Saturday, March 16, 2013

NLC to battle Presidency over pension scam

Vol. 03 No. 13

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Aero Contractors suspends operations indefinitely P. 8

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We’ll compensate owners of demolished P. 10 structures –Ajimobi

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Saturday, March 16, 2013

Presidency, INEC behind APC registration crisis

•Faces masquerading as other APCs unveiled ...As INEC keeps mum on proliferation

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INSIDE MAGA INE ...............

Karen

Genevieve

Sex talk

Why are blokes obsessed with boobs? bo oo oobs? obs?

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Relationships How far can you go with with infidelity? infid delity elity? y

Funke

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•Baby doll chi •Choosing the right weddin for dress fo or your body typ

Celebrity

L-R: Vice-President Namadi Sambo; President Goodluck Jonathan and Chairman, Channels Television, Mr. John Mommoh at a dinner for top Nigerian chief executive officers at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

PHOTO: NAN

Alamieyeseigha: Transparency International asks Jonathan to reverse state pardon Daniel Ademinokan •Why Presidency was silent Why House of Reps seeks S’West PDP strategises immunity for lawmakers to resolve crises P. 6

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Woman dares fibroid P.31

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

March 16, 2013

Why Presidency was silent on state pardon •For Alamieyeseigha, Diya, others ROTIMI FADEYI ABUJA

T Bearing the burden of broken ridges P.33

Our loss is in billions not millions –Victims of Ketu

plank market fire P.35

Woman, 32, defiles friend’s 11-yr-old son P.51

he presidential pardon granted former governor of Bayelsa State, Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha and eight others convicted for various offences was initially shrouded in secrecy because of the public outcry that the decision may generate.

The National Council of State (NCS) at a meeting presided over by President Goodluck Jonathan at the Presidential Villa last Tuesday had granted pardon to the former governor and the others but issued no official statement while journalists were not also briefed on the outcome of the meeting.

Informed sources close to the Presidential Villa told Saturday Mirror that the NCS meeting, which was attended by three former leaders including: General Yakubu Gowon; Alhaji Shehu Shagari and head of Interim National Government (ING), Chief Ernest Shonekan, was initially hesitant to make the pardon public because of the reaction it might generate.

However, other former military Heads of State, including Generals Muhammadu Buhari, Ibrahim Babangida and Abdulsalami Abubakar and former President Olusegun Obasanjo were not at the meeting where the decision to pardon Alamieyeseigha and others was taken.

“There was no clear decision

Diya

on how to make the decision public because of how the public would react to the issue, so there was the need to exercise caution about the matter,” the source said.

Also granted presidential pardon with Alamieyeseigha were former Chief of Staff, Supreme Headquarters, late Major General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua; former Chief of General Staff, Lt. General Oladipo Diya; former Works Minister, late Major General Abdulkareem Adisa; former Minister of Communications, Major General Tajudeen Olanrewaju and Major Segun Fadipe Others were Major Bello Magaji; Mohammed Lima Biu, former head of the defunct Bank of the North, Shettima Bulama and Dr. Chiichii Ashwe.

While the Presidency has

Alamieyeseigha

justified the decision that the prerogative of mercy, granting of pardon was a normal process which the NCS occasionally extend to all manner of people, including ex-convicts, prisoners and those who had committed grave crimes against the country, others, particularly, lawyers and human rights activists, have roundly condemned the action.

But Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs, Dr. Doyin Okupe, while defending the action, said that Nigerians should respect a decision taken by those in position of authority as the NCS. Okupe also said that Jonathan and the NCS had no apologies for the decision as it was taken by an institution created by the Nigerian constitution.

But Lagos lawyer and human

rights activist, Mr. Femi Falana (SAN), said the NCS lacked the power to pardon any person convicted of a criminal offence in Nigeria, as it is an advisory body that cannot usurp the powers of the President on the prerogative of mercy.

While speaking on the pardon for Alamieyeseigha and others, Falana said the decision should not be viewed by Nigerians in isolation but in the context of the atmosphere of impunity in the land.

Former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, who also echoed Falana’s view, faulted the pardon granted Alamieyeseigha, whom the EFCC prosecuted for graft related offences and others who were involved in corrupt practices.

Agent dupes NSE N190m SEGUN ADIO

Couple fleece bank of N41.5m P.49 How rival cults killed man, 26, in supremacy fight P.50

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he Special Fraud Unit, Lagos, has commenced investigations into the alleged defrauding of the Nigeria Stock Exchange (NSE) of N190m, by one of its property managers, Uche Phillips Ehiemere.

Ehiemere, it was alleged, siphoned the said amount, which was revenue accruable to the NSE from its tenants at the Lagos headquarters of the Exchange.

Deputy Superintendent of Police Ngozi Isintume-Agu, spokesperson for the SFU, said

that Ehiemere, the Managing Director of DE-ANCHOR Limited, was arrested following a petition filed against him by the NSE. In a statement by IsintumeAgu, Ehiemere, 60, was in 1999, appointed NSE’s Property Manager and tasked to collect revenue from NSE’s tenants with the mandate to retain five per cent of such rents as service/maintenance charge and remit the balance to NSE’s account.

According to Isintume-Agu, “upon the reconciliation of the accounts in August, 2012, it was discovered that the said Ehiemere has fraudulently converted N190,000,000, being the total sum

collected, to his use without remitting same to NSE’s account.”

Ehiemere was also alleged to have stolen diesel and generator batteries between September, 2012 and January from the NSE. The suspect was also alleged to have specifically collected N10,606,100.40 and N5,234,048.40 respectively from two tenants of the NSE, namely, Central Securities and Clearing System (CSCS) and First Bank of Nigeria Plc respectively, without remittance.

SFU spokesperson, however, claimed that the suspect would be charged to court upon completion of investigation of the allegations against him.

Mohammed Abubakar, IGP

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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March 16, 2013

Saturday Starter

Acclaimed leader of Boko Haram, Imam Shekau flanked by two hooded members of the sect.

One

of

President

Jonathan’s

Goodluck

favourite

quotes

is, “The time for lamentation is

over.

It

is

now

time

for

transformation.” While the jury is out on transformation, no one can argue on lamentation. There is indeed great lamentation across Nigeria, no thanks to acts of terrorism and violence carried out by Boko Haram, especially in the northern parts of the country.

With uncertain talks of ceasefire and

the

general

controversy

surrounding the issue of granting amnesty to Boko Haram, there seems to be no clear end in sight to the lamentation.

OLAJIDE OMOJOLOMOJU, OMEIZA AJAYI, ABUJA AND NDAHI INUSA, MAIDUGURI

I

f Nigerians heaved a sigh of relief when news of Boko Haram declaring a ceasefire filtered across the land, their hopes for peace and quiet after the storm went with the wind when the leader of the main Boko Haram sect, Ibrahim Shekau, denied the ceasefire.

On January 28, 2013, one of the assumed leaders of

Boko Haram: In the throes of ceasefire and amnesty the group had told newsmen: “I am Sheikh Muhammed Abdulazeez Ibn Idris, the second Commander in charge of southern and northern Borno after Imam Abubakar Shekau of Jamaatul Ahjlil Sunna Lidawati wal Jihad, otherwise known as Boko Haram.

“We the members of Jamaatul Ahjlil Sunna Lidawati wal Jihad, otherwise known as Boko Haram, recently had a meeting and dialogue with the government of Borno State, where we resolved that given the prevailing situation, there is the need for us to ceasefire.

“We, on our own, in the top hierarchy of our movement under the leadership of Imam Abubakar Shekau, as well as some of our notable followers, agreed that our brethren in Islam, both women and children are suffering unnecessarily, hence, we resolved that we should bring this crisis to an end.

“We therefore, call on all those that identify themselves with us and our cause, to from today lay down their arms. Let every member who hears this announcement relay it to the next member who hasn’t heard.”

Abdulazeez’s ceasefire offer was generally taken with a pinch of salt, especially when barely 48 hours after his media interaction, one Mujhahideen Marwana, who also claimed to be another second-in-command to the Boko Haram leader, Shekau, dismissed the ceasefire allegedly on the grounds that federal troops had of re-

cent killed at least 47 Boko Haram emissaries in failed dialogue efforts.

Apart from that first declaration of ceasefire, two weeks ago, the same group led by the same Abdulazeez, addressed journalists, reiterating their position on the ceasefire, insisting that the group was speaking the mind of the Boko Haram leader, Shekau, and that most of the killings, kidnapping and attacks going on in Bornu State and some parts of the north were not masterminded by the sect, but by those they described as “criminals”.

Abdulazeez also warned the management and staff of a particular newspaper (not National Mirror) over one of its stories in which it was alleged that the group collected N26.6 billion before agreeing to lay down their arms. It denied any involvement in the kidnapping of seven French nationals who are members of the same family in Cameroon.

In that second address, Abdulazeez said: “The reason for this briefing is to express displeasure on how (the newspaper) kept on spying on the activities of the group through its baseless and fictitious publications which are not only misleading, but unprofessional in the ethics of journalism profession”.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

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March 16, 2013

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Saturday Starter

President Goodluck Jonathan

Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar

Yerima Shetima

Anthony Sani

TO CONDEMN THE

IF AMNESTY IS DECLARED, SO MANY

ACTIVITIES OF THE

OF THESE YOUNG

MAYHEM ON PEOPLE,

BEYOND RHETORIC

SECT WHO ARE YOUR

MEN WHO ARE TIRED

KILLING INNOCENT

AND DO SOMETHING

YOU HAVE REFUSED

IF A GROUP DECIDES

THE GOVERNMENT

TO UNLEASH

NEEDS TO GO

OF RUNNING AND

NIGERIANS, THEN

TALK TO THEM TO LAY

HIDING WOULD COME

THEY DO NOT

ORDER TO MAKE THE

DOWN THEIR ARMS

OUT AND EMBRACE

DESERVE ANY KIND

LEADERS OF THE SECT

FOR PEACE TO REIGN

THIS AMNESTY

OF AMNESTY

SHOW THEIR FACES

CHILDREN…PLEASE

PRACTICAL IN

We never made a truce with anybody –Shekau CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3 The group used the opportunity to debunk such publication, pointing out that it has not received money from anybody or government before it decided to end the hostilities.

Abdulazeez, however, said the group declared ceasefire as a result of intervention from respected individuals who pleaded for peace to reign in the land and wondered why a newspaper would mislead the public that the sect collected billions of naira from the government before it chose to have peace.

While admitting that there is a faction in the group, Abdulazeez condemned the recent killings and bombings in Maiduguri and other parts of the North, even as he called on the perpetrators to desist from hiding under the cloak of Boko Haram to perpetuate criminality.

He said: “It is unfortunate that immediately after the ceasefire, Borno and other places started enjoying relative peace. But after sometime, some faceless individual(s)/groups resorted to killings and bombings,” pointing out that Shekau and the sect are out for peace, if not he wouldn’t have informed the declaration for the ceasefire.

Doubters of the ceasefire were, however, proven right last weekend when Shekau, the leader of the mainstream Boko Haram, refuted the ceasefire. In a video clip posted on YouTube, which was in part, a response to Abdulazeez’s claim to be a Boko Haram commander who has declared a ceasefire on behalf of the sect, Shekau denounced the purported cease-

fire.

In the video, which was about 10 minutes long and widely publicised, Shekau, wearing a green knee-length Kaftan with an AK-47 rifle dangling on his neck, said, “We have never made a truce with anybody, and no one represented us in any dialogue.”

Speaking in Hausa language, Shekau denounced Abdulazeez, the man who made the ceasefire claim, promising punishment for those who falsely represent the group.

His words: “We have not entered into dialogue with anyone. Which kind of dialogue, for God’s sake, when day and night our brothers are being arrested, imprisoned, including women and children?”

The Abdulazeez group has so far kept mum on the YouTube video clip, which denounced their leader as having no link with Boko Haram or Shekau, and therefore being in no position to announce a ceasefire on behalf of the group.

Even as Nigerians continue to wonder when they will truly be free from the yoke of Boko Haram, calls from certain quarters for amnesty for the Boko Haram sect have continued to attract mixed reactions, even as President Jonathan has ruled out government granting amnesty to the sect.

The amnesty call was first mooted by the Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar III on the eve of President Jonathan’s visit to Yobe and Borno states last week. Borno elders also took up the call during the president’s town hall meeting with stakeholders in the State.

The Sultan had appealed to the Federal Government to grant amnesty to all the armed groups operating in Nigeria, adding that the gesture would make anyone who fails to take advantage of the amnesty criminals.

“That will make any person who takes up arms to be termed as a criminal. If amnesty is declared, so many of these young men who are tired of running and hiding would come out and embrace this amnesty. Even if it is one person who is a terrorist and he denounces terrorism, it is the duty of the government to accept that person as he can be used to reach others,” he added.

While the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) agreed with the Sultan that granting Boko Haram amnesty would go a long way to bring the insurgency under control, its youth wing, the Arewa Youth Consultative Forum (AYCF) saw it as setting a bad precedent, arguing that government could as well grant amnesty to kidnappers, armed robbers and other criminals who have held the nation by the jugular.

The ACF, speaking through its spokesman, Anthony Sani, said: Considering this is not a conventional war, the use of force has not been successful hence the clamour for dialogue. And because leaders of Boko Haram may be afraid to show themselves for dialogue out of fear, the Sultan may be suggesting an offer of amnesty in the hope of encouraging the leaders of the sect to come out for dialogue without fear for their lives. That is to say, the Sultan may be saying in his

own way that the government needs to go beyond rhetoric and do something practical in order to make the leaders of the sect show their faces.”

The AYCF, also speaking through its National President, Yerima Shettima, said: “You can’t give amnesty to people you don’t see.

What we are trying to do is setting a bad precedent. The case of Boko Haram is miles apart from the case of the Niger Delta militants. I am a Northerner but if a group of people decides to unleash mayhem on the people, killing innocent Nigerians, then such set of people do not deserve any kind of amnesty.

“If amnesty is granted Boko Haram, armed robbers and kidnappers could as well be granted amnesty for their crimes against the state. The argument about what is good for the goose is sauce for the gander doesn’t hold water. Which is the goose and which is the gander? Boko Haram is not agitating; you cannot be agitating at the expense of the innocent man on the street,” Shettima said.

Former leaders of the Niger Delta militant groups, under the aegis of Leadership Forum in the Niger Delta, have also cautioned President Jonathan over rising calls for the Federal Government to dialogue with Boko Haram.

While describing such move as retrogressive and ill-conceived, the former members of the Movement for Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), argued that though, dialogue was a means of resolving crisis to ensure peace, it would not be in the best interest of government

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

5

March 16, 2013

Saturday Starter

Barrister Mike Ejiofor, a lawyer and retired director of the Department of State Service told OMEIZA AJAYI why the Boko Haram menace has continued unabated, adding that any offer of amnesty or dialogue must be dependent on real ceasefire. Excerpts:

‘Boko Haram’s demands are unreasonable’ mands do not entirely seem reasonable.

Some of their demands are just outright impossibilities that cannot be met by government. Take for instance, the issue of Islamisation of Nigeria. This country is a secular state and it is not possible for that demand to be met.

W

hy do you hold the view that government must not dialogue with Boko Haram despite its offer of ceasefire?

My position is that this offer of ceasefire is not coming from Boko Haram and it is based on the following premises: You will recall that in February, 2012, this same Abdulazeez made the same offer of a ceasefire to government. He made the same offer in August, made it in November when he said there was going to be a bomb-free Christmas. Now, the same Abdulazeez has come with this same offer of a ceasefire. And the question is, if he is actually representing Boko Haram, why is it that each time he makes such an offer, there is an escalation of the crisis? Unless and until Boko Haram leaders come out, make the same offer to government and they ensure that there is a genuine ceasefire, such offer should not be taken seriously.

So, the offer should be rejected?

The offer should be completely rejected until it comes from the appropriate source or authority. And if you look at it again, the members of Boko Haram, incidentally, some of them who are known, are in touch with some strategic persons who can reach out to Boko Haram leaders. So, when the offer comes from the real people, the government would know where such is coming from.

I am not opposed to government negoti-

Ejiofor

ating with Boko Haram, but they must negotiate with genuine leaders of Boko Haram. Also, I want to appeal to leaders of Boko Haram to seize this opportunity.

Because of the crisis in Mali and the involvement of our security forces, there is bound to be an adverse effect in terms of communication between the Boko Haram operatives in Nigeria and those in Mali, because you cannot rule out the possibility of international connection with Al Qaeda. So it is better they come out now and negotiate with government sincerely and frankly before the thing gets out of hand. You will recall that initially when Ibrahim Shekau made an offer, some people were named and somewhere along the line, they said there was a betrayal on the part of government.

Ever since, no meaningful negotiation has been undertaken either on the part of Shekau or the government. So, it is an opportunity for Shekau to come out and address these problems.

There was a recent report that the sect’s leader was shot in Mali.....

(Cuts in) I cannot confirm reports of their leader, Shekau, being shot in Mali but I know that Boko Haram in Nigeria has some international connection through Al-Qaeda. So, with the operation in Mali, it will definitely affect their operational bases outside Nigeria. That is not to say that they cannot operate. But the point I am making is that Boko Haram has made a statement which Nigerians have come to understand. Their de-

the Niger Delta crisis when government granted amnesty to the militants, it was borne out of the fact that the militants in the likes of Asari Dokubo, Ateke Tom, among others, presented themselves physically to the Federal Government where they dialogued with each other.

They laid down their arms before they were granted the amnesty.

“But in the case of Boko Haram, nobody wants to come out and identify himself or herself as Boko Haram, not to even talk of their leaders. So, how can the Federal Government grant amnesty to Boko Haram members who are a faceless group?”

“As government, our doors remain open for dialogue with the sect members who choose to come out in the open so that we can have peace,” he said.

In Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, President Jonathan told Borno elders that the only condition under which he would withdraw men of the Joint Task Force (JTF) drafted to the state to maintain law and order is if they would sign

an agreement that no single life would be lost again in the State.

Addressing Bornu elders, the president said, “If anyone of you want the Federal Government to withdraw JTF troops from the state, you should come and sign an agreement that if anybody is killed after signing the document, I will hold you responsible according to the laws of the land.

“If Boko Haram insurgency is reducing gradually in states like Bauchi, Yobe, Adamawa, Gombe, Niger among others, but in Borno State, the situation is increasing, it is unfortunate, and this is because you the elders have refused to come out and condemn the activities of the sect who are your children…so please talk to your children, who are members of the sect to lay down their arms for peace to reign” Boko Haram has since reacted to the statement credited to President Jonathan, which described them as “ghosts and a faceless group.” A Sheikh Muhammed Abdulazeez Ibn Idris, most probably the

Is there any end in sight to this terror?

Boko Haram, without mincing words, is a big challenge in terms of security in this country and it must be tackled because it is causing a lot of distraction.

We must face it the way it is and settle it because if it continues like this into 2015, there will be a major problem. So, we have to look at the best way to end this. The best way is peaceful means through dialogue. However, I am not saying that the government must fold its hands and wait for dialogue because we cannot watch innocent citizens being killed recklessly.

Do you think our laws on terrorism are too weak?

There is a law to prosecute terrorists but we are saying this is a new development in Nigeria. Terrorism is a special case. So, special tribunals should be set up with specific sanctions that would discourage the operators of Boko Haram.

Take for instance, somebody who has taken it upon himself to die, what other punishment are you going to impose on that person rather than death sentence?

The world is moving away from capital punishment, but we must adopt measures that will also assist us in fighting this terror war.

Throes of ceasefire, amnesty to dialogue with a terrorist group.

In a communiqué signed by their president, Pastor Reuben Wilson, the group said, “For us in the forum, we don’t think it is a good idea to negotiate with Boko Haram. What do they have in the first place? We were in that struggle because we knew what we have. All the money used to develop Abuja and other parts of the country was from the Niger Delta.

That was why we took up arms to gain attention.”

President Goodluck Jonathan may, however, not be in any mood to grant amnesty to Boko Haram, at least for now.

Atan interactive session with Yobe Stakeholders/Elders in Damaturu during his two day working visit to Yobe and Borno states, the president asked, “How can a government grant amnesty to a faceless group or ghosts who have refused to show themselves physically like the Niger Delta militants?

“The issue of granting amnesty to the sect has become public discourse.

But people fail to understand that during

‘leader’ who announced the controversial ceasefire, was reported to have said in a statement that members of Boko Haram cannot be ghosts or a faceless association because they have been in dialogue and consultation with the Borno State Government and a delegation of the Northern State Governors’ Forum.

But Special Adviser to the President on Political Matters, Ahmed Gulak, has said in an interview that as far as the President is concerned, until somebody approaches him to represent the sect, any report of ongoing talks is a speculation which Jonathan cannot act on.

He said, “The President is not aware of any governor either from the North, South, East or West negotiating with Boko Haram. Let any governor that is negotiating with the sect come to the President and tell him that he is representing them and that he wants amnesty for them. As it is now, no governor has come forward to say that, so it is just a speculation and the President cannot work on mere speculation.”

6

NATIONAL NEWS

March 16, 2013

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Presidency, INEC behind APC registration crisis •Faces masquerading as other APCs unveiled OBIORA IFOH ABUJA

T

hree political associations with the same acronym APC have been in exchange of words in the last one week over which of them will earn the right to be registered as a political party, but the Presidency and the

Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) have been accused of masterminding the crisis.

The contending political associations include the All Progressives Congress, All Patriotic Citizens and African Peoples Congress.

The three associations had differently, between February 28 and March 5 applied

To INEC for possible registration as political parties, but crisis erupted when it was observed that all the groups share APC as their acronyms, a development which INEC said it was not comfortable with.

But a group, the Concerned Nigerians, led by Comrade Salihu Mohammed, former President of

National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), said that a Special Adviser in the presidency in collaboration with INEC officials forged documents in favour of two of the associations so as to frustrate the efforts of the merging opposition parties to form a formidable party in other to challenge the dominance of the ruling Peoples

First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan (2nd right) wife of the Senate President, Mrs. Helen Mark (3rd right) with speakers at the 1st Green Women PHOTO: NAN World Congress in Paris, yesterday.

Alamieyeseigha: TI asks Jonathan to reverse state pardon •As controversies trail action

TEMITOPE OGUNBANKE AND EMMA GBEMUDU YENAGOA

T

ransparency International (TI), the global anti-corruption watchdog, which President Goodluck Jonathan once “wrongly” quoted to have favoured his administration’s anti corruption fight, has called on the President to rescind the state pardon granted to former governor of Bayelsa State, Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, who was convicted for money laundering and other corruption offences in 2007.

TI’s Manager for Media and Public Relations, Chris Sanders, in a press statement criticised the government decision, which may qualify Alamieyeseigha to stand for public office again.

The statement quoted TI’s vice chairman, Akere Muna, to have said that “this decision undermines anti-corruption efforts in Nigeria and encourages impunity. If

the government is serious about uprooting public corruption, sanctions against those who betray the public trust should be strengthened, not relaxe “President Jonathan should show that he is committed to fighting corruption and endorse the efforts of law enforcement agencies to end impunity for corrupt officials.”

TI said that one of the highlights of its disposition to the pardon granted the former governor of Bayelsa State and others convicted of corrupt practices is the fact that “Nigeria was ranked 139 out of 174 countries in the 2012 Corruptions Perceptions Index.”

Meanwhile, reactions continued to pour in from Nigerians to the state pardon granted Alamieyeseigha and others by President Jonathan.

Former Minister of Transportation, Chief Ebenezer Babatope and Executive Secretary of the National Summit Group (NSG), Mr. Tony Uranta,

have commended the Federal Government for the gesture, saying that Alamieyeseigha, Gen. Oladipo Diya and the six others granted state pardon deserve the gesture.

Babatope and Uranta in separate reactions to the state pardon told Saturday Mirror that those granted the pardon deserve the government’s good gesture and therefore nobody should carpet the Federal Government for exercising its power of prerogative of mercy.

Babatope told Saturday Mirror in an exclusive interview: “I am happy about the pardon given to Diya and to all of them. As regard Alamieyeseigha, I don’t think one should carpet the Federal Government for giving his pardon because we are yet to arrive at a firm conclusion that the Mallam Nuhu Ribadu-led Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) was independent to crush corruption and not to hunt down presumed opponents of that regime.”

Uranta said that Alamieyeseigha deserved the state pardon granted to

him because of his role in ensuring peace and progress in the Niger Delta region. He noted that the pardon was in tandem with practices all over the world.

His words: “Alamieyeseigha played great roles in bringing the Niger Delta insurgency to an end.

He risked his life to ensure that there was peace in the Niger Delta so as not to affect the nation’s economy that depends so much on oil for revenue.

The former governor is still playing same roles to ensure that the peace in the region is sustained.

“The peace initiatives of Alamieyeseigha have benefitted the country in immeasurable ways.”

In an interview, a rights activist and public affairs analyst, Alagoa Morris, said the President had the discretion to exercise his constitutional power by granting state pardon to Alamieyeseigha and others, but disagreed with the amnesty. Morris regretted that political leaders in the country had looted the nation’s treasury to the detriment of the masses living in penury.

Democratic Party (PDP).

The group, which said that it was already spearheading further strengthening of the opposition ranks through canvassing of more participation of smaller parties in the merger arrangement, however, said that it may not be heading to the courts as the government will as usual have its ways in the prevalent judicial configuration.

According to Comrade Mohammed, “Those that fast tracked the registration of two other association will go to any length to ensure that the opposition merger arrangement is frustrated and blocked. About three APC’s were formed within one week and it is curious that the application forms of the two other associations were filled by legal representation as the against INEC rules. At what point did INEC changed the procedures?”

Explaining further, Barrister Abdul Aminu Mahmud, who himself was also a former NANS president, claimed that most of the forms filled by the two associations were fake and not the real INEC forms. He said that he also detected errors in signatures and names of top officers of the African Peoples Congress as well as the date of submission and signing of the document.

According to him, “This document was produced in one place, INEC office and the office of a Special Adviser to the president funded the arrangement.”

But sources available

to the Saturday Mirror strongly believe that the office of the Special Adviser to the President on Political Matters may have indirect link to the formation All Patriotic Citizens and African Peoples Congress.

Though, efforts to reach the Political Adviser to the President, Alhaji Ahmed Gulak, proved abortive, but the presidential aide had a day earlier told Saturday Mirror that no amount of gang up by the opposition can stop President Goodluck Jonathan from contesting the 2015 election if he so wished.

Gulak, however, said that the President will make his reelection desire public next year.

A popular political activist who had attempted to stop the PDP chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, from contesting the party’s national chairmanship by seeking a court order to restrain him from contesting prior to the national convention of the party last year, was also believed to be behind the formation of the two political associations to frustrate the merger arrangement.

Addressing a press conference on Thursday, the Chairman of the merger committee of the APC, Chief Tom Ikimi said that the group would go ahead with the registration of the party and insisted on retaining the acronym, APC, saying, it satisfied all legal and constitutional requirements for the merger of their parties to form the All Progressive Congress.

El-Rufai, Nigeria’s worst minister ever, says Gulak OBIORA IFOH ABUJA

T

he Special Adviser on Politics to the President, Alhaji Ahmed Gulak has reacted angrily to the alleged condemnation of the Federal Government by the former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Malam Nasir el-Rufai, saying that he could pass as the worst minister Nigeria ever had.

Alhaji Gulak, while addressing various groups that paid him courtesy visits, said that el-Rufai finds joy in seeing Nigerians suffer, as most of the demolitions he embarked on while serving as a minister were primarily his personal decisions and

not of the government.

According to Alhaji Gulak, “It is sad that some privileged Nigerians, especially those that were in government before and because they are no more in government, will not see anything good in government.

“The former of FCT Minister, Nasir El-Rufai was on television few days ago castigating the government as if this government has done nothing since inception, but you will agree with me that when el-Rufai was the FCT minister, the poor was chased out of Abuja, buildings were demolished and a lot of poor people died because of his attitude.”

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NATIONAL NEWS

March 16, 2013

S’West PDP strategises to resolve crises •Dissolution of zonal executive not targeted at Obasanjo OLAJIDE OMOJOLOMOJU

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he Peoples Democratic Party is the South West geopolitical zone has began strategisining to bring the party in the zone out of the doldrums and reposition it for the challenges ahead in 2014 and 2015.

Towards this end, the caretaker committee, set up by the national headquarters of the party in the wake of the dissolution of the zonal executive of the party, during the week held a strategic meeting with members of the party’s Board of Trustees (BoT) in Lagos.

It would be recalled that the zonal executive of the party, headed by former governor of Ekiti State, Engr. Segun Oni, was dissolved last month as a result of the lingering crises that have rocked the party before the 2011 general election and which have continued unabated, leading to series of litigations and conflicting court orders.

In a statement by the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Olisa Metuh, the PDP said that its action was predicated on the judgement of a Federal High Court on May 2, 2012.

The statement read in part: “The National Working Committee (NWC) of the party met on 14th February 2013 and gave careful con-

sideration to the issues and decided that, in line with respect to the rule of law which is a cardinal principle of the present administration, the PDP as a law abiding Party, will immediately comply with the said judgment. This is all the more so that same has not been set aside or reversed by any superior court.”

The NWC immediately set up a Caretaker Committee, headed by Barr. Ishola Filani, to pilot the affairs of the party in the zone pending when states congresses would be conducted. Other members of the caretaker committee include: Chief Pegba Otemolu, Secretary; Adedeji Doherty, Organizing Secretary; Rasak Adekonla Akanni, Auditor; Bolaji Jeje, Youth Leader; Orimolade Olanrewaju, Treasurer; Olawunmi Oshinmoluke Yuba, Woman Leader and Banji Obasanmi , Financial Secretary.

Others were: Barr. Shola Oludipe, Legal Adviser and Lawal Waheed Olatunde, Publicity Secretary.

The mid-week meeting, held at the residence of a member of the PDP BoT, Senator Bode Olajumoke had in attendance all the members of the caretaker committee and other PDP BoT members from the South West – former Deputy National Chairman (South) of the PDP, Alhaji Shuaibu Oladokun, former

Minister of Transport, Chief Ebenezer Babatope and Mrs Aduke Maina.

According to Oyedokun, in an exclusive chat with Saturday Mirror, the meeting which held behind closed doors was to enable the members of the BoT, which is the conscience of the party to advice the caretaker committee and put it on the right path in the right direction, to prepare the party for the challenges ahead.

His words: “Members of the caretaker committee are here to meet members of the Board of Trustees (BoT) from the South West.

The BoT being the conscience and elders of the party, we believe we should give them some advice and put them on the right path.”

Oyedokun said that although there were questions over the mode of setting up of the caretaker committee, they have decided, because of their believe in the legality of the caretaker committee, to do everything possible to join hands with the caretaker committee to move the party forward, especially in the South West and ensure that it is able to put the party on the right footing in the zone.”

On the insinuation that the dissolution of the South West zonal executive was targeted at whittling down the influence of former President Obasanjo in the

PDP, Oyedokun said: “President Obasanjo cannot in any way be relegated to the background in any form.

He has gone beyond that in terms of his stature in politics in the country and across the entire world.

“I can tell you emphatically that as things stand, if President Obasanjo sneezes at his corner there in Ota or Abeokuta, a lot of people shivers and catches cold.

What happened in the PDP is very unfortunate.”

He added that the dissolution was in line with observance of the rule of law, which President Obasanjo himself had been preaching.

It would be recalled that the sack of the South West zonal executive of the PDP was rumoured to be an attempt to checkmate Obasanjo and weaken his influence and power as he was considered a threat to the second term ambition of President Goodluck Jonathan in 2015.

Saying that the PDP elders have identified selfish interest of members of the party from the zone as the bane of the party, Oyedokun said: “But we have seen through all these and the elders of the party in the South West are putting heads together with youths who are very formidable, reasonable, virile and progressive to work together to put an end to all these unnecessary bickering.”

7

NLC to battle presidency over pension scam

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orried by what it described as the shoddy manner the unprecedented large scale fraud that recently rocked the Federal Government pension scheme is being handled by the government, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has drawn a battle line, saying it was ready for a showdown with the Presidency over the matter.

