Saturday, January 26, 2013 by GLOBAL MEDIA MIRROR LIMITED

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Vol. 03 No. 6

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Saturday, January 26, 2013

Presidency: Cabinet reshuffle imminent

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INSIDE MAGAZ INE Justina

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Sex talk The State of Sex 2012: What at happened a appe ed in bedrooms edrooms last year? year ar? ?

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One of the suspects of October 1st 2010 Independence Day bomb blast at Eagle Square, Mr. Edmund Ebiware, after he was sentenced to life imprisonment at Federal High Court Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: ROTIMI OSASONA

Jojo Body Beat

Henry Okah’s accomplice gets life jail Independence Day bombing

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65 Nigerians deported from UK, Spain, others P. 9

Emmanuel Emenike (right) kicks the ball to score the opening goal during the Zambia versus Nigeria Africa Cup of Nations match... yesterday

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Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

January 26, 2013

Amansea River tragedy: 15 bodies to be exhumed for autopsy

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Wheelbarrow boys: No pain, no gain

Some of the floating bodies

CHARLES OKEKE AWKA

nambra State Commissioner for Health, Dr Lawrence Ikeakor, has announced that all the dead bodies recovered from the Ezu River, Amansea, Awka North Council, and which were buried in mass graves, will be exhumed for full autopsy. On the whole, about 19 bodies, includ-

Carnival gone sour!

Cultists kill man, pluck another’s eye, loot shops P.50

MAKURDI

A Lagos by train

Riding in tears

next week. He stated that at the end of the exercise, which will be carried out by a joint team of pathologists drawn from the police and ministry of health, a comprehensive report of the findings will be compiled for appropriate action. He urged the public to stop speculating on what caused their death, adding that he was optimistic that at the end of the day, the truth will be known.

Man murders brother, four others in Benue HENRY IYORKASE

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ing the four that were found floating on Thursday, will be subjected to full autopsy. Speaking to journalists yesterday at the Ezu Bridge, Amansea,on the progress they have made in identifying what caused the death of the men whose bodies were found floating in the river last Saturday, Dr Ikeakor disclosed that the autopsy on the 19 bodies, including the 15 to be exhumed will commence by Monday

“We should exercise patience. The findings and results will come from the pathologists. Fifteen were buried before, and if we gets more corpses, we will pick them and do the autopsy,” Dr Ikeakor assured. Anambra State Commissioner for Local Government, Mrs Azuka Enemo, who was at the briefing, said that the State government considers the incident as very worrisome and barbaric. She stated that since the crisis began, the government has been trying to find out what caused the incident. This is in addition to constantly supplying water to the residents of Amansea, whose major source of water for domestic use has been polluted with decomposing bodies. The Commissioner disclosed that government is following due process in the handling of the incident and that the pathologists will from their results provide leads as to what caused their death.

man who has been identified as Edwin Jato and believed to be about 35 years old has been accused of the gruesome murder of five persons at Naka Earth Dam in Gwer West Local Government Area of Benue State. Generally suspected to be insane, Jato is said to have invited his brother (names withheld) on the fateful day to accompany him to the dam where he macheted him to death and subsequently fled the scene. After he allegedly murdered his brother, Jato took to his heels. While in flight, he encountered a mother and her two children, whom he also killed. As if that was not enough, Jato is alleged to have subsequently strangulated another peron, bringing the total number of deaths to

five, all within the vicinity of the dam. Saturday Mirror investigations reveal that the culprit was allegedly treated at the Federal Medical Centre, Makurdi for insanity in 2003. He became sane, and had been until the black Sunday of January 20, 2013 when his madness erupted again, only for him to take five lives. However, according to the secretary of the Local Government, Mr. Mike Torkuma, the suspect was thereafter seized by sympathizers and beaten to death. The chairman of Gwer West Local Government Council, Mrs. Eunice Mbajwa in an interview yesterday lamented that as a mother she is shocked beyond words over the calamity that has befallen her council and prayed God never to allow a repeat of such tragedy. Benue State Police Public

Jato

Relations Officer, DSP Daniel Ezeala, yesterday confirmed the development and decried the use of jungle justice by

the community, adding that the police is investigating the matter to ascertain if the man was actually insane.

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

January 26, 2013

Saturday Starter

Squalor in the

barracks! Queens Barracks Lagos

PHOTO: THOMAS USHIE

The outcome of President Goodluck Jonathan’s unscheduled visit to the Police College in Ikeja, Lagos has since become a topic of fiery debates across the nation. The temperature of the debates will, however, go haywire if some of the analysts and catalysts could visit any of the police formations in Nigeria. Saturday Mirror takes you round the edifices that house the men in black and their families. Prepare to be heartbroken!

KEMI OLAITAN, OMEIZA AJAYI, SEGUN ADIO AND THOMAS USHIE

badan, the capital of Oyo State not only has the record of being the largest city south of the Sahara, most of the government establishments there have large expanse of land to play with. Such are the police barracks in this city. However, a visit to some of those in Ibadan, which include Sango, Eleyele, Orita Challenge and Iyaganku, will reveal structures that have seen better days and an environment that can only bring tears to eyes that cherish aesthetics and hygiene. At Sango Police barracks, apart from dilapidated and abandoned structures that littered the place, amenities such as pipe borne water are lacking. As such wells could be seen all over the barracks. They are sources of water for the people in black. Nowhere can one sight an incinerator. But the lack of these is abundantly available in the refuse dumps and dirt which littered the whole place. A similar scenario plays out at the Orita Challenge Police barracks. With most of the structures in storey buildings, every veranda is used for airing clothes giving an impression of a giant laundry, while the roof of some of the buildings had been blown off. To protect themselves from the elements, the occupants stuck the windows with cloth and cardboards. Located in the heart of Apapa, Lagos and christened “Queens Barrack”, the Police quarters betray all the aesthetic grandeur and architectural landscape that comes with royalty, even in the remotest and tiniest kingdom.

And to say that the barrack is now a sprawling slum revelling in slimy filths is to say the least. When Saturday Mirror visited the barracks yesterday, it discovered that almost all the apartments have become eyesores with collapsed windows, abandoned “public” kitchens, grimy conveniences, gully streets and dirt ridden drainage systems, most of which have been buried in sand. Although the barracks share boundary with the Lagos State Water Treatment Plant, Bombay Crescent, Randle Road and most importantly, the famous Apapa Amusement Park, a visitor who catches the site of the barracks would definitely not be amused with its sorry state. The neglect of the barracks by the government has forced the occupants to concentrate on their individual rooms which they have, in their own way, furnished to taste, while the exterior, landscape and publicly used facilities lie in waste. Indeed a visit to one of the barracks is a visit to all. Speaking with the Saturday Mirror, wife of a policeman at Sango barracks, who simply identified herself as Mummy Peace, lamented what she called the uncaring attitude of the police authority towards those who are putting their lives on the line to protect both the low and mighty in the society. According to her, most of the rooms in the storey buildings are leaking with nothing done to repair them. She said, “It is quite unfortunate that we the wives, children and our husbands are subjected to this kind of living that one cannot even wish for one’s enemy. In our own situation here, whenever it is about to rain, we most of the times go on our knees praying to God for clement weather such that the roof will not be blown

off while putting containers in the rooms to collect water that will be pouring down.” A policeman at the Orita Challenge Police barracks, while speaking on the condition of anonymity, said no priority is given to the welfare of policemen in the country, maintaining that as human beings they could not but be affected in the discharge of their duties. He said while staying in the barracks would afford them the opportunity of being together, the deplorable condition of most of the barracks due to neglect by past governments in the country, has turned them to abodes only fit for destitute. “While the nation is desirous of having up and doing Police Force, it is lamentable that the welfare of the policemen has not been on the priority of those in authority, we live in the barracks because we do not have option, for most of the policemen that can afford decent accommodation, you would not find them living in the barracks. “ All efforts to speak with the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Ayodele Lanade, proved abortive, as he could not be reached on his line while he was not in office when Saturday Mirror visited. A woman in her 40s, with three kids at the Costain Police Barracks, Funsho Williams Avenue, in Surulere Local Government Area of Lagos State, told Saturday Mirror that many adults resident in the complex often have their baths quite early in the morning by the nearby rail line because the bathing systems are out of order. According to the wife of a Sergeant, “You may not believe what people go through here. I tell you that some people go as far as the rail line to have their baths CONTINUED ON PAGE 5

January 26, 2013

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Saturday Starter

Blame police authorities for rot - Tsav Alhaji Abubakar Tsav, a former Lagos State Commissioner of Police, spoke with TEMITOPE OGUNBANKE on the current state of the police barracks. Excerpts:

Tsav

hat is your view about the state of Nigerian Police barracks? All the colleges are bad but the one in Ikeja is super bad; very bad. It is not the fault of the government but the fault of the police authority because during the colonial era when we had British Police, Police colleges were manned by highly experienced police officers; senior police officers who knew everything were the people posted to Police Colleges. But when we started having Nigerian Inspector Generals of Police, they regarded the place as dumping ground. Some people posted to Police Colleges on appointment ground lost interest in the job, they were frustrated and therefore, they did not care about what happened.

Secondly, they were using facilities for rents for people who are doing different kinds of ceremonies and during the celebrations people will come in large numbers use toilets carelessly and destroy many things. So the whole thing is the fault of government and also the fault of the police authority. Some retired Inspector Generals of Police spoilt the Police by sending people to Police Colleges on punishment reasons. In the past when you are a very good police officer with experience they will post you to Police colleges to go and teach recruits. But now it is only when you are bad and you have no godfathers that they will send you to the police college as dumping ground. So somebody posted to police colleges as dumping ground has no interest to do the job and

he will not teach the recruits what they should learn. He will only do things that will be favourable to him and he will not care about infrastructure in the school, so that is the situation. Apparently very poor funding is also affecting the police colleges. Money may not be available to take care of the police colleges or maybe the money was given and diverted. Can we now ascribe the poor state of the police colleges to why many Nigerian policemen are not well trained? Yes. When I was serving in Police College Ikeja in 1963/64, we were trained as officers and the place was very neat; there was visiting and we came out and we made sure that we did our best. But since the place became ghetto, those who are trained there come out with the mentality of what they have learnt from the college. So they will be rough and that is why we have rough police officers today.

We live in fear of building collapse- POWA Augustina Aliyu is the welfare leader of the Police Officers Wives Association (POWA), Mopol 20 Barracks Ikeja. She spoke with FUNMI SALOME JOHNSON.

ow does your association feel about the current condition of barracks and the Police College? We are not happy about the situation of things at all. The whole place is in a very terrible state. The barrack is dirty and the painful part is that most of my fellow members are not supportive when it comes to the issue of cleaning and environmental sanitation. They leave the job to few of us to do which is really bad. After all, we cannot expect the government to come and clean the place for us. The whole place is dirty and we are not even proud enough to invite visitors home. Again, all the buildings are in a very terrible state. It is so bad that very night we go to bed, we sleep in fear of the fact that the house may collapse at any time.

Some weeks ago, it was the grace of God that helped my husband if not, he would have been badly injured right there in the room when a part of the cracked concrete decking collapsed and fell right on top of the bed. He just got up from the bed when it happened. You can imagine the level of damage in the barracks. As an association, what has POWA done to salvage the situation? There is little we can do about the situation of barracks in terms of renovation. However we are trying to ensure that the place is kept clean by doing sanitation regularly, although like I said earlier, many of our members are not supportive enough about it, however, I believe we will get over this with time. A few of us have made attempts to make formal reports about the dilapidated state of the

barracks but it seems there are politics playing round it because some have been victims of redeployment to not too favourable stations because of such reports which was why many of us have been keeping quiet all the while until the surprise visit of President Jonathan propped up this whole talk about the state of the place. It is indeed a very pathetic situation for us. What are the expectations of the association from the government? We are appealing to the government to come to our aid and make necessary repairs in our barracks so we and our families can have a befitting place to live and work. I also want to plead on behalf of others that the new CP’s wife should have pity on us and allow us to sell in our containers within the barracks. Before now, the former CP’s wife said we should remove the containers and go out to get shops outside or inside the POWA market but there is no more space inside the market and getting

Aliyu

shops outside is really expensive, we cannot afford it. Although the new CP’s wife has been nice and we are hoping that she would oblige us this time. We are able to support our husbands with our petty trades and things are really tough these days.

‘Unhealthy barracks responsible for poor police performance’ Abiodun Ogunkoya is a psychologist with the Neuro Psychiatric Hospital Yaba. He spoke with FUNMI SALOME JOHNSON. Excerpts:

Ogunkoya

hat is the psychological implication of the dilapidated state of the police colleges and barracks on police officers? Before we even look at the fact that

they are police officers and meant to protect the lives and properties of the people, let’s look at it from a general perspective. We all know that wherever a child grows up will largely affect his personality and perception to life as a whole. So in return, when the police meant to protect the lives and properties of the citizens live in a place so badly treated and not adequately provided for, how do we expect them to perform their duties right? It is not possible. If we want optimum performance from a people, it is always very important to

treat them well and make them feel cared for; in return, they will take care of the citizens well. Do you think that the police are not properly provided for? Of course that is very obvious. In all ramifications, the government has not done enough for the police. There may have been reforms here and there that are said to have been done in the sector but the bitter truth is that these reforms are mostly being benefited by the high ranking officers leaving the low rank-

ing ones with almost nothing to hold on to. The sad part is that these low ranking officers are those who do majority of these jobs because they are the ones who have one-on-one contact with the citizens. For instance, in my area, there is this policeman that I know who had to go and do black power as a means of protection since they do not have the needed protection for their lives. The Police do not even have enough and updated weapons to combat the armed robbers of today. That is the reason you will seldom get prompt responses from Police during robbery incidences. They will always arrive after the deed had been done because they do not have enough protection to face them.

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

January 26, 2013

Saturday Starter ‘Many take their bath in the open’ earlier in the morning before day break. The reasons is because our bathing facilities are totally bad here and irritating as well,” she said. Another wife of a Sergeant mother of four and a mother of four at the same complex said, “For me I have tried to condition myself to using pay toilets any day I go to shop on the Island. Going to our block’s toilet can be killing at times,” she said. At the Ikeja Police Barracks, a wife of a police officer simply identified as Janet told Saturday Mirror that in the last one year, some renovation works had been carried out at the barracks. She, however, maintained that there are still some areas craving for improvement. “Many of our people here do not always want to support in the cleaning of the barracks. There was a time we were suggesting getting people from outside to come and be cleaning the place but the idea was aborted by police authorities,” Janet added. Adetutu, 29, has been living with her Corporal husband at the Ikeja Police Barracks in the last three years. According to the mother of two, “I think what the President saw at the College was the same all over police barracks that I have heard of. Over the years, there had been too many neglect of the barracks and that has in a way impacted in the kind of police officers we have today.” While the ongoing debate on the nation’s police force is generally centred on the colleges, a visit by these discussants and analysts to just one barracks anywhere in the land would spiral the discourse out of hand.

Queens Barracks Lagos

While many have continued heaping blames on the Federal Government for the slums and shanties police barracks have become, a former Police Commissioner of Lagos Strate, Alhaji Abubarkar Tsav, has laid the blames on the doorsteps of Police authorities past and current. Tsav in an interview with Saturday Mirror insisted that if past Inspector Generals of Police had done their job well, the situation would not have been such that is attracting dark looks from the society. Frank Odita another retired Commissioner of Police and one time Spokesman for the Force also told Saturday Mirror that: “I have said it many times before that the Nigeria Police Force needs more than

PHOTO: THOMAS USHIE

it is getting at the moment. We talk about deplorable barracks across the country, but I tell you that the force has not what it takes to meet its challenges including the barracks we talk about.” However, while Deputy Force Public Relations Officer, Frank Mba concurred with the view that police barracks are in squalor, he told Saturday Mirror that the Force has emplaced measures to improve on the shelter needs of its nearly 400, 000 strong force. He said the current police echelon led by Mohammed Abubakar is determined to tackle the accommodation need of the police headlong. “It is not something that is hidden. It is a common knowledge and most Nigerians know the state of the barracks. It will

be a matter of PR or propaganda for any police officer to say that the barracks are in good condition. “The good news is that the current Police Management Team is not folding its arms and watching helplessly. To my knowledge, the IG through the police cooperative is doing everything to get houses for the Force. “There is a housing project ongoing in Lagos and we believe that when that is commissioned any moment from now, it will assist the police”, said Mba. He also added that as part of efforts to immediately realise its vision of providing affordable housing for the Force, the Police High Command has already acquired a mortgage bank for that purpose. He continued: “The Nigeria Police just acquired a mortgage bank. The essence is for the police to build its own institutions that will assist it overcome its challenges of housing. The Nigeria Police has paid the initial money and now have a controlling share. The bank will soon become NPF Savings and Loans. “These are long and short term measures being driven by the present IG. These problems predate the IGP and are not something that anyone can tackle overnight. The good news is that the present IG is working on that.” “On the issue of morale, the basic needs of man are food, shelter and clothing. You will agree with me that shelter plays a principal role. If you are not properly quartered, it will affect your psyche. It follows like night follows the day that if one does not sleep well, one may not also function well.”

Neighbours speak Akin Oladeji, a neighbour to Queens Barracks, Apapa, Lagos spoke with THOMAS USHIE

hat is your perception of the Police barracks? The Police barracks is generally seen as filthy. But the problems of the Nigerian Police are the problems of the Nigerian society in general – maintenance culture and maintenance of friendly environmental. Definitely, you cannot compare the barracks inhabited by non-officers of the Police Force with those of officers. Everybody, aside from peculiar conditions and limitations, wants to live according to his or her status. An officer, especially from the rank of Assistant Superintendent of Police, would always want to show off with the kind of uniform he wears, where he lives, etc. That does not mean that those who are nonofficers don’t love to maintain hygiene. Sometimes, the environment limits them from doing what they would have loved to do. You don’t expect a police officer who has cleaned up where he lives to swallow

‘Queens Barracks has not lived up to its name’ the dirt he has cleared. That points to the fact that the processes of refuse collection and disposal is very paramount in keeping the barracks clean. Most time, when an officer moves into a new apartment, he cleans up the apartment, repaints and does some necessary things that would make the apartment cosy. But if you look at all these buildings, you will see that the outside is an eyesore. The architectural design is just okay but the police authority doesn’t maintain it. And you don’t expect these poorly paid officers to carry out the exterior decoration of these buildings. The government should be doing that, at least, once in every two years. What does it take to paint a building? So, the problem of the police barracks is the problem of the country in general. Do you think that Queens Barrack has lived up to its name? Not at all. By the name it is called, it should be as beautiful as a beautiful woman. I mean total beauty inside and outside. Just walk in and see for yourself. But I bet you, what you see now is

far better than it was eight years ago. I believe that with cooperation from the government, the barracks could be better. When you see a policeman’s car, it shines like a diamond. They love good things. But there are some good things

that are beyond them. They cannot give this barracks the beautify it deserves without the government putting appropriate facilities in place. I think that they have tried. Queen’s Barracks is far better than most barracks in Nigeria.

‘I was disappointed when I entered Queen’s Barracks’ Evelyn Asuquo works in a business centre at Queens Barracks, Apapa. She spoke with THOMAS USHIE

ow long have you been in this barracks? I have been working around here for sometime. What is your opinion on the state of the barracks? When I first heard of the name “Queen”, I was very eager to see it. I thought it was a very beautiful barracks beyond what I have seen. But when I first entered here, all my desire just died down. Even then, if you compare this barrack to other barracks, it is far bet-

ter. The buildings are nice. The planning and the streets are well demarcated. What I think is lacking is that the streets are not tarred. What Fashola is doing in Lagos in terms of beautification can be replicated here. What the Federal Government needs is to plant flowers where flowers should be planted, grasses where they are necessary and tar the roads. The buildings should also be painted, especially, outside and everything would be in order. If this is done, you will see that even those who are naturally dirty would change by force and this barracks and others across the country would become like palaces. This will change the thinking of the police and I believe it would make them more responsible. That is all I have to say.

NATIONAL NEWS

January 26, 2013

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Independence Day bombing: Okah’s accomplice gets life jail EMMANUEL ONANI ABUJA

Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, yesterday, sentenced one Edmund Ebuware to life imprisonment over the October 1, 2010 bomb explosion in Abuja. The deadly attack, which left about twelve persons dead and many others injured, occurred few metres away from the Eagle Square, venue of the 50th anniversary of the country’s independence. Delivering his fourhour judgement, trial judge, Justice Gabriel Kolawole held that the totality of evidence tendered by the federal government indicated that the convict, Ebuware, was in communication with the master-

mind of the independence day bombing, Henry Okah. According to Kolawole, the court arrived at its decision after establishing that the convict failed to inform the appropriate authorities of the threat by Okah to carry out the attack. In arriving at his guilty verdict, Justice Kolawole further reasoned that Ebuware failed the test of Section 40 (b) of the Criminal Code Act Supra, which requires that information bordering on treasonable felony are reported with dispatch to a peace officer such as President or Governor, as the case may be. The judge, therefore, found the convict guilty of the three-count amended charge, which was filed on 11th January, 2011. Kolawole said the court

saddled itself with the onerous duty of answering three questions: Was the convict in communication with Okah? Was he informed of plans by Okah to carry out an attack on Abuja due to federal government’s refusal to meet his own terms of the amnesty programme? Did he report same to any “peace officer”? In his pronouncement, Justice Kolawole resolved all the questions against the convict, leading to the life imprisonment sentence. However, owing to the plea by the convict for the court to temper justice with mercy, in view of the fact that he is a young man with a wife and young children, the court ordered that upon evidence of “good conduct” by the convict, the Superinten-

dent of Prisons in any of the branches, shall after 32 years of the prison term, apply to the Council of Prerogative of Mercy, for the president to grant him presidential pardon. The judge refused to make any pronouncement outside the prescription by the National Assembly on the ground that the sentence will serve as deterrent to persons who may want to conceal information relating to treasonable felony from the federal government. It was also found that contrary to the convict’s claim that he spoke with then coordinator of the amnesty programme, Mr. Timi Alaibe, about threats to his life, it was Alaibe that actually called him, after the incident, to ex-

tract vital information. Other prosecution witnesses, who contradicted the convicts testimonies were Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, as well as a top official of the State Security Service,SSS. The convict was also found to be “inconsistent”, more so that he failed to call any witness to buttress his evidence. “The accused person, who had become aware of plans to bomb, took no steps to inform the authorities. He has consistently showed himself as a witness that should not be believed. “Treason is a political crime and perhaps the gravest of all criminal offences. Defence argument

was a wild-goose chase and an exercise in legal sophistry. “The prosecution has within the provisions of the Evidence Act, proved the case beyond reasonable doubt. The accused person is hereby found guilty as charged and is adjudged guilty. “The convict is hereby sentenced to life imprisonment as prescribed by the National Assembly.” Meanwhile, the premises of the court came under a security blanket yesterday, with the presence of armed Mobile policemen, officials of the SSS as well as those of the Prison Service. This is even as there was a mild drama when the convict attempted to resist being taken away by the security operatives.

Boko Haram’s bomb warehouse destroyed in Kaduna A ZA MSUE KADUNA

L-R: Former presidents, Nigerian Academy of Science (NAS), Prof. David Okolu; Prof. Gabriel Ogunmola; Foundation Fellow, Prof. Theophilus Ogunlesi; President, Prof. Oye Ibidapo-Obe and Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, at the NAS public lecture on “ Disease Epidemics in PHOTO: NAN Nigeria” in Lagos, yesterday.

No clue yet on floating corpses –Obi ROTIMI FADEYI ABUJA

overnor Peter Obi of Anambra State yesterday said his administration was yet to get any clue on the appearance of floating corpses on Izu River in the state. Obi stated that despite his promise of N5m for anyone with useful information that could unravel the mystery, no one had come forward yet to make any report. Speaking with State House correspondents yesterday at the end of a meeting of the Police Fund Committee chaired by Vice President Namadi Sambo,

the Anambra State governor expressed great concern over the mystery, saying that he had directed that proper autopsy be carried out on the corpses to know what went wrong, especially since there was no reported case of communal clash in the area. He said, “It is not as if this thing happened in Anambra State. The bodies were floating on the water. They stopped at the border between Enugu and Anambra. “As it is now, I have offered N5m for whoever can give me clue. I am looking for clue. If you look at the way the bodies are, they must have lasted for days in the water. “I have said we must do

proper autopsy on each body just to tell what happened. So far, nobody has come and say they are missing somebody, no communal clash, nothing. So, what do I do? I am not a magician”’ Obi said. While Speaking on the rot in the Police College, Ikeja, Obi said that the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan was not responsible for the situation, stressing that the administration was committed to changing the fortune of all security agencies in the country, especially the police. “We are looking at the overall picture, not just the rot in Police College, Ikeja; the rot there was not brought

about by this present administration but this present administration is striving to solve it and we can’t solve it without funding. We can’t provide adequate security without funding. We will come up with something that will make meaning to Nigerians,” Obi said. On the time frame for which government’s efforts will begin to yield fruits, Obi stressed that the committee was fast-tracking its works in order to deliver in good time. “We are fast-tracking everything. I believe that if we continue the way we are going, we will be able to do something that everybody will be proud of”.

combined team of special security forces on Friday demolished another bomb making warehouse suspected to be Boko Haram hideout in Rigasa suburb of Kaduna city. Saturday Mirror gathered that the operation was carried out by heavily armed team of security operatives which include the Police, State Security Service (SSS) and Army invaded the area and destroyed a building containing weapons and explosive devices. It would be recalled that one month ago, combined forces of the Nigerian Army and security agencies demolished another bomb making factory in the same area of Rigasa where five suspected terrorists were killed and two others seriously injured. This was just as weapons which include 5 Mark 4 Riffles, 3 Pump Action Riffles, 20 Rolls of Detonating Cords, 21 Nine Volts Batteries, 2 Remote Switches, 1 Testing Metre, 5 Assorted Daggers and

Jackknives, and other Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) materials were recovered. The Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, Colonel Sani Kukasheka Usman, in a telephone interview confirmed and said weapons, IEDs were discovered with the building destroyed. Although Col. Usman said he was not in a position to give details of the exercise but said it was part of a cordon and search exercise that would be embarked upon to rid Kaduna State and the country of all forms of terrorism. His words: “it is part of the cordon and search operation based on information received, whenever the need arise the security will continue to carry out that exercise. “I can confirm to you that it is a Joint operation in which weapons and IEDs materials where discovered. “We have discovered things and in line with our resolve we have demolished the building, because we discovered a lot of weapons and IEDs making equipment.”

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

NATIONAL NEWS

January 26, 2013

Money laundering: EFCC docks two for $240,000 illegal cash OLUFEMI ADEOSUN ABUJA

L-R: Group Chairman, Indorama Manufacturing Company Worldwide, Mr. Sri Prakash Lohia; President Goodluck Jonathan and Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, during a business interactive session on Nigeria at the 2013 World Economic Forum in Davos PHOTO: NAN Kloster, Switzerland, on Thursday.

Presidency: Cabinet reshuffle imminent OBIORA IFOH ABUJA

he confirmation by the Senate of former Vice Chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), Professor Chinebu Nebo and Mr. Kabiru Tanimu Turaki (SAN), as ministers is presently giving President Goodluck Jonathan some grey hair as they may not make the senior ministerial portfolio which they are meant to occupy. This was made known by sources in the Presidency who also disclosed that a cabinet reshuffle is imminent. The sources from the Presidential Villa, Abuja, told Saturday Mirror that some ministers of states who have served as junior ministers since May 2011 are lobbying to be promoted and have argued that the two new minister-designates should be made to climb the ladder by first serving as minister of states. Barring any change in plans, President Jonathan may reshuffle his cabinet to further strengthen his National Transformation Agenda as he moves towards May 29, which would mark the halfway of his four-year term in office. The Senate had last Wednesday confirmed Jonathan’s two ministerial nominees to fill the vacant positions in the ministries of Power and Defence. They are to replace Haliru Bello Mohammed who was removed as Minister of Defence on June 22, 2012 and the Minister of Power,

Professor Barth Nnaji, who resigned his appointment based on conflict of interest on August 28. Meanwhile, while disclosing the imminence of a cabinet reshuffle, it was gathered that the exercise would be to accommodate the new ministers who may not necessarily occupy the vacant positions in the cabinet. “There is a possibility that the two ministers may not be attached to the separate vacant portfolios of the Defence and Power because some ministers may moved round to achieve set objectives of the administration”, the source said. The source, however, could not confirm whether some ministers who may be found to have performed below expectation in relation to the transformation agenda of the administration would be dropped. The Presidency had consistently denied reports of an impending cabinet reshuffle. Jonathan, at the weekly FEC meeting of Wednesday, October 31 last year effected a minor cabinet reshuffle with the directive that the then Minister of State for Power, Darius Dickson Ishaku, swap position with his counterpart, Zainab Kuchi, who was then the Minister of State for Niger Delta. The October 2012 minor cabinet reshuffle was announced by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, at a press briefing after FEC meeting. Jonathan had on Wednesday, January 9 at the first Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting for

this year told his ministers to sit up and improve on their performance towards the realisation of the Transformation Agenda of his administration. At the meeting, the president outlined the priorities of his government for this year which are geared towards development in all sectors of the economy.

Jonathan had last year signed Performance Contract Agreement, PCA, with the ministers where they were expected to set agenda and programmes for their ministries which would form the basis for assessment of their performance and contribution to the transformation agenda of the administration.

ROTIMI FADEYI

spond to questions posed to him by journalists on the outcome of the meeting. When Journalists accused him of not always speaking with them after meetings with the president, Mark said amidst laughter: “When next I come here, I promise to deal with you directly. This is a promise from me.” Those who also attended the meeting include Vice President Namadi Sambo, Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu; and Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Emeka Ihediora. Reason for the absence of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal at the meeting was not known.

he Economic and Financial Crimes Commission yesterday said it had arrested a duo of Moghalu Maduakonam and Esho Femi David for allegedly trying to smuggle $240,000 out of the country. A statement from the spokesman of the commission, Wilson Uwujaren, said that the two suspects were nabbed at the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja. The suspects were said to have made useful statements to the commission on the alleged shady deals. According to the commission, while Maduakonam was travelling to Dubai, United Arab Emirates, with a staggering sum of $200,000.00, which he failed to declare, David who was travelling to Istanbul, Turkey, declared only $5,000 out of $40,050 in his posses-

sion. The commission said that the suspects would be charged to court as soon as investigation is concluded. On January 23, 2013, Justice Adamu Bello of a Federal High Court in Abuja convicted one Mallam Abulrasheed Ibrahim for the offence of money laundering. The convict was arrested on Wednesday, November 7, 2013, by operatives of the commission as he prepared to board a Dubai-United Arab Emirates-bound Ethiopian airline, at the NAIA, when he declared the sum of $45,000 while a search conducted on him revealed additional $143,858. Delivering his judgment, Justice Bello held that 25 per cent of the total sum, which is $188,858 should be forfeited and paid into the Federal Government treasury by the court accountant and the remaining money returned to the convict through his counsel.

Ibori’s Jonathan in emergency ...Attaches property in Lagos meeting with NASS O A ABUJA

resident Goodluck Jonathan yesterday held an emergency meeting with the leadership of the National Assembly at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. Although the NASS leaders at the closed door meeting declined comment on issues discussed at the meeting, it was gathered that it was on the 2013 budget which has already been passed by the lawmakers. It was also gathered that issues regarding the ongoing review of the constitution by the National Assembly were also discussed at the meeting. Senate President, Senator David Mark did not re-

LUFEMI ABUJA

DEOSUN

he Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has attached a property belonging to former governor of Delta State, James Ibori. Ibori was last year convicted by a London Crown Court for money laundering and subsequently serving a jail term in a United Kingdom prison. The ex-governor is also expected to be tried in Nigeria for corruption charged upon the completion of his sentence in the UK. According to a statement by EFCC spokeman, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, in Abuja yesterday, the property which is situated at No 5, Alpha Beach Road,

Lekki, Lagos, is suspected to be one of the proceeds of money laundering for which the ex-governor was convicted. Two occupants of the house, Moses Abu and Kaycee Kasim, were said to have been interrogated and had made useful statements on the attached property. The commission stated that the attachment of the property was predicated on the continued efforts by the anti- graft agency to trace, find and seize properties that were acquired with stolen funds by the former governor. The property, it further noted was a mansion with a mini reception at the ground floor and a detached Boys Quarters.

