Sunday, August 5, 2012

Big Read News

THE

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Property market:

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Blow below the foundation …as recession bites

News

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Army uncovers gun factory in Kaduna

Maiduguri: Five feared killed as gunshots rock city www.nationalmirroronline.net

Vol. 2 No. 34

N150

Sunday, August 5, 2012

Budget implementation controversy

Why we insist on Jonathan’s removal –Reps P. 7

z Lawmakers remain unmoved by Okonjo-Iweala’s Senate presentation

RIDDLES STATE SECURITY SERVICES MUST SOLVE

PICTURE 2

PICTURE 1

These pictures are of suspects paraded by the State Security Service (SSS) at two different periods this year. Suspects in picture one were paraded on March 14. They were arrested in connection with the kidnap and murder of a Briton, Christopher McManus and his Italian counterpart, Franco Lamolinara, in Sokoto. In picture two, SSS claimed to have arrested six persons in connection with the murder of Olaitan Oyerinde, a personal secretary to Governor Adams Oshiomhole. The riddle: Three of the suspects wore a complete replica of the same shirts worn by the three under-20 suspects arrested in March.

State Police: I’m surprised at Northern governors’ new position –Amaechi P. 8

Says 31 state executives gave nod on decentralising police

News

Sanusi defends action on nationalised banks, capital market I’m blameless, says CBN governor

Hillary Clinton arrives Nigeria on Thursday

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Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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What’s new Interview

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Seven Days TALKING POINT OF THE PAST WEEK AUGUST 5, 2012

Reps remain resolute Applause

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I stumbled into acting –Tope Oshin-Ogun What you would observe first about Tope Oshin-Ogun is her calm and gentle mien. This was one of the attributes that attracted her husband then.

An actress, a movie director and a mother of four, whose style signature is her low cut, she acknowledged in this interview with Adaeze Amos that her profession has brought so many men who wink at her and stated what she does to keep them at bay.

Wellness

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Benefits of exclusive breastfeeding

August 1 to 7 of every year has been set aside by the World Health Organisation (WHO) to mark the World Breastfeeding Week and this year’s theme. ‘Understanding the Past - Planning the Future’

that the incident happened about 11:30 a.m.

The gunmen, numbering three on a motorcycle, were said to have opened fire on getting to the frontage of the residence, killing the passerby indentified to be a cobbler and injuring two mobile policemen guarding the building.

The house, located on Baba Ahmed Road in TudunWada area of Zaria, was razed during the post-election violence last year and was still undergoing reconstruction at the time of the attack.

Subsidy fraud: AGF withdraws charges against oil marketers The office of the Attorney General of the Federation, AGF, yesterday ordered the withdrawal of criminal charges filed against some oil subsidy fraud suspects before a Lagos High Court.

Consequently, the trial judge, Justice Samuel Candide-Johnson, struck out suit N0-ID/117C/2012 instituted against Messrs Durosola Omogbenigun, Peter Mba, Integrated Resources Limited and Pinnacle Oil and Gas respectively. “At the instance of the prosecution, the information having been withdrawn is struck out,” Justice Candide-Johnson ruled. At the resumed hearing of the suit, counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Com-

mission, EFCC, Mr. Rotimi Oyedepo, in an application dated July 26 brought pursuant to Section 73 of the Administration of the Criminal Justice Law 2007, sought leave of the court to withdraw the charges.

Oyedepo told the court that he received instructions from the AGF to withdraw the charges against the defendants.

He said: “We have an information (a charge) dated July 20, 2012 before this court. I have the instruction of the AttorneyGeneral of the Federation to withdraw this information. The information has not been served on the defence. I urge the court to strike out the charges,” the EFCC counsel said.

Sam Uquah FOUNDER, VILLA RAZZMATAZZ Before I start unveiling my schedule for the week, I will like to point out here that I’m into music. I read music from the University of Nigeria Nsukka and I have toured almost the whole world performing with notable Nigerian groups such as Tunde and Fran Kuboye extended family jazz, Professor Laz Ekwueme’s National Chorale and Orchestra, Onyeka Onwenu, Steve Rhodes Voice and his own I.Q. Band. So, what I do basically exposes the touch of magic in the musical world and that led me into founding Villa Razzmatazz where the power of music is exposed through drama and dance.

MON

Budget implementation controversy

Gunmen and suicide bombers yesterday struck almost simultaneously in Sokoto, Kaduna and Yobe states with at least five deaths.

The residence of VicePresident, Namadi Sambo, in Zaria, the police headquarters and a police station in Sokoto as well as military personnel were the worst hit.

In Kaduna, the gunmen engaged security operatives in a gun battle at the residence of Vice-President Sambo in Zaria, killing a passerby and injuring two mobile policemen.

National Mirror gathered

Mondays are usually busy for me because I do what I call The Lunch-Hour Concert. This is a lunch time jazz concert that is performed every Monday to calm nerves and dissipate tension while I wine and dine.

TUE

As Jonathan leaves for the Caribbean: Gunmen attack VP Sambo’s residence

N16bn in respect of payments made to his companies in the Tropics group and about £10.5 million in respect of money illegally transferred to the law firm, Fuglers Solicitors, in London.

In the 66-page judgment, the court said there was incontrovertible evidence that Akingbola converted the funds of Access Bank. Akingbola, who is one of the bank’s chief executives, removed by the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, in August 2009 is currently standing trial at an Ikeja High Court on charges of defrauding the defunct Intercontinental Bank (now Access Bank) of about N47 billion.

I rest a bit. It is somehow a break from the norm or from all other things.

WED

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The embattled former Managing Director and Chief Executive of Intercontinental Bank Plc, Erastus Akingbola, was yesterday ordered by a London High Court to refund about N164bn to Access Bank Plc. Delivering the verdict of the Queen’s Bench division in London, Justice Burton directed that Akingbola should refund the fund being proceeds of unlawful share purchase scheme.

The court said that the fund was misappropriated and converted into personal use by the ex-bank chief. The refunds include N145bn in respect of an Unlawful Share Purchase Scheme;

I’m occupied with musical programme I tag ‘Lady Sings the Blues’ which takes place from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. This is where different jazz ladies even up-and-coming ones that want to experiment with their voices come and do a couple of things on musical instruments.

THU

Politics

He said that of those who sought redeployment, 1,108 were posted to other states on health grounds and for security reasons, while the remaining 169 were redeployed on marital ground.

He, however, said the state NYSC had also received more than 50 corps members redeployed from other states to Kano.

This is my break day. I can’t be busy everyday. Remember that all work and no play makes jack very dull. My rest days are Tuesdays and Thursdays.

FRI

Lt-Col Tony Nyiam was one of the surviving officers that took part in 1990 military putsch led by Major Gideon Orkar to oust the government of General Ibrahim Babangida.

About 1,277 of the 2,150 corps members posted to Kano State for the 2012 ‘Batch B’ service year have so far sought redeployment to other states.

The state Coordinator of the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, Alhaji Bashir Yakasai, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, in Kano yesterday.

This is the day I set out for what I tag ‘Sounds From The Underground’. This is mainly to discover amazing music on Friday evenings during concerts which showcase superbly crafted dance and listening to music by Nigeria’s emerging giants. This is what keeps me busy on Fridays of every week.

SAT

Why we planned Babangida’s overthrow –Nyiam

UK court orders Akingbola to refund N164bn

I’m busy with what I call ‘Weekend Theatre’, which of course to me is the proper touch of magic. It holds me spellbound honestly.

SUN

1,277 NYSC members relocate from Kano

On Sundays, I set out for ‘Classical Conversations’ or what is known as gospel according to jazz, especially in the evenings when I must have been back from the church. *Compiled by Adaeze Amos (0802 301 2293)

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Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

THE

Big Read SUNDAY SPECIAL INVESTIGATION

Property market:

AUGUST 5, 2012

Blow below the foundation

…as recession bites

There used to be a time in Nigeria, especially Lagos, when investment in property was a money spinner. Not anymore.

Findings by SUNDAY MIRROR have revealed that contrary to what used to be, many buildings in Nigeria meant for business purposes are unoccupied. While some are totally empty - with adverts from property developers appealing to business owners to patronise them - others have several empty offices where rats and cockroaches play, while spiders show their talents in weaving. This situation is likely to continue unless certain steps are taken, and on time too.

The trio of Dayo Ayeyemi, Tai Anyanwu and Onukwube Ofoelue take a look into the remote and immediate factors responsible for the lull in the market, and what needs to be done to reverse the ugly trend

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dorning major streets of Nigeria are buildings of varying sizes and shapes. Some tower far above others like they are indeed reaching out for the skies. Yet they remain land marks, depicting architectural prowess of different times and ages.Certain towns and cities can easily be recognized through peculiar building associated with them, as one travels from one state of the federation to another.

However, the properties perform similar roles of providing shelter for individuals, government, corporate and diplomatic institutions thereby giving impetus to hundreds of thousands of real estate property market operators in the country. Back in the days when Lagos city played a dual role of being Nigeria’s capital city as well as the capital of Lagos State, for instance, the property market enjoyed robust patronage.

Federal Government agencies, the diplomatic missions, Lagos State apparatuses, multinational and corporate organizations and individuals scrambled to get a perch on the city. And demand for real estate products grew tremendously. Banking institutions in the country also rose to the task, and offered financial backing, which the bourgeoning property sector nationwide needed to blossom. Many high-rise buildings and other structures dotted the sky-lines as a result of

the responses. Even though austerity measures of the early 1980 triggered off danger signals to the economy, confidence from the banks sustained appreciable growth of the property market.

Restiveness in the Niger Delta region saw expatriates working in the troubled region taking abode in the city of Lagos, and renting a three-bedroom accommodation for as much as N140 million to 180 million and one square meter commercial spaces at N30,000 to N75,000 in Ikoyi and Victoria Island, respectively. But quite unexpected by stakeholders in the property sector, the bubble bust when the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) banking sector consolidation program of 2004/2005 killed many of the banks that provided financial support for real estate, and took the wind out of the latter’s sail.