To express its seriousness and level of preparedness, the NLC has directed all its affiliate unions to mobilize for mass action against the Presidency and state governments next month.

The NLC, in a communiqué issued on Thursday and jointly signed by its President, Abdulwaheed Omar and General Secretary, Chris Uyot respectively, after the Tuesday meeting of its Central Working Committee (CWC) in Abuja, disclosed that April 10 has been set as the tentative date for the nationwide protest.

The reaction by the NLC is believed to have been triggered by the anger of the leadership of the NLC over the shoddy handling of the pension scam leveled against former head of the presidential task force on pension reforms, Abdulrasheed Maina, who is currently at large.

The communiqué revealed that the NLC had earlier written the Presidency twice calling for its intervention in the pension crisis, af-

ter using other channels of correspondence to reach the Federal Government, but to no avail.

The NLC CWC said that the Presidency neither acknowledged the letters written to it nor responded to the issues raised publicly by the leadership of the NLC on the plight of pensioners, adding that this lack luster attitude of government is responsible for the mass action.

Omar said that the NLC was concerned about the pitiable plight of their members who are pensioners.

His words: “We are certain that nobody wants to listen to the plight of pensioners and we are worried that the continued silence of government means more hardship for our members in the fold of the National Union of Pensioners (NUP).

“Hence, we are determined to ensure justice for our members who are owed huge money as pension arrears. The CWC has therefore resolved as follows: “That on Wednesday April 10, 2013, all NLC affiliate unions and state councils across the length and breadth of the country will mobilise workers on a protest march to the Presidency and state Government houses.

“In pursuance of this objective, the CWC directed NLC affiliate unions, state councils, friends and allies of organised labour to immediately commence mobilization for the action.”

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NATIONAL NEWS

March 16, 2013

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Why House of Reps seeks immunity for lawmakers OUR REPORTER

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L-R: National President, Naval Officer’s Wives Association, Mrs. Vivian Ezeoba and Mrs Tessy Ijioma at the Second Inter House Sports of the NOWA Secondary School, Navy Town, Ojo, recently.

INEC keeps mum on proliferation of APCs •New APC alleges gunmen after its leaders OBIORA IFOH AND OMEIZA AJAYI ABUJA

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peculations that a new political association, the All Patriotic Citizens APC have applied to the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC may indeed be a ruse as Saturday Mirror checks revealed that although some group of people might be making such move but the commission is not yet in receipt of any application to that effect.

Although the commission refused to either confirm or dismiss the report, sources in INEC told Saturday Mirror that there could be efforts by some politicians to register a party with such acronym, but the commission has not gotten any official application.

Responding to Saturday Mirror’s enquiries, the Chief Press Secretary to INEC chairman, Kayode Idowu said: “Yes, I saw your message. I have no response.”

The African Peoples Congress and the All Progressives Congress are already at loggerheads, laying claim to the acronym, APC, even as there was speculation yesterday in Abuja that the All Patriotic Citizens may have applied to INEC for registration.

Chairman of the Merger Committee of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Chief Tom Ikimi, had stated at news briefing in Abuja that the All Progressives Congress will not let go of the acronym.

Ikimi said: “The emer-

gence of opposition party, the All Progressives Congress, strong as it is, is giving jitters to some people.

“They are trying to muddy the waters by establishing all forms of APCs. Apart from the name of the party, it is the names of individuals that make the party. Nigerians are tired of PDP. “We have it on good authority that the establishment, gravely troubled by the emergence of a united opposition, has set up a high powered team headed by a very high ranking officer of government and furnished with unlimited resources from public funds with a clear mandate to corrupt the democratic institutions and destabilize the opposition.

“All legal and constitutional processes required to formalize the merger and register our new party with INEC in the name of the All Progressives Congress are already in progress, in top gear and includes our earlier announcement on February 6, 2013 of the decision of the three parties to merge.”

Ikimi said that the merger parties are the rightful owners of the intellectual property rights of the acronym.

Barr. Nwokorie Samuel Chinedu of Legal World Chambers had also written to INEC on behalf of the African Peoples Congress (APC), and its protem National Chairman, Chief Onyinye M. Ikeagwuonu, asking it to register the group as a political party in Nigeria.

This was as the new APC, barely 24 hours after

unveiling its logo, manifesto and constitution, has alleged that unknown gunmen were after its officers, even as it claimed to have uncovered plots by some faceless persons to attack and possibly eliminate key officers of the party.

The party which claimed that it was not frightened by such development also said that in anticipation of the issuance of its certificate of registration, a meeting of its national officers would hold at its headquarters next week to commence mobilization and sensitization of Nigerians, preparatory to the formal launching of the party as soon as it is registered.

Recounting the alleged attack, the party’s acting National Secretary, Barr.

Sa’id Balogun in a statement in Abuja yesterday said that after the elaborate event of its unveiling and appraisal meetings and stakeholders’ interactions at its national headquarter, most officers of the party left the secretariat late on Thursday.

Balogun said: “At about 10.15pm when an officer of the party, Hon Dan Iloabanafo and some administrative staff were getting ready to close the Secretariat for the day, two men came round the backside of the office claiming they wanted to register as members of the party, a feature that has become common place in the secretariat, but Iloabanafo advised them to come back the next day or any other week day, but the hoodlums insisted they preferred to be registered immediately, and

while the party officer was trying to explain things to them, they pulled out guns and demanded the whereabouts of the Acting Chairman, who had left the Secretariat earlier.”

The party said that against this backdrop it wishes to reiterate that no amount of intimidation or harassments can deter it from pursuing its lofty goals and aspirations in the interest of the good people of Nigeria.

It said: “We are too busy to engage in hollow exchanges as initiated yesterday by Chief Tom Ikimi, who fruitlessly shopped for excuses, claims and assertions to justify their failures and political inadequacies.

“As the “assemblage of windpipes” which the merger group represents, Ikimi rushed off to the press on learning of the unveiling of the APC and our firmness of purpose; to ventilate a most pedestrian assertion, such that can only be expected of schoolage children or demented teenagers.

“As their helter-skelter search for means to undermine the APC continues, we wish to alert Nigerians of their grand plot of smuggling a back-dated application for registration into the INEC, an action that could plunge Nigerian democracy into the woods of lawlessness. For the APC, that is most unacceptable.

“It is indeed pathetic that same people that claim to pursue the deepening of democracy cannot abide by the letters of the constitution and due process.”

resh facts have emerged on why federal lawmakers are at loggerheads over the planned introduction of immunity for the lawmakers in the Constitution.

The House of Representatives had passed a resolution to include immunity for National Assembly members in the constitution, a resolution which the Senate refused to concur to.

A chieftain of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), who craved anonymity, told Saturday Mirror, that the call inclusion of immunity for national lawmakers in the constitution by the lower legislative chamber of the National Assembly was to ensure that the Speaker, Aminu Tambuwal, does not face any prosecution in case he gets the nomination of the new political merger to run for the Presidency in 2015.

It was being widely speculated that Speaker Tambuwal is being considered to run for the Presidency under the newly-formed All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2015 general elections, as he would be prevailed upon to dump his current Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The source claimed that the call was a proactive measure being campaigned by the pro-Tambuwal for president members of the House, adding that they are of the calculation that the Speaker could be made to suffer through trumped up charges should he defect to another party and run against President Goodluck Jonathan.

The source said it was in a bid to prevent any such retrospective ‘punishment’ for the Speaker, that the proTambuwal group is seeking immunity for lawmakers in or outside the legislative tenure for acts committed while in office.

His words: “There are moves to prevail on the Speaker to dump his party, the PDP and join the APC. The calculation is that he will be best suited to fly the new party’s flag in 2015 because of his age and dynamism. But you never know what his party could come up with in terms of using state machinery to deal with him, hence the call for immunity for federal lawmakers even after their legislative tenure.”

But in a sharp reaction, Hon. Abiodun Akinlade, representing Yewa South/ Ipokia Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, rubbished the claim, saying: “Please tell whoever says that to go and sit down.

It is in this country alone that whatever you do is subjected to millions of interpretations. All these are for selfish reasons though.

What we are saying in the House is not immunity for an individual, but for all federal lawmakers. It is not immunity to promote anyone.

“What we are saying is that whatever you do on the floor of the House cannot be used against you. That is what will give members the confidence to discharge their duties without fear of molestation and intimidation. We also believe that whatever you might have done in the course of duty to the nation as members should also not be taken against you even in the future.”

Passengers groan as Aero suspends operations indefinitely OLUSEGUN KOIKI

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ir passengers, most especially, ardent passengers of Aero Contractors Airlines are finding it difficult to travel to their destinations following the industrial action embarked upon by the staff of the airline.

This is just as the airline management yesterday announced indefinite suspension of flight operations due to the inability of both parties to reach an agreement.

Workers of the airline

had commenced protest over their conditions of service and accused the airline management of unjustifiably transferring their service to another company without their consents.

The workers, led by the industry unions, the Air Transport Senior Staff Services of Nigeria (ATSSSAN) and the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), had downed tools since Wednesday in fulfilment of the threat issued the management of the airline almost four weeks ago.

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NATIONAL NEWS

March 16, 2013

9

Abuja votes as police, civil defence deploys thousands •Restrict movement from 12 am to 5pm •APC merger under threat OMEIZA AJAYI

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housands of voters will today file out to elect their local representatives and administrators for the six Area Councils of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT Abuja.

Consequently, the FCT Command of the Nigeria Police said that the command has deployed officers and men of the force in and around strategic points within the territory, declining however to disclose the number of those deployed.

The command had in the past deployed between 5,000 and 10,000 officers and men for such exercises.

The FCT Police Public Relations Officer, Altine Daniel, said for some strategic reasons, the police would not disclose the numerical strength of its officers de-

ployed for the election.

While saying that the force would collaborate with other security agencies to ensure a hitch-free council poll, the PPRO announced that intra-city movement would be restricted from 7am to 5pm while for travellers, movement has already being restricted from midnight to 5pm today.

On its part, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) said it has deployed 5,000 of its officers and men for the election.

Commandant General of the NSCDC, Dr. Ade Abolurin said in a statement that “the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, in ensuring security of life and property before, during and after the election have deployed 5,000 personnel from the FCT Command of the corps and personnel from neighbor-

ing states in order to beef up security at the various polling booths along with the deployment of Special Forces from the National Headquarters.”

Dr. Abolurin directed the FCT Commandant and the Commandants of states contiguous to the FCT, to partner, collaborate, cooperate and synergize with other security agencies in ensuring peaceful conduct and hitch free election within the FCT. He assured the electorates that their fundamental human right will be respected without embarrassment or molestation in ensuring orderliness at the polling booths if they behave and cooperate with security agencies without indulging in any act cable of disrupting the exercise.

About 13 political parties are fielding 46 chairmanship candidates in

today’s polls while residents would be voting in 639 polling units in the 62 electoral wards of the six Area Councils.

Out of the 46 chairmanship candidates, only six will emerge as winners to take charge of the six councils while out of the 223 councillorship candidates, only 62 are expected to be elected.

Unlike in the states where states’ Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs) take charge of council polls, the law empowers the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct such election for the FCT. The commission does that through its FCT office.

The Head of Public Affairs/Political Parties Monitoring of INEC in FCT, Mr. Okezie Nwankwo, explained that the commission has created

L-R: Former Assistant General Secretary, Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Saliu Lukman; former President, National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Barr Abdul Mahmud and former Chairman Dala and Gwale Local Government Kano State, Hon. Idris Hausawa, at a press PHOTO: ROTIMI OSASONA briefing by concerned civil society groups on registration of All Progressive Congress in Abuja, yesterday.

FCTA convenes security parley over Abuja council polls OMEIZA AJAYI

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he Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) yesterday summoned a meeting of all security agencies in the territory with a view to reviewing the security measures adopted for today’s area council polls.

The FCT Security Committee, which met at the instance of its chairman and Minister of the FCT, Senator Bala Mohammed, also gave an assurance to the residents of the FCT that the security agencies are set for the area coun-

cils’ election.

The emergency meeting, which was chaired

by Senator Mohammed, was held at the Banquet Hall of the Minister’s residence, Gwarinpa I District, Abuja.

Briefing newsmen at the end of the meeting, the Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), FCT Command, Mr. Aminu Abdullahi KofarSoro, disclosed that the emergency meeting was summoned by the FCT Minister to fine tune the security arrangements so far made to ensure a hitchfree election.

The commandant reiterated that the committee noted the importance of elections in a political dispensation and the need to protect lives and property before, during and after the elections.

He said that the FCT security agencies have taken pro-active action to protect the sensitive and non-sensitive materials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

He said that the Committee has announced the restriction of movement of people between 7am and 5pm and solicited for the cooperation

of all residents, stressing: “The Committee however warned that anybody caught disrupting public peace will face the full wrath of the law as thuggery cannot be entertained.”

The emergency meeting was also attended by the FCT Minister of State, Olajumoke Akinjide, acting Permanent Secretary, Alhaji Nuhu Ahmed, all the heads of military formation in FCT; FCT Police Commissioner; Director, Department of State Security; FCT Commandant of the NSCDC and representatives of Customs, Immigration and Prisons.

3,054 voting points for professional efficiency, adding that a maximum of only 300 people will vote in each voting point.

The political parties that are participating in today’s election are: Accord Party (AP), Action Alliance (AA), All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Labour Party (LP), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), Social Democratic Mega Party (SDMP), All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), United Peoples Party (UPP), Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA), National Conscience Party (NCP) and the Citizens Popular Party (CPP).

The All Progressives Congress (APC) said that it has distributed or zoned offices to all the merging partners in such a way that all the parties have a sense of belonging.

For instance, the ACN is said to have been given the chairmanship candidateship of APC in Abaji Area Council while the Congress for Progressive Change CPC takes that of Bwari Area Council. Other councils have also been distributed accordingly.

However, the APC in Bwari seem to be in disarray as the merger might have hit the rocks ahead of today’s polls.

The ACN had stated that it would not field any candidate for Bwari Area Council in today’s election but would instead channel all its support to the CPC. The decision, ACN said, rests on the popularity of the CPC and its candidates in the area.

The decision of the ACN was predicated on the popularity of the CPC as a party and its candidate, Dikko, was a clear indication that the CPC was on ground and has the capacity to win the election.

This also informed the support expected from the CPC in Abaji, where the ACN holds sway.

Chairman of the CPC in Bwari Area council commended the development and promised that the confidence reposed in the party by the ACN will be justified with people oriented development programmes and projects But in a twist, the ACN chairmanship candidate for Bwari Area Council, Hon. Isa Yahaya, has distanced himself from the purported merger or agreement between the ACN and the CPC. Isa said he was not part of any consensus arrangement where the chairmanship candidate of CPC in Bwari, Dikko, was made the sole candidate for the election.

He said the merger discussion between the ACN and the CPC was for the 2015 elections, which is two years away and had nothing to do with the FCT area council’s election.

His words: “I am still in the race, as a matter of fact, the merger entered into by our party at the national level is for the 2015 elections and not now, I am still the flag bearer of the ACN.” Isa had contested for the same office thrice and lost on each occasion, on the platform of the ANPP, which informed the decision of the ANPP to reject his candidature this time around.

Northern youths demand state pardon for Al-Mustapha A ZA MSUE KADUNA

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ollowing the state pardon granted former Chief of Staff, Gen. Oladipo Diya and the former governor of Bayelsa State, Diepreye Alamieyeseigha by President Goodluck Jonathan, a group under the auspices of Northern Youth Professionals (NYP), yesterday called on President Jonathan to grant state pardon to the former Chief Secu-

rity Officer to former Head of State, Gen. Sani Abacha, Major Hamza Al Mustapha.

The NYP, in an emailed statement, signed by its national coordinator, Ibrahim Ali, said President Jonathan’s state pardon to his former boss, Alamieyeseigha showed his true color as a sectional leader.

The group called on Nigerians to continue the struggle against oppression, misrule as well as sectional politics, saying soon, men of goodwill will take charge of the country.

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REGIONAL NEWS

March 16, 2013

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

SOUTH WEST

16 die in Osun auto crash ADEOLU ADEYEMO OSOGBO

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t least 16 people lost their lives yesterday in a ghastly motor accident that occurred at Apomu Junction along GbonganIbadan express way in Osun State.

Saturday Mirror in-

vestigations revealed that the accident which involved a white 18-seater Toyota Haice Bus with registration number KOGI LG 48 DAH somersaulted repeatedly after one of its tires bursted.

The driver of the bus, said to have be on high speed, entered a pothole and lost control of the

wheel, making the bus to swerved into the oncoming lorry which later resulted into the death of 16 passengers.

Eyewitnesses told our reporter that those who sustained severe injuries were taken to Catholic Hospital, Ikire, for medical attention while the remains of the dead were

deposited in the morgue of the same hospital.

It was gathered that the crashed bus was coming from Lagos and heading to Akure before the occurrence of the unexpected incident.

Speaking on the accident, the State Corps Commandant of FRSC, Imoh Etuk, confirmed

the story but did not comment on the actual persons that perished in the accident.

He said that the prompt intervention of the security operatives saved the situation, claiming that more lives would have been lost. “It took the efforts of security operatives which in-

cluded the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), the police, men of ‘O’ Ambulance, Civil Defence Corps to rescue some victims of the crash, he said.

He also appealed to commercial drivers to drive safely and stop excessive speeding to avoid loss of lives and property.

OBJ, Oyinlola, others shun S’West PDP meeting Lagos Speaker fingers KEMI OLAITAN IBADAN

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rominent members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the South-West geopolitical zone of Nigeria, including former President Olusegun Obasanjo, yesterday shunned the town meeting of the party which held yesterday in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

Other notable absen-

tees at the meeting included Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, Chief Segun Oni and former Governor of Oyo State, Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala. Also absent at the meeting was Minister of State FCT, Oloye Jumoke Akinjide.

The meeting held at the instance of the party’s national chairman, Bamanga Tukur.

Addressing stakeholders at Premier Hotel, Ibadan,

Tukur urged the warring factions in the zone to embrace dialogue for peace in order to move the party forward.

Appealing to the members to take ownership of the party, hold and rebuild it for future challenges, he said, “Reconcile yourself in all ramifications.

South-West is a great region in economy, politics and intellect in the country. South-West is a great region with heavy

credentials. This heavy credentials demand from you heavy responsibilities to take over the reign of power through election to ensure that this is the last time the South-West will be under the control of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).”

Caretaker Chairman, South-West PDP, Chief Ishola Filani, commended Tukur on his efforts at resolving the crisis rocking the party in the zone.

PDP in emergence of 2 more APC parties

MURITALA AYINLA

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he Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Adeyemi Ikuforiji, yesterday fingered the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the emergence of two more APC parties.

Ikuforiji accused the ruling party of working round the clock to thwart efforts of the opposition through the newly formed All Progressives Congress (APC) by the progressives, described the other two APCs as ‘fake.’

Speaking at the 9th

Executive/Le gislative parley, he said the ‘fake’ party would soon fade away. “They (PDP) came up with fake APCs. What we know is that like fake drugs, their APCs will soon fade away with time.”

The chairman of the occasion and national leader of Action Congress of Nigeria, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, thanked the state legislature, including those at the Senate and House of Representatives for sustaining the parley and appealed to the participants to learn from the discussions there.

Roads: Ajimobi assures owners of demolished structures of compensation

G L-R: Oyo State Deputy Governor Otunba Moses Alake-Adeyemo; Governor Abiola Ajimobi; Ajinese Ologunebi 1, Aseyin of Iseyin, Oba Abdulganiyu Salau; National President, Iseyin Development Union, Major Fatai Shittu (rtd), and Alhaji Bolaji Kareem, during the courtesy visit of Aseyin and the people of Iseyin visit to the governor’s office in Ibadan, yesterday.

Fashola flags off 24-hour Primary Health Care facility

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agos State Governor, Mr Babatunde Fashola (SAN) has formally flagged off the Iga Idunganran Primary Health Care Centre in Central Lagos. The facility is the first 24-hour comprehensive basic health care project in the state.

At the handover ceremony, Governor Fashola urged members of the public to always be patient with care givers who work under immense pressure while on duty. The gov-

ernor also implored the health officials that will man the facility to do their work courteously and efficiently.

According to Governor Fashola, “Today as we hand over the Iga- Idunganran Primary Health Care Centre, we expect to see the beginning of a very robust grassroots based healthcare service. From today, we expect to see the beginning of a health care service for basic needs like immunization, maternity

service and safe deliveries from normal pregnancies,” he said.

The governor said he was at the occasion to redeem a pledge of service which he made during the 2011 elections that since the Lagos State has made significant and appreciable progress in the area of tertiary and secondary healthcare programmes, the state government was going to support and strengthen the Primary Health Care system.

Present at the handover ceremony was Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu I .

Earlier in her remarks, Special Adviser to the governor on Public Health, Dr (Mrs) Yewande Adeshina said the flagging off of the 24-hour flagship Primary Health Centre marks another giant stride by the government towards coordinated implementation of PHC revitalization in the state.

overnor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State has assured owners of the structures demolished to pave way for the ongoing dualisation of some roads in the state that they would be adequately compensated.

The governor gave the assurance while receiving community leaders, politicians and traders from Iseyin, led by the Aseyin of Iseyin, Oba Abdul Ganiyu Adekunle Salau, who paid him a solidarity visit in Ibadan, yesterday.

The state government is currently dualising some roads in Ibadan, the state capital and other major towns and cities across the state as part of the Ajimobi administration’s urban renewal

programme, a situation which has led to some structures to be demolished to allow for the projects.

Ajimobi said that the dualisation of Iseyin township road in particular was in fulfillment of his administration’s promise to provide motorable roads and give all entrances to major cities in the state a facelift.

The Aseyin of Iseyin, in his remarks, lauded the various achievements of Governor Ajimobi in the areas of education, health, road and bridge construction and the environment, saying that the people of Iseyin would continue to appreciate him for the dualisation of the township road.

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REGIONAL NEWS

March 16, 2013

11

SOUTH EAST

At last, FG awards Second Niger Bridge project to Julius Berger NWABUEZE OKONKWO ONITSHA

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t long last, the federal government has awarded the contract of the 2nd Niger bridge to Julius Berger Nigeria Plc as part of efforts to deliver on the campaign promises of President Goodluck Jonathan.

The project, which will kick off as soon as the geological and hydrological surveys are completed, is expected to be completed before 2015 when Jonathan’s first tenure will elapse.

Minister of Works, Arc. Mike Onolememen, disclosed this yesterday in Onitsha, Anambra State during a stakeholders’ meeting on second Niger Bridge held at the Palace of the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred

Nnaemeka Achebe.

Onolememen said when completed, the bridge would among other things ease transportation hitches often faced

by travellers across the country. The project is expected to span from Asaba to Onitsha and connect Ozubulu in Ekwusigo Local Government Area of

the state and some parts of Ogbaru Local Government also in the state.

The minister further said that Julius Berger was chosen as the pre-

ferred contractor among all who tendered for the contract because of the company’s outstanding performances in terms of project execution and ac-

L-R: Anambra State Governor Peter Obi; Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Achebe and Minister of Works, Mr. Mike Onolememen at a stakeholders’ sensitisation forum on the commencement of the construction of the Niger Bridge in Onitsha, yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

cording to specifications.

The minister also commended Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State for his relentless efforts towards the realisation of the project, adding that without the personal efforts of the governor, the project would have been long forgotten.

In his speech, Obi, who described the project as ‘strategic,’ gave assurances that the state government would provide adequate security and other necessary sacrifices that will enhance effective completion of the project.

The representative of Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, Wolfgang Goetsch, pledged to carry out the project successfully according to specification and to also deliver it on schedule.

Chime urges revival of Enugu coal industry T

he Enugu State Government has appealed to the Federal Government to revive the state’s ailing coal industry for the effective transformation of the power sector.

Governor Sullivan Chime made the call in Enugu in his address at the opening ceremony of the 24th Enugu International Trade Fair.

Chime, who described the state as the hub of coal and also that with the largest gas reserves in the country, said that it could help in the revitalisation of the power sector.

The governor, who was represented by the Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Dr Jude Akubuilo, also appealed for the speedy rehabilitation of federal roads to

boost economic activities in the South East.

He said the theme of the fair, Positioning the Nation’s Economic Environment as Investment Destination of Choice in Africa and for Global Competitiveness, was timely with the efforts by the state at providing the enabling environment for business. ``We are very grateful

that Mr President will soon give final approval for the establishment of the Enugu Free Trade Zone at the Ninth Mile Corner. These measures will offer sustenance and consolidation to our airports as well as enhance the aspirations of the federal government to harness the economic potentials of the South East,” Chime said.

Orji urges increased participation of women in Abia

A

bia State Governor, Theodore Orji has urged women to explore all careers and fields of study so as to increase the socioeconomic development in the state.

Orji made the call yesterday in Umuahia, the state’s capital, during a ceremony in commemoration of the 2013 International Women’s Day. The ceremony was organised by the office of the governor’s wife in collaboration with the Ministry of Women Affairs and was themed Gender Agenda Gathering Momentum.

Orji, who was repre-

sented by Commissioner for Lands and Survey, Chief Chikezie Mba, said that the contribution of women to national development and as home makers could not be underestimated.

“Women should not be intimidated by their male counterparts when they decide to venture into any field of study or endeavour. Rather, they should work hard in discovering and acquiring skills that will help them excel. The actualisation of the 35 per cent representation for women in all facets of the society is premised on how active and ef-

Also at the occasion, President of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), Dr Ademola Ajayi, expressed delight with the increased awareness of the public and private sector partnership for enhanced economic recovery and development.

Ajayi appealed to governments at all levels to ensure the enhancement of the private sector by providing

NGO trains communities on governance, security CHRIS NJOKU OWERRI

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Gov Orji

ficient they can be,” he said.

Also speaking, Mrs Odochi Orji, wife of the governor, said for the

society to develop and succeed, women must overcome challenges such as health and socioeconomic barriers.

enabling and friendly policies for business to thrive.

In his welcome address, President of the Enugu Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (ECCIMA), Dr Theo Okonkwo, said the fair offered opportunities for industrialists, investors, buyers and sellers to interact, exchange ideas and share experiences for investment promotion and general economic growth.

non-governmental organisation, CLEEN Foundation, has begun the training of grassroots residents on local governance and provision of security. The training, aimed at creating awareness on the relationship between good governance, security and development in villages, communities and local government areas is being conducted at Ahiazu Mbaize Local Government Area of Imo State.

Acting head of the Owerri office of the organisation, Ifeanyi Anyanwu, who disclosed that CLEEN Foundation was also carrying out the project in Afikpo North Local Government Area of Ebonyi State and Aninri Local Government Area in Enugu State, however urged beneficiaries of the scheme to see it as a public-spirited effort by the organisation to institute good governance which would in turn eradicate crime, improve people’s wellbeing and build a security free society.

12

REGIONAL NEWS

March 16, 2013

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

SOUTH SOUTH

LG polls: Eschew politics of acrimony, Dickson tells PDP flag bearers EMMA GBEMUDU YENAGOA

G

overnor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State yesterday cautioned People’s Democratic Party (PDP) chairmanship candidates in the forthcoming council poll in the state against politics of acrimony and

division.

He said that politics of acrimony and division, which begins at the local government level, must stop, and that the era of disregard for elders and stakeholders was over in the party.

Dickson spoke in Yenagoa, the state’s capital, at

the flag-off of campaigns and presentation of flags to the PDP chairmanship candidates in next Saturday’s local government elections which has 12 political parties contesting for offices.

“The old era of politics of acrimony and divisions which begins

at the local government level must stop. The era of disrespect for your stakeholders and leaders because you think you are a chairman and you have access to government must stop,” he said.

Urging the flag bearers to embark on issue-based and peaceful campaigns,

he enjoined them to carry along stakeholders and various caucus chairmen of the party in their actions.

Describing Bayelsa State as a PDP stronghold, he advised PDP candidates to go all out to win and urged party stakeholders to deliver

Why Rivers’ economy is blossoming –Amaechi

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ivers State Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, has described the prevailing peace in the state as what is aiding the state’s growing economy.

Amaechi said this during a townhall meeting with the people of Okrika at the Okrika Local Government Council headquarters. He claimed that when he became governor, the state’s economy was at its lowest ebb and companies and expatriates were relocating to other parts of the country on account of insecurity in the state, but his administration’s fight against insecurity has paid off for the economy.

“When I became Governor of Rivers State, you all know

EMMA GBEMUDU YENAGOA

S

ix filling stations operating in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, have been sealed off by officials of the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), over alleged under-dispensing and over-pricing of petroleum products.

The agency frowned at the filling stations for also obstructing the DPR from conducting its duty.

Saturday Mirror was reliably informed that the erring filling stations, which are independent marketers, include Penasto Nigeria Ltd, RSK Oil, Kobison Oil Ltd, Emily Oil and Gas Ltd, Kofaben Int’l Ltd and Daniello Pulo Petroleum.

Saturday Mirror gathered that some of the filling stations sold a litre of fuel at the pump price of

how the state was. You know that the situation was very bad then.

I hardly had time to sleep because if one group was

not attacking here, another group was attacking there. They were all everywhere and it was like a war zone.

“Young boys of 15, 18 were parading the streets with guns and people were scared. We were told that some people were

buried alive here in Okochiri. We moved in. Today, what do we have? We have peace. We must thank God that we have peace. Now

L-R: PDP BoT Chairman, Chief Tony Anenih, Governor Godswill Akpabio, Alabo Graham Douglas and Prof. Jerry Gana during a courtesy visit at the Govt. House, Uyo.

their wards in the council election.

Earlier, a representative of the PDP National Chairman, Ahmed Gusau, described Governor Dickson as a transformer as he urged the candidates to fly the party’s flag high in the forthcoming local government polls. our parents can go about their business.”

Highlighting his achievements so far, he said his administration has constructed ten model primary schools in Okrika Local Government Area with six others to be completed soon. He also promised to create employment for Okrika people by establishing a fish farm in Okuma-Ama in Okrika.

In his own address, Chairman of Okrika Local Government Area, Barrister Tamuno Williams, commended Amaechi for keeping his promises to Rivers people.

“Your visit is auspicious, your visit is an impeccable demonstration of a government that is alive to its duties and responsibilities. You are a faithful leader, a leader who keeps his promises, who is steadfast and who tenaciously holds unto ideals,” Williams said.

DPR seals off six filling stations in Bayelsa N110 and N120 per litre as against the official price of N97 per litre, while others maladjusted their pumps to short-change unsuspecting consumers.

In an interview, DPR Operations Controller in the state, Simeon Abbey,

told journalists that the unscheduled visit to the filling stations was aimed at nipping the nefarious attitude in the bud.

“Any attempt by the managements of the defaulting filling stations to remove the seal notice or

resume operations without authorisation will be severely dealt with. It is a criminal act and officials of such filling stations will be arrested and prosecuted,” Abbey said.

He explained that the stations wishing to re-

sume operations would have to officially notify the DPR in writing and promise not to engage in illegalities.

Earlier, Chairman of Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Bay-

elsa State chapter, Ndutimi Komonibo, blamed the insufficient supply of petroleum products to the state on the NNPC, saying the state is still being treated as a unit of Rivers State in the allocation of products.

Akpabio tasks ECOWAS on sub-regional economy

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eaders of West Africa states have been charged to unite the people of the sub-region by creating the desired economic hub that will give the states an edge.

Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State gave the charge at the opening of the seventh edition of the joint retreat of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission,

institutions, permanent representatives and national units at the Le’ Meridien Hotel and Golf Resort, Nwaniba, Uyo, the state’s capital.

In his address, Akpabio said, “With this retreat, make a bold step of determination to unite our subregion. We must rise up together and chart a new course for our sub-region.

