February 20, 2016

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Jonathan’s abducted School fees, medicals Pregnant woman for Forex dies aboard Arik Air relative found dead eligible allocation —CBN

Strange illness kills 70 children in Lagos P. 2

•LASG appeals for calm over strange febrile rash disease •47 sick children found in house to house search

L-R: Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi Ojaja II; wife of the Cuban Ambassador in Nigeria, Melva Perez De Trejo; Ambassador of Cuba, Carios Trejo Sosa, and Deputy Ambassador, Miriam Morales Palmero, during a reception by the Ooni for African ambassadors and other countries that claim Yoruba decent, at the Cuban Embassy in Abuja, on Thursday. PHOTO: NAN

Alleged N34bn Fraud

Court orders forfeiture of Tompolo’s assets

a Efy 0 P.2 P. 6

•Military, police, others can’t find ex-militant — EFCC Sealxk T

10 more sexual problems you can easily fix

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FEBRUARY 20, 2016

Top Stories

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Strange illness hits Lagos … 70 children feared dead Patience Ogbo and Franka Osakwe

R

esidents of Otodogame community in Eti-Osa, Lagos State have been thrown into mourning following the mysterious death of their children.

Investigation reveals that children between the ages of 2-8 years old in Otodogame, a slum community are dying in their numbers following an outbreak of a strange epidemic.

According to the residents, about 70 children have died in the last six weeks in a strange way residents are attributing to the lack of immunisation of infants in the community in the last three years.

Saturday Mirror spoke with grieving parents who had lost children in the wake of the epidemic and while some were willing to speak about their dead children, others however are too sad to respond to questions while Investigation also shows that some bereaved families have relocated from the community.

One of the bereaved parents, Bose Peter a mother of twins lost one of her twins ,a one year six months old daughter Paulina on February 1st after a brief illness.

The bereaved mother said “My twins had severe fever.

Their temperature was very high and I was scared. I called my husband and we took our twins Paul and Paulina to a private hospital. The doctor treated them but when we got home, Paulina health worsen and she died later in the night. Paul is in critical condition. My family and I have been mourning Paulina. She was a very happy girl.

I have been in shock over her demise. I am scared for Paul. I don’t want my son to also die because he is also ill. I have never immunised any of my children for Polio, measles and other diseases because the health workers do not come to our community. The health workers have not been to our community for the past three years” Bose’s husband Mr. Peter could not hold back tears as he stated that other families in the community have also been thrown into mourning as they too have lost children.

He said “We do not know what is happening. We are tired because you hear one child had died in this family and as you are going to condole with the family, another family would cry out that their child had died. This is happening every two days interval. We are having high rate of infant mortali-

Otodogame Community

ty in the last six weeks. At first, we were not bothered because we thought it was spiritual attack and we engaged prayer warriors to fast and pray. We also prayed and had vigil to stop the deaths of our children.

However, when we saw that the deaths were too many, we had to prevail on the Baale (traditional ruler) to call for help. He was

the one that raised the alarm when we observed that close to seventy children had died due to this strange ailment ravaging our community. Many of the bereaved families have relocated.

We do not have any government clinic in this community. Most of us are Fisher men and our wives sell the fish. We live in a slum but we do not have any gov-

ernment presence here” Another bereaved parent, Avoda Philomina said she lost her two year old daughter Esther due to the strange ailment.

She said “At first I thought it was fever and I treated her with traditional medicine but when the high fever persisted, I took her to the private hospital but she died shortly after. A lot of my neighbours have relocated because of the strange ailment. We are calling on the government to come to our rescue before more children will die and it will spread to adults and the elderly”.

Saturday Mirror gathered that following the outcry to the state government, the health workers visited the community last week and began immunisation of children while they also treated the sick. It was further gathered that the health workers took samples of the soil for laboratory examination so as to find out the cause of the ailment.

Speaking on the epidemic outbreak, the President of the Rural Urban Development Initiative (RUDI) Mr. Agbodimu Musbau expressed concerns over the lack of urgent medical attention in the community.

“Otodogame community is one of the slum communities that have experienced forced eviction and arson just to get the residents more than 1000 of them to relocate. We found out that due to the rift to get them away, the government and health workers were not going to the community to immunised the children. This is not good for government to neglect the poor and vulnerable.

We are appealing to government to come to their rescue and provide the residents with good medical facilities and treatment to check the spread of the ailment and other diseases in the community.

… as government appeals for calm

M

eanwhile, the Lagos State Government has called for calm over the strange outbreak of febrile rash illnesses that claimed the lives of many young children in Otodo Gbame community of Etiosa local government area of Lagos state.

The commissioner of health Dr. Jide Idris made the call in a press conference in the state ministry, held to create awareness on the unconfirmed disease stating that citizens should expect the confirmation as soon as possible.

According to him, the information gathered by the ministry states that about 34 cases of the disease infected children is recorded 17 male and 17 female with 20 confirmed dead.

The commissioner reveals that blood samples have been taking by the investigative committee in other to confirm the cause of the deadly illness.

He said that “The Ministry drew up an investigation plan to investigate the outbreak, verify reported deaths and report findings and recommendations. And the state is doing everything in its capacity to safe the slum part of the state with different strategic plan including proper sanitation process and proper orientation among the 100 thousand population in the community “The disease causing the outbreak is yet to be confirmed.

However, the signs and symptoms are suggestive of Febrile Rash Illnesses. Blood samples (and throat swabs) from the patients and water samples from the community have been taken to the Virology Reference Laboratory at LUTH and Lagos State Drug Quality Control Laboratory (DQCL), LASUTH,

One of the victims

Ikeja respectively.”

He added that the government

is presently intensifying efforts to conduct mapping of all slums and blighted areas in the State towards reducing the health hazards associated with such areas.

“Intensive awareness creation, community mobilization and health education is currently ongoing. House-to house search for cases is still ongoing. Forty seven (47) sick children were found, out of which 34 were line listed as Febrile Rash Illnesses.

The state has also initiated immediate immunization of children with measles vaccine.

A total of Five Hundred and Eighty-Seven eligible children were immunized with measles vaccine and administered with Vitamin A. Laboratory investigation is

also ongoing. Eight blood samples and seven throat swabs were collected from cases of FRI and sent to the laboratory for measles and other possible viral illnesses.

Follow up on suspected children who are undergoing treatment to monitor recovery and intervene with further medical attention if required. Seven (7) cases were already followed up as at 15th February, 2016. Six (6) had recovered while one (1) who was still ill was immediately taken to the Primary Health Centre (PHC) at Ikate for further medical attention”, the report said.

The Commisioner called people to join hands with the government in ensuring environmental sanitation at all times in other to avoid the spread of the disease.

Nigerian man kills wife, self in U.S. A

Nigerian couple are dead following a murder-suicide, police in the city of Baltimore say on Wednesday. There was an argument before the shootings.

Police said they found two adults suffering from gunshot wounds. They were declared dead at the scene, police said.

On Wednesday, police identified the man as Muhammadu

S. Igomigoh, 49, and the woman as Nnenna L. Ogbonna, 44.

Detectives said that Igomigoh visited Ogbonna’s

home Tuesday and the two argued over financial matters.

Investigators said that Igomigoh shot Ogbanna, his estranged girlfriend, before turning the gun on himself.

The two have two children in common, but no longer lived together, police said.

Police said the handgun Igomigoh used was legally registered to him. Igomigoh also had a carry permit for the gun, which he used in his employment as a security guard, police said. (PerSecond News)

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FEBRUARY 20, 2016

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Naira slump: Any hope for common man?

The last five months have been testy for the common man without any hope of respite. Job cuts are worsening; tariff payments have revved up even as commodity prices are hiked in the markets. Not a few people agree that the slump in naira, brought about by the crash in crude oil prices is the principal cause. The disagreement, however, is on what needs to be done to salvage the situation, writes MUDA OYENIRAN

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ani Abdullahi, father of four and mason in Abuja’s sprawling building industry couldn’t make any sense of it. A bag of corn now sells for N8, 000 from N3, 000 it sold for last year in Kaduna, home of maize production in Nigeria?

For Abdullahi, the news is worrisome. Corn is a major staple for homes in the middle belt of Nigeria. The steep increase in price of the commodity would gravely affect homes. According to Abdullahi, the reason adduced to the increase in price of corn is the fall in currency valCONTINUED ON PAGE 4

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FEBRUARY 20, 2016

Saturday Starter

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‘Naira devaluation will have crushing effect on common man’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3

ue of the naira against the dollar. “The market people say that with the rise in dollar, everything else will go up,” said the father of four.

Though it is not yet conclusive if the price of corn will vary in other markets across the country, those who understand commodity pricing say that if the price of corn in the market increases marginally, it would affect not only home finances but also a large segment of the consumer markets like the poultry industry, beverages and other areas where corn is required as principal material.

But corn is not the only commodity affected by the apparent surge in prices of items in the markets. Bread, in most states, now go for 50 percent more than what it used to sell for. As at last week, water distilleries and packaging industry plan on 65 percent increase of bagged water. This would raise the pricing from N10 to N15. For many Nigerians, hard times are here apparently; all because of, as players in the commodity markets insist, the fall in naira value against the dollar.

Indeed, the local currency has taken severe beatings in the money market. As at mid week, a dollar exchanged for as much as N340 even though naira is pegged officially at N199. These developments are no happenstance. The naira lost its value as result of a combination of factors. Principally, says Akin Oyebode, economist and investment analyst, the economic principle of demand and supply is at the heart of the problem with the naira and the attendant hardship in the economy. “If demand for the dollar increases in Nigeria, it becomes more expensive to “buy” dollars, since this demand will create the scarcity of dollars. Also, if the supply of dollars reduces, even if demand for it stays the same, a scarcity will occur, which will lead to a rise in the price of the dollar,” he says.

According to him, Nigeria in 2015 pegged official price for buying $1 at roughly N200. Since then, a number of things have happened to the supply of dollars to Nigeria. Oil prices have crashed. For instance, in quarter three of 2015, Nigeria exported mainly mineral products, which accounted for 86 percent of total exports. This means crude oil accounts for over 80 percent of all exports and remains Nigeria’s foreign exchange earner.

“So, the drop in oil prices has reduced Nigeria’s foreign exchange earnings by almost $50 billion. If the naira is over-valued, exporters don’t have an incentive to bring their foreign currency proceeds back to Nigeria,” Oyebode said.

Another factor is that non-oil exports are struggling. At a conference organised by the CBN and the Nigerian Export-Im-

Food going out of common man’s reach

In quarter three of 2015, Nigeria exported mainly mineral products, which accounted for 86 percent of total exports. This means crude oil accounts for over 80 percent of all exports and remains Nigeria’s foreign exchange earner. So, the drop in oil prices has reduced Nigeria’s foreign exchange earnings by almost $50 billion port Bank (NEXIM), the CBN Governor said non-oil exports dropped from $10.5 billion in 2014 to $4.4 billion in 2015. If the naira is over-valued, exporters don’t have an incentive to bring their foreign currency proceeds back to Nigeria. So, nonoil export earnings dropped by $5 billion in one year.

Also, foreign investment is believed to

be shrinking. According to a Nigerian Capital Importation Report recently released by the NBS, the total for 2015 was recorded at $9,643.01 million. This represents a 53.53% fall on the previous year, when the total was $20,750.76 million. So, foreign capital invested in the Nigerian economy dropped by $11 billion in one year.

The combination of these events means foreign exchange supply in Nigeria has dropped by over $60 billion in one year. “To minimise the impact of the drop, the CBN responded by spending almost $11 billion of its reserves to defend its reserves; and when it realised the ineffectiveness of that decision, it decided to manage the demand for foreign exchange with several short-term policies. But despite the CBN’s best intention of pegging the exchange rate, most Nigerian businesses now buy the dollar at more than N300 to a dollar on the Black Market, a 50 percent premium compared to the official rate.

But to what extent does this affect common staples in the commodity market? Experts agree that there is rising food costs. In Nigeria, food cost makes up about half of the consumer price index, or the factor that accounts for low or high inflation in economic terms. Ten of the 12 categories of consumer prices surveyed

by Standard Chartered Plc in its Consumer Price Tracker showed increases in January from the previous month, according CONTINUED ON PAGE 5

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FEBRUARY 20, 2016

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‘Weaker naira ’ll make local goods, services more attractive’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4

to Razia Khan, chief Africa economist at the London-based lender. That shows “prices are rising, despite attempts to keep the official Nigerian naira exchange rate unchanged,” she said in an e-mail to clients.

Central Bank of Nigeria, has effectively pegged the naira at 197-199 per dollar since March last year by restricting foreign-currency supply, hurting businesses.

That has forced many businesses to seek currency on the parallel market, where the naira reached a low of 340 against the dollar on Monday.

But the effect in crash in naira has other spiraling effect on the common man. The weakening exchange rate is compounded by the challenges facing Nigeria’s economy. Within a decade, Nigeria dropped from 101st position to 124th position in the World Economic Forum’s Global Competitiveness Report. Labour productivity, estimated at $3.50/hour by the NBS, lags comparable in emerging markets, whose productivity measures are between $10/hour (Brazil) and $29/ hour (Turkey). Nigeria also ranks in the 169th position out of 180 economies on the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business report. These have impacted especially in the area of job creation. Approximately five million Nigerians come into the workforce annually, yet in the same period, the country struggles to create not more than 1.5 million jobs. This is why unemployment and underemployment in Nigeria are now at 9.9 percent and 17.4 percent respectively. President Mohammadu Buhari, in a recent interview with the BBC, said, “Most of our young people can’t get jobs; one of the biggest dangers we face.”

For Nigeria to meet its job creation target, the government needs to solve the supply side challenges impacting the exchange rate in order to make the economy more competitive. During the campaign that led to his election, the president’s party highlighted job creation as its major economic goal. In many discussions, a target to create three million jobs was promised, to ensure the bulging youth population is engaged in productive activities. If various estimates are to be believed, Ffor Nigeria to meet its job creation target, the government needs to solve the supply side challenges impacting the exchange rate in order to make the economy more competitive. IMF insists that Nigeria devalue its naira to act as incentives for exports; a measure President Buhari has resisted stoutly. According to him, the measure will affect the common man more.

President Buahri’s view is not without merit. With a high rate of employment and underemployment in the country, Mr

CBN

President understands that the spending power of the average Nigerian is essentially low. President Buhari, say his confidants, agonizes over the crushing effect the measure will have on the common man, albeit on the short term.

But economic wonks insist that the country must make hard choices that have long term benefits. Managing Director, Financial Derivatives Nigeria Limited, Bismark Rewane, said naira devaluation is the answer to Nigeria’s economic woes. The economist said there is a big difference between economic drama and reality adding that people denying the need for devaluation are same people

that keep stealing from the people. He said those who want the naira not to be devalued should remember that it is all about competitiveness adding that the local currency can also appreciate if things are done rightly.

Rewane said that in the last 10 years, Western Union, Thomas Cook and others were bringing dollars to the country.

“The CBN said it sold $8 billion to bureaux de change (BDCs) in nearly two years but who are the owners of these BDCs? The issue is if you are a manufacturer and you get dollar at N197 from the CBN to import raw materials, there are two decisions to make. Manufacture the

When a country’s currency weakens, it will inevitably increase the price of imported goods, which will force most

people to look for domestic alternatives.

A weaker naira might be bad for those looking to import Honda and Toyota cars, but it will certainly make more Nigerians buy Innoson vehicles

goods and sell as if you bought the at N310 to dollar because of the wide gap between the official and parallel market rates, or open a Letter of Credit and refuse to import. Then roundtrip the money and make 50 per cent outright profit,” he said.

Oyebode also agrees with Rewane on the need for the naira to weaken. “We know that the President means well in not supporting the devaluation of Naira,” he says. But he argues that the benefit of a weaker naira outweighs the drawbacks. “A weaker naira also makes local goods and services more attractive. While Nigeria might not be a major exporting nation, we must not ignore the large domestic market. When a country’s currency weakens, it will inevitably increase the price of imported goods, which will force most people to look for domestic alternatives. A weaker naira might be bad for those looking to import Honda and Toyota cars, but it will certainly make more Nigerians buy Innoson vehicles. Instead of spending months negotiating lopsided trade agreements, Nigeria can use its exchange rate policy to drive a coordinated trade agenda that makes domestic products more attractive, without adjusting import tariffs,” the economist said.

According to Oyebode, weaker currency does not imply he is “killing” the naira. “However, an artificial exchange rate, which we currently have, might spell the death of many businesses, some of which have started laying workers off,” he said.

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NATIONAL NEWS

FEBRUARY 20, 2016

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N34bn fraud: Court orders forfeiture of Tompolo’s multi-billion naira assets • Nigerian military, police, others can’t find Tompolo —EFCC

Wale Igbintade

J

ustice Ibrahim Buba of a Federal High Court in Lagos yesterday ordered the forfeiture of multi-billion naira properties belonging to a former Niger Delta militant leader, Government Ekpemupolo alias Tompolo following his refusal to appear in court over allegation of money laundering and stealing of N34 billion belonging to the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).

Properties to be forfeited include; all properties of Mieka Dive Ltd and Mieka Dive Training Institute Limited situated at No. 77, Lioth Street, ODPA Ugborikoko, Uvwie Local Government Area, Delta State, a River Crew Change Boat named MUHA – 15, the property known as “Tompolo Dockyard”, by the end of Enerhen Road, Effurun, Warri, the property known as “Tompolo Yard”, at the end of Chevron Clinic Road, next to Next Oil, Edjeba, Warri.

Others are the Diving School at Kurutie, at Escravos River, the property known as “Tompolo House” at Oporaza Town, opposite the Palace and any other property discovered by the Economic And Financial Crimes Commission, moveable and immoveable, belonging to the Tompolo Justice Buba had on January 14 issued a bench warrant against Tompolo and ordered his arrest for failing to honour a court summons dated January 12 in respect of a 40-count of alleged N34bn fraud levelled against him and nine others by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

Those charged alongside Tompolo are: Patrick Akpobolokemi, Global West Vessel, Odimiri Electrical Ltd, Kime Engozu. Boloboere Ltd, Rex Elem, Destre Ltd, Gregory Mbonu and Captain Warrendi Enisuoh.

The suspects allegedly diverted N34 billion which accrued from the public private partnership agreement between NIMASA and Global West Vessel Specialist Limited for personal use.

At the resumed hearing of the matter yesterday, counsel to EFCC, Festus Keyamo told the court that the warrant of arrest issued by the court has not

been excuted despite the “best efforts” of all the security agencies in the country.

He stated that all the nation’s security agencies were involved in the search of Tompolo but his whereabouts are not known yet.

Consequently, he sought the leave of court to amend the charge by removing the name of Government Ekpemupolo alias Tompolo from the charge, so that the trial of other accused persons could commence.

Keyamo also drew the attention of the court to a Motion Exparte dated February 18 praying the court for an order authorising EFCC to seize properties belonging to the former militant leader, Government Ekpemupolo.

But, virtually all the defence counsel opposed the Motion Exparte on the grounds that they were not served with copies of the motion.

Dr. Joseph Nwobike SAN (counsel to the 2nd defendant), Mr. Wale Akoni SAN (counsel to 7 & 8 defendants) along with other defence lawyers argued that it is necessary for them to have copies of the motion exparte in the interest of justice and fairness.

However, Justice Buba ruled that a Motion Exparte needs not to be served on parties adding that the motion is specifically directed to the first accused (Tompolo) who was neither in court or represented by a lawyer.

Moving the motion brought pursuant to Sections 80 and 81 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015, Keyamo prayed the court for an order of forfeiture of properties belonging to Tompolo pending the time he would appear in court.

He stated than after three months, the court can order the properties to be auctioned if he (Tompolo) did not make himself available in court.

In his ruling, Justice Buba held that the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015 empowers the court to seize properties of an accused who refused to face trial.

The court recalled that even though Tompolo refused to appear in court, he briefed his lawyers and through them sought to vacate the order of his arrest.

Consequently, he ordered forfeiture of properties belonging to Tompolo pending the time he choos-

es to appear in court.

Justice Buba, however, refused to attach all the limited liability companies listed by the EFCC until their proof of ownership is revealed to the court.

The Limited liability companies include; Global West Vessel Specialist Limited, Odimiri Electrical Limited and Kime Engozu, Boloboere Property and Estate Limited, Rex Elem, Destre Consult limited, Gregory Mbonu and Captain Warredi Enisuoh respectively.

EFCC had in an affidavit in support of the motion

exparte deposed to by one Adah John Adah, a litigation officer in the law firm of Festus Keyamo stated that Tompolo was invited by the EFCC on several occasions to come and answer to the allegations of fraudulent activities leveled against him which was uncovered during investigation.

The affidavit stated that Tompolo was charged before the court to answer to charges leveled against him when he persistently refused and failed to honour the several invitations extended to him.

It added that since the court, on January 12, 2016, issued warrant of arrest against Tompolo, he has absconded and concealed himself from all security forces in the country to frustrate the execution of the warrant of Arrest.

The deponent added that rather than present himself to the court, Tompolo engaged the services of Tayo Oyetibo, SAN who filed a Motion dated 27th day of January, 2016 to set aside the Warrant of Arrest.

He added that the said motion was dismissed by the court on February 8,

2016.

He stated that since the Order for the arrest was issued against Tompolo, the combined team of the Nigerian police and the military have been combing the creeks and the entire nation for his arrest, but he continued to abscond and conceal himself.

He stated that EFCC operatives have carried out investigation and received intelligence report to the effect that the properties belong to Tompolo.

The matter has been adjourned till March 22 for hearing

The official handing over by the former Director General National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, Dr. Paul Orhii to the most Senior Director of the Agency, Mrs. Yetunde Oni in Abuja, yesterday.

Rule of law no defence for corruption suspects — Minister

T

he Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, says the present Administration will continue to fight corruption within the confines of the Rule of Law, but warned that Rule of Law was not intended to be used as a weapon to hamper the dispensation of justice.

Speaking at a symposium organized by the Gani Fawehinmi Students’ Chamber of the Faculty of Law, University of Lagos, the Minister said, ‘’In response to the ongoing anti-corruption efforts of the government, an increasing number of voices have emerged in defence of suspects being indicted for various acts of corruption by the courts of law under the banner of upholding the Rule of Law. ‘’Let me stress that the

Rule of Law is not and was never intended to be used as a line of defense for suspects undergoing trial for corrupt practices in the courts of law that are lawfully constituted and endowed with the legitimate authority to carry out same trial.’’

He said the Administration is a product and true advocate of the Rule of Law, and that ‘’there is no greater proponent of that time-tested legal principle than Mr. President himself.’’

The Minister said there is nothing questionable in the Administration’s approach to fighting corruption, adding: ‘’The government is bound by law and is following the Rule of Law in its anti-corruption efforts. Were this not the case, the accused persons so far charged would not be having their day in court.’’

He said each society had used methods expedient to it to fight corruption at different times in their own history, citing the example of Singapore which once fought corruption by suspending rule of law and fundamental rights. ‘’The current Nigerian government has not requested for emergency powers to tackle corruption, even though some school of thought unequivocally believes that Nigeria is in an emergency, with high unemployment, unpaid salaries, reduced income, insurgency, reduced oil income and primitive looting of the treasury by the immediate past administration,’’ Alhaji Mohammed said.

Rallying support for the fight against corruption, he said the battle is a constitutional imperative, and quoted Section 15 (5) of the

Constitution, which says: “The State shall abolish all corrupt practices and abuse of office.” ‘’So, President Buhari was only giving life to this very important provision, with all his targeted actions against corruption and his rallying cry to all Nigerian patriots in the forefront of the war: ‘Nigeria must kill corruption before corruption kills Nigeria’. I hope you will join us in this epic battle, because it is not Buhari’s war, it is not APC’s war. It is Nigeria’s war of survival,’’ the Minister said.

Discussants at the symposium, including Mr. Femi Falana and Mr. Jiti Ogunye, expressed support for the anti-corruption battle, saying those who are charged with corruption cannot use the bogey of the Rule of Law to escape justice.

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FEBRUARY 20, 2016

NATIONAL NEWS

I didn’t bribe Justice Mohammed — Tarfa

• Says money was donation towards burial of judge’s father-in-law

Wale Igbintade

T

he embattled senior advocate of Nigeria, Mr Rickey Tarfa yesterday told a federal High Court in Lagos that the N225,000 he transferred to the account of Justice Mohammed Yunusa on January 7, 2014 was not meant to bribe the judge.

Tarfa, speaking through his lead counsel, Bolaji Ayorinde (SAN) at the hearing of the fundamental rights enforcement suit he filed against his arrest and detention by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ( EFCC) said the money was a donation towards the burial of the judge’s father-in-law, late Alhaji Audi Garba Damasa.

His submission is contained in a 75 paragraph further affidavit deposed on his behalf by John Odubela, head of cham-

bers.

“That the applicant did not on 7th January 2014 bribe Justice M.N Yunusa with the sum of N225,000 or any other sum at all. That it was common knowledge in legal circles that the judge lost his father in law; Alhaji Audi Garba Damasa on 28th December 2013 in Maiduguri and traveled there to attend to the funeral.

“The applicant and some friends of the honourable justice made some donations towards the said funeral rites and to commiserate with the judge since they could not physically go and commiserate with him in Maiduguri where he was and stayed for a while”, he swore.

He argued that application has nothing to do with the charge at the Lagos State High Court but the arrest of the applicant without reasonable ground of suspicion.

He contended that the arrest was made without arrest warrant or court order, adding that the suspects that the EFCC wanted to arrest were billed to honour their invitation on February 8 and wondered why they decided to come to arrest them on February 5. He insisted that they are entitled to the reliefs being sought.

But defence counsel, Wahab Shittu prayed the court to dismiss the application or in the alternative stay further proceedings pending the determination of the criminal charge at against the applicant at the Lagos High Court.

He argued that the facts and circumstances of the case arose from the incidence of February 5, which has resulted in a criminal action. According to him, it is a settled law that when there are civil and criminal actions on the same facts and circumstances, the

criminal action is determined first.

The respondent also filed a preliminary objection on the grounds that the applicant is already facing a criminal charge as a result of the arrest.

He maintained that there is a basis for the arrest of the lawyer. According to him, he obstructed the agents of the state from carrying out their statutory duties. He said the action is penalized with a minimum of five years imprisonment going by the EFCC Act. Shittu said the rights of the applicant are not absolute. He stated that the action of the applicant by preventing the officials of the state for more than five hours in arresting the two suspects was outrageous, highhanded and amounts to contempt. He insisted that the suspects were locked up in the applicant’s car for hours in order to prevent their arrest.