‘NAS is collaborating with NIMET for Nigeria’s benefit’

he President, Nigerian Academy of Science (NAS), Prof. Oye Ibidapo-Obe, on Friday said that academy was collaborating with the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) to enlighten Nigerians on climate change.

He made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on the sidelines of a public lecture organised by the academy. The theme of the lecture is ``Disease Epidemics in Nigeria: Are we helpless?’’

Ibidapo-Obe said the collaboration was a fall-out of the academy’s conference on climate change in November 2012. He said that the collaboration was aimed at increasing the consciousness among Nigerians that NIMET was not there just

to make weather information available for aircraft landing and taking off. ``We are increasing consciousness that NIMET should also give global information as to the climatic changes and the detailed weather changes within each of our communities.”

NATIONAL NEWS

January 26, 2013

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Capital Oil boss, Uba, accuses Access Bank of ridiculing Nigeria judiciary KENNY ODUNUKAN

he Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Capital Oil and Gas Limited, Mr Patrick Ifeanyi Uba , yesterday accused Access Bank PLC of ridiculing and undermining Nigeria’s judiciary by obtaining an order from a Court in England which violates an existing order of the Federal High Court in Lagos. It would be recalled that Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court in Lagos had on November 12th,2012 restrained Access Bank PLC and Cosharis Motor Limited from tampering with the assets of Capital Oil and Gas Limited pending the conclusion of a case filed by Uba

against them. The court had also restrained the respondents from doing anything against the properties and business interests of Uba and Capital Oil. Access Bank Plc and Coscharis Motors Limited are defendants in a suit instituted by Capital Oil and Gas Limited and its Managing Director, Mr. Ifeanyi Patrick Uba, before the court challenging the veracity of the defendants’ claims in respect of an alleged loan facility, the terms of which they claim have been breached by the plaintiffs. When the matter came up for hearing, Uba’s lawyer, Wole Olanipekun (SAN), accused the respondents of violating the express orders of the court.

Olanipekun said after Justice Abang made the orders, the respondents approached a court in England , and thereafter secured an order on the 23rd of January,2013 that violates the existing orders of the Federal High Court in Nigeria made on November 12th,2012 The Senior Advocate of Nigeria also described the action of Access Bank as ‘commercial lawlessness’, scandalous in nature and one which is condemnable. He further argued that the action taken by Access Bank sought to ridicule the entire Nigeria Judiciary and further infringe the order of the court The lawyer, who also tendered the proceedings and the order of the Lon-

don Court as exhibit in the case, however, made an oral application urging Justice Abang to restrain the respondents from enforcing the order of the London Court. He however urged the court to direct the defendants from taking any further steps in Great Britain or elsewhere which undermine the Nigeria constitution and its Judiciary. Further, he prayed that the court should restrain the defendant from using the court order obtained from Britain to infringe or tamper with any of the plaintiff’s assets or business interest. Responding, Access Bank’s lawyer, Paul Usoro (SAN), objected to the admissibility of the order and proceedings of the London

Court on the ground that they were not certified. He also denied the allegation that his client had violated Justice’s Abang’s orders, stressing that the assets and business interests of Capital Oil were still intact. Cosharis’ lawyer, Osita Mbamalu argued in the same line with that of Usoro. Prior to that, Both Usoro and Mbamalu had argued their applications challenging the jurisdiction of the court to entertain the matter. In his brief bench ruling, Justice Abang suspended proceedings on the challenge to jurisdiction and opted to first rule on the alleged violation of his orders. He relied on the Supreme Court case in Ebod-

age and Okoye, and said that the apex court had tasked all courts to first deal with the issue of contempt in a situation where contempt and challenge to jurisdiction comes up as in the instant case. “The only valid and cherished property of the court is its orders and judgments. “I don’t want to be a dog that can only back and not bite. In the light of the Supreme Court decision in the case of Ebodage and Okoy, I hereby suspend proceedings on challenge to the jurisdiction. The Presiding Judge, Justice Abang, further ruled, saying “This matter is further adjourned to January 28 for ruling at 9am on the alleged violation of the court orders.”

FG removes import duty on CKD for mass transit buses

L-R: Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar; Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi, and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Police Affairs, PHOTO: NAN Mr. Aliyu Ismai’ila, after a meeting of the Police Fund Committee with Vice-President Namadi Sambo in Abuja, yesterday.

CACOL backs Adeyemi on special anti-graft agency TEMITOPE OGUNBANKE

he Coalition Against Corrupt Leaders (CACOL) has backed the call by the Chairman, Senate Committee on the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Smart Adeyemi, for the establishment of special anti-graft agency for corrupt politicians. Corroborating the submissions of the legislator, the Executive Chairman of CACOL, Comrade Debo Adeniran, in a statement made available to Saturday

Mirror noted that establishing another anti-graft agency that would be free from the influence of the Ministry of Justice that whittles down the power of the existing anti-graft agencies, is the only way out of the institutionalised corruption bedevilling the nation. “It is a good thing this is coming from a serving legislator. Our stand is vindicated because the Senator was talking from an informed point of view. Most corruption cases revolve round politicians, so the call for more anti-

graft agency to monitor the financial activities of political office holders at all levels of government is welcomed. ‘The more, the merrier,’ they say, but there should be different agencies with specific missions e.g. Fraud, Stealing of Public Funds, Money Laundering etc, so that if someone escapes justice with one agency, he could be prosecuted for other charges with another,” he noted. The human right crusader also called for the strengthening of the existing agencies to achieve more.

“The existing anti-graft agencies i.e. the Code of Conduct Bureau, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) have become toothless dogs that cannot bite. These anti-graft agencies are not achieving much feat in the recent times because of interference from the Ministry of Justice. Nothing is heard of many high profile corrupt cases charged to court by the EFCC last year,” Adeniran noted.

resident Goodluck Jonathan has approved the removal of import duty rate on Completely Knocked Down (CKD) components for mass transit buses of at least 40-seater capacity to encourage local production A public notice issued by the Nigeria Customs Service on Friday in Abuja said the directive was contained in a circular signed by the Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that before the removal, 5 per cent import duty rate was charged on CKD for mass transit buses. The notice entitled ``2013 Fiscal Policy Measures’’, listed other presidential approvals on new import duty rates for sugar, rice, aircraft, solid minerals, polymers of polyethylene and polypropylene. On sugar, the circular directed that all machinery and spare parts imported for the establishment of local sugar manufacturing industries shall attract zero per cent import duty. It added that investors in sugar cane to sugar value chain shall enjoy a 5-year tax holiday, while raw sugar would attract an import duty rate of 10 per cent plus

a levy of 50 per cent. Similarly, the circular said refined sugar would attract an import duty rate of 20 per cent plus a levy of 60 per cent. On imported rice, the circular said husked Brown Rice and semi- milled or wholly milled rice, whether or not polished or glazed would attract an import duty rate of 10 per cent plus a levy rate of 100 per cent. NAN reports that since July 2012, the federal government imposed a 30 per cent levy on imported brown rice and a 50 per cent levy on imported polished rice. A final levy increase of 100 per cent for rice import came into effect on Dec. 31, 2012. According to the circular, all imported commercial aircraft and spare parts in 2013 will attract import duty rate of zero per cent and zero per cent import VAT. Similarly, machinery and equipment imported for the development of solid mineral sector will attract an import duty rate of zero per cent and zero per cent import VAT. To encourage import substitution, the Federal Government also directed that polymers of polyethylene and polypropylene would now attract an import duty rate of 5 per cent.

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

NATIONAL NEWS

January 26, 2013

Again, Harry Akande, FAAN bicker over land OLUSEGUN KOIKI

Participants at the launch of Subsidy Re-Investment and Empowerment Programme (Sure-P), community services, youth and women empowerment PHOTO: NAN scheme in Gombe, yesterday.

65 Nigerians deported from UK, Spain, others OLUSEGUN KOIKI

o fewer than 65 Nigerians were yesterday repatriated from various European countries like the United Kingdom, Spain and others for several immigration offences. Sources close to the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) confided in Saturday Mirror that the aircraft that brought the deportees touched down at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA),

Lagos at exactly 7:40am. The 65 deportees comprise 48 males, 12 females and five children. Also, an immigration source who does not want to be mentioned confided in our correspondent that among those repatriated were people who had served jail terms in various prisons across the UK and other European countries, adding that others were arrested for illegal stay. The source informed our correspondent that the repatriation was a monthly exer-

cise through a chartered return flight jointly organised by the High Commission and the UK Government. The source noted that the deportees were arrested from different parts of Europe which included Spain, Bulgaria, Romania and the United Kingdom over expired documents and illegal stay. On arrival, the deportees were handed over to plaincloth security agency from the Nigeria Prison Service, Alagbon, Ikoyi, Lagos. They were immediately whisked away in a Toyota

pick-up van with the registration number ‘Ontario AZKC-549.’ The FAAN source explained that some of them especially convicted for various criminal offences in Europe initially resisted arrest, which led to squabble between the policemen and some of them. The struggle between the two parties reportedly lasted one hour. It would be recalled that 40 illegal immigrants were also deported from UK last December for various criminal offences.

PDP hails Jonathan over CNN interview •Says he was forthright on security, power OBIORA IFOH ABUJA

he Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has thrown it’s weight behind President Goodluck Jonathan for his “forthrightness” on national issues, especially the Boko Haram insurgency, in his interview with CNN on Wednesday. The party, in a statement by it’s National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, said the president was absolutely right when he declared that the Boko Haram phenomenon was not a product of misrule or poverty but a local terror group. It also agreed with the president that there has been tremendous improvement in power supply in the country under the current dispensation.

Dismissing the insinuation that poverty is the reason behind the rise of the Boko Haram insurgency, the PDP argued that poverty is not a recent phenomenon in the country and therefore could not form the basis of the sudden wave of criminal attacks on innocent victims, most of whom live within the poverty bracket. “The President is right and we fully align with him on his position that Boko Haram is not a product of poverty or misrule as some people are suggesting. We agree with him that it is a local terror group. “There have been successive regimes before this administration but this insurgency increased the same way terrorist activities are escalating in other parts of the world at this time. So, it is clear that some people

are out to perpetrate acts of terrorism in Nigeria to create a semblance of insecurity as it obtains in other troubled spots of the world”, the party said.

The PDP also said it believes in the efforts by the administration to ensure the security and welfare of Nigerians in line with its manifesto and mandate.

Jonathan hails Babatope at 70 ROTIMI FADEYI ABUJA

resident Goodluck Jonathan has congratulated Chief Ebenezer Babatope as he clocks 70 today. In a letter to Babatope, the president said, “your life has been signposted with outstanding accomplishments and distinguished service from your days as a young man unwaveringly dedicated to the defence of the rights and human essence of your fellow man, right up to your committed

service to Nigeria in the Federal Executive Council”. In a statement issued yesterday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, the president recognised and commended Babatope’s prolific intellectual engagements with matters historical and contemporary and willingness to continue to serve the nation, describing him as a genuine patriot. Jonathan prayed that God would continue to guide, guard and prosper Babatope in the years ahead.

he serene environment of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos was almost violated Thursday evening following a battle between the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and one of its concessionaires, AIC Hilton Limited, over some hectares of land. The fight was the second in ten days. Both parties who laid claim to the parcel of land were battle ready for each other, but the quick intervention of the Commissioner of Police, Airports Command, Mr. Olatunde Caulcrick, brought the situation under control. Crisis had broke out between the two parties when the workers of the concessionaire who were working on the site were allegedly chased out by Aviation Security (AVSEC) and armed policemen led by one military colonel newly posted to MMIA. When the site workers were purportedly chased away, the site supervisors reportedly put a call through to the promoter of the hotel, Chief Harry Akande, who physically came to the site in a convoy of four vehicles. At the site with Akande were his lawyers, Personal Assistant and attached security personnel who insisted that the hectares of land was rightly concessioned to it by the Federal Government in 1998 for the construction of a five-star hotel at the airport. On the part of FAAN was the Director of Security Services, Mr. Wenden Ogunnedo, the Head of AVSEC, a retired colonel whose name could not be ascertained as at the time of filing this report, the General Manager, Corporate Communications, Mr. Yakubu Dati, AVSEC personnel and armed policemen. When the FAAN’s team arrived in four Pick-Up vans with the inscription AVSEC, attempts were made to gain entrance into the barricaded parcel of land, but was rebuffed by the AIC Hilton Limited personnel, a situation which almost led to exchange of punches However, in a retaliation

attempt, the FAAN’s team retreated and blocked the main exit to the contentious parcel of land with their four Pick-Up vans stationed on the international airport road. But the prompt intervention of Caulcrick changed the situation as the vehicles were removed and AIC personnel too allowed the officials entry into the parcel of land. Speaking on the issue, the Personal Assistant to Chief Harry Akande, Mr. Gbenga Akinyemi, explained that the company was on the land by virtue of lease agreement it entered into with FAAN since February 1998. He alleged that FAAN personnel numbering about 20, led by a retired colonel in conjunction with security agencies, chased away its site workers in the afternoon (Thursday) and even threatened to shoot them, but insisted that the land belonged to the company. He explained that there was a subsisting court order, which stopped FAAN from coming into the land to harass its personnel and wondered why the harassment persisted till date from the agency. He said, “I don’t know why they are here because they are not supposed to come here and disturb the ongoing construction work. This is a development that has been consented since 1998 when we had the lease agreement signed and there was a fanfare here and the late Rear Admiral Mike Akhigbe as the number two man in Nigeria then, did the ground breaking ceremony. “What they are saying is not right. In a society that is normal, that kind of a statement is outrageous and uncalled for. In addition, there is a 50 years lease, which is still subsisting till now. That is not tenable before us because FAAN and other security agencies are on ground at the airport guiding the environment. Even if it is too close to the airport, there are some security measures in place by FAAN to ensure total security of the environment. There are airport hotels around the world attached to terminals like in Amsterdam Airport and others.”

REGIONAL NEWS

January 26, 2013

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

SOUTH WEST

4 die, 20 injured in Ota factory explosion A

t least four persons were confirmed dead, while 20 others were se-

riously wounded in the factory explosion which rocked the brewering section of the Nigeria Distill-

eries limited in Ijako area of Sango - Ota in AdoOdo/Ota local government area of Ogun state

yesterday. Saturday Mirror gathered that one of the boilers of the distilling

L-R: Director General, Lagos State Chamber of Commerce, Mines and Agriculture, Mr Vincent Nwani; Chairman, Crown Natures Nigeria Limited (CNNL), Brig-Gen GIsk Emdim (rtd); Managing Director, Bank of Industry, Ms Evelyn Oputu and representative of Lagos State Governor, Mrs Rukayyat Akiode, at a public presentation/unveiling of Nigeria Innovative caps and hats in Lagos, yesterday

company located along the Lagos - Abeokuta expressway caused the explosion which also quaked the ntire area and pulled down the perimeter fences of the neighbouring companies. It was also gathered that the boiler, which was said to have been expired since was mixing preparation for the Calypso Cream drink, one of the brands of the company when it gave way and poured it contents on the victims. The expired boiler, which reports said the management had refuse to change was said to have been overworked which caused the accident. Some of the co-workers of the victims who summoned courage to speak with newsmen

in an emotional laden voice said remnants of the exploded boiler mangled bodies of their coleages in the incident. Sympathisers at the scene of the incident also told newsmen that two ambulances of the neighbouring companies: AVON and Fidson drugs joined that of NDL to evacuate both the injured and the dead to the hospital. One of the hospitals, Rubbi hospital at Ogba - Ayo in Sango was said to have rejected some of the victims and they were later taken to Ifo General Hospital. When contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Muyiwa Adejobi confirmed the incident but said only two were killed.

Jonathan, Fayemi urge Nigerians to emulate Adetiloye’s virtues ABIODUN NEJO ADO EKITI

resident Goodluck Jonathan yesterday described the late former Primate of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Most Rev Abiodun Adetiloye, as an epitome of service, humility and a reliable man, whose life should be a lesson to Nigerians. Adetiloye died on December 14 last year at his Odo Owa Ekiti country home at the age of 83 years and was buried yesterday. President Jonathan spoke during the funeral service for the late cleric held at St Paul’s Millennium Anglican Church, Odo Owa Ekiti in the Ijero Council area of Ekiti State. The president, who was represented by Police Affairs Minister, Navy Captain Caleb Olubolade (rtd), said the late religious leader was a dependable leader worthy of emulation. Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi, who corroborated the President, hailed Adetiloye’s stance on peace. His words, “His roles in

the Iddo declaration was a message that politicians should stop spilling blood for no just cause.” The governor, who said all Ekiti politicians would abide by the Primate’s tenets and principles of peace, explained that though Adetiloye was not partisan, he suc-

ceeded in uniting Ekiti people regardless of party affiliation exhibited in the calibre of politicians in attendance at the Primate’s burial. In his sermon, the Primate of the Anglican Church of Nigeria, Most Revd Dr. Nicholas Okoh, urged the nation’s lead-

ers to follow the steps of the late Primate by serving the people with sincerity. Okoh, who described the deceased as selfless, truthful and a great evangelist and, however, seized the opportunity to caution the country’s leaders against avarice

and greed. According to Revd. Okoh, “Nigerians should as a matter of necessity, embrace values that will move the nation forward.” Among dignitaries at the burial are Fayemi’s wife, Bisi; former Governor of old Western

State, General Adeyinka Adebayo; and the Director General of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Mr Femi Ajayi. Former Ekiti State governors Niyi Adebayo, Ayodele Fayose and Segun Oni were also present at the funeral service.

Why Osun is spending more on road construction in 2013 –Aregbesola

overnor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun STate, has said that his government allocated lion share of 2013 budget capital spending to transportation subsector because of the administration’s belief that it is a vital catalyst for economic and industrial development. A total sum of N30.21 Billion or 25.38 per cent of the capital budget has been allocated to transport for the execution of the various projects in the sub-sector in 2013. A statement by the Director, Bureau of Communications and Strategy, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon, quoted Governor Aregbesola as saying that in view of his government’s

commitment to ensure that roads are in good condition throughout the State, a sum of N24.61billion out of N30.21 allocated to the sub-sector has been voted for road rehabilitation and construction

alone in the 2013 budget. The governor said that since the inception of his administration, construction and rehabilitation of inter and intra-city roads have remained one of

its top priorities, saying government identifies road construction and maintenance as essential to achieving economic and socio-political end. Aregbesola noted that in the current fis-

cal year, government will awardnew contracts which include the construction of roads such as the East Bypass Road Osogbo (18 km), Iwo – Osogbo Road (58k), Gbongan – Osogbo Road(25k).

Lagos improves Land Use Charge bill delivery

he Lagos State Government has adopted a new approach on the delivery of Land Use Charge bills. According to Barrister Omodele Ibrahim, captain of the Land Use Charge team, “The new approach is by ensuring that the property owner or occupant acknowledges the receipt of the bill by filling a delivery form, and afterwards, a demand notice delivery handbill, show-

ing proper delivery of the bill, is pasted on the wall of the property and photographed by the bill delivery service official of the team for further storage in our data bank for future reference and retrieval.” He added that “in a situation whereby there is no one to receive the bill, the bill and the demand notice delivery handbill are placed on such property with sealant for easy

retrieval by the property owner or occupant and to guide against the loss of the bill.” Ibrahim further stated that the new move stemmed from claims by some property owners that they were not liable to payment of penalty charges on the Final Reminder Notice since they did not receive the First Demand Notice, among others. And disclosing why

they are now delivering the bills themselves rather than the courier service method they were using before, Ibrahim said, “Estimations of these properties are done by us and we are familiar with their locations, their owners and occupants and we believe with this extensive knowledge, we can handle the delivery of the bills more efficiently and satisfactorily.”

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

REGIONAL NEWS

January 26, 2013

SOUTH EAST

Amansea River tragedy: Youths slam Enugu gov, commend Obi

ouths from Ugwuoba village in Enugu State, a border town with Anambra, under the aegis of Youths for Protection of Environment have lamented the lacklustre attitude of the state government towards the drowning of some people in Ezu River in the community. The group lamented that five days after the gory incident, officials from neighbouring Anambra State had visited the place, while no officials from the home Enugu State are yet to pay any visit or show solidarity to the affected families. A statement by Pascal Ozo-Mgbachi, Chairman of the group, however, commended Governor

Peter Obi of Anambra State and the state police command for their show of support for victims of

the incident. Ozo-Mgbachi however regretted the absence of Governor Sullivan

Chime, saying if he were around, he would have shown more compassion to the affected families.

The group then advised acting governor Sunday Onyebuchi to always identify with his subjects

Former Governor of Anambra, Sen. Chris Ngige (left), and the Igwe of Amansea Community, Igwe Kenneth Okonkwo (middle), during the senator’s visit to Ezu River, Awka North Local Government Area in Anambra where corpses were recently recovered, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

at times of distress, as exemplified by Giovernor Obi of Anambra State. In the words of OzoMgbachi, “But for Governor Obi, who left his trip in London for our people, things would have fallen apart. We thank him and all those who felt an epidemic was on the verge of consuming a people and reacted positively. But look at Enugu state even when our people of Ugwuoba are affected , none of their officials visited even a councilor and yet we said there is democracy or that Ugwuoba is part of Enugu State.” The group said they would rather Ugwuoba joins Anambra State than remain in Enugu State where they are not recognized.

Elechi signs 2013 budget, seeks more opportunities in agric

overnor Martin Elechi of Ebonyi State has advocated for more manpower to be injected in the nation’s agricultural and security sectors, as he assented the state’s N104.37 billion 2013 Budget. Governor Elechi, during the signing of the 2013 budget into law in Abakaliki yesterday, after its

passage by the Ebonyi House of Assembly on January 21, 2013, urged more youths to take to farming. The state’s 2013 budget was the highest since Ebonyi was created in 1996 and the budget represents an 18.96 per cent increase of the N86.98 billion 2012 budget. Elechi said that the

injection of more of the nation’s human capital in the agricultural and security sectors would result in rapid economic growth. In the words of governor Elechi, ``We need to produce more food in the country to meet the needs of the citizens. While we also need adequate security to at-

tract foreign investment into the country. The available manpower in the country do not have enough job placements as the available job opportunities do not have the qualified manpower to fill them. Critics think that the Ebonyi Government deliberately placed embargo on unemployment, but the

reality is there for all to see,” he said. The governor said that unemployment in the country was a major bane to Nigeria’s economic transformation. Chukwuma Nwazunku, the Speaker of the assembly, said that the budget, if judiciously implemented, would make the state attain

greater heights. According to Nwazunku,``We will not toy with our oversight functions. We will contribute our own quota to ensuring that the budget was fully implemented. The spirit and letters of the 2013 budget of this state must be honoured in its entire ramification,’’ he said.

Group transfers Ojukwu’s life patron title to son NWABUEZE OKONKWO ONITSHA

he Odinani Anaedo cultural group of Nnewi, Oraifite and Ichi communities of Anambra State has transferred late Dim Chukwuemeka Ojukwu’s title of Life

cting Governor of Enugu State, Mr Sunday Onyebuchi, has called on governments at all levels to support efforts aimed at reviving students’ interest in mathematics. Onyebuchi made the call in Enugu on Friday during a courtesy visit by the Acting Chief Ex-

Patron to his son, Sylvester Debe Ojukwu. At the colourful ceremony which took place at the weekend at Anaedo Hall, Nnewi, the Odinani Anaedo transferred the life patronship title already conferred on Ojukwu many years ago to his amiable son, Chief Barrister

Sylvester Debe Ojukwu. Conferring the title on Debe Ojukwu, President of Odinani Anaedo and President of Njikota Umunri worldwide, Dr. David Igweilo, said the personality of the late Ikemba prompted the decision to confer on his son the title, as both share similar

traits. According to Igweilo, “Debe is a true resemblance of his father, both in action, in voice, in stature and in face. He is an accomplished legal luminary and a retire police officer and that is why we believe he can fit into his father’s shoe, hence this

transfer of our life patronship position from his late father to him”. Responding to the gesture, Debe Ojukwu expressed his gratitude to the group, for considering him worthy to wear his father’s crown, saying, “when a big gift is given to a child, the child would turn round

to ask this question: are you giving me this to give to who?” Announcing a donation of N1 million to Odinani Anaedo, Debe Ojukwu pledged to live up to their expectations, just as his late father, Ojukwu did by impressing them during his life time.

Enugu Ag. gov solicits revival of Mathematics ecutive of the National Mathematical Center, Prof. Adewale Solarin. He stressed the importance of mathematics education in schools, adding that no nation can develop without the subject. The acting governor

attributed the declining interest in mathematics to the attitude of some teachers. Onyebuchi called for constant training and re-orientation of mathematics teachers in the country. He reiterated the com-

mitment of the government toward sponsoring mathematics competitions in secondary and tertiary schools in the state. The governor lamented the phasing out of subjects like mental arithmetic, writing and reading

from school syllabuses, saying it contributed to the decline in students’ interest. In the words of Onyebuchi, ``Without being an expert, one will easily know the importance of mathematics in educa-

tion, especially in science and technology. That is why I believe that every government at all levels should support bringing back students interest in mathematics and give it the importance it deserves.

REGIONAL NEWS

January 26, 2013

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

SOUTH SOUTH

Transport ministry moribund under Sylva –Bayelsa Commissioner EMMA GBEMUDU YENAGOA

ayelsa State Commissioner for Transport, Mrs. Marie Ebikake, yesterday opened up on her ministry, saying it was moribund for five years during the past administration of former Governor Timipre Sylva. The Commissioner, disclosed this yesterday

to journalists in Yenagoa, during the pre-one year anniversary of Governor Seriake Dickson in the state. She revealed that some vehicles imported by the Sylva administration was tracked down at the Onne port of the Nigerian Ports Authority in Rivers State. Ebikake alleged that the vehicles were not bought with state government’s name, not-

ing that the vehicles were finally cleared at the port after government had paid a demurrage of N118m. She revealed said that new administration in the state has imported five armored and five nonarmored vehicles valued at N403 million for top government functionaries from the state. Her words, “Government also bought 200 taxi

cabs of Suzuki,Hyndai and Chevrolet valued at N508m,while the 34 buses procured cost N456m.We provided 11 security vehicles for the state security outfit, “Operation Doo Akpor”. Two of the armored vehicles, a Jeep and car, including free school buses for students were spotted at the premises of the ministry by our reporter.

Ebikake further said government had also procured 15 armoured speed boats to be patrolled by Nigerian Naval personnel in the waterways gradually overtaken by sea pirates. She continued, “The sum of N2.16b was spent in buying official vehicles for political appointees. We are bringing two dredgers valued at N2.8b each to

Bayelsa.We are looking for technical partners in buying the dredgers, because we cannot carry the load alone,” she explained. Ebikake dismissed allegations that Governor Dickson was using the Ministries of Education, Works and Infrastructure and Transport to siphon government funds in the state, describing the allegation as frivolous.

Bayelsa constructs 41 roads, 18 buildings in one year

L-R: Zonal Commanding Officer, Federal Road Safety Corps, Assistant Corps Marshal Yakubu Atta; General Manager, Shell Petroleum Development Company, Mr. Tony Atta and National Chief Examiner of the competition, Prof. Sarah Anyanwu, during the award/finals of the National Safety Competition for Secondary Schools in Port Harcourt, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

‘Corruption in Nigeria Police traced to underfunding’ TONY ANICHEBE UYO

United Kingdombased institute, Pointman Leadership Institute, has traced corruption in Nigeria police to underfunding of the sector by the government. Michael Askew, Company Director of the institute, who said this in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, on yesterday at a two-day seminar for police offi-

cers, asserted that it is illogical for the police to give their utmost if funds are withheld from them. Askew, a retired superintendent in the Metropolitan Police, UK, said there is a lot of infrastructure for police in the UK. According to Askew, “Inadequate funding can hamper police efforts in Nigeria. If they do not have necessary tools to work; you are now providing room for what will aid

corruption in the sector. If there is any incidence of emergency, the police cannot go. They may say, ‘Sorry, I can’t come and see you; there is no petrol in my car. Can you pay for the petrol?” He said that every police officer there has a radio, access to a vehicle, access to petrol. He explained that what is more surprising is that the police officers in Nigeria do not have enough money to put petrol in the police

cars. Akwa Ibom State Police Command Public Relations Officer, Mr. Etim Dickson, said the workshop was designed to enable police officers key into the vision of the Inspector-General of Police. Dickson said the senior officers who were participants at the workshop have the mandate to reflect the training on their subordinates, which they hoped will achieve the desired results.

plete all the mega projects during the life span of the Godswill Akpabio administration. This was made known yesterday by the state’s commissioner for special duties , Barr. Austin

Mbeh, when he led journalists in the state on a tour of some ongoing mega projects which are under the supervision of this ministry. Briefing the media team during the tour,

Barr. Mbeh, explained that the decision by the Governor Akpabio to give Akwa Ibom people such world class facility was in line with his promise to change the status of the state from a

ayelsa State government says 90 percent of the ongoing projects including 41 road projects, 18 buildings, a multi million Naira world class Diagnostic Centre and a multi door Court House will be completed and due for commissioning as part of the activities marking Governor Seriake Dickson’s one year anniversary. Conducting newsmen round some of the project sites within and outside the state capital, the state’s Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Mr. Lawrence Ewrudjakpor, said the decision to open up the state is aimed at attracting local and foreign investors. His words, “Our dream is to make Bayelsa the Dubai of Africa. Governor Seriake Dickson has given us the task and it must be accomplished.” Meanwhile, Governor Seriake Dickson has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with GEAP International of Dubai to establish commercial rice farm and revive palm plantation in the state. The agreement was

sealed between the state and the company in Dubai recently during Governor Dickson’s trip to the Middle Eastern nation. In addition, Bayelsa State will actively assist in the establishment of relationship between all relevant government agencies with GEAP and provide all legal and regulatory assistance. And subject to receiving initial positive technical reports on water and soil analysis, GEAP agrees to bring into the state the required technological and human expertise hosted by the Bayelsa State Government.

Gov Dickson

‘A’Ibom will complete mega projects before 2015’ TONY ANICHEBE UYO

kwa Ibom State government has re-assured the people of the state of its preparedness to com-

mere pedestrian state to a destination of choice. The journalists were conducted round the sites of the 250 Rooms, Hilton Hotel,Theme (wet and dry) park International Convention

Centre, Shopping Mall, as well as the completed cineplex. Also inspected were the runway, apron expansion and the international Terminal building site at the Ibom International Airport.