Let our leaders come together to solve the prob-

lems of our sub region, and let the West African countries act with speed to create an economic hub in the sub region. ‘’Let us use this retreat to dream again of a new Africa. In doing this, let us be reminded of the icon, Nelson Mandela’s immortal words ‘I dream of the realisation of the unity of Africa whereby its leaders combine in their efforts to solve the problems of this

continent.’ Let this dream become our mantra. Let our leaders combine efforts to solve our continent’s problems, but more importantly, let us dream beyond our shores. ‘’I believe that we can and we should make the entire West Africa a homeland for our sons and daughters in the Diaspora, in much the same way that the nation of Israel is a homeland to the Jews in

the Diaspora. ‘’Governments in the West African sub-region should put in place policies which would welcome people who identify with our communities through such lineages and help them reconnect with their roots. Let us create a bond between our nations and the millions of AfricanAmericans in America who know that their roots are here.

Politics INEC registration: APC in the eye of the storm

Jega

TEMITOPE OGUNBANKE

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ll seem not to be well within the camp of the opposition following the raging controversy over the refusal of the electoral umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register the All Progressives Congress (APC), a coalition of opposition parties.

In the last few days, APC leaders have been having running battle with the INEC over its refusal to register the party on account that All Progressives Congress (APC) has the same acronym with another political association, the African Peoples Congress (APC), which it said has already applied to it for registration. Apart from the duo, another new party known as All Patriotic Citizens (APC) has also applied to INEC for registration.

Apart from its running battle with the electoral body, All Progressives Congress and the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have also been engaging each other in accusation and counter accusation over the registration brouhaha.

The All Progressives Congress leaders accused the PDP of sponsoring the African Peoples Congress as part of plots to truncate the merger process being strung together by four major opposition parties: the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), All Nigerian Peoples Party (ANPP) and a section of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA).

The PDP on its part dissociated itself from the dilemma of the All Progressives Congress, saying that it has nothing to do with the African Peoples Congress. The ruling party described the APC as a prod-

Buhari

uct of political naivety and planlessness, nothing that the inability of the leadership of the merger party to secure necessary approvals from INEC for party registration before embarking on propaganda amounts to political naivety and planlessness.

Section 78 (4) of the Electoral Act 2010, as amended, stipulated that any political association that meets the conditions stipulated in the Constitution and the Electoral Act is eligible to be registered as a political party. The section reads: “Any political association that meets the conditions stipulated in the Constitution and this Act shall be registered by the Commission as a political party within 30 days from the date of receipt of the application ....”

Therefore, based on the provision of the constitution and the Electoral Act many people are really worried about the drama surrounding the APC registration.

Meanwhile, a search of the list of both old and new political parties on INEC website did not reveal any deregistered or existing party as bearing the acronym APC. Many analysts are of the opinion that INEC is not the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) where names of enterprises are pre-registered before the actual business name registration.

The ACN National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, in a statement made available to newsmen on Tuesday accused INEC and the PDP of working together to frustrate the emergence of the APC ahead of the 2015 elections. He accused the PDP of sponsoring the African Peoples Congress (APC) as part of plots to truncate the merger of opposition parties.

The ACN, through its spokesman, also lambasted INEC for engaging in bare-faced lies and manipulation of facts by claiming

that the phantom APC has applied to the commission for registration.

The party noted that the claim of the electoral commission, as articulated by the spokesman for INEC Chairman, Mr. Kayode Idowu, is not supported by the relevant sections of the Electoral Act regulating the registration of a political party.

Mohammed said: “Clearly, INEC is on a mission of mischief and its paymaster is the PDP which has been having sleepless nights since the merger arrangement was announced. While the PDP has been quick to say it is not bothered by the coming together of the progressive forces, it has been having sleepless nights and working round the clock to device measures to sabotage the merger.

“The plan to set up the phantom African Peoples Congress to create an acronym war is just a tip of the iceberg. In the days ahead, Nigerians should watch out for more devilish plans by the PDP. But we are comforted by the fact that the forces of darkness have never prevailed over the forces of light.”

Also lending its voice to the ACN position, the ANPP also berated INEC for deliberately scuttling the efforts of the opposition parties to merge into a strong and formidable party through its registering another party, the African Peoples Congress in order to have a clash of acronym with the All Progressives Congress.

The ANPP in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Chief Emma Eneukwu, said that activities of some officials of the INEC was geared towards the deflation of the concerted efforts by the major opposition parties in Nigeria to come together under one umbrella.

His words: “The current scheme to register a phantom party, the so-called African

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

March 16, 2013

13

Peoples Congress (APC) in order to have a clash of acronyms with the All Progressives Congress (APC) is redolent of unpatriotic craftiness, an ill wind that blows nobody any good. With every passing hour, it becomes more glaringly obvious that the words of General Muhammadu Buhari in a recent assertion that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has merged with INEC, is actually an inconvenient truth.”

But in a swift reaction, the PDP described the All Progressives Congress as a product of political naivety and planlessness. PDP attributed the opposition leaders’ failure to registered APC as a result of their inability to secure necessary approvals from INEC for party registration before embarking on propaganda amounts.

PDP in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh said the reality on the ground has shown that the leaders of the APC were all the while grandstanding; writing footnotes and glossary even when the first chapter of their history was yet to be successfully written.

Metuh added: “Nigerians are witnessing first hand, the thoughtlessness and carelessness of the self acclaimed political Messiahs, a fore warning that the nation, her people and our democracy are all in jeopardy should they be entrusted with power.

“How can a group who could not conclude the basic as in due registration of its name be able to manage the affairs of Nigeria at this moment of critical challenge? At the basics, the APC and its conjugants the ACN, CPC, ANPP and others have once more advertised their boastful and deceitful predilection. Who could imagine that their coalition was yet to be registered before its leaders started throwing red rag to the bull?”

To many political analysts the drama surrounding the registration of APC has again send a strong signal to the opposition parties that taking over from the PDP come 2015 will not be a tea party. Some of them opined that the ongoing controversy may affect the fortunes of the opposition parties before the 2015 elections.

Without any iota of doubt the preparation for 2015 elections is gaining momentum and all the major political parties are seriously positioning themselves for the elections. Having seen the handwriting on the wall that it may be difficult for a single party to defeat the PDP at the presidential level, four major opposition parties merged together to form the APC. At the formation level, many people were skeptical about the survival of the All Progressives Congress, considering the fact that this is the first time that major opposition parties would be merging together to form a viable platform to challenge the ruling party and also that it was a gathering of strange bedfellows. Since Nigeria gained her independence, what opposition parties have being having were working relationships and alliances and none of the processes has ever work in unseating the ruling party at the presidency level. Therefore, based on political records, some people at the birth of APC are of the view that it may be difficult for the opposition to break the jinx and send CONTINUED ON PAGE 15

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POLITICS

March 16, 2013

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

South West PDP will return stronger –Oyedokun Alhaji Shuaib Oyedokun is a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Board of Trustees (BoT).

The former Deputy National Chairman (South) of the PDP bares his mind to OLAJIDE OMOJOLOMOJU in this interview on the problems of the PDP in the South West, how it would reclaim the zone in 2014 and 2015 and other salient national issues.

Excerpts:

F

ollowing the dissolution of the South West zonal executive of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), what is the present situation of things now in the PDP in the zone?

Coincidentally, we just finished a meeting on the state of affairs of the PDP in the South West. Immediately after the dissolution, a caretaker committee was put in place headed by Barr. Ishola Filani. As you can see for yourself, members of the caretaker committee are here to meet the Board of Trustees (BoT) from the South West. The BoT being the conscience and elders of the party, we believe we should give them some advice and put them on the right path.

We have been able to take a decision that even though we have some questions to ask concerning the mode of setting up the caretaker committee, we believe that because of the legality of the caretaker committee and for the fact that we are all desirable of moving this party forward, especially in the South West, we believe that we have to do everything humanly possible to guide the caretaker committee and ensure that it is able to put the party on the right footing in the zone.

This committee is now going to work with the committee set up by stakeholders of the party in the South West, arising from the meeting we held on February 14, in Transcorps Hotel in Abuja, to go into the five states, minus Osun State, where we believe, to a large extent, that there have been crises in the PDP and are not working in harmony, look into the problems in those five states and find lasting solutions to those problems, to move the party forward.

There have been insinuations that the dissolution of the zonal executive of the PDP in the South West is targeted at whittling down the powers and influence of former President Olusegun Obasanjo in the PDP. How far is this true?

Let me give this assertion, first and foremost, that President Obasanjo cannot in any way be relegated to the background

Oyedokun

in any form. He has gone beyond that in terms of his stature in politics in the country and across the entire world.

I can tell you emphatically that as things stand, if President Obasanjo sneezes at his corner there in Ota or Abeokuta, a lot of people shivers and catches cold. What happened in the PDP is very unfortunate.

There was a dispute in his domain in Ogun State, rightly or wrongly, some people believed that he backs a faction against another. The two factions went to court and there have been counter litigations here and there. When there is a subsisting judgement, which was brought to the attention of the National Chairman of our party, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, the National Chairman felt that, ‘look, I don’t want to go to jail. Let us obey the court order.’

What happened was an adherence to the rule of law, which former President Obasanjo himself preached when he was in office and which he still preaches, that the law must be obeyed at all times. The dissolution of the zonal executive of the PDP in the South West was simply in obedience of a subsisting court order, which to my mind is the hallmark of a responsible corporate citizen, which we are.

What we are doing now, especially with the meeting we held today, is to erase that impression and put things in the right perspective so that the South West PDP can move forward and take its rightful place in the party at the national level.

It has been generally perceived that PDP’s problem in the South West is lack of unity. What steps are the lead-

ers of the party taking to address this anomaly?

Why are party members working at cross purposes? Because some party members are selfish. They don’t see beyond themselves. They don’t align with the collective interest of the party. They look at what they want immediately and that immediate want is the over-riding factor in all they do and in many cases, the party, and by extension, the selfish party members are the losers for it.

They derail and in derailing, they affect the fortunes of the party.

But we have seen through all these and the elders of the party in the South West are putting their heads together with youths who are very formidable, reasonable, virile and progressive to work together to put an end to all these unnecessary bickering.

How prepared is the PDP for the 2014 gubernatorial elections in Ekiti and Osun states in 2014 and the 2015 general elections?

I can tell you that the ruling Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in the two states are working very hard to make it easy for the PDP to take over the states come 2014.

How? Go round town and seek the opinions of the people, the market men and women, the artisan, the teachers, the civil servants and artisans. People know what is happening and they are getting ready to send the ACN governments packing from those states and from the entire South West come 2015.

Are you saying that the PDP would have an easy ride to the Government Houses in Ekiti and Osun states in

2014?

The issue is very clear. If you follow political trend in this country, especially, take Osun for an example, it is turn by turn.

They had it between 1999 and 2003 and we took over between 2003 and 2010, now, they didn’t complete th eir second term and they are back for their own second term and after this, it is our turn to take over. It is the turn of the PDP. Go spiritual and ask which party is next to come to power, you would be told it is the PDP. What do you think the formation of the All Progressives Congress (APC) portend for the PDP? The emergence of the APC is the impetus the ruling PDP needs to put its house in order. I will say with emphasis that we even thought we are everything, but when we saw the coming together of the opposition parties, especially in the manner of their makeup and coming together, which is not based on any ideology, but based on pulling down the PDP and take over power. So in order not to destroy the country, the PDP now sees the APC as the tonic for it to wake up and put its house in order and refuse to be pulled down.

The emergence of the APC is a re-awakening impetus for us as a party. Where we think we have faltered, we are making every effort to correct it and that is why we are back to the drawing board to put things in the right perspective.

Apart from this, in any democracy, any party in power always strives to have a very strong opposition, to put that party in power on its toes. Besides it augurs well for our CONTINUED ON PAGE 15

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

POLITICS

March 16, 2013

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 14 nascent democracy.

As to posing as danger to the PDP, the spirit behind their coming together is not in the best interest of this country and like others before them, they are not like to pose any threat to the PDP. On the one part, there have been cries of marginalization of the South West PDP in the scheme of things within the party at the national level and on the other; there have cries of marginalization of the South West geo-political zone by the Goodluck Jonathan administration. How would you react to these cries of marginalization?

I think it is a question of perception. Otherwise, the arrangement we have on ground and what we believed happened is that we just have to be patient and see what will happen. Yes and no, there has been marginalization, but we are in the process of addressing it. Mind you, every state, based on the federal character principle is represented in the Federal Executive Council (FEC). Like the other zones, the South West has its fair share of ministers in the FEC, what one needs to look at is how representative are they. If they are not representative enough, then we can talk of marginalization.

There openings now at the federal level in some executive positions and the president has assured us that in filling them he is going to ensure that we get what we deserve.

There have calls for amnesty for

South West PDP will return stronger –Oyedokun Boko Haram. In your opinion, do you think the sect deserve amnesty?

I don’t think so. You grant amnesty to people you can see and dialogue with. How do you grant amnesty to people you don’t see, how would you determine the terms of the amnesty? What are they bringing to the table as their own part of the amnesty deal? The case of the Niger Delta militants was different. They came out to dialogue with government and it was easy for them and government to reach a truce. They showed up, they surrendered their arms as the condition for the granting of amnesty to them. However, may be advocates of amnesty know who members of the Boko Haram sect are. What has the Boko Haram sect brought to the table to dialogue with?

Who are the people government would discuss with in the process of talks on the conditions for granting amnesty?

That was why I raised objection to the opposition parties’ stand for criticizing Jonathan’s visit to Yobe and Borno states.

Politics is different from reality. This is a situation we should not politicize at all, a dire situation that all of us, irrespective of party affiliations should come together to find final and lasting solution to Do you think the government is fighting corruption the way it should be fought?

That is one thing the PDP-led govern-

INEC registration: APC in the eye of the storm CONTINUED FROM PAGE 13 the ruling party out of office come 2015.

With the circumstances surrounding registration of APC, many people are watching with keen interest how the opposition parties will scale through the rigorous process of registering the party with INEC. Though the PDP has claimed on several occasions that the APC is not a threat to the ruling party, many political observers believe strongly that the PDP is not comfortable with the emergence of the APC and the storm is has started gathering ahead of the 2015 presidential election and that is why they are handling the 2015 contest with all seriousness to ensure that they mend all fences before the next general elections.

The opposition parties are also strategising and doing everything possible to ensure that they outsmart the ruling party in the next general elections. Therefore, the outcome of the ongoing scenario over APC’s registration will be a major factor in the battle for 2015.

Speaking to Saturday Mirror, elder statesman and former governor of old Anambra State, Chief Chukwuemeka Ezeife, kicked against any move that may be championed against registration of any political parties in Nigeria.

“Nobody has the right to delay or deny the registration of any political party that meets up with the requirement of the INEC. What I am saying is that nobody should be a stumbling block to the registration of any political party,” he said.

15

Former governor of Edo State and vice presidential candidate of the ANPP in the 2011 presidential election, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, was of the view that no amount of opposition or victimisation will stop the APC from rescuing Nigerians from the grip of the ruling PDP. He said the APCN will not be distracted by any distraction from any quarters.

His words: “Whatever name they call us, we wish them luck, we are concentrating on what we are doing and we can feel that the entire nation, the entire people, in fact the entire international community are holding their breath, looking up to us, praying that this unity must truly come to pass.

“Thereafter, we will place what we are; our mission statement, what we hope to accomplish for the people, what we hope to accomplish for Nigeria before the people of this country and it will be for them to judge and I have no doubt in my mind which way they are likely to go.”

As the battle for registration of the All Progressives Congress continues, political analysts and stakeholders are watching with keen interest whether APC will fly in 2015 or not. And peradventure, if INEC refused to register the All Progressives Congress, what options will be available to the opposition parties leaders to achieve their goals of unseating the ruling party. Will the merger of the major political parties work or will it fade away before 2015? These are some of the crucial questions that Nigerians are yet to find answers for, as the current brouhaha over name and acronyms is regarded as a litmus test for the emerging coalition of opposition parties.

Oyedokun

ment should be credited for. The PDP set up the anti-corruption agencies and the PDP never used the agencies against the opposition, it rather looked inwards in its fight against corruption and looking inwards does not mean that only PDP governors or elected or appointed officials are corrupt.

Are we going to say that ACN governors are not corrupt? Are All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) or All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) governors not corrupt? I am not saying they are corrupt, but are there not any one of the found wanting? Would you say they are more angelic than PDP governors?

There was a time, and I am saying this as an insider, that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission wanted to rise against some of these governors, especially ACN governors during the tenure of former President Obasanjo, they were to be arrest-

ed, but Obasanjo said no, they would feel the government was using the anti-graft agencies to oppress the opposition, leave them, let them do as they please, posterity would judge. Would you say the former governor of Lagos State wouldn’t have been picked up? But Obasanjo prevented it.

Isn’t there a built-in mechanism for the parties to punish any lawmaker who goes against the wish of his party?

Because the situation allows for people to defect to other political parties, it makes it more difficult for parties to wield the big stick against erring lawmakers, especially in the National Assembly and no party wants to lose any of its members to the opposition.

But if we operate a two-party system, then such opportunity of flouting party directives and getting away with it would not have arisen, because there would now be a very delicate balance between the two strong parties and each party would be guarding its members jealously and wouldn’t want any member to defect to the opposition. And that would foster more discipline than what we have now.

Are you therefore advocating for a two-party system in the country?

That has always been my stand. I am not in support of the present system that allows for mush room parties where somebody is the national chairman, his wife is the deputy national chairman, his first son is the national secretary and his daughter the national treasurer and their sitting room is the national headquarter.

In your refreshingly different

Child-trafÀcking: How and why they do it There is no doubt that profits made from human-trafficking are enormous. There have been reports in many parts of the country, of unusual factories that churn out special human ‘products’. But to buy the product, a child must have been abducted and then trafficked for monetary gains. How are these crimes organised? What are the efforts of the relevant agencies charged with halting the trend in recent times? This investigative piece attempts to unravel these and exposes the modus operandi of those behind the crimes

The APC controversy Efforts to register the All Progressives Congress (APC) have been dogged by controversies. As at the last count, two parties have emerged to lay claim to the acronym, APC. The opposition is accusing the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of trying to muzzle it for fear of the 2015 election. What are the unrevealed undercurrents militating against the registration of APC? We tell you tomorrow.

Passion

Yes, I’m single with a baby out of wedlock, but not searching –Grace Ama Grace Ama is a Nollywood screen diva who’s still making waves in the makebelieve world. She left acting for a while to have her son. Now she is back. Ama, who received a degree in Creative Arts from the University of Lagos, says there is no big deal in having a child outside wedlock. She also talks about challenges she faces as a single parent.

Our problem with Jonathan –Falae “We are not saying Jonathan should give us any special treatment but he should be fair to us. He should give whatever is due to us, by virtue of our numerical strength, by virtue of the political support we gave to him, that is what we are asking for.” Those are the words of Chief Olu Falae, a former Finance minister and one-time presidential candidate. He, like other Yoruba leaders, have some axe to grind with the President Goodluck Jonathan administration for what has been perceived as the marginalisation of the Yoruba nation in appointment, among other issues. Falae, in the exclusive interview with Sunday Mirror, speaks about the 2015 election and the state of the economy, among others. Keep a date with your vendor.

These and many more available tomorrow in your

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Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

MAGAZ INE

.

Karen

Genevieve

Sex talk

Why are blokes obsessed with boobs?

z z z z z

Relationships How far can you go with infidelity?

Funke

z z z z z

Fashion

•Baby doll chic •Choosing the right wedding dress for your body type

18 Daniel Ademinokan is one of Nollywood’s big fish. He is a director, producer and scriptwriter. His latest movie, Unspoken, is currently generating a lot of buzz.

He spoke with OSEYIZA OOGBODO on the movie industry’s perpetual problems and other matters. Excerpts:

H

ow did you get into Nollywood?

As a kid, I was a TV addict.

There was no TV programme that I didn’t know. I was fascinated by how people entertained me. My life was like a triangle: I read books, watched TV and went to church. So, in the secondary school, I started writing scripts and would take them to producers. I can remember Teco Benson and others bought some of my scripts. Later, I realised that I was more interested in bringing some of those scripts I wrote to life myself. At times, I wrote scripts for some producers and when they came out, they didn’t look like what I wrote. So, I said instead of these producers messing my scripts up, I can make use of them myself. That was why I started training, following people up and down and studying some directors. Eventually, I went to America to study film production and directing.

Of all the films you have directed, which one will you describe as the best?

Honestly, I believe that my best is yet to come. I have directed many films, but I still see them as stepping stones to where I’m going. But if I want to choose among the ones I have directed, I will say it is Unwanted Guest which I shot in New York. I had White people as crew members and Katung of Big Brother Africa was in it. Seeing the kind of response the film got at cinemas was quite interesting.

As a director, what is your strength?

My strength is God. Recently, my mum came to Abuja on a visit and she was always telling me not to kill myself because I was like a crazy man. I don’t sleep. The problem I have is that I don’t know how to sleep. I don’t drink, smoke or go to clubs, but the energy is just there naturally. So, my strength is God. Also, when I look at my son and see how interested he is in what I am doing, it keeps me going.

There’s this talk that Ghana makes better movies than Nigeria.

What’s your take?

I won’t lie to you. If you go to the US now, most of the films people watch are Ghanaian movies. The Ghanaians spend money on their films and the filmmakers know exactly what they are doing and their environment is more conducive for the job. Who are the directors in Ghana? They are Nigerians.

Paschal Amanfo and Frank Jaja. These guys were here, but were not doing well.

They went to Ghana and because the environment there is more conducive,

March 16, 2013

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

‘It is difficult to recoup investment in Nollywood’ they are making it. Though they still have crappy films over there too, their films are generally better than what we have in Nigeria.

Celebrity

What is your genuine view of Nollywood?

The movie industry has come a long way and I believe that we are getting better. I always say that there are two sets of filmmakers in Nigeria. We have developmental films and commercial films.

We have those who refused to move with time. They are still shooting movies with N700,000 and N1 million. Such movies actually have shorter life spans.

It is either you choose to grow or stay in one place. There are now some intelligent filmmakers who are actually moving further. The industry is structured in a way that those who are making good films have continued in that direction.

If you look at people like Izu Ojukwu, Kunle Afolayan, Amaka Igwe and even the people from Ghana, they have strived hard to put their money where their mouth is in making good movies. But now, the return on their investments is where the big question mark is. There is no proper structure on how to recoup investment in the industry. That is where the big problem is. There are people who can raise money to make the films, but how can the money come back to the investor? That is the problem. That is why I’m delving into other businesses, so that when I make my movies and the profits are not coming, there should be other things that will bring money to me. We have to be honest with ourselves; people are not really making money from movies. For instance, if you invest N50 million and I take it to the cinemas, whatever I make from there, the cinemas take 50 percent immediately and the distributor will take 10 percent. So, what is left for me? Besides, I will still pay my tax.

What will come to me at the end of the day will not be more than N10 or N15 million. Many filmmakers spending a lot of money are not making it back. Those who are doing it are doing it for the sake of passion. We don’t know the power of merchandising in Nigeria. Look at a film like Jenifa. Some Igbo guys did Jenifa slippers and were selling it in Tejuosho Market and a dime didn’t go to Funke Akindele, producer of the film.

Somebody also made Jenifa umbrella but the money didn’t go to Funke. What I’m saying is that if your movie makes N10 million in the cinemas, you can even make more than that from merchandising. That is why I won’t even blame the people making cheap films in Alaba.

How do you think this problem can be solved?

Honestly, it is a tough question to answer. This is because a lot of practitioners have sat on this issue all to no avail.

Unless we have a true distribution channel in Nigeria, it won’t work. We need a distribution channel that is not in the hands of a few people. And until the distribution channel is properly controlled, filmmakers will continue to go

hungry. Look at all the veterans, they are dying. They are poor, no pension, nothing. Until we can control distribution and there is a policy to hold people liable when things go wrong, actors will continue to live in penury.

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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March 16, 2013

Entervaganza

With OSEYIZA OOGBODO

08023755142 kingseiza@gmail.com

Sheyman quits Trybe Records S

heyman is not a new name in the music industry. As a matter of fact, the name is quite respected in the industry. But while the name Sheyman represents Sheyman the artiste and Sheyman the producer, sound engineer, and the name has been very fulfilled in production and sound engineering, it is yet to find genuine fulfilment in recording and performing.

As a producer, Sheyman has a number of hits to his credit. KSB’s Turn Me Around, Bigiano’s Shayo, Big Bamo’s Kowonje and some others. As a sound engineer, Sheyman has also mixed a lot of songs that went on to become smash hits. Examples are Iyanya’s Kukere, Reminisce’s Kako Bi Chicken and Jah Bless’s Joor Remix.

The story of Sheyman the artiste is however another matter entirely. Even after releasing several songs, Sheyman the artiste has not become as visible as others like Wizkid, Davido and Olamide. His biggest hit till date, Hotter Than Fire, was a collaboration between him, Dr Pat and T-Code.

Not long after releasing Hotter Than Fire which became a nationwide hit, what can best be described as a setback for him occurred as he and his collaborators went their separate ways. Even as he kept releasing material on his own, including an album King Of Melody, he couldn’t light up the nation again the way he did with Dr Pat and T-Code.

But when it was announced last year that he had been signed on to eLDee’s Trybe Records, the move was believed to be the one that would take him to the next level. Unfortunately, that move too has also suffered a setback now as Sheyman is no longer with the label.

Wale Thompson to drop No Rival Juju hip-hop advocate, Wale Thompson, is set to release his fifth album, No Rival, during the Easter celebration period.

Popularly known as Mr. Lalale Friday, Thompson boasted that No Rival will surpass the achievements of his previous albums, My Time, Hip Juju, My Logo and Play On, which features one of his evergreen cuts, Old Skool.

“My last album was released in 2004. I am just releasing an album now almost ten years afterwards because I decided to take my time in order to continue leading the pack. As a musician that a lot of people look up to, you can’t afford to slip up, you must always meet peo-

ple’s expectations as expected and even surpass them,” he said in explanation of his long delay over releasing another album.

Speaking further, he said, “No Rival is more than a comeback album. I have worked very hard on it. I did some research and experimented with various music studios in Nigeria and abroad before recording the album. I am certain that it will help re-launch my career to greater heights and that my music will rule the world again.”

Morning Till Night, Back In The Groove, Everybody Loves Wale Thompson, Mapolongo Jesu and Iba Fun Jehovah are some of the tracks on the album.

Retta Rich tipped for something big

R

Timaya, Tiwa Savage release highly anticipated videos Top music artistes, Timaya and Tiwa Savage, have released the highly anticipated visuals of their respective smash hits, Malonogede and Without My Heart.

Both highly rated artistes did not disappoint their fans who have eagerly expected the videos. While Timaya’s

Malonogede was directed by Gini, Savage’s Without My Heart was directed

by Trademark Pictures and both are already doing well on broadcast platforms.

Another video just released that is also making the rounds fast is Stella

Damasus’s Love Me Quick. It is also a superlative video and its essence was properly captured by Da Bishop who directed it. The song itself is a lyrical masterpiece and is the soundtrack for Unspoken, a new movie by Damasus and Daniel Ademinokan.

etta Rich is one artiste who is believed to have a great future ahead of her. Describing her, Joy Tongo, Jton Records president who discovered her a few years ago, said, “Retta is the missing void in the African female music scene.”

And backing Tongo’s belief, Retta’s single, Kolo For You, became a favourite on radio and TV and got her the opportunity to perform at several events. The video also had the distinction of featuring P-Square’s Peter.

A couple of months after its release, Retta’s latter single, Who Be Fool, is still doing well, and it’s a testament to the fact that Retta has what it takes to go all the way in her music career.

ENTERVAGANZA

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Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

CLASSICAL RYHMES

AIRWAVES LINK

Who stole the show at AMVCA? E

ven though she didn’t win the best actress category she was nominated for at the Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards that held last Saturday in Lagos, Genevieve Nnaji still ended up as the star of the night, not for her acting skill or her beauty but for her bold and daring fashion sense.

As if she knew she wasn’t going to win the award, Genny did what she had never done before to steal the shine off the eventual award winners. Borrowing a leaf from America’s Jennifer Lopez

who wears extremely seductive dresses to events, Genny wore a dress that exposed her bosom and that has made her the talking point of the event.

That O C Ukeje won best actor and Mercy Johnson won best actress in a comedy are therefore not making the rounds like Genevieve exposed her cleavage.

Funny enough, Genny wasn’t the only with bared bosom on the night. Funke Akindele and Karen Igho also bared their busts for us to see but theirs are basking in Genny’s own.

Genevieve

Artist: Timaya

MI signs female DJ

I

DJ Lambo

n a bid to do something different that would set his record label, Loopy Music, apart, rt, popular rapper MI has signed on a female DJ, Lambo.

This move is probably the first he firs st of its kind in the country where here signing female artistes is even en a big deal. Last year, when the e labels Soul Muzik, EME and d Mavin Records signed theirr first female artistes Zaina, Niyola and Tiwa Savage respectively, it was big news.

MI’s signing of Lambo is bigger news however as female DJs are even rarer than artistes.

After all is said and done, it should be noted that Lambo wasn’t signed just for the hype and public-

ity value. She is actually a ttalented alented DJ and has been in the g a m e f o r years honing her skills under the tutelage of DJ Caise whom she opens for.

As well, she has been MI’s official DJ for a year and has even been nominated in the best female DJ category at the upcoming African Global DJ Awards holding in Johannesburg, South Africa.

GPTBFS presents prizes to winning viewers

T

he second batch of winners of competitions on the lifestyle entertainment television programme, Glo Presents The Big Friday Show, have been presented with their prizes.

The prizes which included The winners with their prizes Samsung Galaxy Surprise contest required Glo subscribTabs, BlackBerry handsets and ers to surprise their friends by arrangGlo High Speed Internet modems were ing a visit of the friend’s favourite cefor competitions on two segments of lebrity with the help of the Big Friday the show, Prank Yo Peoples and CelebShow crew. rity Surprise.

Both the Glo subscriber who did For the Prank Yo Peoples contest, the pranking and his friend that was viewers were required to prank their pranked were equally rewarded with friends and send in their pranked vidprizes. Similarly, the subscriber who eos by MMS or upload them on Faceset up his friend for a celebrity surbook. And in its own case, the Celebrity

True Story

prise visit and the friend also received prizes.

Prank Yo Peoples’ prizes were won

by Akingoboye Oluwaseun and Anthony Ebguna, CJ Carlos and Ade, Adewuyi Adeyinka and Ashirudeen Doyin, Taiwo Amusu and Dolapo, Gilbert and Gabriel and Longjohn Aba and Dipo Fagbolu.

Ubrufih Rukevwe and Obaseki Omamen, Ayeni Tobi and Sango Fajimi Funsho, Monday Akpan and Enosi Akpan, Theodora Atta Peters and George Atta Peters as well as Anene Ifeoma and Mercy Iyamu won the prizes for Celebrity Surprise.

Every week, a lucky Glo subscriber wins the chance to meet and interview the celebrity guest of the week and feature on the Big Friday Show. Viewers are also given the chance to send questions via SMS and MMS to their favourite celebrities. These questions are then answered directly by the celebs on the show.

Verse 1 This one, I say na serious issue oh I remember that time how I suffer iyo I dey waka from place to place iyo Port Harcourt to Lagos na so I dey go Eh ah, I come tire oh Wetin I dey find I no get oh E better make I start to dey hustle oh Than make I sit down dey look people oh Hook Eh ah Make unuh carry me go eh If I dey lie, thunder go blow Eh ah Water carry me go If I dey lie, make you swallow me oh Wetin I dey find, wetin I dey find Wetin I dey, wetin I dey Wetin I dey find Wetin I dey find, wetin I dey find Wetin I dey, wetin I dey Wetin I dey find Chorus (2x) This is my story This is my song now My mama told me Son, you got to be strong now Verse 2 For this life, people bad oh I remember one man he promise me oh If he tell me say he go help me oh Come today na come tomorrow [chai] I come tire oh Wetin I go do, my brother I no know Na wetin I dey find I no get oh All the promises them be voicemail oh Eh ah, I tire for life oh Wetin I dey find, I confuse oh Repeat hook Repeat chorus

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

ENTERVAGANZA

March 16, 2013

BOX-OFFICE HITS

BRAIN BEHIND THE SCENE

Efe Omorogbe …

Omorogbe

unique artist manager

W

ithout a doubt, Efe Omorogbe is one of the most important brains behind the scenes in Nigeria today. His success isn’t an overnight affair though. He’s been in the entertainment game for years and he’s still in the game making things happen because entertainment is what he lives for.

