director of National Agency for Control of AIDS (NACA)

Dr. Marian Ezekwe, who spoke at the inauguration of the ceremony that NACA was now happy that Cross River State HIV/ AIDS infection rate which used to be very high in the previous years had drastically fallen to O.5 per cent. Ezekwe stated that the state which recorded a prevalence of 7.1 per cent in 2010, but later moved downward to 6.6 per cent in 2014 stressing that this showed that Cross River had made a stride in the fight against the scourge of the deadly disease. The NACA boss attributed the reduction of the disease to the high level of awareness created by agencies that championed the campaign against the scourge of the disease. She commended those infected with the virus for publicly visiting HIV/ AIDS centres to know their status to enable them receive treatment without fear of stigmatisation and discrimination. She thanked the leadership of the National Assembly for trying to raise a bill against stigmatisation, adding that when such a bill is passed into law, life would become better for those afflicted with the virus.

gerians must cue into the message of change for a more united and prosperous country. Ajibola-Ojodu, who was among those invested with Award of Fellowship of the institute at the event, said Lagos was already a beneficiary of that change, what with Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s passion to impact the state, particularly at the grassroots.

“Though overpopulated, things are getting better in Lagos. People at the grassroots are already feeling the impact of Governor Ambode’s government,” she maintained. She also called on women to join in driving change in the society by participating in politics, stressing that politics is a veritable platform for women to show their capability to perform.

RICHARD NDOMA CALABAR

L-R: Chairman NIA, representing, Commissioner for Insurance, Gus Wiggle; Past President, Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria (CIIN), Dr. Wole Adetimehin; Best Graduating student, Mr. Akintayo Akinwumi; Chairman Governing Board, Centre for Insurance and Financial Management Studies(CIFMS), Mrs. Funmi Babington- Ashaye; President, CIIN, Lady Isioma Chukwuma; Chairman Academic Board, Mrs. Yetunde Ilori and ProPHOTO: SAMUEL ADETIMEHIN vost, CIFMS, Dr. (Mrs.) Yeside Oyetayo, during the first graduation ceremony of CIFMS, in Ogun State, yesterday.

Ekiti council polls record low turnout ABIODUN NEJO ADO EKITI

n all-time low turnout of voters was witnessed in the local government election that held in Ekiti State yesterday. Only the ad hoc staff of the State Independent Electoral Commission (SIEC) and party agents mainly of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) were seen in most of the polling booths as the few voters did not stay back after accreditation and voting. While some polling booths recorded a few vot-

ers, others had impressive turn-out of electors According to SIEC, which assured the people of free, fair and credible exercise, five political parties participated in the election, which was boycotted by the major opposition party, All Progressives Congress (APC). Residents seized the opportunity to stay indoors as the police ensured enforcement of the stay-athome order slammed on the state to ensure hitchfree polls. The governor, however, at his Afao Ekiti hometown, described the conduct of the elections as

free, fair and credible, while also lauding the voters for turning out to cast their votes. His words: “The information we are getting have been impressive. In some places, the turnout was very impressive, while people came out late in some areas. But the turnout has been impressive. “I have been contacting those on the field, what we are getting were quite impressive and I commend our people for that.” But the APC in the state praised voters for “boycotting” the election, saying “Ekiti people behaved honourably for staying

away from the election boycotted by all political parties except the PDP”. APC State Publicity Secretary, Taiwo Olatunbosun, said in a statement yesterday that “the widespread apathy observed across the state was evidence that Ekiti people had rejected the governor and his PDP”. The party described the exercise as a mockery of democratic election, saying “an election with a single party participating while also raising PDP members to pose as candidates of obscure parties would never pass the test of representative poll”.

Insecurity: Nigeria’ll overcome –Etinagbedia VICTOR UDOH

n administrator, Prof Jacob Etinagbedia, at the weekend lamented what he called pervasive corruption and insecurity in the country. He also bemoaned the increased Boko Haram activity, kidnappings and other violent acts that have made many citizens

unsafe and insecure. “Public safety is the most fundamental responsibility of any state, and Nigeria has failed in this regard,” said Etinagbedia who is also Director-General, Institute of Chartered Administrators and Researchers of Nigeria, IARN, Lagos. However, he stated: “In spite of all these, Nigeria has not come to the end of the road...there is hope

and with God’s intervention, including supporting our security agencies, we shall overcome.” While urging an allinclusive support for the President Muhammadu Buhari-led APC government, the IARN boss urged the administration to employ its change mantra to address all the country’s ills, including corruption, nepotism and other vices.

