February 21, 2016

Big Read News

THE

News

P. 3-5

P.7

Benue South rerun:

Electricity tariff hike:

More woes for consumers

Mark in early lead as election turns violent

www.nationalmirroronline.net

Vol. 6 No. 8

February 21, 2016

National Mirror Online

@NationalMirror

N150

Again, Buhari rules out naira devaluation P. 6

…says ght against terrorism affecting economic revival

Uganda ’s President Yoweri Museveni wins fth term

P.7

Police quiz 2 Lagos traditional rulers over mayhem

P.7

L-R: Justice Yetunde Adewolu (rtd.); Iyalode Alaba Lawson; Mrs. Bola Obasanjo; wife of the Vice-President, Mrs. Dolapo Osinbajo; wife of Lagos State Governor, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode and wife of Ogun State Governor, Mrs. Olufunso Amosun, during the Executive Feast of Easter 2016, organised by the Redeemed Christian Church of God, at the Redemption Camp, Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, yesterday.

13 million children suffer malnutrition in Nigeria –NGO …300,000 risk death this year alone Rivers rerun: Wike alleges plot to arrest PDP leaders News FG offers free rides for passengers on Abuja-Kaduna rail service P.7

P.8

P. 43

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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States should implement Treasury Single Account –Lalong

You are one of those who won elections unexpectedly during the last general election with Plateau being a predominantly PDP state. How have you been able to get the cooperation of the people of the state especially from other political parties?

Plateau is a very unique state. Unique in the sense that when they want to do something, they do it without looking back.

Plateau is also a very religious state. That is why you don ’t find many cases of corruption in the state. So, when the election came, we knew that something was going to happen; change was going to happen on the Plateau because we are united.

Passion

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Seven Days TALKING POINTS OF THE PAST WEEK February 21, 2016

I didn ’t bribe Justice Mohammed — Tarfa The 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 de-

tention by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) said the money was a donation towards the burial of the judge ’s fatherin-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 chambers.

“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.

Pregnant woman dies on Arik Air ’s Port Harcourt —Lagos ight 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 middleaged 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 identified 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.

Ex-President Jonathan ’s cousin found dead

Representing the continent as queen was amazing -Genevieve Fadeh Wellness

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‘Dealing with rheumatism, arthritis ’

Rheumatism, a popular term for chronic pain applies to variety of diseases that cause stiffness, limitation of motion in the joints, bones, tendons, ligaments and muscles.

Rheumatism also referred to as rheumatic disorder is a non specific term for medical problems affecting

the joints and connective tissue, referred to in medical parlance as Arthritis. This ailment (Arthritis), affects the muscular skeletal system, specifically the joints, and it usually is the main cause of disability in people over fiftyfive years of age in industrialized countries.

Fishermen 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.

School fees, medicals eligible for Forex allocation —CBN

N34bn fraud: Court orders forfeiture of Tompolo ’s multi-billion assets Justice 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

Ajimobi promises free uniforms for 400 pupils of burnt school Governor 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 infer-

no, also ordered the immediate re-construction of the school. He described the incident 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 ’ ’.

7 burnt to death in Kogi auto crashes No fewer than four passengers have been burnt beyond recognition, and another 3 persons die in auto crashes which occurred along Lokoja- Okene 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.

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.

Concerned 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.

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.

Ebere Agu ACTRESS

MON

Politics

I try to know the schedule I have for the week, if I should travel for shooting or for my little hustling-around.

TUE

What ’s new

I check on a few of my directors and movie producer friends to know if there are jobs for me because as an upcoming actress, I need to put my ears to the ground to know what ’s going on.

SUN SAT FRI THU WED

2

I clean my house. I do that twice a week and also since I ’m planning to open a hair shop for ladies, I go for market survey.

I finalise my plans for the week and also go to locations sometimes outside my base or within.

As an indoor kind of person, I relax at home, watch movies, make my smoothies, keep them in the fridge for the weekend.

I go to car wash to clean my car for the week.

This is the day I serve my God because He gives me the wisdom and insight on how to go about the week. I don ’t put my hope in man but in God. *By Adaeze Amos (08023012293)

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Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

THE

Big Read SUNDAY SPECIAL INVESTIGATION

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2016

Electricity tariff hike:

More woes for consumers Nigerians, already on life support due to the economic hardship were devastated with the announcement of a 45 per cent increase in electricity tariff. PAUL OMO OBADAN writes on this development which the government insists is aimed at improving the electricity supply in the country even though a majority of Nigerians vehemently oppose the idea.

T

here has been a wave of protest across Nigeria from the Nigerian Labor Congress, NLC, Trade Union Congress, TUC, civil society groups and electricity against the 45% increase in electricity tariff recently announced by the Federal Government.

According to the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola SAN, the decision was necessary to

‘ TARIFF HIKE PAINFUL BUT NECESSARY’

ensure steady power supply even though he acknowledged that it was a bitter pill for Nigerians to swallow.

As it was the case in the past, the bone of contention between government and opponents of the tariff hike is the timeliness and concerns that nothing will change except for higher bills The hike is actually embedded in the Multi Year Tariff Order, which provides for graduated electricity tariff hike

4

over a period of time following the privatisation of the power sector in 2013 to allow suppliers recover costs and turn a profit thereby encouraging new investments, but consumers insist on better services and accurate billing, which the power companies have failed to provide, with many still relying of private generators to meets most power needs.

The President of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, MAN, Dr. Frank Jacobs, has added his support to the league of Nigerians opposing the proposed hike of electricity tariff in the country. According to him, heavy consumers of electricity such as manufacturing companies are expected to pay almost 50 per cent of what they presently pay.

For him, the reasons given by electricity distribution companies, DISCOs and the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, for the planned increase in electricity tariffs are insufficient.

The MAN President’s call is coming on the heels of similar statements from other Nigerians including President, Nigerian Electricity Consumers Advocacy, NECAN, Mr. Tomi Akingbogun, who has continued to condemn the proposed tariff by NERC. CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

‘REGULAR POWER SHOULD PRECEDE TARIFF HIKE’

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The Big Read

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Sunday, February 21, 2016

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

‘ Tariff hike painful but necessary’ NERC should forthwith suspend the implementation of the new tariff.

I believe

that when we have a public hearing, these issues will be addressed.

Until then, the

new regime stands suspended.

Labour Chirman

Fashola

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4 According Akingbogun, NERC is allowing the public to be over-billed by allowing the DISCOs to justify the increases.

How can NERC allow a tariff hike of 12.5 to 48 per cent in January and allowing same percentage in October in the same year, he queried.

“I call on everyone to refuse any change in tariff as being planned,” he told Sunday Mirror.

In a similar manner, the MAN president insited that the reasons given were not sufficient for the tariff increase in the magnitude being contemplated by NERC and the DISCOs. According to him, NERC and the DISCOs were simply looking for ready-made excuses to increase tariffs.

In the meantime, the Senate last week, registered its disapproval of the increase in electricity tariff, calling on the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, to suspend the implementation immediately.

NERC jacked up the tariff by 45 per cent tariff, which had since being implemented by the electricity distribution companies since February 1, 2016.

In a motion moved by Senator Suleiman Nazif (APC, Bauchi), the Senate said that the 45 per increase should be suspended with immediate effect.

‘Nigerians were already on life support’ Supporting the motion, Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu said Nigerians were already on life support and urged his colleagues to reject the new increment and stand with Nigerians.

Also, Senator Albert Bassey supported the suspension of the increase. “I want to join the Labour unions in protest.

This Senate must take a stand to protect the interest of Nigerians. How can anyone increase the tariff when things are high? Why will a government agency do that? We need to be firm”, Bassey said.

Also commenting, President of the Senate Dr. Bukola Saraki mandated the committees on Labour and Power to meet with agencies of government to find a lasting solution after public hearings on the matter.

Saraki said: “NERC should forthwith suspend the implementation of the new tariff. I believe that when we have a public hearing, these issues will be addressed. Until then, the new regime stands suspended”.

However, despite the scathing attack of the electricity tariff hike plan, the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola SAN, said the move will be key in achieving reliable electricity supply in the country.

NERC, while outlining the rates of increase in tariffs for various customer classes in selected locations across the country, said, “For instance, residential customer classification (R2) in Abuja Electricity Distribution Company will no longer pay N702 fixed charge every month. Their energy charge will increase by N9.60.

“Also, residential customers (R2 customers) in Eko and Ikeja electricity distribution areas will no longer pay N750 fixed charges. They will be getting N10 and N8 increase respectively in their energy charges. Similarly, the burden of N800 and N750 fixed charges would be lifted off the shoulders of Kaduna and Benin electricity consumers. These consumers will see an increase of N11.05 and N9.26 respectively in their energy charges,” the commission stated.

Erstwhile, Chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Dr. Sam Amadi, had disclosed last year that the new tariff, approved by the commission, will be

Ajaero

effective from February, 2016.

He told journalists then that DISCOs had till the beginning of February to meter their consumers to ensure appropriate billing.

According to him, the new billing system will not include fixed charges so that consumers would now have to pay for only what they consume.

“Although, the new tariff regimes comes with an increase in energy charges, all electricity consumers (residential as well as commercial) will no longer pay fixed charges, so their total bills will depend on the electricity they actually consume and may be reduced when they conserve electricity,” NERC had said.

According to the commission, “Consumers will no longer be spending money every month to pay for fixed charges even when they do not receive electricity in their homes and business.

“The objective of the new tariff is to enable prudent consumers to save money on electricity bill as they can now control their consumption and not pay monthly fixed charges.

“For instance, residential customer classification (R2) in Abuja Electricity Distribution Company will no longer pay N702.00 fixed charge every month.

“Their energy charge will increase by N9.60. Also, residential customers (R2 customers) in Eko and Ikeja electricity distribution areas will no longer pay N750. 00 fixed charges.

They will be getting N10 and N8 increase respectively in their energy charges.

“Similarly, the burden of N800.00 and N750.00 fixed charges would be lifted off the shoulders of Kaduna and Benin electricity consumers.

“These consumers will see an increase of N11.05 and N9.26 respectively in their energy charges.

“The new tariff is also good news for commercial consumers. For example, commercial customers’ classification C2 in Ibadan and Enugu will no longer pay fixed charges of N17, 010. 00 and N22, 141. 00.

“Their energy charge will increase by N12.08 and N13.35 respectively.

The new electricity cost for Residential customer classification (R2) under Abuja Distribution Company (Disco) has risen by N9.60 per kilo watts hour (/kwhr). It was N14.70 in the old tariff. Those in Eko and Ikeja Discos are getting an increase of N10 and N8 while Kaduna Disco tariff has risen by N11.05.

The new tariff comes with an increase in electricity charges in the 11 Distribution companies (Discos) as the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) integrates the Fixed Charge component in the adjusted Multi Year Tariff Order (MYTO).

Although the various Discos, including the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company, AEDC, has said the tariff will see them increase their investments in the networks, the House

of Representatives, and the Nigerian Electricity Consumers Advocacy Network, NECAN, kicked against any increase last week.

Among some consumers who spoke with our reporter were upset about the tariff hike.

A cold room operator in Ikeja, , Mr. Udeme Efiok, said he used to pay about N5,600 monthly for an estimated 12kilowatt hour (kwh) daily consumption and the estimated cost with the new tariff will now be around N9,400, he told Sunday Mirror.

For Mr. Bassey Okon, who runs a business center also in Ikeja: “It baffles me how the tariff keeps increasing yet the hours we get on a daily basis either dwindles or has remained stagnant. If we had a situation where there was constant light and they decide to increase as often as they do, there’d be little resistance to the move. But until then, people would challenge any attempt at increasing the tariff.”

Obi Nnaji, who runs a boutique on Lagos Island believes government is insensitive. I read Fashola’s statement on the increase of the tariff it appears this government doesn’t care about the immediate effect it would have on the populace. I guess they are thinking of many years to come and not the immediate impact. Besides, what is the assurance that the monies raised would be re-invested into rehabilitation of our infrastructure”.

Mr. Mathias Odunlanmi, a resident of Ejigbo was livid with the idea of a tariff hike: “Why will they increase electricity bill when there is no light for one week and when they bring it, it lasts only 30 minutes? I pay electricity bill of N8,000 every month without using what I am paying for”.

‘Tariff hike bitter pill, we have to swallow’ Regardless, Fashola, has described the increased electricity tariffs as “a painful pill,” appealing to consumers to “swallow” it.

Speaking while inspecting some power projects in Lagos recently, he said, “Importantly, I understand that people who have been disappointed over a long time will feel a sense of concern that again tariffs have gone up. But the truth is that these tariffs ought to have been there from day one. I don’t know why the government of yesterday was not courageous enough to tell us this was the price.

“It is a painful pill that I must appeal that we swallow. It is like quinine and malaria. It’s painful; it’s not sweet, I know that, but I do it because we are not left with many choices.

This is the first major decision in power that this administration has taken. There are other problems.

“I can only appeal for some understanding and some trust that we do this in the best interest of our country. It is a hard decision.”

The minister, who faulted the way the privatisation of the power sector was carried out, said the sector was being plagued by several problems including gas supply shortfall and transmission issues.

The President Goodluck Jonathan administration had in November 2013 privatised the successor generation and distribution companies carved out of the defunct governmentowned Power Holding Company of Nigeria, leaving out the transmission segment of the value chain.

When asked what the problems in the sector were, the minister said, “The problem is everywhere. The problem is with us. The problem is with gas. The problem is with transmission. The problem is with the way the privatisation exercise itself was conducted.

“But as I have said before, I am not going to lament what has happened in the past. I am going to move on with it. So, the first move we have made when we accessed the situation, nobody was happy with it when we took over.

“This is a problem that has been here for 16 years, if we CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sunday, February 21, 2016

The Big Read

5

‘Regular power should precede tariff hike’

Mr. Obafemi Oyenubi is a labour leader, public and policy affairs analyst. He sheds more light on the controversial electricity tariff hike in this interview with PAUL OMO OBADAN. What is your reaction to the hike in power tariff?

Firstly, there are lots of issues to be addressed before you even think of a tariff adjustment. Distribution companies did not have the complete data of their consumers. Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission should shelve the idea of increment first and address fundamental issues in power sector.

The investors in power sector should find a way to ensure they have proper data of their consumers.

There are lots of consumers that are enjoying power supply without paying a single kobo into their account because they are not captured.

Some pay regularly into their staff pockets, while many are tapping their energy to do their businesses without hindrance.

Many consumers refused to pay monthly bill because the bill is outrageous, some owe close to N250,000 alone and DISCOs insist that they have to pay all.

There are lots of injustice done by these people, a consumer travelled out of the country came back six months later, only to meet bills of N100,000 without consuming power supply, how do you expect him to pay.

There are lots of bad or faulty transformers everywhere, overloaded cables and load shedding here and there.

Some consumers in Ibafo and Mowe in Ogun State have not been connected to their system.

Many consumers are still battling with their analogue meters, some two years after NERC has commanded DISCOs to install them with free prepaid meters.

The DISCOs should first address all these challenges before the idea of tariff could be raised.

No tariff adjustment until all these fundamental issues are addressed and consumers are enjoying regular power supply nationwide. Put smile on the faces of your consumers before tariff adjustment because life is hard now.

The distribution companies have continued to issues estimated bills for the majority of consumers, while refusing to make pre-paid meters available. What is your

It is only in Nigeria that people pay for darkness. It

is clear therefore that the

45 per cent tariff increase is an additional heavy burden on consumers and will have a telling effect on business especially manufacturing. riod, all consumers are to be metered.

“There is a subsisting court order dated May 28, 2015 by Justice Mohammed Idris of the Federal High Court, Ikoyi take on this? in the case between Toluwani Yemi-Adebiyi versus NERC Nigerians are not ready to pay for darkness. Billions of and others that said there should be no increase in elecdollars had been sunk into the power sector without stabiltricity tariff without improved electricity supply. ity in electricity supply.

The increment will further impoverish the people who It is only in Nigeria that people pay for darkness. It is clear are already suffering from the national economic recestherefore that the 45 per cent tariff increase is an additional sion. heavy burden on consumers and will have a telling effect on business especially manufacturing. We have found out that What should the government do now? the organisation is only interested in hiking tariff. Seventy It is unreasonable and defies common sense for the APC five percent of Nigerians are paying estimated bills. They government to increase electricity tariff now that the pay for what they do not consume. electricity supply is not in any way doing better. There is The new tariff was unnecessary in view of the fact that no logic in this decision. It is wisdom for the APC governthere had been no significant improvement in service delivment to improve on electricity supply first before discussery. ing tariff and even at that it should be subject to public The government has no right to increase the tariff and deliberation and Nigerians should be made to understand due process was not followed. That is why we say no to it. why there should be increase. Nigerians are suffering in The policy should be reversed with immediate effect as the hands of the APC government; the government that the condition for metering was not followed. Nigerians are is only good at increase in tariff, establishment of the not slaves to anybody. We will resist it with everything withvarious taxes without justification is worrisome. Therein us and we will make it uncomfortable for them. fore we advise the government of President Muhammadu Most consumers were not given meters as provided for in Buhari to ensure improvement in electricity supply first. the privatisation Memorandum of Understanding, MOU, of Last month the government increased the pump price of November 1, 2013. kerosene after introducing N50 stamp duty on bank transThe MoU stipulated that within 18 months gestation peactions; this is a very bad precedent.

Oyenubi

‘Discos have failed to supply meters’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5 put it mildly. It is a problem that has been here 100 years ago, if we put it really extremely. I have been here for less than a 100 days, and I think we can solve this problem if you give us the tools that we need to do it. I think that this problem can be solved, and the day that we feel that it cannot be solved; I will gladly come and tell you that I don’t think it will work.

Despite Fashola’s frank words, protests have continued to greet the decision.

In Lagos, a throng of protesters including residents’ associations and civil society groups marched on the Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company, IKEDC. demanding effective supply of electricity as well as a reversal of the price increase, an action that hindered vehicular activities in that area.

In Kaduna, Abakaliki, Owerri, Kano, Bauchi, Enugu, Benin City and elsewhere protesters picketed the offices of the electricity distribution companies, locked the gates and paralysed business activities.

In Abuja, however, there may have been silent jubilation within government circles over the scanty crowd that took to the streets in protest even as NLC, TUC and their civil society allies have raised a committee to sustain the picketing of electricity firms to force a reduction of the 45% increase.

Addressing the gathering in Ikeja, the Vice President of the NLC, Amaechi Asugwuni, said: “The increment at this time negates the present economic situation and an attempt to further impoverish the poor masses.

“The Discos promised to give Nigerians meters in 18 months but they failed.

This is corruption and it is ripping Nigerians off their money.

“It is inhumane and disheartening that the power situation in the country has not improved and consumers are asked to pay more.

“We are speaking for the people of Nigeria and are saying

no to the new tariff and to darkness. As a result of the unfair situation, we are ready to shut the economy if there is no reversal as demanded.

“However, since the court has not given the go-ahead on tariff hike, but has asked the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, to suspend any form of tariff increment, there is no basis for the minister to go against the court order.

“It is prejudice by law and there are penalties for defaulters.”

According to him, labour will continue to protest against the 45 per cent increase until it is reversed and a substantive improvement in electricity supply is seen.

Speaking in the same vein, Coordinator, Consumer Protection Forum, Adeola Samuel-Ilori, said the organisation had engaged distribution companies several times on the issue of estimated billing without result.

Samuel-Ilori added that if the DISCOs had been able to meter everywhere within the 18 months gestation period, the problem of estimation billing would have been solved.

Also, General Secretary, of National Union of Electricity Employees, NUEE, Mr. Joe Ajaero, recalled that when NUEE was fighting the privatisation of the assets of Power Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN, many Nigerians misunderstood the electricity workers and were mischievously accused of trying to protect inefficiency and some other self-seeking allegations, despite their efforts at educating Nigerians on the impending evil.

“We believe that, as a responsible trade union whose members work in the power sector; and thus, are also affected by this mindless increase, we must state that the DISCOs and GENCOs are not the sole beneficiaries of that decision. If any organisation should bear the brunt of our attacks, it must be the Federal Government and its ministries and

agencies within the sector, especially NERC and the Federal Ministry of Power. We believe that it is our civic responsibility and duty to educate those championing the picketing exercise to be properly directed on the targets of their picketing effort. Let it be clear that NUEE supports every effort to resist the increase in electricity tariff and other anti-people policies of the government but we will advise our compatriots to be target specific so that we may not be accused of fighting the wrong parties in this case.

In the meantime, industry experts, at the weekend, expressed concern that the call by the organized labour to shut down the DISCOs and GENCOs would impact negatively on the power sector and the nation’s economy.

According to the experts , the planned disruption of the operations may have more severe consequences than the new tariff, aimed at ensuring cost recovery in the power sector value chain, removal of the fixed charge , encouraging power conservation by focusing on metering before billing and insisting that consumers are billed for only what they consume.

Some of the experts argued that any disruption at this time would negatively affect the steady progress being made in the sector in spite of challenges posed by gas pipeline vandalism and other acts of sabotage recorded in the petroleum and power sector.

Legal practitioners, who spoke with our correspondents, expressed the view that the subject of change in tariff was not a matter for labour agitation.

According to them, the statutory objective of a trade union recognised under the Trade Unions Act is to regulate the terms and conditions of employment of workers. ‘’Price determination is a product of market forces. Electricity is like any other product and its price reflects its cost of production’’, one of the lawyers said.

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News

February 21, 2016

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Again, Buhari rules out naira devaluation …says fight against terrorism affecting economic revival

ROTIMI FADEYI ABUJA

P

resident Muhammadu Buhari has again ruled out the possibility of devaluing the naira, insisting that those with a taste for imported luxury goods should pay for them at their own expense.

Pressure has been mounting on the government to devalue the currency officially in line

with market realities as it is now trading at about N380 per dollar at the parallel market though the official rate remainw at between N197 and N199 per dollar.

Some analysts insist that government was only subsidising the private sector by refusing to allow the naira to float while also creating room for arbitrage and corruption with the huge gap

between the official and parallel market rates.

However, in reiterating his opposition to naira devaluation, Buhari said Nigeria cannot compete with developed countries which produce to compete among themselves and can afford to devalue their local currencies.

Speaking at a ‘Presidential Panel Roundtable on Investment and Growth Opportunities ’

at the opening session of the Africa 2016: Business for Africa, Egypt and the World at Sharm ElSheikh, Egypt yesterday, Buhari said the priority of his administration was to ensure national food security before export of food products.

The President stressed that Nigeria being a mono-economy dependent on oil, and with a teeming unemployed youth popu-

L-R: President of Sudan, Omar Al-Bashir, President Muhammadu Buhari and Prime Minister of Ethiopia, Hailemariam Desalegn, during the Presidential Roundtable of Business for Africa, Egypt and the World in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, yesterday.

13 million children suffer malnutrition in Nigeria –NGO …300,000 may die this year CHIDI UGWU AND MARCUS FATUNMOLE ABUJA,

O

ver 13 million children under five years in the country are suffering from chronic malnutrition, the Civil Society Scaling-up Nutrition in Nigeria (CS-SUNN) has revealed.

CS-SUNN gave the revelation at a national town hall meeting agenda with the theme ‘Strengthening in-country accountability in maternal, child and adolescent nutrition in Nigeria ’, warning that without treatment about 300,000 of these children would die in 2016 alone.

Speaking at the event, the CS-SUNN ’s Network Coordinator, Dr. Philippa Momah, called for the creation of nutrition specific budget lines in various ministries of health, education and agriculture at the federal, states and local governments to address the problems of malnutrition across the country.

She stated that the millions of children suffering from malnutrition are likely to face serious health and developmental consequences.

“We are aware that over 13 million children under five years in Nigeria are suffering from chronic malnutrition and are likely to suffer serious health and developmental consequences. In addition, more than 1.6 million Nigerian children between six months and five years old are suffering from severe acute malnutrition and are nine times likely to die than well-nourished children. Without treatment, about 300,000 of these children will die in 2016 alone, ” she disclosed.

Momah expressed dissatisfaction that nutrition was not given priority in Nigeria even as policy makers are finalising the 2016 annual budget for both the federal and state governments.

According to Momah, the CS-SUNN had earlier

presented National Strategic Plan of Action on Nutrition (NSPAN 20142019) which sets out costed, nutrition-specific and nutrition-sensitive interventions with measurable targets, stressing that the town hall meeting aimed to provide a platform to engage stakeholders to identify opportunities and potentials barriers to the adoption and implementation of the NSPAN. The group, called for creation of nutrition specific budget lines in the ministries of health, education, and agriculture at the Federal States and Local Government levels in the country, and also the development of costed nutrition plans of actions in states and local government levels.

Also, the group urged the three tiers of government provide budgetary allocation for the implementation of the NSPAN 2014-2019 in the 2016 budget appropriation, with emphasis on maternal, child

and adolescent nutrition, ensure timely release of funds and extend maternal leave to six months, in order to protect exclusive breastfeeding.

lation, the way out of the current slump in the global oil market was for the administration to focus on agriculture and solid minerals development.

“The land is there and we need machinery inputs, fertiliser and insecticides.

“Developed countries are competing among themselves and when they devalue they compete better and manufacture and export more. But we are not competing and exporting but importing everything including toothpicks. So, why should we devalue our currency?

“We want to be more productive and self-sufficient in food and other basic things such as clothing. For our government, we like to encourage local production and efficiency, ” the President stressed.

He added that those who have developed taste for foreign luxury goods should continue to pay for them rather than pressure government to devalue the naira.

The President expressed optimism that Nigeria would get out of its current economic downturn, saying another major problem militating against economic revival is the huge resources deployed in fighting insurgency and international terrorism.

He commended the support being received from the international community in the administration ’s fight against

terrorism as well as cooperation in tracing looted funds stashed away in foreign countries.

Responding to a question on his performance since he assumed office, the President said his administration had been “quite focused ” on three fundamental issues of securing the country, reviving the economy and stamping out corruption.

“The message on corruption has been driven home vividly and Nigerians are very acceptable to the message, ” he said, adding that those accused of stealing public funds are cooperating by voluntarily providing useful information while investigations and prosecutions are ongoing.

In his opening address at the Forum, the Egyptian President, AbdelFattah El-Sisi, said Africa needs to concentrate on transforming into knowledge societies using innovation and research.

The Presidents of Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, Sudan and the Prime Minister of Ethiopia also participated at the Roundtable. In his opening message, Akinwunmi Adesina, president of the African Development Bank (AFDB), said “Africa must think big, act big and develop big ”.

Before departing Egypt, Buhari and his Egyptian host, had a bilateral discussion on security, military cooperation, agriculture and solid minerals development.

Oyedepo canvasses huge investment in education

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he Pro-Chancellor, Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State, Dr David Oyedepo, yesterday hinged the nation ’s overall development on commitment to huge investment in education by the government.

He said the level of education of the citizenry would help to drive nation building and development.

Oyedepo spoke at the institution ’s 5th inaugural lecture in Ota with the theme: ‘Sustainable engineering: A vital approach to innovation product development and community capacity building ’.

He said: “People need to be educated before they can partner with stake-

holders to achieve meaningful development.

“Development will never be a product of political ideology because no political platform will attain meaningful development. ’ ’ Supporting the national campaign for change, Oyedepo urged Nigerians to change their approach and attitude to issues.

“Nothing will change until our approach to issue changes because each Nigerian needs to play a role by taking responsibility, ’ ’ he emphasised.

The founder of Living Faith Church aka Winners Chapel advised the Federal Government to review its investment policy

on education.

According to him, there must be huge investment in the sector before any meaningful development can be achieved in the country.

“Every development in all the nations involves heavy investment in education, ’ ’ he said.

He said Nigeria should take a cue from the huge investment of America and Britain.

Also speaking, Prof. Israel Dunmade of the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the university, advocated consistency in education policy by government at all levels, particularly in engineering curriculum.

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NEWS

Sunday, February 21, 2016

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Police quiz 2 Lagos monarchs over mayhem

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wo traditional rulers in Lagos State are being investigated for their roles in bloody

clashes in their communities, the State Police Commissioner, Mr. Fatai Owoseni, said yesterday

Uganda’s President Museveni wins fifth term

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gandan President, Yoweri Museveni, has won a fifth term as president, extending his 30 years in office.

The 71-year-old won 60.75 per cent of the vote while his nearest rival, Kizza Besigye, took 35 per cent, the election commission said.

Museveni’s supporters said his opponents had failed to offer any chance of progress.

But Besigye, who is under house arrest, said the results were a “sham”, calling on the international community to reject them.

“We have just witnessed what must be the most fraudulent electoral process in Uganda,” he said in a statement.

EU observers have also criticised the poll, saying the governing party had created an “intimidating atmosphere” and that the opposition alleged vote rigging.

While praising the “remarkable determination” of Ugandans to vote, EU Chief Observer, Eduard Kukan, said the governing National Resistance Movement’s “domination

of the political landscape distorted the fairness of the campaign”.

The election has been marred by sporadic violence and opposition allegations of electoral fraud, with social media sites and messaging apps blocked.

Besigye was put under house arrest on Friday on the suspicion he would announce the results himself, breaking electoral laws, police said.

It is the fourth time Besigye, candidate for the opposition Forum for Democratic Change, has taken on President Museveni.

The two men were once allies, with Besigye serving as Museveni’s personal doctor when they were guerrilla fighters.

Museveni seized power in 1986 and is credited with restoring stability to Uganda. However, critics say he has become increasingly authoritarian.

The next closest challenger to Museveni, former Prime Minister, Amama Mbabazi, is also reportedly under house arrest.

Man freed after 43 years in U.S. solitary prison

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he longest-serving prisoner to be held in solitary confinement in U.S. history, Albert Woodfox, has walked free in Louisiana after 43 years.

Woodfox was part of the group known as the “Angola Three”, after the prison where they spent years in confinement.

He had been there since April 1972 for the murder of a prison guard.

Maintaining his innocence in the death of Brent Miller, Woodfox, 69, was finally freed after accepting the lesser charge of manslaughter.

The plea bargain was negotiated with state prosecutors.

Twice in decades of legal battles, his murder conviction was thrown out of court, yet Louisiana state prosecutors were preparing to try him a third time.

He finally agreed to plead

no contest to lesser charges in exchange for freedom but insisted this was not an admission of guilt.

“Although I was looking forward to proving my innocence at a new trial, concerns about my health and my age have caused me to resolve this case now and obtain my release with this no contest plea to lesser charges,” he said in a statement on Friday.

“I hope the events of today will bring closure to many.”

Before driving off from Feliciana Parish Detention Center, in St Francisville, with his brother, Woodfox told media he wanted to visit his mother’s gravesite.

She died while he was in prison and Woodfox said he had not been allowed to go to the funeral. At the time of Mr Miller’s death, Woodfox was in Louisiana’s notorious Angola prison for armed robbery and assault.

He told newsmen that the two monarchs in Oworonsoki area of the state (names withheld) were under investigation.

“We are investigating them for their alleged involvement in a crisis that engulfed the area which led to the death of one Nosuru Oguntade.

“It was believed to have been masterminded by the two royal fathers over leadership tussle.

The command is sad over the development,’’ he said.

Owoseni added: “As we speak, the State CID, Panti, Yaba, is still interrogating the two men with a view to ascertaining their involvement.

“Four persons were arrested and are still under interrogation, while one of the sons of the leaders has been declared wanted.

“We want to state here that no matter the status of those involved in this crisis, we will prosecute them if found culpable.’’

In another develop-

ment, three students of the Lagos State University, LASU, have been arrested in connection with the death of a female student at a party held in a hotel.

The commissioner, who also disclosed this, said some students of the university organised a party at Treasure Babar Hotel, Ojo, where two female students were allegedly poisoned.

According to him, the two female students later collapsed and they were

taken to a nearby hospital where one died.

“The two female students drank what they called ‘Magic movement vodka’, a mixture of herbal drink - Origin and Smirnoff. “The incident led to students’ restiveness in the area. The arrested students are helping the police in their investigation.

“Somebody organised that party, somebody served the drinks, someone must be held responsible,’’ Owoseni said.

L-R: Deputy Governor of Kaduna State, Mr. Barnabas Bala; Minister of Transportation, Mr Chibuike Amaechi, and Chief of Staff to the governor of Kaduna State, Mrs. Hadiza Bala, during inspection of the ongoing Abuja-Kaduna rail project by the minister in Kaduna at the weekend.

Benue South rerun: Mark in early lead as election turns violent

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nofficial results from the Benue South Senatorial rerun election showed that former Senate President, David Mark, of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, was in early lead and was being trailed by his major rival, Daniel Onjeh, of the All Progressives Congress, APC.

The election which started smoothly when accreditation and voting started around 10 a.m. in all the nine local governments that make up the senatorial district was said to have recorded violence in Okpokwu local council of the state.

It was learnt that the

home of the clan head of Ehicho-Ugwu, Okpoga, Chief Paul Amanyi, who is believed to be a supporter of Mark was set ablaze by suspected political thugs allegedly sympathetic to the APC. It was gathered that the home of the chief, was attacked after the thugs allegedly discovered electoral materials meant for the senatorial rerun there.

Also in Otukpo polling unit, suspected political thugs stabbed the agent working for the APC with broken bottle.

The victim whose name was given as Agbo Icha Emmanuel, was said to be

escorting a ballot box in company of some INEC officials from their office in Otukpo when he was attacked.

It was further gathered that the attack took place at Idabi polling booth at Otukpi-Icho where election was scheduled to take place.

The police in the state however refused to confirm the attack.

A source who doesn’t want his name in print said the suspected thugs attempted to snatch the ballot box and in the process of defending it, the APC agent was stabbed on the head with a broken bottle.

The swift arrival of of-

ficials of the Nigeria Police Force saved him from further attack.

In his reaction, the state’s Deputy Governor, Engr. Benson Abounu, said it was unfortunate.

The State Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, ASP Moses Yamu said he was still making contact on the alleged attack but failed to confirm the incident.

Senator Mark had exercised his franchise as he voted at Otukpo Club polling unit in Otukpo Township Ward 1 at about 10.58 a.m. while the APC candidate, Onjeh, cast his vote at his Orokam ward in Ogbadibo LGA.