If you didn’t know before, then be informed now that Omorogbe is the principal manager of one of Nigeria’s greatest musicians, Tuface Idibia. Omorogbe it is that resurrected Tuface’s career after it experienced a slump recently.

Basically an artiste manager, Omorogbe is the head honcho of Now Muzik, Nigeria’s most renowned music talent management agency. Now Muzik has clients that presently include J

Martins and Timi Dakolo and has in the past represented Ruggedman when he was at his peak and many others.

But like all brains behind the scenes, Omorogbe is not stuck in just one profession. He is talented, so versatile, and he therefore has his fingers in many other pies of entertainment, one of which is events organising.

The events he has organised in recent time have been the talkof-the-town. One of them, Playa’s Ball, celebrates those who have contributed greatly to entertainment, and the latter Playa’s Ball therefore appropriately celebrated Edi Lawani.

Another event Omorogbe holds is St8 Up, Hip-Hop, a monthly forum dedicated to the propagation of genuine hip-hop culture.

MODE 9, Omorogbe, ILL Bliss, Phyno at one of Omorogbe’s event

M

agic has taken over at the box office. Even as The Incredible Burt Wonderstone, a magic-based film is warming up for its own arrival at cinemas, another movie on magic, Oz The

Great And Powerful, is already making its magic felt at the box office as the top-grossing movie presently.

OTGAP’s plot is truly magical.

Oscar Diggs, a small-time magician, is sucked into a tornado.

The cyclone brings him to the Land of Oz where he is found by the witch Theodora.

Theodora believes him to be a wizard prophesied to defeat the Wi c ke d Witch w h o killed her father, the king of Oz, and take his place as ruler.

Even though Diggs is not a wizard, he has to play along with Theodora as he doesn’t have a choice.

Along the line, many things begin to happen and they all combine to make OTGAP a box office hit.

S

toker is one movie that is being praised to high heavens by critics who describe it as utterly fascinating, ambiguous and exciting.

Ambiguous Stoker is indeed because its title suggests it’s a vampire movie, yet it is not. It only hints at vampires but there’s no clear proof of their existence throughout Stoker.

When India Stoker’s father dies on the day she turns 18, it paves the way for his longestranged brother to come for the funeral and a reunification with the dead man’s wife and daughter.

The brother’s presence however makes everybody jittery because he is very weird in his ways. And without further ado, people start to disap-

pear, the classic sign of a vampire’s presence.

So what happens at the end of the day?

Find out in Stoker which will soon be setting the box office alight.

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Relationships

How far can you

It’s a matter of perception

B

y nature we men love to appreciate the finer things in life and we tend to have a way of going out to show appreciation if not outright acquisition of those things. Men are visual animals while women are more into personality. What our women assume is flirting on our part is just mere appreciation.

Most men love to appreciate the finer things in life not because we want them or we really mean to acquire them but just to show that we are still alive and it can be very invigorating most times. What most women don’t understand is that just because we appreciate pawns do not mean that we are ready to discard the queen.

Why should I want any new woman when I already have the most amazing woman to call my own?

Let’s be realistic here, once a man stares at a woman beyond a passing glance or says openly that a woman who’s not his partner is well dressed and looking good, he’s unconsciously or consciously started flirting. Even if it sounds different to you, it is still flirting and there’s no other way or angle to see it from.

Tolerating your partner flirting is a personal thing and also a reflection of how comfortable you are in your relationship with your partner. A lot of people think it is showing lack of respect to one’s partner but I don’t think so at all. It’s when the flirting is done so blatantly and with abandon without regards to your emotional connectivity that a problem will arise. Flirting is not about physical connectivity at all.

Most people assume that it’s all about touching and maybe even kissing someone who’s not your partner. They believe that is flirting. For me, flirting adds a little bit of passion to an already sizzling relationship I already share with my partner.

Flirting is fun and it should be shrouded in trust.

People most times will tell you that flirting is immoral and a hard habit to break. They will tell you that it may even

break your relationship with your partner. They’ll also tell you that it’s a form of emotional infidelity and you shouldn’t indulge in it. For me, while I’ll not really in support of all the assertions listed, I’ll only say that if not properly handled, flirting may lead one into situations one never intended to fall into and may create misunderstandings and misconceptions that can lead to infidelity.

Before it is assumed that I’ve shot myself in the foot with the above statement, we have to look at the act itself. A person who wants to stray outside the relationship does not need to be a flirt. The funny thing is that for most people, and this is a fact, infidelity comes when they are not satisfied with something in the relationship they have with their partners and not because they were flirting. A flirt is not naturally looking for something new or something missing in his own relationship. We must look beyond cultural assumptions that a flirt is only looking for sex outside the relationship. A relationship is not a prison and it should not be seen as such too.

For me, flirting is all about subtlety. It should not be to beat boredom or to pass away time.

It is more to help boost the image of the person that is being flirted with. It’s about making that particular person feel wanted without necessary being a person with ‘a wandering eye’. Women also flirt too in different ways but they won’t call it flirting.

Finally, I believe what matters is how you perceive what flirting is. If I talk, smile and laugh with a female, it’ll definitely be perceived as flirting by a third party. On the other hand, if I do the same with a male friend, it’ll be assumed as just being friendly. The bottom line is that most people just do not want their partner interacting with members of the opposite sex that they perceive as being more sexy or attractive than they are and this is more of a trust issue. My take is that I don’t mind because I do trust my partner explicitly.

SEX TALK

This column is x-rated

Why are blokes obsessed with boobs?

A new scientific study has “proven” that men like looking at breasts and that women know that men have a weakness for breasts. That’s probably why when women say they want to lose weight, they rarely mean the fat stored in their chests.

What’s more, men don’t just like looking at breasts, but nearly half of them (47 percent) will look at a woman’s breasts before he looks at her face, and will look at them longer than any other body part.

Breasts are nature’s original milk jugs. Mounds of flesh that come in varying shapes and sizes, their design is purely utilitarian, but they have been worshipped by cultures around the world since the dawn of time.

There’s no debating that female breasts have an unusually prominent place in human society. What is the root of men’s double-D-sized fixation? The answers might surprise you.

Men find breasts calming

Breasts are a symbol of fertility

In a linear world full of hard edges and harder realities, breasts are soft, welcoming and non-threatening. With their obvious connection to breastfeeding, and by extension childhood, breasts remind men of the cocoon of their infant days when their mothers protected them from all the world’s evils.

A-cup or Z-cup, breasts define femininity in the same way that playing football and going drinking with the guys define masculinity.

Breasts hint at a woman’s ability to nurture and sustain life. They also point to a woman’s capacity to breed, as their appearance signals the onset of puberty.

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RELATIONSHIPS

March 16, 2013

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CHINWE ANNIE AMAECHI 07028684481 chinweamaechi@gmail.com

go with infidelity?

It’s totally unacceptable

T

This column is x-rated It’s a matter of natural selection According to Charles Darwin and his theory of evolution, humans subconsciously select partners who are healthy and appear capable of reproduction - all of which explains why the frail Darwin had so much time to write books rather than go out on dates.

According to his research, men are attracted to breasts (especially the more shapely variety) because they are indicative of a strong constitution and an ability to further propagate the species. Although reproduction is no longer our top priority, this instinct remains despite centuries of evolution.

Breasts are key in arousing women Any good lover knows that a woman’s breasts are closely connected to her primary libidinal zone. Therefore, another reason men like breasts is that they know that if breasts are handled properly, they can bring women to a state of heightened sexual arousal, which will in turn be for their good. What man does not know the gains of bringing a woman to a state of sexual arousal?

Men are stimulated visually Unlike women, who can be aroused by reading a single passage in a romance novel, men require visual stimulation. It’s hardly surprising then that breasts, raised and perky as they often are, receive the obsessive attention of men. After all, apart from genitalia, breasts are a woman’s most well-

This column is x-rated defined physical feature. Ask Dolly Parton!

Societal pressure Clearly, it’s not all a matter of biology, particularly when you consider that humans are the only animals who include breast fondling as part of the mating process. One of the primary reasons men are breast-obsessed is because society encourages the fixation.

Pick up any magazine. You are bound to see more cleavage than anything else. The same goes for adverts, movies and a host of marketing material. Little wonder breasts have spawned their own film and plastic surgery industries.

Breasts have the allure of taboo The erotic allure of breasts is further heightened by the fact they are supposed to be kept under wraps and away from view.

Men always want that which they cannot have, and in that regard, breasts are the ultimate forbidden fruit

Keeping abreast of issues Men are often accused of speaking to a woman’s chest rather than her face, but are they really to blame? Their attraction to these “prisoners of the Bra penitentiary” is simultaneously physical, psychological and societal. Therefore, go out and celebrate the breast. In fact, go out and celebrate a pair of breasts!

here is no woman on planet earth who wants to share her man with other women, even if sharing just means sharing his attention and not his body. There are men who are naturally playful especially around women.

They love the reaction they get when they tease women and give them undue attention.

These flirtatious men are popularly called ladies’ men. They have the “sex appeal” and they just know how to make women blush. Our usual expectation is that once such a man singles out one woman as his one and only, he ought to tone down on his flirting and finally eliminate such tendencies. Unfortunately, this hardly happens.

Are you to sit and watch while your flirtatious partner continues in his “escapades”?

Let us get a clearer picture of who the flirtatious partner is. He is the boyfriend/fiancé/ husband who takes to a party and abandons you once you get there just to move around and tease, chit-chat, and dance with fine ladies. He is the man who has more female friends than men; very close female friends with whom he sends valuable time with on the phone. He is quick to “make new friends” with damsels – the single ones especially. The funny part of his playful nature is that he does not pretend to be single most times. When you’re not with him, he will not disclose your existence unless he has to, but when you are around him, he proudly introduces you to the babes. This sort of calms you down and kills your right to complain about his attention towards the babes.

The excuse people usually make on behalf of flirtatious men is that they are just extroverts and their playful disposition towards other women should not be interpreted as cheating. In fact, one school of thought opines that women with healthy self esteems usually don’t have problems with flirtatious men; they don’t see the other women as threats.

Well, although there is some wisdom to learn from the wom-

en with healthy self esteems, I believe that a flirtatious partner ought not to be tolerated for life. If a man truly loves a woman and wants to show her some commitment, he should be able to place her on a pedestal that no other woman can match.

A man’s value for his woman must compel him to love and cherish her romantically to the exclusion of all others. No one says a man should not relate with other women. The simple point is that he ought not to flirt with other women in the name of being friendly.

It is amazing how men expect their women to tolerate their crazy excesses, but will never ever tolerate the women’s excesses. A man will be quick to accuse his woman of cheating on him if she extends a warm smile, handshake or hug towards another man, or receives frequent calls and texts/blackberry messages from him. However, the “friendly” man is free to wink at, hug, peck and whisper into the ears of other women just as friendly gestures with no strings attached. To me, this is intolerable and a woman who knows her worth should not condone such.

A woman who tolerates a flirtatious partner and fails to compel him to cut his wings will pay the price in due course. This is because such playful men end up cheating on their partners, even if they had no intentions of doing so from the onset. Tolerating a flirtatious partner is equivalent to inviting heartbreak in to your life. The truth is that the seemingly hard women or women with “healthy” self esteems always end up having their fingers burned. So, for those of you who think you can handle your flirtatious partner, think again! It is just a matter of time and you will realize that such tolerance only acts as fuel to a man’s natural tendency to cheat. If a man truly loves you, he had better kill all flirting games.

So should you tolerate a flirtatious brother? Absolutely not!!!!

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Woman

‘Men always find me challenging’

Dr (Mrs) Comfort Olawumi Adeniyi is the Head of Mathematics Department of the Kwara State College of Education, Oro. She spoke with YEMISI ADENIRAN on why most female lecturers can’t keep their homes, how she managed to head the department despite the stiff competition from her male colleagues and the effect of her childhood on her adulthood. Excerpts:

W

here did you grow up and what are some of the fond memories you would love to

share?

I grew up in a village called Aba Rabiu in Osun State. It used to be a small settlement, very close to Ifetedo, I don’t know how big it is right now. We lived a kind of routine life. Once we woke up in the morning, we would quickly prepare to go to school and when school closed for the day, we would come home, ate whatever food that was available and off we would head for the farm. We used to have uniforms for farming time, so, immediately we came back from school, we promptly put on our farm uniforms and went to the farm where we would have the remaining lesson of the day.

Was there another school on the farm?

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

The regular school session and the farming school. The morning period was for the former where we studied the white man’s training. while the evening time was spent on the farm where we were taught the practical aspect of Agriculture. I come from a very humble background, my parents were farmers who knew nothing but farming and they made up their minds to show us this particular way. As far as they were concerned, the knowledge of book is not complete without the knowledge of farming. Whether their child was a boy or a girl, they believed he or she must be able to till the ground and found a means of feeding or livelihood by it.

Did you enjoy the experience especially as a girl?

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

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

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

They rated us the same way and had an equal expectation from us all. This was unlike the general belief of an African man. As far as an African man believes, a male child is better and is worth a million more than a female child. An African man, therefore, would go the extra mile if not to the extreme, to have male children so as to help him on his many farm lands and also carry on with his name after he might have died. My father, though an illiterate, saw beyond this belief. He saw and related with all his children equally.

If you were better on the farm or you impressed him in any way, he would commend you and compensate you in his own way which would not only encouraged you to do more but would make you the envy of others. As I grew up, I saw myself not as a second class person as women are generally made to see themselves. I believe so much in myself and what I can do for myself to stand out. I always want to be a child to be proud of and that is why you will discover that I am always found in the business of men. They always have me to contend with. In school, I would compete with boys so much that it was only my features that could give me up as a female. I gave boys the stiffest push of their lives such that I was one of them whenever it was time to make decisions.

When it was time to choose a class, I refused to choose arts subjects or go to the arts class because I saw arts as for girls.

I never saw myself as a weakling. In any case, I never saw myself in the arts class all those while. I knew the science class is for the tough and the brilliant and I had eyed it, made up my mind to be a scientist and I thank God that I did not disappoint myself. You know I would have been the laughing stock of my female counterparts and even the males who believed there were some things I did that should have been left for the boys. To the glory of God, I passed all my papers with upper

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

WOMAN

March 16, 2013

grades and I was admitted into the University. I decided to love mathematics because I saw that a lot of people always run from the subject. I never saw it as any big deal and faced it the way I faced other subjects. It was made for man and not the other way round. Today, I am the Head of the Department of Mathematics at the Kwara State College of Education; Oro, which I believe wouldn’t have been possible if I had been in other fields. In those days, a lot of people run away from Mathematics for other subjects that they believed were easier, so, those disciplines, of course, got flooded with people and the opportunities therein became very limited. I thank God for this and the efforts of my parents at raising me up to be tough. Besides this, generally, I don’t also see any difference in the sex of my children. I am blessed with four kids, boys and girls and I see them all as equal. I believe strongly in the saying of what a man can do, a woman can also do. So, I allow all of them to be exposed to the same opportunities while I await an equal feedback. Other things I learnt from my parents are hard work, honesty, discipline and selflessness. We were taught to put others first in whatever we do and this I try to do always.

Is there anything you hate about your parents?

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

How large was your family when you were growing up?

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

How would you describe your polygamous experience?

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

How contented are you with this lecturing career?

My dream in life is to build the younger generation and I thank God that my teaching life has offered me the maximum opportunity of doing this. Before I became a lecturer, I had taught in some secondary schools and the joy of contributing to a child’s positive future is just incomparable. Teaching has been my long term ambition. I am a fulfilled teacher, I am proud to be one any time.

What’s your experience been with your male contemporaries?

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

definitely be successful in leading both men and women counterparts.

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

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

Mathematics demands constant practice which most students cannot afford to do.

There is also the problem of incompetent mathematics teachers. Some mathematics teachers just know it but they cannot teach it. Some take delight in scaring their students with talks like, “Maths is not an easy subject, if you fail maths, you cannot get anywhere” and so on.

This usually plant a negative perception of the subject in the mind of the learner which is not good. Lack of adequate text books is another reason why people run away from the subject. Maths is very easy if we will have the right mindset, it is a subject that you don’t have to read or write voluminous things. Very straight forward and wastes no one’s time. If parents and teachers will take their time to work on the minds of their wards, more students will be in love with the subject.

What advice do you have for the younger generation?

They should be more active and dedicated to their work. The youths of today, unfortunately, are lazy and are always seeking the cheapest way to enrich themselves. This is why we have a high level of crime in the society. They don’t want to study hard, they want to be at special centres where they will freely cheat and get into the universities. They should believe in themselves, they have great potentials residing within them, this will eventually take them to the top. This, they must know and invest in. They should do the right thing at the right time, they should focus on what they want to become in life and work towards achieving it.

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

It is nothing but laziness and pride.

I see no reason why a woman will say because she is well read and lectures in a higher institution will not give attention to her home. I have been married for years and I don’t pray for a broken home.

Work has an expiry date but your home and immediate family remains yours and with you until you die.

What’s your opinion about full time housewife?

I do not support it because the wife is supposed to lift up the husband’s hands in all areas including in finances. What if the man dies suddenly, how does she run the home without being ridiculed?

The sudden death of a husband whose wife is not working can put the whole family into a life of suffering, it can destabilise the entire future of the children and even the wife.

What advice do you have for parents generally?

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

25

Keeping ABREAST

Pink smoke at the Vatican …As women’s rights activists protest against the continued exclusion of women from the priesthood.

P

rotesters demanding a greater role for women in the Roman Catholic Church set off a pink smoke flare on a hill above the Vatican on Tuesday, as the men-only conclave that chose the next pope began.

Mimicking traditional smoke signals from the Sistine Chapel - white for a new pontiff and black for an inconclusive vote - the women also wore pink clothes and “Ordain Women” badges.

Some argue that women already play an important role in the Church, teaching and caring for young Catholics and doing much of its missionary work, while others say exclusion of women from senior roles and the ban on women’s ordination is out dated.

“The current old boys’ club has left our Church reeling from scandal, abuse, sexism and oppression,” said director of the Women’s Ordination Conference, Erin Saiz Hanna, one of a small group assembled on the Janiculum hill overlooking St. Peter’s.

“The people of the Church are desperate for a leader who will be open to dialogue and embrace the gifts of women’s wisdom in every level of Church governance,” she said.

The Vatican says women cannot be ordained priests because Jesus Christ willingly chose only men as his apostles. Advocates of a female priesthood say Jesus was merely conforming to the customs of his times.

Last year, Pope Benedict restated the Church’s ban on women priests and said he would not tolerate disobedience by clerics on fundamental teachings. Under his leadership, the Vatican cracked down on advocates of female ordination.

But some cardinals who attended the conclave have spoken out about the need to review the role of women in the Church and the leadership positions open to them.

Argentine Cardinal Leonardo Sandri, 69, has said that women must have a much more important role in the life of the Church and be able to contribute in areas which are now only open to men.

At present, women, most of them nuns, can only reach the position of under-secretary in Vatican departments,

THE VATICAN SAYS WOMEN CANNOT BE ORDAINED PRIESTS BECAUSE

JESUS

CHRIST WILLINGLY CHOSE ONLY MEN AS HIS APOSTLES the No. 3 post after president and secretary.

Currently only two women are under-secretaries: Sister Nicoletta Vittoria Spezzati and lay woman Flaminia Giovanelli.

Spezzati holds the post at the Vatican’s department for religious orders, which is run by Brazilian Cardinal Joao Braz de Aviz who played a mediating role after the Vatican reprimanded American nuns for not doing enough to fight against abortion and gay marriage last year.

Giovanelli works for the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace under Cardinal Peter Turkson from Ghana.

Some women who are tired of waiting for the rules to change have taken matters into their own hands. The Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests (ARCWP) say there are now more than 124 female priests and 10 bishops worldwide, though the Vatican considers them excommunicated.

Janice Sevre-Duszynska from the ARCWP, who attended the Rome protest in her white priestly robes, said if she met the new pope she would ask him for a follow-up to the modernizing Second Vatican Council of 1962-65, which discussed relations between the Church and the modern world.

“I would say to him that we need a new Vatican council with no bishops being invited, no cardinals, no priests, but just getting the people from local parishes, and people who have come out of prison and homeless centers,” she said.

Culled from www.reuters.com

26

March 16, 2013

Parenting

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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

Is your child overweight?

Y

ou love to pinch your toddler’s chubby cheeks, to kiss his dimply knees, and squeeze those plump little arms. But is there possibly too much to squeeze?

When it comes to assessing your child’s weight, it isn’t always easy to tell. Still, it’s crucial for your toddler’s health that you figure out if he’s packing more pounds than he should. Being an overweight toddler can set your child up to become an overweight adult, and that can put him at risk for all kinds of medical problems, including heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. With childhood obesity at an all-time high in this country (an estimated 14 percent of kids ages two to five are obese), you’d be smart to determine if your child is tipping the scales toward obesity, so you can do something about it now.

Where do you start?

Start by calculating or checking your child’s body mass index (BMI) — an indicator of body fat based on weight and height that can help you assess whether your child is overweight or obese. To do this

effectively, you need to get accurate measurements of your child’s height and weight. The results will tell you your child’s BMI percentile for his age and gender. If he falls between the 5th and 85th percentages, then he’s considered to be at a healthy weight. If he falls above the 85th percentile, he may be at risk of being overweight or obese.

But before you assume the worst, keep in mind that your toddler’s BMI isn’t the only factor to consider. It’s merely a starting point — one way to gauge whether your child is overweight. And it’s important to note that some kids who are muscular tend to have high BMIs without being overweight. So, once you learn your child’s BMI, take that information with you to your pediatrician so you can get a full assessment of your child’s weight. No mom wants to believe her child is overweight, but if your toddler is heavy, there are steps you can take to bring down the pounds and improve his health.

In the meantime, focus on feeding your little one healthy foods and getting him to exercise. Here’s how:

Parenting

 Consistently serve up nutritious foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat dairy foods.

 Try to limit screen time to one to two hours a day. This will allow more time for physical activity.

 Go easy on processed, high-fat, and fast foods.

 Look for ways to be active together. Take your child to the park, go on walks together, and

 Limit the juice in your toddler’s sippy cup to between four and six ounces per day (or dilute his juice with water to make it last longer and cut the sugar in each swig).

consider family activities like hiking and biking.  Walk the walk — or run the run. Eat well and exercise yourself. When you model a healthy lifestyle, your child will be more apt to follow your lead.

Tiny Feet

 Have consistent snack times and mealtimes (broken down into six mini meals) instead of letting your toddler graze throughout the day, which can lead to overeating.  Let your child feed himself (as opposed to you spooning out each bite) and let him stop when he’s ready. He has a better sense of how hungry he is than you do. This will help him learn to listen to his own hunger and fullness cues.  Don’t reward your tot with treats. That can lead to an unhealthy, emotional relationship with food.

NAME: Adeolu Aderanti

BORN TO: Mr. and Mrs Adeniyi Aderanti AGE: 3 months BIRTH WEIGHT: 4.0 kg Have you just had a baby? Send a picture of your bundle of joy to mirrorbabies@gmail.com

Slow-growing babies ‘catch-up’ Update by teens –Study

B

abies who are slow to gain weight in the first months of their lives generally catch up to their peers by age 13, a large UK study shows.

Researchers said the results would reassure parents whose babies fail to put on weight quickly. And they warn against boosting the calorie intake of slow-growing babies as this may increase obesity.

The researchers looked at data from 11,499 children who took part in the large study. It showed that 507 who were slow to gain weight in the first eight weeks of life recovered fairly quickly and had almost caught up by the age of two years.

Another group of 480 children who were slow to gain between eight weeks and nine months continued to put on weight slowly until they were seven years, but then had a spurt and caught up by the age

of 13.

The different patterns of recovery between the two groups were likely due to different reasons for slow weight gain, the researchers said.

All the children were still lighter and shorter than their peers by the time they were teenagers, but within the normal range.

The findings highlight the importance of monitoring a baby’s weight and height gain during the first few weeks and months, but not creating anxiety with parents of slow-growing babies, said the study leader.

“In the past, a lot of parents have been caused a lot of unnecessary anxiety by health professionals and this is a positive and reassuring message.”

He said in many cases slow growth where children who are otherwise well do not follow the standard ‘curve’ is just because they are following their genetic

potential.

“The second point for health professionals is that for a child that is well with no symptoms they can be relaxed and not worry about pushing calories because you can push them the other way.”

Feeding habits in the second six months of life determine a child’s future weight gain, so consuming too many calories in infancy can lead to obesity later on, he explained.

“The weight when you’re first born is the impact of pregnancy, the weight at eight weeks is related to how well you are feeding, then for the next year there will be an adjustment to your natural centile.”

“I would encourage parents to use growth charts but if measurements show your baby is smaller than average it may be completely normal.”

•Culled from www.bbc.co

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

27

March 16, 2013

le StyGlam and

with Yemisi Adeniran

B

aby doll dresses have been a trend since the 1950s. Quite feminine, stylish, flirty and bold, the baby doll dress beautifully skims through your curves and accentuate your best looking assets like your sexy legs and cleavages.

Otherwise called empire line dress, it is a cute dress that fits all shapes and sizes. It looks great on thin and not – so - thin girls. From the bedroom to high-end parties, this dress is available in all designs, patterns and styles which suit everyone’s taste. The best part of this versatile dresses are that it can be worn as a day, night, evening or office wear. They are not only limited to pre teens, teens or middle age, even expectant moms can wear them. It

(08037801158) ydiran@yahoo.com

can also be paired with other pieces to wear them as staple piece. Check these guidelines to wear them best: • If you have sexy long legs and flat stomach; pick the original style that is sweet and small. Just a few inches above the knee will suit you most. Thin legged girls wear a long version of the dress.

• Support with a push-up bra if you are in a deep plunging neckline type. This will help the effect of the hourglass figure.

• Team them up with proper underlines. This goes for every item of clothing.

• Team up your baby doll dress with stylish pumps or high heels.

High heel or wedge adds glamour to your look.

28

STYLE & GLAM

March 16, 2013

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Fashion Frenzy

BEAUTY

Q&A

Your candid response to all fashion questions Cute tops for you The short sleeve blouse The short sleeve blouse is becoming more a trend in today’s market, and it comes in many different designs and colors to accommodate any woman’s taste. Some designs include bows, pinstripes, thick stripes, patterned looks, ruching, and more. Some will feature collars

and button down designs and some will not, depending on the style of the particular blouse. The short sleeve blouse can take on many different looks, ranging from casual to more formal depending on the setting. More casual style short sleeve blouses can easily be worn with jeans, skirts, capris, and shorts. In the hot summer months short sleeve blouses can be acceptable in many business settings, and are comfortable while still achieving a business casual look. They can

easily be m skirts, and

The patt With mo ber of des are no lon

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

STYLE & GLAM

March 16, 2013

29

Facelift

Get a basic skin care regime

E

very woman desire the best look on her wedding day. However, if keen consideration is not given to one’s body type, it may be hard to achieve that stunny look. If you have doubts about what details to look for in a wedding dress to flatter your figure, just read this: For the pear shaped, that is if you have hefty hips, thighs, a big bottom but a proportionately slim waist, simply go for a bodice which is rich in texture,. Accentuate your waist with a sash or an empire waistline for a good flatter. Avoid very full skirts or heavy embellishment which will likely draw attention and add to the lower half of your body..

Heart shape (a large bust, slim arms, legs and narrow hips), show off the upper part of your body with a sweetheart neckline. Pick a, strapless gown to draw attention to your slim body while adding a bit of dimension to the lower part with full and pick- up skirts. Halter neck dresses are not your friend, so, don’t go near them.

Boyish figure (Long toned limbs but not much of a waist), go for high empire waist wedding dresses. fitted directly under the bust. You can decide to go for a slim silhouette or a full one. Embellishments, embroidery and accents can appear both at the upper and the lower body

made to look more formal when worn with dress pants, dress d jewelry as well.

terned and pinstripe blouse ore and more women in the workplace every year, the numsign options for blouses has increased immensely. Women nger limited to simple boring colors, as clothing designers

Petite (a very small frame and short). Create an illusion of height by drawing attention to the neckline and shoulders with high-necklines, short sleeves, sleeveless, streamlining the body with a-line, princess style sheaths and preferably floor length veils. A petite with a small bust should go for the bateau neckline or sweet heart neckline. Avoid excessive details like frills, puffy sleeves which will over power your small frame.

Full figured bride, your problem areas are most likely arms and belly. Focus on emphasising facial features with embroidered, V and U shaped necklines. Avoid heavy sheaths; instead go for delicate and flowing ones like lace and chiffon. Long sleeves will conceal heavy arms, while thin straps, sleeveless and tubes will not, unless accompanied by a bolero. It is best you avoid, layers, fabrics that cling to the body, ruffles, puffy sleeves and trumpet skirts, this will add to your proportions!

Hour-glass (Narrow waist; with wider bust and hips that are in proportion). Emphasize the curves with mermaid style wedding gowns, empire waist line, waist detailing and sash belts. to show-case the shoulders and arms. Avoid high necklines and too much detail on the bodice and skirt. It disrupts the natural balance, choose plunging necklines and strapless dresses instead.

everywhere are selling blouses with patterns and pinstripes to add character and personality to any outfit. These styles of blouses can be worn in the office or in a more casual setting, and it is simply up to the shopper to make the outfit. For example, there are great styles of pinstripe, paisley, and floral button down shirts that work perfectly for work attire, while more bright and colorful prints work better for casual wear

The thought of shopping for skin care items can tedious and knowing which ingredients to look is daunting, so here are a few suggestions of what ingredients to look for when starting your skin care regime. When choosing your cleanser toner and moisturizer look for the following ingredients, which will vary depending on your skin type: Dull dry skin… oxygenating essential oils including: Peppermint, Geranium, Rosemary, Cyprus, Thyme, Anise and Cinnamon Oily or acne prone skin…anti-bacterial and oil blotting extracts including: Camphor, Eucalyptus Oil, and Witch hazel Mature Skin…Liposomes, serums.

Sunflower, jojoba and hazelnut are rich lubricants.

Exfoliators…ENZYMES are the gentlest and yet most effective form of exfoliation. Papaya being the most effective Once you start on the road to good skin care, your skin will crave it. Remember, a good diet, exercise and drinking lots of water will also help improve your complexion. With just ten minutes a day you will soon see results and others will also notice.

So start your twice daily skin care regime and , when you just don’t feel like it, remember just 10 minutes a day keeps those winkles away.

For optimum results, immediately after using your exfoliator, apply a masque . Check the ingredient lists for anti-inflammatory agents such as cucumber or chamomile, these will work to calm and soothe your skin, so that it emerges, refreshed,, refined and revitalized. Always a good thing!

Obviously the more you care for our skin, the better you are going to look.

And that alone will give you a new lease of life. There are also eye creams and gels that reduce fine lines and firm the area around the eye. Thus helping to prevent further wrinkles.

30

Male Essentials

Sher wani

OLUWASEGUN IJABIKEN

S

herwani is a knee-length garment usually closely fitted to the body over kurta pants by Indian men as wedding costume. The shoulder of a Sherwani is cut and sewn like that of suits to look less-informal. Heavily embroided and sequined or pearled to command regalty. It can be sewn with any sheen material or velvet.

Nigerian guys who know their onions have adopted this fashion and its

fast becoming a popular trend among us in weddings and other formal events.

For people who would like to bury obscurity and really be the cynosure of all eyes with a feel of elegance, nobility and dignity, then sherwani is the way out. If it is properly sewn, it accentuates the rectilinear of the masculine figure to a royal look.

When wearing a sherwani, it’s good you complement your classic look with a cap or Indian turban of harmonious colour to match.

March 16, 2013

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

5 tips for better skin M

en’s skin care has come a long way from the days when your father would wash his face with a withered bar of soap and cover up shaving nicks with bits of toilet paper. Today, there are an overwhelming amount of products specially formulated to meet the needs of the stubborn (and stubbly) male epidermis. But navigating your way through the glut of grooming goods out there doesn’t have to be intimidating, and it shouldn’t be fussy either; a winning skin care regimen should be swift and simple to ensure that you’ll actually follow it. You can check your 12-step program at the bathroom door, because achieving better skin takes just 5 tips.

