March 27, 2016

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Chibok Girls: FG veries claims of would-be suicide bomber

TTwo years after: ft

Echoes of Immigration death saga linger

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Vol. 6

No. 13

March 27, 2016

Easter

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Buhari promises to end conicts, crises

invasion: ..says political violence embarrassing, unacceptable DSS Detained Ekiti

lawmaker gets car gift Police corporal shot dead by unknown gunmen in Lagos

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Commercial motorcyclists queue for fuel at a filling station in Ibadan yesterday.

DPR moves to end fuel scarcity, boosts supply to lling stations

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…warns against hoarding, orders 24-hour fuel sales Midnight res raze markets in Kano, Birnin Kebbi News Partisanship eroding gains of electoral institutions –Prophet Samuel P.47

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THE

Big Read SUNDAY SPECIAL INVESTIGATION

SUNDAY, MARCH 27, 2016

Two years after: Echoes of Immigration death saga linger On March 15, 2014, many young Nigerians hopeful of getting jobs with the Nigerian Immigration Service met their untimely death in stampedes at some of the centres designated for the nationwide recruitment exercise. Dozens were also injured. In this report, PAUL OMO OBADAN looks at the inner workings of the Ministry of the Interior and the dramatis personae involved in the fiasco.

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s the April 27 date for the trial of former minister of Interior, Comrade Abba Moro and three others over the death of applicants for jobs in the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) two years ago draws near, investigations have shown that virtually all key officers in the ministry were involved in events leading to the deadly fiasco.

Two years after the incident, Sunday Mirror can now reveal the list of who’s who in the exercise.

The new dimension comes on the heel of a recent

scandal in NIS in which it was discovered that the leadership of the service had secretly recruited 500 persons without advertising the vacant positions.

Sources claimed that the slots had been shared among top politicians and senior immigration personnel.

A source at the Immigration headquarters told Sunday Mirror that until Moro came on board, recruitment into the NIS was done in secret, with some of the senior officers getting slots which they sold to needy

‘JOB RACKETEERING THRIVED AT IMMIGRATION SERVICE’

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applicants.

“When the Board advertised positions in September 2013, we were very happy, although some of our senior officers were not happy because their source of illegal money was going to be blocked. They jubilated openly when the March 15, 2014 recruitment exercise ran into troubled waters,” he said.

The March 15, 2014, recruitment of new personnel into the Nigeria Immigration Service ended with the death of 15 applicants and injuries sustained by dozens of others in four out of the 37 examination centres, provoking outrage across the country and demand for Moro’s sack.

While the minister admitted errors in the exercise, some of the senior government officials in the ministry, including the Comptroller-General of Immigration, washed their hands off the exercise, giving the impression that the minister alone embarked on the project.

President Goodluck Jonathan cancelled the exercise and set up a Presidential Committee to handle another recruitment exercise. The former president also offered three slots for the families of each applicant that died and automatic employCONTINUED ON PAGE 4

‘E-RECRUITMENT GOT NECESSARY APPROVAL’

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March 27, 2016

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The Big Read

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Sunday, March 27, 2016

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‘Job racketeering thrived at Immigration service’

Jonathan

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4 ment to those that sustained injuries during the exercise.

Although, the Presidential Committee which excluded representation from the Ministry of Interior concluded its report, it could not embark on a new recruitment exercise because of the financial implications.

Investigations showed that the committee required more than N300 million to conduct the recruitment exercise. Even when the exercise was finally conducted in the dying days of the Jonathan administration, its outcome was tainted with allegations of corrupt and illegal practices. Against the extant rules, the then ComptrollerGeneral of Immigration, Mr. David Paradang, issued letters of appointment to 1,600 newly recruited personnel without reference to the Civil Defense, Fire, Immigration and Prison Board (CDFIPB). He was promptly suspended from office while those appointed through that process eventually lost the jobs.

Sunday Mirror learnt that over the years, recruitment into NIS had always been done surreptitiously. That gave powerful persons in the society the opportunity to flood the service with their relations and cronies, leaving the less fortunate members of the society at the mercy of fraudsters who demand as much as N350,000 for a slot.

But when Moro became minister of Interior, he directed that recruitment into all the services under his ministry must be through competitive examination or test.

And it was to start with the NIS where gross violation of recruitment processes had been the norm for some time.

Immigration jobs for sale Sunday Mirror findings showed that the journey to that ill-fated exercise began October 10, 2012 when Paradang requested for a waiver to recruit new personnel because of a shortage of personnel in various critical positions within the service. After deliberations and consultations on the request by the Comptroller-General of NIS, the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation issued a letter dated December 6, 2012, granting the request. The letter which was signed on behalf of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation by G.C. Ukomadu, the director of Establishment and Industrial Relations, stated that the waiver was for the recruitment of 4,556 additional staff.

A breakdown of the figure showed that 1,345 of the recruits would be for the rank of Assistant Superintendent II while 1,680 and I,531 personnel were to be recruited as Assistant Inspector II and Immigration Assistant III respectively. The letter, however, advised that the recruitment exercise must “adhere strictly to extant rules, including the principle of federal character.”

Sources in the ministry told this paper that efforts to get the Budget Office to capture the recruitment exercise in the budget failed. Some senior officials at the Budget Office were alleged to have requested that 1,000 of the 4,556 slots be allocated to them, a request which the then minister turned down.

Earlier in May 2012, a private company, Rosebonny Technologies Limited in conjunction with Ecobank had proposed an electronic recruitment and integrated online information system for the Ministry of Interior.

Injured applicants at Port Harcourt centre

SOURCES IN THE MINISTRY TOLD THIS PAPER THAT EFFORTS TO GET THE

BUDGET OFFICE TO CAPTURE

THE RECRUITMENT EXERCISE IN THE BUDGET FAILED.

SOME SENIOR OFFICIALS AT THE BUDGET OFFICE WERE ALLEGED TO HAVE REQUESTED THAT 1,000 OF THE 4,556 SLOTS BE ALLOCATED TO THEM, A REQUEST WHICH THE THEN MINISTER TURNED DOWN. In a letter dated May 5, 2012, the two companies said the proposed “system will help your Ministry digitalize her operations, particularly in recruitment exercises of all the paramilitary organisations under her supervision and also create an electronic data base for all private security firms in Nigeria.”

The companies also attached a detailed proposal which is known in ICT parlance as ‘system behaviour’ as further explanation for how a ‘fully integrated online information system…can be made available within two weeks for online recruitment into all the paramilitary organisations under the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Interior.”

When the proposal reached his desk September 9, 2012, the minister saw it as a good idea and sent it to the office of the Permanent Secretary in the ministry for further consideration.

According to sources close to the ministry, the minister’s decision to go for e-recruitment at this stage was informed by the fact that the portal would be hosted free and applicants could simply apply online.

Thereafter, the permanent secretary set up a committee made up of the director, PRS, as chairman and the director/secretary of CDFIPB, director, Paramilitary, deputy director, Appointments, Promotions and Discipline as members to discuss its contents with representatives of Rosebonny Technologies Limited and Ecobank.

That committee concluded its assignment and submitted a report to the minister who directed that further work be done on the issue.

In line with that directive, an eight-man committee was set up, made up of G. Ikubeyinje, director, Planning, Research and Statistics (PRS) as chairman. Other members were Bello Ugbeda, deputy director, PRS; T. A. Mohammed, deputy director, Paramilitary; A. I. Okhamera, assistant director, CDFIPB; Arc. S. A. Ejembi, assistant director, Procurement; G. A. Sekidika, assistant director, Human Resources Management; S. M. Danladi, assistant legal adviser and A. O. Ogaraku, chief administrative officer, Paramilitary.

The committee held its first meeting on November 7, 2012, to discuss how to attract some of the expected revenue to the ministry and reduce the cost of the scratch card; seek the advice of the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission and the Federal Character Commission, as well as liaise with other agencies to establish how they conducted their online recruitment.

On November 13, 2012, the committee met with officials of Rosebonny Technologies Limited and Ecobank during which clarifications were sought on the cost of the scratch card, the projected revenue and what would accrue to the government from the exercise.

The committee then recommended that the scratch cards should not exceed the N1,000 stipulated by the Federal Character Commission while recruitment exercises shall be carried out based on vacant positions and manning levels or agencies’ demand and may not necessarily be done annually.

Also, the initial agreement to be entered into with the private partners should be for five recruitment exercises only, after which a fresh agreement is to be entered into on freshly agreed terms and conditions based on experience from the first agreement.

While these negotiations were going on between the Ministry of Interior and Rosebonny Technologies Limited, the minister was said to have drawn the attention of the negotiators to the Public Procurement Act, especially sections 44 and 45 of the Public Procurement Act. Section 44 (a) of the Act directs that “where the value of the services to be procured is less than one million naira, or with the approval of the Bureau, of such a low value that only national consultants would be interested, the procuring entity may without notice request at least three and not more than 10 consultants or service providers to make proposals for the provision of the services in a format stipulating among other things, a statement of qualification of the consultant to provide the service, a statement of understanding of the procuring entity’s need and the cost or fee for the service.”

Consequently, the ministry in a letter signed by F. O. Alaiyegbami, deputy director of Procurement asked four companies - Dextel Tech Global, Bosmos Infotech Limited, Pyrich Global Limited and Rosebonny Technologies Limited to submit individual proposals with an Outline Business Case, explaining in very clear terms such issues as service delivery, scope of the project, feasibility study/ needs assessment, affordability assessment and preliminary risk assessment.

The Public-Private Project (PPP) team in the Ministry of Interior which assessed the proposals submitted its report to the Ministerial Tenders Board on April 2, 2013, in which the electronic recruitment option was strongly recommended because it had been employed by the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Airforce, Nigeria Police Force and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency in recruiting new personnel. The PPP team concluded that Dextel Technology Global presented the best proposal in the form of similar job experience, amortization and risk analysis. It is, therefore, recommended that the contract for the out-sourcing of e-recruitment and inCONTINUED ON PAGE 5

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sunday, March 27, 2016

The Big Read

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‘e-recruitment got necessary approval’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4

tegrated online information system for all paramilitary organisations under the ministry “should be considered by the Ministerial Tenders Board and awarded in favour of Messrs Dextel Technology Global for the first five recruitment exercises.”

E-Recruitment contract awarded to Dextel Technology Global To assuage the feelings of some members of CDFIPB, the PPP team assured them that adopting the electronic recruitment option would not jeopardize the board’s mandate, adding that it will only “complement and ensure efficiency and transparency in recruitment exercises”. The PPP team also explained in its memorandum that being a contractor outsourcing model, the project would be at no cost to the Ministry of Interior, adding that the one thousand naira to be charged for the scratch cards was “in line with the guidelines provided by the Federal Character Commission.”

The PPP technical team was made up of E. C. Aforka, deputy director, Procurement, S. A. Ejembi, assistant director, Procurement, A. I. Okhamora, assistant director, CDFIPB and A. E. Ochigbo of the PRS. The Ministerial Tenders Board met on April 10, 2013 and noted that Dextel Technologies Global presented the most responsive proposal in terms of policy content, cash flow analysis, ability to perform and experience on similar projects. It approved that the contract be awarded to the company for a period of five years.

Thereafter, the permanent secretary sent a copy of the minutes of the meeting of the Ministerial Tenders Board to the minster, saying: “You may wish to refer to… the summary of the Ministerial Tenders Board meeting… and endorse same for implementation in line with the Public Procurement Act, 2007.”

On April 17, 2013, a letter of Award of Contract for eRecruitment Project in the Ministry of Interior was issued to Dextel Technologies Global. In the letter, which was signed by Alaiyegbami, an Agreement for the Provision of Online Enlistment and Recruitment Services between Ministry of Interior and Dextel Technologies Nigeria Limited was signed on 30 April 2013 with the minister signing on behalf of the ministry. Those present at the signing ceremony included S. B. Adewale, director of Legal Services, directors in the ministry and representatives of the services.

As a follow-up to the preparations for the e-recruitment exercise, the minister convened a meeting of the Board of the Civil Defence, Fire, Immigration and Prisons on May 23, 2013. The meeting was attended by two of the serving commissioners in the board - Chief F. E. Ulinfun and Dr. Mustapha Zakariya, as well as Mr. Adetayo Sode who stood in for the permanent secretary.

Other members of the board in attendance included Dr. Ade Abolurin, commandant-general, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps; Olusegun James Okebiorun, the comptroller-general, Federal Fire Service; Zakari O. Ibrahim, comptroller-general, Nigeria Prison Service and R. B. Musa, acting comptroller-general, Nigeria Immigration Service; O.O. Ajibade, legal adviser, Federal Ministry of Interior and Dr. R. K. Attahiru, director/secretary, CDFIPB. On May 31, 2013 the ministry wrote the Federal Character Commission on the proposed introduction of the electronic recruitment portal. In its reply of June 11, 2013, Dr. Martins Oke, chairman, Defence and Foreign Affairs Committee on behalf of the Executive Chairman described the plan as “acceptable to the Commission”, but added that the adoption of online applications notwithstanding, “hard copies of such applications shall be accepted and considered in line with the provisions of the recruitment procedures issued by the commission.”

The advertisement for the available vacancies in the Nigeria Immigration Service was published in Daily Trust of September 9, 2013. It was the first time in so many years that an agency of the government would be advertising available vacancies, and reactions were immediate. Many qualified young men and women pushed their applications through the portal.

With preparations in progress, the CDFIPB continued to meet to fine-tune strategies for the exercise. On December 9, 2013, it held its 40th meeting during which the members took far-reaching decisions on the pending erecruitment exercise. The Board developed a template for the exercise, which said the recruitment should be based

Ex- President Jonathan presenting employment letters to some victims

Parradang

Moro

on 20 percent for equality of states, 15 percent for the ratio of applications submitted, 35 percent for merit (based on formal examination, physical/medical tests) and 30 percent for concessions. Apart from the directive that the template should be submitted to the House of Representatives Committee on the Ministry of Interior, the board directed the secretariat to “avail the consultants of the necessary information with regards to the venue (whether State or Zonal) for the conduct of the formal examination”.

Also, the board directed the “Immigration and Prisons to mobilise their medical resources and facilities and prepare appropriate proposals for the consideration of honourable chairman and permanent members for approval on behalf of the board.” The resolutions of the CDFIPB at its meeting were conveyed to the Minister of Interior by S. D. Tapgun, director/secretary of the board on January 1, 2014 for his “kind perusal and approval”. Eight days after receiving the document, the minister gave his approval.

On January 30, 2014, Tapgun chaired a meeting between the board and representatives of Dextel Technologies Nigeria Limited. In attendance were Paradang, comptroller-general of NIS, Ajibade Gbemisola, legal adviser, H. Y. Malgwi, DCG, Nigeria Immigration Service, Shehu Dogo Muhammad, deputy director, D&GP CDFIPB; A. I. Okhamera, assistant director, Administration, CDFIPB; Bello Torankawa, assistant director, A&P, CDFIPB ; Awe B. I. Agboluga, assistant director, F&A, CDFIPB and F. Oyedeji, Controller, Nigeria Immigration Service. Dextel Technologies Nigeria Limited was represented by Tanko

Ayuba, William Durau and Abioye Bankole.

In his opening remarks, Tapgun said the meeting was to enable “stakeholders interface in order to emplace adequate arrangements” to ensure the success of the exercise. The Comptroller-General of the NIS observed that most of the applicants chose Abuja for the recruitment exercise and suggested that applicants should be encouraged to go to their states of origin for the recruitment exercise.

On the issue of venues for the exercise, “the meeting agreed that state comptrollers of Immigration should be requested to liaise with the State governments to source such venues while they make arrangements to provide adequate security at the venues/centres with the assistance of other sister security organizations.” Representatives of Dextel Technologies also briefed the meeting, saying that out of over 700,000 applicants, only 522,652 of them met the requirements for recruitment into the NIS. More meetings were held, where dates for the exercise, examination centres, publicity and production of question papers and answer sheets were discussed. At the meeting of the board, NIS and Dextel held on February 7, 2014, a budget of N112,391,200 was proposed to cover duty travel allowance of two officials of the NIS in each center, cost of radio and television announcements and other issues related to the recruitment exercise were extensively discussed.

The meeting also resolved that the examinations would be conducted in each state capital and that “stadia and large venues like amphitheatres of universities and polytechnics” were to be used. The members, however, resolved that in view of the security challenges in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa, applicants from those areas should sit for their examinations in Bauchi, Taraba and Gombe states.

As the March 15, 2014 date fixed for the recruitment exercise approached, things began to happen very fast.

The Ministry of Interior published a full list of the interview centres and venues. Candidates from Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states were directed to take their tests in Gombe, Bauchi and Taraba states respectively.

Earlier on March 6, 2014, David Paradang addressed the press to confirm the date of the recruitment exercise. On March 10, 2014 the NIS Headquarters issued a circular, Ref. IMM/1823/1/T1/6, which was addressed to directors, zonal co-ordinators, state commands and training institutions on the recruitment exercise. Entitled Recruitment Exercise, the Circular which was signed by T. Y. Oyedeji, comptroller of Immigration Service, Appointment, for the CGIS, said: “I am directed to inform you that the recruitment exercise into the Nigeria Immigration Service for the ranks of ASI2, AII, and IA3 has been scheduled for Saturday, 15th March, 2014 at 9 am prompt.”

The circular directed all state comptrollers to secure adequate venues for the exercise, liaise with other security agencies for its smooth conduct, liaise with state governments, arrange for any other logistics and use the local media to inform the public. Investigations showed that the state comptrollers of Immigration complied with the directives of Immigration headquarters.

Reports of the conduct of the exercise in at least 27 states indicated that it was smooth.

Somehow, the exercise led to the death of some of the applicants due to poor arrangement and crowd control at the centres while others were injured as they scrambled to get space to write the aptitude test.

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NEWS

Sunday March 27, 2016

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Easter: Buhari promises to end conflicts, crises

..says political violence embarrassing, unacceptable ROTIMI FADEYI ABUJA

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resident Muhammadu Buhari has said his administration is determined to achieve greater peace and security in the country by ending the avoidable conflicts and crises that hinder national progress.

According to him, the unfortunate notoriety in recent years as a country where blood of men, women and children are wantonly and callously shed in frequent orgies of criminal, political, ethnic and religious violence has become very embarrassing and utterly unacceptable.

In his Easter message to Nigerians, Buhari said, “for Christians all over the world, this celebration is in commemoration of the supreme sacrifice which Jesus Christ made for the salvation of mankind.

“The Gospels also tell us that during his earthly ministry, Jesus Christ repeatedly urged his disciples and followers to ‘love one another as I have loved you” “As we celebrate Easter this year, I sincerely believe that it will serve our dear nation very well if we

all imbibe this essential message of Jesus Christ and truly learn to love our countrymen and women as we love ourselves” “Indeed, we will surely make faster progress towards the achievement of the peaceful, united, strong, progressive and prosperous country we all desire if, as a nation, we eschew all divisive, parochial, ethnic and religious sentiments and rivalries, and begin to live more harmoniously with our compatriots, as Jesus Christ and the founders of the world’s other great religions enjoined mankind” “I ask for greater support from all Nigerians in this regard. We must put a stop to politically motivated killings. Our communities must be made safe again for all inhabitants to live together in peace and harmony”, he said.

The President stated that the armed forces, police and other security agencies are being progressively reformed, repositioned and empowered to win the war against terrorism and make mass killings, abductions and other criminal atrocities things of the past.

Catholic Bishop urges Nigerians to take solace in God …urges Buhari to tackle economic problems

LIVINUS MENEDI YOLA

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he Catholic Bishop of Yola Diocese, Rev. Father Stephen Dami Mamza, has called on Nigerians to take solace in God as the country passes through very difficult times.

The Bishop who made the call in his Easter message, while speaking with journalist in Yola, yesterday as part of activities lined up by the church to mark this year’s Easter celebrations; urged Nigerians not to be hopeless in the face of the difficulties they were experiencing, especially with the economy in turmoil and a fuel crisis that was still persisting.

The Catholic Bishop in his message noted that nobody expected things to be the way they turned out to be, while stating that it was the ordinary masses who were really suffering the economic backlash of a rising dollar and acute fuel scarcity.

“I feel so many people now feel disappointed that things are turning out this way. People expected a lot especially

when Buhari came on board as President of the country. The difficulties that we are experiencing now: the fuel crisis, the economic crisis, especially the issue of dollar rising. The ordinary person, especially the rural people did not expect things will be this way. But things have turned out to be this way,” Mamza said.

He suggested that it was time President Muhammadu Buhari sits down with his economic team to tackle the economic crisis. He equally tasked the new administration on the need to convince Nigerians that things can be better and that things will be better, in view of difficulties being experienced. He also urged the administration to balance this by walking its talk so that, “when they say something people should be able to know them by what they say”.

According to him, what was urgently needed for the country to get out of the woods is for the President Buhari to get to work with a team of experts to help him tackle the troubled economy.

As Patriotic citizens, Buhari pleaded with Nigerians to be patriotic and do all to make Nigeria a safer, more peaceful and happier place for its people and others.

“Faith, belief and the fulfilment of expectations are also key themes of the Easter celebration. I urge you all therefore, to continue to have faith in the future greatness of our country and to believe that the CHANGE my adminis-

tration promised will surely come to fruition.

“That CHANGE, which we all yearn for, will certainly occur more rapidly if we all place the love of our country above selfish personal and group interests”, he said.

Buhari assured that his administration would efficiently and successfully implement the 2016 budget recently passed by the National Assembly towards achieving the objective of

faster economic growth and development.

“The National Assembly has just passed the 2016 budget. I assure all Nigerians that we will do our utmost best to ensure that the budget, the first since my election as President, is efficiently and successfully implemented towards achieving our objective of faster economic growth and development” “I thank the vast majority of Nigerians for their

patience and understanding in the first ten months of this administration.

“As we go forward, I assure you all that we are working very hard to overcome the challenges we encountered on assumption of office.

“We are moving on with an unshaken resolve and determination to deliver on the mandate you gave us on March 28, last year”, he added

L-R: Senator Olugbenga Ashafa; Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Mudashiru Obasa (third left); Couple, Akorede and Omobolane; Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode and his wife, Bolanle, at the Nikkai Ceremony of Alhaji Akanni Seriki’s son in Ikeja, Lagos, yesterday.

DPR moves to end fuel scarcity, boosts supply to filling stations …warns against hoarding, orders 24-hour fuel sales

UDEME AKPAN

T

he Department of Petroleum Resources, DPR, yesterday ordered oil marketers with petroleum products at their respective depots to begin massive loading of the products for supply to filling stations nationwide.

In a statement signed the Director, Petroleum Resources, Mr. Mordecai Ladan, the agency also directed all petrol stations in strategic locations to operate on a 24 hours throughout the Easter holidays and beyond.

Ladan said the DPR had constituted special intelligence monitoring teams nationwide to ensure prompt delivery of petroleum products to designated filling stations, adding that the teams would enforce government-approved price regime and ensure the right quantity and quality of products are dispensed.

He said, “The DPR, hereby, directs all depots with liftable petroleum products to truck out massively to designated filling stations as programmed while all filling stations in strategic locations shall continue to operate 24 hours during the Easter holidays.”

He warned that the N2 million sanction against fuel depots found engaging in overpricing of petroleum products and N100,000 per dispensing pump sanction against filling stations found to be selling above the regulated price and other related offences are still in force.

The DPR boss stressed that any marketer found to be hoarding would have their products dispensed free to the public while diversion of products would attract a penalty of N200 per litre.

He said, “In addition, offenders’ operating licences would be suspended for a minimum of three months or outright revo-

cation depending on the magnitude of the offence.

“The Public is hereby advised to contact the DPR 24 hours call centre — 019037150 or 012790000 — to report any suspected violation or sharp practice for prompt response.”

The comments by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Mr. Ibe Kachikwu that the fuel scarcity witnessed across the country would continue till the end of May, had worsened the fuel crisis, as massive queues resurfaced petrol stations across the country.

Specifically, the queues which was gradually thinning out since the beginning of last week, took a turn for the worse, as motorists struggle to purchase the product, since, according to some of them, it is uncertain when next they would get the product to buy.

Kachikwu had told State House Correspon-

dents last Wednesday that the fuel crisis would continue till May, as he was not a magician to make the queues disappear.

However, the NNPC in a statement in Abuja, denied that Kachikwu made such statement, saying it was a “Misinterpretation of an otherwise benign and sincere assessment of the fuel supply scenario.”

The NNPC also stated that efforts are in full gear to eliminate all extraneous factors which have so far impeded the free flow of petrol across the country, especially the issue of foreign exchange for oil marketers which the Honourable Minister is working with the Central Bank of Nigeria to resolve. The NNPC apologized to Nigerians for the hardship in assessing petroleum products, assuring of normalisation of the fuel supply and distribution system in the weeks ahead.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

NEWS

Sunday March 27, 2016

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Chibok Girls: FG verifies claims of would-be suicide bomber ROTIMI FADEYI ABUJA

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he Federal Government would send some members of the Chibok community to neighbouring Cameroon in order to

verify whether a female suicide bomber arrested in Borno state on Friday is one of the missing schoolgirls abducted in Chibok almost two years ago.

A statement issued yesterday by Senior Special

Police corporal shot dead by unknown gunmen in Lagos

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he Lagos State Police Command has said one of its men attached to Mopol 23 was shot dead by unknown gunmen in Satellite Town area of the state on Good Friday.

The spokesperson for the command, SP Dolapo Badmos, who confirmed the development to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) gave the name of the deceased simply as Corporal Babatunde.

Badmos said that the anti-riot policeman was shot dead by two gunmen

on a motorcycle walking along the road.

She said that contrary to some news making the rounds, the policeman was not killed by suspected armed robbers during a bank robbery operation.

“There was no attempted robbery on Diamond Bank on Friday. Only a policeman walking along the road was shot dead by two men on a motorcycle.

“The command is investigating the killing to unravel the motive,’’ Badmos said. (NAN)

Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, said that the Minister of Women Affairs, Senator Aisha Alhassan and Nigerian High Commissioner in Cameroon have already swung into action and are receiving a lot of cooperation from the Cameroonian authorities.

The statement said that it had been confirmed that one of two girls is claiming to be among the

schoolgirls of Government Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State on April 14 last year although doubts have crept into the claim following new information from Cameroon that the two girls aged about ten years.

The statement added that one of the two girls is also believed to be heavily drugged and therefore not in full control of her senses.

The Nigerian High

Commissioner in Cameroon, Ambassador Hadiza Zakari Mustapha had confirmed that the arrested girls may be brought to the Capital, Yaoundé tomorrow at which point the High Commission would seek permission to meet with them.

The Murtala Mohammed Foundation has offered to cooperate with the government in sponsoring two parents from Chibok who have been selected

to embark on the trip to Cameroon.

They are Chairman of the Parents of the Abducted Girls from Chibok Association, Yakubu Nkeki and the group’s women leader, Yana Galang.

The Nigerian High Commission would receive them and also facilitate their access to the two girls once permission to meet and verify their identity was obtained from the Cameroonian authorities.

Easter celebration: Lagos artistes bemoan low patronage

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ome artistes in Lagos State have complained about the lack of money for their fans to patronize them for the Easter celebrations, the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, reports.

The artists told NAN yesterday that the level of patronage had dropped drastically at shows and events in Lagos due to lack of financial wherewithal.

The Chief Executive Officer of BrotherArt, an arts company, Mr. Nkang IniDan, noted that things “are very hard but that it will pass’’.

“People are facing tough times, but some people still have the money to spend without `blinking an eyelid’’.

“Some artistes are still doing their programmes and people are attending, so it is a case of some have, some do not, but they want to relax.

“Some do save also to just go and enjoy themselves, all work and no play causes trouble.

“The crowd is not as many as one expects to be,” he said.

Another, artiste, Emmanuel Afemikhe said that things had gone up so much that people were finding things very rough.

“In the area of arts, people will definitely go out, they cannot afford to stay indoors for a whole four days.

“As for the Easter break, I know honestly that people will be looking for where events are and go for them, but the crowd might not be much,” she said.

In his own contribution, Tony Udogu, popularly known as ``Tony Fresh’’ said that people would surely squeeze out time to go for picnic as they might not have money to attend events.

Officials of National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) conducting a needs assessment tour in Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps in Borno State at the weekend.

JODER begins conflict management campaign TUNDE ADELEKE

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ournalists for Democratic Rights (JODER) has embarked on a nationwide conflict management campaign aimed at fostering mutual understanding, enduring peace and unity among the various peoples of Nigeria.

A statement released in Lagos by JODER’s Executive Director, Adewale Adeoye stated that the campaign project, apart from deepening democratic culture, would also prevent further violence and bloodletting in a country dotted by mutual suspicion and mistrust and which has experi-

enced a bloody civil war.

“Our country is constantly sprinkled with the dew of hate, suspicion and despair sometimes arising from religion, ethnicity or creed. This trend is promoted daily in the social media with daring consequences on peace and sustainable livelihood. We have the capacity to take off this divisive lid by creating a new abiding faith of peace among Nigerians from their rainbow of values, opportunities and amazing history of culture”, the rights group said.

“This situation can be brought under control by an action driven by the people. Most of the time, these conflicts arise

from lack of communication, stereotyping and complete ignorance of mechanisms for conflict resolution. These are the challenges we intend to address”, it added According to JODER, the threat of violence in Nigeria was real and mainly derived from the country’s precedence adding that though, democratic elections were held every four years, the impulsion for conflict remained.

Nigerians, it noted would on their own take measures to create a platform of understanding and mutual trust adding that it was a task that could be achieved through a comprehensive programme of

Agric workers union petitions ICPC over misappropriation of N150m loan PAUL OMO OBADAN

S

ome members of Agriculture and Allied Employees’ Union of Nigeria (AAEUN) have petitioned the Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), urging the commission to probe the misappropriation

of N150 million loan and alleged forgery by their National President, Comrade Simon Anchiever.

The current national president of the union was alleged to have collected a loan worth N150 million from the former Enterprise Bank Plc, Akure branch purportedly to purchase a property in Abuja as the National Headquarters Of-

fice of the union without the signatures of other executive members.

The statement issued on behalf of the members by the Lagos council Chairman, Comrade Obafemi Oyenubi, urged the antigraft agency to invite Comrade Anchiever to explain the development to members of the union.