The banks also were given strict instructions to recover every non-performing loan; and this stalled much completion of many real estate products. Moreover, the 2008/2009 near-collapse of the Nigerian capital market coupled with the global economic down turn did not help matters. A combination of other factors such as huge withdrawal of foreign shareholding from the capital market and insecurity in the country equally dealt a deadly blow to the property market.

Vacant: NECOM House, TBS, Lagos

A survey by Sunday Mirror revealed that many high-rise buildings in the highbrow areas of Ikoyi, Victoria Island and even Lagos Island are largely unoccupied because the prospective tenants cannot afford the rent – a fallout from the recession the economy is undergoing in current times.

Some individuals and even corporate bodies have had to vacate their accommodations on the Island and move on to the mainland because they could no longer afford the high rent. They have to move to Surulere, Yaba or even Agege. This, property experts say, is creating a problem of a supply glut in these high-brow areas and causing a rise in rent on the mainland.

Chief Kola Akomolede, a property management practitioner on Victoria Island ex-

GOVT MUST RESTORE PROPER FINANCIAL BASE FOR PROPERTY SECTOR – AKOMOLEDE

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plained that many of the unoccupied buildings are deteriorating due to a lack of use.

“A property that is not occupied will rot away. It is the use that keeps property alive.

Once you don’t use a place, it continues to deteriorate. And then the maintenance that is supposed to be done are not done,” he said.

More despicable is the rate of rot of Federal Government buildings left to waste away following the movement of the capital to Abuja. Chief Akomolede lamented: “This is a country of waste. I will task you as a journalist, here in Lagos alone, catalogue the number of abandoned properties through these years after the federal capital relocated to Abuja and calculate how CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

REAL ESTATE MARKET COMATOSE IN LAGOS ISLAND

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The Big Read

Sunday, August 5, 2012

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

‘it’s embarrassing seeing govt property also wasting away’

Old Federal Secretariat Complex, Ikoyi, Lagos (Inset: Abandoned building on Azikiwe Street, Lagos Island)

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3 much money we are wasting.

“Start with the NECOM House; that building burnt during Shagari’s time. That property has been empty since then. The Independent House also, I can’t remember exactly since when that place has been laid waste; the Federal Secretariat has been empty now since federal ministries moved to Abuja.

He added, “then go outside, drive along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, there was a hospital that was built there by Bola Ige between 1979 and 1983. You just imagine if there were no subsequent governments thereafter. That property is built on four floors; it is a solid construction but is rotting away.

As a property man, I get embarrassed. I try to calculate what we are losing in terms of income from such properties or in terms of how much is tied down. For example the Federal Secretariat, whatever the problem on it is, for God’s sake, the Federal Government should stand up and resolve it. There is no problem that doesn’t have a solution. It is certainly an embarrassing situation to see government properties wasting away for years. Not one year, not two years, not three years but several years up to 20 years. No reasonable person will allow his personal property to waste away like that. But because it is government property, people are unconcerned and don’t care,” he stressed.

But why aren’t our property management giants seeing this segment as an opportunity to move in not only to properly utilize but also make some money rather than watch government waste the public properties? Akomolede said after several years of wasting away of the Federal Secretariat at Ikoyi, Lagos, the Federal Government decided to either sell, lease it or have an agreement with a company to refurbish the place and turn it into residential apartments and sell the flats. He added that advertisements were run on it and a lot of organisations were helping to market it, not knowing there was a problem between the Lagos State and Federal Government. That, he pointed out, was the ‘last straw’ that buried the property practitioners’ dreams of putting the facilities to better and more profitable use.

“It is a political issue which I think should have been solved politically. If Lagos State has a grouse, the Federal Government should call the state government and resolve it. We had similar problems with 1004 Flats, but they were resolved,” he stated.

“What do you say about the Independent Building that is the pride of the nation and signifies our independence but is now wasting away? There so many of these abandoned buildings, it is embarrassing knowing the worth of those properties that are wasting away especially in a country of scarce resources. You have a scarce commodity and then you are wasting it. It doesn’t make sense to me but like I said it is left to the government, and they don’t care as long as they have their own personal properties and everything

is going on fine for them. Many of us talk; as I am talking to you now, you are going to publish it. But is anybody listening? Maybe one day God will give us a good government; a good leader that will look into this area,” he said.

In his analysis, Managing Director of the Financial Derivatives Company, Mr. Rewane Bismark, noted that vacancy rates in prime areas remained on the high side with residential properties constituting a higher proportion of vacant houses. Also, he pointed out that demand for properties remained flat due to economic constraints in the country, which, he said had been a recent trend in the market since the aftermath of the economic downturn.

As a result of this, he said potential buyers/tenants had to re-adjust their spending patterns by migrating from prime to more affordable areas. Shift in consumer preferences, he said led to a readjustment in rental prices as demand for properties noticeably declined. For the sector to move up, Bismark said some structural reforms would have to take place, which would include efficient pricing mechanism, removal of legal bottlenecks associated with title documentation and building plan approvals.

He said: “Assets need to be appropriately priced to prevent the incidence of an asset bubble. We would recall that a property price bubble heralded the global economic meltdown. A well regulated sector run by professionals would enhance confidence in the sector and possibly attract foreign investment.”

President, Africa Federation of Real Estate, Mr. Akin Olawore, said nothing much was achieved in housing sector in the last year. Rather, he said major investors concentrated on construction of shopping malls and hotels, noting that Ikeja City Mall was recently rolled out by the private investor, while other malls are still coming in. Commenting on the values of property, he said they had begun to stabilise after four year of global financial crisis, noting that people are starting to show interest in middle-income property along Lekki axis of Lagos State.

The Lagos-based estate practitioner noted that all the promises by government to revamp the housing sector, especially in the area of land reform and virile mortgage system failed to yield positive results, saying that lack of access to land by developers for affordable housing development has remained problematic in many states of the federation. Besides, he explained that the downturn in the economy also contributed to low performance of the housing sector, saying that year 2011 was known for paucity of fund for real estate investment and difficult year where people found it difficult to pay their rent.

National Publicity Secretary of the Nigerian Institute of Building, Mr. Kunle Awobodu, observed that the construction industry in 2011 gained from diversification of investment from the capital market to real estate business.

He noted that the spread of housing estates was noticed all

over the country, but that reforms in banking sector became a constraint as funding of building projects suffered a vivid reduction. “Real estate development was faced with climate change effect as floods ravaged some housing estates in the riverine and coastal areas, resulting in demand declivity,” he said, He explained that the Tenancy Law in Lagos State, which has limited revenue derivable from rents at letting stage, make investors’ projection remain at conflict with the source of funds. The situation, he said reminded stakeholders in real estate of the essence of having longterm loans for construction projects. “The high prices of cement witnessed in 2011 is not expected to continue in 2012 due to production increase from WAPCO Lafarge’s Lakatabu Plant that President Jonathan recently commissioned. Likewise, other cement manufacturers are expected to commence operation soon to raise cement production level in the Nigerian market,” he said.

Moreover, Sunday Mirror findings are that real estate investors now prefer investing in hotels than in residential buildings. The growth in the number of hotels in Nigerian cities especially Lagos and Abuja has been attributed by experts to high returns on investment, huge demand due to increasing cities population, good management and services among others. From the few popular hotels before 2000, Lagos, the commercial hub of Nigeria and Abuja, the federal capital territory, have become new hospitality havens for investors seeking quick returns on their investments following the persistence lull on luxury residential segment of real estate.

In the last three years, investigation by Sunday Mirror showed that more than 300 new hotels have registered their presence in Lagos alone. Some of the new entrants in high brow areas of Lagos include the Four Point Sheraton, Palmview Manor , New World Group, Aquatic Hotel, Touch Down, Hopesea, Best Western Hotels, Golden Tulip, Stop-Over, Southern Sun, Savoy Suites, La Cour Boutique, Isno Hotels, Victoria Crown Plaza, Radisson Blu, Sofitel Morehouse, Lekki Inn, Bristol, Protea ; Oriental De Rennaisance , and Intercontinental Hotels, among others.

Justifying reasons for the latest boom of hotels across Nigerian cities in a telephone chat with Sunday Mirror, First Vice-President of the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV), Mr. Emeka Eleh, said that the daily increase in human population in Lagos and Abuja, and huge demand for short services by people on business or holiday tours were responsible.

He said, “More people are coming into these cities to do one business or the other and they need accommodation for the short period they are going to stay, hence the boom in hotel business.”

Besides, Eleh, who is the Managing Partner of Ubosi Eleh + Company, an estate management and valuation firm, added that guaranteed huge returns on investment owing to short-sale nature of the hospitality business with better services and management has made development of hotels the bride of many investors. Eleh said, “In locations such as Lagos, there are more demand for boutique hotels considering its huge human population and the increasing number of people coming in to do business. I have found out that hotel rates in Lagos are very high than any other cities around the world. “In the United States for example, you can get a hotel room for $20, but in Lagos, the average rate is $400 which is N64, 000 per night.”

He is of the opinion that with more supply, the rates can be reduced. Another Lagos-based real estate practitioner, Mr. Samuel Ukpong, remarked that hospitability business is moving on well because of the brand. According to him, the involvement of core professionals in the management of some of these hotels has enhanced delivery and returns on investment.

He said, “Most of their services are short because of people coming in there for seminars, workshops, and other ceremonies; returns on investment are high and their rates too are high including cost of operation.”

He noticed that most of the hotels in Lagos and Abuja are often fully booked, saying it is a sign that real estate is moving on a high pedestal . Unlike Lagos and Abuja that CONTINUED ON PAGE 5

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sunday, August 5, 2012

Govt must restore proper financial base for property sector – Akomolede Chief Kola Akomolede, a fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors and Valuers, and Principal Partner of Kola Akomolede and Co, attributes the downturn in the Nigerian property market to a combination of factors, while proffering solutions, in this interview with Tai Anyanwu.

What has been the experience in the Nigerian property market in the last five years?