NEWS

8

Sunday, February 21 2016

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Rivers rerun: Wike alleges plot to arrest PDP leaders

Dennis Naku

PORT HARCOURT

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ivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, has alerted Nigerians that the All Progressives Congress, APC, Chairman in Rivers State has written a letter to the Director General of the Department of State Services, DSS, and the Army High Command, directing that prominent PDP leaders and members be arrested on the eve of the March 19 rerun legislative elections in the state.

Addressing thousands

of PDP members at Luuwa in Khana local council during the 50th birthday of Senator Lee Maeba yesterday, Wike said he intercepted the letter by the Rivers APC chairman to the security agencies.

The governor reiterated that the people of the state would resist any attempt to use the security forces to rig the rerun elections.

According to him, no matter the level of intimidation and arrests of PDP members by the security forces, PDP will win the

legislative polls.

His words: “We will support INEC to conduct free and fair elections, but nobody who rigs the election will go free.”

He charged the Ogoni to vote all PDP candidates during the rerun so that the development process of his administration would be enhanced.

Wike urged the people of Rivers South-East to

vote for Senator Olaka Nwogu, who would defend their interest at the National Assembly. According to him, Mr. Magnus Abe who now moves around with soldiers and policemen to intimidate the ordinary people, will only go to the National Assembly to work against them, hence the people should vote against him.

He announced the

takeover of the Primary Health Centre in the area by the state government as a birthday gift to Senator Maeba.

In his remarks, Senator Maeba assured Wike that the Ogoni people would always support his administration and the PDP. The governor was accompanied to Maeba’s birthday celebration by Deputy National Chair-

man of PDP, Uche Secondus; former Rivers State governor, Celestine Umehia; former deputy speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Austin Opara; former minister of Sports, Dr Tammy Danagogo, PDP Chieftain, Chief Sergeant Awuse and Sole Administrator, Greater Port Harcourt Development Authority, Ambassador Desmond Akawor.

Don’t worry about Rwandan tenure elongation referendum –Envoy Livinus Menedi YOLA

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wandan Ambassador to Nigeria, Stanislas Kamanzi, has risen up in defence of President Paul Kagame, saying he has no plans to emulate some of Africa’s sit-tight Presidents who continued to perpetuate their stay in power through their own will.

He also cautioned cynics from viewing the recent referendum in the country which will allow Kagame the opportunity to seek another term in office when his tenure expires in 2017, with what is happening in Burundi and Zimbabwe, adding that there was no similarity between them.

Stanislas, who spoke at American University of Nigeria, AUN, Distinguished Diploma Lecture series, a platform launched since 2006 by the institution to deepen knowledge and understanding of the international community from the perspective of foreign diplomat, at the weekend, linked the tenure elongation being propounded in his country to the good policies and programmes of the Kagame administration.

The ambassador said it would be unfair to compare the developments in Burundi, Burkina Faso and Zimbabwe where their leaders are at the centre of propagating their stay in office to what had happened in Rwanda.

He urged the African community not to go into doom and gloom kind of

thinking over the Rwandan tenure elongation referendum, stressing that Kagame was not here to stay like the other sit-tight leaders.

“It is unfair to compare what happened in Burundi and Zimbabwe to Rwanda. To compare what happened in these countries to Rwanda is like comparing Apples and oranges.

Don’t worry he is not here to stay, so let’s not worry and go into this doom and gloom kind of thinking,” Kamanzi said.

According to him the tenure elongation of Paul Kagame’s Presidency clearly obviates from the processes which have characterised the clamour for tenure elongation in other African countries.

In the case of Kagame, he noted, unlike other African leaders who wanted to perpetuate themselves in office, Kagame never took any step to influence or lobby anybody to elongate his stay in power, adding that it was the people who had clamoured for him to continue.

He stressed that 98 per cent of voters in the referendum, who okayed the lifting of the term limit somehow reflected the four million letters written by individual citizens requesting the parliament to okay a referendum to amend the constitutional term limit.

He also pointed out that the Rwanda tenure elongation happened as a result of the good policies taken by the Kagame regime, noting that it is not about the president.

Voters queue to cast their votes, during the state assembly rerun election at Hashimi Ward B in Suleja, Niger State, yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

Stakeholders seek appointment of substantive MD for NAMA Olusegun Koiki

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coalition of Aviation Union and Professionals Association has called on the Ministry of Transportation to appoint a substantive managing director for the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, NAMA, after the arrest and detention of the helmsman of the agency, Engr. Ibrahim Abdulsalami.

Abdulsalami and seven other officials of NAMA were arrested and detained by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, over alleged N5 billion fraud in the agency spanning about four years.

The group in a statement signed in Lagos by its spokesman, Johnson Agbede and made available to the media said that if urgent steps were not taken, this could adversely erode safety in the sector.

The group emphasised that the absence of Abdu-

lalami has created a huge vacuum in the agency, adding that at present, the workers do not know whom to take directive from.

Agbede maintained that leadership was currently tearing NAMA apart following the appointment of two officials in acting capacity in less than one week.

It would be recalled that on February 16, 2016, the Minister of Transportation, Hon. Rotimi Amaechi had directed Mr. Emmanuel Anasi, as the Acting Managing Director to oversee the affairs in the parastatal.

But, his appointment did not go down well with the directors in the agency who now petitioned the Ministry that the tradition of allowing the most senior director to act was not applied.

Sequel to this petition, the Ministry last Friday directed Akangson, the current Director of Hu-

man Resources who is the most senior director to take over the control of the agency in acting capacity.

Following this development, the group has called on the Minister of Transportation & Minister of State for Aviation to urgently intervene in the situation and save the agency from further crises by appointing a substantive Managing Director for the troubled agency.

The group added, “The huge financial scandal involving the management of NAMA is overwhelming for anybody to think he can come back to that office.”

They said the organisation therefore required a substantive helmsman who would immediately settle down to business to re-organise and reposition the agency for the urgently needed service delivery.

The Unions reminded the authorities to recall

that last year and the previous year, they had complained about poor Communication and other navigational facilities in the country’s airspace due to “corrupt practices in NAMA”, but the previous government threw a blind eye to it, now they have been vindicated.

The unions therefore calling on the government to act immediately in appointing a substantive Managing Director for the Agency to forestall imminent operational lapses that may occur and affect the safety of the Nigerian Airspace and indeed the safety of the flying public.

It would be recalled that EFCC had stormed NAMA two Fridays ago to whisk away some staff of the agency in connection with fraud.

In the account of one of those arrested, a whopping sum of N1.2bn was discovered while another N800m was seen in the account of the other.

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Failure of accountability, major national problem –Ex-lawmaker P 37

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Politics PROVIDING FRESH PERSPECTIVES TO ISSUES

February 21, 2016

LOOK WHAT THEY HAVE DONE IN THE LAST TWO ELECTIONS, AS I HAVE SAID IS A POOR SHOW OF WHAT ELECTORAL MANAGEMENT BODY OUGHT TO DO. –CHIEF AYO OPADOKUN, THE CONVENER OF COALITION

OF DEMOCRATS FOR ELECTORAL

REFORMS, CODER, COMMENTING ON INEC ’S PERFORMANCE IN KOGI AND BAYELSA GOVERNORSHIP ELECTIONS.

States should implement Treasury Single Account –Lalong thing was going to happen; change was going to happen on the Plateau because we are united. Suddenly, an administration came that was almost dividing everybody along religious and ethnic lines and Plateau people said no, this is not the time for that; we must get a change.

Lucky enough, the change came through APC. Some of us were diehard members of the PDP. You know I was Speaker under PDP for seven years. But we realized that many things were going wrong in the party and that was why some of us left the party and joined the opposition. When we saw the opposition moving under a driver like the present President, Buhari, we knew that something was going to happen in this country and so. We followed that opposition and that was what gave rise to our election. You said the PDP won everywhere. It is not everywhere they won, some of the elections were rigged and the tribunal gave it to them. Otherwise, if it were true election, APC won in so many places and the governorship was very clear. It was the collective opinion of Plateau people and the hard work done by the then opposition. When I won my election, everybody came on board irrespective of political affiliation. It was seen as a Plateau project and I am also managing it as a Plateau project. I can only manage and build the confidence of Plateau project when I deliver the dividends of democracy to the people and when we see a change in attitude from what was obtained before.

Lalong

Governor of Plateau State, Simon Lalong is one helmsman who weathered the storm to emerge victorious in a PDP dominated state but insists that it is also about hard work. In this interview with OBIORA IFOH, he tells the story of how he has changed the face of the state in less than a year and how the last administration plundered the treasury. Excerpts: You are one of those who won elections unexpectedly during the last general election with Plateau being a predominantly PDP state. How have you been able to get the cooperation of the people of the state especially from other political parties?

Plateau is a very unique state. Unique in the sense that when they want to do something, they do it without looking back. Plateau is also a very religious state. That is why you don ’t find many cases of corruption in the state. So, when the election came, we knew that some-

Briefly

CACOL wants Minister of Budget sacked

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he Coalition Against Corrupt Leaders, CACOL has applauded the move by Presidency to effect an overhaul of the Budget office by purging it of all identified corrupt officials through the secretary to the Federal Government, Mrs. Winifred Oyo-Ita just as it called for the sack of Minister of Budget and National Planning , Senator Udoma Udo Udoma for the lapses in the Budget It would be recalled that following the avalanche of errors, paddings and discrepancies discovered in the 2016 Budget; President Muhammadu Buhari has ordered the mass sack of members of a “Budget Mafia ” in the budget office, who masterminded the discrepancies and inflated figures featured in the 2016 budget in a bid to scuttle the new innovations of the current administration and cause national embarrassment to the Buhari Government.

According to latest reports, the “Mafia ” was alleged to have proposed a budget of N9.7tn for capital and overhead spending, excluding personnel cost, as against the President ’s initial estimate of about N8tn.The Mafia also proposed N3tn as overheads alone out of the N9.7tn, a figure the president later slashed to N163bn.

CACOL in a statement signed by its Executive Director Comrade Debo Adeniran called on the President to go beyond the sack of Mr. Yahaya Gusau, the Director General of the Budget Office by sacking the Minister of Budget and National Planning who failed to properly peruse such an important national document to identify the paddings and cleanse it of errors before passing it to the President for assent. ‘ ’We find the appointment of a new Special Adviser on National planning for the Ministry as uncalled for and can only be regarded as a “pat on the back ” for the Minister ’s inefficiency; for fairness and equity in the overhaul of the Budget Ministry, the Budget Minister should be sacked, to serve as deterrence to intending lethargic Ministers who act like ministerial position is a “chop and sleep “ affair. ’ ’ Mr. Debo Adeniran, Executive Chairman averred CACOL hastens to call on President Buhari to withdraw the Budget and tender an unreserved apology to Nigerians for also failing to properly scrutinize the budget before its presentation.

Not much is heard from the state in terms of the ongoing anti corruption crusade.

Many people believe that the past administration in the state ought to be probed.

What are you doing about this?

I have said it several times that the fact that you are not hearing anything from the Plateau does not mean we are not fighting corruption on the Plateau. We have sent several cases to the EFCC and ICPC. My accountant general just came back from the EFCC. They were called to come and give evidence as to the investigations that at going on. We have a CONTINUED ON PAGE 10

Udoma

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Politics

February 21, 2016

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

I ’m worried about Nigerians ’ impatience with Buhari fruits, but it will not be something that will be immediate. We will have to take out time. Let us give ourselves at least one year and see what Mr. President is doing. Let us give ourselves one year and see what the states are doing. We are already moving away from oil and no longer depending on oil because many of us are now diversifying. We are moving into Agriculture and other ways of enhancing our revenue generation. If you give me adequate funding, (I say adequate funding because I have not received my bail out) and successful Internal Revenue, if you come to Plateau in the next six months, you will see a different thing.

That is what I am also expecting of Mr. President.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9 lot of such investigations going on, we have also had so many arrests especially from the last administration and many of them are on bail. At the appropriate time, prosecution will start. EFCC may be slow, but I know they will prosecute.

We had a transition committee and we came out and told Plateau people what we inherited, some of the genuine and others not genuine. Some of them we have submitted to the EFCC and others, we have commissioned a very reputable accounting firm, KPMG who are currently auditing the state and at the appropriate time, when they come out with the result, you will hers what will happen on the Plateau. We have recovered money too. Recently, we recovered N2.7 billion in the state. That was money that was supposedly lost. We traced the money, which was meant for teachers. If you remember, teachers were not paid in my state for 11 months; civil servants were not paid for about nine months. When I came, the Judiciary was not there because everybody was on strike and it was like government was dead. But when I came on board, we did our best. We now have arrears of salaries of only two months. For teachers, we paid all, they are back to work. The judiciary is also back to work. Litigations were here and there between labour and government but right now, there are no more litigations because they have all withdrawn the litigation, so for us in Plateau, we are moving well. But in the area of corruption, we are putting pressure on the EFCC, because at the appropriate time, when they finish their investigations, let them start prosecution. We want prosecution and the refund of the looted funds.

We know that some states have not been able to access their bailout funds. What is the update on the issue regarding your state? Have you been able to pay all outstanding salaries?

No, in my state, not yet. Before the issue of bailout came, we have already started paying workers in the state even with the backlog of problems we inherited. When the issue of bailout was announced, we applied for N10 billion which was supposed to be for the arrears of salaries for about eight or nine months. Even without the full bailout, we only received N5billion. Today, I was in CBN, trying to pursue the bailout for Plateau State. Plateau was supposed to get N10 billion for salaries and N10 billion for infrastructure. But we got only N5 billion and even with that, we were able to clear the backlog of salaries. From May till date, I do not owe salaries, but the ones we inherited; we have been able to pay with only two months remaining.

For local government, we have paid all the arrears and presently, we do not owe them. If I am able to get my balance of N5 billion, within a week, all the remaining salaries outstanding would have been cleared.

The Treasury Single Account is aimed at assisting in the fight against Corruption.

Why are the states finding it difficult to

Lalo ong

AT THE GOVERNORS ’ FORUM, WE WERE APPEALING TO THE PRESIDENT TO RECONSIDER THE POSITION OF THE STATES SO

THAT PEOPLE WILL BE ABLE TO PAY SALARIES, IT IS NOT ONLY PAYMENT OF SALARIES THAT WE HAVE AS OUR RESPONSIBILITY.

implement TSA? Well, other states may be finding it difficult, not Plateau, we are already implementing TSA. Immediately I saw the introduction of the TSA by Mr. President, I called my accountant-general and commissioner for finance and told them they must implement. I am not an accountant and at that time, I didn ’t know the implication. But from what I saw about the advantages of TSA, I said let TSA be implemented in the state. I immediately set up a committee and today, it is being implemented in my state I don ’t know why some governors will find it difficult to implement TSA. But for me, if wasn ’t difficult for me to implement and we are getting some reserved funds. Things that were not known at all, some accounts that were not known to us are being traced and we are getting excess money from there. I will ask governors that have not done TSA to quickly adopt and start implementing it in their state.

The APC won election last year based on the change agenda and Nigerians believe that by now they should start seeing this

change. Eight months into the life of the administration, Nigerians are beginning to complain. Are you worried about this?

While I am worried because of the kinds of complaints that are coming, I am also worried because of the impatience of Nigerians. If you begin to compare the state of the nation before the election, you will understand what the President is facing. Before 2014, what was the cost of a barrel of oil? At a stage, it was over $140, but today, we are getting back to less than $30 with the same budget and the same responsibility. Like in my state, it is the same salary and every other thing. In the past, allocation to my state was between N5 billion and N8 billion, but today, with a salary bill of about N1.8 billion, we are getting about N2 billion, sometimes less. Last month (January), we got N1.6 billion. But the people will not understand. They will tell you it is change and since you said change, it should have been better. But they must also understand the economic situation we are going through. What we need to do is to be a little bit patient because the reforms that are going on are yielding

You said federal allocation to your state has reduced drastically and this is the complaint of all your colleagues who have argued that they cannot keep up with the minimum wage. What is your position on this?

Initially, there was misconception about what we were saying. At the Governors ’ Forum, we were appealing to the president to reconsider the position of the states so that people will be able to pay salaries, it is not only payment of salaries that we have as our responsibility. There are so many people on the street and so, you need to employ people and this was becoming very impossible and to pay salaries. So, we were calling for measures. Thank God that the president has introduced some measures. For example, we are talking about solid minerals now; we are beginning to open the space so that we can use that to improve our internal revenue. I am not sure they got us right when they say that we wanted to downsize. As far as I am concerned, it is going to be very difficult to saying will downsize on the Plateau. I am not thinking of doing that. What I am trying to do is to be able to retain what I have and be able to improve on it. That is why our concentration us on how to improve our revenue generation so that we can sustain the salary structure that we have, and if possible, employ additional workforce. Downsizing is going to be very unpopular especially in the change era.

The President has said it will be difficult and that he will not advice any state to downsize. Not only states, but corporate organizations. So, what we are trying to do is to manage what we have and also improve on it.

It ’s always been very difficult for most states to run their football clubs. Plateau United has just gained promotion. What is your arrangement?

Let me tell you that if you go to my state, they will say there will be no reason why football will fail because I was also a footballer. I played with the likes of Nduka Ugbade. We were all selected to go to Kwara. It was from there that they went for international engagement.

Some of us were writing our exams and so could not make it. That is to tell you the level I played football and so, I take football seriously. When I came in, my first task was to be able to take Plateau CONTINUED ON PAGE 39

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11

February 21, 2016

Man in the News Senator Ali Modu Sheriff

Rough start for new PDP boss AYO ESAN

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ormer Governor of Borno state, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff last week emerged the new Peoples Democratic Party, PDP national chairman.

His emergence came about after the party ’s National Executive Committee, NEC meeting following a unanimous endorsement of his candidature by the PDP Governors Forum, the Board of Trustees, BoT, the national caucus and National Working Committee, NWC .

In their selection they agreed that the former Borno state governor, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff should finish the vacuum created after the resignation of Alhaji Ahmed Adamu Mu ’azu.

Ali Modu Sheriff who is a father inlaw to President Muhammadu Buhari ’s daughter may have been carefully chosen to avert corrupt charges against him while his tenure lasts.

The PDP National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh said Sheriff selection came into being following a unanimous choice of his candidate by all the party organs which left the party with the only option of endorsing him as the new party chairman.

It would be recalled that the PDP chairmanship has been entangled in crises since the resignation of the former chairman, Adamu Mua ’zu after the party ’s great loss in the 2015 presidential and other elections.

The party has since then been shopping for a replacement even as the NWC was reluctant to let go the position.

The Deputy Chairman has been acting as the chairman of the party until recently when the former political adviser to the former president , Mr Goodluck Jonathan, Dr Ahmed Gulak got a court verdict which urged the party to pick somebody from the North East to complete the tenure of Mua ’zu.

After the party failed to react promptly to the verdict of the court , Gulak and some former aides of former President Jonathan stormed the party secretariat in Abuja where he declared himself as the national chairman of the party.

After the dust raised by Gulak ’s action , the party woke up from slumber and asked the North East leaders to produce a candidate for the party ’s national chairman.

The National caucus of the PDP expanded the list of party leaders from the Northeast for the party ’s position when it drafts Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, Nuhu Ribadu and two others into the race.

The entry of Sen. Ali Modu Sheriff and Nuhu Ribadu came at the last hour and it was seen as an imposition by the state governors and senators to show solidarity to one of their own to emerge

as has been the tradition.

The election of Sheriff has however polarized the party as many leaders are against his election .

But in its reaction to the controversy that the election of Sheriff as the national chairman had caused, the PDP Governors Forum clarified that Sheriff will only serve out the tenure of Dr Adamu Mu ’azu, who resigned as chairman last year.

The Forum said the choice of Sheriff does not in any way affect the party ’s decision to zone the 2019 presidential ticket to the North-East.

Sheriff, it was gathered, would quit in two months, as the governors reacted to backlash, especially in the social media, over his emergence.

The governors who seeks members cooperation for the new national chairman, counseling party members not to rush in joining the crowd of those criticising his choice for the post.

According to a statement issued in Abuja, last Thursday, by the coordinator of the forum, Mr Osaro Onaiwu, the choice of Sheriff was in the best interest of PDP. The statement stressed that “he is to complete the tenure of the North-East, as specified by the party ’s constitution and organise a national convention for the election of substantive officers. ” They are of the opinion that while it was normal for dissent in a large and national party like the PDP, members should not lose sight of the bigger picture, which is to re-strategise ahead 2019 and other coming elections in Edo and Ondo states this year.

“It has come to our notice that some

members of our great party have expressed their reservations on the emergence of the new national chairman, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff.

“As expected, not everybody can be on the same page in such matters, though of the same party.

“We wish to appeal to our members to keep the bigger picture in mind, which is to reposition ahead 2019 with individuals that have the track record in power play.

“As a national party, it is important that every matter is looked at from all sides and not just the negative narrative of the opposition party.

“None of our leaders have been arraigned for terrorism-related charges and there is no way the international community will not, at least, have an idea of those who have aided and funded Boko Haram, ” the statement read.

Some former ministers and members of the Board of Trustees, BoT are said to have raised a committee to meet with exPresident Goodluck Jonathan and to give him a March deadline to reject Sheriff or face a mass exodus.

Sheriff was said to have barged into a BoT session late last week but it was gathered that members only promised to get back to him on his plea for acceptance.

But the anti-Sheriff forces in the party and some members of the National Working Committee, NWC are pushing for the tenure of the acting chairman to end in March.

Sheriff succeeded Adamu Mu ’azu whose tenure ought to end in March.

Ali Modu Sheriff was born in Ngala, Ngala Local Government Area of , Borno

State in 1956. His father was a business tycoon, Galadima Modu Sheriff.

He attended Government Secondary School, Bama (1974 –1979);London School of Business, where he studied Insurance, Banking and Finance.

In 1981, he joined his father ’s construction company as a Director, later becoming Managing Director. In 1985, he registered his first company. His companies include Meroil Organisation and Union Chase.

He was elected as a senator from Borno during the Nigeria ‘s Third Republic under the banner of National Republican Convention, NRC, his opponent then was Kolo Kingibe, wife of the SDP chairman, Babagana Kingibe.

He was also a member of the Constitutional Conference and chaired the committee on states and local government.

Sheriff was elected Senator representing Borno Central on the platform of the United Nigeria Congress Party, UNCP during General Sani Abacha ’s military regime.

After democracy was restored, in April 1999 he was again elected Senator, Borno Central on the platform of the All Nigeria Peoples Party , ANPP. In 2003, he ran for Governorship of Borno State on the ANPP platform and won.

He was re-elected in 2007 and sworn in on 29 May 2007. In both cases, he defeated the PDP candidate Kashim Ibrahim-Imam He has been accused of being a sponsor to the Islamic sect Boko - Haram by an Australian hostage negotiator Steven Davies.

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Wellness YOUR HEALTH AND HEALTH RELATED ISSUES February 21, 2016

‘Dealing with rheumatism, arthritis ’

produced by the synovium (synovial membrane) that lines the joint cavity.

“When a patient has arthritis, it means something is wrong with the joint or joints, and what goes wrong depends on the

ODINAKA URUAKPA

R

heumatism, a popular term for chronic pain applies to variety of diseases that cause stiffness, limitation of motion in the joints, bones, tendons, ligaments and muscles.

Rheumatism also referred to as rheumatic disorder is a non specific term for medical problems affecting the joints and connective tissue, referred to in medical parlance as Arthritis. This ailment (Arthritis), affects the muscular skeletal system, specifically the joints, and it usually is the main cause of disability in people over fifty-five years of age in industrialized countries.

According to medical experts, Arthritis is not a single disease, but a term that covers a lot of medical conditions and a deviating disease that has impacted people of all ages mostly adults. When not treated, Arthritis leads to damaged joints and confinement to bed.

The existing types of arthritis are said to be caused by a combination of several factors such as genetic makeup, physically de-

manding job; especially one that involves repetitive movement, previous injury, infection or allergic reaction. Excessive food intake can also be a causative factor of the condition, as obesity places extra strain on joints. People infected with auto immune diseases are also at risk of getting inflicted with advanced arthritis.

Speaking with Sunday Mirror, Dr. Austin Ogie, medical practitioner with Healing Field Medical Centre, Lagos, defined Arthritis as the inflammation of the joints, which are parts of the body where two bones meet to aid movement.

“A joint is where one bone moves on another bone while the ligaments are like elastic bands, they keep the bones in place and the muscles either relax or contract to make the joint move, the cartilage covers the bone surface to stop the two bones from rubbing directly against each other, thereby allowing the joint to work smoothly and painlessly ” he revealed.

He further revealed that there are capsules surrounding the joint and the space within the joint, adding that the particular cavity contains the synovial fluid which nourishes the joint and the cartilage

type of arthritis the patient is experiencing, it is either the cartilage is wearing away or it lacks fluid; it could also be a combination of many other factors ”, he revealed.

Ogie revealed that there are over 100 types of arthritis, but the common among them are the Osteo arthritis, Rheumatoid arthritis and infectious arthritis which he claimed leads to loss of elasticity in the cartilage.

“When the cartilage becomes stiff, it can get easily damaged since it acts as a shock absorber and may gradually wear away in some parts of the body. While the cartilage becomes damaged, the tendons and ligaments get over stretched, causing the bones to rub against each other, as the sufferer feels pain in the affected area ”, he noted.

The medic claimed that rheumatoid arthritis can lead to deformity if it is left untreated, adding that it is significantly common in women than in men and generally affects people between the age of 40 and 60, and in few cases, younger people have also been affected by the disease.

“Arthritis can be recognized when one notices pains in the joint, the joint will be

stiff especially in the morning. Patients may find it harder to use the joint, they feel grating sensation. Hard lumps or bone spurs may also appear around the joint and in some cases the joint gets swollen.

The disease affects mainly the hips, hands, knees and spine. Rheumatoid arthritis patients often find the joints in each side of the body painfully swollen, inflamed and stiff. Parts of the body, such as the fingers, arms, legs and wrist are also affected. As the arthritis progresses, it spreads from the smaller joints in the hands, wrists, ankles to the elbows, knees ,hips, neck ,shoulder and jaw. In the case of infectious arthritis, the patients often run temperature, experience joint inflammation swelling, tenderness or sharp pain, and the symptoms affect areas like the knee, shoulder, elbow, wrist and fingers ”, he explained.

In terms of treatment, he stated Non Steroids Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDS), are the prescribed medications for treating arthritis, adding that most people who suffer this condition often go for over-thecounter, non-prescribed NSAIDs, such as aspirin and ibuprofen.

“NSAIDs are more than just pain relievers, they help in reducing inflammation and at the same time relieve fever. However, they prevent blood from clotting because they reduce clotting action, some NSAIDS, especially aspirin, may have protective effect against heart disease, but if they are not properly used, the drugs may cause harm to the body. Low intake of these drugs cures a vast range of ailments from headaches, muscle ache to fever and minor pain, while a higher dosage prescription also helps to reduce joint inflammation ” he emphasized.

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Praise & Worship E-mail:cossyodi@yahoo.com G-mail:ranke2015@gmail.com

EDIFYING GOD

–Prof Kunle Macaulay

Sunday, February 21, 2016

Set your house in order 16

QUOTE

The Bible confirms that God ordains human authority to rule in the world of man and this should be according to the will of God. Some Christian leaders preach and interpret the Bible out of context.

Misconstruing Valentine’s Day 17

Venerating relics in Christianity

What the Bible says to politics 32

14 & 15

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Cover

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he term relic is derived from the Latin word reliquiae, meaning remains, and a form of the Latin verb relinquere, to leave behind, or abandon can be defined as something from a past time, place or culture. Relics can be objects such as a piece of clothing or the bone of a saint that is considered holy or objects esteemed and venerated because of association with a saint or martyr.

Relics can also be defined as things that have survived the passage of time, especially objects or custom whose original culture has disappeared. Corporal punishment for example, is said to be a relic of barbarism. Relics are also things that are cherished for their age or historic interest and are usually kept for their association with the past; as mementos. They may come in form the form of objects of religious veneration, especially a piece of the body (remains) or a personal item of a saint.

In religion, a relic usually consists of the physical remains of a saint or the personal effects of the saint or venerated person preserved for purposes of veneration as a tangible memorial. Relics are an important aspect of some forms of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Shamanism, and many other religions.

Strange as it may seem in Christianity, which so adheres to the belief in the resurrected body after the final judgment, some denominations attach much importance to the veneration of body parts and personal effects of the faithful departed.

Catholic clergy and writer, Dom Bernardo Cignitti, O.S.B., once wrote that in a religion as spiritually centered as Christianity, the remains of certain dead are surrounded with special care and veneration. He claimed that the mortal remains of the deceased are associated in some manner with the holiness of their souls which await reunion with their bodies in the resurrection.

The veneration of sacred relics has a long history in Christianity. It is commonly held that the first account of such veneration stretches back to the martyrdom of Saint Polycarp, catholic bishop and martyr, who was killed by being burned at the stake in the amphitheater at Smyrna around the year 155 A.D. One such reference, which comes from the Office of Readings assigned to the memorial of Saint Polycarp (February 23) in the Liturgy of the Hours. It is recorded that even before his martyrdom; Polycarp had received every mark of honour in tribute to his holiness of life.

The Fathers of the Church take up the theme of the reverence paid to the sacred relics as early as the fourth and fifth centuries. By the 1100s, relics were being venerated in churches and shrines which attracted numerous pilgrims.

According to Cignitti, as time went on, the clothing and personal effects of holy men and women, boys and girls of the Lord were also enshrined. Cignitti observed that this practice became common because of the widespread belief, beyond measure in the centuries of the early middle ages, that the wonder-working power of the saint was to be found not only in the entire body but also in every part of it and in objects that had been in contact with the person in question.

It was also recorded that after the

Sunday, February 21, 2016

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Venerating relics

Supposed crown of thorns worn by Jesus

A number of relics associated with Jesus have been claimed and displayed throughout the history of Christianity. Some people believe in the authenticity of some relics; others doubt the authenticity of these items ranging from the wood claimed to be from the cross used in the Crucifixion of Jesus, as we as body parts and personal effects of disciples, martyrs and saints which have been continually venerated as relics across Europe. ODINAKA URUAKPA speaks to clerics to get their view on this. death of Emperor Constantine in the fourth century, cases of wood, ivory, and various metals containing relics were deposited in altars at the time of their dedication or buried near the tombs of the dead or even worn around the neck. It became the norm during the era that altars at the time of their consecration by the bishop were to have inserted a relic of a saint, preferably a martyr, which was kissed by the priest as he began to offer the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. It is still earnestly recommended that every altar possess a relic of one of the saints.

There are several relics and other carefully preserved religious artifacts meant to be venerated in Christianity. In the middle ages, as recorded by some writers, there were hundreds of supposed burial places for the twelve apostles. It has been said that one could build a large boat from all the pieces of wood purported to be from Jesus’ cross.

The most famous Christian relic, the Shroud of Turin, which is associated with an approved Catholic devotion to the Holy Face of Jesus, attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. Some relics, such as purported remnants of the Crown of Thorns, receive only a modest number of pilgrims.

There are several relics and other carefully preserved religious artifacts meant to be venerated in

Christianity. In the middle ages, as recorded by some writers, there were hundreds of supposed burial places for the twelve apostles.

According to Reverend Fr. William Saunders, catholic priest and writer, there are three classes of sacred relics namely the first-class; consisting of a part of the saint’s body, second-class and the third-class.

“There are three classes of sacred relics. The first-class is a part of the saints’ body; it is this type which is placed in an altar stone. The second-class is a piece of the saints clothing or something used by the saint, while the third-class is an object which has been touched to a first-class relic.

When asked if it is compulsory for the Catholic faithful to esteem the bodies of the saints Saunders said: “Once and for all, the Council of Trent in the

16th century responded to the claims of the reformers that both the veneration of the saints and their relics is contrary to Sacred Scripture. The Council concluded that alongside Christ, also the holy bodies of the holy martyrs and of the others who dwell with Christ are to be honoured by the faithful. There are several scriptural passages that support the veneration of relics. For example, it is recorded in Exodus 13:19, that the Israelites took Josephs bones when they departed Egypt. The bones of Elisha came in contact with a dead person who then was raised to life in 2 Kings 13:21. The same Elisha took the mantle of Elijah and fashioned a miracle with it (2 Kings 2:13). In Acts of the apostle, chapter 19, verse 12, the Christians of Ephesus, by using handkerchiefs and

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Cover

Sunday, February 21, 2016

s in Christianity cloths touched to Saint Paul’s skin, effected the healing of the sick.

To venerate the relics of the saints is a profession of belief in several doctrines of the Catholic faith. For instance, it establishes the belief in everlasting life for those who have obediently witnessed to Christ and His Holy Gospel here on earth; the truth of the resurrection of the body for all persons on the last day; the doctrine of the splendor of the human body and the respect which all should show toward the bodies of both the living and the deceased; the belief in the special intercessory power which the saints enjoy in heaven because of their intimate relationship with Christ the King; and the truth of our closeness to the saints because of our connection in the communion of saints, we as members of the Church militant or pilgrim Church, and they as members of the Church triumphant.”

The cleric claimed that the relics of the saints and their veneration is just another in the long line of treasures which Jesus Christ gave to the church, as well as exhibits God’s love and mercy on His followers.

“Aside being part of the treasures which Jesus Christ has given to His chaste bride, the Church, these relics summon us to appreciate more profoundly not only the heroic men and women, boys and girls who have served the Master so selflessly and generously, but especially the love and mercy of the Almighty who called these His followers to the bliss of unending life in His eternal kingdom”, he claimed.

Pastor John Adeniyi, Senior Pastor with Freedom Christian Miracle Assembly, Lagos claimed that one of the dangers inherent in the veneration of relics is the temptation to becoming superstitious and committing idolatry, citing the case of the Israelites and the bronze serpent which God asked Moses to make as antidote for poisonous snakes.