1- Cleanse If you do nothing else, cleansing is the single most important thing you can do for your face. It should be the basis of your skin care regimen, but that doesn’t mean reaching for a simple bar of soap (which can overcompensate and leave your skin dryer than a desert). Men’s skin typically has large pores and very active sebaceous glands. While these glands are critical for keeping the skin naturally moist, they can often produce too much sebum, leaving your skin feeling greasier than an oil slick. Neglecting to wash away the excess oil and dirt can clog pores, which leaves the skin prone to breakouts. A basic gel works just fine, but not all facial cleansers are created equal. Look for one that is strong enough to cut through the grease and yet gentle and affordable enough to be used at least once a day.

2- Exfoliate Sometimes cleaning the skin with a simple face wash just isn’t enough.

A cleanser washes away oil and dirt on the surface, but what about all that nasty stuff deep down in your pores?

Even religious use of a face wash will still leave the most men’s skin feeling like a bumpy mess. That’s where exfoliation should make an appearance in your skin routine (just two to three times a week). It helps dislodge debris that normal washing can’t touch. A good scrub should have granules to help smooth the skin and eliminate the dullness that results from normal pore clogging and dirt build-up. Exfoliation also softens hair follicles for a closer, less-irritating shave and allows the skin to better absorb moisturizers.

•To be continued next week

Living Woman dares fibroid

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

•Rubbishes age long myth •Gives birth to two kids within three years

Abioye

Fibroid

Like a bad joke, a fibroid growth emerges in a woman’s womb and she is never the same again. While many lose the battle against the dreadful growth on the surgeon’s table, others who escape such untimely death, live with the unenviable alternative of barrenness.

Somehow, 43-year-old Gbemisola Abioye has escaped all these. In an uncommon defiance of the myth surrounding fibroid, she had two healthy children within two years despite her fibroid-filled bulging stomach.

YEMISI ADENIRAN

G

bemisola Abioye was about 40 years old when she got married. Though not self-inflicted, her late marriage was induced by her suitors’ reluctance to take the daring leap of faith. This was, however, not without several years of frustration and torments from her parents, friends and relatives.

“Although I was long overdue for it, the marriage proposal from Gilbert was a celebrated relief. I became very

precious and of course, the talk of our village when we finally got married,” recalled Abioye.

The wedding ceremony, according to her, went as quickly as it had come and without wasting the already wasted time, the honeymoon was skipped and the much awaited marital life commenced.

As if the blessing of a husband was not enough, one month after the marriage, she began having symptoms of pregnancy. “I couldn’t believe what was happening to me. Here I was, a woman whom the entire community had almost given up on who finally got married, now

expecting a baby? Even my husband who already had two children from his late wife was elated. He was not desperate for a child but you know he knew this was what I wanted and that it had come earlier than expected was nothing but a thrill to all of us,” Abioye recollected.

A much welcome development, it was, she immediately began shopping for materials and other needed things for the unborn child. “When my parents and other siblings heard, their joy also knew no bound,” she added.

Unknown to her, fate had a contrary plan. Three months into the said preg-

March 16, 2013

31

nancy, she decided not to take any risk especially at her age, she visited the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Ikeja to register for her nine months course in antenatal programme.

It was at the hospital that she got the shock of her life.

“I was asked to go for some tests, the urine, blood and other tests. A scan was also conducted just to make clearer their medical discovery. We were made to consume as many litres of water as possible to get this job accomplished. I did the tests along with many others and I got the worst of the results. The result of the tests conducted on me revealed that I was not carrying a child but a fibroid.”

But it was not yet over for her.

“My doctor took her time to explain the implications of the findings to me.

She told me that the fibroid has been growing over a time in my womb and for a child to grow in that womb; I would need to remove the fibroid growth otherwise; there would not be a space for the child to grow. She pleaded that I removed it on time too. I burst into tears and wouldn’t be consoled for a long time,” narrated Abioye.

That was three years ago and that was when her plight with a fibroid growth commenced. Just as the doctor advised, her husband and siblings whom she confided in were all of the opinion that a surgery was unavoidable and they warned her to avoid getting pregnant while they were concluding on when to have the fibroid removed.

However, Abioye herself was not on their side. Some weeks after the discovery, Abioye announced to her siblings that she was pregnant. “I was not in support of surgery especially when I had no child before and because I have a friend who has been through surgery two times over the same issue and is yet to have a child. I told my people that I was not going to allow anyone to open me up and I went to my God to deliver me from the situation. I went to a private hospital two weeks after I was at LASUTH and I was informed that I was not just carrying a fibroid, a child was inclusive,” she said.

Of course, it was a situation of mixed feelings. Those whom she confided in were on one side happy and hope that the baby survived despite the fibroid and were scared should it end in some tragedy.

“My elder sister, a deaconess and an evangelist, pleaded to no end that I go for a surgery to save my life but I refused. I packed to her house and we both decided to hang all on God’s neck.

I wanted a child at all cost and I was not ready to take chances with this one God has given me. I was like, what if it was the only child I would have on earth? I managed to convince my sister and we both became prayer partners on the issue. My husband did not also pressurise me to come home, he was coming to see CONTINUED ON PAGE 32

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‘I am a bundle of miracles’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 31 me at my sister’s place,” she explained.

On the day of delivery, the baby came through a Caesarean section but the fibroid was left within.

“We all thought they were going to bring out both the baby and the fibroid that day but the doctor said I could have bled to death. It was a sensitive time to remove the fibroid. He asked me to come after eight months to get it removed, that time, he said, I would have been stronger enough to do it,” she said.

Strangely, Abioye, obviously immersed in the joy of motherhood did not bother to go back to the hospital for the surgery. She was not ready until her baby was a year and half. By this time, she discovered she was pregnant again.

Describing her discovery, she said: “I was very scared this time and did not bother to tell anybody until it was about five months. I stopped going to everywhere including the market. I went to church intermittently. When my people finally found out the reason why I was keeping to myself, they were mad, very

mad at me. It was my husband that went to inform my sister and when my mother came on a visit to my sister’s place. She forced my sister to bring her to my place. As soon as she sighted me, she just collapsed and was hospitalised for a whole month.

“Now I know you are bent on killing yourself. But before you do so, I would go before you,” she had said time after time on her hospital bed.

That time, I prayed seriously for my soul to be kept alive along with that of my baby and my mother,” she told Saturday Mirror.

On February 3, Gbemisola Abioye had another child described by all as a wonder child in a private hospital in Ogun State. And just like the first one, the fibroid was left in the womb.

Although she was in the hospital for two weeks, Abioye is now ready to get rid of the fibroid along with her womb.

“I have a boy and a girl, the first one is a girl while the new one is a boy. I can now get rid of the fibroid which doctors said is bigger than what they could just remove. They said it will have to go

with my womb. Now I am ready and I believe it will end up well. If God could permit me to have my children with this big fibroid, I know He will see me through the operation and will keep my children. I am a bundle of miracles and my life is supposed to inspire others who are in the same plight with me right now and others who will be in the future,” she boasted.

A few years ago, the death of a very popular writer and publisher of Classique magazine, May Ellen Ezekiel, fondly called MEE by her friends and associates, did not only come as a shock but very painful, especially because of the circumstance surrounding it. She was killed by the venom of fibroid after she had been through a CS twice. Many who did not die are currently childless due to the presence of this dangerous growth in their wombs.

Rare luck as this might have appeared for Gbemisola Abioye, the probing question still is, are the worst days over for her? How elastic can this luck be and what hope do others currently in her shoes have?

Akintunde

‘Fibroids are curable’

Although Prince Akintunde Ayeni, the Chief Executive Officer of YEMKEM, a natural herbal home, blames the Dr Abayomi Ajayi is the Medical Director of Nordical Fertility occurrence of fibroids on lots Centre, Lagos. He spoke with YEMISi ADENIRAN on the danger of unhealthy foods that people of fibroid, its many types and implications on fertility in women. eat these days, he assures that it is curable.

‘One out of four women has a fibroid’

W

hat are fibroids and how can a woman know that she is a victim or a carrier?

It is a type of tumour believed to form from the muscles cells in the walls of the blood vessels of a woman’s womb. A fibroid is a benign (non-cancerous) growth of the womb (uterus). They are also called uterine myomas, fibromyomas or leiomyomas.

Their size can vary. Some are the same size as a pea and some can be as big as a melon.

Fibroids can increase in size, decrease in size or even go away with time. They can occur anywhere in the womb and are named according to where they grow. An intramural fibroid grow within the muscle tissue of the womb. This is the most common place for fibroids to form. Subserous fibroids grow from the outside wall of the womb into the pelvis. Submucous fibroids grow from the inner wall into the middle of the womb while pedunculated fibroids grow from the outside wall of the womb and are attached to it by a narrow stalk.

They are common and usually cause no symptoms. However, they can sometimes cause heavy periods, abdominal swelling and urinary problems, pain during sexual intercourse (If the fibroids grow near to the vagina or cervix (neck of the womb), this can cause pain or discomfort during sexual intercourse. This is called dyspareunia. Another sign that a woman may have fibroids is when she continually experiences miscarriage or infertility. This usually occurs if the fibroids grow into the cavity of the womb they can sometimes block the fallopian tubes.

What’s your rate of women with fibroids in Nigeria?

It is on the increase these days. A lot more women have it than it used to be many years back. At least one in four women develops one or more fibroids in her lifetime. They usually develop in women aged 30-50 and can sometimes be hereditary. It is

Abayomi

common to have several of various sizes, although some women just have one.

Fibroids are also more common in women who weigh over 70 kg (11 stones). This is thought to be due to the higher levels of oestrogen hormone that occur in larger women What causes fibroids?

It is not clear why they develop. Fibroids are sensitive to oestrogen, the hormone that is made in the ovary. Fibroids tend to swell when levels of oestrogen are high - for example, during pregnancy. They also shrink when oestrogen levels are low - after the menopause. This shrinkage of the fibroids after the menopause may be delayed if you take hormone replacement therapy (HRT).

When is surgery needed in fibroids cases?

When a woman with a fibroid is relatively young and within the child bearing age, we can try to remove the fibroid. The process is medically termed myomectomy. It is a process by which we ‘shell’ the fibroid out

of the wall of the womb to allow the woman the chances of bearing children. For a woman who has passed the age of child bearing, a Hysterectomy, which is the removal of the entire womb, is prescribed as the best option. For most women, hysterectomy is the most appropriate because it is the only way by which the re-occurrence of fibroids can be stemmed.

Is it medically possible for a woman to have a child with fibroids in her womb?

Yes. It is not every fibroid growth that hinders pregnancy in women. Where its presence is not so obvious as to disturb the existence of a child in the uterus, both can be allowed to co-exist. Fibroids are at times found outside a woman’s womb and if it is found outside womb in a tissue coming out from the wall of the uterus, there wouldn’t be any need for evacuation. In other words, where there are multiple developments of fibroids in a woman’s womb, surgery is the best option. .

What do you advise this woman, who just had her second child with a fibroid still in her womb, do?

She should count herself lucky and go for hysterectomy fast. That way, she will keep herself alive and healthy to take care of her children and also enjoy her life.

There is also a medication to shrink the fibroid.

What can women do to avoid a fibroid growth?

They should space their children and visit their gynaecologist every six months for medical discoveries, treatment and documentation of their circles for a prompt attention.

A

lot of women are currently fibroids carrier. What is responsible for this?

Fibroids occur as a result of so many things which include the consumption of certain things that are dangerous to human health. Such habits of eating denatured foods can lead to having lots of fat deposits in the blood cells that will end up gathering in the tissues leading to places like the womb and other delicate parts of the body. Many years ago, people depended on natural foods and not all these pastries that contain lots of preservatives, sweeteners and all things that are dangerous to our health. Most Nigerians have become very artificial and that is where the problems lie.

Are fibroids curable the herbal way?

For every problem, there is a solution.

For every ailment, there is a cure. It can be treated with herbs without being at the mercy of the surgeon’s knives. I have been treating fibroids with herbs.

How can it be controlled?

Very simple. We must strive to eat natural things. Birth control pills can also cause it. If you have been placed on birth control pills and then you stop it at intervals, there is bound to be some activities and growth in the uterus. We must also limit our meat intake. Many eat too much of eat as against fish, fruits, vegetables and canned drinks. All these are injurious to our health. These turkey and chicken we eat anyhow are preserved with chemicals that have lots of side effects on us.

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

The Toyota Sienna BB974EKY that skidded into the Lagoon on third Mainland bridge, recently

THOMAS USHIE

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LIVING

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art of the protective measures put in place on the nation’s bridges and highways, especially dual or multi-carriage roads, are ridges which are often called railings in the layman’s tongue.

However, practically everywhere these ridges are, some are missing or damaged. This, Saturday Mirror, discovered is due to either accidents or deliberate pilfering by scavengers who sell them to those who melt and make use of them for commercial purposes.

Unfortunately, the damaged railings portend great dangers to road users. It is not safe. And any road user could be victim.

Recently, a gold-colour Toyota Sienna with registration number EKY974BB plunged into the Lagos Lagoon on the Third Mainland Bridge while heading towards Oworonshoki.

Although the accident was blamed on high speed, Lagos residents marvelled that the sole occupant, 53-year-old Sola Oladimeji, who was rescued by fisher men, survived the accident with minor injuries.

While Oladimeji was lucky to have survived the plunge, same could not be said of a bank worker whose Honda Accord LX NJ 674 AAA, driving on the same Third Mainland Bridge, plunged into the Lagos Lagoon on July 27, 2008.

The sole occupant of the car died!

Awodun Omotayo, a Federal Road Maintenance Engineer, Lagos East, Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) while speaking with Saturday Mirror laid the blame of missing railings on the bridges at the door step of vandals and careless drivers.

“The hand ridges or railings, especially on the bridges, were damaged by careless drivers while some were

33

The Siena which Shola plunged with into the lagoon being rescued

Bearing the burden of broken ridges It is not an unusual sight to see the railings (ridges) attached to the numerous bridges in the country either missing or damaged. This has caused untold losses both in life and property. How are the regulating agencies dealing with this situation?

Chidoka

vandalised by unpatriotic Nigerians who melt and use them for various purposes. What the agency is doing presently is to replace these railings.

For instance, on Third Mainland bridge, we have started replacing the missing hand ridges so as to make the bridge safer for road users,” Omotayo

said.

He maintained that the bridge railings are paramount safety components of roadway safety systems that should not be toiled with by vandals or careless drivers. And in case of damages, the culprit ought to repair, replace or pay accordingly, to put it back in good and roadworthy condition.

But who is bearing the burden of these missing railings? The casualties are not just the car owners and drivers but also commuters as well as their loved ones who would shed tears, grieve and gnash their teeth in the advent of accident on these bridges when the railings are not there to save the vehicle from “double jeopardy”.

And to avoid the foregoing, the spoke person of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Bisi Kazeem, has enjoined road users, especially drivers, to ensure safety at all times on or off the bridges, with or without the railings while insisting that “prevention is better than cure and we must all do

our best to ensure that we prevent accidents on our roads.”

“FRSC is not directly in charge of the railings on the bridges. What we do is to advocate safety at all times. If the drivers drive with safety precaution, accidents would be greatly minimised.”

He explained that while the FRSC is not directly involved in the maintenance of roads and bridges, as part of its safety drive, it has a department that carries out assessment of these facilities and make recommendations to the appropriate authorities in order to ensure that all bridge railings meet full scale crash criteria.

“We have a department in the Corps known as Safety Engineering Department. They carry out road audits and make recommendations to the appropriate authority. If it is a federal road, the department makes recommendations to the Federal Government agency in charge. If it is a state road, the department makes recommendations to the state agency in charge.

“In case of damaged railings on the bridge, the department would definitely recommend its replacement and appropriate adjustment according to world standard. But as I have said, road users must ensure safety at all times. Prevention is better than cure and we must all do our best to ensure that we prevent accidents on our roads,” Kazeem admonished.

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Drowning: More agonies for relatives, friends of victims SEGUN ADIO

I

n many parts of Nigeria, especially the coastal areas of the country, a certain air of mystery shrouded in taboos hover around anyone who drowns and the disposal of their body.

In the south western part of the country, people who drown are often considered as belonging to the gods or goddesses of the river in which they drowned.

And most if not all rivers, Yoruba believe, are inhabited by one supernatural being or the other. For instance the great Niger River is believed to be inhabited by Oya, the wife of the legendary fiery Alaafin Sango whom Yoruba also believe is the god of thunder and lightning.

Thus, cadavers recovered from rivers or streams are not accorded the same treatment as those who did not drown.

In Ile-Ife, Osun State, for example, a drowned person is buried only by a group called the Onisoro. It is these people that after having performed some rituals will bear the body from the river and bury it beside the river where the person drowned. It is believed that this ritual is done to avoid reoccurrence of such in the community.

In Abeokuta, the capital of Ogun State as in virtually all Yoruba towns and villages, the property of the drowned is packed and dumped by the watery grave where its owner is buried.

Sakiru Balogun lives at Apata com-

Balogun

Inegbe

pound, in Totoro area of the state’s capital bordering the Ogun River and the city centre. Sharing his experience with Saturday Mirror, Balogun, who claimed he was born and nurtured at a riverside compound, claimed that in his 43 years of living in that area, several people had died in the river and were also buried there.

“I have been here now as long as I was born and I have witnessed many people dying and being buried beside the river. Tradition has, however, remained silent on why this is so, at least to the best of my knowledge. But what I have witnessed is that once someone

dies in the river, he or she is brought out by local fishermen or firemen and buried there at the river side. That is not all, all their belongings, up till the spoon they use to eat at home are brought and dumped on their graves,” Balogun said.

Akanji Oloyede, 36, sells planks at Oko Baba plank market in Ebute Metta area of Lagos State. Having spent 11 years at the market, Oloyede has seen a couple of vehicles plung into the Lagos lagoon and how the victims of the accidents were treated.

Oloyede claimed that on some occasions, some orthodox religious organ-

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

isations had come to carry away the corpses that plunged in the lagoon, not following any tradition.

Oloyede who once witnessed a bus plunging into the lagoon told our reporter that efforts of fishermen to rescue the victims were futile.

His words: “I remember well when one Molue plunged into the lagoon.

We all raced to the place with our speed boats but we were unable to rescue the people at the time. Before we could identify the spot where the bus plunged into, all the occupants were dead. It was the government agents that came with superior boats and machines to bring out the carcass of the vehicle. There was a church that came to take two of the corpses away refusing to honour any traditional rites of burying them by the river bank.”

John Inegbe, a native of Oron in Akwa Ibom State claimed that the experience is almost similar to the ones in the south west.

According to Inegbe, anyone who drowns in the river is usually buried by the river bank, though with little dissimilarities to what obtains in Yoruba land.

“Apart from burying them by the river side, there are some traditional rites that his/her family must perform before they would avert a reoccurrence of such incident in the family again. Some gods of the land would be appeased, especially the god of water.

Also, if the person was a woman, her husband would be made to keep the water from the river she drowned for a number of period and vice versa,” Inegbe said.

Whichever way it is considered, deaths in the river generates double pains for family and friends of the victims, as not only their loved ones are lost to the incident, but also valuables that naturally would have been useful for their wards.

‘Vandals of hand ridges are culpable’ Engineer Awodun Omotayo of Lagos East, Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) spoke with THOMAS USHIE on the maintenance of protective railings in Lagos and other matters. Excerpts:

S

everal railings on Lagos bridges have been damaged for so long, what is FERMA doing towards replacing them in order to ensure safety?

The hand ridges, especially on the bridges, were damaged by careless drivers while some were vandalised by unpatriotic Nigerians who melt and use them for various purposes. What the agency is doing presently is to replace these railings. For instance, at Third Mainland Bridge, we have started replacing the missing hand ridges so as to make the bridge safer for road users. When you are not driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and with a regularly maintained vehicle, you will always be guided when you are getting too close to the ridge. But some people, while driving under the influence of substances would not notice when they are too close to it and before you know, they would ram into the railings and before you know it, they may plunge into the river. We have

started work on them and we will increase the pace. We will keep on replacing them and keep them in good shape. We are also appealing to the public, especially vandals to stay away. They should be guarded that while vandalising the ridges, they are endangering the lives of commuters and other users of the bridges and whatever they may gain from it cannot be compared to the lives that would be lost in case of accidents. It is not a good business to go into.

Has FERMA been able to put proper security in place to guard against such vandalism?

It is the responsibility of the law enforcement agencies to keep and protect all government properties. However, once we see anybody damaging any of the ridges on the bridges, the proper thing to do is to report the case to the police who will take it up. But this responsibility is not limited to the civil servants or security agencies.

If anybody sees anyone damaging govern-

Omotayo

ment properties, such witness ought to report the culprit to the nearest police station for action. So, anyone caught, would surely be prosecuted.

What does your agency have in place to ensure that those who damage public properties such as the ridges and other road protection equipment, either by accident or wilfully pay for or replace them?

There are laws in Nigeria that compel whoever damages government or public properties to repair, replace or pay accordingly. The law is still subsisting. But the

problem is that many people are not aware of such. I think that there is need for enlightenment in this regards. Anybody that damages government properties by whatever means should pay and when caught, would definitely pay. In FERMA, when anybody damages any road infrastructure and is caught, the law applies. The first thing to do is to ensure the safety of the person in case of accident. Upon recuperation, the person is required by law, to repair, replace or pay for whatever road infrastructure that was damaged during the accident. For example, if a driver plunges into the river, the first thing to do is to save his life by making sure that he survives. And if the victim survives, he should replace whatever public property that was damaged.

Has FERMA been able to apply this law on reckless drivers?

When I was in Niger State, something of sort happened. A truck driver of a prominent company damaged the concrete divider on the Abuja/Kaduna Expressway. We were able to apprehend him and the owners of the truck were informed and made to replace the concrete barrier. So, the law is there and anyone that is caught, would face the law.

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Ketu plank market fire

‘Our loss is in billions not millions’ The fire which razed the Ifelodun Plank Market, Ketu, Lagos has come and gone but the anguish of the victims persists. Top on their mind is how to feed and probably recoup their lost investments. THOMAS USHIE was at the market to capture the travails of the traders.

T

he victims of the inferno that recently engulfed Ifelodun Plank Market, Ketu, Lagos, are yet to come to terms with the baptism of fire they underwent. And while they are toiling hard to come to terms with the unfortunate conflagration, there is one thing that is staring sternly at their faces – hunger!

The market which is tucked precariously in between sprawling residential and commercial buildings without adequate safety spaces in case of eventualities was completely razed to the ground.

When Saturday Mirror visited the scene of the fire most traders were seen strutting and fretting around the ashes of the burnt timbers, machines and other allied goods that were hitherto sold in the market, while a bulldozer bared its fang on the wreckage left behind by the fire.

Speaking with Saturday Mirror on the aftermath of the fiery fire and how they are striving to overcome the unfortunate incidence, the Chairman of Ifelodun Plank Market Association, Alhaji Aliyu Bello, said that it has never been a tea party as they are still gruelling under the pain of the inferno that has taken food off their table.

“It is not a party. And it has never been a party at all! It is horrible and has been horrible. Is it the money? Is it the loss of means of livelihood? Is it our families that

we cannot make money to take care of ?

Is it the idleness that the fire has caused upon us? What can we do than to leave everything in the hands of Allah? It has been terrible and so difficult for us,” he lamented.

Continuing, he said that it is like they have been tied to a stake from which they cannot escape but they would fight to live and forge ahead of the present unsavoury condition.

“We don’t have choice for now. We just have to cope with the situation the fire has put us and gradually grow out of it. We are coping. We cannot run from the situation because we are already in it. But we will definitely move forward,” he enthused Reacting to the governor’s promised to help the victims of the inferno as well as the call on the traders to take insurance cover in the future, he said that the members of the plank market association are exceedingly glad for the lifting of the veil of ignorance on them by the governor while expressing appreciation for the governor’s concern and promised to help them out of their imbroglio.

“We are very happy with Governor Fashola. He has opened our eyes to the need of saving our future in the future by taking insurance policy. We cannot doubt him and we would do what he has said.

When the market is rebuilt, the policy

would be our priority. We believe in Fashola and we know that he would keep his promises to help us in time. As you can see, we are all stranded here. We have families to feed and children to take care of in schools.

The earlier the market is rebuilt and handed over to us the better for our families and other extended friends who depend on us to feed and live their life,” Aliyu stressed.

Asked to take a retrospective appraisal of past fire incidences in the state and government’s takeover of some of the affected markets and/or resist the continuous operations of traders in the same location, especially the recent Okobaba timber market fire incidence, vis-a-vis the governor’s promise to help them, Aliyu allayed fears on the possibility of the governor reneging insisting on his association’s unflinching faith in the governor.

“The governor has promised to help us and I believe him with my whole heart.

He is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and he knows what it means to make promises to people. So, why would we doubt him? We have faith in him. He is our governor. He has already started. So, what is the basis for doubting him?” he posed rhetorically.

He continued: “we lost billions of Naira worth of goods and machineries to the fire.

I lost millions of Naira worth of goods and machineries. So, the loss is no longer in the region of millions but billions. It is a very

unfortunate incidence that would take us time to go over. It is more than what we can cope. That is why we asked the government for help. And we are glad that our father, Fashola, has promised to help us.

“Personally, I lost more than seven million naira. I had eight shops in this market where I sell different furniture products. A sheet of Formica is N1200 and I had more than 5,000 of them. I had other timber products and furniture materials that I cannot even count for now. We had different types of machines – the plain, the drilling, cutting, machines. This is a market manned by professionals so you can imagine the sophisticated machines that would be available for use. Even there are some people who were selling precious stones and tools here. So, the loss is colossal,” a visibly sad Aliyu told Saturday Mirror.

“We are all in pain, both men and women who lost their means of livelihood in this fire. You can see the women sitting as if they are mourning the dead. We did not prepare for this. We did not wish for it. It is very sad.”

And for the chairman, it is a “double jeopardy” as his wife who also sells timber material lost all to the fire.

“I have a wife and we both deal in timber and furniture materials. We both lost all we had and have worked for to the fire.

It is a triple lose for us. I have four children in the university and many other family members to care for. So, it has been a very difficult condition for not just me but for all of us. Even then, we thank God for saving our lives”.

Also speaking, Mrs Kazeem said that the incidence has caused so many setbacks not just in business circle but also at home front as such occurrences that affect means of income do have negative multiplier effects.

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Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

‘Have mercy on us, we’re hungry’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 35 “It has not been easy. When something of this magnitude happens just suddenly, it would cause a lot of setbacks on all fronts.

That is what my family and I are facing now. The incidence is still a mystery to some of us till now. We did not know how the fire started. We just heard that the market was on fire and when we got here, we could not rescue anything. You can see that we are all stranded. Everybody is stranded doing nothing. Look at us sitting down everywhere like widows. We need the government to come to our rescue.

“The governor has promised to help us but at present, what we need much more is to be allowed to be doing some business by the side as the reconstruction of the market goes on. If this is not done, we would not be able to feed and pay our children’s school fees. We are hungry. Our children are hungry and they should not be allowed to die of hunger. The government should let us resume business in small scale while the reconstruction of the market is going on. We don’t know when the reconstruction would really start and we don’t know when it would end. So the best option for us now is for government to allow us do our business little-by-little. The government should have mercy on us,” she stated.

Asked how she has been coping on the home front, she went spiritual submitting that, “it is God. With God all things are possible. There is nothing we can do without God. We believe in God. We lost millions of Naira but we thank God for sparing our lives.”

On her part, Deaconess Amosun painted a gory picture of their situation since the fire.

“We have not been finding it easy so far,” she exclaimed. “You can see that we are just sitting here doing nothing. Is that how we are going to feed our children? Definitely not! We cannot feed and take care of our families being idle. We are appealing to Governor Fashola to come to our rescue oooh! We cannot cope the way things are presently going on with us at all. The governor was here the other day and promised to help us. We are looking up to God and the promise the Governor made to us. With time, it would be better. The government should forget about the past whether they are the owners or we are the owners of the market and help us in this time of need. We are all working for the good of Lagos State and it would not be nice if we perish in this moment of difficulty and needs. The government should help us so that we can put food on our families’ tables.

Saturday Mirror also observed that security presence was still high at the scene as four police patrol vans and an armoured personnel carrier as well as two Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) buses and a van were strategically located at the burnt market to maintain the peace.

“We have not had this kind of security before. When the market was engulfed with fire, there was a massive response from the fire service and other security agencies.

They were more than this. This is just for the time being because of what happened.

We don’t pray for this kind of situation. We

Bello

Kazeem

Amosun

will never pray for this kind of incidence to happen again,” Aliyu explained.

It will be recalled that at the wake of the fire outbreak, the Chief Imam of Ifelodun Central Mosque was reported to have pointed accusing fingers at Agboyi Ketu LCDA on the premise that if a “witch cried at night and the baby died the next morning”, it is natural that the witch is the cause of the baby’s death. He had explained to reporters that the LCDA had vested interest in the burnt plank market with the intention of taking it over in order to remodel it.

He revealed that the traders resisted the LCDA’s plan but unfortunately, “they have burnt down the market so that they will do it by force and sell the market”.

Speaking in the same vein, Aliyu had lamented that the period the fire started and the rate at which it raged was so unusual as they could not rescue anything from the market.

“The fire started around 9.30pm. We rushed down to rescue our goods but it was so much that even the fire service could not gain entry into the area on time. The rate

at which the fire burnt made it suspicious.

I am not surprised that this happened because there had been a tussle over the ownership of the land between the local government and we the traders for some years now,” Aliyu was quoted as ruing.

However, dispelling the suspicions and accusations of government’s sabotage, Governor Fashola had described the suspicions as ridiculous, wondering “How can people say such a thing. People can be incredible. In fact, I will not dignify it with an answer.”

‘Insurance is of great benefit to traders’ Emmanuel Akinmolu Jegede, an experienced Insurance Broker and Underwriter, is the Chief Executive Officer of NICON Insurance Limited. In this chat with THOMAS USHIE, he spoke on the need for business operators to insure their goods, properties as well as life, against unforeseen circumstances that could wreck their businesses and render them financially incapacitated.

F

ollowing Lagos State Government’s advice to traders in the state to imbibe the culture of insurance, especially fire insurance policy, what are the conditions for taking such insurance policy?

Would be fire insurance policy holder will give details of the risk to be insured as it relates to location, description, value, etc.

A prospect must have insurable interest in the subject matter of insurance in such a way that he benefits from its continued existence or suffers if it is destroyed. The prospect is also needed to pay the premium as may be determined by the insurer.

Is the fire insurance policy saleable and/or profitable to the insured (the person to take or taking the policy)?

Yes fire insurance is sellable and it is of great benefit to the insured. The insured will be restated after a loss to the position he was immediately before the loss. Without insurance, the owner of the property is on his own, to repair or restore the property.

What are the general responses of small and medium scale business owners to insurance policies especially fire?

It is a fact that the response/patronage of insurance products generally is low due to many factors. These include attitudinal,

Jegede

ignorance, poverty, and so on.

Aside from risks like fire, what are the risks that could also be insured by traders in goods like timbers, in particular, other small/medium scale businesses in general?

Goods and stock-in-trade can be insured against the risk of burglary. Money can also be insured against the risk of theft or armed robbery. Traders can also take up personal accident insurance against the risk of accidental death, disability and medical expenses.

What are the merits of such policies?

There are so many benefits to the insured. These include the following: Provi-

sion of after loss compensation to store/ business owners; reduction of dependency on government by store owners, allowing the business owner come back to business after a loss, provision invisible earnings through reinsurance. Help stabilise economy of the country, reduction and avoidance of redundancy from job loss after the loss and reduction of crime rate and provision of security for loans i.e lien. It also gives peace of mind.

What is your expert advice to small and medium scale business operators on taking insurance policies?