Five years ago, the Nigerian property market was doing fine. But the moment the bubble burst in the banking sector, demand for property development shrank. And Nigeria’s property market has not been able to come out of the doldrums even now. It is good for some people and bad to others in that price had not been increasing the way it should have been. Rents have not been going up as it should in some areas. In areas like Ikoyi and Victoria Island it has even come down; whereas if there was no economic downturn, the rent would have gone higher than what it is today.

So, the experience four or five years ago was good; but in the last three years say from year 2009, the property market has been experiencing some difficulties just because finance dried up. And you know property development is a capital-intensive thing. There is hardly any way you can go through it without very good financial system; whether you want to buy a house or build a house.

Be more specific on the effects on the property market?

Yes. Two ways; property developers need to take a loan from banks to be able to build houses, which they will sell to you and me. Some of them had taken loans, and had started the projects. Suddenly the banks giving the loans collapsed or were closed down by the Central Bank. That finance stopped coming. Secondly, there are even some of them, let’s give examples...you took a loan of one billion naira, you are developing an Estate. You intend to sell and then return the money. Midway, the banks says pay up.

They declare you a defaulter whereas in the terms of your agreement you are not yet to pay because you have not even finished the project. That is why there are so many projects that were half way, and they were abandoned because there is no money to complete them. The other side of it is that even the demand for houses, that is, those who want to buy the houses from developers also need to take mortgage or loans from the banks. That one is not coming too, because the banks are not lending. The concentration as directed by the Central Bank was for them to recover existing loans or outstanding loans. Even till now, some banks are not lending especially to the property sector.

How has the down-turn affected available properties such as the high-rise and exquisite properties in highbrow areas like Ikoyi, Victoria Island and Lagos Island?

Commercial activity itself is down. Many of our highrise buildings in Marina, Broad Street and many other high-rise buildings in Ikoyi, Victoria Island and Lagos Island are not occupied. This is because most companies are

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For you to do that kind of thing, you would have to have the data of houses that are vacant. I can only talk about the rate because I haven’t gathered such data. But it could be a huge sum of money in trillions, calculating the rate. Many of the Federal Government buildings that were sold in Ikoyi are still vacant. More than four years after Obasanjo had left office, some of the people who bought them either don’t need it or the people cannot show up now perhaps because of EFCC; many of them are still empty.

How long do you think the downturn will last?

Unfortunately, while the rest of the world is recovering already, we have not yet started recovering. You know when it started it took some time before it reached here. So, it will take us longer time to recover.

Akomolede

not doing fine and new companies are not coming up. Until the recent bubble burst regarding petroleum subsidy issue, the only people you could see spending money anyhow and doing things in Nigeria in the last few months were people who are into oil business. Now we know what they do if not for the fraudulent collection of oil subsidy.

Any other sector of the economy was affected by the downward trend in the economy. Talking about the crash of the stock market, another killer, most people collected their money when stock was even going up. Some people were busy selling their properties to buy shares. Some of us warned them against that, telling people that property is an edge against inflation rather than shares.

What happened to the expatriates that majorly constituted demand for real estate products in Ikoyi, Victoria and Lagos Island?

At the time of restiveness in the Niger Delta, most expatriates came here instead of keeping their staff either in Port Harcourt or Warri for security reasons. They were taking up the flats here and at that much. But by the time the trouble eased out a little bit, all of them relocated back to either to Port Harcourt or Warri. Again the insecurity in the country generally does not attract new investors.

In fact, what people read about Nigeria in Newspapers or heard on CNN about Nigeria is not good. You and I may say ‘oh! It is only the North that is not safe; the remaining part of the country is safe.’ But all they know is what they reports say; there is kidnapping in Nigeria; there is Boko Haram, bomb blasts. The rate at which foreigners should have been coming to Nigeria to invest reduced on account of this. Again, that affects the demand for property and it is denying us foreign investment in the property sector. So something needs to be done to tackle the issue of insecurity in the country. It is not Boko Haram alone; kidnapping, armed robbery and nobody would read that somebody was found, that a Major General or Inspector-General was travelling along Lagos-Ibadan Expressway and he was kidnapped and killed; in broad day light. There is no business man, in spite of such stories, that will come and invest in Nigeria when there are other areas.

How much could have been lost as a result of the down-turn?

Vacancy rates in prime areas high –Bismark CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4 have witnessed unlimited expansion in boutique hotels, Ukpong noted that cities such as Kano, Kaduna and Jos are currently expressing decline in hotel business due to frequent attacks by Boko Haram.

Giving an analysis of what led to increase in hotel development in Lagos metropolis recently, another Lagos-based estate surveyor and valuer, Mr. Akin Olawore, said that lull in the high-end residential apartments has turned out to be the gain of hotel business. According to Olawore, most of the expatriates or foreigners, who were major buyers of luxury apartments, have found it to be less expensive to do their business in hotels for the short period of their stay.

He pointed out that it was relatively economical for

The Big Read

people to stay in hotels than having a permanent apartment with all the expenses attached. His words: “Rather than people to come here to do business and buy apartment blocks, which are more expensive, they rather stay in these hotels, do their business for two weeks, go for one month and come back again for business. “When you are in a hotel, you will leave when you want to leave and come back when you think you need to. So when you consider this in terms of cash flow, you will know when cash is coming rather than just tie down your money. So we have quite a number of investors who are operating like this now and that have increased the rate of occupancy of hotels. That is why you have Protea and the likes coming with almost 100 per cent occupancy almost all the time. So a lot up people

What can be done to revive the property market?

Once the cause of a problem is known, the solution is already known. There is no country without a sound financial base that can progress economically. Confidence was eroded in our banks. That confidence must be restored.

A situation where you wake up one day and you are told that that bank is no longer there; either it is being forced to merge with another bank or someone has taken it over and changed its name, you are not thriving leaving your money there. The workers there don’t have job guarantee or job security. So all that is needed is to restore the financial system and enable financial institutions to begin to lend money the way they were doing before, and at reasonable interest rates. Then the economy would pick up. The economy cannot thrive without a very good system of borrowing at reasonable interest rate. What needs to be done to revamp the economy is to make the financial base as strong as it should be. Once that is done, people who want to do business will be able to go to the banks and take money and pay interest. Those that want to go to property development will go to the banks at reasonable interest rates. Those who want to buy property that have already been developed by property developers will be able to take money and buy. Everything revolves around finance. As long as the financial system is okay every other thing will fall into place.

Now that stock is down and properties too, where are investors keeping their funds now?

I wonder. Sometimes I ask that question too. It used to be that they are taking it abroad. But it has become more difficult to take money abroad now. My guess is that some people are just changing their money into pounds and dollars and keeping it inside their wardrobes or beds.

Is there any other issue on this apart from the foregoing?

I keep talking about this strong financial system. You can’t have a good housing structure without a very firm mortgage structure on ground. Look, this is one of the few countries where people buy property on cash and carry bases. It is never done because property - unlike a car - to buy a property is too capital intensive. And that is why in developed countries they developed mortgaged policies.

You just need to pay a deposit of five per cent to 10 per cent maximum; you get a mortgage to buy a house. In fact, in the UK, you don’t need to deposit anything. Once you have a good employment and there is a letter from your employer; the mortgaged company, seeing that you can conveniently pay such amount every month, will automatically give money to buy a house. But here, there is no mortgage. are going into hotel development, and because it is always available even if you are not sleeping there, you can have restaurant, hall, cinemas, so owners will continue to generate revenue unlike building apartments that no one is taking and are there for two, three years,” he said Olawore foresees more investment in hotel business if the government is able to prop up the tourism industry very well, develop the infrastructure to reduce running cost of generator and diesel drastically. Unless this is done, he said, it would be difficult for investors to compete with other African countries that have power.

Also a source from the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC) confirmed that there was increase in application for hotel business registration in Lagos State in the last 10 years. The source said that the corporation had been receiving applications for various categories CONTINUED ON PAGE 6

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The Big Read

Sunday, August 5, 2012

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Lagos Island: Where real estate market is comatose

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agos Island is a very busy place. It is so busy that every work day, thousands of people make their way there in order to engage in their different activities.

This is so much so that as early as 5.30 am on any such day, there is usually a traffic build-up that lasts till about 7.30 am. But despite the equally huge number of highrise buildings on the island that promises to absorb this population, most of the buildings are only scantily occupied.

Most others, which were built exclusively for office use, today have been converted full time into shops. This is because there is a palpable lack of interest by companies to use these spaces in doing business. Even facilities developed for the purposes of hall businesses like banking lie empty.

Instances abound: The Great Nigeria House, the 20-storey Financial Trust Building and the four-storey SGBN building by Breadfruit/Martins Street are just some of these empty buildings. There are others too like that, which were developed by corporation, like banks, companies and manufacturers of the back-in-the-days Nigeria. Their original occupants, SGBN, Lever Brothers, PZ Nigeria, Savannah Bank, even the old UBA are some of the companies that have completely abandoned their original places of occupancy in search of the proverbial greener pastures. Some others, who could no more cope, have folded up and gone under.

Sunday Mirror investigations revealed that in most, while the first two to four storeys are occupied, the rest are empty.

Some property investors with foresight have since converted their office blocks to shopping complexes to contain the growing mercantile spirit that has possessed the ‘spirits’ of these buildings.

This is especially so in areas like Lagos Island, Ikoyi, Victoria Island and Ikeja.

One would see the once popular SGBN’s (Societe Generale Bank Nigeria), Savannah Bank’s, ACB’s (African Continental Bank) buildings converted into clothing lines’ shop.

One of such edifices is Mandilas Building on Broad Street. The four-storey building now houses Emma Plaza, a clothing line. While the ground floor up to the third floor houses the shops, the fourth floor is the company’s warehouse. The building once housed the Mandilas Motor Company, and after the company vacated in early 2000s, clothiers decided to take over. According to Don Maseratte, a clothier who also has business outlets on former SGBN building along Broad Street, the lull in the demand for office complex in the vicinity is largely due to the rise in rents, and fall in

Vacant: Defence House, TBS, Lagos

Vacant: Financial Trust Building, Lagos

office-related businesses on Lagos Island.