Politics

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

January 26, 2013

TEMITOPE OGUNBANKE

he Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, has once again stirred another round of controversy with his remark. Only few days ago, he called for the ban of religious and ethnic associations as a means of reducing the problem of insecurity across the country. As far as he was concerned, the groups are responsible for the problems confronting the country. He was speaking at interfaith dinner organised by the Northern Reawakening Forum (NRF) in Abuja penultimate Tuesday. His words: “I almost didn’t want to attend this occasion because I am opposed to regional, ethnic and religious groupings in this country. In fact, I would like the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Jamatul Nasril Islam (JNI), Afenifere and all such other groups to be banned.” Sanusi, who attributed the state of insecurity in the country to a fall-out of the exclusiveness and marginalisation which many Nigerians belonging to the younger generation had been subjected to, traced the current insecurity in Northern parts of the country to power struggle among the elite who use religion to pursue their goals. The CBN governor, while defending his call for the ban of ethnic and religious organisations accused religious, ethnic and regional organisations of having political agenda. He said that people now float all sorts of associations that threaten the security of the country so as to be recognized, hence banning the ethno-religious groups will reduce insecurity in the country. It would be recalled that late last year, the Sanusi raised the dust of controversy when he called for the sacking of 50 per cent of the civil service and a drastic reduction of public office holders in one of his statements. Sanusi’s call for the ban on religious and ethnic groups is the latest in his many utterances that have ignited the fire of controversy. As it has been the case in the past, while some see the issue raised by the CBN governor as a serious one which should be considered with all the required attention, some seem not to be worried at all, dismissing him as one attention seeking individual. Infact, they consider his position as obviously taken without due cognizance of the roles the groups have played in the development of the country over the years. As far as those against Sanusi are concerned, Afenifere, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), Oodua People’s Congress (OPC), Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Jamatul Nasril Islam (JNI), among others, are known to be well respected and organised institutions in Nigeria. They reason that some of the groups are regarded as the voices of ethnic nationalities and religious organisations in the country. While they argue that although the activities of some of the ethnic and religious groups in recent times cannot be compared to what they used to be in the past, especially during the military era,

Sanusi

Reuben Fasoraunti, Afenifere Leader

Gary Enwo-Igariwey, Ohanaeze President

Aliko Mohammed, ACF Chairman

Angered by Sanusi’s call for ban on ethnic-religious groups when the voices of some of the groups were respected by the public, they cannot just be dismissed with the kind of ignominy that came with Sanusi’s utterance. Those in support of Sanusi also have their arguments. They believe that much as those organisations represented the voices of certain groups of people in the country, some of them have lost their rhythm; infact, they have been divided. The views of the groups, they stated vehemently, no longer come with the kind of respect they used to have in the past. They hinged this on the fact that unlike in the past when ethnic and religious organisations were regarded as the conscience of the people and they usually challenged the government anytime they tried to violate peoples’ rights, they now satisfy the greed of some individuals. They went further to stress that many of the ethno-religious organisations have been factionalised and divided based on principles and power tussles. Some of them, they said, have even turned to political tools in the hands of public office holders, thereby losing their honour and integrity of being the peoples’ voice.

To them, today, many of the ethnic groups, rather than protect the interest of the people, are inflicting more pains on the masses. They pointed out that in the last few years, there had been records of many Nigerians who died as a result of jungle justice from the activities of some ethnic nationalities militant groups in the name of defending their territories or fighting against crimes. Some of the groups like Egbesu Boys, Bakassi Boys and OPC, it was said, even have detention camps where they keep people who run contrary to their rules and regulations. Speaking to Saturday Mirror on the issue raised by Sanusi, Second Republic Special Assistant to President Shehu Shagari and member of the ACF’s Board of Trustees (BoT), Alhaji Tanko Yakassai, expressed his dissatisfaction with the call for the ban of any group in the country. His words: “I believe everybody is entitled to his or her own views. I don’t think government will consider banning any organisations without them committing any crimes. As a Nigerian, he (Sanusi) has the right to say his views no matter how

unpopular such views may be but I don’t support banning of any organisation. We are in a democratic dispensation and the constitution allows freedom of associations. “I don’t believe that it is the ethnic and religious groups that are causing problems in the country; rather I believe they are the one bringing people together. If somebody recommends that government should take action on a particular issue, it does not mean that government would blindly act on such an issue. The government has a duty of making sure that proper things should be done. Government is a responsible institution, which is made up of people who are duty-bound to consider merit before taking any action.” The National Coordinator of Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC), Otunba Gani Adams, in his reaction, asked the CBN governor to concentrate on issues relating to the economy rather than cause chaos in the country with his view on public matters. He said: “I think Sanusi is well exCONTINUED ON PAGE 15

POLITICS

January 26, 2013

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Hon. Rotimi Makinde, an accountant, politician and actor is the deputy chairman of the House of Representatives’ Committee on Human Rights. He is representing Ife Federal Constituency of Osun State at the House of Representatives. In this interview with TEMITOPE OGUNBANKE, he speaks on the tasks before the House of Representatives in 2013, the Petroleum Industrial Bill and 2014 gubernatorial election in Osun State among other issues. Excerpts:

Makinde

NASS’ desire is to make feasible laws for petroleum sector –Makinde W

hat are the major issues before the House of Representatives for legislative business in 2013? The Seventh Assembly of the House of Representatives, which I am gracefully a member, has several tasks geared towards demystifying governance and giving the masses a feel of what service delivery at all levels of governance should be without fear or favour. We are definitely going to continue along the path of what we did last year and improve on it, in terms of making laws that will better the lot of Nigerians, working with other arms of government with the aim of bringing the several challenges staring us in the face as a nation to a halt and other legislative duties as bestowed on us by the constitution. One of the most anticipated bills in the House today is the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB). Can Nigerians expect an objective passage of the bill into law, despite the legion of issues surrounding it and the sector involved? I happened to be one of the 23 members ad-hoc committee that was mandated by the House to peruse the bill and I can assure Nigerians that objectivity, fairness and professionalism are our core values in the various delibera-

tions we have had. The petroleum sector is the key driver of our economy and making appropriate and feasible laws for the sector is the desire of the National Assembly. Ahead of the 2014 governorship election in Osun State, gladiators have started bracing up and the incumbent governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, is believed to be warming up for a second term. Do you think Aregbesola will earn the votes of Osun people for a second term in office? First and foremost, the basic duty of any responsible government is to provide a peaceful and stable environment for development to thrive and this was the first thing that Aregbesola achieved. For us in Osun State, it is monumental. During the era of the impostors from the PDP, there are serious security concerns in this state; our people lived on the edge, thugs were in every nooks and crannies of the state; our traditional rulers were even living in fear. That was the pathetic state of security in this state until Aregbesola got his mandate back. Today, I can tell you authoritatively that one of the safest states in Nigeria, as we speak, is Osun State. You can quote me anytime. Today, people walk freely both in the day and night on the streets of Osun State without any form of harassment, in-

timidation or fear. Let me give you an insight to what the governor did to keep the state secure aside the usual support for security agencies. The strong bond between the governor and the people of Osun State was in the six point integral action plan manifesto which serves as a covenant between the two parties. The most interesting thing is that these action plans are in concrete terms; people can relate with them and right before their eyes unlike the years of PDP maggots, they are seeing these things come to reality. Look at the process of generating employment for our teeming youths who were being used as political thugs. Through the innovative thinking of this governor, Osun State Youth Empowerment Scheme (OYES) has taken these youths off the streets and they are gainfully employed, becoming responsible to their families and the society. This is one of the strategies that restored sanity, communal peace and relief to Osun State and I know that my people will never return to the Egypt of PDP, not for anything. As we speak, I have it on authority that some governors are eager to learn how Aregbesola was able to fulfil his promise of engaging 20,000 youths in his 100 days in office, most especially, in a state like Osun that does not have a robust purse like others. Not a few

doubted the realisation of such during the campaigns but today this has been done. It is not a media creation. The people are there flesh and blood. I can tell you authoritatively that there is no town or community that one work of development or the other is not ongoing right now. Massive road construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation and maintenance are ongoing. Look at education and see the dynamism injected from infrastructure, personnel, curriculum and welfare to even the students themselves. He recently engaged about 10,000 teachers in the teaching service. The daily feeding of the pupils with nutritious meal and the free uniforms to students is nothing but an auspicious, bold achievement of a governor that overcame all odds to serve his people. Have you ever asked why Osun State never experienced flooding? All the dutiful governor did was to position the state ahead for the climate change. He had studied the state before he eventually got the mantle of leadership. He saw the need and urgency to open up the canals and water outlets across the state, especially in Ile-Ife where a dreaded water called ‘Esinmirin’ water had become a clog to the people of the area with the previous administration at loss on what CONTINUED ON PAGE 15

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

POLITICS

January 26, 2013

‘NASS’ desire is to make feasible laws for petroleum sector’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 14

Makinde

field Omisore because he is already an anathema in Osun State and Ile Ife as well. He is a misfit and the people have long rejected him and his party. PDP is dead and buried in Osun State and the South-West at large. Some people believe that Governor Aregbesola cuts a picture of controversy. What is your view?

Angered by Sanusi’s call for ban on ethnic-religious groups CONTINUED FROM PAGE 13 posed and he has travelled to different countries of the world and has knowledge about international politics. I have never seen a nation that does not have ethnic and religious organisations. I think he (Sanusi) has his own agenda because he is becoming more controversial nowadays. Just of recent, he issued a statement that they should reduce the work force of Nigerian workers. For a CBN governor to issue a statement like that shows that he is confused because sacking the number of people he recommended would certainly cause a lot of problem in the society. “I would appeal to him to always reason very well before he talks. He should realise that whatever he says as a CBN governor carries so much weight. For instance, how would he say that organisations like like Afenifere, Arewa Consultative Forum and religious organisation should be banned. It is not possible. I think we should call him to order and advise him to confine himself to issues pertaining to the economy.” In his view, former President-General of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Dr. Dozie Ikedife, kicked against the call by the CBN governor. Said he: “He (Sanusi) is entitled to his opinion but he can’t just stand up and demanded for a ban of some organisations. He should be able to tell us why and what to ban. If for example, Boko Haram is traceable to ethnic nationalities; if all the kidnappings in the country are due to ethnic nationalities; if all the lootings of the economy at various levels and arms are due to ethnic nationalities; if lack of progress and unity in the country are due to ethnic nationalities, then I would say ban them. But if you have not said what they

have done that is inimical to the peaceful, progressive, harmonious existence of the country, then I think he can be regarded as just another shot in the dark. “Since we are in democratic dispensation, Sanusi is entitled to his own opinion but we must recognise that some opinions may be central, meaningful and widely acceptable and some opinions may be wide off the mark. So I would regard the opinion of Lamido as that of somebody in a democratic dispensation, who is exercising his democratic rights of self expression.” Also reacting to Sanusi’s statement, the Secretary-General of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rev. Musa Asake, said the CBN governor’s comment was unethical. “CAN is not the cause of trouble or insecurity in this country. CAN was formed to protect the interests of Christians, especially in fighting persecution. CAN is not a government institution like NEMA, which any person can wake up and disband. The 1999 Constitution guarantees freedom of association and Sanusi cannot just wake up and call on anybody to proscribe it. “Sanusi has been making several controversial statements and as a CBN governor, he should not make controversial pronouncements like this one. It is this type of statement that causes problems, not CAN as an institution. It is unfortunate that at a time like this, when Christians are being killed and churches burnt he is making this type of insensitive comment. CAN and JNI have come to stay. We have no quarrels and nobody can curtail CAN’s freedom of association as guaranteed by the constitution,” he said.

It is interesting to hear a thing like this because as one of the privileged close lieutenants of Ogbeni, I can tell you categorically that those putting him under the spotlight of controversy don’t know anything about him. Ogbeni is running an unusual government, blocking pipes of wastages. He doesn’t listen or act to gossips and mischief makers. He hardly socialises or hangs out. He is so occupied with the project called Osun. You automatically become his friend when you genuinely talk about how to move Osun forward. So, when people see an unusual character

In your refreshingly different

War in Mali

The raging battle in Mali has attracted troop donation worldwide. Nigeria, being a ‘big brother’, is not left out. With about 2000 troops to help safeguard democracy in the beleaguered country, and still counting. The questions are; at what cost is the war to Nigeria? Again, what does the country stand to benefit from prosecuting the Malian war? Conversely, what would Nigeria have lost if Mali is overrun by religious extremists. We tell you tomorrow.

At 70, I remain a radical –Ebenezer Babatope

Ebenezer Babatope, popularly known as Ebino Topsy turns 70 today. This PDP chieftain who was Director of Organisation to the defunct Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) of the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo says that he will remain a radical till death, and that he can conveniently display radicalism in PDP which some people perceive as a conservative party, despite his advanced age. He has a lot to say about his mentor, Awolowo, President Jonathan, Bola Ahmed Tinubu and others. Keep a date with your vendor

Otokoto: When citizens rage

1997 would forever remain indelible in the minds of people of Owerri, Imo State. It is a day that could be described as a day of rage, when people moved out in anger against ritual killings. We recall the detail of the unprecedented act of bestiality, in this edition.

Dateline

to do. Aregbesola did it successfully ahead of the rain season and today the people are living in peace. The commitment of this administration to the good people of Osun is very conspicuous and irrespective of what the irrelevant few are saying, the people of Osun from the youngest to the oldest have been able to identify themselves with this administration and its human centric policies. I can assure you that the Action Congress of Nigeria and its governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, will be returned for a second term in 2014 by God’s grace. There are reports that PDP may field a candidate from Osun East Senatorial district, the same senatorial district where Aregbesola comes from. Don’t you think this may give your party sleepless nights? We are not worried at all on whoever they are putting up. You see, the people are wiser and they are aware of how the PDP government, for seven and half years, wasted and misplaced the resources of the state. The stench of their mismanagement is still thick. Who are they going to field that would cause us sleepless nights? Is it Omisore? In fact, ACN will go to bed and snore if they

leading a government, the next thing is to start calling him names - a religious bigot, an extremist, a socialist and so on. He is simply not excited at jamboree and flamboyancy, and Osun is better off for it because that is our style, culture and way of life. So far, what is your scorecard as a member representing Ife Federal Constituency at the National Assembly? In all modesty, I was the first to embark on constituency empowerment, less than 30 days after coming into office and I am happy it has become a culture. In less than 30 days, I distributed tricycles, bikes, driers, grinding machines among others. I have built classrooms for pupils in the schools, obtained GCE forms for students among others. I am presently constructing one health centre in each of my four local governments, two computer centres would be completed within the next 60 days and a project on public toilet scheme is in the pipeline. On legislative duties, I have sponsored about six motions and cosponsored many. My rich experience as an accountant with NNPC for over 20 years has been so valuable in issues relating to oil and gas in the house, not leaving out my exposure as an artist as well. As the deputy chairman of Human Right Committee, I recently represented Nigeria and delivered a speech on the rights of minorities at the United Nations in Geneva.

Odi, 14 years after In 1999, the military invaded Odi, unleashing mayhem. Their foray was to ‘teach’ a lesson for the disappearance and death of policemen sent to that community. Fourteen years after, the community is fighting back, demanding N20 billion damages. Not only that, the passage of time has not been able to obliterate the scars of the attack which left over 2000 persons dead. We take you back to that black day in the community’s history tomorrow.

‘I’m not scared of scandalous stories’ If you think scandalous stories rob Nollywood star, Oge Okoye of her sleep, then you are far from the truth. This wife and mother of two, says such things don’t bother her since they are untrue. She speaks about her roles and the effect they have on her family life. What are these? Find out tomorrow. These and many more available tomorrow in your

January 26, 2013

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

MAGAZ INE Justina

...Pack Your Load ...

Sex talk The State of Sex 2012: What happened in bedrooms last year?

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Relationships Should she be pregnant before he marries her?

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Fashion • Go pinkie • Stylish floral wrap

18 Joseph Omotoye, popularly known as Jojo Body Beat, beats every part of his body to make music to entertain. He has been doing so since 1995. He told OSEYIZA OOGBODO how the journey to celebrity status has been.

January 26, 2013

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Celebrity

ou beat your body to make entertaining sounds and music and you call it bodiophone. Is this term coined by you or bodiophone is a recognised entertainment genre like comedy, rap, etc? I actually coined the word, bodiophone, as the name for what I do which is beating my body to produce sounds to entertain people. I therefore call myself a bodiophonist. I derived bodiophone from the music instrument, xylophone. I had to do so because beating the human body to make music is not common so I had to come up with a unique name for it so people can make reference to it in future for academic studies and research. Although for laymen, I call it Jojo Body Beat but for corporate shows, I call it bodiophony. Why don’t you just call yourself a musician? What I do is more than just music and also more than just entertainment. I’m a creative performer, a total artiste. My performance is theatrical arts and it consists of dance, pantomime, stunts like walking with my hands on stage, singing, comedy and many other elements so it’s a total performance on its own. When I performed for Professor Wole Soyinka at his 70th birthday celebration, he said what I do is poetry and that it’s not until I speak before I am a poet. When I asked people what he meant, they said he meant that I talk with my body.

‘I was not paid for performing for Clinton’

guage. How long have you been doing bodiophony? What have you achieved? I started professionally in 1995 with I’ve gained exposure and known peoTunde Kuboye’s Jazz 38. ple. I have enough expose that can turn to wealth, but the wealth is yet to manifest. How did you know you could beat Spiritually it’s manifesting, but physiyour body to make pleasant sounds? cally, soon. When I was very young, I was always making sounds with my voice unconThat means you are not yet where sciously. I also made sounds with any- you want to be. Why is that? Is it that thing I saw to relax my nerves whenever you are not packaging yourself propI was stressed or bored. Even when my erly? younger ones cried, I would also pet them Not truly. I’m trying in terms of packby rhythmically tapping their bodies. aging. But acceptance of the art in terms How did you then turn it into your profession? As I grew older, it was only natural for me to start playing drums in the church and then I had this unisex hair saloon where I was always making sounds so my brother Benjamin advised me that I should join Jazz 38 which we were always watching on TV so I could become known too. He even went as far as telling them about me that I play drums and make music with my body so one day we went to meet them at 10 pm. I followed him just hoping for a meeting with them to discuss but they put me on stage immediately to perform immediately with my body. I was very raw then. I beat my body so vigorously that I felt pains all over, but now I beat it with technique, body lan-

of the reward is just the problem. The art itself is not for every event. Why is it not for every event? Because of the quality of production that we want to achieve and if you tell the sound man do it this way, do it that way, they believe you want to control them. The French Cultural Centre understands the quality of sound we need and they ensure we have a good sound balance but Nigerian shows are a big problem sound wise. So I try all my possible best to perform at only those events that the sound quality needed will be provided. Or is it that your style is not appreciated? My style is appreciated. People love it but the Whites appreciate it more. Most

appreciation in Nigeria is applause and presidential handshake. Most of my performances are for just honorarium. Some corporate bodies also pay well. But Whites pay me well and give me more shows. And churches too are really coming on board as I’m more or less representing God’s creativity so I praise God too with my body now and I encourage youths to hold on to whatever they have in terms of talent and not be discouraged. What’s the way forward? I’m hoping to get steady concerts. I’m also imploring organisations that have appreciation for unique art to sponsor me. I don’t perform alone again but with a 5-piece band so I’m bringing something really different and exciting to the table. Yeni Kuti even said if I have the chance to get out of the country, the sky will be my limit. Sunny Ade too said it that I have to go abroad to perform to know my true worth. KSA, Yeni Kuti have advised you. Which of them has helped you? You get verbal promises here and there, but they can’t do anything about it. Sunny told me that if he says he can help me, he’s just lying, that it’s only God that can help me. I was supposed to go to London in December but it was postponed. I have a management consultant,

Yomi Opakunle, and he’s always trying his best to promote me to the best of his ability. He even plays my music on TV and radio. Has your talent been a blessing or a curse to you then? It’s a blessing. I’m blessed to have the talent. It’s God’s gift to me. Even though I’ve not made the money now, I’m happy because my talent makes people happy as it is unique. One friend even called me Jojo Body Beast as I’m another person totally on stage. What is your biggest performance till date? I guess it’s the one in Zanzibar, Tanzania. Emem, formerly of KUSH, was the one who arranged for me to travel to Zanzibar to perform in 2008 through the British Council. I also performed for Bill Clinton in Abuja in 2007. Even Atiku was so amazed when I was performing the national anthem that he opened his mouth. That performance was transmitted live on CNN and CNN also interviewed me. How much were you paid for your performance for Clinton? I collected nothing. I wasn’t paid because the person who was supposed to pay me refused to do so. And I even went and came back by road.

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

January 26, 2013

Entervaganza

With OSEYIZA OOGBODO

08023755142 kingseiza@gmail.com

Clarence Peters feels NBC heat

t is no longer news that eight music videos have been banned from airplay on terrestrial TV stations. What is news however is that three of those videos were directed by the guy who is presently believed to be Nigeria’s best music video director, Clarence Peters. Without a doubt, Peters is very good at making music videos. His videos are unique in their concept and they have earned him a worldwide reputation as the go-to guy for music videos out of Africa and for African artists mainly. Considering the reputation he has amassed over the years that has earned him all the top awards for music video directing, it is surprising that three videos involving him were hammered by the National Broadcasting Commission for their

supposed inappropriate content. While it is obvious that he has a higher number of videos banned because he is in the most demand by artists so directs more videos than most of his colleagues, it might just be better if he begins to do more family friendly videos so as not to begin earning himself another reputation as the director whose videos get banned. The eight videos banned are Ko Ma Roll by Tillaman featuring Vector, Skibobo by Goldie featuring Tanzanian rapper AY, Flavour’s Shake, Chuddy K’s Brazilian Hair, Timaya’s Shake Your Bum Bum, D’Prince’s Take Banana, Wande Coal’s Go Low and P-Square’s Alingo. Peters directed Ko Ma Roll and Shake Your Bum Bum and co-directed Alingo. Explaining why they banned Peters’ vid-

hese are certainly bittersweet times for the upcoming artiste, Tiwa Banks. After years of trying to find fame and fortune through her music, she was thrust into the spotlight comprehensively only when she was allegedly attacked by her landlord’s son. Overnight, she became talked about everywhere, more so as people initially felt it was the more popular Tiwa Savage that was brutalised. Certainly if it was indeed the more successful Savage attacked, it would still be making headline news now. And that is the problem for Banks. Her case is now in court but she alleges that it is being manipulated and financial constraints are preventing her from having access to a good lawyer. Who will come to the aid of this damsel in distress? That question begs an answer. Banks

Justina

Wole Oni, Asu Ekiye, others shine at NGMA

The Big Friday returns

opular television show, Glo Presents The Big Friday Show, will return to TV screens this weekend with a brand new season. This week’s studio guests are the MTV Base VJ search finalists; Ehis, Ada and Kemi. MTV Base recently revealed that the trio would be going head to head against each other in the last stage of the MTV Base VJ Search competition. The winner of the competition will win a contract with MTV Base worth 10 million naira, a brand new car and other exciting prizes. On the Ask/Reply segment of the show where Glo subscribers text in questions to know more about the studio guests, the finalists will be sharing their dreams and their journey so far in the competition. MTV Base Vlogger Stephanie also re-

Peters

Who will fight for Tiwa Banks?

Justina drops Pack Your Load O

mo 2 Sexy, singer, Justina, returns yet again with her latest single, Pack Your Load. It comes after her previous releases So Tempting (Omo Gbabe), Ashikituga and her biggest hit till date, Omo 2 Sexy which was released in 2008. As it begins to circulate, Pack Your Load has at least silenced those who believe that Justina should have released a song long before now. Much is expected of her because she did very well at a music talent hunt, Nokia First Chance, in 2007, which gave her the platform to launch a successful career like Omawumi.

eos, the NBC described them as containing erotic and suggestive dance steps. Apart from Peters, another director too also had two of his videos on the black list. By name Godfather, and based in South Africa, he was responsible for Goldie’s Skibobo and Flavour’s Shake. Anyone who has seen Skibobo will not be surprised by its ban because Goldie introduced a new dance that is very sexual through it. Music analysts are however of the opinion that the ban will affect the videos’ success. Not only were all of them already popular and have been in circulation for months, they will still be on satellite channels and going by history, banning of songs or videos only make them more popular.

turns this season to keep viewers updated on what is going on in the entertainment world in Nigeria and beyond on the Vlog segment. The first up-and-coming artiste for this season is Vito, who will perform this week’s studio challenge. Viewers will find out what specific task he was assigned and how well he fared. There is also the Prank Yo People’s segment where Glo subscriber Biola pranks her friend Dare with the help of The Big Friday Show crew. Viewers will find out what tricks the crew got up to this time. And for those wishing to lose all the extra pounds gained during the festivities, Mr. One Pack is back with health and fitness advice for viewers. Music lovers will also see which of their favourite songs make the Glo Presents Big Friday Show Countdown.

Oni

op music producer Wole Oni, respected singer Asu Ekiye and DJ Gosporella were among those who received awards at the Nigeria Gospel Music Awards recently. While Oni won the NGMA Best Music Producer category, Ekiye took home the NGMA for the Best Indigenous Contemporary category and DJ Gosporella was given a special recognition award for his popular gospel music programme on Beat FM, Gospel Zone. Frank Edwards was the main winner of the night. He won the Artist Of The Year, Best Male Vocalist and Song Of The Year categories. The other winners are Eben, Best Gospel Rock and Album Of The Year; Joe Praize, Best Alternative; Onos, Best Female Vocalist; Henri Soul, New Revelation Of The Year; Femi Oyeleye; Best Male Artiste in Diaspora; Lyn, Next Rated; and Kayode Olusoji, Best Traditional.

ENTERVAGANZA

January 26, 2013

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

CLASSICAL RYHMES

AIRWAVES LINK

Iyanya not my kind of man –Tinsel actress

Iyanya

Eke

ne lady who is hot in the news now is Tinsel actress, Uru Eke. Just like Tinsel is one hot soap opera, Eke has become one hot news item with her candid answers during her guest appearance on notable TV programme, Rubbin’ Minds. An America returnee, the beautiful and sexy Eke didn’t hesitate to tell the world that current ladies’ favourite,

Kukeree crooner Iyanya is not her kind of man. ’ he’s h th hot that Iyanya iis so h a in presently enmeshed triangle purported love with two of West Africa’s top female celebrities, Nigeria’s Nollywood’s Tonto Dike and Ghana’s Ghollywood’s Yvonne Nelson. Though there have been denials by at least two of the parties involved that the love triangle is existent, people continue to believe that it exists. Meanwhile, such a scenario is not impossible as it is currently on

etween Iyanbetween b ya’s colleague, Don’t Wake Me Up singer Chris Brown and two ladies, Diamonds singer, Rihanna and Karrueche Tran. unceremoniously Eke While as a contender aside brushed Iyanya more diplowas she for her heart, her senior to came it matic when NnGenevieve colleagues Nollywood Ikpe-Etim. Nse and aji, Rita Dominic Asked to choose which of the trio is the better actress, Eke couldn’t. Her reply was that they are all good and you can guess why she toed that diplomatic line.

Austino Milado storms the airwaves I t was in the year 2002 that Austino Milado made his breakthrough in music with his smash hit song, Walele (Super Eagles Carry Go). Walele made him into a household name finally after his years of toil in music. The song’s success was assured from the start as it was a rework of the national anthem into a gyration song about the Nigerian national football team which Nigerians are very passionate about. Since then, Milado has

stamped his authority on many other areas of entertainment including acting and anchoring ceremonies as an MC. And after taking a sort of break from music, he is back now with two singles, Gold Key and Spray You Money. “It feels so good to put out new music after a long time,” he told Entervaganza. “The music industry has really come of age now and I’m relishing the challenge posed by the intense competition out there. I’m not fazed by it, though. My songs are already

burning up the airwaves so I’m confident of reprising the success of Walele very soon with my two new songs.” Adding that the new songs are not gyration style but they are nevertheless dance hall that will get people dancing azonto and etighi at the same time, he disclosed that Gold Key was produced by Olu Maintain’s NAWTI producer TY Snoop, Spray You Money was produced by Don Sammie and both were mixed by Dan Jiggy of Further Maths Studio.

Milado

DJ Neptune releases 11th serial mixtape

Neptune

ormer Ray Power FM in-house DJ, Neptune, who is now affiliated with satellite TV station, Channel O, and prominent record label, Storm Records, has released his latest mix-

tape, Let’s Party Naija. The mixtape is the 11th in the series of Neptune’s such-named mixtapes and it is another feather to his cap, coming shortly after his wedding last month and his recent acquisition of a Land Rover to cruise around in. Even as the release kicks off the year in grand fashion for him, it is only indicative of in-

creased hustling on his part in recent time. His music video for Skoobi Doo featuring General Pype, Jesse Jagz and Lynxxx and with cameo appearances by Naeto C and Shank amongst many others was his last release last year and Let’s Party Naija now continues his efforts to achieve his entertainment industry aspirations.

Beautiful Nubia

Seven Lifes Artist: Beautiful Nubia Verse 1 In my journey through the world, over land and over sea I see different cultures and different people’s ways I was born where the sun never sets and never rises I was born where the heat is like a second skin Children crying on the streets, automobiles making noise The land is growing dry and weak, spirits dying low The forefathers are calling me: never tire, never weaken The pride in me is bursting loose - I’m an African boy. On the farm my father called me down behind a tree He said, “Prostrate at my feet and say a few prayers” Then he told me all the stories of my brave ancestors, “Look into my eyes son, you were born to be great” So in the twilight I went home behind my father with a hoe Listening to the songs of birds, whispers of the night Chorus 1 Singing: seven goats, seven beads, Seven cowries, seven nuts, Seven lifes that’s what I’ve got, I’m an African boy Over sea, over land, over mountains and in the wild I’ll be brave and I’ll be strong, I’m an African boy. Verse 2 In the evening, mother called me down into her hut She said, “Lay upon my bosom and say a few prayers” Then she told me to go forward never looking back “The spirits are with you and you will never fail” So I go into the world, into the deeps, into the wild In the market place I danced the sound of bata Chorus 2 Dancing - seven jumps, seven wriggles, Seven cowries, seven nuts Seven lifes, that’s what I’ve got I’m an African boy.

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

ENTERVAGANZA

January 26, 2013

BOX-OFFICE HITS

BRAIN BEHIND THE SCENE

Aniagolu

Charles Aniagolu … raises the bar

onsidering his antecedents, it is not surprising that Charles Aniagolu is really proving himself as a brain behind the scene. He is a movie producer and director albeit with a difference because he has raised the bar in Nollywood with his full length film, Streets Of Calabar. That Aniagolu is raising the bar is not really surprising. With the profile of his multifaceted career thus far as a broadcaster, writer, producer, director and media executive, he has no choice but to raise the bar with his foray into Nollywood. He was trained in the highest standards imaginable by the BBC and thereby worked with the most prominent international media organisations including the BBC World Service, Sky News and CNN. And you don’t go from working with such international outfits to producing a mediocre movie, as is the characteristic of Nollywood. While he could have joined the bandwagon, Aniagolu chose to make a difference instead and it is evident in Streets Of Calabar,

Aniagolu on location

an internationally rated movie starring only truly talented actors including Wale Ojo, Rita Dominic, Keppy Ekpeyong Bassey and some Caucasians: Lisa Kill, Vicquie Christie and Gordon Case. Anything worth doing is worth doing well is the maxim by which Aniagolu operates and it is paying off for him big time like those of his ilk, Kunle Afolayan, Emem Isong and many others who also do not compromise on the technical details of their movies. It was for this reason that he was chosen to speak at the prestigious MTN Afrinolly Master Class series which held a couple of weeks ago. The series were created to aid the development of Nollywood and the movie industry in general and anyone chosen to speak at any of the series must be an industry personality truly trying to make a difference. And in Aniagolu’s case, his selection has proven that he is indeed the genuine article as a brain behind the scene and that more good things for Nollywood should be expected from him.

roken City is the story of police officer Billy Taggart (Mark Wahlberg) who guns down a suspect, setting off a firestorm of protest from the community. Fortunately, he has some friends high up on the totem pole, not least among them New York City’s powerhouse mayor, Nick Hostetler (Russell Crowe), and police com-

uv is one movie that plays on emotions. Emotions sell at the box office … remember Titanic, The Pursuit of Happyness and many other blockbusters? With its emotionladen plot, Luv too will definitely make a good showing at the box office. It is the tale of an 11-year-old boy who teams up with his uncle who is an ex-convict to try and live life legitimately. Recently released after nearly a decade behind bars, Uncle Vincent walks with a swagger that captivates his young nephew, Woody, who currently teeters on the precarious cusp of adolescence. Eager to become the male role model that Woody so desperately needs, Vincent thereby offers the young boy the opportunity to join him in starting his own business. Unfortunately for Vincent, it just wasn’t meant to be.

missioner Carl Fairbanks (Jeffrey Wright). Hostetler isn’t exactly an aboveboard dealer, but he likes Taggart and believes him to be a hero, so a pesky video tape gets squashed and Taggart quits the force, turning to the life of a private detective. Eventually, it’s time to return the favour to the mayor. Hostetler is embroiled in the race of his life against city councilman Jack Valliant (Barry Pepper) and to make matters worse, there’s a lot of trouble at home. As it turns out, Hostetler’s lovely wife Cathleen (Catherine Zeta-Jones) is out cheating on him, and it’s up to Taggart to find out who she’s stepping out with. Taking the case draws Taggart into another web of intrigue and corruption like that which led to his premature exit from the police. What then happens? Will he escape again from the trouble this time with virtually no scar? Find out in Broken City when it hits a cinema near you.