L-R: Dean of Students Affairs, University of Lagos, Prof. Tunde Babawale; Human Right Lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana; Chairman, office of International Relation, Partnership and Prospects, UNILAG, Prof. Akin Oyebode; Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Muhamed and Dean, Faculty of Law, Prof. Akin Ibidapo-Obe, during the annual Gani Fawehinmi Students Chamber Symposium in Lagos, yesterday. PHOTO: SAMUEL ADETIMEHIN

Pregnant woman dies on Arik Air’s Port Harcourt —Lagos flight A pregnant woman on board an Arik Air flight from Port Harcourt to Lagos has allegedly died on board the 11am flight.

This development is coming barely three days after a middle-aged female passenger that was to travel to Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on an Etihad Airline flight died inside a toilet at the international wing of the Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA), Lagos.

The woman simply iden-

tified as Ijeoma Okefi, 39, was flying on board Arik Air aircraft from Port Harcourt to Lagos when she allegedly developed complications.

The pregnant woman was said to have been attended to by on board medical personnel who were also passengers on that flight.

The deceased, who was accompanied by her husband and cousin, was on referral to the University College Teaching Hospital (UCTH).

As at the time of compiling the report, the remains of the deceased had been taken to undisclosed mortuary

The Public Relations and Communications Manager, Arik Air, Mr Adebanji Ola, confirmed the development in an online statement made available to aviation correspondents.

He explained that she was confirmed dead by medical personnel at Lagos Airport.

According to him, “A female passenger on board Arik Air’s Port Harcourt-Lagos flight was confirmed dead on arrival this morning (Friday) by medical personnel at the Murtala Muhammed Airport Domestic Terminal 1, Ikeja, Lagos.”

He continued, “The lady boarded the flight from Port Harcourt in company of her husband and cousin. The cause of death is yet to be ascertained.”

A middle aged passenger also died on aboard an Arik Air flight from Owerri to Lagos on December 2, 2015.

The man, who was said to have boarded the flight from Owerri, was confirmed dead at the Lagos airport when his body was brought down from the aircraft when he failed to disembark with other passengers, who were on board.

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7

Biafra: Court declines FG request to shield witnesses

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he Federal High Court sitting in Abuja yesterday declined the Federal Government’s request to completely shield witnesses lined up to testify in the trial of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, (IPOB), Mr. Nnamdi Kanu.

The trial Judge, Justice James Tsoho, while ruling on the prosecution’s request to shield witnesses dismissed it on the grounds that it was lacking in merit.

Kanu and two other pro-Biafra agitators, Benjamin Madubugwu and David Nwawuisi, are facing a six-count treason charge before the court.

The prosecution had in the motion filed before the court complained that all the witnesses lined up to testify against them have declined to appear in court for fear of victimisation.

According to the prosecution, the witnesses insisted that they would not testify against the defendants unless their safety was guaranteed.

Following the development, the prosecution counsel, Mr. David Kaswe, urged the court to issue an order protecting the identities of the witnesses by allowing them to either wear facial mask or to testify behind screens.

The prosecution also asked for an order excluding persons except journalists from witnessing the proceedings.

Opposing the application, Kanu’s lawyer, Chief Chuks Muoma (SAN), prayed the court to refuse the application on ground that it was grossly lacking in merit.

He argued that section 36(4) of the 1999 constitution made no provision for masquerades to testify in a trial involving an alleged act of treason.

“An accused person

under our jurisprudence and justice administration must be confronted with his accusers eye-ball to eye-ball.

“My lord we operate an accusatorial system of procedure under the common law. Justice must not only be done but must be seen to have been done.

“It is not within common sense to malign and accuse someone in public and apply to try him in the bedroom. Having been accused in public, we want to also be tried in public.

“We therefore urge this court not to allow masquerades to testify before it. We want to see their faces and ask them questions. As masquerades, how will the court be able to gauge their demeanour and body language? Is it by the rhythm of their dance steps?

“The tenets of justice outweigh this application and we urge my lord to reject it. It has no merit whatsoever. Secret trial is for terrorism charge. It is not for the type of offence for which these defendants were charged.

“Secret trial does not apply in a case of treasonable felony or involvement in alleged unlawful society.

During the trial, we will prove to them that we are not an illegal organisation”, Muoma said.

After listening to the parties, the trial Judge, Justice James Tsoho, stood down ruling on the matter till 2pm.

Upon his return, the Justice Tsoho ruled that the prosecution’s request to shield witnesses lacked merit.

Consequently, he upheld the argument of the defence counsel that the protection of the identities of witnesses is only applicable to terrorism charges.

The suit has been adjourned till March 7 for trial.

FCT elections: 30 candidates to contest chairmanship positions Obiora Ifoh ABUJA

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head of the March 19th, Area Council Elections, in the Federal Capital Territory,FCT, Abuja the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has published and issued a list of thirty 30 candidates jostling for the available six Chairmanship seats.

This was contained in a statement signed by the Secretary to the Com-

mission, Mrs. Augusta C. Ogakwu, and made available to news men in Abuja yesterday According to the statement, 13 political parties would field candidates to contest the Chairmanship seats in: Abaji; Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC); Bwari; Gwagwalada; Kuje; and Kwali Area Councils respectively The voters registers for the Council polls were officially released to the political parties and the contestants At the FCT INEC office, Abuja, on Thursday.

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Alleged Amnesty Fraud: Court extends order restraining EFCC, Police from arresting Kuku Doosuur Iwambe -ABUJA

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ustice Valentine Ashi of the Federal Capital Territory High Court sitting at Apo, has extended the order restraining the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC), and the Nigeria Police Force from arresting the former Special Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan on Niger Delta Affairs, Kingsley Kuku, over alleged fraud in the amnesty program that was initiated for ex-militants, till March 10.

Justice Ashi who extended the order at the weekend however directed all the parties to appear before him on March 10th, when the fundamental rights enforcement suit that Kuku filed before the court would be heard.

At the resumed hearing on the matter yesterday, Justice Ashi directed the parties to maintain status-quo, pending the determination of the suit before him.

The judge however granted request by the EFCC to file its counter affidavit in opposition to the suit, out of time.

Despite opposition by Kuku’ lawyer who urged the court to refuse EFCC’s application, however, Justice Ashi, said it was in the interest of justice to allow the anti-graft agency to file its written address against the suit, even as he also deemed same to have been filed within time.

Onubi had pleaded the court to go ahead and grant his client’s reliefs, contending that both EFCC and the police were aware of the pendency of the matter but made no attempt to file their preliminary objection until the last adjourned date.

It will be recalled that the EFCC had through a letter dated July 22, 2015, and signed by one Olufunke Adetayo Ogunbode, Head Economic Governance, invited Kuku to appear before it on July 28 last year for questioning over a case of conspiracy, stealing, diversion if public funds and abuse of office involving him.

However, the ex-presidential aide pleaded ill-health, even as persuaded the court to issue an order restraining the anti-graft agency from preventing him from travelling to the United States of America to undergo a knee surgery in September last year.

NATIONAL NEWS

FEBRUARY 20, 2016

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Labour warns DISCOs to obey Senate’s tariff suspension order Sebastine Ebhuomhan

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he Organised Labour Movement of Nigeria has formally warned electricity distribution companies, otherwise known as DISCOs, to immediately suspend the implementation of the new electricity tariff that was released on February 1, 2016, or risk the full mobilization of all Nigerian workers and citizens for a full-scale protest and demonstration.

Labour’s warning to electricity companies was contained in a Textile Union statement exclusively sent to Saturday Mirror on Friday. Foremost labour leader, Comrade Issa Aremu, who is the General Secretary of the National Union of Textile, Garment and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria (NUTGTWN) and Chairman of IndustriALL Global Union (Sub-Saharan Africa), signed the statement.

Labour commended the

National Assembly Chambers of Senate and Federal House of Representatives in the statement for identifying with the masses on the issue of poor electricity supply.

Aremu said, “The Textile Union hereby commends the National Assembly led by the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Dogara Yakubu for the prompt intervention following the nationwide protest against the increase in electricity tariff carried out by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) led

by Comrade Ayuba Wabba, Trade Union Congress (TUC) and civil society allies.”

“We particularly commend the Senate for the directive to the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Federal Ministry of Power and Electricity Distribution Companies (DISCOs), to suspend forthwith the implementation of the 45 per

cent increment on electricity tariffs and revert to the status quo.”

“With this singular exhibition of prompt oversight responsibility Nigeria’s 8th National Assembly has shown the parliament is a vent for public grievances.

We thank the Senate for courageously identifying with the Nigerian masses on this matter.”

On the rumour the DISCOs engineered in the media that the country faces the prospect of the loss of jobs of about 50, 000 workers if the illegal and indiscriminate 45 per cent increase in electricity tariff is reverted, Aremu said electricity companies must be seen to be law abiding by suspending any action regarding the tariff increase until all issues about the tariff and its rejection by the citizens are brought to a public hearing of all stakeholders as the Power Reform Act stipulates.

Aremu said, “We call on the authorities, particularly the generating and

distribution companies, to obey the legislative order and revert to the old tariff.

Also, we call on the stakeholders to take the advantage of the proposed public hearing to bring to the fore all the issues dealing with the value chains in the power sector.”

“The point cannot be overstated; Nigeria should move from power poverty to power prosperity and the solution lies in increased public investment in generation and distribution. The regulatory commission must also be equitable to all stakeholders and look at the bigger picture of national development. There cannot industrialization without uninterrupted cheaper industry inspired electrification.”

“As an affiliate of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), we are readily available to mobilize our members for any further action by the NLC and its civil society allies, if the directive by the Senate is not obeyed,” Aremu warned.

L-R: Minister of Transportation, Mr. Chibuike Amaechi; Managing Director, China Civil Engineering Construction Company, Li Jian Hui, and Director of Rail Transportation, Federal Ministry of Transportation, Mohammed Babakobi, during inspection of Idu railway station in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

School fees, medicals eligible for Forex allocation —CBN Tola Akinmutimi

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oncerned about misgivings in the public about excluded items from official foreign exchange windows, the Central Bank of Nigeria, (CBN), yesterday clarified that it had not stopped the allocation and sale of foreign exchange

for purposes of paying school fees and settlement of medical bills overseas.

A statement issued by the apex bank’s Director, Corporate Communications Department, Mallam Ibrahim Mu’azu, therefore urged members of the public to disregard any contrary information in respect eligibility of overseas school fees and medical

bills’ payments for forex allocations The regulatory banking institution wondered that despite assurances it had given on the sale of forex to all legitimate socio-economic and other users, some persons continued to suggest that the Bank had stopped the allocation of foreign exchange to Nigerians seeking to pay

school fees and medical bills overseas.

While urging members of the public to discountenance the misinformation, it stated that all genuine users desiring to obtain foreign exchange for the above-mentioned purposes should freely approach their banks with their requests and appropriate documentation.

Senate lacks powers to order tariff reversal — ex-NERC boss

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he immediate past Chairman, Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Sam Amadi, on Friday described the Nigerian Senate’s recent directive for the suspension of the new electricity tariff regime as illegal, unconstitutional and a direct encroachment on executive independence.

Mr. Amadi, who spoke in Abuja, said apart from the Senate lacking the constitutional right to give such a directive, NERC, as presently constituted, was incompetent to suspend or rescind the tariff order issued by the former commissioners.

The former NERC boss said until a new commission has been reconstituted to consider reviewing or totally suspending the order, “nobody anywhere can validly review or suspend the current tariff”.

“It is not wise for the Senate to instruct NERC to stop the tariff,” Mr. Amadi said. “It will create serious regulatory risks across the market value chain. People will begin to look at it and say there is no independence of the industry regulator.

“The National Assembly knows how tariffs are arrived at. They follow a process. If the National Assembly is truly objective, they could have invited NERC to come and give evidence that they followed the law and process they made. If they think the laws were not followed or good enough they have a right to streamline the law or make new regulations.

“The order by the Senate for NERC to rescind the tariff is a direct infringement on the independence of the executive to initiate policies, in this case through NERC. It is a subtle derogation of the powers of the executive.

It offends the concept of separation of power. The legislature should not interfere and direct executive action. That is clearly against the law. (Premium Times)

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

FEBRUARY 20, 2016

SOUTH WEST

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Osun striking doctors have sacked selves —Govt Boladale Bamigbola OSOGBO.

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or abandoning their duty posts for over six months, Osun state government yesterday said it was invoking civil

…says doctors’ demands impossible

service rule that says whoever shuns his or her duty post for a certain period is deemed to have resigned,

OAU uncovers admission fraud syndicate

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he management of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, has uncovered a syndicate specialised in defrauding parents and candidates seeking admission into the institution.

The school called on parents and guardians of candidates seeking admission into the institution to be wary of the fraudsters who parade themselves as our admission officers in the university.

A statement by the Public Relations Officer of the university, Abiodun Olarewaju, said a man, Omodele Taiwo, had been arrested by security operatives of the university after claiming to be an admission officer of the school.

Mr. Olarewaju disclosed that Mr. Omodele had already defrauded two parents seeking admission for their children to the tune

of N600, 000.

“Omodele’s attempt to collect N100, 000 from his two victims, who are parents of the two candidates (names withheld) eventually led to his arrest,” he said.

“Upon interrogation, he admitted committing the crime and collecting the money, but blamed the devil for pushing him into the act.

“In view of this, OAU management wishes to emphasise that we do not ask parents, guardians or candidates to pay for admission, nor do we ask them to pay into individuals’ bank account to secure admission.”

Mr. Olarewaju admonished parents and guardians of candidates seeking admission into OAU not to be too desperate to be looking for shortcut, so as not to fall victims of fraudsters.

Kemi Olaitan

cease to stop calling himself the Eze Ndigbo of Ibadanland and Oyo state respectively.

Akinpelu, who is also the Baale of Jagun in Lagelu local government area, said to the best of his knowledge, the leadership tussle among the Igbos in Oyo State is pending at the Court of Appeal in Ibadan, stating that the court is yet to resolve the case in favour or against any of the parties involved.

He said, “Much as we want peace among our people, the court of law should be allowed to mediate on the Igbo leadership conflict. I am sure the Olubadan-In-Council and the Ibadan kingmakers have respect for the rule of law and would not do otherwise”.

Kamoru on his part, said there was no letter issued from the palace with the authorisation of the Olubadan-In-Council.

Igbo in Oyo charged not to drag Olubadan-In-Council into leadership crisis IBADAN

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he leadership tussle among the Igbo Community in Oyo State has taken a new twist, as litigants in the issue, have been warned not to drag the Olubadan-In-Council into the conflict.

The Secretary to the Olubadan-In-Council, Mr. Liasu Kamoru and the Personal Assistant to the former Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Samuel Odulana, Odugade 1, Chief Isiaka Akinpelu, gave the warning yesterday while speaking with journalists in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

They described as false, a purported letter written on behalf of the Olubadan-In-Council to the effect that Dr. Alex Chukwudum Anozie, should

against the striking doctors in the employment of Osun state.

Briefing newsmen in Osogbo, Dr. Simeon Afolayan, the chairman, Osun State Special Committee on Health, said doctors are demanding higher than what the state could afford.

He added that doctors in the employment of State Ministry of Health and Hospital Management Board, are less than 100, stressing that government could not because of the number, and in the face of lean resources coming from the federation account, use all its resources to pay only them.

Afolayan noted that the doctors are represented in the revenue sharing committee headed by veteran labour leader, Comrade Hassan Sunmonu, coming into d state, positing that the committee has been determining the percentage going into the payment of salaries.

He said: “40,000 work force agreed that the state should take tough decision when it was clear the state’s finances was down.

This led to the payment of modulated salaries to workers.

“Government cannot pay full salary to doctors when others are receiving

modulated salary. While we recognize that the doctors are rendering essential services, we must not also risk irking other workers, who are on modulated salaries.

“For 11 months, they have been on strike, yet they were being paid salaries. They got paid till September last year. In civil service, you cannot abandon your duty post for 6 months without your action being considered as resignation.

“This civil service rule has taken effect. Government cannot encourage lawlessness. Their (doctors) role is significant but their number is insignifi-

cant among workforce in the state. The fact that for 11 months, doctors did not work and yet the state’s healthcare services are still functioning calls to question their relevance.”

According to him, the state has less than 100 doctors, declaring that the number cannot continue to hold the state to ransom.

While begging the doctors to return to work to allow further negotiations on the impasse, Afolayan however declared that the state had not sacked any of its doctors, even as he said four of the new doctors that applied for job in the state have resumed duties.

L-R: Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (3rd right), with former Judges of Lagos State - Justice Adesola Lufadeju; Justice Adebisi Kayode-Ogunmekan; Justice Titilola Ojikutu Oshode; Justice Olutawo; Justice Ayotunde Phillps, during a courtesy visit to him, at the Lagos House, Ikeja, on Thursday, February 18, 2016.

Ajimobi promises free uniforms for 400 pupils of burnt school Kemi Olaitan IBADAN

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overnor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State, yesterday promised to personally provide new uniforms for the over 400 pupils of Ifesowapo Community Primary School, Boluwaji, Ibadan, which was worst hit by the fire incident that recently engulfed the area.

The governor, who made the promise during a sympathy visit to the victims of the inferno, also ordered the immediate re-construction of the school.

He described the inci-

dent as a human factor that could have been avoided if proper care had been taken by the driver of the petrol tanker that ignited the fire.

He said, “We will rebuild the school and equip it with necessary furniture and teaching aids for effective teaching and learning’’.

He reiterated his administration’s commitment to the overall development of the state, irrespective of party affiliation for the benefit of the people.

While describing education as the best legacy that parent could bequeath to their children, Ajimobi

urged parents and guardians to accord priority attention to the education of their children and wards.

“We will transform the state. We will develop education because it is the best legacy that we can bequeath to our children.

Knowledge brings about the development of the mind, soul and the entire being. Every parent should provide adequate education for his children,’’ he said.

The governor stressed the need for the people of the state to join hands with his administration in its development drive through payment of tax and ten-

ement rate, adding that government alone could not develop key sectors without citizens’ support.

During his interaction with the teachers and pupils of the affected school, he stressed the need for the use of indigenous language in teaching and learning process.

He said, “There is the need to use mother tongue to teach in our schools.

If you go to Japan, China and Russia today, they use their own languages to teach in their schools. It helps more to use mother tongue than using English and other foreign languages.’’

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10 7 burnt to death in Kogi auto crashes Wale Ibrahim Lokoja

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NORTH

FEBRUARY 20, 2016

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

INEC holds Plateau supplementary elections today

...Suspends re-run for Langtang south James Abraham Jos

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he Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will today hold supplementary elections for Pankshin North/ South constituencies of Plateau State.

However, the re-run election for Langtang South constituency earlier scheduled to take place same day has been suspended by the commission.

The polls were a fallout of last year’s election, and based on the judgment of the Court of Appeal, Jos Judicial Divi-

sion, which nullified the exercise in the three constituencies on December 5, 2015.

It would be recalled that in the case of Langtang South, the Appeal Court nullified the results of the entire constituency while in the case of Pankshin North and South; the Appeal Court ruled that a fresh elections be conducted only in Nyelleng and Pyabor polling units.

Since then, preparations for fresh polls in the three constituencies had been ongoing until a few hours ago when the electoral umpire suspended the re-run election for Langtang South.

Saturday Mirror gathered that the suspension might not be unconnected with a recent Federal High Court order in Jos, which restrained the electoral body from excluding the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from participating in the election.

This was sequel to a case of unlawful exclusion brought before the court by PDP against INEC, which had earlier barred the PDP from fielding any candidate for Langtang South election in particular.

INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner in the state, Dr Godwin M.

Kwanga, confirmed the development to journalists in Jos on Thursday night.

Kwanga said: “As a law abiding organization, and giving the short time available to the commission, the chairman, Prof. Mahmoud Yakubu, has directed the commission in Plateau State to suspend the conduct of the re-run election as ordered by the court pending the determination of the motion on notice for interlocutory injuction. However, elections in Pankshin North and Pankshin South will hold as scheduled.”

o fewer than four passengers have been burnt beyond recognition, and another 3 persons die in auto crashes which occurred along LokojaOkene and Lokoja Abuja roads in the early hours of yesterday.

Saturday Mirror gathered that the accident occurred when two J5 buses with registration numbers Katsina, KZR 321 ZT and Plateau, XB 609 JTA had a head on collision The Kogi State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Mr. Ogochukwu Ugboma, disclosed that seven other persons were critically injured in the accident which he said occurred at a spot in Irepeni village.

He pointed out that the victims were among the 14 people that were involved in the accident, stressing that three Sympathisers and fire fighters at Kaduna State University -computer centre which was gutted by fire in Kaduna, yesterday. other passengers escaped PHOTO: NAN unhurt.

The FRSC boss explained that the accident happened at about 5am, and identified sleep on the part of one of the drivers as the possible cause. office in Adavi Local Gov- supporters of the party to members to support OgemUgboma stated that Wale Ibrahim ernment Area of Kogi has vote Hon. Ahmed Ogembe be.

Lokoja all the injured persons It stated that in January been razed down by fire oc- of the Peoples Democratic have been taken to the Party (PDP) in today’s re- 2016, the party secretariat he Local Govern- casioned by arsonists.

Federal Medical Centre Kure noted that contrary run election for the Kogi wrote the Independent Nament Office of the in Lokoja for treatment. tional Electoral Commission Independent Nation- to the belief that sensitive Central Senatorial seat.

The chairmen of the (INEC) of its decision not to In a related al Electoral Commission in materials have been deAlonge Galio re-present Abatemi.

Adavi Local Government stroyed, noted that materials parties, development, another Meanwhile, the National area of Kogi State has been have just been distributed, Methuselah and Hon. Isah three persons met their set ablaze by unknown ar- and will be accompanied by Abubarkar, made the call Orientation Agency (NOA) untimely death in a during a joint press confer- has admonished eligible votsecurity personnel. sonists. fatal accident at Karara He pointed out that for ence yesterday in Lokoja, ers in Kogi Central and Kogi The incident took place on Lokoja- Abuja Road East senatorial districts to at the premises the local the purpose of today’s elec- the Kogi State capital. yesterday.

The MPPP said its can- remain law abiding before, government secretariat tion, another office would be It was learnt that the in Ogaminana, at about used for distribution of elec- didate; Alhaji Bashir Sani during and after the exeraccident occurred at cise.

Omolori, has made himself tion materials.

7.00pm Friday night. about 2.30am when the It cautioned against thugMeanwhile, a lot of pol- ‘unavailable’.

Source hinted that this vehicles had a head on The PPA said that the gery and other forms of elecmight not be unconnect- iticking has been going collision. ed with the barring of the on since the Abuja Appeal party’s candidate in the 2015 toral malpractice.

The state director, Chief All Progressives Congress Court nullified the two sen- general election, Usman The FRSC Sector (APC) senatorial candidate atorial seats of the National Abatemi, defected to the Ibikunle Medubi, enjoined Commander pointed from contesting in today’s Assembly, the Kogi Central All Progressives Congress all registered voters in the out the 3 dead bodies areas to come out and exer(APC). re-run election by the INEC. and East. have been deposited at It said that it will not cise their civic responsibilHowever, the Mega ProConfirming the incia mortuary in Ankuri People’s Party field any candidate in the ities by casting their votes dent, the Head of Voters gressive Hospital, lokoja, Education Unit, Mr. Dan- (MPPP) and Progressive Peo- Kogi Central senatorial re- for the candidates of their yesterday. iel Kure, stated that INEC ple’s Alliance, have urged run election and called on choice.

Kogi INEC office set ablaze by unknown arsonists ----As preparation for election is in top gear

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There’s significant improvement in fight against B’Haram, says Gaidam Inusa Ndahi Damaturu

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overnor Ibrahim Gaidam of Yobe State has said that since the inception of President Muhammadu Buhari’s led administration, there had been significant improvement in the ongoing fight against Boko Haram insurgency that claimed many lives and property in the state and the NorthEast sub-region of the country. Gaidam spoke on Friday, while inaugurating a 17-member Local Government Caretaker Committee at the Government House, Damaturu.

He appealed to the people of Yobe State to continue to pray for the full “restoration of peace and security,” so that the council chairmen could perform and deliver all the basic infrastructural and social services to the people at the grassroots.

His words: “We have witnessed significant improvements in the on-going fight against insurgency and other acts of terrorism in the North-East sub-region in particular and the nation at large.

“In this respect, I would like to equally appeal to teeming citizens living in rural and urban centres, to continue cooperate with the security agencies. This is will enable them and the military complete the good work they have been doing to protect people’s lives and property.”

Gaidam continued: “I thanked the speaker of the house, Adamu Dala Dogo and other honourable members for granting approval to our request for the appointment of Chairmen of Local Government Management Committee and their members. I will continue to count on their support and cooperation in the implementation of the policies and programmes of our administration; so that our collective dreams of transforming Yobe State into economic growth and development could be realised.”

FEBRUARY 20, 2016

POLITICS

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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PDP and new ‘Sheriff’ in town

Lekan Adejuwon

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he crisis-ridden Peoples’ Democratic Party PDP, during the week, made good its promise to pick a new national chairman after the forced exit of the former national chairman of the party, Adamu Mua’zu last year.

It was a decision the party needed urgently to reposition it from the current sorry pass the PDP finds itself.

It would be recalled that the PDP National Executive Council NEC meeting earlier scheduled for last week, was postponed as a result of discordant tunes by the party’s stakeholders fuelling rumours that all was not well with the party.

According to a statement by the office of the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Olisa Metuh, “In view of requests by critical stakeholders and leaders of our great party, the National Working Committee (NWC), has approved the shifting of the meetings of key statutory organs of the party earlier scheduled for this week to next week (this week) In the new schedule, the meeting of the National Caucus of the party has been shifted to Monday, February 15th 2016at 7pm. In the same vein, the meeting of the Board of Trustees will now hold on the morning of Tuesday, February 16” However, the choice of Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, former Borno State governor and until recently, one of the founding fathers of the ruling All Progressives Congress APC, as PDP Acting national chairman appears to have raised a fresh crisis in the party as many stakeholders have rejected his choice.

It is no longer news that the acclaimed Africa’s largest party had been enmeshed in deep crisis after losing the March 28, 2015 presidential election to the All Progressives Congress (APC), but what has continued to resonate like a recurring decimal within the PDP, is the unending controversies bedeviling the party almost on a daily basis.

Instructively too, many observers have flayed this ugly development saying the PDP has failed Nigeria as the country’s main opposition party.

However, the emergence of Sheriff came to many as a surprise not only because his name was not mentioned among the first 10 contenders for the plump job, but largely because the former governor has been a controversial figure amid sundry allegations of corruption and being a major sponsor of the extremist religious sects, Boko Haram although, he has denied the allegations.