“Most of these offices today have moved to Ikoyi and Victoria Island, even though they all started here. They had their headquarters here then. But today, the story has changed. Lagos Island is today a trading centre. That is why you can hardly find offices here. Those who invested in offices cannot make it and most converted their buildings into shops. Look around. Can anybody in his right mind open an office here again? Only we traders can use these offices for shops. Some of them (landlords) are very stubborn, that is why their buildings lie empty. Maybe one day it would dawn on them that the world is moving forward, then they would realize that the Island is now for us (traders).”

Chika Mayor, a GSM phone dealer, who markets handsets close to Bristol Hotel on Martins Street, off Broad Street, told Sunday Mirror that the now moribund Bristol Hotel, famous for housing Nigeria’s founding fathers during the colonial days, used to be a business complex, after the hotel closed down. According to him, the building is jointly owned by the Martins family and WEMABOD, and due to a tussle for its ownership, the building was sealed off by the Lagos State Department of Physical Planning. The sealing was done in 2010, but even at that, the front of the building jostles with business.

A security personnel, who works on Martin Street, told Sunday Mirror that several buildings on Lagos Island that were once offices today are either partially or totally empty, or are used as warehouses, or sales outlets. He cited the SGBN Build-

ing on the same street, which today is totally unoccupied. “They won’t rent out the house, that is why it is there, sealed. But the next house belonging to UBA is fully being used for trading. It has become a boutique and shoe depot”.

Indeed when Sunday Mirror visited the two buildings, SGBN was under lock and key, while the UBA building next to it was fully occupied by traders. Another building, Anambra House, was also quite useless now to companies, as traders have taken over its occupation. One of the traders, who sold there, gave his name as Chinedu. He explained that he had been doing business there since 2008 and thought it was built originally for that purpose. He confessed he never knew it was actually meant for office use.

Also on Breadfruit Street, one could easily cite such houses abandoned. In fact, it was so bad in one that sections of it had been converted into a canteen. Two ladies were seen upstairs cooking, while several pots sat on tables, with stoves. Another building that once belonged to Afrbank was completely empty, while another, next to it has just a branch of Ecobank downstairs. When asked why the buildings were empty, a goodnatured security man responded “Will you give them money to pay the rents?”

The story is not too different at a branch of Union Bank, Marina, by Conoil Building. An old house, the six-storey house looks literally tired for want of occupancy. While most of the offices are unoccupied in the initial floors, the two top floors are virtually empty, and even the windows are falling off. Either Union Bank has refused to give out the offices for rent, or no one has shown any interest in occupying them. Further up the road is the NIPOST, Marina branch.

A complex, NIPOST used to have quite a number of tenants using their space for business purposes. These include Mama Cass Restaurants, which occupied a three storey building of the postal giant. The eatery left last year, abandoning the building.

Also, following the purchase of Oceanic Bank by Ecobank, a branch of Oceanic that was on the building was closed down. A typist working with the company explained to Sunday Mirror that Floors two and four of the building were once occupied by tenants to NIPOST. However, today, only about two

‘Hospitality business now the bride of many investors’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5 of the business and that the application were being granted based on the number of rooms and facilities the investors are bringing in. Thus, just as many investors in the high-end area of Ikoyi and Lekki are finding it difficult to cope with the prolonged lull in the sector, which has led to high vacancy ratio in the neighbourhoods, others have found investment in boutique hotel promising.

Experts in recent interviews stated that

with the teeming Lagos’ population triggered by anticipated business and job opportunities, available standard hotels in Lagos remain inadequate hence the boom in their number. This is supported by the fact that most hotels in Lagos record over 70 per cent in terms of daily occupancy, making the business one of the few with high rate of returns on investment, while demand for both office and residential accommodation, especially in the highprofile ends of the cities, continues to dip.

companies are occupying some of the offices. Our correspondent sighted Heritage Chambers, a law firm occupying an office.

The rest of the building, which is largely uncared for, are either empty offices, or are used for a few services.

The two-storey UNTL Building on Marina too does not have a story different.

Although the ground floor is largely occupied by a branch of UBA, the first floor is scantily occupied, while the last floor is empty. The other occupants of the house include Sigma Vigion, Beneks Group, Lombard Nigeria, Adroit Solutions and UNTL, which although still has its sign posts there, is no more functional. Taking our correspondent through the empty offices, an agent explained that the office spaces had been vacant for close to two years.

One of the halls was a very large one, and had over ten equally large offices. The man said that banks, which used to rent such large halls, now shy away from largesized halls. “These banks seem not to have money anymore. They usually request for smaller halls. I don’t know if it’s the wind of change and they are all fastening their seat belts.”

Another massive building lacking tenants is the Savannah Bank headquarters.

Since the controversial grounding of the financial institution, the building has been locked up, and has never really served any use. A man told our correspondents that at a time after the bank became distressed, those in charge had started renting it out to traders. However, early last year, the traders had been ejected and the house was locked up once again. With Savannah Bank not coming on board as Nigerians had expected, the building might as well be wasting away like all the others that have been locked up.

Close to UBA international headquarters, on Broad Street is another moribund three-storey building housing a branch of Keystone Bank. Apart from that branch at the ground floor, the building is completely deserted, and uncared for. Another building, also belonging to Union Bank stands next to it. Some of the glasses are broken, and consequently, the house is beginning to fall apart. Also, another totally-unoccupied building is one belonging to Edo-born multimillionaire, Chief Gabriel Igbinedion. The house is also empty with a sign “This house is not for sale.” Another indicates that whoever is interested should contact an address on the sign. Apparently, no one is.

Integrated Trust Building on 61 Marina, once accommodated Intercontinental Bank is also empty. Intercontinental Bank had left early this year following the change of batons of ownership to Access Bank. Presently, it is up for letting. Another remarkable building is a massive five-storey complex whose ground floor presently houses FIRS (Federal Inland Revenue Service). It is located opposite Tinubu Square and must have belonged to the Federal Government.

Apart from that ground floor, the rest of the building houses scores of Lagosians who for one reason or another are not living in proper residential houses. As one passes the house, thousands of clothes could be seen hanging outside the glass windows to dry. Rose Ubong, who sells cooked food, is one of the tenants. She confided in Sunday Mirror that she knows little or nothing about the management of the house.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

NEWS

Sunday August 5, 2012

7

2012 Budget: Why we insist on Jonathan’s removal –Reps TORDUE SALEM AND OMEIZA AJAYI ABUJA

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ouse of Representatives spokesman, Zakari Muhammed, has said that the lawmakers are resolved in their plan to start impeachment proceedings against the President if by September 20 there was no improvement in the implementation of the 2012 Budget.

Muhammed said the House would go ahead with an independent decision on resumption from its recess on September 19, irrespective of Dr. Okonjo-Iweala’s briefing of the Appropriations Committee of the Senate on the 2012 Appropriations Act last week.

It was learnt yesterday that Dr. Okonjo-Iweala’s budget implementation figures provoked the House of Representatives to issue an impeachment warning against President Goodluck Jona-

than.

Muhammed (PDP/ Kwara), who disclosed this in an interview with Sunday Mirror said they made the resolution on July 19, based on the figures the minister of Finance gave them.

“Based on the releases made since the first quarter, according to the figures she gave us (34 per cent), so we thought as the custodian of the budget, she will know better.

“So we thought that if the budget was only 34 per cent implemented, then it was not good enough and we needed to do something about it”, he said.

According to him, “in truth, about 34 per cent of the budget has been implemented. What the minister admitted to as can be confirmed from her own words is that, at best, government had implemented 56 per cent of the N400 billion released to Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).

Muhammed noted that

only N324 billion was made available to the MDAs for implementation of capital projects and programmes of government out of about N1.5 trillion appropriated for all capital expenditures. “More evidential is the fact that releases so far made to the MDAs are not enough to pay for ongoing projects or those chosen by the executive.

“The legislator also disagreed with the minister that the slow pace of implementation of the 2012 Budget was as a result of the constituency projects introduced into it by the National Assembly. He explained that constituency projects represented only 10 per cent of the budget and cannot be responsible for slow implementation of the capital budget.

He said section 6 of the Appropriation Act clearly states the responsibility of the minister of Finance on issues of budget implementation According to him, “whatever the Senate feels about

what she said there does not affect the resolution of the House on July 19. We will still go ahead with our work,” he submitted.

Meanwhile, there are strong indications that the ongoing face-off between the executive and the House of Representatives over the former’s poor implementation of the 2012 Budget might be resolved amicably next month when the lawmakers return from their recess.

The lawmakers had before going on break disclosed their resolve to begin to draw up articles of impeachment against President Jonathan if

by September 20 if there was no improvement in the implementation of the budget.

However, Minority Leader of the House, Femi Gbajabiamila, said the lawmakers are reasonable human beings who have nothing against the President and who might shift their current stance when they resume.

He told Sunday Mirror that if after their recess, there

I didn’t cause collapse of capital market –Sanusi SEBASTINE EBHUOMHAN, BENIN

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overnor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Malam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, has absolved himself and the policies of the apex bank from the collapse of the capital market in Nigeria.

According to the CBN Governor and Dan Mayan Sin of Kano, who also defended the bailout of troubled banks carried out by the apex bank under his leadership, the action was justified as the banks in questions were severely distressed and merely managing to pay depositors’ money and interests at the time. He further stated that the bailout actions were proportionate to the level of abuse that the banks suffered.

Sanusi wrote in a response emailed in reply to the enquiries of Nigerians in a discussion on Nigerian World Forum, an internetbased discussion forum.

Sanusi’s reaction came on the heels of a judgment by a court in London that ordered the former Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Intercontinental Bank Plc, Dr. Erastus Akingbola, to refund N164bn to Access Bank Plc, which acquired the troubled bank and which filed the case against the former management.

Sanusi said, “Many people don’t realize what banking is. Millions of peo-

is an improvement on the budget performance, the lawmakers would no longer have the need to summon the Minister of Finance.

“It depends on the budget performance situation when we resume,” he told Sunday Mirror yesterday.

Dr. Okonjo-Iweala had last Thursday appeared before the Senate to clarify issues concerning the 2012 Budget.