Later, when Vincent’s nefarious former boss Mr. Fish enters the picture, young Woody is forced to grow up before his time. Common, Dennis Haysbert, Danny Glover, and Charles S. Dutton star in this movie that will teach you at least a slice or two about life.

January 26, 2013

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Relationships

Should she be pregnant Big no!

ex before marriage has become so commonplace in our society, even to the point of being expected, that many people do not even consider it to be a big deal. Our culture assumes that people do not possess the amount of self-control necessary for abstaining until marriage, so the idea has become unrealistic. I have also had the opportunity of meeting with other men who are of the opinion and belief that they need to sample the ‘goods’ they intend to ‘buy’ to make sure it’s worth the ‘price’ before going ahead to do so. They want to be sure that the ‘land’ they buy is potent and fruitful enough to reproduce enough so that their labour will not be in vain. They believe that most of these ladies have had enough abortions with its complications, therefore rendering some of them incapable of bringing forth ‘fruits of the womb’. That said, some men want to make sure that the ladies they marry can bear forth children and so will want to impregnate them first before going ahead with the marriage. Once the woman becomes pregnant, then they can proceed with the marriage. Some women also have realised that certain men are just scared of commitment; they would rather go through years and years of dating and not put a ring on the finger of the woman they have been dating to show commitment through marriage. They would just keep procrastinating till ‘thy kingdom come’. Therefore the ladies have decided to ‘take the bull by the horns’ and have decided to ‘hook’ these men and drag them into marriage by getting pregnant, since some of these guys would want to do good by the ladies by showing responsibility and accepting the pregnancy. This would thereby get them married at last. For some of these people I personally believe that their seeing nothing wrong in doing this, has to do with the fact that they believe that pregnancy before marriage makes the man aware of the fact that the woman is still capable of giving birth to children and to the woman, it also shows that the man is okay sexually in

fathering a child. Be that as it may, for me, I’ve never supported the idea of a woman becoming pregnant before marriage and it doesn’t have anything to do with sex before marriage. The above excuses that most people give for the topic to me do not hold water. I belong to the school of thought that pregnancy should come after marriage and that if after marriage your spouse is found to be infertile you should go and adopt a child. And before I get crucified on my belief, I believe that the essence of marriage in all the holy books is primarily for companionship and not for child bearing. Even looking at it from the contemporary point of view, some questions I always ask people who believe in pregnancy before marriage are these: what if the man changes his mind before the wedding date and doesn’t want to marry you again? What happens? Won’t the woman end up giving birth to a child outside wedlock with its attendant stigmatisation if the pregnancy was far gone to be aborted if the woman had the intention of compounding her problems with abortion too? Another question is what happens if the man dies before the wedding? I believe there is a difference between an impotent man and a man who can’t have a child. Some men just have low sperm count and that may be the cause of their being childless. Modern medicine has brought fertility to being almost a daily by-word. For women too, IVF and adoption have made it easier to have a child. That these ideas are outside our customs and traditions is like saying taking injections for ailments is also not African. Finally, are women meant for breeding like cattle? As a man who believes in saying the truth, I’ll say no and I’ll implore women who as mothers and sisters are in the forefront of supporting this act to desist from such because you’ll only allow people to make your daughters feel inferior in a marriage which is supposed to be a companionship of lovers who after the children have grown old and ‘flown the coop’, will just be for the two partners.

SEX TALK

This column is x-rated

The State of Sex 2012

We know you love your man, but let’s be honest -- aren’t there a few things you wish he’d do differently between the sheets? If sex has become a little predictable here’s the good news: You can make your guy a better lover without damaging his ego. Here’s how to turn things around -- tonight!

hat happened in bedrooms last year?

What does your partner do that puts you in the mood? Is s/he the best sex of your life? Would you cheat if you knew there was no chance s/he would find out? Sexperts asked these questions (and even racier ones) in a new survey - all about sex. How does your sex life compare to what’s going on in the bedrooms across the world? We can’t stop talking about the results -- and neither will you.

How predictable was it? Nearly 4 out of 5 women (78%) described their sex life as predictable. That number goes up slightly with couples who have young kids at home, but since over half (58%) also said they were happy with their sex lives; predictability doesn’t seem to be a bad thing.

How did the engine get started? While 13 percent of women claim they mostly initiate sex with their partners, more than a third of married women report initiating sex just as much as their husbands.

Where did you do it? Almost three-fourths (69%) of women report location as the most predictable aspect of their sex life, followed closely by time of day (50%) and position (65%). Almost half of married women can also predict the course of foreplay and estimate how long the deed will last and their husband’s go-to techniques.

Were you always in the mood? Sex may be predictable -- but we still want

to do it! One third of women reported they were in the mood to have sex with their partner any time. More than half (62%) were in the mood more than one week before anything happened. 71% were ready-to-get-down for more than one month before they got any action.

How often did you use technology? More than 51% of women said they have used technology to flirt with their partners. Nearly one in four women sends flirty texts, while one in five emails seductive messages. And believe it or not -- women would rather have sex than log onto Facebook.

How did you heat up the bedroom? Fifty-six percent of women bought sexy lingerie, and 1 in 3 were late to work or an appointment because they were having sex with their partner. Of all married women, more than a third has watched porn with their spouse

What couldn’t you resist? Almost half (44%) of married women reported that saying nice things gets them going. Forty percent said talking dirty makes them want to get to business. The top turn on though, turns out to be just loving their partners, which stood at 67%.

How loved-up were you? Fifty-eight percent of women were happy with their sex lives -- that’s almost five times more than those who say they aren’t happy (12%)! Married women were also confident

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RELATIONSHIPSA 23

January 26, 2013

CHINWE ANNIE AMAECHI 07028684481 chinweamaechi@gmail.com

before he marries her? I

This column is x-rated with how happy they made their husbands in the bedroom -- with 57% reporting they think their guy is as satisfied as they are.

Was having sex a priority? Women are not lying-low in the bedroom! Seventy-five percent say having a healthy, good sex life with their partner is very so extremely important! Only five percent reported that having a good sex life wasn’t important.

Was he the best? Sixty-four percent of women who have had multiple partners report that their current partner’s action was the best sex they ever had. The rest is… well, geography, not history.

Was it a matter of duty? Two-thirds of women reported having sex with their partners out of obligation. Of those, one in five reported doing it frequently.

Was sex the top pick? One-third of women say there is nothing they’d rather do than have sex with their partner. They pick getting down with partner over watching a movie, reading a book or going shopping. For mothers with kids under 10 in the house, half would pick sex over sleep.

What was usually in the way? Too much to do, too little time: 53% of women with kids under 10 report stress and exhaustion as the greatest killer of their sex drive, followed closely by children (50%). But even if they’re tired, women are still attracted to their partners. The aspect least affecting married women’s desire is loss of attraction to their spouse, at 14%.

This column is x-rated What were your fantasies made of? While their current partners may be great in bed and they may be madly in love with them, half of women report that they escape into erotic daydreams about other men. Who do they dream of the most? Forty percent say an old flame.

How faithful were you? Of all women, more than 1 in ten reported having an affair. One in five married women admitted to having sex with someone other than their spouse.

How open were you to side shows? If women could cheat without their partner ever knowing, would they? Seventy-seven percent of women say they wouldn’t, while 11 percent said they would and 13 percent weren’t sure. Who would you have done it with? If a woman could get away with an affair, they would pick an old flame, five times more than they would pick a celebrity, three times more than a complete stranger and six times more than a co-worker.

What came first, marriage or children? While married women usually love their husbands, their sex lives nosedive after babies. Nearly half of married women report sex was better before they had children, while a third report their kids didn’t affect their closed-door action.

How would you rate your sex life? One in five women believes their sex life is hotter than their friends’! What do you think of yours?

Arrant nonsense

n addition to the desire to spend one’s lifetime with a loving companion is the desire to have children. However, not every couple ends up bearing children of their own. Due to the infertility issues that couples face and the strain such issues cause on the relationship, some men hold the view that it is safer to ensure that a woman is fertile before getting married to her. But is this view acceptable? Let us paint a clearer picture of this concept: the man gets to a certain age bracket, financial level or phase of life and decides that he is ready to start a family of his own. He may or may not have a girlfriend at that time. If he already has one or more, he decides whether to choose the one he has or one of the many; or he could start his search of “the ideal wife” without considering the girlfriend(s). (Very sad). If he is very single at the point of deciding to get married, his search for a wife begins. In searching for the ideal wife, he sets out certain parameters in order of priority; top on the list is the woman’s ability to conceive and bear children. In this regard, he must be sure of this ability before he says “I do”. He may or may not disclose this top priority to any of his “prospective wives”. This game is not new in any way. It has been on for many years and there are various tricks involved. Most times, the man hides his real objective from the woman and simply gives her other excuses for not tying the knot, until she confirms that she is pregnant. Sometimes, the man could simply push the blame to his family members and make the pregnancy idea a strategy for compelling his family members to vet their marriage plans. I’m sure some of us have heard about couples who set out to “get pregnant” in order to force families to “bless” their union. Bigtime crap!!! Clearly, this issue has a lot to do with moral standards. In the past, women were meant to remain virgins until the wedding night, failing which she would be disgraced. (Remember the white sheet which was placed on the couple’s bed on their wedding night?). Sadly, the whole concept of virginity before marriage has gone down the drain. Nowadays, some mothers are the propagandists of pregnancy before marriage as a strategy to “hook” a man. The downside is that some men will swallow the hook and move on; no choking whatsoever!!! What irks me the most about the whole issue is the one-sided way men

treat fertility issues. Everything depends on the woman; if the woman doesn’t get pregnant after a period of sexual relations, she has a problem. Ask doctors and they will tell you that men hardly subject themselves to fertility tests; their egos will not let them. Let us face facts: the usual victims of this “pregnancy-before-marriage” are desperate women or women with low moral standards. I don’t mean to sound judgmental, but the truth be told. If you had your morals in place and you are not desperate to keep a man in your life, why would you even have sexual relations with a man who is not your husband? In my opinion, no woman should subject herself to such “appraisal”. You have every right to shun a man who makes pregnancy a conditionprecedent for marriage. It is clear that such a man simply wants a child-bearing machine and not a life-time companion. Agreed, a wife is a complete package – loving companion, help-mate, mother of the man’s children (plus cook, steward, cleaner and laundry girl!!!). However, a woman has every cause to doubt the professed love of a man who hinges his desire to marry her on her ability to bear children. As pointed out above, some men may not let a woman know that he wants her to get pregnant before their wedding and failing the man’s disclosure, some women may not be able to read in-between the lines. Therefore, the best way to avoid falling into the “appraisal rap” is to close shop. Yes, woman! Don’t yield to a man’s sexual advances until you are legally married. I used the word “legally” to connote marriage under the law pursuant to which a marriage certificate is issued. Do not be deceived by traditional marriage which, unfortunately, has lost its potency. Life throws unexpected blows from time to time. What is the guarantee that when the man marries his pregnant girlfriend, she will not lose the baby and become barren subsequently? What if the first child dies and no other one comes? The point is this: it is myopic and extremely selfish to insist that a woman should be pregnant before she can become somebody’s wife. More importantly, no man should assume that the ability to conceive totally depends on the woman. So, should a man insist that his woman gets pregnant before they get married? Absolutely not!!!

January 26, 2013

Woman

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‘A man who loves his wife will do anything for her’ Mercy Oseghale is a gospel artiste with a resolute stance. Several times, she had been advised to adulterate her gospel songs to make more money but she wouldn’t budge. “Someone once advised me to remove Jesus’ name from my songs to attract more people and money, and I said no! I am in this ministry to glorify God and not any man or for material things,” she told YEMISI ADENIRAN this and many more in this interview.

or how long have you been singing and how would you describe your journey into this ministry? I started singing since I was fourteen and I tell you, it was prompted by one of my elder siblings who noticed and pointed out that I had a good voice and should therefore join the church choir. I was reluctant at first and when I finally did, I was not just accepted; the gift of God stood me out in the group that I ended up becoming the Secretary General of the choir. Where did you grow up and what are some of its fond memories you will like to share? I grew up partly in Ibadan, Sapele and Benin City and I actually had a wonderful time. My growing up was a normal one, it was like every other normal child. With my parents, we were a family of 10. I lived with my parents living together as one big family of 10 including my parents. My late father, Barrister G. S Eboagwu, was a very wonderful and caring father, who wanted us to be what God had ordained us to be and my mother was also always standing in the gap for us even when we were totally wrong in our behaviour. Does it mean mummy defended your wrong deeds? My mother was a very loving woman who was always there for us even when we had done something bad. What I mean by this is that she never gave up on us like some mothers ordinarily would have done. She corrected us when necessary and drew us closer even when we would have seen and be convinced that we were wrong. She was never harsh on us, at the same time, she did not condone any act of indiscipline. She was always supporting our father in meting out disciplinary actions on us; she would again go the extra mile to explain why we were corrected and what advantage it would be for us to yield to the correction being given out on to us. We were never denied of any good thing we needed. My childhood was very interesting because I had a big brother and sisters taking care of things for me and I also grew up to begin from where they stopped. This actually came from the kind of upbringing my parents gave us all. My mother was a real African woman who would never take a no for an answer without your explanations for your actions and whatever you were asked to do. We were taught to always be ready with genuine reasons for our actions, meaning you are not expected to go into what you will not be able to defend. I can boldly say therefore that I grew up with this mind set to always live right and do things right. One event that I can never forget of my childhood was the first day I sang in church. I was shaking like a leaf. Whenever I remember now, I always laugh and wonder how I felt. It was indeed one day I will never forget. What could have caused that? I do not know; may be because of the crowd or something. Was this what you wanted to do when you were growing up? I actually wanted to join the Nigeria Air Force, but my father did

Oseghale

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WOMAN

January 26, 2013

not like the idea, so, I had to change my mind and went to school to study Business Administration. When did you get married and what was topmost on your mind when you were taking this step? I got married on 1st May 2000 to my friend, brother, lover, Pastor Philip Oseghale, the senior pastor of Christian Mission Int’l Church (CMIC), with a mindset of a beautiful marriage that will be enviable to others. My perception of marriage is drawn from the bible which I know is God’s word for this generation. How did you meet your husband and what attracted you to him? I attended the same school with my hubby and we were both in the same fellowship and members of the same choir where he was our drummer. We were both friends until he was about to leave school. We were not really attracted to each other but God had it all worked out for the great assignment He( God) had for both of us for His kingdom. For how long have you been married and how has the experience been? By the grace of God, we have been married for 13 years now; the marriage will be 14 by May this year. The journey has been challenging but the Grace of God has made all things good. The willingness to keep the promise we made to each other in the presence of God is another factor that has continually kept us. Our desire to show forth good example to others and to please God gives us a reason to do things right no matter how difficult and hard things may be. We don’t allow our quarrels or misunderstandings to last too long; we sort things out before the next day . We don’t keep any issues till the next day. Tell us more about your music career? My musical life has been a very interesting one. I actually started singing from the age of 14 at Church of God Mission, Benin City and so far, God has taken me from one level of glory to another level of glory within and outside this country. I believe that my calling is a very powerful one as we shall all stand before God Almighty to worship Him in Heaven as Levites. This has been a very great inspiration to me and I really want to keep loving and singing my songs to Jesus. Without Jesus, there will be no Mercy Oseghale. I believe every Levite has a message to pass across just as God has sent forth various sons for the Kingdom work. I believe I am called to impact on my world through my music and I will not rest on my oars until I do this. Many times, people have told me the need to mix secular music with the gospel music I sing to attract more people, customers, fans, if you like and of course, they believe it is the best and the sure way to make more money. But I have refused and I will continue to refuse them because my mission is not to enrich myself by this gift of mine but to

enrich God’s kingdom. I will not be deceived or be distracted from my vision and allowed myself to be led astray. I lean on God’s grace and I know He will see me through.

Keeping ABREAST

Are you saying you do not need money or that if money comes you will reject it? Everyone needs money. Even the mission of evangelism and deliverance, all need money. Money, according to the Bible answereth all things. What I am saying is my mission in this ministry is not to exploit it to make me wealthy. If at the end of the day, God blesses me by it, all glory be to His name. I will not derail from what I need to do in His kingdom just because of my selfish interest. He is the owner of my gift and even me, I live to serve Him and to give Him pleasure only. He knows how to bless me and I tell you, He has been doing this. His word has said that the blessing of the Lord makes rich and add no sorrow to it. The talent He gave me is a blessing and not of sorrow. In this era of many gospel artistes within and outside Nigeria, how do you intend to make headway? Like I said, it is God that has blessed me with this talent, it is unto Him I have dedicated the talent and He will surely make a way for me. This I know because the gift of a man, the Bible says, makes a way for him. Everyone God has created is with one or more talents; they are to glorify Him and there is not going to be a clash in the operations of these gifts no matter how similar they appear. All we need to do is to stay within our calling and we will make a great exploit of it for God. So far, God has been greatly supporting me and I am assured that He is with me. What would you recommend as a way out of failed marriages? Every home that is broken has come from a mindset of a failure. No home will break if the people involved decide to work it out. Broken homes are on the increase in Nigeria and around the world because the devil is working day and night to make sure families are scattered so he can stand against God’s will, but praise God the devil is defeated. My word of advice go to couples thus - don’t let the devil destroy your marriage; no matter what the issue is, work it out and always have a positive mindset about your marriage. Don’t accept separation as an option and God will stand for you no matter the problems you are facing. God will bring out the best if you give him the chance. Do you advise that a man helps his wife in domestic chores? The family unit is a combined effort from a man and wife, with the goal of making the family unit what God planned it to be. If a man loves His wife, he will help out no matter what is involved; keeping the family together should be the major goal. A man who helps his wife is caring and is fulfilling his assignment as a good husband. Men are to love their wives as Christ loves the church; Jesus Christ did all for the church.

It’s official: Condoms DON’T make sex less enjoyable  Men did not find it difficult to maintain erections when putting on condoms, according to a U.S study  Experts hope message will help stem tide of sexually transmitted infections

en and women enjoy sex just as much with condoms as they do without, according to a study. Researchers reviewing a questionnaire of the sex habits of men and women from 18-59, found participants consistently rated safe sex as ‘highly arousing and pleasurable’ - the same score as unprotected sex. According to the lead researcher, “This may be because men are more likely than women to purchase condoms and to apply condoms. “However, it’s important for more women to become familiar with the condoms they use with their partner so that they can make choices that enhance the safety and pleasure of their sexual experiences.” The study found that men did not find it difficult to maintain erections when putting on condoms. The research also found that many women could not tell if the condom was lubricated or not. According to the researchers, “The study will help target health messages in the fight against sexually transmitted infections, HIV, and unintended pregnancies. As

we continue to grapple with high rates of sexually transmitted infections, HIV, and unintended pregnancies, we need to understand how people make choices about the products they use and how these products contribute to the safety and pleasurable aspects of their sexual experiences. This is particularly important as the products themselves evolve and become more mainstream.” Sexually transmitted infections are passed on during sex without a condom. Chlamydia is one of the most common types. Sufferers can remain symptom free but if left untreated can lead to serious longterm health problems. Other infections include HIV, genital warts, syphilis and gonorrhoea. The researchers argue that gathering sexual data regarding condom use is highly relevant “Understanding current condom use offers health care providers an opportunity to educate those people uncomfortable with condoms but for whom lack of use may lead to significant sexually transmitted infection health risk.”

January 26, 2013

Parenting

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

How to protect your children from kidnappers

ach year tens of thousands of children are kidnapped. Children disappear on their way home from school, during a trip to the grocery store and sometimes right out of their own backyards. Learn what you can do as a parent to prevent your child from becoming a victim of kidnapping.

 Never talk to strangers Children are naturally open and friendly and while it is an endearing characteristic, a child that is too trusting may fall into the hands of a smooth-talking stranger. Teach children never to speak to strangers and explain to them that if they are approached by a stranger to run away immediately and tell you or another known, trusted adult. It is also important to explain to children about “safe strangers” such as policemen, firemen and store clerks so they know whom to trust should they become lost or need help.  Teach awareness With all the and gadgets around to distract children on a day-to-day basis, it is important to remind them to be aware of their surroundings. If your child walks home from the bus stop

alone with an MP3 player on his or her ears, he or she will make an easy target. Let your children know how important it is to take note of a strange car or anybody following them on foot. Tell them in order to do this, they need to turn the music off and stay alert.  Be buddies In a crowded store, you’ve always got one eye on your child. Reinforce this “buddy system” by teaching your child to watch out for you. Let him or her know that if he or she loses sight of you to call out. This is another way to be proactive and teach awareness.  Self defence Your child doesn’t need to take a martial arts class to learn some basic self defence. Though most children are reluctant to be rude to an adult, it is important to explain to your child that if a stranger grabs him or her that all bets are off. Teach your child to kick a stranger in sensitive areas like shins, knees and groin. Tell your child to scream, “You’re not my mummy or you’re not my daddy” as loud as they can and do everything in his or her power to draw attention to the scene and get away.

Tiny Feet

NAME: Victor Ige BORN TO: Mr. and Mrs Michael Ige AGE: 9 months BIRTH WEIGHT: 3.5 kg Have you just had a baby? Send a picture of your bundle of joy to mirrorbabies@gmail.com

 Lock your doors Sometimes children are kidnapped right out of their own homes. Though it’s tempting to leave doors open with just a screen on a warm summer day, your child at play on the living room floor can be an easy target, especially if the door opens to the backyard. Be sure to close and lock all doors if your child is playing alone.  Safety in numbers Teach your child that there is safety in numbers. If your child is old enough to go to the park, playground or mall with friends, teach your child not to wander out of eyesight of the group. Kidnappers usually prefer to abduct children who are alone and will rarely target a child with two or three buddies around, especially in a crowded place.  Internet safety These days, almost every child is online. Keep your child safe by explaining that everybody he or she does not know in real life is a stranger, even if he or she has spent time “chatting” with an online friend. Tell children never to give out any personal information over the Internet, including last name, telephone number, street address or school they attend. That thirteen-year-old boy from the next town over your daughter has made friends with could be an adult in disguise attempting to target children. Anybody can be whomever they wish to be online and it is important to explain this. No offline meetings should ever take place without an adult being present in a public setting. It is important to reinforce what you’ve taught by using “role-play”. Practice how to respond if approached by a stranger. This will increase child confidence and encourage him or her to ask any questions he or she may have. These tips on how to prevent kidnapping should go a long way in keeping children safe. •Culled from voices.yahoo. com

ParentingUpdate

Meet the 9-year-old boy genius working on his college degree

t 9-years-old Tanishq Abraham is already working on earning his college degree, was inducted into genius society Mensa at the age of 4, and scores in the 99.9 percentile on a standardized intelligence test. The youngest student to be accepted at American River College in Sacramento, California at the age of 8, Tanishq spends his days among students more than twice his age - whom he also occasionally lectures. ‘I like particle physics and contemplating the fate of the universe,’ the boy genius said. Precocious being an obvious description for him, while his acute intelligence was first recognized by his mother at the age of 2-1/2, Tanishq keeps his parents busy trying to keep up. His father, Bijou Abraham, is a software engineer, and his mother Dr. Taji Abraham, a doctor of veterinary medicine. ‘A typical comment is that we are really pushing him,’ his father laughed ‘He’s pushing us,’ he insists. ‘People think we want all these things, but it’s his passion. This is what he loves,’ his mother added. Able to count to 100 at the age of 2, and having to skip the first grade when fully capable of performing 4th and 5th grade mathematics instead, Tanishq’s life could be seen as a challenge for him to fit in. ACCOMPLISHMENTS  At age of 2, Tanishq could count from 1-100  At age of 4-1/2 he scored in the 99.9 percentile on the

standardized intelligence test and was inducted into Mensa  Skipped first grade to perform 4th and 5th grade math  Admitted to American River College at age of 8 - youngest student ever at school  Occasionally gives guest lecturer to college classmates  Performs in the San Francisco Boys Chorus  Sang the National Anthem at the San Francisco Giants and Oakland A’s games  Sister Tiara, 6, is in MENSA too, scoring in the 98.8 percentile ‘I’m not very good because kids and people are kind of rude to me,’ Tanishq, which means Jewel in Sanskrit, said of his previous school with children his own age. ‘They are testing me to see whether I’m smart,’ he said of their teasing and constant questions and challenges. ‘He’s a real asset,’ Geology Professor Stephen Sterling at ARC observed. ‘He’s the top student. The students love him and look up to him because they respect him [as they would] a peer.’ ‘It was intimidating at first,’ 23-year-old ARC student Alison Gaube also commented. She shared an Astronomy course with him which had the boy frequently shooting his arm up when asked questions like what is Newton’s second law of motion. ‘But we treat him like any other student,’ Ms Gaube said •Culled from www.dailymail.com

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January 26, 2013

le StyGlam and

with Yemisi Adeniran

ecause wrap wears look great on everyone, they have become a must-have addition to everyone’s wardrobe. To add extra colour however to your look, a floral fabric is what you need. One advantage of this choice is that they can be worn in all seasons and for any occasion-work or play. To wear it right, you need to learn how to put on the dress, and to accessorize it for a stylish and classic look. • Put on the dress like a coat or a robe. It will be completely open in the front. • For a true wrap dress, you will notice a hole on the inside of the dress side. Thread the tie connected to the inside panel through this hole and pull it as snugly as you like. • Pull the tie around your back to the opposite side. Wrap the outside panel over and tie together. If the ties are long enough, you can wrap them around your waist as many times as you like. • Cinch the dress so that it fits well at the waist. True wrap dresses offer some flexibility in how tightly you wear the dress, because the ties are completely adjustable. To accessorise well, • Add a belt that fits well at the waist. Belts look great with wrap dresses, and wider belts tend to look better. Even if your wrap dress has attached ties, you can still wear a belt over the ties. • Wear a cardigan or wrap. Cardigans and wraps are the best all-around accessories, and they look great with wrap dresses. • Add jewelry. If your wrap dress is a basic solid colors, like black, you can have lots of fun with accessories. You can add bold necklaces and earrings, since you basically have a blank slate to work with. Or, you can keep it simple with delicate earrings and a simple pendant. • Choose the right shoes. The weather will help you decide which shoes to wear. Wrap dresses look great with boots, heels, flats and sandals

(08037801158) ydiran@yahoo.com

STYLE & GLAM

January 26, 2013

e i k n pi

YEMISI ADENIRAN

ink, a colour of universal love is a quiet colour greatly favoured by lovers of beauty. Dresses in pink are particularly eye-catching and every fashionista should definitely have at least one in her closet. The most important thing about wearing a pink dress though is how to combine it with the right pair of shoes and other accessories. Below however are some ideas to bail you out:

BEAUTY

Q&A

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1. Black pumps Black pumps go well with virtually every pink dress, regardless of its style, or the shade of pink. This is also the safest option. If wearing a pink dress is a little out of character for you, and you do not want to step out of your comfort zone too much, black pumps are the best shoe choice for you. 2. Pink flats Even when you don’t feel like all eyes should be on you, you can still wear a pink dress. Choose a soft shade of pink, and pink flat shoes, and you will have a comfortable and simple outfit to wear wher-

ever you go. 3. Metallic Metallic sh You can comb tallic pumps o tallic accessor

4. Pink pum Sometimes the pink of th not an easy t pink pumps ca However, com

Your candid response to all fashion questions 51 fashion tips and tricks every girl should know 33. Hang a shoe bag on the back of your bathroom door and use it to hold makeup, toiletries, brushes, hair ties, etc. 34. When you’re shopping for a jacket, coat, or blazer, pay attention to the fit around the shoulders. While a tailor can tweak pretty much everything about the fit of a jacket—from tapering the waist to short-

ening it—they can’t change the shoulders. Make sure the seams sit perfectly at the bony tops of your shoulders. 35. Chic up a sporty puffer vest by cinching the waist with a skinny belt. 36. Unless they’re cropped or tapered, pant hems should just graze the tops of your shoes and be from 1/2-inch to 3/4-inch off the floor. 37. If you have a small closet, never keep your shoes in clunky shoe-

boxes. Ins 38. Eve that’s wh 39. Idea lower and 40. Pan by hand (

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January 26, 2013

Fashion Frenzy

Facelift Emphasising your eye colour with your clothing Matching your clothing to your eye colour in order to bring out the best appearance is a worthwhile exercise. With several colours of eye shadows available in the market today, all you need to do is combine right with your choice of clothing and you will definitely stand yourself out. Here are some ideas to guide you : Edit Steps 1. Learn which colours match or complement the relevant eye colour. The chart below demonstrates which matches are the best for bringing our your eye colour: Paint Station • Eye shadow colour: pale blue • Wear: lilac or pastel pink • Eye shadow colour: light brown • Wear: honey brown or green • Eye shadow colour: dark green • Wear: plum or peach • Eye shadow colour: mid-to-dark blue • Wear: gold or peach • Eye shadow colour: pale green • Wear: lavender or blue-gray • Eye shadow colour: dark brown • Wear: olive green or camel brown • Eye shadow colour: hazel • Wear: moss green or purple 2. Look for the clothing in your wardrobe. See which outfits you already own match with the above chart. Put these clothes to the front of your wardrobe.

shoes hoes go very well with pink dresses. bine any kind of pink dress with meor flats, and spice it up with some meries.

3. Go shopping. Look for additional outfits that bring out your eye colour following the above chart. In particular, look for items closest to the face, such as jackets, tops, tshirts, necklaces, earrings, hats, even reading glasses in the same colour!

mps the pink of the dress can bring out he shoes. Combining a pink dress is task. On the other hand, combining an lead to a serious fashion faux pas. mbining the two can be fun.

stead, always line up them on the floor. eryday bras should be replaced every three to six months, as en they start to lose elasticity and support. ally, a pencil skirt should hit just at the top of your knee. Any d it will start to shorten your leg. nts a bit too tight? Let them air dry and stretch the waistband (or with a hairdryer) while they’re still damp.

STYLE & GLAM

41. Still look chic while showing some skin: If you’re wearing a a miniskirt or shorts, cover up on top. If your top is skimpy, go for fullcoverage bottoms. 42. Fold jeans like a pro: Lay jeans on a flat surface, fold in half left to right. Grab the stacked jean legs and fold them in half so the hem of the jeans lines up with the waistband. Fold the jeans in half one more time. TO BE CONTINUED NEXT WEEK

Edit Tips • If you don’t have clothes to highlight your eye colour already (or you can’t afford to buy new ones at the moment), try wearing an accessory, that emphasises colour instead. • Don’t wear clothing that is the same colour as your eyes. It will not highlight or emphasize them at all, but can easily swamp them.