Meanwhile, the internal wrangling rocking the umbrella party resurfaced during the week when the national leadership of the party failed to agree on the choice of its national chairman as it was learnt that two prominent organs of the party disagreed on the emergence of the former two term governor of Borno State One of the aggrieved PDP stakeholders who rejected Sheriff ’s nomination is the PDP’s highest decision making body the Board of

Ali Modu Sheriff

Trustees BoT. There are indications that a meeting of the BoT members was deadlocked as majority of the members expressed concern over Sheriff ’s choice whom they alleged would compound the party’s woes especially, its dwindling image problem.

Some were particularly worried that the new chairman has been constantly linked with the deadly Boko Haram sect, an allegation he has consistently denied.

Sheriff was said to have been picked by the national caucus of the party after a marathon meeting from Monday night until Tuesday afternoon after the former defeated his closest rivals for the race which include Senator Gingiri Lawal,, national Vice Chairman for North-East zone and Ambassador Wilberforce Juta, who had earlier been nominated by the Adamawa chapter of the party.

Other contestants who reportedly lost out in the race are; former FCT Minister, Alhaji Abba Gana, Senator Seidu Kumo, Alhaji Mohammed Garba and Hon. Mohammed Wakil.

According to a source, all the aspirants were subjected to oral interviews at the end of which nominations were reduced to two, Juta and Sheriff.

It was further gathered that Juta lost out on religious ground as the national caucus opted for religious balancing since the party’s deputy national chairman, Uche Secondus and national secretary, Prof Wale Oladipo are Christians.

Juta is also a Christian from Adamawa State.

But ahead of the BoT meeting on Tuesday, PDP National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, had told newsmen that the national caucus of the party has unanimously adopted Sheriff and their choice enjoyed the support of the BoT However, indications emerged later that the purported nomination met a brick wall as some members of BoT were said to have

stormed out of the meeting leading to a deadlock.

But in defiance of the Bot’s position, PDP National Executive Committee NEC, later met and endorsed Senator Sheriff.

Reacting to the rejection of Sheriff by majority of BoT members, Metuh said the position of NEC was in the best interest of the PDP as he noted that members of BoT were not bigger than the party.

“Those aggrieved said they were not properly briefed, but there would be consensus at the end of the day. All the different organs of the party were involved “You can’t talk about walk out in a meeting that has the likes of Senator Ahmadu Ali and Professor Jerry Gana in attendance nobody is bigger than the party. “Nobody can walk out on the party. It is improper for anybody to walk out on the leaders of the party” Many have expressed concerns over the fate of the former ruling party especially with the controversy currently trailing the party’s decision in the choice of Sheriff It would be recalled that Special Adviser to former President Goodluck Jonathan, Ahmed Gulak, armed with a court judgement, stormed the PDP headquarters on January 27, announced himself as the substantive chairman of the party.

The former Political Adviser said he had taken over the leadership of the party following the court order of December 16, 2015, which asked the party to name a party member from the North-East to replace former chairman of the party, Mu’azu He then told the cheering crowd which included workers at the secretariat that the NWC must work with him in order to move the party forward.

He blamed the Acting National Chairman of PDP , Uche Secondus, for his refusal to obey the court ruling which ordered that a new chairman be appointed from the North-East.

However, few days to the crucial PDP NEC

meeting, the party suffered another big loss as a former Senate President, Senator Ken Nnamani announced his resignation from the party.

Nnamani, also a member of the BoT of the PDP declared that he was momentarily quitting partisan politics as he accused some unnamed persons of frustrating the party’s reforms.

In a letter entitled; “PDP, the Burden and my Conscience’’ Nnamani said he took the decision after all efforts to refocus and rebuild the party had proved abortive blaming some elements in the party for its dwindling fortune.

The former Senate President who had been tipped to emerge as the next BoT chairman by most members of the committee said in the letter; “Without any iota of bitterness in my heart, I have decided to disengage from the Peoples’ Democratic Party and consequently step aside from partisan politics in the interim” “I wish to express my profound gratitude to the party that gave me the platform with which I attained the height I did in the politics of our country. How I wish the efforts I mounted with some of my colleagues (many of whom have left the party) to keep the PDP on the path of its noble vision and values had been supported by those who were privileged to be at helm of affairs of the party , it would have been a different day for the PDP. It would have been a day of victory and pride not of defeat and shame” For the former PDP chieftain, it has been regret for serving under a party widely believed to be Africa’s largest party.

His exit was followed in similar pattern by the formal defection to the APC by former Senate Leader, Mr Victor Ndoma-Egba from the PDP last week.

Meanwhile, the new PDP chairman in his maiden speech, promised to rebuild the party ahead of 2019 while assuring the party’s members of an inclusive administration “The task is a very challenging one-to rebuild the party and carry everybody along towards 2019.

“I want to assure everybody that the choice you made today, nobody will regret it. PDP is a party that is structured and well organized, all we need is to rebuild this party and pilot it to success.

“Nobody will be alienated in the business of running this party. We shall all build it to victory In a related development, Sheriff has vowed to lead the party to victory in 2019.

His words: “By the grace of Allah, nothing will deter this party from going to Aso Rock in 2019 and by the time we put our master-plan, I am sure APC will go back to where it came from and Insha Allah, nothing will stop us” Sheriff, who is taking over power from Uche Secondus as interim chairman after Mu’azu added; “We will head from here and we will do it together. This my long cap, is prepared to lead my colleagues and brothers to Aso Rock Insha Allah” he said.

With this promising note, it is believed that the new Sheriff in town will walk the talk by repositioning, rebuilding and reinventing the umbrella party.

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POLITICS

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Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Nigeria ’ll be greater if…–Olaniwun Ajayi Elder statesman, Sir Olaniwun Ajayi the author of two controversial books – Nigeria, Africa’s Failed Asset and Power Imbalance, in this interview, speaks on the MKO Abiola saga and other issues. LEKAN ADEJUWON reports:

I

n your book, you were a bit harsh on the Fulani. Why did you take this approach?

Yes, they have been radicals, extortionists and terrible as leaders. You know they were in the minority All the northern peoples, like the Hausas they met on the land were complaining about them, although the Fulani didn’t have it easy with the people.

They didn’t have it easy with British either because, the British government was dealing with them very severely. They keep removing this as the Emir and put in another one and so on and on, until they got settled at about 1804, but them, they still believed that power to govern a country like Nigeria should be bestowed on the Hausa-Fulani people. The north had always been in control either during the military or the civilian. For the military, about 30 to 35 years they were in power and most of them, were northerners, all these you can read in my book and what is more, as I said, we have independence now for 56 years. At that time, the countries which are more or less at the same development level as we were were Brazil, India, Russia, Malaysia and one or two other countries.

But today, all these countries are ahead of Nigeria. As a matter of fact, Singapore is now a first world country, having the best airport in the world. What is the population of Singapore? When Singapore was driven out of the Assembly by Malaysian people in their parliament, Lin Quan Yew went outside and started to cry, saying now that we were sent out, what are we going to do? But then he called his people, what are we going to do? He made sure that he called people, the intellectuals in the country to manage the country and so they are where they are today by share merit and commitment to the cause of their country. The situation in Singapore is quite different from ours, the situation in France is quite different from ours and so on, but the situation in Yugoslavia is the same as Nigeria. Yugoslavia has about 6 or 8 different nationalities just as Nigeria has and each nation in Yugoslavia have been clamouring for self- determination but their leaders keep saying no, the more the merrier, ‘let us stay together’ The last of them was Josef Tito.

He was an army General. He persuaded the people and say sorry I cant allow us to go our different ways. In any case, he dies, when he died, the people came together, they held meetings; one, two three, they all failed and at the end, what did they get? As they were not allowed to go their separate ways, since 1989, they started to kill one another and they killed one another for 10 years and the last one of their leaders was arrested about 3 or

Olaniwun Ajayi

4 years ago and he is now undergoing trials in Hague. So that is the truth we are trying to avoid. Nigeria is not a country. Nigeria consists of so many nations. Let the six geo political zones goes their different ways, then you will see marvelously rapid development in the country.

In your book, you mentioned wars in the north while describing the precolonial Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo nations.

While you described the Yoruba nation, you did not mention the wars that were fought here but you focused more on the Hausa Fulani wars, what were you trying to portray?

You know these people were coming from the Arab countries, particularly the Fulanis.

They came to this place. They met the Hausas who were more in number than they. In any case, they mingled together but they were not favourably disposed to the British But you did not talk about the wars fought in Yorubaland?

That is really not material in the sense that it is in this Yoruba country where you had a lot of wars in 19th century but it is the same ethnic region which gave you the best government in this country.

Some may see Chief Olaniwun Ajayi as portraying the Hausa-Fulani as militant in nature by describing their war habits but failed to mention wars fought in Yorubaland?

Wars or no wars, has nothing to do with development. With the internecine wars fought in Yorubaland, they still are what they were before independence, the best in education, the best in health, the best in agriculture, you know all these. So, it is a question of educational development because as far back as 1875, the Yoruba people had been producing graduates. The first lawyer came in 1875, then along the lines, engineers, doctors, surveyors and so forth in the 70s. The first lawyer in the north was in 1955, an Ilorin man Can I say you took the north to the cleaners in your books?

Not unfairly. Whatever I wrote in my books is as a result of thorough research particularly, the last book-‘Power Imbalance’, very well researched. Most of what I put there, I got from the record of the British

which they classified and turned into books and it is from these books that I got what I put there.

Where did you get the story that the Sultan of Sokoto on the 19th May 1993 sent a message to IBB not to allow MKO to contest the 1993 presidential election?

My source- ‘Nigeria: June 12’ a book written by Babangida’s Political Adviser, Omo Omoruyi. My source is quoted in my books. There is nothing I wrote in my books which is unfounded And you believe Omo Omoruyi?

Of course, the Sultan of Sokoto did not come out to say Omoruyi lied against him, neither did Major, who later became the Prime Minister of England came out to say that Omoruyi lied against him that it isn’t true or that the British High Commissioner came out to say you lied against my Prime Minister.

You also gave impression that the north knew what happened to Abiola in your book?

Well if the north did not know, who would know? Abiola was in their hands. Abiola was in their keeps. Who will know? Of course, they knew. It was because they realized what they did that they took Obasanjo out of prison, got him pardoned and asked him to go and run election.

Are you suggesting that Thomas Pickering, the under Secretary of the United States, who was with Abiola when he suddenly fell ill perhaps knew something too do you see an international conspiracy there?

Certainly It is a big conspiracy in a small matter because the first to come was British External Affairs man, I forgot his name now, but it was him that came first to say ‘please Chief Abiola why don’t you renounce your mandate?’ and Abiola said, ‘why are you telling me that’, you are a British man, when people go into election in England to last for 4 years, does anybody renounce his mandate?

‘I have been elected and I am not here to renounce my mandate. Abiola refused and said, ‘I won’t do it’. Secondly, he was followed by the Secretary of the United Nations, the Ghanaian Kofi Annan. Abiola took him for his predecessor, an Egyptian Boutrus Ghali.

Then kofi Annan corrected him, I am now

the UN Secretary. He said, ‘Chief, I have come to tell you, why don’t you renounce your mandate? He said; ‘renounce my mandate? I will never do that’. ‘Is that democracy?’ I have been elected. Tell them to release me and allow me to take my mandate. I want to be sworn in as the president of the country’ and of course, he left. Then the Secretary of the Commonwealth came, our own man Emeka Anyaoku to say that Abiola, you know this man has come, another man has come, better listen to them and do whatever they asked you to do. Abiola said ‘you are talking nonsense’, I won’t do anything like that. Ok, the last call was Pickering with his Secretary, Susan Rice. He was advised to persuade him to renounce his mandate. In the main time, Abiola said, ‘Oh I won’t do it’. Now, talking about the north knowing this, Abiola was in the keep of northerners. In the meantime, they’ve taken his aide away from him and put somebody else there. It was that somebody, who went out to prepare tea for him. He just sipped the tea and then, he collapsed. So he was in their hands, he was in their keeps Has the north reacted to your books?

Well I have been expecting reactions.

Nobody has reacted In the first book, Nigeria; Africa’s failed asset you were hard on the north?

Yes You came out with the second one, ‘Nigeria’s Political Imbalance’ you were hard on the north Yes You were not friendly with the north?

In fact, let me tell you, the last book-Power Imbalance, I sent copies to the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, to the President of the country, and to six natural rulers in each of the 6 geo-political zones in the country.

And none of them has reacted?

No one, I have sent a copy to David Cameron, I have sent a copy to the Speaker of House of Commons. I sent a copy to the Leader, House of Lords in England.

Did you send any to the Sultan?

Oh yes. I said six natural rulers in each of the six geo-political zones in the country. Of course, I sent to some political leaders and also to the NUJ Do you think the north is ready for a restructured Nigeria?

Well, I will carefully hope so because it is the only blessing that Nigeria may have, but I know they will still be a bit tardy in doing so because they profit, a great deal, about the present structure of the country which is against political geometry absolutely. We are different nationalities, different countries.

We don’t have proper federal system. We should have true federal system. If we have true federal system, there would be peace and progress in this country. We have been suffering for 56 years and we are like a small child of 3 or 5 years who cannot walk if you compare us with Brazil, India and Malaysia.

Where are we?

You said British broke all the virtues, ethics and moral standards, do you still see British in that way?

Yes of course Do you still see them as collaborators in the Nigerian enterprise?

Yes, I don’t have cause not to think so.

FEBRUARY 20, 2016

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

TALKING POLITICS ‘We’ll unseat APC in 2019’

—Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, new PDP National Chairman

“T

he PDP wishes to draw the attention of the media and members of the public that His Excellency, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff is substantive and not acting National Chairman of the PDP as being erroneously rendered by a section of the media’’

‘’His (Sheriff) appointment by the National Executive Committee (NEC) of our great party in its 68th meeting last Tuesday, to replace Dr. Ahmadu Adamu Mu’azu, who resigned as national chairman, is in line with section 47 (6) of the PDP Constitution.

“We are here today, we are starting from here, and we are going to Aso Rock, Insha Allah by 2019.

“We will head from here and we will do it together. This my long cap is prepared to lead my colleagues and brothers to Aso Rock, Insha Allah.

“By the grace of Allah, nothing will deter this party from going to Aso Rock in 2019. By the time we put down our master-plan, I am sure

—Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, former Aviation minister and PDP chieftain

“O

n 16th of February, 2016, the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) adopted Senator Ali Modu Sheriff (aka SAS), a two-time ANPP Governor of Borno state, a former ANPP senator, the former Chairman of the All Peoples Congress (APC) Board of Trustees and the indisputable founder of Boko Haram as its Acting National Chairman.

“Alimodu-Sheriff Modu is also the erstwhile godfather and sponsor of Governor Shettima Ali, the present APC Governor of Borno State (until they fell out). He is a man that has a very deep and profound relationship and association with Idris Deby, the President of Chad and he is a man whose son is married to the daughter of President Muhammadu Buhari.

“Many have argued that his allegiance is more to the Republic of Chad than it is to Nigeria, that he is an agent of the Chadian intelligence agencies and that he is a Chadian citizen who often flaunts his Chadian passport.

“I cannot confirm the veracity of these assertions, but one thing that I know is that most of Modu Sheriff ’s funding and stupendous wealth emanates primarily from the Republic of Chad and that country is as much a

— APC in a statement

“A

li Modu Sheriff is mindful of the 16th century English language proverb and nursery rhyme “If wishes were horses, beggars would ride.

“In monitored media reports, Ali Modu Sheriff boasted in Umuahia, the Abia State capital that the ailing PDP which lost power in 2015 will regain control of the federal government in 2019. Ali Modu Sheriff was also quoted saying the PDP would soon come out with its “master plan” to regain power.

“The APC is reluctant to join issues with Ali Modu Sheriff ’s idle 2019 postulations and would rather join issues

that will bring about all-inclusive development in the country.

“However, the APC and indeed Nigerians seriously hope the touted “master plan” includes how the PDP and its cronies will return public funds stolen under the PDP’s watch for 16 years.

“Nigerians are aware that the current economic hardship and institutional rot was caused by the PDP’s 16-year misrule and pillage. President Muhammadu Buhari has been working assiduously to correct the PDP’s years of damage and bring about people-centric governance.

“It is baffling how the PDP expects Nigerians to abandon APC’s smooth sailing ship for a sinking and rudderless PDP ship, come 2019.

“The 2015 elections has been won and lost. The priority of the present APC administration is to deliver on election promises made by the party to Nigerians who long-desired change of political leadership at the federal level and in many states.

“Happily, Nigerians can look back, with relief and attest that since the APC-led administration took over governance, Nigeria is back on the right track – economically and security-wise – and has taken its right of place among the comity of progressive nations.”

‘We’ll tarry at PDP’s graveyard’ — Dr Doyin Okupe, Special Adviser to former President Goodluck Jonathan

“S home to him as is Nigeria. Yet it is not his connection with Chad that gives me cause for concern.

“Rather it is his role in the establishment of Boko Haram. The truth is that appointing him as our National Chairman is like appointing Jack the Ripper as the leader of the Conservative Party in Victorian England.”

13

‘Sheriff’s wishful thinking’

they (APC) will go back to where they came from. And Insha Allah, nothing will stop us.”

‘Sheriff’s appointment, an error’

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ome of us have vowed not to leave the party (PDP). We will not leave the party. We will continue to engage all who care to listen and seek help from everyone ready to revive this severely challenged sickened giant.

“For a morose political party, thanks to the overwhelming and effective propaganda machinery of the party in power, this may yet be the mortal wound that may cause the eventual depletion of its long perplexed following.

“But if it is the divine will of God that

our present masters must kill the PDP, then by the grace of God, we shall yet tarry at the graveside to bid it farewell.”

“The capability of our party, the PDP, and its leadership to make grave errors in judgment is legendary. What is intriguing is that even when the party is out of power, that tendency seems not to reduce.

“Alhaji Sheriff is a long-standing political associate of mine and a very astute politician of, perhaps, a sublime class. But for the post of the national chairman of the PDP, he is a wrong candidate and (he is) also coming in at a wrong time.

“With the crisis rocking the PDP, the emergence of Sheriff might deplete the membership base of the opposition party.

“Impunity, presumptive reasoning, restrictive consultative process are the diseases killing the PDP. “PDP leaders who supported the emergence of Sheriff hinged their argument on the fact that, being a wealthy politician, he (Sheriff) would be favourably disposed to fund the activities of the party.

“Other leaders within the party felt that Sheriff would compound the problems of the party and bring a crushing weight of burden capable of fatally destroying the few strands of moral fibre in the party.”

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Saving mothers, babies, from needless death

While so many mothers and their children depend on trado-medical practitioners or herbalists in various communities in Nigeria for their health care, health experts are seriously advocating that people should refrain from patronising traditional medicine and embrace new neonatal facilities recently introduced by the Ministry of Health. This recommendation has become necessary because neonatal deaths in Nigeria have reached alarming proportions, reports JULIET UMEH

L

ife of Mr Tunde Olayemi, a young engineer, became enveloped in thick gloom, when his hope of becoming a father 10 years after marriage became dashed consequent to the sudden death of Eunice, his wife, who was carrying eight-month pregnancy, during a brief illness. A team of doctors came to save her life threatened by ectopic pregnancy (pregnancy outside the womb), but it was too late as she sadly surrendered to death.

Every day, not a few families grieve, mourn and shed hot tears over the needless deaths of their loved ones – sisters, in-laws, and wives — through maternal and child mortality. It is most saddening that pregnancy, which naturally is an expectation of joy, turns to arrival of sadness and grief to many families and homes as the country loses more than a hundred women and babies as a result of pregnancy, childbirth or post-partum complications.

In every nook and cranny of the country, women die quietly and in pain in homes, on way to health facilities, most of which have no emergency obstetric care.

Most unfortunately, they die of simple cases such as haemorrhage, eclampsia, prolonged or obstructed labour, unsafe abortion—health challenges that can be easily prevented. But doctors said that danger signals of complications specific to pregnancy include: vaginal bleeding, puffiness of the face, eye or fingers; severe headache, dimness or blurring of vision, severe abdominal pain, vomiting, fever, rupture of membranes, absence of fetal movement, miscarriage or abortion and premature labour.

In order to control more loss of lives, non-governmental organisations and professional associations are joining the advocates of safe maternal newborn and

child health in asking for quality healthcare system and an integration of every related maternal and child health policy.

However alternative health practitioners like Mr Kosoko Dumeda, an herbalist, are also proving they are relevant stakeholders in the business of expectant mothers’ care. In the community where he plies his popular trade, Dumeda’s name is synonymous with expertise in ante-natal care that can prevent stillbirths and neonatal mortality. The 64-year-old man, who hails from Kobena in Ilashe, Ori-Ade Local Community Development Area (L.C.D.A) of Lagos State, a rural coastal area lacking adequate presence of government and provision of basic amenities of life, assists majority of women in his community in child delivery.

Many of his ilk abound in other adjoining communities whose services are the only ones available to pregnant mothers. If the current Nigeria’s neonatal statistics is anything to go by, the Ilashe experience is a sample of many other rural communities in Nigeria.

In a chat with Dumeda, he told our correspondent on how he assists women and their children in the community. With glee and sense of satisfaction, he relayed his crude practices which include rendering solution to difficult labour by applying some herbs, and giving teaspoonful of concoction, a form of immunisation, when babies are born.

In saner societies, Dumeda and his compatriots in trade would belong to the society of nonentities, but they hold their own in their village because many of the nation’s health facilities do not meet standards set on antenatal care, on labour, child care, postnatal care, newborn care by health authorities in order to achieve Emergency Obstetrics and Newborn Care

(EOC).

But lack of modern health facilities, a problem many communities are grappling with, has opened doors of opportunities to Dumeda and his likes. Without exaggeration, they are like messiahs on health matters in the rural areas. Maybe for their indispensable service, some identify them by the moniker, ‘Minister of Health,’ ‘Doctor’ ‘Death Conqueror’ apart from scores of other sobriquets affixed to their popular names.

Dumeda takes pride in having ability to provide solution to the health challenged.

“I provide solution to babies who have refused to cry at birth. There’s a leaf which I will give to the child in his or her mouth and he will cry immediately. The work of the leaf is to break the barrier in the baby’s mouth and immediately the baby will start talking,” he declared.

However, despite the fact that his sound knowledge seems incredulous or

a tale in this 21st century of astounding achievements in science and medicine, he is exonerated from knocks because the beneficiaries of his traditional medicine and practice, the local folks appreciate his contribution to their health though the principal victims of his crude diagnosis are scores community women of different terms of pregnancies, who wobble to his makeshift clinic in long gowns or yards of wrappers that cover their ‘blessed’ tummies hiding growing ‘fruits of God.’ Even though maternal and child mortality is a feature of the communities lacking modern primary healthcare facilities like Kobena, women in the community depend solely on traditional birth attendants, whose practice is crude and lack relevant knowledge needed to cope with complicated cases during and after childbirth. Also common feature in CONTINUED ON PAGE 16

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‘Adequate funding, effective application crucial’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 15 such traditional communities like Kobena are infant deaths (neonatal deaths from birth after successful delivery to 28 days or perinatal deaths if including fetal deaths at 28 weeks gestation and later).

A report released by the Delta Primary Health Care Development Agency, Asaba, Delta State, has it that no fewer than 220 neonatal deaths were recorded in Oshimili South Local Government Area alone in 2014. The Coordinator, Health Promotion Division, Family Health Department, Federal Ministry of Health, Abuja, Mrs. Evelyn Agbanyim, while speaking on neonatal deaths challenge and promoting application of life-saving neonatal commodities, said they were in Asaba to sensitise stakeholders on the need for adequate funding and effective application of life-saving neonatal commodities, “Chlorhexiden,” for women and children.

She described neonatal death as deaths that occur within few weeks or months after a child has been successfully delivered.

This, she attributed to negligence on the part of the parents for failing to apply the right medication on or before a child was born. She noted that the mortality rate was alarming if only one local government area (LGA) out of 25 in the state could record 220 neonatal deaths in a year.

Therefore it is not surprising the Federal Ministry of Health’s strong warning advising nursing mothers to refrain from using traditional medicine and other concoctions in neonatal care in order to minimise neonatal morbidity and mortality rate.

According to the report, Series on Stillbirth, by comparison, it states that up to 240,000 infants died within their first 28 days of life last year, in addition to 58,100 women who died from pregnancy-related causes. The Society for Gynaecology and Obstetrics of Nigeria (SOGON), while reacting to the scary numbers, described it as “unacceptably high.”

SOGON’s Programme Manager, Dr Segun Adeoye, insisted a proposed Maternal, Prenatal Death Surveillance and Response will give “more precise and accurate data on why mothers and babies are dying. “In all facilities and communities, we will know exactly why they are dying and it will inform decision makers on actions to take,” Adeoye said.

“The action might not necessarily be something big, it might be just ensuring health workers are at their duty posts,” he added.

Also, in a one-day advocacy programme organised by the Family Health Department of Ministry of Health in Umuahia, the Abia State capital, in conjunction with the World Health Organisation (WHO), for health officers in the state, the Chief Health Educator, Mrs. Ezioma Madu, said traditional medicine and concoction taken by nursing mothers and new born usually have harmful effects on them.

She, however, listed the approved neonatal health commodities being promoted by the ministry for use in the country. The

commodities are Antenatal corticosteroids given to pregnant mothers to help the lungs of babies that are ‘born before time’ mature fast; injectable antibiotics for newborn babies with serious infections; newborn resuscitation devices to help babies overcome breathing difficulty at birth; four per cent Chlorhexidine gel for taking care of the newborn’s cord (navel) so as to prevent infections.

cooperative the patient or standard of facilities they work with.

Nigeria’s contribution to global maternal mortality ratio is 10 per cent, whereas her contribution to world’s population is just 2 per cent. The sordid significance of this fact is that the most populous black nation is contributing more maternal deaths to the world than the global population.

Nigeria is currently leading eight other

Up to 240,000 infants died within their first 28 days of life last year, in addition to 58,100 women who died from pregnancy-related causes. The Society for Gynaecology and Obstetrics of Nigeria (SOGON), describes this as “unacceptably high.”

Madu expressed concern that Nigeria had not recorded significant progress in addressing the high rate of neonatal mortality. She blamed the development on factors such as skills gap, poor referral network, inadequate training, poor policy implementation and inadequate supply of the commodities.

She also identified poor financing for the procurement of commodities, shortage and inequitable distribution of health workers and regulatory issues as some of the barriers against improved neonatal care in the country. She, therefore, called for concerted efforts by all the stakeholders toward ensuring adequate funding and effective application of life-saving neonatal commodities for women and children’s health.