“This is exactly what happened in ancient Israel as recorded in Numbers 21:89. God had told Moses to make a bronze serpent in order to save the Hebrews from a plague of poisonous snakes. That bronze serpent was kept by the Israelites as a reminder of God’s goodness and salvation; however, by the time of King Hezekiah, the relic (bronze serpent) had become an object of worship. Hezekiah’s reforms included breaking into pieces the bronze snake Moses had made, for up to that time the Israelites had been burning incense to it. If you check the scripture in 2 Kings 18:4, the object was called Nehushtan. Physical aids to faith, if not commanded by God, are unnecessary and inevitably lead to superstition and idolatry. There is absolutely no power in Christian relics. Even if the entire cross of Jesus were discovered intact, it would have no spiritual value. Relics do not, in any manner whatsoever, enable us to get closer to God. The humerus of a

saint can do nothing for your spirit. Relics should not be prayed to, worshipped, or in any way be used as a means to better connect with God. Using relics in such a talismanic way is blatant idolatry (Exodus 20:3; Isaiah 42:8). An elaborate church filled with relics is no more valid a place for worship than a simple tent in a jungle. We worship the Lord in spirit and truth (John 4:24), not by idols, icons, or relics, whether genuine or fake”, he stated.

On how Christians should view relics, Adeniyi said: “Today, we hear that a splinter from Jesus’ cross has been found in Turkey, tomorrow, Jesus’ baby blanket has surfaced in Germany, etc. I even heard somewhere that the index finger of John the Baptist is on display in a reliquary in a Missouri museum. Undeniably, it would be extremely interesting if an actual piece of Jesus’ cross or a thorn from the crown of thorns could be discovered and verified. The problem is that there is absolutely no way to know if a piece of Judean wood dates to the first century A.D. Someone could claim it came from Jesus’ cross, but how could that claim be substantiated? The wood could just as easily have come from a Judean fence post. In the early centuries, relics became a massive profiteering scam architected by some people in the Christian faith. Seemingly, every church throughout Europe had some sort of relic to attract visitors. If a church in a nearby town discovered a more important relic, a game of one-upmanship ensued, with the relics being discovered becoming more and more impressive.

Christians should be more sensible, they should not allow anyone deceive them into touring and making all these places where these things are found pilgrim centers where they believe they can receive healing or salvation. It is highly unlikely that any of the Christian relics discovered in the past 2,000 years have any true connection to Jesus or the apostles.”

Making his thoughts known on venerating relics, Pastor Femi Lanre-Oke, General Overseer, Jesus Praise Evangelical Ministries, International, Abuja claimed that people venerating relics is not the key thing in Christianity, as they have nothing to do in the salvation and redemption of the human race.

“In the body of Christ, there is something that is called generality and specialty of the Christian faith. These things called relics are not the real things needed in Christianity; they have nothing to do with our faith, our salvation and redemption. So I don’t subscribe to preserving or keeping of body parts or personal effects of some perceived holy person for the sake of veneration by people who are supposed to be Christians”, he said.

On the preservation of the cross on which Jesus was crucified and perceived miraculous healing power in the object,

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Tomb of Jesus

Oke stated that those who claimed to have received healing by touching the cross on which

Jesus was crucified are

ruled by the way their minds have been directed to think.

Oke said: “All these practices are wrong.

They are just some religious rites invented by God knows who to distract people.

The cross on which Jesus died over 2000 years ago is just a piece of wood. It is only ones faith that can bring healing to a person. It is not the symbol of the cross that is carried around or that one goes in search of to touch that brings healing, but ones faith in what God has said and done.

If you go seeking the cross or any personal effects of Jesus, His disciples or any other holy person for that matter, you would only be deceiving yourself. All this believe and veneration of spiritual relics is just religious rites established by man and they have no power to bring salvation or redemption to anyone. Christians should only seek the person of Christ because it is only in Him that they can find

what they seek. I want to say it again, that here is no power in all the physical symbols people run around to see and touch.

All we need is to follow the word of God in the right manner; anything after this is irrelevant.”

Oke stated that those who claimed to have received healing by touching the cross on which Jesus was crucified are ruled by the way their minds have been directed to think.

“I think these people’s mindset have been structured in such a way that they believe anything they are told. Our healing, salvation and redemption is in the name of our Lord Jesus, the blood of Jesus and the work He (Jesus) did on the cross, and not the physical symbol of the cross or any personal effect of Christ Himself, martyr or saint”, he claimed.

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From the

Pulpit Sunday, February 21, 2016

Set your house in order

General Overseer of the Lord’s Chosen Charismatic Revival Ministry, Pastor Lazarus Muoka, in this piece, teaches about setting the House of God in order. Excerpts:

J

osh. 24:15 says, “And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD” Brethren, it is very important that we should have concern of what becomes of our souls and that of other Christians after this world.

This is because lots have gone astray and deviated from their professed faith as a result of the things of the world. We should be disturbed by the situation of the multitude who have given themselves over to money and the things of the world. Paul the Apostle showed concern when Demas a fellow disciple in the workforce deserted him because of the love of this world.

2Tim 4:10 “For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica.”

Paul had the concern that Demas has forsaken him because of the love of the things of the world and that was really the concern of the Apostles. We should be concerned about the behaviour of the members of our local church, friends, relations and people around us. We should be bothered for the misuse of the temple of God as our Master Jesus Christ who trying to correct the negative behavioural activities of those in the temple decided to drive them out of the church.

John 2:13-16, “And the Jews’ passover was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem,14 And found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting: 15 And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers’ money, and overthrew the tables;16 And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father’s house an house of merchandise” Many have given themselves to the things that do not profit their souls thereby endangering their souls. The Almighty God entrusted every one of us with a soul of inestimable worth and preciousness, capable of being eternally saved or lost. And the gain of the whole world cannot be comparable with the loss of one precious soul. The soul loss is irrecoverable.

Mark 8:36-37 says “For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? 37 Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?36 what good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?”

If you are in the church and have loosed focus of heaven which is the primary purpose of being in the church and now have focus your energy in what to eat, wear, and how to get the world, then you have missed the focal point. This is because those things are secondary things, for the soul is more important. The souls of those around you (wife, husband, relations) and the members of the church are more important than the whole world. So, we ought to put our houses vis-à-vis our souls in order to avoid the wrath of God. THE HOUSE OF GOD EXPLIAEBD

AND REASON 1Cor. 3:16-17 says, “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? 17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are” Our hearts and that of the people around us and our physical church, are the temples of God. The heart of all the people around you are the temple of God and the Lord is saying today ‘set your house in order’ You are the temple God, even your wife, husband, children are the temples of God, including the members of your house-care fellowship and local church. If that been the case, what attention are you giving it so that the temple of God will be in the form it ought to be. If your house is in order, your soul is in order then the house of God will be in order. But if not, God is telling you through this message to set your house in order.

Acts 17:28 “For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring” The scripture says, it is in Him that we live and have our beings. This means, we are the house of God for God lives inside us and we live inside Him. He is the original Fountain of our life. That we live at all is His gift and our continued and prolonged existence is also His gift. He lives in every one of us, so where we are, there He is. We cannot separate from Him. Mathew 18:20 says, ‘For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.’

So here we are now, God is here because all of us here gathered in His name, so this is the house of God. Therefore, your house where you gather your children and wife to pray is the house of God. And it is your duty to keep the house of God in order. Nothing should be left undone to ensure the house of God is set in order.

Jn 2:3-16 says, “And the Jews’ passover was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem, 14 And found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting: 15 And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers’ money, and overthrew the tables; 16 And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father’s house an house of merchandise” This teaches us that our house and the evil going on in our heart irritate God for it is the house of God. So, we must do something quickly in other to set our house in o r-

der. Many people, who allow their hearts to be occupied with covetousness, love of money and things of this world are polluting the house of God in them. It is a pity to see many Christians’ heart filled with money changers, covetousness and yet they want to win souls, preach and that is why the Lord is asking you today to set your heart in order first. Some churches today have turned the house of God into business centres, and their members minds are fixed in money instead of what will make them get to heaven at last.

Our Master Jesus Christ used cane and sent the money changers away from the temple, likewise we are expected to go and eradicate all the distractions in our houses, heart, offices that are making us not to pay attention to the work of God. This we must do for we should be jealous of the house of God, for the house of God must not be misused by people who claim to be Christians, leaders, pastors.

Beloved, how do you see what is happening in your local churches, houses, offices and market places? How do you see the life your wife, husband, children, friends etc are living? Are you seeing Christianity in them, are their lives bringing Glory to the house of God? What is happening in their lives, is there holiness and righteousness in your house, are your house members interested in the things of God. Do they go to church in time and listen to sermon, if not, God is asking today that you set your house in order.

Brethren, it’s very necessary that you put to check your wife, husband, children, yourself, and know if they are saved, sanctified and are making efforts to go to heaven, ready for rapture, serving God and doing the will of God. If you find them wanting in any of the above, set your house in order, bring them to godly focus. Be concerned about what they do and how they do it in the house of God. The Lord is telling us today to set our house in order, who knows whether it is because the trumpet is about to sound. He loves us and has seen our commitment, labour, and wants us to set our house in order before the trumpet shall sound. We must not allow the house of God to be defiled instead we must begin the purification from ourselves then affect the lives of those around us which includes our local church members. We should always keep the temple of God (our heart) pure which is our house and the house of God. Brethren, let us keep to purity for this is the injunction of God. Keep your wife pure, keep the Children, friends and members of the church pure. Purity should be our watch word. So, let’s set our house in order.

Mathew 5:8 says, “Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God” The pure in heart will spiritually see God in this life and immediately in the life to come.

Those whose minds, motives, and principles are pure, and who seek not only to have the external actions correct, but desire to be holy in heart, and are so shall gloriously experience God in this life. We don’t know when the rapture will take place, so, we are advised to set our house in order. We should sanctify all that are Pastor Muoka around us and

keep to purity all the things that surround us so that none shall miss rapture. And also through purity, we can produce pure and holy brethren.

If we are pure, and the church is pure, when we invite somebody to the church, that person shall be established in purity. An unholy thing cannot produce a holy thing. So let us set our house in other.

If you don’t care about the life of your husband, wife, children that are living in iniquity, you will definitely be affected. If your husband is not truly born again, your children are not born again they will make you to be angry and commit sin. When you come to sing your alleluia song, they will make caricature of you, and will do everything to make you uncomfortable, therefore, set your house in order. Remember God is holy and having Him in us demands a duty from us which is maintenance of holiness.

1Peter 1: 15-16 says, “But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; 16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy”.

If God is holy, it also entails His house must be holy. That is why He commands us to adapt to His nature of holiness. Our Lord Jesus Christ dealt with those defiling the house of God, because God’s house must be holy. And when He sent them out of the temple, the Scripture says, the lame and the blind were healed, why, because immediately the house of God was cleansed, the power of God came down to heal and deliver them.

Matt. 21: 12-14 states, “And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves, 13 And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves. 14 And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple; and he healed them” As soon as the temple was cleansed, the power of God to heal and deliver was availed for the sick and as many as were suffering from one ailment and another were healed.

OUR EXPECTED RESPONSE & DANGER OF NEGLECT Having known what God requires from us as custodians of His house/temple, we should purify ourselves, our hearts and ensure purity on every side. We must begin from ourselves, and make sure there is purity within and outside so that we can be able to purify others. We must also ensure the purity of those with us and around us, in the house of God and in our offices by the life we live and the word of God we preach. We must show them the way to Christ, to be saved.

1Thes 4:3-4 states, “For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: 4 That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour” God has called all, including those in the church into holiness. The will of God is that Christians should be holy and pure, chaste and clean and not indulging themselves in those impure and filthy lusts of the flesh. Any unholy thing should be removed from your life, business and church. It is said that cleanliness is next to godliness, so the church environment must always be clean. Likewise your hearts, houses, offices, the people in your house and church must be clean by the word of God. Your conversation must be seasoned with the word of God. Through this you will deal with any evil in the church and set your house in order.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

From the Pulpit

Sunday, February 21, 2016

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Misconstruing Valentine’s Day General Overseer of Omnipotence Mission of God, Prophet Joshua Daramola Oloruntimilehin, in this admonition, says most people misunderstand what Valentine’s Day is all about . Excerpts:

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very 14th day of the month of February has been set aside for the celebration of Lover’s day globally which is known and called Valentine’s Day. The motive behind the celebration by the person that created it is for the people of the world to extend the hand of love to one another without discrimination in colour, race, religion, gender, status etc. The day is meant for demonstration of love and kindness between the poor and the rich, the haves and the needies, not create hatred among the people and do evil to one another.

But today people have misconstrued the motive behind lover’s day to a day relationship between opposite sex is to be established and eventually culminate into wedlock. Some people believe it is a day to exhibit a person’s sexual prowess and a day to commit adultery or fornication. Brethren I convincingly know that lover’s day is for people to practise hospitality.

Jesus Christ our Lord told us in the Scripture that love is the greatest commandment in the Law. Matthew 22 verses 36 – 40 “Teacher which is the greatest commandment in the Law? Jesus said to him, you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul and with your entire mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And second is like it; you shall love your neighbour as yourself. On these two commandments hang all Laws and Prophets” It is pertinent to let people know that love is about truth (Romans 12 verse 9).

If a person is not honest he or she does not have love. If a person has love, he or she would not lie to his or her neighbour.

Any person that tell lies to one another, then the person can dupe or defraud his or her neighbour.

A person that has the spirit of love dwelling in him or her would not inflict hardship and pains on his or her fellow human being. Imagine husband and wife do not understand each other to the extent that when any of the couple makes any statement, the other would claim as a lie vice-versa. They would only believe each other when they swear on the Bible or Koran. A wedlock that has experienced several years of union still lack true love. Most of the divorces and separations that occur could be traced to insincerity and lack of trust among couples.

Marriages that are founded on insincerity and lie would produce children that tell lies and insincere. So such parents that punish or scold their children for being dishonest would be punished by the creator of the children. Parents that want their children to be of good behaviour and conduct must ensure true love exist in their homes. Imagine a situation where husband and wife cannot look into each other phone pick calls for each other. Why? Some husbands coded the numbers of their concubine in their phones; also some wives do the same thing. This act is to avoid each other knowing who is into extra-marital

affairs. What kind of love is that? Love of deceit and lack of trust. The relationship that exists between husband and wife has a lot to do in the upbringing of the children. Brethren I pray that God Almighty will forgive parents that fail to trust each other, unfair and unjust to their children.

I want true love to exist. I want true love to exist among couples because the Bible says in Ephesians 5 verse 22 – 33 “.... he who loves his wife loves himself. After all, no-one ever hate his body, but he feeds and cares for it just as Christ does the church – for we are members of his body,. For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh...”

Does true love exist between the government and the people? No. In many countries of the world, there is disconnect between the government and the people they govern. Government should show love to the people by formulating and executing policies and programmes that will have positive impacts on the life of the people. Love is the ultimate as its virtues are celebrated in the 1 Corinthian 13 verse 1 – 7 “... love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud, it is not rude; it is not selfseeking, it is not easily

angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.

Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.

It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Loves never fail” Verse 13 “And now these three r e main; faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love”.

Let the people of the world exhibit true love so that peace and tranquillity will reign.

Prophet Oloruntimilehin

Priceless gifts we owe each other

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e have just observed a gift-giving seasons. Christmas comes around yearly, with all its gift wrappings and sharing. Whether or not you got what you wanted or gave what you could may be a hunting thought for many. Someone said: “Christmas is a time when everybody wants his past forgotten and his present remembered!” Then comes Valentine! Love in the air! Of course with its attendant heart-breaks, surprises, twists and turns.

People say: “every day is not Christmas,” to indicate that you do not expect gifts everyday. I beg to disagree! There are gifts we owe one another every day. These gifts have become a divine mandate for all and sundry. The good news is that these priceless gifts actually cost you nothing!

The Bible mandates: “Give to everyone what you owe. Do you owe taxes? Then pay them. Do you owe anything else to the government? Then pay it. Do you owe respect? Then give it. Do you owe honor? Then show it. Pay everything you owe.

But you can never pay back all the love you owe each other. Those who love others have done everything the law requires” (Rom 13:7-8; NIRV).

The Gift of Listening. Listen to people without interrupting. Listen without busying yourself with planning your response. Just listening. A

lasting gift to a child is the gift of a parent’s listening ear and heart. You can win more friends with your ears than with your mouth.

“The Golden rule of friendship is to listen to others as you would have them listen to you.”

The wise man advised to engage our ears before our mouth! “He who answers before listening that is his folly and his shame” (Prov 18:13). If you answer before you’ve listened, you should be ashamed of yourself! Do you thoroughly listen before you start speaking? Or do you jump right in, “answering before listening?” God gives us His instructions for how our communication is supposed to be: “Be quick to listen, slow to speak, and (as a result) slow to become angry” (James 1:19). Learn to listen more effectively. Be an active and patient listener brings understanding and makes the other person feel important.

The Gift of Affection. Owe no one nothing but love (Rom 13:8). Love is the strongest human passion. Love is the oil that makes the machinery of human relationships to run smoothly.

Love conquers all things. “Love is the glue that cements friendship, jealousy keeps it from sticking.” In the game of love, there are only winners, no losers. Love is sharing a part of yourself with others. The Bible admonishes us to love our acquaintances as well as our enemies. Let these small actions demonstrate the love you have for family and friends. Be generous with appropriate hugs, kisses, pats on the back and handholds.

The Gift of a Smile and or Laughter. A smile is a universal language! Even when you do not understand a word of what is being said, a smile can communicate a lot. Furthermore, a good laugh is still the best medicine, whether you are sick or not. “Laughter is a tranquilizer with no

side effects.” It is also “the shock absorber that eases the blows of life.” It is to “life what salt is to an egg;” it sweetens everything. It is the music of the soul.

“Laughter is the cheapest luxury that man has. It stirs up the blood, expands the chest, electrifies the nerves, clears away the cobwebs from the brain, and gives the whole system a cleansing rehabilitation.”

Your gift to people should say: “I love to laugh with you.” Clip cartoons. Share articles and funny stories.

Try to make the world laugh; it already has enough to cry about! You are never fully dressed in the morning until you put on a smile!

The Gift of a Compliment. A simple and sincere, “You look great today,” or “you did a super job” or “that was a wonderful meal” can make someone’s day. It could be spoken or sent as a text or email message, a simple written note or memo. It can be a simple “Thanks for the help” note or a full sonnet.

A brief, handwritten note may be remembered for a lifetime, and may even change a life. Don’t forget that appreciation is always appreciated. No one is so poor that he or she cannot give a compliment. Someone said: “a compliment a day keeps divorce far, far away!”

The Gift of a Cheerful Disposition. The Bible says: “A merry heart does good like medicine” (Prov).

Are people happy around you or morose? Do you have an aura of cheerfulness or gloom? The easiest way to feel good is to make others feel good. Cheerfulness greases the axles of the world. Cheerfulness is contagious, but don’t wait to catch it from others. Be a carrier. Remember the steam kettle! Though up to its neck in hot water, it continues to sing!

The Gift of a Favour. Every day, go out of your way to do something kind for somebody. You may not be able to help every one, but in your own unique way, do for the ONE what you would have liked to do for

ALL. A story making rounds on social media is that of 27-year old Olajumoke Orisaguna, a bread hawker from the Sabo market bakery, Lagos, who walked entirely by coincidence into a pictureset being done for Thisday Style Magazine shoot by TY Bello. She ended up becoming a model of sort, now found on the front pages of some magazines.

Her life changed because of the favor shown towards her by complete strangers. She has salon, accommodation, education, and modeling offers.

What a divine favour!

Favour is a refueling point on the journey to destiny. It is a part of God’s means to a far greater and more important end. Make it your life’s passion to show favor to people, especially the unlikely candidate. Favour is sown and invested, not expended. You are bound to reap more favor than you show.

Gift of Solitude. Give people the gift of being left alone when they most desire it. Sometimes, there is nothing better than to be left alone. Be sensitive to those times and give the gift of solitude to others.

Life itself is a gift. Living is a privilege! You do not know how much time you have remaining before you expire on earth! Be happy! Don’t worry!

Spread the joy around. Love the unlovable. Give people unforgettable gifts that are priceless. Determine to leave everyone better and happier than you met them. People may forget what you do, but they will never forget how you make them feel.

Tunde Ojewole, PhD, is the Babcock University Pastor in charge: Division of Spiritual Life. Get your copy of the newly released book: GOD’S FOOTPRINTS. For enquiries, contact:ojewolea@babcock.edu.ng or call/ SMS 08058299434/08060376577.

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February 21, 2016

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

A PUBLICATION OF GLOBAL MEDIA MIRROR LTD BARRISTER JIMOH IBRAHIM, CFR PUBLISHER All the Facts, All the Sides

SUNDAY OLAJIDE MANAGING DIRECTOR/CEO BEN MEMULETIWON ACTING DAILY EDITOR GBEMI OLUJOBI SATURDAY EDITOR AYO OLESIN SUNDAY EDITOR OBIORA IFOH AG ABUJA BUREAU CHIEF DOZIE OKEBALAMA COORDINATOR, EDITORIAL BOARD CALLISTUS OKE EDITORIAL PAGE EDITOR

The increasingly worrisome Lagos waterway mishaps

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ithin a spate of one month this year, Lagos State has recorded three boat mishaps in its waterways, which resulted in about 15 deaths.

For a state that boasts of robust integrated mass transport scheme that is strong on both road and waterway networks and accompanied by appropriate regulatory mechanisms, this newspaper sees this recent unfortunate development as a dent on the performance of the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA), regulatory authority of the sector. We call on the Lagos State government to tighten its grips on the Mrs. Abisola Kamson-led management of LASWA in order to serve Lagosians better.

Lagos State is unique in its location, because of its 3577.28 square kilometre landmass of which about 779.56 (30 percent) is water. And only eight of the 20 local government areas in the state are landlocked. The socioeconomic import of these statistics is that the economy of the state is largely water-dependent.

Indeed, many Lagosians take to water transportation because it comes with ease; it is fast; and it is affordable. Particularly against the backdrop of the gridlocks on the state ’s roads, many Lagosians consider it a preferred choice to road transportation. Current statistics show that about two million citizens of the state patronize waterway transportation each month.

The incumbent Governor Akinwunmi Ambode perceptibly sees water transportation as a key solution to the gridlocks across Lagos metropolis; and he has vowed to develop the sector in the overall interest of the state. Successive governments in the state under the present democratic dispensation have similarly invested heavily in infrastructures in the form of jetties constructed in strategic areas along the waterways. There is no doubt that if well developed and managed this mode of transportation would be a veritable source of revenue for the state government and individuals or corporate organizations, and would also serve as escape from the grinding unemployment ravaging the country for many people.

Lagos State, recognizing the strategic importance of water transportation, has

THE LASWA FUNCTIONS ARE WELL SPELT AND IF WELL

EXECUTED, THE STATE

AND ITS INHABITANTS, ESPECIALLY WATER TRANSPORT USERS, WOULD HAVE BEEN SPARED THE IGNOMINY OF INCESSANT BOAT ACCIDENTS AND THEIR ATTENDANT

SOCIOECONOMIC COSTS.

given intent to this by instituting the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) in 2008. Among its statutory responsibilities and functions are to specify the types of vessels to be used under a license; clear and maintain the waterways to free them from all manners of obstructions - derelicts, wrecks and abandoned properties; install route buoys, gauges, distance boards and markings along the waterways; undertake capital and maintenance dredging and channelization of the water ways; undertake installation and maintenance of lights, buoys and all navigational aids along water channels and banks of the water ways; clear water hyacinth and other aquatic weeds; and of course, charge and collect toll on water transportation.

The LASWA functions are well spelt and if well executed, the state and its inhabitants, especially water transport users, would have been spared the ignominy of incessant boat accidents and their attendant socioeconomic costs. It is, however, unfortunate that the heavy state investment in water transport infrastructures has not been backed with effective enforcement of appropriate regulations by members of the private sector players who operate the ferries by the LASWA. The near docility of the management of this regulatory body, past and present, is

underscored by the numerous preventable boat mishaps in the state. The past two years have been particularly harrowing and traumatic for the high incidence of the accidents and the resultant heavy fatality.

In 2014, three boat mishaps were recorded in a period of four months - January 24, March 11 and April 2 – with fatality of 25 lives. The LASWA negligence of its statutory responsibilities accounted for most of the mishaps. Investigations have show the causative factors of accidents as boats travelling in the night without headlights; boats crashing into wooden objects and sand bergs in the water ways; inferior or malfunctioning life jackets and non-use of life jackets; overloading of ferries; and engine failure.

Some of these factors were responsible for the three accidents recorded this year.

These recorded accidents would have been prevented or their occurrence reduced if LASWA management had been on top of its responsibilities.

Statutory boards and agencies of government are meant to complement governance processes geared towards serving the people better. We urge Governor Ambode through the state ministry of transportation to make LASWA be on top of its duties. We have seen management change in the waterway agency, which has not translated into enhanced performance; the state House of Assembly has also been involved in reinventing things in the sector for better results, these positive developments could only produce the desired results if sanctions are imposed for dereliction of duties.

It has also become imperative for the private sector players providing ferry services to match their drive for profitability with investments on safety measures. A robust engagement of all stakeholders towards finding lasting solutions to the challenges in the sector has become a must. We particularly recommend that no service provider is approved for business if all the necessary safety measures are not put in place. More importantly, all cases of negligence must be visited with heavy sanctions by the authorities. Making Lagos waterways safe will not only guaranty travellers ’ confidence, it will also boost the state ’s economy.

Reminiscences FEBRUARY 21 IN HISTORY 1995: U.S. - Fossett sets balloon record Steve Fossett becomes the first person to fly solo across the Pacific Ocean in a balloon, taking off from South Korea, and landing in Leader, Saskatchewan, Canada. Fossett was reported missing on September 3, 2007 after the plane he was flying over the Nevada desert failed to return and his wife asked for him to be declared legally dead on November 26, 2007.

1804: UK - Trevithick creates first railway steam locomotive Richard Trevithick turns a high pressure steam engine designed to drive a hammer at the Pen-y-Darren Ironworks in Merthyr Tydfil, South Wales into a steam locomotive.

1960: Fidel Castro nationalises all firms in Cuba Following Fidel Castro who believed in communism coming to power, Havana orders all Cuban industry under direct control of the government.

1965: U.S. - Malcolm X assassinated African American leader Malcolm X was assassinated while delivering a speech at the Audubon Ballroom in New York City.

1970: France - Kissinger begins peace talks with North Vietnam Henry Kissinger begins secret peace talks with North Vietnamese representative Le Duc Tho at a villa outside Paris hoping for a mutual withdrawal of forces from South Vietnam which was refused by North Vietnam.

1972: Richard Nixon arrives in China U.S. President Richard Nixon arrives in China at the start of a week-long summit aimed at ending 20 years of difficult relations between the U.S. and China.

1973: Israel shoots down Libyan passenger plane Israeli warplanes shoot down a Libyan passenger plane over the Sinai Desert.

1975: Nixon ’s aides jailed over Watergate Richard Nixon ’s aides John Newton Mitchell, the former U.S. Attorney General, H.R. Haldeman and John Ehrlichman, former White House aides were sentenced to prison for involvement in covering up the Watergate scandal.

1988 U.S. - Jimmy Swaggart quits ministry over scandal TV evangelist Jimmy Swaggart has resigned from his ministry after it was revealed he had been consorting with a prostitute.

This is the third in a series of high profile evangelist scandals including Martin Gorman and Rev Jim Bakker.

PASSION

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Sunday, February 21, 2016

A Lifestyle Magazine

APPLAUSE

‘I love defending the voiceless’ >>21

Representing the continent as queen was amazing –Genevieve Fadeh >>20

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>>20

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Passion

Sunday, February 21, 2016

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Representing the continent as queen was amazing –Genevieve Fadeh Genevieve Fadeh was the third runner-up of Miss Tourism Nigeria 2014 but she won the Miss Global International Nigeria Beauty Pageant the same year. The Rivers Stateborn beauty, who studied Mass Communication at Benson Idahosa University, Edo State, in this interview with ADAEZE AMOS relives her tenure as beauty queen.

As a beauty queen in 2014, what do you remember with fondness?

I represented the entire African continent in Jamaica for the Miss Global International Pageant. I was the only black lady and I met a lot of beautiful ladies from all over the world and it was an amazing experience.

matter what and in everything I do it opens doors for me. I pray because it’s the only way of communication I know between me and God. Do you have plans to participate in bigger pageants?

Yes, definitely this year I’m willing to try my hands on either Most Beautiful Girl or Miss United Nations.

What’s your advice for the future beauty queens?

To the upcoming beauty queens, my advice is that there is What has life taught you as a queen?

Life as a beauty queen has taught me to be poised, elegant no hurry in life. What will be will be. Just trust God and no and outspoken. It has taught me to be a good example and matter how long it takes for you to get to the top, always carry a leader to young ladies. Life has taught me to make good yourself well bearing respect and pride in mind. use of my tenure while it lasts.

What were some of the things you What is your philosophy? would have loved to do that you Hardship often prepares an ordinary person for an couldn’t because of lack of time? extraordinary destiny I would have loved to set up an organisation to take out homeWhat is the craziest thing a male fan has ever done to less and the less privileged from you? the streets, cater for them and send He stalked me to my house. them to school because I believe that education is power.

When you are attending a glamorous event, how do you outshine others on the red carpet?

What footprints did you leave I don’t do anything in particular other than to be when you handed your crown to myself with a statement look, poise, grace and chathe next queen? risma. With all that, I can shine than the star itself.

I love to care for orphans and the less privileged.

What tickles your fancy about fashion?

I’m sure that my succesI’m a lover of good clothes and shoes. I can’t do sor should know that and without them. also continue from where I stopped.

What is your fashion no-no?

I can’t be caught wearing What thrilled you so much flats or slippers to any about being a beauty queen? event.

I loved the attention I was getting and the preferential What part of your treatment most times when I body do you flaunt go for an occasion. proudly?

What positive lifestyles I must adm that I have did you imbibe when a good body, so I you were t r y t o crowned that you still keep fl a u n t to this it. day?

I always pray n o

When you are down, what do you do to derive inspiration?

I always listen to music and talk to my friends.

Who are the present and ex-beauty queens you admire?

I love Powede Lawrence because she seems to be a kind person and I love her sense of fashion. I admire Queen Celestine who interestingly is my friend. She is jovial, down to earth and a goal-getter.

What is your most striking point?

My face is my most striking point.

Is there any naughty thing you have ever done?

When I was a little girl, I broke my mum’s flower pot in the verandah and poured water on the clay. Then I used it to stain all the furniture. She didn’t know what to do to me when s h e saw it.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Applause

Sunday, February 21, 2016

‘I love defending the voiceless’ Adaeze Amos

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kiti State-born Abolanle Ruquryah Abdulsalam is cute and can’t be caught shabbily dressed. The third child in a family of eight siblings, she had both her primary and secondary education at Ado before she proceeded for her university education at Lagos State University, LASU, where she studied History and International Relations.

Indeed, Abolanle has passion for education, although she had wished to study Law, her mother disapproved of the course.

“Education is power and every woman deserves to be educated. I also have passion to defend people, especially women. That was why I wanted to study Law in the university but my mother didn’t want that and I never wanted to disobey her.

“But to be frank, I have always loved to talk and defend people since my childhood.

I hate cheating. I love to speak for the voiceless. I tried to convince my mum to allow me study law but she refused and you know what it means in Yorubaland when your parent is not in support of what you are doing or intend to do.

“She didn’t change her mind for reasons best known to her till she passed on in 2002.

It was after her death that I decided to go for acting because I wanted to showcase my skill and acting prowess. And ever since I started, I have been enjoying it,” she said smilingly.

The passion for acting made her remember with ease how she started in the showbiz industry.

“My acting career started in 2004 with the English sphere of Nollywood but due to the discrimination in that section of the industry, I opted for Yoruba movie genre. More-

over, I have always loved my language and that was what gingered me into focusing all my attention in Yoruba movie industry since 2005 through the late Alade Aromire,” she recalled.

What thrills this damsel most about her acting career is “people calling me up in the middle of the night and telling me how good my job as an actress is. I love when my fans commend me. Reason is that I put in my best when I’m at work and the major thing that excites me about movie role is good script.

Whenever I see a good script, I always want to give it my best because I love challenging and meaningful roles. And by the script you can tell a good movie,” she chuckled.

AbolanlehasstarredinmanyYorubamovies “such as Oba Ade Toyese, Aturota, Kulusoni, Folashade, Aje kan, Fikemi,Ewawumi, Ifedolapo,Single Ladies and Lima. Others are Aworan Ife, Itakun Ife, Monsurat, Bulliaminu,Olorunlologun,Ahun, Ika, Eegunjehinmi, Adigunla to mention but a few. In fact I have starred in over 30 movies. And the most challenging of them all is Itakun Ife because I had to go out of my way to learn incantations and putting the movie together from pre-production to the production proper and post production was not an easy task,” she recalled.

Life has taught this damsel (who considers her face as her selling point because it is smooth, spotless and beautiful) a whole lot. “Life has taught me so much as an actress; I have

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learned to be selfless,to care for people around me and to give back to the society.

Life has taught me to be cautious, well behaved and to be myself no matter the situation,” she emphasised.

What is her philosophy? “With God all things are possible. Then of course, nothing good comes easy. I also believe that there is no harm in trying and if something didn’t work today, it doesn’t mean it would never work. It’s always good to try new things and to always take any opportunity that presents itself,” she stressed.

What she does to unwind: “I keep myself busy with photography. I believe so much in photography because pictures, they say, speak volumes.”

What stands her out in the midst of others is the simple fact that “I do my things in my own way. I’m a goal-getter, a one man MOPOL. I always want to be responsible for every action I take.

That makes me extraordinarily careful because nobody can influence my thoughts. I don’t copy sheepishly, that stands me out,” she said in a manner of unambiguous certainty.

Opinion

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Sunday, February 21, 2016

Uncensored

Sheriff Folarin

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

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ithin a space of one year and some months, the ‘presidential definition’ of stealing has changed. Stealing, surely, has become a graver offence and indeed a state, or call it a big-time anti-state crime. President Jonathan had made us to see stealing as an act of simply taking needed money from the treasury or national coffers. Stealing was understood to be as mild as picking pocket or taking “something” from the common wealth. For Jonathan, stealing was far from being an act of corruption. Corruption was perhaps a much more “grievous” thing, involving bribery, money laundry, 419 and other economic crimes perpetrated by those outside government. When a contractor happens to be the minister’s own brother or his in-law, gets a contract award and corners a large chunk of the capital, or inflates the contract fees, or delivers a job that is not commensurate with the amount of money for it, this could then be described as an act of corruption.