January 26, 2013

Male Essentials M

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

08036961187

with Oseyiza Oogbodo kingseiza@yahoo.com w

ode 9 is one guy whose profession reflects in his dressing. He’s a hip-hop artist who sticks to the original values of that music genre so he dresses in the manner hip-hop’s founding heads did in sport coats, hooded tops, Letterman jackets, baseball caps and sneakers. But like the celebrity he is, Mode 9, who is also referred to as Modey at times, does not compromise on the quality of his garments. His sports jackets and sneakers are powersneaker rs ar re by the world renowned fashion pow werhouse, ho ouse, Adidas. quite Iff you want to dress like Modey, it’s q uite easy, definitely eas sy, and if you do so, it would w definiitely be interest fashion-wise e in your own best inter rest fashion-w fashion wise wise as Mode as you ou u will also stand outt the way Mod de 9 does.

Spor ty

Modey

5 easy fashion & style resolutions (2) Continued from last week Resolution No. 4: Stay groomed Beard trimming, wet shaving and a neat haircut just goes to show you’ve made that little extra effort, and they are the finishing touches that propel a wellgroomed gent into something of a style icon. Even recent runways shows have pioneered facial hair, and for those lucky enough to grow a full beard, it’s time to put down the razor and pick up the trimmer. It’s good to keep it in check, but heavily sculpted goatees and sharp lines should be avoided at all costs. At FashionBeans, we’ve covered good maintenance in the past and there are a few golden rules to personal care. Make haircuts a regular thing – once every 3-4

weeks if needs and finances allow, and go for a style that is both contemporary and classic. Stay groomed and stay consistent with it. For those of you who already take pride in your appearance, all you have to do is just upgrade your routine. Resolution No. 5: Shop ethically In recent years, we’ve been bombarded with messages about our eco and social impact as western consumers, and this applies to fashion also. It’s completely impractical to ever think we can have a complete wardrobe upheaval that carries only ethical brands, but purchasing the occasional environment and social friendly piece is something we should all get into the habit of.

American Apparel has been a label that is keen to boast its fair-trade credentials at relatively affordable prices, whilst the likes of Paul Smith are launching organic lines as we speak. Responsible purchasing can be your good deed for the day, and as everybody becomes more aware of the fair-trade issue, I can only presume that more labels will follow suit. Final Word There we have it, five easy-to-stick-to New Year style resolutions that can only improve your personal sartorial choices. Whether it’s making sure you have a sharp haircut or adding something a little more edgy to your wardrobe, it’ll do us all good to develop our own stringent and comfortable style routine. Good luck, and have a great New Year!

People

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January 26, 2013

Sunny Ofehe: On a course of his belief

TEMITOPE OGUNBANKE

omrade Sunny Ofehe, the Founder and President of the Hope for Niger Delta Campaign (HNDC) is an international human rights activist and motivational speaker who is very much committed to the struggle of liberating the impoverished and marginalised people of the oil rich Niger-Delta

region of Nigeria. Ofehe, who hails from Isoko North Local Government Area of Delta State attended Ogelle Primary School Ughelli and Unity School, Agbarho, both in Delta State for his primary and secondary education. He later proceeded to the University of Benin, Benin-City, Edo State, where he specialised in Industrial Chemistry. T h e HNDC boss in the last 18 years has been in the fore front of fighting for the rights of the people under different platforms. He cut his teeth in activism during the June 12, 1993 presidential election annulment struggle, during which he played an active role in several demonstrations against the action. In the wake of the military clampdown on pro-democracy activists in 1995, Ofehe fled the shores of his moth-

erland for the Netherlands on November 26, 1995; 16 days after the execution of renowned author and playwright, Ken Saro-Wiwa, and other eight Ogoni by the late Gen. Sani Abacha-led regime. His passion for Niger-Delta motivated him to found HNDC with headquarters in Netherlands in 2005 and since then, he has been in the fore-front of the international campaigns for better environmental, economical and social rights for the marginalised people of the oil rich region. According to Ofehe, the primary aim of his group is to set a paradigm for the restoration of hope and the establishment of a peaceful Niger Delta. At a period when some Niger-Deltans turned themselves to militants to make life unbearable for people in the region to get international attention to their plights, Ofehe adopted a non-violent approach to champion his cause of liberating his people. “My model for the rescue of Niger Delta is simple; there should be emphasis on transparency and accountability on how public funds are spent. The massive infrastructural development and provision of basic social amenities should be in the

front burner. “There should be policies for the creation of jobs and encouragement of vocational education, micro financing that will provide funds for the locals to carry out their own businesses. The environment must be remedied for the people to return to farming and fishing at a large scale. If these steps are honestly followed, peace will return to the region and security will be greatly improved.” During the Niger Delta arms struggle era, Ofehe played a prominent role in bringing an end to hostage taking of foreign oil workers in the region and his uncompromising stance brought him against people in government and even some of the militant groups. Following his struggle for Niger-Deltans at the international level, Ofehe was recently honoured with the “Outstanding Personality in the Netherlands (Environmental Service) Award by The Voice Magazine, for his continued initiatives to address the problems of environmental concern of his people in the Niger Delta of Nigeria. He is also a recipient of the 2012 ADMA Honorary Award in the Netherlands.

Emem Isong: Movie producer with a passion OSEYIZA OOGBODO

ne name that stands out where Nollywood is concerned is Emem Isong. She is one of the pillars of Nollywood, one of the few people who are actually making Nollywood a force in the worldwide movie industry. While actresses, especially Genevieve Nnaji and Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde, are more recognised as the faces of Nollywood, Isong who prefers to be behind the camera, is in the industry’s section that actually dictates the trend: she is a producer. “I can act and I’ve acted some parts in movies. But acting is not my main aim. Producing world class movies is what I’m all about and I thank God that I’m able to do that on a consistent basis.” Being a producer, Isong knows a lot about Nollywood, these include both its artistic and business sides. She is therefore able to explain what it means to be a producer, a term that most people don’t really understand. “The job of a producer is to produce a movie by assembling the appropriate cast and crew and equipment and shooting the movie within a stipulated time and budget. The producer calls all the shots in the production and is the owner of the movie.”

Her disclosure is a bit astounding as the executive producer is generally believed to own the movie. “The executive producer doesn’t own the movie,” Isong countered. “His or her role in the movie’s making is its financing. And for financing, he or she or they, as the case may be, will be entitled to a percentage of the movie’s profits based on the agreement signed.” Since the executive producer is responsible for the financing, isn’t it only natural that he or she should own the movie? “No, that’s not the way it is. If the executive producer wants to own it, then he or she should produce it and bear all the burdens that accompany producing. He can’t sit in his office and then say he owns the movie. Each production comes with its own hitches and it’s the producer who ensures that they are all surmounted,” is her reply. Like most people in one profession or the other, Isong claimed that it’s not just making money that drives her involvement in Nollywood but passion. A pointer to her passion is the school she established to train people in all the rudiments of being in movies. “I founded Royal Arts Academy (RAA) for the further development of Nollywood. Capacity training in every vocation is very

important, and that is where RAA comes in. At RAA, we keep our promises. Our vision is to be the foremost media academy that produces future stars. That is exactly what we are doing.” Over 200 students have graduated from RAA and some of them have gone on to become frontline Nollywood players. And not only that, RAA, which kicked off in 2010 is currently in the process of making good one of its aims: using its students mainly to produce its first major movie. The lucky students acted in front of the camera and were even engaged behind the camera as make-up artistes, costumiers, production managers, assistant cameramen, production assistants and so on. Despite the good news from RAA which portends a bright future for Nollywood, Nollywood still remains shrouded in a lot of secrecy and half-truths, unlike its American counterpart, Hollywood, which is the most developed in the world. In Hollywood, the figure an actor earns for a movie is disclosed to the world, but this is not so in Nollywood. This has led to intense discussions that since Nollywood actors and actresses generally appear poor, they are not paid the millions per movie that is purported to be the case.

January 26, 2013

Dear Igho

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

Does he still want his ex? I was looking at my boyfriend’s phone and saw a text to his best friend in which he told him about how he went to go see his ex-girlfriend, while he told me he was at the library. Then further down it said that they just talked and he only put his hands around her waist. After reading this, I felt so downcast because I really love him, and I didn’t want to lose him. When he woke up, I told him someone messaged me telling me that he went to see his ex. He denied it. I don’t know what to do. Should I just forget about it and stay with him, or should I leave? I really love him and he’s helped me a lot. I don’t think he still wants her because of the way he treats me, and what he says to me. He says that he doesn’t want her back and he only wants me. And that if he didn’t want

to be with me, he wouldn’t be here. Please help me. Worried babe, University of Lagos. Dear Worried babe, The problem is that he felt compelled to lie to you in order to do what he wanted without paying a price. No one held a gun to his head to visit her. Now that the cat’s out of the bag, I think you should tell him how it really came about- that you read it in on his phone! That, hopefully, will open up a discussion as to why he saw his ex. If he were to go ballistic: “you don’t trust me!!!”, or say anything else to make him the victim in this, he’s more concerned about protecting the lie than anything else. This isn’t something many males or females will admit- that he, or she went to see an ex: “We talked, and I only put my hands around her

waist!” Ha Ha Ha. But the fact remains, he still has feelings for her, and maybe they’re not together because she’ll take “touchery”, but no more (at least, not

now). If he had some integrity around this matter, because he says he wants this commitment, he’d respect you, and leave his ex in the past.

Should I throw out my brother-in-law? Dear Aunty Igho, Please I need your input in this matter urgently. My brother-in-law got fired from his job about a year and a half ago. Once he got fired he couldn’t afford to pay his bills, so he moved in with his girlfriend. When he moved in with her, all of his friends disowned him and told him never speak to them again. We Hausa-Fulani don’t encourage our men to behave in such a manner that is why his friends reacted that way. He later had problems with his girlfriend and they broke up. When they broke up, he moved in with my in-laws in

Zaria. Ultimately, it started to hurt their relationship and my father-inlaw kicked him out because he still didn’t have a job. I am in the military and I told my wife that he could move in with us when I was transferred to Calabar so he could be with her at home but he had to find a job. When I left for Calabar, my wife and I found out that we were expecting another baby. It has been over six months now and he still hasn’t really tried to get a job. My wife went online and applied for him at different places, but he still hasn’t put any real effort forward. He keeps missing interviews and giving excuses. I feel like we are being taken

advantage of and my wife is being put in the middle. What should I do? I can’t continue footing the bills of a 28-year-old man when I have three kids and another one on the way to care for. Please, don’t publish my name because I am well known. Brigadier-General, Cross-River State. Dear Brigadier-General, You sweet guy, but what were you thinking? His own father kicked him out because he saw his son as a loafer, and it created problems in the household. Let this be a lesson to you – never do this again! Give him a time limit to

I am being taken for granted! When my daughter’s sister-inlaw got married, she did not invite my husband and me to the wedding. I was not told about or invited to the introduction or engagement ceremonies either. Now she is hav-

ing her baby’s naming ceremony and I’m invited. I do not want to go. My daughter says I should. All others think I shouldn’t. Please what do you think is the way out? Mrs. Ayeni,

Yaba, Lagos.

Dear Mrs. Ayeni, Forgive whatever offences your daughter’s sister-in-law must have com-

get a job or find other living arrangements. Unless he’s Mary Poppins, once the baby comes, you’re going to want to have you, your wife, and the baby in the house, and not a brother-in-law who’s eating your food, and playing video games until 3 in the morning because he doesn’t have to get up and go to work. Again, a deadline: find a job in six weeks, max. (You might want to talk him into joining the military), or look for other lodgings. Tough love. It’s you and your wife, or him. And you know what I think you should choose! As well, I think your wife needs to support your decision (were you to take a stance) without making you feel like the bad guy.

mitted, at least, for your health sake. Bearing grudges against her is equivalent to allowing her inhabit your apartment (heart) without paying rent! If you don’t want to go to the naming ceremony, that’s your right, but send a baby gift through your daughter. Baby clothes are relatively inexpensive, these days, and a nice gesture like that, in order not to embarrass your daughter, would be a lovely thing to do.

My best friend detests my boyfriend

Dear Igho, I’ve been dating this guy since last February. Recently, I invited him to a trip to Whispering Palms that my friends and I are planning. He went above and beyond to try and make sure he would be there. And now my best friend who is the major host doesn’t

want him to go because she has never liked him. What do I do? Abosede Olaniyan, Lagos.

Dear Abosede, What I think you should do is tell your so-called best friend that you aren’t going, and tell your man that you decided to

back-off because you and she differed on plans. It’s wrong to have made the overture and, suddenly, decide he’s not welcome. She may have no integrity, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have it.

Living

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

January 26, 2013

Often waved off as ordinary malaria until it is virtually late, cerebral malaria, a virulent variant of malaria, experts say is not only deadly to children but adults as well. YEMISI ADENIRAN writes on the bad and the ugly sides of this disease from the patients’ point of view.

A woman at the hospital bedside of her sick child INSET: Doctors attending to a patient

he time was around 9 p.m. and the day was 18 November, 2012. The hospital was one that over the years had become reputable in treating ailments relating to children: Emmanuel Hospital, Orile Agege, a Lagos suburb. In the hospital that evening, two children were brought in. They were both boys, within the same age bracket and suffered a similar ailment or so it appeared. But the conditions under which they were brought in were different. While Abiola Ijaola, 4, was half conscious when he was brought in by his parents and a nurse, Delight George, 5, appeared conscious. He was stripped to the waist by his parents to allow for fresh air and reduce the extent of his body temperature which was on the high side. Both, according to their parents, had been ill for a week and the parents assumed the illness was common cold or just malaria fever. “We thought it was malaria and bought the usual anti-malaria tablets for him. But instead of his temperature to go down, it did not. It fluctuated. We called our nurse friend after the second day and she started a quinine treatment on him. At first, it appeared to be effective but few hours after, the boy started convulsing. I had never witnessed a convulsing child before and so, because he wasn’t really foaming in his mouth, I did not take it to be convulsion. Yet, he was making a funny sound and squeezing up his fists. “I was not very worried at first, especially when the nurse did not give any in-

Cerebral malaria: Killer on the prowl kling of his situation being critical when she came with her husband to check on him later on that day. We saw them off and found him making the same sound when we came back. His father who couldn’t take it again carried him to the hospital without bothering to go in his car. Of course, the nurse was alerted and she joined us to the hospital,” recalled Mrs. George. After relevant questions were asked by the doctor on duty, some tests were conducted on the boy. “He would be needing blood,” the doctor told them. Further findings revealed that he had the same blood group with his father, so, he luckily had a ready supply. But while he was still receiving blood supply, he lapsed into unconsciousness and had to be wheeled into the same room Abiola Ijaola was being treated. Abiola, according to his father Gbenro Ijaola, a civil servant with Lagos State Ministry of Works, had convulsed twice before he was brought into the hospital. “It all started as a common cold, nobody knew it was going to be that seri-

ous,” he said. For days after, parents and well-wishers of both parents prayed fervently for a miracle for their kids’ healing. The answers to their prayers, however, did not come on time. When it finally came, it came in different ways. Three days after the two boys were admitted, Abiola Ijaola regained consciousness but woke up to the other side. He died. This development dealt a big blow on both families who had grown fond of each other over time. For the Georges, even when they were moved from the room they shared with the Ijaolas, they had no rest of mind. Speaking of the trauma they went through, Mr .George said: “We were moved from our former room but we hardly saw any hope in our case since the two boys, we believed were suffering from the same ailment and had presented the same symptoms. I forced my wife away from the hospital’s premises and braved up to sleep with him. We were prayerful even though our faith was much shaken. At home, every other person could hardly speak or eat as we await a fatal outcome that our spirits kept sug-

gesting.” Two days after the death of Abiola, Delight George became conscious. “It was like a miracle,” Mr George told Saturday Mirror. “We thought he was going to breathe his last like the other boy when he first showed symptoms of retracing his steps back to life, so, we were anxious. We called his name several times, called the doctor’s attention and they promptly came over. They asked me to excuse them and I thought when they finally called me in, they were calling me in to take him away. But, that was not so. I was glad to see him answer me though he was still hot all over. I could not believe my luck.” The boy did not go without a scratch; he suffered a minimal after effect. “We discovered that his left leg was affected. He limps but not so visibly. I thank God all the same that my son did not die,” he said. Abiola and Delight’s illness was diagnosed as cerebral malaria. The ailment, a virulent variant of malaria, according to Dr. Kemi Olawale of Ladoke Akintola CONTINUED ON PAGE 34

LIVING

‘I lost 3-month-old pregnancy’

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 33 Teaching Hospital, affects the brain. It is caused by the parasite called Plasmodium falciparum. Though statistics are not readily available, she reckons that cerebral malaria kills with the same vehemence as ordinary malaria which accounts for about a million deaths annually in tropical Africa. Often ignored or mistaken for malaria until the situation gets out of hand, cerebral malaria, in recent time has continued to show its deadliness on children below 10 years of age because their immunity is still at a formative stage. “It usually starts with the common symptoms of malaria fever within one or two days, with fever chills, hot temperature, headaches, sweats and the like. When it is not properly treated for a long time, it lapses into unconsciousness as the brain is attacked and the whole system is temporarily paralysed,” she noted. Appealing to the general public on how best to prevent the re-occurrence of cerebral malaria, Olawale advised parents and adults alike to avoid self medication or treatment of malaria at home in whichever form it presents itself. She said: “Nigerians need to have a re-

‘Killing and maiming silently’ newed attitude from self-medication. The danger of self- medication is far more than what anyone can imagine. Agreed, people always want to cut cost around here but we need not do it with our health. If we will cultivate the attitude of reaching out to the nearest hospital as soon as we have a persistent ailment, it will be to our advantage. The advice of a medical expert on the way we feel health wise is always the best.”

Late Abiola Ijaola

‘Cerebral malaria is on the increase’ W hat is cerebral malaria? Cerebral malaria is a form of complicated malaria characterised by tonic-clonic convulsion and coma. It has an incubation period of between seven and 30 days after an individual suffers a bite of anopheles mosquito. The shorter period often results from plasmodium falciparum, whereas plasmodium malariae lead to a longer incubation period. There are two hypotheses that explain the cause of cerebral malaria. The first one is linked to an interaction between plasmodium falciparum, the virus that causes cerebral malaria and selectin. It is this interaction that is believed to result in an impediment to blood flow. This, in turn, induces low oxygen (Hypoxia) in the blood. The other hypothesis traces cerebral malaria to a release of numbing substances by malaria toxin. As the toxin diffuses through the blood-brain barriers, it spawns consciousness and or death if untreated. A patient lasts for between 24 and 72 hours after becoming unconscious. Why is this particular aiment always leading to unconsciousness? It is because cerebral malaria particularly affects the brain. Blood cells block the small blood vessels in the brains called capillaries. And once the blood vessels are blocked, the result is the dysfunction of the brain. Once the brain is unable to function, the system is automatically stopped from working, which is a state of unconsciousness or alterations. What are its symptoms? It begins usually with ordinary cold or rigour, chills, persistent high fever, headache, orthostatic hypotension, myalgia, convulsion, coma. This is often the case with children. Sweats and bouts of tiredness are also evi-

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

January 26, 2013

Dr. Saheed Bello, a resident doctor of Community Medicine, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Teaching Hospital, Osogbo, Osun State, spoke with YEMISI ADENIRAN on the danger of cerebral malaria, its symptoms and how it can be prevented.

Bello

dent in the patient. Children usually have this fever for two or more days. Beside the above a patient can also manifest enlarged spleen, liver, mild jaundice and increased respiratory rate. Who are mostly affected? Children are mostly affected because they have a lower level of immunity. Older people are not because they have more immunity. I must stress here however that it also affects adults and even more now because many adults too are experiencing low immunity for various reasons. How dangerous is cerebral malaria? It is very dangerous. For children, it often results in neurological defects. Among others, it causes movement difficulty (ataxia), palsy, speech difficulty, deafness and even blind-

ness. An attack on a pregnant woman may lead to premature delivery or low birth weight in babies. In cases where it relapses, the patient may suffer severe anaemia. A relapse is believed to occur when hypozoites, a dormant liver parasite, manifests in plasmodiums vivax and ovale, two of the parasites responsible for cerebral malaria. Dangerous but most intervention during convulsion might even kill the patient. It causes encephalopathy which is manifested as convulsion and coma. Early detection and treatment of malaria is very important at the hospital. It can affect adult but is not common. Severe aneamia, death and neurological problem. Insecticide treated net, good drainage system, treatment of malaria with appropriate dose of ACT. How widespread is cerebral malaria? For now, statistic is not readily available, but more patients are being admitted for it. How can it be prevented? Early detection and treatment of malaria at hospitals is very important. It can also be prevented with the use of insecticide treated net, good drainage system, and treatment of malaria with appropriate dose of ACT. Treatment in the hospital is mostly recommended because experts will be available to administer the right medication. Most intervention during convulsion might even kill the patient.

After waiting for a child for five years, Mrs. Daniella David got pregnant but lost the pregnancy in its third month. It was due to cerebral malaria. She told YEMISI ADENIRAN about her ordeal.

hen were you married and do you have any kid? I got married some five years ago. I am blessed with two children. You said you lost a pregnancy, was it the third one? Yes, it was and it is very painful. I waited for five years to have this pregnancy and it was a very precious one to me. I am the second wife of my husband and he loves me very well. I already had one boy and a girl for him and we planned to have more. His first wife died after having her second child and because he is the only surviving child of his mother, the woman wanted him to have as many kids as he can cater for. He also bought into his mum’s idea, so, when his first wife died, he had to get another one. I am loved by my in-laws and I plan to make my husband happy. He got two shops for me very close to the house and made me to close anytime I like since I have many apprentices working with me. He did this so that I would have enough time for him and the kids. He is a very responsible man and I really wanted to please him. After the second child, babies stopped coming, I was not happy, I became anxious. When I finally got pregnant, I was happy. What went wrong with the pregnancy? I had malaria attack or so I thought. I tried to treat the malaria in the very minimal way I knew because I knew I was not expected to take any strong drug. But it went out of hand as my temperature increased. I was unconscious after few hours of battling with high temperature and by the time I recovered, I had had a miscarriage. What was it that you did wrong according to the doctor? They said I should have come earlier. Though it is still painful because I waited for the baby for five years, I knew he was not meant to live. All the same, I had learnt my lesson.

David

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

LIVING

January 26, 2013

Wheelbarrow boys:

No pain, no gain

A wheelbarrow boy

t Ilaje-Bariga junction, Lagos, some wheelbarrow boys hang precariously on the base of their barrow backing some cluster of dangerous high tension cables dangling from the electricity transformer behind them. They are waiting for their “customers”. And as a commercial bus attempts to park beside a filling station opposite them, they swam on the it jostling to offload luggage it brought and probably wheel it to wherever their probable clients wishes. The struggle is continuous. And that is how they earn their living As the existential drama subsided, those who could not succeed retired to their base, near the electricity transformer. Abdullahi Aminu hung on his wheelbarrow with his oversized babariga (flowing traditional dress worn by men, especially in the north) kissing the ground like a weeping-willow. And when Saturday Mirror walked up to him and enquired: “How is work”, he stared stoutly at the reporter, obviously in awe, and upon introduction, he whined when this reporter compliment his hard work: “You call this work? This one no bi wok nah (this is not work). If you want to

They hang precariously on the base of their wheelbarrows staring in all directions. It is the struggle for survival. And only the fittest survives! Only the eagle-eyed wheelbarrow boy would be able to brave the odds and earn enough money by sunset. Welcome to the wobbling world of wheelbarrow boys as told by THOMAS USHIE know those who are working and want to ask anything, go to that filling station and they would tell you how much they make a day. We are suffering here in the sun running from one bus to another to get jobs for the day. And you cannot call this work.” Quizzed on their mode of operations and how they are able to earn a living with the wheelbarrow, Adeleke Yusuf offered an explanation, insisting that the work is not for the feeble minded. “We are hustlers. And for us to succeed in making at least N1,000 by the end of the day that could feed us and our family, take care of our rent and other things we need, one must be very, very, sharp. If you slack, you will go home empty handed while other boys

would make good money. If you slack, you would definitely become a beggar, begging to eat and transport yourself back home, with your wheelbarrow on your hand. That is why we hang at this corner overlooking the buses coming from all corners. If you wait here for some moments again, you will see most of us struggling to carry the loads from the market women and travellers who come back to Lagos with heavy luggage. We offer our services to anybody who requires them. “Some of us have special customers. Those special ones are the regular market women who go to Mile 12, to buy oranges, tomatoes, yams, potatoes, plantains in bulk to resell around here. Since the buses cannot take them

to their shops, we come in to offer our helping hands and at the process, earn our pay. Because we have offered services to them on regular basis, we have built some level of trusts between ourselves and they feel free to let us carry their luggage to wherever they want it without them accompanying us. And we don’t fail to maintain the trust. It is very important in this work,” Yusuf, who operates within the Ojuelegba axis, stressed. “When I was younger,” he continued, “my father told us that there is no food for a lazy man. It is the same formula that applies in this our hustle. The work is not for those who are lazy. If you no get mind, you no fit do this work (it takes gut to do this work),” he stuttered in mixed English, adding that the work is energy sapping and requires the practitioners to drink a lot of “pure water” and eat “good and heavy foods”. For another wheelbarrow boy who simply identified himself as Aliyu, it is always a hot and hungry march under the sun and in the rain, in order to earn a living. And if success is all about hard work, he ought to be one CONTINUED ON PAGE 36

LIVING

January 26, 2013

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 35 of the talked-about millionaires in the country. “We don’t have resumption time. Very early in the morning, we are here. We close very late too. We charge according to the weight of the loads and the distance. Sometimes, we will carry loads from this junction to Ilaje. Sometimes, we would have contracts to pack blocks and other things at building sites. We are always working whenever there is work. When there is nothing to do, we would sit on our wheelbarrows here. Those who need our services know that we are always here and they come anywhere to get us. If this wok na better wok eeh, I fo don build house, buy car and plan how I go send my pikin to good skul (If the work is money spinning, with my hard work, I would have built my house, bought a car and planned how to give my child a good education),” a camera shy Aliyu , rued. Also speaking with Saturday Mirror Yusuf Mohammed said that the race to make money and earn a living at Ojuelegba, Lagos, where he plies, is for the swift and the strong. Like a beast of burden, he laden his wheelbarrow as he set to wheel off towards Lawanson Road. “If you don’t have sense, you would not be able to make money here. As you can see, buses come here on regular basis from all corners. You have to use you sense to target the one that is carrying loads and go straight and strong to the boot of the bus. You don’t have to wait for the conductors to open the booth before you go for the loads. You need to use your sense and open the booth. Once you put your hand on a particular luggage, it means that you have possessed it and no other barrow boy would struggle it with you. That is the understanding we have here and we abide by it in order to avoid unnecessary fighting and problems. It is this understanding that makes us to operate here in peace. We respect each other.” Asked how much he earns a day, he said that “sometimes, I can make as much as N1,500 but sometimes I will struggle to make N500. So, when I make more money,” he ensures that he saves to make up for the days of draught. Chipping in, Chibuzor said that the fundamental principle of success in the job is “shine your eyes” but he refused to comment further. As they knock around with their built tighten, toiling to fend for themselves, they are harassed by the security agents or street urchins notoriously known as “Area Boys”? While most of the wheel barrow boys said that they are not harassed, some confessed their brutal confrontation with the “ticket boys” who have become like the notorious “task masters” in the days of the infamous trade-inslave. “Each of us pays N40 for tickets every day. On Mondays and Fridays, we pay N50 each for tickets. They don’t fight with us. When you see us struggling with each other as if we are fighting, they are only trying to get their ticket money. That is their own way

Wheelbarrow boys at work

Muhammed

Ismaila

We are hustlers –Wheelbarrow boys and we don’t have problem with them. However, sometimes, if we are unable to pay, they would seize our wheelbarrow and take it to the chairman’s office and we would have to pay more to redeem it. Sometimes, they would beat us and ask us if “na our papa get this garage and if we think say na Hausa people get am” (are we the owners of the garage or do we think that it is owned by the Hausas) before they release the wheel barrow to us,” Yusuf Mohammed stated. Corroborating, Ismaila said that if their wheel barrow is seized for failure to pay for the daily tickets, they would have to pay N200 before it is released. He however differed with Mohammed,

positing that the ticket collectors do not engage them in fisticuffs. After the days’ hard work, running after one commercial bus to another, navigating from one street corner to another, harassed and razzed, they take consolation in the fact that they could derive gain from their pain as they retire home with some money in their pocket to take care of their family and plan their future. According to Ismaila, “I have been doing this job for the past two years. I married from this job and I have a baby already. I feed my family from here so I don’t joke it with. I am very serious minded whenever I set out for work because if I am not, it means that

Yahaya

my family would sleep without food. I don’t want such thing to happen. When I started earlier, I felt body pains every day. But that has all changed. I don’t feel body pain as such again. Occasionally when I do, I will just go home and rest and prepare for another day. Live is for the living. So I don’t joke with my health. At the end of the day, our joy is the money we go home with. If we don’t struggle to survive, there is nobody to do so for us. We don’t look up to government for food. We only look up to government for protection. But the real protection comes from Allah.” For another operator who simply identified himself as Yahaya, “the job by its nature causes pain for starters or sometimes that you carry to much heavy loads. Whenever I have such pain, I just take drugs and continue. I cannot go home and sleep because if I do so, my stomach would not be sleeping. It would be grumbling for food. So, after all the pain, I go home happy that I made some money that can feed me and my family.”

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

LIVING

January 26, 2013

Lagos by train

Riding in tears Train rides are designed to be comfortable and pleasurable. But not the intra-city services run by the Nigeria Railway Corporation in Lagos. They are the old Molue reborn and probably worse. FUNMI SALOME JOHNSON takes a look at the causes and likely solutions to this nightmare from the perspectives of the stakeholders. An intra-city train in Lagos

debunmi Dominga who heads the Lagos State Safety Commission in a recent interview expressed discontent over the attitude of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) in the area of taking safety precautions in its operations. According to Odebunmi, “The practice of passengers hanging on coaches of train is totally unacceptable. Residents should not collude with station managers on this act, considering the huge impact of a train accident. “We will continue to mount pressure on the management until they can demonstrate that they are on top of the situation, but right now we are not pleased with what we have seen on ground,” she said. Commuters too have expressed dissatisfaction with overcrowding in trains, even as they call on the Nigeria Railway Corporation, NRC, to acquire modern power trains which have the capacity of pulling many coaches at once, just as they decried the rising fares which according to them, are not commensurate with the quality of services rendered. Passengers pay N150 to commute from Ojokoro to Iddo in the ‘Second Class’ apartment, while the First Class goes for N500, thereby forcing many passengers to board the former, leading to overcrowding says Abiodun Fadaka (original names withheld) who works in Ikeja but lives in Ijoko. Saturday Mirror gathered that the current power trains can only pull between eight and 13 coaches which include first and second classes, as these are very few to accommodate the increasing number of passengers on the route. Another commuter Yetunde Bamidele, a trader in Ikeja who lives in Ojokoro, says she goes through struggles to board a train everyday while going to work. “Ideally, each coach is designed to accommodate 90 passengers, but there is twice that number in any one of them. Moreover, the coaches are fully loaded even before they leave the Iddo terminus, and when they get to Ebute-Metta train stop, ev-

ery available space is occupied, including the toilets. Also many commuters are forced to sit or perch dangerously atop the coaches while the train is in motion, thereby putting the lives of commuters at risk of falling off and getting crushed, “Bamidele added. It is no news that any attempt by anyone, be it a press person or a passerby to capture photographs or videos of the moving train with people hanging on the train coaches and around it, the person will be mobbed, accosted, assaulted and even beaten to stupor. One of such victims was Tunde Ogundeji, the Chief Photographer of Newswatch Newspaper who sustained a head injury after being assaulted by some of these hoodlums hanging on the train coaches. According to an eye witness of such incidences, Dipo Olaoluwa, who works opposite the railway line in Ikeja these hoodlums quickly alighted from a train where they were hanging to assault a passerby who was obviously capturing the mood of the moving train with lots of people hanging around the coach. “As the train stopped that morning around 8am, I saw some men coming down from the train and with speed ran up to meet a man on top of the pedestrian bridge. They moved up to him and started beating the man. If I was not watching all along, I would have thought the man was a thief. They beat him mercilessly and spoilt the camera phone he was snapping them with and this is not the first of such I have witnessed at that station” Olaoluwa added. Contrary to the complaints of majority of the passengers who ascribed the situation to the limited space in the coaches rather than their not having money to pay for the train fare, one of the officials of the Nigerian Railway Corporation who pleads anonymity told Saturday Mirror that it is not true that most of the people hanging on the train coaches are those who do not have tickets and would want to sneak in.