Oyenubi called on the commission to act on the issue, saying “misappropriation of funds and forgery of signature are offences punishable under the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.”

According to him, rather than sticking to the purpose of the loan, the na-

tional president collected the loan and it diverted to his personal use while asking the bank to open individual accounts and spread the loan into the accounts, using the names of over 300 members as beneficiaries of the loan without their knowledge and consent.

His word: “Members

non-violence training of the critical stakeholders across the country.

The rights group established in 1996 said that the programme being supported by the West African regional office of the Ford Foundation involved a nationwide constructive engagement with ethnic associations, communitybased groups, the media and other stakeholders who would undergo training and skill acquisition on peace building and conflict management and would also involve series of actions like advocacy visits, campaigns and interactive and expert-on-conflict meetings.

only got to know about the said opening of accounts in their names via text messages sent by the bank and when the bank officials were confronted, they explained that our president took N150 million loans on behalf of members who up till now have not benefited from the said loan that he had diverted.

8

News

March 27, 2016

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

DSS invasion: Detained Ekiti lawmaker gets car gift ABIODUN NEJO ADO-EKITI

E

kiti State House of Assembly member, Hon Afolabi Akanni, who was released from Department of State Services (DSS) custody on Tuesday after spending

18 days in detention, received a car gift from the, Mr. Ayo Fayose, the state governor yesterday.

The governor, who spoke in Ado-Ekiti yesterday while handing over the car key to Akanni at a reception he held for lawmakers in the state,

said the gift was to reward Akanni ’s loyalty and forthrightness “for standing in the face of oppression ”.

The governor said that the (DSS) only succeeded in tarnishing its own image by attempting to allegedly coerce members

of the State Assembly to act the script of his detractors which was to impeach him.

He said: “This House of Assembly is very unique and exemplary. You have refused to be bought over.

I ’m so proud of you. You have shown that you can

see beyond today. Wealth is not the amount of money in your bank account, but your level of integrity. You present and carry yourselves as responsible Nigerians. The Old Testament has to give way to the New Testament. You are the ‘New testament ’

House of Assembly ”.

Akanni, who expressed gratitude for the governor ’s gesture, expressed confidence in the governor ’s support, saying: “The DSS asked me so many questions about the governor, but I stood my ground.

NDDC probe: Group pats Buhari on the back PAUL OMO OBADAN

T

Petrol hawkers waiting for buyers at Ojota in Lagos at the weekend.

PHOTO: NAN

Ambode, Amosun preach unity, tolerance at Easter

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s Christians in the country join their counterparts across the world to celebrate Easter, Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode has called on Nigerians to collectively imbibe the spirit of unity, tolerance and peaceful co-existence as panacea for overcoming the nation ’s current challenges.

Governor Ambode in his Easter message to Lagosians, said such fundamental values would go a long way in promoting and strengthening the foundation of love, peace and harmony in the society adding that the season should serve as a reminder to all, the selflessness,

love, sacrifice and tolerance of Jesus Christ throughout His earthly sojourn.

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Habib Aruna, the governor said, “Remembering that foundation is particularly meaningful this Easter because our nation is facing challenges that we can overcome if we choose to, by exercising collective tolerance and be ready to make sacrifices ”.

Noting that this season calls to mind the selflessness, love and tolerance which were the hallmark of Jesus Christ ’s life during His sojourn, Governor Ambode said, “It is a season when we should

pause and reflect on our individual and collective roles towards promoting and sustaining that foundation of love, peace and harmony in our society ”.

“Therefore, we must see this period as a time that affords us to think about how we can each help to steer our nation back on the road to prosperity, by working in the spirit of togetherness. ” The governor also restated his commitment towards making life more comfortable for the people, assuring that the state government will intensify efforts on road projects, ‘Light Up Lagos ’ initiative, youth empowerment, improved and accessible

healthcare services and increased public safety and security ”.

While wishing Lagosians a happy Easter celebration, Governor Ambode enjoined them to continue to work with his administration “by obeying the law, fulfilling your obligations as citizens and stakeholders, and remaining vigilant, to ensure that our state remains a model of peaceful and harmonious co-existence in our dear country, Nigeria ”.

As Christians all over the world celebrate Easter, Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, has urged Christians in Ogun State and Nigeria, to pattern their lives after Jesus Christ.

...Ekweremadu urges forgiveness, sacrice GEORGE OJI

D

eputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, has called on Nigerians to emulate the virtues of forgiveness and self-sacrifice as exhibited by Jesus Christ in order to move the nation forward.

Ekweremadu, who stated this in his Easter message, said recrimination, un-forgiveness,

and selfishness were major clogs in the nation ’s wheel of progress.

A statement by his Special Adviser on Media, Uche Anichukwu, quoted Ekweremadu as saying that, “The Easter celebration is another reminder that forgiveness and self-sacrifice remain indispensable factors in nation-building.

I, therefore, call on the Christian faithful and all Nigerians to imbibe

Christ ’s sense of selfsacrifice by putting the nation ’s interest above personal and other narrow interests.

“Recrimination, unforgiveness, and selfishness are not only unchristian, but will also make our journey to the ‘promised land ’ farther and more tedious. We must learn to eschew the bitterness and forgive hurts of the past to be able to face the future

with renewed spirit of love and hope, so that together, we can have a Nigeria of our dream ”.

While wishing the Christian faithful a happy Easter celebration, the Deputy President of Senate enjoined Nigerians to seize the opportunity of the Easter to reach out to the sick and less privileged with a view to giving them a new and better lease of life, just as Christ did for mankind.

he Nigerian Human Rights Community (NHRC) has commended President Muhammadu Buhari for having the political will to raise questions on the finances of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), the first of such a move since the creation of the commission 16 years ago.

The rights group which noted that the commission had been a drain pipe for politicians since its inception as it was used as a conduit pipe to siphon public funds and provide multi-billion naira unexecuted contracts stated that there was need for a paradigm shift in the way and manner its affairs were managed.

In a statement issued in Lagos and signed by its South-South Co-ordinator, Daniel Weri, NHRC said

President Buhari needed a new helmsman for the commission who can key in, into the great vision of the new administration of making the Niger Delta a critical partner in the development of the nation.

NHRC contended that the commission as presently constituted was overwhelmed by politicians who had continued to see the NDDC as a milk cow for vested political interests adding that there was no doubt that the Federal Government would retrieve enough money to pay workers in the nine states in the region, many of whom it claimed were being owed up to five months salaries, if the commission was probed.

What the commission needed at this time, according to the group, was a technocrat who is not politically inclined, but committed to the uplift of the region and unity of Nigeria as managing director.

We are not behind Ede Poly protest –ASUP BOLADALE BAMIGBOLA OSOGBO

A

cademic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) Federal Polytechnic, Ede chapter has dissociated itself from the recently held protest on the campus of the institution.

The association, in a statement issued by its chairman, Komolafe Isaac Adeyemi copy of which was obtained by Sunday Mirror in Osogbo yesterday, said academic staffers of the polytechnic were never part of the protest as reported in many national dailies, adding that members of the association have been attending to their official duties.

It would be recalled that a peaceful protest staged by the non-academic staffers of the institution recently was hijacked by some angry students who locked

the gate to the campus of the institution for several hours.

The protesters who called on the management of the institution to immediately begin implementation of CONTISS 15, a new salary scale for them, insisted that other institutions in Ede Poly ’s category have implemented the salary scale in their institutions.

The protesters said a14day ultimatum within which to effect the payment or face the wrath of the workers had lapsed, hence their decision to embark on the protest.

But stating the position of the association on the matter, the statement issued by ASUP claimed the body was not part of the protest, saying “we are now using this medium to correct the wrong impression that the ASUP Ede chapter was behind the recently staged protest in our campus ”.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Needless partisanship eroding gains of electoral institutions –Samuel P 37

9

Politics PROVIDING FRESH PERSPECTIVES TO ISSUES

March 27, 2016

I LED THE PARTY TO THE STATE HOUSE. IT AMAZES ME, OCCASIONALLY IT ANNOYS ME. THAT IS ONE OF THE THINGS YOU HAVE TO ENDURE WHEN YOU ARE IN A POSITION

LIKE

MINE.

–APC NATIONAL CHAIRMAN, CHIEF JOHN ODIGIE-OYEGUN

REACTING TO

INSINUATIONS THAT HE WAS TO BE REMOVED FROM OFFICE .

2016 budget and APC ’s ‘change ’ agenda

Buhari

AYO ESAN

T

he National Assembly last Wednesday passed the harmonised version of the 2016 budget appropriation bill.

The harmonised budget was passed separately by the two chambers. The figure of N6.060bn, which was passed by the National Assembly, is N17bn less than the N6.077bn proposed by President Muhammadu Buhari on December 22 last year when he presented the bill to a joint session of the National Assembly.

Out of the N6.060bn approved by the lawmakers, N351.3bn is for statutory transfers, N1.475bn is for debt services, N2.646bn represents recurrent expenditure, N1.587bn is for capital expenditure while N2.204bn represents the amount

Adeosun

dedicated to fiscal deficit.

The lawmakers approved $38 per barrel as crude oil benchmark price with output projected at 2.2 million barrels per day (mbpd) and adopted N197 per United States dollars as exchange rate.

One unique feature of this year ’s budget is that even though it has been passed in March, a provision was made that its implementation must run a 12 month cycle.

“In line with the provisions of section 318 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended, this bill will run for a course of 12 months, starting from the date it is assented into law, ” section 11 of the budget bill read.

The joint appropriation committees of the two chambers said they observed during the course of working on the budget

that the figures from Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs of government were fraught with inconsistencies, which goes against proper budgetary procedures and processes, with attendant implications.

They also observed that available revenue for appropriation was grossly inadequate to meet the huge demands of the MDAs to prosecute needed programmes for national development across all spheres of the economy.

In addition, the lawmakers observed that the 2016 budget appropriation seeks to stimulate the economy, but regretted that the recurrent expenditure as compared to the capital to recurrent expenditure component at a ratio of 30:70 is very high, which takes away from the infrastructural CONTINUED ON PAGE 10

Cross River will no longer be ATM for litigants – –Abang P 38

Briefly NGO calls for cancellation of Rivers Rerun Election

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coalition of independent media and non-governmental organisations has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission,INEC to cancel all the results of the recent rerun legislative elections in Rivers.

In a statement issued by the coalition in Abuja and signed by Amb. Sokari Afiesimama, President, Rescue Nigeria Mandate Mission, RENIM and Mr Friday Maduka, Coordinator of Rural Empowerment and Peace Advocacy Initiative, the coalition alleged that the rerun elections were marred by electoral irregularities.

“We are concerned about the widespread of violence on a simultaneous sequence in the three senatorial districts which marred the election process. ” “It is ugly and we, therefore, condemn the violence that trailed the conduct of the March 19 legislative rerun election in Rivers. The development is capable of truncating the country ’s democracy. ” “We are calling on the Federal Government to immediately step up security and track those that instigated the violence to ensure free, fair and credible election in the future. ” “We also demand that offenders should be punished according to the law, ” the statement said.

The coalition called on President Muhammadu Buhari to declare a state of emergency to reduce the rate of violence in Rivers.

The statement expressed concern about the alleged killing of youth corps members, ad hoc staff and intimidation of local and foreign observers by some unscrupulous elements.`` We witnessed violence, shooting, assaults and snatching of ballot materials.

“We call on INEC to cancel the election on the grounds that the process was marred by heightened electoral irregularities. ” “It is clear indication that some political gladiators have made up their minds to disorganise the wel being of Rivers, we can observe senseless instigation of violence that attracts the declaration of state of emergency ”, the coalition said.

The coalition urged the appropriate authorities to investigate the alleged shootings and detonation of explosives to disperse electorate by some militants in some areas of the state where elections were held. ” The attack on the governorship candidate of All Progressives Congress, APC, Dr Dakuku Peterside, his deputy, the party chairman, Dr Davis Nkanya and other political killings, should also be investigated, ’ ’ the coalition said.

10

Politics

March 27, 2016

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

2016 budget and APC ’s ‘change ’ agenda CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9 stimulus funding that the country so desperately needs for development.

The lawmakers further regretted that the budget contained a number of omissions, particularly in the area of personnel cost, which compelled the appropriation committees to fill some of the gaps, even as there are many outstanding cases, which could raise serious concerns in the course of the year.

In view of the observed shortcomings, the lawmakers recommended that subsequent budgets should be submitted in strict compliance with the provision of the Fiscal Responsibility Act, to enable the National Assembly conduct proper engagement and to conclude the process in good time.

They also recommended proper engagements in the future between the Budget Office of the Federation and the MDAs on budget contents, in order to avoid what appears to be a disconnect between them and the processing of budget proposals to ensure harmony between the parties. The lawmakers further recommended that government must endeavour to increase and diversify its revenue generation stream, given the yarning gap between collectible revenue and actual collections.

When President Muhammadu Bu¬hari presented the 2016 budget to the joint session of the National Assembly on December 22, 2015, after sev¬eral delays, Nigerians began to rekindle hope in the promises of change, which happen to be the campaign slogan of the President and his party, the All Progressives Congress.

It is this promised change that won them the presidential election as well as many other states in the country.

That budget tagged: ‘Budget of Change ’ was presented by President Buhari himself and this gave Nigerians some hope that thing would improve, since it was the first time in three years that the President would physically present the budget to the combined session of the National Assembly.

It would be recalled that prior to that ep¬och-making event in December last year, in the last three years of former President Goodluck Jonathan ’s adminsitration, the yearly budget was always presented by his Finance Minister, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iwea¬la.

The budget has been the centre of controversy since it was reported “missing ” from the Assembly premises in January.

It was later revealed by the Senate President, Bukola Saraki that two different versions of the budget document had been submitted to the legislative house. It was also discovered that the budget had been “padded ” with some of the figures and allocations considered embarrassing to the government.

This controversy led to the sacking of the Director-General of the Budget Office, Mr. Yahaya Gusau and the redeployment of 22 officials from the Ministry of Budget and National Planning.

The Special Adviser to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate), Ita Enang, told journalists in Abuja that the expeditious consideration and passage of the bill were laudable.

Saraki

Dogara

COMPARED TO THE LAST 16 YEARS OF LOCUST, NIGERIANS ARE GETTING A MUCH BETTER DEAL FROM THE SEVEN-MONTH OLD APC-LED ADMINISTRATION. ON THE STRENGTH OF THESE PROPOSALS, THE FUTURE HOLDS MORE DIVIDENDS OF DEMOCRACY FOR

NIGERIANS.

He further commended the Senate and House committees on appropriation as well as the sub-committees for working hard in ensuring that the budget was passed.

“I followed the entire process and I have seen the industry that has been exhibited by the senators.

“I want to say that we appreciate particularly the fact that in the course of consideration, the committee chairmen, the committee members and the chairmen of appropriation committees were in constant touch, ” he said.

The special adviser further commended the legislature for approving the “harmonised version of the Medium Term Expenditure Framework, MTEF and Fiscal Strategy Paper, FSP ”, adding that they were the parameter for passing the budget.

With the passage of the budget by the National Assembly , the question on the lips of economic watchers and watchers of political and socio events in the country is whether the budget will meet the change expected from the ruling party, APC by the people of Nigeria .

Nigerians no doubt have been yearning for changes but the ruling party has given excuses that the government was yet to implement the budget of its own.

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo in a state¬ment issued by his media aide, Laolu Akan¬de, on the budget, said: “The president ’s vision is to increase invest-

ment in human capital and guarantee security for all, employment and improved wellbeing of the people. ” He maintained that the budget was planned to reduce high level of poverty and vulnerability, as well as increase Nigeria ’s hu¬man development index in global ranking.

APC National Chairman, John OdigieOyegun was however optimistic of the party fulfilling its promises to the electorate.

Speaking in Abuja on Tuesday, he said: “Once the budget is out, the implementation of our promises to Nigerian people will begin ”, saying this was part of the issues discussed at the expanded national caucus of the APC at Aso Rock.

He had said during a chat with newsmen early this year that APC through the 2016 budget is really aware and is con¬cerned about the sufferings and hardship Ni¬gerians are passing through.

“The President is aware of it and is working towards con¬trolling it. We are very sympathetic but it is a situation we cannot help.

“Nobody envisaged the drastic fall in oil price which is affecting us now in a country where everything is virtually imported. We have to turn from being a consuming nation to a producing one. We have to adjust. What we are doing today is clearing the debris of the past administration and at the same time rebuilding the

economy.

He assured that many of the promises made to the Nigerian electorate by the party in the course of the 2015 presidential campaign are contained in the 2016 National Budget.

Odigie-Oyegun stated that the present administration ’s pro-people policies would be implemented full blast in the 2016 financial year.

“In fulfilment of APC ’s election promises to the Nigerian electorate, the Party welcomes the proposed Social Welfare Programmes contained in the 2016 National Budget. President Buhari has proposed N500 billion to pay unemployed Nigerian graduates (post-NYSC grant) and feed school children, amongst other social welfare programmes in 2016.

“A phased Social Welfare Programme created to cater for a larger population of the poorest and most vulnerable Nigerians upon the evidence of children ’s enrolment in school and evidence of immunization has also been proposed to the National Assembly.

“President Buhari has also promised that 500,000 new teachers would be recruited.

“Compared to the last 16 years of locust, Nigerians are getting a much better deal from the seven-month old APC-led administration. On the strength of these proposals, the future holds more dividends of democracy for Nigerians.

“It is reassuring that the Federal Government has recovered huge sums from looters of our common wealth, which will be injected into the 2016 National Budget ”, Mr. Odigie-Oyegun said.

A member of the Campaign for Democracy, Comrade Sola Olawale is of the opinion that Nigerians should believe the APC and that now that the budget is passed the party will try to satisfy the electorate.

“I think the party, APC and President Muhammadu Buhari will strive to satisfy the yearnings and aspirations of Nigerians. They promised Nigerians change and I think they won ’t disappoint because they know the implications of that promise, he said.

Olawale said he felt sorry for the APC –led Federal administration because the economy is down.

“When they were making their promises in the course of the campaign they didn ’t know that the price of crude oil will fall so low. However the government needs to buckle up and satisfy the yearnings of Nigerians otherwise they will be booted out in 2019 ”.

Bayo Okunlola, who is a social commentator, told Sunday Mirror that the component of the budget showed that there may not be too many infrastructural developments in the country this fiscal year saying the government comes at a difficult time in Nigerian history.

He however believes that with strict implementation of the budget and fiscal discipline the government will receive the favour of Nigerians.

“I know President Muhammadu Buhari is a disciplined person, if the budget is properly implemented the needed change promised by the APC is realizable through the budget ”, he said.

11

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

EDIFYING GOD

16

Three days later the tomb that was sealed with a heavy stone and watched by Roman soldiers overnight had its stone rolled away by the morning of the third day and it was empty.

Jesus had risen.

–Prof Kunle Macaulay

Sunday, March 27, 2016

The road to heaven, by Pastor Muoka

QUOTE

Stand right with God to claim your right - Oloruntimilehin 17

The significance of Easter 32

Easter: What it portends for Christians

12 & 13

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Cover

Sunday March 27, 2016

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Easter: What it portends E

aster is the festival that celebrates and commemorates the central event of the Christian faith, which is the resurrection of Jesus Christ, three days after his death by crucifixion. All major branches of Christianity observe the holiday. Today, other than church attendance, the day which is the Sunday after Good Friday often involves presentation of Easter eggs, toys and candy for children as well as the imagery of bunnies and rabbits.

Easter is the oldest Christian holiday and the most important day of the church year. All the Christian movable feasts and the entire liturgical year of worship are arranged around Easter. Easter is preceded by the season of Lent, a 40-day period of fasting and repentance culminating in Holy Week, and followed by a 50-day Easter Season that stretches from Easter to Pentecost.

Easter is typically the most attended Sunday service of the year for Christian churches. Christians believe, according to the Scripture, that Jesus came back to life, or was raised from the dead, three days after his death on the cross. As part of the Easter season, the death of Jesus Christ by crucifixion is commemorated on Good Friday, always the Friday just before Easter.

Through his death, burial, and resurrection, Christians believe that Jesus paid the penalty for sin, thus purchasing for all who believe in Him, eternal life in Christ.

Because of Easter’s perceived pagan origins, and also its commercialisation, many Christian churches choose to refer to the holiday as Resurrection Day. Easter customs, however, vary across the Christian world, and include sunrise services, exclaiming the Paschal greeting, clipping the church, and decorating Easter eggs, a symbol of the empty tomb. The Easter lily, a symbol of the resurrection, traditionally decorates the chancel area of churches on this day and for the rest of Eastertide. Additional customs that have become associated with Easter and are observed by both Christians and some non-Christians include egg hunting, the Easter Bunny, and Easter parades.

Some of these practices have been seen as pagan by some denominations like the Jehovah Witness who claim that such thing as celebrating Easter is not recorded in the Bible.

According to the General Overseer of World Soul Winning Ministry, Pastor Moses Ojo, Easter is primarily about the commemoration of the death and resurrection of Christ.

“The most significant thing in the celebration of Easter is that crucifixion on the cross, the burial and the resurrection of Christ. The Bible tells us that the power of death could not hold Jesus captive. In the gospel of Matthew, Chapter 20, the Bible states that on the

The risen Christ

Easter is one of the major celebrations in Christendom that has so much activities and festivities attached to it. This period, which commemorates the death and resurrection of Christ is held in high regard by a lot of Christians while some Christian groups perceive it as pagan. ODINAKA URUAKPA looks at the different perspectives to the celebration. third day, He rose up; he resurrected because no power, not even death could hold Him captive. The Bible states in the gospel of Matthew 27 towards the end, that the Centurion and armies were used to surround Him so that He wouldn’t resurrect, but by the time He resurrected, they were all like dead wood. Their last error was greater than the first because of what they thought was going to happen. Easter is actually reminding us that Christ came into this world to die for every human being irrespective of the religion they may belong to.

“Whether you are a Christian, Muslim or Hindu; all these is immaterial, Christ died for us all. Since no power can hold Him captive, then no power can hold a child of God who believes in Christ and who lives according to His will. He died and He resurrected on the third day. So, the significance for us as children of God is first, that death cannot come near us; second, the light of Christ would be transferred to us in abundance and third, for the fact that He was crucified in shame to bring out the glory of God that was ahead of Him, Christ mandated us to do this in memory of Him. For this reason, we remember the time that Christ, our savior was crucified, put to shame and also was put to grace as He returned back to life”, he said.

Ojo added that those who claim to be Christians and do not believe in

THE MOST SIGNIFICANT THING IN THE CELEBRATION OF EASTER IS THAT CRUCIFIXION ON THE CROSS, THE BURIAL AND THE RESURRECTION OF CHRIST. Easter do not give chance for the spirit of God to breathe into them adding that whatever is written in the Bible, whether Old or New Testament, is what God wants us to know.

“Celebrating Easter is our own way of telling God that we remember all that happened, even if we do not know the actual date, we remember the time that Christ came into this world and suffered for our sake. If these people work according to the teachings in the Bible, then they would realise that they ought to celebrate. If you check the Bible this group use, you would see that so many things have been replaced there; they don’t believe any Christian celebration including Christmas. This group has been blind-folded and has missed the road. Though, we weren’t there when Christ came, neither were we there when He was crucified, but we believe by faith that He did and this is the reason God is doing greater things in us, so when a Bible is written and so many of these things have been removed, the people are made to follow just dogma and not the truth. The Bible tells us in the gospel of John 8:32 that when you know

the truth, the truth will set you free”, he stressed.

Also contributing, the Director of Social Communications, Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos, Msgr. Gabriel Osu, pointed that Easter is the greatest feast in the Christian calendar. He added that it is the day Christians celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.

“For Catholics, Easter Sunday comes at the end of 40 days of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving known as Lent. Through spiritual struggle and self-denial, we have prepared ourselves to die spiritually with Christ on Good Friday; the day of His resurrection, Easter is a day of celebration because it represents the fulfilment of our faith as Christians. St. Paul wrote that, unless Christ rose from the dead, our faith is in vain (1 Corinthians 15:17). Through his death, Christ saved mankind from bondage of sin, and He destroyed the hold that death has on all of us; but it is His Resurrection that gives us the promise of new life, both in this world and the next. Christ’s resurrection is central to the Christian’s faith; it was indeed a “New Creation,” immeasurable by time, because it was

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Cover

Sunday March 27, 2016

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for Christians not a coming back from the dead, it was a going beyond death. It was not a coming back to mortal existence as the case of Lazarus; it was nothing less than Jesus’ entrance into the life of God. The Risen One can never die. He is totally in God who is all life. Jesus entered into an entirely new kind of existence; an immortal existence that robbed the grave of its victim, not temporarily, but forever’, he revealed.

The cleric further revealed that Christ’s rising from the dead brought about new hope for humanity and a lost world.

“With the resurrection, humanity is now sure of sharing eternal life with God, provided we believe and accept Him. By His resurrection, Christ gave a deadly blow to the mortal body and transformed same for immortality, life everlasting. Thus, one day, this earthly body shall be no more and we also shall rise in glory with our eternal Father.

Therefore, Easter is not just a happy ending to Jesus’ story; it is a radical new beginning for Him and for the human race.

“The grave was no terminal event for him. And because of him, it will never be such for us either. Easter means that what is mortal becomes what is eternal.

Eternal life for Jesus and for all of humanity was born in the grave. Easter is the gateway into the new paradise.

Jesus risen from the dead is the new Adam. He is also, in Paul’s words, ‘the first-born of many brothers and sisters’ (Rom. 8:29). We are those brothers and sisters. For us, therefore, Easter speaks of the process, already begun in our Baptism, of our entering into eternal life. Easter is indeed the story that lives forever”, he submitted.

In his contribution, Elder Samson Pius of the Jehovah’s Witnesses said the Jehovah’s Witnesses do not celebrate Easter because there is no place in the Bible where such was mentioned.

“Most of the things, especially Christian festivities so to say, that people learn or teach their followers are not recorded anywhere in the Bible, rather most of these celebrations, Easter included are Babylonian and Roman based and these people were idol worshippers. People ought to trace the origin of what they observe and embrace as Christian festivities. The pagan custom of celebrating the return of spring is what gravitated to Easter. The egg is the emblem of germinating life of early spring and the rabbit the symbol and emblem of fertility which were both associated with this celebration. The term Easter is not a Christian name; it is of Chaldean origin and is actually Astarte, one of the titles of Beltis usually referred to as the queen of heaven whose name as found by Layard of Assyrian movement is Ishtar; such is the history of Easter”, he revealed.

He maintained that the popular ob-

THE PAGAN CUSTOM OF CELEBRATING THE RETURN OF SPRING IS WHAT GRAVITATED TO EASTER. THE EGG IS THE EMBLEM OF GERMINATING LIFE OF EARLY SPRING AND THE RABBIT THE SYMBOL AND EMBLEM OF FERTILITY WHICH WERE BOTH ASSOCIATED WITH THIS CELEBRATION.

servances that still attend Easter celebration confirms the testimony of its history to Babylonian character where the hot cross buns of Good Friday and dyed eggs of Pasch or Easter Sunday, figured in the Chaldean rites observed till date, especially among Americans.

In his submission, John Omene, member of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church revealed that officially, the church does not celebrate Easter due to the pagan influences on this occasion adding that the only religious day on their calendar is the weekly Sabbath.

“There is a lot of paganism attached to some of these Christian holidays. Noth-

ing in the Bible talks about Easter bunnies and chicks and egg hunts as practised by some Christians which come from pagan fertility festivals. Morally, there is nothing wrong with remembering the death or the resurrection of Christ. In saying this though, some members of the church have been said to consume hot-cross buns and Easter eggs, which basically is a practice with people in the developed world and perceived to be an individual choice, though not part of the official church position. You certainly will not find Adventists attending any kind of church service on the day set aside for Easter or any other Christian festivity for that matter. We do,

however, have a sermon on the Sabbath on or before this date that relates to the death of Christ; there is no mandate that we have to celebrate this holiday. Romans Chapter 14 states that, ‘one man regards one day above another; another man regards every day alike and let everyone be persuaded in his own mind.’ Though, Easter does come during the time of the Jewish Pass-over, which is in the Bible; but we were never commanded to celebrate the resurrection. What the Bible tells us to do to remember the resurrection; it says Baptism is a symbol of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus”, he maintained.

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Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

March 27, 2016

Man in the News Ibinabo Fiberesima

Justice delayed but not denied V eteran actress and ex-president of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Ibinabo Fiberesima has had the grace of being a lucky woman.

From her birth, through school and down to career and its progression, stories abound that she has always had it easy. She, however, has had to contend with a very hard nut to crack in the last one decade: getting herself off the hook of a court case involving loss of life. And, on March 12, the lady referred to by her fans as goddess of the screen kept a date with history when she had a five-year jail term upheld against her by an Appeal Court sitting at Igbosere in Lagos.

The court dismissed the appeal filed by the embattled actress challenging the judgement of a Lagos High Court that sentenced her to five years imprisonment over the death of one Dr. Giwa Suraju.

The sentence had been handed down to her by Justice Deborah Oluyemi over reckless driving that caused the death of Dr. Giwa, a staff of a Lagos State hospital in an auto accident along the Lekki-Epe Expressway.

The popular actress, dissatisfied with the judgement, had consequently filed an amended appeal through her lawyer, Nnaemeka Amaechina, urging the court to set aside the five-year sentence and restore the decision of the Magistrate ’s Court that had found her guilty and awarded N100,000 against her.

The appellate court, however, dismissed the appeal and affirmed the decision of the Lagos High Court.

In a unanimous decision delivered

by Justice Jamilu Yammama Tukur, the court held that the trial Magistrate ’s Court lacked the discretion to grant Ibinabo an option of fine having been convicted.

Ibinabo who was reported to be visibly apprehensive throughout the proceeding, subsequently burst into tears and wept profusely.

Her lawyer has, however, vowed to challenge the decision of the appellate court at the Supreme Court adding that a notice had already been filed.

The actress had earlier been convicted and awarded N100,000 by an Igbosere Magistrare ’s Court, but the then Attorney-General and Minister of Justice of Lagos State, Supo Sasore (SAN), felt dissatisfied and prompted the state government to take the case to the Lagos State High Court where Justice Olayemi set aside the option of fine imposed by the Magistrate ’s Court and sentenced her to five years imprisonment for dangerous and reckless driving.