Nonetheless, it is instructive to note that attainment of superior medical care depends on the quality of the healthcare workers — doctors, nurses, pharmacists, lab technicians, radiographers etc — if they lack competence or fail in diligence, ideal care cannot result no matter how

countries on a list of 10 countries with the highest absolute numbers of stillbirths — 1.7 million among them, half of them attributed to Nigeria, India and Pakistan— and a reduction among them is expected to cause global impact in numbers.

Judging by statistics, an estimated 313,700 infants died as stillborn across Nigeria in 2015, ranking the country second after India, with some 592,100 stillbirths, according to a new study report by Lancet.

It comes amidst efforts to reduce stillbirths to about 12 or less per 1,000 births by 2030. Nigeria’s second-place ranking for children dying before 28 weeks of pregnancy (stillborn) has remained the same since 2000, with only 1.3 deaths reduction annually since then, the report noted.

However, the federal government is introducing new commodities to boost health of mothers and their babies, which hopefully will result in their longevity.

Explaining the background to the evolution behind the commodities which the Federal Ministry of Health is promoting, the officer

at the ‘New born Desk’ in the Federal Ministry of Health, Dr. Femi James, told a workshop in Ibadan, Oyo State capital: “The United Nations Commission on LifeSaving Commodities for Women’s and Children’s Health (UNCoLSC) was formed in 2012 with the President of Nigeria serving as co-chair together with the Prime Minister of Norway.

“Consistent with the commission’s recommendations, a country implementation plan for priority lifesaving commodities was developed. The overall objective of the plan is to provide a roadmap that ensures availability, affordability and accessibility of these commodities. Fifteen commodities were enlisted in the country implementation plan along the life cycle continuum of care namely: Reproductive and Maternal Health: Oxytocin, Misoprostol, Magnesium sulfate, female condoms, emergency contraceptives, implants, intra-uterine contraceptive devices, and Sulfadoxine-Pyrimethamine(SP); Child health: Oral Rehydration Salt (ORS), Zinc, and Amoxicillin and Neonatal health:4% Chlorhexidine Gel, injectable antibiotics, Antenatal corticosteroids, and Neonatal resuscitation devices.”

Dr. James urged participants at the workshop to assist in enlightening their various readers, listeners and viewers as well as members of their various communities on the need to embrace the four ‘newborn commodities.’ The participants among who were journalists and members of non-government organisations were also told that there is a need “to accelerate efforts towards adequate funding and effective application of the life-saving neonatal commodities for women and children’s health.”

The participants also learnt that “over the last decade, significant progress has not been made in addressing the high rate of neonatal mortality in Nigeria. The rate of progress in addressing neonatal mortality has been slow due to skills gap, poor referral network, inadequate training, poor policy implementation and inadequate supply of the commodities.”

Entervaganza

The Saturday Mirror Magazine

Fashion Frenzy Rocking your petite frame P.24

Relationships

What if you find out she was a prostitute?

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Sex talk 20 sexual problems

you can easily fix (II) P.34

Butafly

... soaring higher

c How I came PAGE

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ELEBRITY

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up with Blind Tasters —Vivien Ike

Vivien Ike is an actress just back in the country from America.

She told VICTOR UDOH why she has returned home.

Who is Vivien Ike? A born again Christian who knows that for her to fulfill her purpose, she has to first seek the kingdom of God and everything else will be given to her.

Why did you leave the United States for Nigeria?

I am an intuitive person who believes that nothing is sheer coincidence. I believe the main reason why I won a US visa lottery was for me to garner the experience that I needed to do what I am doing now. So at the appointed time, my spirit was restless; I knew I had to return and that’s exactly what I did.

What’s your educational background?

I had my primary education at Premier Day Nursery and Primary School, Mushin; my secondary education at Saint Francis Catholic Secondary School, and my tertiary education at University of Lagos.

I am presently enrolled in a Master’s program at UMUC. How did this idea of a show begin?

Well, one day, while grieving the loss of my dad, I fell into a trance and dreamt of a cooking show. I immediately named it taste of victory but during along the line, it became Blind Tasters.

Tell us about Blind Tasters cooking competition.

Blind Tasters is a healthy competition that celebrates family values, promotes the concept of love, friendship, and cooking. It employs blind tasting as a means of evaluating, promoting, strengthening and rekindling the bond between people.

This healthy competition involves seven contestants and seven blind tasters. These blind tasters could be family relations or friends of the contestants. The contestants are assigned to cook while the blind tasters are to identify their contestant’s dish. If they fail, they send their contestants to the danger zone where each of them has to identify whatever is presented to them. They do this with their eyes closed and noses clamped. Any contestant that fails the test goes into the elimination

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FEBRUARY 20, 2016

room to face a celebrity judge and two other judges. There, they are judged based on the presentation and taste of their food.

The contestant with worst food is eliminated and the one that has the best food wins. The overall winner of the competition leaves with a cash prize of two million naira and a brand new car.

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y

How does Blind Tasters stand out among the rest?

Blind Tasters already speaks for itself as its format has been reviewed by top production companies like Buck Productions, which is a leading content creation company honoured multiple times on Real Screen’s Global 100 list as one of the most influential, inspirational, and world leading production companies in the world, Eye Works Belgium- acquired

by Warner Bros and is seemingly one of the leading independent TV and film production companies in Belgium; Relatively Real, the television arm of Relativity media, that produced the hit shows MTV’S Catfish and The American Bible Challenge. Documentary Makers (NeonTV) and InTroubleZone Productions also reviewed the show. Also Blind Tasters is a show that celebrates family values, which includes social, political, religious and work values. All these strengthen the bonds families have and help kids make good choices. I am confident that Blind Tasters will appeal to a broad demographic due to its varied content and entertainment value. For example, a mother can be the contestant and her 7 year old can be her blind taster.

much love and respect.

In three words, describe Blind Tasters show?

In three words, Blind Tasters cooking competition is colorful, fun and rewarding! When I say Blind Tasters is rewarding, I am not just talking about financial reward but things that money can’t buy like fixing broken relationships, restoring peace, trust and unity between families and friends. For me, there are two relationships that really matter: your relationship with God and your relationship with your family. As we know, some people consider friends, family.

Do you already have sponsors for your project?

Yes, Blind Tasters has been able to attract international sponsors like Skyrun international company, and big name sponsors like Eleganza and Tarzan cargo services. We also had part sponsorship from The Deck.

We are very grateful for their contributions as we look forwards to more sponsorship opportunities in the future.

How do you hope to combine this with your acting career or are you taking a break from acting?

Although in previous interviews I have openly stated that I am open to any opportunity as far as it is in line with my purpose; but still, I understand that everything has its season and also recognize, even though I have recently been called to Asaba for a movie, that now, is Blind Tasters season. That is one reason why I am laser focused on this amazing show so that its specific purpose is fulfilled.

Tell us a little about your background?

I grew up in a family where family values lies in teaching the golden rule and practicing what we were taught. That golden rule, as my mum would say is to treat others the way you would like to be treated. For me, that’s true religion.

Added to that is to pray without season and have faith in God. Tell us about your relationship with your sister Chika Ike? We have an understanding relationship and treat each other with

How would you describe your sister Chika Ike? My sister is an amazing human being.

(Laughs) I asked her of a word that describes her and she thought for a second and said, ‘Drive.’ I was like oh, OK. Now, drive means ambitious, a go-getter, someone who is determined to go that mile to get what she truly deserves. I respect that.

Some might think you came to Nigeria to compete with your sister?

Ouch! I did not return to compete with Chika Ike, doing that would only make me bitter. I only returned to do what I was meant to do. So, as it stands, I look in my mirror and see my competition and that is, myself. My aim is to improve on who I was yesterday and become a better version of me.

Will you continue your acting career?

I am open to anything as long as it keeps me on the right path. I know where I am coming from and I am well aware of where I am going so whatever decision I make has to be in alignment with my purpose.

How do you think this will contribute to the economy?

Creativity is important to an economic growth and development. Due to this, my focus has always been to create wealth and in doing so, promote a creative economy. Everything in this world began with a simple idea and this has created job opportunities and generated income, thereby contributing to the development of countries. Blind Tasters is no different in the sense that it is a brilliant idea that has the potential of doing the same thing: generating income and creating job opportunities, which in essence will promote a creative economy and maximise developmental gains in this ever changing world of ours.

What is your projection for Blind Tasters?

I have heard talks here and there about the economy but I keep saying to my team that the economy doesn’t define us; we define the economy! Now here is your answer: I see Blind Tasters being the best new idea out of Africa in little time. Vivien Ike Productions has produced Blind Tasters and by the grace of God, will go on to produce other shows, documentaries, movies and so on. My team and I totally believe that greatness lives here and we are determined to prove it!

Last words?

Well, Steve Jobs said, ‘Those who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do.’ I concur.

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s w ne IK, Kunle Ayo serve a classic cover of Outside

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elebrated media personality, IK Osakioduwa, and renowned jazz guitarist, Kunle Ayo, have teamed up to serve lovers of good music an unlikely collabo with pleasing results. The swag– drenched ballad is a jazzy cover of the 2face Idibia classic, Outside, off the 2010 hit album, Unstoppable International Edition.

Against the backdrop of the season of love, the respected duo, leading lights in their respective segments of the entertainment industry, put their talents on harmonious display on a firm fans’ favourite

FEBRUARY 20, 2016

as Ayo stirs with his caressing guitar riffs and IK soothes with his penetrating spoken word.

If that’s what they set out to do, the duo is surely dead on point. IK and Ayo have delivered the tune that sets the mood right for any romantic evening.

IK is an OAP and a sought-after MC. He anchors the Dance Party and Morning Drive on Rhythm 93.7 FM, Lagos. His enviable list of TV host credits includes Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards, Big Brother Africa, Studio 53, and HiLites with IK

with

19

Oseyiza Oogbodo 08036961187 kingseiza@gmail.com

Ik and Ayo

among others. Last year, he was unveiled as an Airtel brand ambassador.

Multiple award-winning Kunle Ayo is probably the most celebrated guitarist of his generation on the continent of Africa.

He has an impressive catalogue of solo

recordings and performances and has worked with iconic artists, Ebenezer Obey, Lagbaja, Majek Fashek and more.

The song is released under the Hypertek Digital label under its Hypertek Special Series.

My experiences with fans —Kunle Da-Silva

Butafly

Butafly releases Soar Higher And Evolve EP

N

igerian rap sensation, Butafly, is out with her sophomore body of work titled Soar Higher And Evolve Extended Play (SHE EP), which comes just a few weeks after the release of her widely accepted Runnin’ Thru Gidi cover of Drake’s Know Yourself track. On the SHE EP, Butafly confidently displays her flexibility as she takes on hip-hop’s trending trap sound.

The six-track solo project which can be fittingly described as a compilation of cover versions exposes her versatility to her ever growing number of fans as she treats them to good musical vibes.

Although three songs off the project were released as individual tracks, SHE

EP is a total experience. Each track is unique and tells a different story; from the infectious Flawless tune to the conscious tune, Alright, through to the melodious tune, Jersey, next, the motivational record, Mama I Made It down to the feel good Queen Elizabeth track which is an MI Abaga cover and finally the Drake-inspired Runnin’ Thru Gidi tune.

As she did with her debut project, Butafly Rap Trap (BRT) mixtape, Butafly will once more stamp her feet as one of the most promising Nigerian female rappers. The ardent rapper is currently working on various singles scheduled to be released soon.

Da-Silva

O

ne of Yoruba Nollywood’s most successful actors, Kunle Da-Silva, has revealed some of his experiences with movie fans.

“I’ve walked on the streets and my clothes were almost torn to shreds.

People will want to greet you. Imagine a scenario where people you see on the road, expect you to know them, and if you don’t greet them, they will just start accusing you, we buy your films, we watch your films, you don’t want to greet us.

“But how would I know who watches my films at home? So you have to be very cautious when you are out, you have to smile and greet everybody.

“At times, they will walk up to you and say, I’ve bought your movie, I must collect money from you. But they don’t know it’s not like that, so I don’t blame them. It’s the situation in the country.

“People will want to collect money from you all the time. They’ll watch a movie that I’ve acted in several years ago, that I’ve collected my money even before going on set, I’ve spent the money, you’ll now see me and say because you watched so-so movie, I must give you money, so I’ll say okay, take what I have. But we don’t give all the time. Only if you approach us sensibly, then we respond sensibly.”

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news

FEBRUARY 20, 2016

CLASSICAL LYRICS

Nigerian, Ghanaian stars to set America alight … for Ghana’s independence anniversary

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frica 1 Media in collaboration with Ghana 4 Ghana is all set to showcase the biggest professionally organized concert ever to be witnessed in Washington DC by an international Ghanaian based entertainment agency in America.

The maiden edition of the All Access Ghana Concert 2016 is anticipated to be a complete sellout on the 5th of March 2016, at the EchoStage Concert Venue right in the heart of Washington DC. EchoStage is Washington DC’s newest and largest nightlife concert venue. With a sprawling, 30,000 plus square foot layout, top-tier sound design, and advanced LED visual displays, it’s of little surprise that the versatile space has already attracted industry heavyweights such as David Guetta, Kendrick Lamar, Future and more. This amazing platform is now set to stage the biggest African lineup of afrobeats and hip-life artists on one platform in the United States.

This most anticipated concert event forms part of Africa 1 Media’s strategic plan to set the standards within the African and Ghanaian music industries whilst raising the values of professional artist brands through extensive media and press penetration. By pushing international boundaries and extending their market reach, their artists stand to benefit from this amazing opportunity in addition to maximum exposure overseas.

The All Access Ghana Concert 2016 will feature top tier international and award-winning African A-List acts and DJs from the UK, Ghana and Nigeria.

The current lineup features Fuse ODG from the UK, Sarkordie, Bisa K-Dei, EL, Efya and Edem from Ghana and Ice Prince and Wonda from Nigeria.

Also on the bill is renowned international female disc jockey, DJ SoupaModel from Nigeria, and DJ Black (Toon

Ice Prince

Efya

Sarkodie

Fuse ODG

Toom) as well as DJ Mic Smith from Ghana.

The host of the event will be none other than Ghana’s most seasoned TV and radio veteran, Eddie Blay Jr. This impressive array of

talent clearly demonstrates that the Ghana Independence Celebration in Washington, DC will most definitely be historic by all accounts.

Dominos’s Pizza entertains Nigerians … with two-week Valentine package

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ore fun, entertainment and excitement await Nigerians this Valentine period with Domino’s Pizza Two Some Deal sales activation which has entered its second week and is part of the special treat lined up by Domino’s to appreciate their customers and guests as they enjoy the season of love together.

Speaking with newsmen in Ibadan at the unveiling of the special sales activation, Domino’s Marketing Coordinator, Ufuoma Ogeleka, said Nigerians deserve to have the best of feast this season as

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they celebrate with their loved ones. She added that it has become the tradition of Domino’s Pizza to give Nigerians a special and unforgettable romantic Valentine celebration.

According to Ogeleka, those who participated in the sales week activation at Ring Road last week had a fun-filled time just as she urged those who have not benefitted from the special activation to avail themselves the opportunity.

Speaking further, she said, “We have introduced the new meat ball pizza, and

are also working to ensure that the entire month of February is celebrated as the month of love with our Two Some Deal, a love feast for two in all our restaurants from February 13th – 29th.

“The brand is also saying thank you by giving free drink to all our customers, and we also have lots of entertainment activities lined up. To those who have missed out in the past sales activations, not to worry as there will be sales activations in Ajah and Ajao in Lagos and Wuse 2, Abuja restaurants as well.”

Molejo Artist: Bouqui Intro Let’s get this show on the road Now it’s the time to explode It’s been a long time coming We ain’t planning to go I thought I told you that We’ll be here for a while So wipe the frown, and gimme a smile Yeah busy little mummy it’s about that time Verse 1 Be ready to And battle like I’ve had those often and flows I got those, the best you see That’s the way you oughtta be Spreading from life monopoly I can dance some rock Sing on tops [c’mon] Chorus Mo le jo lori agolo Mo le jo lori agolo Bi Jesu gba mi laye, mo le jo Mo le jo lori agolo o Bi Je su gba mi laye ko ri o pe Verse 2 You can bump it in the club Bump it in the pub You can bump it anywhere Even in your bath tub So this is not about me or about you It’s all about G O D Pay attention to the truth All I need is one mic and one song And one laugh, one mind and I’m done I said it before and I will say it again I’m his and I’m proud that’s the making It don’t matter how you wanna praise his name It don’t matter just let it be you’re doing the same Dance try mummy Keep it steady Let me see you on the floor Dance to daddy I am a thoroughbred Check the track records How we reminisce He never gave me up We stay connected like the spine to the skull I get protected even when I flop Repeat chorus Bridge Se iwo lejo, se iwo lejo, mo le jo Se iwo lejo, se iwo lejo, e mi lejo Verse 3 When I had no way to go I had no dough to show I never knew that Jesus will come on my show But then I realise He came and wiped my eyes He wiped my tears away That is why I came to say Abracadabra The magic man but Halleluyah is the word i choose God can do certainly whatever you ask Abundantly Even the task I stand to profess I am related to jehovah I live by his word Elated by his power The sun, moon bow before him The wind and the trees whisper Elohim He is the reason why I sing The reason why I dance The reason why I have more than a second chance Every living soul From north to the south Put your hands in the air That’s what I’m about I am his and am proud I am gonna say it loud Without a shadow of doubt So what you all talk about don’t matter How you wanna praise his name don’t matter Just let it be you’re doing the same Repeat chorus Repeat bridge To olori re ba gbe igba o E mi ni ma siwaju won Coda

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FEBRUARY 20, 2016

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British Council presents Lagos Theatre Festival 2016

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oming to the metropolitan city of Lagos this February 23rd-28th will be the biggest arts gathering the city has ever witnessed!

The British Council Lagos Theatre Festival is back in its third edition of bringing the largest outdoor theatre festival in Nigeria.

This year, the festival will feature over 100 performances from producers such as Bani Productions, Comic Republic, Creative Arts Collection UNILAG, Make It Happen Productions, Thespian Family Theatre, Troopers Arts, Women in Arts and many more including four international productions from the UK. Taking place across twenty venues that include the British Council, National Arts Theatre, Freedom Park, Terra Kulture, Bogobiri, Muson Centre, UNILAG, there will also be special workshops for actors, creative writing, directors and producers.

Lagos Theatre Festival 2016 will be an extravaganza of music, dance, spoken word, musical and performance theatre.

A theatre performance of Sango

SK unveils Independent video

A

lready touted as one to watch in 2016, the name SK has been ringing bells all over the African music landscape over the past few months. The first series of singles from SK, Let’s Go There, Mujo, Independent and Mr Man have garnered over one million streams across Soundcloud and YouTube, proving just how much of a star SK is fast becoming.

Kicking off 2016 in a massive way, SK is proud to debut the brand new music video for fan favourite, Independent, which will be followed soon after by the music video for his current single, Mr Man, and an European tour, which will see SK heading to Sweden for a headline performance on March 3, and a tour stop at the University of Essex on March 11, among other tour dates to be announced.

Directed by Inioluwa Omoyinmi for InneX Pictures, the stylistic black and white visuals for SK’s Independent sees the London-based Afrobeats musician celebrating the quintessential African lady, and embracing her beauty and elegance. The video also does well to accentuate the infectious musical backdrop already provided by producer GA, making for an all around special visual moment from SK.

he was a young child growing up in Nigeria. Counting the likes of the late great Fela Kuti, D’Banj, Wizkid and Davido as some of his influences, Selimax is a very exciting prospect for Afrobeats music in 2016.

Alongside his new single, Roma, Selimax will be making his live debut this spring, alongside Wande Coal, Patoranking, Kiss Daniel and Maleek Berry among others, at Smade’s Afrobeats Easter Festival, taking place in London on March 28, plus a viral dance video for Roma is set for release shortly.

Selimax

Afrobeats newcomer, Selimax, debuts new single, Roma

I

ntroducing UK-based Nigerian afrobeats artist, Selimax, with his brand new single, Roma.

Produced by long-time collaborator and beatsmith Rolio D, Roma is a catchy and infectious dancefloor filler, and certainly Selimax’s best work to date, and it shows the marked progression the London-based artist has made since his official debut in 2014.

Even though he has been creating afrobeats music for just two years, Selimax has been singing for nearly a decade, since

SK and a female model

EVENTS

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FEBRUARY 20, 2016

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Celebrities get intimate with Praiz

In the spirit of Valentine, Praiz held a concert, Get Intimate With Praiz, last Saturday, Valentine’s Eve, in Lagos. His celebrity friends were present to support one of their own. Chidinma and Timi Dakolo were some of them.

Andrea Giaccaglia

Aramide

Capital FEMI

Eldee

Praiz

Sammy

Chidinma

Timi Dakolo

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Your wearables m rf o

E

vening dates need extra effort to stand out.

Although the natural light is out, you are not expected to appear in dull fabrics. You therefore, need bold patterns, flowery materials and colourful fabrics that will brighten up your day. Besides, you need designs that are not just wearables but also elegantly girlie. Such are what designer Akpos Okudu came up with in her collection tagged “Cocktail Hour.” Inspired by her environment, the collection has a mixture of vibrant hues and textures. Each piece was designed uniquely for women who love to show their girly side, achieved with prints, huge bows, colour blocking, pleats, cut-outs and floral patterns.

“We’re really not about avant-garde pieces – it’s more about clothes women love to wear, want to wear and can wear,” Ms Okudu says.

FEBRUARY 20, 2016

Style & Glam

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le StyGlam and

with Yemisi Adeniran

(08037801158) ydiran@yahoo.com

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A

Style & Glam

s long as you are under 5’4” or 160cm tall by the fashion industry’s guidelines, you are considered petite. Meanwhile being a petite is no big deal where looking good is concerned. All you need to do is to follow some specific tips that will end up accentuating your body here and there and you will be standing unusually tall in any crowd. Some of such guidelines are as follow: Don’t feel like you need to be tall when you aren’t. The goal of dressing as a petite isn’t to necessarily create the illusion that you are a tall person. Instead, its about finding clothes that work well with your natural figure.

Shop at places that specialise in the petite frame. Not all places do this, some brands don’t even have a petite line.

Follow a two-thirds-one-third rule. Meaning, don’t wear outfits that split up your body at the centre line, creating two halves. Instead, wear pants that cover two thirds of your body (high waists) and shirts that cover one-third.

Wear v-neck tops. V-neck tops elongate your neck which works great for petite women.

Wear monochrome outfits. Avoid wearing a lot of different colours and patterns. Fashion experts recommend sticking to one or two colours if your are petite.

Wear figure-hugging clothes. You don’t want to be hidden by layers of extra cloth. This has the capacity to make you feel even smaller than you are.

Wear vertical stripes. Vertical stripes elongate your figure which can be flattering for shorter people.

Tuck in your shirts and blouses. This is an easy way to get your clothes to fit closer to your figure. Tuck in a baggy shirt and voilà you have a more flattering situation.

Wear a belt the same colour as your pants. Seems like some sort of magic doesn’t it?

Well, it is! According to fashion experts it makes your legs look longer.

Wear heels. This is probably the easiest way to actually change your height. There are other options besides just stilettos. Experiment with platform heels, wedges, booties, knee high boots and pumps.

Wear high-waisted skirts and pants. High waists elongate your legs.

FEBRUARY 20, 2016

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Fashion f

Rocking

Fashion f

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frenzy

FEBRUARY 20, 2016

Style & Glam

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your petite frame

frenzy

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FEBRUARY 20, 2016

SOCIETY Mirror

Kemi Nelson turns 60, celebrates quietly F

rontline society woman, Chief (Mrs.) Kemi Nelson, the South West Women Leader of All Progressives Congress (APC) clocked 60 years on earth penultimate Tuesday, February 9, 2016. But instead of throwing a jamboree to celebrate the milestone, the society woman opted for a low-key soiree.

To commemorate the day, the socialite cum politician held a thanksgiving service at Archbishop Vining Memorial Church, GRA, Ikeja, Lagos with arrays of politicians, both young and old coming out to praise the lord with her.

And on February 14 which was Valentine’s Day, the birthday train was moved to Lekki, Big Fish, where she celebrated the

day with the less privileged kids.

Tagged ‘Glam-Ma @60’, it was a memorable event as she played host to hundreds of children and adults as well.

On why she celebrated her birthday in this manner, the ageless politician was said to have told some friends that she’s tired of parties.

Kemi Nelson is well known in social circle for her low cut hair style, her unique head-gear and her dancing prowess.

Chief (Mrs.) Nelson was born in Lagos 60 years ago to a Lagos born mother and Ijebu father.

She had her secondary school education at Anglican Girls Grammar School, Ijebu-Ode and her tertiary education at University Teaching Hospital (UCH), Ibadan,

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with Deola Adeoti.

Tel: 07055695565, mofat07@yahoo.com

where she trained as a nurse and mid-wife.

Popularly known as Yeye Sewa, the Nelson is married to Mr. Adeyemi Nelson, a retired director of Federal Ministry of Internal Affairs. Their love affair started during their secondary school days when she was just in form two at Anglican Girls Grammar School, Ijebu-Ode and Adeyemi was in form four at Birch Freeman High School, Surulere, Lagos. They got married in 1987 and had three children two of whom are already parents themselves.

She attended Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo, where she had a diploma in law and Masters degree in Business Administration.

Musa Danjuma, Caroline Ekanem part ways T he once juicy relationship between billionaire businessman, Musa Danjuma and Ex-Nollywood diva, Caroline Ekanem Danjuma has crumbled like a cookie. For a while, there had been side talks of both parting ways, but at different times the couple has jointly debunked the tales.

But fresh information reaching Society Mirror has it that the couple has finally parted ways.

According to sources, the couple parted ways owing to ‘irreconcilable differences.’

As you read, Caroline is said to have moved out of Musa mansion in Ikoyi. The mother of three allegedly quit

their marriage and packed out of their matrimonial home because of Musa’s many romantic dates outside their marriage.

Caroline has since taken solace in a serviced apartment somewhere in Victoria Island, Lagos. Until their marriage hit the rocks, Caroline lived with Musa as his fifth wife. Just before their love and marriage turned awry, rumours of incessant squabbles and battery trailed their marriage.

Just recently, Musa lost his first wife, Dr. Nkiru Nzegwu-Danjuma, a lawyer, poet and author. She died after a protracted battle with renal

failure at the age of 57. Her remains were interred at the Ikoyi Vaults and Gardens, Lagos. A barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, the mother of four daughters (Saratu, Asibi, Jennifer and Jessica-all lawyers) had 31 years experience in law practice. Even though they had been separated for a long time, Musa was reportedly distraught and disconsolate when the news reached him Musa is a successful businessman, a trained lawyer and billionaire, his personal life elicits contempt and awe in conservative and uncompromising moral circuits.