“To say that we are tired of the situation around here is an understatement. We have tried all we could but people are not yielding. Most of these people you see hanging around and on the train coaches don’t have tickets and that is the reason they hang on to the coaches when the train is about to move. “A lot of them prefer sitting on top of the train because they even smoke hemp on top of the train. Those are the kind of people you see throwing stones at people who make any attempt to capture them. Even before the lady form Gallaxy Television was able to film this place when she came to do a story, her camera man had to go atop the airport bridge where the hoodlums would not be able to suspect being filmed.” A passenger, Oluwole Banjoko, also decried the unhygienic situation inside the trains. “The condition inside the coaches is nothing to write home about, as there are no fans, running water or lights and this situation is more acute in the yellow painted coaches. According to this regular boarder who lives in Agbado and works in Ikeja, this terrible situation is a problem of the people, the NRC management and the government. Banjoko remarked that on the side of the passengers, they lack patience to wait when they see that the train is full adding that the corporation has a lackadaisical attitude towards the whole situation. “The people are not patient to wait for another train to come even when they know that there is no more space for them to stay. Some would rather hang than wait and sometimes, it could be the last train going their route for the day, so they end up hanging which is a big risk for them. Secondly, the corporation is not sincere to the government which is the reason the whole system has been running that way. Sometimes ago, the Managing Director of the corporation was interviewed on the amount of revenue being generated by the corporation and he was mentioning a very small figure that is obviously not true”

According to Banjoko, the corporation makes over N2 million on a daily basis for Iddo to Agbado route alone. “In a coach, you have 90 seats for 90 passengers and a train has at least 9 coaches. The product of 90 and 9 will give you N121, 500 for just sitting passengers in a train for one trip. “The train, as you know can aptly be described as molue: 44 sitting and 99 standing like Fela sang. The number of people standing usually outnumber those sitting meaning that you have an extra 90 passengers in a coach and if you multiply that, you will get another N121,500 and this is only for the second class passengers. Some pay as much as N500 to sit at the VIP coach which at the end of the day get overcrowded because some will even pay that amount only to go and stand there. The biggest part of the problem is in the operations of the corporation. If the corporation allows the government to step into the business and stop giving government the impression that the railway is not a viable business, I am sure that things will change because rail transportation is a very viable one. “Apart from calling in the government, the government should also endeavour to audit the parastatals very well and import more coaches that are of standard. It is only in this part of the world you see people standing and hanging in trains. In other parts of the world, you cannot find this kind of thing. And the modern type of train. In the modern type used in other countries of the world, there is no place on the train where anybody can hang or stand I believe that if these things are put in place, the rail transport will thrive and it will bring a level of comfort to the people thus decongesting the road of traffic jams. While Banjoko thought the government should step into the rail transport business, for Chuka Odibo it is privatisation. “They should privatise the railroad to allow investors in so as to operate an efficient system and give commuters value for their money”, Tunde Cole said.

TOURISM

Seven layers of rocks and seven waterfalls. The water flows majestically among the rocks and splashes down with great force on the vegetation around. Visit Erin-Ijesha (Olumirin) Waterfalls and be spellbound. WALE FOLARIN

isitors to Olumirin Water Falls in Erin-Ijesa, go away not only appreciating the work of nature, but also wondering how Nigeria could possibly be sitting on such a goldmine without making efforts to explore and in-deed dig up the gold. Situated within lati-tude 7°30’ and 8°45’ North and longitude 4°31’ and 5°East, it is one of the very few water bodies where fresh prawns thrive and which has some feel of wildlife. Erin-Ijesa is in Osun State. As part of South Western Nigeria, the area falls within the tropical climatic belt, with alternating hot/dry and a warm humid season. Atmospheric temperatures range slightly from 30 – 34 degree Celsius, while annual rainfall averages 1500cm. Erin Garden is a thick forest, which houses Olumirin Water Falls. The water-fall is 2km off Erin Ijesha town, which is a few kilometres east of Ilesa town on theIlesa-Akure Road. According to one of the custodians of the waterfall, it was discovered by a woman called Akinla, founder of ErinIjesha town and a grand-daughter of Oduduwa, the progenitor of the Yoruba race, in the year 1140 AD dur-ing the migration of Ife people to Erin-Ijesa. Legend has it that when it was first discovered, the waterfall had the appearance of a mysterious figure. No one dared move near it for fear of being swallowed up. It was believed to be a liv-ing spirit through whose several mouths water gushed out; a very tall and huge spirit whose height reached to the high heavens. The inhabitants therefore named the fall “Olumirin.” They thought this was another god whose power over the whole area was only similar to Akinla, the founder of Erin Ijesha town. According to a tourist who has visited the waterfalls, “it doesn’t look like any-thing out of this world until you begin climbing the seven levels of the ascend-ing plains of the waterfalls. The view at all the levels is wonderful and the fresh-ness of the water is energizing. However, the last and seventh level is definitely the most intriguing, well that’s if you ever dared the torturous climb.” Olumirin is open to tourists throughout the year and only few visitors can climb beyond the second layer. Another tourist attests to this. “Climbing up to the third level can best be equated to traipsing the snowy steeply Mount Everest. Obviously, being at these different lev-els and just basking in the invigorating freshness of the falls is an

January 26, 2013

Hidden treasure:

Olumirin Waterfalls

Tourists at the waterfall

unforgettable experience, but guess what? The place to be is definitely the seventh level. Why? Not only does it lie at the peak of the falls, it is also hosts a settlement where many of its inhabitants have lived for several years!” Still another enraptured tourist could only wax poetic when he was confronted with the sheer splendour of nature at Olumirin.“

I could not resist the seduction of this beauty, for Olumirin Water Falls is craft of supreme architecture. Overcoming my inertia, I plunged deep into the fresh flowing fountain, burying my fears and anxieties in the clear water. This was the first fall. Each fall distinctly marks the mystical propensity of the fountain. Its ability to sieve out the adventurous from the lilly-livered enjoys uni-

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

versal ac-claim. “Ascending the first steps that point to the first fall is usually for all. Though its dancing bridge and the mould covered greenish stones leave a bare feet squirm-ing in pain, yet the first fall is all embracing. Like a mother, she opens her bosom for all visitors to the fall to soup from her clear spring. It’s after this that the ascent to the second fall begins. I made it to the second fall. “I had erroneously believed that I had seen the best of Olumirin Water Fall. But I saw nothing in the first fall. The second fall was out of this world. I came to appreciate why I am human, not an animal. My eyes beheld beauty. I saw, touched and tasted beauty. I flew off on the wings of contemplation. As the water like a snake lazily sliced through the heights, it picked up velocity that slapped the flesh, pumping out like an imprisoned rebel through the thickness of the woods. The third fall was some-thing else...” Yet another dazed visitor said, “The breeze at the waterfall is cool and refreshing, the water flows among rocks and splashes down with great force to the evergreen vegetation around. The whole scenery is fascinating and idyllic. The full flow of the waterfall could be seen during the rainy season. The waterfall is used for drinking and as medicine by indigenes and tourists alike.” One of the tourists, Ademola Ojo who spoke with Saturday Mirror on the medicinal potential of the waterfall, said that the water is capable of heal-ing many ailments, depending on the faith of its user. Ojo attests that he has used the water to cure sicknesses such as headache, stomach-ache and skin diseases, and that people indeed come from all over the country to fetch the water which they use for curative purposes. Tunde Omole an indigene of Erin-Ijesa who described Olumirin waterfall as nature’s gift to the community, said that the site has brought a lot of glory to the community, adding that the waterfall has played host to hundreds of people, school children, members of various groups and associations who regularly visit the site on excursion. Omole, however, appealed to the state government to allocate more money for the development of the site, adding that efforts should also be made to ensure that the site is listed among international tourist sites by UNESCO.Olumirin WaterfallsOlumirin Waterfalls

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

January 26, 2013

hat is a urinary tract infection (UTI)?

The urinary tract is comprised of the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra. A urinary tract infection (UTI) is an infection caused by pathogenic organisms (for example, bacteria, fungi, or parasites) in any of the structures that comprise the urinary tract. Other structures that eventually connect to or share close anatomic proximity to the urinary tract (for example, prostate, epididymis, and vagina) are sometimes included in the discussion of UTIs because they may either cause or be caused by UTIs. Technically, they are not UTIs. UTIs are common. Although some infections go unnoticed, UTIs can cause problems that range from dysuria (pain and/or burning when urinating) to organ damage and even death. The kidneys are the active organs that produce urine daily. They help keep electrolytes and fluids (for example, potassium, sodium and water) in balance, assist in the removal of waste products (urea), and produce a hormone that aids in the formation of red blood cells. If kidneys are injured or destroyed by infection, these vital functions can be damaged or lost. While most investigators state that UTIs are not transmitted from person to person, other investigators dispute this and say UTIs may be contagious and recommend that sex partners avoid relations until the UTI has cleared. There is general agreement that sexual intercourse can cause a UTI. This is mostly thought to be a mechanical process whereby bacteria are introduced into the urinary tracts during the sexual act. There is no dispute about the transmission of UTIs caused by sexually transmitted disease (STD) organisms; these infections (for example, gonorrhoea and Chlamydia) are easily transmitted between sex partners and are very contagious. Some of the symptoms of UTIs and sexually transmitted diseases can be similar (pain and foul smell).

What causes a urinary tract infection (UTI)? The most common causes of UTI infections (about 80 per cent) are E. coli bacterial strains that usually inhabit the colon. However, many other bacteria can occasionally cause an infection but are far less frequent causes than E. coli. In addition, fungi and some para-

Urinary tract infection rectal pain (kidney infection), flank or back pain (kidney infection)  Other symptoms may include penile, testicular and abdominal pain, and penile discharge.

Common urinary tract infection (UTI) symptoms in children include:  Urge to urinate frequently, often in small amounts, burning with urination, cloudy urine, strong unpleasant smell of urine (not as reliable in children), dark or bloody urine, abdominal pain, fever, vomiting  Other symptoms (especially in newborns and infants) may include hypothermia, diarrhea, jaundice, poor feeding and in some children, bedwetting. sites also may cause UTIs.

What are urinary tract infection (UTI) risk factors? There are many risk factors for UTIs. In general, any interruption or impedance of the usual flow of urine is a risk factor for a UTI. For example, kidney stones, urethral strictures, an enlarged prostate, or any anatomical abnormalities in the urinary tract increases infection risk. This is due in part to the flushing or washout effect of flowing urine; in effect, the pathogens have to “go against flow” because the majority of pathogens enter through the urethra and have to go retrograde (against a barrier of urine flow in the urinary tract) to reach the bladder, ureters, and eventually the kidneys. Many investigators suggest that women are far more susceptible than men to UTIs because their urethra is short and its exit (or entry for pathogens) is close to the anus and vagina, which can be sources of pathogens. People who require catheters have an increased risk as the catheter has none of the protective immune systems to eliminate bacteria and offers a direct connection to the bladder. Catheters that are designed to reduce the incidence of catheter-related infections are available (they incorporate antibacterial substances into the catheter that suppress bacterial growth), but are not used by many clinicians because of shorttermed effectiveness, cost, and concern about antibiotic resistance development

in bacteria. Men over the age of 60 have a higher risk for UTIs because many men at or above that age develop enlarged prostates that may cause slow and incomplete bladder emptying. Occasionally, people with bacteria in the bloodstream have the infecting bacteria lodge in the kidney; this is termed hematogenous spread. Similarly, people with infected areas that are connected to the urinary tract (for example, prostate, epididymis, or fistulas) are more likely to get a UTI. Patients with chronic diseases such as diabetics or those who are immunosuppressed (HIV or cancer patients) also are at higher risk for UTIs. Common urinary tract infection (UTI) symptoms in women, men, and children

Common urinary tract infection (UTI) symptoms in women include:  Urge to urinate frequently, often in small amounts, burning with urination, cloudy urine, strong unpleasant smell of urine, dark or bloody urine, pelvic pain, flank or back pain (kidney infection), fever, chills (usually with kidney infection),  Other possible symptoms include bloating, vaginal discharge.  Common urinary tract infection (UTI) symptoms in men include:  Urge to urinate frequently, often in small amounts, burning with urination, cloudy urine, strong unpleasant smell of urine, dark or bloody urine,

LETTER

I have kidney stone I read the write-up on kidney stone from Mirror of 22 December, 2012. I feel the symptoms, signs and pains. What can I do? Please I need your advice.

Jonathan---------------------Nassarawa State Mirror Doctor replies Dear Jonathan,

Thanks for keeping date with Mirror Doctor column. In your question you said you feel the symptoms, signs, and pains. It is difficult for me to categorically conclude as a health

What are urinary tract infection (UTI) symptoms and signs in women, men, and children? The UTI symptoms and signs may vary according to age, sex, and location of the infection in the tract. Some individuals will have no symptoms or mild symptoms and may clear the infection in about two to five days. Many people will not spontaneously clear the infection; one of the most frequent symptoms and signs experienced by most patients is a frequent urge to urinate, accompanied by pain or burning on urination. The urine often appears cloudy and occasionally dark, if blood is present. The urine may develop an unpleasant odour. Women often have lower abdominal discomfort or feel bloated and experience sensations like their bladder is full. Women may also complain of a vaginal discharge, especially if their urethra is infected, or if they have an STD. Although men may complain of dysuria, frequency, and urgency, other symptoms may include rectal, testicular, penile, or abdominal pain. Men with a urethral infection, especially if it is caused by an STD, may have a pus-like drip or discharge from their penis. Toddlers and children with UTIs often show blood in the urine, abdominal pain, fever, and vomiting along with pain and urgency with urination. TO BE CONTINUED NEXT WEEK

professional, that what you have is kidney stone(s) without examining you. This can only be confirmed after proper evaluation by a health professional. I advise you go to the secondary or tertiary health institution in your locality to see the specialist for thorough examination and investigations.

LEISURE

January 26, 2013

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sport

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

January 26, 2013

Carthage Eagles of Tunisia in a group photograph before their AFCON Group D tie on January 22, against Algeria.

AFCON: Cote d’Ivoire, Tunisia battle for quarter-final ticket SAYO OGUNDEJI

WITH AGENCY REPORTS

lephants of Cote d’Ivoire will today confront the Carthage Eagles of Tunisia in their second match in Group D, at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), with both teams focusing on grabbing a quarter-final ticket and topping the group. Cote d’Ivoire got its campaign to a bright start with a 2-1 victory over the Hawks of Togo in their opener, while Tunisia also got the better of Algeria with a lone goal victory in their first match. And a win for either of the teams will secure them an automatic qualification to the next round. The Didier Drogba-led Elephants though were convincing in their outing against Tunisia, with goals from Yaya Toure and Gervinho’s 88th-minute strike ensuring that the team maintained the tradition of getting their AFCON campaign off to a strong start. Interestingly, in the case of Tunisia against Algeria, scores were locked at 0-0 until the dying moments of a dull North African derby in Rustenburg, when a brilliant

stoppage-time strike from Youssef Msakni sealed three points for the Carthage Eagles, thereby drawing them level on points with Cote d’Ivoire. Elephants that lost out on penalties to Zambia in the final of the last edition in Equatorial Guinea and Gabon are now fully conscious of putting an end to their decadelong trophy drought. And this edition may be the opportunity they have been waiting for to rectify the anomaly, not minding the quality of opposition in South Africa. The country finished 2012 at the 14th position in the FIFA ranking ahead of Uruguay, Brazil and France, and they are considered the number one African team across the previous 12 months. Currently, Cote d’Ivoire has been tipped as the favourite for the 2013 AFCON title. This is not the first time the golden generation is being favoured to clinch the title, which has remained elusive, as they now prefer a low profile instead, with the logic of putting every other team on top as possible winners, perhaps relieving the pressure in the process.

Wenger pours scorn on Schalke, Villa gossip P. 42

If 2012 was a little disappointing, Gervinho, who grabbed the winner for his side against Togo, has set his sights high for the tournament, saying his side will settle for nothing but the title. “My year is going to start with Cote d’Ivoire as we aim for nothing but the title, which I believe we have the materials to achieve it. “I’ve lived some good moments and I want more of winning this tournament because it will erase whatever sad memories we might have had about the last edition. “I hope 2013 will be good to me with Arsenal and with Ivory Coast,” Gervinho enthused. The disappointment of losing the final of the last edition to Zambia still haunts Kolo Toure, but the Manchester City defender says his side will not allow such opportunity elude them again. While the Elephants have not been able to win the title despite boasting of many talented players, Tunisia, on the other hand, since their 2004 AFCON victory, have not been prolific and coach Sami Trabelsi is under pressure to secure a semi-final berth for his side. However, they will face a tough task

NSSF President calls for fair officiating at Rivers 2013 P. 43

Cote d’Ivoire forward Didier Drogba (left) vies for the ball with Togo defender Vincent Bossou during their AFCON Group D clash.

in overcoming their opponents in Group D. Leading scorer Issam Jemaa, who has scored 34 times for Tunisia, will be a leading figure for the side against Cote d’Ivoire today, as he has been in hot form in the build-up to the AFCON after scoring four goals against Ghana and Iraq.

Mbebe: AFCON must bring Africans together P. 45

SPORT

January 26, 2013

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

AFCON 2013: A celebration of African football

he 29th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) which kicked off on Saturday, January 19, 2013, is already leaving up to its billing. Soccer pundits across the world already gave their thumps up for the tourney as a true celebration of African football. Aside from the fact that this is the second time the former apartheid enclave have hosted the event after 1996, it is another opportunity by the good people of South Africa to make the continent proud again after their successful hosting of the FIFA World Cup in 2010. Today, South Africa has used the tournament to prove that they are always ready to lead the entire continent on a massive revolution in the organization of the ‘king of all sports’. For example, at the opening ceremony of AFCON 2013, the host paraded some of its finest musicians as they held their visitors spellbound in what could be termed as a sweet colourful event. Many say the memories of the opening ceremony would linger in their minds for years to come. The opening ceremony was a spectacle of music and dance, featuring artists like Sipho “Hotstix” Mabuse, Ringo Madlingozi, Sibongile Khumalo, Judith Sephuma and Kira as well as other musicians. Foreign artistes which included Grammy award winner Oumou Sangare from Mali and Eric Wainana from Kenya, used their displays to remind mother Africa of her nu-

HARD TACKLE with

Andrew Ekejiuba anelsports@yahoo.com

08023103605

Solidarity! The South African President Jacob Zuma (left) giving inspiration to Bafana Bafana.

merous problems, which includes, poverty, disease and illiteracy. But HT believes that all these problems confronting the continent can be eradicated if concerted efforts are made by various leaders in Africa to end them, by providing good and corrupt-free governance to the entire people. Expectedly, during the displays, the stadium resonated to upbeat rhythms that had four-group dance in the middle of the pitch meeting

and embracing around giant puppets. They then knocked down large walls inscribed with the stereotypes that often drag Africa down. At the end, the message was clear: AIDS, poverty and illiteracy cannot withstand African solidarity. No wonder, hundreds of dancers gyrated in the rain, dressed in colours from around the continent during the opening ceremony. HT also recalls that former president and global peace icon Nelson

Mandela was not left out of the show, as he was featured in a homage on the big screen, while South Africa’s Paralympics champion Oscar Pistorius was another person who appeared on the scene. Here, he was seen carrying the South African flag on to the field signifying the readiness of the country to host a hitch-free competition. After the great displays, President of the Republic of South Africa, Jacob Zuma, officially opened the tournament with an assurance to the entire continent that South Africa will not fail. And today, the host nation has not disappointed in any way, as the quality of the competition has remained high, beginning from the opening match between South Africa and debutants, Cape Verde. Aside the aforementioned, the quality of stars on parade from the various participating nations have also added colour to the event. Cote d’Ivoire which can boast of great players like the ex-Chelsea stars’ Didier Drogba and Salomon Kalou have left nobody in doubt that Africa is blessed with enormous talented players. Other players in their fold who are also adding colour to the celebration of African football include Arsenal’s Gervinho, African Footballer of the Year, Yaya Toure and a certain young player called Wilfred Bony who is presently the highest scorer in the Dutch league. HT gathered that Bony was brought to AFCON 2013 to understudy Drogba.

In Mali, we also have their inspirational captain, Seydou Keita on parade and other great players who have left nobody in doubt that Africa has a rich football culture. It is worthy to note that, even the so-called minnows of African football are already proving that they cannot be taken for a ride any longer with their giant-killing approach to the competition. No wonder the fight for the quarter-finals spots from the different groups are getting keener and tougher on each passing day of the competition. Therefore, gone are days when one soothsayer or an analyst would come out and predict out rightly the actual winner of this year’s competition whose history dates back in 1957. According to Niger goalkeeper, Daouda Kassaly, the focus of every team now is how to fight to make the top-two positions from the group, so as to be assured of a quarter-final ticket. But despite all these, the strict adherence to the fair play campaign of the world football governing body, FIFA, has been the guiding principle of the 16 teams in this edition of the competition and this is worthy of commendation. As we celebrate and savor the best of African football, it is the prayers of many fans that the best soccer nation should emerge as eventual winner at the end of the day, as evidenced when the Chipolopolo of Zambia took the continent by storm to lift the trophy in the last edition in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea.

PREMIERSHIP TABLE

EURO NEWS

Wenger pours scorn on Schalke, Villa gossip

rsenal manager Arsene Wenger has rubbished speculation linking him with Schalke, while ruling out a move for Barcelona’s David Villa. Wenger’s position is under unprecedented scrutiny as he oversees another disappointing season in north London. The future of the Schalke coaching role is unclear, with Jens Keller acting as caretaker following the sacking of Huub Stevens in December. When asked about the rumours tipping him with a switch to the Veltins-Arena, Wenger said: “I am totally committed to this club (Arsenal).” The Frenchman also said the club was not in talks to sign Spain international David Villa from Barca, preferring to rely on his existing squad and expressing a desire for January transfers to be restricted. Wenger used the form of Theo Walcott and French centre-for-

Wenger

ward Olivier Giroud to justify his decision not to pursue Villa or other new offensive recruits. Arsenal travel to face Brighton and Hove Albion in the fourth round of the FA Cup today.

Barca eager to win titles –Busquets

ergio Busquets says Barcelona want to win every competition they play in after drawing Real Madrid in the semifinals of the Copa del Rey. Barca defeated Malaga 4-2 on Thursday to seal a 6-4 aggregate victory and book a meeting with their arch-rivals for a place in the final. “We want to win every competition we play in,” Busquets told reporters. “We have to play against Real Madrid in the semi-finals, and we

Chelsea strikers must be clinical, says Cech

helsea goalkeeper Petr Cech has urged his side to be more clinical in front of goal as they bid to avoid a trophy-less season. Wednesday’s exit from the Capital One Cup, after failing to score in either leg of their semi-final

Gerrard hails Liverpool fans Zaha delighted over Red Devils move iverpool skipper Steven Ger-

rard has revealed he still feels honoured with his position at Anfield. Gerrard has been involved with the Merseyside giants since he was eight years old, and he insists the Liverpool fans have made his time at Anfield worthwhile.

hope to get a good result in the first leg (in Madrid). And later, here, with our fans cheering us on, we hope to get to the final.” The midfielder then reflected on the 4-2 away win over Malaga, and claimed Barca could have won by a greater margin. “The result is fair, in fact we should have won by more,” he said. “In the first half of the away leg in Barcelona, and today throughout the 90 minutes we could have scored more goals.”

with Swansea, means the Blues have already missed out on five competitions this term, with the Community Shield, UEFA Super Cup, World Club Championship and UEFA Champions League added to their League Cup exit.

ilfried Zaha says he is delighted at his summer move to Manchester United but insists his “focus” remains on winning promotion with Crystal Palace. The 20-year-old winger has agreed a five-and-a-half year deal but will be loaned back to Palace until the summer.

TEAM

1. Man Utd

2. Man City

3. Chelsea

4. Tottenham

5. Everton

6. Arsenal

7. Liverpool

8. West Brom

9. Swansea

10. Stoke

-5

11. Sunderland

-4

12. West Ham

-7

13. Norwich

-15

14. Fulham

-7

15. Southampton

-10

16. Newcastle

-13

17. Aston Villa

-25

18. Reading

-15

19. Wigan

-18

20. QPR

-19

Stekelenburg critical of demotion

oma goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg has criticised boss Zdenek Zeman for dropping him in recent weeks. The Dutchman added that he found it ‘totally pointless’ bringing in another goalkeeper Mauro Goicoechea.

Stekelenburg

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

SPORT

January 26, 2013

AYC: Obuh invites 9 foreign pros W/Chair Tennis Nigeria qualifies to Flying Eagles camp for World Team Cup J ohn Obuh, Chief Coach of the U-20 national team, the Flying Eagles, has invited nine foreign-based professional players to camp, in preparation for the 2013 African Youth Championship (AYC). A statement signed by the team’s spokesperson, Samm Audu, in Abuja yesterday said that the invited players are expected to resume camp on or before tomorrow. The 2013 AYC, billed for Algeria, will hold from March 16-30, with eight participating teams. The invited players include: Mikel Agu (FC Porto, Portugal), Bright Osagie (Red Bull, Salzburg, Austria), Salau Ibrahim Atta (Westerlo, Belgium) and Christian Chidere Okafor (LFK Numberg,

Germany). Others are: Marvel Ekpiteta (Stevenage, England), Femi Ajayi (Charlton Athletic), Oliha Aigbe (Esperance Zarziz, Tunisia), Kenneth Ngwoke (Hamitkay, Cyprus) and Jesse Sekidika (Lancaster Higher School, England). The team started preparations for the championship when it opened camping in Abuja on Jan. 6 with 20 invited players. However, the team moved camping to Nanka in Anambra State on Wednesday, Jan. 24. The statement noted that Obuh also invited 19 other players to bring the number of players in camp to 39. It added that 10 players have been dropped from the 39, while six others

IFEANYI EDUZOR

igeria has reaffirmed its supremacy as the undisputed number one wheelchair tennis playing nation in Africa when they recorded a 3-0 win over Egypt to retain the BNP Paribas World Team Cup African Qualifiers in Nairobi, Kenya, thus qualifying for the global tournament billed for Italy in May. Spearheaded by tournament’s top-ranked player Wasiu Yusuf, Nigeria

Obuh

from the domestic league have been given a chance to prove themselves in the team.

NSSF President calls for fair officiating at Rivers 2013 ANDREW EKEJIUBA

he President of the Nigeria School Sports Federation (NSSF), Mallam Ibrahim Mohammad, has charged officials who are officiating in the ongoing National School Sports Festival, tagged ‘Rivers 2013’ to be fair. Speaking exclusively to Saturday Mirror, he said fair officiating would ensure that true winners among the students from the competing schools would emerge at the end of the day. “We are here to encourage the development of grassroots sports and not to kill talents which are very hard to come by these days. “Also, we are aware that the future of our sports development depends on what happens at this stage of the competition and that is why we must lay more emphasizes in discovering them at this stage with all fairness,” Mohammad said. The University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT) where majority of the students were camped has pledged to provide logistics support for the ongoing 5th National School Sports Festival which opened in the Garden City on Thursday. The university’s Dean of

Student Affairs, Prof. Henry Belgam, gave the pledge while receiving members of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) on the festival in his office. Belgam told the LOC members that UNIPORT would ensure that the athletes were decently accommodated, to enhance their performance at the Games. “UNIPORT is delighted to accommodate the children and we have already earmarked some of our hostel facilities for the games, even when the university is in session,” he said. The LOC chairman, Mr. Fred Igwe, in his response, said that over 8,000 children from various states of the federation were participat-

Mohammad

proved that their previous wins over Mauritius and Ghana were not flukes as they made the Egyptians look like beginners in the 12-nation tournament. Jude Uwaize set Nigeria on a winning course with a two straight victory of 6-0, 6-2 over Hassan Mohammed before two-time Paralympian Wasiu Yusuf beat Aly Mohammed 6-4, 6-1 for an unassailable 2-0 lead. In the doubles which was turned to a formality, Yusuf and Uwaize combined to beat their opponent 6-2, 6-0 to clinch the title.

ing at the 11-day fiesta which is expected to end on Feb 3. He added that since most of the athletes were firsttime visitors to the state, the LOC was working to ensure that they were well taken care of. Igwe, who is also the Rivers State Commissioner for Sports, assured that the LOC would organise a successful festival that would produce the next generation of the country’s elite athletes. Meanwhile, the brand new Chief Adokiye Amiesimaka Sports Complex within the Greater Port Harcourt City is hosting most of the events, as the competition is designed to discover and nurture talents from primary and secondary schools across the country.

This brings the number of players in camp to 44, struggling for shirts at the championship.

Fiteselektor martial art debuts in Nigeria IFEANYI EDUZOR

overs of martial art in the country will soon be treated to the best form of the sports when Nigeria’s first mixed martial art debuts in the country before the end of the first quarter of the year. According to a statement by the organizers of the event made available to our correspondent, the tournament known as Fiteselektor is a spectacular combination of wrestling and full contact kick-boxing techniques, viewed by many as the most complete martial art, even as they noted that the sport is fast gaining popularity around the world especially in Europe and Asia. The statement noted that Fiteselektor, which was first introduced in Dubai, in 2008, is a martial art that integrates a “Reality TV Show” component in which the audience decides, by means of SMS voting, who is fighting whom, just as it stated that pre-selections of participants in the debut edition is scheduled to begin in Lagos next month.

Wasiu

Salami eyes continental ticket with 3SC SAYO OGUNDEJI

fter his return to the Shooting Stars FC of Ibadan, former junior international, Gbolahan Salami, has expressed his ambition of helping the Oluyole Warriors clinch a continental ticket. Salami, who left the Ibadan-based club for the two-time continental champions Enyimba, made a sensational return to the club that gave him fame and the powerplaying forward believes his arrival at the club will help the team’s push for honours when the premier league begins. Despite a poor start to their season during the last campaign, the club rallied back to post an impressive performances

which helped them to finish in the 13th position. And Salami, who is excited to be back at the club, says he will help his side build on their last season’s performance, adding the players and management are on the same page about their ambition. “I feel so excited to be back here because I feel more at home and the fans make me give more than necessary, but the most important thing is to make sure my presence is felt by the club who has shown so much faith in me. “The club despite the challenges faced, tried their best last season and all we can do is to improve on that performance by aiming to grab one of the continental tickets at the end of the campaign,” Salami said.

SPORT

January 26, 2013

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Lack of funds is bane of athletics, says Toblow Former national athletics coach, Tobias Igwe, popularly known as ‘Toblow’ is one of the most successful athletics coaches the country has produced. For more than three decades as a coach, he discovered many talented athletes from the grassroots, who made the country proud internationally. In this interview with IFEANYI EDUZOR, he laments the poor state of athletics in the country and offered suggestions on how best to develop it. Excerpts:

s the athletics coach of Abia State, how would you rate the standard of the sport in the state? Sports generally in Abia State cannot be discussed in isolation with other states. I say this because we have abundant talent in all states of the federation who could be nurtured to become future champions, but when there is lack of funds to develop these athletes, there is nothing a coach can do. I want to tell you that we are managing with the little resources available to us in the state to produce world class athletes. The paucity of funds I mentioned earlier has also affected the provision of facilities and even the maintenance of existing ones. As I am talking to you now, athletes are afraid to come and run at the muddy surface of Umuahia Township Stadium. This situation is not peculiar to Abia State alone, but all the states of the federation and this is affecting the development of the sport. You were formerly with the Enugu State Government and later moved to Abia State; how would you compare the two experiences you garnered from both states? My stay at Enugu afforded me the opportunity to produce high caliber athletes because facilities then were above average. It was there that I discovered and nurtured Uchenna Emedolu who later won the world cup in 2002 in Stuttgart, Germany and followed it up with a silver medal in 100m during the 2003 All Africa Games which was hosted by Nigeria. After sometime, I was disengaged in Enugu State as a non- indigene and that was how I came to Abia State where there are no facilities. The situation I found myself has now affected not only Abia and Enugu states, but the whole Nigeria. In those good days, I cannot imagine myself staying for two or three years without discovering a champion at the African and world level.