In her judgement, the judge had held that the trial Magistrate exercised judi-

cial recklessness when she gave the convict an option of fine which she declared did not serve the purpose of justice in the matter and ordered that the N100,000 be returned to Ibinabo.

Bola Giwa-Adeyemi, the deceased ’s sister, in her reaction said the family had forgiven Ibinabo, but also insisted that the actress was not remorseful over the tragic incident. She hailed the Lagos State government and the judges involved in the case.

Ibinabo had in February 2006 along

the Lekki-Epe Expressway had her jeep flipped from her lane, jumped over the median, lost control and rammed into the Honda car driven by the late Dr. Giwa who was coming from the other direction, facing Lagos Island, just by Shoprite, the popular supermarket located on the highbrow Lekki community on the Island.

The actress was said to have left the scene of the accident without checking for any survivor; took the licence plate and registration out of the car and fled

the scene. She was allegedly drunk according to bystanders. The state department of transportation had to use the VIN number to locate the owner of the jeep said to belong to Daniel Wilson.

While the brother and another family friend found in the Honda car survived, Dr. Giwa was not that lucky as he died in the accident. The office of the Lagos State Director of Public Prosecution had to take over the case and charged her to court. Lagos radical lawyer, Festus Keyamo, initially hired by Ibinabo was said to have withdrawn from the case on the grounds that it was a bad case.

Dr. Giwa ’s family, though later offered the actress the option of public apology to the family and the public, she was said to have declined, saying it would negatively affect her image.

Opinions are, however, divided about Ibinabo ’s plight. While some (mainly her fans) felt the court should have tempered justice with mercy and leave the thespian off the hook, many, like GiwaAdeyemi, commended the courage of the judge involved in the case and showered encomium on the Lagos State government. To this group, it was indeed soul-lifting that justice has at last been done, in spite of the fact that the case dragged on for so long. They contended that justice delayed, in this instance, has not turned out to be justice denied and expressed confidence in the judiciary as the last hope of the people.

Born on February 13, 1973 to Dr. J. B. Fiberesima, a physician from Okrika, Rivers State and an Irish mother, Ibinabo attended YMCA Play Centre, Port Harcourt; Port Harcourt Primary School and Federal Government Girls ’ College, New Bussa before proceeding to the University of Ibadan where she graduated with Bachelor of Arts degree in English Language and Literature in 1994.

A single mother with three kids, she lived with her grandmother for the greater part of her childhood and adolescent years. She got the Pyramid Night Club as a birthday and graduation present from her ex-boyfriend, precisely the month she came out of school.

Ex-beauty queen, event manager and entertainer, she got into entertainment after winning the Miss Wonderland Beauty Pageant in 1997. She was the first runner-up at the Miss Nigeria 1991 beauty contest. She later started acting with solid performance in ‘Most Wanted ’. Besides acting in other movies, she has also produced ‘Night in the Phillipines ’. She also contributed positively to the Nigeria music industry by appearing in music videos.

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Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Wellness YOUR HEALTH AND HEALTH RELATED ISSUES March 27, 2016

Dealing with cerebral palsy

Mr. & Mrs Gbadebo (2nd and third right) with children living with CP and their family members.

A nurse taking care of a CP patient.

ODINAKA URUAKPA

D

isability is something that people have to deal with at some point in their life. It can occur in the infant stage, when one is yet to develop the ability to fend for them self or at later stage, when ill health or other forms of mishap leaves one incapacitated to the extent that they are unable to take care of them self. Disability is also a possibility in old age, when the gradual breakdowns of body systems make people lose the ability to take care of themselves. However, for a select few who are born with devel-

opmental delays like Cerebral Palsy, it is a reality which they have to live with from the moment of birth or at some early stage, in their infant life.

Cerebral palsy or CP as this form of disability is commonly referred to, can be a debilitating lifelong condition and one of the most expensive medical conditions to manage because an individual born with it will require constant care and specialized intervention through the years. Sadly, most families of children with cerebral palsy cannot afford lifelong care and desperately need assistance to help cover these continuous costs. According to report, there are 17

million people across the world living with CP; as another 350 million people are closely connected to a child or adult with CP. Cerebral palsy as defined by medical experts is a general term for a group of permanent, non-progressive movement disorders that causes physical disability mainly in the area of body movement.

The condition is associated with problems such as lack of sensation, depth perception, and communication disability. Other problems this condition are difficulty with recognition, poor bowel and bladder control, and epilepsy which is found in about one-third of CP cases.

There are subtypes including a type characterized by spasticity, characterized by poor coordination and those which feature either symptoms or neither.

According to Dr. Sabinus Osondu of Reddigton Hospital, Lagos, Cerebral palsy is caused by damage to the motor control centers of the developing brain and can occur during pregnancy, child-birth, or after birth up to about age three.

“Apart from damage occurring to the motor control centers of the developing brain during pregnancy, child-birth or after birth, about twenty percent of all CP cases are believed to be due to genetic cause. CP is not an infectious disease and it is not contagious. Most cases are diagnosed at a young age rather than during adolescence or adulthood ”, he revealed.

The medic revealed that improvements in the care of newborns, creating awareness so that CP could be detected

early, among other measures would go a long way to help rescue the number of babies who develop the condition.

“There is actually no cure, but efforts should be made to treat and prevent complications that arise from the disease. If enough awareness is created in regards to this condition, it would increase the survival of children who may be affected, especially those with very low birth weights which is one of the signs of CP. As mentioned earlier, most families of children living with cerebral palsy cannot afford lifelong care and desperately need assistance to help cover these continuous costs. This has given rise to Ngo ’s like Benola, a Cerebral palsy initiative founded by Air Vice Marshal Femi Gbadebo (Rtd) whose son, Olaoluwa ’s battle with CP from birth, has virtually turned Gbadebo and his wife, Alaba to health experts in this area. The family through Benola a non-profit organization has committed themselves to changing the lot as well as seeing to the progress of persons living with cerebral palsy.

According to Gbadebo, Olaoluwa who was born at 34 weeks of gestation apparently had asphyxia which entails interruption of breathing or inadequate oxygen supply at birth and a stormy neonatal period with seizures.

“Aside the asphyxia and seizures, Olaoluwa also had psychomotor developmental delay which was later diagnosed as cerebral palsy. With time the baby started showing signs of severe drooling, increased stiffness of the limbs and dystonic posturing involving the neck and trunk, resulting in a relatively fixed contracture of the joints of all the four limbs, an inability to lie supine in bed ”, he revealed.

According to Gbadebo, Benola is a non-profit organization committed to change and progress for persons living with Cerebral palsy.

“We strive for the inclusion of people living with CP into society, in order to ensure that they and those who care for them live the best possible life under the peculiar circumstances they find themselves. The initiative is focused on professionally networking families, friends, health care professionals and educators in order to keep them abreast of current trends and options available for better management of cerebral palsy. We achieve this objective through forwardthinking programs, life information and referral services, capacity building, advocacy, and research, designed to help those living with CP find ways to better cope with their unique circumstances ”, he submitted.

PASSION

25

Sunday March 27, 2016

A Lifestyle Magazine

APPLAUSE

Martha Udom: Giving hope to the needy in A’Ibom

I can date a colleague if I love him

>>27

>>26

– Actress, Tessy Oragwa

Passion

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net Sunday, March 27, 2016

17

I can date a colleague if I love him –Actress, Tessy Oragwa Nollywood actress, Tessy Oragwa, from Obodoukwu in Ideato North Local Government Area of Imo State is from a family of six, but she is the third child and second daughter of her family. In this interview with ADAEZE AMOS, she talked about life as an actress.

A bit on your educational background?

I went to Kings Crown Academy Primary school, Lagos and completed my secondary school at Okota High School, Okota, Lagos. I then proceeded to the University of Lagos where I got my B. Sc. in Business Administration.

How was childhood? What do you remember about your growing rowing up with great nostalgia?

Childhood was really fun because I was my dad’s ad’s favourite.

You ou read Business Administration, but you ou chose to have a career in acting, why? hy?

It was passion that made me choose acting. cting.

What thrills you most about what you do as s an actress?

Being able to interpret a character that is not mine.

What is your put-off with regards to acting career? areer?

My put-offs are lack of professionalism, inadequate dequate remuneration to actors and care forr their welfare.

Is it a taboo to date a colleague?

No, it is not a taboo. I can date a colleague lea ague if I love him. The industry is just ju ust like any other organization. So, anyone an nyone can meet his or her spouse anywhere. an nywhere.

People Pe eople also condemn sexual harassment me ent at work as if it is forced on them. the em. What is your candid opinion on n this?

People cannot work together, except ce ept they agree. I believe no man can ca an rape a woman at work without her he er consent. It has to be a mutual agreement. ag greement.

Fashion Fa ashion is about covering g your flaws and

flaunting, if need be, your hot sides. What parts of your body do you consider hot and why?

Well, I consider every part of my body to be hot, most especially my eyes (laughs).

What is the craziest thing a male fan has ever done to you?

A male fan saw me in a boutique and bought me things worth 100 thousand naira. I was speechless!

What is the very lesson life has taught you as an actress?

Life has taught me so much as an actress that patience and perseverance is what I need to get to where I’m going to in my career.

What is your life philosophy?

Live and let others live too.

When you had a heartbreak what did you do right to wriggle out of it?

I changed my environment, went ent for site seeing, then relaxed and watched movies.

What are the qualities of your ideal al man?

He has to be God-fearing and understanding nderstanding and not necessarily a moneybag (laughs). ghs).

Wives complain bitterly when they y are battered by their hubbies, whereas s they during must have seen signs of that durin ng courtship, what do you think?

I can’t stay in such a relationsh relationship hip woman because it is abusive. A woma an should not be battered by a man,, under any circumstance because she is your woman and not your child.

Name movies you have starred in?

I have starred in The Trip, Family F Man, Love Is Wicked, Ada Mbano o in London, Born Again Billionaire, My pretty Angel, Seven Seve en Books of Moses, ChocoC late Babe, Mr and Mrs Biggies, Elephant Ele ephant Love, Billionaires Billio onaires many others. And then, a Kingdom, Royal First Class and m t TV series titled, So Wrong So Wright Wriight challenging Which of them is most challengi ng and why?

Every y job j comes with its challenges, ch hallenges, g , but 89 Days Da ays y in Bondage was more challen challenging nging because I had to shave my hair.

How daring or hot are you in i romance roles?

I can be hot and daring, dariing, but to a limited extent.

Who would you be paired with to deliverr well in romance roles? role es?

I don’t have a pa pararticular person in i mind. Anyone that tha at interprets his role e well is a go-go forr me.

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Applause

Sunday, March 27, 2016

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Martha Udom: Giving hope to the needy in A’Ibom

Mrs Udom

Mrs Martha Emmanuel (right) with one of the beneficiaries of free surgical care organised by Family Empowerment and Youth Re-orientation Programme (FEYReP) in collaboration with Pro-Health International, Africa and Akwa Ibom State Association of Nigeria, USA Inc. (AKISAN) at Ikot Ekpene General Hospital while the Coordinator, FEYReP, Mrs. Ime Inyang, commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare and others look on.

JULIUS ONWUMA UYO

W

ith the rising rate of adolescent pregnancy in Akwa Ibom State, the establishment of Family Empowerment and Youth Reorientation Programme, FEYREP, a non-governmental organisation established primarily to confront this social ill and many others, could not have come at a better time. Inaugurated on September 21, 2015 by the founder and wife of the governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mrs Martha Udom, the initiative is in fulfilment of her age-long dream of making great impact on the lives of the downtrodden in the state and Nigeria at large.

With an objective of empowering families and restoring values in the youth, FEYREP is creating a platform for families to be successful. It is empowering women to provide economic and emotional support for their families. It is also advocating for the prevention of teenage pregnancy and education of the girl-child and also creating a platform for promoting moral values and economic excellence among youths as well as supporting the state government in its effort towards achieving sustainable development.

With less than seven months after its inauguration, FEYREP has turned out to be a blessing to Akwa Ibom as the state’s first lady has doled out cash, food and materials to many impoverished people in so short a time. Her compassion and benevolence which are being felt by almost all spectra of the needy, have put a smile on the faces of the teenage mothers, elderly, families, prisoners, babies, youths, students and destitute to mention but a few.

In order to achieve one of its primary goals, FEYREP has embarked on a sensitisation campaign for teenage girls in secondary schools tagged ‘Girls Uphold Your Dignity’, advocating for complete abstinence from premarital sex which is responsible for unwanted pregnancies and health hazards such as Visco Vaginal Fistula (VVF) and HIV/AIDS. FEYREP has not failed in emphasising the role parents have to play in the upbringing of their children as it has ceaselessly stressed to mothers that it is their responsibilities to inculcate good values in their children, especially the girl-child.

Mrs Udom’s tour to various schools in the state was accompanied by the distribution of education materials such as notebooks, textbooks, school bags, school boxes and toiletries to children under the project ‘Back to School’, an appendage of the FEYREP scheme. These noble gestures have been further complemented with recent visits to VVF centres, one of which is the Pope John Paul II Family Life Centre, popularly referred to as VVF Hospital, Mbribit Itam in Uyo local council of the state where she showered the patients with cash gifts and food items.

In her reaction, the Matron of the hospital, Rev. Sister Sylvia Ndubuaku, thanked the governor’s wife for the visit, stressing that it was a confirmation of her love and compassion for the vulnerable in the society. Indeed, FEYREP, in keeping with its promise has made the state a comfort zone for widows; providing them with all the support they need to overcome life challenges.

Perturbed by the biting effects of the economy on widows whom she described as the biggest victims of economic or social unrest, the first lady in her benevolence empowered over 300 of them from the 31 local government areas of the state. She advised the women not to be deterred by their present situation, charging them to look up to God whom she described as ‘the husband of the widow’. She said that the empowerment became necessary as she understood what it meant to raise children as a single parent.

While imploring them to stand up for their rights, she urged Widows Rights Action Network (WRAN), an umbrella body for widows in the state,

Free eye care

to help in sensitising and educating rural women on their rights and privileges as encapsulated in the Widows Right Law. Martha is also championing the fight against molestation and obnoxious practices against women as she has taken up the onerous task of convincing the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly to domesticate the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act in the state, so as to checkmate the physical and emotional tortures women have to put up with. Her firm commitment to the multiple birth programme, initiated by the immediate past first lady of the state, Mrs Unoma Akpabio, has continued to attract wild applause across the state. Through the scheme she has provided financial lifeline to over 200 multiple birth families to cope with the heavy burden of catering for such babies, with a charge to put their largesse to good use, so as to enhance their capacity to effectively meet family needs.

The FEYREP has not left the elderly out as their thoughts of societal abandonment have been erased with hopes of social inclusion and care.

Apart from feting the senior citizens with gifts, many of them are proud beneficiaries of the state government’s free medical policy for the aged put in place to relieve them of cost of medical treatments. They are also given health talks aimed at intimating them on how to stay and live healthy and strong. Mrs. Emmanuel’s empathy has continued to defy boundary as she has on countless occasions helped in proving financial succour to hospital patients who could not afford to foot their medical bills. Apart from visiting several hospitals across the state, she has also paid an unscheduled visit to the indigent patients of Qua Iboe Church Leprosy Hospital, Ekpene Obom in Etinan local council.

It was a visit he visibly elated lepers, who apart from hailing her good work, described the visit as first of its kind and a reinvigoration of their lost hopes. The feeling was nonetheless different when the wife of the governor paid a visit to inmates of Ikot Ekpene and Eket prisons. The visit, the inmates said was a revival of fading hopes as her soothing words and generosity will remain evergreen in their memories. On the occasions, Martha, apart from distributing gifts, implored the inmates to believe in themselves and rededicate their minds towards being productive citizens to themselves and the society at large. Also her windfall of kindness has not been elusive to orphanages and destitute homes in the state. Visits to these homes followed up with tales of mesmerising and quenchless memories by both the children and the destitute alike.

Characteristically, Mrs Udom during the visit gave the children a ray of hope they never thought existed, showering them with unforeseen love and benignity as she gave out food items and cash gifts to their custodians for their upkeep. As unprecedented as her kindness was, so also were the blessings and gratitude that were poured on her by the children and destitute whose lives she has forever touched positively. Just like many who have never had the rare opportunity of witnessing a generosity of this magnitude, Rev. Fr. Anthony Ekong, the father-in-charge of St. Anthony’s Destitute Centre, Uyo in his reaction when the first lady visited the centre to present gifts, simply said, “for the past 10 years, I have not seen anything like this”.

Unquestionably, her magnanimity which has been cynosure of eyes has not only caught the attention of Akwa Ibomites, but has also tickled the fancy of the foremost African Women in Leadership Organisation (AWLO), prompting the body to honour Martha with the prestigious award of Patron of AWOL for her contributions towards its visions and uplift of womanhood. The award, it is also hoped, will propel her not to rest on her oars, but rather spur her piteous and selfless heart to do more for the indigent population of the state.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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March 27, 2016

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

Revenue leakages and health budget cuts

V

ery soon, only the assent by President Muhammadu Buhari would be necessary to transform the 2016 Appropriation Bill into implementable fiscal instrument. However, public concern on the budget would linger for a long time to come. This is against the backdrop of the confounding shortfall in the nation ’s revenues and the attendant sharp cuts in the allocations to some critical sectors of the economy.

The allocation to the health sector readily comes to mind. Of the N6.08 trillion budget estimate for 2016, the Ministry of Health gets N257.3 billion, 4.23 per cent of the total. In 2015, the ministry got N259.751 billion (5.78 percent) out of N4.493 trillion. The 2016 budget proposal for the health sector is a far cry from the 15 per cent of annual budgets agreed by heads of state of African Union countries at their April 2001 Abuja Summit. Records show that whereas 33 per cent of the countries have consistently allocated at least 10 per cent of their national budgets to health with only Tanzania, Rwanda, Swaziland, Ethiopia, Malawi and Central African Republic attaining the 15 per cent benchmark. Nigeria has been oscillating between three and six per cent.

Understandably, paucity of funds is responsible for this. However, we believe a more creative public finance management template could improve Nigeria ’s financial profile. A recent report by Tax Justice and Governance Network (TJ&GN) reveals that revenue leakages arising from corporate tax incentives granted multinational corporations at the end of the initial fiveyear tax break put Nigeria ’s loss at over $20 billion (N6 trillion) between 2010 and 2014. The corporate tax incentives in the analysis of Tax Justice Network Africa include, reduction in corporate income tax, rates and tax ‘holidays ’ offered to investors for specified periods to attract new foreign direct investments in special economic zones.

Also in a recent comparative report

by ActionAid on tax incentives granted over the years by Nigeria, Ghana, Côte d ’Ivoire and Senegal, Nigeria recorded the biggest loss of about $2.9 billion to tax waivers annually - more than the Federal Government ’s annual budget for the health sector. The report fur-

MANY CONCERNED CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANISATIONS FIND IT WORRISOME THAT DESPITE PERSISTENT DROP IN THE NATION ’S REVENUE FROM THE OIL AND GAS SECTOR, THE FEDERAL

GOVERNMENT HAS

NOT BEEN INNOVATIVE IN SEARCHING FOR ALTERNATIVE SOURCES OF FUNDING. ther stated that the tax holiday extension meant the loss of about $2 billion in revenue and another $1.3 billion as rolled over allowances where the same tax was effectively foregone twice.

It would be recalled that in 2014, the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) raised alarm over the incessant loss of the nation ’s revenue to tax waivers. It was on this observation that the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) reported that import waivers granted various individuals and groups by the Ministry of Finance between 2011 and 2013 amounted to N1.4 trillion.

Many concerned civil society organisations find it worrisome that despite persistent drop in the nation ’s revenue from the oil and gas sector, the Federal Government has not been innovative in searching for alternative sources of funding. Who wouldn ’t know that plugging the identified massive revenue leakages in the country would be a veritable way to make more money that would become handy for improved public service delivery?

This newspaper is particular about the health sector and this is because health is wealth. In this era of dwindling oil revenue, the only road to economic prosperity for Nigeria is for the government to guarantee basic mini-

mum package of healthcare to every citizen for optimal human resource utilisation and manpower developmental output.

A Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) 2013 study indicates that in Nigeria, one in 13 women dies during pregnancy or childbirth, and 12 per cent children die before reaching the age of five. The study also shows that only 39 per cent births take place with assistance of medically trained personnel. Who doesn ’t know poor budgetary allocation to health sector is the cause.

Similarly, the Association for the Advancement of Family Planning (AAFP) under the aegis of Partnership for Advocacy in Child and Family Health (PACFaH) has confirmed that child spacing has direct impact on the health of the family and economy of a nation.

Yet, budgetary allocation to child spacing in the contexts of Nigeria Family Planning Blueprint and the Costed Implementation Plans is an endemic challenge. We also believe that the periodic budget cuts as they affect the health sector may not reflect the best strategies for the realisation of the high level policy goals in Maternal Newborn and Child Health (MNCH). Only N19.44 billion is earmarked for MNCH in the 2016 budget. And Nigeria ’s polio free status might also be undermined by inadequate funding for Routine Immunization throughout the country.

With over 11 million stunted children, Nigeria has the second highest number of stunted children globally.

Civil Society Scaling-up Nutrition (CSSUNN) has reported that malnutrition contributes to nearly half of all child deaths globally. The country continues to face malnutrition challenges as a result of inadequate budgetary allocation to nutrition line items. As at 2012, the World Health Statistics rated Nigeria as the second largest country after India with the highest rate of Under-5 mortality in the world, which meant she lost 124 under-5 children in every 1000 live births. Efforts in tackling the childhood killer diseases have been undermined by lack of specific budget line for the procurement of the recommended commodities at all levels.

Certainly, a change is imperative.

Reminiscences MARCH 27 IN HISTORY 1964: U.S. - Earthquake rocks Alaska A massive earthquake named the ‘Good Friday Earthquake ’ that measured 8.6 on the Richter scale struck Alaska, flattening buildings and triggering a massive tidal wave.

1989: Soviets vote in parliamentary elections A high turnout of 80 per cent of Russian people vote in Soviet parliamentary elections with many non-communist members being elected.

1908: Canada awaits Indian immigrants Hundreds of men in Hong Kong are waiting to come to Vancouver. These men were from Calcutta, India, and already had purchased transportation to Canada as a destination.

Canada was willing to let them in, but it was not so easy in other parts of the world, such as in Hong Kong.

1909: England - Fingerprint evidence instituted For the first time, fingerprint evidence is used to solve a murder case. The world ’s first official Fingerprint Bureau was founded in Scotland Yard in 1901. It should also be noted that the World ’s first Fingerprint Bureau opened in Calcutta, India in 1897 1935: Hitler demands for guns Hitler demanded that Germany have equal military power with other European nations.

He wanted this on a gun-for-gun basis.

(However, it was also recorded that he wanted superiority over the Russian army.)

1958: Khrushchev becomes Soviet PM Nikita Khrushchev becomes the Premier of the Soviet Union today.

1972: Northern Ireland - Factory workers go on strike Thousands of office and factory workers left their jobs. This action was done in retaliation of British government take-over.

1977: Canary Islands - 587 killed in plane collision Two 747 jumbo jets, a KLM Boeing 747, attempting to take off, crashed into a Pan Am 747 on the runway at an airport in the Canary Islands, killing 582 passengers and crew members.

2010: U.S. - Credit card hacker sentenced to 20 years A self-taught computer hacker that stole data from millions of credit card holders and cost businesses hundreds of millions of dollars was sentenced Friday to 20 years and one day in prison.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

20

From the

Pulpit Sunday March 27, 2016

The road to heaven, by Pastor Muoka General Overseer of the Lord’s Chosen Charismatic Revival Ministry, Pastor Lazarus Muoka, in this piece, explains how to make heaven. Excerpts:

I

saiah 35:8-10 says, “And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein.

No lion shall be there, nor any ravenous beast shall go up thereon, it shall not be found there; but the redeemed shall walk there.”

Beloved, it is expected that whoever that wishes to embark on a journey must first know the route to his destination because in the absence of that, such person may not get to his or her desired destination, and all roads will look like right way. The same is pertinent to any person who wishes to be in heaven at the end of this earthly journey.

But unfortunately many people including religious leaders in this generation do not bother to know the road to the Kingdom of heaven, and as a result made a ship wreck of their journey, because they followed the wrong way- the sinful way, the way of pleasure, the way of reveling and banqueting.

Such people love the things of this world which unfortunately will not be buried with them. They would watch home videos and other worldly television programs for many hours even the whole day but would detest listening to sermon for only an hour. They will hate to be in the presence of the Holy Spirit for few minutes. Such people want to attend social gathering and merry making but could not spare few seconds to search the Scripture. No wonder the Bible says the road is a narrow way.

Matt. 7:13-14 says, “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it”.

There are but two ways in which the race of mankind can travel, the one narrow, that leads to life and salvation and the other broad and wide, which leads to hell and destruction. But because of the difficulties in the way to salvation, and the easiness of the way to hell and destruction, only few walk in the one, but so many in the other. Our Lord Jesus Christ here compares the way to life to an entrance through a gate. The words straight, and strait, have very different meanings. The word straight means not crooked, very wide, smooth, and open, many thronged on it and it is the way to death. The way to death is broad. Multitudes are in it. It is the great highway in which men go.

They

fall into it easily, and without effort go without thought. If they wish to leave that, and go by the narrow gate, it would require effort and thought, so they considered it very inconvenient to follow. You may go in at this gate with all your lusts about you; it gives no check to appetites or passions. It does not care whether you are on micro skimpy skirt or clothe that flaunts your breast. It does not care about the number of rings on your fingers and toes or quality cum quantity of jewels you put on. It does not matter whether your hair style is made up of human hairs or lion skins, or whether the attachments on your head stretch to your legs or stop at the neck, or whether you are rich or poor, what matters is that your name is not in the book of life and therefore you are condemned. That is why you are on this broad way and that is why there is a large company on this way.

The strait road on the other hand which is the way to heaven is pent up, narrow, difficult to be entered. It is constricted, close, close e, and not obviously entered. It is not the great highway that men tread. Few go there. The few on this way are e seen travelling in solitude and singularity.

Heaven is not for the carefree person neither is it a place for the halfhearted, but, it is a prepared place for the prepared people.

It does not matter how rich and generous you u are to the people, or or how regular you are arre in the house of God, d, or how many days and weeks you observed fast, or what your position is in the house of God. What matters is your relationship p with your Creator,, thus, the qualification n is righteousness and holiness in Christ Jesus. You must be able to deny self, keep the body under control

from riotous life, and mortify corruptions if you are to be on the way to heaven. You must be able to resist daily temptations and go through much tribulation. You must watch in all things, walk with care, and ignore all the difficulties that attend to your faith, put off evil habits and part with old companions that entice you with sins.

Nothing sinful or unclean enters the road, including whatever that works abomination, or makes a lie, or he who turns the grace of God into lasciviousness, or he that gives heed to false prophecy and dreamers, or holds and propagates false doctrines but the road is meant for only they that are written in the Lamb’s book of life who are saved from their sin.

Rev. 21: 8 says, “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters,, and all liars,, shall have their part in the p lake l ke which burla neth n th with ne fire

and brimstone: which is the second death”.

The fearful, such that for fear of suffering disowned Jesus, and rejected the grace of God that has come to mankind. The unbelievers, such as have sat under the dispensation of the gospel, but have rejected our Lord Jesus Christ, and have refused to come unto Him that they might have life. Those that do not believe the great work of God in The Lord’s Chosen shall never be found on the road to heaven. Also, the abominable, such as live in the practice of sins against nature, sodomy, lesbianism, homosexuals, and such uncleanness as renders them abominable in the sight of God and man. The abominable included those women that put on men’s clothes and vice versa as stated in the Holy Book of the Bible.

Deut. 22: 5 says, “The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman’s garment: for all that do so are abomination unto the LORD thy God”. Women that wear trousers or any of the men’s clothes whether they consent to the fact or not shall have no business being on the road to heaven. Heaven is not meant for such people. Also, the murderers, such as destroy either the soul, body, or good name, of their neighbours, especially persecutors; the whore and her followers, who are drunk with the blood of the saints, the abortionists and those that assist in such heinous crime shall not be found on the road to heaven. The whoremongers of all sorts, both spiritual and corporal, particularly such as are guilty of uncleanness in a matrimonial state; the fornicators, adulterers and prostitutes are not candidates of heaven and thus cannot be allowed on the road to heaven. If such are your cases, you are on the broad way that leads to destruction.

The sorcerers, such as exercise witchcraft, c raft, consult with the devil and his human m an agents such as the seer, marabout and a an nd trade with familiar spirits shall not ttread read on the road to heaven. The idolatters ers of all sorts and kinds, such as worsship sh hip false gods, or the true God after a ffalse fa alse manner; covetous persons, who make m ake the world their god; and sensual persons, persons, who make their belly their god g od shall not be found on this narrow way because they cannot be accommodated on the strait way to heaven.

All liars, those which lie with the lip, and talk falsely; those that lie in their lives, as all hypocrites do, whose practice gives their profession tthe he lie; those who are the inventors of tthe he doctrine of lies, which is no better than the doctrine of devils; all these, shall th have their way on the broad way thronged by multitudes that leads to hell fire which burns with fire and brimstone, that is, in exquisite qu q uis i ite torments, and everlasting.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 41 Pastor Muoka

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From the Pulpit

Sunday March 27, 2016

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Stand right with God to claim your right - Oloruntimilehin General Overseer of Omnipotence Mission of God, Prophet Joshua Daramola Oloruntimilehin, in this admonition, explains how to overcome troubles. Excerpts:

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here is an important thing people need to know but they do not know.

What is the important thing? If people do not know the important thing then they do not know anything and they never become somebody in life or be slaves to other people. But if they know it, they will know something, have freedom and become successful people as quickly as possible.

The important thing is knowing your right. Anywhere you find yourself or you may be, find out what is your right.

Imagine some children are begging their fathers for food, but it is the right of a child to be fed by the father. It is a must. Some wives are begging their husbands to give them money for make soup and feed the family but it is the right of the wife to collect money for food from the husband.

There are many things that are people’s rights which they do not know and these make the people to be punishing themselves. From God people need to know their rights, from your bosses people need to know their rights. Pastors, elders, women and members of the church need to know their rights in the church.It is pertinent to put things in perspective physical and spiritual rights. God created man and knew it was the right of man to eat. God had provided everything before creating man (Genesis 1 verse 20 – 25). After the creation, God told the man and woman their rights (Genesis 1 verse 29 – 30).