She had explained that its implementation began in April 2012, and that the ministry had released about N404 billion, even though it should have released N446 billion by now.

“There is more room for utilisation. Fifty-six per cent of the funds that have been released have been used, meaning 44 per cent is still available for implementation.

“The budget must work for Nigerians. They must feel the impact. That is our focus.

“We have been working collaboratively with the National Assembly. We have made sure that salaries have been paid

A

fter weeks of speculations, it is now confirmed that the American Secretary of State, Mrs. Hillary Clinton, will visit Nigeria after all.

ple just bring their money, their life savings, earnings, pensions, inheritance to a bank for custody without collateral. The only reason is (that) they trust the system. It is very easy for a crook to steal most of that money and so long as the bank has enough money or can raise enough to pay the five per cent or so of its depositors who may want their money at any time it appears solid. Unless a shock hits the system or auditors and examiners do a good job. The total assets of First Bank Plc, a bank I ran, are the equivalent of the entire federal budget.

The actions we took were

proportionate to the level of abuse.”

Confronting those calling for his head over the trouble that hit Nigerian banks in recent years Sanusi said he had no hand in both the crash of some banks and the collapse of the country’s capital market.

Sanusi explained, “Yet politicians feel the CBN Governor is the villain in all this. The House of Reps Committee on Capital Market even thinks our attempt to clean the system is what caused the collapse of the capital market, which happened long before I was even appointed.”

It will be recalled that

Intercontinental Bank Plc, one of the troubled banks in the country, was acquired by Access Bank Plc after its former MD/ CEO was removed by the CBN in August 2009. While Akingbola is currently standing trial at an Ikeja High Court on charges of defrauding the defunct bank to the tune of about N47bn, a United Kingdom court on Tuesday ordered him to refund N164bn, being proceeds of unlawful share purchase, to Access Bank Plc. Sanusi has already promised that the CBN would sell Akingbola’s properties to recover the money.

•See more report on Page 15

Hillary Clinton arrives in Nigeria on Thursday ROTIMI FADEYI

President Goodluck Jonathan (right) with the Governor-General of Jamaica, Sir Patrick Allen, during a joint meeting of the Houses of Parliament in Kingston on Thursday.

PHOTO: NAN

and that we are meeting other obligations.”

Only last Wednesday, the House had told journalists in Abuja that from documents submitted to the Senate by the Federal Ministry of Finance, the performance of the budget as at July was a mere 12.6 per cent and not 56 per cent.

“I think that on the issue of budget execution, I have tried to be as clear as I possibly can.

“The appropriations bill there is N1.3 trillion. When you add the SURE programme, you get 1.5 trillion.

Non-SURE P budget is N1.3 trillion.

“If you prorate the amount of budget, you will get a figure of about N113 billion per month.

“If you measure what’s been implemented over the entire budget, you get 13.7 per cent. But because we’re talking about four months, the implementation is 41 per cent”, Dr Okonjo-Iweala countered at the Senate hearing.

There had been reports that Clinton had excluded Nigeria from the list of African countries she was billed to visit.

Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, yesterday confirmed that the US Secretary of State, would be in the country on Thursday and would meet with President Goodluck Jonathan.

Abati told Sunday Mirror yesterday that he had already received request from the American Embassy seeking for accreditation of the members of her entourage.

The president’s spokesman noted, “the reports in the media in the last few days that Clinton will not visit Nigeria because Jonathan travelled to Trinidad and Tobago as well as Jamaica are not true.

“These stories about Clinton not visiting Nigeria are not true; she is visiting the country on August 9 and will meet with the President.”

Clinton is currently on a 10-day working visit to

Africa, and besides visiting Nigeria, other African countries on her itinerary include Senegal, South Sudan, Uganda, Kenya and Malawi.

While in Nigeria, Sharpedgenews.com, a web-based news service revealed that Clinton and her Nigerian counterpart, Mr. Olugbenga Ashiru, would discuss the elevated status of US relations with Nigeria, the areas of possible cooperation in terms of challenges being faced in Nigeria.

Ashiru and Clinton, the service added, would unveil the new regime of a five-year multiple visas for the two countries’ non-immigrant travellers in the first instance.

Of utmost importance for deliberations would be the violent agitations of the Islamic Boko Haram sect.

Clinton

8

News

Sunday, August 5, 2012

State Police: I’m surprised at northern governors’ new position -Amaechi CHINEDUM EMEANA, PORT HARCOURT

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hairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) and Governor of Rivers State, Mr Rotimi Amaechi, has expressed surprise at the current stance of the northern governors on the issue of state police.

The Northern Governors Forum (NGF), led

by Niger State Governor, Alhaji Babangida Aliyu,

…NGF meets Tuesday on the issue, single term had said recently that governors from the North would never support the introduction of state police.

Amaechi, however, said on Friday night, while opening the Forum of the Federated Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists in Port Harcourt, that the NGF decision was arrived at a meeting attended by

31 of the 36 state governors in the country.

He noted that he does not know why some of the governors who all reached agreement on the need for state police are withdrawing, noting that the issue would be resolved on Tuesday when the NGF is expected to meet His words: “31 out of 36 agreed on state police,

L-R: Former Prime Minister of Britain Mr. Tony Blair, with the President of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, during a meeting in Abuja.

PHOTO ROTIMI OSASONA

northern governors were present. Well, we don’t know what happened that some have withdrawn but we are meeting on Tuesday and we will resolve the issues. I therefore don’t have any position until we meet on Tuesday and the position will be that of the Nigerian Governors Forum.”

He insisted that he does not hold a position regarding the northern governors going back on their words, but added that after Tuesday meeting by the NGF, the position of the whole house would be announced.

“I have no position on the stance of the Northern Governors Forum on state police. I am the chairman of the NGF, I am waiting for them…we are meeting on Tuesday and until we meet, I can’t say anything”, he reiterated.

Amaechi explained that besides the state police issue, the Forum’s Tuesday meeting would also deliberate on singleterm and other matters that might emerge from the ongoing constitutional review process.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Family escapes as 3-storey building collapses in Port Harcourt CHINEDUM E MEANA PORT HARCOURT

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family in Port Harcourt at the weekend survived unhurt when a building situated near their home collapsed.

Mr. Cliff Ejims, who works offshore with an oil servicing firm, returned to his No. 4 Ekere Street home, Rumuobiakani, to discover that his wife and three children, escaped death by a whisker, following the collapse of an uncompleted three-storey building beside the bungalow where they live.

According to Ejims, who spoke to newsmen who visited the site of the incident, he received a call from his wife about hearing some strange sounds emanating from the building beside their bungalow.

He directed her to evacuate their three children first and then to remove their car parked to the surrounding vicinity.

According to Ejims’ wife, Anthonia, “I was sleeping and I heard

Ogun PDP holds state congress, vows to challenge LG polls results FEMI O YEWESO ABEOKUTA

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ational Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday held a state congress which produced the Second Republic Senator, Oladipo Odujinrin, as the new chairman for Ogun State chapter of the party.

Odujinrin is the former Ogun State Coordinator of the Obasanjo/ Atiku presidential cam-

paign organisation in 1999.

The election, which was duly supervised by the party’s national delegates in Abeokuta, the state capital, under the chairmanship of Umaru Mohammed Tambuwa (Sokoto), who is also the Chairman, PDP National Congress Committee, also produced Prince Dapo Adeyemi as the state Secretary.

The poll and subsequent swearing-in of the new state executive

members, however, came barely 24 hours after an the state High Court sitting in Ilaro, Yewa South council ruled that the Bayo Dayo-led faction of the party was the authentic state exco.

It would be recalled that the state chapter of the party had been factionalised and engrossed in controversies over which faction should be recognised between the faction loyal to the former President Obasanjo and the

Kashamu Buruji-backed Bayo Dayo faction.

Mustapha, who represented Chief Obasanjo at the congress, told journalists the court lacked the locus standi to run the party for members, stressing that there were several landmark judgments to that effect which clearly stated that party matters should be handled by the party.

In his acceptance speech which he titled “Call to service and a

NIGERIA IN BRIEF

Group demands three-year tenure for council chairmen nationwide The National Coordinator of Human Rights Monitor (HRM), Mr. Festus Okoye has called on the National Assembly to urgently guarantee three years tenure for local government council chairmen and councilors in the constitution just as he asked to make specific provisions on the their removal.

Mr Okoye said the National Assembly should restore the Local Governments autonomy and prestige stressing that the councils cannot

continue to serve as the playground of the various State Governments.

He further criticized the Kaduna State House of Assembly for passing into law a Bill for a Law to Substitute the Conduct of Local Government Councils which will soon be assented to by Governor Patrick Yakowa.

In a statement in Kaduna,Mr Okoye said “Specifically guaranteeing their tenure in the Constitution is the reasonable and rationale thing to do in the interest of the people and the stability of the pol-

ity. It is clear that personal and political interests have beclouded the sense of rationality in relation to the tenure of Local Government Councils” he said.

He noted that in many states across the country, especially, states like Bauchi the Governor forwarded an Executive Bill to the House of Assembly proposing a reduction in the tenure of Local Government Chairmen and Councilors from two and half years to two years which had been passed by the House.

new dawn in Ogun PDP”, Odujinrin declared that the new committee would set up a team to anchor and steer the process of embarking on urgent task of healing the wounds which members have collectively inflicted on the party.

He reiterated that his committee would also be guided by the principle of teamwork, justice, equity, internal democracy and cohesion while running the affairs of the party.

sound outside. I thought it was thieves.”

She added that a neighbour also called her attention to the same sound she had heard but suggested that something might be wrong with the building which was still under construction.

Luckily as she mustered the courage to go out that night to take a look at the building, she saw a block fall off the building to the ground.

She then called her husband, who directed her to quickly evacuate.

She got the children out and went back to drive out their car. Immediately she moved the car from the compound the building went down like a pack of cards.

“I was able to bring out my children who are between the ages of seven, five and a year and nine months. Immediately I drove the car out, the building went down completely.”

Sunday Mirror learnt that the Ghanaian building contractor handling the project is on the run.