From the forgoing benefits, it cannot be over emphasized that insurance policies are desirable to the small and medium scale business operators. In fact some insurance policies are made compulsory by Law such as Third Party Motor insurance policy, group life assurance. Also Nigeria Insurance Act 2003, Section 65 makes it compulsory for all owners/occupiers of public buildings to have insurance against liability to the Public against hazards of collapse, fire, earthquake, storm and flood.

Government can help create awareness and enforcement.

Without growth in insurance, economy of nations, small and medium scales including big operators will be negatively affected.

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

37

March 16, 2013

Dear Igho

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

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

Should my sister’s boyfriend sleep over?

Dear Igho,

My sister moved into my hou se several months ago. She now has a boyfriend and wan ts to have him sleep over som e nights. I told her it makes me very uncomfortable. We are both in our early 20’s. She thin ks I am being unreasonable.

I so confused. What do you thin k?

Daniella Gyang, University of Lagos.

Dear Daniella, It’s your home, and if it makes you feel uncomfortable, put you r foot down. I have a feeling that if you allow it once, it won’t just become “on an occasion”, it will hap pen often and then your house is invaded by a stranger, and a man you may not even like. When you allow a precedent to be set, it’s awfully hard to change it with out being taken to task. My advice is not to set the precedent in order to avoid being put in the awkwar d position of having to end the arrangement, once it’s begun.

Do I tell anyone I’m bisexual?

Dear AuntyIgho, I am a teenage girl and bisexual.

No one knows it except me. Not even my best friend knows, and we are best of friends! We are not supposed to keep secrets from each other. Not even my family knows it.

I want to tell someone so bad, but I am afraid of the reaction. My mom always says that she would always love me no matter what but I don’t know how to tell her. I don’t know how to tell my best friend and everyone else, too. I’m just afraid that my best friend will be grossed out, because we stay the night at each other’s houses and everything. And I don’t want to lose my friends just because I’m bisexual, but I don’t want to keep it inside anymore, and I don’t know how to tell anyone..

Could you help me, please?

Anne-Marie,

Osborne Estate, Ikoyi, Lagos.

Dear Anne-Marie, You are right to be concerned. The teen years are judgmental years, and anything a teen thinks “gross” even though it isn’t, can spread like wildfire and you could be labelled. Of course, it’s wrong to put labels on others – people have a right to their own sexuality, but women in Nigeria also have a right to equal pay to men, but it doesn’t happen in many cases. And, so, despite the inequity of certain life situations, it’s wise to be prudent.

I know you see shows like Glee, and movies that put a lovely spin on people being free to choose their own path, but that’s, often, not the case in real life. Although it’s getting closer to that point, a “live and let live” belief system is still

“utopian” in many societies such as Nigeria.

My dear, best friendships do not always mean sharing secrets, and trust, despite that being the premise. That is the hope of one, but best friendships can often go south over the slightest thingespecially at your age, and you have a right to keep some things between you and you! There’s no obligation to anyone to reveal something about yourself unless you choose to do so, and with apologies to none. I don’t think you should feel it’s not your choice to protect yourself. If not you, who will?

If your mother is open minded, at some time you might want to tell her that you are bisexual, and all you have to say is that you have an attraction to males, and females. She seems to have no prejudices concerning sexuality, and she may be able to help guide you into a comfort zone, and a support system that you need to feel good about

Just to say thank you!

Dear Igho, I know you may not remember me but I have written you thrice on different occasions last year and you even called me on one of the occasions to get proper clarification about the situation and you advised my husband and I. I just want to say thank you so much for your advice and the follow up phone call last year. I can-

not describe in words the relief you have given my husband and I. You made us see that what we were doing wasn’t wrong. We had questioned it so many times and doubted our decision based on family opinions. We felt we were in the right, and yet we were made to feel we were wrong. I did not go into detail the events that caused the rifts because, unfortunately, they were completely different scenarios

each and every time. You have helped a desperate couple in need of saving and I can’t thank you enough. I pray you will never lack helpers in your life and if I should ever need help in the future you will be the first I think of.

Mrs. Briggs, Port-Harcourt, Rivers State

yourself- and the decisions you have a right to make in your life.

At some time (and when it’s the right time for you), you can express to others who you are, and stand behind it. But, again, the teen years can be tough when others judge you, and you must think about the ramifications of letting people know of your sexuality at this vulnerable age. Some teens have thick skins; don’t care what others think and go about their lives with a “to hell with you” attitude if some people don’t like, or ridicules them. That’s not, necessarily, a bad attitude to have in life, but you’d need that thick skin in order to reveal your sexuality and have some people judge you for it. Again, you have a right to lead your life your way, but we are human, we have feelings, and it’s no fun being the butt of nastiness, no matter it being the problem of the individual dishing it out.

Dear Mrs. Briggs, You are welcome! You’re correct, I remember the name but can’t really recall the issues because I receive so many mails and text messages daily and do phone many of the writers in return but I am very happy that peace has returned to your home. You are a prime example of why Saturday Mirror Newspaper is a must-read for everyone. Notwithstanding the magnitude of work over here, I’m still waxing strong! I wish you all the best.

Thanks for making Saturday Mirror your companion!

38

TOURISM

March 16, 2013

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Gurara Falls

Dancing with the sun

Gurara Falls

K AYODE FALADE

A

waterfall is a place where water flows over a vertical drop in the course of a stream or river. Waterfalls also occur where meltwater drops over the edge of a tabular iceberg or ice shelf.

Waterfalls are commonly formed when a river is young. At these times the channel is often narrow and deep. When the river courses over resistant bedrock, erosion happens slowly, while downstream the erosion occurs more rapidly. As the watercourse increases its velocity at the edge of the waterfall, it plucks material from the riverbed. Whirlpools created in the turbulence as well as sand and stones carried by the watercourse increase the erosion capacity. This causes the waterfall to carve deeper into the bed and to recede upstream. Often over time, the waterfall will recede back to form a canyon or gorge downstream as it recedes upstream, and it will carve deeper into the ridge above it.

The rate of retreat for a waterfall can be as high as one and half meters per year.

The above must have transpired in only God knows how many years ago in where we now refer to as Gurara Falls located on the road between Suleja and Minna, Niger State.

The waterfalls span 200 meters across with a sheer drop of 30 meters. Gurara River is a large tributary of the great Niger River and it is always in full spate during the rain seasons.

But in the dry season, the falls are a trickle and visitors can swim in clear pools at the bottom of the falls.

The Gurara Falls change their shape

Another view of Gurara

every season of the year. From calm water ponds with slowly flowing water and meagre waterfalls – in the dry season (December to March), to a vast, huge flow of water with giant falls all around the site – in the rainy season (July to September) and every possible variety in between.

The place is worth visiting at list twice a year in order to witness the enormous change between the seasons.

At Gurara, small streams diverted from the main Gurara River running softly around rocks on top of the cliff, converging from scores tributaries in the narrow rugged pass and dashing out from the cliff with almighty power.

Finally, the water, shining under the sun, as beautiful as fireworks, falls into a pond some 20 meters below before returning to tranquillity.

There are two main streams of waterfalls, but in the rainy season, the whole cliff would be covered with a curtain of waterfalls. To get close to the waterfalls, visitors need to make a daring walk.

Apart from the spectacular view of the waterfall, Gurara is also a pretty good place for bird watching. The scene is most beautiful when viewed at a distance below the ridge. The spray of water cascading rhythmically over the top gives off a stunning, dazzling rainbow effect and forms a cloud in between and glittering foam below after which the waters flow fast and slowly and gently down the rocky streams in regal simplicity before they disappear from sight, hidden by the vegetation.

This nature’s beauty is full of natural performances as in a fairy opera. The water comes with a force resulting in bril-

liant foam just like cloud when it hits the waters below and form a snowy white covering and mist which emit a cooling effect on the surrounding.

Gazing steadily at the waterfall, one has a swelling feeling as if one would fall into the form.

During the dry season, the falls span shrink to about 30 meters exposing the beautiful rock patterns of the Falls walls that are usually covered by cascading waters during the rainy season.

During this period, the water is calm and swimming is possible in the small pond under the falls. It is good to visit the Falls during the rainy and the dry season so as to appreciate the changes in the water volume and temperament of he falls.

Moderate in that there is a bit of climbing down a steep hill and climbing back up it. The park service has recently put in somewhat crude concrete steps, but this has made the climb much easier.

Also, the river is rocky and slippery.

Along the stream below is an array of amazing brownish rock formations blending with the beautiful flora of wild trees and bushes. The rocks are usually very slippery because of the contact with water.

It is an adventure to try to climb the up back to the top through the rocks beside the fall. Many tourists venture to the base beside the cascading waters and some even dare to have some shower under it but only a few try to climb up by the slippery rocky walls.

On the whole, the Gurara Falls is a sight to behold; a wonder of nature; fresh water cascading and constantly making rainbow, especially in the brilliance of the sun.

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

39

March 16, 2013

Kidney stone (Nephrolithiasis) W

hat is a kidney stone?

A kidney stone is a hard, crystalline mineral material formed within the kidney or urinary tract. Kidney stones are a common cause of blood in the urine (hematuria) and often severe pain in the abdomen, flank, or groin. Kidney stones are sometimes called renal calculi.

The condition of having kidney stones is termed nephrolithiasis.

What causes kidney stones?

Kidney stones form when there is a decrease in urine volume and /or an excess of stone-forming substances in the urine. The most common type of kidney stone contains calcium in combination with either oxalate or phosphate. About 75 percent of kidney stones are calcium stones.

Dehydration from reduced fluid intake or strenuous exercise without adequate fluid replacement increases the risk of kidney stones. Obstruction to the flow of urine can also lead to stone formation. In this regard, climate may be a risk factor for kidney stone development, since residents of hot and dry areas are more likely to become dehydrated and susceptible to stone formation.

Kidney stones can also result from infection in the urinary tract; these are known as struvite or infection stones.

Metabolic abnormalities, including inherited disorders of metabolism, can alter the composition of the urine and increase an individual’s risk of stone formation.

A number of different medical conditions can lead to an increased risk for developing kidney stones.

What are kidney stones symptoms and signs?

While some kidney stones may not produce symptoms (known as “silent” stones), people who have kidney stones often report the sudden onset of excruciating, cramping pain in their low back and/or side, groin, or abdomen.

Changes in body position do not relieve this pain. The abdominal, groin, and/ or back pain typically waxes and wanes in severity, characteristic of colicky pain (the pain is sometimes referred to

the likelihood of developing further kidney stones. If one has passed a stone, it can be particularly helpful to have it analyzed in a laboratory to determine the precise type of stone so specific prevention measures can be considered.

What is the outlook (prognosis) for kidney stones?

Most kidney stones will pass on their own, and successful treatments have been developed to remove larger stones or stones that do not pass. People who have had a kidney stone remain at risk for future stones throughout their lives.

LIFE SAVERS

Kidney stone facts as renal colic). It may be so severe that it is often accompanied by nausea and vomiting. The pain has been described by many as the worst pain of their lives, even worse than the pain of childbirth or broken bones. Kidney stones also characteristically cause blood in the urine. If infection is present in the urinary tract along with the stones, there may be fever and chills. Sometimes, symptoms such as difficulty urinating, urinary urgency, penile pain, or testicular pain may occur due to kidney stones.

What is the treatment for kidney stones? How long does it take to pass a kidney stone?

Most kidney stones eventually pass through the urinary tract on their own within 48 hours, with ample fluid intake.

Anti-inflammatory drug, and highly potentanalgesic may be used for pain control when over-the-counter pain control medications are not effective. Intravenous pain medications can be given when nausea and vomiting are present.

Since most kidney stones, given time, will pass through the ureter to the bladder on their own, treatment is directed toward control of symptoms. Home care in this case includes the consumption of plenty of fluids. There are several factors which influence the ability to pass

a stone. These include the size of the person, prior stone passage, prostate enlargement, pregnancy, and the size of the stone Some medications have been used to increase the passage rates of kidney stones. These drugs may be prescribed to some people who have stones that do not rapidly pass through the urinary tract.

For kidney stones that do not pass on their own, a procedure called lithotripsy is often used. In this procedure, shock waves are used to break up a large stone into smaller pieces that can then pass through the urinary system.

Surgical techniques have also been developed to remove kidney stones when other treatment methods are not effective.

How can kidney stones be prevented?

Rather than having to undergo treatment, it is best to avoid kidney stones in the first place when possible. It can be especially helpful to drink more water, since low fluid intake and dehydration are major risk factors for kidney stone formation.

Depending on the cause of the kidney stones and an individual’s medical history, dietary changes or medications are sometimes recommended to decrease

 A kidney stone is a hard, crystalline mineral material formed within the kidney or urinary tract.  Symptoms of a kidney stone include flank pain (which can be quite severe) and blood in the urine (hematuria).  Kidney stones form when there is a decrease in urine volume and/or an excess of stone-forming substances in the urine.  Dehydration is a major risk factor for kidney stone formation.  People with certain medical conditions, such as gout, and those who take certain medications or supplements are at risk for kidney stones.  Dietary and hereditary factors are also related to stone formation.  Diagnosis of kidney stones is best accomplished using a CT scan.  Most kidney stones will pass through the ureter to the bladder on their own with time.  Treatment includes pain control medications and, in some cases, medications to facilitate the passage of urine.  If needed, lithotripsy or surgical techniques may be used for stones which do not pass through the ureter to the bladder on their own.

LETTER

My wife and I are HIV positive Dear Doctor, Please doctor, my wife and I are victims of HIV. We were asked to take some medications. These we have done for eight months, but our tests are positive after treatment. Is HIV a silent killer? I am worried. Thanks.

Sam---------------------------Nassarawa state

Mirror Doctor replies Although there is no cure for Acquired Immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), medications have been highly effective in fighting HIV and its complications. Drug treatments are designed to help reduce the HIV virus in your body, keep your immune system as healthy as possible and decrease the complications you may de-

velop.

You and your doctor will work together to develop a treatment plan that best meets your needs. Three main factors will be considered when designing your treatment plan. These are; your willingness and readiness to begin therapy, the stage of your disease and other health problems.

It’s important that you take your medications exactly as prescribed. This is a crucial part of your treatment success.

Most medications have side effects, which your doctor will discuss with you.

Individuals respond differently to medica-

tions and side effects may vary.

At this point, it is important you know that the medications will help reduce the virus in your body if you use them as prescribed. Don’t be so anxious that your test results are still positive. You need to develop a positive attitude to accepting the fact that you are positive and can live healthy life.

Ensure you are registered with an approved health facility that caters for patients that are positive. This is for effective monitoring and management. The drugs are free.

40

LEISURE

March 16, 2013

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sport

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

March 16, 2013

41

Coach John Obuh looking set to lead the Flying Eagles to another victorious outing at the African Youth Championship (AYC) which begins today in Algeria.

AYC: Nigeria begins title defence against Mali ANDREW EKEJIUBA

T

he Flying Eagles of Nigeria will tomorrow begin the defence of the Africa Youth Championship (AYC) which they won in 2011 in South Africa, as they file out against Mali in Oran, Algeria, in their Group B opener.

The competition which actually begins today with hosts Algeria playing Benin in Ain Temouchent has been seen by many soccer analysts as crunchy following the quality of opposition the Flying Eagles will face in the competition.

However, the Nigerian team has been tipped as favourites ahead of other participating countries by football pundits, having been crowned champions two years ago when they defeated Cameroon 3-2 in the final. Also the victorious outing of the Super Eagles at the recently concluded Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) will be another motivating force that may give the Flying Eagles the desired confidence as they battle all opposition at the bi-annual continental showpiece.

Psychologically, the Nigerian team

may have a few experienced players in their fold coming into the tournament, as many of them are battle ready to make the country proud.

From statistics, three former champions will be present in Algeria this year: Nigeria, Egypt and another likely favourite Ghana; the only team to have won the title three times.

The presence of the aforementioned trio will definitely make this year’s competition tough because since the inception of this tournament, Ghana and Nigeria have been the heroes of youth football in Africa, though there were at times when their football development looked shaky at the youth level.

The case of Ghana in 2009 in South Africa where they only managed to place 6th in the continental tournament is a ready example. They did, however, redeem themselves even though they were denied title of world champions in Egypt in 2009.

Nigeria, who may have been absent in 2003, also redeemed themselves by winning the title twice thereafter and finishing third and fourth, thus putting them in good stead to retain the trophy this year.

DOAM lauds Diamond Bank over charity golf tourney P. 42

Another team to reckon with is Egypt, who after 11 editions has made it to the finals 9 times. They lifted the trophy twice and have made it to the semi finals 4 times. And in terms of frequency, they certainly are the champions, but run the risk of breaking their good routine given the way football in Egypt has been going these past few months.

Mali is the 4th team among the giants of African youth football, having made it to the previous final, but was denied by Egypt. They are no strangers to the tournament with 8 appearances during the past 20 years and have made it to the semi-finals 3 times. This record certainly will be a confidencebooster for the youth side.

The four remaining teams are still beginners in the tournament. Yet, unbelievable as it may seem, since the beginning of this version with the current format of U-20 finals in 1991, Algeria has never made it to the final.

DR Congo is making a debut at the finals, after defeating Cameroon who were present at the 2009 and 2011 finals.

Benin made it to the final in 2003, but that was the year in which they hosted the

Nwosu charges Eagles to beat Harambee P. 43 Stars

tournament. However, they exited from this tournament in 3rd position which saw them qualify for the U-20 World Cup. Benin was highly impressive during the knock-out stages beating both Cote d’Ivoire and Senegal and it would be naïve to underestimate this team.

Similarly, Gabon has only ever made it to one final which was back in 2005 in Burkina Faso where they knocked out both Tunisia and Burkina Faso. And ever since their U-23 side won the inaugural CAF championship of that age group in December 2011 and qualified for the London Olympics, Gabon football has taken a turn for the better which was confirmed by a place in the 2012 AFCON quarter finals. This is a team which certainly has a few aces up their sleeves.

From the foregoing, any team that eventually secures a place in the semifinals of Algeria 2013 will mean automatic qualification for the FIFA U-20 World Cup which will take place from June 21 to July 13 in Turkey.

A breakdown of the groupings shows that Group A is made up of Algeria, Benin, Egypt and Ghana, while Group B is made up of Gabon, Mali, Nigeria, and Congo.

Mancini refutes Zenit rumours P. 45

42

SPORT

March 16, 2013

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Mba: Trauma of a football Moses

S

unday Mba, remember him?

He was the phantom flasher and the master of stunning stallions whose creative play helped to earn Nigeria her third Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) trophy in South Africa recently.

Born on November 28, 1988, the attacking midfielder shone like a million stars at the 2013 AFCON as his lone strike gave the Super Eagles a 1-0 win at the final of the continental showpiece, thus ending Nigeria’s 19-year-old trophy-less campaign in Africa’s most prestigious football tournament.

To many soccer fans who watched the 2013 AFCON, Mba was the football Moses that liberated Nigeria from the mighty hands of Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire at the quarter finals before gunning down the ambitious Stallions of Burkina Faso with his lone strike to earn Nigeria the much desired trophy.

As we write, things are fast falling apart for the AFCON hero and the centre can no longer hold as two Nigerian club sides (Rangers of Enugu and Warri Wolves) are at each other’s throats over the ownership of the rising football colossus.

And from what HT gathered from the camp of both teams, Mba’s transfer saga may linger on for a long time if a swift action is not urgently taken to curtail it.

For example, the management of Warri Wolves revealed

HARD TACKLE with

Andrew Ekejiuba anelsports@yahoo.com

that they were angered by the unprofessional attitude displayed by Enugu Rangers over the purported transfer of Mba. Contrary to the claim by the management of Rangers International, Warri Wolves had insisted that the AFCON hero has not been cleared to play for the Enugu-based club.

According to the Media Officer of the Delta State-owned outfit, Etu Moses, the action of the officials of the Enugu-based club was totally faulty.

“Rangers management’s action on Mba could be described as living in a world of illusion because as at today, they have not discussed the alleged transfer with any official of Warri Wolves.

“Therefore we wish to warn Rangers that in as much as we are not ready to hold on to any player who wishes to move on in search of greener pastures, we implore any team interested in our player

08023103605

to toe the path of honour by contacting us before anything is done.

“I think those officials of Enugu Rangers are ignorant of the way things like this is done all over the world, or maybe they are trying to be smart, but to us, they are fooling themselves.

That is rubbish and we implore them to re-trace their steps by doing the right thing. In other countries, you don’t even talk to a player without contacting their club, but here they think they can do anything and get away with it,” Moses fumed.

As if that shocker was not enough, the Warri Wolves spokesman revealed that Mba was paid N7 million as sign-on fee, but did not play more than six matches throughout last season for them and were stunned by the claim of ownership of the player by Rangers.

Reacting to the ownership tussle, Mba then opened up, stating that he signed a contract with Enugu

Rangers before the commencement of the 2013 AFCON in South Africa and was surprised that Warri Wolves are saying Rangers have no right of ownership over him.

The 24-year-old also swore that Warri Wolves was aware he had completed a move and signed a contract with Rangers.

With this scenario, it then became difficult to establish which among the two warring clubs is speaking the truth and this necessitated the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Executive Board to set up a four-man committee, led by its Director of Competitions, Sanusi Mohammed, to investigate the matter.

At the end of its second day sitting in Abuja, on Wednesday March 6, 2013, the panel told the management of Rangers International of Enugu and Warri Wolves of Warri to go and resolve the ownership tussle over Sunday Mba amicably.

Also lending his voice to the traumatic nature of the case of the player, the Super Eagles gaffer, Stephen Keshi, advised the warring clubs to find a common ground in order not to jeopardise Mba’s soccer career.

He further warned that he could drop Mba from the Eagles that is preparing to battle Harambe Stars of Kenya in Calabar on March 23, if the controversies surrounding his contract are not sorted out.

HT concurs with Keshi because

Sunday Mba

if the problem is not well resolved, it will definitely affect the player’s current form and it will be suicidal for the Super Eagles sweat merchant to parade a half-fit player in that crucial 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying match against Kenya.

However, HT has authoritatively gathered that the Super Eagles attacking midfielder is being chased by more than ten European clubs and it is the prayers of many Nigerians that the trauma of this football Moses should be dispensed with without further ado in order to allow Mba settle down to a prosperous soccer career. It is true that he has not played a competitive match since the end of the AFCON last month and it is expected that after the resolution of the matter, he should work hard to increase his goals tally, having scored five goals in 10 appearances, for Nigeria.

SPORT NEWS

DOAM lauds Diamond Bank over charity golf tourney ANDREW EKEJIUBA

D

aniel Ogechi Akujobi Memorial Foundation (DOAM) has commended Diamond Bank Plc, Nigeria’s leading commercial bank for its sponsorship of the third edition of the foundation’s charity golf tournament.

Mr. Pat Bassey, coordinator of the organising committee of the tournament gave the commendation at a cocktail/prize presentation ceremony held at the Golf Section of the Ikoyi Club 1938 in Lagos.

Mr. G.S. Jung, a Korean, emerged the overall winner of the tournament, carting away a Samsung 32” LCD TV among other prizes.

Other winners included Godwin Oboh, former Group

Managing Director of Union Bank Plc who also got prizes for their participation.

The cocktail/ prize presentation ceremony was preceded by a golf tournament earlier on Saturday morning featuring notable personalities of the club playig, including Mr. Uzoma Dozie, an executive director with Diamond Bank.

The acting head of the foundation, Zorochi Ugochi, told our correspondent that the foundation is a charitable, humanitarian and nongovernmental organisation established in 2006, in memory of late Master Daniel Ogechi Akujobi (1992-2005) who died from injuries he sustained in a fatal vehicle accident on his way back to school along the LagosIbadan expressway, Ogun State Nigeria. He was the

Zenith League: Akashili predicts tough season SAYO OGUNDEJI

D L-R: Mr. Uzoma Dozie, Executive Director (Lagos Business), Diamond Bank Plc; Yinka Aruwajoye, business woman; Mr. Jide Aborishade, Quantity Surveyor and Dr. Adenike Marinho, Medical Practitioner, all participants at the Daniel Ogecchi Akujobi Memorial (DOAM) Foundation 2013 Charity Golf Tournament held in Lagos.

only son of his parents.

Ugochi said this year was the third year of the tournament which started in 2011 and according to her, the foundation is dedicated to the enhancement of the education and health of the less privileged children and youths in Nigeria.

Since its establishment seven years ago, the foundation has offered scholarship to a number of vulnerable but intelligent children in primary, secondary and tertiary institutions.

It has also undertaken

various life improving programmes including de-worming of children, mentorship, educational, nutritional and psycho-social support for more than 8,000 children and youths in the country.

DOAM is equally engaged in the enhancement of primary healthcare centres in rural areas and it supports the building and equipping of the Accident & Emergency Response Centres along major highways in the federation to save the lives of accident and trauma victims.

espite her team’s dominance of the Nigeria’s Zenith Bank Women Basketball League, First Deepwater Basketball Club of Lagos guard, Nkechi Akashili says the 2012/2013 season scheduled to dunk off later this month will be much tougher than the previous ones.

Akashili, who has been her side’s most valuable player for the past couple of seasons, says the new comers to the league will make the league more competitive, adding that the new season will witness tougher challenge.

The Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) announced last month that the Zenith League

will welcome four new teams to bring the total league teams to fourteen and the guard who has been instrumental to her team’s good run, both at home and on the continent, stresses that her side will find it more difficult to retain the league title, but expressed optimism in Deepwater to fight for the trophy.

She said, “The NBBF has done the women’s league a big favour by adding four more teams to the league and that will make the competition more interesting and challenging compared to former seasons where we had few teams .

“We are the defending champions which means retaining the title will be difficult this time around, but I believe in the experience of my team to see us through.”

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

SPORT

March 16, 2013

Nwosu charges Oghuma-Eghiemai makes Eagles to beat case for volleyball Harambee Stars IFEANYI EDUZOR

F

ormer Green Eagles captain, Henry Nwosu has charged the Super Eagles players to ensure they defeat Harambee Stars of Kenya when they host them on March 23, in Calabar.

The Super Eagles will confront Harambee Stars in a FIFA 2014 World Cup qualifier.

He told our correspondent that the Super Eagles beating the Kenyans will send a strong message to other opponents in their group that the team’s victorious outing at the 2013 AFCON was no fluke.

“There is the need for the Super Eagles to take the game against Harambee Stars serious and make sure

they record convincing victory against the visitors.

“The ability of the team to beat the Kenyans will not only send a strong signal to other opponents in their group that their achievement at AFCON 2013 was not a mere fluke, but will make the Eagles to command respect in the continent.

According to him, there is the need for the team to maintain its winning mentality to ensure the country picks one of the slots for the FIFA World Cup in Brazil 2014.

He stated that although on paper the Super Eagles have an advantage over their East African opponents, but cautioned the team against complacency which he said could deny them the vital three points at stake in Calabar.

Nwosu

President of Nigeria Volleyball Federation, Engr. Habu Ahmed Gumel.

IFEANYI EDUZOR

T

echnical Director of the Nigeria Volleyball Federation (NVBF), Tony Oghuma-

Eghiemai, says there is need for adequate attention to be paid to the development of the game in the country.

He noted that the country boosts of talented ath-

Fives’ chairman canvasses for youth programmes

T

he Chairman, Lagos State Fives Association, Nasiru Mohammed, yesterday observed that the early discovery of talents at the grassroots enables them to sustain the growth of the sport.

Mohammed told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that it was necessary to start early because athletes who thrived for long in any sport usually started at young ages.

The chairman noted that Mohammed Adams, who represented Nigeria in Fives at the 2012 London Olympics, started from the junior secondary school, saying his early discovery helped him to develop fast.

“Adams was discovered early when he was still in secondary school and we followed him up with developmental programmes which

brought out the talent in him and today, he is a champion,” Mohammed said.

He advised coaches to encourage young fives players in primary and secondary schools by drawing up developmental programmes to discover raw talents at the grassroots.

Mohammed said that such initiatives would help to identify athletes who, if given the right training, can make a meaningful profession out of it.

The coach expressed dissatisfaction with the noninvolvement of the sport in schools inter-house sports competitions, saying that the sport does not require a huge capital to organise.

“There should be good sensitisation and orientation to develop and encourage the sport in schools, as it does not segregate,” he said.

AYAC: Coach commends Nigeria for offering to host

K

ola Adebayo, a longjump coach, yesterday commended the Federal Government for offering to host the maiden African Youth Athletics Championships (AYAC), saying that it would further enhance the nation’s track and field discipline.

Adebayo told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that the development would also sharpen the competitive edge of budding track

and field talents.

The championships are billed to hold in Warri, Delta from March 27 to March 30, and no fewer than 431 athletes, 34 coaches and 55 officials are expected to feature in the continental showpiece.

“Hosting the championships will not only help to boost the economy, but will also assist in enhancing the country’s track and field profile.This is because the young athletes that will

participate in the competition will get exposed and by so doing, learn from the experience of participating in a tournament of such magnitude.

“And it will go a long way to increase the scope of the athletes, in terms of goals and skill acquisition,” he said.

The coach added that the event would also expose the gains of youths participating in major sporting events to some

skeptical parents.

“It will enlighten and expose parents who prevent their children and wards from participating in sports, through which they can make a career.

“It will also help schools that do not have viable sports facilities to begin to plan for such facilities for the use of their students,” the coach added.

Nigeria would feature an 80-man contingent at the four-day championship.

letes in the game of volley ball but inadequate exposure and lack of motivation is affecting their performance.

“I am appealing to relevant authorities to sup-

43

port the game of volley ball to enable Nigeria rule the continent in the game.

“The country boosts of a lot of talented athletes in the game but lack of support, adequate exposure and financial encouragement is affecting their performance. Therefore, I will like to see a situation where volley ball players are celebrated and hosted like the Super Eagles whenever they win any major tournament, as that will encourage them to win more laurels for the country,” he stated.

According to him, other African countries such as Algeria and Egypt are performing well in the game because of the type of support they got from both their government and corporate organizations, thus he charged Nigeria to borrow a leaf from them in order to re-position the game.

Handball: HFN expresses confidence in future of sport

T

he Handball Federation of Nigeria (HFN), yesterday expressed the confidence that its ongoing national U-12 and U-15 boys and girls championships in Kogi State will revitalise the sport in the country.

Yusuf Dauda, HFN President, revealed that the federation was impressed with the skills being displayed by the young talents at the championships. “`I am highly impressed with the performances of these upcoming players and with what I am seeing now, I am optimistic that the future of the sport is bright.

“They have exhibited a high level of skills with good height advantage and a sense of determination which speaks volumes for the future of the game in the country.

“The body will, therefore, do everything possible to further develop the proficiency of the budding talents, to enable them to grow into formidable national teams. Their performance has challenged us and we will make sure that those with distinctive skills are nurtured accordingly because handball must continue to advance in Nigeria and beyond,” he said.

According to the president, the performance of the teams at the competition has continued to attract an impressive turnout of spectators, stressing that the spectators’ arena is always at full capacity.

HFN Technical Director, Musa Hamza, added that the ongoing competition has been highly competitive, as the various teams pulled their weight in the specific age categories.

Hamza said that in some of the male matches played so far, Niger in the U-15 boys category trashed Anambra 34-4, Ondo defeated Yobe 2913, Kwara and Bornu drew 17-17, while Lagos defeated Kogi 20-17.

In other U-15 male matches, Sokoto defeated Ondo 33-10, Niger beat Yobe 33-12, while Benue thrashed Kwara 27-20.

In the U-15 female category, Kwara humbled Borno 30-6, Edo defeated Ondo 6-8, Kogi trashed Borno 402, while Abia beat Kwara 15-11.

In the U-12 boys category, Borno beat Kano 9-5, Sokoto beat Lagos 23-6, while Kogi defeated Borno 20-13.

The competitions holding at Isanlu, Yagba East Local Government Area of Kogi State, sponsored by the state government, would end tomorrow.

44

SPORT

March 16, 2013

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

We are back to winning ways, says 3SC coach The coach of Shooting Stars FC of Ibadan, Hakeem Busari, is optimistic that the club will return to winning ways following the 2-0 win they recorded last weekend against rival Gombe United in the first week of the 2012/2013 season.