The former president was so convinced and vehement in his submission on a media chat sometime in 2014, in which he spent ‘quality’ time redefining the concepts of stealing and corruption. He held on to this view that stealing included those acts committed by a petty thief, oil bunkerer, or highway robbers. Pen-robbing, changing of figures, diverting pension funds, stashing away hundreds of millions of all manner of local and foreign currencies, inflation of oil subsidy and sharing of unimaginable fortunes meant for national security- all those acts committed by the politicians and big men of the

Safety Tips with

Jonas Agwu

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

A

s I wrap up my piece on seat belt, let me now focus on the use of child restrain by children. So if you are parent, I urge you not to wait until tragedy strikes before you do the right thing in keeping with the provisions of section 126(1) of the National Road Traffic Regulations, 2012 which makes it mandatory for all occupants of a vehicle to use a seatbelt for their safety? Do you know that this provision covers children, also as it states that, ‘every vehicle shall have fitted in the front and rear seats, seat belt and child safety seats which shall be securely worn by the driver and other occupants of the vehicle while the vehicle is in motion. In sub section 3, it says, ‘the driver of a motor vehicle shall be responsible for the children who are passengers in such a vehicle and shall ensure the proper use of child locks and child safety seats.

Child safety seat laws require children to travel in approved child restraints or booster seats and some permit or require older children to use adult safety belts. The age at which belts can be used instead of child safety seats is stated. Young children

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

When ‘stealing becomes corruption’ ruling party- could not have been acts of corruption, because they were, for Jonathan, not acts of stealing. And if they were stealing, they were not acts of corruption.

To put the understanding of stealing more aptly, or rather put it differently, big men do not steal.

Stealing is too petty a word for all those ‘mighty’ acts of coveting money “worked for.” Yes, politicians take the risk that many men do and cannot dare take. Engaging rivals in the public domain and aspiring for the high political offices in the land is a sacred and a daring act. Surviving to the end by winning elections and getting the posts sought is not a mean achievement. Politics is meant for the brave heart and entails a lot of dangers and investment. Realizing one’s ambition necessarily and naturally means getting ‘value for money’. When politicians and their cronies therefore find huge fortunes in their care and take some or all, it is natural justice. It is not a crime. ‘It is where people work that they eat’. This cannot be an act of stealing. And if you call it stealing, it will never be an act of corruption.

All sorts of looting were experienced under Jonathan’s oversight. The president himself did not look like someone who would be part of the game; he looked too decent for that and could have probably heard about most of those acts as rumours and dismissed as vile opinions of vile minds (Mr. Former President hardly believed anything, including the story of the abduction of the Chibok girls) and most of these “wild allegations” he understood to be the machination of those in rival or opposition political parties. Police pension running into billions of naira was stolen.

Pension money of retired civil servants was brazenly kept in the home of one man. Oil subsidy scams were a pastime for four years and no one was really incurring so much as put before the president. Hundreds of billions of naira meant for the purchase of arms to fight the group taking most of Northeastern Nigeria were being shared by a little above fifty men in Jonathan’s friends club. And the former president’s service chiefs too, willfully coveted billions, and one of them has even been found to be keeping a million dollars in a soakaway dedicated for stolen anti- Boko Haram

money. An aviation minister could buy the most expensive custom-built security-enabled SUVs for billions of naira. And so on and so forth!

For the past administration, these acts were either too fantastic to believe (or unbelievable to the president), or they were mere acts of stealing; or they were not acts of stealing and could not have been acts of corruption. Whatever informed the former president’s condoning of such acts, leaves much to be desired. But it has turned out to have messed up his six years of hard work.

Nigeria got a very bad name as a haven for corrupt hands and a terrorists’ playground. No one had any respect for Nigerians anywhere in the world. If any Nigerian spoke highly of their experience in the international comity during that period, they were merely recounting the tales of how they had been fooled. The foolery came to full impact in the March 2015 elections, when the body language of global leaders was for change in the Nigerian leadership. The economy, which we were all made to believe was a leading example of economic rebound in Africa, was in actual fact in cosmetics and patches to make it look good. The years of unbounded looting and economic summersaults, which were never presented to us that way, had deflated the so-called largest economy on the continent. The full import of the rebasing lie, is now being felt. The cosmetics have fallen apart and we can now see, in broad daylight, the ugly face of the bride..

For President Buhari, stealing is corruption and indeed the number one act of corruption.

All Jonathan’s ministers, aides, service chiefs, cronies and confidants are now objects of public ridicule, slammed in detention and making useful but unfortunate confessions of how much of (unbelievable figures) money they took from the treasury and coveted for personal use. One of Jonathan’s examples of 30% Affirmative Action, Mrs. Allison-Maduekwe (the once-upon-a-time petroleum czar) had billions of naira traced to her residence and huge sums of laundered money linked to her. Jonathan’s National Security Adviser, Sambo is still playing guest to EFCC and the courts to say more about how $2.1b and other billions of naira for arms purchase became money

for private bank accounts, choice properties and soakaways. Even the former president’s ADC, another senior military officer has been reportedly boasting from a corner of the EFCC cell that the country would break-up (or down) if he spilled more from Jonathan’s tin of soured milk.

The redefinition of stealing and corruption under the Buhari administration has dimmed the era of Jonathan and presented his presidency as one of the most corrupt ones. President Jonathan truly allowed his aides to run the country the way they deemed fit, and probably because of his simplicity and good heart, they did most of these things with disregard for his opinion or reaction. They could have displayed this impunity without his knowledge, or taken undue advantage of his carefree attitude; or the former president himself could have simply looked the other way in compensation for their (bridled) loyalty.

Whatever way it was and however we look at it, the story does not look good for the ‘hero of democracy.’ His stout defence and position that “stealing is not corruption” has become a bad source of market for the Jonathan brand.

His good sides, including the automobile policy, which has confirmed Nigeria as a vehicles-manufacturing country; the agriculture policy that had led to increased food production; and boom in the entertainment industry as a result of the boost from the former president; those modest achievements are now being overshadowed by the can of worms about his administration. It is unfortunate that a seemingly good and kind man like Jonathan would end up with this kind of reputation. The former president did not know that politicians are hawks and they can use anything, even your good name (if not your head exactly), to get what they want. One can be sure that even if he does not admit it, Jonathan must have learnt his lessons.

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

Strap and buckle your child-use a car restraint (2) usually are covered by child safety seat laws, while safety belt laws cover older children and adults. There are different tyres such as the rearward facing baby seat, forward facing seats, booster seats, booster cushion etc. it is important you use the appropriate one suitable for your child’s weight and size and correctly fitted, it is the weight of the child which that is important when deciding what type to use Despite this provision, most parents unfortunately do not see any sense in protecting children while driving by strapping them.

Some lap them. Others leave them unattended in moving vehicles. Some claim strapping these kids in a car seat is alien.

This group maintains that strapping children in a car is meant for the Whiteman, not a Blackman believe this group knows what they are saying. After all, these vehicles were manufactured in Oshodi by our engineers.

Others say the cost for a car seat is high even though the cheapest among these cars cost as low as 500,000 naira while others go for as high as 5million naira, compared to car seats which range from just about 25,000 naira for the protection of the life of God’s precious gift. These same parents would not mind hanging out with friends and business partners to spend thousands on drinks, pepper soup and other extras. The female ones would prefer spending thousands of naira on designer shoes and bags, but not on the safety of their children. This is what we call choices.

Remember that Road safety crisis is the leading cause of preventable death; the 3rd

largest cause of disabilities. In Africa it is the 2nd largest cause of death after Aids/ HIV. These deaths, according to the study are caused mostly by human error, and vehicle factors that include the following; over speeding, dangerous overtaking, alcohol and drug abuse, negligence of drivers, poor driving standards, overloaded people or goods vehicles, poor tyre maintenance, burst tyre, bad roads and hilly terrain, negligence of pedestrians, distraction of drivers by passengers, cell phone use among others. The truth is that the World is concerned about child safety. This is because road traffic injuries alone are the leading cause of death among children 15-19years and the second leading cause among 10-14 years old. These injuries are not inevitable. They are preventable. Ironically most parents are not concerned, going by their actions behind the wheels. Signs of this concern are legion.

They include the 1989 United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, ratified by almost all government, which states that children around the world have a right to a safe environment and to protection from injury and violence. The Convention stresses the responsibilities of society to protect children (from birth up to the age of 18years).The 2000 United Nations Millennium Development Goals resolution sets as its fourth goals, the need to reduce by two thirds the mortality rates of children under the age of 5years.

In 2002, the United Nations General Assembly held a special session on children, from which a document, A World Fit for Chil-

dren, was produced. This document sets out a number of health goals for children. One of such goals which is specific to injuries calls on all Member States to; “ reduce child injuries due to accidents or other causes through the development and implantation of appropriate measures.’’

In 2005, the same WHO and UNICEF issued calls for greatly expanded global effort to prevent child injury. This was followed in 2006 by WHOs’ ten year plan of activities on child injury.

In addition, the WHO/UNICEF in 2008 in a report, titled, World report on Child injury prevention, expressed concern that every day around the world, the lives of more than 2000families are torn apart by the loss of a child to an unintentional injury or so-called ‘’accidents’’ that could have been prevented… ’’It noted that children injuries have been neglected for many years. Children’s maturity and their interest and needs differ from adults, the report further stated.

Therefore, simply reproducing injury prevention strategies that are relevant to adult does not adequately protect children, it warned.

The report affirmed that there are proven interventions such as child seat which is the trust of this campaign.

•Agwu, an Assistant Corps Marshal, is Zonal Commanding Officer, Zone 7HQ of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC).

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Opinion

Sunday, February 21, 2016

23

Okotie’s war against corrupt pastors L adi Odusami

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n the face of changing global economics, and after a series of military-civilian game of musical chairs, Nigeria is still battling its complex problems; endemic corruption, jihadist insurgency, political cults and mafias, ethno-religious identity, and a fragmented political system which makes these evils even more intractable, and our options for stimulating change, limited.

But in light of the recurring assault on the national psyche by corrupt leaderships, do we continue to swallow the bitter pill of their corrupt inclinations; just to quell political tensions and allay insinuations of selectivism, witchhunting and persecution? Conversely, do we take the agonizing option of committing time and resource to ensure a proper foundation for a new national paradigm of good governance and accountable representation? After years of military and democratic autocracies, and their politically induced hardships, opting for the later would appear to be putting the better foot forward.

Amongst other things, Rev. Chris Okotie recently highlighted a growing threat in our political climate; the in-road of spiritualists into the corridors of power, under the greed-coated guise of offering spiritual support to government. He commented on this threat in an article published in the February 11, 2016 edition of the

National Mirror, titled; “Buhari’s battle against the venal crowd”; “If Attahiru Bafarawa was the accredited agent of the Muslim prayers welfare package, who then collected on behalf of the multitudes of Christians? Who? Who is that Christian proboscis whose insidious suction availed himself of billions of naira on behalf of the followers of Christ? Who is that Judas?

Maybe Judases?

What about Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor’s oneplane airline becoming the surreptitious instrumentality for some covert military operations, involving over nine million dollars in South Africa?.. What an irony, that those who should scrupulously guide the people are themselves poisoning the water from which the flock will drink…”

The Pastor-Politician’s opinion was expressed lucidly to warn of the gaping hole which these political opportunists took advantage of during the immediate past government, and how it has aggraviated the present security and economic condition which the Nation is facing. This revelation of the self-appointed professional prayer warriors and representatives of various religious faiths was an avenue for corrupt elements to loot by leaning on an aberration embedded in our religious genes; the tendency of Nigerians to yield sheepishly to religious leaders. It is tragic that these corrupt Pastors and other spiritualists have no qualms while sharing blood money which was diverted from funding arms purchases, while our

military men and civilians who invariably are members of different faiths were being murdered and maimed in cold blood, and worship centre’s burnt down by the Boko Haram insurgents. President Goodluck Jonathan’s failure in curbing the insurgent during his 6 year reign was due to these fleecing away of security votes and allocations that our military would have used in their crusade against the group.

Upon taking-over in 2010, Nigeria’s fortunes got a jab-in-the-arm with his ineptitude, laizez faire attitude and unwillingness to tackle endemic corruption headlong. He even infamously offered it a hand of fellowship. The then Central Bank Governor, and now Emir, Mohammed Lamido Sanusi II, uncovered a $20 billion unremitted funds to government’s coffers, and was harangued, then kicked-out, while men like D.S.P. Alamieyesiegha, an ex-convict of economic crimes was a beneficiary of Jonathan’s clemency response to the world’s zero tolerance for corruption, before he died recently.

For Nigerian politicians, party dominance trumps patriotism, and entrenchment in power is more important than what is accomplished with power. That’s why draconian leaderships always find support amongst the elite, cronies and ethno-religious affiliates: Corrupt governments still find voices of support, despite their atrocities against the people.

Cronies of the corrupt officials are making it a career to politicize every step of the campaign, and paint the government as a rudder-

less liability or law breaking pariah leadership.

Their phony legalism thumps a convenient canvassing for justice and rule of law, but they were quiet when their ilk flouted the just requirements of accountable leadership, which they benefited from.

When the fairytale run of the motley crew: PDP, and its 60 years rulership illusion terminated abruptly last May, their transformation agenda proved to be a mirage: As Nigerians are coming to grips with a revelation of graft; more ruinous tales of sharp practice unfolds. Now, PDP’s hierarchy, which has been Nigeria’s bane for the last 16 years, while trying to dissociate from the horrors of Jonathan’s governments excesses, recently asked the ex-President to explain his role in the $2.1 billion Dasukigate arms deals.

Nigeria’s democratic institutions are fragile and could be shattered by the full blown contagions of religious meddling, corruption, fractured political intrigues, insurgency and restive agitations. The fragile federation’s unity is being sorely tested, and Nigerians will be living dangerously if we allow the retributive accusations of a humiliated opposition and their spiritualist’s greed rob us of another opportunity to deconstruct the mythology surrounding this hydra headed monster called corruption and finally nail its coffin. Let’s give Buhari our helping hand. Like Rev. Okotie posits, he needs it.

Odusami, a Lagos LGA contestant under FRESH, wrote from Lagos

Saraki: Chief salesman of made in Nigeria goods Yusuph Olaniyonu

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on’t be surprised if the salesman you will see in your neighborhood next time is a six-footer, smooth-looking and well spoken man. His face will look familiar because you have encountered him physically or through the media, particularly television, the print and online. You will wonder if he is not the man holding that top public office. What does he want? What is wrong with him? What is he selling? Or are you mistaking him for somebody else?

As you ponder on the questions, you probably will realize he is the person you actually thought of. The number three man in the country. That is the Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki. What is wrong is the fact that Nigeria’s economy is in a bad shape. There is therefore the need for change of attitude and positive, practical actions to save the nation, rebuild its economy and put its youth back to work.

Saraki as the head of the nation’s legislature has identified his role as a lawmaker who is constitutionally charged to focuss on oversight responsibility on executive bodies and also advocating for the direction that will bring overall development to the country. He has also decided to offer himself as the salesman for Made in Nigeria Goods.

The Senate President has at various fora articulated the viewpoint that the right response to the falling value of the Naira against the dollar (N358 to $1) is for the country to increase its productive capacity and change from an importing, foreign goods-crazy and oil dependent country to a nation which is self-reliant, with many buoyant local industries and hundreds of thousands of youths gainfully employed.

He envisaged that the employed youths will become tax payers. Thus, domestic taxes will become a veritable source of revenue for funding infrastructural development and social services.

These positions have been espoused by the Senate President in many prepared and off-the -cuff speeches he made at different fora, particularly

while receiving many of the numerous groups, organizations, foreign missions and individuals that have paid courtesy call on him in his office.

Recently, the man has decided to put his words into action. First, when a group of artisans and local manufacturers from Aba town in Abia State sought to pay him a courtesy call and their contact man, Senator Enyinanya Abaribe, said the visit was to promote their locally manufactured products with the Senate President coming to open their trade fair, they got an immediate appointment.

It was during the visit that the Senate President unfolded his plan to immediately initiate the amendment of the Procurement Act, particularly Section 34 of the law which gives discretion to government agencies about patronizing locally produced goods. He added that the word ‘ may’ will become ‘shall’ to compel agencies to only buy locally made goods. In cases where there is no option to imported items, the said agency must get clearance from the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP).

“This is the only way we can create jobs, solve the problem of unemployment and stop the growing army of aggrieved youths who pose danger to society. We can do it. We have the population which translates to a huge ready market. This is how we can genuinely help our people.

“The chairmen of our relevant committees are being put on notice to ensure that they focus their oversight on these areas. We must make sure that government agencies like the Armed Forces can patronize the shoe making industries in Aba and other places”, he said.

Saraki went on to declare open the Made in Aba Trade Fair at the Area 10 Playing Ground, Abuja, where he gave assurances to the local producers that they have an ally in him and that he has dedicated himself to fighting their cause through legislations, oversight and advocacy activities. He promised to personally speak with heads of security agencies to stop importation of their foot wears and other kits as they can be easily produced in Aba and other towns.

Saraki on his twitter handle thereafter call on Nigerian manufacturers to send him a twit of

products they are producing and their addresses so that he can re-twit. Immediately the offer was made online, many young Nigerians entrepreneurs responded. And thus, the Senate President became an advertising platform for Made in Nigeria products.

Perhaps taking a cue from the comradeship demonstrated by Saraki with the Aba manufacturers and other local producers of goods, the owner and management of Innoson Motors based in Nnewi quickly approached the Senate President that they will want to meet and acquaint him with their products as the only local manufacturers of automobiles in Nigeria.

Less than 48 hours after they sent words to him, they got an appointment. Spokesman of Innoson Group, Mr. Sunny Nwosu commended Saraki and the Senate leadership for the prompt response to the request for audience sent by the company, an opportunity that had eluded them in the past.

“In less than 48 hours of contacting the Senate President, we were told to come over. We are encouraged by your views on Made in Nigeria goods. What we need is the support, encouragement and inspiration from decision makers like you”, he said. Their host however said he was only doing his job and exhibiting his passion by identifying with them. He said one of the actions government should quickly take at this point to save the national economy is to ensure that local industries are patronized by government agencies so that Nigerian manufacturers can enjoy the advantages accruing from the big market that her population offers.

“That is why this eighth Senate is determined to amend the Procurement Law to ensure that government agencies patronize Made in Nigeria products. I am sure the House of Representatives is in support of this. It is our joint responsibility to ensure that you succeed. If you are successful, a lot more small and medium scale enterprises will draw inspiration from you and they will become successful.

“That will help to create jobs which is one of the mandate presented to us by the youths of this country during the last elections. We in the legislature will look at all laws and help to create

an enabling environment for local businesses to thrive in Nigeria”, he said.

The Senate President said using laws to protect locally made goods is not peculiar to the country as it has been done in the United States under President Herbert Hoover in 1933 while China and South Africa have also enacted similar laws in the past.

He lamented a situation where a company like Innoson only sold about 3,000 vehicles in 2015 when Nigerians buy about a million vehicles annually, adding that If Nigerians patronise Made in Nigeria cars it will force foreign manufacturers to set up plant here. The Senate President further promised Innoson Group that he will get in touch with them as he has collected the price list and the information booklet on the automobiles produced by the company. He also had a short drive in one of the SUVs produced by the company, thereby providing a testimonial endorsement for the Nigerian manufacturer.

With the plan to amend the Procurement Act of 2007, Saraki and his colleagues are seeking to reenact the Buy American Act signed into law on March 3, 1933 by Hoover which compels US government and its agencies to prefer US made products in their purchases. Section 217 (3) Of the South African constitution provides a framework for the policy of preferential procurement for government agencies. Also, the Preferential Procurement Policy Framework Act 5 of 2000 and the regulations published under it in 2001 prescribed requirements regarding Black economic empowerment considerations.

In China, Article 10 of the Government Procurement Law provides that domestic goods, projects and services must be used for government procurement except when the required goods are not available in China, the objects of procurement are for use outside China or it is specified otherwise in other laws and administrative regulations.

Thus, what Saraki and his colleagues seeks to do with the Procurement Act is putting the law on the same pedestal with what obtains in some developed economies.

Olaniyonu is Special Adviser (Media and Publicity) to the Senate President.

24

Perfect Cut

African Look

treat your shoulders nicely in cape styles Adaeze Amos

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f you’re getting ready for that glamorous wedding and you want to stand out, then opt for one of these cape styles. Capes are in vogue in the style world, therefore, try any of these two and give your shoulders a nice treat.

Sunday, February 21, 2016

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Unending

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sunday, February 21, 2016

g echoes of Valentine’s Day! Adaeze Amos

E

verywhere stood still for Valentine’s Day which took place last Sunday. Though it has come and gone, the dust it raised is yet to settle. People are still telling the stories of what happened, their memorable experiences and what have you.

On this page are love pictures of Queen Sandra Anthony, Miss Curvy Nigeria, 2015 displaying tonnes of shape and curves, showing how loving and romantic her Valentine’s Day was.

Perfect Cut

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26

Sunday, February 21, 2016

Dude Style

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net victorudoh804@yahoo.com 07067124302

‘Comfort determines what we wear’

Onyisi and Agiliga are two identical twins with the stage name, ‘2Sec’. They are popular music stars. In this interview with VICTOR UDOH, they speak about their music career, lifestyle and dress sense.

Though you are well known in the music world, can you tell us some other things your fans may not know about you guys?

We are 2Sec (Onyisi and Agiliga). We are from a family of 12 and we hail from Onitsha Ugbo in Delta State.

How did you come by the stage name 2Sec? Our mum always joked that when my brother and I were born, we came out so fast that it felt as we were born in two seconds apart.

What inspires your songs?

We are inspired by everyday life occurrences, by the love, happiness and other emotions we experience. We also like to create songs that would reach out to our fans easily - relatable songs that would speak to people at various times in their lives, songs that would hold your hands and encourage you when things are tough or rough.

What inspired your single ‘Lamborghini’, ‘Ma-Fowo’ and ‘Gwulime’ which you sang in your mother tongue?

‘Lamborghini’ is one of our dream fantasy cars. And the inspiration behind it was having our dream ladies in our dream cars. Of course the level some guys would go to impress girls with flashy cars. Then, for ‘Ma-Fowo’, Kuk Beat the producer gave us the melody to work on. While writing the lyrics at home, our mum started singing some lyrics, a song she danced to as a young girl. It was King Sunny Ade’s song and the rest is magical history. Then for ‘Gwulime’ which means living life to the fullest, released during one of our town’s new yam festivals, that was an opportunity we ceased to express love to our people, tradition and culture while appreciating our hometown as well as its great people.

still sits in our living room with all my Can you relive your first performance siblings. We do not have another picture before a large crowd? Were you both like that in our home. frightened?

God gave us confidence along with How different are you guys in terms of the talent. So, stage fright was never temperament, talent and general outlook the issue. in life?

Onyisi does all the singing. He is short- What was the craziest thing a female fan fused and stubborn (that’s what our mum has ever done to you? says). He is more of an extrovert. Then A girl once tried to drag Agiliga’s Agiliga who raps is more rational and trouser off him on stage. easy going. Although we are different in many ways yet we have the same philoso- What inspires your dress sense? phy, faith in God, hard work, kindness Agiliga: I prefer to be casual while and honesty.

Onyisi loves hip-hop dressing. Comfort You have toured the country with 2Face Idibia, DammyKrane, Vector and Solidstar, what would say was your most memorable experience?

2Baba’s humility was amazing. He made us feel comfortable; he gave us advice on the industry and never hoarded the spotlight. We hope that one day we would return the goodwill to growing artistes.

How did you come about your passion for music?

We have always loved to perform, as kids, we did all sorts; from drama, dance to miming in primary and secondary school. The unending support from our family combined with our passion for performing made the journey worthwhile.

What about your course of study in the university?

Agiliga has a bachelor’s in Banking and Finance while Onyisi studied Computer Science. We both graduated from university of Benin.

What thrills you most about your career?

The artistic freedom we have to create whatever kind of music we believe You are identical twins, how was your in thrills us most because that reprechildhood? sents who we are and what we hope the Our family could always differenti- people would love to hear. Being indeate us. So, we didn’t get into mischief at pendent recording artistes thrills us home as much. Our dad probably is the also because we love the flexibility it one we always tried to trick and most gives us to experiment. times we got away with it. However, for our friends, telling the difference be- Who are some national and internationtween us takes a bit of time as they need al artistes you admire? to notice the slight differences in our apFela paved the way for the genre pearance and mannerisms of music we love and try to emulate.

We also admire 2Baba because of his What were some experiences you had voice, vibrancy and humility. Then that you still remember? of course Jay Z is another artiste on Although we can’t remember oth- the list of those we admire because of ers, our first birthday party was the his rap and business acumen. Chris most documented event in our home. Brown is also one of them because of All our siblings remember it and it was his dance moves and unpredictabila very happy day in our house. We had ity. The thing is that there are a lot of videos and so many pictures from that great musicians. day. There is an amazing picture which

is the major factor that determines our dress sense.

What is your style signature?

Agiliga: I prefer the shades.

Onyisi: I don’t wear glasses a lot but when I do, I’m a clear glass master.

What fashion item forms a larger part of your wardrobe?

Agiliga: I love boots.

Onyisi: I’m a great fan of flat shoes.

Are you designer label freaks?

It’s not really about the designer, we just love being comfortable and we often feel the African dressing, especially when it is mixed.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

27

February 21, 2016

Pregnancy Talk

Naughtiest Thing

with

The naughtiest thing I ’ve ever done

Adaeze Amos

Prongaz

߾ࠆ߾ࠀࠁ߾߿ࠀࠀࠇࠁ ߶ࠡࠛࠡ ࠝࠜࠚࠧ߷

Hairy transition during pregnancy?

W

hen Veronica was pregnant with first nd second baby, she noticed that her hair was full and healthy. She had to stop all the hair treatment she was applying to her hair before pregnancy.

She really enjoyed her hair during those nine months period of pregnancy. She thought she was the only one enjoying this until she went to antenatal clinic and overheard her fellow pregnant women discussing about the miracle on their hair. She realized that so many pregnant mums she had contact with were also thanking God that their hair were bouncing during the time they were pregnant. Yes, if you are pregnant and your hair is bouncing just as Veronica ’s own did when she was pregnant, know it that it is common for your hair to get thicker when you ’re pregnant. Reason is that during pregnancy, Except for some dryness (which a little deep conditioning takes care of) you may have thought, wow, pregnancy has finally given my hair some life! But then once you have your baby -poof ! You ’re alarmed, even shocked, to find that your hair seems to be falling out.

But the fact is that now that you are heavy with a child; your hair feels fuller. But you ’re not actually growing more hair (and the strands themselves aren ’t any thicker) – you ’re just losing it more slowly than you usually do. Normally, 85 to 95 percent of the hair on your head is growing and the other 5 to 15 percent is in a resting stage. After the resting period, this hair naturally falls out (often while you ’re brushing or shampooing your hair) and is replaced by new growth.

The average woman sheds about 100 hairs a day.

But have you paused to ask why most women have good full and healthy hair during pregnancy? Medics have confirmed that during pregnancy, higher levels of estrogen prolong the growth phase, resulting in less shedding of hair and thicker tresses. Some women also notice that their hair becomes shinier during pregnancy or that it changes in texture (curly hair might become straighter, for example).

After giving birth, the growth/rest cycle goes back to its previous pattern, so you may notice more hair falling out.

Not all pregnant women notice dramatic changes in their hair before and after giving birth, though.

Among those who do, the changes tend to be more obvious in women with longer hair.

Is it normal to have more facial or body hair?

Unfortunately, your facial and body hair may grow

faster when you ’re pregnant, possibly because of an increase in hormones called androgens.

To get rid of stray hairs, you can safely tweeze, wax, or shave. Avoid chemicals such as bleaches or depilatories, which could be absorbed into the bloodstream.

Permanent hair-removal techniques, such as laser and electrolysis, are thought to be safe, but the hormones that cause excess pigmentation during pregnancy (resulting in chloasma or the mask of pregnancy) can also cause darkening of the skin after these cosmetic procedures, says Nanette Silverberg, director of pediatric and adolescent dermatology at St. Luke ’s-Roosevelt and Beth Israel Medical Centers in New York City.

Besides, while they ’re considered safe, laser and electrolysis can be painful, and you may already have plenty of discomfort during pregnancy.

In any case, most of this unwanted hair should be gone three to six months after you deliver your baby.

Is it common for your nails to grow faster?

Yes, although you might not notice the difference. Some pregnant women also develop harder nails, but others find that their nails are softer or more brittle. These changes are temporary, and your nails should return to normal sometime after you give birth. If you get all the nutrients your body needs, your fingernails should be in good shape three to six months after your baby arrives. (Your toenails could take nine months to a year.)

In the meantime, you can protect your fingernails by wearing rubber gloves when you ’re doing the dishes or cleaning, and by using moisturizers on your hands, especially on the skin that surrounds the nail and on the nails, particularly if they ’re brittle.

Here ’s how to keep your hair looking good during this hairy transition.

1. Get a new cut. First and foremost, pay a visit to a stylist for professional advice. It may be time to get a different hairstyle that will incorporate those fine hairs in the front. If you previously had long hair, or a layered cut with pieces that came down to the chin in the front, you may need to shorten that hair into long bangs that frame the face. It ’s a good idea to go shorter in the front. Layering your hair all over will also give you more fullness.

e d a p a c s e c i t n a m o r ‘I had with two ladies ’

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he naughtiest thing I have ever done happened when I had grown up. Indeed, I had started dating at the time.

There was a day I called a girl I just met to come over to my residence for a visit. She came with her friend. I didn ’t frown at that, never suspected anything until she told me she was a lesbian and that the girl she came with was also her lesbian friend.

I wondered what she was driving at until she

asked me if I could do a threesome with her friend.

I didn ’t think twice when I answered sure! I wasn ’t really sure I could do it because I hadn ’t done that before. But when we started drinking and smoking, we had a little turn-up and the rest is history.

Nwaezeigwe Paschal Chidozie aka Profingaz is a musician who lives in Port Harcourt.

-ADAEZE AMOS

2. Keep hair moussed and moist. Using the right products can give the illusion of fullness. Look for a volumizing mousse at the drugstore or salon. Also, always use a conditioner or a leave-in hair moisturizer after shampooing.

3. Try color. Coloring your hair is always a great way to give it body. If you feel that your hairline is receding and you have dark hair, highlighting the front can act as a camouflage. Or try glossing, a treatment that gives hair all-over shine.

4. Change the part. If you normally part your hair in the middle, a side part can disguise thinning hair at the temples.

5. Add texture. Sleek, straight hairstyles make thinning hair more obvious. If you usually blow out your curly or wavy hair, now may be the time to go with your natural curl. If you have straight hair, try using Velcro rollers or a curling iron to give your locks some oomph.

6. Wear hair ornaments. Headbands, scarves, and bandannas are fun and stylish ways to disguise hair loss.

They ’re especially popular with new moms who have little time to devote to hair care!

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Movies & Music

Sunday, February 21, 2016

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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

Vivien rocks Lagos with

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Vivien

Angelique Kidjo wins third Grammy award

L

Angelique

egendary Beninois singer, Angelique Kidjo, rocked her African print to the 2016 Grammy awards which held in Los Angeles, United states last weekend. She won her third Grammy and dedicated it to aspiring artistes on the continent. Kidjo won the Grammy for Best World Music Album for ‘Sing’”, a collection of her songs infused with Western classical traditions in collaboration with the Orchestre Philharmonique du Luxembourg.

This is the second straight year that Kidjo has won the Best World Music Album prize, after last year’s “Eve” that paid tribute to African women.

A visibly excited Kidjo ran to the stage to accept the award and danced to James Brown’s ‘I Feel Good’, performed by a pit orchestra.

“I want to dedicate this Grammy to all the traditional musicians in Africa, in my country, to all the young generation. Africa is on the rise, Africa is positive, Africa is joyful. Let’s get together and be one with music, and say no to hate and violence,” she urged.

Blind Tasters

ot a few may readily remember Vivien Ike, an actress in her own rights who left the country’s shores some years ago to the USA, for the golden fleece.

Vivien, who is a sister to iconic Nollywood star, Chika Ike, recently zoomed into town looking very purposeful and beautiful.

In a chat with Sunday Mirror, the former Nollywood actress who is not averse to doing more movies, however stressed that her return was particularly to host a new show, a cooking competition entitled, ‘Blind Tasters’.

The show, which winner will cart home N2 million cash and a car, is to promote and strengthen family values of love, friendship and desire for cooking.

Speaking on the cooking competition, Blind tasters, the head honcho of Vivienike Productions, stated, ‘’the show employs blind tasting as a means of evaluating, promoting, strengthening and rekindling the

bond between people. This healthy competition involves seven chefs and seven blind tasters. These blind tasters could be relatives or friends of the chefs. The chefs are assigned to cook while the blind tasters identify their chef’s dish. If they fail, they send their chef 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 chef that fails the test goes into the elimination room to face a celebrity judge and two other judges. There, they are judged based on the presentation and taste of their food. The chef 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.’’

The show which would soon come on stream as already gained international reviews with some of its sponsors including Skyrun int’l company, Eleganza, Tarzan cargo services and The Deck.

Veteran actor, Bakare discharged from UCH

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eteran actor, Olumide Bakare, who cried out to Nigerians for help over his ill health while on admission at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, a week ago has been discharged from hospital. A source who visited the actor shortly before he was discharged disclosed that the veteran was discharged and placed on further medication.

Meanwhile, the Association of Nigerian Theatre Arts Practitioners (ANTP) has denied a report that claimed that it stopped a member of the National Assembly from donating money to the ailing actor, who is battling with heart-related issues.

Speaking on behalf of the association, its president, Comrade Victor Ashaolu, said also on Friday that he read the report on Facebook and was shocked that some people could be using ANTP to peddle such a false and wicked story.

It will be recalled that a reporthad emerged during the week claiming that the association stopped a senator from donating N3 million to help put Bakare’s life back on track, because the actor was not a member of ANTP.

“I don’t know about any member of ANTP that would do something that is that bad to a fellow artiste.