Saga’s Suddenly becomes toast of Sally Mbanefo’s problem music fans S

B

udding hip-hop singer, Emmanuel Luther a.k.a. Saga has become the toast of music lovers with his debut single ‘Suddenly.’

Produced by Ckay of Chocolate City, Suddenly, which was officially released late last year is now trending profoundly on airwaves, social media, clubs and parties.

What were attributed to the success of the song are its soothing lyrics, alluring beat and messages.

Saga is a kind of musician that has got the lyrical touch that will remain indelible in the minds of listeners and this was evident in his maiden single. Suddenly tells a story of grass to grace; it’s a song of praise, blessing and prayer.

“Suddenly was really just me praising God for his wonders and turn-around in my life,” says the singer. “It’s a song that everyone praying for success must listen to. It’s inspirational and above all danceable.”

And following the success of the single, Saga has released a music video to the song.

The video which was shot by Clarence Peters tells the whole story and it was shot with high

ally Uwechue-Mbanefo, the Director-General, Nigeria Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), has had a good share of what life entails - the good and bad. Over the years, providence has been good to her as she has continued to enjoy luxurious offices; one of such is the office she presently occupies. But amidst this joy is a stigma that has stuck to the trained banker like her skin. digital lens at a choice location in Lagos.

Mbanefo’s problem is the people Saga, a graduate of Political Science from calling for her resignation.

Delta State University, is an eclectic artiste It may interest you to know that blessed with depth, lyrics and voice. At the moment, he’s been tipped by stakeholders in the since she took the mantle of power from former DG, Otunba Olusegun music industry to be the ‘next big thing’ in the industry.

Runsewe in May 2013, Mbanefo has Speaking on his next line of action, the been under series of attack. First talented singer who is currently signed to was the widely celebrated Nigerian Medeji Records and managed by Kuronbefun Village scandal at the 2014 world cup Entertainmen says he’s currently in the studio in Brazil, and now is an allegation of recording some jams. “I’m in the studio at the fraudulent practices and incompemoment trying to create some new sounds and tence leveled against her by many. music. I believe in hard work and prayer. And I As a result of this, sources said know with these, success is mine.”

Mbanefo is dejected as she doesn’t

know what may become her fate if the presidency decides to look in the direction of her critics. But in all, the beautiful Mbanefo is said to have put her faith in God as she continues with her transformation agenda until the presidency says stop.

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Fashion

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FEBRUARY 20, 2016

27

Guest G

‘ I love escapades’

Watch these spots for germs!

Divine Okunnuga is the brain behind Culture Gate Fashions.

She spoke with YEMISI ADENIRAN on her attraction to the business and her perception of Nigerian women where style is concern. Excerpts:

W

hat attracted you to fashion?

The attraction is simply for the passion I have for colours. I love beautiful but colourful outfits. I love it on people and I had always nursed the dream of making such outfits for people. I take pride in dressing people up in colourful ways, it excites me when I see people come out in beautiful outfits made by me and it really has a way of making me more creative on the job. I love escapades.

But there are many people in this business. How have you been able to make a way out?

If a business is worth the efforts, if it is making a good impression on people, definitely many more will join and that is exactly what is happening to the fashion industry. Nigerian women, even men are very fashionable. They love to appear in beautiful outfits and you cannot just get enough of them once you are good. The way I design my clothes has been standing me out and giving me an edge over

others. It has warmed me into the hearts of many such that I have more customers than I ever envisaged when I was taking off. I don’t just sew clothes, I design and create them. My outfits are not just the type you see anywhere. They are specially designed to stand you out everywhere you go.

What’s your perception of the fashion industry in Nigeria?

The Nigerian fashion industry has really grown and is still growing. It will continue to take the lead globally for as long as Nigerians remain fashionable and the designers creative. Designers keep coming up with designs that amaze even the international world. Of a fact, it is that we’ve got talents in Nigeria. I am always proud and excited about this.

What would you have been doing if not fashion?

I don’t think I would have chosen something else apart from fashion.

It would have been nothing because the passion I have for it is stronger than any other thing.

Swimming pool A swimming crawling with children can have plenty of poop floating around. Little kids, as well as careless adults, can carry as much as 10 grams of leftover shit on their rear ends. So, all that poop just rinses off into the pool. It adds up, and chlorine doesn’t kill everything. More than half of pools test positive for E. coli, which can cause bloody diarrhea. Your best line of defence? Try not to swallow any water.

Restaurant menu Restaurant menus have 100 times more bacteria than a toilet seat, according to microbiologists. They’re touched by lots of people, but only wiped down once a day, if at all, and usually with a used rag. Instead of washing your hands before you sit down, scrub up after you order. And never lay your cutlery on top of the menu.

Fruit wedge Do you like a slice of lemon with your water? Researchers looked at dozens of lemon wedges from the rims of restaurant glasses.

They found nearly 70% had disease-causing microbes, including E. coli and feces, which could cause some nasty stomach issues.

Next time, you may want to take your water lemon-free.

Water fountain Think twice before sipping from the water fountain. It’s dirtier than the toilet seat!

That’s because toilets are cleaned regularly.

How often have you seen someone clean a drinking fountain? Just carry a water bottle with you instead.

Soap dispenser Ironically, public toilet soap pumps are a breeding ground for bacteria. Think about it: From the toilet stall straight to the sink, directly after wiping your ‘who knows what’!

Scrub for at least 20 seconds or carry hand sanitizer. And before you reach for that door

handle, think about how many people don’t wash their hands after using the restroom.

Researchers say only 31% of men and 65% of women do.

Supermarket cart Shopping cart handles can be downright germy. That handle can be swarming with up to 11 million microorganisms, including ones from raw meat. And just think about the dirty diapers of toddlers whose parents seat them in it while shopping -- the same place you’re putting your purchases on. Your guess is as good as mine!

Elevator buttons Many people shudder at having to touch door handles, but they should be wary of elevator buttons, too. Again, do you ever see someone actually clean those? Push them with your elbow, take the stairs, or have sanitiser on hand.

Hotel remote Hotel rooms come with a lot of germy spots. The TV remote is the dirtiest object in there and could use a quick wipe before you channel surf. Other potential germ spots are the bedside lamp switch, bedspread, hair dryer, telephone, and unwrapped drinking glasses.

Playground Dirty little fingers grab slides and swings one after another. But playgrounds are rarely cleaned. The worse spot is the sandbox, with 36 times more germs than a restaurant tray.

And bacteria love nothing more than to hide out in warm, moist places. Go there stocked with hand sanitizer and wipes next time.

Money, money, money ATM buttons, cash, and revolving doors of banks reek with germs. Ick! In fact, the flu virus can live on a naira note for 17 days! But no one uses gloves or tissues to handle money. As for ATMs, just think hard! Your best defence is to press the buttons with a pen.

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FEBRUARY 20, 2016

28

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

WOMAN

‘ Nigerian women are too independent’ As far as Ms Rhonda J. Watson, a U.S Consulate Diplomacy Officer in Nigeria is concerned, believing in fellow women will go a long way in helping women overcome the problem of gender inequality in Nigeria. “We don’t believe in ourselves.

And if we won’t believe in ourselves, how do we convince men to believe in us. If we will not rush to rally round our fellow women in high positions, what do we expect of men?” she tells YEMISI ADENIRAN in this interview.

What is your observation about Nigerian women as a non-Nigerian?

Nigerian women are good, strongwilled and are positive thinkers. They love their husbands, their children and from what I have seen, will go the extra mile to fend for the welfare of their families. They do all kinds of works; they are brilliant and can compete very well with their counterparts all over the globe. One thing however is deficient in them, they are too independent.

How is that a problem?

Being independent is good but we should know that life by nature is interdependent. Women in this part of the world tend to paddle their canoes, mind their own businesses and a lot of things go wrong by this. No one is saying we should

turn to beggars or live on others in any way but we need to know our limits, our weaknesses, identify where strength is and move promptly to get it. Until we get to that level, we are still not getting there. And you know, great wisdom lies in any woman even man who will identify a particular strength she lacks in another man and go for it. It only show a simple, very humble heart that will get the right compliment.

There is a lot of gender discrimination against women here and this needs to be addressed. What is more painful is that women are their worst enemies. This is very painful. We shouldn’t be the worst enemies of ourselves.

Do you mean the discrimination you are talking about is among the women themselves?

Yes. That’s exactly what I am saying.

Women do a lot of harm against themselves which is most unfortunate.

For instance, why do women say they don’t want to work for another woman? They will rather wok under a man than work for a woman like them They usually forget that they are women like those they choose not to work with. They easily don’t attach meaning to the faults of those men but will clearly see that of their fellow women.

This is not good at all. We are supposed to be each other’s partners. We should cover another’s nakedness and not try to run another or our female friends down in any way. I have observed that women also don’t want to vote for another woman where this arises. They will rather vote for a man. Women pull women down whereas

men don’t. This is gender negativity. We don’t believe in ourselves. And if we won’t believe in ourselves, how do we convince men to believe in us. If we will not rush to rally round our fellow women in high positions, what do we expect of men? We need to stop this attitude. It is destroying us, it is pulling us down, it is relegating us to the ground. We shouldn’t see ourselves as a threat, a competitor or a contender If we will be careful to avoid all of these, we will be better for it, we will be able to win men to our sides.

Are you saying the observation of some women leaders who have assured that women will rule the world soon is a mirage?

It may be, if care is not taken. Coming up to make a sweet and assuring speeches

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and observations is not just enough, discovering the root of the problem and frantically working to overcome or solve the problem is the best. If you look around us you will see that a lot of women achievers are now around but you will discover that every one is doing this single-handedly. This is where the issue is. We need to be interdependent mentally, emotionally, financially and really in all wise. We should see ourselves as fellows indeed. We should choose to belong to another woman’s group or camp and not choosing a man’s camp. We should learn to believe in another woman. We should not be negatively motivated by jealousy, envy and other peculiar vices of women if we must take and remain in top positions.

How easy will it be to cause a separation from all of these that are naturally women’s nature?

I see nothing difficult where determination and a mid-set is present.

No doubt, it is the nature of women to be envious of another but believe me even men do envy each other. If we will encourage each other and decide to be more mature in our ways of doing things, this world will soon be ours. If that subordinate will handle her superior the way she will want her own juniors to do with her when she finally takes over that same position, she won’t drop off on the road out of frustration. The same is applicable to a boss. If a female boss will be smart enough to realise that there is no position that is permanent and so will be mindful of how she treats her female subordinates, she will not only enjoy the ride while they are working together but we be a good reference point. There have been many times when some women out of their nature, their non-compliant nature have had to leave a job that could have made their lives better untimely just because their bosses were women. They had to leave in haste and even before their time. Whereas there are men who are simply worst than these men. We need to be more patient with our fellow women especially when we know that we share the some traits if not all. Working together has a lot of gain. We can be complimentary to each other, create something great together than what individuals can do.

Is the society not guilty in this case?

The society definitely has its own blame. Its blame of believing strongly in me more than it does of women. The society need to involve more women in its determining positions. But really, we can all testify to the fact that the society has improved over time as we have more women in top positions than it used to be.

Even in politics, we have more women than we used to have and this is also evident in other sectors. We have more husbands supporting their wives in their careers than what it used to be which is an indication of a great improvement, unless we don’t want to be objective.

Women are getting bolder and bolder and the sky is just the starting point if their counterparts will give them the support they need and of course if they will also see their fellow women as friends and associates. Women should start work on the next generation by inculcating this idea into their young girls too.

How do you think parents can help build their children’s confidence?

Generally, this is simple. They should

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FEBRUARY 20, 2016

If you look around, you will see that a lot of women achievers are

now around.

But

you will discover that everyone is

doing this singlehandedly.

29

Keeping ABREAST

Who says women are vain?

Man spends £20,000 on hair transplant, eye surgery to look younger

This is

where the issue

is.

We need to be

interdependent mentally,

emotionally, financially and

really, in all wise. just allow these children express their wills freely. They may try and oversee what the freewill is and do proper corrections where necessary but they shouldn’t deny them their freewill. When a parent tries to lord his or her wish on a child, he denies the child in question the chance to express his potential in full and such a child may never believe in himself. And you know what? the literates are most guilty here. They are the ones who want their children to feel the weight of their wealth of experience and have them suck from it. They move about singing what they know to the boredom of their children, they never listen to the pulses of these children. So, they fail in their guiding duties. Where they are supposed to see their children’s strength and build on it, they can’t because they are all the while busy looking for their fault and hammering on it. The danger here is that such children end up losing faith in them as models and even in themselves as individuals. There are a lot of people who are unfulfilled today because of the wrong advice of their parents at one time or the other and I tell you, many parents will end up in hell because of this. Parents should have a large heart when dealing with their children and they must know that since children are not the same, they cannot use the same measure to deal with them. Parents must open their eyes wide to see the strength of their children and encourage them to build on it. That way they will be able to make use of their talents and natural potentials to its fullest.

What does style mean tom you?

Style is something that comes naturally, it is that which you are able to do with all ease and make good impression on others.

What would you say to young women who look up to you for inspirations?

They must be focused, know what their hearts beat for and follow it with a passion. What I mean by that is that they must have vision and put their totality in it. They must be hard working and scorn all distractions. They must know when to play and when not to.

BEFORE

A

husband revealed he has spent almost £20,000 to keep his 'youthful look,' having a hair transplant, upper eye surgery and an anti-ageing light treatment.

Graham Satchwell, 66, from Hampshire (UK) underwent a £15,000 transplant after losing his hair gradually from the age of 23. He also had a £3,600 upper-eye lift and £500 sessions of Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) to tone down reddened skin.

Graham says, “It's viewed as superficial and vain - and I agree with that. But it makes me feel good and makes me look a few years younger. That's always been important to me and always will be.”

Graham started to lose his hair at 23. “I remember it well as I was a police sergeant at the time, and the constant wearing of a police helmet provided a crease around my scalp that made it very easy to see the gradual hair recession. I hated it. Wearing a police hat for such long hours in a day was 'not a good idea' and had a negative impact on my hairline. By my mid-30s my hair had receded significantly.

“While close friends and family tried to comfort me on the odd occasion that I would voice any concerns, I knew that the hair loss did adversely affect my appearance, the way I was perceived by others and, therefore, the way I perceived myself.

“I tried to overcome these negative thoughts by telling myself that male pattern baldness was owing to my excess of testosterone. This might have been true, but it was no fair trade off.”

Graham tried various treatments, including supplements supposed to help hair loss but nothing worked. He disliked his receding appearance and wanted to stay youthful.

He says, “I'm not short of confidence.

AFTER

It's not confidence, it's more about vanity than lack of confidence. It’s about retaining a more youthful look. If you let yourself look older, they'll treat you like that.”

Graham had a hair transplant in March 2013. The two-day surgery involves transplanting hairs from the head into the bald patch on the top of his head and the front hairline.

Although there was a lot of blood and he had a bandage on his head following day one of the procedure, it went well and he had fuller looking hair weeks later. But it cost £15,000!

Graham is very open to people about having had the procedure.

He says, “Don't be ashamed of what you do. If you're ashamed, don't have it done.”

After the success of the hair transplant, Graham decided to have a blepharoplasty, an upper-eye lift, in July 2015, where sagging skin is removed. Although initially there was bruising and it looked a “mess,” ten days later, Graham was happy with the results.

He's now half-way through five sessions of Intense Pulsed Light, IPL, for redness in his face, costing £500 for the course. And he agrees that others could see it as vain, but his looks matter to him.

He says, “People have said to me, ‘You don't need a transplant, that (baldness) is part of your charm.’ But the way you feel when you look in the mirror in the morning is actually very important and how people see you is important too.

Although Graham is not looking to have any more surgery now, he thinks more men will turn to the knife. “Men are worried about their masculinity but that's not an issue for me. And worrying about how you look is not non-masculine.”

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Parenting

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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

Dealing with your withdrawn Tiny Feet child N

ormally, the formation of lack of confidence and low self esteem always form during childhood. It is the crucial time that the concept and views of “self ” are forming. Therefore, parents should detect the sign and address the issue early that would make the child to grow confidently. Low self esteem is a form of thinking disorder in which the child views and considers themselves as lousy, inadequate, unworthy, unlovable, incompetent.

The major key is to help the children to change their views of themselves and subsequently encourage them to change their thinking and attitude or behaviours in order to break the vicious cycle. Most importantly, the parents need to help the children to improve their emotional intelligence and how to deal with negative feeling and learn to communicate to

people.

Teach your child to solve problems and make decision: High self-esteem and emotional resilience are founded on the belief t hat we have control over our lives. If your child is to develop this sense of control; they must learn problem solving and decision making skills early in life. It is impossible for a child who lacks these skills to feel in control.

Help them to learn from, rather than be defeated by mistakes All children and most adults are concerned about making mistakes and looking foolish. Children with high self esteem can view mistakes as learning experiences, while children with low self esteem view mistakes as things they cannot change, that is why they quit or avoid task. To raise resilient children, it is essential to encourage a positive attitude towards mistakes.

Teach your child to handle their emotion: Parents tend to avoid teach-

Parenting

T

ing children how to handle difficult emotions, but by teaching them this will result in growing compassionate children and later grow into compassionate adults. Explain to them that there will be times when they may feel as if no one likes them or they can do nothing and sometimes everyone may feel as if others do not like them; when they feel this way it is the time to find someone to talk to.

Communicate with and teach them how to express their emotion: Make the child feel that the parents are always willing and available when they are ready to discuss their issues. Parents can help the child by teaching them vocabulary of emotions, making it easier for them to express their own emotions. It is not easy for a child, even adult to directly speak about and state their own feelings since it is human nature to over complicate how we feel and blame another person for stirring up their emotion.

NAME: Opeyemi Sanusi

BORN TO: Mr. and Mrs Sanusi AGE: 8 days BIRTH WEIGHT: 3.5 kg Have you just had a baby? Send a picture of your bundle of joy to mirrorbabies@gmail.com

Man, 42, kills niece for Update ritual

he Nigeria Police Force (NPF), Ondo State Command has confirmed the arrest of a 42-year-old man identified as Omosaba Samuel, who beheaded his 3-year-old niece in Ikare Akoko for a ritual.

The beheaded niece was identified as, Sola Adunbarin, on Wednesday evening by the Spokesman of the Ondo State command, Femi Joseph.

Joseph said that the suspect killed the niece as part of a money ritual.

The suspect, according to a confessional statement he provided to police, was motivated to kill the young child due to his futile job search.

“The suspect contacted a herbalist in Akoko regarding a money ritual and he was asked to bring the fresh head of a little girl and the sum of N10, 000,” Joseph informed.

Other sources said that the murder occurred after the mother of the girl, identified as Bunmi, left her daughter with her mother-in-law before proceeding to the market for her daily

trading.

The mother-in-law allegedly left the young girl in the care of Samuel.

“The little girl was placed with Samuel because the mother-in-law had to attend to something elsewhere. A few minutes later, he murdered the girl and cut off her head with the intention of taking it to the herbalist for the ritual.

“A resident caught Mr. Samuel as he was placing the head inside a polythene bag, and immediately raised an alarm.

Mr. Samuel was subsequently taken into the custody of security agents,” according to a source.

Community leaders said that the security agents saved the murderer after he had confessed to the crime from being lynched by youths who were angered by the unfortunate incident.

The Divisional Police Officer [DPO] in Ikare Akoko, Musiliu Sogbade, informed that detectives are currently searching for the traditional doctor who remains at large.

(SAHARA REPORTERS)

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FEBRUARY 20, 2016

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31

‘How we lost N50billion in Oshodi Market demolition’ Patience Ogbo

A

ffected traders of the demolished Owonifari market in Oshodi are still crying out for help over their goods and businesses destroyed by the Lagos State government.

The traders numbering about 5000 are facing hard time trying to shake off the pains of losing huge amounts to the demolition which they claimed was done in bad faith.

The Chairman of the market ,Chief Matthew Ohazurike said the traders are struggling to survive after their means of livihood were demolished.

He said “ Our traders are scattered all over the place with nothing to start life with. To say that we are suffering and struggling to survive is an understatement since our businesses and means of livihood were demolished by the Lagos government in a quest for political vendatta. We learnt on good authority that the Lagos state government carried out the demolition because of allegations that we are using the market to mobilise Igbos to protest for the creation of Biafra. We also learnt that the market was demolished because Igbos voted en mass for PDP in the last general election.

I have been in this market since 1978 when the market was built and there is no occasion we discussed Biafra .Most of our traders are members of APC ( All Progressive Congress) and were present when governor Ambode was inaugurated. It is disheartening that we were made to suffer for political reasons. we lost goods worth over N50 billion.

We demand that the government rebuild the market and allocate it to the traders and pay us compensation for the goods we lost” The spokes person for the market Dr. Asomba Alphosus said the government went ahead to demolish the ernment is still building the Isopakowmarket despite a court injunction. ado market . The Owonifari market has “It is not true that we refused to be re- been existing since 1978 built by former located. We had two meetings with the military governor of Lagos State , Ndugovernment, first time was our former bisi Kanu and allocated to us which made chairman, Samuel Ayanda that was al- us landlords . The market was razed by lowed to see the governor as the security fire and we came together to rebuild it in officials did not allow other executives 1999 . The traders spent N750million for to see him. Ayanda came out and told us the rebuilding of the the market. Sadly, a that the governor asked why we were still Provender and estate developer in Lagos in the market. started harassing us in a bid to take over The next was a summon from the the land. commissioner for community and local The matter was brought before forgovernment Affairs and he told us that mer governor Fashola and he told us to the governor insisted that the market go ahead and remodel the market to the will be demolished. We were shocked standard of the Lagos Model City. We when governor Ambode gave us two were at the verge of rebuilding when a weeks to relocate to the Isopakowado change of government took place . When market. We cried out that two weeks was we held the meeting with governor Amtoo short for us to relocate and we plead- bode administration, we showed the goved for more time. Moreover, the market ernment the plans to remodel the market the government wants to relocate us to but governor Ambode turned it down is a dead trap and can only take 30% of and insisted we relocate. the traders. We appealed to government The government allegation is not true to give us more time as we wanted an all that the Owonifari market is a den of robinclusive relocation . Moreover , the gov- bers because we have a taskforce on se-

curity and over twenty guards at night.

We are law abiding and the governor Fashola administration gave us award as the best market in term of payment of taxes but to our chagrin, the Ambode government went on to demolish the market despite a court injunction pasted all over the market and served to the government. The Demolition was carried out in the dead of the night when traders had travelled home to the eastern part of the country for festivities because 98% of the traders are Igbos. The few traders who heard about the demolition, rushed to rescue their goods but they were teargassed, arrested, manhandled and locked up by security agents . We will fight this injustice in court. We have already instituted the case in court seeking redress. “ A 65 year old trader Chief Augustine Nduba said he was arrested and detained alongside his three underage children when they went to rescue their goods He said “ We heard rumours that the government was going to demolish the market on the 4th of January. I had seven

shops were I sold electronics appliances so I rushed down to the market with my three children, to rescue my goods. I also met other traders too,trying to remove their goods.

As soon as we started removing our goods, we saw security men jumping from the decking of the building and they pointed vthier guns at us. They threw two teargas and my daughter fainted. They picked a standing fan and hit one of my children on the waist and he fell down. I screamed at the sight of my children but one of the security men slapped me and opened my mouth.

The others held me down and poured teargas in my mouth.. The security men dragged me into their black Marie van. I was unconscious and they took me to the Taskforce office at Alausa where they kept me and other traders for three days .

The security operatives seized our phone and none of us could reach our families. They denied us food and water. It was after our executives gave them money CONTINUED ON PAGE 32

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FEBRUARY 20, 2016

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‘We didn’t get adequate notice’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 31

that we were released after we have been made to sign undertaking not to return to the market. By the time I went back to the market, all my seven shops with goods worth millions of naira had been demolished. I have no business nor cash to start over. I am in a fix and in desperate need for cash to re start my business” Another trader, Chidiebere Arawusi narrated how he was arrested and detained by Task Force policemen.

He said “ I am a dealer in Statelite Communication at the Owonifari market .I had two shops.

When I learnt that the government wanted to demolish the market, I rushed down with my sales girls to remove my goods. This was about 8:30pm . All of a sudden, we saw security operatives jumped down from the decking and threw teargas at us. They pointed the guns at us that we should drop the goods.

I told them the goods are mine but they descended on us.

They beat us and threw me and other traders into the black Marie van. We were about twenty traders including our chairman Samuel Ayanda. We were in that cell for three days without food and water. It was after our chairman molished by officials of the Lagos State was forced to write undertaking and our Environmental and Special Offences executives had paid for our release that (Enforcement) Unit and other lagos state we were allowed to go but by the time I agencies when many of the traders were went back to the market, my goods had fast asleep and others said to be away to been demolished. I have been wander- the eastern part of the country for the ing about trying to get money to start all festivities and yet to return to Lagos. over. I lost everything including my land When our correspondent visited the marpapers, and other very important docu- ket , the market which stood at the busy ments “.

Oshodi a transit point in the state had alAnother trader, Chibuzor Onugha, ready been reduced to rumbles with fire the Secretary of the market said burning portions of the demolished goods . he lost goods in his four shops scavengers and the distraught tradwhen the market was demolished. ers were seen trying to savage from He said “ I travelled to the village but the demolished site some of thier when I came back, I saw my shop where goods and other properties to no avail .

I sold electronics appliances in ruin. I Success was among the traders making lost more than N50million . I have been frantic efforts to recover camcorders, and rendered penniless . This demolition tar- his other electronic appliances from the geted Igbos. I want to believe that gover- rumbles. Speaking with our corresponnor Ambode is implementating the Oba dent, he pointed to a rumbled portion “ Akiolu speech which he said Igbos will This is where my shop I just paid for in be thrown into the Lagoon if they go September used to be. I had goods ,like against him to vote for PDP. I am an APC camcorders, flat screen television and member so demolition is politically moti- other electrical appliances in my shop. I vated and a grave injustice to the Igbos” got this shop after serving my master for Ejezike Nwadiba, another trad- ten years. I had learnt the skills of busier said he lost all his goods. “ I had four shops at the Owonifari market. I travelled to the East but when I came back , my shops with goods worth millions of naira had been demolished. I have nothing to fall back on. I need help to start all over” Nwabueze Success a trader had completed his ten years service to his boss and was looking forward to putting his learnt business skills to building a business empire unfortunately, the young man is battling to remain in business as his electronic shop was one of the over 1000 shops that were demolished at the Owonifari Market in Oshodi on January 4th learnt that the market which had existed since 1978 with estimated goods the traders claimed runs into N50 billion was de-

ness and was looking forward to starting on my own and expanding my business but I got the rude shock of my life when I came to the shop on Thursday morning with some goods I had gone to Ghana to purchase only to see my shop in ruin.