He said to move the country forward, the change must encapsulate character reformation in whatever we do, proactive identification and discipline of all the “bad eggs portraying Nigeria in bad light, no matter how highly placed”. Also, Deaconess Olubukola Ajibola-Ojodu, the executive secretary of Amuwo Odofin Local Government, said all Ni-

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Mourinho wants United to be next job

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Sunday, December 20, 2015

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KEEPING YOU ABREAST OF SPORTING NEWS

‘Tunisian club table $1.2m for Etebo’

SUNDAY DECEMBER 20, 2015

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Glo Caf award; Unveiling Nigeria nominees For The first time in a very long while, Nigeria missed out of nomination for the biggest prize in Africa football, the Glo CAF Awards. In this report, however, PIUS ANAKALI profiles other Nigerian nominees.

espite being ruled out of contention for the biggest prize on offer in the upcoming Glo CAF Awards billed for January 7th, in Lagos, there will still be a lot to look out for as the country got nominated in five other categories. While Nigerians are wondering what been going on, the likes of Emmanuel Amuneke, Victor Osimhen, Oghenekaro Etebo, Azubuike Okechukwu and Ngozi Ebere still give one reasosn to smile. Rave of the moment, Emmanuel Amuneke, top the list of five Nigerians gunning for the glamorous awards. His short listing came on the platter of Golden Eaglets performance in Chile where he led the boys to win the nation’s fifth World Youth Championship title. The victory came courtesy of a 3-2 defeat of another Africa contender, Mali. The former Super Eagles star, who was also part of the backroom staff of the 2013 victorious Golden Eaglets squad, top a rich list of other contenders to battle with. As a player, Amuneke played 27-times for Nigeria, scoring nine goals. He was part of the team that participated at the 1994 FIFA World Cup in the United States, a first-ever for the African coun-

try, scoring against Bulgaria and Italy and also helped Super Eagles win the Africa Cup of Nations in Tunisia and was voted African Footballer of the Year for his effort. Now a Coach, Amuneke has proved to be an all rounder. All things being equal, the coach stands a good chance. Also in the race for honour is Kelechi Nwakali. Nwakali was one of the biggest revelations in Chile, will the rave reviews. Born June 5, 1998, Nwakali cut his football teeth at ASJ Soccer Academy in Owerri; one of Nigeria’s notable soccer cities that produced FIFA Under-17 World Cup and African football legend, Nwankwo Kanu. Just like Kanu, Nwakali is a brilliant footballer who cherished Chelea star, Cesc Fabricas. Though it’s still early to say how far he will go in future but many will wait to see how far the leggy teenager can go in emulating his cherished hero. Victor Osimhen It’s doubtful if anyone would be surprise when his names pumped up on the list of nominees. No one date say, Has the wonderkid done enough to merit the nomination following his glorious

record-breaking exploits in Chile. Even before the 2015 Fifa U17 World Cup held in Chile came to an end, the name Osimhen was on everyone’s lips. When he smashed U-17 goal record with a delightful opener in the final against Mali for his 10th goal of the competition, Nigerians started chanting his name as the natural successor of late Rashidi Yekini. Osimhen’s goal haul in 2015, and notably his showings at the world championship have earned him nomination in the youth category in Glo Caf Awards. In fact, the wonderkid will continue to remember the year under review with fondness as the most important as a footballer so far and if his advisors are able to find him a club where he can continue his development, then Nigerians can begin to celebrate the arrival of yet another goal king. These qualities played his way in getting nomination for the awards. Azubuike Okechukwu is yet another lucky player. The diminutive defensive midfielder and captain was at the heart of every good move made by the U-23 Africa champion. Composed and flexible in possession, he showed excellent passing abil-