I have known Olumide Bakare for more than 20 years. He has been my very good friend and I can’t deny the fact that he’s not a member of ANTP. Even at that, it does not stop me or anybody from doing what is right for him. When I read the post on Facebook, I was very sad. Why would I do that to a fellow man when I don’t even know what will become of me tomorrow?

“ANTP will hold its NEC meeting in a couple of days and we will come up with a decision on how to help him in our little way. He’s an artiste and that makes him one of us even if he’s not a member of ANTP. We will do the needful. Whatever money we raise and give to him will not be made public,” he said.

In another development, President of Theatre Arts and Motion Pictures’ Association of Nigeria (TAMPAN), Dele Odule, has said it was unfortunate that Bakare did not belong to TAMPAN as it would have been easier for it to have moved swiftly on his behalf and help him raise funds.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Movies & Music

Sunday, February 21, 2016

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Ik Osakioduwa, Minnie to host AMVCA 2016

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frica Magic and MultiChoice in association with Amstel Malta, have announced the two hosts for the 2016 Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCAs).

The multi-talented fans favourite IK Osakioduwa returns to host the awards for the fourth time and he will be joined by a new co-host, Minenhle ‘Minnie’ Dlamini.

Regarded as the hottest woman on South African television, Minnie is an actress, TV presenter, radio DJ, brand ambassador, MC and fashionista.

Minnie came into prominence in 2010 when she beat thousands of hopefuls in the nationwide search for a young and sassy presenter for one of South Africa’s biggest music shows. Within months, she also landed a role as the sassy Miran-

da on the popular soap Generations, a role which opened her up to a pan-African audience.

Director, M-Net West Africa, Wangi MbaUzoukwu, said: “We are excited to present Minnie as the co-host of the 2016 edition of the AMVCAs. She joins an elite group of people who have hosted the most prestigious celebration of film and television talent in Africa.

Minnie brings to the stage excitement, fun, intensity and wit; her pairing with IK guarantees a great show and there’s no doubt that our viewers are in for a great time.”

The 2016 AMVCAs is set to hold on March 5 and Minnie will take the stage alongside IK to present the fourth edition of the AMVCAs to viewers across Africa and the rest of the world.

Actress Bimpe Akintunde turns mother

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oruba actress, Bimpe Akintunde, popularly known as Omotodun, delivered a baby girl and both the mother and child are said to be doing fine.

Adebimpe, who came into the limelight among movie buffs with her popular movie ‘Wasilat Coded’, has since become a force to be reckoned with in the Yoruba movie industry.

She delivered the girl in a Lagos hospital last Thursday. Bimpe succeeded in keeping her private life away from the public domain.

But the actress had some years back made headlines when she was rumoured to be romantically linked with fellow actor, Murphy Afolabi, which they had since denied.

Army seeks collabo with Nollywood on Boko Haram movies

Ik

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o foster a robust relationship between civilians and the military, the Nigerian Army has opened a window for collaborations with Nollywood filmmakers on movies that would endear the military to the people. These include a possible story about insurgency war against Islamist extremist group, Boko Haram.

Olumide Darey

While making this appeal, Chief of Civil/Military Affairs, Nigerian Army Headquarters, Major General Rogers Ibe Nicholas, noted that this as part of the new focus of the military under its new dispensation under the leadership of Chief of Army Staff, Major General Tukur Yusuf Buratai.

The Army chief spoke at the unveiling of a movie entitled 76 which is set against the backdrop of war and nation-building.

Starring Rita Dominic, Chidi Mokeme and Ramsey Nouah, the Adonis and Tonye Princewill production is inspired by events which led up to and followed the botched 1976 coup d’etat, and features real life, archived, actual footage that contributes to the movie’s overall authenticity.

The executive producer, Princewill, confirmed that the execution of the movie was also done with approval and support from the Nigerian Army. He revealed that the army made available the facilities at Mokola Barracks, Ibadan where the Izu Ojukwudirected movie was shot for six months.

Maj Gen Nicholas said, “With every regime come different concepts and ideas. So with the coming of Maj Gen T.Y Buratai as Chief of Army Staff, he has a vision which is to have a professionally responsive Nigerian Army in discharge of its constitutional mandate. And part of that is to develop a military/civil relationship that will close the gap between the military and the civilians. That is what we are trying to do. The issues of people not have channels to complain are now a thing of the past.

Right now we have a human rights desk in our office. We are collaborating with the National Human

Gen Nickolas

Rights Commission and the Nigerian Bar Association.

“We welcome and encourage any filmmaker who wants to do a movie on the insurgency war as long as it is within the confines of the law. Interested participants can come up and we will look into it and collaborate.”

Asked about funding, the Army chief said, “When we are collaborating with a filmmaker, it means that there is counterpart funding for it. This means that it is a two-way traffic, not that the Nigerian Army alone will fund such movies.

If you come up with a proposal and you think that it will be beneficial to the Nigerian Army and, indeed, Nigerians as a whole, then we will be ready to look into it.”

Adonis Productions is already considering the challenge thrown by the Nigerian military.

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Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

February 21, 2016

Lessons of Life TRUE LIFE STORY ON MATTERS OF THE HEART

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

‘I regret marrying my mum ’s boyfriend ’ Ignatius and dark skinned and pretty Veronica were not friends, they never courted for once before getting married. “I used to see him visit my mum, a widow, whose husband died when she was 50, then I was barely 12 and depended so much in my mum. She had nobody to help raise me and my younger sister who was five when papa died. So, while she struggled to raise us, there was a particular man who was her customer. My younger sister and I used to call him Uncle Ignatius. He was always coming to patronize my mum because she used to run a canteen just opposite the place where he walked. He would come twice before the close of work and at times forgo his change for my mother.

“

On Sundays, when my mum was off and needed to go to church, uncle Ignatius would drive to our house early in the morning and took my mother and us to church.

And he would drive home where he would sit and watch TV. Then when the church was over, he was always at the right time to convey us back home. He never kept us waiting, not even for once. He was so particular about punctuality that instead of coming late to take us home from church or anywhere, he would prefer to come before time and wait.

My mum strived to convert him to our church then, but he wasn ’t interested in going to church. He was quick to remind anybody that preached Bible to him that the major thing God expected from us was to have a good heart, eschew evil and love one another. And he was indeed good and helpful. At least he was the one who took over the payment of our school fees and he used to attend the PTA meetings in our school when it was deem necessary, ” she said.

After a while, Philomena, (Veronica ’s mum) the widow, started glowing. After mourning her husband for one year, she started radiating. Her beauty bounced back again and she was happy. “Uncle Ignatius helped her to gain back her groove and that was when it started rumouring that she was dating a man she was 20 years or there about older than. I heard it but I didn ’t bother to ask my mother if it was true. Maybe I was scared to ask because I never saw them in positions

In need of a serious relationship/marriage Ocholeche, lives in Abuja, 30. I ’m looking for a lady who is eager to settle down for marriage. No discrimination of ethnicity, religion and culture.

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Paul, from Anambra, but lives in Adamawa, Jemita, Yola to be precise.

I ’m 30. I need a beautiful lady or a girlfriend. She has to be above 20.

08036423263.

Dayo, a civil servant, lives in Lagos. I ’m from oyo state, I ’m 44. I want a Muslim lady that is working, single, beautiful and ready to settle down for marriage. 08033086629.

Alao, 38, single, lives in Lagos, needs a single Muslim girl below 30 for marriage. 08170141833.

Omotayo, 26, looking for a man for marriage. He has to be between 30-50.

08082629319.

God ’s Power, 30, needs a lady of 35-40 for a serious relationship.

09030145709.

Prince Iyke, 31, lives in Abuja, a script writer and movie producer, needs a lady between 28- 31, light skinned, tall and rich to boost my production.

08071231490.

Paul, 45, a business man, handsome and caring. I need a woman between age 27-48 for marriage. 07030809667

Toba, 40, a graduate and working. I need a fat Yoruba lady for a relationship that can lead to marriage 08060439348 Sam, 36 needs a caring and supportive lady who is 45 years and above.

08068553322.

Prince Olamide, 23, lives in Lagos, needs a sugar mummy for fun. 08187641034.

Jokotade, 20, lives in Oyo and a mother of one. She needs a 35-45 bouyant sugar daddy who resides either in Lagos, Idbadan or Oyo state. 08167622738.

A model

that would warrant questions but Uncle Ignatius was there for us all the time. When he was transferred from Onitsha to Lagos, to head a construction company as an engineer, he saw to it that we relocated with him. We were not living together but he got us an apartment because he was residing in his company ’s quarters. Though he wasn ’t living with us but he was eating with us and at times my mum would go to his place to cook for him and she would lie to us that she was going for vigil in her church. I didn ’t know she was passing her nights there and in Lagos, there was no rumours about them. Everybody

minded his or her business in this ever busy and lively city. But when I got to know and suspected that the rumour they were peddling in Onitsha then about my mum and Uncle Ignatius was true was when I branched into his house to collect money for JAMB form because he promised to give me. “ I first went to his office and I was told he was on leave. I then headed to his house and saw Mama in his house cooking in his kitchen. She had stayed out of house for three days and told me she was in the church getting prepared for women ’s celebration that used to come once in a year.

I wasn ’t happy that I saw her there.

When I asked why she hadn ’t visited

NOTICE: Please note that we don ’t do personal connections outside this column. Calls to connect privately are not allowed. Just send an SMS or email and we ’ll get your request published. The request is published on first come first served basis. Thank you!

us to see how my younger sister and I were fairing, she only said she knew we were alright. That she needed to be closer to Uncle Ignatius who had been helpful to us.

I understood her and kept mum. I knew they were dating because the closeness was something else. Mum, a beautiful woman, tried to reciprocate his kind gestures and Uncle Ignatius who was happily sponsoring my younger sister and I in school didn ’t remember he was ripe to get married. He was in his late 30s until when I was in second year in the university, ” she recalled.

His choice of wife shocked Philomena and her two daughters.

To be continued

RESPONSES

Re: ’ I ’m suffering for marrying the wrong man ’ You are not suffering for marrying Derrick, because you had mutual love, except that your parents were vehemently against the union, though they reluctantly gave their consent. You already have two children, you are working but unfortunately your husband is a psychiatric patient, probably due to hard drugs. He was repatriated from Australia due to his health condition. The issue of genotype is another risk factor.

also hail from Ibusa and understand our tradition and culture. I would advise you to pray and strive to locate Derrick, so that he could return to the hospital for proper rehabilitation and ensure that he takes his drugs. He will definitely live a normal life. In addition, try to contact your in-laws for assistance towards his rehabilitation. Finally, discuss with your Pastor and send prayer request, I believe that God will intervene in your favour.

You may wish to contact me, as I regard you as a daughter.

Gloria I believe your story, because I

PATRICK ADIASOR

Dear Gloria,

SURULERE, LAGOS Mobile: 08033452087 Gloria, Know it that you missed it the very moment you told your parents off.

Well, all hope is not lost yet as you can marry a responsible and suitable man this time. You must work hard and care for those kids or pray that God touches your parents to forgive and help you out Be patient and wise.

Apeji Pateince Eneyeme.

Badagry.

07044445550

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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Sunday, February 21, 2016

Territorial powers and their bondages (5)

Chapel of Holiness and Testimony with Pastor K. I.

Bona

Continued from topic 4 of last week How do we know those who have fallen victims to territorial powers and their bondages 14) Those who see blood poured at the front of their doors or at the back of their windows, once or occasionally 15) If you are experiencing being pressed while sleeping 16) Always fighting battles in dreams either with people or with animals 17) Being attacked in dreams by dogs 18) Being attacked by masquerades in dreams 19) Sister who experiences unexplainable cases of bleeding occasionally 20) Those who experiences spider webs covering them each time they open their door to go out in the morning.

21) Those who live inside cobwebs - meaning those who are covered with cobwebs anywhere they are. In the buses, on okada, on the highway, in the market, in the street or as the case may be 22) Those who experiences failures and or disappointments after discussing business or appointments in their houses.

23) Those who had money to pay for their rentage, in advance but now are living in arrears of rentage.

24) Those who begins to experience constant death of their children or new born babies after packing into a neighbourhood 25) Those who experiences uncontrollable cries of either their babies or children, at a given time of the night.

26) Couples, who began to observe series of serious misunderstanding between them which was not before. Please take a little time out and pray these prayers aggressively. “Any dream you had you can send it through SMS to the numbers below.

Prayer points 1) I lift up the Blood of Jesus as a standard against the stronghold of territorial powers in this nieghbourhood in the name of Jesus 2) I command the battle axe of God to hew down and pieces every altar of territorial powers in this hamlet in the name of Jesus.

3) You territorial powers in this street manipulating my life, marriage and business, today I feed you with the cup of wrath of God in the name of Jesus 4) I command that every of my testimonies seized and or withheld by the powers of territorial bondages be released to me now in the name of Jesus 5) You territorial powers sitting on my visa, promotion and benefits be unseated by fire in the name of Jesus.

The violence required To dislodge the powers of territorial bondage out of their comfort zone, great measure of violence is required. Violence is the only language territorial powers understand. Being that they are very wicked irresilent determined and unyielding to destroying their victims, cold approaches to them, if they are holding you bondage could only result in aggravating the situation. Demons have always defiled the armies of God, and are not willing to make peace with God. Although, they knew they have been bound for hell fire, yet they are not prepared to go without a fight. Which is why violent confrontation remains the only option available to any child of God wishing to recover his/her belongings in their custody. In Matthew 11:12 “And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.” The kingdom, in question which suffereth violence is the testimony, glory, fame, honour and prosperity of the children of God. Which are held captive by the powers of satan. The Holy Bible advocate violence as a means of apprehending it. Dear child of God how violent are you in your prayer life.

This is very important. Many believers prays, but majority are not violent in their prayer approach.

That is where the problem lies. Could be that the

reason why you have not actualized your vision is because of your complacence attitude towards prayer. Have you not heard what happened, when Daniel prayed? In Daniel chapter 10:13“But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia.” Daniel confronted territorial powers in the kingdom of Persia violently. These were the powers that held captive the freedom of the children of Israel and turned them to slaves in the land. However, despite the violent confrontation of Daniel against them through prayers, the chief power that was in control of Persia, known as the prince of Persia withheld the Angel sent to Daniel to deliver to him the answer to his prayers. Not until, one of the chief princes of the Angels of God, known as Michael came down to help him. This explains to us the level of violence a child of God should adopt in aggressive prayer against the prince of darkness. This is a heavenly mandate. To confront the oppressor and forcefully take back all our possessions in his custody.

However, we must understand the fact that the oppressor does not grant freedom by negotiation. We must violently demand our freedoms and possessions unconditionally. This is because the condition needed for our freedom has been met and settled by God, in his son Jesus by his death and resurrection. This is our song, our praise, our hope and our testimony.

What is violence?

Violence means: a) An outstanding great concentration in prayer against the enemy b) An ability to focus on an enemy or a target for a long time releasing fire without distraction to achieve an objective c) Violence means holy anger, and aggression against the wicked schemes of the enemy. d) Embracing a given prayer point with such great power and spiritual agility. e) Applying spiritual force through

the wordings of prayer against the oppressor f) Confronting the enemy vehemently with the word of powers g) It means using the fire in the name of Jesus to cause great havoc and destruction in the kingdom of satan h) Praying demonstratively with action and fierceness Using the weapons of the word of God aggressively and with great determination. In Jeremiah 23:29 “Is not my word like as a fire? saith the LORD; and like a hammer thatbreaketh the rock in pieces?” i) Application of great force in prayer. j) Holy provocation. k) Burning in anger and fury against the enemy. l) Exhibition of spiritual rage. m) Expression of holy madness, rage and rampage n) Exploding with holy fire o) Praying with such bitter hatred like a wounded lion p) Causing earthquake, seaquake, airquake in the kingdom of darkness.

Seven keys to receiving holy fire Holy confrontation that generates violence in the kingdom of satan cannot come except you possess holy fire. There are seven keys to possessing holy fire, which is capable of producing violent confrontation that dislodges the strong hold of the kingdoms of darkness. In Exodus 3:1-6 “Now Moses kept the flock of Jethro his father in law, the priest of Midian: and he led the flock to the backside of the desert, and came to the mountain of God, even to Horeb. And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush: and he looked, and, behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed.

And Moses said, I will now turn aside, and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt. And when the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called unto him out of the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses. And he said, Heream I. And he said, Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standestis holy ground. Moreover he said, I am the God of

News

CCC holds special prayer for the nation Church marks anniversary Obasoluyi Telewa

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he Shepherd-in-Charge of Celestial Church of Christ, Ogudu Expressway Cathedral, Sup.Evang J.B Adelaja (JP) has identified prayer as the key to solving the sundry challenges confronting the country.

He made the submission at the end of a three-day Special Prayer for the Nation 2016, organized by the church, at the Church Auditorium, Ogudu, Lagos. His words: “What Nigeria need now is prayer, although the country was facing a number of challenges like many countries of the world, fervent prayers to God would speedily resolve them”, he stated.

According to him, ”Prayer is the key for solution to all challenges in the lives of individuals or of nations. That is why this prayer session, meant to commit our country into the hands of God is a step in the right direction.

His Deputy, Asst.Sup. Evang.A Aladekoye, maintained that with prayers, the anti-corruption war in Nigeria, would restore the dignity of the country and help President Mu-

hammadu Buhari fix infrastructure, create employment in abundance which will make life begin to look up again, he added.

While calling on Nigerians to be patient and prayerful, the Parochial Chairman, C/E/B/Peter Eyanaku likened the coming of President Buhari to Prophet Nehemiah, who was backed by God to rebuild the City of Jerusalem. He believes that with prayers, just as Nehemiah succeeded in his chosen assignment, Buhari, being God sent, will be a big success too, he said. According to the organizing Secretary, Bola Salami, the situation in the country today needs to be backed up with prayers, insisting that the laudable achievements being recorded by the President may not be visible for now, but there is light at the end of the tunnel, he added.

Those that graced the occasion include leaders and elders of the church within and outside the country. Others include M/S/E Oye Oni, M/S/E Kunle Nana, Ldr.Idowu Oshinuga, Ldr.Tinubu Sunday Tinubu, M/C Akinsanmi and M/C Giwa, as well as Ldr. Awobiro Sunday among others.

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lory of God Must Shine Ministry, last Sunday, February 7, celebrated its prophet 100days fasting / thanksgiving anniversary at the church auditorium, Pure Water Bus-Stop, Badagry Expressway Lagos.

Tagged ‘Blowing the trumpet release’, Prophet Felix Ogoh, the host minister, used the programme to call on Christians to pray for the country.

He urged elected leaders and politicians to carried along religious leaders, adding that elected leaders have the obligation to serve the people while the men of God has the spiritual role to play in governance.

Quoting various portions of the scripture, Ogoh also urged the elected leaders to rely on God who is very dependable.

According to him, the “Dividends of Calvary” as gains from the sacrificial death and resurrection of Jesus could be accessed by all leaders.

The prophet said God has sworn to uproot failure in the lives of everyone adding that all members and guest that attended the programme have received total victory and will never experience carry over into the new month.

According to him, “as you celebrate

with me today to mark the completion of my 100days fasting and thanksgiving, God will roll away reproach in your lives.

Prophet Felix Ogoh while going the memory lane of what he dscribed as a “tough road” into the 100days fasting, said that few days to the end of the fasting, life was becoming very umbearable for him, he embraced difficult times in an unprecedented manner.

“At a time snake bite me, I was asking God, do I still continue or brake the fasting because you cannot take medicine with an empty stomach, and taking any medication may lead to breaking of the fasting but God revealed to me, “my son apply anointing oil on the surface and continue your fasting, for I am with you”, he said.

“I continue the fasting without taking any medication outside the anointing oil, I applied and the snake bite do not hot me”. While paying glowing tribute to God Almighty for his mercies on him, prophet Ogoh said, “now I am happy when I see the power of God come down, seeing people healed from afflictions and bareness, I am not bothered by wealth or prosperity but happy with what God is using me for, he clarified.

From the Pulpit

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Learn with Kunle

Macaulay

M

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

ore people in the world believe that God created the heavens and the earth. While some religions encourage their adherents to apply their beliefs to their situations – living as directed by their religion, Christians are divided on whether their religion allows them to be involved in partisan politics. Some Christian leaders discourage their church members from even voting or electing their political leaders. What you are reading today is not the work of biblical scholarship or positive and constructive theology. I do not intend to declare exactly the message of the Bible for political life. I only want to prove that God is interested in social and political organizations of the world and especially Nigeria.

In the study of the Bible, it is observed that God does not project any particular political message but several different messages. It is therefore necessary to classify and interpret the political effects these Bible messages have especially on politics in Nigeria. The Bible confirms that God created the heavens and the earth and all things in them. Gen 1:1; Ps. 24:1. If God owns the world, then he has the right to control what he creates. The Bible says, “Let every soul be subject to the governing authority. For there is no authority except from God. The authorities that exist are ordained by God. Therefore, whoever resists authority resists the ordinance of God. And those who resist will receive judgment on themselves” Romans 13:1-2. This message which is biblical said that everybody including Christians must submit to civil government that does not demand for obedience to law that contradicts the laws of God. All people must submit to civil government because it is God that ordained that civil government must exist among men. Daniel confirmed that “ …..

Destiny Hour with Pastor Femi

Lanre-Oke ‘

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herefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come’ 2 Corinthians 5:17

We have the tendency to assume a whole lot of things. We assume we know when we don’t, assume we can when we can’t among many others. One very essential thing that men and women all over the world assume is salvation and I want us today to prayerfully study one or two biblical truths on salvation.

The salvation of your parents can only be a stepping stone to your salvation; it does not guarantee your salvation. Every man/ woman stands as an individual when faced with the issues and when faced with eternity. Listen to me, you stand accountable for whatever happens to you; your investments and decisions in life determines your outcome and not that of your parents or your relatives. Your personal decision to say yes to Jesus determines the outcome of your life so never think that the fact that your parents are saved guarantees your salvation.

The prayers of your parents will work for you but ultimately, you stand accountable for what you do with your life. I am

Sunday, February 21, 2016

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What the Bible says to politics He (God) changes times and seasons He removes kings and sets up kings…” Daniel 2:21.

The Bible confirms that Christianity is a society theocratically ordained by God. God had laid down the rules and how these rules should be enforced. It should be understood that biblical rules are not human ordinances but the divine prescriptions for society. It is the responsibility of the church to tell the society exactly the will of God but unfortunately the church has separated itself from the society. At the coronation of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the Archbishop of Canterbury when presenting a book to the queen said, ‘’ Our gracious Queen, to keep your Majesty ever mindful of the Law and the Gospel of God as the rule for the whole life and government of Christian Princes, we present you with this Book, the most valuable thing that this world affords.’’ He further said, ‘’Here is Wisdom; This is the royal Law; These are the lively Oracles of God.’’ The Book he presented was of course a Bible.

The Israelites were first ruled by God until they demanded for a king “Give us a king to govern us” and Samuel their leader went to God with this demand, so God said, “They have not rejected you, but they have rejected me from being king over them “ I Sam 8:6. So, the idea of having a human king or leader was a revolt against God. Today, the separation of church from state is not ordained by God. In spirituality, there is nothing like “sacred or secular” because this is the language of man. All things belong to God. The Bible confirms that God ordains human authority to rule in the world of man and this should be according to the will of God. Some Christian leaders preach and interpret the Bible out of context. Concerning the tribute money, Jesus said,” Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and to God the things that are God’s” Mk 12:17. Many people believe that Jesus was not interested in the things concerning the world. This is a wrong assumption. What

we should know is that there is “authority” on earth “ordained” by God. The main work of Jesus is to bring the world back to God. The study of humanity of the real and historical Jesus confirms that Jesus was deeply involved in party politics of his time. Jesus stood for the oppressed and the poor of his time. He demanded for their rights and spoke up for them before the government and wealthy people. He demanded that the will of God should be done on earth as in heaven. Jesus also spoke against a justice that favoured the powerful and left the weak and the poor to suffer.He founded a “classless” religion where “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bound servant nor free, there is neither male nor female for you are all one in Christ Jesus” Gal 3:28.

Jews believed that they lived under the plan dictated by God but the Roman Empire seemed to threaten Jewish religious sensibilities more fearfully. In the first century Christianity, theocratic governance was the dominant and most common one, but today especially in Nigeria, it has been displaced by others.

Many of us believe that Christianity is expected to address itself to the state and society.

We expect Christian leaders to protest against evils of contemporary life and call for social protest and social reform. There is no doubt that God is still working through some political events. Many of us cannot deny the judging and redeeming power of God when we consider the event that brought in the present government in Nigeria.

If Nigeria belongs to all of us, then we cannot blame the people in government if they misbehave and are not checked. Nigerians who believe in God and call upon him to bless the nation from time to time must press for reform, call for new structures in society and seek for a societal pattern in which it is possible for all Nigerians to live decently. Christianity gives a picture of people moving to a permanent place prepared by Jesus but with a message of

the kingdom for the world. John in his message to the world said, “ I saw a new haven and a new earth …….. the dwelling of God is with men and God shall wipe away every tear from their eyes; and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning nor crying nor pain any more, for the former things have passed away. And he who sat upon the throne said, ‘’Behold, I make all things new’’ Rev 21 : 1 – 5.

Sincerely speaking, I have not tried to present a systematic or comprehensive account of all the political messages of the Bible. As much as I do not want to get myself involved in any controversy, I wish to state that what the church stands for is to deliver the message of God to the world and to represent the interest of God but the church today especially in Nigeria is seen as a commercial center instead of a spiritual center. How do you classify churches that have established colleges controlled by government accrediting body, industries that are supervised by various government regulatory bodies, hotels, restaurants, housing estates, bookshops, video film studios, developing properties and letting out shops, offices and other places of business?

Do you call a church with printing and or publication activities including making, acquiring, selling and disposing of printed papers as books, magazines, music, video films a charity organization?

Let us call a spade a spade. All these industries must meet the demands of the law including payment of tax. Government must make sure that activities of the church should not go beyond what a religious organization is meant for. The romance between church leaders and political leaders must be transparent.

•Prof Kunle Macaulay is the Director of Studies United Bible University, Lagos Phone: 0802 – 303 – 2698: email : profkunlemacaulay@ yahoo.com Twitter : KunleMacaulay1

Salvation (1) talking to someone today who is of the opinion that the present outcome of his life is as a result of the actions of his parents. I am saying to you that Jabez was called Bitter by his Mother in 1 Chronicles 4 but he turned his destiny around through a personal relationship with God. Let your own salvation be the determinant of your life.

That you are born in a church or you go to church regularly or that you serve does not make you a born again. These are activities that in themselves do not amount to much. True Christianity is defined as being Christ-like not just being activity mindful. In Acts 11:19-26, the Apostles were first called Christ -like when they displayed the attributes of the life of Jesus. The attributes of the life of Jesus are deeply rooted in the fruits of the Spirit as outlined in Galatians 5:22-23, these attributes are not just things you can fake or assume, they are not things you can decide to do instead they are displayed in you by the Spirit that woke Jesus up at resurrection.

The church you go and still keep malice with that usher that is still in the habit of stealing and committing fraud at work is not displaying the characteristics of Jesus. Your service to God is an addition to your salvation not a guarantee of your salvation.

Confusion about the state of your salvation means you need to re-dedicate your life to Jesus because you cannot be for Christ and not know it. Romans 8:16 states

clearly that the Holy Spirit bears witness or testifies with our spirit that we are children of God. So if you are confused of your salvation then it is time to say yes to Jesus. Check yourself now for the assurance of your salvation, check for the witness of the Holy Spirit in your spirit man.

If it is not there then ensure that this article does not end without you coming to Jesus as your Lord and personal savior.

There is no category of sinner that Jesus cannot save. For all have sinned and have come short of the glory of God Romans 3:23, Isaiah 1:18 says your sins may be as red as scarlet but God wants to make it as white as snow. The enemy of our soul has so blinded the minds of people that some believe that the level of sins committed cannot possibly be forgiven by God. That is the lie from the pit of hell, I dare you today to accept Jesus as your Lord and savior irrespective of your actions in the past; the sin, the murder, the abortion, the hard drugs, the fraud, the lies, the occult involvement etc. Jesus is ready to save you and turn you around into a new person.

Finally, let it be known that the unsaved man suffers on earth and suffers in eternity. There are provisions made for every child in the Kingdom of God. Provisions such as sound health, the mind of Christ, favour, peace of mind etc. However, they are only available to children of God not by profession but from the depth of their beings. Secondly, every sinner’s lot ends up in hell fire that has been made for the devil and his demons. Hence, any man

who is not born again not only suffers on earth but eternally, such will burn in the fires of hell.

It is time for you to escape the torments you are presently suffering on earth and also escape the torments that wait in hell. Listen to me, God has done His part by sending Jesus to die for you and I and He will be justified on that last day if the reason why you are burning is simply because you refused to say I do to Him. I want you to carefully consider what you stand to gain or lose with or without salvation and make your decision now. If you are ready to say yes to Jesus, the process is simple: • Believe in your heart that you are a sinner and cannot save yourself.

• Believe in your heart that Jesus died on the cross of Calvary paying the price for your sins and rose from the dead the third day to establish your victory • Confess with your mouth that Jesus is lord and saviour.

• Repent of all sins before the Lord and forsake them.

• Welcome into God’s family.

Please locate a Bible believing church and share you new birth experience with the church leaders.

•For further prayer & counseling, Please contact: Pastor Femi Lanre-Oke, Jesus Praise Evangelical Ministries International, Plot A22 Power Crescent, Arab road, Kubwa. Abuja, +2348030752799, +2348053695097, Email: femi_lanre01@yahoo.co.uk

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Sunday, February 21, 2016

Celebration Vineyard Briefly

FGC holds Dominion programme

A

ll is set for the annual programme Foursquare Gospel Church Alapere Zone tagged “Dominion 2016” with the broader theme “Look And Live” adopted from Number 21:8-9 scheduled to hold from February 25-28, 2016 at 72/74, Agboyi road, Alapere- Ketu, Lagos.

Speaking on the programme, the hosts, Rev. and Prof (Mrs.) Ajibola Jolaosho, District Overseer revealed that this year’s programme is all about total deliverance from all sort of bondage both spiritual and physical; be it financial bondage and other attack from the home-front and outside, adding that with prayers during the programme all afflictions will disappear in the lives of attendees.

Other features include crusade at Agboyi Outreach, and Grand Finale, featuring healing, deliverance, empowerment, marital tips, carrier tips, Song inspiration.

On hand to minister are Rev. Ajibola Jolaosho, Rev. James Bamidele, Rev. Akin Ogunwoye Host/ Zonal Coordinator among others.

C&S church begins prayer and fasting

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he annual fasting and prayer session of Cherubim and Seraphim Unification Church of Nigeria, Ona Iwa Mimo Oke Ayo Atunbi Mose (Agboyi Parish) which held from January 29 to February 20, 2016 will continue from February 22 to March 11, 2016 tagged “Jesus will do my own”with vigil starting at 12midnight at 4, Oja-omo Street, off Agboyi road, Alapere, Ketu, Lagos.

The host minister, Senior Pro. Evang. (Dr.) S.T. Adeniyi (sanmosanmo Malaika) claimed that God wants everyone to receive blessing, healing, deliverance and breakthrough, as programme coordinato,r Ap.Pro.Muyiwa Komolafe, Evang. Lanre Teriba, Dare Melody and a host of others would be ministering.

Rhema Chapel set to break yoke of limitations

T

he stage is set for two Sundays programme at Rhema Chapel tagged “Breaking the yoke of limitations.”

The programme begins today Sunday, February 21, 2016 and ends on February 28 at 11, Taiwo Street, beside Union Bank Ogudu road, Ojota, Lagos.

According to the host, Pastor Adekunle Adekoya, this year is the year of unlimited growth for participants powered by the Holy Spirit. He urged all to come and witness unlimitation in their life this year.

On hand to minister are Pastor Caleb Ayinla and other anointed men and women of God. The programme will feature display from His image voices, the sword of Excellence, Drama ministry, as well as drama, prophetic impartation, praise among others.

33

Nigerians urged to seek God …as BSN clocks 50

Chairman, National Planning Committee of BSN @ 50, Mr. Olugbenga Olayeye; Patron BSN, General (Dr.) Yakubu Gowon; Guest Speaker, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo; Chief Ernest Shonekan; Chief Emeka Anyaoku and Elder Felix Ohiwerei unveiling the Legacy Commemorative Bible

Odinaka Uruakpa

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ormer President of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo has assured Nigerians that no matter where they are and no matter the situation or condition, they can be contented if they seek God in their life rather than happiness.

Obasanjo gave this assurance while delivering a lecture tagged “Man in pursuit of Happiness” at the 50th anniversary celebration of the Bible Society of Nigeria held recently in Lagos.

While commending the Bible Society of Nigeria and the British Bible Society form which it sprang, Obasanjo noted that without the dedication of men and women from the two societies, the Bible would not have been within the reach of every Nigerian who wished to possess it.

“Today, we have the complete Bible translated into twenty-four Nigerian local languages. And, for me, I would not have been what I am today without the Bible which came along with the missionaries who brought the Christian religion to our land. I went to mission schools at primary and secondary levels”, he revealed.

He further revealed that happiness is an externally influenced emotion and not internally induced.

“External inducement that can make you happy can also make you sad. For instance, purchase of a new car can make you happy but an accident with the car will lead to sadness. Man should seek God in his life rather than happiness. This is great gap that exists with humanity and only few people do understand this.

“We have no indication that Solomon with his wealth and wisdom was a happy man.

His statement in the concluding stage of his life did indicate that kings, rulers and generals in the Bible and throughout history have sought, acquired and exercised great powers

and have been in great possessions materially and territorially and yet happiness eluded them. Pharaoh was a great king in Egypt and yet he was unhappy when God took the children Israel away”, he stated.

Obasanjo listed Napoleon, Hitler and a host of other great men who in spite of their greatness and achievements did not experience happiness.

“Greatness, whichever way one looks at it, is not synonymous with happiness.

The more atrocities most of these great men committed, the more unhappy they were. From time immemorial, man in different positions had sought and pursued happiness in variety of ways but to no avail. We should ask, why and how have they carried out the pursuit? Happiness cannot be accessed by man for man from man because at best happiness attained by man for himself is partial victory or ephemeral”, he revealed.