I stood and could not believe my sight.

It was as if I woke up to watch a horror movie. I was confused and I felt very sad. I summoned courage to ask the by standers what had happened to the market and I was informed that the government had demolished our shop. I did not get any notice to quit the market. I did not get any information that they were coming to demolish . I lost everything in my shop. My goods were more than N2Million. I don’t know where to start . I am confused and devastated. I wish the government had allowed us to pack our goods before they demolish. It is sad that the government after demolishing the shops went ahead the next day to set the demolished remains on fire so that we would not recover anything.

This is a sad way to start the new year” Another trader, Chidi Obinna said his

I had four shops at the Owonifari market. I travelled to the East but when I came back , my shops with goods worth millions of naira had

been demolished. I have nothing to fall back on. I need help to start all over

brother’s five shops were demolished . “ my elder brother had five shops where he sold generating sets and his shops were leveled by the demolishing men from the government. We could not pick even a pin from the shop. My brother is still in the east because he travelled for the festivities but he has no businesses to return to in Lagos anymore as his shops where he gets his daily bread has been reduced to rumbles. When we heard about the demolition, I ran down to the market to see what I could secure but we were prevented by gun wielding policemen. They threw tears gas at us and they threatened to shoot if we enter the market . One of our fellow traders ran and held a policeman and begged him to allow him enter his shop to recover N4million he left in the shop but the policeman refused. He tried to give the policeman N200 000 so he can allow him to enter but the police refused and that was how he lost his millions and other property. A female trader slumped at the sight of her husband’,s demolished shops. The effect of the demolition feels like death. We have children to feed and to pay school fees but we have been rendered jobless» investigations revealed that most of the traders have gone to rent shops at the Arena market at Oshodi while others are roaming about looking for money to rent shops .

While the Lagos State government maintains that the traders were given adequate notice to relocate to a newly developed market at Isopakodowo with over 300 shops at give away rent .

The State government, however, insisted that the traders were given adequate notice about the demolition. The Lagos state Commissioner for Information and Strategy Mr. Steve Ayorinde denied allegations that the demolition was politically motivated.

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

FEBRUARY 20, 2016

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Zika Virus: What are the chances I’ll get it?

T he Zika virus was discovered nearly 70 years ago, but chances are you probably hadn’t heard of it until the past few months. With fear and uncertainty spreading as quickly as the virus itself, here are answers to some of your pressing questions on Zika.

Microcephaly: Linked to Zika

Should I be worried about Zika?

The Zika virus is part of the same family as yellow fever. But there is no vaccine to prevent Zika or medicine to treat the infection. Even though symptoms are most often mild, Zika is commanding attention because of an alarming connection between the virus and microcephaly, a neurological disorder that results in babies being born with abnormally small heads. It causes severe developmental issues and, in some cases, can result in death.

What are the chances I’ll get the Zika virus?

The virus is most commonly transmitted when an Aedes aegypti mosquito bites a person with an active infection and then spreads the virus by biting others. Originally discovered in a Ugandan forest, the aggressive mosquito is now predominantly raising concerns in other parts of the world, especially in Central and South America. If there are

Aedes aegypti: Vector

no infected mosquitoes in your area, you’re very unlikely to contract the disease.

There is also evidence of sexual transmission of Zika. On February 2, America’s Centre for Disease Control, CDC, confirmed the first case of sexually transmitted Zika in the latest outbreak. A male patient who had recently returned from Venezuela infected with Zika returned to the United States and infected his sexual partner, who had not traveled. The CDC issued interim guidelines for prevention of sexual transmission of Zika virus and noted that “there have been no reports of sexual transmission of Zika virus from infected women to their sex partners.”

According to the CDC guideline, “Until we know more, if your male sexual partner has traveled to or lives in an area with active Zika virus transmission, you should abstain from sex or use condoms the

right way every time you have vaginal, anal and oral sex for the duration of the pregnancy.”

While the virus has been documented in breast milk, saliva and urine, it has not yet been confirmed if the virus can be transmitted through any bodily fluids other than blood.

CDC Director Dr. Tom Frieden says, “There have been isolated cases of spread through blood transfusion or sexual contact and that’s not very surprising. The virus is in the blood for about a week. How long it would remain in the semen is something that needs to be studied and we’re working on that now.”

Frieden said that studies on sexual transmission are not easy studies to do, but the CDC is continuing to explore that avenue of transmission. “What we know is the vast majority of spread is going to be from mosquitoes. The bottom line is mosquitoes are the real culprit here.”

What are the symptoms and effects of Zika?

Only about one in five people infected with Zika virus will actually become ill, according to the CDC. “The most common symptoms of Zika are fever, rash, joint pain or conjunctivitis (red eyes). Other symptoms include muscle pain and headache.” For most people, the illness is mild with symptoms lasting from several days to a week. People don’t usually get sick enough to require a hospital visit, and the virus very rarely results in death.

But more seriously, Zika has been linked the birth defect microcephaly, as well as Guillain-Barré, a rare syndrome in which the immune system attacks the nerves. It’s important to note: a link does not necessarily indicate cause and effect. Aside from either of these conditions, there are no lasting, long-term effects of Zika.

Additionally, once a person has been infected, he or she is likely to be protected from future infections, according to the CDC. What should I do if I think I’ve been exposed?

If you think you may have been exposed to the Zika Virus, stop and ask yourself these three questions: 1. Are you pregnant?

2. Are you a woman who is thinking about getting pregnant?

3. Are you a man who is going

to have unprotected sex with a woman who is pregnant or may become pregnant?

If your answer to all of these questions is “no,” there is arguably no reason for you to get tested. Remember, only 20% of people who contract the virus will even develop any symptoms, and those who do will experience only mild and short-lived discomfort.

If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, however, you should contact your doctor about being tested for Zika. He or she can order blood tests to look for Zika or other similar viral disease. A blood test performed in a clinical setting is the only way to be definitively diagnosed.

How can I be treated if I have Zika?

Unfortunately, as of now, there is no vaccine or specific medicine to treat Zika virus infections. Instead, the CDC recommends treating the symptoms: -- Get plenty of rest.

-- Drink fluids to prevent dehydration.

-- Take medicine such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) to reduce fever and pain.

-- Do not take aspirin or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

If you are taking medicine for another medical condition, talk to your health care provider before taking additional medication.

With no vaccine available, the only protection against Zika is to avoid traveling to areas with an active infestation. If you do travel to a country where Zika is present, the CDC advises strict adherence to mosquito protection measures.

Use insect repellent, wear long pants and long-sleeve shirts thick enough to block a mosquito bite, and sleep in an air-conditioned, screened room.

If you have Zika, you can keep from spreading it to others by avoiding mosquito bites during the first week of illness. The female Aedes aegypti, the primary carrier of Zika, is an aggressive biter, preferring daytime to dusk and indoors to outdoors. Keeping mosquito nets on windows and doors is critical to preventing entry to homes and hotel rooms.

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Male

Jide animashaun 08034710902

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Angle

What if you find out s I

It’s all good

’m a realist and I know that it’s a known fact that men love sex. You can call it what you will but the truth remains the same. I’m a man and I love sex a lot and I believe that a prostitute is an expert in her chosen occupation notwithstanding that the occupation may be repugnant to the general populace. I know that social status and prestige are traits found in every man and a man that really loves his wife takes pride in showing her off to friends and every other person he comes across because she has become his jewel and he loves her and it may be difficult if not shameful for any man to say that his wife was once a call girl but the thing is that love conquers all and a man should be proud of any choice he makes in life and not dance to society’s dictates on the type of woman to marry or having to explain to friends and family on why that choice is taken.

When it comes to the issue of marriage for men, a lot of key issues would get looked into and one of these issues is the morality of the wife to be. Another thing we tend to pretend not to be bothered about but which I know a lot of men will attest to is how good in bed the wife will be. We may also look at how financially demanding the wife to be will be or is, as the case may be. It’s after all these things are put in their proper perspectives that a man can tell you categorically whether he can marry a prostitute or not. As we have female prostitutes, so do we have male prostitutes called gigolos. The bottom line to prostitution is that people go into it not because of any other reason but for financial or material gains.

But certain questions also need to be raised so as not to beg the issue of whether we can marry a prostitute. If a woman marries a man not because she’s in love with him, but because he helps her out with money, does that basically make her a prostitute? This is one question an average man would pretend to think deeply about before giving you an answer to when it comes to marrying a woman but in most cases a lot of men already

have an answer to that question.

For me, a prostitute is someone who has sex for money. And the same can be said of the case of someone who gets married for money which most people only call a gold-digger. If the understanding of a prostitute is generally anyone who solicit favours or gratification, usually in cash, in exchange for sexual relationships, then who is not a prostitute? Indeed, what percentage of the female folk can you term to be decent, self-respecting and responsible if we are to use society’s yardstick?

Most people believe that it is only when a girl resides in a hotel or brothel where men who are interested in paying for sex can meet with her and strike a bargain that a girl can be regarded as a prostitute but that is so wrong from my perspective.

What if a girl resides with her parents or is in attendance in a higher institution as a student, but gets picked up and dropped off regularly by different men for financial gains? Does that make her any different from the regular prostitute given that the same motive subsists? All these scenarios paint a vivid picture of sex for cash and not about manners and good behaviour which a good wife should have among other things. A lot of these prostitutes even attend regular religious programmes which may end up changing their orientation about sex, money and their bodies.

If we are to look at it critically from an outside point of view, does the fact that a girl sells her body for money make her a bad person especially when we know for a fact that many prostitutes are engaged in the illicit business through no fault of theirs since the choice is entirely out of their hands. I have met many prostitutes and ex-prostitutes in the course of my daily activities and I can tell you for a fact that some prostitutes can actually be well-mannered and of good behaviour outside the nature of their job. With my interactions with some of them, I can categorically say yes if she decides to leave the trade for something more acceptable to me.

SEX TALK

This column is x-rated

20 sexual problems you can easily fix (II)

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Continued from last week

here could be several reasons why sexual problems creep into a relationship.

But if you catch the signs early or make up your mind to turn things around, you can rekindle the flickering flame of passion and make your relationship feel just as exciting as it felt during the stage of infatuation.

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exual dysfunctions. Sometimes, age or stress can play havoc on your sexual life. You may have a hard time getting it up, or getting interested in having sex.

Fix: Discuss the issue with your partner instead of feeling awkward about it, or your partner may assume you’re just not interested in having sex with them anymore.

And if you feel like you need professional help, talk to your doctor about it.

Ejaculation issues. If you have a hard time lasting long in bed because you suffer from premature ejaculation, don’t feel ashamed about it. You aren’t alone, and there are several men who experience the same sexual problem in bed.

Fix: Try to relax your mind and indulge in a lot of foreplay. It’ll help you keep the little guy calm even when your mind gets overexcited.

Dry privates. Unless it’s a medical condition, there’s probably a psychological reason behind why you may be feeling dry down there when you’re having sex. It could be your anxiety, self consciousness or your awkwardness.

Fix: Fall in love with yourself, and like who you are. Sex is enjoyed more in the mind than in your privates. Try non sexual touches. Intimacy and emotional connection helps bring a couple closer together and connects them. Indulge in romantic touches that aren’t

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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FEBRUARY 20, 2016

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Female

Angle

YEMISI ADENIRAN 08029894772 email: ydiran@yahoo.com

she was a prostitute?

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This column is x-rated sexual every now and then. Try to build the intimacy so both of you can feel loved in the relationship.

And non-sexual loving touches are perfect to do just that, without the pressure of having to end every cuddle in bed with sex.

Being taken for granted.

When you feel like you’re being taken for granted in a relationship, it’s easy to get frustrated and secretly dislike your partner for it.

It may start off as a minor annoyance, but eventually, it may lead to you disliking any kind of sexual intimacy in the relationship.

Fix: Talk about it instead of sulking over it. Chances are your relationship and your sex life will only improve once you do that.

Emotional detachment. When two lovers don’t feel compatible or emotionally connected, they’d inevitably end up leading two separate lives even if they’re living under the same roof. And what starts off with emotional detachment could lead one or both of you to look for other means or other people to fulfill your emotional and sexual needs.]Arguments.

Contradictions and differences in

This column is x-rated opinions aren’t bad for love. In most circumstances, they can help both of you understand each other better and come closer. But if you end the discussion in a huff without concluding it, it could turn into a sexual problem in your relationship.

Fix: Bad sex is often a result of unhealthy arguments and big egos in a relationship. Fight, but learn to fight fair so both of you can understand each other instead of hating each other.

Painful sex. Does it hurt when you have sex? You may endure it if it’s a one off circumstance, but if sex is more painful than pleasurable almost all the time, something’s probably not right.

Fix: If your doctor tells you that it’s not a medical condition, then it’s probably got something to do with your own state of mind. Perhaps, you aren’t ready for penetration just yet when you have sex, or maybe you need to try and relax and be less anxious. If a good water based lubricant doesn’t make sex exciting, try something new that sexually stimulates you and turns you on.

Sometimes, routine can make even the best sex seem mundane.

All have sinned.....

ow, suppose that you are in a public transport travelling from one place to another. Seating close to you in the public transport is a nicely suited and attractive young man . At first glance, you conclude that he is a working class. The well-mannered disposition of the guy is simply too much for you. You are interested in getting to know him better when he strikes a conversation with you and what begin as a casual conversation soon metamorphose into a full-fledged relationship. Suddenly, you are contemplating on ending up with him. But, unexpectedly, out of the blues, come a rude shock. Of all professions that he could be engaged in, he is a prostitute! What will you do?

Will you go ahead and continue with your plans to get married to him or will you hurriedly put an end to the relationship? Before you give a straight-forward answer, either “Yes” or “No”, to this question, please ponder over this matter for a little bit.

How do you define a “prostitute”?. If the understanding of a prostitute is “anyone who solicit favours or gratification, usually in cash, in exchange for sexual relationships”, then what percentage of the male folk can you term to be “decent” in terms of morality?

Additionally, is it only when a guy resides in a “male hostel”, where “sugar mummies” who are interested in paying for sex can meet with him and strike a bargain, that a guy can be regarded as a prostitute? What if a guy is in attendance in a higher institution as a student, but gets picked up and dropped off regularly by different sugar mmummies for financial gains?

Does that make him any different from the regular male prostitute? But, come to think of it, does the fact that the man sells

his body for money make him a bad person? Reemember that many prostitutes are engaged in the illicit business through no fault of theirs and the choice is entirely out of their hands.

Similarly, many prostitutes are compelled to continue to carry on their unholy trade by subtle deception or outright coercion. Supposing you find a very expensive and valuable piece of jewel, a stunningly beautiful diamond which has been dulled into being almost unrecognisable by the dirty and muddy surrounding wherein you found it, what would you do? You would certainly go to great lengths to ensure that you get possession of it, clean it up of all the dirt and mud and make it your own.

For the sake of true love. If a prostitute rules out marriage to you, you would be limiting greatly your chances of finding true love, which as we have established is as elusive to find as a precious diamond. If there is a strong resolve and willingness on his part to turn a new leaf for the better. If there is sufficient evidence to back up his strong desire to change. In other words, he must give up, of his own free choice and without any prompting whatsoever, all vestiges of his erstwhile trade.

Above all, if he has a good relationship atmosphere and has compatible qualities, attributes, goals and aspirations as yourself, then you can marry him.

After all, prostitutes are human beings too. Certainly, not all of them are bad just as not all socalled “men of God” are actually men of God. Many are simply fakes and do not deserve to be called by that term. Hence, he or she who has no sin, let him or her cast the first stone. So, it is wrong to write off all prostitutes as being bad and unsuitable for marriage. *This article was first published on September 13, 2014

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FEBRUARY 20, 2016

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

divorce court

‘My wife’s lover visits her in our matrimonial home’ ·

Please separate us so that she can continue her wayward life —Husband • He has married three wives after me and I never complained. He wants to marry another wife, that’s why he wants me out of his house —Wife

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42-year-old civil servant, Adeshina Tabura has told an Ikorodu Customary Court, Lagos, that his wife’s lover used to visit their matrimonial home.

Tabura, a resident of Gbenga Salami, Ikorodu, while testifying in a divorce suit he filed, said his wife’s lover was also always threatening him through phone calls.

“My wife once confessed to me that one man saw her in a hotel and the man had been threatening her to bring money.

“She doesn’t come home every day anymore ; she is always going to night vigils without her children.

“I have also seen her with different men; please sepa-

rate us so that she can continue her wayward life.”

The petitioner also told the court that his wife was in the habit of spending his money on her lovers.

The respondent, Adenike, 38, mother of four, denied the allegations, saying that her husband was the one involved in extra marital affairs.

“Severally, I have seen my husband flirting with different women that I know.

“He had married three wives after me and I never complained. He wants to marry another wife, that’s why he wants me out of his house.”

She prayed the court to help save the marriage.

The court president, Mrs Ronke Adetola, adjourned the case for possible reconciliation and judgment. (NAN)

‘My wife taught our son how to steal’ ‘We have a blood · Anytime he comes home with stolen goods, my wife will gladly accept them from him and encourage him to do more . There was one day he went to church to steal three Blackberry phones, two Nokia phones and other items, and he delivered them to my wife —Husband · My son always steals and police will come looking for him, but I do not collect those stolen items from him —Wife Stories by Muda Oyeniran

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r. Toluwalase, 56, told the Igando Customary Court that his wife, Alice, encourages one of their children to steal.

According to him: “My wife taught my son, a 17-year old, to steal for her; anytime he comes home with stolen goods, my wife will gladly accept them from him and encourage him to do more.

“There was one day he went to church to steal three Blackberry phones, two Nokia phones and other items, and he delivered them to my wife,” he said.

The prophet further told the court that his wife has

been accused several times of engaging in diabolical activities claiming that she has even been in prison for the said offence.

He reportedly said, “My wife always snatch men’s manhood. I don’t know what she was using them to do and that had once landed her in prison,” the estranged husband said.

Toluwalase said that because of her diabolical attitude and stealing, he had left the house for her and her son, because anytime they committed a crime, the police would come to the house.

The obviously unhappy man told the court that his wife and son have also threatened to kill him and his three

children from another woman.

“They told me that they will go to my children’s school to abduct them and stab them to death,” he alleged.

Alice, who was in the court to defend herself said it is true that her sion has a stealing habit but denied encouraging him.

Alice, 49, said, “My son always steals and police will come looking for him, but I do not collect those stolen items from him.”

She also begged the court to dissolve their marriage saying she is no longer in love with he husband.

The Presiding Officer, Mr R.I. Adeyeri, adjourned the case for judgement.

covenant’

• We made the covenant when we were in secondary school. I did not fully understand the implication —Wife · The herbalist, who conducted our blood covenant told me that only death should separate us —Husband

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37-year-old evangelist has pleaded with her husband to break their blood covenant to pave the way for the dissolution of their marriage.

Christiana Adebileje told an Agege Customary Court, Lagos, how she swore to a covenant with her husband, Taiwo Adebileje, many years ago, out of naivety.

Christiana lamented that Adebileje had been taking advantage of the covenant which forbode her from divorcing him, but at the same time permitted him to have concubines.

“We made the covenant when we were in secondary school.

I did not fully understand the implication. He has been having sexual affairs with many women

on the grounds that I have no right to complain.

“He threatens my life. He has told me several times that I will die if I leave him for another man,” said the female evangelist.

Christiana said she had broken her own part of the covenant with the help of her uncle, who is a pastor, but added that all efforts to make him renounce his own part of the covenant had proved abortive.

“I have gone for deliverance; I am no longer bound by the evil covenant. I no longer want to be his wife. All he cares about are his concubines. ``He does not take care of me and our son. I want to move on with my life,” Adebileje said.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 37

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

FEBRUARY 20, 2016

‘He wants me to feed him and pay house rent’

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divorce court

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• I have become completely insolvent due to his laziness and unrepentant bankruptcy because I paid all the loans he collected from the bank and the one he collected from my sister. It will be better if I remain single than to spend the rest of my life inside an oven I call home —Wife · I want the court to disregard her plea because I cannot do without her —Husband

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fter three years of unsuccessful marriage between Nasifat Olowolagba and her husband, Oluwasegun, an Orile-Agege Customary Court in Lagos on Thursday dissolved the union over battery, threat to life and incessant fighting.

The court’s President, Dr Kayode Whenu, while dissolving the union, said “starting from today, you ceased to be addressed as husband and wife.’’

“You shall go your separate ways and maintain the peace.

“The custody of the only child in the union remains with the mother and any contention on it is referred to Ikeja Family Court for intervention,’’ he said.

Whenu, however, ordered Oluwasegun to be paying N5, 000 every month for the upkeep of the child through the court’s registrar.

He also said that Oluwasegun must be responsible for the education and medical bills of the child.

Nasifat had approached the court on Sept. 21, 2015, seeking the dissolution of her marriage, citing battery, threat to life and incessant fighting.

Nasifat, 34, a trader who lives at 23, Atanda Akinremi St., Orile Agege, a suburb of Lagos, had told the court that Oluwasegun

had made life unbearable for her.

“I have suffered tremendous emotional and physical assault because he beats me at will, he is lazy and always wants me to work to feed him and pay house rents.

“I have become completely insolvent due to his laziness and unrepentant bankruptcy because I paid all the loans he collected from the bank and the one he collected from my sister.

“It will be better if I remain single than to spend the rest of my life inside an oven I call home,” she said.

The mother of a two-year-old child told the court that to continue to live with Oluwasegun would amount to living in hell.

“I ran away from home on Aug. 1, 2015 and took my child along, I pray to the court to dissolve the union and grant me custody of my child,” she said.

However, her husband, Oluwasegun, 41, a bricklayer who lives at 28, Aige St., Orile-Agege, denied ever beating his wife.

“I am not a violent person, I have never beaten her, I am also a responsible person and I endeavoured to do my best in taking care of my wife and child.

“I want the court to disregard her plea because I cannot do without her,” he had said.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 36

“My wife is only deceiving herself by thinking she is free from our covenant because the herbalist told me that it has no remedy. The herbalist made incisions on our private body parts. We licked each other’s blood. Our covenant is still very potent.

“She is only filing for this divorce because she has an affair with her church pastor whom she has been cooking for. I refuse to let her go. She is bound to me,” he said.

In his own remark, Babatunde Shokunle, the court president, advised young people against ‘forever relationship’.

He said that the covenant sworn by the estranged couple was a hasty and foolish decision.

He advised other youths to desist from the act and put their trust in God to give them the best spouse and make their marriage work.

The case was adjourned for further hearing.

‘We have a blood covenant’ Responding to his wife’s allegations, the 43-year-old generator mechanic told the court that he loved his wife and was not ready to divorce her.

He said the blood covenant he made with Adebileje was born out of his undying love for her, stating that his concubines were not important to him.

“I am not ready to divorce my wife because I cannot live without her. The herbalist, who conducted our blood covenant, told me that only death should separate us,” he said.

Adebileje told the court that he had been avoiding his wife’s uncle and other pastors because he believed it was a waste of time.

He pleaded with the court not to dissolve the marriage because he was not ready to release his wife to any other man.

‘ My husband constantly rapes me’ • My husband rapes me anytime he feels like having sex and does not care about my feelings or my emotions. —Wife • She starved me of sex for one and half years despite the fact that we were living in the same house —Husband

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wife has begged an OrileAgege Customary Court to dissolve their marriage because her husband constantly rapes and beat her. She wants the 10-year marriage to be dissolved.

The 32-year-old woman identified as Mrs Temitope Salaudeen, 32, a trader, who resides at 2, CAC St., Agege, a suburb of Lagos, begged the court to stop her husband before he kills her with the act. She revealed to the court that the husband is a wife-beater and treats her like a slave.

“My husband rapes me anytime he feels like having sex and does not care about my feelings or my emotions.

“He sold some of my jewelries without my consent and steals my money at will,” she added.

Temitope said that the greatest mistake she had made in life was getting married to her husband Alilu Saludeen.

“I ran away from the house sometime in November 2015 with my children because if I continue living with him, he might beat me to death one day,” she said.

The mother of two, aged 3 and 6 years, pleaded with the court to dissolve the union and grant her custody of her children.

But her husband identified

as Alilu Saludeen 39, a building contractor, denied all the allegations. “I have not beaten her before, she starved me of sex for one and half years despite the fact that we were living in the same house.

“She hides her phone from me and I did not sell her jewelries neither did I steal her money,” he said.

He begged the court not to grant her wife’s pleas as he is still in love with her.

The Court President told the couple to maintain the peace and adjourned the case for further hearing.

‘My husband stripped me naked in public’

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28-year-old woman, Mrs. Rachel Raheem, told an Agege customary court that her husband, Mr. Aliu Raheem, beat her constantly and once stripped her naked in the public.

The husband denied the allegations. Rachel, who lives at 84, Egbabo Street Agege, said her husband was fond of bringing home other women and had sex with them in her presence.

According to her, confronting him on his behaviour always led to him beating the hell out of her.

She informed the court that her husband would not give her more than #500 as feeding allowance, but would increase the money to #700 whenever he wanted to have sex with her The wife claimed that they had lived as husband and wife for

11 years despite the fact that no formal marriage was contracted and no bride price was paid.

“To my surprise, he got married to another lady secretly, and the lady delivered a baby shortly after l gave birth to my second child”. Rachel alleged that her husband became something else after the second wife moved in. Once, she claimed, he descended heavily on her to the extent that she had to deliver a baby through Caesarian operation. She informed the court that her husband threw her belongings out of the matrimonial home, while she was away in Abeokuta to report the marital problems to her mother-in-law.

The estranged wife said she regretted marrying Aliu, because “he was a very difficult person”. Speaking in the same vein, Chief Oloyede lsaac, who

claimed to be Rachel`s father’s childhood friend, testified that Aliu was wicked, adding that he always beat the wife.

Oloyede informed the court that he was the one that encouraged Rachel to institute the divorce case when he could no longer tolerate the way the husband was always stripping his wife naked in public. In his defense, Aliu said his wife lacked care for him and the children.

The husband added that Rachel always returned from the market late in the night and that the situation made it difficult for him and the children to eat. He denied beating the wife, but admitted to slapping her when they had misunderstanding sometime ago. The court president adjourned the case for further hearing.

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Even Zika?

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his seemingly deadly virus with its funny name has been infecting thousands of people in the Americas; especially South America.