They have the right to ask God and they were asking. But many people of the world do not know their rights. The sins of people do not allow them to ask for their rights. What right has a child that stole his or her father’s thing to ask for his or her right from the father who is not happy with the child. What right has a husband or wife whose wife or husband caught in extra-marital affair to demand for his or her right from the wife or husband.So people are shy to ask for their rights. People are not always eager to demand for their rights.

Many people are praying but they know the prayers do not go anywhere because their life is full of sins, envy,

adultery, telling-lies, backbiting etc.

The Bible says in Psalm 66 verse 18 “ if I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened”. Therefore, the sinful nature of many people could not give them the audacity to demand their rights from God. Some people’s relationship with God is strained, they are not serving God diligently and righteously.

A lot of people have thrown their rights and could and could not demand their right. Imagine a worker that served for 34years and was found guilty of stealing and dismissed. He has no retirement benefits to collect and has no right to demand for it. He has destroyed his right. Many people are retired without any benefit because they have lost their benefits. Imagine the prodigal son who collected his rights from his father and destroyed it. But he realised his misdeed and went to his father when he said in Luke 17 verse 17-20 “…how many of of my father’s hired servants have food to spare and here I am starving to death. I will set out and go back to my father and say to him Father I have sinned against heaven and against you….” People do have rights in the hand of God but they could not demand for it because they are not in the position to ask for them.

For instance I know my rights before God. When I was about to embrace Christianity, I was not lacking good things of life e.g. house, car, wife, children. I had an understanding with God if my embracement of Christianity does make me better person than before, then I would reverse back to the previous position. That was my stand before God. But after about 10 years of my sojourn in Christendom, I experiencedmore better life, more glory and more honour. Then I made another vow that no matter the condition or situation I found myself, I will not forsake or betray God. That if I am about to forsake God HE should take my life. All I do is to be obedient to HIM and serve diligently.

Because of my stand before God and my conviction to keep away from sin, my requests and prayers are always

granted. Some people and some men of God fail to do the work of God diligently so when they ask for right, none is given to them.

The Bible says in 2Timothy 4:1-5 “… preach the word; be prepared inseason and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage-with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. But you keep your head in all situations endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry”. So as a head of ministry, I know what to do and say to all categories of people. Finally King Hezekiah of Judah was ill and God sent Prophet Isaiah to inform him that he was going to die. Because the king knew his

rights before God he reminded Him about his good relationship with Him. This led to the extension of his life for 15years more 2 king 20 verse1-11 or Isaiah 38 verse 1-7 “…Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the Lord.

Remember Lord how I have walked before you faithfully and with wholehearted devotion and have done what is good in your eyes. Hezekiah wept bitterly. Before Isaiah had left the middle court, the word of the Lord came to him . Go back and tell Hezekiah, the ruler of my people. This is what the Lord, the God of your father David says; Ihave heard your prayer and seen your tears I will heal you. On the third day from now you will go up to the temple of the Lord I will add fifteen years to your life….). Brethren let us know right.

•For more enquiries call: 08023020108, 08058110288; facebook.com/pastoroloruntimilehin

Prophet Oloruntimilehin

News

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Nigeria will surely get better, Martins assures at Easter

he Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, His Grace, Alfred Adewale Martins has urged Nigerians not to relent in their daily prayers to God for His intervention in the affairs of the country, as he assured them that God will surely answer their prayers.

Martins gave this charge in his Easter message, signed by the Director of Social Communications, Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos, Monsignor Gabriel Osu. While noting that millions of Nigerians are currently going through excruciating hardship occasioned by the current economic reality, the Archbishop assured that the downturn is a temporary challenge

that is surmountable with prayer and purposeful leadership.

On the state of the nation, Martins challenged the present administration to be more pragmatic in its approach in solving the numerous challenges facing the country, by paying more attention to specific areas that have direct impact on the masses such as power, petroleum and labour sectors.

“It is no longer news that Nigeria is going through very tough times, as is evident in the high rate of inflation, low value of the naira and rising rate of unemployment across the country. But I want to state here that we must not lose hope. I know the gov-

ernment is making efforts to solve the numerous problems confronting us; we also have a responsibility to call them to order whenever we feel they are going on the wrong track. While we make the necessary sacrifices to get us out of the woods, we must also remain resolute in our prayers, believing that God Almighty would never let us down”, he said.

On the on-going effort by President Muhammad Buhari to rid the country of corruption, Archbishop Martins said it is a step in the right direction, but urged the president to correct the impression that he is targeting only those in the opposing political parties.

He urged the president to ensure that the EFCC directs the searchlight on people who are corrupt, irrespective of their political affiliations, as that would send a message to all Nigerians that it is no longer business as usual.

While wishing all Nigerians a happy Easter celebration, the Prelate congratulated Christians for their steadfastness during the 40-day Lenten season.

He admonished Nigerian Christians to remain faithful to their creator and allow the spiritual gains of the Lenten season to permeate their lives throughout the remainder of the year and beyond.

Opinion

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Sunday March 27, 2016

Uncensored U nc

Sheriff S 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 ruling party- could not have been acts of corruption, because they were, for Jonathan, not acts of stealing. And if they were steal-

Safety Tips with

Jonas Agwu

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

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ichard didn’t want to die. But he couldn’t stop himself. The collision with the car didn’t kill him. But he wasn’t wearing a seatbelt. So he continued on his journey. When he hit the inside of the car, that didn’t kill him either but his internal organs carried on travelling until they hit his ribcage and his lungs were punctured and the main artery from his heart was torn. And that’s what killed Richard. What’s stopping you? Think! Always wear a seat belt.

The above was transcribed from a catchy clip on the effect of not wearing a seat belt sent to me by a colleague. I wish it was possible for me to share the visuals on this page because that is when the beauty of this campaign will really keep you pondering. After playing it over and over yesterday, I couldn’t just piece my sad thoughts from the reality of the risk we expose ourselves to for refusing to buckle up. I am however consoled by the outcome of the ongoing FRSC/EXXON MOBIL PAN Nigeria road safety awareness campaign where the Chairman of the House Committee on Road Safety, Alhaji Ahmed Yunusa stole the heart of everyone when in a very brief good will message; he called on

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When ‘stealing becomes corruption’ ing, 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 antiBoko 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 socalled 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 vehiclesmanufacturing 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.

• Dr. Folarin, an Associate Professor, is the immediate past Head of Department of Political Science and International Relations, Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State.

Between tyre blow-out and excessive speed VIPS to lead by example as leaders. Buckle up when you jump into your SUV, he charged them saying enough of the losses.

Since the tragic events of the last two weeks, I have had a good fill of social media edifying messages on what to do to prevent a tyre burst.

However, the one that really got me tripping was the message from Buffalo, my long time Owerri pal which provides the missing messages that we all must heed even when we comply with the counsel on what to do in the event of a tyre burst. I will run both messages starting with the one on what to do in the event of a tyre burst followed by Buffalo message. The first one on what to do when you have a tyre blow out read thus; In the event of the unfortunate death of Nigerian minister of state and labour due to an accident occasioned by a tyre blowout and the fact that in Nigeria now-a-days, we have many untrained drivers, it has become pertinent for me to write this; There are six simple steps to take within a maximum of two minutes and you will be safe.

These by the grace of God, I have been familiar with for decades.

They are as follows: don’t panic in the event of a blowout, calm yourself down fast because your car will start misbehaving and you need to take charge. Hold firmly to your steering wheel with both hands. No vigorous turning, as you concentrate on the road and your mirror, in seconds study the movement pattern of the car.

Your car will naturally swerve to the direction of

the burst tyre. Gradually take off your foot from the accelerator, attempt to press the brake, if you do, you have 95% chance of somersault. Don’t ever. The car will decelerate gradually while you concentrate on the road to avoid collision with any other road user. Disengage the gears of the car by shifting to neutral (N) as you still maintain a firm grip on the steering wheel and put your eyes on the road. After a while depending on your initial speed, your car comes to a speed of 60km/h when it is now safe to gradually apply the brakes and navigate to the side walk. Ultimately, it is now safe to put the car to a complete stop and turn off the engine. You have just saved yourself and passengers from untimely death.

Of course, everyone in the car will be in a panic mode but this is not the time to listen to them, it is time to concentrate.

These guides are no doubt useful but wait for the second one sent by my friend which read thus; I have seen some posts going around social media about what to do when one has a burst tyre so that no fatality occurs. I am sure the post was inspired by the death of the minister and his family. While the advice on what to do if you have a burst tyre is apt, the more important thing is what to do before you have a burst tyre. Always wear your seatbelt even if you are sitting at the rear of the car!

The driver and orderly of Ocholi escaped death because they were wearing seat belts.

They were wearing seatbelts because it’s manda-

tory for people seated in front. Unfortunately the passengers at the rear seem not to be wearing.

When tyres burst and the car somersaults, those who are wearing seatbelts would somersault with the car as one body, so they won’t get thrown about. Those who are not wearing seatbelts like the transcribed message at the beginning of this piece would be thrown about and that is what results to death. Always wear seat belts, even at the rear of the vehicle and this message is the thrust of our 2016 campaign across the country in keeping with the provisions of the2012 National Road Traffic Regulations, 126(1) which makes it mandatory for all occupants of a vehicle to use seat belt while in a vehicle. The same Regulation mandates all vehicles to be fitted with the front and rear seats, seat belts and child safety seat which must s be securely worn by the driver and the other occupants of the vehicle while the vehicle is on motion. The Regulation states that the driver of the vehicle shall be responsible for the children who are passengers inside the vehicle and shall ensure that proper use of child locks in very vehicle where one is installed .A child shall be exempted from this provision where a medical report from a licensed medical practitioner to the effect that it is inadvisable on medical grounds for the child to wear a seat belt.

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

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Sunday March 27, 2016

Opinion

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Perfect Cut

African Look

Sunday, March 27, 2016

Mark Easter in

Splash more colours ADAEZE AMOS

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olours cannot be ignored or neglected in the fashion world. This is the fact! It has a way of making you stand out or noticed beautifully in a crowd. So, if you want to make your style appear hotter this celebrative day of Easter, opt for African wears or fabrics that are rich in colours.

Check these fashionistas on this page. Aren’t they hot? Let it be known that African wears still splash more colours!

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Sunday, March 27, 2016

sweet, bold, alluring colours ADAEZE AMOS

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hatever you are wearing today, know that it’s easter sunday. So, let it be something that would draw compliments.

Put into consideration colours of the dress and accessories you want to wear. Ensure they blend accurately! Let the colours be rich, bold and alluring. Afterall, today is the very day that marks the resurrection of our lord jesus christ. So, know it that you are not mourning; you need to step out looking cute in those favourite colours of yours.

Perfect Cut

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Sunday, March 27, 2016

Dude Style ‘I wear what makes me comfortable’

victorudoh804@yahoo.com 07067124302

Brendan Nsikak is the producer of Mr. and Miss Nigeria International; and also, the CEO of Brendance and Crusader Limited. In this exclusive interview with VICTOR UDOH, he speaks about his passion for pageantry and his dress sense. Excerpts:

and what we had to give out was to bring tourists and to rebrand Nigeria. And also, we were trying to invite people to come and see what we have in Nigeria.

taken to police custody for 15 days. I came What is the concept behind Mr. and Miss out and lost my sight. I have to do operaNigeria international? tion before I could gain back my sight. But I have been in pageantry for thirteen all the same, we had no hands in it and I years now. There is no pageant I have not thank God she was found. The lady was produced or direct in Nigeria before 2012 kidnapped because she was the first nabefore the idea of the then Nigeria Intertional Muslim queen in Nigeria and she national Super Model, down to Mr. and was a daughter to the personal assistant Miss Nigeria Model. I started this practo a governor. You should expect such foul tice right from my student days to this play. Though, it is good because some of level. I know what it is; I know how to the bad publicity goes for fun, but what handle it. There is nothing I don’t know makes it better is that I didn’t have a hand about this job. in it.

What is your advice to the upcoming artistes looking up to you? they First, th should discover discov to themselves can know if they ca cope with the th the challenges in th industry and try t their to sharpen the talent with ede ucation. ucation

You have worked with so many multinational companies, how were you able to get all these chances to work with them?

I have a good content and my work speaks for me. I hardly go around with my CV. I believe I have so much to give out.

How were you able to come out of the trouble that happened when one of your contestants ants was kidnapped?

Truly, it was Miss Nigeria 2014 that was kidnapped. Unfortunately, my company and I had no hands in n it. We were supposed to travel to South Africa for a show when she was kidnapped, but I was arrested and

How was your growing up like?

I came from a very strong background.

I thank God that my family gave me what it takes to be a disciplined and focused person. I am in the field where anything can happen, but the discipline put my head up. I am grateful to my late parents, may their souls rest in peace.

How have you been able to stand out among other pageants in Nigeria? for The market is open fo can’t everybody and I can’ comstop anybody from com coning in. I make good con tent; that is why my own pageant stands out. To glory, God be the glory forwe are moving for present ward. The presen reprequeen will be repre Miss senting Nigeria in Mis international.

W ld World international i t ti ll.

We are getting there.

What is the fashion item you love wearing? have I don’t hav e issue with h dressing; I what wear wha at comI am com min. fortable in n. are There ar e cosome co olours you u see can’t se e wear; me wear r; infor in nstance, stance e, c o -

lours like yellow, pink and orange. You can’t find me wearing these colours.

Also, you can never catch me wearing g stud, I am a stylish and also a brand manager to many artistes.

What is your philosophy of life?

Be who you want to be and d forget about what people are saying.

How do you see your brand Brendance ndance and Crusader Limited in the nextt five years?

To God be the glory, we are hosting the world in the next possible time. me.

What are the plans you are putting ng in place to host the world in the next possible time?

After this year’s pageant, I am m putting up a very strong team; people eople who have minds, brain and passion ssion to work. I am putting them together ether to see what we can do to pursue e this goal. I am so happy with the acceptcceptability of Ben TV and the rest st of them outside Nigeria, and Ghana hana TV accepting us, and our contents. ents.

I think with that we will be able ble to host the world.

What was your experience the first rst day you hosted a pageant?

The first pageant I did was held at Underpeck Hotel. The venue was as full to capacity that all what we planned anned to distribute to the people could d not go round. Though, I did not do any publicity, but the name Brendan Nsikak speaks.

You were among those who started Abuja and Calabar carnivals, what was the idea behind it? idea The behind Abuja and Calabar carnivals was based on Brazilian car niv a l

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

27

March 27, 2016

Pregnancy Talk

Naughtiest Thing

with

The naughtiest thing I ’ve ever done

Adaeze Amos ߾ࠆ߾ࠀࠁ߾߿ࠀࠀࠇࠁ ߶ࠡࠛࠡ ࠝࠜࠚࠧ߷

Adjust your wardrobe to suit your pregnant self I

f you have loved to dress well before pregnancy, you would still find styling yourself while pregnant easy. Afterall, it is what you already know how to do. All you need to do is to adjust and create new styles for yourself. Check out what Stella Uzor, a celebrity and style icon said concerning her wardrobe when she was pregnant. “Transitioning from my prepregnancy wardrobe to clothes suitable for pregnancy wasn ’t that

difficult for me. I didn ’t buy many maternity clothes, except two or three pairs of jeans.

“Since I could fit in, in most of my old clothes, I used a ‘belly band ’ or ‘belly belt ’ to extend the buckles of my pants. Towards the latter stage of my pregnancy and as the weather warmed up, I wore flowing dresses and I went up a dress size just to accommodate my growing belly, ” she giggled.

Stella is right! You too can adjust your wardrobe to suit your

Oluwatoyin Eniola Aborisade

pregnant self. Every pregnant woman is different with regards to body structure. It is often difficult to find items that compliment one ’s style during pregnancy, but strive to do it. Just ensure that whatever you wear makes you feel good. Slip into clothes that accentuate the growing bump. Always wear something that is comfortable and fun.

It is okay to be a fashionable pregnant lady. By so doing, you would be admired by yourself and others.

IENDS, I R F H IT W M ’ I N ‘WHE OULD W IT D N A T R A F DO FAKE SOUND REAL ’

T

he naughtiest thing I have ever done goes to show how passionate I am with fashion and fabrics. To me, it is weird and strange whenever I remember it. That is why I still consider it as one of the naughtiest things I have ever done.

I still tell my friends about it and all of us would burst out laughing till we are tired. It happened that there was a particular fabric I loved so much.

And, as a fabric merchant, I knew it was a good stuff and it wasn ’t common. So, what I did was to buy it all.

I bought 20 yards just to make a dress. I didn ’t want another person to share it with me. So, I took all.

When I remember I took

20 yards of a particular fabric to make a dress, it now sounds weird to me and naughty.

Another thing I always did and I still do till date is that I fake fart and the thing would sound so real as if I did it. I do that for the fun of it and I usually do it when my friends are with me, so that we would all laugh. And because it is something I do with my mouth, it wouldn ’t smell.

But we would laugh and laugh.

By ADAEZE AMOS Oluwatoyin Eniola Aborisade is a fabric merchant. Though, she is a microbiologist by profession, she has passion for fashion and fabrics.

28

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

March 27, 2016

Lessons of Life TRUE LIFE STORY ON MATTERS OF THE HEART

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

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‘I ’m calling off my engagement with Maxwell ’(2) This is the continuation of Josephine ’s story started last week. She was taken abroad to serve Alfred and his wife Rose until something tragic happened and she came back to the country and was based in Lagos.

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hough the couple were the “cynosure of my eyes, but I noticed that Uncle Alfred had a particular short coming in him. He was extremely jealous of his wife, dreaded having her secretly cheating on him, nursed some fears of losing her, hence he was regularly tempted into hitting her at the slightest provocation because he had anger hidden in him . Whenever his wife annoyed him, he would be destroying things in his house. There was a night he punched the wall mirror in his living room so hard that it gotten broken and pierced into his right hand. But he avoided laying a finger on his wife because he would be dealt with over there, ” she said.

But, there was an incident that happened one night that brought the marriage to a sudden end. “It was same incident that brought me back to Nigeria unprepared and I started scampering for how to eke out a living for myself in Lagos. The only good thing was that I didn ’t go back to my village. I was determined not to go back there until I hit it big. Hence, I remained

in Lagos and opened a hair weaving centre where customers who paid my bills came in droves to patronize me. What brought me back home had been in my memory and somehow haunts me, ” she said.

The problem of Alfred and his wife became skin deep when they came back from a night club. “They were good at going to night club every Friday night. That was their own way of catching fun. I was used to having them returned early hours of the morning, chatting and laughing heartily. I would always be up from the sleep to welcome them and then retire back to my room.

But that very night, I woke up when I heard the door of the living room swung open and they walked in.

That night, they were not chatting but were arguing on top of their voices. I couldn ’t come out to greet them. I knew they needed some privacy and I didn ’t want to interfere in their arguments. So, I laid still on my bed and listened. It was Uncle Alfred that was talking to her angrily and from his accusations I was able to know why they were having a shouting match. Auntie Rose was being accused of dancing with another man in the club for a long time. And she reminded him that the man took permission from him and that he obliged him. So, she had to join him to the dance floor. Suddenly I heard a loud slap and I sprang up from my bed and started peeping at them. I saw

Uncle Alfred slapping his wife. He accused her of allowing the man touch her body while dancing. Auntie Rose was short of words maybe because she wasn ’t given the time to respond or perhaps apologise. He forcefully took away the glass of wine she was sipping from and threw the glass on the wall which shattered to pieces. He then bounced on her, held her throat so tight and started strangling her.

I was watching and that time I was shaking that he might kill her. While Auntie Rose struggled to wriggle out of his tight grip, he then held her high and threw her hard on the floor.

She remained still and couldn ’t move.

It dawned on him that he might have killed her. He called her, shook her body and when she didn ’t respond, she brought his ears to her bosom and noticed that her heart was still pumping, he then looked toward my room.

I ran into my bathroom pretended to be using the toilet. He knocked on my door and lied to me that Auntie Rose tripped and landed so hard on the tiled floor. That he needed to rush her to the hospital. He didn ’t know I saw all that happened. When I heard that, I played along with him. I then ran out of my room to help him carry his wife into his car. As we were carrying her, he was busying explaining himself to me. He lied that her wine glass mistaken dropped from her hand and spilled her wine on the floor which tripped her and she landed on her head. I was nodding and crying at the same time. I knew he was

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lying but that wasn ’t important at that time. What was very important was for her to regain consciousness.

When we managed to stretch her on the seat of his car, he screeched off to the hospital. I didn ’t clean the mess in the living room according to his instruction. Later in the day, he brought some men home and he was showing them the pieces of the wine glass and how his wife fell.

I knew he was lying but I couldn ’t say it because he may kill me too, ” she recalled.

While Rose was in coma in the hospital, Josephine left her house. “I didn ’t want to remain there. I noticed that Uncle Alfred was mentally sick. I observed this a few months I arrived his house in Chicago but I wasn ’t sure. I packed my stuff and ran to Angela, one of Auntie ’s Rose friends. She agreed to harbor me pending when Auntie Rose would be discharged. She was the one that told me that Uncle Alfred used to have seasonal madness. And that Auntie Rose was aware. But she kept saying that her man was okay when she took him to a prayer house in Nigeria where his madness manifested on their honeymoon. She had to take him to a prophetess where they stayed for three months. Auntie Angela said they spent their honeymoon in a prayer house before they came back to Chicago together, ” she said.

To be continued

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sunday March 27, 2016

29

News

Crisis in Anglican Church: Congregants call for removal of bishop ...as Police seal off church •It’s a family affair, says Bishop PAUL OMO OBADAN

A

s members of the Cathedral Church of Christ (Anglican Communion), Ilaro, a suburb of Yewa South Local Government Council, Ogun State, kick against the unilateral closure of the church, the Bishop, Rt. Reverend Michael Adebayo Oluwarohunbi, says, it is a family affair even as congregants have called for his immediate removal.

Bishop Oluwarohunbi had allegedly called in welders to permanently close the church’s entrance since February 24, 2016.

Things were said to have fallen apart at the church located at Ona-Nla Quarters, shortly after some members discovered that unauthorized pillars were discreetly erected at the four corners of the church building as well as inside the worship hall during a revival programme and sort clarification from Bishop Oluwarohunbi as the Provost of the church and presiding priest, Very Reverend Solomon Rotimi Adewumi, was out of

town at the period.

Sunday Mirror gathered that during the meeting, Bishop Oluwarohunbi explained to the leaders that he erected the pillars to mark his posting as new Bishop of Yewa Diocese, but could not convince the leaders why he had to embark on such mission in the cathedral premises without officially inform-

ing church members. A source, who was part of the meeting and spoke on condition of anonymity, said that suspicion arose following the meeting until it became clear that the bishop was on a collision course with the elders for querying his authority and position.

In a telephone interview after he failed to respond to ques-

tionnaires mailed to his mail box, Bishop Oluwarohunbi described the crisis as a family affair. “It is not time yet to talk to the press about it. The church leadership is looking into it and I am sure that very soon, it will be settled,” he said and declined to further comments on the matter.

According to our source, the

The sealed premises of Cathedral Church of Christ (Anglican Communion)

CAC Chapel of Solution celebrates 18th anniversary

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he grand finale of the 18th Anniversary celebrations of Christ Apostolic Church a.k.a. Chapel of Solution comes up on Sunday 27th March at the church’s auditorium on 49/51 Adenekan Street, Alakuko start-

ing from 12 noon.

According to the church’s Founder, Pastor (Dr) T. T. Lawal the anniversary which has as its theme “Divine Compensation”

will feature special songs ministration by Solution Choristers, special prayers for Nigeria with Prophet David Aregbesola as the Guest Speaker.

L-R: : Sir Olatunde Okesola, Immediate Past Lay President; Sir Otunba Yomi Osikoya ; former Attorney General , Lagos State; Right Rev. Dr Isaac Ayoola Olawuyi (JP), Bishop Lagos Diocese; Mr Bolaji Onabadejo (SAN), Lay President , Lagos Mainland Diocese; Elder Ayo Oni , Past Chairman Arch Diocese of Lagos at the 2016 Synod of the Methodist Church held at the City Mission Methodist Church , Masha Surulere recently .

first major sign of danger was the sudden lack of communication between the provost and the Bishop. “While nobody can say why the bishop seemed not to want to see his provost anymore, it was clear that they were no longer headed towards the same direction or shared the same spiritual goal. Everything deepened when the Bishop alleged that the Provost planned to assassinate him and invited the State Security Service (SSS) ,” the source revealed. “By Anglican communion tradition, the priest heads the cathedral and reports to the bishop, but many decisions engineered by the bishop were taken behind the provost. Worse of all, gossip suddenly began to fly around in the church and further deepening the division among members,” the source said, adding that things got to a head that the bishop openly criticized the provost.

“For many of us, it was quite strange to find the bishop dressing down a presiding priest before the congregation,” the source told the newspaper.

In an interview, Very Reverend Adewumi, said he was no longer a member of the church having resigned his appointment as provost on December 29, 2015.

However, Adewumi told the newspaper that he called it quits when all efforts to allow peace to reign in the church failed. “I resigned because it was clear to me that the Anglican structure and my boss did not want us to work together in peace. I had to leave just in case I am seen as the reason the crisis festered on,” he said.

Reverend Adewumi pointed out that he had served two bishops and wondered why it was difficult for him to work with Bishop Oluwaronhunbi.

“The church lost its peace, innocence and spirituality as soon as the bishop arrived.

Many members, including myself were constantly harassed with police and men of the State Security Service (SSS).

The worst came when my boss alleged that I had plans to assassinate him. I was arrested, detained and interrogated by the SSS and later released when they could not find anything incriminating against me. It was at this point that I felt the crisis was more than meets the eyes and resigned,” he disclosed.

30

From the Pulpit Learn with Kunle

Macaulay

E

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

aster is one of the anniversaries celebrated by followers of Jesus Christ. Its celebration is about the story of Jesus Christ, his death and resurrection.

Paul who wrote his first letter to the church in Corinth about 55AD just over twenty years after the crucifixion of Jesus said Christ “died for our sins” he was “buried” and on the third day he was “raised” and appeared to Peter and other apostles and to many other disciples – more than five hundred, most of them were still alive when the letter was written.

Easter story is not new to an average Christian and in Nigeria non – Christians enjoy the celebration with Christians in a multi – religious environment. In the time of Jesus many people did not doubt the ability of Jesus to work wonders, heal the sick, give sight to the blind, make the lame work, perform miracles but their main concern was the divine origin of his power. While some believed that he was actually using the power of devil to cast out demons, others, especially the Pharisees and scribes did not deny his charisma but wished to know by what authority he presumed to teach, to proclaim God’s will, to give moral instruction and to declare forgiveness of sins which is the priority of God. Jesus had a purpose of coming to the world and to achieve this he must die on the Cross.

He was judged by a Roman governor and sentenced to death for the sin he never committed. The governor, Pontius Pilate handed

U

ntil Christ enters into a place the storm there will never cease; if Christ has not entered into a situation, it does not matter who has stepped in, there will be no change in that situation. When Christ enters into a life, church, family, business and the affairs of a nation; the trouble and calamity will cease. The stepping in of Christ into the affairs of a nation will bring an end to hunger, famine, lack and other unpleasant situations. The only One that can bring positive change to our lives and nation is our Creator; no man can bring the change we have been clamouring for because they are just human being and there is a limit to what human strength can achieve for us.

Our situation will even become worse if Christ is not allowed to enter into the affairs of this nation. If we really desire a positive change, then let Christ be enthroned in the Executive, in the National Assembly proceedings during the law making process, in the judiciary and other aspects of our nation.

If an individual allows Christ to be enthroned in their life, their business will progress, their family life will progress,though they may experience challenges in life,all will turn to testimony for them. If Christ is in you, you cannot fail, you cannot fall for the enemies to rejoice over you, andin whatever you do,you will enjoy the abundance of God because He will lead you to success.

To receive this life changing force,we must allow Christ to enter the following places in our lives.

1.

Our Hearts: The heart of man is so important that the Bible says it should be guided will all diligence. Christ wants to enter our

Sunday March 27, 2016

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

The significance of Easter him over to the soldiers who whipped him, crowned him with thorns, mocked and beat him and forced him to carry his own cross to a hill outside Jerusalem called Golgotha where he was crucified. Somepeople who wanted him dead, hoped and believed that the story and activities of Jesus have indeed come to an end. In fact, historically, the death of Jesus signaled the end of his mission.

Three days later the tomb that was sealed with a heavy stone and watched by Roman soldiers overnight had its stone rolled away by the morning of the third day and it was empty. Jesus had risen. The disciples went about triumphantlyproclaiming that he had risen from the tomb and was living again.

All believers of Jesus who had scattered regrouped and started to preach a common message and that is a message of victory.

The resurrection of Jesus signifies the defeat of Satan and the end of his oppression. The experiences recorded in the Gospels fall into two classes - empty tomb and meetings with the Risen Christ.

The mystery of the missing body of Jesus Christ from the tomb was not the end of the story but continued with his appearances. Many people claimed that they saw Jesus alive again – the twelve who knew him as their master; James his brother; Thomas the doubter even Paul the violent opponent and accuser of people on the way. I will need to add that we cannot write off the five hundred Christians who saw the risen Christ on the same occasion. Christiansare convinced that Jesus is risen and that he is willing and able to bring a new quality of life into those who are prepared to accept him as Lord and Saviour.“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed

away; behold all things are become new” 2 Cor. 5:17.

The suffering of Jesus and his death on the Cross is the necessary path way to the resurrection and redemption of his people. Resurrection is the climatic conclusion of God’s restoration of his people restoring them to wholeness, to the full image of God and to the freedom from evil both within and without.

It is true that Easter period reminds us of the suffering, the death of Jesus Christ and his resurrection to life. How does an individual Christian in Nigeria take it? Moreover, what is the teaching of the church in Nigeria concerning the death and resurrection of Jesus? While some churches organize a retreat for social purpose, some families see it as the time to relax and enjoy at a quiet place. If Christianity is a relationship which Christians enjoy with Jesus Christ, who was once crucified but rose to a new life, then Easter should be a time to reflect on the suffering and death of Jesus who never committed any offence.