Mr. Ejims said several attempts to get him on the phone failed.

Rivers State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Benjamin Ugwuegbulam, who confirmed the incident, said investigation into the cause of the collapse had been initiated.

Governor Rotimi Amaechi

Airlift of Ummrah pilgrims in Kwara begins The first batch of 243 Ummrah pilgrims from Kwara are to be transported to Saudi Arabia by Medview Airline from the Ilorin International Airport.

Permanent Secretary (General Services), Kwara State, Muritala Shehu, disclosed this during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ilorin on Saturday.

He said that adequate arrangements had been made to ensure the successful transportation of all the

pilgrims to the Holy Land.

The first batch of pilgrims included those sponsored by the state government, the local councils, as well as individuals.

The Permanent Secretary advised intending pilgrims to arrive the Ilorin International Airport by 9 a.m. today, for necessary documentation, before the take-off.

Shehu urged the pilgrims to pray for peace, unity, and progress in the country, while in the holy land.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

State GDP computation’ll improve national data framework - Minister TOLA AKINMUTIMI, ABUJA

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he inclusion of States’ Gross Domestic Product (SGDP), in the national data framework will enhance its comprehensiveness and reliability, spur growth and development, as well as create more awareness about data management at the sub-national levels, the Minister of National Planning, Dr. Shamsuddeen Usman, has said.

The minister stated this on Friday in Lagos during the flag-off ceremony of the States’ GDP (SGDP), computation for the Southwest zone, which also marked the formal completion of the first phase of the series of ceremonial take-off of the exercise in the country.

According to him, one of the compelling reasons for involving the states in the execution of the computation project is because the measurement of the level of economic activity, which is the overall objective of the project, has been compiled in Nigeria, only at the national level, on an aggregate basis by the NBS and the fact that, the compilation at States’ level has not been undertaken nationwide before.

Dr. Usman assured that the tempo of activity in the first phase will be

News

Sunday August 5, 2012

sustained through the cooperation of all Commissioners and Permanent Secretaries of States’ Planning Commissions of the Federation with the NPC and the NBS, while building the process on a sustainable framework and successfully implementing it for enduring benefits.

Speaking further, the minister said that, there was need for the adoption of a common framework and methodology for the project so that the national GDP value obtained for any period will not be at variance with the GDP value obtained by adding up the SGDP for all the States for the same period of time.

Accordingly, he said the implementation of the States’ GDP computation project is in two phases with the first phase which commenced in December, 2011 will running through October 2012, while the second phase is to commence from November 2012 to June 2013.

The Minister said the project is expected to enhance the involvement of the states in the generation of statistics, in accordance with international best practice; and provide necessary inputs for designing programmes that would improve the welfare of the people and reduce poverty at the sub-national levels.

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Airhiavbere’s petition splits Edo PDP leadership SEBASTINE EBHUOMHAN BENIN

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ll is not well within the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State.

This discord is as a result of the petition filed by the party’s governorship candidate, Major General Charles Airhiavbere, against the victory of Governor Adams Oshomhole in the just-concluded governorship election.

Sunday Mirror’s investigation revealed that some of the leaders are not comfortable with the petition filed on Thursday by Airhiavbere, especially as it concerns the constitu-

tional interpretation he is seeking with regard to the acceptable qualification of a citizen to contest the office of State Governor in Nigeria.

Although most of the leaders of the party, who spoke to our correspondent on the division it has caused within the party preferred to speak in anonymity so as not to undermine the expectation of the legal application, others maintained that Airhiavbere should go ahead and test the waters for the proper constitutional interpretation of what is the “equivalent of School Certificate.”

Speaking on his mobile telephone over the week-

end, former Minister of Defence and ex-Minister of the Interior, Major General Godwin Abbe (retired), argued that what Edo State needs at the present moment was a government that would continue to provide the basic needs of the people. The two-time Minister and leader of the PDP in Edo State therefore advised the other leaders of the party and its candidate to work with the winner of the election in providing the basic dividends of democracy to the people, especially as his petition on the election was “uncalled for.”

Abbe said, “I am calling from the United States of

L-R: Archbishop Emeritus of Lagos, His Eminence, Anthony Cardinal Okogie; new Archbishop of Lagos, Most Rev. Adewale Martins and Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN), during the installation of MarPHOTOS: OLUFEMI AJASA tins, yesterday.

America, where I have gone for a medical check-up. I was told my party had gone to court to challenge the governorship election. You see, I just want to advise that my brother, Charles Airhiavbere, should join hands with Comrade Adams Oshiomhole to build our state while I will also advise him to start working towards 2016. If anybody advises my party and Charles about taking a petition to the tribunal, I see it as uncalled for because the election was adjudged as the fairest and freest in recent times in this country.”

In similar vein, the lawmaker representing Orhiomwon II Constituency of the Edo State House of Assembly, Hon. Patrick Aisowieren, advised the PDP candidate to join hands with Oshiomhole in building a greater Edo State instead of embarking on an effort that may end in futility.

Aisowieren advised, “In my candid opinion, If General Charles will take my advice, I will advise him to decamp right now to ACN. As we expect, after Comrade Adams Oshiomhole’s second term, the governorship will expectedly come to Edo South again. So, if he comes now and plays his politics well, he may just be given the opportunity in 2016.”

Martins installed 4th Archbishop of Lagos Catholic Archdiocese TAI ANYANWU

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ost reverend Alfred Adewale Martins was yesterday installed fourth Archbishop of Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos in a ceremony that was witnessed by Gov. Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State, 36 Bishops and Archbishops from various dioceses, hundreds of catholic priests and many other dignitaries.

Representative of Pope Benedict XVII in Nigeria, Archbishop Augustine Kasujja, performed the installation, yesterday at the Holy Cross Cathedral on Catholic Mission Street, Lagos Island.

Archbishop Martins takes over from Anthony Cardinal Okogie, who becomes the first Archibishop Emeritus of Lagos having served as Archbishop of Lagos for 39 years.

While congratulating the new Archbishop on his installation, Archibishop Kasujja called for more religious personnel in the vineyard; adding that 106 diocesan priests were not enough for the three million Catholics in the archdiocese.

In the homily, Archbishop Augustine Akabueze of the Catholic Archdiocese of Benin, described Anthony Cardinal Okogie, who Martins

NIGERIA IN BRIEF Jang extols Suleiman’s leadership qualities Gov. Jonah Jang of Plateau has extolled the leadership qualities of the former Military Governor of the state, retired Air Commodore Dan Suleiman.

Speaking at a thanksgiving service at the First Baptist Church, Abuja, held to mark Suleiman’s the 70th birthday anniversary, Jang urged Nigerian leaders to emulate such qualities.

He said that Nigeria needed

courageous leaders such as Suleiman, adding that he governed old Plateau State with the fear of God and the right vision.

Jang described Suleiman as exemplary leader and ``great’’ pilot and urged the present leaders to learn from his contribution to nation building.

Also speaking, the Minister of Information, Mr Labaran Maku, described the celebrant as a ``pillar of development of

old Plateau’’ which comprised Plateau and Nasarawa States.

Maku noted that Suleiman set a standard where ever he served the country and highlighted his ``tremendous’’ achievements in area of education, youth empowerment and tourism development in the state.

The minister also described Suleiman as great pilot who fought for the unity of Nigeria.

succeeded, as a companion of the marginalised, helpless and the poor.

Archbishop Kasujja also congratulated Okogie for being the voice of the voiceless during the 39 years he was in charge of pastoral care in the Lagos archdiocese.

“The outgoing archbishop is a companion of the helpless, downtrodden, the marginalised and the poor.

“You have during those

years, challenged dictatorial policies of past administrations through the media.

You still have the franchise to challenge dictatorial policies of those in leadership positions in retirement,” Akabueze told Okogie.

He congratulated him for the choice of a worthy successor, after 39 years of meritorious service.

The preacher said that Martins was not on unfa-

miliar terrain, having acquired experience as the first Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Abeokuta.

“You will be able to continue from where Anthony Cardinal Okogie stopped in the evangelisation of the people of the archdiocese,’’ he said.

Akabueze, however, reminded Martins that the task of evangelisation in Lagos was more challenging, daunting and tasking than in Abeokuta.

Kano govt unveils plan on teaching hospital for new versity Gov. Rabi’u Kwankwaso of Kano State says the state may convert the Murtala Muhammad Teaching Hospital and the new diagnostic centre, constructed by Pfizer into teaching hospitals for the new state university.

A statement signed by the Director of Press and Communication at the Government House, Malam Halilu Dantiye, quoted the governor as speak-

ing while receiving a progress report on the construction of the centre.

He said that the centre was being built as compensation to the state for the Trovan test tragedy which settlement was effected recently.

Kwankwaso revealed that the state’s Northwest University would benefit it immensely in terms of research and training.

The statement also indicated that the governor was looking at the possibility of converting the Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital into a teaching hospital as well.

NAN reports that the committee charged with the responsibility of overseeing the construction of the new diagnostic centre has said that the centre would be completed.

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STORIES THAT TOUCH YOU AUGUST 5, 2012

Ijesha monarch, chiefs at loggerheads …over money, oath-taking

WALE FOLARIN OSOGBO

T

he people of Ilesa, Osun State and other stakeholders in Ijesaland are now wondering what could have caused the present crisis between the paramount ruler of Ijesaland, the Owa Obokun, Oba Gabriel Adekunle Aromolaran, and his traditional chiefs. The relationship spanning about 30 years has gone sour, with the development threatening the existing peace in Ilesa town.

Oba Aromolaran ascended the throne of his fore-fathers in 1982 and it is indubitable that ever since, the town had witnessed much progress, while the monarch also enjoyed the loyalty and support of his traditional chiefs. But now, it would seem that things have fallen apart.

As of now, the crisis, which has assumed a dangerous dimension, has polarised the traditional council with some chiefs on the side of the monarch and others on the side of the monarch’s second-in-command, the Obanla of Ilesa, Chief Oyekanmi Ogedengbe. Security has been beefed up around the Owa’s palace at Ereja Square.