In this interview with SAYO OGUNDEJI he reveals how the coaching crew worked hard to stabilize the team after the departure of former coach, Festus Allen. Excerpts:

Y

our team started the season on a high, beating Gombe United 2-0 last Sunday. What should the fans expect from the team in the new season?

We are all aware of the psychological edge a positive result like this can give to the team and that explains why the players gave their best which in turn fetched us the deserved victory.

I should also remind you that 3SC has not been able to record an outright victory over Gombe United during their visits to Ibadan in the last two seasons, but we all wanted to break that jinx and everybody was excited with our performance at the end of the game.

The victory has restored confidence in the team and to assure our teeming fans that we meant business, we are going to do everything within our power to ensure our campaign in this new season surpasses that of last season.

Interestingly, your team played a lot of friendly matches prior to the commencement of the new season, would you say these have put your side in a better shape ahead of the tough campaign?

I must tell you that most of the teams we played in those friendly matches were not premier league clubs, but we achieved our objective which is to allow us discover our deficiencies and correct those mistakes.

It also helped the players in a number of ways, but we will get better as the season progresses. Our fans were at their best cheering the players on but the determination and hunger for success on the side of the team is what matters and we are hoping to build on our last performance.

Strikers Osagona Ighodalor and Gbolahan Salami appear terrific in attack judging by the number of goals they scored during the tune up games, what have you done to ensure they transform the same form into the league matches?

You saw for yourself their performance and dedication in our first game which means they are ready for the season. The team is not built around these players alone, but around the entire squad as the game of football is all about team work.

While Ighodalor scored one of the goals, Salami was all over the pitch and was rewarded with the man of the match award.

What we have done is to give every player the opportunity to express himself on the pitch and be able to contribute to the success of the side. This means any player on the field of play can score irrespective of the position you are playing and that is the advantage we have on our side.

For example, players like Mutiu Adegoke and Lateef Adigun who are defenders have been scoring and that is a characteristic of a good team.

Shooting Stars FC is a unique brand as far as club football is concerned in Nigeria, but it has been long the club won a trophy or represented the country on the continent, would you say your team has the potential to make that happen this year?

Fans of the club at home and abroad have been clamouring for the club to return to winning ways and play with the best clubs on the continent, but I want to assure everyone that the club is getting closer to realising that ambition.

We had a good campaign last season despite starting the season on a low note, but we turned things around towards the end of the season and all we want to do is to build on that. I strongly believe we are not only going all out to grab one of the continental tickets, but also good enough to win the league.

You and Coach Babatunde Odubola have been able to put the team together, after the management parted ways with Coach Festus Allen following a run of poor results, what did you do to

3SC players in a group photograph

turn the club around?

It was unfortunate that things didn’t go the way we planned when Allen was in charge, but when we were asked to take charge of the team, we only rededicated ourselves, psyched the players up and changed technical abilities in terms of individual strength and team cohesion. All these have been working in our favour.

Allen is a good coach but sometimes you need an element of luck to succeed because we gave him and the entire management our all but things just didn’t work out for the team.

The players here must be given the credit because they all rose up to the challenge, even when things were not going our way, we still believed the team has the mental strength to go all the way to turn things around for good.

The league suffered few postponements due to internal feuds among board members of the Nigeria Professional Football League, would you say your team was affected in any way?

League postponements affect players psychologically and the club financially, because once the league became grounded; many things would be affected and this is not even good for the development of the game in the country.

What is your advice to the NPFL on the improvement of the League in the country?

Well, I think they should reach an agreement with SuperSports to show more than one match in a week, which I believe will help in terms of merchandise and promotion of indigenous football to the outside world.

Relying on the government alone will

Coach Hakeem Busari

not help the league but collective efforts of corporate organisations who are interested in the development of the game.

Sponsorship plays a vital role as regards smooth running of the league, but this is yet to be sorted out though the league has kicked off. To what extent do you think this will affect the league?

Obviously sponsorship packages plays a big role in the league as it is even seen most times as the soul of the league and absence of it will affect the clubs in a number of ways.

Last season we travelled by road to Jigawa and Kano which affected the players, but this can be avoided if we have good sponsors, as arrangements would have been made with different airlines to airlift the teams before the league kicks off. This helps the players give their best because they must have conserved much energy which would have been wasted on the road travelling for about 16-18 hours.

But we are hoping the league body will try to get it sorted out and put other things lacking in the league in place so that the game can develop the way it should in the country.

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

SPORT

March 16, 2013

45

Mancini refutes Zenit rumours

EURO NEWS

R

Cech content with ‘big win’

C

helsea goalkeeper Petr Cech felt his side were always capable of seeing off Steaua Bucharest in the UEFA Europa League to advance to the quarter-finals but was relieved to get the job done. Fernando Torres and John Terry scored in the second half at Stamford Bridge - Torres also missed a penalty when he hit the bar - after an equaliser just before half-time from Vlad Chiriches had cancelled out Juan Mata’s opener.

Sturridge hopes Liverpool finishes on high

D

aniel Sturridge hopes Liverpool can still continue to make improvement this season and finish on a real high. The £12million January signing has scored five goals in eight appearances but a thigh injury has forced him to sit out two matches during that time.

Sturridge

Lescott ready to face Everton

M

anchester City defender Joleon Lescott believes Everton will be fired up as he returns to his former club today. City look to close the gap on Premier League leaders Manchester United, and Lescott is hesitant to believe his controversial move is the reason City find Everton such tough opponents.

PREMIERSHIP TABLE TEAM

P

GD

PTS

1. Man Utd

28

37

71

2. Man City

28

27

59

3. Tottenham

29

15

54

4. Chelsea

28

26

52

Mancini. “For three or four years English teams have won, or been to the final. For one year, other teams have done it.

“When I read this thing about English football being down I thought it was stupid. It is impossible to win every year. This reaction is like Italy where if you win one game you are the best team and if you don’t it is a disaster.

“This is football. If every year the same teams win, football would be like other things. Football is good for this. Every year things can change.”

oberto Mancini has refuted he is on his way to Russian club Zenit St Petersburg if his tenure at Manchester City comes to a premature end.

Zenit see the Italian as the man to replace Luciano Spalletti under whom the club are third behind CSKA Moscow in the domestic league table.

Mancini insisted he did not fear the axe if he failed to defend the Premier League title and lose it to their cross-city neighbours United.

He signed a five-year deal to stay in the Etihad Stadium hot-

seat last summer after delivering City’s first league title in 44 years.

“It is cold here I think St Petersburg is (colder)?” he said. “It is absolutely not true.”

Mancini also rejected the theory of Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger that a lack of English representation in the Champions League quarter-finals for the first time since 1996 was a massive “wake-up call” for the Premier League.

“Last year Chelsea won it and this year English football has three teams in the quarter-finals of the Europa League,” said

Pardew: Europa glory possible

Champions League: PSG handed daunting draw against Barcelona

A

lan Pardew believes Newcastle United are capable of winning the Europa League after making their way into the quarter-finals.

The Magpies edged out Anzhi Makhachkala on Thursday to reach the last eight, with a dramatic late effort from Papiss Cisse seeing them to a 1-0 aggregate success.

Pardew feels anything is now possible, with Newcastle having found form towards the end of a largely disappointing campaign.

“Of course I think we can win it,” he said.

“I do think we’ve put out one of the best sides in the competition.

I would say they’d be a top-five team if they were in the Premier League and we’ve beaten them, albeit with a slight bit of fortune.

“We can go on and win it. The one thing we know is that whoever comes here is going to be in for another electric night.”

Pardew saw Cisse net his 10th goal of the season in midweek, with the Senegal international having seen his fortunes turn alongside those of the club.

5. Arsenal

28

21

47

6. Liverpool

29

20

45

7. Everton

28

9

45

8. West Brom

29

2

43

9. Swansea

29

4

40

10. Fulham

28

-5

33

11. Stoke

29

-8

33

12. West Ham

28

-9

33

13. Newcastle

29

-10

33

14. Norwich

29

-18

33

15. Sunderland

29

-9

30

16. Southampton

29

-12

28

17. Aston Villa

29

-26

27

18. Wigan

28

-22

24

19. Reading

29

-21

23

PSG v Barcelona

20. QPR

29

-21

23

Bayern Munich v Juventus

Pardew

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FIXTURES Malaga v Borussia Dortmund Real Madrid v Galatasaray

D

avid Beckham and PSG will host Lionel Messi’s Barcelona in the quarter final of the Champions League.

With Zlatan Ibrahimovic banned from the first leg, Barcelona will surely fancy their chances of taking a positive result back to the Nou Camp.

In an intriguing draw in Nyon the two favourites, Real Madrid and Barcelona, will be relatively happy with the sides they are facing, but Jose Mourinho will be hoping his reunion with former striker Didier Drogba turns out to be sweet.

High-flying Borussia Dortmund are facing the tourna-

Errors have cost us many games –Arteta

M

ikel Arteta believes Arsenal have thrown too many games away this season and has called on them to be more vigilant.

The Gunners are facing up to an eighth year without a trophy, with an agonising UEFA Champions League exit at the hands of Bayern Munich in midweek putting the final nail in their 2012/13 coffin.

They are still in the hunt for a top-four finish in the Premier League, but that is now the only target they have to aim at.

Arteta admits that the club’s struggles have been of their own making at times, with the Spanish midfielder of the opinion that Arsenal need to master the art of grinding out results.

He said: “When you concede three at home against Bayern you can’t expect something different. And the way we conceded against Spurs when we were dominating the game.

“I am convinced we can compete. The frustrating thing is when we lose games when the opposition does very little to win.

“If they play better than you, like Bayern did in the first 30 minutes of the first leg, you can put your hand up and say ‘terrific team’.

“But some of the games we’ve lost this season, that wasn’t the case and that is what we have to cut out. If not, it will be very difficult to get what we want.”

Mancini

ment’s outsiders Malaga and two European heavyweights, Bayern Munich and Juventus go head to head at the Allianz.

The quarter-final, first leg ties will be played on April 2/3 and the return legs on April 9/10, while draw for the semi-finals will be made on April 12th.

No Rooney issues for Hodgson

E

Arteta

Benitez backs Torres for goal rush

F

ernando Torres scored the decisive goal as Chelsea advanced to the UEFA Europa League quarter-finals, prompting interim boss Rafael Benitez to say: “Hopefully it will be the first of a lot.”

Torres scored his second goal in 20 games as last season’s UEFA Champions League winners advanced to the Europa League last eight with a 3-1 win on the night and 3-2 last-16 aggregate success over Steaua Bucharest.

Torres’ most recent goal - the effort at Middlesbrough which ricocheted in off his back was belatedly credited to Ramires - came against Brentford, but Benitez felt another was near.

ngland coach Roy Hodgson insists he has no concerns over Wayne Rooney’s disciplinary record.

The Manchester United striker has been sent off twice in his England career, with his most recent red card coming against Montenegro, who Hodgson’s men face in a crucial World Cup qualifier in Podgorica on March 26.

Rooney was sent off for kicking out at Montenegro’s Miodrag Dzudovic in a Euro 2012 qualifier in the same city 17 months ago in a game which ended 2-2 after England had led 2-0.

It meant Rooney was banned from the opening two games of Euro 2012 against France and Sweden and he lacked sharpness on his return.

Hodgson intends to speak to all the players about keeping their discipline against the current group leaders, but will not single out Rooney.

He said: “I don’t think I will speak to Wayne personally on the matter because he is more than aware (of what happened).

“When you have been sent off in a game, you don’t forget your sendings off.

“His disciplinary record actually, ignoring that occasion which he paid dearly for, has been very good.

“I will be speaking to all the players. Away matches at this level of football require a lot of discipline.”

46

Adibeli Nduka-Agwu, head of Business Development for iROKO Partners spoke with STANLEY IHEDIGBO, on the activities of her organisation and other matters. Excerpts:

March 16, 2013

‘Piracy is bad news for the movie business’

W

Nollywood has made a great progress in terms of story line which is getting better and better. Franchise of producing series of not just movies having part one and part two, but really developing.

As a promoter of Nollywood movies, have you observed similar storylines with different titles in the industry?

hat is this organisation, iROKO Partners, all about?

Our key message is to take the local content of Nigerian Nollywood industry and put it out there for the world to see. We are very proud of how great the movies out there are doing. And we put together the movies and make them available to everyone to have access to. So, it is really about setting the content and making sure that anywhere in the world, anyone who wants to watch Nollywood movies will get the best ones. Even our internet is the fastest and we still have to find way to make sure that people have experience while they are watching the movies. We want to make sure that Nollywood movies are available to everybody not just people with computer but also people with their cell phones. That is the main reason why we went ahead on business corroboration with Nokia. We know Nokia as the biggest in Africa. We corroborated with them to allow people watch Nollywood movies anywhere they are, even from their vehicle or waiting rooms. We want them to have access to an unlimited number of movies just at the tip of their fingers.

Which area of the Nigerian movie industry, does your organisation major in?

We have a lot of languages in the movie industry, but our concern is that our viewers outside Nigeria will enjoy and understand the film. However we also recognise that there is a large segment of movies that Yoruba language speakers enjoy. We also have selection of those movies in our catalogues.

You mentioned only the Yoruba movies and what about movies in other languages?

We are watching others very closely and when we have the right contact there, when we have the right product, definitely we will be very happy to add them to our programme.

How is your organisation managing the issue of copyright?

First and foremost, we sit down with all the producers. We work with them and negotiate contract deals. We only take the right we are legally giv-

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

I think this is something we have found out in the industry, even the issue of part one, two, three and so on. We are watching very closely and getting the information from our fans back to the producers. We have done co-production throughout the year to really take the information from the fans to assist the industry, even in the new movies that are coming out now so they can keep entertaining. People will keep watching Nollywood movies because they are great films and we will make sure that the right materials are available for our viewers.

Do we see your organisation going into film production?

We started that last year, 2012. We did over 10 co-production of movies.

Actually what we did was work together with major movie production companies in the country. Also there is something we are preparing this year that will allow us know what the viewers or consumers want.

Nduka-Agwu

en. We have long standing relationships with all the Chief Executive Officers of various movie production companies.

Our legal department met with them, set a contract that works both sides, because that is the most important thing to us. We know that there is a lot of piracy going on. It is very bad for the producers and the industry. So, that is why we guard it so closely and while we are distributing the movies online, we also monitor the other sites to know if at any point of time our copyrights have been violated.

Apart from the producers, does your organisation have any relationship with Nollywood actors?

We worked with many of them and they became our brand ambassadors.

So, they can tell people about iROKO TV site and what they can benefit by going to the site; watch Nigeria movies

free and so on. They are supporting us because they know we are taking their messages out to the world as a lot of people are watching Nigerian movies globally and this gives them access and great opportunity to get their faces out.

Also they promote their own brand in which we are beneficiary because we know without these celebrities of Nollywood; people will not have interest in these movies. We have worked with both groups and even we are going to do the same thing this year. Those who are our brand ambassadors on our various products will have the chance to directly engage their fans and our viewers.

What is your view of some of the Nollywood movies, in terms of quality and message?

I think in many ways, I have been surprised at how movies are evolving.

If you looked at the last 20 years, I think

What about the inter-countries movie trend in the industry like Nigeria and Ghana production, does your organisation key in into that development?

I said it early that we love African movies, but currently Nollywood itself is the biggest and the best industry for us now, although, we have other African movie productions in our catalogues. Also, we buy any African movie that we discover to be excellent. We don’t shy away from any good product and we have some African production which includes Ghanaian movies.

Why does your organisation focus only on Nollywood movies?

It is the same thing; we are open to any good African movie. But the key thing is that we need to have the right relationship with the producers. Again, Nigeria is where our head office is now and from there we will extend to other African countries in the nearest future.

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

47

March 16, 2013

Investing in plastic manufacturing P

lastics products such as household plastic items, gift items, plastic cups, toys, seats, tables, bags etc are daily consumables. The demand is very high such that available producers in the country cannot satisfy the market.

Apart from local buyers, the entire ECOWAS sub region relies wholly on Nigerian firms for their plastic wares.

This is not surprising because all the raw materials for production of quality plastic products are locally available and at affordable prices.

In this investment profile, prospective investors are educated on how to invest successfully into this lucrative venture, putting all the necessary inputs into consideration such as technical, marketing, operational and financial requirements into consideration.

(A)

Plant & machinery

One of the economic efficiencies of measuring the mechanical productivity of plant and machinery of a firm, or a proposed venture, is not only a function of its life expectancy, rate of depreciation, energy consumption per unit of output, but also the adoption of a simple plant to produce different quality products.

The plant in mind is capable of producing four varieties of plastic products of desired sizes. What is needed involves fixing different molds into the injection-

molding plant.

(B)

Competition

Survey findings have revealed that most Nigerian industrialists and project promoters are not fully aware of the economic efficiencies of injection-molding plants.

The few numbers of firms and industries utilizing injection-molding plants that can only produce single plastic product can justify this belief. It implies that the plant in mind would produce different products to meet seasonal demands. This means if there is any project to be considered for implementation in terms of production multiplicity of plant at all, plastic plates, cups, bowls and spoons production should be the one.

(C)

Raw material

The major raw materials required are thermo-plastics of high fluidity such as high-density polyethylene and others.

The beauty of this project is that both the injection-molding plant and raw materials are available locally, which signals the easiness of sourcing both the fixed and variable inputs.

(D)

Location

Theoretically, this project may be sited in any state in the federation without location constraint of raw material

procurement. Project implementation involves acquisition of factory house, purchase and installation of plant and machinery, recruitment of appropriate personnel and other accessories.

(E) Projected cost of establishment

The initial cost of the project is estimated to be N25. 8 million only, as shown below. The project can be scaled down depending on many factors that will be discussed with prospective investors.

(F)

Technical feasibility

The production technology of plastic products is simple, though mechanical. The materials suitable for injection molding are thermo-plastics of high fluidity.

The granules are introduced through a hopper, into the cylinder in which they are heated, above their softening point, by means of a heating jacket.

Moving piston plasticizers forces the material through a nozzle into the mould. Different kinds of molds are used to produce different plastic products. The extruded material is cooled and is taken off by means of suitable devices designed as to prevent any subsequent deformation.

The theoretical analysis of production technology of plastic products remains the same, but they differ only in

terms of time consumption per output, weight and structure morphology.

The plant in mind has a production capacity of 4,000 to 4, 500 plastic cups per two shifts per day of 5,000 to 6,000 plastic plates per day. This may be packed in dozens for sales. Appointed distributors would be needed for products distributions and sales.

(G)

Implementation

(H)

Project estimates

There are two markets for plastic products; the domestic and foreign markets. Households in general, canteens, industries, hospitals, clinics and hotels form the domestic market, while the neighboring West African countries constitute the foreign markets.

The market viability shows that plastic plates, cups, bowls and kegs are cheaper and durable when compared with sister glass products with high price disadvantage, and their fragility.

More so, the cross elasticity of demand for plastic products shows a perfect elasticity of substitution for glass products in all ramifications of their uses.

For profitability, 4, 000 plastic cups are assumed per day. Given 250 working days per annum, 83,333 dozens of plastic cups would be produced per year. Assuming a conservative price of N100 per dozen, N5, 499,978 would be the annual gross revenue. In view of the above hypothetical facts and figures, this project is strongly recommended for investment.

Items

Value (N)

Pre- investment

500,000

Factory (rental) Plant chinery

house and

ma-

1,500,000 15,000,000

Utilities (including project vehicle)

3,000,000

Working for take- off

5,250,000

capital

Contingencies

550,000

Total

25,800,000

Courtesy: Uba Godwin, ubagodwin@yahoo.com

48

March 16, 2013

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

‘Being a travel agent is profitable’

FUNMI SALOME JOHNSON

T

ravel and tour business is about making travelling arrangements for others. It is a whole wide range of business. However, one may decide to do a part of the business.

For Segun Famadewa, of Farmade Travels which has been on for over five years, the journey has not been smooth all the way.

According to this Epe born business man, travel agency business takes quite a process. It is not a venture one rushes into hurriedly, it requires perseverance if one must succeed at it. Also, it is a long term business; not one to which returns are immediate or within a very short period of time.

According to Famadewa, some of the challenges peculiar to this nature of business in the country include poor road network and traffic congestion which might hinder prompt and orderly meetings with clients and partners.

Inefficient transportation system and I.T infrastructure are also hindrances to the successful running of this business. There is also the problem of poor power supply which slows down the use of IT facilities and thus negatively affects the process of bookings and reservations.

Although Famadewa disclosed that in the past, an aspect of the travel and tour business was seriously bastardised. The Epe born travel agent told Saturday Mirror that a lot of shaft came into the industry in the name of being a travel agent but fraudsters in the real sense of it.

This set of people, according to Famadewa, come in and dupe people of their hard earned money promising to help them get visas to some countries of the world and at the end of abscond with their money.

“That was in fact one of the major reasons I have shied away from that aspect of ticketing and bookings. I strictly do hotel reservations, book tickets and flight for people but I don’t do visas” explained Famadewa.

He added that the business is quite capital intensive depending on the extent one wants to go saying that the basic process first and foremost is formal training on the job for at least four to six months.

“There are schools where you can actually do a crash programme in ticketing and reservations for about four or six months after which you would have learnt all the rudiments of the business.

“After the training, you will then proceed to doing the necessary registrations with the appropriate bodies.

Being an IATA certified agent is by far the most important requirement.

However, you may also need to have a well established network of hotels, airports, airlines, car rental companies and other travel agents to be effective in the business.

Most travel and tour agents work in partnership with other related businesses as well as government recognised agencies like the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria. Having a very convenient and suitable location is a must especially somewhere close to reputable hotels, car rental companies

ON A SMALL SCALE, YOU WILL NEED AT LEAST

N3 MILLION

WHILE ON A LARGE SCALE, IT IS

N8

MILLION AND ABOVE.

THIS WILL INCLUDE THE SALARIES OF

STAFF FOR AT LEAST ONE YEAR and airports.

It is advisable to work this way as you are not only close to the client but could also benefit from profitable alliances with other related businesses. Registration with the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation and NANTA is also very key to the business. The IAATA registration requires as much as N150 million bank deposit” In terms of fund, Famadewa remarked that the business requires a lot of money. Getting the suitable space and making the environment as neat, cozy and as presentable as it should be is also money gulping. Then you can also think of the huge amount of getting registered to the necessary bodies.

On a small scale, he noted, one would need at least N3 million while on a large one, it would be about N8 million and above which would have included the salaries of staff for at least one year.

Famadewa

However he did not fail to point out that the business is quite a lucrative one with numerous opportunities.

“It is no doubt a lucrative business but you need to put in a lot to allow it grow before you can start to reap the dividends. It opens you to various opportunity of meeting with people from different walks of life and from different countries of the world”.

Famadewa also warned that people who want to go into the business and do it right should not be in a hurry to get returns on it because it takes time for the returns to start coming.

“You need a lot of perseverance and patience to see the business grow. And it is always very advisable to do all the required registrations with the appropriate bodies to avoid troubles in future. When you have done all you ought to do and you also add honesty to your virtue and policy on the job, the sky can only be your starting point as people will look everywhere for you to do business with”.

Crime Watch Crime Watch P. 51 Woman, 32, defiles friend’s 11-yr-old son

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

March 16, 2013

I did it for my family

BRIEFS

–Man who ingested 90 wraps of cocaine

T

E

3 arraigned for burglary

hree people, Tunde Ganiyu, 23, Iyabode Ige, 25 and Femi Ogunseun,28, were arraigned before an Ibadan Chief Magistrates’ Court for allegedly stealing electronic appliances valued at N165,000 The prosecutor, Foluke Adedosu, told the court that the defendants were arraigned on a five-count charge of conspiracy, breaking in, stealing, receiving stolen goods and unlawful possession.

She further said that the accused committed the crime on Sunday and Monday at Beere area of Ibadan.

Adedosu said Ganiyu broke into the shop to steal the electronic appliances while Ige and Ogunseun unlawfully received them.

The offences, she said, contravened sections 516, 413, 390 (9), 427, 43 (1) of the Criminal Code Cap 38 Vol.II Laws of Oyo State, 2000.

The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The defence counsel, Kamardeen Oyerinde, applied for the bail of his clients on liberal terms.

Chief Magistrate Adams Adeshina admitted Ige and Ogunseun, the second and third defendants respectively, to bail in the sum of N50,000 each and two reliable sureties in like sum.

Man, 20, jailed 6 months for trespass, theft

A

Wuse Zone 2 Senior Magistrates’ Court on Thursday sentenced one Ibrahim Salisu of no fixed address to six months imprisonment for trespass and attempted theft.

Senior Magistrate Aliyu Shafa sentenced Salisu, 20, to three months imprisonment for each count charge of trespass and attempt to commit an offence of theft.

Shafa said the sentence would serve as a deterrent to other offenders of like minds.

Police Prosecutor David Udeh had told the court that one Daniel Awuna of Kings Guard Nigeria Ltd, Wuye, Abuja, reported the matter at the Wuse Police Station on March 11, 2013.

Udeh said that on March 11, Salisu and one Abdulsalam Umar trespassed into the house of one Mr Yusuf Ahmed at the Central Bank of Nigeria Staff Quarters, Wuse, Abuja.

He said that the accused persons went to Ahmed’s house with a master key, with intent to steal from him but were caught in the process.

The prosecutor said the offence contravened the provisions of sections 348 and 95 of the Penal Code.

49

SEGUN ADIO meka Kenneth Obiajuru could be said to be a doting father. He was also ready to provide the best he could for his family especially his only son. He, however, had a problem: he was not doing so well again in his business.

It is the duty of any father to cater for the well-being of his children, and do so within the precinct of the law. Obiajuru, in his bid to meet up with his responsibility as a father, however, overshot his bounds. Obiajuru, 40, is a Lagos-based trader.

He sells female artificial hair at Trade Fare Complex Ojo, Lagos from and lives with his wife and one child. Not long ago, Obiajuru’s business began to nose dive.

It soon reached a stage where he could barely feed his wife and only child.

Obiajuru was then linked with a Lagos-based drug cartel which assured he could send his child to the best of schools in the country and overseas if only he could belong to the illicit trade.

And so he was sucked in.

Thus late February 2013, Obiajuru travelled to Brasilia, the capital city of Brazil in South America. His brief there was to pick up a consignment of the banned substance to Lagos. The lure of $4, 000 probably was too tempting for Obiajuru as he sought to elevate the status of his child and also to resuscitate his dying business.

But he was arrested at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja during the screening of passengers on Egypt Air flight MS 877 from Brazil. After placing him on observation, the Anam-

Obiajuru

bra State-born drug courier was found to have ingested 90 wraps of cocaine and weighing 1.538kg.

In his confessional statement before anti-narcotics agents, Abiajuru, who claimed his love for his child made him go into the illicit trade, maintained that he could not watch his only child suffer while he was still hale and agile.

“Let me confess to you that I am a businessman right from time and I was doing well when suddenly things turned around for me. It is not my intention to smuggle drugs but I have financial challenges. I should also note that the way I brought my child up was to be comfortable in life.

I make sure he gets everything he wanted, but when things changed suddenly, I had to look for alternatives to make him happy.

When my child cries for food and I cannot provide, I feel very bad about it and I thought I needed to find solution to that,” confessed Obiajuru.

He, however, claimed that were he to have been successful in the trip, he would have also revived his dwindling business.

Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, Alhaji Ahmadu Giade, while commenting on Obiajuru’s arrest, reiterated the resolve of the agency to clamp down on drug couriers in the country, who, he claimed, are giving Nigeria a bad name in the comity of nations.

Mitchell Ofoyeju, spokesman for the agency, also said that investigations into the matter were almost completed and the suspect would soon be charged to court over unlawful importation of cocaine.

Couple fleece bank of N41.5m In all ramifications, Ahmed Ayoade and Mary Adediran are soul mates. Little wonder they were united in a plot to get money to finance a one-in-town wedding. How successful was their plot?

SEGUN ADIO

T

wenty eight years old Ahmed Ayoade and his fiancée, Mary Adediran are currently cooling their heels for the alleged theft of N41.5 million belonging to an old generation bank.

Ayoade, a former employee of the said bank, lives at Agbede Transformer area of Ikorodu in Lagos State. Until the termination of his employment with the bank, he used to work at its Ketu branch.

On her part, Adediran, 25, is a Computer Science student of the Jibowu Campus of the Lagos State University.

With their wedding reportedly fixed for the end of 2013, Ayoade vowed to make the occasion a memorable one for everyone who cared to attend. Good as his

projections sounded, the manner with which the banker sought to raise the funds for the occasion was appalling.

Ayoade was employed by the bank in August 2010; he was given the boot almost two years later. During the period he worked at the bank, Ayoade allegedly modified some accounts of customers of the bank without prior authorisation of the owners of the account.

Naturally the banker could not move the sum of N41.5 million out of the bank without being noticed. So, he reportedly recruited his fiancée for that purpose.

Adediran soon became a regular face at the bank, but each time she entered the complex to transact business, she was always waiting to be attended to by Ayoade, her fiancé, even when there were no customers before other cashiers.

That was their arrangement.

It was reported the first time Adediran would go into the bank for such illicit transaction, Ayoade paid her the sum of N1.3 million which she took straight to her his house while she waited for him.

A couple of days after that, Adediran was also at the bank and was fraudulently paid N3.7 million by her lover.

These two transactions were reportedly carried out in November, 2012.

Seeing that money was coming out of the bank without any trace to him, Ayoade and his fiancée allegedly withdrew N3. 6 million from the account of Johnson Simisola Onibuje, N5.9 million from the account of David Obarora and N18.2 million from the account of John Ogion Akhigbe.

The burble eventually burst and the two lovers were arrested by law enforcement agents. Investigations against them are still ongoing.

Do you have a story for us? Contact 08138773277 or crimewatchmirror@yahoo.com

50

CRIME WATCH

Olasunkanmi Sodiq Quadri Bello was not violent in nature, neither was he a member of any cult. But he is dead. He was Killed in his prime during an inter cult clash in the community he lived in. How did he fall prey to their bullets?

March 16, 2013

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

How rival cults killed man, 26, in supremacy fight

SEGUN ADIO

H

ell was let loose three days ago at Pedro area of Palm Grove in Lagos State, last when two rival cult groups clashed leaving in their trails deaths and wanton destruction of property.

The clash was reported to be between the Aye cult group and their Eye Confraternity counterpart. Trouble, reportedly, started some weeks back when a councillor in the area organised a street football contest apparently to showcase the talents of youths of the area.

It was reported that at the football match, a couple of suspected members of the notorious Aye group were among the watchers of the game. According to sources, before the close of the game, some members Eye Confraternity stormed the venue of the event. A clash was imminent. When it eventually occurred some of the Aye boys were reportedly injured.

The cult groups were said to have reinforced the following day and launched a daunting attack on the stronghold of the Eye cult group in the Bariga area of the state.

For three weeks running, the cult members had been at daggers-drawn and their atrocities peaked on Wednesday, March 13, 2013, when a reinforcement of one of the groups carried out a near carnage at Pedro area in the locality.

What started as supremacy battle for the control of the area later snowballed into major turbulence where innocent citizens were reportedly robbed, women raped, several vehicles damaged, shops looted and a life lost while several other people were severely injured.

One of the unlucky innocent residents that fell to the bullets of the ram-

Olasunkanmi

paging cults was Olasunkanmi Sodiq Quadri Bello. The deceased lived with his parents at No 3 Adaranijo Street, in the same Pedro until his life was abruptly terminated.

An Ordinary National Diploma (OND) holder from the Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Olasunkanmi was reportedly relaxing in front of his friend’s family house not far from his home when the cult members stormed the area. It was around 6:00pm.

As the cult members looted shops and robbed people of their valuables, they reportedly fired guns indiscriminately apparently to scare residents, many of whom had already shut themselves inside their apartments.

In the midst of this, Olasunkanmi reportedly joined the people fleeing the area when he was hit in the hip by bullets of the assailants.