When Paul met the risen Jesus on his road to Damascus, it changed him from being a bitter antagonist to Christianity into being one of its most successful and devoted preachers and teachers of his generation. The first century Christians did all in their power to spread the faith all over the world. Some of them made it their responsibility to move not only from city to city but even to villages and hamlets to win fresh converts for the Lord.

Their message was clear and distinct.

The church in Nigeria is different. Its leaders talk guardedly about social matters. They talk permissively about mor-

als and they write, learnedly for learned theologians. Christianity was known to be a code of behaviour but that is changing these days. Sometime, it used to be seen as a body of belief; that too is on its way out since secularism has established itself in almost all the denominations in Nigeria. The resurrection of Jesus has proved that the kingdom of God has triumphed and Jesus Christ has been established as a ruler over all of time. He has conquered all powers that hold humanity enslaved to sin, death and devil. Easter should be seen as an event of total divine victory in every sphere of reality.

Many Nigerians forget easily what the Cross stands for. The symbol of the cross has been drained of his original meaning: The cross was a picture of public disgrace, torture and death. The cross was not used in the Roman times as a decorated ornament because it meant torture, humiliation and death.

The presence of cross anywhere should remind people about how Jesus was betrayed, deserted by his closest friends, humiliated, beaten and put to death in the most horrible way. It also brings to mind that the death of Jesus is as a result of the selfishness and sinfulness of man. It is a rescue mission - to rescue men and women from the dilemma of sin. There is no doubt that it is a clear picture of the enormous love of God for us.

•Prof. Kunle Macaulay is the Director of Studies of United Bible University, Lagos. Phone: 0802 – 303 – 2698; email : profkunlemacaulay@yahoo.com; Twitter. com/Kunle Macaulay1

Until Christ enters

Bishop Opayinka

hearts and reign there as King (Rev. 3:20). Jesus said, if you open the door of your heart to him, he will come in and dine with you. Maintaining your relationship with God depends largely on the way you position your heart before him.

Let us follow God and maintain our connection with him. When God enters into your life, He will make you great and mighty. Nigeria will be better if we allow Christ take over every aspects of our national life.

2.

Our Families: When Jesus enters into a family, the crisis, troubles and strugglestherein will end. In the family of Martha and Mary, they allowed Jesus to step into their case; the sad situation was turned into a great testimony for they receive back what they had lost (Jn 11:17-25). When Jesus is in your family, death cannot enter into your family, tears will be turned into laughter. There are many homes today with crisis because they refused

Jesus into their homes. Some allow Jesus into their homes but they are the ones in control, not Jesus.Let Jesus take control of the affairs of yourlife today and you will realize lifting and promotion in your endeavours. Jesus will make you strong and all that have been stolen in your life and family will be restored.

3.

Our Businesses: When Christ enters into your business you cannot continue to run at a loss or fail. Any business that has Jesus will not suffer business failure. The business that was about to fold up became a successful business when Christ stepped in. Peter has struggled all night with nothing to show for his hard labour, exceptan empty net and a frustrated life (Lk. 5:3-6). The man who was about to close down his business became an employer of labour. When you allow Jesus into your business, things will begin to change for you. Whatsoever the level of failure you have suffered before in your business, as you allow Jesus to step in he will bring a great turn around into your life.

4.

Our National Affairs: When Jesus is allowed into a nation to rule and control the affairs of governance, such a nation will experience progress, peace and development. Samaria has suffered famine so much to the level of mothers beginning to eat their children (2 Kg. 7:1-2). The intervention of the Prophet of God (representing Jesus stepping into the case), brought an end to the famine that had ravaged the entire nation. The famine the nation (Nigeria) is experiencing today is not what any man or political party has an answer for. We must allow Jesus to enter into our national affairs in order to find divine wisdom to help us out of this present situation of national famine.

If we want Christ to enter our lives and nation, we must stop every form of corruption.

A society where corruption has become the norms will be difficult for Jesus to operate. Our leaders must show by example that corruption is unwanted in our nation. Moreover, we must ask God to forgive all kinds of wickedness and sins we have committed in this nation. Imagine the blood of so many innocents that has been shed in this nation, all this wickedness must stop for Jesus to take over and for a positive change to happen in our nation.

The following blessings will follow any man or nation that allows Jesus to enter and take control of their affairs: (Psalms 132: 13-18) (a) He will make that place his abode. (b) Whatsoever that is lacking will be supplied by God. (c) There will be security for our lives (no more terror in our land). (d) Hewill establish the works of our hands and make us flourish. (e) He will clothe us with salvation. (f) All our enemies will be clothed with shame. (g) Strangers shall no more rule over us.

(We shall not have wicked people as our leaders) It doesn’t matter who our next president is going to be, the positive changes we are clamouring for will not take place until we allow Christ to enter our national affairs and take the right place in our individual life.

Bishop Joshua K. Opayinka Glorious Tabernacle International, Behind AdegbemileCul. Centre, Akure, Ondo State.

08060297831 glorioustabernacle@gmail.com

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

From the Pulpit 31

Sunday March 27, 2016

Kingdom speed Miracle Arena with Bishop

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Theo Ugochukwu

ast week in this series, we discussed major Bible heroes who did their kingdom work and assignments here on earth with kingdom speed. This week we shall look at what it takes to operate in kingdom speed as a kingdom worker. Operating in kingdom speed doesn’t just happen. Certain factors determine the speed rate by which one does his kingdom work or carries out his kingdom assignments here on earth.

By implication, this concluding part is meant to examine the characteristics and qualities of those who go about their heavenly calls and duties in a kingdom speed manner.

Among the major characteristics of Kingdom speed operators include:• Divine Call: For anyone to operate in the spirit of kingdom speed, he must receive a divine call for the work he is to do. Simply put, a kingdom speed worker must receive a divine call and be anointed by heavenly powers before he can operate in a kingdom speed manner. All the major kingdom workers who operated and moved with kingdom speed were called, anointed and empowered to operate in the speed they did. For instance, our Lord Jesus responded to a call by God in heaven concerning who would go to save mankind from the devices of Satan and sins of the world. Isaiah 6:8 says, “Then I heard the voice of the Lord (God) saying, whom shall I send? And who will go for us”. Luke 2:21-22 says “Now when all the people were baptized and praying, the Heaven was opened. And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon

him (Jesus) and a voice came from heaven, which said “Thou art my beloved son, in thee I am well pleased”. This is the first direct heavenly ordination of Jesus by God as the saviour of mankind. The Bible declares how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth who went about doing good. The key word in the above scripture is ‘divine call’ or ‘anointing’. Jesus was specifically called and commissioned to undertake the redemption work he came here on earth to do. Because He was called, the Spirit of God was upon him. And so, He was able to operate with kingdom speed.

Luke 4:1 says; “Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness”. Definitely, no one can operate in the Kingdom speed without the Holy Spirit in him. Apostle Paul who also went about his Kingdom assignment in a kingdom speed manner was called, anointed and commissioned by the Lord to take up the kingdom work. Acts 9:1-22 states how Paul, formerly called Saul was arrested on his way to Damascus by the Lord. He was later converted, anointed, and commissioned into the great commission. After the encounter with the Lord on the road to Damascus, Saul was renamed Paul and he became a champion in spreading the gospel message. He went about his task with kingdom passion and commitment. It is one thing being called to duty, but another thing entirely being passionate and committed to duty. Jesus was not only called to the greatest divine duty ever, but He was also very passionate and committed to the divine call. Jesus declared in John 9:4 “I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day; the night cometh when no man can work”. This is purely a declaration of passion and commitment to his divine call. Acts 9:22 says “But Saul [Paul] increased the more in strength and confounded the Jew which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is the very

Christ”. And after that, many days were fulfilled, the Jews took counsel to kill him”.

The Jews were not happy with Paul and so wanted to kill him because of his passion and commitment to his new divine task.

Definitely, any kingdom worker who wants to get his work done with some degree of speed must be passionate and committed to his call.

• Hardworking: also, it takes an uncommon hard work to accomplish so much within a short time frame. And this is what working with kingdom speed is all about. Apostle Paul talked about ‘pressing towards the mark’ in one of his preaching.

The phrase, “Pressing towards the mark” means working hard to accomplish a task.

And he really worked very hard to take the gospel message to as far as Rome, a great accomplishment never made by those before him. John the Baptist also worked so hard to attend to the several people that came to him for baptism. As the apostle of baptism, he worked very hard to accomplish his task.

He did not only baptize them, he also took time to preach to them on the need for repentance. Matthew 3:7-8 says; “But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees came to his baptism, he said unto them “O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come” Bring forth, therefore, fruits meet for repentance”.

• Self Denials: Self denial as well as avoidance of distractions in the course of doing the kingdom work will definitely fast track one’s speed rate in the kingdom race and assignment. John the Baptist is a clear example of self denial in doing the kingdom work. The Bible tells us that John the Baptist avoided the cities and towns where there are a lot of distractions and retired to the wilderness where there was no water to drink and no food to eat and no distractions,

so that he could concentrate on his assignment. He had no contact or business with anyone, except those who came to hear his message of repentance and forgiveness of sins and then to be baptized by water. Apostle Paul also abandoned his worldly positions and material possessions to pursue his divine call. This is another form of self-denial and avoidance of distractions in order to get the divine task accomplished on record time. It is a common knowledge that the gospel work of today has lost its original steam, due largely to the unwillingness or inability of most kingdom workers to make the necessary sacrifices and steer clear of worldly distractions, so as to be able to move with Kingdom speed in doing the work committed into their hands.

My hearty prayer to the readers of this message is that God will give you the power and grace to run the heavenly race with kingdom speed to a successful end in Jesus name. The Bible says “It is not he that runneth, but He that giveth grace”. So, receive grace to continue the kingdom race and run in full speed to the end in Jesus name.

Stay tuned to this column for more life touching and changing messages. I LOVE THIS GOD!

•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

News Ademowo urges govt to provide employment, beef up security

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igerian Christians have been urged to see Easter as a reality and a season of joy and hope that is celebrated annually to remember the total victory that Christ won for the entire human race over sin, suffering, as well as death.

This charge was given by the Most Revd (Dr.) Ephraim A. Ademowo, Dean Emeritus, Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion and Diocesan Bishop of Lagos in his 2016 Easter message.

Ademowo claimed that just as Jesus’ disciples were thrown into deep disillusionment and the reality of death, so also should Christians be aware that death is real and be prepared for that new reality which is the resurrection.

“The disciples had placed all hope in Christ, but all their hopes were shattered. All of their dreams had been broken to pieces and no one could put them back together again. The process of disillusionment is the first step all of us must take if we are to see clearly, the meaning of resurrection. Only when our illusions are shattered, only when our wishful thinking is brought to an end are we prepared for a deeper understanding.

Only when we are fully aware that death is real are we prepared for that new reality which is the resurrection”, he said.

He noted that this is the supreme fact that gives every Christian a future, adding that on this fact hinges believers resurrection to life everlasting on the last day which is the Easter truth.

“Christ’s rising gives us the divine and blessed assurance that all our sins are removed.

In three letters, the word ‘Sin’ embraces all that makes for ugliness and mars human happiness.

It is Sin which cuts man off from God, which fills him with the thoughts of death as terror and robs him of the hope of a blessed eternity.

Easter is a reality, it the season of joy and hope celebrated annually to remember the total victory that Christ won for the entire human race over sin, suffering and death. Paul in first Corinthians, chapter 15, verse 14 and 16 states ‘And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is useless and so is your faith.’ And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your Sin. Christ’s resurrection is the model and source of our future resurrection because Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep (1 Cor. 15: 20-22).

His resurrection is our resurrection. It brings redemption not only to the people of God, but to the entire order of creation. Jesus has given us the power of resurrection to revive anything that is dead in our life, home, church, institutions, nation and the world in general”, he revealed.

Ademowo claimed that it is time for Nigerian leaders to demonstrate the fear of God and consult Him in the affairs of the nation.

“It needs to be said that corruption is not really a recent phenomenon in the history of this country or indeed, of any country. The point of worry is that corruption has in the last thirty years assumed a dimension that threatens the authority and power of the state and the contin-

ued existence of the country. The ‘corruption economy’ is arguably bigger, better structured and more sophisticated in its operations, than the national economy. Corruption has grown more desperate and its corroding influence is more wide ranging.

No country can survive, develop and make progress in such a condition. Majority of Nigerians have for so long been victims of the destructive, rapacious numerically small elite that thrive on and perpetrate corruption. Nigerians would be only too glad to collaborate with a trusted government to take back their fair share of the commonwealth denied them for so long. But there must be no room for a relooting of recovered loot, only the equitable redistribution and a transparent and judicious use of it for the public good. Government deserves every support to bring corruption to submission by every reasonable and fair means. All that is required is that the political leadership walks its talk and lead by example”, he submitted.

On the issue of security which he claimed is becoming a serious embarrassment to the government and people of Nigeria, Ademowo said: “One should be worried by the recent abductions of school children in the country.

The police command should partner with school proprietors to improve the safety of life and property within the schools in the country. Besides, school owners should formulate robust security measures in conjunction with

the police for the safety of pupils and students.

Among other measures, perimeter fencing in schools, especially boarding system should be a compulsory criterion for granting and renewing licences. Security demands a holistic review of safety measures. More police patrol vans should be strategically deployed close to schools and sporadic patrols are carried out on other schools equidistant to where the vans are stationed.

Seminars should be organized regularly for security officers manning these schools.”

The cleric spoke on the way forward for aviation, agriculture and other sectors in the country.

“We should be fully aware that death is real.

Are we prepared for that new reality which is the resurrection aviation business is capital intensive and is covered by international rules and regulations that must be adhered to?

The Nigerian authorities should not only ensure compliance with the regulations for a safe aviation industry, they must do so within the context of profitability and best business practices.

Any government that builds an airport should seek to operate it profitably or find an operator.

Otherwise, the government should be held to account by the people for embarking on such an irresponsible flight of fancy.

The Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) should then do an audit of all the airports and close those adjudged to be unviable to prevent further waste.

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Movies & Music

Sunday, March 27, 2016

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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

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NBC bans Olamide’s ‘Don’t Stop’ due to vulgarism Olamide

he Nigeria Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has wielded the big stick, banning the song, ‘Don’t Stop’ of indigenous rapper, Olamide.

Director, Monitoring, NBC Headquarters, Abuja, Chris Okoyomoh said that the placement of restrictions on creative works are not to discourage talented artistes in the industry, but to maintain a sane and healthy environment for children and young adults in the hi-tech world.

Mr Okoyomoh, who spoke on the heels of a recent circular distributed to radio and TV stations all over the country placing ‘Don’t Stop’ by rapper, Olamide Adedeji on the Not To Be Broadcast (NTBB) list due to vulgarism, said that Don’t Stop was not banned, but restricted from airplay for not meeting the standard of the regulatory body, stating that if the recommendations submitted to broadcasting houses are met, the restriction would be lifted.

Chris, who spoke on the alleged ban said, “We do not set to discourage artistes in the creative industry. The song was not banned as the media have reported. It was only restricted from airplay for not meeting the NBC code for standard and decency. We also provided reasons why the song is not to broadcast on our airwaves, but if the artiste decides to comply with the NBC code, nothing stops us from admitting it on air.

Our role as regulators does not superimpose the creative energy of the artistes, but our concern is on broadcasting stations and what goes on air.

We simply want to make the airwaves healthier for unsuspecting minors and children,” he said According to a memo circulated to all broadcasting stations on 11th March, 2016 and signed by the Lagos Director of the National Broadcasting Commission, Mrs. Cole Bunmi, the song, Don’t Stop was faulted for containing indecent phrases such as “I just wanna hit it now, now, now”, “Je kin wo be (which means, let me enter the place),” “Don’t stop, take it”, “Oun tami oun ro mi”, “It took your mama nine months to make it”, “wa gba ponron (which means come and let me give you my p*nis).

Last year, the regulatory body had also declared over eighteen songs and videos unsafe to broadcast on air with Olamide’s Shakiti Bobo making the list of NTBB musicals.

Singer Nomoreloss dies in Lagos Hospital

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he music industry has been thrown into mourning as singer and songwriter, Nomoreloss is dead.

According to speculations, the singer was said to have died of typhoid on Monday, March 21, 2016 in a Lagos hospital at Opebi in Ikeja environs. His demise

Nomoreloss

was confirmed by his manager, Joyce IzeIyamu and his family. Famed for the hit song Iyawo Asiko, Nomoreloss was an unassuming singer who let his song and talent speak for him. He was born in the late 70s as Olumuyiwa Solomon Osinuga. His stage name, Nomoreloss was derived from the middle name ‘Solomon’ spelt backward. His family (the Osinugas) has released a statement confirming the death of the singer.

“This is to officially announce the passing away of our son, brother and friend, Adeyemi Olumuyiwa Osinuga AKA MR NOMORELOSS who passed away this day, 21 March 2016”, the statement released by Ademola Osinuga for the family read.

The singer is survived by his wife, Phoenix Adeola Osinuga, a radio presenter and 5-year- old daughter, ‘Mo. According to reports, Nomoreless’ last major performance was at the August edition of Afropolitan Vibes. He was on the bill with singers Waje and Venus Bushfire. On October 2, 2015 he organized his own show ‘Back to Stage’ at Freedom Park.

Ashley Stephanie wants to make an impact in Nigeria music industry

Ashley

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hile the current video of popular singer, Ashley Stephanie, ‘Molo Molo’ is still making waves in Nigeria and other parts of the world, the USA-based Cameroonian singer who has an indepth love for Nigeria has finally relocated to Nigeria to have a close link with her fans.

Giving the reasons behind her return, the sexy international singer, and electrifying entertainer squealed that she aims at settling in Nigeria to promote her music career and as well motivate the women in the Nigerian music industry to buckle up and take their position which is currently dominated by their male counterparts.

“Africans in the Diaspora,” she said, “need to come back to their root.

We have put a lot in the international music world. We need to bring some of those goodies back home; that’s why I am here. I have been in Calabar Carnival for four consecutive years, sharing same stage with some top African music stars, like Psquare, Awilo and co.”

“Americans are looking up to Africans because we have good music and fierce dance moves. However, there is something lacking in the African music: the women. The males in the industry are dominating. I think it’s about time female singers came out of their shells and fought for a position too. We have so much love and respect for our male colleagues, but we also need a better share of the attention.

Yoruba actress, Taiwo Aromokun confirms her marriage has crashed

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opular Yoruba actress and mother of twin boys, Taiwo Aromokun, has confirmed that her marriage to her Holland-based hubby, popularly known as Ogun of Holland, has packed up.

The marriage crashed after Taiwo found out that her husband was married to a white woman in Holland with two kids together.

The Ogun State-born socialite reportedly tricked the actress to marry her and it was later on that she discovered that the man she is married to actually lied to her.

The role interpreter who relocated back to Nigeria from UK with her twin boys a few weeks ago made this disclosure in a chat while also stating that the most important things to her now are, taking Aromokun care of her two kids and concentrating more on her job.

“I am no longer in marriage.

I made a big mistake going into that marriage and I have realized my mistakes. I am not ready for any relationship for now. You know what? I still believe in love and I am advising ladies who have found true love to hold on to it because it exists, but for me. I need to concentrate on my work and my talk show which will be coming up possibly in May, 2016.”

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Movies & Music

Sunday, March 27, 2016

God’s protective hands are on Ibinabo Fiberesima

Ibinabo

- Empress Ene Ikwumonu, national chief whip of AGN

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mpress Ene Ikwumonu fondly known as Empress Ene, a Nollywood thespian and national chief whip of Actors Guild of Nigeria is not happy as you read this.

She is seriously depressed because of the five years jail term slammed on her boss, expresident of Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), actress Ibinabo Fiberesima. When yours sincerely saw Ibinabo’s picture on her whatsapp display picture with a caption: “My president, the angel of God covers you”, I had to chat her up to find out and she indeed opened up.

“I have been sick since I heard about her jail term. Reason is that Ibinabo is a woman with a golden heart. I would definitely pray for her.

And this is the best time to do it because it is the period of lent which I know God would show more love and give her more strength. In fact, I strongly believe she would come out victorious. I’m seeing God’s hands on her already.

Five years jail term won’t be easy, but I don’t have a choice than to keep praying and fasting for her to be stronger,” she enthused.

SolidStar, DJ Spinhall, support artistes at Lekki Leisure Lake

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ekki Leisure Lake hosted a different kind of guests last weekend. An array of young and creative fine artists came together to showcase their works.

The environment afforded young and old artists who make use of different media to convey their arts. Great drawings with the pencil, biro ink, and charcoal were on display. Arinze made a wonderful portrait of President Muhammadu Buhari which looked very real. Others made drawings of their favourite celebrities.

Seyi Alabi, a contemporary artist showcased an art tagged ‘Hope’ of an african child bringing her heart out to create attention for children with a heart-related disease.

It was an awesome event as celebrities like Solid Star, DJ spinhall, Toby Grey, Dj Jimmy Jatt, Selebobo, Viktor, Tobbinator and other entities of cadillac cadre graced it - artists who were hungry for the opportunity to meet and connect, enthusiasts who were ready to see the gods of their creation, and celebrities who were astonished by the innovation of the event. The strategy was to engineer social connectivity and build motivation by bringing together a mix of personalities, artists and artistes while bringing recognition to these visual artists and artworks. In his speech, Mr Frank Momoh, president, Frot Group revealed that it was the goal of ArtistsConnectNG to provide a platform for ambitious and aspiring artists to showcase talents and technique; while subsidising prices of materials in order to develop and promote quality and ingenuity in the new generation Artist Guild in Nigeria.

Mr. Sexy shines in South Africa

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Sexy shines

Yoruba drama series ‘Yanponyanrin’ set to hit the screen

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new Yoruba series titled Yoponyanrin is about to hit the TV screens in Nigeria. The Nollywood stardust series is set to redefine indigenous drama in contemporary Nigeria of 21st century.

The family drama series produced by wave making film maker, Okiki Afolayan stars a pot pourri of old and new thespians; the likes of Opeyemi Aiyeola, Toyin Adewale, Taiwo Aromokun, Bolanle Abdulsalam, Ladi Folarin, Jamiu Azeez, Jumoke George, Tosin Alabi, Mustapha Gbolagade and many more.

The series, Yaponyanrin is written and also directed by the award-winning film maker, Okiki Afolayan. It is scheduled to air on the cable broadcasting network in the next quarter of 2016.

According to Afolayan, the family drama series x-rays the life of a family man and how some men get it wrong in building a healthy family. “The drama series Yanponyanrin is a bold attempt to set the pace in family drama series.

We got the best of crews and with a rich script, the series is thought provoking with a moral lesson for everybody. The story is about a family man who believes that after providing for his home, he can have girls and womanise outside the home. The man met his waterloo and a lot of intrigues followed after,” says the movie producer.

Afolayan has directed countless c co untless blockbusters e rs of Nollywood fflick lick in Yoruba, some of which are a ar e Oba Adetoyese a n d Lima L Li m to ma name a ffew. ew.

Tosin Alabi

SolidStar

gunjobi Oluwaseyi, an international brand and export, a singer and songs writer popularly known as “Mr. Sexy” is a South Africa-based Nigerian artiste with lots of passion for arts of music and entertainment.

He and his manager, Odejavuu205 founded an entertainment company in Pretoria, South Africa called XKNIGHTS ENTERTAINMENT, an international talent representation which believes in the dream of inspired and talented artistes.

The Xknight Entertainment ace artiste and “Mukulu Muke” crooner has decided to raise the notch up a bit by putting together best hands to release the audio and visual to his freshest single “IBADI REMIX”, featuring St. Seaba and Qwcrty Hanky. The duo blessed the song with their presence in it.

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From the Pulpit

T The voice o of wisdom

with Dr. David

Oyedepo

H

appy Easter Sunday to you in the name of Jesus Christ! May the reasons for Christ’s resurrection continually speak in your life and in those of your loved ones in Jesus’ name!

(Revelation 5:12).Have a Happy and Glorious Easter Celebration!In this week’s edition, we shall conclude this teaching series by examining the Virtues in the Power of Christ’s Resurrection, which include: Resurrection is a demonstration of the exceeding greatness of God’s plan: The Bible says: And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all (Acts 4:33; Ephesians 1:19-20).

• It is the gateway to the restoration of man’s dominion: Jesus said to His disciples, “…All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth,” and “As My Father hath sent Me, even so send I, you.” This implies that in the power of Christ’s resurrection lies our dominion (Matthew 28:18; John 20:21; See also Genesis 1:28; Psalms 82:6; Acts 14:11).

• It is our access to the deep things of God: Remember, before resurrection, no one could enter into the holy of holies of the temple without the blood. However, after resurrection which was at the cost of the blood, the veil covering the temple was torn into two and we were translated into realms of revelation (Hebrew 9:1-4 Matthew 27:51;Colossians 1:13; Hosea 4:6; Isaiah 5:13; John 8:32; Isaiah 61:1-3, 8, 22).

• It is our access to peace that passes all knowledge: After resurrection, the Bible records that: …After eight days again, his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you (John

Let’s go

BIBLE with Favour

Tioluwani

O

Email: letsgobible@gmail.com

ne thing we must realise from the question is that they are married; not yet to, therefore, l will look at it from the married angle.

A straight answer to a married couple asking this kind of question is No. 1. Being loved: 1 Corinthians 13:4-8, “Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude.

It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth.

Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends.”

When there is love, there is no difference in age. I am talking about genuine and agape love whereby all other situations and circumstances come under that love. If you show love to your wife, even though she is not really appreciating it, don’t stop; a time will come that God (He himself is Love)will break her down and make her realise what you are giving.

Though, some realise when it was just too late, but on your part don’t stop loving. Express it to her in every way.

Sunday March 27, 2016

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Encounter with the Power of His Resurrection! (2) 20:26; See also Exodus 14:14; Psalms 46:10; Mark 4:37-39).

• It is our access to strength, health, vitality and longevity: Remember that man is a product of God’s breath. This is because after God created man, He breathed into him and man became a living soul. This implies that every organ in man was created by God’s breath.

Again, it is important to know that after Jesus resurrected, He breathed on His disciples the resurrection breath and said, “Receive ye the Holy Spirit.” That breath is what quickens (empowers) our mortal bodies with strength, vigour and vitality (Genesis 2:7; John 20:21-22; Romans 8:11; 1 Corinthians 15:45; Proverbs 18:14; John 14:19).

• Item powers our access to Visions: The power of resurrection grants us access to God’s divine visions, plans and purposes for our lives. It also releases men into their destinies. For Instance, after Christ’s resurrection, He said to Peter, thrice, “…Feed My sheep.”(John 21:15-17; See also Joel 2:1-11;Acts 4:33).

• This power establishes our supernatural change of position: As it is written: And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 2:6; See also Luke 24:5-6).

Furthermore, the Bible admonishes us: Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son (Colossians 1:12-13).

However, it is important for us to know that the resurrection power translates us from: o Filthiness to Holiness: While writing on the resurrection of Jesus Christ, Apostle Paul declared that sin shall no longer have dominion over us, because of the Power of the Resurrected Christ at work in us. Therefore, when we engage the resurrection power, we are translated from filthiness to holiness

(Romans 1:4, 6:4, 14). o Captivity to Liberty: The Bible says: Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost. And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent; And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, and came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many (Matthew 27:50-53). o Sickness to Health: The Bible states that: But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you( Romans 8:11). o Defeat to Triumph: Resurrection is the seal of our triumph. This is because by the act of resurrection, we are ordained for unquestionable triumph all through our journeys in life (Colossians 2:15; Ephesians 1:20-21, 2:6). o Struggles to Breakthroughs: When Jesus appeared to His disciples after His resurrection, He said to them, “…Children, have ye any meat?” They answered Him, “No.” Then He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the ship and ye shall find.” When they did, the Bible records that they drew in multitude of fishes (John 21:5-6). o Shame to Glory: As it is written: So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power (1 Corinthians 15:42-43; See also Isaiah 61:1, 7). o Death to Life: As believers, the resurrection power restored our dominion over death (John 14:19; Hebrews 2:14-15; Revelation 1:18; Matthew 27:51-53; Acts 14:19-20).

In conclusion, the Bible records that after resurrection, Jesus …shewed Himself alive after His passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking

of the things pertaining to the Kingdom of God (Acts 1:3).

Furthermore, Jesus said to His disciples after His resurrection: Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.

And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost… (John 20:21-23).

From the above scriptures, God said to me, “Tell My people to get set for my ‘Resurrection Breath’ and this will be made manifest in various dimensions in the next 40 days.”

Therefore, in this post-resurrection season, we must be spiritually alert and properly positioned to experience these diverse manifestations of the resurrection power of Christ. It shall indeed be a celebration of testimonies in every aspect of our lives in the name of the resurrected Christ.

Is Jesus your Saviour and Lord? Are you born again? If you are not, you can say this prayer and you will be born again: “Lord Jesus, I come to you today. I am a sinner. Forgive me of my sins. Cleanse me with your precious blood. Deliver me from sin and satan to serve the Living God. Today, I accept you as my Lord and Saviour. Thank You Jesus for saving me!

Now I know I am born again!”

For further reading, please get my books: Possessing Your Possession, Walking In The Newness Of Life, Exploring The Riches Of Redemption and All You Need To Have All Your Needs Met. 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, PMB 21688, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria; or call 01-4548070, 01-4548280; or E-mail: feedback@lfcww.org

Is it wrong if the wife is older than the husband?

1. Being mature: Age has nothing to do with maturity. So many rich men or even elder statesmen are being easily swindled by young men that are not even up to half of their age. Even though, the lady is older, the man can be more mature than her. Maturity in the sense of responsibility and achievements, he could have even gone further than her in some things. Though, in some circumstances, the wife may occupy a higher office than the man, but that does not still establish the fact that she is more mature than him. He can have the grace to manage more situations and circumstances than her. Fully developed in body or mind, as a person composed, and considered as being less susceptible.

2. Being wise: Wisdom is not a general thing, you have to get it.

Proverbs 4:5-7, “Get wisdom; get insight; do not forget, and do not turn away from the words of my mouth. Do not forsake her, and she will keep you; love her, and she will guard you. The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom, and whatever you get, get insight.” However if you are truly a child of God, you definitely have a higher level of wisdom. When you are wiser, age has no relevance; for with wisdom, you will be able to be ahead at all times. For the man, why not start praying for wisdom and as you ask, God has said He will even give beyond your expectations. James 1:5, “If any

of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.”