Mosquito borne, the virus is transmitted through an infected Aedes egypti mosquito from man to man Ordinarily, it shouldn’t have been a concern as most of the people infected will not come down with clinical manifestation. For those who do, the disease usually runs a mild course with fever, joint pain, rash and conjunctivitis after which the victim will recover fully. But emerging facts are pointing to the virus as being possibly linked to the recent increase in Microcephaly and Guillain Barre syndrome in the areas affected. Making it to be particularly dangerous to pregnant women who may pass the virus on to their unborn baby, resulting in such consequences.

Microcephaly: is a condition where the head of a child is smaller than normal for age or gender. It usually results from a failure of proper development of the brain. As such, the affected child would have developmental problems: problems with walking, problems with speech etc. This condition, which can be diagnosed from the womb or shortly after birth, has no known cure sadly. It is usually treated with physiotherapy, developmental therapy and other measures depending on the particular situation of the child. Suffice to say it is not a desirable con-

dition in a resource poor environment as ours.

Guillain-Barre: is a disease condition where the body’s immune system is conditioned to fight against the nerve cells.

This leads to tingling sensation, weakness of the muscles and sometimes paralysis. It could be fatal if the paralysis involves the muscles required for breathing. It is a rare condition but not a nice one.

The above two are better prevented, hence the current outcry over Zika by everyone concerned. And in this case, everyone concerned is everyone!

Prevention: The recommended ways to nip this infection in the bud has been vector (mosquito) control measures such as 1) Elimination of stagnant water that can serve as breeding ground for mosquitoes 2) Wearing of long sleeve clothes and keeping exposed parts of the body covered 3) Sleeping under insecticide treated mosquito nets 4) Use of mosquito repellants 5) Fumigation 6) Clearing of bushes and drainages For us in Nigeria and Africa generally, mosquito borne infection shouldn’t really be a threat as we are supposedly

the experts in mosquito control. What with the malarial endemicity our region is noted for. Most measures to prevent malaria should prevent Zika.

Though the Aedes egypti bites more in the day time as against plasmodium falciparum that is more active at night, still the main thing we need to do is reinforce our mosquito control measures and prevent spread To prevent person to person and regional spread, we have been advised by the world health authorities to: Refrain from visiting areas currently witnessing Zika outbreak Report any suspicious case especially of travelers who just arrived from affected countries Others are: To seek early treatment and For men infected with Zika to avoid unprotected sexual intercourse with their wives especially those pregnant or intending to conceive. This is because the Zika virus is strongly suspected to be shed in semen of infected males.

Conclusion: While concluding this piece; I listened to the minister of health, Professor Isaac Adewole say that Zika virus is not new in Nigeria, that it has been with us for decades and has yet to cause a major outbreak. I hope he is right. Because, coming from a senior national officer of his stature, we would do no wrong if we slept with our eyes closed. Under our mosquito nets of course!

Dear Mirror Doctor Good day Dr. Talabi I’m avid reader of your column in the Saturday National Mirror on Health Monitor. Please sir I would like to request for your write up on pregnancy care in order

to have proper knowledge on how to take care of pregnancy when my wife is pregnant.

Thanking you in anticipation and I look forward for your prompt reply soonest.

Thank you…………. kadiriismail@gmail.com

Reply: I have since sent the Saturday’s mirror article covering the aforesaid topic to the reader.

But it is quite impressive to note that our friend is preparing for a pregnancy that is yet to happen. This practice, though common in advanced clime, is

rare in our setting .But it is the way to go. Pre natal or prepregnancy care determines to a large extent the eventual outcome of a pregnancy.

Therefore, it is advisable for couples to always plan and prepare for their pregnancies.

Sport

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

FEBRUARY 20, 2016

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Super Eagles players.

Oliseh/NFF face-off

Oliseh deserves some respect —Nwosu Ifeanyi Eduzor

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s the faceoff between Super Eagles gaffer, Sunday Oliseh and his employers, Nigeria Football Federation continues leading to a final warning issued by the football house to the embattled coach and sack of his assistant, Tijani Babangida, ex-international, Henry Nwosu has advised the football house to handle the matter maturely in order not to jeopardise the country’s chances in the next month’s all important AFCON qualifier against Egypt.

In an interview with Saturday Mirror, he noted that although Oliseh made some uncomplimentary remarks against the football house following the country’s ouster from the African Nations Championship in Rwanda but the NFF instead of crucifying the coach should have put modalities on ground on how to avoid such mistakes

in future as the allegations are capable of affecting Nigeria’s qualification for AFCON 2017 and 2018 World Cup in Russia respectively.

“It is unfortunate that the NFF is criticising Oliseh for having the courage to speak out on what made Home based Eagles to crash out early at the African Nations championship in Rwanda.

“Everybody knows Oliseh as a person who does not hide his feelings and is always ready to call a spade a spade. Even members of the NFF before appointing him knew that he is not the type of coach they can intimidate and for them to pretend that there is no truth in what he said is laughable.

“What is more worrisome is that instead of the football house looking for a way to avoid some of his complaints in future , they are busy accusing him of insubordination and issuing sack threats to him which I believe might have a negative impact on the various qualifiers lined up for

the national team”, warned the former Super Eagles midfielder.

According to the former NNB of Benin and ACB of Lagos play maker, Nigeria should use the CHAN experience to reposition the country’s league and make it more attractive and competitive as that is the only way we can make a mark in CAF organized competitions.

“Crashing out of CHAN competition at the preliminary stage goes to show that something is technically wrong somewhere.

It is either that we overrated our players or that we went to Rwanda with the wrong players and this must be corrected in future”, he cautioned.

On the forthcoming 2017 AFCON qualifier against Egypt, the former Golden Eaglets handler, noted that there is need for Oliseh to be given all the necessary support to enable him succeed just as he cautioned the Super Eagles handler against prosecuting the match with unfit players.

“The AFCON game against

North African giants Egypt will be a very explosive one because both countries have good football pedigree. They both parade some of the best players in the continent and matches involving them in the past have always been explosive and difficult to predict.

“There is the need for both the NFF and the Super Eagles technical crew to close ranks and ensure that only the best players are used for the two matches as the outcome of the game will determine whether we will be in Gabon next year or not.

Nwosu who was a member of the 1980 Nations Cup winning Eagles team rejected arguments in some quarters that the Pharaohs are not much of a threat as they were about four years ago, insisting that the team has overcome the political crises that engulfed the country and are now a real threat to any team even as he expressed optimism that with proper planning and discipline, Nigeria will survive the game.

“I laugh when I hear people say

Nwosu

that Egypt is no more a threat as they were last four years because of the political crisis that engulfed the country. People should realise that most of their players ply their trade at home and they understand themselves very well. Apart from this, they have overcome their problem and are stamping their feet once more in African football and as such they must be taken serious.

“My only advice is that we have to plan very well ahead of the game, select the best players, work on their fitness and discipline and then we can be sure of surviving the Egyptian scare”, concluded the former ASEC Mimosas of Cote d’Ivoire and RC Bafoussam of Cameroon midfielder.

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‘I’m not a bodybuilder, says Mcllroy

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Eke Chukwudi giving NIS new lease of life Ifeanyi Eduzor

W Mcllroy

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orld No 3 Rorry Mcllroy, who has been warned by ex-pro and US TV pundit Brandel Chamblee he could be following Tiger Woods’ “destructive path” to never-ending injury by doing too many weights, says that he is not a body builder.

McIlroy, who has called injury-plagued Woods his “idol”, will bid for his first win of the season in his first US start of the year at Riviera Country Club in California. But to do so he will have to overcome reigning Masters and US Open champ Spieth.

Four-time Major winner McIlroy has undergone a drastic transformation from the puppy-fat teen that rocked golf when he burst on to the world stage by claiming the low-amateur Silver Medal at the 2007 Open.

But he quickly laughed off Chamblee’s comments by posting a video of him working out and saying: “I’m 165lbs. I’m a golfer not a bodybuilder.”

This week McIlroy, 26, goes head-to-head with world No 1 Jordan Spieth in the Northern Ireland Trust Open.

Taylor wins first PGA title in 11 years

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aughn Taylor hit a seven-under-par 65 to win his first PGA Tour title in 11 years at the Pebble Beach Pro-Am. Taylor ranked 447 in the world at the start of the week, only got into the tournament on Monday as first reserve.

The 39-year-old American secured victory when overnight leader Phil Mickelson missed a five-foot birdie putt on the 18th to force a play-off.

“I don’t even have my tour card now I am playing in the Masters,” said Taylor, who finished on 17 under par.

The victory means Taylor qualifies for the first major of the year in Augusta in April.

Overnight leader Mickelson was trying to win his first tournament in 50 starts since the 2013 Open Championship but a level par final-round 72 left him one shot off the pace.

“It never crossed my mind that I wouldn’t make that one,” said Mickelson, who missed out on a fifth career victory at Pebble Beach.

A three-under 69 took England’s Justin Rose into a tie for sixth, while world number one Jordan Spieth finished tied for 21st.

Taylor

SPORT NEWS

Asaba to host Milo basketball final

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rganisers of the annual Nestle Milo Secondary School Basket Ball Championship has announced that the grand finale of the 18th edition of the most popular secondary school basket ball tournament in the country will hold in Asaba, Delta State.

Managing Director of Nestle Milo, Dharmesh Gordhon told Saturday Mirror that this year’s championship tagged “Building Champions in Life” will see winners from the western conference in Benin, central conference in Ilorin, confluence conference in Lokoja and Equatorial conference in Enugu converge in Asaba to decide who amongst them will emerge winners of the 2016 edition.

“It is a well known fact that for the past 17 years, finals of the Nes-

tle Milo basketball championship has been held in Lagos but this year we decided to shift it to Asaba, Delta State to enable youths from other parts of the country be actively involved in the game of basketball.

“With Milo’s sponsorship of basket ball many talented players have been discovered from the grassroots and many of them have gone on to achieve success in the game and we promise not to relent on our efforts in sponsoring the annual event, ” he said.

Chairman of Delta State Sports Commission, Tony Okowa while commending the company for choosing Delta State as host of the finals, promised that facilities will be put in place ahead of the tournament even as he assured on the security of all participants and officials.

hen the National Institute for Sports (NIS) was established in 1972, the founding fathers envisaged an institution that will be second to none in the production of coaches and sports administrators capable of molding young talented Nigerian athletes to stardom.

Modeled after the Australian Institute of Sports, the school which officially got its autonomy in July 1992, has been doing its best in meeting up with the purpose for its establishment; no wonder great coaches and athletes such as late Yemi Tella who guided the Golden Eaglets to victory at the FIFA U-17 World Cup in South Korea in 2007, Chioma Ajunwa who is the first and only Nigerian to win an individual gold medal at the Olympics, former U-20 national team coach, Manu Garba, and many others are distinguished products of the institute.

Since its inception, the NIS, a parastatal of Ministry of Youth and Sports/National Sports Commission, has passed through many directors; starting from the pioneer Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Awoture Eleyae, who was then designated as principal to the current Director who assumed office last year. All these directors contributed immensely to uplift the institute. The tenure of some of these directors could however be described as excellent, others average while some performed below expectation.

Like sister research institutes, NIS was not spared the industrial disharmony between management and staff which has characterized many institutions of higher learning in Nigeria. This became glaring late 2014 when the various staff unions; both academic and non academic, had about 18 months running battle with the former management which led to near closure of the only school saddled with the responsibility of producing coaches in the country.

The frosty relationship not only affected academic work but the smooth running of the school.

Students were not spared either as the environment was no longer conducive for any serious academic and practical work. It was in this precarious situation that the school found itself before the appointment of the incumbent Director, Dr. Eke Kingdom Chukwudi, who immediately on resumption of office put logistics on ground towards solving the lingering crisis between management and staff of the institute.

At the time Dr. Eke Chukwudi was appointed the Director/CEO of National Institute For Sports, he met the instituite under very difficult condition; there was no peace, low morale and lack of commitment among the staff was the order of the day. Most of the staff spent the day loitering around, some would not show up for work, others when they come, arrive at 11: 00 am, only to leave before 3:00 pm while some will absent themselves from work without permission.

But the leadership of Dr. Eke Chukwudi Kingdom has changed

New look academic building of NIS: The Director, Dr. Eke Kingdom Chukwudi

the poor attitude of staff towards work. Members of staff have turned around and became passionate about their work. They are also appreciative of the changes they thought was not possible, but were happening right before them.

This is a man they thought would do nothing when he was appointed newly, but to everyone’s surprise, he has turned out to be the best so far and has taken the Institute to an enviable height.

Like a man with a magic wand, he restored industrial harmony within the first two weeks of assumption of office and followed it up with the settlement of outstanding debts owed the academic and non academic staff as well as brought the whole ethnic groups in the school together as one Nigeria.

The new director has also given NIS building a facelift which has made the Institute look attractive; what a change in practical demonstration. No wonder he was commended by the Honourable Minister of Youth and Sports Barrister Solomon Dalung during his visit to the Institute recently. “Director continue the good work you are doing in NIS”, the Minister said. In fact a visit to the Institute will convince you of the transformation that has taken place there within a short period of time.

As an astute administrator whose vision is to transform the institute to a modern place of academic learning capable of not only competing favourably with similar institutions in other countries of the world but also attract students from the West African sub-region, the director after ensuring industrial harmony, has embarked on the rehabilitation of obsolete equipment to attract more students and enhance learning. He went a step further by fulfilling the promise he made to the students during his maiden interaction with them that fa-

cilities like beds, reading tables and chairs would be provided.

He has also moved to ensure that students’ results are no longer delayed as well as work out modalities to ensure that convocation ceremony which has not taken place for years is carried out soonest.

A visitor to the institute who is conversant with the myriad of problems encountered in the past will marvel at the new face the institution is wearing, despite the meager budgetary allocation it receives from the Sports Ministry.

The director attributed his numerous successes to prudent management of resources.

“When I assumed office, the institution was bewildered by a lot of problems. But as a peace maker who believes that success cannot be achieved where there is no peace, I embarked on peace moves with the unions and within two weeks, all contentious issues where sorted out,” he enthused, adding, “With peace now achieved, we commenced work immediately. ” He however noted that the NIS, whose functions include conducting specialised professional coaching courses, seminars, conferences, workshops, research and similar functions required adequate funding to upgrade equipment and improve the academic and non-academic staff to enable them impact the required knowledge to students.

“It is unfortunate that we are operating with very meager resources. Right now, as the Director, I use an old official car, we do not have staff bus neither does principal staff of the institution have official cars which is affecting the smooth running of the school.

The NIS helmsman, who said he aimed to make the institute rank among the best in the world, explained that nothing could be achieved without adequate funding.

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Rio 2016: 22 boxers in camp fight for qualifier’s cut Ifeanyi Eduzor

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ongo Brazzaville 2015 All Africa Games (AAG) gold medalist, Edith Ogoke –Agu, and her two compatriots in the Nigerian Army, Kehinde Obareh and Caroline Linus, are among the 22 boxers (18 men and four women) that resumed camping at the General Kenneth Minimah Boxing Hostel, National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos on Wednesday.

Also invited is another 2015 AAG gold medalist, Efe Ajagba and silver medalist, Apochi Efetoborl while Muyideen Oyakojo, Dauda Azeez, Soyoye Kazeem, Oladosu Rilwan, Femi Oyeleye, Abua Christian, Korede Adeniyi, Ademuyiwa Kehinde, Ayodele Mike, Danuloko Ekele, Rahmon Rasak and Kenneth Rolands, also made the list of invitees.

Secretary General of the Nigeria Boxing Federation (NBF), Olusola Luke, told Saturday Mirror that two foreign-based boxers, Sadiq Umar, based in the United Kingdom and Bel-

MIRROR SPORT

FEBRUARY 20, 2016

gium-based Gabriel Francis, who is to face Efetobor Apochi in the heavyweight category, are among the boxers that resumed camp on Wednesday while Toyin Oladeji, Falilat Tijani and Jecinta Umunakwe complete the women’s list.

Tony Konyegwachie, Adurah Olalehin, Sabo Mohammed, Ossai Christopher and Jeremiah Okorodudu are the five coaches guiding the athletes in camp, even as trials will be conducted today when only 10 boxers (seven men and three women) will be selected to represent Nigeria at the Rio 2016 Olympic qualifiers holding in Cameroun from March 8 – 20 2016.

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CAF Super Cup: TP Mazembe targets third title African champions League winners, TP Mazembe will be lifted by the recent triumph of DR Congo at the African Nations Championship in Rwanda when they gun for a third CAF Super Cup against Tunisia’s Etoile du Sahel today.

Earlier this month, DR Congo won the competition reserved for home-based players for a second time when they defeated Mali 3-0 in the final in Rwanda.

Several Mazembe stars, including skipper Joel Kimwaki and striker Jonathan Bolingi, were part of a side that deservedly won

the trophy and were rewarded for their exploits by the country’s President with brand-new Prado Jeep.

The five-time African champions who will be looking to win a third Super Cup on today in Lubumbashi after previous victories in 2010 and 2011 will parade five Ghanaian players in their fold which includes Richard Kissi Boateng, Yaw Frimpong, Gladson Awako, Daniel Nii Adjei and Solomon Asante.

Etoile who currently lead the Tunisian league by a point from CS Sfaxien after 16 matches and

defeated South Africa’s Orlando Pirates to win their second Confederation Cup last year will parade Alaya Brigui, Diogo da Silva Farias and Hamza Lahmar, who have scored five goals apiece this season in the domestic championship.

However, the Sousse club, known as the Red Devils, will be without star defender Hamdi Nagguez, who picked up an injury in a recent local league game.

Algeria’s ES Setif won last year’s Super Cup when they defeated Egyptian giants Al Ahly 6-5 on penalties after the teams played to a 1-1 draw in Blida.

Dalung

Command Day wins Olaniyan basketball tourney Robert Awokuse

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ommand Day Secondary School has emerged winners of the 11th edition of the annual basketball championship organised by Chief Christopher Olaniyan, proprietor of Victory Group of Schools, Lagos.

The competition which was in both male and female categories saw Command Day Secondary School winning the male category, while Victory Grammar School emerged winner of the female event.

Prior to the final match, Command Day Secondary School recorded an emphatic 16 points to nil victory over their counterparts from Yaba College of Technology Secondary School in a one sided encounter , before recording a 21 points to 14 victory over the host, Victory Grammar School

to emerge winners of the championship.

The female team of the host school was luckier than their male counterparts as they defeated Command Day Secondary School by 6 points to nil before recording another 8 points to nil victory over Yabatech Secondary School to emerge winners.

Sponsor of the tournament, Chief Christopher Olaniyan told Saturday Mirror that the competition was introduced to develop basketball at the grassroots.

Most Valuable player of the tournament, Seun Otunyemi expressed delight for his contribution to the success of his team, which he attributed to hard work and the support of his parents.

Highlight of the event was presentation of medals to the teams and trophies to the champions in both categories.

Kandaval table tennis championship ends Ifeanyi Eduzor

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he 5th edition of the annual Kandaval inter-school table tennis championship ended in Lagos Thursday with the defending champion, Gbadamosi Tayo of Isheri Grammar School, Magodo retaining his title.

He achieved the feet by defeating his opponent; 11 year old new discovery of the tournament, Azeez Kareem of the same school by 3-0 of 11-7, 15-14 and 11-5 to win the competition organised for secondary school students in Lagos State.

In the female category, Zainab Moruf of Isheri Grammar School proved too tough for her opponent from Jubril Martins Secondary School, Iponri, Folashade Eletu whom she defeated

by two straight sets of 11-7, 11-1 to emerge the best female player of the tournament.

Sponsor of the tournament, Tony Obot stated that he decided to organize the championship in order to encourage the development of ping pong game among secondary school students in Lagos State which he believes will help in discovering talented youths at the grassroots.

Obot while commending all the participants and staff and students of the host school, Isheri Grammar School, Magodo for the successful completion of the tournament, promised that next year’s edition will witness a lot of improvements.

At the end of the tournament, winners in both the male and the female categories were presented with tennis boards and telephone ipad.

TP Mazembe players

Wrestling: Power Lee assures on title defence

Ifeanyi Eduzor

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s the March 6 date for his title defence against Angolan Marvelous Buffalo approaches, Pro Wrestling Africa (PWA) heavyweight champion, Power Lee has declared that he is physically and psychologically ready to face his challenger.

Power Lee on September 19, 2015 at the Palais de Sports, Yaoundé’ defeated Cameroonian champion, Michel Noudem to be crowned the African champion and will on March 6 at the Asaba Township Stadium, in a fight tagged “ The return of Glory, Delta 2016”, defend the title against his Angolan challenger, Mighty Buffalo.

The champion whose real names are Godspower Ikpide told Saturday Mirror that he is not afraid of his challenger because his ultimate ambition is to beat him before Nigerians to enable him prepare for greater challenges ahead.

“I am fully prepared for the title defence and not even twenty Marvelous Buffalos can prevent

…commends Delta State Governor me from keeping my belt and prepare for the big stage which is the World title.

“All I want Nigerians to do, is to come to come out in their thousands and cheer me to victory because I am not going to disappoint them especially when I will be fighting in front of Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa and the state’s Sports Commission Chairman, Tony Okowa who

have indicated interest to be at the ring side to support me.

He commended the Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa for his unrelenting efforts to reposition wrestling in the country as well as accepting to host the title fight even as he appealed to corporate organizations in the country to support Delta State Government in ensuring that the fight holds.

PWA Africa wrestling heavyweight champion, Power Lee flanked by Director General Delta State Sports Commission, Victor Onogagamue and Chairman Delta State Sports Commission, Tony Okowa.

Finance slowing down my spying mission, says Oliseh Nigeria coach Sunday Oliseh has said he is “struggling financially” to spy on the country’s stars ahead of next month’s crunch AFCON qualifiers against Egypt.

“I am struggling financially, waiting for approvals to move around Europe, so it has been quiet,” he revealed in an inter-

view.

“It has to do with transport, accommodation and other expenses while moving around.”

He said he needs to ascertain the current form of his players in Europe as well as their mental state before he calls them up for the double header against Egypt.

“I need to spend 15, 20 minutes on the phone to speak to each player before he is invited,” he said.

Oliseh said he plans to open training camp for the Egypt showdown with players from the domestic league at least two weeks to the home game on March 25 in Kaduna.

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LEISURE

FEBRUARY 20, 2016

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FEBRUARY 20, 2016

Crime Watch

Court remands 3 bankers over alleged N170m theft Wale Igbintade

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n Igbosere Magistrate’s Court yesterday ordered the remand of three bankers who were charged before the court on alleged theft of N179 million belonging to the the bank.

The three bankers who are staff of WEMA Bank Plc are: Jegede Olamide, 34: Dada Babatunde,34 and Michael Olayanju, 41, were charged before the court by the Police from the Special Fraud Unit, SFU, Alagbon, Ikoyi, Lagos.

Magistrate Joy Ugbomoiko ordered that the accused persons be remanded in prisons custody pending fulfilment of the bail conditions admitted to them by the court.

SFU in a charge marked U/10/2016, alleged that the three bankers namely: had

sometimes in October 2014, conspired with each others intent to defraud to defraud the bank of the alleged amount.

Special Fraud Unit (SFU) through its prosecutor, Idowu Odugbure, informed the court that Olamide and Dada who were Corporate Managers and Olaniyan who was Business Development Manager, had acted contrary to sections 409 and 285 of criminal laws of Lagos state of Nigeria, 2011.

Court two of the charge reads: “that you Olamide: Dada Babatunde, and Michael Olayanju, sometimes in October 2014, in the Lagos magisterial district, with others now at large, steal the total sum of N179 million, property of your employer, WEMA Bank Plc, and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 285 of the criminal laws of La-

gos state, 2011.”

The three accused persons pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Upon the plea of the accused persons, the presiding magistrate, Mrs. Joy Ugbomoiko, admitted them to bail in the sum of N100,000 with two sureties in the same sum.

The sureties according to the magistrate are to show to court evidence of three years tax payment to the Lagos state government, means of livelihood, and have their residences verified by the court prosecutor. She also ordered that the accused persons be remanded in prisons custody pending the fulfilment of the bail conditions.

The matter has been adjourned till April 7 and 8, for the trial of accused persons.

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which were to run concurrently commencing from November 1, 2012 when he was remanded in prison custody. The court also ordered that his property, an uncompleted 3 bedroom bungalow at Bisodun area at Ofada, Mowe, Ogun State acquired from the proceeds of the fraud be forfeited to the complainant.

Kaina Garba, a senior detective superintendent from the Asset Forfeiture Unit of the EFCC in Lagos, formally handed over the property to Skye Bank Plc officials represented by Kayode Taiwo, Tamuno Douglas and Adekunle Juba.

In a show of appreciation the officials thanked the Commission for a job well done.

Oyo Police parade truck hijackers in Ibadan Kemi Olaitan IBADAN

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Mustafa Magu, EFCC boss

yo State Police Command yesterday in Ibadan, the state capital, paraded syndicate that specialized in hijacking trucks that are loaded with petroleum products.

The state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Leye Oyebade, paraded the gang members at the command’s headquarters in Eleyele.

He said, “A criminal gang which until now specialized in hijacking truck load of petroleum products along the various highways in the state especially along the Lagos/Ibadan expressway was smashed by the command on February 2, 2016.

Worried by the activities of these bandits, the command through the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, Ibadan commenced a manhunt for the criminals.

“After several days of intelligence gathering by SARS, they uncovered some hoodlums who monitored movement of trucks from points of departure.

“The suspects, some of whom were often armed, waylaid their target truck along the road and snatched it from the driver and the motor boy after tying them and casting them into the bush before driving it to criminal receivers in some parts of the state, after which they either abandoned or sold the lorry with its contents.”

The police boss disclosed further that the hoodlums were arrested along Olomi academy, Ibadan, after they have hijacked a truck with registration No: DTM 153 XA. Oyebade who said the suspects arrested are Ogundijo Oluwaseun (27), Rasheed Akanni (32), Remi Olagoke (53), Bamidele Tayo (28), Kayode Oyelade (39), and Adewale Adebisi (47), added that the suspects have all confessed to the crime and will be charged to court soon.

The police boss also paraded one Yusuf Alesanmi who specialized in manufacturing firearms illegally and was arrested in Ejigbo, Osun State.

parts of his body and left him for death but policemen from the Iponri Division got wind of the attack and with the assistance of the vigilantes group in the area, trailed the armed robbers and recovered the motorcycle but the suspected armed robbers escaped.

It was gathered that the policemen rescued the commercial motorcycle rider and took him to the hospital where her is said to be recovering.

A friend of the commercial motorcycle rider however said Ubong has lost his memory and cannot speak due to the cut

inflicted on his head.