ity throughout the game. Etebor Oghenekaro: This player has shown that he is destined for the top of the game if he continues to develop the way he is going. The Warri Wolves player was a thorn in the flesh of opponent in Senegal. Ngozi Ebere is yet another of the nominees. She was born 5 August 1991 and is a Nigerian international lady footballer who plays as a defender for Paris Saint-Germain in the Division 1 Féminine. She was part of the Nigeria women’s national football team squads at the African Women’s Championship in 2012 and the winning team of 2014. She was also in the squad at the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup. Her skill, control of the ball and her ability to guard against goal in the continent and her exploit with her club in France were some of the factor that played in her favour for the nomination. So the 2015 Glo Caf award won’t be that bleak for Nigeria as some of the players enumerated above well qualify for the award, but unti the D-day, no one can safely say where the golf platted award would be heading.

Sport

Sunday, December 20, 2015

‘Tunisian club table $1.2m for Etebo’

top Tunisian club has tabled a $1.2 million bid for Nigeria U23 midfielder Oghenekaro Etebo even as Etebo’s club, Warri Wolves have already placed a $2 million price tag on the player. “An offer of a million dollars is on the table for the player and I have even met with the club here in Tunisia to discuss this,” said Vincent Alumona, who is in Tunisia to finalise Kingsley Sokari’s transfer from Enyimba to Tunisia league leaders CS Sfaxien. “The player is willing to move should his club sanction it.” There are now several young Nigeria stars featuring in Tunisia; Emem Eduok, Bernard Bulbwa (Esperance), Junior Ajayi, Kingsley Sokari (CS Sfaxien) this analys say could be a better gateway to a career in Europe Egyptian double champions Zamalek are also reportedly on the hot chase of Etebo.

GOtv boxing night unveils Plan for Kids

Etebo

has worked on various top transfers including Imoh Ezekiel to Belgium and Junior Ajayi to Tunisia. “Both clubs have their advantages, but by January we hope to take a final decision because we all want a good start for him in Europe.” Gafaar again restated the position of the Osimhen camp on whether he has signed the dotted lines with Wolfsburg when he said, ”The boy cannot sign a contract with any club now because he is not 18 yet and so he has not signed anything with any club.” The Osimhen camp in Germany also has his brother Andrew, legal guardians Ariyo Igbayilola and Akeem Yussuf ‘Shira’ as well as Chinedu Ogbenna, who is the player’s coach and president of Ultimate Strikers Academy in Lagos.

Osimhen

Martins bags American citizenship Green Card at some point this year and this was confirmed when the Major League Soccer (MLS) released the roster update for all the 20 MLS teams and listed Martins as a home player. Sounders may benefit more in cases like that of ‘Oba’ as Jamaicans, Oniel Fisher and Damion Lowe, who have spent several years as students and professionals in the US could obtain Green Cards soon.

lykite Productions, promoters of GOtv boxing night, have announced plans to make the fifth edition, holding on 26 December a family-friendly one. Managing Director/CEO of Flykite Productions, Jenkins Alumona, told Knockout that this year’s edition is aimed at giving families fun during the Yuletide even as he called on parents to come to the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos, venue of the event with their children, who are assured of being given a wide variety of gifts. “The season calls for giving. We are committed to that, that’s why we are inviting parents to let their kids be part of the fun and

get gifts. We assure them of security in and around the venue. We are proud to say security has always been good at every edition. It is not going to be different this time. Every kid at the venue will get gifts for Christmas. Parents who come early are also assured of gifts,” Alumona said. GOtv boxing night V will feature three title fights and one national challenge duel. The main bout will be between National and West African Boxing Union Featherweight champion, Waidi “Skoro” Usman and Ugandan Edward “Shaka” Kakembo for the African Boxing Union Featherweight title.