Looking at the last National Sports Festival, would you say that your athletes performed to your expectation? I am really happy with the performance of Abia State athletes at “Eko 2012” because prior to that festival, nobody gave us a chance to be at the medals table considering that we were not well prepared for the festival. At the festival, we took things as they came because we did not have enough funds like Rivers and Delta states to prepare the athletes and this affected our performance. But at the end of the day, I gave kudos to the athletes for winning some medals which was achieved through their personal efforts. I am also happy that an athlete I discovered six months ago by name, Kalu Eke, won silver in the shot put event and by the time I work on him in the next one or two

years, he will be a world beater. What do you think contributed to the country’s declining performance in the sprints which it was dominating before in the continent? A lot of factors contributed to Nigeria’s dwindling fortune in the sprints and one of them is planlessness. There is no way we can get good results or regain our dominance in sports without proper planning. We must embark on serious grassroots development of athletes as is done in Europe, America and the Caribbean with Jamaica as a case study. Jamaica has shown that with proper planning, an athlete can be developed to the highest level of competition. There is the need for the government to engage the services of those great and tested coaches in the country who will scout for athletes that will be put in schools where they will combine academics with sports. The development of athletes is supposed to start very early when they are between 6-8 years. You do not start training people when they are about 18, 19, 20 years because at that time, their muscles are stiff and it takes you a long time to put them in a very good shape to compete at the world level. But when you pick them up at a very young age, you will develop their flexibility and also have to introduce them to general sports. And by the time they are about 14years, they will be introduced to a specific sport where they have potentials to do well. At the higher institutions, we do not have good coaches. For example, in the past we used to have 10 to 15 coaches attached to various institutions, but these days, we don’t have high caliber coaches attached to our Universities and Polytechnics. Those of them there are academicians, and how many of them can wake up by 6am and train an athlete who is going for lectures by 9 am? How many of them are ready to work on Saturdays and Sundays or even public holidays? Their standard is so low that they cannot perform at the physical level. Physical level is where America has an edge over others because the athletes can run at 10.0, 10.1 and 10.2 seconds in 100m and from there they develop and target 9 seconds or a little above that. In Nigeria, athletes at that level are running 10.6 and 10.7 while their female counterparts run about 12.2 which is rubbish. How do you expect somebody running at 12.1, 12.2 or 12.3 to cope? It is a disgrace because when he runs at that level, he becomes a spectator. They should attach coaches like us to schools and I promise that if I am attached to a University like UNN, I will turn that place to a golden place of Nigerian athletics. I am not boasting, attach me to any Nigerian University, give me the necessary tools to work with and I will turn that place into a Mecca of athletics in the country.

Tobias Igwe (right) discussing with an athlete during the last All Africa Games in Maputo, Mozambique.

THEY SHOULD ATTACH COACHES LIKE US TO SCHOOLS AND I PROMISE THAT IF I AM ATTACHED TO A UNIVERSITY LIKE UNN, I WILL TURN THAT PLACE TO A GOLDEN PLACE OF

NIGERIAN ATHLETICS. What is your take on the recent pronouncement by the Sports Minister that elite athletes would be allowed to participate in future National Sports Festivals? Throwing the festival open, will make it more competitive as has been argued in some quarters, but in the other way, it will make it a festival of the highest bidder. It will become an issue because some states will go all out to buy the best athletes. Even at the last festival, they bought over some of my best athletes, but there was nothing I could do because the athletes have their lives to live. The implication is that by making it open, those that do not have money will continue to produce rookies and those of us who believe in producing athletes at the grassroots will be at the receiving end. Having said this, I want to tell you something that is bordering me so much and whenever I remember it, my heart bleeds. How can we allow an athlete who fails dope test to continue to hold his medal after two to four years of being banned by the AFN? This type of thing cannot happen in the Western world. Immediately a person is banned, they retrieve the medal from him and hands it over to the rightful owner. And I want to tell you that Nigerian sports cannot grow so long as we allow this to happen. As a seasoned coach who has produced great athletes for the country, how would you like yourself and some of your neglected colleagues to be rehabilitated? It is unfortunate that those of us who have dedicated all our lives to producing athletes that have won laurels for the country are allowed to die in penury and it is only in Nigeria this type of anomaly is happening. For

record purposes, it will interest you to know that I started coaching in 1978 and before then, I was the champion of Lagos State in 800m, 1,500m and 3,000m. Although, I started coaching in 1978, I was still running up till 1981 and I am still holding Lagos State records in the aforementioned events till date. Through my coaching efforts, I was able to discover such athletes as late Sunday Uti, Henry Amike, Hairat Bakare, Uchenna Emedolu, Ezinwa brothers, Clement Chukwu and a host of others. I have attended three Olympics, namely; Barcelona ‘92, Atlanta ’96 and Athens 2004 and won medals in all. I also took athletes to Commonwealth Games in New Zealand in 1990, Manchester in 2002 and All Africa Games hosted by Nigeria in 2003. Also I took athletes to the African championship in 2002 and in all these, I won medals for the country, but there is little or nothing to show for it. Coaches are supposed to be given some remuneration like footballers when they are engaged at the national level. Also, when we are invited to camp, you don’t give us peanuts. What is N2000 a day as camp allowance? The situation in Nigeria is not palatable. Most times, they put you in a hotel that is nothing to write home about without water and electricity. When we were camped in Ijebu- Ode in 2010, we were going outside the stadium to look for water which does not project the image of the country well. They call me an old man because I am consistent. Ironically, most of the coaches who trained me are still coaching. The last time I went to Spain, I saw people older than me still coaching. So, if you are consistent in Nigeria, you become an old man, but that cannot deter me because I love my job with passion.

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

SPORT

January 26, 2013

Lamouchi vows to cage Carthage Eagles

Stage set for Algeria, Togo clash in Rustenburg

Togolese striker, Emmanuel Adebayor looking set to battle Desert Foxes of Algeria.

lgeria will be fancied to get their Africa Cup of Nations campaign up and running at the second attempt when they take on Group D rivals Togo today in Rustenburg. But Togo and coach Didier Six will prove no pushovers, as they showed when going within two minutes of holding competition favourites Ivory Coast in their opener. Gervinho’s 88th-minute goal tipped the scales 2-1 in the Ivoirians’ favour, but Six was not happy over a second-half disallowed goal he felt was entirely legitimate. Motivated by this perceived injustice, the Togolese will confront Algeria with all it has in its arsenal

because a defeat would almost certainly spell the end of the road for them. Algeria coach Vahid Halilhodzic believes his inexperienced side was the moral winners in their game against Tunisia, though the harsh reality tells a different story. “We’re in a complex position,” he said. “We can’t escape that – we have two matches left, and only two teams go through. “We’ll analyse certain things to improve them.” With a win required over Togo, changes are in the air. “Perhaps there will be changes in order to take risks even if, in the final 20 minutes, I take a chance and stick on four strikers,”

Halilhodzic said. Midfielder Sofiane Feghouli has urged his teammates to stick together. “Everything is not lost – we still have two games to redeem ourselves. “We must cling together and remain united in defeat. Although it’s going to be difficult, we’ll try our best to win the next game against Togo,” he said. Meanwhile, Six will be keeping a close eye on the referee’s decisions after lashing out at what he described as bias shown by the man in the middle toward Ivory Coast. He was proud of his players’ performance in holding the top-ranked team on the continent until Gervinho’s killer blow.

oach Sabri Lamouchi of Ivory Coast has vowed that his side would never make the kind of mistakes they made in their opener against Togo as they plot Tunisia’s fall in Group D. A win for them in today’s AFCON cracker against the Carthage Eagles, surely will secure them a pass to the AFCON’s last eight, with one throw of the Group D dice still to roll. Lamouchi was relieved after scraping a win over Togo, but lamented his side’s cata-

logue of mistakes in what he described as “the worst game since I took over”. “It wasn’t the best performance; we made lots of technical errors. My team can’t put up the same performance against Tunisia, that’s for sure. “The difficulty was that when we had the ball we lost it too quickly, and defensive mistakes put us in danger. This match has to serve as a lesson to us,” he said. Ivory Coast captain Kolo Toure, responsible for one

Le Roy rues Mbokani award decision

emocratic Republic of Congo coach Claude Le Roy was left to rue his decision to allow striker Dieumerci Mbokani stay up to receive a personal award the night before the team’s crucial AFCON match against Niger on Thursday. The striker squandered two clear-cut opportunities in the goalless Group B draw in Port Elizabeth that came as a blow to the Congolese hopes of reaching

the quarterfinals. Anderlecht’s Mbokani had been up late the night before participating in Belgium’s televised annual football award ceremony, where he was named the best player in the league. He accepted the award in a satellite link from next to the swimming pool at the team hotel on Wednesday. “Maybe we lost concentration with this party,” said Le Roy, whose side must now beat Mali in Durban on Monday to progress to the last eight.

Drogba

of those defensive slip-ups which almost led to Togo’s Emmanuel Adebayor pinching an early goal, urged supporters to defer judgment. “Our next game against Tunisia might be a better scale to judge us,” said the Manchester City defender. Former Leicester player Sol Bamba put a bright spin on his side’s laborious showing. “We’re going to take it step by step. We got three points against Togo, now we have to be ready for Tunisia. “We know how important first games can be. It gives us more confidence now – we’ve got three points and it’s easier to wait for the second game,” he said.

Mbebe: AFCON must bring Africans together The Local Organising Committee (LOC) of the South Africa 2013 AFCON has continued to receive rave reviews for their high level of organisation and even the Confederation Of Africa Football (CAF) has commended the team led by the Chairman Mwelo Nonkonyana and CEO, Mvuzo Mbebe. In this interview with Cafonline, Mbebe speaks on the competition so far and the gains of hosting the continental show piece.

ince the kick-off of the 2013 Orange Africa Cup of Nations, the spotlight has been on South Africa, how are you bracing yourself up for the tasks ahead? We have been ready for this tournament since our operational plans were approved by the CAF Organising Committee in Seychelles in the middle of last year. We are now in tournament execution mode. What has been the commitment level of the LOC with respect to financial injection into the tournament? The Local Organising Committee does not fund the tournament but funding has come from government through National Treasury, the rest comes from sponsorship raised from the private sector and the sale

of merchandising rights. What has been the response of South Africans in general towards the 2013 Orange Africa Cup of Nations? The buzz is there. Two weeks before the tournament kicked off, we saw a sudden increase in ticket sales. The general public and football lovers went into extremes in ensuring that they have a ticket in to be part of the ultimate soccer tournament of African soil. Do you think the successful hosting of the 2010 FIFA World Cup has created more pressure on South Africa to deliver even better Africa Cup of Nations? The Africa Cup of Nations cannot be compared to the 2010 FIFA World Cup. The Africa Cup of Nations is a continental cup tournament whilst the World Cup is on a

much bigger scale. However, our objective is to deliver a high quality and seamless event that South Africans have become accustomed to and whilst the World Cup could be perceived as a benchmark we have no intention of lowering the standard of our performance in this tournament. How has this tournament benefitted from the legacy of the 2010 FIFA World Cup? We have benefited a lot from the legacy of the World Cup. The 2010 FIFA World Cup legacy infrastructure was the reason why South Africa was approached to host the Africa Cup of Nations. We have world class stadiums. What have been some of the challenges in the build-up to the tournament? It has been extremely challenging but we are equal to the task even with the limited time and resources we have had to prepare and plan for the tournament. How will hosting of the tournament impact South Africa economically and socially? International events of this nature always have socio-economic benefits through mobilisation of local resources through the supply of goods and services.

Mbebe

What will be the legacy of the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations? The Africa Cup of Nations should be a vehicle for social cohesion and peace in Africa. Furthermore, some of the 4 Social Causes that CAF has identified and supported will go a long away in addressing issues such as education, peace, HIV/AIDS, and malaria. The improvement of training venues in each host city will remain critical facilities in the development of football in South Africa.

January 26, 2013

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Ultra modern abattoir will discourage cattle movementâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Alhaji Tafida Isa Mafindi, is the Chief Executive Officer of Famag-Jal Nigeria, one of the largest and modern cattle farms in Africa. He is a chartered accountant and former general manager of Audit, Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA). In this interview with STANLEY IHEDIGBO, he speaks on abattoir project, development of agriculture in the country and other sundry matters. Excerpts:

sion, Director General, will yield the expected result in the nearest future in the country? Whatever we did there was laying the foundation for the take-off and we had very good deliberations. Other successful farmers were there to testify that agriculture is the only way to create massive wealth and employment for Nigerians, if farming is well financed. We also heard from the finance experts too what finance option that is available for the farmers in the country. Because we have seen countries like the United States, that have agriculture finance associations that took over from banks. We have seen the Agriculture Bank of China, and today it is the biggest bank in the world. The Minister of Agriculture promised to reorganise the Nigerian Agricultural Bank by bringing long term funds and funding partners from Europe, getting them to restructure the bank, so that they can have a pool of fund that can go over a long period of time financing agriculture in the country. I will say it is an achievement if something like that happens, because whatever we call potential is always here, but it is not utilized because of lack of fund.

Do you really believe that all that was discussed about financing farming at the meeting with the Agriculture Minister and the Securities and Exchanges Commis-

How long have you being farming? I started farming in 1975 and I have taken the value chain through bringing people together, from organising local farmers to produce rice, maize, corns

As people are increasing in number in Nigeria, the fallow grass reserve is being reduced. So we have to get land and plant grass, harvest the grass and settle our cattle in one place. Another one is modernising the cattle by bringing across breed from different countries like Brazil, Australian. Lack of infrastructure challenge is also there in terms of power and roads from our farm to the market place. Cattle farming is capital intensive; how do you get funds? We borrowed from banks. We are into rural mobilisation. We entered into agreement with First Bank, whereby, soft loans are given to farmers like N500, 000, and then we manage the money for them. This allows the farmers to expand their farms. We monitor them to get the right equipment, the right crops to plant, we monitor them till harvest and we help them to store, also market their products and pay the bank loans. When we started, there were people who started with N500, 000. Today, they are worth over N10 million. It all depends on individual effort; because we are moving with the trend. Through the programme, some farmers upgraded to commercial agriculture. Then, with that status, we went to the First Bank, got some money to put into our system, to build one of the largest abattoirs in Africa.

ou are reputed to be one of the largest cattle farmers in Africa. How did it start? I brought about the change in value chain, practices of high level and private sector driven operations of cattle farming in the country. And my recent visit to Lagos was to see another option of how agriculture could be financed on long term bases. Whatever government tried to make for what is budgeted for, their priority is always on the current expenditure and agriculture is purely on capital expenditure, so when there is no enough money, the current expenditure will be settled while the capital is left for whatever is available. Because of this, almost 80 percent that was budgeted is not applied. The only way agriculture gets finance in Nigeria is through banks. The banks get their monies on short term bases; they collect deposit for customers, maximum of one year to two years. And you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t expect somebody who will pay back in a year or two years to lend money to someone who will pay in 10 years time. It is not possible. So to get alternative ways like other countries in the world do to finance agriculture, was the reason why I came to participate at the Securities Exchange Commission event. The main purpose and the aim were to see how, the capital market, which is the bedrock of finance in capitalism could be applied in agriculture.

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Mafindi

and the by-products, we milled it to feed our cattle. These cattle provide us the opportunity to build an international standard abattoir which will add value to cattle farming. And our target is to try to have outlets in various states of the federation and reduce the incident of people moving cattle from one place to another in the country. Also to process meat in a more hygiene environment and well packaged for human consumption. As an accountant, what really motivated you to go into farming, precisely cattle farming? Yes, I am an accountant as well as a farmer; the farming I am doing is cattle rearing, as a Fulani man by tribe, cattle farming is our culture. The only difference is that my type of cattle rearing has taken it to a level of modern system. And the people, who you see in the bush or in the cities most cases with cattle, are not the real owners of the cattle they are carrying alone. The real owners are in the public offices, private offices doing their job while, their cattle are managed for them by the people who you see every day. So, that was how I started my farming until I retired from public service and went into full time as a cattle farmer. What are the challenges of a modern cattle farmer? One of my challenges is modality.

How feasible is the commissioning of the abattoir in two months time as announced by the Minister of Agriculture? What is its cost? The abattoir will be ready very soon and it is part of the effort of the rural mobilisation programme we initiated, the contribution of the local farmers which today are commercial agriculture farmers. With that, we approached the First bank to borrow some money to put into our system to build the abattoir. The abattoir with 8 of 20 metric tons fridges, capable to absorb over one thousand cattle, with a heavy equipment that make slaughter of the cattle so easy, hygienic. And that has been my dream: to provide a highly hygienic meat for Nigerians. We only borrowed about N300 million to make up the balance of N1billion from First Bank. So, it is not an individual that brought the money, it is a group thing. What measures are in place to export your products to the international market? Since we went online to tell the world, this is what we are doing, we have been receiving inquiries, people expressing their interests and some come to see the quality of what we are doing. Some are assuring us of their readiness to partner with us. Also they want to be our distributors. I believe that, whatever you are doing and you are doing it very well, people will surely look for you.

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

January 26, 2013

Sanitary pads as money spinner

he Federal Government announced last year in the 2012 budget its intention to generate over 20 million jobs in the country. This is highly commendable. However, the problem of unemployment is not the sole responsibility of Federal Government. It is the responsibility of everybody. The major responsibility of the government is mainly to provide enabling operating environment for businesses and policies that will encourage establishment of private businesses. The importance of small and medium scale industries/enterprises in employment generation, mitigation of rural-urban drift, enhancement of local technology and increased local production cannot be over emphasised. The experience of developed countries such as the United States, Canada, Britain and newly developing countries like Japan, China, India, South- Korea, Singapore, Taiwan etc speak for itself. The realisation of the importance and potentiality of the small and medium scale industrial sector has aroused the interest of UN agencies such as ILO, UNDP and UNIDO to sponsor expert studies in Africa which strongly recommended the development of small and medium scale industries as the major meaningful creation of more employment and national development. Therefore all hands should be on deck to support the Government and the society by establishing one small or medium scale manufacturing industry that will employ few unemployed youths. One of the projects we recommend to you is the establishment of sanitary pads production plant. Sanitary pads and towels are daily consumables in every home. The patronage of these products is fast gaining currency especially among the urban elite. Mainly the housewives, spinsters and bachelors use the products. Nursing mothers are in love with sanitary towels and pads. Ladies also make good use of them. Any prospective investor in this area will not regret investing in this. However, there is need to be as professional as possible. The writer will guide prospective in-

vestors in setting up this project from feasibility studies, site planning, procurement and installation of machines, development of marketing strategies and recruitment of experienced manpower to manage the project for profit. Please call 08034494437, 08023664368, 01-7349363 for detail discussion. Despite the increasing demand for the product the supply is not encouraging. There are very few producers in Nigeria and more producers are required to produce either in small; medium or large scale. In this brief profile the writer manufacturing/ industrial projects consultant discusses how to set up and manage this profit earning and viable project in Nigeria.

Market analysis Sanitary pads/towels as stated above have wide applications in the homes, offices, travellers, fast food centres, restaurants to mention but a few. Ladies and women use sanitary pad extensively. There is a large market for the consumption of sanitary pads. From preliminary studies carried out; there are only two major products in the market at the moment. This is not enough for a large populated nation like Nigeria with a population figure of about 150 million people. There are thirty-six states with state capital, Abuja. Therefore with very good marketing plans and strategies there is no doubt that any new comer will always create a favourable marketing niche for their products. Apart from selling within the country, producers have the opportunity of selling across the borders of the country to other African countries. Detailed marketing strategies for easy penetration into the market will be given to prospective investors.

Raw material application

The major raw material is the cotton lint. This is a raw material processed and obtained from cotton. The raw material usually comes in looms, usually light in weight and whitish in colour. The raw materials are locally available and can be

purchased from few textile companies or some identified dealers on the material across the country. Details will be given to prospective investors on contacting the writer. From our study, raw material is not going to impose any serious problem to prospective investors.

Plant and machinery

The machines required for this project are simple. In the small-scale level the machines comprise of automatic stitching machine, automatic cutting and binding machine, automatic sealing and packaging machine, measurement rules and inscription machine. The machines can be obtained from some identified companies from Korea, Russia, China and Poland. Details will be given to prospective investors on contacting the writer. The production capacity of the plant is average of 3,500 pieces of sanitary pads/ towels per shift of 8 hours. Larger capacity machines can be arranged for in the case of medium or large scale of production.

Production process

The production process is mechanised as briefly described as follows: The cotton lint is purchased from recommended textile companies within and outside Nigeria. The rolls are fixed in the automatic cutting machine. The cutting is neatly done according to dimensions, which could be determined whether small, medium or large size is to be produced. Then the cut rolls are sealed and stitched by the automatic stitching machines. The stitched whitish sanitary pads/ towels are then sealed within scripted polyethylene bags and sealed finally for sales.

Packaging The sanitary pads/ towels are packed in six to 12 pieces per packet depending on the size of envisaged products. The product should be packed with quality and attractive nylon or polyethylene material. The products should be covered to avoid water from easily pen-

etrating into the contents. For the sanitary towels a pack of 12 pieces measuring between 3ft x 4ft and 4ft-5ft can be packed in dozens per roll for sale.

Other factors to be considered

The project can be located in any part of the country, provided adequate considerations have been made in terms of nearness to raw materials, regular power supply, and labour requirements. Details will be established when discussed with prospective investors. Nearness to market is also very important.

Financial implication Detailed financial implication of going into this project will actually be established after a comprehensive feasibility studies must have been concluded and all variables and cost elements considered. This will depend on the location of the proposed project the type of machines required by the proposed investor and scale of operation (whether small, medium or large scale) proposed by the investor. These facts can only be established on discussing with prospective investor. However from preliminary review carried out, the projected cost of the project is about N17.0million (breakdown shown below) on a medium scale. The cost may go up if it is going to be on a large scale and lower if it is meant to be on a small scale. From investment analysis, the profit margin is very high; return on investment is over 50 per cent and Net Present Value position.

Implementation The writer will guide prospective investors in setting up this project from feasibility studies, site planning, procurement and installation of machines, development of marketing strategies and recruitment of experienced manpower to manage the project for profit. Please call 08034494437, 08023664368 for detail discussion. For details please contact the writer

Courtesy: Uba Godwin, ubagodwin@yahoo.com

January 26, 2013

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

‘Successful fashion designing requires business acumen’ FUNMI SALOME JOHNSON

loth making business in Nigeria can be described as a classic case of getting ahead of oneself. Like most cases in life, one must crawl before walking. In the past decade, there had been an influx of fashion labels into the industry. Fashion designing has now gone beyond a trip to Lagos Island to purchase Ankara, hiring a tailor to sew clothes and putting it on the runway. Today, clothing business is about meeting up with the competition at the international level and that is what any dynamic and business minded cloth maker should always have in mind says Wale Diamond Odutayo the CEO of Black Diamond Clothes located at the heart of Apapa Road in Ebute Meta West. For Odutayo, cloth making is a passion that has been from childhood especially the secondary school days. This he said emanated from his mother. “Passion led me into the fashion business and this passion has been in me from my secondary school days when I developed interest in designing,” he explained. Having been into the business of cloth making in the last 13 years, Odutayo has witnessed the evolvement of the industry into what it is now in the country. “The business of cloth making is no longer the small business you can start with a token anymore: unless you do not want to compete well with the international market. Otherwise you need a very good capital to be able to start off well enough to compete anywhere in the world. On a low scale, you will need an average of N350,000 to

Odutayo

ON A LOW SCALE, YOU WILL NEED AN

N350,000 TO N400,000 WHILE

AVERAGE OF

ON A LARGE SCALE YOU WILL NEED AS MUCH AS

N7 MILLION

AND ABOVE N400,000 while on a large scale you will need as much as N7 million to infinity” Odutayo added. He explained that fund is a major challenge in the business adding that the banks are not really helping matters by their refusal to give loans to small medium enterprise as it hitherto was. “The business is very capital intensive these days and the fund is not there so that makes it quite challenging for those of us in it” lamented Odutayo. He further listed other challenges of

the business to include power supply which has been epileptic for some time now. “The issue of power supply is really a big challenge now because we need power to do business but most of the time it is not forthcoming which is why anyone who is planning to do business in this part of the world must be ready to generate their own source of power supply. And that is why the price is always on the high side. The cost of producing clothes and accessories, these days, is very high,” he stated. According to the creative designer and graduate of Lagos Business School, it is very essential to get a formal training both on the job and in the area of its business. This he says is important because even when you have beautiful and creative collections and you lack the business acumen to get the finished products to the final consumers, the business will not be successful. “In any business, you would need to get the necessary basic training as well as learn the business angle of the profession. It is not enough to have beautiful collections when you cannot get them across to those who need these things. That is the reason I went for a programme at the Lagos Business School where we were taught how to identify the business side of every career and how to make it a success. In fashion designing, a formal training is required and this can take as long as one to three years. Business management skill is also an essential factor in this business. You would need to attend Business School, to polish your administrative and market drive’ stated Odutayo. In terms of getting returns on investment, Odutayo disclosed that it

would take an average of three years to fully recover one’s investment while returns can start coming in within some months. He also pointed out that carving a niche is very important in the business in order to create a unique selling point “For instance, I not only make clothes, I also make accessories like shoes, stylish palm slippers, cufflinks, and others. I make corporate, traditional and casual outfits for men,” he said. He further noted that festive periods are usually peak for the business while non festive periods are low sales periods. Despite the high level of patronage the foreign designers get, Odutayo noteed that patronage for locally made outfits are increasing and thus creating more market grounds for designers. “These days, a lot of people prefer made in Nigeria clothes and so the market is viable. And to compete well with the international standard, you need to buy industrial machines, train and retrain your staff. It is also very vital to go for trade exhibitions both locally and internationally because it is part of what makes your label known and subsequently accepted, “he added. On how lucrative the business is, Odutayo declared that the business is quite a lucrative one anywhere in the world. “The business is very lucrative because there is no where that people don’t wear clothes. It is true that we have a lot of readymade clothes around but you have some people who are very tall and slim and have difficulty in getting the real size. It is either short at the sleeves for them or it is too big. So for such ones, they will always prefer the services of people like us, “he noted.

Crime Watch Crime Watch

P. 51

Cut-throat competition: Okada men in bloody fight

BRIEFS

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January 26, 2013

I thought drug was food seasoning –Drug courier

Notorious armed robber killed in Enugu

notorious armed robbery kingpin, identified as Ikechukwu Okeagu, alias O/C Torture, has met his waterloo during a gun duel with the robbery kingpin. Okeagu, said to have long been on the wanted list of security operatives in the state, was allegedly notorious for snatching of cars and dispossessing owners of their valuables. Okeagu was killed with one Ezechukwu Nwosu and another whose identity could not be ascertained as at press time. In a release by Enugu State Police Command Public Relations Officer, Ebere Amaraizu, security operatives of Uwani Division of the Enugu State command, had reportedly received a distress call on Saturday, January 19, 2013, at about 5:30pm, at Ekwueme axis of Uwani in Enugu South Local Government Area of the state. Amaraizu said that the police team responded to the distress call promptly and on approaching by, the robbers opened fire on the operatives and in the return fire, the suspected hoodlums were arrested with bullet injuries and were later rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment.

Electrician, 22, jailed for house breaking, theft

Jos Chief Magistrate’s Court on Friday sentenced a 22-yearold electrician, Farouk Yakubu, to 12 months imprisonment for conspiracy, House breaking and theft. Yakubu was sentenced for conspiring with his friends, Baba Ali and Yunusa Shehu, now at large, to break into the shop of one Mathew Wotor. The convict stole a laptop and a camera, all valued at about N350,000. The court, however, gave the convict an option to pay N10,000. Chief Magistrate Ladi Madaki, while delivering her judgment, said the prosecutor had convinced the court ``beyond reasonable doubt’’ that the convict committed the offences. Madaki further said that the evidences provided by the prosecution against the convict assisted the court to convict him. She also said that the court relied heavily on Section 157 (1) of the Criminal Procedure Code that stipulates quick punishment for suspects who plead guilty to their offences. “The court convicted the accused based on the strength of his plea that he committed the offences,’’ the Judge said.

Ugochukwu

Bolarinwa and Ofunaya

The trio of Abiodun Ofunaya, Bolarinwa Labaika and Ugochukwu Amagbu are clearing agents at the Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO) of the Murtala Muhamed International Airport. But they have been absent from their posts since. Reason: They are now guests of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA). How?

SEGUN ADIO

clearing agent recently stunned investigators when he declared that he took the consignment of banned methamphetamine drugs he was reportedly shipping out of the country to be a popular food seasoning, Ajino Moto. The clearing agent, Abiodun Ofunaya, was recently apprehended together with two work mates at the Murtala Muhamed International Airport, Lagos State. His partners are Bolarinwa Labaika and Ugochukwu Amagbu. The trio are

currently being investigated by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for their complicity in the suspected crime. Labaika, 31, Ofunaya, 30 and Amagbu, 39, were clearing agents operating at the Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO) export seat of the famed airport until their arrest by anti-narcotics agents. According to NDLEA sources, the total weight of the drugs the three allegedly attempted to smuggle out of the country was 36.44kg. The drug was concealed in foodstuffs and laptop bags which they declared as personal effect. The foodstuffs the banned substances were being smuggled in are popular Nigerian staples of garri, dry fish and some other food ingredients. The consignments were reportedly scheduled to be smuggled into an Emirate flight enroute Malaysia. Airport NDLEA sources claimed that the first consignment of the banned drug belonging to Labaika and Ofunaya were hidden in garri, dry fish and yams. They reportedly weighed 6.955kg, while the second consignment, belonging to Amagbu, which weighed, 29.485kg, was hidden in laptop bags. Upon discovery of the banned drugs, the three agents were invited by anti-narcotics operatives and subjected to questioning over the consignment. During investigation, Labaika claimed that his colleague, Ofunaya invited him to be part of the deal, but that he was not the original consignor of the banned

drug. According to Labika, “I want to say for the umpteenth time that Ofunaya invited me for the business. It did not originate from me. I was contacted by Abiodun to handle a shipment and I agreed to work with him. That is all I know about the whole thing,” Labaika said. On his part, Ofunaya, who admitted that the consignment was brought to him by a client to ship to Malaysia, claimed that the owner told him that the items in the luggage were mainly foodstuffs and food seasoning. “I think my mistake was that I believe the owner of the luggage more than necessary. The owner told me it contained garri, dry fish and food ingredients. I thought the drug is a food seasoning known as ajino moto,” Ofunaya said. Amagbu who was handling the consignment with 29.485kg of methamphetamine said that the consignor told him that it contained personal effects. He was unable to provide convincing response to questions whether or not he did open the bag before he accepted it from the owner. Reacting to the arrest of the three clearing agents, Chairman of the NDLEA, Alhaji Ahmadu Giade, warned other clearing agents with similar evil intent to learn from the three suspects. “Agents are expected to take necessary precautionary measures such as knowing their customers and conducting checks on any consignment for shipment. The agency will continue to prosecute agents whenever we detect drugs in any cargo that they are processing. Investigation had commenced and we hope to apprehend other persons connected with the illegal shipment” Giade assured. Spokesman for the agency, Mitchell Ofoyeju told Saturday Mirror that the suspects would be prosecuted once investigation is completed.