In another breath, Ogedengbe’ the king’s second-in-command, was at press time, being detained on the orders of a

court while no fewer than five traditional chiefs in the town, including the Lejofi of Ilesa, Chief Abiola Ojo and the Oba Odo, Chief Babajide Oduwale, who is the third in command, have been suspended by the monarch for refusing to swear to an oath of allegiance.

While the monarch and his chiefs are at daggers drawn, tension continues to mount in the town with residents expressing the fear that the situation may snowball into an internal war, one which may lead to loss of lives and property; the end which nobody could predict.

Two major reasons have been identified as the causes of the feud which some stakeholders, including the governor of the state, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola, are said to be battling to resolve. While a source blamed the crisis on the discontent expressed by some of the aggrieved traditional chiefs on the way Oba Aromolaran manages the 15 per cent allocation to the traditional council, another source claims that the crisis was occasioned by a directive from the monarch compelling the traditional chiefs to swear to a fresh oath of allegiance to him.

According to the aggrieved traditional chiefs, their ordeal was actuated by their opposition to the way that the monarch had been managing and

Chief Oyekanmi Ogedengbe, the Obanla Ogedengbe IV .

spending the Ilesa traditional council’s monthly allocation, which is statutorily sourced from the council area’s monthly federal allocations.

Already, the aggrieved chiefs have sought an order of the court directing the state government to set up a panel of inquiry to investigate the schedule of salary payment of Ilesa traditional chiefs from 2006 till date, even as they called on the state government to direct the AuditorGeneral of the state to audit Ilesa-East and

Oba Aromolaran

Ilesa-West traditional council’s accounts from 2006 till date.

“Oba Aromolaran was not happy with us because we disagreed with him on the allocations and that was why he came up with the idea of compelling us to take blood oath and swear to fresh allegiance to him, so that we will stop raising eye-brows on the allocation and follow his orders sheepishly,” they said.

Although some of the traditional chiefs have obeyed the directive of the monarch

ECHOES OF DANA PLANE CRASH

Emotions, grief…at Abugu’s rite of passage

Wife of the late Dr. Ike Abugu, who was a victim of Dana plane crash, Uzoamaka with her son, Ikechukwu and daughter, Chinaemerem, during the service of songs.

ONUKWUBE OFOELUE

T

he mood was foul, as friends, colleagues, well-wishers and family members gathered Friday, August 26, 2012 at the Ogudu GRA, Lagos home of the late Dr. Ike Abugu, who was killed in the July air crash in the IjuIshaga area of Lagos. Abugu was one of the 153 passengers that went down with the air bus belonging to Dana Air. While there was no survivor , the crash also claimed the lives of no fewer than nine other persons on ground.

L-R: Managing Director, UM Petroleum, Mr. Maduka Ugwu; former presidential aspirant, Dr. Joe Nwodo and Mr. Ted Ojimba at the event.

The gathering was a memorial service in preparation for Abugu’s burial, which took place in his home town of Umuida Village, Enugu Ezike, Enugu State.

Until his death, Abugu was an engineer and an entrepreneur. He bagged Bachelor and Master’s Degrees and a Ph.D in Metallurgical Engineering from Moscow National University of Science and Technology. He was also a former president of the Nigerian Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (NASME).

The memorial service, originally billed for 4pm, did not begin until 6pm. However, at about 5.30 pm, preparations

were in top gear as the guests began to take their seats.

When the late entrepreneur’s three young children came out, the gathering expressed deep sadness, largely due to the fact that their father left them too early. The eldest, Ijeoma, is only seven years old. They were led to some chairs, where they, two girls and a boy, sat, joking and playing, as all children are wont to do, and started calling out in concern when they saw their mum coming to sit with them. Apparently, she was very sad, and hung her head, and the children were worried.

But that did not stop the tone of excitement that they expressed when presented with the programme’s booklet, bearing their names. “See your name, see your name”, they called out to one another, obviously ignorant of the fact that the crowd that kept increasing was there for the sake of their father, and that they would never see him again. Abugu’s widow, Uzoamaka, is also a young woman still in her third year in the university.

In a sermon titled “God determines one’s number of days”, the officiating priest from St Andrew’s Anglican Church, Ogudu explained that life was ordained by God even before humans are born on earth. He pointed out that no matter the level of a man or woman’s greatness or lowliness in life, it was never determined by family background, education or brilliance of the individual. He attributed success in life to God, and God alone.

His words: “God determines our number of days. Even

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on oath-taking, others have bluntly refused to do so, on the ground that they had sworn to similar oath when they were installed many years before Oba Aromolaran ascended the throne. For instance, the Lejofi said he had sworn to similar oath in 1978 when he was installed, adding that Oba Aromolaran who ascended the throne in 1982 could not give such an order to him.

Irked by the effrontery of the chiefs who refused to obey his directive, Oba Aromolaran was said to have ordered their suspension and banned them from attending palace activities until they take the oath of allegiance.

In a letter signed and addressed to the two chiefs dated 8th May 2012, the monarch directed them to resign their appointments as his chiefs without further delay if they failed to observe the blood oath. He also directed them to withdraw from all palace and traditional activities with effect from the date of the letter and return only when they might have completed the blood oath in question.

The letter reads in part: “As you are quite aware that other senior chiefs like the Obanla, Ogboni, Odole, Loro of Ilesa and others have individually taken their own oaths, you have no other option than to take your own oath of office and allegiance or resign your appointment as my Chief without further delay.

“In view of the foregoing facts, you are hereby directed to withdraw from all palace and traditional activities with effect from the date of this letter and return only when you have completed your installation rites as specified above.

“For the avoidance of doubts, the final stage of any senior chiefs’ installation is the swearing of the oath of office and oath of allegiance to me as the Owa-Obokun Adimula and Paramount Ruler of Ijesaland, just as local government councilors, chairmen, state governors and their executive councils members and the President of a country and members of his executive council take oath of office and oath of allegiance

SM Extra

Sunday, August 5, 2012 respectively.”

But the suspended chiefs have insisted that they would not take the blood oath, adding that if it was true that their chieftaincy installation rites were not complete without the oath 35years ago, then the appointment of Oba Aromolaran was invalid and the state government should probe into the process that brought him to office. According to them, the monarch has no power to bar them from the palace which is a public place for all indigenes of the town.

Reacting, Oba Aromolaran was quoted to have said that there was nothing unusual in his directive that his traditional chiefs should swear to an oath of allegiance, adding that his action was in accordance with the tradition of the town.

His words: “There is nothing unusual about taking oath of allegiance. It is not a blood oath, and even if it is a blood oath it was not forced on anybody. Public functionaries take oath of office. There is nothing unusual about it, even husband and wife before getting married take oath of allegiance.

In the palace here, initiation is part of our culture and it is not in any way against God’s will.

“When I asked all my chiefs to take oath of allegiance, every one of them complied except two, one who gave excuse that he was already a communicant while the other who is an 86-year-old man gave old age as reason for his refusal. In our palace here, we don’t have a place for altar. No church and there is no mosque, all what we have here are shrines.”

Sunday Mirror learnt that Chief Ogedengbe was being detained on the orders of a court. Ogedengbe’s supporters have fingered the monarch to be behind the ordeal of the Chief. According to them, the Chief was being punished for refusing to give evidence in support of the monarch in a land case involving the Owa Atayero family. But the monarch was said to have denied the allegation, saying that he had no hand in Ogedengbe’s arrest and detention.

man of God had really brought comfort to the family. He prayed that the calamity of that magnitude that claimed so many Nigerians should never rear its ugly head again. He also went on to describe it as one borne out of ‘a systemic corruption that is eating up the system’.

Speaking about the late Abugu, NASME vice-president, Prince Segun Aguade, described him as an “embodiment of resourcefulness and doggedness. Whatever he put his hand Cross section of ministers at the service of songs.

PHOTOS: YINKA ADEPARUSI to, he followed to the letter”. the position you hold in life was ordained A kinsman of late Abugu and

by God even before you were born. It is not former presidential candidate, Dr Joe Nwoyour education, it is not your family back- do, who was present, simply described the ground, but God. But how are you spending entrepreneur as “a brilliant young man; he your life?” he enquired. was like a plane about to take off, but was Reading from Revelations chapter 20, aborted by the corruption that has groundverse 21, he pointed out that no matter how ed our country”. wealthy one is, his wealth is nothing withOthers present at the solemn event inout Jesus, imploring those gathered to give cluded Emeka Ugwuorji, president, South their lives to Jesus. He then prayed for God’s South/ South East Professionals; Chief blessings upon the young family, as well as Goddy Uwazurike, a member of the panthe needed comfort to bear the absence of Igbo group, Aka Ikeng;, Maduka Ugwu, their breadwinner. the Managing Director of UM Petroleum.

Emmanuel Abugu, younger brother to Others included Basil Onugu, president of the deceased, in thanking well-wishers for Nsuka Professionals, as well as Eunice Fole, being present, said that the words of the a member of NASME.

11

Fritz, glamour of a pageant

Contestants

DAVIES ANGELA AND OKWARA VANESSA

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he country has been in political and ethno-religious crisis in recent times, especially in the North, resulting in women becoming widows, families being displaced, children orphaned, homes destroyed and businesses ruined. As a result, Displaced Women and Children Foundation, a non- governmental organization with the slogan, “Peace is beautiful” came up with the Face of Peace Beauty Pageant in 2011 to champion the cause of peace in Nigeria and Africa in general.

Funmi Lawuyi, Head Marketing Resource/ Pageant for Face of Peace and Roli Olajoyegbe, principal partner of Nuptialities & Events Management, who is signed on to drive sponsorship for the 2012 upcoming beauty pageant, both gave more insight about the Face of Peace ‘no bikini’ beauty pageant when they visited the office of the Sunday Mirror recently.

According to them, the aim of this beauty pageant is to have a human symbol of peace that will be solely dedicated to humanitarian services, propagate the plight of displaced women and children orphaned by crisis and equally refocus the core compassionate values of womanhood through beauty pageant.