Tyson Fury (R) exchanging blows with Wladimir Klitschko during their heavyweight clash last November

Fury to attend BBC sports personality award

ndisputed world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury will attend this today’s BBC sports personality of the year awards, despite weeks of controversy surrounding his nomination. Fury, 27, shocked the sporting World when he dethroned former World heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko by unanimous decision on November 28 in Dusseldorf, Germany, in front of a huge crowd. In doing so, he usurped one of the all-time great heavyweight champions, dominant for nearly a decade, and became only the third undisputed linear

heavyweight champion of the world to hail from Great Britain following in the footsteps of Bob Fitzsimmons and Lennox Lewis. In addition to winning the WBA, WBO, IBF, IBO and The Ring Magazine world heavyweight titles, Fury has also remained undefeated in 25 professional bouts and previously won British, Irish, Commonwealth and European heavyweight belts. Known for his charisma and larger-than-life personality, Fury is considered a breath of fresh air in boxing’s heavyweight division and has quickly emerged as one of the most recognizable and polarizing sportsmen on the planet.

Haye stages a comeback

Martins

LMC to pay FC Taraba players’ outstanding salaries

eague Management Company has commenced process to pay the outstanding salaries owed protesting players of FC Taraba. Players of the Pride of Jalingo have been protesting their unpaid salaries and allowances in nearly 11 months outside the state government house in Jalingo for some days.

IFEANYI Eduzor

08055829770 ifeduz24@yahoo.com

IFA U17 hotshot Victor Osimhen will now choose between EPL giants Arsenal and German Bundesliga side Wolfsburg, his representatives have disclosed. Osimhen and his entourage are presently in Germany on the special invitation of Wolfsburg, where the youngster had a chance to visit the club’s facilities and surroundings. Owner of 36 Lion of Lagos, Gafaar Liameed, is part of the Osimhen camp in Germany and he has disclosed they have narrowed the rash of offers they have received on the U17 star striker to two – Arsenal and Wolfsburg. “We have received many offers for Victor, but we have been able to narrow these to two – Wolfsburg and Arsenal,” revealed Gafaar, who

Knockout with

Osimhen Transfer: ‘It’s between Arsenal and Wolfsburg’

igeria international Obafemi Martins will no longer count as a foreigner for Seattle Sounders as he has been listed as an American following the issuance of a Green Card to the ex-Inter Milan forward. Nigeria allows for dual citizenship and this is also good news for Seattle Sounders, who could now sign another foreign player in place of Martins. Obafemi Martins obtained the

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

But the chief operation officer of the LMC, Salisu Abubakar has told Goal, that the LMC has resolved to pay the players directly from the team’s entitlements in its coffers. “On FC Taraba, we have told them despite they have gone down to the lower league but we still have money that is supposed to be paid to them,” Abubakar

told Goal. “We have wrote them that the money that is for the club, we are not paying the team, but directly to the players. “Let us know the obligation of the players and to give us their accounts as soon as we receive their reply on that, we are paying the players directly from the LMC.

ormer two-weight world champion David Haye has announced his return to the ring with a heavyweight bout against Australia’s top 10 WBA ranked Mark De Mori on Saturday January 16, 2016, at The O2 Arena in London. Haye’s long-awaited comeback was officially confirmed at a press conference at The O2 Arena Friday morning after he revealed last week that he was back in the gym under

the tutelage of Shane McGuigan, who also trains Irish world champion Carl Frampton. The fight, Haye’s first since defeating Dereck Chisora at Upton Park three and a half years ago, sees him take on a top 10 WBA ranked heavyweight in De Mori, who boasts a record of 31 wins, 26 Knockouts and only 1 defeat. De Mori is undefeated since September 2004 and most recently claimed a first round knock-out in October.

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Sunday, December 20, 2015

Mourinho wants United to be next job J

Mourinho

ose Mourinho wants Manchester United to be his next job, sources close to the Portuguese manager said and representatives have already taken initial steps to try and make it happen. The 52-year-old has reportedly long coveted the Old Trafford role, and his dismissal by Chelsea on Thursday could finally open the way, especially with the problems current United boss Louis van Gaal is suffering. Sources have said it is no longer so certain Van Gaal will see out the final year of his contract in 2016-17, and though much depends on performance in the remainder of this season, United have already begun pursuing Pep Guardiola as the Dutchman’s successor.