The elder statesman claimed that as many attempt to acquire, muster, access, and appropriate happiness, it eludes them the more because man lacks the ability to make himself happy.

He claimed that God created man perfect, as He (God) gave man all he (man) needed, including the desire for happiness in the Garden of Eden, but man blew it and lost the close relationship he enjoyed with God. “Three things happened to man as a result of his fall. Man lost his sense of identity, security and significance. A closer view on human life shows what man seeks in life revolves around these three, i.e. identity, security and significance. But all of them are in God’s hands for any human being. Since the fall of man, God became distant in man’s life; a great chasm was created as man lost true sense of identity, security and significance. Man is trying to find a

way to restore these to him using all manner of devises. Man is seeking identity, security and significance in his own way, but only God can guarantee them. Man was left to his own devices and has continued to fall short of God’s plan and God’s purpose to the extent that God regretted creating man, as mentioned in the book of Genesis”, he revealed.

In his goodwill message, the General Secretary and CEO of the Bible Society of Nigeria, Reverend Dare Ajiboye claimed that the history of Bible Societies in the world would not be incomplete without Mary Jones, a young Whelsh Girl who loved reading the Bible, though her parents could not afford it.

Mary Jones loved to read the Bible so much and her parents could not afford to buy a Bible. So she would go the church to read, but not satisfied, she would go to the house of a neighbour to read. Since her parents could not buy it, Mary saved money for six years to buy the Bible. She trekked a distance of 40 miles to get the Bible.

When she got to the place, the only Bible in Whelsh language left had already been paid for. On hearing this, the girl broke down in tears. The person in charge by name Thomas Charles was touched and gave her the copy saying that the person that paid for the Bible would have to wait for the next consignment. After getting the Bible, Mary Jones walked another forty miles back to her village.

He further claimed that Mary Jones experience got the man (Thomas Charles) thinking as he made a proposal for the formation of a new society to supply Wales, Scotland and other parts of Europe with the Bible.

“This led to the formation of the British and Foreign Bible Society in 1804 in London, as other Bible societies were formed in different parts of the world, each making the word of God available to the people they serve”, he claimed.

The event which had as Chairperson, Elder, Felix Ohiwerei, Chairman, Fidson Healthcare Plc, also had in attendance former heads of State, General (Dr.) Yakubu Gowow Rtd, Chief Ernest Shonekan, former Commonwealth Secretary General, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, National President of Bible Society of Nigeria, Aaron Nuhu among others.

Highpoints of the event were the unveiling of the Legacy Commemorative Bible, and presentation of awards to deserving personalities in the country.

34

From the Pulpit

The voice of wisdom

with Dr. David

Oyedepo

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rom scriptures, we understand that prayer and fasting is an asset of inestimable value in fulfilling God’s agenda for our lives. As such, it is a non-negotiable requirement, ordained by God for us to experience specific benefits in our lives, as contained in scriptures (Isaiah 58:6-12).

As we all know, every of God’s agenda is a spiritual open door which usually attracts oppositions from hell and this is why we are called to engage in prayer and fasting in dealing with such spiritual strongholds.

No wonder Jesus said: Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting (Matthew 17:21; See also 1 Corinthians 16:9; 1 Timothy 1:18).

The above scripture helps us to know that some resistances will continue to get stronger without prayer and fasting.

In order words, the siege sitting over any aspect of our lives may never move except by engaging the force of faith coupled with prayer and fasting. Remember, there is no other higher kind recognized in the Bible, other than prayer and fasting. We must, therefore, beware of selling our glorious destiny to the belly like Esau, who for a morsel of bread sold his birthright (Genesis 25:29-34).

However, to make the most of our fast-

Let’s go

BIBLE with Favour

Tioluwani

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Email: letsgobible@gmail.com

fter reading your article last week l so much desire to do accordingly but l am finding it difficult to love my spouse again.

Yes, l have forgiven him but it is not easy for me to go back to my former self and to cap it up, he is still doing some of the things l had reacted against and having no choice l had to continue living with it but l can’t open back to my old self.

Love, Love, Love. (1 Cor.13:3-7). “Love is never tired of waiting; love is kind; love has no envy; love has no high opinion of itself, love has no pride; Love’s ways are ever fair, it takes no thought for itself; it is not quickly made angry, it takes no account of evil; It takes no pleasure in wrong-doing, but has joy in what is true; Love has the power of undergoing all things, having faith in all things, hoping all things.”

It is a word easier used than acted out in marriages and even during courtship. Most marriages now have dropped the name marital affairs and have taken on managing affairs, the only thing they do is living together under the same roof.

Most women when asked, why they are still staying with the man despite all that they are facing, their main response is that they are there because of their children. But for the men they believe that, because of their status in the community, it will not go down well with people if l decide to let her go.

If these are the reasons why you are hanging on you are already out of the will of God. However, if you’ve never loved your spouse before

Sunday, February 21, 2016

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Unveiling the blessedness of prayer and fasting! ing expedition, we mustengage some profitable approaches to fasting, which include: Approaching the Throne of God with Boldness: God is not a task master, He is our heavenly Father. Therefore, we must come boldly, not beggarly to approach Him. As it is written: Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need (Hebrews 4:16).

Engagement of Our Hearts in Prayers: It is important to know that God looks into our hearts to deliver answers to our prayers. Thus, we must engage our hearts in prayers, not just our mouths, to reach out to heaven. This is because only those who engage their hearts end up with testimonies.

For instance, Hannah prayed her heart out and received her desire from the Lord.

As it is written: Now Hannah, she spake in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard: therefore Eli thought she had been drunken (1 Samuel 1:13, 15; See also Jeremiah 30:21).

Give a Priority Place to the Kingdom: From scriptures, Jesus admonished us to pray thus: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come.

Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven (Matthew 6:9-10).

One of the most profitable approaches to prayer and fasting is to give a priority place to the Kingdom matters. These include praying for the church, pastors, brethren, etc. When we do this, God won’t wait for us to ask for our needs to be met

before He supplies them. As it is written: But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you (Matthew 6:33).

It is important to note that engaging in Kingdom advancement prayers advances our destiny. This is because when we make for God first, He meets our needs next (1 Kings 17:8-16).

We must not be offended in God or men: For instance, John the Baptist was offended in Christ and asked if He (Christ) was the Messiah or they should wait for another. As a result, he was beheaded. No wonder Jesus speaking to His disciples said: …Blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me (Matthew 11:6).

Unfortunately, there are many defeated Christians today, who being offended in God would say, “I have done everything, but nothing seems to be working.”

That is a lie; if you have truly done everything, then you would have gotten results. You have done many things, but you are yet to do the right things. Many years ago, I discovered that God is never to be blamed. He is always right and He is not my problem but my solution provider. He is not my challenge; He is my deliverer (Job 34:10).

Therefore, we must refuse to be offended in God or we would be stranded in life.

Remember, Jesus speaking to His disciples in another verse of scripture says: It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come!

(Luke 17: 1).

Having established some profitable ap-

proaches to fasting, we must recognize that prayer and fasting is a type of ‘spiritual suffering’ that leads to an eternal and exceeding weight of glory. As it is written: For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory (2 Corinthians 4:17; see also Mark 4:30-33; John 12:23-24). Therefore, let’s engage this mystery wholeheartedly in order to experience the fulfilment God’s From Glory To Glory agenda, this year. Remain ever blessed!

Are you born again? This means, have you accepted Jesus Christ as your Saviour and Lord? If you haven’t, you can do so by saying this prayer: “Lord Jesus, I come to You today. I am a sinner. Forgive me of my sins. Cleanse me with Your precious Blood.

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

For further reading, please get my books: Born To Win, Satan Get Lost and Winning Prayer.

I invite you to come and fellowship with us at the Faith Tabernacle, Canaanland, Ota, the covenant home of Winners.

We have five services on Sundays, holding at 6:00 a.m., 7:35 a.m., 9:10 a.m., 10:45 a.m. and 12:20 p.m. respectively.

I know this teaching has blessed you. Write and share your testimony with me through: Faith Tabernacle, Canaanland, Ota, P.M.B. 21688, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria; or call 01-4548070, 014548280; or E-mail: feedback@lfcww. org

Make your marriage work again (for some went into the marriage because of unexpected pregnancy, some were been forced into marriage, there are also arranged marriages) l can agree with you living together as strangers, but if you ever love him, cherish him, enjoy his presence and took all the necessary process to really make him yours, and you no more love him, you are out of God’s will.

I can understand that some men do go to the extreme, making it so difficult for the wife to love them again so also the wife. For example: Mr. A: Shouting and using abusive words on the wife and the children every day. After much cautioning he promised to stop and change but it’s as if he is getting worse, it’s now a normal thing every day.

Mrs. B: Traveling to China, Dubia, Turkey etc every two weeks to buy goods without giving time for the husband and the kids. The husband complained about this, she promised to change and she did change but now traveling to Aba, Port Harcourt, Abuja etc.

Mr. C: Not only drinking strong drinks but also introducing this to the children. Beating up the wife whenever she tries to take the kids away.

Mrs. D: Having her parents and siblings all in her matrimonial home and always giving them priority over her husband, who whenever he tries to react they gang up against him.

Gradually because of all these and even more, the LOVE that you had for that person will start diminishing and if care is not taken, love will turn to hate.

However, l want to let you know that with God nothing shall be impossible. No matter the situation you can make it work again,

you can bring back the love. There are some special things you can do:1. No Time for Romance Today the married version is much more practical, pragmatic, and kid-driven. No time for long glances at your beloved. You’ve got dishes to do. Who’s got the energy to flirt?

The once-shaky knees have stabilized. Looking at the loved one upon waking doesn’t send me soaring anymore.

Is it really possible to keep flirting with your husband? Could flirting be the one small habit that would significantly improve your marriage? Flirting is playfully showing your husband that you’re interested romantically.

It’s sending subtle, lighthearted messages to your man to say you’re attracted to him physically. You tease the object of your affection and, in so doing, compliment his masculinity.

You use body language, sweet words, and creativity to woo your mate. This enticing, come-on-over behavior makes your man feel alive and engaged in the chase. Flirty, fun, playful tactics came easily to us during the dating and courtship phases of our relationships. But those tactics are often neglected and forgotten after we say “I do.” Rather than waiting until you feel amorous, make a daily choice to flirt with your husband. The feelings will follow (yes, the butterflies can return even after decades of marriage).

2. Forgiveness is necessary You have to be able to forgive because the Word of God tells us to forgive: “But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins too” (Mark 11:2). You must realise that we were not Chris-

tians when the unfaithfulness occurred.

Also remember that you too have your own sins committed before or during your marriage. Forgiveness that brings in true love is not a onetime thing but an every minute affair, with love you learn to overlook so many things. Immediately it happens, quickly ask God to help take it off your mind.

3. Bring back LOVE: One thing that we fail to realise is that Love is a personality. GOD IS LOVE. 1 John 4:7-8, “Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.”

He himself is love, his name is love, everything he is, is love.

If He is there with you in the house, even inside of you it will be so easy for you to restore your love back to your husband. 1 John 4:11-12, “Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.”

If He is inside of you, you will love again.

Therefore the first thing to do is to bring back God into your heart and even into your home. Immediately there is light darkness vanishes, hate disappears immediately love appears.

You can do it!

•You can send in your QUESTIONS and the Holy Spirit will be set to give you the ANSWERS. Barr. (Mrs.) Favour Tioluwani Tel: 08050272259 or 07062738213. Email: letsgobible@gmail.com

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Time to move to ‘the other side’ (1)

Miracle Arena with Bishop

L

Theo Ugochukwu

ife is like a coin. It has two sides.

Every living soul must experience these two sides of life. By God’s calendar and timetable there is time for everything. There is time to be at the dark and low side of life, the side of toiling so much and getting very little or no result, working like elephant but eating like mosquito, the side of anxiety and worry over the challenges of life. Perhaps, you are right now on this side of life. Then this message is for you. I have the mandate of Heavenly Authorities to proclaim to you that it time for you to move to the other side of life.

In Matthew 8:18, Jesus instructed His disciples to move to the other side. Matthew 8:1-16 make it clear to us that Jesus and His Disciples had a very busy day attending to a multitude of people according to their needs. They were so busy that there was no time for them to pray, eat and relax. This side is the side of challenges and stress. It is the side of strenuous labour and sleepless nights. Jesus is now telling you through this medium that this side of life is over. You can’t continue dwelling in this side of life this year.

Child of God, whichever side or level of life you are right now is not your last.

You have not yet reached your destina-

I

t is not difficult for God to deliver us from any problem we face in life. Divine deliverance is a food meant for the children of God and as long as we focus on God and on Him alone, we are bound to enjoy this food. The Bible says in Isaiah 59:1-2 “Behold, the LORD’S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; nor His ear heavy, that it cannot hear. But your iniquities have separated you from your God; and your sins have hidden His face from you, So that He will not hear.” So, we can see that for divine deliverance to come is not a function of God alone but our response to God might also affect the reception of deliverance. Divine release is divine agenda of God for His people and once activated, no power can stop God from implementing the programme. When it is time for your divine release, there may be opposition from the power of darkness in various ways but they will surely fail.

When it was time for the divine release of the children of Israel fromEgypt and Pharaoh the king of Egypt raised opposition to it; he was eventually humble by God’s power and nothing could stop the release already planned by God. Whatsoever you may be going through now that is making life difficult for you, you can be released from those powers by God and you will enjoy the divine release of God. The Lord has provided certain instruments of release for us. These instruments include: 1.

Holy Spirit:Holy Spirit is the source of freedom and with him, divine release is inevitable. The scripture says in 2 Corinthians 3:17, that “Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.”Several deliverancesexperienced by the people of God were by the coming of the Spirit of the Lord upon them. When Samson was bound by his kinsmen to be delivered to the enemy, the rope that was used was destroyed by Samson just because the Spirit of the Lord came upon him. In other words he

From the Pulpit 35

Sunday, February 21, 2016

tion. Even if you think that where you are now is convenient and satisfying to you, Jesus is telling you that you still need to move on. At any level you are now, there are still higher levels. So braze up and keep going.

Jeremiah 29:11 tells us that God has an “Expected End” for every living soul including you, and He us the One that is taking you to that ‘Expected End’. All you need to do is to get ready to follow Him to where He (God) is taking you to.

This ‘Expected End’ which God promised in Jeremiah 29:11 represents the ‘Other Side’ which Jesus instructed His Disciples to move to in Luke 8:22.

As the disciples of Jesus obeyed and acted on His word, you must also obey and do the same.

Yes, the journey to the ‘Other Side’ may be stormy and challenging, you have to still embark on it for you to attain your divinely programmed level of life and then live a real fruitful life expected of you here on earth as a child of God. Luke 8:23 tells us what happened on the way as Jesus and His disciples embarked on a journey to the ‘Other Side’.

Their journey was resisted by satanic elements. But the resistance failed because Jesus was part of the journey. At the end of the day the disciples made it to the ‘other side’.

There are a few lessons to draw from

here. One of such lessons is that every effort or move by any child of God to break new grounds is most likely to be challenged and resisted by evil forces and enemies of progress. God Himself in Jeremiah 1:19 warns about the tendency of satanic forces to fight at any slightest chance.

The second lesson is that the plans and activities of evil forces will surely fail as long as God is with us. Lamentations 3:37 poses a rhetoric question, “Who is it who speaks and it comes to pass when the Lord has not commanded it?”

The third lesson is that anyone who obeys and does the will of God will never end up tragically and miserably for any reason and under any circumstance.

The last lesson is that nothing good and glorious comes easily. One fact we must admit about devil and his agents is that they are foresighted and therefore capable of foreseeing good things that God has prepared for us.

This is the reason why some of God’s promises are hardly realized. Devil will foresee such promises and work against them. However, the good news is that God has the final say over the affairs of man. Devil has never been and can never be smarter than God. Child of God, this is your time to move to the ‘Other Side of life’. It is

your time to arise and shine. If you are already shining, then it is your time to shine brighter and brighter. I prophesy over your head that every effort by you to break new grounds this year must yield the desired result in Jesus Name. I declare again under the Heavenly unction that none of your good expectations this year shall be cut short, and that your journeys this year shall be smooth, convenient and successful in Jesus Name. But then, you have to put God in the picture of your plans, engagements and journeys this year.

When you do so, no storm will stop you from reaching your destination and achieving your goal this season in Jesus Name. In the subsequent part of this topic coming up next Sunday, we shall discuss the requirements for crossing over to the ‘other side’ or moving up the ladder of life in all ramifications.

Be in tune with us on same paper every Sunday. Remain blessed.

•For more information, contact: Bishop Theo Ugochukwu – General Overseer, Miracle Assembly Bible Church, a.k.a. The City of Joy, 80, Ajose Street, Mende, Maryland, Lagos; Tel: 08033461482.

Email: bishopgracemiracle@ ymail.com

Divine Release was released by the Holy Spirit. “…But they said to him, “We have come down to arrest you that we may deliver you into the hand of the Philistines.” Then Samson said to them, “Swear to me that you will not kill me yourselves.” So they spoke to him, saying, “No, but we will tie you securely and deliver you into their hand; but we will surely not kill you.”

And they bound him with two new ropes and brought him up from the rock. When he came to Lehi, the Philistines came shouting against him. Then the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon him; and the ropes that were on his arms became like flax that is burned with fire, and his bonds broke loose from his hands. He found a fresh jawbone of a donkey, reached out his hand and took it, and killed a thousand men with it”(Judges 15:12-15). Jesus was able to do those signs and wonders just because he was anointed by the power of the Holy Spirit.

He was able to release thosewho were oppressed by the devil because the Lord was with Him. Acts 10:38- 8 “how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him. 2. The Word: Another instrument given us by the Lord for release is the Word.

The word of God shows us how things are supposed to be in our life against certain situations that are the reality in our life. When you see things going against what the word said should be happening in your life; you must rise and fight by the Word to obtain your release. The Word has power over everything because it is the creator of everything. You can have your release from any bondage by the word of God. The Scripture recorded that Joseph was released from prison when his word came. He sent a man before them-Joseph-who was sold as a slave. They hurt his feet with fet-

Opayinka

ters, He was laid in irons. Until the time that his word came to pass, the word of the LORD tested him. The king sent and released him, the ruler of the people let him go free(Psalms 105: 1-20). The word of the Lord came to Moses in the wilderness before he went on a journey to set the people free according to the word of the Lord. Several miracles that happened in the Scripture were result of the word; so, you too can speak the word of God to effect your release from the power holding you down.

3.

Power of God: The power of God is the ultimate force of release. When the power of the Lord comes into play in the life a person in bondage, he/she is bound to be free. The power of darkness must bow to the power of the Lord. The Scripture told us the story of a man who has lost his mind to the demons and they make his life miserable. No matter how many the demons or power of darkness involved in the situation of anyone; there is bound to be release as soon as there is

divine intervention. Back to the story of the mad man, as soon as the man encountered the power of God he was immediately released. When he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and worshiped Him. And he cried out with a loud voice and said, “What have I to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I implore You by God that You do not torment me.” For He said to him, “Come out of the man, unclean spirit!”(Mark 5:6-8). There is no evil power that can withstand the power of God; the Scripture says He that lives in us is greater than he that lives in the world.

4.

Prayer: The opportunity we have to approach the throne of God to seek his face is another great instrument we have to effect our release from any bondage. You can call upon God to help you in any situation you find yourself. This is like an open cheque through which you can withdraw any amount in a bank. You can withdraw any instrument for your release once you know how to maximize this weapon (prayer). “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,”(2 Corinthians 10:4-6) You are destined by God to live in freedom through the power of God; so, rise up and make yourself free through any of the instruments that God has made available for your release. Shalom!

Bishop Joshua Kolawole Opayinka is the Presiding Bishop of Glorious Tabernacle International located behind Ondo State Cultural Centre, Akure, Ondo State. Share your testimonies and prayer points with me at: O8060297831 joshuakolawoleo@yahoo.com

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From the Pulpit

Sunday, February 21, 2016

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Buhari’s anti-corruption war is a welcome development –Pastor Balogun

Pastor Peter Olumide Balogun is the Lead Pastor of The Citizens Church in Abuja and a former staff of the Nigerian Television Authority. In this interview with journalists, he speaks on the vision of the church, religion in politics and condemned gay marriage as disgusting among others. AYO ESAN brings the excerpts.

Tell us about yourself and the Citizens Church.

I am Peter Olumide Balogun, the Lead Pastor of The Citizens Church. I am married to Olukemi Elizabeth Balogun, and we have been together in marriage for sixteen years. Our marriage is blessed with four beautiful girls. I am a native of Ijebu Ode, though we were born and raised in Ijebu Igbo, the home town of my mother. My parents are Mr. Martins and Mrs. Racheal Balogun, both of blessed memory. I am the third in a family of seven.

I trained as an Electronic/Communications Engineer, and practiced with the Nigerian Television Authority, NTA for some years, before God called me into full time ministry in the year 2003.

By God’s grace, I have been a full time minister of the gospel now for thirteen years, though I have been in active pastoral work for twenty years running.

The Citizens Church as commissioned by God, is based in Abuja-Nigeria for now, but we hope to have the presence of the church across the continents of the world. Our vision as a church is, “To raise up men and women who will become citizens of God’s kingdom, and His ambassadors here on earth. To build in people the kingdom mentality, that will enable them live the kingdom life-life beyond restrictions’.

Our Mission Statement is that , we will reach out to the lost world, through evangelistic and social platforms, taking the kingdom message to every nook and cranny of the world; teach the undiluted message of the kingdom, instilling kingdom mindedness in believers; train people to be committed to kingdom service; teach people to manifest kingdom dominion wherever they may find themselves in the scheme of life and establish the church’s presence across the continents of the world.

As you can see, the Citizens Church is on a mission to change the mentality of people from ‘church’ to ‘the kingdom’.

What too many people practice is mere religion, and not Christianity. True Christianity connects people to the kingdom.

That was the central message of our Lord Jesus Christ when He walked this earth.

By God’s grace, the Citizens Church is a church without walls. We relate with other true Christian denominations, irrespective of our differences, because we are all of the same stock; that children of the same parents bear different names and behaves differently but that does not make them not to be of the same family.

After all, how many of us have members of our families behave in the same manner, or bear the same name!

The Citizens Church is a church where love and family bond is real. We do not claim to be better than others, but we try our best to be our best. At the Citizens church, we do not define people based on

of the word of God cannot be replaced by fun-fair, if we must have kingdom minded people in our churches.

The level of poverty is increasing astronomically. Does the Citizen Church have a future plan of providing welfare packages for its members when it is well established?

Empowerment is part of the mission of The Citizens Church. Beyond having a system that attends to the welfare need of the members, we are also going to be running empowerment programmes to establish people in different means of livelihood.

When you give people fish to eat, they keep coming back to you. Teach them how to catch fishes, and you have sorted them for life. We are not limiting this to the four walls of the church; we are also going out to bless those who are in need. For instance, by next week, we will be going to two public schools in Abuja to give some relief packages to the students. Over 2,500 primary school pupils will benefit from this.

What is your take on the anti corruption crusade of President Buhari?

Anti- corruption crusade carried out by anyone, not even President Buhari alone, is a welcome development. Corruption is a destroyer and must never be spared. The only advice is, truthfulness and equality must be employed in fighting corruption.

Pastor Balogun their past. We celebrate people and encourage them to a better life, and a more glorious future.

How did the Idea of The Citizens Church emerge and what will be the focus of the ministry?

The Citizens Church was started as instructed by God. For several years, we have been running with the vision of Destiny Encounter, an evangelical outreach, and on this platform we have taken the message of the kingdom to five continents of the world. We have gone as far as Bangladesh, where God gave us so many souls, who are now being nurtured for the Lord.

Our focus as a church, is on preaching the undiluted word of God, and encouraging people to live by the word. Human rules become minimal where people are taught to live by the standard of God’s word. We are changed by the word of God, and not human doctrine. Doctrines can only establish a people who are committed to living by the word of God. We are sent to disciple people, who will be worthy examples of true believers; people that will stand out and make impact in their generation.

What steps have you conceived or planned that will enable you win souls for Christ knowing full well that miracles, beautiful building and equipment attracts worshippers?

We already have the evangelical platform, Destiny Encounter Outreach, which will continue to take the gospel to the nook and cranny of the world. We go from Coun-

try to Country, city to city, community to community. As for the building and equipment, by God’s grace we have a comfortable place of worship, and a team of dedicated workers, who are ever ready to make the services ‘heaven on earth’ experience for the worshippers. A visit to The Citizens Church will tell you more!

Do you think that the church should be deeply involved in politics?

The Church as an entity should not be involved in politics, but should teach and encourage her members to participate in political matters, and that in the fear of God. When people are taught how to discharge their civic responsibility as citizens of the country they belong, they are not dragged into corrupt practices that have become the mark of politics the World over, and especially in Nigeria. If anything at all, the church should serve in an advisory capacity to those in politics.

Some churches are no longer concerned about digging deep into God’s word but are interested in just preaching salvation.

Don’t you think Bible study should be the main focus of a living church?

Salvation is the premise by which people are brought into the kingdom. However, having brought them in, there is the need to teach them the word of God, so that they may grow. Apostle Peter in 1 Peter 2:2 admonishes believers, “As newborn babies, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:”. In-depth study

What in your opinion can be done to improve the nation’s dwindling economy?

Though am not an economist, but I think we need to first establish systems that run independent of who holds which office. When the running of the economy is tied to individuals, we will continue the ‘roller-coaster’ experience we are having.

The government should also invest in, and encourage others to invest in production.

No ‘consumer’ natured economy ever improves. The consumer will always be servant to the producer.

What is your take concerning gay marriage?

It is an unnatural and uncanny union.

From whichever perspective you choose to look at it, it’s a pure act of perversion of God’s order on creation, for two people of the same sex to be together in a marital (sexual) relationship. God condemns it!

Anyone doing this is already a candidate of hell. Any organisation that encourages it, even if it comes by the name ‘church’, is an assembly of the devil. Hear what God says: Leviticus 18:22 | GNT, “No man is to have sexual relations with another man; God hates that”.

Leviticus 18:22 | NLT, “Do not practice homosexuality, having sex with another man as with a woman. It is a detestable sin”.

1 Corinthians 6:9-10 | GNT: “Surely you know that the wicked will not possess God’s Kingdom. Do not fool yourselves; people who are immoral or who worship idols or are adulterers or homosexual perverts or who steal or are greedy or are drunkards or who slander others or are thieves—none of these will possess God’s Kingdom”.

I can go on and on. It is the most detestable thing to do!

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Politics

February 21, 2016

37

Failure of accountability, major national problem –Ex-lawmaker mandate? Is it even patriotic? Elections results provide some of the indices that could be used for national planning. You consider, for instance, the number of active registered persons in order to even create additional polling units. And now someone is busy asking people not to come out and vote. To what end?

Hon. Charles Hosea DanAsabe was until recently a member representing Kurmi/ Gashaka/ Sardauna federal constituency in the House of Representatives on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, before the Appeal Court in Yola, Adamawa State ordered rerun in 19 polling units in his constituency. In this Interview with JUSTIN TYOPUUSU, he speaks about the war against indiscipline, the Mambilla Hydro Power Project and Mr. President ’s fight against corruption, among others.

Excerpts: The Court of Appeal sitting in Yola nullified your election and ordered a rerun in 19 polling units. How did you receive the news?

The judgement came to me as a rude shock. I was shocked by the judgement of the Appeal Court because when the case was mentioned, and after looking at my appeal, the Court set aside the judgement of the lower tribunal because the documents tendered by the APC were tampered with. After tendering the documents, they now pleaded for recertification of these documents, which was against the law. And based on that and other reasons, the Appeal Court set aside the judgement of the lower tribunal.

To my greatest surprise, they could not give me my judgement after setting aside the judgement of the lower tribunal and the evidence the APC presented, they could not give me my judgement. It was the same lawyers who handled my case that handled that of Senator Sani Danladi Abubarka and what transpired with the document in my case was the same thing in his own case, so it was the same prayers by the same lawyers in the same court almost at the same time.

My case was heard first and when his case came up, they actually made reference to my case that it was a similar case to his and gave him judgement the following day, having made reference to my case that it was similar. Remember that my case was judged first yet, they delayed the judgement for a whole week or thereabout and then the court went back to the documents they had set aside and ordered a rerun. That was a smack on the face of the judiciary in my opinion.

But I leave everything to God. What is your level of preparedness for the forth coming rerun?

I did not go through the back door to win the election in the first place. The people of my constituency, the electorates came out en masse to cast their votes for me. They stopped everything they had to do for the day just to make sure they casted their votes for me. That is why I won overwhelmingly. Let me assure you that the mandate cannot be stolen because it was given to me by God

What is your assessment of the judiciary in the country?

We cannot say the judiciary is bad.

Not at all. Of course there are some bad elements within the system that are trying to destroy it but that does not mean the entire judiciary is bad. No. In fact, the judiciary remains the last hope of the common man. I must tell you the truth. I also believe that with time, some of these elements would be exposed and made to pay for their actions.

Dan nasabe

WE CANNOT SAY THE JUDICIARY IS BAD. NOT AT ALL. OF COURSE THERE ARE SOME BAD ELEMENTS WITHIN THE SYSTEM THAT ARE TRYING TO DESTROY IT BUT THAT DOES NOT MEAN THE ENTIRE JUDICIARY IS BAD.

through the people. I have gone round and my people have assured me that I should not worry they were the ones who gave me the mandate and they are still on ground. This time, they will be sending a clear message and not just voting. They will be telling the whole world that this is their beloved son whom they have called and sent to represent them and no one can stop him.

The same register was used for presidential, senatorial and Reps election. It was the same accreditation and the ballot papers were given to voters at the same time. They cast their votes at the same time. Yet they did not cancel that of the presidential election, that of the Senate still stands then they are claiming that there was no election for reps.

Was reps election conducted separately?

But like I said earlier, I leave everything to God. But I can tell you confidently that I will no doubt return to the National Assembly.

How do you assess the security situation ahead of the polls in line with recent kidnappings and other security challenges in the state?

Of course we are aware that the APC are planning to scuttle the process which

means they don ’t mean well for this country I must say, but we are equal to the tax. We have advised our supporters to be law abiding but if they are attacked, of course they will have to defend themselves. I have made this position known to the security and I think they are just as equal to the task. They have assured us that they would mobilise enough security so hopefully there would be no problem. We would have a smooth rein.

How about the level of preparedness of the electoral body? Are you satisfied with the arrangements from their ends so far?

Well I don ’t think I have a problem with INEC. The problem is not even with INEC but the people and that is why we are mobilising our people to come out in large numbers and cast their votes. It is their civic responsibility. Unfortunately, the opposition is busy telling the people not to come out. This is a civil responsibility of every qualified citizen so you begin to wonder why a party that is planning to participate in the exercise would be busy asking her members not to come out and vote. What do they have in mind?

If people don ’t come out to vote is it their cattle that would vote to give them the

What is your take on the Supreme Court ruling in the case of Taraba State Governorship elction?

Oh. I was overwhelmed with joy over the ruling because it was becoming very annoying how the process of governance was being distracted unnecessarily. In the first instance, the opposition alleged irregularities that led to a rerun in some local governments. In the end, they won only in five local government areas out of the 16 and we ’re claiming that they won the elections. How logical is that? It was obvious to everyone that the PDP won the election clearly but they were looking for ways to steal that mandate using the instrumentality of the judiciary but thank God judges of the Supreme Court rose above that.

What happened at the Supreme Court was really exciting and encouraging. It means one can confidently approach the courts, especially the Supreme Court.

Why do you want to go to the National Assembly?

You know I can ’t just wake up and say since people are going to the National Assembly, I also want to go. No. You must have clear vision; clear reasons why you want to represent your people.

My constituency is very backward development wise, and lack federal presence completely even though we have all it takes to put food on the tables of everybody in Taraba and most Nigerians by extension. We are blessed with natural resources that if fully harnessed, Nigeria will be better for it. We have the Mambila Hydro Power Dam. If that dam is constructed, it is going boost electricity generation tremendously, it will provide water for irrigation farming, boost fish production. The opportunities are limitless.

The problem of the Northeast zone, reputed to be the most backward region in the country, is lack of industries. Government cannot be the sole employer of labour. Unfortunately that seems to be the case here. We have a lot of restive youths within the zone who are unemployed and that is why they could easily be used for this insurgency and until most of them are taken off the streets and meaningfully engaged, our efforts at prosecuting the menace may just be wasteful.

If the Mambila dam is completed, there will be enough power supply and CONTINUED ON PAGE 38

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Politics

February 21, 2016

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

‘APC, PDP made up of same people ’ previous experiences have shown that we more or less borrow money to share around d as if it were bazaar. That ’s very unhealthy for the economy. I hope strongly that this government would deviate from that.

The problem of this country is not even generation of funds but accounting for the funds generated. I am currently working on a bill that is I would present as soon as I am back to the House. That Bill is proposing the setting up of National Independent Revenue Monitoring Agency.

We are generating a lot of revenue in this country but it most of it ends in individual pockets. They are not fully accounted for and remitted to the Federal Government. That is why we are having all these problems. You see we have a monitoring unit that is imbedded in the revenue generating body. In a situation where there is compromise, which is a very common thing around, do you expect the boss who may have benefited from the loot to take the report of the monitoring unit seriously? So we need to remove monitoring units from the authority of revenue generating bodies so that the unit would operate independently and objectively monitor the revenue that is being generated in the country.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 37 industries would spring up in the area because of the abundance of raw materials. Once that is done, many job opportunities would spring up naturally and these guys would be engaged.

We also have the Gashaka-Gumti National Park, one of the best in the world.

If fully harnessed, you can only imagine its impact on the economy of the nation. Many countries are surviving free of crude oil. They survive on things like tourism. If the tourist potential of the park is fully harnessed, it would be a major source of foreign exchange for the government. If you are in Johannesburg, you would feel as if you were in Europe. They have harnessed their tourist potential and are not depending on oil.

We can do the same here and diversify our economy, most especially at this very critical time that the prices of oil are very unstable. These are the reasons I want to go to the National Assembly.