The commissioner of police , Lagos State Police Command Mr. Fatia Owoseni said the Command has deploy ed a team of police men to the community to gather information and arrested criminals in the community”.

He said “ I am aware of the criminals operating in the area. We have carried out show of force in the area. I have deployed policemen from the Special Anti Robbery Squad to the area and plain clothe police men to gather information and arrest these criminals.”

EFCC hands over forfeited property to Skye Bank he Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday February 16, 2016 handed over a forfeited asset of an uncompleted 3 Bedroom bungalow from one Seun Jamiu Odunayo to the complainant, Skye Bank Plc. Odunayo, a former banker and native of Sagamu in Ogun State, got into trouble after the Commission received a petition from one of the banks, sometime in 2012 following a complaint by one of their customers that a total of N8, 829, 650.00 (Eight Million, Eight Hundred and Twenty Nine Thousand, Six Hundred and Fifty Naira) was not credited into his account after he made a deposit at the bank with their cash officer (Odunayo).

The bank further alleged that customer’s daily sales proceed meant to be lodged into the customer’s account which were picked from over four outlets were not credited.

Odunayo was later arrested by Operatives of the EFCC at his residence in Sagamu and charged to court. He was arraigned on November 1, 2012 before Justice O. A. Akinlade of the Lagos State High Court, Ikeja on a 39-count charge bordering on fraudulent accounting and stealing, contrary to the Criminal Code Law of Lagos State. He pleaded not guilty.

As trial progressed, he changed his plea.

On February 17, 2014 based on the guilty plea, Justice Akinlade sentenced Odunayo to 3 years imprisonment without an option of fine on each of the 39 counts

43

Armed robbers attack motorcycle rider, steal bike Patience Ogbo

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olicemen attached to the Iponri Division are investigating a gang of armed robbers that specialises in attacking commercial motorcycle riders and stealing their motorcycles.

According to Investigation, the armed robbers waylaid a commercial motorcycle rider, identified as Bassey Ubong with cutlass and stole his motorcycle at gun point.

Sources said the armed robbers inflicted deep cuts on Ubong’s head and other

Do you have a story for us? Contact 08138773277 or crimewatchmirror@yahoo.com

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Crime Watch

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FEBRUARY 20, 2016

Police arrest friends over neighbour’s death PatienceOgbo

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olicemen attached to the Homicide Department, State Criminal Investigation Department Panti Yaba Lagos State police command are investigating two men for allegedly beating thier neighbour to death.

The police arrested the suspects one Kola Ali and Dare Ogunrotimi over allegations that they led a gang to beat up one Promise Okon a father of one at the Okira Badure area of the state which allegedly led to Okon’s sudden death.

Saturday Mirror gathered that the suspects were arrested by policemen attached to the Ilemba Hausa police station following a compliant by the family of the deceased that he was mauled by a gang following an altercation the deceased had in a beer parlour with the suspects’ friend identified simply “Mosquito” The sister of the deceased Chioma Okon narrated how he was beaten and how he eventually died.

She said “ My brother’s friend called me that Okon was in the hospital and I should come to his aid. This was on February 10 about 10pm when I recieved that distressed call but I could not go to the hospital immediately . I thought it was a minor incident and after three days , I went but saw my brother in a critical condition. The doctors have refused to treat him . He was vomiting thick black blood and there were black spots all over his stomach.

He could not breathe and was unable to recognize me. I gave the doctor the N5000 I had on me and he started treatment. The doctor told me that he was getting better and he discharged him despite my complaint that my brother was still not feeling well. We took him home but that night, his condition worsen and we rushed him back to the hospital where he eventually died” Narrating how Okon died, Chioma said “ From what I gathered, he (Okon) went to a beer parlour to drink but after he finished drinking, he could not pay for his beer and decided to give his phone to the woman who owns the beer parlour to keep as a collateral.

The woman however refused to collect the phone and her husband confronted my brother to pay up. My brother I was told gave the woman her money but her husband said he used the money to slap his wife. I learnt that the woman’s husband led a Gang of four men to beat up my brother when he was drinking

Kola Ali and Dare Ogunrotimi beer in another beer parlour. It was the merciless beating they gave him that led to his sudden death. I reported his death to the police and they arrested the suspects “ Saturday Mirror learnt that residents descended on Dare the alleged mastermind of the beating and almost lynched him when news of Okon’s sudden death reached the community.

Narrating his alleged involvement in the crime, Dare Ogunrotimi, the owner of the beer parlor denied beating the deceased. “ Okon came to my shop to drink beer but he refused to pay my wife.

I prevailed on him and he paid up .

However, a friend of ours known as “ Mosquito “who usually come to my beer parlour,came back the next day that Okon with two other men waylaid him on his way home at night and they beat him up . Mosquito ‘s face was swollen and he had cuts all over his body. Mosquitoe also told me that Okon almost cut off his penis during the altercation they had. I waited for Okon to come to my shop but he did not turn up. I decided to lead some of

our friends to the beer parkour he was later that evening but he was drunk.

We held his trousers so we can drag him but he collapsed and we left him.

We did not beat Okon. Later, I heard that he was in the hospital, the police arrested me and released me after he was discharged after I I paid N27,000 for his medical bills and the police at Ilemba Hausa police Station collected N10,000 for my bail. It was after his death reached the community that I was rearrested. The residents beat me up mercilessly that I caused Okon’s death but I did not beat him “ The other suspect Kola Ali also denied the allegation.

He said “ I am a private driver . My friend Dare called me to help him apprehend Okon for beating up Mosquito one if our friends but when we got to the beer parkour we held Okon but he collapsed . We did not beat him. I left after the incident but was arrested after Okon died” The police said they are on the trail of other men who allegedly connived to beat the deceased to death.

The deceased

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FEBRUARY 20, 2016

SOUTH EAST

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Catholic Umahi suspends council chairman priest beats over alleged demolition of church septuagenarian to coma over allegations of juju T Aliuna Godwin Abakaliki

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orshipers at St Dominic’s Catholic Church, Adazienu, Anocha Local Government Area, were shocked to their marrow yesterday, when a US based catholic priest, Rev Father Mike Steve Ezeatu attacked a 70 year old man and beat him to coma after mass.

Members of the community said the Reverend Father, who is based in the United States, had finished celebrating a funeral mass, and made to leave in his SUV car when he sighted the man identified as Mr. Innocent Nwolisa, and beckoned on him to come closer.

According to the first son of the victim, Ebuka Nwolisa: “My father was about to leave the compound of Ifedigbo in Ugweni Ojii, where the funeral mass of one late Ifeoma Ifedigbo had just been celebrated

by Ezeatu, when he was called back by the priest.

“I think my father went because we are related to the priest, and they know each other; he may be calling him to give him special blessings, but what he got was beating. The only saving grace he had was that I was not around, that was why he got away with his action.”

Another eyewitness, Mr. Arinze Ezeatu, who is a younger brother of the priest said, “Father Mike complained that the old man was releasing evil powers at him while he was at the altar celebrating mass, and that was the reason for his action.

Arinze and Olisa Ezeatu, both younger and elder brothers of the priest while speaking to journalists, said

it was not true that Nwolisa was releasing evil powers at him, but that the reverend father was suspecting that the old man may have supported his brothers, whom the priest has for long been at loggerheads with, over land.

“The priest is our brother, but he is more like a curse to us than a blessing. He is based in the US, and can be described as a business man than a clergy.

Because he has money, he has grabbed all our lands, and we have been at feud with him.”

We have even reported him to the Bishop of Awka Diocese, Most Reverend Paulinus Ezeokafor, yet he has not let go. The man he beat up is an elder in our extended family, and he has been advising the priest to relinquish the land to us and even settle our rift.

“We think he simply suspected that the man has started taking sides with us, after discovering the truth, which is why he beat him up on Friday after celebrating mass.”

Meanwhile, Ebuka, the first son of the victim who led his younger brother to the Parish priest to complain over the incident, has also confirmed to newsmen that his father is gradually getting better.

He said that with what happened that Friday, worshippers will loss respect for the Catholic Church if the Bishop does not act fast.

He said the priest is very well known in the community as a very troublesome person, and anytime he is in town and the parish priest delegates him to conduct mass, people refuse to attend.

he Governor of Ebonyi State, Chief David Umahi, yesterday suspended the Caretaker Committee Chairman of Ikwo Local government area, Hon. Joseph Orogwu, over an alleged demolition of a Christ Embassy church in the area.

The Commissioner for Information and State Orientation, Senator Emma Onwe, made this known while briefing journalists

in Abakaliki.

He noted that the governor was annoyed over the development, stressing that the indefinite suspension was with immediate effect.

The governor ordered that the embattled chairman should hand over all government’s property in his possession to his Vice with immediate effect.

Saturday Mirror gathered that Orogwu’s suspension brings to four the number of exco-members that Umahi suspended since he assumed office.

Governor Umahi’s annoyance and consequent suspension of the embattled council chairman may not be unconnected with the fact that the governor is a worshiper with the Christ Embassy church.

The church was alleged to have been demolished by the Abakaliki Capital Territory Board based on the purported recommendation and approval by the council chairman.

In a swift reaction, Orogwu denied his involvement in the incident.

He noted that when he heard about the demolition, he rushed to the venue only to discover that the demotion was on the directive of the leadership of the Abakaliki Capital Territory Board.

Orogwu, who spoke to our correspondent on phone said he was supervising the state government rice production site when he was contacted.

He maintained that he tried to get the Executive Chairman of the Board, Elder Fred Udeogu, on phone, but all to no avail.

Minister of Budget and National Planning, Sen. Udoma Udo Udoma (left) discussing with Commissioner for Economic Planning, Akwa-Ibom State, Dr. Emmanuel Onwi Odu-Okit, during the minister’s meeting with states Commissioners of Economic Planning on Thursday. PHOTO: NAN

Anambra land owners seek FG’s assistance over revocation of land

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ggrieved owners of plots of land at Amansea Community, Awka North Local Government Area, Anambra State, yesterday appealed to the Federal Government to prevail on the Anambra State government to stop the revocation of plots of land allocated to them by the Federal Government in 1996 under the Federal Government Housing Site and Service Project Scheme.

Making this appeal at Inland Town Onitsha, after rising from a closed door meeting, the aggrieved owners recalled that such development housing scheme plots of land was allocated to each state of the Federation,

stating that the state government should not talk of revocation of a land that does not belong to it.

According to their spokesman, Mr. Okechukwu Arinze, an Estate Surveyor and Property Manager, “the former Ministry of Lands and Urban Development, now Federal Ministry of Works, Housing and Power, allocated the said plots of land to us after paying compensation to the Amansea land owners.

“We are surprise that the state government came into the land, and removed the beacons by way of revocation of the land that belongs to us; a land we procured from the Federal Government.

“The verification exercise has since been done by the Federal Government to ensure proper allocation. The idea of revocation of the plots of land is capable of causing chaos and anarchy in the state if not stopped,” he said.

“We appeal to the Federal Government to caution the state government to stop the revocation exercise, and we appeal to Chief Victor Umeh, the former National Chairman of All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), as an Estate Surveyor and a fellow of Institute of Estate Management of Nigeria to advise Governor Willie Obiano on the implication of the

revocation.

“Chief Victor Umeh as a Knight in the Catholic Church should understand better and render good explanation on the implication of what the state government is doing, in the interest of peace and progress of the state.

APGA is said to represent the Igbo interest, but the revocation of the land by APGA-led state government is anti-Igbo,” Mr. Arinze stated.

“We remember that Federal Government Permanent Secretary wrote a letter to the state government on this effect asking them to steer clear of the land,” Arinze stated further.

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Fraudulent judiciary: Lawyer petitions Buhari over fake Appeal Court judgment

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Benin-based lawyer and human rights activist has taken his fight against a fake and non-existent judgment, allegedly procured by a High Court Registrar, to the Office of the President of the Federal Republic, President Muhammadu Buhari.

In a petition he signed and sent to Buhari this week, made available to Saturday Mirror in Benin City, Edo State, Barrister Olayiwola Afolabi urged President Buhari to take note of the collateral damage of such criminal acts on the legal and social psyche and image of Nigeria and Nigerians and prevail on the Chief Justice of Nigeria to immediately take remedial action on the issue in his petition.

Afolabi signed and copied his petition dated 9th February 2016 to the Chief Justice of Nigeria, the President of the Court of Appeal, the Inspector-General of Police and the media.

The petition notably comes on the heels of a recent statement made by President Buhari branding the judiciary as his administration’s “headache.”

In his letter titled: Urgent Need to Inform You of Corrupt Judicial Officer in Kebbi State Judiciary Abubakar Saddiq Bello Who Forged Court of Appeal Judgment of Sokoto Division, Afolabi urged Mr President to prevail on concerned authorities to remove the said Abubakar Saddiq Bello as an example of corrupt judicial officer as every petition so far written against him has failed to yield positive result, even after confirmation.

Afolabi claimed, “That we have it on record that the current Chief Registrar of Kebbi State Judiciary forged a Judgment of the Sokoto Division of the Court of Appeal. When we got the information, we wrote to the presiding Justice of the Court of Appeal Sokoto Division who confirmed this crucial fact and following this crucial development, we wrote to the Inspector-General of Police and to the President of the Court of Appeal over this serious matter.”

SOUTH SOUTH

FEBRUARY 20, 2016

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Appropriation Bill: A’Ibom Assembly approves N423 billion Julius Onwuma Uyo

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he Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly has passed into law the 2016 appropriation bill with a total budget size of N423billion as against 426billion proposed by the state executive.

The budget was passed during plenary, after an exhaustive consideration of the budget report submitted to the House by the Committee on Appropriation and Finance.

A total of N94.963 billion was approved by the lawmakers for recurrent expenditure while capital expenditure stood at N243 billion.

Briefing journalists in his office at the end of plenary, Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Rt. Hon. (Barr) Ime Okon explained that the House after due consideration, approved an overall decrease in the 2016 estimates for capital expenditure by two billion.

The Ibiono Ibom member said: “The total budget outlay is N423billion, N3 billion less than what was presented by the governor. What we have passed is made up of 94.963billion for recurrent expenditure, N243billion for capital expenditure and N85.036billion for consolidated revenue fund charges. We have made savings of N2 billion from capital expenditure which has been augmented to recurrent expenditure to increase it by two billion as against what was presented by the governor.

“Then we have had a reduction of three billion naira from consolidated revenue fund charges. We have ended up reducing the budget as presented by the governor by three billion naira”, he said.

The House had earlier dissolved into a committee for the consideration of the report of the Appropriation and Finance committee after which the bill was read a third time.

Motion for the adop-

tion of the report was moved by the House Leader, Rt. Hon. Udo Kieran Akpan and seconded by the Deputy Speaker, Hon Felicica Bassey.

Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Onofiok Luke in his remarks said, “Looking at the 2016 budget, one cannot but commend the governor and other mem-

bers of the state executive council for the expertise which they brought to bear in framing the budget.

“The sectoral allocations are also worth commending. The huge priority given to the social sector in this budget is an indication of Deacon Udom Gabriel Emmanu-

el’s sincere commitment to fighting on the side of the common man.

“It is heartwarming to note that government intends to spend a huge sum to meet various needs across the social and economic sectors. It is also commendable that agriculture, education, investments and commerce are on the priority list in this year’s budget”.

He also said that since the budget has been

passed that it was incumbent upon members of the House of Assembly to ensure that it is properly implemented by carrying out their oversight functions diligently.

While calling the government not to see the oversight role as a probe, he charged the lawmakers to work harmoniously with government ministries, departments during the discharge of their oversight functions.

Provincial Men Christian Association (PMCA) of Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) during a procession at the 2nd session of third conference at the Cathedral Church of St Paul, Diocese of Ahoada, Rivers State, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

Ex-President Jonathan’s relative, abducted with uncle, found dead

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ishermen in Otuoke, Bayelsa State, on Friday recovered the body of a cousin to former President Goodluck Jonathan, who was abducted alongside the former leader’s uncle, Chief Inegite Jonathan, witnesses said.

Relatives said the body of Samuel Oki, 35, was found floating on Otuoke river, two days after the abduction.

The police spokesperson for Bayelsa State, Asini Butswat, told Premium Times he was aware of the report, but could not immediately confirm its details.

He said he was working to receive briefings from the Divisional Police Officer in charge of the area.

Armed gunmen had on Wednesday abducted 72-year-old Chief Inegite Jonathan, President Jonathan’s uncle and foster father, but the kidnap of Mr. Oki was not immediately noticed until several hours later.

Fishermen in Otuoke community on Friday discovered his decomposing body, raising fears about

the safety of the former president’s 72-year-old uncle, whose whereabout was still unknown by Friday afternoon.

A family member of the deceased, Igbogamini Paul, said both men were kidnapped on Wednesday.

Mr. Paul said they believe that a gunshot they heard during the abduction was targeted at Mr. Oki. He expressed sadness over the incident.

Villagers said local fishermen recovered the body and anchored it by the riverside to prevent the body from being carried away by water currents.

The body had been deposited at a morgue in the area.

Meanwhile sympathisers have been visiting the Otuoke residence of the abducted chief located within the neighbourhood of the former president’s country home.

The kidnappers have yet to establish any contact with the family of their hostage since Wednesday.

The police spokesperson, Mr. Butswat, a deputy superintendent, said the

police were still trailing the kidnappers.

“On 17th February, 2016, at about 03.30hrs, seven unknown gunmen abducted one Inengite Nitabai at his residence in Otuoke, Ogbia Local Government Area.

“A massive manhunt have been launched by a combined team of Marine Police and Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the Command, to rescue the victim and arrest the abductors.

“Investigation is ongoing,” Mr. Butswat said in an earlier statement.

Nancy Dickson, a 26-year-old sister of Bayelsa’s Gov. Seriake Dickson, abducted in December 2015, has remained in captivity for over 50 days now despite an ultimatum given by the governor to the kidnappers to free her.

The governor had in his first tenure in office signed the anti – kidnapping law which Akpabio felicitates with Murray-Bruce at 60 The Senate Minority Leader, Senator Godswill Akpabio has congratulated the Senator representing Bayelsa East Senatorial District, Senator Ben Mur-

ray-Bruce on attaining the age of 60.

In a goodwill message to the celebrant, Senator Akpabio said Senator Murray-Bruce’s love and passion for Nigeria has distinguished him as a man with a mission to change the country with great ideas.

Akpabio said through the Common Sense advocacy

by Senator Murray-Bruce, he has become the voice of reason for Nigerians.

According to Senator Akpabio: “Six long decades of life haven’t slowed you down a bit. You are happy, healthy and tremendously fit. Your energy levels are truly inspirational; your outlook towards life is truly motivational.

“On behalf of the good people of Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District of Akwa Ibom State, the Peoples Democratic Party Caucus of the 8th Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I wish you a happy birthday and many happy returns,” Senator Akpabio said. prescribes death sentence for kidnapping but no one has been convicted under the law.

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

FEBRUARY 20, 2016

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

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47

Manny Pacquiao posts Bible verse that states gay people should be killed

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anny Pacquiao is not backing down from his stance against homosexuality.

Less than a day after the Filipino boxer and politician lost his sponsorship deal with Nike because he compared gay people to animals, Pacquiao took to Instagram early Thursday morning and posted some Bible verses that support his views.

One of them, Leviticus 20:13, states in no uncertain terms that homosexuals should be killed: “If a man has sexual relations with a man as one does with a woman, both of them have done what is detestable. They are to be put to death; their blood will be on their own heads.”

Pacquiao’s post was up for about two hours and got more than 18,000 likes before being deleted.

The Filipino news agency ABS-CBN captured a screenshot of the post before it was removed.

Pacquiao, a member of the Philippines’ House of Representatives, included other Bible verses in his post, including Luke 6:2223, an apparent reference to his current situation: “Blessed are you when people hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For that is how their ancestors treated the prophets.”

Pacquiao was one of several candidates for the Philippine Senate who recently were asked their views on same-sex marriage during a recent interview broadcast by the Filipino television network TV5.

“It’s common sense.

Will you see any animals where male is to male and female is to female?” Pacquiao answered.

“The animals are better. They know how to distinguish male from female. If we approve [of] male on male, female on female, then man is worse than animals.”

He apologized for his statement earlier this week but stood by his views.

“I’m sorry for hurting people by comparing homosexuals to animals,” he wrote on Instagram.

“Please forgive me for those I’ve hurt. I still stand on my belief that I’m against same sex marriage because of what the Bible says, but I’m not condemning LGBT. I love you all with the love of the Lord. God Bless you all and I’m praying for you.”

notorious prison in Bogota.

The investigation is focusing on La Modelo, one of Colombia’s largest and most overpopulated prisons.

But officials say the practice of dismem-

bering people and tossing their remains into sewers might have also happened at other prisons in cities such as Popayan, Bucaramanga and Barranquilla between 1999 and 2001 and possibly later.

Pacquiao

100 bodies found in jail sewer

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olombian authorities are investigating the disappearance and possible dismemberment of at least 100 people whose bodies were allegedly thrown into a sewer system underneath a

Caterina Heyck Puyana, a special prosecutor in charge of the case, said Wednesday that the Colombian attorney general’s office has been investigating what happened at La Modelo for months.

“Towards the end of last year we began investigating the possible disappearance and dismemberment of an undetermined number of people at La Modelo prison in Bogota,” Heyck said. “The victims

were inmates, visitors and people who had nothing to do with the prison. Their remains were thrown into the drain pipes of the sewer system.”

Lions on loose after escape from park

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group of lions left a mostly enclosed park Friday and were reported wandering in residential areas in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi, leaving residents on edge and officials scrambling to find the animals.

Two of them -- a lioness and her cub -were safely back at the Nairobi National Park

by Friday afternoon, but two others remained missing, Kenya Wildlife Service spokesman Paul Udoto told CNN. The public reported seeing lions in crowded residential areas early Friday, springing the wildlife service’s

search teams into action.

Udoto told CNN that the lions still on the loose likely would return to the park before daybreak Saturday. Udoto didn’t say how the first two lions had returned to the park.

The 117-squarekilometer (45-squaremile) park, near Nairobi’s central business district, is largely bounded by an electric fence to keep animals inside. But the park’s south side -- away from the city -- is instead bordered by a river. It wasn’t immediately clear what path the lions took to leave the park and

enter the residential areas.

Animals at the park include leopards, buffaloes and giraffes grazing in open spaces, with the city’s skyline in the background.

Officials urged vigilance and warned residents to call a tollfree number if they spot the big cats.

“Our team has been on ground since 3 a.m. to ensure that the ...

lions are safely back,” the Kenya Wildlife Service tweeted.

A caller told wildlife officials the animals were seen near a Nairobi hospital, Udoto told the Daily

Nation newspaper. The caller said the animals included a lioness and cubs.

Others called to say they saw the lions in crowded residential areas, he said.

the figure of the previous month when 347 violations were documented.

“The most affected provinces were those in the eastern part of the country such as North Kivu, Ituri and Haut Uele provinces,” the report stated.

According to the report, state officials such as police, the army, intelligence

services and other administrative authorities were responsible for 274 violations that affected 468 victims.

It stated that fighters of armed groups were responsible for 137 violations of human rights, which left at least 265 victims.

The UN agency welcomed the imprisonment

of 14 soldiers and six police officers last month, who engaged in acts that constitute violation of human rights.

It, however, expressed concern over the significant increase in the number of prison escapes, which rose to 119 people last month, and which occurred with complicity from prison guards.

UN records 411 human rights violations in DR Congo

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he UN Joint Human Rights Office said that it documented at least 411 cases of human rights violations in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) in January.

The agency in a statement in Kinshasa said the figure represented an increase compared with

Quote of the day “I prefer to die fighting corruption. It will be a great honour for me to die while fighting corrupt people in Nigeria.” — Ibrahim Mustafa Magu, acting chairman, Economic and Financial

Crimes Commission, EFCC, during a stakeholders’ meeting with the Association of Democratic Lawyers, led by human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN).

Saturday, February 20, 2016. www.nationnationalmirroronline.net

BACK PAGE

Nigeria and collapse of Pyramid of Trust W

ho can be trusted in Nigeria? Do the people trust the government?

And does the government trust the people to perform their civic responsibilities? Where is trust? When did we lose it? And when will it come back to our national lives?

Can the electorate trust the politicians and can the politicians trust the electorate for one more vote?

Can the private sector trust the government and can the government trust the private sector?

Do workers trust their employers and do employers trust their workers?

Can the church trust their members to be Christ-like?

Can church members be trusted with issues of praxis of behaviour and holiness? And do members trust the church?

Can they trust that there is any benefit in giving their tithes and offerings?

Even in matrimonial issues, trust plays high. The pertinent question here is: Can spouses trust one another in their agreed covenant of holy matrimony?

Does the wife trust the husband or is she just playing along?

And can the husband trust the wife?

Who can say with certainty that all is well with trust? What is trust? Certainly an expected, irretraceable commitment between two people to the performance of an act.

Trust flows from the people to the government, such that men and women who constitute

CFR

There is clear evidence that it is not only individuals that can fail.

do fail!

Nations

Now, who is that

individual that can succeed in a failed nation?

government can be trusted to use the tax paid by citizens to provide social service delivery at all levels. Commitment flows from government to the people that government will protect them in peace and in crises.

Commitment flows from the employee to the employer that, for instance, if I work for you until the age of retirement, and I so work faithfully without stealing, you are committed to the payment of my pension continuously and forever.

The question is: Who is working faithfully without taking bribe and stealing in Nigeria today? Who is working

without making provision for his tomorrow as if the pension will not come? If you are not working faithfully, then you need no reward! There may be reason why you are not working faithfully, but you have paid yourself by breaching the trust, the commitment.

The pyramid of trust flows from people to authority, and where there is no trust, there is no law.

Government spends a lot of time and resources on enforcement of laws which ordinarily should be voluntarily complied with.

In such situation, the judiciary will

work more and the prison will demand more resources to feed convicted persons.

What developed countries enjoy today is that high level of trust from the citizen.

When the government is not performing, there are established limitations to non compliance with laws and non implementation of the commitment to trust.

Developing countries can only make impact if governments start to work on how to bring back the lost trust between citizens and government. For how much can anyone trust government on wicked problems such as lack of employment, deficit balance of payment, insurgency, respect for rule of law, and protection of citizens and their properties? The level of loyalty that government expects from us is measured by how much we can trust government.

And without citizen loyalty, government has no place to draw down legitimacy, especially in times of need.

What went wrong is the collapse of the pyramid of trust. No one trusts the other.

This needs to be arrested immediately if we are to move the nation forward. We must borrow from the Swedish government before things go irredeemably bad! There is clear evidence that it is not only individuals that can fail.

Nations do fail! Now, who is that individual that can succeed in a failed nation? Think about that until next Saturday!

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