United’s Martial named Europe’s golden boy

Ancelotti

Giroud

Guardiola

Ancelotti agrees Bayern move

Martial

Rio urges United to go for Guardiola

arlo Ancelotti has agreed a move to coach Bayern Munich “in principle” next season, according to a report in The Guardian. Ancelotti, 56, was linked with the job at the Allianz Arena in October, with Marca reporting on Thursday that the Italian is set to sign a three-year contract at Bayern. Kicker has also reported that the deal is highly likely, while Bild claimed on Friday an verbal agreement has been struck. Curren Bayern coach Pep Guardiola is expected to make a decision over his future in the next few days -- after the club’s game with Hannover this weekend -- with multiple reports suggesting that he will leave the club at the end of the season.

ormer Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand says his old club must act to snap up Bayern Munich boss Pep Guardiola if he becomes available. The Allianz Arena head coach is out of contract at the end of the season and will clarify his future plans after this weekend’s Bundesliga match against Hannover. Chelsea and Manchester City have been heavily linked with an approach for Guardiola, but Ferdinand does not want United – who recently crashed out of the Champions League in the group stages under Louis van Gaal – to miss out on a manager he thinks is the best in the world. “The thing with Manchester United is that he will go to one Premier League team and won’t be going to another after that” he told The Guardian. “There is one chance – you have one chance to get him. He won’t go to Manchester City and then to United; he is not going to go to Chelsea and then United.

anchester United striker Anthony Martial has been named as Europe’s best young player winning the 2015 Golden Boy award. The French international was selected following a vote by journalists from 30 newspapers across Europe to name the best player under the age of 21, and he beat off competition from Bayern Munich’s Kingsley Coman and Arsenal’s Hector Bellerin to claim the prize. Martial has enjoyed a fantastic year, impressing for Monaco with 12 goals in 41 appearances last season before a £57.6m move to Old Trafford on transfer deadline day in September. After a terrific start to his Manchester United career the striker made his international debut in September and has gone on to win six caps for his country and force his way into Didier Deschamps thinking for Euro 2016.

PSG, Madrid to hold Ronaldo talk

Ronaldo

SG have yet to hold talks with Real Madrid about bringing Cristiano Ronaldo to Paris, club president Nasser Al Khelaifi has told a French newspaper. Ronaldo, 30, has been linked with a move away from the Bernabeu in the upcoming summer transfer window, with former club Manchester United and three-time defending French champions PSG reportedly interested in the Portuguese star. Reports in Spain have persisted that Ronaldo is unhappy with current Madrid manager Rafa Benitez, while the forward told ESPN last week that he would love to reunite with former coach Carlo Ancelotti. Ronaldo again addressed the topic of PSG earlier in the week, revealing to Portuguese magazine Visao that while he prefers the city of Madrid to Paris, he couldn’t completely dismiss a potential move to the Parc des Princes. Speaking about the speculation in an interview with France’s Le Figaro, Al Khelaifi confessed he had a strong relationship with Real president Florentino Perez but said the two men haven’t had any discussions regarding the Portugal captain. Ronaldo made headlines after his deliberate embrace of PSG manager Laurent Blanc during a Champions League match.

N I G E R I A I N F I G U R E S - The amount -The sum Osun State EFCC charged government paid as compensation to property owners. Dasuki and three others for

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Comment

E-mail: jimunahlive@gmail.com Jim Unah is Professor of Philosophy, University of Lagos

with Jim Unah

n five days from today, Nigerians, like the rest of humanity influenced by the Judeo-Christian tradition, will be celebrating the Christmas. Even those not directly influenced by Christendom, in some climes like ours, invariably take part in the conviviality. Thus, for the greater part of humankind, Christmas is not so much an occasion for the commemoration of the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ, as an event for the evocation of the spirit of good will in all mortals. Consequently, it is important to remind ourselves of the right social conduct in this season of global good will for humankind. Though the situation would be different for those battling insurgency and outright civil rebellion in communities in upheaval in different parts of the world, this is the time for manufacturers, producers and marketers of goods and services, and police officers in peaceful environments to display kindness, understanding and empathy towards one another and all members of civil society. The author of Ecclesi-

N150

fraud.