Once the bullets hit him and he fell, the rampaging boys continued their looting of the community but some men rallied round Olasunkanmi, who then was lying in the pool of his own blood, to Adeola Hospital in the area. He was not so lucky as he was pronounced dead

Vehicle damaged

by doctors around 10:00 p.m. same night.

He was aged 26.

A friend of his, Abiola, who was with him when the bullets hit him said: “We had just returned from the football pitch and sat outside relaxing.

Suddenly we saw people running helter-skelter and we wondered what was happening. As we wanted to start running, one of the guys, maybe he thought we did not respect them enough, just shot at our direction and the bullets hit Sunkanmi in the hip and leg. He crashed onto the ground immediately. He was rushed to the hospital by some men who ran back after the people had fled from the area,” Abiola said.

Saturday Mirror learnt that the remains of Olasunkanmi were released for burial by after the completion of investigations by law enforcement agents. He was buried on Thursday, 14 March, 2013 for burial.

It was reported that by the time policemen got to the scene of the incidents, the assailants had fled but the law enforcement agents were able to gather some spent bullets.

Another resident, Kehinde Oloyede,

only missed death by the whisker.

Oloyede’s twin brother fell to the bullets of some cults exactly two years ago on the day latest attack on the area.

Kehinde Oloyede said that some of the cult members stormed his residence looking for him ostensibly because of his strong voice against the killing of his partner two years ago.

“As I talk to you, I don’t know the intention of these bad boys. That Wednesday when they struck in our area, I was away in Ilorin for coal business. They went to my sister’s shop and looted the place. My wife was also there and they snatched all their handsets and money.

I was told they were shouting my name that I should come out of hiding because I could not shut my mouth,” he said.

Saturday Mirror’s attempt to speak with the Divisional Police Officer in charge of Pedro Police Station, CSP Coker, was unsuccessful as his lines were said to be switched off.

But a policeman attached to the division who craved anonymity, confirmed that a detachment of their policemen was drafted to the place the same evening to bring sanity.

Man in court for alleged criminal conspiracy A 22-year-old man, Joshua Ajawo, yesterday, appeared before a Jos Upper Area Court for alleged criminal conspiracy and causing grievous hurt.

Ajawo, who resides at Rukuba Road area of Jos, Plateau State capital, appeared before Malam Mustapha Hassan on a two-count charge of conspiracy and injuring one Andy Richmond.

The police First Information Report (FIR) stated that the accused committed the offence on February 17, 2013, at about 11.30 p.m.

The FIR stated that on the same date at about 11 p.m., the police received a distress call from behind Gadabiyu Motor Park that Richmond had been attacked by some hoodlums.

It stated that a police patrol team from Laranto Police Station quickly rushed to the scene and rescued Richmond and rushed him to the Plateau Specialist Hospital for treatment.

The FIR said that the accused was arrested at the scene of the crime while his accomplices escaped.

“During police investigation, the

accused mentioned the name of one Celestine Bush and Jentile Chopmoney as his accomplices who had escaped police arrest.

“The accused has volunteered to lead the police to where the other two accused persons will be apprehended but later declined to do so,” the FIR said.

The FIR stated that the accused had committed an offence contrary to sections 97 and 242 of the penal code.

When the case came up for hearing, the accused pleaded not guilty to the

charges and applied to the court for bail.

The Police Prosecutor, Mr Gokwat Ibrahim, objected to the bail application of the accused, saying that the victim was still receiving treatment at the Plateau Specialist Hospital.

Ibrahim applied for another date to prove his case beyond reasonable doubt against the accused person.

The trial judge ordered the accused to be remanded in prison custody and adjourned the case to March 22, 2013, for hearing.

Crime Extra

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Woman, 32, defiles friend’s 11-yr-old son SEGUN ADIO

L

aw enforcement agents in Ifo Local Government Area of Ogun State are currently on the trail of a woman who allegedly defiled the son of her neighbour and friend, while keeping watch over him.

The woman, identified as Ndidi Uche, lives with her family at Pakoto area of the state.

Uche, a mother of two, is a close friend and confidant of the boy’s mother identified as Bolanle.

Bolanle has three children and her last born, Babatunde, 11, is a JSS2 pupil of one of the government schools in the locality.

Uche, 32, and her family reportedly moved into the area early last year and in no time, the two women became friends and even close confidants.

Bolanle is a cement saleswoman at Ijako area in Sango, while Uche is a full time housewife and petty trader. She uses the front of her house as kiosk.

Bolanle’s other two kids (female) are reported to be in boarding schools in Oyo State while Babatunde is the only one with his parents. On her part, Uche and her young twins are sole occupants of the mini flat complex they just erected in the community.

In the last six months, Ndidi’s husband had reportedly been away in Abuja, on a business trip, while his wife looks after their 11-month-old set of twins at home.

By arrangement between the two women, once Babatunde returned from school, he always stayed with Uche until his mum comes back from work which sometimes could be as late as around 6p.m.

However, unknown to people, the Mbano, Imo State-born Uche had been sexually assaulting the young boy for some time.

But, the bubble burst on Friday, 11 March, 2013, when Bolanle allegedly caught her friend sexually assaulting her son.

It was reported that on that fateful day, the invasion of a task force team of the local government officials on stalls around Bolanle’s place of work forced her and many of her colleagues to close shop quite early. It was reported that as early as 3:00pm, she was at her house.

March 16, 2013

51

It was around the time that Babatunde always come back from school. She had thought that her son was yet to return from school and so reportedly waited for him to come home. She did not consider visiting her neighbour/friend, Ndidi, to inquire whether Babatunde had returned from school or not. But around 5:00pm, her anxiety grew worse and she headed for Uche’s house to inform her of Babatunde’s non-return from school.

UInfortunately for Uche, the gate to her

house was left wide open while her shop was also left open. Thinking her friend was busy inside, Bolanle headed for the sitting room of the Uches. What she saw not only jolted her, but sent her screaming at the top of her voice.

It was reported at the time Bolanle entered the sitting room, she met Uche half naked, robbing Babatunde’s manhood on her naked breasts and fondling his whole body. Bolanle reportedly screamed and dashed towards her friend wishing to tear

her into shreds.

Uche, at first, reportedly feigned innocence, claiming that the boy was sick and was trying to give him first aid treatment pending when his mother would return from work. But all her explanations did not make any meaning to Bolanle who witnessed her friend’s sexually harassing her 11-year-old son right in her presence.

The boy’s mother was beside herself with rage; she was crying for help at the top of her voice, reportedly battering her friend with sticks and biting her all over her body at the same time. It took the intervention of some men working outside Uche’s house to free her friend from her grip.

Speaking with reporters on phone, Bolanle claimed that her son had declined going to wait for her at Uche’s house, but she would not listen to the boy.

“It was a huge shock to me when what I saw her what she (Uche) was doing to my only son. What I noticed was that sometime last week; Tunde told me that he would not be staying in her house waiting for me. When I asked him what the matter was, he could not say anything convincing, but I thought the boy just wanted to be playing about at home. But he insisted that he does not like the woman’s attitude but I did not understand him then,” Bolanle said.

Efforts to speak with Babatunde, the reportedly assaulted boy, were unsuccessful as the mother claimed he had been rushed to the hospital for medical attention.

A neighbour of Uche, who identified himself as Bodunde, told reporters that the woman was recently accused by another neighbour of a similar thing which almost led to confrontation between the other woman’s husband and Ndidi, but for prompt intervention by neighbours.

“What Mama Tunde just said she saw this woman doing with her son could not be easily wished away because about a month ago, a similar accusation was levied against this same woman. It was, however, quickly buried by some elders in the communmity. The boy (Tunde)’s mother and the woman are close friends as we all know them to be and there was no basis for her to tell such a lie against her friend who always take care of the boy.” Bodunde said.

It was reported that immediately after neighbours separated the two women, Uches locked her shop and house, and fled the community with her twins. She had not been seen in the area since the incident.

The matter was reported at the police station, who had telephoned Uche’s husband to come to Lagos without delay. But he is yet to show up.

Police prosecutor Mohammmed Garba told the court that Prince Faboro of No. 40B, Constitutional Avenue, Gaduwa Estate, lodged a complaint at the Apo Police Station on March 9, 2013.

Garba said the accused threatened to kill the complainant and his three security guards on the said date. ``The duo also damaged the wires on

Fagboro’s gate and the security locks of the gate’’ the prosecutor said.

Garba also told the court that the accused maltreated Faboro’s dog and poisoned it leading to its death.

The prosecutor said the offences contravened the provisions of sections 79, 207, 397 and 327 of the Penal Code.

The accused, however, pleaded not

guilty to the offences leveled against them.

The judge, Alhaji Umar Kagarko, granted the accused bail in the sum of N50,000 each, with a reliable surety who must reside within the jurisdiction of the court.

He adjourned the case to April 16, 2013, for hearing.

Ndidi Uche and Bolanle are not only neighbours, they are also friends. But when Bolanle saw what her socalled friend was doing to her 11-year-old son last week, she could do nothing but scream, scream and scream. What could the mother of two have been doing with her friend’s son?

2 persons docked for cruelty to animal

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wo persons, Bilkisu Kabir, and Eric Odor, on Thursday appeared before a Karu Upper Area Court, Abuja, charged with joint act, criminal intimidation, mischief and cruelty to animal.

The accused both reside at No. 46B, Constitution Avenue, Gaduwa Estate, Abuja.

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March 16, 2013

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

REGIONAL NEWS

March 16, 2013

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NORTH

Irregularities mar Kogi PDP councillorship primaries WALE IBRAHIM LOKOJA

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he Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) councillorship primaries held yesterday in Kogi State were marred with irregularities and party chieftains and stakeholders exchanging words. Many other party stakeholders in the state also boycotted the primaries.

Saturday Mirror gath-

ered that the late arrival of election materials and the electoral officers was largely responsible for the delay in some areas.

Saturday Mirror also gathered that at Igalamela/Odolu, Okehi, Ankpa and other local government areas of the state, a lot of irregularities were recorded and party supporters engaged in a freefor-all over alleged imposition of candidates.

In most of the polling

centres, it was gathered that there was duplication of lists of aspirants which led to a lot of confusion and chaos.

In Ajaokuta Local Government area, the former legal adviser of the party in the state, Honourable Salihu Mohammed Onde, declared that his supporters and those of members of House of Representatives in the area boycotted the election because election materials were

hijacked by sponsored party thugs.

Onde therefore urged the state governor as well as party executives to address the injustices meted out to those he described as ‘authentic’ members of party in Ajaokuta Local Government.

A chairmanship aspirant in Ebiya community, Isa Sadiq Ademo, urged the party to honour the rotational agreements among the Ebiya,

Eganyi and Ajaokuta districts in the local government area. Ademo argued that it was the turn of Ebiya people to produce the next chairman of the local government. He also urged Governor Idris Wada to intervene in the issue for the growth of the party in the state.

Reacting to allegations of hijacked materials, Dr. Moses Ado Okino, a former mem-

Fulani/farmers clash: Sultan sues for peace

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he Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, has called on Fulani herdsmen and farmers to desist from taking laws into their hands whenever there is a misunderstanding between them.

Abubakar made the call during a meeting with leaders of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria in Katsina.

Represented by DanMalikin Acida, Alhaji Umaru Abubakar, the sultan also urged security agents to ensure that all citizens enjoy equal treatment.

In his address, the Sultan said, “You should always channel your grievances to the appropriate authorities when-

ever you feel offended.

Whenever there is crisis between two groups, security agents must consider that all parties involved are innocent until proved guilty by a competent court of law,’’ he said.

The Sultan also urged the farmers and herdsmen to always be peace loving because no development could be achieved in crisis.

Earlier in his remarks, the Emir of Katsina, Alhaji Abdulmumini Kabir, urged leaders of the association to address the problems of cattle theft and indiscipline among members of the association.

In a related development, the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Asso-

ciation of Nigeria has called on the Zamfara State government to incorporate Fulani groups in the vigilance commit-

tees in the state.

The call was contained in a communiqué signed by the secretary of the association, Alhaji

Hamisu Shuaibu, and made available to journalists in Katsina.

It also urged the federal government to estab-

ber of House Of Representatives denied the allegations, saying that election materials were distributed at the party secretariat to the returning officers who were assigned to conduct the election.

Okino said the primary election was held in the 14 wards of the local government and that it is typical of politicians to cry foul whenever they are losing. lish a Federal Ministry of Livestock and appoint a special adviser to the president on cattle rearing in an effort to address the problems affecting herdsmen in the country.

L-R: Chairman, Ganye Local Government Area, Adamawa State, Alhaji Mohammed Farouk; State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Alhaji Ibrahim Tahir and others inaugurating tractor purchased by the council to mark the chairman’s 100 days in office, yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

Alleged N5.9m theft: KSCE ex-chair clears the air

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former Chairman, Governing Board of Kwara State College of Education, Engineer Musa Yeketi, has exonerated himself from the allegation that he misappropriated N5.9 million belonging to the college.

Yeketi, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, was recently ordered to be removed by the state’s House of Assembly following a petition received from the provost of the college, Dr A.I. Ibrahim, on February 7, 2013 indicting him of the charge. The House also ordered that he should refund the money back to the institution.

But reacting to the resolution of the House on the matter, Yeketi con-

demned the action of the state legislators, describing it as persecution and political intrigue. He also described the call for the refund as unfair.

Exonerating himself of the charge, Yeketi stated that it is the policy of both the Kwara State

Polytechnic and college of education to monetise the official vehicles of their chairmen and that the acting provost of the college of education was at the governing council meeting where it was agreed that a loan of N3.9 million for the purchase

of the chairman’s official car for his official assignments should be settled by the college.

“As a matter of fact, the acting provost was at the meeting and he did not raise any objection to the decision. Why he has turned this to a crime be-

fore the house remains a matter to be given serious attention,” Yeketi said.

He also maintained that the governing council approved N100,000 as running cost for his office against the N205,000 contained in the petition and that the council also

approved the supply of 150 litres of diesel to his residence every week.

He frowned at the allegation by the provost that he (Yeketi) witchhunted the provost and described it as lacking substance and a distortion of facts.

Plateau strike: Furore over negotiations committee composition JAMES ABRAHAM JOS

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ertiary institution workers in Plateau State, who have been on strike in the last three weeks over non-payment of three months of salaries and other issues, have faulted the composition of the committee set up by the state government to resolve the im-

passe.

The workers were particularly irked by the choice of John Daduut as the chairman of the committee. According to them: “Based on our previous experiences with Daduut, we do not have confidence in him because he has been part of the lingering problems all along.”

The workers also not-

ed the lopsidedness of the membership of the committee which they claimed is made up of only government appointees and doesn’t include other stakeholders. They reasoned that such a committee without representation from other stakeholders will only do the government’s bidding.

In a press statement signed by the Chairman

of the Joint Unions of Plateau State Owned Tertiary Institutions, Comrade Victor Dawurung, the workers also expressed disappointment “with the one month period given the committee for the submission of the report,” adding that given the urgency of the situation, government should have made better effort within the shortest

possible time.

They also revealed that they had gone far in negotiations with the earlier committee and wondered why government suddenly dumped it to set up a new one, making it seem like a deliberate ploy to delay the resolution of the issues on ground and toying with the fate of the thousands of students affected.

REGIONAL NEWS

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March 16, 2013

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NORTH

Insecurity: Jang insists on state police JAMES ABRAHAM JOS

P

lateau State Governor, Jonah Jang, yesterday said that

for Nigeria to overcome its security challenges, it must consider the establishment of state police.

Jang spoke yesterday in Jos at a lecture to mark

his 69th birthday. The lecture, titled ‘Policing in a Federal State: Wither Nigeria,’ was delivered by the Senator representing Plateau North in the Na-

tional Assembly, Gyang Pwajok.

He appealed to the national and state Houses of Assembly members to amend the constitution

in favour of state police and said each state in the country should use a percentage of their excess crude allocation to maintain the state police to be so created.

The governor also called for more funding for the armed forces for more efficiency and professionalism to meet modern standards. According to him, the budgetary allocation to the armed forces is too meagre and cannot meet up with the level of insecurity in the country.

“We want the creation of state police not because the Nigerian police is inefficient, but because we want the police

to get into the interior to police the local populace,” Jang said.

He also appealed to the people of the state to learn to tolerate each other regardless of tribal and religious differences, stressing that nothing could be a better birthday gift to him than lasting peace in the state.

Senator Pwajok also lamented the high level of insecurity in the country despite the huge funds being allocated to tackle the menace. He said there is need for police officers to be promoted based on merit and to discourage drug abuse among police officers.

NTDC, Boat Operators Gear Up For Borgu Festival Plateau State Governor Jonah Jang (4th left) and Federal Road Safety Commission Marshal(FRSC), Osita Chidoka (3rd left) and other management staff of the commission during the governor’s visit to FRSC headquarters in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

Kano votes N1.7b to train 100 pilots

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he Kano State Government is to spend about N1.7 billion in the training of 100 graduates as pilots in Jordan.

Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso of Kano State announced the plan at a send-off party for the trainees. The governor maintained that the state would spend more than N10.7 million on each student.

He said the gesture was part of the government’s determination to empower the people and make them self-reliant.

The governor urged the beneficiaries to be good ambassadors of their families, the state and the country.

``To whom much is given, much is expected. The state government has spent a lot on you and you should give the best back. Do not use the opportunity to afterwards to steal from government and deprive the people of their rights,’’ he told the trainees.

In his address, former Presidential Adviser on Aviation, Capt. Shehu Iyal, urged the beneficiaries to use the training as a way of improving the aviation sector of the country. He said it was a rare opportunity for the beneficiaries to improve their status and expose the potential of the state.

Gov Kwankwaso

A representative of the parents of the beneficiaries, Hajiya Hauwa Mohammed, commended Kwankwaso for the gesture and prayed God

to continue to guide and protect him.

The students will spend 18 months at the Mideast Aviation Academy in Jordan.

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he Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC) and the Association of Tourist Boat Operators have stepped up preparations for the Borgu International Cultural Festival slated for next month in Niger State.

The festival which is rooted in the rich culture and tradition of the famous Borgu Kingdom is expected to attract the Borgu Dispora from Ghana, Togo, Niger and Benin Republic. It is also expected to revive all aspects of the economic and cultural values of the people.

Expected at the occasion which will have a special fishing segment are members of the diplomatic corps, senior northern emirs and other traditional rulers in the country.

A grand durbar, boat regatta and cultural troupe will add spice to the festival that may out-

rival the Argungu Fishing Festival in Kebbi.

Already, the Borgu kingdom is wearing new looks as the festival ground at Sabuke Square and the beachfront near the Kainji Lake Dam site is nearing completion.

Significantly, the festival is endorsed by the NTDC as an international tourism forum and it will be placed on the international tourism festival circuit within and outside Nigeria. As a plus to the richness of the festival, the vibrant Nigerian Tourist Boat Operators led by their president Tarzan Balogun has agreed to put up a signature showpiece event at Borgu beachfront.

The Borgu Festival is planned to coincide with the 45th anniversary of New Bussa in Niger State, home to the famous Kanji dam and power station and also Kainji Lake National Park.

tude to work when he visited the command recently.

Speaking with Saturday Mirror, Jigawa State Police Public Relations Officer, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Abdu Jinjiri, described the

commendation as an acknowledgment of the discipline among rank and file of the command.

One of the recipients, Corporal Emmanuel Dauda, expressed happiness with the AIG’s gesture and said the commendation would make him be even more diligent in his duties.

AIG Zone 1 honours Jigawa cops ABDULLAHI ODEY DUTSE

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welve police personnel, including a policewoman serving under the Jigawa State Command have re-

ceived special commendation from the Assistant Inspector-General of Police Zone 1, David Omojolar.

The letters of commendations were presented to them by the state’s police commissioner, Kayode Theophilus.

At the presentation, CP Theophilus said the commendation is an example for others to emulate and urged those honoured not to relent in their efforts and urged them to continue contributing their quotas towards making

the state crime-free.

Theophilus said the letter of commendation came about because AIG Omojola, who is in charge of Jigawa, Kano and Katsina States, was impressed by the recipients’ conduct and atti-

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

China accuses Coca-Cola of spying

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he Chinese ministry of state security is investigating Coca-Cola for using GPS devices to collect mapping information in what it calls “sensitive” areas of mainland China.

Li Pengde, Deputy Director of China’s mapping bureau, told China National Radio Tuesday that Coke employees have been using handheld devices to “illegally obtain classified information,” in the remote southwestern province of Yunnan.

“We understand that espionage is a serious charge against a world famous company,” said a mapping official, according to South China Morning Post.

“What we can say for now is that many subsidiaries of Coca-Cola are involved and this happens in many provinces.”

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

March 16, 2013

According to an article posted February 28 by Yunnan authorities on their provincial website, CocaCola’s case is one of 21 similar instances, such as alleged illegal surveying of military bases.

In a company statement, Coca-Cola said it is “cooperating fully” with the investigation, and the devices were “digital map and customer logistic systems commercially available in China” used to improve customer service and fuel efficiency.

Mapping technology is commonly used by companies with delivery trucks, but the Chinese regime restricts such activities, both for what it calls national security reasons and to control information on border locations relating to sovereignty claims, for example in the South China Sea.

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Pope Francis: Vatican denies dirty war

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he Vatican has denied that Pope Francis failed to speak out against human rights abuses during military rule in his native Argentina.

“There has never been a credible, concrete accusation against him,” said Vatican spokesman Federico Lombardi, adding he had never been charged.

The spokesman blamed the accusations on “anticlerical left-wing elements that are used to attack the

Church”.

Jorge Bergoglio, now Pope Francis, led Argentina’s Jesuits under the junta.

Correspondents say that like other Latin American churchmen of the time, he had to contend, on the one hand, with a repressive right-wing regime and, on the other, a wing of his Church leaning towards political activism on the left.

One allegation concerns the abduction in 1976 of

two Jesuits by the Argentina’s military government, suspicious of their work among slum-dwellers.

As the priests’ provincial superior at the time, Jorge Bergoglio was accused by some of having failed to shield them from arrest - a charge his office flatly denied.

Judges investigating the arrest and torture of the two men - who were freed after five months - questioned Cardinal Bergoglio as a witness in 2010.

The new Pope’s official biographer, Sergio Rubin, argues that the Jesuit leader “took extraordinary, behind-the-scenes action to save them”.

Another accusation levelled against him from the Dirty War era is that he failed to follow up a request to help find the baby of a woman kidnapped when five months’ pregnant pregnant and killed in 1977. It is believed the baby was illegally adopted.

First Mass

War draws closer to Lebanon with Syrian threat of attack

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yria’s state news agency warned Lebanon yesterday that it may attack if its neighbor continues to provide safe haven for rebels fighting in Syria’s two-year-old civil war. The threat comes as concerns intensify about the conflict’s divisive impact on Lebanon’s Muslim, Christian, and Druze communities, which maintain an uneasy coexistence.

“Syria expects the Lebanese side to prevent these armed terrorist groups from using the borders as a crossing point, because they target Syrian people and are violating Syrian sovereignty,” a diplomatic

cable from the Syrian foreign ministry to its Lebanese counterpart said, Reuters reports.

According to state-run SANA, the Syrian foreign ministry said rebels have been inflicting violence in Syria, then fleeing across the border into Lebanon.

“Syrian forces have so far exercised restraint from striking at armed gangs inside Lebanese territory,” the cable said.

An estimated 70,000 people have been killed in Syria’s civil war. Lebanon has tried to keep the conflict at arm’s length, despite day-today reminders of the war’s impact.

Rail dig may have found London’s lost “Black Death” graves

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rchaeologists said yesterday they had found a graveyard during excavations for a rail project in London which might hold the remains of some 50,000 people killed by the “Black Death” plague more than 650 years ago.

Thirteen skeletons laid out in two neat rows were discovered 2.5 metres (8 feet) below the road in the Farringdon area of central London by researchers working on the 16 billion pound Crossrail project.

Historical records had

indicated the area, described as a “no man’s land”, had once housed a hastily established cemetery for victims of the bubonic plague which killed about the third of England’s population following its outbreak in 1348.

“At this early stage, the depth of burials, the pottery found with the skeletons and the way the skeletons have been set out, all point towards this being part of the 14th century emergency burial ground,” said Jay Carver, Crossrail’s lead archaeologist.

Newly elected Pope Francis, right, leads his first mass as Pope at the Sistine Chapel, Vatican City

Early HIV drugs ‘functionally cure about one in 10’

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apid treatment after HIV infection may be enough to “functionally cure” about a 10th of those diagnosed early, say researchers in France.

They have been analysing 14 people who stopped therapy, but have since shown no signs of the virus resurging.

It follows reports of a baby girl being effectively cured after very early treatment in the US. However, most people

infected with HIV do not find out until the virus has fully infiltrated the body.

The group of patients, known as the Visconti cohort, all started treatment within 10 weeks of being infected. The patients were caught early as they turned up in hospital with other conditions and HIV was found in their blood.

They stuck to a course of antiretroviral drugs for three years, on average, but then stopped.

The drugs keep the virus

only in check, they cannot eradicate it from its hiding places inside the immune system.

Normally, when the drugs stop, the virus bounces back.

This has not happened in the Visconti patients.

Some have been able to control HIV levels for a decade.

Dr Asier Saez-Cirion, from the Institute Pasteur in Paris, said: “Most individuals who follow the same treatment will not control the infection, but

there are a few of them who will.”

He said 5-15% of patients may be functionally cured, meaning they no longer needed drugs, by attacking the virus soon after infection.

“They still have HIV, it is not eradication of HIV, it is a kind of remission of the infection.”

Their latest study, in the journal PLoS Pathogens, analysed what happened to the immune system of the patients.

Obama: Iran a year away from nuclear weapon

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n an interview with Israeli TV ahead of his visit to the region next week, President Obama says he believes Iran is “over a year or so” away from being able to develop a nuclear weapon and that the U.S. will use “all options” to stop it.

“Right now, we think it

would take over a year or so for Iran to actually develop a nuclear weapon, but obviously we don’t want to cut it too close,” Obama told Israeli Channel 2.

“They are not yet at the point I think where they’ve made a fundamental decision to get right with the international community,”

he said, “but I do think that they’re recognizing that there’s a severe cost for them to continue on the path that they’re on and that there’s another door open.”

The nuclear standoff with Iran is expected to take center stage during Obama’s first presidential visit to Israel and in meet-

ings with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other top Israeli officials.

Obama continues to emphasize that there is still time for a diplomatic resolution, in contrast with a more urgent forecast from Netanyahu, who believes Iran is on the verge of obtaining a bomb.

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Nigerian judges are gradually becoming an endangered species. Unless this trend is checked, it would place judges in a difficult position as they might not be able to exercise their unfettered discretion without fear.

Retired Justice Barbara Molokwu during the valedictory court session held in her honour at the premises of the Federal High Court in Lagos on Thursday.

Saturday, March 16, 2013. www.nationalmirroronline.net

The African Military in an age of democracy I n the Southern African language of Sesotho the word for weapon and tool is the same.

In Africa, during the 1960s, armies were both a tool of liberation from colonial rule, and colonial masters. But they were also used, in post-independence Africa, as a tool of intervention in politics, undermining and frequently usurping civilian rule.

During the 1970s, there were more than 30 such unconstitutional changes of government. No African heads of state departed by the ballot box during this era.

Nigeria for one, Africa’s most populous nation, experienced eight coups d’état, which saw the military rule virtually uninterrupted for 33 years from 1966.

The armed forces, while often justifying their role as a stabilizer, became not only a political player, but sometimes a principal source of insecurity in the very societies they were supposed to protect.

Today much has changed, and improved. Multi-party elections are now the norm across Africa. No fewer than 40 of sub-Saharan Africa’s 49 countries regularly stage such polls , one measure of democratic progress in spite of their often imperfect nature. Governance is improving, especially if measured in terms of human rights and economic freedoms. This reflects -- and is reflected in -- improvements to African economic circumstances, with the continent, during the 2000s, enjoying the best growth decade on record.

Of course Africa’s development circumstances are highly differentiated, reflecting history, policy choices, resource endowments, geographic location and size.

That smaller countries have generally done better than bigger ones, for example,

relief.

A second category comprises the ‘legitimators’ where military governments or armies have morphed into civilian regimes. This category includes a large number of countries, literally all the way from Angola to Zimbabwe. A history of liberation struggle invariably invests the army and especially it’s leadership in one party and one electoral outcome. And given the influence on the rule of law, this usually goes hand in hand with negative with President Olusegun Obasanjo investment perceptions and economic fortunes, outside notably of natural rehexcellency2011@yahoo.com sources.

The third group is those countries with a history of military rule, where civilULTI PARTY ELECTIONS ARE NOW THE ians now, once more, govern, including Nigeria, Liberia, Benin, Sierra Leone and NORM ACROSS FRICA O FEWER THAN Burkina Faso.

The fourth category are those ‘conOF SUB AHARAN FRICA S COUNTRIES stitutionalists’ where there is no formal history of military rule, including BoREGULARLY STAGE SUCH POLLS A MEASURE tswana, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Gabon, OF DEMOCRATIC PROGRESS IN SPITE OF THEIR Kenya, Malawi, Mauritius, Senegal, Tanzania and Zambia. No formal role in poliOFTEN IMPERFECT NATURE tics does not mean, however, that the military is out of government altogether, not reflects in part the challenge of govern- Tswalu Dialogue that we co-hosted in the least in possessing and pursuing business ing over large areas.

Kalahari, it has become possible to dis- interests.

Africa’s armed forces unsurprisingly cern a taxonomy of African militaries in While this ‘arrangement’ might keep also relate to these historical as well as terms of their relationship with civilian the military formally in the barracks, contemporary differences. A combina- government. Like the countries they rep- in the longer-term this risks promoting tion of the end of the Cold War, conti- resent, Africa’s militaries are differenti- elite interests, patronage and uncompetinental intolerance for coups led by the ated. tive practices over wider developmental African Union’s moratorium, and the There are those ‘red carders’ where needs. Translating growth into developsimultaneous spread of technology, military regimes (as recently in Mali) ment remains a key African concern, electoral standards and values, have all have come to power unconstitutionally. especially among its burgeoning youth helped to shape the militaries’ contempo- Coups remain a threat particularly where population. rary orientation. there is an insurgency which throws the TO BE CONTINUED Indeed, as was proposed at a recent absence of civilian leadership in sharp

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CAF Champions League: Rangers vow to stun Vital’O in Burundi

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nugu Rangers’ right-back, Ugonna Uzochukwu has assured Nigerians that his side will not return from the battle of Bujumbura, Burundi empty-handed.

The Coal City side arrived Lagos aboard Arik Air on Thursday afternoon for the trip to the landlocked Central African state for the first round, first leg fixture of the CAF Champions League against the Burundian campaigners, Vital’O. The encounter will hold tomorrow at the 22,000-seat Prince Louis Rwagasore Stadium in Bujumbura, Burundi.

Uzochukwu said even though they are in the dark over the strength of their opponents, they are positive of grabbing vital points at their backyard.

“One thing I want to assure Nigerians is that we won’t come back home from Bujumbura empty-handed.

“It could be an outright win or draw but the assurance is we must come back home with something no matter what the difficulties are over there in Bujumbura, Burundi.

“We don’t know anything about our opponents, Vital’O but we’ve steeled and psyched ourselves to face them squarely.

We’ll grab a result that will make the second fixture a bit easier,” said the Super Eagles’ defender.

Uzochukwu, who did not click to full potential against oriental foes, Enyimba in the opening match of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) in Enugu last Saturday, promised to up his game against the Burundian side.

The second fixture is expected to hold at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu in a fortnight. Rangers walked over their preliminary round opponents, Sporting do Principe of Sao Tome & Principe in Enugu.

PREMIERSHIP FIXTURES Today’s Matches Everton v Man City 13:45 Aston Villa v QPR 16:00 Southampton v Liverpool 16:00 Stoke v West Brom 16:00 Swansea v Arsenal 16:00 Man United v Reading 18:30

Sunday, March 17, 2013 Sunderland v Norwich 14:30 Tottenham v Fulham 16:00 Chelsea v West Ham 17:00 Wigan v Newcastle Utd 17:00

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