3. Being rich: Money and riches have no respect for age. When you have the money, you are in charge, you are in control. Money, they say, has the answer to all things. So, if you are younger and your wife is older, you have a hedge over her because she must bring herself down to ask for money beyond that of housekeep.

Also for you to even shut up the mouth of her family or friends that don’t have respect for you as they are supposed to (even the younger ones) just because their sister or friend is older than you, you must be loaded. Money conjure respect. Looking for respect if you are younger, go back to your creator and beg Him to release unto you abundance from heaven, a torrential rain of blessings.

4. Being sinful : If it was because you impregnated the lady and so as to cover up the shame, that’s why you married her or may be because she is working, having some cash on her, her own apartment and you believing she will be able to take good care of you since you are not having much, you decided to get married to her, or you are involved in one sin or the other yourself and some of these your wrong deeds are open to your wife, forget about you getting any re-

spect from her. You’ve already sold out your birthright. You had better find your way back to God, crying yourself out for mercy.

5. Go back: Lastly, which is the most important, go back to God. If God was in the picture of the marriage at the beginning, He is the foundation of that marriage, report the woman to Him. Take time off and seek the face of God concerning it. Sometimes, the devil in a way to affect your marriage can enter into your wife unknowingly and start manipulating her, so as to frustrate you and derail you from what you are doing. Some forces from her family or even yours might want to prove to you that your marriage cannot work.

Stand up and fight for your marriage, except God was not in it from the beginning; but if He is, claim back your leadership and authority in the home. Ephesians 5:23, “For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior.”

Ephesians 5:33, “However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.”

•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

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Priesthood House with Pastor Bola

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Bello

he early Christians were indeed a peculiar people. Their blameless deeds, conduct, demeanor and dogged faith were a continual rebuke to the sinners of their days.

Though these people were few in numbers, and without wealth, position or tittles, yet they were an irritation to evil doers. Indeed, they were true representations of the precious harvest of the earth to God. They were so hated with passion, and became a savor of death to them that perish. Death, persecution and terrorism could not stop the spread of truth – the faith of Christ. The new strategy of these lovers of evils to stop the harvest was to join the faith fold and water down the truth with another gospel.

Basically there has ever been two classes of people amongst those who profess the faith of Christ. One class studies the Saviour’s life and earnestly seeks to correct their defects and conform to the pattern of Christ life, while the others ignore the practical truths that expose their errors and interpret scripture to suit their needs. It should be noted, that no one is best suited to oppose the truth as those who had once been amongst the preachers of the truth. Since they oppose the truth, they came in to persecute the truth, and to water it down so that truth will have little or no effect on the people. As we have such amongst the earliest Christians, they have been multiplied in our days and the increase is so alarming that the prophecy of Christ that “even if it were possible, the very elect will be deceived” has found a reality in our days. Saint Paul declared that the day of Christ should not come; “except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God. This is the mystery of iniquity at work and only those who permit it will express it (2 Thess. 2:3-4, 7).

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Sunday March 27, 2016

Church as God designed it – The harvest of the last day (11) The warning of Apostle Paul about the day of the Lord should be the critical watch of Christian leaders. The comings of the Lord are monumental events, and surely Christ has being coming to the Church without the Church being conscious of his comings. In the gospel according to Saint John, Jesus made a promise to the Church about these comings “I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter that he may abide with you forever” (Jn. 14:16). The baptizing of the Holy Spirit was the first coming of the Lord after his ascension to the Father.

This, like I said in the previous week, was an epic event for the harvest. Harvest depends majorly on the in filling of the Holy Spirit.

No one can come to the harvest without the Holy Spirit. Holy Spirit is the sharpest sickle to the harvest. Holy Spirit convicts sin and validates right standing. The emphasis on the need for the coming of the Holy Spirit is also stated by Apostle John “And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment” (Jn. 16:8). The word “reprove” is translated as to rebuke, correct and criticize with the intention to correct faults or errors. It portrays parental roles in relation with Christ and the Church where the Church is brought to perfection and maturity for ripening as harvest.

However, it is sad to say that the coming of the Holy Spirit has been circumvented by most leaders through Luciferian wisdom.

Some evil workers have turned the Church into business Schools and motivational centers. Most of those who are supposed to be the ministry gifts are luring away Church members from the truths of eternal life.

These Truths are being replaced with messages that cannot convict sinners and that cannot judge the work of darkness. What is so common in the Churches is a harvest ofcrowds of Christians whose souls are unregenerated; crowds that are unfit to be recruited into the army of God for the end time

onslaught. Apostle Jude called such people as “certain men crept in, unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ” (Jude 1:4).

The second appearing or the second coming of the Lord Jesus is the period of restitutions of all things, unto God. “And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began” (Acts 3:20:21). This sounds like another sending, but it is the sending through the word. The word “restitution” imply to make whole, to make things complete or make amend of wrongs. In other words, it is the season of outpouring of truths through revelation. Apostle Paul put it this way; “Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfill the word of God; even the mystery which have been hid from ages and from generation, but now is made manifest to saints” (Col 1:25-26). This is in line with the assertion of the Lord when he says; this gospel of the kingdom must be preached; then, the end will come. It is a dispensation of blowing the trumpets of truth to all nations of the earth. The gospel of the kingdom is the message of the kingdom. This is what was revealed to Paul and John the beloved and some other apostles in their epistles. Basically, message of the kingdom is knowledge based. It is the unveiling of the truth of the kingdom to those who conscientiously seek him. This is a concealed truth, but is being made manifest so as to make people to come to the sonship status of God. In other words, there will be a reformation of all things that have been perverted by workers of evil and this accurate alignment will take place to

meet the standard which God had ordained for salvation.

In this appearing of the Lord, all the ministry gifts will be engaged in this season to accomplish the task. The operation of the Evangelist will strangely take a new turn, where rapid manifestations of prophetic grace will be witnessed. Also, healings, miracles, signs and wonders will become child’s play. The Pastor will put the prophetic mantles on display, and his operation will take the form of apostolic functions, where unprepared songs, choruses and hymns would herald Church programs. Church members will be so much filled with the apostolic graces and candles of the spirit will continually burn in the Church.

Visions and revelations will be the normal operations of the Church members. This is the main restitution. Those with songs will sing, those with words will share and those with prophecy will not be intimidated by head pastor.

There will be decorum, keeping of ranks and decency in the Church. The template will be like Solomon temple and his house.

True apostles will be raised and with divine functions rather the self styled apostles.

Teachers will learn to listen to the new thoughts of God from both the apostles and prophets and they will take it up as responsibility to expound the truth and teach it for members to understand.

The alignment will be like soldiers marching without breaking of ranks. The synergy will be uncommon.

This is the design of the Church and the true harvest. I will begin with eschatology and epics events that will witness the physical coming of the Lord Jesus Christ next week.

•Pastor Bola Bello – The Priesthood House, bolabelo@gmail.com 08033704564

News Archbishop Adewale Martins charges priests to live up to their vows

…admonishes Nigerian leaders to reduce poverty

T

he Catholic Archbishop of Lagos Archdiocese, Most Rev. (Dr.) Alfred Adewale Martins has urged Catholic priests to ensure that the values and virtues of the church are preserved.

He gave the address during the 2016 Chrism Mass held at Saints Micheal, Rapheal and Gabriel Catholic Church (Archangels’), Satellite Town, Lagos The Archbishop noted that Chrism Mass is an opportunity for every priest to renew their priestly vow and commitment to God while rededicating themselves to the service of God and humanity. ‘What they have renewed today should be kept afresh, and the light should shine incessantly in them, so that they shepherd the people of God in the right direction.

He also stressed the need for priests

not to be distracted, but to remain faithful to their call.

On the other hand, the Archbishop while reacting to the state of the nation noted that Nigeria is faced with numerous challenges.

“This is very worrisome, and we need to ask questions, particularly from our leaders, who have responsibilities for the welfare of the masses, and the nation at large. There is too much poverty and suffering in the land, and if care is not taken to remedy the situation, the people will one day stand up and revolt because their expectation from the government is nothing to write home about. The suffering masses expect policy implementation that will improve their living standard vigorously”, he said.

Meanwhile, the preacher of the

Chrism Mass, Rev. Fr. Kanu Anthony (OSA) from St. Vincent Catholic Church, Olodi, Apapa, and who is also the Executive Secretary of the Catholic Conference of Major Superiors of Nigeria, reminded the priests that they should make up again as priests through this holy privilege provided by the universal church.

“We must see ourselves as priests of the Most High God and then make ourselves look at Christ as our hope of the words of God. Let us understand that there is a strong connection between the priesthood and sacrifice we make”, he said. Going further, he noted that priests faced challenges of their personal cross of weakness, saying “Our weakness can be transformed into strength while taking cognizance that our faith deepens in Christ Jesus. In this, we

must find the lost ones and bring them back to the fold of hope. The priest is a man of God, borne of human and lives among the people. Although, the priests carry within themselves heavenly treasures, he carries it within himself to the proportion of the flesh and blood.

Therefore, priests have divine responsibilities, obligation, and a call of salvation to participate in human redemption and healings In another development, the chairman of the organizing committee, Mr. Chris Akonye expressed satisfaction, saying that the mass is an annual holy celebration where all the priests gather to renew their priestly promises and rekindle their light of God in them.

“The chrism mass is done in two places, one in Archangels here, while the other in Holy Cross Cathedral, Lagos Island. This is to accommodate the large number of priests’, he said.

From the Pulpit

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Sunday March 27, 2016

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Judas Syndrome (I) J

udas. What a name! What a character! Nobody wants to be called by that name! I have not “ heard of a proud parent of a new-born naming the son; “Judas!” How did that name become that obnoxious? Other hated names people avoid include: Jezebel, Benedict Arnold, Quisling (he betrayed Norway to the Nazis), Cassanova, Don Juan, and Brutus. Judas played a critical role in the betrayal and death of Jesus Christ, thus earning Judas a bad name in history.

It was not so from the beginning. The name Judas means “praise.” It is the Greek transliteration of Hebrew personal name “Judah” meaning “Praise Yahweh.” It was a great, heroic and popular name in biblical history (Matt 10:3; Mark 3:18; Luke 6:16; John 14:22; Acts 1:13; 5:37; 9:11; 15:22-32; Jude 1). In all of the lists of the names of the twelve disciples, Peter is always listed first and Judas Iscariot last.

The New Testament tells us more about these two men than all the other ten disciples combined. There are nine Simons and six Judases in the New Testament. Simon and Judas Maccabaeus were popular Jewish heroes during the period between the Testaments.

The psychology of Judas is a riddle wrapped up in a puzzle and locked in an enigma. [Warren W. Wiersbe, Prayer: Basic Training (Wheaton, IL: Tyndale, 1988), 81]. Judas was not a victim or hero or even apostate. There is “Judas” in me and you! There is “Judas” in all of us! The dictionary tells me that a “Judas

Chapel of Holiness and Testimony with Pastor K. I.

Bona

Continued from topic 2 of last week Qualification to be a son in the kingdom a) As you were born into the kingdom of men, you must also be born again into the kingdom of God with a clear salvational experience. b) Your new birth must not be of blood of man and woman, but of the water and the spirit. c) It must not be of the will of flesh nor of the will of man but should be of the leading of the Holy Spirit through receiving and believing of the word of God which led to confessions, repenting and forsaken of the old ways of life. d) The end result of this new birth must not manifest the works of flesh but must produce the fruit of the Holy Spirit. Which is God in you.

Water spirits occupy a very high ranking positions in the dark kingdom. The secrets of marine spirits have remained unexposed for many years.

The ignorance of the world about the operation of marine spirits and their high rate of wickedness to humanity has given them an edge over men. In most riverine communities, marine spirits have suppressed them with fears, that in such places if you mention water spirits; people around would seriously warn you not to bring in such topics, because it is highly sacred. If you stubbornly ask them why, they will tell you that careless talking about water spirit in that environment would generate their anger against you. Different communities, reverence them, some even worship them. Judging from these developments, you would conclude that very many communities have exalted water spirit above the living God. And this is what these water spirits wants.

They really love to control and dominate peoples live in their ignorance. They never wanted their identities to be exposed. Today we give glory and

kiss” is a false expression of affection and that a “Judas hole” is a hidden slit in the wall through which guards spy on prisoners. Let us examine how we betray our Savior just like Judas did.

Jesus chose Judas after a night of prayers just like the other eleven disciples (Luke 6:1216). Did Jesus know what Judas was like and what he would do? The indications are that He did. “For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who did not believe, and who it was that would betray Him” (John 6:64). “For He knew all men, and … He did not need anyone to bear witness concerning man for He Himself knew what was in man” (John 2:24, 25).

If Jesus knew from the beginning that Simon would become a rock, He certainly knew that Judas would become a traitor [Weirsbe, 79]. It is the plan of the wise Maker that both wheat and tares shall grow together in the Church until the harvest (Matt 13:30). The patience of God with each one of us is unparalleled.

Judas betrayed confidence reposed in him

by Jesus and the disciples. Everyone who betrays confidence is a Judas and there is a Judas in everyone of us! “As soon as Judas had taken the bread, he went out.

And it was night” (John 13:30). Often, betrayal happens in the dark, at night, under cover of darkness. Judas was he was motivated by greed. “‘What are you willing to give me if I deliver him over to you?’ So they counted out for him thirty pieces of silver. From then on Judas watched for an opportunity to hand him over” (Matt 26:15-16).

Judas was not truly converted. His life was characterized by duplicity. The Gospel does not indicate that the disciples were suspicious of Judas after Jesus predicts a betrayer;

instead, they appear to be unaware of the offender’s identity (Matt 26:22; Mark 14:19; Luke 22:23; John 13:29). Judas does not express enough outward signs of duplicity throughout Jesus’ ministry to draw attention to himself. He appears no less sincere in his commitment to Jesus than the rest of the Twelve. He was baptized and he also baptized people. He cast out demons and healed the sick like the other disciples. He watched the storm calmed.

His life was a slow spiritual leak in a sliding spiritual scale.

The spiritual makeup of Judas had been deteriorating over the previous months/ years. Hidden sin has a way of doing that to the inner person. Judas is also a warning against allowing sin to grow in our lives. Sin comes to us first as a guest, then becomes a friend, and then becomes a master. Sin grows gradually, but it must be dealt with drastically.

Judas ended up self-destruct.

Judas was not committing gross public sins. I am sure he was highly respected by his fellow apostles and by those who followed Jesus.

But Judas was a counterfeit; his ministry was only a cover for his sins. “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven; but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven. Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness’” (Matt 7:21–23).

Judas was as perfect an actor, as accomplished a hypocrite as one can find. He was more educated and of a higher social standing

than the other apostles. He was not from Galilee but from Kerioth, a much better address.

He had more class and more cloud than his counterparts. He knew all the religious clichés, terms, and jargons. He was well ingratiated with the power leaders of the church so that no one suspected he was a traitor.

Judas was never saved at all. He was an unconverted church member whose name is in the Church records, but not in the Book of Life in heaven. Judas was in the church but the church was not in him. Judas was not a true believer at all. Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who did not believe, and who it was that would betray Him” (John 6:64). Jesus called Judas “a devil” (John 6:70). Jesus described Judas as unclean (John 13:11). Judas had head knowledge not heart knowledge. Judas did not take advantage of the tremendous opportunities he had.

He wasted his opportunities, wasted his gifts, and wasted his life.

All of us must contemplate the role Judas played in the betrayal and death of Jesus Christ at all times, not just during the yearly Easter weekend. Those who think they stand should watch out before they fall (1 Cor 10:12).

Are we Judas to one another? Are we as Achan who brought death to scores of people in the Church (Joshua 7). Before you over criticize Judas, look at your own life critically. Examine yourself. Judge yourself, not another!

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.

Marine spirits (3)

praise to God almighty who through the revelation of the Holy Spirit has made us to know the hidden secrets of this water entities. The symbol of water spirit is snake and serpents and or a peculiar kind of fish. The symbol of worship differs from communities to communities. Some communities worship snake symbol as a homage to the goddess of their water. While others worship serpents or crocodile or a peculiar kind of fish in reference to the gods and goddess of the water. In a particular community where snake symbol was used as the goddess of the water surrounding them, if any person mistakenly kill a snake, the person would be required to conduct full burial ceremony for the snake, where elders and dignitaries of the community would be invited. Foods and drinks served to the people who attended the burial ceremony. Costly coffin bought for the burial of the snake.

Beloveth, what magnitude of yoke and bondage would you envisage binding the people of such community who gives burial rites to snakes. Communities who accords such high level of respect to ordinary snakes are really in spiritual bondage.

Dear child of God, do you see the level of yoke and bondage people draw themselves and their generations into with such foolish cultures and customs.

These explains to us why a lot of people suffer without limit. Beloveth, have you asked, what your community believed, or the gods and goddess they worshipped many years ago? Knowledge of such believes and worships without adequate spiritual approach could amount to expensive carelessness.

Reason being that there is no problem common to man, that was created with man. They all have origins. Ignorance of the origin of your problem could prolong the expiration of such problem or even make it defiant to every applied solution.

SOME OF THE COMMON ORIGINS OF MAN’S PROBLEMS ARE: a) Evil family altars b) Mystery of polygamy c) Familiar spirits

d) Territorial powers and their bondages e) Marine spirits f) Blood covenants g) Hidden causes and hidden chains h) Shrine powers and the vengeance of village oracles. i) Activities of evil men and women j) Coven powers k) Activities and operations of witchcraft powers l) Powers of ancient sacrifice and rituals m) Operations of ancestral spirits n) Broken vows and pledges made to wicked spirits o) Spirits of slavery p) Powers of enchantment and spells q) Dreams manipulations and attacks r) Family strongman or strongwoman s) Occultic altars and their covenants t) Transferred or inherited problems u) Evil patterns v) Powers attached to demonic incisions w) Demons attached to broken homes x) Satanic debt collectors y) Evil arrows z) Demonic plantations or deposits OPERATIONAL SECRETS OF MARINE POWERS Most of the calamities, disasters, tragedies and many other numerous catastrophes people encounter in life were manipulated from the marine kingdom. Such calamities and disasters are: a) All classes of accidents b) Plane crashes c) Accidental discharges by police men and other uniformed personnel d) Sudden deaths e) Fire disasters f) Kidnappings Testimonies – spirit of madness casted out My sister suddenly became mad. This madness

was so severe and violent that we decided with the help of people to take her out of our residence. We live in Aguda.

They directed us to two churches when we got there, because of the violence of my sister the two pastors turned us out. My sister was attempting to go naked people came to help us hold her. We were stranded we did not know what else to do. Many suggestions were coming some said take her to alpha, others said take her to Cele church. Suddenly, a sister came and said I will take you to my pastor.

She jumped on the sister and tore her skirt. But the sister did not change mind.

People helped us put her in maruwa. When we got to the church, Pastor was not around; they called pastor he prayed for her on phone he asked us to bring three sachets of pure water. He prayed on it and told us to pour it on her head.

Immediately, the water touched her head, my sister slept. When she woke up, she was asking where she was.

Later in the evening, the madness came again.

The following day, the man of God prayed for her and poured water on her head, she started screaming, the arrow of madness returned back to the person who did it. They called us that the boy who made my sister has gone mad. The following day, the man of God after praying for her, ordered that she should be loosed from chain. From that day my sister was healed. Spirit of madness gone. Brethren, join me and praise the Lord.

Sis. Ruth Address: Pastor Kingson I. Bona, General Overseer Chapel of Holiness and Testimonies Ministries, No. 6, David Egbetuyi Street, Fagbile Estate, Ijegun, Ikotun, Lagos.

Tel:08023404926,08075598531,0803820650 8 Website:wwwchapelholiness.org facebook: pstbona@chapelholiness.org

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Politics

March 27, 2016

Needless partisanship eroding gains of electoral institutions –Samuel Prophet (Dr) Duromola Adedayo Samuel, the General Overseer of Christ Worshippers Church in Osubi, Warri, Delta State is a fiery man of God who has always taken a critical look at the nation ’s socio-political development. In this interview with Michael Olanrewaju, he says that the country has not got its messiah, just as he explains why his prophecy on the second term bid of former President Goodluck Jonathan did not come to pass.

What is your reaction to the on-going trends across the nation, most especially the war against corruption?

One, it must be noted that President Muhammadu Buhari has not come to rule, but revenge against his past antagonists. There is nothing wrong in fighting corruption, but let him start the battle by waging war against corruption against those that surround him first before the general public can take him seriously.

There should be no sacred cows in the war.

It is not as if former President Goodluck Jonathan did not abhor corruption and fought against it at all, but he is too gentle and he does not possess the required discipline to effectively control those under his administration and by extension, the nation. He is supposed to be a pastor.

When you look at the country today, what you will find out is that it is the same people that ruled in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for 16 years and destroyed the party and entire country that are in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) now. That is why President Buhari and the ruling APC must be very careful with Senate President, Bukola Saraki ’s matter. He is one of the few privileged Nigerians that know how to strike when it is the right time to do so. It would be recalled that his political activities at the national level started to reach proper prominence and limelight with his leadership and dominance of the Governors Forum.

He did not only strengthen the forum as an institution, but used it to build bridges across the political divide and Nigeria as a whole. If APC is not careful enough, the Saraki issue would lead to the end of the party. He was a force to be reckoned with in the implosion and subsequent defeat of PDP. He was a modest game changer for APC. Therefore, if APC wants to survive, they must leave Sen. Bukola Saraki alone.

The Minister of Transportation, Hon. Rotimi Amaechi must also be handled with care by the ruling APC. If President is not afraid, let him probe some of his ministers like Amaechi for allegations of corruption levelled against them while they were in office as governors of their states.

Both APC and PDP used more than required and more than constitutionally provided for, funds to prosecute the 2015

Sam muel

THERE IS HARDLY ANY RICH NIGERIAN THAT HAS NOT IN ONE WAY OR THE OTHER SOILED HIS OR HER

HANDS IN CORRUPTION DEALS. I AM IN SUPPORT OF

THE FIGHT AGAINST CORRUPTION, BUT RULE OF LAW MUST BE OBEYED. NIGERIANS THAT VOTED FOR

PRESIDENT BUHARI ARE NOW COMPLAINING.

election. At the onset, President Buhari said that he had no money to prosecute the election, but in the build-up to the election and the actual election, billions of naira was used by his party. How did he get that fabulous amount of money used for the election? Who are those his supporters that sponsored him with those huge funds with which he was able to defeat PDP as a party in power then? There is hardly any rich Nigerian that has not in one way or the other soiled his or her hands in corruption deals. I am in support of the fight against corruption, but rule of law must be obeyed. Nigerians that voted for President Buhari are now complaining. Some are even asking that what happened to the N2.8 billion that got missing towards the advent of the second Republic. If the administration is getting about a billion dollars daily from oil, where are the money?

Four years is not enough to fight corruption to a logical end.

People supported and voted for change, but the situation in the country have changed for the worse. Then economy is in shambles because from the beginning, the

administration ’s fiscal policy on dollars and other foreign currencies has made many to remove their foreign earnings from the economy. This is now biting hard on the economy. The borders are still very porous and the administration continues to make mistakes.

You predicted that former President Goodluck Jonathan would win the 2015 presidential election, but this did not come to pass. Why? It is true that I predicted that former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan would win the 2015 presidential election, but I put a clause, that if he comes to Christ Worshippers Church and shouid worship seven times, but he never came back to do this. He has forgotten his source because many pastors as well as his close aides blocked him from doing so. Even though, I did not benefit anything from his administration, I remain his spiritual father. I pray for him all the time till date.

Looking at the 2015 election, Jonathan and Buhari are both losers. They allowed the under-aged to vote in that election and

37

it was fraught with system failures. If you study and examine the recent Supreme Court judgment, there was no recognition of card reader as the electronic gadget used in that election.

Since Jonathan and Jega left office as President and Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) respectively, all the elections so far conducted has been marred by lots of avoidable irregularities and ended up inconclusive. It seems the gains of electoral institutions are gradually being eroded by needless partisanship. There is the need to be vigilant on this by the ruling class.

I have said it times without number that Jonathan was supposed to be a pastor. Those in the business community that are best described as Any Government in Power (AGIP) exploited this in controlling him.

Jonathan has every opportunity to reject that election result and cause crisis in the country, but as a man of peace, he refused. That is one of the more reasons why he is my pastor and I am waiting to ordain him. If Jonathan had won the election, Buhari would not have accepted.

You remember that in 2011, they said that if Jonathan wins the election, they would make the country ungovernable.

We are all witnesses to what followed and it is hurting them till date.

The way the game of politics is being played now is confusing. It seems as if the APC and PDP henchmen used Jonathan to play the game of politics. It is a high wired politics. The fact that Senator Akpabio and Rotimi Amaechi threw banters the way they did at Ben Bruce party is instructive as both of them are right hands men of Jonathan and Buhari respectively.

Look, there would be revolution in this country. The poor would rise against the rich. Nigeria is sitting on a keg of gun powder. The country is drifting into a dangerous abyss, but Nigeria will not break.

Can Jonathan come back as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria?

No, it is not possible. Jonathan is not an ambitious man. I still love him as a man. His regime was peaceful until the tail end. People are doing business freely.

When people accused his administration of stealing of public funds, they have forgotten that it has not just started now, but since independence. The present administration said that Nigeria is broke, but they have blown two oil pipelines and they say that the country is losing about $760 million daily, but the country continues to make strides in its economy as it has not collapsed.

Buhari at his age should sit down in Aso Rock and start to look inwards into how Nigeria is going to advance instead of junketing around the globe. He should be a father to the nation. Nigerians are highly educated and intelligent, but the catastrophes on the present generation are very high. It is time for the youths between the ages of 45 to 55 to rule the country.

There is the burning issue of insurgency in the North-East by Boko Haram group, would you say the military is winning or has won the war?

Insurgency is not an easy war, it can be reduced. There is censorship on the real issue in the fight against Boko Haram insurgents. People are hungry. You don ’t terrorize with weapons alone, you can equally terrorize with hunger. America and other advanced countries of the world today are great nations because they have adequate food security for their citizens, but contrary is the case in Nigeria.

Nigerians are disillusioned with the situation in the country; do you foresee the CONTINUED ON PAGE 39

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Politics

March 27, 2016

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Cross River will no longer be ATM for litigants –Abang Joe Abang is the current Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in Cross River State. He ventured into politics in 2007 when he contested the gubernatorial election against the former governor of the state, Senator Liyel Imoke, which he lost. In this interview with RICHARD NDOMA, he speaks about the nation ’s justice system, among other issues. Excerpts: You have made about three appearances at the Supreme Court in just less than one month shortly after assuming office as Attorney General of Cross River State; what reasons can you advance for this?

I have been doing that in private practice and am here now in my state to render service. To answer your question, I am not an armchair attorney-general. You ask why I decide to be in court, the reason is simple: leadership by example. Recently, we had 22 youth corps members posted to the ministry and these are people the Council on Legal Education expects us to train on the rudiments of law practice. You can teach a child when he is growing up by leading him to the stream and teaching him how to fetch water. I am not going to sit down in the office and teach these young lawyers how to practice law. Why I led the team and delegation for the hearing of the state ’s case at the Supreme Court, I was also in the High Court with all the young lawyers to teach them how to go about this business.

So, until my tenure expires, I have very noble plans for the Ministry of Justice and for the growth of the profession in the state.

I have made it known to his Excellency, Senator Ben Ayade and he agrees with me entirely that there is a lot to be done in the ministry. On the day of my inauguration, the governor gave every commissioner terms of reference and he got to my turn, he said: “I trust you will give us justice ” and that I will do. To a man, that much is given much is expected. For his Excellency to say, I trust you will give us justice, he has put me on the spot and I need to hit the ground running. Early this morning, I was with the Speaker of the House of Assembly on my plans to review all the laws of the state that are obsolete and have impeded prosecution of criminals. On Friday, I am bringing executive bills to amend section 390 of the Criminal Code which will make it easier for state counsels to prosecute criminals. Any part of our law that is inhibiting the prosecution of criminals would be reviewed and amended to make it easier for us to have access to justice. In a nutshell, I want to provide an enabling environment that will make it possible for the executive, the legislature and, of course, the judiciary to work and the beneficiary is the ordinary man on the street.

There are a lot of innovations I am bringing on board in the dispensation of justice in the state. I have sent my team ahead to go and under-study the Lagos State judicial system. I want to set an office of the Public Defender and the Citizens Adjudication Centre separate from the Ministry of Justice. The office will be somewhere in town, so that if a husband and wife quarrel they

that to ensure that cases are completed within a limited period?

You will agree with me that justice delayed is justice denied or justice denied is justice delayed. This has its origin in the culture of our civil service. The bureaucracy affects even the judiciary. Cases are adjourned not because the court takes delight in adjourning cases. If a counsel on one side is ready and the other one is not ready, the rules require that the rules of natural justice must also be part of it. The other side would necessarily have to be heard. We have no choice than to adjourn for the other side to be heard. Maybe one of the counsel is involved in another matter that has political coloration and when such cogent reasons are given, the judge has no choice than to adjourn. Let me assure you that we have amended the rules for civil procedure in Cross River State where when a case is filed, everything that concerns the case is also filed while the other party is also to file everything that he needs to defend the case and soon after that, a date is given for pre-trial consent, maybe it is not a matter that would go to trial and the pre-trial judge may advise an out- of- court settlement. These are the new checks and balances brought in to prevent the issue of prolonged adjournment and prolonged hearing.

Aba ang

THE BUREAUCRACY AFFECTS EVEN THE JUDICIARY. CASES ARE ADJOURNED NOT BECAUSE THE COURT TAKES DELIGHT IN

ADJOURNING CASES. IF A COUNSEL ON ONE SIDE IS READY AND THE OTHER ONE IS NOT

READY, THE RULES REQUIRE THAT THE RULES

OF NATURAL JUSTICE MUST ALSO BE PART OF IT. can go there and settle, landlord and tenant misunderstanding can be taken care of there, issues that should not take people to court can be addressed there. We will station a team of lawyers there to render free services to the public. We realize that the economy is so bad and not all our people have money to hire a lawyer to defend them or prosecute their cases.

During the last administration, there was this complaint that the state was losing so much money because people were taking the government to court and winning and were awarded costs against the state. How do you intend to address this situation?