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CRIME WATCH

January 26, 2013

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Carnival gone sour!

Cultists kill man, pluck another’s eye, loot shops It began as a celebration of the ending of the year, 2012. It was a carnival. However, hours into the event sounds of laughter, songs and merriment became shouts of anguish, groans of pain and distress. SEGUN ADIO

esidents of Ori-Okuta, a suburb of Imota community in the Ikorodu Local government Area of Lagos State recently were thrown into confusion and anguish when suspected cultists laid siege to their community last Boxing Day. In the fracas numerous shops were looted, houses vandalised, innocent women and girls raped and properties worth millions of naira destroyed. On 26 December, 2012, no fewer than 12 suspected cultists invaded Ori Okuta while residents were celebrating the annual carnival of the agrarian community. Trouble, according to witnesses, started when one Saka Abudu, said to be a member of Eiye Confraternity group, was ambushed at the carnival and reportedly shot dead by the rampaging cultists. It was gathered that the suspected cultists had mingled with the celebrants at the carnival but unknown to participants, the group had a different mission there. The slain Abudu was also one of the participants at the carnival. An eyewitness claimed

Alimi

that around 1:00 a.m, deep into the programme, the cultists eventually located their prey, Abudu, and wasted no time in going for him. Apparently sensing danger, he made an attempt at escaping from the scene. But, he was a little too late. Just as he was about scaling a nearby fence, one of the cultists (name withheld) gave him a chase and allegedly shot him at close range. It was the beginning of the problem and in the end it was a pandemonium. That was the beginning of pandemonium at

the carnival. The resulting confusion sent celebrants in different directions while the cultists had a field day carrying out their heinous crime. While the acclaimed cultist that shot Abudu tried to make his way out of the confusion that already engulfed the area, he reportedly landed on one Azeez, a member of the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) set to be employed as one of the night guards in the area. The night guard wasted no time in apprehending the fleeing cultist; allegedly with

the gun he killed Abudu with in his hand. Azeez immediately yelled for reinforcement from his other night guards, but before help could come, other members of the arrested cultists came to where their member was being held and overpowered the night guard and freed their own. The slain Abudu was reported to have being a member of the same group that hatched him down after falling out of favour with them. Rather than leave the community, the cultists reportedly marched round the community chanting war songs. They reportedly used the commotion that attended their action to loot shops, vandalise vehicles and rape a some of innocent girls and women. According to reports, the first house they attacked belonged to the acclaimed leader of the OPC in the community, Abiodun Akerejola, whose vehicles were completely damaged. Akerejola and his family managed to escape the onslaught by the whiskers and reportedly ran to the Imota Police Station for refuge. Idowu Lasisi was another victim of the cultists’ attack as he had one of his eyes plucked out of its socket by the rampaging hoodlums.

Another victim of the rampaging cultists was Madam Tawakalitu Bello. Bello lives at Toopo Street, Imota. During the fracas, her house was reportedly burnt down, with property worth millions of naira reportedly destroyed in the inferno. By the time law enforcement agents arrived the scene, the cultists had reported fled in different directions, but investigations revealed that they are currently cooling their heels at the Federal Special Anti Robbery Squad, Lagos. Speaking with Saturday Mirror, Akerejola claimed that but for God, he and his entire family would have been wiped out by the cultists. “It was God that saved my life and that of my family. I am one of those who try to maintain security in the community by guarding the entire place. Maybe that informed their coming to my house to attack me I would not know. But their actions would not deter us from fishing out bad elements in the community,” he said. A mechanic, barber in the community simply known as Tolulope told our reporter that the cultists had been in the community several hours before the carnival began. “This carnival would be third in the community and we have never had it this bad. We were deep into the event when we heard gunshots which led to pandemonium. It was later that we discovered that one man was shot dead, and another man’s eye plucked out. Several houses and shops were also looted by the people,” Tolulope said.

Crime Extra Cut-throat competition: Okada men in bloody fight Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

January 26, 2013

Cut-throat competition, pundits have always maintained, keeps prices low. That was the case last Wednesday between Olajide Adeotan, a commercial motorcyclist operator in a Lagos suburb, and his colleagues. Now he lies critically ill at a private hospital as a result of multiple injuries sustained in a fight over his behaviour. How did it happen? SEGUN ADIO

ell was let loose on Wednesday, 23 January, 2013, when two friends were embroiled in fierce combat which led to one of them being rushed to hospital for medical attention. As at the time of writing this report, Olajide Adeotan is reported to have received four pints of blood and could barely move his body; all because of the injury he sustained during the brawl with his colleague. The hospitalised Jide, Saturday Mirror learnt, is billed to wave bye to bachelorhood today when he takes his fiancée of five years, Monsurat, to the altar. The said Monsurat is seven months pregnant. Indeed, preparations for Jide’s wedding had reached an advanced stage and he had been running from pillar to post trying to raise money towards the occasion. On his part, Bola is married with a child. His wife is also currently heavy with child. But last Wednesday, Jide, 27, and Bola, 25, threw caution to the winds and fought until the former sustained a serious injury which landed him in the hospital. Both men ride commercial motorcycles, known as Okada in the local parlance, at White House Bus Stop, Ajasa Command area of Agbado/Oke-Odo Local Council Development Area of Lagos State. The time was around 8:05p.m, and the rush hour for office work-

ers who were returning from their various offices. The many Okadas plying their trade at the bus stop into Amikanle, Alaso areas of the community were obviously not enough to meet the demands of the sea of heads waiting for their turn to be conveyed home. Saturday Mirror gathered that the fight between the two started when Jide reportedly contravened the fare agreed by the Okada operators for all their destinations during the m rush hour. Jide reportedly moved his Okada a little far away from where other operators were and agreed to a lesser fare from stranded passengers. Twice he had reportedly done that and was warned by Bola and other operators there to desists, but Jide was adamant. When Jide was about repeating it the third time, Bola reportedly vowed to stop him which he did, albeit with a part of his body deeply wounded with a broken bottle. Jide had returned from the second trip and was negotiating with another passenger when Bola rushed to the spot and prevented the passenger from climbing the Okada. Trouble soon started between the two colleagues and before anyone knew what was happening, Jide grabbed a plank and hit Bola with it. Bola would not wait to be hit by the enraged Jide. Instead, he dashed into the corner of the area, grabbed a bottle and broke it. Bola ran towards Jide and before he could be prevented,

he stabbed Jide several times on his neck and other parts of the body. It was at that point that other Okada operators rushed to separate the feuding colleagues. Though the fighting still continued, Jide had already lost too much blood. The husband-to-be soon gave up the fight and crashed onto the ground. He was immediately rushed to a nearby chemist who rejected him and advised that he be taken to a hospital. Jide was reportedly rushed to Savanah Hospital in the area. He has since been receiving treatment there. Bola on his part, reportedly picked his Okada and sped off.

Saturday Mirror spoke with one Mrs. Banjoko, who sells provisions at the bus stop and whose stall was badly damaged by the feuding friends. “I was sitting in my shop when the two men started their fight. I can recall that some of the Okada operators had been warning the man that was injured for a long time, but he did not listen to them. Suddenly, I just saw the two of them wrestling before he was stabbed severally,” she said. Another Okada rider, who did not want his name mentioned, told Saturday Mirror that Jide was fond of subverting union’s orders. According to the elderly Okada operator, “I was not there

when the matter started, but I came to meet some of our people warning him not to bring down the fare. Before anyone knew it, they started fighting and that was how the young man stabbed him. I tell you that had we not rushed him to the hospital, Jide would have died because he lost too much blood,” the elderly man said. When contacted, Jide’s fiancé, Monsurat, was shell shocked. “I know that the devil is a liar. Jide is not a trouble maker and you ask yourself why this will be happening just close to our wedding. My enemies will not laugh over me,” Monsurat said in tears.

Run-away woman driver hits police boss with car SEGUN ADIO

ut for Providence, a police boss attached to Elere Police Station would have been killed by an erratic female driver. The law enforcement officer was reportedly knocked down by the errant female driver while she was being corrected to do the right thing. The gory incident occurred Wednesday, January 16, 2013,

during the morning rush hour at the popular Total Filling Station junction beside the railway crossing in Agege area of the state. Eyewitnesses say around 9:30a.m., a metallic ash Toyota RAV 4 car advanced towards the junction where about four policemen attend to traffic flow in the area. The woman driver had emerged from the Old Abeokuta Road end of the area. At the Total Filling station, it was reported that when the

woman got to the junction where the policemen were patrolling vehicles, her vehicle was pointing to the left while she reportedly turned the vehicle to the right towards Pen Cinema area. At that stage, one of the policemen on duty there approached her apparently to make her realize the danger her attitude could cause to other motorists. The woman refused to be put right of her mistakes. She reportedly engaged the policeman in heated

argument, insisting that she did not commit any offence. She left the engine of the car running right in the middle of the road. The woman’s unremorseful attitude, however, angered the policeman who beckoned on a colleague of his to join him to reprimand the woman. When the woman realized that the policeman was calling for reinforcement, she reportedly wound up the glass of the car and started making frantic phone calls. In no time, a crowd

was already gathering observing the unfolding drama. Already traffic had built up as the woman insisted that she would do what was on her mind. Inside one of the cars parked close to the scene of the incident was the senior police officer, a Superintendent of Police, who was attached to same station as the ones controlling the traffic, and whose duty was to monitor what goes on around his area of jurisdiction.

January 26, 2013

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

REGIONAL NEWS

January 26, 2013

NORTH

FG’s good governance tour, a ruse –Borno commissioner INUSA NDAHI MAIDUGURI

he Borno State commissioner for Home Affairs, Information and Culture, Mr. Inuwa Bwala, has said the ongoing Good Governance Tour being led by the Minister of Information, Labaran Maku, is nothing but a cover up for Federal government’s inadequacies. The commissioner who disclosed this while fielding in question from newsmen in Maiduguri on the preparation of the state to host the Good Governance team yesterday said there is no single project - ongoing or completed - that was executed by the Federal government in the state, that it could be inspected, as such there is no basis of the team’s visit to the state. Mr. Bwala said the tour to Borno State

would rather remain is a mere ‘tea party.’ In his words, “The tour does not in any way represent the yearnings and aspiration of the people of Borno who had been abandoned by the Federal Government in most of the times they needed their presence,” he said.

Continuing, t commissioner sid, “If the Federal Government wants to be welcomed in the state, it should stop paying lip service to the issue of development and be fair to all states irrespective of their party differences.” Bwala said that the federal government projects

in the state, like the Biu Dam, the Maiduguri-Kano Highway, the Chad Basin Development authority (CBDA) and most of the dilapidated federal roads have long been abandoned in the state. He wondered what else needed to be inspected in the state.

Bwala continued in his swipe at federal government, saying, “All we have here in Borno are projects executed by the state government and I don’t think a Federal government team will come to a state and inspect projects that it had not committed a dime in

their execution. “For many years now, Borno state has been battling with insecurity, flood and so on, but neither the presidency or its top aides had deemed it fit to visit us as a people, so what makes them think we need them now?’, Bwala queried.”

Gov Ahmed, Baraje task Muslim faithful on peace WOLE ADEDEJI ILORIN

overnor Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara State has urged Muslim faithful in the country to imbibe the enduring qualities of Prophet Muhammed. Governor Ahmed gave this charge in Ilorin during the celebration of the Eid-El-Maloud festival. Governor Ahmed’s view was re-echoed by a former National Chairman of Peoples Demo-

cratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Kawu Baraje, who also urged Nigerians to continue to live together peacefully and shun acts that are inimical to their harmonious co-existence. Alhaji Baraje also believed that the current security challenges in the country would soon be a thing of the past. In a statement issued by Wahab Oba, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Ahmed, the governor urged Muslims to emulate Prophet Muhammed’s

virtues, by living the prophet’s exemplary leadership style. Governor Ahmed advised that workers in the state should see the holidy declared as an opportunity to reflect on the significance of the period. Similarly, Baraje reminded Muslins that Prophet Mohammed, throughout his life time preached peace and harmonious co- existence among people of different religious beliefs. Baraje punctured

claims by members of some Islamic sects that they are fighting for a particular religion by engaging in taking the lives of innocent citizens. He noted that the birth of Prophet Mohammed was still being celebrated thousands of years after his death, because of his virtues of peacefulness, perseverance and love for his neighbours no matter their creed or beliefs. Meanwhile, former Grand Khadir of the

Kwara State Sharia court of Appeal, Justice Abdulkadir Orire has called for an outright of replacement of the Federal House of Representatives with the old parliamentary system, while Senators should function on part time bases and their allowances reduced drastically. Orire lampooned Nigerian leaders for their insensitivity to the growing number of destitute in the country.

Kano Emirate backs ban on commercial motorcyclists AUGUSTINE MADU WEST KANO

L-R: Bauchi State Commissioner for Works, Mr. Bukata Bukar; Governor Isa Yuguda and State Director-General of Projects, Mr. Aliyu Jibrin, during the foundation laying ceremony of Bauchi State International Airport in Bauchi, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

Katsina approves N150m for traffic lights

he Katsina State Government has said it would spend N150 million to install traffic lights in four local government areas of the state. General Manager, Katsina State Road Maintenance Agency, Alhaji Jamilu Hassan, told journalists in Katsina that the benefiting councils were Daura, Dutsinma,

Funtua and Malumfashi. Hassan said that the agency had identified 10 points where the facilities would be mounted. According to him, each point would cost the government N15 million, adding that the work would be handled by a Kaduna-based indigenous firm, Inter-project. The manager explained that the project would

help to reduce traffic jams in the major cities of the state and improve socioeconomic activities in the areas. Hassan said the agency had replaced street light cables removed by vandals in Katsina metropolis. He added that the agency had fixed street lights in some of the major towns of the state, to

beautify them and enhance business activities. Lamenting the high rate of vandalism of street light cables in the state, the manager urged the public to protect public property in their areas. Hassan said the government rehabilitated a number of urban roads, to improve transportation and business across the state.

he Kano Emirate Council, yesterday threw its weight behind the decision of the Kano State government to ban the operation of commercial motorcyclists in the state. It will be recalled that the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero ‘s convoy was ambushed last week by gunmen using motorcycles, killing no fewer than six person, while injuring a number of others, including two sons of Royal fathers. The incident prompted the state government to place a ban motorcycles in the state. In the aftermath of that attack, Alhaji Ado Bayero and his two wounded sons were flown to London for medical attention. Barring his mind on the ban on commercial motorbikes in a chat with newsmen at the palace on Friday, senior councilor of the emirate council Alhaji Abbas

Sunusi, who is the Wanban Kano, said the emirate is fully in support of the action taken by the state government to ban motorcycles from carrying passengers in the city. Alhaji Sunusi pointed out that apart from the attack on the emir of Kano Alhaji Ado Bayero, motorcycles have been used to perpetrate all kinds of crimes in the state, hence the ban was timely and good for the security of the people. He commended the state government and the security agents for taking the decision, urging the people of the state to rally round support for the security agents in the state in ensuring that Kano is safe for all again. He urged the state government to ensure they provide alternative jobs for some of the commercial motorcyclist who may have lost their means of livelihood by the action of the government.

REGIONAL NEWS

January 26, 2013

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

NORTH

Good sanitation best option to fight polio –Borno Dep Gov INUSA NDAHI MAIDUGURI

orno State Deputy Governor, Alhaji Zannah Umar Mustapha, has said that unless people keep their surroundings clean, the

fight against polio virus will not yield positive result. The deputy governor, who is also the chairman of team campaigning against polio in the state, in an interview with journalists in Mai-

duguri yesterday, called on all local government caretaker chairmen to re-introduce the old sanitary inspection in their various local governments. He said Nigeria, Afghanistan and Pakistan

remained the only countries in the world that are still recording cases of polio and that even in Nigeria polio is a Northern states affair. Alhaji Mustapha said that even as a deputy governor, he wasvacci-

nated when he went for pilgrimage to the Holy land of Saudi Arabia , adding that Saudi as one of the important Islamic country made it mandatory for all pilgrims to be vaccinated. According to him,

Governor Kashim Shettima has accorded high priority to health care delivery and polio in the state in particular and commended the him for his leadership role that has earned him many awards.

Kebbi earmarks N75.6m to sink 630 boreholes

he Kebbi State government has earmarked N75.6 million to sink 630 boreholes in the 21 local government areas of the state, according to an official.

The Commissioner for Water Resources, Alhaji Magaji Bunza, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Birnin Kebbi.

Bunza said that the project was part of ``Water for All” programme introduced last year by the state government and aimed at boosting water supply to the people.

He said that 630 additional boreholes would be completed within the second quarter of 2013. His words, ``We will ensure strict application of the contractual specifica-

tions. The provision of additional 30 motorised boreholes will also be completed within the period in remote areas.’’ Bunza said that 35 earth dams had been provided to boost livestock production, stressing that the financial commitment on water supply would be sustained. He said that the minis-

try, in collaboration with the benefiting communities, would ensure proper maintenance of the boreholes. He called on the local government chairmen to complement the efforts of the government by ensuring that the facilities were properly maintained for the long-term benefit of the people

Kaduna disburses N267m to victims of post-election violence

A scene of the Gombe central market gutted by fire, yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

Sokoto SUBEB wants traditional rulers involved in education

hairman of Sokoto State Universal Education Board (SUBEB), Prof. Musa Maitafsir, yesterday advocated for the active involvement of traditional rulers in running education at all levels. Maitafsir Made the appeal in Sokoto when members of the state’s Community Education Forum paid him a courtesy call. According to him, “This is the only way the standard of education could be resuscitated in the nation. They were hitherto involved in the running of the education sector as against the current fire brigade roles being given to

them,’’ he said. The forum was created by the Northern Education Initiative (NEI), an international education NGO, supported by USAID. Represented by the Secretary of the board, Alhaji Ibrahim Dingyadi, the chairman said traditional rulers were not involved in formulating and implementing education policies, adding that the trend should be urgently reversed. The Chairman of the state House of Assembly Committee on Education, Alhaji Malami Galadanchi, pledged to do everything humanly possible to improve the

standard of education in the state. The state Commissioner for Education, Alhaji Bello Danchadi, stressed the need for parents to actively complement government’s effort in funding of the sector. The chairman of the 15-man forum, Alhaji Muhammadu Aliyu, said it was designed to enable all the basic education stakeholders to address the challenges facing the sector. “This is with the view to develop an action plan to turn around the fortunes of education in the state and improve it for the better. ``As it is now, we are seriously lagging behind, in spite of all the efforts being made by the government. The re-

sponsibility is a collective one,’’ he urged. Another member of the forum, Hajiya Sa’adatu Sambo, who is also the Education Secretary of Wamakko Local Government, underscored the need to give priority to girl-child education. ``The forum will also look at ways through which wealthy individuals can sponsor indigent youths to pursue education at all levels,’’ she said. The Patron of the forum, Alhaji Sani Umar, who is also the District Head of Gagi in Sokoto South Local Government Area, pledged the commitment of members to restore the glory of education in the state.

aduna State government has disbursed N267 million to victims of the April 2011 post- election crisis in Southern Kaduna. Special Adviser to the state government on Christian Religious Matters, Rev. Joseph Hayab, disclosed this during the disbursement exercise in Kafanchan. Hayab said that 1,694 owners of residential houses and places of worship, whose properties were destroyed during the crisis, received N150,000 each. He said the exercise, which was categorised into three zones, had also begun in other parts of the state. The special adviser stated that Southern Kaduna, which is zone `c’, comprises of Jaba, Zango, Kachia and Kaura Local Government Areas of the state. The state Deputy Governor and Chairman of the Disbursement Committee, Mr Nuhu Bajoga, supervised the exercise. He charged the beneficiaries to shun all tendencies that could

undermine the corporate existence of the diverse ethnic groups in the area. Bajoga said the victims should consider the gesture as a token to alleviate the untold hardship they were exposed to. He, therefore, urged them to make judicious use of the money. Some of the beneficiaries who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) expressed their satisfaction over the timely gesture. One of the beneficiaries, Malam Abubakar Dogo of Jaba Local Government Area commended the state government. He said that although the assistance was long overdue, it would go a long way in cushioning the suffering of his family. Another victim, Rev. Phili Daniel of the Assemblies of God Church, Kafanchan, said the assistance had given them a sense of belonging. He said the disbursement also brought affected persons from different parts of the state together.

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

January 26, 2013

Britain’s economy flirts with ‘triple dip’ recession

ritain’s economy shrank more than expected at the end of 2012 with a North Sea oil production slump, lower factory output and a hangover from London’s Olympics pushing it perilously close to a “triple-dip” recession. The country’s gross domestic product fell 0.3 percent in the fourth quarter, the Office for National Statistics said yesterday, sharper than a 0.1 percent decline forecast by analysts. The news is a blow for Britain’s Conservative-led government, which a day earlier defended its aus-

terity programme against criticism from the International Monetary Fund. It needs solid growth to meet its budget targets, keep a triple-A debt rating and bolster its chances of winning a 2015 election. Sterling fell to its lowest in 13-1/2 months against the euro and hit a five-month low against the dollar in response to the data. The euro was also buoyed by a stronger-than-expected German Ifo sentiment survey. “There are no positive takeaways from today’s first (GDP) estimate,” said Lee Hopley, chief economist for the EEF manufacturers’ association. “Even assum-

ing some unwinding of activity from the Olympics boost in the previous quarter, this still leaves no real signs of underlying growth in the economy.” Britain’s economy is now 3.3 percent smaller than its peak in Q1 2008, having recovered only about half the output lost during the financial crisis - a worse performance than most other major economies. The country slipped back into recession in the last three months of 2011, and only emerged from it in the third quarter of 2012, after a boost from the London Olympics.

After a bout of snowy weather in January - which is likely to have hit spending and output - the risk is that the economy will continue to shrink in the first three months of this year, technically pushing it into a rare “triple dip” recession. Britain’s biggest department store group, John Lewis, said earlier yesterday that snow was responsible for its sales growth stalling in the latest week. In economic terms, the picture remains one of stagnation over the past year. But politically, the latest dip in national output is more incendiary.

Mali crisis: US admits mistakes in training local troops

he US military commander in Africa says the Pentagon made mistakes in its training of Malian troops now trying to oust Islamists from the north. Gen Carter Ham of United States Africa Command (Africom) said its forces had failed to train Malian troops on “values, ethics and a military ethos”. He was speaking after reports of abuses by Mali government troops taking part in the French-led counter-offensive. Meanwhile, air strikes have been reported near the northern city of Gao. The militant stronghold came under fire as the military operation en-

tered its third week. Islamists seized the north of Mali last year and have imposed a strict interpretation of Sharia, or Islamic law, on its inhabitants. France intervened militarily on January 11 to stop them advancing further south. However, human rights groups have since accused Malian troops of killing Arabs and ethnic Tuaregs as they advance north. The claims caused alarm in the West, particularly in the US, which has been training troops in Mali and neighbouring countries to tackle the militant threat for several years.

North Korea threatens war with South over U.N. sanctions

The City of Davos-Kloster, Switzerland, covered by snow, as temperature was minus 13 degrees centigrade. during the 2013 World Economic Forum recently. PHOTO: NAN

UK’s oldest pimp, Grandfather, 77, fined £140,000 for running two brothels z Claims he was ‘keeping women safe’

grandfather slapped with a £140,000 fine for running two brothels has said he was only trying to ‘keep women safe’. Raymond Telford, 77, who has been operating the brothels for more than 25 years, also called for prostitution to be legalized and said he ‘will open up more premises’ if it is. He claimed to have operated premises for gay, lesbian, transvestite and transsexual clients over the years and said people should not ridicule his work because it ‘saves lives’.

The pensioner was speaking after being ordered to pay £140,000 at a Proceeds of Crime Act hearing at Leeds Crown Court yesterday. His case related to police raids on addresses in Leeds, West Yorkshire, in December 2010, when prostitutes were found to be working and clients accepted they were paying for sexual services. Telford said he was refusing to call time on his career as a brothel owner, and added: ‘I suppose at my age I should be calling it a day. ‘But I think one day it will be legalized in this

country and, if I’m still around when it is, I will open some more premises.’ Reacting to the decision of the court, he said: ‘Life is life and I will just have to pay it. ‘But what most people don’t understand is that by closing me down they are just endangering more working girls. ‘They will continue working whatever happens but this time they will be doing it on their own where they are more vulnerable. ‘At my place the working girls were much safer, they had health visits each month by a doctor and got

condoms and everything they needed. We have got to look at things in perspective. ‘I think if it went to a vote most people would agree that prostitution should be legalized as long as brothels are properly regulated.’ Telford said he had spent years working in construction, based in Holland and Saudi Arabia, before opening his first brothel in Leeds in the 1980s. He said: ‘I have been around working girls for most of my life and nearly all of them are decent people. To do what I did you need to know how their brains work and what makes them tick.

orth Korea threatened to attack rival South Korea if Seoul joined a new round of tightened U.N. sanctions, as Washington unveiled more of its own economic restrictions following Pyongyang’s rocket launch last month. In a third straight day of fiery rhetoric, the North directed its verbal onslaught at its neighbor yesterday, saying: “’Sanctions’ mean a war and a declaration of war against us.” The reclusive North has this week declared a boycott of all dialogue aimed at ending its nuclear program

and vowed to conduct more rocket and nuclear tests after the U.N. Security Council censured it for a December long-range missile launch. “If the puppet group of traitors takes a direct part in the U.N. ‘sanctions,’ the DPRK will take strong physical counter-measures against it,” the North’s Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of Korea said, referring to the South. The committee is the North’s front for dealings with the South. DPRK is short for the North’s official name, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.

Iraq troops kill four in clashes with Sunni protesters

raqi troops shot dead at least four people during clashes with Sunni Muslim protesters in Falluja yesterday in escalating unrest against Shi’ite Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki. A Reuters witness said troops initially fired in the air to disperse crowds, but then he saw some soldiers fire towards protesters who had approached their military vehicles and set one of them on fire. Thousands of Sunnis have taken to the streets to protest against mistreatment of their minority sect since late December, increasing worries

that Iraq could slide back into widespread sectarian confrontation. Yesterday’s violence complicates Maliki’s attempts to end the protests, where demands range from amendment of terrorism laws that many Sunnis feel single them out to more radical calls for the Shi’ite leader to step down. After thousands gathered for yesterday’s Friday prayers in Falluja, a mostly Sunni city 50 km (30 miles) north of the capital, clashes broke out when troops arrested three protesters and others tried to block a major highway, officials said.

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If a traditional ruler of the Emir of Kano’s status cannot move freely in his community, then nobody is safe in Nigeria. The attack on him is embarrassing, just like that on soldiers who were on the way to peacekeeping mission in Mali. Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, speaking about the recent armed attacks on the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero, and some soldiers.

Saturday, January 26, 2013. www.nationalmirroronline.net

Obama’s second coming: What’s in it for Africa? (II)

nother success story for the continent has been its growing ability to manage conflicts. The African Union and the respective Regional Economic Councils have been at the fore –front of providing leadership in addressing conflict prone challenges, mediation and peace-keeping efforts where required. Today, the non-interference posture of the OAU has given way for the pro-activeness of the AU. However, much more needs to be urgently done especially in resolving the lingering crises in countries such as Somalia and Mali and the border disputes between Sudan and South Sudan. The relative peace and stability in the continent at the moment has also increased investor confidence both from home and from abroad. According to the African Economic Outlook, Southern and Western Africa attracted 55% of Africa’s total investment in 2011. The top five recipients were Nigeria, South Africa, Morocco, Angola and the Congo Republic, by themselves attracting 48% of the 2011 total. Nigeria’s oil industry and large consumer market made it the continent’s top investment recipient, taking over from Angola, with a total of USD 7.36 billion. These successes have been achieved by the commitment of African leaders who are convinced that to attract foreign support, we must put our house in order. The World Bank Doing Business

with President Olusegun Obasanjo hexcellency2011@yahoo.com

IT BEHOVES THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION TO FULLY RECOGNISE THAT AFRICA IS GRADUALLY BUT FIRMLY MOVING AWAY

AFRICA OF WARS, HUNGER, DISEASE, AND ABOVE ALL, OF STRONG MEN FROM THE

Report 2012 indicates that a record 78% of African economies pursued regulatory reforms. Over the past six years the average had stood at 56%. In 2011, five African countries were in the “top reformers” list: Morocco, Cape Verde, Sao Tome and Principe, Burundi and Sierra Leone. These reforms can be linked to the expansion in total U.S. trade (imports plus exports) with SSA countries in 2010 and 2011, which grew by 29.5% and 17%

respectively, after a decrease in total trade by 40% in the 2008-2009 timeframe. While a number of these exports from Africa have been natural resources, the next frontier will be in developing the local capacity to encourage export of finished products, reduce unemployment and grow the local economies. Increasing Africa’s capacity to produce goods for export that are diverse, competitive, and meet global standards, increasing cooper-

SPORT EXTRA

AFCON: Chipolopolo holds unlucky Eagles ANDREW EKEJIUBA

he Chipolopolo of Zambia, yesterday at the prestigious Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit, held hard-fighting Super Eagles of Nigeria to a pulsating 1-1 draw at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa. Zambia goalkeeper Kennedy Mweene scored an 85th minute penalty to rescue a point for the Africa Cup of Nations defending champions. Mweene sent his spot-kick into the top corner to beat goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama, after Nigeria’s Ogenyi Onanzi was harshly ruled to have fouled Em-

manuel Mayuka. Earlier in the game, the Eagles had failed to convert a penalty awarded to them against the ambitious Zambians, as John Obi Mikel’s shot hit the post to leave the scores at 0-0 apiece at the end of the first half. In the second half, Emmanuel Emenike was on sung as he cut inside his opponent’s vital area to slot in the muchneeded opener for the Super Eagles at the 57th minute, before Mweene cancelled it with his aforementioned equalizer. For both teams, it was a tie they needed to win to inject life back into their ongoing Africa Cup of Nations campaigns

after being held to draws by unfancied opponents in Group C in their opening matches. Saturday Mirror gathered that Stephen Keshi, who has managed Mali and Togo to the AFCON in the past, even jettisoned celebrating his birthday after turning 51 on Wednesday to focus on the crucial tie against the Chipolopolo. With the result, Nigeria head coach, Keshi is under pressure to guide his troops to a must win last Group C encounter against Walya Antelopes of Ethiopia on Jan 29, in order to progress in the competition after garnering just 2 points from the two matches so far played in the group.

ation and technical assistance on a range of issues, including building Africa’s capacity to meet product standards, food safety and sanitary and phytosanitary requirements, product testing, and certification requirements. Furthermore, taking steps to increase productive capacity and improve the competitiveness of African exports, including by helping to address a range of supply side constraints that raise costs and reduce the efficiency of exports are key initiatives that will further accelerate the growth of African trade. This is already a focus of the Obama administration as enumerated in its U.S. Strategy toward Sub-Saharan Africa document, but action needs to be coordinated and swift. These are some of the modest achievements we have made as a continent to demonstrate our readiness for a more balanced partnership with America and the rest of the world. It behoves the Obama administration to fully recognise that Africa is gradually but firmly moving away from the Africa of wars, hunger, disease, and above all, of strong men. Other global players like the Asians have already taken practical steps to establish their place in this African renaissance. America’s interests and those of the African continent will be better served if the Obama administration, in this second term, further extends its hand of partnership to the African people.

TO BE CONTINUED

AFCON RESULT Nigeria 1-1 Zambia English FA Cup Fixtures Today’s Matches Stoke v Man City 12:45 Bolton v Everton 15:00 Brighton v Arsenal 15:00 Reading v Sheffield Utd 15:00 Man United v Fulham 17:30

Sunday, January 27, 2013 Brentford v Chelsea 12:00 Leeds v Tottenham 14:00 Oldham v Liverpool 16:00

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