To ensure that we attract the relevant authorities and persons to do the right thing to showcase the potential of this place. To better the lot of the people; to attract investments to the state.

You have been at the National Assembly for a couple of months before the appeal Court ruling. What are your achievements within the short time that you were there?

The records are there to speak for me.

My predecessor greatly disappointed us.

God used me and other people to bring him to power. Unfortunately, throughout his stay at the National Assembly, he only brought four motions that have no direct bearing on our people. Within the five months or thereabouts that I was there, I sponsored four solid motions.

Three have been tabled at the floor of the House and adopted. I ’m also working on a bill that is currently with experts who are vetting it before I table to the floor. I sponsored a Bill for the upgrading of Gashaka-Gumti National Park to international standards. Like I said earlier, once that is done, it would create job opportunities, provide foreign exchange for the government and open the place up for investors. I sponsored that motion and it has been approved on the floor of the House and the House Committees on Tourism and appropriation have been mandated to include it in 2016. I also sponsored a motion on the construction of Mambila Hydro Power Dam. The President is obviously interested in the construction of that Dam but he cannot execute the project if it is not included in the budget. The House Committees on Power and appropriation have again been mandated to include it in the 2016 budget.

I sponsored another motion for the construction of Mararaba-BaissaAbong-Ngoroje road. Once the Mambila hydro Power Dam comes to being, the lines would be drawn through Kurumi down to Kona where the distribution center is designated to be. So without good road, it would be difficult for the vehicles hauling the construction equipment to do their work. We also have a lot of natural resources in this area. Cocoa is farmed in commercial quantities, we

Dan nasabe

WE ARE GENERATING A LOT OF REVENUE IN THIS COUNTRY BUT IT MOST OF IT ENDS IN INDIVIDUAL POCKETS. THEY ARE NOT FULLY ACCOUNTED FOR AND REMITTED TO THE

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

have avocado, you farm rice twice a year in this area without irrigation. These goods needs to be moved to the relevant markets and the road would facilitate that.

These are some of the motions I have moved within these few months and have been adopted. The last motion that I moved is still pending and it borders of war against indiscipline. If you travel elsewhere, even South Africa here, you would be tempted to say they are the giant of Africa and we are under them.

People queue up to board buses without any security personnel compelling them to do so. There is orderliness. There is discipline, irrespective of political or social status.

And I remember we were heading towards that during the first Buhari era so I believe he is the person that can revive that with the necessary legislative backings. So I came up with the motion and it is yet to be mentioned on the floor of the House. These are some of my achievements within this short time.

What is your take on the current budget proposal by Mr. President?

I may not be able to speak authorita-

tively about the budget because I have not set my eyes on it yet. I have been down here campaigning as you know. So I would not want to react based on only what I have heard. I would be able to do that by the time I am back to the House.

My only concern is that, how is it possible for us to fund a budget of over N6 trillion now that the oil price is not even up to $30 per barrel when we could not fund a budget of $4 trillion last year when the prices were at some point as high as over a $100 per barrel?

However, the President is not new to governance, he was there before, and have spent about eight months already in this current dispensation so I think he understands the situation better and we would just have to trust him on that. I understand that we are planning on borrowing money to fund the budget. As a nation I don ’t see borrowing as a bad thing but how we invest the funds has always been my source of worry.

You don ’t borrow money to take care of recurrent expenditures as we have been doing. If we borrow to invest in ventures that would earn us substantial income in return, that would be a great idea. But

In the banking industry, all revenue generated is properly accounted for. Records are properly kept. So auditors come from the headquarters, outside the branch to check and ensure that the records conform to the figures declared to ensure that everything generated is accounted for and any disparity could lead to a sack.

That is why in the banking system, they survive solely on generated revenue. So why can ’t we survive as a nation on our revenue?

We need to diversify our economy and ensure that whatever revenues we generate is properly accounted for, for the overall good of the generality of the people and not just for a few persons to take the chunk of it to their pockets. The oil would dry some day. Look at the palm trees that can provide so many things. Look at the fertile lands we have.

There is illegal mining going on in Sardauna as we speak. Look at the game reserve. Look at the tea in Mambila, which is the best in Africa. When we are able to start harnessing all these, and properly channel the income, there would be less pressure and dependence on oil and even when the price of crude falls, the impact on our economy would be greatly mitigated.

What is your assessment of the APC-led administration?

Who is APC and who is PDP? It is the same people that were in PDP that are now in APC and are out there crying that the PDP destroyed the country. Were they not there? What change have they got to offer? The same people that ruined the country for so many years are now the same persons shouting change.

I am not against the President but the people surrounding him. He is doing well and may mean well but he can ’t be everywhere. All he has to do is to delegate and the people around him whom he would delegate are the same people that have brought the country to where we are today.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Politics

February 21, 2016

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‘We have lost so much to illegal mining ’ prosecuted and discharged. Those ones were during the Obasanjo era. It was complicated with the desire to impeach illegally which some of us resisted. We were all detained and at the end of the day, we didn ’t do that. Many people who did it regretted it afterwards. My reason was not because I was defending somebody against corruption, I was following due process. Some people did if without following due process and at the end of the day, many of us were vindicated by the Supreme Court. What I am saying is that I respect my profession and hold it in high esteem. So, for anybody to say there are some that are bad, it is good to be specific. As EFCC, if you know some of these bad lawyers, you have a right to arrest, investigate and prosecute them because they don ’t have immunity. Even governors who have immunity cannot go away from investigation.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 37

United to the Premier division. They had no hope of achieving that because they were just managing. But within that short period, I was able to struggle to take the team to the Premier division.

It was not the past administration that took them there. I tried that win a short period of time and they were up. We are doing our best in other sports. It is just the dwindling resources that we have. I inherited a stadium that was uncompleted. Right now, we are going back to complete it. The National Sports Commission has also advised that we complete that stadium. Once we complete that stadium, the Super Eagles will have a place to be training. I am sure that there is place as to where to play now. It would have been Jos especially because of the weather. I play a lot of golf and last year, we had the Governor ’s Cup. It was the first time in the history of this country that a golf tournament had participants more than expected. We expected 100 people, but 340 people were in Jos. They said it was the first time that a tournament was being played on two courses at the same time.

If you quantify the cost of the influx of people into Plateau state, it was put at about N50 million and above. That is the kind of thing we are supposed to be talking about. We are not relenting at all in the area of sport because we also want to engage our youth, empower them and employ them.

President Buhari just returned from a five day break and statistics revealed that he has done 15 trips out of the country in the last eight month. He has also released a bulletin indicating that he will be visiting three more countries soon. The question Nigerians are asking is: should he continue to travel? That probably if he had sat down, he would have noticed the padding of the budget because he did not study the budget and that is why the budget mafia hijacked the budget.

For me, I see nothing wrong in traveling. Today, I am granting an interview in Abuja and not in Jos. Sometimes, people say that we governors don ’t seat down in our states. But travel a lot. Imagine if I seat down in Jos, who will fight my bailout fund for me? We are concentrating on donor agencies, but they are in Abuja and always, they would want to meet with the Governor. When I became governor, because of the insecurity, foreigners were not coming to Jos, but will only end up in Abuja. So, if you are looking for investors, they will say if you don ’t come to Abuja, we will not come to Jos. So, I had to be coming to Abuja because if I don ’t, they will not come to Jos because in most cases, they will say we want to meet with the governor. Sometimes, they will refuse to meet with the deputy governor. In that case, you have to move round. That is what the President is doing. We are moving into attracting the private sector into doing business in this country and so, he cannot sit down in one place. So, I think we cannot undervalue these trips. It was not because he travelled that he had problem with the budget. Sometimes, whatever you are doing, there will be sabotage.

Sometimes, you do your best. But the civ-

Lalo ong

WE INHERITED A DEBT OF OVER N200 BILLION AND AN IMPENDING CONTRACTUAL LIABILITIES OF ABOUT N105 BILLION.

EVERYTHING THAT WAS LEFT IN THAT STATE WAS N95 MILLION AND THAT WAS HORRIBLE. il servants will always be smarter than you. You will trust everybody, but these things happen from time to time. So, I think that the President ’s trips should not be a thing of concern to us as long as the trips are bringing the benefits.

we have completed that bridge and all the main roads are under construction. I am hoping that in the next six months, if I am able to get my bailout, I will complete most of the projects that were abandoned and even engage new ones.

The roads in Jos are in a terrible state.

What are you doing about that?

I am sure that the last time you were in Jos was last year. Those are some of the things I inherited and it was very glaring that it was going too be difficult for those of us who are going to be governors in such states. We inherited a debt of over N200 billion and an impending contractual liabilities of about N105 billion. Everything that was left in that state was N95 million and that was horrible. Uncompleted projects were littered all over the place, including the main road leading into Jos. Contract was awarded and abandoned. So, what I did in my own way was to say, these roads are for the people of Plateau state and so, must be completed. We are investigating the cost of some of the contracts, but that will not stop us from going ahead to complete them.

It may interest you to hear that if you get back to Jos now, it will be a different story. There was a flyover bridge that was left abandoned and nobody believe that we will complete the bridge. Right now,

The EFCC chairman has accused the judiciary and lawyers of being a problem to the fight against corruption in the country. As a lawyer, how would react to that?

If there are allegations against a profession like that, it is always good to be specific. We have had cases like that severally and each profession had a way of disciplining their members. We can ’t say that the law profession is a perfect one. We are not angels and that is why there are disciplinary measures against members. That is to say that there are members who are recalcitrant. There are ways of going about that and not to make a blanket statements like that. Of course, he did not say all, but some and I ’m sure that with time, he will name those lawyers. It is better to name those lawyers and not to make a blanket statement against a profession like that. I hold the EFCC in high regard. I was also a guest of the EFCC. If you are aware, in 2005/2006, I was detained by EFCC as speaker for more than 40 days. I was

Plateau state is one of the richest states in the country in terms of solid minerals.

In view of the dwindling resources from oil, what is your blueprint in revamping the solid mineral sector in the state?

Before the dwindling resources from oil, nobody was bothered about solid minerals. We lost so much in the area because we left it to illegal miners. This is the time to look inward. Plateau was the headquarters of the Nigeria Mining Corporation. That should tell you the importance or significance of mining to the people of Plateau state. In those days when people were talking about groundnuts and cocoa, we were hitting our chest and talking about mining. That was why the name Jos became popular.

When the prices of oil started falling we said we must go back to mining and agriculture. I was very happy when the Minister for Solid Minerals Development came to Jos, he told me that the best inputs he got on ways of managing the solid mineral sector came from Jos. The day he visited Jos, I was having a stakeholders meeting with the people of Plateau and they were also part of it. That meeting shifted from all other things to solid minerals and very heavy contributions came from Plateau state and those contributions was what helped us at the National Economic Council meeting and that is what is what is going to form the policy thrust of the administration both at the federal and state levels. So, to me, it is an advantage. Virtually every part of my state is rich with solid minerals.

But the law was done in such a way that the states were disadvantaged. People come into your state after collecting license from Abuja, sometimes, they come with military and police escort, do whatever they want and give the communities stipends and you don ’t know what they are taking. This time, the President has a change of attitude according to the change mantra. He said no, we must follow the law. States must also participate in the exploration and advantage of solid minerals in their states. To me, it is going to boost the economy and have serious impact on my revenue generation. We factor that into our retreat as to how to take advantage of the new policy on solid minerals in improving revenue generation.

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OBASOLUYI TELEWA 07033840936 EMAIL: BAZO_ TELEWA@YAHOO.COM

WITH

STORIES THAT TOUCH YOU February 21, 2016

OBASOLUYI TELEWA

“

When I became pregnant for my fourth child some people out of hatred told me they would like to know how I would deliver the baby. I did not count the statement to mean anything until one year passed and the baby refused to come out of my womb for delivery. That was how I started moving from place to place seeking solution to the stigma haunting and hurting me ”, said Imisi Oloko, while speaking with our correspondent in Lagos, at the weekend.

According to her, “The life we live goes beyond the ordinary and people should prepare for tougher challenges that only faith in God can solve ”.

She narrates her ordeal thus: My name is Imisi Oloko. I was born at Ilutitun-Osooro, a town in Okitipupa Local Government Area of Ondo state over 50 years ago. After my graduation in 1984, as a fashion designer I got married to my husband, Alhaji Oloko in 1986. My first child came in 1989 ”.

Acording to her, “Everything went on well until 1995 when I was to have my fourth child. ” Her words: “It was in 1995 that I started battling with the problem of life. When the problem became so intense I had to abandon the Zion Church I was attending somewhere in Oworonshoki, Lagos for another church. I went everywhere yet no solution for the pregnancy to be delivered. I faced a lot of ridicule and humiliation carrying about a pregnancy that had been in my womb for 17 years. It may sound incredible but it is true. I considered several options but I was optimistic that something positive will come my way.

“Funny enough, several tests were also carried out by doctors and the result they gave was that it was fibroid that was in my stomach. They ruled out the existence of pregnancy but for me I was sure of the pregnancy ”, she said.

According to her, “It was only a doctor with supernatural powers that looked at me closely and said I was pregnant but it will take the grace of God for the baby to come out. According to the doctor, there was a hand placed on it by some unseen forces. He added that my husband needed to spend a lot of money for the life of the baby and mine to be spared.

“At the Apostolic Church I was referred to it was prayer and fasting all through. For healings, the pastor, a woman only used water to pray for people coming there with afflictions and there was instant healing. The woman, Rev. S. A. Ajakaye informed me that I should be strong with faith in God moreso, that it is only the Almighty that has permanent cure to all infirmities. I took her for her words yet nothing concrete happened.

“I then remembered the dream I had when the pregnancy was four months old.

In the dream, I saw the immediate senior to the one inside me push the pregnancy up while she was playing with me. Then I arose in the dream wondering about the meaning. After some time I started seeing blood, I went to a traditional healer popularly called Elewe Omo, in the Yoruba parlance for consultation.

“The Elewe Omo administered some medicine which stopped the blood flow

I-n-c-r-e-d-i-b-l-e!

54-year-old woman relives agony of 17 years pregnancy

Mrs Imisi Oloko and daughter, Oluwapamilerin

with the pregnancy intact. From then on, everywhere we went, we were told there was an unseen hand working against the pregnancy. For several years the problem remained unresolved. Based on the advice of the doctors, my husband was not happy with my situation and said I should go and wash my womb so that peace and happiness can return to my depressed soul I refused to wash my stomach because on several occasions I was warned by people I never met in my life not to do so. ” According to her, “I could be going on the road and someone would say to me, ‘Madam, this pregnancy, do not remove it.

If you try to remove it, the consequences would be grave ’ ”.

“So when my husband came up with the idea of the doctor for the removal there was ready made answer for him. After 16 years had passed and the baby was still locked up in my stomach, messages came that I should not attempt to use any traditional medicine again as it would complicate things.

“It was in the 17th year of agony and shame that God sent someone to me. It was at a naming ceremony in Lagos. There was a woman I met over there when we were preparing the food for the ceremony.

There was another lady that complained to her about her pregnancy problem. She responded that one of their office mates who was carrying three and half years pregnancy was safely delivered with the assistance of a woman somewhere at Sango Ota in Ogun state.

“After their conversation I walked up to her and pretended that a friend of mine was having similar problem which had lasted for 17 years. I did not want her to know I was the one.

“She referred me to the woman living at Sango. I met the woman and she tested me after I succeeded in letting her know how I was able to locate her. She later put something in my hands and asked me to fold it. The woman warned me not to panic no matter the pain I had to go through with the object in my hand. The thing was very hot and it was as if it burnt my hand.

I wanted to open my hand and drop it but she said I should be calm and endure it.

“Afterwards, she asked me to open it and she collected it. Her response was that the pregnancy was there and that she would help me provided I can spend the money. I agreed.

“Meanwhile, before then I had been referred to one man in another location in Lagos. He was handling the situation

for me but two weeks into the matter, he dropped dead. One day when I visited him as usual I was told Baba was dead. I later learnt that he died because he dared to attend to my case having been forewarned by powers that be.

“The Sango Ota woman, having agreed to help me said I should go and come back at a later day. She collected my name and that of my mother for the prayer. Throughout the period I visited her, the woman did not give me a single drug to use but only collecting the money she requested.

Mayb eshe was using the money to appease those people or praying equally with it I cannot say. All I know is that she did not give me a single drug. After sometime, she asked me to give her three telephone numbers that will not fail whenever she needed to talk to me. I gave them to her.

“On the appointed day I was in the church praying and I put my phone inside my bag. The woman called several times but I did not know. She called the second number but there was no answer until she called the third one that happened to be my sister who was in her office. She informed my sister to tell me that at exactly one o ’clock that very day, I must report to her place at Sango Ota. “My sister in turn called one of my neighbours to look for me at all cost. I was located in the church where I was praying. The message was delivered to me by my sister, having seen several missed calls in my phone when I opened it. That was around 10:40am and I had to reach Sango Ota on or before 1pm. I hurried home, took a few things and headed there.

“Meanwhile, during my last visit to the woman she asked me to bring along children materials so that I could keep it there in preparation for the delivery.

On getting to Sango which I made before 1pm, she gave me a prayer soap to bath with from head to toe, having loosened my hair for the water and soap to penetrate deeply.

“As I was bathing, I started feeling some pain in my stomach. She later gave me a white wrapper tied to my waist and I headed to the labour room. The woman asked me if I had eaten before then and I said no since I was fasting that period.

She bought Eko for me which I ate without stew.

“When I was in the labour room it was as if she was calling the baby to come down going by the sound she was making. Eventually the child came it was so small. That was how I delivered the pregnancy that I carried for 17 years on July11, 2012. She was given several names but I call her Oluwapamilerin.

Alhaji Oloko, while speaking with Sunday Mirror, could only praised Almighty Allah for the miracle that happened to the family. According to him, “When the pregnancy took too long I advised her to terminate it but my wife refused. Her faith in God provided the solution ”, he disclosed to our correspondent.

Also speaking, Rev. S.A Ajakaye of the Christ Apostolic Redemption Church, Oke –Alafia, Lagos, disclosed that the woman ’s strong faith in God provided the leeway because when she came to the church with the problem, I told her the problem was not beyond God to solve.

Through her untiring spirit and a combination of efforts God manifested His power ”, she stated.

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February 21, 2016

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

NOTAP to complement FG ’s move to revitalise economy

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he National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion, NOTAP, is set to complement the Federal Government ’s move to revitalise the economy.

NOTAP Director General, Alhaji Danazumi Ibrahim, made the disclosure on Saturday during the organisation ’s 2016 management retreat in Minna.

He said that NOTAP

would align its activities to the current drive to diversify the sources of revenue generation and acquisition in the country.

“NOTAP ’s mandate is to ensure that technological agreements in the country are not obsolete.

“In 2010/2014, the agency saved Nigeria N188.2 billion that would have gone out of the country in capital flight.

“In this regard, it is important to review our activities in line with the mandate, identify the existing gaps and develop clear strategies for implementation.

“This will guide us on how to reposition the office to play more vital role in the national economy.

“To be able to achieve this, it is important for management staff to brainstorm and exchange

ideas on the implementation of the programmes of the agency, ” he said.

Ibrahim decried the shortage of manpower in the agency, urging the Federal Government to improve the institution ’s finances for better mandate performance.

The Director General gave an assurance that the agency would continue to monitor technological

transfer to the country.

“We have informed universities, polytechnics and research establishments to bring in intellectual culture.

“Once a student or lecturer comes up with innovation and before it reaches the public domain, come to us to protect it for you to avoid fear of litigation, ’ ’ he said.

Dr David Okongwu, a

former Director General of NOTAP, who spoke on “The trend of Technology Transfer in Nigeria, ’ ’ said Nigeria was the first to launch satellite in Africa.

He lamented that Nigeria was backward in technical advancement and called on government at all levels to tackle the current challenges in order to bring out the best in the people.

NBA calls for nancial autonomy for judiciary in Kogi

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L-R: Minister of Water Resources, Mr. Suleiman Adamu; Managing Director, Salini Nigeria Ltd; Dr. Piero Capitanio, and Project Manager, Mr. Paolo Campawecca, during the minister ‘s inspection visit to Gurara Dam at Azara-Jere in Kaduna State at the weekend.

Galadima takes charge of PTDF as Ajayi bows out CHIDI UGWU ABUJA

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he GM Education and Training, Mr. Aminu Galadima, has taken over the management of the Petroleum Technology Development Fund from Mr. Femi Ajayi, the erstwhile Executive Secretary, at a brief handover ceremony held on Friday.

In his remarks, the Ag. Executive Secretary solicited the continued support of staff in stepping up the business performance of the Fund. He urged staff of the Fund to continue to imbibe the spirit of oneness and see the Fund as

belonging to all. “I will like to reiterate here that, every staff has a role to play and every role is important towards the achievement of the overall organizational objectives ”.

“Most importantly, we shall put our effort towards ensuring that our work in PTDF contributes directly towards developmental plans of the present administration, we must be committed in raising the game in tandem with current expectations of Mr. President ”, he added.

Sunday Mirror recalls that PTDF announced

new policy directions that will fundamentally affect the operation and funding of its overseas scholarship scheme and other training programmes under its management.

These include a partial or outright domestication of the scholarship scheme in Nigeria in line with the Local Content policy of the Nigerian government, and the denomination of the scholarship in hard currency as against the naira due to the volatility of foreign exchange rates.

According to a statement issued by the Head, External Relations of the

PTDF, Kalu Otisi, in Abuja, to give effect to these policy shifts, the Fund has opened up discussions with officials of foreign universities where Nigerian scholars are regularly sent for their Masters and PhD studies under the sponsorship of PTDF, on the possibility of either setting up branches of their institutions in Nigeria or collaborate with local universities in Nigeria, particularly those whose oil and gas related departments have been fully upgraded by the Fund, to become Centres of Excellence in teaching and research.

he Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Lokoja branch, has called on the Kogi Government to grant financial autonomy to the State ’s judiciary in line with Section 121(3) of the Nigerian Constitution.

Chairman of the branch, Mr. Liman Salihu, made the call in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lokoja yesterday Salihu particularly called on Gov. Yahaya Bello to solve the lingering issue of financial independence for the judiciary in line with his stance on the Rule of Law and Due Process.

He said; “Section 121(3) of the Constitution, provides that any amount standing to the credit of the Judiciary in the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the state shall be paid

directly to the heads of courts concerned. ” The essence of the provision, according to him, is to enhance speedy dispensation of justice, improvement of facilities, adequate welfare for judicial staff and reduction of corruption and undue influence.

The chairman said there was a subsisting court order directing the state government to comply with the provision.

He added that the previous administration reached agreement with the state chapter of Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN), to comply with the provision.

He, therefore, urged the governor to comply and implement the subsisting agreement between JUSUN and the Government on the matter.

Investment in tertiary terttia education to attract best brains to Adamawa –Commissioner dam

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damawa Government says it is investing much funds in tertiary education in order to attract best brains to the State.

Alhaji Mohammed Rufai, the state ’s Commissioner for Higher Education, stated this in an interview with the News agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Yola on Saturday.

Rufai said the vision of Gov. Jibrilla Bindow was to invest much funds in the tertiary institutions in the state.

He added that the ministry, under his watch, has ensured that there was peace and harmony in all the state owned tertiary institutions, particularly the Adamawa State University in Mubi.

He commended the Vice Chancellor of the Adamawa State University, Dr Moses Zaruwa, for transforming the university within a short period, adding that government had made provision for its medical faculty in 2016 budget.

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Business

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FRESH BUSINESS NEWS AT YOUR FINGERTIPS Sunday, February 21, 2016

SON attracted N20bn into cables sub-sector in 5 years –Odumodu Olufemi Adeosun ABUJA

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utgoing Standards Organisation of Nigeria, SON, Director General, Dr. Joseph Odumodu, at the weekend stated that the agency attracted over N20 billion investments in the cables sub-sector as a result of its standardisation efforts, spanning five years.

Odumodu, who disclosed this in Abuja while handing over to the most senior staff of the agency as directed

by President Muhammadu Buhari, also harped on the

need to continue to engage the nation’s Small and Medium Enterprises, SMEs, operators on products standardisation and certification.

He was one of the 26 heads of parastatals and agencies of the Federal Government relived of their duties last week.

Odumodu noted, “As a result of our standardisation activities which we undertook in form of removal of fake cables which hitherto was causing high rate of building inferno, ensuring quality cable, the sub-sector

attracted over N20billion investment mainly from two major companies based in Lagos and Nnewi. If the investors did not see the potential in the market, they would not have invested so much money in that sector.

We must continue to protect those industries.”

While providing insights into the SON he met in 2011 when he resumed office, he, stated that he met a regime of poorly implemented standards conformity assessment programme, SONCAP, which according to him, was responsible for the 85

per cent of substandard consumer goods being imported into the country.

Others serious anomalies associated with the agency, according to him, also include, poor public perception and negative image of Nigerians on the agency’s activities and mandate, lack of standard testing laboratories, poor revenue generation as a result of leakages and criminalities in its activities at the ports and borders, lack of global certification of local products, and dearth of quality infrastructure amongst others.

L-R: Manager, Events and CSI, Stanbic IBTC, Mrs. Ame Okwudi; Artist and Photographer, TY Bello; Baby Precious Orisaguna; Chief Executive, Stanbic IBTC Trustees Ltd, Mrs. Binta Max-Gbinije; Model, Mrs. Olajumoke Orisaguna; Head, Legal Services, Stanbic IBTC, Mrs. Angela Omo-Dare and Mr. Sunday Orisaguna, at the presentation of an Educational Trust Fund of N1.5m by Stanbic IBTC Trustees to each of the Orisagunas’ children, in Lagos at the weekend.

AIB to review investigation of air accidents, incidents regulations Olusegun Koiki

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inister of Transportation, Hon Rotimi Amaechi, and Minister of State for Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, are among top dignitaries that would attend the review of the Civil Aviation Investigation of Air Accidents and Incidents Regulations 2006 spearheaded by the Accident Investigation Bureau.

The workshop, which is slated for Tuesday at Western Hotels, Ikeja Lagos would also have in attendance other top aviation stakeholders and professionals from the Ministry of Transportation, aviation agencies, airlines, concessionaires and the private sector.

A statement issued in Lagos yesterday by the Spokesman of AIB, Mr. Tunji Oketunbi, stated that industry professionals such as avia-

tion lawyer and immediate past president of Aviation Round Table, ART, Capt.

Dele Ore and the Managing Director of Aeroconsut Limited, Engr. Babatunde Obadofin would also present papers that would usher in the new policy for accident investigation in the sector.

Apart from the duo, technical directors from AIB are expected to present papers while the Chief Executive Officer, CEO, of the bureau, Dr. Felix Abali would pres-

ent the welcome address.

Oketunbi hinted that the review of the existing 2006 policy was pertinent in order for aviation industry in Nigeria to conform to the updated International Civil Aviation Organisation, ICAO, Standards and Recommended Practices, SARPS. He also added that the review became necessary in a bid for its policy to be in tandem with its counterparts around the world.

SAHCOL wins Air Cote D’Ivoire ground handling contract in Abuja

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kyway Ah services to Air Cote D’Ivoire’s flight operations at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA), Abuja.

General Manager, Corporate Communications, SAHCOL, Mr Basil Agboarumi, who disclosed this, stated that the new

contract would see SAHCOL providing passengers, ramp, cargo handling services and crew bus services to Air Cote D’Ivoire three times a week.

SAHCOL is a leading provider of aviation ground handling support for international and do-

mestic airlines operating within and into the Nigerian airports.

Six years after SAHCOL was acquired by the SIFAX Group, the company has grown in leaps and bounds with clients and stakeholders in the International Aviation scene.

Since 2010, SAHCOL

has won more than 70 per cent of the new airline ground handling contracts signed in Nigeria.

This is largely due to new investments in ground support equipment, good customer Service, infrastructural development and appropriate trainings of its staff.

However, with doggedness and determination to succeed in the face of daunting challenges, Odumodu added that, within the space of five years, he was not only able to bring the 85 percentage in substandard products down to 30 per cent, he was able to pursue a lot of programmes that help to put the regulatory agency on the world map.

For instance, he stated that within the years under review, he was able to grow the agency’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) from a meager N2.3 billion in 2011 to N6.4bn in 2015.

He also noted that he was leaving behind and accumulated total bank balance of N3.3bn in the agency’s TSA account.

Odumodu, however emphasised that the first step the country must take in the ongoing efforts to promote made in Nigeria goods was to ensure that Nigerians consume products that meet international standards.

“I know we have been mouthing it for a long time, but I believe that, today, Nigeria does not have any choice than to ensure it is actually about made in Nigeria for the world.

What does this mean? It is about ensuring that what we consume in Nigeria meets international standards.

“We must first of all ensure that Nigerians are even safe, so that we don’t?

For instance, take beans from Nigeria to be rejected

in Europe and the same beans are being consumed in Nigeria. Are we less human to the Europeans who rejected our beans? For me the starting point is for us to consume products that meet international standards,” he added.

He urged the agency to continue to work with the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration Control (NAFDAC) with a view to step up engagement with the SMEs on products certification.

While urging the Federal Executive Council to speedily approve the National Quality Standards, Odumodu stated that the document would give the nation a direction for a robust quality infrastructure for Nigeria.

According to him, “if Nigeria wants to play at the world level, it needs accreditation, it needs metrology, it needs a robust standards body, and it needs to promote conformity assessment, an issue around technical regulation in Nigeria.”

In his response, the Acting Director General, who prior to the handing over, the Director, Corporate Service and SON Consult, Dr. Paul Angya, thanked Odumodu for his giant strides in the agency.

He also promised to improve on his legacies and continue the fight against counterfeited products as well as institute a regime of standidisation for the country.

Import restrictions: S’African retailer, Truworths to exit Nigeria

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outh African retailer Truworths has pulled out of its Nigerian business citing import restrictions, its chief executive has said, a sign President Muhammadu Buhari’s attempts to boost local industry are hurting foreign investment.

As well as being unable to fill its shelves, the clothing retailer said it was struggling to pay its rent and get access to foreign exchange which has dried up due to a collapse in oil prices.

“We were unable to op-

erate the stores properly any longer because we were unable to send merchandise to the stores because there’s regulation preventing that,” Michael Mark told Reuters in telephone interview.

In an attempt to boost local manufacturing and prop up the ailing naira, Buhari has effectively banned the import of almost 700 goods, ranging from rice to toothpicks, bread and soap.

Even non-banned items are difficult to import due to dollar shortages.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

North

February 21, 2016

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FG offers free rides for passengers on Abuja-Kaduna rail service OLUFEMI ADEOSUN ABUJA

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s the Federal Government begins commercial operations on the standard gauge Abuja-Kaduna rail line, passengers would enjoy free tolling during the one-month test-run services.

Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, who made the disclosure

in Abuja after a tour of the rail modernisation project, however noted that the contractors handling the project would still need to put some facilities up-to-date to facilitate a hitch-free operation.

Amaechi personally joined the technical staff of the CCECC, the Chinese contractor handling the project, a few of the Ministry staff and journalists to have first-hand

experience of the train ride from Rigasa Terminal, Kaduna to Idu, Abuja terminal.

Addressing journalists on his findings, he stated, “We have established the fact that there is rail line between Kaduna and Abuja which was what we set out to do today. We had a smooth trip safe for some areas they are yet to complete. For instance, there are alignments that they

need to correct and they have promised to complete them before the end of March. ” While stating that passengers would not pay for tickets during the onemonth of test-run, the minister added that the system of payment and which company to handle it, is been worked out in the ministry.

He, however, hinted about the possibility of

concessioning of the ticketing to CCECC because of the company ’s technical finesse and expertise.

On the mode of ticketing he added, “The question can only be answered at the point of our operation when we concession it out. There is an argument in the ministry on whether we should concession to CCECC that built it or to Nigerians who have capacity to run a train service. However, the possibility of concessioning it to CCECC is very high because they have the technical capacity and the finesse to handle it. ” He stated that the involvement of forefingers in the management and maintenance of the rail system in the country

would be for a short period of time, adding that he had ordered them to train Nigerians who would take over from them.

“We have managed CCECC management to work out the programme of training for Nigerians. Nigerians would be trained not only in operation, but also in maintenance. This is because it is not every time a train goes bad that we will have to go to China or to GE in America.

“For instance, we are negotiating with GE to construct a narrow gauge from Lagos to Kano; they can ’t even run that without training Nigerians without creating training institute t will train them on communication.

Apathy, low turnout mar Kogi rerun senatorial election pathy and low turnout of the electorate has marred the Kogi rerun senatorial election in both the central and eastern districts of the state.

The election materials and the electoral officers had arrived at the polling units in the two senatorial districts as early as 8.00 in the morning.

While accreditation and voting were going simultaneously in all the polling units in the state yesterday, there was no restriction of movement, which always characterised elections.

In Okene, the headquarters of Kogi Central Senatorial District, the All Progressives Congress, APC, logo was conspicuously missing on the ballot paper to show that its candidate, Senator Mohammed Salami Ohiare, cannot

contest the rerun election.

In the same vein, APC logo was missing on the ballot papers for the House of Representatives rerun for Okene/Ogori/Magongo Federal constituency making it a free contest for the Peoples Democratic Party candidate, Tijani Damisa.

Reports from the East are not different as there was low turnout and apathy by the electorate particularly when their candidates have been barred from contesting election.

Senator Abubakar Abdulrahman ’s election was annulled and the Court of Appeal barred him from contesting yesterday ’s rerun.

In Idah, election took place in one polling unit.

It was learnt that very few voters came to Ogele polling unit in the town. Also in Dekina, election took place in two state Assembly constituencies.

serve a life. This country is for all of us, ” he said.

Tukur regretted that the younger generation of Nigerians did not have it so good and said only patriotism and genuine love of the country by its citizenry could help turn the country around.

He therefore charged Nigerians to be patri-

otic and not just that alone but to also love her, stressing that love for the country coupled with socially responsible attitudes from everyone will assist in driving investors to our shores.

He said the press had a duty to hold the political class accountable to the people.

WALE IBRAHIM LOKOJA

PDP ’S candidate and former Senate President David Mark, and his wife, Helen (right), being accredited at Otukpo ward 1, during the Benue South Senatorial election rerun, yesterday.