To be honest with you, when I resumed I was worried about that when I saw the reports from the various departments, but I have spoken with about six of my directors and I discovered that these people are very intelligent and knowledgeable people.

They have so many years of experience and the question then is why the myriad of cases against the state, which are threatening to put a stop to government and I discovered that they lacked motivation. So, I decided to have a team that is highly motivated. And how did I achieve that? I got the governor to approve the harmonization of the directors and law officers salaries in

the ministry with those in the judiciary and the moment I announced that to them, they were very excited. As I speak with you today, the law officers in the Ministry of Justice are the most motivated workers in the state as at this moment. So, I told them that the man that much is given, much is expected of him. I did a study of the cases done in the past all over the state in places like Ogoja, Obudu, Akamkpa, Akpabuyo and discovered that law officers do not go court because the past governor approved the litigation Fund for Law Officers, but access to the fund was not possible and this meant many lawyers could not go to court to represent the state because you don ’t expect them to pay transport fare to court from their salaries; so, the lapses in the release of the fund viz-a-viz lawyers unwillingness to attend courts with their salaries led to their absence in court which led to the default judgments that the state experienced. Cross River State Government is an ATM where everybody wants to sue knowing that definitely, he will get judgment because the other party will not be in court. I intend to correct this.

The issue of prolonged adjournment of cases which seems to impede effective justice delivery, how do you want to work out

There are complaints from people about how lawyers in the ministry handle the administration of estates; what are your plans towards making the department more effective and accountable?

Yesterday I had a two-hour meeting with the director in charge of the administration of estates. It is in that unit that there was a complaint that the ICPC had to come here. I am looking at a holistic picture, department by department. I have told the head of department there that for every estate that you have to handle, let me be informed, so that we can fashion out a peculiar system to make it easy to administer the estates. Most Africans tend towards polygamy, but the younger African is more dangerous than the grandfather.

The younger African man marries one wife because the Bible says, ‘marry one wife ’, but the grandfather who married four wives was better off because everyone in the community knows his wives, but this one has one wife with 30 concubines.

And in his life time, he was seen as a good man with one wife with three children, but when he dies, the concubines start coming and they come with children who have same features and more resemblance of the man than the ones in the house. As they say in law, facts speak for themselves; so you can ’t shut them out and to compound matters, the man died without a will. We can see from what is going on, the man has just created a problem for the entire society, especially those who are in the administration of justice and estates. Woe betide you if you share the estate among five people because after six months, one year those who have not heard that the man is dead suddenly hear and start coming from Kaduna, Abuja, Ibadan and you cannot shut them out. You then begin to readjust and the others will say they don ’t know those ones because their father did not mention them and so, trouble starts; but thank God for DNA. So, that is the problem that we have in this department, so we give a window period after giving due notices for the sharing of estate of a person who dies intestate, so that others can come and make claims.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Politics

March 27, 2016

39

Some people benetting from Plateau crisis –STF Commander they signed a peace accord.

Major-General Tagbo Ude is the commander of the federal troops working to restore peace in Plateau State, otherwise known as Operation Safe Haven.

Udeh who assumed office in August last year as the eighth commander of the Special Task Force, in this interview with JAMES ABRAHAM, speaks about the situation in the state, the problems militating against the peace operations and objectives as well as what they are doing to tackle the challenges, among other issues.

There seems to be a reduction in the number of attacks in Plateau communities unlike what obtained in the recent past.

How did you achieve this?

First, I ’ll say that when I came on board, I took the issue of insecurity in Plateau State as a project that must be addressed.

In doing this, we came up with a lot of strategies, patterned along ‘carrot and stick ’ approach; we blew hot, we blew cold. Besides, we identified some of the interior communities, we also identified some of their urgent needs .Some of them without boreholes, or medical facilities; we have been able to assist them.

Again, we have made the issue of town hall meeting a regular feature of our security strategy where everyone is encouraged to participate and we discuss issues affecting the people. Our emphasis has been that peace is very important for them to thrive in, whatever they do and for the society to progress.

We also introduced mandatory compensation to deal with herdsmen-farmers clashes. What this means is that as a herdsman, if you allow your cow to destroy somebody ’s farm, we arrest both the cow and the owner. The parties will be made to come together under our supervision and after assessing the damage, compensation will be paid to the affected person. The same compensation also goes to the herdsmen as the case may be and this has paid off.

Apart from that, we have also introduced peace tournament football competition because football seems to be a rallying factor in Nigeria.

We also have a joint vigilante group strategy. Here, places that used to be no-go areas for a particular tribe, we bring repre-

What are you doing to address the problem of proliferation of illegal arms which many blame for the sustained crisis in the state?

We have started massive cordon and search operation in the state. If I take you to our base, you will be shocked at the kind of weapons we have recovered.

In fact, during the Irigwe/Berom clashes, we recovered about 24 different kinds of weapons, most of them locally made from both sides. Like I keep on telling people, criminality cuts across all tribes.

What is your take on allegations of compromise of your men in the crisis which have refused to go away?

All those allegations are not true .Like I told you, there are some people benefiting from the crisis and if you are doing the right thing, they can accuse you of anything. There are a lot of such accusations that come to my office, but I thank God the people of the state are seeing the results of our efforts.

Ude e

sentatives of the various tribes together to form a vigilante. This one has also worked very well for us.

Again, we have also established a strike force that is on stand-by 24 hours. We have one stationed around Kura falls because before I assumed duties, all the schools around those areas were closed down because of insecurity, but right now, they have all returned to the classrooms. There are quite a lot of other strategies we have put in place to tackle the issue of insecurity in the state. And while doing all these, we adhere to internal security principles.

So, I can tell you that it has been so far, so good.

So, with all these measures in place, what has been the response from the people?

crisis in Plateau State and wouldn ’t want it to come to an end.

Sincerely speaking, more than 90 per cent of the population appreciates our efforts. Although, there are some cases where some of them behave strangely, when you investigate, you discover that such attitude was politically motivated. Don ’t forget that there are some people who benefit from the

Apart from herdsmen/ farmers clash, a new trend of the crisis involving the natives themselves seems to have been added to the problem like the recent clashes between the Berom and the Irigwe which also claimed lives and properties. What are you doing to ensure that the situation does not get out of hand?

Before I answer that question, I also tell people, when you have a child, and you train that child to fight; the day he doesn ’t see anybody to fight, he will fight you. The issue around Plateau also revolves around circulation of illegal arms which they have with them. Because of this, they deploy the weapons, even at the slightest provocation. Then coming to the issue of Berom and Irigwe natives, we have thrashed the issue because when the incident happened, we quickly intervened and brought the situation under control.

Just a few days ago, we allowed the people of Dawan to go back to the villages after

some people to vote for the ruling APC? PDP has come before, they deceived Nigerians, APC has come again to deceive Nigerians.

I am not a Prophet of doom. I am only saying the truth. Lawyers, judges, journalists, civil servants and others are not paid.

This is the time that the National Assembly must do something. Are the Senate and House of Representatives afraid? Is the Presidency bigger than them? I am a grassroots man, people are dying. If God refuses to answer prayers, it is because of the happenings in Nigeria. If the country is doing well, we, pastors would know; ask me how? We would know from our offerings and tithes. What is happening when

church staffers are being retrenched?

We want to stop importation of all items and we have not started producing any product. Are our leaders starting from the Presidency, using or having in their possession local products or items ranging from wrist watches? Are they supporting the local manufacturers or producers?

They say that we must use computer to write JAMB examination, but there is no electricity to power the computers; is that not madness? Nigerians are tired of the APC-controlled Federal Government promises.

The Government is about nine months old and nothing is moving. An adage says that a child that has refused to crawl at

How about the recent court martial of some of your officers for various offences in the course of carrying out peace operations in the state?

One thing you should know is that the armed forces have zero tolerance for indiscipline. Three of the soldiers were investigated and we felt that they should be court-martialed. One was charged for man slaughter and was dismissed; and jailed for one and half years. The other that was found with 37 rounds of ammunition was severely reprimanded and was awarded three months loss of pay. The other officer among them was also given three months loss of pay and one year loss of seniority.

However, all these are subject to confirmation by the headquarters. So, we do not take kindly to any act of indiscipline whatsoever.

What are the challenges militating against your target of total peace in the state?

The challenges are not much because I can tell you that we have achieved almost our target which is to restore peace in the state. The issue is that we have to reach out to the people and it is a continuous affair.

For instance, we are always in the field to reach out to the people, both in the city and the hinterland, on the need to accommodate one another. That is the only way out. And this issue of cordon and search operation is really very helpful. We believe that permanent peace is possible in Plateau State and with the co-operation of the people, we can make it happen.

‘Needless partisanship eroding gains of electoral institutions ’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 37

restoration of the lost glory of the country?

Nigeria would definitely get its lost glory restored in my life time, but the expected messiah has not come. Look, we have not got a real national leader. Is President Buhari voted to discriminate against those that did not vote for him?

Once a President is voted into power, he becomes a President of all Nigerians that voted as well as those that did not vote for him. Nigerians want a leader that would honour the manifesto for which his party was voted for. Do you know that the promise of N5,000 for the unemployed made

this stage, when will he start to walk?

What are some of the things that you think the APC-controlled Federal Government should do?

The administration should stop propaganda. They should stop all the noise on graft and arrests made and allow the agencies like Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC); Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) charged with anti-graft functions to perform. Information Minister should concentrate on his work.

When they talk of diversification, the economy has been diversified for long, but the mode of doing it was not feasible and this is essential.

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Politics

March 27, 2016

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

I used soap to brush my teeth in school –Senator Adokwe Makura. What would be your position on that?

First and foremost, the aviation industry has become white elephant projects.

But at the same time, it is a matter of priority. This time, is that what we really need? And if it is not what we need, couldn ’t we have done something else?

But I am also very careful to be advised by history that people who have vision to do something, it is very difficult for you to see the same vision which the same person is seeing. May be in 20 years time, we would see that we have the same vision to do what he is doing today. And in all honesty, in economic terms of long term, it is probably a wise thing to do because if you have an airport that is dedicated to cargo movement, it could be economically viable in the future. For now, it is very easy for all of us to condemn it because times are hard. One should not use the resources to pursue white elephant projects.

So on that note, there are so many airports lying fallow across the country, so why did you want to build an airport now. But because there is a novelty in that airport which is about using it for cargo business, it could in future become economically viable. If the governor is going to source the resources other than the meagre resources of the state to achieve that development, I think I will support him. But if he is going to use the meagre resources of the state that will deprive the indigenes of the state other things that are needed such as education, health and the social sector then we will say it is a misplaced priority.

Suleiman Asonya Adokwe is a third term senator currently representing Nasarawa South senatorial district on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). In this interview, he speaks about his recent victory at the court over alleged certificate forgery and other sundry issues. IGBAWASE UKUMBA brings excerpts: Recently, a suit filed by your opponent for the Nasarawa South senatorial seat challenging your eligibility to be a senator of the zone on alleged certificate forgery was thrown out by a court for lack of merit. How do you react to that?

Let me be honest, it hurts my feelings because I went to all the schools that I have my certificates that were presented.

When I went to primary school, I trekked everyday of the school days; three kilometres to go to that school. There were moments that my father could not pay my transport fare between Lafia and Barkin Abdullahi, which was just six pence for a child. Adult used to pay one shilling and two pence on the train. And because I couldn ’t afford it, I had to trek between Lafia and Awongye; I used to follow Anbana to Awuma to Aridi and arrive at Awongye on foot. That was how I went to that school.

And when I went to Mada Hills, sometimes I would just arrive in the school with just one shilling; I neither had any extra school clothing than school uniform and in those days they will give us key soap to wash uniforms, it was the same key soap that I used to wash my uniform that I took my bath with. In fact, it was the same key soap that I used as my tooth paste. I would scratch it and clean my teeth because I could not afford toothpaste. That was how I went to school and for somebody to come and said that I was presenting some certificates of some other persons is rather unfortunate. Some of these people alleging that are from my village, who because I was role model to them, also went to that Mada Hills. My opponent went to Mada Hills and his younger brother went to Mada Hills and several other chaps from my village went to Mada Hills and all of them came out fine with degrees and postgraduate degrees and are working very hard just like myself. It baffles me that people who know you very well will turn around to say they don ’t know you. It is the wickedness of the highest order.

So, God knows that I went through all those hard times and even my university level was very hard. Although in those days, we had scholarship; but I had to share my scholarship with my younger ones to pay their fees and even support my father at home. That was how I schooled. And if you want to talk about names, most of us in northern Nigeria will be brought down. Sometimes, it is when you went to school that you may now be changing either Christian or Muslim and your name changes along the line. My younger sister, it was after she finished her teacher training

Ado okwe

I CAN TELL EXACTLY THAT WHAT I SPENT IN THE COURT OF APPEAL IS NOT MORE THAN

N450,000 FOR COURT PROCESSES. BUT THERE ARE ALSO SOME OUTRAGEOUS FIGURES BEING

BANDIED AROUND THAT I HAVE GIVEN JUSTICES

N300 MILLION. AT THAT TIME, I COULD NOT EVEN PAY FOR THREE SQUARE MEALS PER DAY. I JUST THANK GOD FOR HIS MERCY. school that she now married a Muslim and her name changed. Are you going to say she is not the person? This is what happened to us here in the North.

We thank God that the court looked at the merits of it and satisfied on the balance of probability of the same person with all these documents. So, I have never stolen; I have never forged and I will never ever forge. I don ’t need to forge; and I want to inform you that I felt very hurt because it was calculated to tarnish my image.

Incidentally, the person behind your woes is said to be your brother whom you had assisted with the sum of N70 million for his well-being. Therefore, what would be your reaction to his alleged betrayal?

There are a lot of things you do between you and your brother; some of them may be economic, may be legally binding and some may be just social interaction between you and your brother.

I treated him as a brother and he has chosen to treat me as an enemy. I am not going to descend to his level. I have a higher moral responsibility over him and between me and him, he is a brother and I still consider him as a brother and it is up to him to do the right thing and God is our judge at the end of the day.

Whether I am going to act on it or not, it is entirely up to me and my God. So, I am not going to say anything about that.

People of Nasarawa state are kicking against the airport project embarked upon by Governor Umaru Tanko Al-

Now that the litigations are over, how do you intend to impact on your constituency as you return back to Senate for a third term?

The election litigation has ended first with the pronouncement of the court of appeal. All litigations that are arising now are mere distractions; and I must say, no matter how resilient you are, you may not remain focused when everyday you have to attend to litigations. All these things take off your heart from the board and we appeal to people to accept the decisions of both the court and God because the trouble with us in this country is that everyday we call on the name of God, but there is no iota of holiness in us. We don ’t understand the nature of the God we are serving. Even when God has come down to act, we still don ’t want to accept him. Because the manner which I came back is just an act of God; even it surprises me because of all the allegations they are making that I bribed the justices, and all this while I have never even set my eyes on any of the justices and will say this with an absolute sense of responsibility. I can tell exactly that what I spent in the court of appeal is not more than N450,000 for court processes. But there are also some outrageous figures being bandied around that I have given justices N300 million. At that time, I could not even pay for three square meals per day. I just thank God for his mercy. So, all these things were distractions and indeed even when the elections were conducted, if I was absolutely convinced in my mind and by the facts available that I didn ’t win the election, I wouldn ’t have gone to court. It was particularly very painful for me that the election result in my ward was completely excluded.

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March 27, 2016

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

PTAD DG does not earn N50m monthly –Source ADEOLA TUKURU ABUJA

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n investigation has shown that the suspended Director General of the Pensions Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD), Nellie Mayshak, does not earn N50 million monthly as was alleged by a section of the media.

Several media reports had alleged that Mayshak paid herself between N50m and N60m monthly

from the Directorate ’s coffers as monthly emoluments.

But a source at the National Salaries, Incomes & Wages Commission (NSIWC), the agency of government that is saddled with all matters relating to wages and salaries of workers in the public sector, has rubbished the allegations A source who spoke on condition of anonymity said Mayshak could not in any way have legally

earned that sum monthly as a public servant.

“It is absolutely impossible for one public servant to earn that amount as monthly emoluments in Nigeria, maybe it should be somewhere else in the world, ” the source added.

“Nigerians need to know that NSIWC was established just to ensure that such a thing does not happen. The Commission could not have approved of such a sum under any

circumstance.

“So, while the issue of fraud at PTAD may or may not be true, the humongous salary is nowhere near the truth.

She does not even earn that in a year, legally that is. ” It will be recalled that last Wednesday, the Director General, Bureau of Public Service Reforms (BPSR), Dr. Joe Abah, following the news of Mayshak ’s suspension, went on Twitter to affirm the

impossibility of the salary reports claimed that Mayshak earned.

Investigations further revealed that the suspension of the PTAD DG had nothing to do with her salaries, a point that the Special Adviser, Media, to the Minister of Finance, Mr. Festus Akanbi, noted in the statement he issued to newsmen on Friday.

According to him, the Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun placed

Mayshak on suspension, to allow ‘unimpeded ’ investigations into allegations of fraud at the agency, not the salary she earned or a particular case of fraud she perpetuated.

“The suspension which is a normal civil service procedure is to pave way for an unimpeded investigation into the activities of the directorate under the watch of Mayshak, ” the statement read.

FG to partner medical social workers on improved health care KEMI OLAITAN IBADAN

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L-R: Director, Tax and Audit Department, Federal Inland Revenue Services, Mrs. Fauzat Oguniyi; Executive Director, Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs Mary Isong and Chairperson, NECA ’s Network of Entrepreneurial Women, NNEW, Abuja Chapter, Mrs Ekaette Umoh, durPHOTO: ROTIMI OSASONA ing NNEW Networking meeting on Women Exploiting Business Opportunities in 2016 in Abuja, yesterday.

Groups decry funds earmarked for immunisation in Niger PRISCILLA DENNIS MINNA

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ommunity Health and Research Initiative, CHR, in collaboration with the Coalition of Niger State CSOs/Media on Routine Immunisation, RI, have decried the amount of funds earmarked in the 2016 budget for immunisation programme in the state.

The groups said the proposed budget is below the requirement for funding RI programme.

This was the position of stakeholders at the end of a one day Dissemination Meeting on Routine Immunisation Budget Scorecard to deliberate on the Niger State RI budget scorecard, what is budgeted, status of budget approval and how CSOs and

Media can track RI budget releases to ensure accountability and transparency.

The meeting discussed the Status of state ’s RI budget accountability and transparency and the need to include the CSOs and the media in the Niger State Finance Working Group Meetings which is targeted at ensuring openness during the budget planning process.

It observed that RI fund budgeted were not released on time and also, Budget review meetings were not held on quarterly basis for 2015 and first quarter of 2016.

According to participants, “RI funds scaled out in the basket funds were not accessed from LGA and HAF bank account for 2015 and first quarter of the year ”

inister of State for Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, has assured Nigerians of the determination of the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration to partner with medical social workers to improve health care service delivery across the country.

The minister made this disclosure when he received in his office, the leadership of the Association of Medical Social Workers of Nigeria, AMSWON, led by the National President, Alhaji Abubakar Alhassan Bichi.

The association in a statement made available to journalists in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, yesterday by the Secretary General, Pastor Kayode Ogedengbe, quoted the minister as saying that the administration of President Buhari, is favourably disposed to partnering with medical social workers so as to contribute

their own quota towards improving services in the health sector.

The minister further emphasised that with access to quality health care by ordinary Nigerian at the heart of the policies of the administration, medical social workers will be playing vital roles in that direction.

He then directed the association to draw up recommendations to advise government on the way forward on how to improve service delivery in the heath sector.

The President of the association, said even though medical services at the Federal Government owned hospitals are commendable, there is room for more improvement in service delivery and various health care outputs across the country.

Bichi however lauded government ’s drive to improve health care services in Nigeria, stating that it will serve as a check for medical tourism abroad.

Commissioner canvasses exclusive breastfeeding for babies RICHARD NDOMA CALABAR

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ross River State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Inyang Asibong, has warned nursing mothers against the use of instant formu-

las to feed their babies at the expense of exclusive breastfeeding which has been proved to be more effective in raising newborns.

She urged them to shun the use of canned baby formulas except in ex-

treme cases where doctors make recommendations instead they should adopt exclusive breastfeeding which has been known to boost the baby`s immune system to fight diseases which used to attack babies at an early age.

This came just as a group, Expanded Social Marketing Project in Nigeria (ESMPIN), advocated the establishment of crèche at work places to encourage exclusive breast feeding among Nigerian nursing mothers.

Asibong, who spoke at an advocacy/sensitisation dialogue her ministry held in collaboration with Society for Family Health (SFH), in Calabar, maintained that breast milk has all the required nutrients to ensure a ba-

by ’s growth and mental wellbeing.

The health commissioner spoke on, the importance of breast feeding cannot be overemphasized because of its numerous benefits to the mother, her baby and the entire family.

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Sport

Sunday, March 27, 2016

Courtois refuses to rule out Chelsea exit PAGE 43

Sport

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Ighalo vows Eagles will fight to win in Egypt KEEPING YOU ABREAST OF SPORTING NEWS PAGE 44

SUNDAY, MARCH 27, 2016

Familiar Siasia foibles leave Nigeria on the brink T

he expectation was high. Football fans who had nothing to cheer under Sunday Oliseh, had expected so much from Samson Siasia boys. Yes, they let out a bit of what they can do but Mohamed Salah’s calm finish, with three minutes left to play, was such a bitter pill to swallow though, mostly because it shook an entire nation out of mass hypnosis.

Against hope, it was convenient to believe that time had tempered the ability of Siasia’s teams to suffer moments of total implosion, that the flurry of attacking blows would not subside to reveal a soft underbelly.

In the end, it was Abdullahi Shehu, again reprising his role as a full-back and somnolent, who failed to step out with the rest of the defence.

Fitting, one might say.

As expected, the Super Eagles produced some moments of sheer inspiration, especially following a tentative first half.

It would not be a Siasia team if they did not. Oghenekaro Etebo scuffed in a rebound from Kelechi Iheanacho’s intelligent dink, which rattled the woodwork, to open the scoring just as the team began to click through the gears.

That it was the former Warri Wolves man, improbably tasked with partnering new captain John Obi Mikel in midfield, who was farthest forward in the move was a consideration pushed to the back of overjoyed minds. He endured a mixed bag of a game, impeding the build-up time and again, and then just about doing enough to put off Ahmed Hassan ‘Koka’ as the Pharaohs fashioned the game’s best chance in the opening period.

What was abundantly clear, both before and on the evidence of the game, is that as a midfield pairing, Mikel-Etebo lacked the ability to effectively control a game or effect proper build-up. The latter, a vertical, head-down charging bull of a footballer, is entirely out of place in a double-pivot, and it showed.

With Mikel tightly marshalled, the team struggled to get the ball forward to Iheanacho between the lines.

The Manchester City man, making his first international start, was largely ineffectual, stuck in a halfway house, neither midfielder nor forward in the first half.

He was then withdrawn following his contribution to the opening goal, just when he looked to be growing into proceedings, a substitution which proved purely cosmetic—Aminu Umar was busy rather than decisive, and it took away the

option to make a defensive sub later on as the team began to tire.

If there is any consolation to be had, it is that it is a result that did not see the Super Eagles lose ground. A win in Alexandria in four days is doable, as well as imperative: this is not the fabled Egypt team of the noughties that toted up seven continental titles, though admittedly the likes of Salah carry significant threat.

It is also imperative, not only in order to leapfrog Egypt, but to ward off the attentions of the climbing Tanzania, who are now breathing down Nigeria’s neck.

One point off the Super Eagles, and with a very winnable return leg against Chad in Dar Es Salam, it is not inconceivable that by the end of the March fixtures, there could be a new frontrunner for second place in the group.

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Sport

Sunday, March 27, 2016

43

Federer R withdraws from Miami

oger Federer has pulled out of the Miami Open due to a stomach virus.

Federer had been due to play Argentina’s Juan Martin del Potro on Friday in what would have been the Swiss’ first tournament appearance since injuring his left knee following his Australian Open defeat to Novak Djokovic in January.

The 17-time grand slam winner Federer said in a statement on Friday: “I am very sorry that I have to pull out of the Miami Open with a stomach virus.

“I feel bad for the tournament and the fans as I have rarely ever had to withdraw at such short notice.

“I have not felt great for a few days, and unfortunately it got worse in the last 24 hours. I was really excited to have my comeback in Miami but I am in no condition to play. I tried to warm up this morning, but it was clear that I could not compete.”

Federer

Courtois refuses to rule out Chelsea exit C We won’t remove Wenger, says Usmanov

helsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has fuelled speculation regarding his future by admitting he “does not know” whether he will remain at Stamford Bridge next season.

A miserable season start under Jose Mourinho saw the Blues boss sacked in December, yet interim coach Guus Hiddink has since steered his recovering side into 10th in the Premier League.

Hiddink has been unable to keep Chelsea in the race for honours, however, following exits in the FA Cup and Champions League in March, while European qualification also looks slim.

Speaking on international duty with Belgium, Courtois - who has been linked with a move to Liga giants Real Madrid this week - admitted his discontent at the season and refused to rule out a transfer away from the London club this summer.

Courtois

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lisher Usmanov says he is not interested in removing Arsene Wenger as manager this summer.

Usmanov acknowledged the banners that have been shown at the Emirates in recent weeks, with Arsenal 11 points behind leaders Leicester.

“Failures have been haunting Arsenal for many years now, they cannot become the EPL champions.

This has led to some discontent with Wenger’s position as a manager,” he continued.

“I believe that Arsene Wenger is a great coach, and Arsenal has to give him the opportunity to plan the succession process and leave his legacy when he deems it necessary.

“It is very important for the football club to maintain the principles that were established by those people who created its victories. Arsenal needs Arsene Wenger.”

Usmanov has always said Wenger is a strong manager, though in 2014 he also said he was not happy the club have failed to build on their consistent top-four form.

Sahin S Sah Sa ahi ah hin in

Cole backs Giggs for United manager A

Giggs

ndy nd y Cole Co ole e has hass backed bac acke ked his ked hi former form fo rmer er Manchester Man anch ches este terr UnitU ed d team-mate tea eam-ma eammate te and current currre ent assistant assis ista tant nt Ryan Rya y n Giggs Gigg to future be a successful suc cces cess ssfu ful u futu t re e manager man anag ager e at er at Old O d Trafford.

Ol Traffo Tr Traf f r Cole C l played l d for f United U itt d for f seven years alongside l id Giggs G and said the fact that the Welshman had spent his whole career at the club held him in good stead to do a fine job , if given the required time.

“Giggs would be brilliant. He’s been there all his career,” Cole told Sky Sports.

“I played with him for many years. If he’s going to serve two managers [as assistant] then at some point he’s going to get an opportunity. “And I know it’s going to be hard for him, everyone says it’s going to be hard for him, but of course it will be. It’s Manchester United.

“They are so used to winning things, being top of the league, progressing in Europe, winning the Premiership, winning the FA Cup and consistently winning.

“If he was given the chance I think he would do well, but it would take time and I think it would take time for anyone at that football club now.”

Lukaku wants Champions League football

Lukaku

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omelu Lukaku has fuelled talk of a transfer away from Everton after admitting he would like to play in the Champions League next season.

The Everton striker’s father spoke in an interview with Het Laatste Nieuws in which he urged the Belgium international to join either Manchester United or Bayern Munich at the end of the season. Lukaku says it is not surprising to hear his father mention his own favoured sides as potential suitors but hinted that he could look to engineer a move away from Goodison Park in order to play in Europe’s top competition in 2015-16. “It’s my dad’s point of view, those are the teams that he likes. It’s good to hear,” he told Sky Sports News.

“Of course, it means people are keeping an eye on you, but I have an agent who is dealing with this for me at the moment. I just want to be good, help my team-mates win the games and score a lot of goals.

“I’m 23 next summer and it would be nice to play in the Champions League next season.”

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Sport

Sunday, March 27, 2016

Ighalo vows Eagles will fight to win in Egypt

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atford striker Odion Ighalo has said he believes Nigeria could still get the victory they desperately need against Egypt on Tuesday to stay on course for next year’s AFCON in Gabon.

Nigeria failed to beat visiting Egypt in Friday’s must-win match in Kaduna and now travel to Alexandria on Tuesday for the reverse fixture against the seven-time African champions.

The Super Eagles thus remain two points behind group leaders Egypt after three rounds of matches in the qualifying tournament with only the overall group winners assured automatic qualification to Gabon 2017.

“Egypt got a draw in Nigeria and I believe we can still go over there to win,” declared Ighalo, who was kept quiet by the Egyptian defence on Friday for the duration of the game.

“It was disappointing that we did not concentrate till the last minute and that they didn’t give us the fair play, but we can still win on Tuesday.”

Goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi said the target remains a win in Egypt.

“We need the three points in Egypt. It

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Knockout with

IFEANYI Eduzor

08055829770 ifeduz24@yahoo.com

Officials named for Pacquiao, Bradley fight

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Ighalo

will be a tough task, but we are very capable,” said the South Africa-based shot stopper.

“We will fight to get the victory in

Egypt,” added defiant Gent forward Moses Simon, who started the game on Friday ahead of Chelsea loanee Victor Moses

he referee and the three scoring officials have been named ahead of the upcoming April 9th third fight between Manny Pacquiao and Tim Bradley. Robert Byrd will referee the clash in Las Vegas, while the three judges will be Dave Moretti, Burt Clements and Steve Weisfeld.

Byrd is as experienced official and has refereed both Pacquiao and Bradley before, being the third man for the first fight between the two, which ended up as one of the most contro-

versial decisions, in years.

Bradley won in 2012, yet virtually nobody agreed with the verdict.

Boxing fans want to see nothing controversial about the third fight, least of all a poor decision awarded one way or the other. None of the three judges who will work the rubber-match where involved in either of the first two bouts. This fight is said to be Pac-Man’s very final ring appearance, although the Filipino has spoken about the possibility of maybe having one more big fight after April 9th should he have the urge.

Eagles now focused on Alexandria game

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uper Eagles left back Stanley Amuzie has apologised to Nigerian football fans after the 1-1 draw with Egypt in a 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Kaduna on Friday.

Nigeria conceded in added time of the second half to draw the game which was well within their sights to win.

Oghenekaro Etebo had given Nigeria the lead in the 62nd minute of the game for his first goal at full international level in his first start.