A season of good will, not extortion astes tells us that there is time for everything under the sun. A time to make profit and insist on profit taking and a time to roll out unsold stock and sell at rock bottom prices; a time to hold unto our possessions and a time to give out freely to our loved ones, friends and relatives, and the less privileged in our midst. A time for traffic police officers to insist on the production of all vehicle documents from motorists; a time for routine checks and allow for free flow of traffic to facilitate ease of movement for road users; a time to receive and a time to give. It is very surprising that people are still going about profiteering and extorting money from members of the public in December—a month of the year in which consumers of goods and services are willing to spend their money on a variety of items to mark the end of the year for themselves and their well wishers. In the other parts of the world, this is a season to sell out old stocks at give away prices to free resources for the coming year. This is the time to sell large quantities of products because people are willing to buy, but mainly if the prices are low. Sometimes you sell, not necessarily to make profit, but to free cash for future investment. This is the time to do so since there are willing buyers all over the place. When you do, you not only generate a large

pool of resources, you create happiness for many people as well. A major source of concern for road users is the flooding of the ShagamuBenin expressway down to the SouthEast with police officers, the Federal Road Safety Corps members, and Customs Officers doing stop and check. At every 50 meters, you find these officers stopping vehicles and asking for all manner of documents, even though they are not traffic police officers. Majority of the officers are mobile police officers. I watched with disdain the altercation between a mobile police officer and a Ford Explorer suv owner along the Ondo State portion of the expressway. The mobile police officer was demanding a police permit for the use of a vehicle with “factory fitted tinted glasses.” The motorist produced a document from the Ministry of Police Affairs endorsed by the former Honorable Minister, Mr. Humphery Enemakwu, published in the Nation newspaper of Monday March 7, 2011 specifically stating that vehicles “with factory fitted tinted glasses” are exempted from procuring such permit. In addition, the motorist argued that since the glasses to the four doors of the suv where passengers stay are not tinted in any way, and that since only the boot portion of the vehicle was tinted, the demand for

Arsenal v Man City: Aguero, Sanchez may return

N32bn

remier League title rivals Arsenal and Manchester City will run the rule over star forwards before their Monday meeting at Emirates Stadium. City expect to welcome back Sergio Aguero – the Argentina star having returned to training after a heel problem marked the latest setback of an injury plagued campaign. Arsenal’s Alexis Sanchez suffered a hamstring injury during last month’s 1-1 draw at Norwich City and remains a more outside bet, although he has resumed running work on the training field. Arsene Wenger’s hosts are a point better off than City, with both teams behind surprise leaders Leicester City.

City boss Manuel Pellegrini suggested last week that fewer than 80 point could be enough to claim the Premier League crown in a season that has proved devilishly hard to predict so far, and Wenger concurs with his opposite number. “It looks to be very tight,” he said. “We have

played 16 games and the top team is on 35 points [prior to this weekend’s games], so it means that the Premier League could be decided at around 80 points.

police permit was absolutely uncalled for. The man was delayed against all entreaties until he was prevailed upon to part with N1, 000.00. Truly, most suvs have their boots tinted while the boots of cars and other vehicles are sealed off completely. Why should any mobile or traffic police officer demand a written permit for the use of a vehicle with tinted glass boot, if not the old habit of corruption and extortion? The change of attitude that the APC government of President Buhari promised Nigerians is yet to be noticed in the conduct of police officers. President Buhari cannot become a mobile or traffic police officer to change the attitude of the police force towards members of the public. The police force as an institution of state should embrace change and bring succor to Nigerians in this season of good will and even beyond. The Inspector General of Police, Mr. Solomon Arase, should call his men to order. He should re-orient them to change and become community and road user-friendly. It is in doing this that the public good will can be extended to them and their families. Ill will begets ill will and good will begets good will. This is the season of good will, not one of police extortion and brutality. Compliments of the season!

PREMIERSHIP RESULTS

Chelsea 3- 1 Sunderland Everton 2 - 3 Leicester United 1 - 2 Norwich City Southampton 0 - 2 Tottenham Stoke City 1 - 2 C/ Palace W/Brom 1- 2 Bournemouth SUNDAY FIXTURES Watford v Liverpool

Swansea v West Ham Monday Fixture Arsenal v Man City

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