Nasarawa strike: Workers pass vote of no condence in NULGE IGBAWASE UKUMBA LAFIA

F

orum of Local Government Workers Integrity Group, has passed a vote of no confidence in officials of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees, NULGE, in Nasarawa State.

The workers passed the vote of no confidence during its emergency meeting held in Lafia, the state capital, to discuss the effect of the over three weeks strike embarked upon by organised labour on the staff of council areas and residents of the state.

Spokesman of the workers ’ integrity group, Abdullahi Husseini Musa, disclosed this to journalists shortly after the emergency meeting, adding that the group wondered why the state NULGE could join the action at the expense of its members who have been suffering for a long time without any remedy from the organised labour.

He therefore knocked the state NULGE officials for collecting dues from the source at 100 per cent while financial members of the union collect salaries in percentages across the state.

He said: “The forum observed with dismay on the attitude of the state official of NULGE towards the plight of its financial members when we wrote to the government for the stoppage of removal of our checkup dues from the source because it is a breach of the constitution. ” Musa therefore called on local government workers in the state to have a rethink and go back to their duty post since local government workers ’ problem has being lingering for quite a long time without commensurable effort from NULGE.

State Commissioner for Local Government And Chieftaincy Affairs, Ahmed Tijani Yusuf, when receiving the group of workers who were in his office to transmit their resolution to government, assured the workers that he will relay their resolution to the state government for necessary action.

Yusuf therefore commended the local government workers ’ integrity group ’s patriotic posture to the state for returning back to their duty post to help government ameliorate the suffering inflicted on Nasarawa populace by the ongoing strike.

A

Bamanga Tukur tasks Nigerians on patriotism LIVINUS MENEDI YOLA

E

lder statesman and former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, has called on Nigerians to be patriotic and show genuine love for the country.

Tukur, who addressed

a select group of journalists, at the weekend in Yola, prayed for the nation to be healed of the scourge of insurgency, which he said had severely devastated its socio-economic fabric.

He also prayed God to protect the citizenry from the mayhem being unleashed by the Boko Haram sect, noting that

every citizen deserved to live a decent life.

He called on Niger Delta militants and the Independent Peoples of Biafra to reconsider their steps, saying that our support of the government is in the interest of all of us.

He therefore urged those who believe their agitations are genuine

to reconsider, by refraining from visiting their anger or frustrations on the rest of us.

“We appeal to all those who believe they have to express their anger or visit their problems on the rest of us to reconsider, because the future is greater than the past.

We all deserve a life.

My grand children de-

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

North

February 21, 2016

43

FG offers free tolling for passengers on Abuja-Kaduna rail service OLUFEMI ADEOSUN ABUJA

A

s the Federal Government begins commercial operations on the standard gauge Abuja-Kaduna rail line, passengers would enjoy free tolling during the one-month test-run services.

Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, who made the disclosure

in Abuja after a tour of the rail modernisation project, however noted that the contractors handling the project would still need to put some facilities up-to-date to facilitate a hitch-free operation.

Amaechi personally joined the technical staff of the CCECC, the Chinese contractor handling the project, a few of the Ministry staff and journalists to have first-hand

experience of the train ride from Rigasa Terminal, Kaduna to Idu, Abuja terminal.

Addressing journalists on his findings, he stated, “We have established the fact that there is rail line between Kaduna and Abuja which was what we set out to do today. We had a smooth trip safe for some areas they are yet to complete. For instance, there are alignments that they

need to correct and they have promised to complete them before the end of March. ” While stating that passengers would not pay for tickets during the onemonth of test-run, the minister added that the system of payment and which company to handle it, is been worked out in the ministry.

He, however, hinted about the possibility of

concessioning of the ticketing to CCECC because of the company ’s technical finesse and expertise.

On the mode of ticketing he added, “The question can only be answered at the point of our operation when we concession it out. There is an argument in the ministry on whether we should concession to CCECC that built it or to Nigerians who have capacity to run a train service. However, the possibility of concessioning it to CCECC is very high because they have the technical capacity and the finesse to handle it. ” He stated that the involvement of forefingers in the management and maintenance of the rail system in the country

would be for a short period of time, adding that he had ordered them to train Nigerians who would take over from them.

“We have managed CCECC management to work out the programme of training for Nigerians. Nigerians would be trained not only in operation, but also in maintenance. This is because it is not every time a train goes bad that we will have to go to China or to GE in America.

“For instance, we are negotiating with GE to construct a narrow gauge from Lagos to Kano; they can ’t even run that without training Nigerians without creating training institute t will train them on communication.

Apathy, low turnout mar Kogi rerun senatorial election pathy and low turnout of the electorate has marred the Kogi rerun senatorial election in both the central and eastern districts of the state.

The election materials and the electoral officers had arrived at the polling units in the two senatorial districts as early as 8.00 in the morning.

While accreditation and voting were going simultaneously in all the polling units in the state yesterday, there was no restriction of movement, which always characterised elections.

In Okene, the headquarters of Kogi Central Senatorial District, the All Progressives Congress, APC, logo was conspicuously missing on the ballot paper to show that its candidate, Senator Mohammed Salami Ohiare, cannot

contest the rerun election.

In the same vein, APC logo was missing on the ballot papers for the House of Representatives rerun for Okene/Ogori/Magongo Federal constituency making it a free contest for the Peoples Democratic Party candidate, Tijani Damisa.

Reports from the East are not different as there was low turnout and apathy by the electorate particularly when their candidates have been barred from contesting election.

Senator Abubakar Abdulrahman ’s election was annulled and the Court of Appeal barred him from contesting yesterday ’s rerun.

In Idah, election took place in one polling unit.

It was learnt that very few voters came to Ogele polling unit in the town. Also in Dekina, election took place in two state Assembly constituencies.

serve a life. This country is for all of us, ” he said.

Tukur regretted that the younger generation of Nigerians did not have it so good and said only patriotism and genuine love of the country by its citizenry could help turn the country around.

He therefore charged Nigerians to be patri-

otic and not just that alone but to also love her, stressing that love for the country coupled with socially responsible attitudes from everyone will assist in driving investors to our shores.

He said the press had a duty to hold the political class accountable to the people.

WALE IBRAHIM LOKOJA

PDP ’S candidate and former Senate President David Mark, and his wife, Helen (right), being accredited at Otukpo ward 1, during the Benue South Senatorial election rerun, yesterday.

Nasarawa strike: Workers pass vote of no condence in NULGE IGBAWASE UKUMBA LAFIA

F

orum of Local Government Workers Integrity Group, has passed a vote of no confidence in officials of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees, NULGE, in Nasarawa State.

The workers passed the vote of no confidence during its emergency meeting held in Lafia, the state capital, to discuss the effect of the over three weeks strike embarked upon by organised labour on the staff of council areas and residents of the state.

Spokesman of the workers ’ integrity group, Abdullahi Husseini Musa, disclosed this to journalists shortly after the emergency meeting, adding that the group wondered why the state NULGE could join the action at the expense of its members who have been suffering for a long time without any remedy from the organised labour.

He therefore knocked the state NULGE officials for collecting dues from the source at 100 per cent while financial members of the union collect salaries in percentages across the state.

He said: “The forum observed with dismay on the attitude of the state official of NULGE towards the plight of its financial members when we wrote to the government for the stoppage of removal of our checkup dues from the source because it is a breach of the constitution. ” Musa therefore called on local government workers in the state to have a rethink and go back to their duty post since local government workers ’ problem has being lingering for quite a long time without commensurable effort from NULGE.

State Commissioner for Local Government And Chieftaincy Affairs, Ahmed Tijani Yusuf, when receiving the group of workers who were in his office to transmit their resolution to government, assured the workers that he will relay their resolution to the state government for necessary action.

Yusuf therefore commended the local government workers ’ integrity group ’s patriotic posture to the state for returning back to their duty post to help government ameliorate the suffering inflicted on Nasarawa populace by the ongoing strike.

A

Bamanga Tukur tasks Nigerians on patriotism LIVINUS MENEDI YOLA

E

lder statesman and former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, has called on Nigerians to be patriotic and show genuine love for the country.

Tukur, who addressed

a select group of journalists, at the weekend in Yola, prayed for the nation to be healed of the scourge of insurgency, which he said had severely devastated its socio-economic fabric.

He also prayed God to protect the citizenry from the mayhem being unleashed by the Boko Haram sect, noting that

every citizen deserved to live a decent life.

He called on Niger Delta militants and the Independent Peoples of Biafra to reconsider their steps, saying that our support of the government is in the interest of all of us.

He therefore urged those who believe their agitations are genuine

to reconsider, by refraining from visiting their anger or frustrations on the rest of us.

“We appeal to all those who believe they have to express their anger or visit their problems on the rest of us to reconsider, because the future is greater than the past.

We all deserve a life.

My grand children de-

44

South

February 21, 2016

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

PDP kicks as Imo rerun election is postponed CHRIS NJOKU OWERRI

T

he Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Imo State yesterday accused the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and security agencies of

conniving with the state government to postpone the Imo North senatorial rerun election scheduled to hold yesterday Yesterday ’s rerun poll which would have taken place in Isiala Mbano, Oru East and 11 polling units

of Owerri West local council for the House of Assembly seats, was postponed following a protest organised by All Progressives Congress, APC, at INEC headquarters over alleged transfer of a resident electoral commissioner.

Speaking to newsmen at the PDP secretariat along Okigwe Road, Owerri yesterday, state chairman of the party, Nnamdi Anyehie, accused Governor Rochas Okorocha of brazenly misusing the National Anthem and in-

strument of power to the deterrent of the people.

He said the state broadcast was aired on the eve of the election over unfounded allegations despite “law which says that campaigns should end days before the election ”.

Describing the action of the governor and some top members of his government as unfortunate, he said that hired thugs and supporters of APC were used to lay siege to the INEC headquarters using intimidation to postpone the election.

“The governor and his

officials first had meeting with the thugs before they were moved to ICC centre where they were taken to INEC office along Port Harcourt-Owerri road to use intimidation that led to the postponement of the election, ” Anyaehi stated.

He warned that PDP members would not fold their arms to allow what happened in Oguta repeat itself.

“We are reminding INEC that the election must hold within 90 days as we will resist any attempt to repeat Oguta episode. ”

CHRIS NJOKU

into a nearby building, most of them injured in the process.

Speaking to newsmen, Mr. Pascal Opara, whose wife was on emergency, said, “I was taking my wife to the hospital as she was bleeding as a result of miscarriage but when we got at a roadblock along Okigwe Road before IMSU junction, our vehicle was waved down and an official of Road Safety demanded for my licence but when he noticed that it had expired he demanded for a kickback. It was at this point the journalists came to plead on our behalf. ” Also narrating their ordeal, one of the manhandled journalists, Okonya said, “We only appealed to them to let them go after seeing the patient bleeding from her miscarriage.

Despite the pleading, the FRSC man demanded for my identity card, which I showed to him but rather than return it back to me, he decided to seize it. Before we knew what was happening, they started beating us.

“When my colleagues noticed what was happening, they rushed to the scene, the NSCDC saw them and started shooting. ” When the retreating journalists came back, some of them were arrested by the NSCDC including the victims, Okonya said.

After several hours of detention at the NSCDC office, the journalists were later released following the intervention call from the state Commissioner of Police, Taiwo Lakanu.

NSCDC ofcials go haywire, beat up journalists in Owerri OWERRI

T

L-R: Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed during a courtesy visit to the Vice Chancellor, University of Lagos, Prof. Rahamon PHOTO: SAMUEL ADETIMEHIN Bello, before he delivered a paper at the Gani Fawehenmi Students Chamber, UNILAG at the weekend.

Udom ’s N600m loan request is for MDGs –A ’Ibom Deputy Whip JULIUS ONWUMA UYO

D

eputy Chief Whip, Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly and member representing Onna State constituency, Otuekong Nse Essein, has disclosed that the N600 million loan request of Governor Udom Emmanuel is for the government to meet its financial obligation for the attainment of Millennium Development Goals, MDGs, in the state.

The Deputy Chief Whip, who made the revelation in an interview with newsmen in his office, shortly before the passage of the 2016 Appropriation Bill into law, said the loan would provide the counterpart funding that is needed by the state to benefit from the projects of MDGs. He said: “The N600 million loan is requested for a specific purpose.

It is meant as counterpart funding for Millennium Development Goals

projects. The MDGs are projects that the government is expected to pay a certain percentage while the counterparts like the United Nations, World Bank and other donor agencies pay the other percentage.

“Most times, what the counterparts pay is more than what the state government is supposed to pay for projects that would benefit the people of the state. If we don ’t pay what we are supposed to pay, we cannot enjoy

such projects ”.

Hon. Nse Essein also said that failure to meet up with the counterpart funding will make it impossible for the state to move into the next phase of the MDGs. Speaking about effects of the governorship legal tussle, the lawmaker said, although there have been a lot of distractions, but that Governor Udom remains committed to industrializing the state and improving the living conditions of the people.

...State to implement one teacher, one subject policy in pry schools

G

ov. Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom yesterday said the state would soon implement the one teacher one subject policy in its public primary schools.

Emmanuel stated this in Eket at the inauguration of five renovated classroom blocks at St. Paul ’s Lutheran School in Ikot Ibiok, Eket.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Mr Andrew Okon renovated and donated five classroom blocks with 60 dual desks as well as five tables and five chairs to St. Paul ’s Lutheran

School, Eket.

The governor, who was represented by the Commissioner for Education, Mr Aniekan Akpan, said that the policy was to ensure quality education.

“Government is coming up with a policy of ensuring that we utilise effectively our own teachers who have specialised in different areas starting from next year.

“We want to gradually move from the old Teachers Training College arrangement from next session.

“We will have teachers of mathematics teaching

mathematics in all the classes, ’ ’ Emmanuel said.

According to him, a teacher that teaches different subjects is not making use of his knowledge well and not helping the system.

“Rather than keeping one teacher to be a master of all or to be teaching all subjects, we better create professionalism and division of labour in teaching.

“From studies, we have discovered that is not really helping and preparing the children for further education.

“But they can still go round other classes to

teach, we want to fully utilised the capacity of the teachers that we have in the primary school, for now they are not fully utilised, ’ ’ he said.

He said the state government had commenced distribution of computers to public primary and secondary schools in the state, adding that computers would be sent to St Paul ’s Luthuran School next week.

The governor said that his administration was passionate about education and promised to support schools across the state.

hree journalists on official duty nearly lost their lives after officials of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, from the Imo State Command yesterday beat them to a pulp.

They were reportedly trying to plead for a woman on medical emergency whose husband was being held by an official of the Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC, along Okigwe Road, Owerri.

The journalists, Nnamdi Okonya of Silverbird TV, Tope Kuteyi, of Channels TV and Obioma Oburuoga of AIT were going to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, secretariat along Okigwe Road for an assignment when they noticed the bleeding woman at a roadblock adjacent to NSCDC command and attempted to beg the NSCDC and FRSC officials to let the couple go as the woman was bleeding as a result of miscarriage.

But they got the beating of their lives as the NSCDC officials on realising they were journalists, descended on them, beating them to stupor.

The trigger-happy NSCDC officials also shot sporadically at other journalists who were at the PDP secretariat, opposite the command of the NSCDC for an assignment but who rushed out to protest the beating of their colleagues.

Sunday Mirror learnt that the journalists scampered for safety to avoid being hit by the bullets

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Europe was always my dream says Bright Dike

Sport

Sunday, February 21, 2016

Sport

PAGE 46

KEEPING YOU ABREAST OF SPORTING NEWS SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2016

45

FA Cup triumph saved me from the sack - Wenger PAGE 47

S

ir Alex Ferguson and Manchester United seemingly had the deal to bring the Nigerian wonder-kid to Old Trafford done and dusted, with Mikel even posing in the Red Devils’ jersey number 21. But Chelsea belatedly came into the picture.

A bitter controversy ensued between the two English giants and by the time the dust raised settled, Chelsea had stolen in and snapped the young midfielder from United’s grasps and was reaping the benefits barely 12 months later.

United had won the league and were headed to Wembley to claim the FA Cup and complete the domestic double. But a Mikel Obi-controlled midfield restricted the Reds Devils attacks, paving the way for an extra-time Didier Drogba strike to win the game for the Londoners.

Chelsea fans then deemed him worthy of their votes as he was named the club’s Young Player of the Year 2007. He won the award again the following year.

Mikel’s loyalty to the Chelsea cause has never been in doubt since.

He has been tempted severally to join Fenerbahce, Inter Milan or even make the lucrative move to the MLS but the Nigerian midfielder has always put Chelsea first.

Mikel Obi’s loyalty has however been rewarded bountifully as the former Lyn Oslo midfielder can now boast of 2 Premier League titles, 4 FA Cups, 2 League Cups, 1 FA Community Shield, 1 UEFA Champions League and 1 UEFA Europa League.

He may not be as prolific as Didier Drogba, as decisive as Frank Lampard or as influential as John Terry, but when the finest, most trophy-laden chapter of Chelsea’s history is written, John Obi Mikel’s name will be lodged in a prominent place.

His total appearances in a Chelsea shirt, which stands at 269, is a million miles short of John Terry’s total rack of 696 or Lampard’s at 648. Yet the Nigerian has won every single title his more illustrious colleagues can lay claim to for the Blues, from the UEFA Champions League to the Carling Cup. But the critics couldn’t be appeased with his title haul.

After showing a lot of potential as an attacking midfielder and considered almost as good as Lionel Messi as a teenager, Mikel still make a few people think of what might have been had he joined Manchester United.

Nurtured from the age-grades to play predominantly as an attacking midfielder, Mikel had to adapt his game to fit the Chelsea play and give him the chance to feature in the first team.

One Chelsea manager after another still found the Nigerian indispensable or at the very least, un-sellable. Even though he has had his fair share of sitting on the substitute bench.

Yet he never complained, never whined, and never protested. He never fell out with any Chelsea manager, despite the countless of them that have walked in and out of the revolving door at the Stamford Bridge.

Mikel Obi can affirm to be a Chelsea legend, not so much about the number of goals he has scored (he was never signed to be a goalscorer) or the amount of times he has featured on the pitch for the Blues but because he has managed to stay relevant in not only the best Chelsea side in the last ten years but also in history.

No one can rubbish that!

However, his impressive haul of league and continental honours - possibly bettered only by Samuel Eto’o, Didier Drogba and Nwankwo Kanu - should elevate him as not only one of Chelsea’s finest players ever but also one of Africa’s best.

No disrespect to Austin Okocha or Yakubu Aiyegbeni, Mikel is already Nigeria’s greatest ever player in the Premier League bar Nwankwo Kanu.

Only just 28, the former World Youth Championship star has a few more years at the top level to rake in more individual and team honours. Hopefully, it would be for his darling Chelsea. One thing is certain; however, whether he retires in Chelsea or sees out his playing days in a lower league, Mikel’s place has a Chelsea legend his secured.

The accolades may not be flowing in just yet and will likely not come until he retires but no one who has seen him toil and sweat in a Chelsea shirt would question his inclusion when he takes his place beside John Terry, Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard in Chelsea’s Hall of Fame.

Mikel Obi: The making of a Chelsea legend

46

Sport

Sunday, February 21, 2016

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Knockout with

IFEANYI Eduzor

08055829770 ifeduz24@yahoo.com

Fury, Klitschko in talks over rematch

W

orld heavyweight champion, Tyson Fury’s uncle and trainer , Peter Fury says that discussion for a rematch between the heavyweight champion and the man he shocked last November, Wladimir Klitschko is ongoing and the venue has been narrowed down to two places; United Kingdom and UAE. “We are trying to locate

Dike

and secure the venue and get moving forward,” Fury told Sky Sports. “I’m hoping some time soon we can get it announced.

Nothing is set and it all depends on the venue.

The fight is going to take place in one of two places; it’s either going to be in the UAE or in the United Kingdom. It’s a toss-up between the two and talks are ongoing.

The best package will take it. It’s just about maximizing revenue.”

Europe was always my dream says Bright Dike

R

ussian club Amkar Perm’s new signing Bright Dike has told AfricanFootball.com he is excited to finally see his dream to play in Europe come true, saying it has always been his wish to test himself in European football.

The big striker has played all his football in the United States and briefly Canada.

He has now signed a contract for a year and a half with Amkar Perm as a free agent after he impressed on trials there.

“I am happy with the deal. I have always wanted to play European football, and now I have the chance with Amkar Perm,” the Nigeria international striker told AfricanFootball.com

“I will do my best and give everything I have to the team and hopefully by the grace of God I will be rewarded with goals.”

Dike said he hopes to settle down quickly at his new club with the help of Nigeria midfielder Fegor Ogude as they have already met up at the Eagles training camp previously.

Ambode commissions new Ikeja Golf Club clubhouse

L

agos state’s governor, Mr. Akinwumi Ambode has commissioned the new Ikeja Golf Clubhouse. Ambode commissioned the clubhouse on Thursday February 11 at a well attended event.

Speaking at the commissioning, the governor, who was represented by the Chairman of Lagos State’s Sports Commission, Deji Tinubu promised to continue to support every endeavor that encourages sports tourism in the state, saying he hope that the club will be able to produces golfers like Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy.

In his speech, the club captain Air Commodore Tokunbo Ajomale (rtd) informed the gathering that Ikeja

golf club does not only play a leading role in promoting ecological balance in the state’s capital, the club also served as a tourist attraction for a sports men and women, entertainment and as a platform for corporate social interaction.

While thanking the state’s government for their effort for bankrolling the cost the reconstruction, the captain promised in behalf of his members to put the club house into good use.

“I want to use this opportunity to express our profound appreciation to the governor and the state government for their support. We shall forever remain grateful and we promise to put the building into

good use”, the captain said.

The reconstruction of Ikeja golf club new club house started in 2012 under governorship of Babatunde Fashola who contracted Messrs Arem Global for the job.

The high point of the occasion was the presentation of a custom made new golf set to the state’s governor.

Some of the dignitaries that witnessed the commissioning include the clubs president, Dr. Funsho Peter, Clement Olowokande, Gen Olayinka Sule (rtd), Lagos state APC Chairman, Henry Ajomale among others.

Ikeja golf club was established in 1968.

Liverpool loanee Awoniyi shines on debut

N

igeria youth international Taiwo Awoniyi debuted for his German Bundesliga 2 side FSV Frankfurt defeating hosts St.Pauli 3-1.

Before his debut, the 18-year-old striker has been an unused sub in six league matches for his club.

The Liverpool loanee dazzled and almost celebrated a goal-scoring league

debut only to be denied twice by the goalkeeper.

Awoniyi, who has been capped by Nigeria at U17, U20 and U23 levels, was a thorn in the flesh of the opposing defenders and he lasted for 89th minutes before he was replaced by Joel Gerezgiher.

He almost scored in the first minute,

but missed by a whisker.

The lanky striker was denied a goal in the 38th minute by the goalkeeper, who made a big save.

Two minutes later, he was denied again by the goalkeeper in a one-on-one situation. Frankfurt are now 14th on the 18-team Bundesliga 2 league table with 26 points from 22 matches.

Egypt recall 43-year-old goalkeeper El-Hadary

E

gypt have recalled veteran goalkeeper Essam El Hadary for a warm-up against Burkina Faso ahead of next month’s AFCON double header against Nigeria.

The 43-year-old Hadary was last involved with the Pharaohs in 2014 and he has come in for injured Ahly star Sherif

Ekramy.

This is his first call-up by coach Hector Cuper and comes on the back of his outstanding performances for Egyptian Premier League club Wadi Degla The former Ahly, Zamalek and Ismaily star El-Hadary played a key role in guiding Egypt to winning three succes-

sive AFCON titles in 2006, 2008 and 2010.

He last appeared with the seven-time African champions in November 2014 when the Pharaohs lost 1-2 to Tunisia in the African Cup qualifiers under former coach Shawky Gharib.

Egypt will host Burkina Faso on February 27 in Alexandria.

Tyson Furry (L) exchanging punches with Wladimir Klitschko during their last November heavyweight clash.

Pacquiao renews criticism of homosexuality

F

ilipino boxer boxing great, Manny Pacquiao has repeated his opposition to homosexuality, after earlier apologising for saying that gay people were “worse than animals”.

“What I am saying is right. I mean I am just stating the truth, what the Bible says,” he said at training in his hometown of General Santos. The boxer said his only mistake had been to compare people to animals. Pacquiao had said during a TV interview that

animals were better than gay people “because they can distinguish male from female”.

His remarks were condemned across the world; including gay basketball star Jason Collins and the boxer who defeated him last May, Floyd Mayweather.

He then apologised on Facebook, saying he was sorry for hurting people and was “not condemning people but was still against gay marriage.

Former champion McGowan dies at 73

F

ormer world flyweight champion Walter McGowan has died aged 73.

The Hamilton fighter won Scottish, British, European and Empire titles before defeating Italy’s Salvatore Burruni at Wembley over 15 rounds to land the world flyweight title in 1966.

In McGowan’s next fight, he won the British and Empire title at bantamweight when he defeated Alan Rudkin, again at Wembley.He won 32 of his 40 professional fights before retiring in 1969.

He was awarded Member of the British title in 1966.

McGowan had been

in poor health in recent years and was living in a nursing home in Bellshill.

One of 10 children, McGowan is survived by a son and daughter and a grandson and granddaughter.

As an amateur fighter, he lost only twice in 124 bouts and won the British ABA flyweight title in 1961.

He turned professional under the guidance of his father Thomas, a former miner known in the ring as Joe Gans.

An elder sister told BBC Scotland that the family was immensely proud of his boxing achievements and that he would be greatly missed.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Euro Sport

Sunday, February 21, 2016

FA Cup triumph saved me from the sack - Wenger

47

A

rsene Wenger believes he could have faced the sack had Arsenal not won the FA Cup final against Hull City in 2014.

Arsenal were searching for a first piece of silverware in almost a decade when they faced Hull in the decider of the 2013-14 edition of the FA Cup. Hull took a surprise 2-0 lead inside just eight minutes, but goals to Santi Cazorla and Laurent Koscielny took the game to extra-time, where Aaron Ramsey popped up to score a 109th-minute winner.

“I don’t know if I’d have gone, honestly,” he said. “If we had lost it I don’t know what would have happened.

“Usually I respect my contracts and I fight for everything and to say after 17 years your future can depend just on one cup final means it is better you don’t go to the final then.

“It would have been a problem if we had not won. But we won.

“It was up in the air and we had to give everything to win that final.”

Wilshere targets Arsenal game at Barcelona for return

Rooney

A

Gaal

Van Gaal should resign as United manager - Muhren

Cristiano

F Chelsea no longer European elite – Hiddink

ormer Manchester United midfielder and Netherlands international Arnold Muhren believes embattled manager Louis van Gaal should leave Old Trafford.

Van Gaal is under immense pressure following United’s shock 2-1 loss at Midtjylland in the first leg of their Europa League last-32 tie on Thursday. After suffering their 11th defeat of the season in all competitions, and United six points adrift of the Premier League’s top four, Van Gaal’s days in Manchester appear numbered, with Jose Mourinho reportedly waiting in the wings.

I

nterim Chelsea manager Guus Hiddink believes his replacement will have a massive task ahead of them to rebuild the squad and be capable of challenging Europe’s elite once again.

Chelsea are 12th in the Premier League table 14 points outside of the top four - with Champions League qualification for next season seeming increasingly unlikely.

Hiddink, who took over from Jose Mourinho on a short-term basis after the Portuguese departed in December, thinks Chelsea have fallen behind the biggest club’s in Europe.

And the Dutchman has warned his successor that the rebuilding job at Chelsea will not be an easy one.

“It’s not a small job,” he said. “I don’t want to open up too much but everyone has to make good analysis about the strength of the squad, about the weakness of the squad, and accordingly they have to react in building up, or making the squad stronger for next season. That’s not a small job.

Blatter

Hiddink

rsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere is hoping he has a chance of facing Barcelona in the second leg of their Champions League clash on March 16.

The Gunners take on Luis Enrique’s men at the Emirates Stadium in the first leg on Tuesday night, and with Arsene Wenger saying Wilshere is “three or four weeks” away from a return from a broken leg, he may yet play a part at the Camp Nou. Wilshere, 24, told BT Sport: “It is possible. I mean it’s difficult to get back.

“The Premier League gets quicker and quicker and I know I’m not old but I’m different from when I was 19, it takes a little bit more time.

“But I’m training and running and hopefully I will be back.

“I’m not sure how long it’s going to take because I’ve only been doing ball work for about a week. I probably need a game in the under-21s and I’ll be ready.” Wilshere has not featured for Arsenal since the 1-0 victory over Wolfsburg in the Emirates Cup in July.

Blatter: Qatar F did not buy 2022 World Cup

ormer FIFA president Sepp Blatter insisted Qatar did not buy the opportunity to host the 2022 World Cup as he continues to appeal against his ban from football.

Blatter was banned for eight years alongside UEFA president Michel Platini over an alleged “disloyal payment” of £1.3million between the two men.

However, Blatter has been under copious amounts of pressure since the controversial decision to hand Qatar the 2022 World Cup. The 79-year-old, though, claims the middle-east nation prevailed not because of corruption but because of political pressure.

“You cannot buy a World Cup, it will go at the end where the higher political influences are,” he told The Times in an interview.

“I am sure there is justice in this world and that I have committed nothing which goes to criminal law.

N I G E R I A I N F I G U R E S - the sum Delta -The amount of drugs State Governor, NAFDAC destroyed in Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, presented as Kebbi State

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

T

with Jim Unah

he Secretary to the Government of the Federation announced the sack, last Monday, of about 26 helmsmen of Federal Government parastatals by the Presidency; alleging, among other things, that they were saboteurs, constituting a hindrance to the smooth and effective take-off of the President Muhammadu Buhari change agenda.

Should the allegation be true, then, any step taken to rid the bureaucracy of state of baggage, encumbrances, and outright saboteurs is not negotiable. The government of the day is at liberty to take any legitimate step to clean the Augean stable if that is imperative for effective social service delivery to the people. An Augean stable, on its own, requires thorough cleansing to restore civil society to buoyancy and health incremental to paving the way to egalitarianism—a destination to which, those who are closely associated with Mr. President, insist he is ultimately headed.

Even so, it is important for the list

N150

N265bn

budget to the State Assembly.

Sacked DGs and MDs of parastatals of the sacked chief executives to be properly scrutinised to ensure that persons who genuinely believed in and worked for the Buhari change programme are not unjustly guillotined. You cannot err on the side of caution.

Having said that, it is politically correct for the Presidency to take the necessary steps to clear all the human obstacles and impediments that are counter-productive to the onerous task of fixing an extremely corrupt country; a near failed state, such as Nigeria. Already, people are complaining of extreme hardship occasioned by the embarrassing downward slide of the Naira arising mainly from the free fall of crude oil prices in the global market.

If the country gets out of the woods

by Mr. President’s deft manoeuvres, his name would be etched in gold in the annals of this nation. But if peradventure he fails to fix the country, he bears the brunt since the buck stops on his table. It is for this that we urge Nigerians to embrace change, cooperate with the Buhari government, and join hands with him to midwife a new Nigeria.

We Nigerians should begin to imbibe the political culture of giving maximum cooperation to any new government; party affiliations and political leanings notwithstanding. That is

the way to evolutionary change which consolidates and sustains the gains and milestones recorded by previous governments. Over-politicization of issues is never in the interest of any nation, any people. It even degrades the modest achievements of past governments. Over-politicization of the polity downgrades whatever is done by past governments and seeks to abolish its achievements, and proposes to begin anew.

Surely, this is not the route to the evolution of a valuable, egalitarian human society. Citizens must learn to cooperate with new governments, and subordinate their interests and aspirations to the choice and the will of the people.

That is the way to sustainable peace, order and civilised progress.

The pre-bendal, zero-some politics of “pull him down and start afresh” cannot produce a united nation and people.

Once a government has been formed, persons serving in the bureaucracy of state should fall in line and assist the new government to find its bearing. They should be willing to work with any government in place and facilitate the achievement of the objectives of the state. However, if for any reason bureaucrats find themselves incapable of working with the government of the day, the honour-

able thing would be to throw in the trowel; so they can have the presence of mind to work for and develop an agenda for a future government. That is how progressive societies are built.

You are either in government or out of it. When you are in government you work faithfully, with commitment and passion, for the government. It is unthinkable disgrace to be working in government and simultaneously be working surreptitiously at crosspurposes with the goals, objectives and aspirations of the same government. If a citizen does not believe in the programme of government, it would be pointless serving in such a government.

It is quite possible for the government in place not to be performing creditably or indeed not to be doing well at all. A bad government is still better than anarchy. That is why the people should support a sitting government at all times.

When anarchy breaks loose, everyone is thrown asunder, and the people are made to suffer severe consequences.

President Buhari should carefully select his team; ensuring that they come highly recommended, and would be ready to deliver a dispensation of meaningful, evolutionary change with passion and commitment.

Mourinho: Clubs are looking for me F ormer Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho insists he is not busily looking for a new club but rather that several clubs are pursuing him.

The Portuguese left Stamford Bridge two months ago and has been heavily linked with a move to Barclays Premier League club Manchester United, who are currently managed by the under-fire Louis van Gaal.

Reports in Italy have suggested Mourinho could even return to Inter Milan, with whom he won the treble in 2010, as current head coach Roberto Mancini is struggling to secure a top-three finish in Serie A. But Mourinho, 53, says he has no plans to return to

the San Siro dugout, nor does he know exactly told La Stampa: “There is one where he will take his next assignment. thing I want to clarify - I will not Ahead of a personal trip to Milan to watch be directing things over there the Nerazzurri play Sampdoria on Saturday, he next season. Inter already have

a project that belongs to Roberto Mancini and club president Erick Thohir.

“Their ideas have my full support and I hope their plans are successful. I want to see Inter fans smiling again.

“My next club? I really do not know, but one thing is certain - I love football and I will return with the same passion and ambition I’ve always had.

“Right now I have respect for every coach at every club.

“I’m not looking for a club, but there are clubs that are looking for me.”

It is understood Chelsea, who sacked Mourinho for the second time in eight years in December, have sent the Portuguese replica versions of the Barclays Premier League and Capital One Cup trophies he won last season, as well as a letter thanking him for his achievements.

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