Mohammed Salah equalised for Egypt in added time to give the Pharaohs a share of the spoils which left Amuzie

disappointed.

“I want to apologise to our fans for the draw. I appreciate that they came out in their thousands to support us but we couldn’t get the win we wanted, “the Olhanense left back told supersport.com “The team is gutted I must tell you.

We wanted to win for ourselves and the fans but it wasn’t to be. It wasn’t what we wanted or expected.

The defender, who was also making his first senior start also stated that he has moved on from Friday’s draw and has his eyes firmly fixed on the second leg in Alexandria on Tuesday.

“I can’t afford to dwell on Friday’s game because our minds are now on the second leg because that is what is important now,”he revealed.

“We are already looking forward to the game because we have another chance to get the three points at stake.

“Egypt are a good side as they showed but we are also good. If they can get a draw here I see no reason why we can’t get points over there.

“The team is determined to make Nigeria proud and we are heading to Egypt for business. I want the fans to continue to support the team.”Amuzie added

Nkwocha walks down the aisles tomorrow

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Nigeria’s women football team celebrate a goal

igeria women football icon, Perpetua Nkwocha, will walk down the altar tomorrow, March 28, to be joined in holy matrimony with Ernest Ikechukwu Nwufoh.

The marriage takes place at Our Lady Carmel Catholic Church, Emekuku, Owerri North Local Government Area of Imo State, by 12-noon. Reception follows immediately after service at the bride’s father’s compound in Amankwu Umuhu in Ngor-Okpala Local Government Area of Imo State.

Nkwocha’s soon-to-be husband hails from the late Nze Dilibe Amachukwu Nwufoh family of Ifite, Nibo in Akwa South Local Government Area of Anambra State.

The Nigeria legend, now an assistant coach of the Super Falcons, participated in seven African Women Championship (AWC) final competitions in 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012 and 2014, winning gold in five of editions (2002, 2004, 2006, 2010 and 2014).

At the 2004 AWC, she scored four goals in the final against Cameroun to help Nigeria retain the title.

She also set a record by scoring nine goals during the tournament, and was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the tournament.

Nkwocha was voted African Women’s Footballer of the Year in 2004, 2005, 2010 and 2011 by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

Flamingoes qualify for U17 Women’s World Cup

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igeria U17 women have qualified for the 2016 Fifa U17 Women’s World Cup billed for Jor-

dan.

Bala Nikyu’s girls recorded a 1-0 victory over hosts South Africa at the Makhulong Stadium to qualify 7-0 on aggregate.

Bantwana needed to score seven goals to go through to the World Cup

without a reply from the Flamingoes; but Ajibade’s 28th minute goal put paid to any hopes of the hosts pulling off a surprise turn-around.

Africa has three slots at the U17 Women’s World Cup and South Africa was hoping to snatch one of the spots.

Maude Khumalo’s charges tried hard in the second half to go out

with pride but a resolute Nigeria defence snuffed out any chances the locals had of scoring a consolation goal. With this, Nigeria join hosts Jordan, Japan, North Korea, United States of America, Mexico, Canada, Brazil, Paraguay, Venezuela and New Zealand for the competition to hold between 30 September – 21 October, 2016.

Tim Bradley (L) and Manny Pacquiao exchanging punches during their first fight.

Browne fails drugs test

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BA heavyweight champion Lucas Browne says he is “shocked and devastated” after failing a drugs test.

Australian Browne stopped defending champion Ruslan Chagaev to win the title in Russia earlier this month.

The 36-year-old delivered a positive sample for clenbuterol after the fight, his management company has revealed.

“I would like to assure all fans, the whole of the boxing world and all of Australia that I am not a drug

user or a drug cheat,” said Browne.

Sydney-born Browne was knocked down in the sixth round but floored Uzbekistan’s Chagaev with a big right to improve his record to 24-0.

He added: “I will fight for as long as it takes to clear my name. I have never heard of the drug clenbuterol and had no idea what it is used for.

“I am now aware that it is essentially a weight-stripping drug and as a heavyweight boxer, the idea of me using it is utterly ridiculous”, he concluded.

Police declare Broner wanted

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BA super lightweight world champion Adrien Broner has been declared wanted after allegedly beating a man outside a Cincinnati bowling alley in a violent robbery with a gun The alleged victim told police that Broner had lost thousands of dollars in bowling bets and was pissed when he decided to call it a night and go home with his winnings, claiming Broner waited for him outside of the alley and punched him

in the face and neck nearly knocking the man out cold.

According to the complainant, the boxer went to his car and brought a gun at one point and when he came back, he forcibly took all the money in his wallet We’re told the alleged victim was hospitalized and needed stitches to close a gash on his chin. We reached out to Broner and his camp multiple times for comment but no words came from them”, said a Police spokesperson.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

45

Business FRESH BUSINESS NEWS AT YOUR FINGERTIPS Sunday March 27, 2016

New MPR, CRR will curtail inflation, says expert A financial expert, Mr. Wale Abe, yesterday applauded the decision of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, to increase the Monetary Policy Rate, MPR, and the Cash Reserve Ratio, CRR. Abe, who is the Executive Secretary of the Financial

Markets Dealers Association (FMDA), told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday in Lagos that the measures would curtail inflation in the country.

According to him, the decision is necessary to mop up excess liquidity in the system.

He, however, noted that customers would be discouraged from borrowing from the banks because of the 100 basis points increase in the MPR (from 11 per cent to 12 per cent) The executive secretary also said that the increase in CRR would lead to a reduction

in funds at commercial banks’ disposal for lending to customers and for the development of the real sector in the country.

He further said the increase in the interest rates would raise the cost of capital, as companies would now ``borrow less and produce less.”

C’River taxes tipper truck operators RICHARD NDOMA CALABAR

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PERATORS of long tippers and trucks in Cross River will henceforth begin to pay an annual registration fee of N20,000 while those operating the short ones will have to pay N15,000 annually as registration. The fee would act as their little way of contributing their quota to the economic development of the state.

The decision was part of

resolutions arrived at after a tripartite meeting between the Cross River House of Assembly, the Ministry, departments and agencies in the transportation sub-sector, and the state sand miners union in Calabar.

After exhaustive deliberations on the matter, it was resolved that long tippers and trucks will pay a daily operational toll ticket of N1,000.00 while short tippers and trucks are to pay N500.

According to a release signed by the state Commis-

sioner for Transportation and Marine services, Hon Saviour Nyong and made available to National Mirror in Calabar, the release stated that all tippers/trucks operating in the state must stop daily operations at 6pm, Mondays to Saturdays, and prohibits lifting of product on Sundays.

It would be recalled that operators of commercial transportation in Calabar recently embarked on a peaceful demonstration to protest what they termed high daily operational toll

tickets by the different agencies of government in the transportation sub-sector.

Consequently, the state government had waded into the matter and ordered the stoppage of all daily operational tickets to allow it properly address the situation.

This was followed by an intervention by the State House of Assembly which set up a special committee to look into the matter with a vow to amicably resolve the issues raised by stakeholders in the sub-sector.

The expert said the rate of consumption of goods would decrease further as there would decrease in spending on the part of the consumers.

He said that the aggregate demand would in due course reflect in the nation’s overall Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Abe pointed out that household savings would reduce because there was no incentive to save, given the fact that the interest rate was on the decline.

NAN reports that the CBN increased the portion of cus-

tomers’ deposits that banks keep as cash, known as the Cash Reserve Ratio, to 22.5 per cent from 20 per cent.

CRR is a monetary policy tool meant to set the minimum deposits commercial banks must hold as reserves NAN reports that the apex bank retained the Liquidity Ratio (LR) at 30 per cent.

The CBN Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, had announced the new guidelines at the end of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting held between March 21 and March 22.

Eatery operators express mixed feelings on patronage

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ome eatery operators in Abuja on Saturday expressed mixed feelings over the patronage of their businesses for the Easter celebration, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

The operators made this known in separate interviews with NAN in Abuja.

While some operators said that business was good, others rued the low patronage recorded by their companies.

The acting Manager of Tantalizer in Garki 2, Mrs Helen Chibogu, said that the eatery opened to customers till 10 p.m. on Good Friday. She said that patronage was good on Good Friday, adding that she was not expecting anything different in the remaining days of the Easter celebrations.

“We had a good day yesterday, so I am very optimistic that other days will not be different.

“I must confess we are hav-

ing a good deal this festive period.

“For good relaxation, we hired a Disc Jockey (DJ) for good music, bouncing castles for the children and other side attractions that enhance our kind of business.

“We sell more when we put up some things to encourage customers because eatery business is highly competitive.

“We liaised with the District Police Officer (DPO) in charge of our zone for adequate security coverage and we have our internal security too, `` she said.

However, Mrs. Sandra Okebugwu, the Manager of Tastey Tastey Restaurant in Lugbe, said that she was disappointed at the level of patronage on Good Friday.

According to Okebugwu, ``it is in this festive period that our business boom, unfortunately this time, the reverse is the case.

Easter: Prices of food items soar in Calabar

L-R: Representative of the President of NACCIMA, John Udeagbara; Enugu State Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Barr.

Sam Ogbu Nwobodo; President of ECCIMA, Rev. Ugo Chime and Chairman, Senate Committee on Industry, Dr. Sam Egwu, at the 27th Enugu International Trade Fair, at the weekend.

Turkish Airlines to increase flights, routes in Nigeria

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urkish Airlines, named Europe’s best airline for five years, has announced its decision to increase the number of routes and flights it offers in Nigeria, as well as its new status as Number One in Africa.

The announcement was made Thursday March 24, 2016 by the Vice President, Turkish Airlines, Mr. Said Samil

Karakas, while speaking to the press in the country’s capital, Istanbul.

Karakas explained, “We currently offer the largest number of O&D pairs in Africa – a total of 11,472 origin-to-destination pairs on the African continent.

“Within Africa, we do 2,448 O&Ds; Africa to Europe 5,184; Africa to the Middle East 1,632; Africa

to the Far East 1,632; and Africa to America 576, which brings our total to 11,472 O&D’s. No other airline in the world covers Africa like we do nor are they as well-priced as we are.”

Talking about the expansion of routes Turkish Airlines wants specifically in Nigeria, Karakas explained that they currently fly from three loca-

tions in Nigeria, namely Lagos, Abuja and Kano, but would like to also fly from Port Harcourt and a few other locations.

In addition to that, the airline also wants to double its daily flights in and out of the three current locations. These requests, Karakas said have since been tabled before the presidency as well as the aviation ministry.

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s Christians celebrate this year’s Easter, prices of commodities have skyrocketed in most markets in Calabar, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

A market survey conducted by NAN revealed that the prices of frozen foods which showed marginal increase during the Christmas celebrations have further increased beyond the reach of average Nigerians.

Some commodities that have witnessed noticeable increases include rice, chicken, beef, tomatoes, groundnut oil, palm oil, pepper, yams, onions and potatoes.

At the Marian market, a bag of rice which initially

sold for between N9,500 and N10,000 now costs N12,000 and N12,500, depending on the brand.

A big basket of tomatoes now sells for between N5,500 and N6,000 as against N4,000 and N4, 500, while a bag of big pepper which previously sold for N2,500 now costs N3,200.

Similarly, a 20-litre jerry can of palm oil which sold for N3,500 at the beginning of January now costs about N4,500. Also at the Watts market, a carton of turkey which was sold between N9,000 and N9,700 now costs N10,000 and N11,000, while a carton of chicken previously sold at N7,500 and N8,000 now goes for N8,500 and N9,000.

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South

March 27, 2016

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

boss denies Midnight res raze markets in Kano, Ex-NUT misappropriation of N50m Birnin Kebbi A T HENRY IYORKASE MAKURDI

midnight fire razed the Sabon Gari Market in Kano and also destroyed the branch of a first generation bank in the market.

A correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), who visited the market reported that the popular Gidan Maggi, which is located close to the bank, was also destroyed.

Other popular sections of the market affected by the fire include footwear, soft drink, books, plastic and jewellery.

Some traders, who spoke to NAN, expressed concern over incessant outbreak of fire in the state.

One of the traders, Alhaji Haruna Abdu, said he lost his entire shop to the

fire.

Abdu, who was still in shock, said it was not possible to quantify what was lost to the disaster.

Another trader, Alhaji Musa, said about two thirds of the market was destroyed, adding that no fewer than 4, 000 shops were razed by the fire.

The traders, who called for investigation into the cause of the fire, urged the Federal and Kano State governments to come to their aid.

At the time of filing this report, fire fighters from the state Fire Service and other private companies as well as hundreds of volunteers were still making efforts to put out the fire.

In a similar development, the Birnin Kebbi Central Market was gut-

ted by fire in the early hours of Saturday, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

A NAN correspondent, who visited the scene of the incident on Saturday, reported that property worth millions of naira was destroyed, but no life was lost.

Alhaji Abubakar Bandam, the chairman of the central market management, who told newsmen in Birnin Kebbi that the fire was noticed at about 12:00 midnight, explained that the source of the inferno was yet to be determined.

He said the management of the market was working closely with security agencies to identify the cause, just as he commended the state Depart-

ment of Fire Service for its prompt response.

Alhaji Bello Zagga, the state Director of Fire Service, told NAN that the fire lasted for several hours because the fire fighting vans did not have easy access to the spot of the inferno.

He said although, the source of the fire was yet to be identified, suspected sources could be illegal electrical wiring and connections in shops.

NAN reported that officials from the state government, led by the Chief of Staff of the Government House, Alhaji Suleiman Argungu, and the Emir of Gwandu, Alhaji Mohammad Bashar, visited the scene to sympathise with traders who lost their goods.

he immediate past chairman of Nigeria Union of Teachers in Benue State, Comrade Godwin Anya, has dismissed allegations that his tenure misappropriated over N50 million deducted from members for hosting the national chairman in the state.

Comrade Anya in a chat with Sunday Mirror at the weekend in Makurdi debunked the claims saying it is unfounded and there is no iota of truth in the insinuation.

The former NUT chairman and now NLC chairman recalled that the money the members are claiming to have been misappropriated is not true as far as he is concerned, it ’s just a cheap blackmail by his detractors to cast his image in disrepute.

“For the avoidance of doubt, no one diverted a dime under my leadership and it is foolhardy for anybody to raise an eye-

brow of misappropriating that huge funds meant for the union which I have no knowledge about ”.

Comrade Anya further observed that the money in question was unanimously approved by the EXCO for use for hosting and entertaining the national chairman and himself for their bravery towards ensuring the implementation of national teachers ’ minimum wage in the state.

According to him “Instead of telling the public what the leadership had used the money at that time for, they resorted to campaign of calumny just to smear my hard earned reputation ” He, therefore, seized this opportunity to call on members to always verify and have accurate information on any issue affecting them before making it public with a view to avoiding spreading falsehood tantamount to portraying the image of the entire profession in bad light.

Attah Igala, Ahmadu Ali drums up support for Bello ’s administration WALE IBRAHIM LOKOJA

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Director General, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Alhaji Muhammad Sidi, presenting relief materials to a child during his visit to IDPS camp in Maiduguri recently.

Post Insurgency: Group trains Borno women IDPS in skill acquisition INUSA NDAHI MAIDUGURI

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omen Peace and Security Network (WPSN), a non-governmental organization has trained over 100 women, particularly victims of Boko Haram who were displaced from their communities and now taking refuge at various houses of their relatives in Jere and Maiduguri Metropolitan Council (MMC) in Borno State.

The training is aimed at repositioning the displaced women to develop skills and empower them economically as a result of trauma and other related problem they encounter due to deadly activities and destruction of

their belongings by insurgents.

Addressing the victims at Women Development Centre in Maiduguri, the state capital, President of WPSN, Hajiya Rabi Ismail, said, 100 women victims were selected to benefit from the first phase of the exercise, where each of them will after receiving the training, be empowered in various acquisition skills of tailoring, soap making, weaving and petty trading so that they became self-reliant in the new society they found themselves in.

She also said that apart from the capacity building, WPSN has to inculcate knowledge in the mind of the target group on how to

participate in peace building amongst other victims of insurgency and their host communities, so that peace and unity will prevail in order to move their communities forward.

Hajiya Rabi stated that, in view of the psychological trauma and hardship that surviving victims of insurgents had gone through in the last couple of years, there was the need to give them necessary support towards peace building and unity, stressing that, by doing so, the displaced women would be able to live peacefully with one another in their host communities.

In their separate paper presentations at the event, University of Maiduguri

dons, Mrs. Hassana Ibrahim and Mallam Ibrahim Sadiq dwelled extensively on ‘Importance of Women Participation in Peace Building in Borno State ’.

Both presenters respectively charged all and sundry to shun religious, tribal/ ethnic or political considerations in dealing with societal issues, but to be united and see one another as brother ’s keepers, so as to enhance cordial working relationship in the society.

Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Mrs. Aisha Adamu thanked WPSN for organising the training programme and promised to work assiduously on restoration of peace in the state.

he President of Kogi State Traditional Council, His Royal Majesty, Dr. Idakwo Micheal Ameh, Oboni II, has urged the people of the state to continue to support Yahaya Bello ’s administration for the overall development of Kogi State The traditional ruler made this call during the 3rd anniversary of his coronation as Attah Igala at his palace in Idah in Idah Local Government Area of the state.

The monarch explained that the presence of Governor Yahaya Bello at the occasion showed love and understanding.

He also commended the government of President Muhammadu Buhari for opening a new chapter in the political history of Nigeria, saying the ‘change ’ mantra must start from Kogi State because the state has been marginalised for too long.

The Attah Igala pointed out that the occasion was

the beginning of a new reunion after several years of long separation, calling on Igala sons and daughters to unite and work together for the overall development of Igalaland The monarch also called on the people of Udeke in Ibaji, Kogi State and Aguleri people of Anambra State to sheathe their swords and allow peace to reign, noting that the crisis would have been resolved.

Also speaking, the Father of the Day, Senator Ahmadu Ali also drummed up support for the new administration in the state, saying that power belonged to God and urged the people to support who God had chosen.

The occasion was also graced by various shades of masquerades including the highly revered Igala masquerade, Ekwe.

Bello had earlier paid traditional homage to the Attah Igala at his palace and members of the traditional council from the area and promised to work hard to unite the people of the state.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

North

March 27, 2016

Easter should remind Nigerians of need for rebirth –Aregbesola

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overnor of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, yesterday said that only a total rebirth in national consciousness and values would deliver Nigeria from its many challenges.

Aregbesola, on the occasion of Easter celebration, said renewal, which is a crucial theme in the celebration of Easter should make Nigerians rediscover themselves for the purpose of their creation in the first place.

The governor, in a statement by the Director, Bureau of Communication

and Strategy, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon, also called on all, especially Christians to use the period to supplicate to God on behalf of the country so that Nigeria will be able to come out of the present economic challenges.

Aregbesola, who described Easter as a period of sober reflection, enjoined Nigerians to live in peace and harmony at all times despite the present economic hardship.

According to him, religious tolerance and peaceful coexistence among humans were necessary

elements in the sustenance of development.

He said, “It gives me great joy to felicitate with Christians on this Easter celebration. As we rejoice in the glory of God, we must not lose sight of the teachings of the period.

“Jesus Christ ’s life was a demonstration of absolute love. We, as creations of God, must learn to live in love and peace. We must learn to live exemplary life.

“We should all at this time pray for the sustenance of peace and also

pray that the present economic situation must come an immediate end.

But we need that renewal as a people and that must come with new values.

“The lesson of Easter is that we too can live a life of sacrifice for our country especially at this time when Nigeria appears to be at the crossroads in terms of the economic and security challenges besetting her. Beyond the eating and drinking in the course of the celebration, we should go to God in prayer to solicit His intervention. ”

47

...Ayade sues for peace, love among Christians RICHARD NDOMA CALABAR

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ross River State Governor, Senator Ben Ayade, has enjoined Christian faithful to inculcate the virtues of peace, love, sacrifice and forgiveness as exhibited by Jesus Christ.

Ayade, in his Easter message, signed by his Special Assistant on Media and Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Christian Ita, said: “As we join our Christian brothers and sisters all over the world to celebrate this special occasion of Easter, I enjoin Cross Riverians and indeed, Nigerians to imbibe the core values of sacrifice, love, sharing and forgiveness of sins, which our Saviour preached while on earth. ” According to Governor Ayade, “In line with what Christ preached, and

which he demonstrated by laying down his life for us, we should, therefore, embrace peace with all men and continue to sustain it in the years to come.

“As we celebrate, we should not forget to extend a hand of fellowship to the less-privileged among us, as Christ taught us to love our neighbours as ourselves.

“We must not forget that the peace we are enjoying today in the state is due, largely, to the prayers and support of all of you, and I urge you, in this season of Easter to continue in this momentum by upholding the values that seek to unite us rather than those that pull us apart.

“As we celebrate, I pray that the joy of Easter enfolds you even as we renew our strength to build the Cross River State of our dreams. ”

How Osun PDP can return to winning ways –Chieftain chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Osun State, Chief Tijani Jinadu, yesterday suggested measures the party can adopt to return to winning ways ahead of re-run election for Ife Central State Constituency.

The octogenarian politician while speaking to newsmen in Osogbo, implored members of the party to embrace unity to ensure success.

Jinadu posted that the party ’s gubernatorial candidate in the 2014 governorship election, Otunba Iyiola Omisore, should be given full support to lead the party to victory.

According to him, internal wrangling should be avoided by members and charged Omisore

and other leaders of the party to further work for the unity and progress of the party by pacifying aggrieved and defected bigwigs to return into PDP fold.

“I have no interest in the polarization of the party and its members, especially political figures within our great party.

Why must we talk about dissociation of members now that we are supposed to be building the unity and progress of PDP in Osun state?

“We elders must put all hands on deck to maintain our members and even try as much as possible, to bring back the lost ones into the fold. That is to say, all the aggrieved personalities who have either defected or suspended must be appeased, recalled and brought back into our party.

Street Clinic, opened in 1914 as first general outpatient clinic in Lagos.

Alhaji Bishi, who said his association would make donations to the hospital an annual event, said his association would build a synergy with the hospital management so as to know the urgent needs with a view to ameliorating such.

Items donated included seven mattresses, seven beds, seven pillows, fourteen bedsheets, twenty aprons, five cartons of hand gloves, twenty instrument trays, ten cumbus bags, twenty airways, ten gloco metre, one adult weighing scale, a pair of crunches, one blood pressure machine, two canes

BOLADALE BAMIGBOLA OSOGBO.

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L-R: Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji receiving a Quran from the Secretary General, Oyo State Muslim Community, Alhaji Murziq Siyanbade and Chairman Muslim Community Oyo State, Alhaji Kunle Sanni, during their visit to the Palace of the monarch yesterday.

Transparency group bemoans Nigeria ’s situation ...as Uduaghan, Ochei, Ogboru, others bag awards AMOUR UDEMUDE ASABA

The Anti-corruption and transparency group, Vanguard for Transparent Leadership and Democracy (VATLAD), at the weekend bemoaned the current situation of Nigeria, describing it as precarious and called for urgent attention that re-

quired everyone ’s contributions to build the country.

National President of VATLAD, Comrade Emmanuel Odafe Igbini, made this known while delivering his key note address at the annual lecture/award ceremony of the Vanguard for Transparent Leadership and Democracy (VATLAD) held

in Effurun, Delta state.

The group, while recognising some Nigerians who have contributed positively in one way or the other to the growth of the nation and distinguished themselves in their positions of authority, challenged all and sundry to as a matter of importance join hands to build the country.

VATLAD national president condemned the spate of corruption in the country and the political killings at Rivers State, saying that even at these killings, some religious leaders are waiting to conduct thanksgiving services for the politicians whose hands are stained with the of blood of innocent souls.

Group donates to Lagos premier hospital

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series of health aid materials have been donated to the premier Lagos hospital, the Massey Children Hospital, for the convenience of patients as well as to cushion the operations of the personnel.

The materials, ranging from beddings to cane, were delivered to the man-

agement of the hospital by a United States of America-based Eko Akete, Houston Texas.

According to the President of the association, Alhaji Adewale Bishi, the gesture was a payback for the roles the hospital has played in seeing to the health needs of infants and children in the area over the years,

“We in the Eko Akete Houston Texas, USA are indigenes of the Lagos Island who have benefited from the painstaking health services of this hospital over the years, As beneficiaries from the healthcare of the hospital, we came together to resolve to lend supportive hands to the hospital for the benefit of

the present generation of children, ” he said.

The Massey Children Hospital, the first children hospital in Lagos, was established and commissioned by Mrs Flora Azikiwe, wife of the first president of Nigeria, Nnamdi Azikwe, in 1962.

The hospital started as a clinic, christened Massey

N N II G G E E R R II A A

N350bn with.

Vol. 6 No. 14

Sunday, March 27, 2016

-The amount FG is set to stimulate the economy

F F II G G U U R R E E S S

N70bn

-The sum Katsina State govt set up a panel on as siphoned money.

N150

The Buhari charisma, NASS and the Bench

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Comment

jimunahlive@gmail. com Unah is Professor of Philosophy at the University of Lagos

with Jim Unah

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www.nationalmirroronline.net

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resident Muhammadu Buhari exudes the aura, appeal or magnetism of incorruptibility to many Nigerians, especially since the mid-eighties when he made appearance on the nation’s political landscape as military head of state; after his ouster of the civilian government of Alhaji Shehu Shagari. That is the magnetism leveraged by the All Progressives Congress—APC-- in the first quarter of 2015, to sack the Peoples Democratic Party—PDP—government of Goodluck Jonathan.

Nothing has happened yet to diminish the charisma of incorruptibility surrounding the Head of State. Only the slow pace of work and service delivery of the APC government to the people appear to be casting a veil of doubt on the capacity of the dispensation to perform creditably. Until the endorsement and implementation of the 2016 Appropriation Bill, no one can sincerely be making any serious dent on the capacity of the Buhari government of change to deliver. Much less should anyone disparage the intentions of government on account of a yet to be signed and implemented budget proposal.

Nonetheless there are now some develop-

ments in the nation’s legislature and judiciary which are of serious concerns to the ruling party, and of curiosity to cerebral commentators and political pundits. The first is the horse-trading in the National Assembly which unsettles the APC government and the annoying thoroughness and scrutiny to which all budget proposals from the executive arm are subjected by the law makers; often exposing shoddy paper work, with embarrassing revelations. Two examples will suffice here. A report carried on the front page of some national newspapers last Thursday exposed the double entries of capital allocation in the 2016 budget proposal of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency—NIMET; proposing a capital allocation of N85 million in Federal Government budget, and another N95 million in Internally Generated Revenue under the same sub-head, bringing the total to the sum on N180 million. The House Committee on Aviation further discovered that while the agency generated and earned revenue in dollars, it remitted in naira to the Federal government, without disclosing how much was actually earned and at what exchange rate was the remittance done.

In another development, the Budget Office is reported to have allegedly reproduced, verbatim, the 2015 budget proposal for the Investment and Securities Tribunal—IST—in the 2016 Appropriation Bill; even though a vital aspect of the 2015 budget had been implemented, and would not require to be budgeted for anymore in the

current budget estimates. Two conclusions can be drawn from the legislators’ superb discoveries in budget proposals from agencies of government; all pointing to the same direction—the potent effect of the incorruptibility charisma of the Buhari personage.

The first conclusion is that the legislators appear to be rising to the occasion of a no-nonsense, corruption allergic and corruption intolerant regime. The Buhari incorruptibility magnetism seems to be catching on! The second conclusion which is structurally interconnected with the first is that the national legislature appears to be eager to demonstrate to Nigerians and the rest of the world that corruption flows from the executive arm and infects all other branches of government.

In the past, the law makers could raise eyebrows on budgetary double entries and paddings and look the other way if money was ready to exchange hands. Now, it would seem, the legislators are saying: “never,” which is good for the country’s anti-corruption drive.

What about developments in the judiciary? What about the slow pace of work in the bench that makes justice delivery a pain in the back of all concerned? How is the Buhari incorruptibility charisma affecting issues in the bench, especially the problem of corrupt judges? The neighboring Ghana just dealt with its corrupt judges summarily in the last couple of weeks.

Judges blame the archaic criminal justice

system for the slow pace of work and the lack of capacity to prosecute high profile corruption cases successfully. Yet, many judges are allegedly allergic to the reform of the criminal justice system, because it pays handsome dividends to stall cases and get rewarded by offenders of the law, the culprits.

President Buhari is reported to have complained openly in a recent visit to Ethiopia that his greatest headache is how to contend with a corrupt judiciary.

For with a corrupt judiciary, the anti-graft war, one of the high points of his ascension to power, appears dead on arrival. If you cannot prosecute and punish corrupt judges, how can you succeed in tracking down, prosecuting and jailing corrupt politicians and corrupt public officers? That is just one part of a difficult problem.

The other part is that in a democracy where power is excessively centralised, where corruption has been entrenched on ethnic and religious pedestals, a Good Samaritan disposition of the judiciary to ensure peace, order and civilized progress may well be misconstrued as corruption-inducement.

Men and women of the bench the world over are not given to flippant statements. But their conclusions, call it verdicts, especially at the Supreme Court level, are usually pedantic, methodical, circumspect, and informed by the big picture—the total peace and order of society; often supported, as it were, by very sound, inviolate jurisprudence.

Messi’s retirement will sink Barca -Pep

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ep Guardiola has said that Barcelona will no longer have the firepower they currently have once star forward Lionel Messi leaves the club.

The five-time World Player of the Year has been crucial to his team’s success from the moment he made his professional debut, and his leadership has never been more obvious than it is this season.

The Argentina star has scored 22 goals and set up 10 more in 25 league appearances this season to help the Blaugrana take a nine-point lead at the top of La Liga standings.

“When Leo Messi quits football there will prob-

ably be a huge sink-hole in Barcelona,” Guardiola joked with RAC1 on Friday. “There won’t be Trebles, but of course, if Barcelona keeps doing things well, they might be able to fight against Bayern Munich.”

Messi thrived under Guardiola at Camp Nou when the club won three La Liga titles and two Champions League crowns.

Guardiola made his comments during a radio tribute to former Barcelona coach

Johan Cruyff, who died on Thursday after a battle against lung cancer.

“Messi is the [Barcelona] player who runs the least and in that he was Cruyff ’s best pupil,” the current Bayern Munich coach said.

Messi

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