Speaking on what made the NGO come up with the idea for the Face of Peace, they said, “Recently, there have been crises in the country and not just Nigeria alone but in other West African countries as well.

The Face of Peace is actually speaking for the children who have been orphaned and the women who have been widowed. Most of these crises have left people displaced and homes have been destroyed. So that is why we decided to crown the queen that will stand as the Face of Peace for the less privileged, the orphaned children and the women who have been displaced.”

They emphasized that the maiden edition of the pageant, which held on Saturday, June 25, 2011 crowned Miss Rachael Dangtim as queen. “The maiden edition of the Face of Peace beauty pageant held June 25, 2011and we had it at the New Chelsea Hotel Abuja. We crowned the queen and her name is Miss Rachael Dangtim.

The founder of Face of Peace beauty pageant is Mr Salis Muhammed Abdulsalam and he is based in Jos. He has been carrying on with so much of the programmes in Jos. We are basically in Lagos so we can take on more of what happens in Lagos,” Funmi revealed.

What has the Displaced Women and Children Foundation done in recent times that

Eucharia Anunobi, Queen, Funmi Lawuyi, Omotayo Omotosho(1)

has helped to advocate peace in the North and also helped the displaced women and children? Funmi explained that, “We have the Face of Peace and then the Displaced Women and Children Foundation, which is a different one on its own. What we do is that we bring out the queen to serve as the Face for those displaced women and children.

The queen organizes advocacy visits to troubled zones, source palliative alternatives for displaced women and children, co-anchor the Talk-peace Radio/TV Programmes amongst other duties. Last year, precisely on December 6, we had what we call a verification exercise whereby displaced women, orphaned children and even men came around and we had over 3000 people in attendance. We did that in collaboration with the Ministry of Women Affairs in Jos.” She added that actually, what they do is that they go from place to place and identify true victims and this is done through the Data AID form filled by victims of these crises. “A lot of people have filled the form, the verification process has been carried out and people have actually been reached out to. Women have been re-established, children have been taken up or adopted just to give them a new lease of life because it appeared there was no hope for them since they were cut off totally from their families because of all these inter tribal wars and clashes . Children have been maimed, and taken from their parents. Bread winners have been lost. So we are just trying to re-establish them and give them hope, send the children to school and help them to know that they can live again.”

“Basically, when you say the Face of Peace queen is a representative of the people, what she does after being crowned for the whole year is to actually champion the projects on ground. It entails sorting out people, identifying families that have been affected and verifying that the whole story is true and making money available; visiting the women commission. It is a whole lot of work. And the recent queen has done most of these things.”

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Sunday, August 5, 2012

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TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO:

Basking in the majesty and allure of nature FOLU OLAMITI

T

he date was June 20, 2012. The mission was this year’s congress of International Press Institute, IPI, holding in the Caribbean dual-island nation of Trinidad and Tobago.

Although this was neither my first visit to the Caribbean nor South America, the mere thought of the trip still set my adrenaline surging. It quickened my pulse. It raised my expectations to fever pitch.

Why? This is because I had only learnt of the twin cities in my geography lessons in secondary school.

And widely travelled as one has been privileged to be, I had never gone beyond the realm of fantasy as far as Trinidad and Tobago was concerned.

My excitement beggared description in the final minutes to the commencement of the journey that will take us, first, to Houston, Texas, in the United States, then, to our final destination. When the United Airlines airbus finally took off from the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, on the first leg of my journey, I took special interest in Trinidad and Tobago during my years in the secondary school. The stories from this historical land had always made me long for a visit.

I flew 13 hours, nonstop, through the coast of West Africa and over the frightful Bermuda triangle into George Bush International Airport in Houston. I had a delay of over eight hours before connecting the only daily flight by the United Airlines to Trinidad. The flight took another six hours. By the time I landed at Piarco International Airport in Trinidad, I had spent a staggering 27 hours in transit!

After the rigorous airport clearance by the Homeland Security officials at Houston Airport, I headed for the transit gate to Trinidad and Tobago.

Now, are you planning your first trip ever to Trinidad, through the United States? Prime your mind to rigorous check at the point of entry. You would be sci-

L-R: Maida Waida, Charman/CEO, Peoples Daily; Mr. Felix Adenaike, former Editor-in-Chief, Tribune titles and Mr. Folu Olamiti, at a welcome party for members at the just-concluded IPI congress in Trinidad and Tobago.

entifically screened; your luggage would be thoroughly scrutinized. The process of retrieving baggage was made rigorous with repeated security checks.

At the ‘C’ checkpoint, some Nigerian women had a hell of a time as the security officials intercepted some Nigerian foodstuffs they were carrying like garri, fried meat, pepper, fruits-all items said to have been banned for importation into the United States by travellers. If you hold more than $10,000, you must declared this in writing in a form, perhaps as a routine measure against money laundering. In this regard, information supplied must be accurate as any false declaration could prompt security operatives to seize your money and initiate a process of prosecution against you. Ignorance is not an excuse. So, you must familiarize yourself with the immigration laws of the United States before embarking on your trip.

As I learnt, the authorities in that land had been super security conscious since the days of 9/11.

Finally,I flew out of Houston for a six hour flight to Port Of Spain in Trinidad and landed at Piarco International Airport. I made my way out of the beautiful airport and later took an AT&T SIM Card to enable me make urgent calls within and outside the country. It was then I realized that a US dollar is equivalent to 60 Trinidad dollars.

The Piarco International Airport, any day, is a beauty to behold. It would be criminal to compare

WE LEARNT THAT TOBAGO WAS ONCE FAMOUS FOR SUGAR PLANTATION WHERE MEN AND WOMEN OF

AFRICAN DESCENTS

WORKED AS SLAVES it to what we have presently in Lagos. Though Nigeria’s airports are being restructured and renovated, most frequent travellers still believe that the final product of the turn-around-maintenance may still not match international standards.

I had always felt that the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, is an old structure, which ought to have been pulled down for a worldclass replacement.

Officials of the IPI, Trinidad local chapter, were on hand to make participants’ journey to their hotel enjoyable. The twin islands are blessed with an abundance of natural resources. That perhaps explains the reason they remain the most keenly contested colonial territories in history.

Apart from the tourism sector that enjoys priority attention as complement to the national economy, the country also takes pleasure in its industrial base, which is hinged on oil and natural gas resources.

The Hyatt Hotel, which hosted the IPI congress and accommodated 80 percent of the participants, is situated right opposite the deep-water harbour that has the capacity to accommodate cruise ships. Behind the hotel is the seat of government called the

Parliament Building. The Prime Minister and her cabinet have their offices at the building.

The Republic runs a parliamentary system of government where the Head of State is the President, but the executive powers are vested in the Prime Minister. Estimated population of this twin country is 1.3 million, with 55,000 residing in Tobago. The ethnic mix consists of 40.3 percent of east Indian descent, 39.5 percent African, mixed-18.4 percent, European-0.6 percent, while the Chinese and other nationals constitute 1.2 percent.

One striking feature I noticed at the arrival hall of the airport was the steel band, which has made the Trinidad and Tobago famous. The people see the steel pan as their national instrument, invented as a gift to the world. Invented in the 20th century the steel pan is made by turning the bottoms of steel oil drums. There has been a yearly steel band festival that attracts music lovers from across the country and outside.

I took a trip down the Island of Trinidad, visited the Aspire caves and climbed to the top of the island through a snake-like road to the top of the hill and got a fantastic panoramic view of Trinidad.

Owing to the tight pro-

gramme at the IPI congress, there was little for sightseeing. Work competed keenly with necessity for relaxation.

However, trip to this beautiful country will be incomplete if you don’t visit Tobago, which is just 20 minutes by air and two hours by fast boat. The after-congress tour of Tobago on June 27,2012 included the newly elected IPI chair, an accomplished woman journalist named Galina Sidorova. The flight actually took us 15 minutes with a Dash 8 propeller plane.

The Island is serene and regales in its age of innocence. Seemingly unviolated. It is not as cosmopolitan as Trinidad, yet, its colonial history, its marine activities and good rustic cuisine all make it the favourite of many visitors from across the world.

The tour took us to the island, submerged by an undulating hill with alluring green vegetation and Atlantic Ocean with captivating beaches. The coast of Tobago has numerous vantage points with canons (war relics) on the beach sites of oil forts.

Many of the smaller forts were built from timber and survive only in name, but those visible include Fort Milford with Crown Point Hotel; Rocky Point with its view over Mount Irvine Bay and Fort Bennett which protects the easterly entrance to the famous Turtle Beach.

Our tourist guide told us that the early settlers arrived from Britain, France and Holland and built homes. Most of the great houses, he said, were long gone, no thanks to the ravages by termites and hurricane disaster recorded in 1963.

We learnt that Tobago was once famous for sugar plantation where men and women of African descents worked as slaves. The relics of the plantation showed us that sugar has always been a king commodity in that part of the world. The first exports occurred in 1770 with 37 factories in operation.

Part of our tourist package was a boat ride on the deep blue ocean. The ocean, we were told, is safe for swimming. Some of us

took a dive with life jackets into the warm sea. It was refreshing for me to watch the divers satisfy their passion from the boat. I thought that even with a jacket, I would never have been able to dive into the waters as fear of drowning gripped me.

All Trinidad and Tobago beaches are publicly operated. Some were made to serve the interest of visitors. We were strictly advised to stick to public beaches with tour guides on the ground in order to avoid untoward experience.

We were later taken on a guided tour of Tobago Museum where history of the transformation of the small Island into a paradise city was well documented.

This year, August specifically, the twin islands country will be celebrating its 50th Independent Anniversary. You can feel frenetic preparations everywhere. The occasion is expected to be celebrated throughout the country with calypso music and steel bands adding values to the events.

Like Brazil, like most Caribbean and South American cities, cultural carnivals are serious business, as they say, in Trinidad and Tobago. For instance, and according to travelnet.com, during such carnivals Soca music reverberates in the streets.

Like spirit-possessed beings, beautiful damsels in bikini gyrate and shake sexily to the rhythmic sounds from steel bands and other musical sources.

The carnivals spice a season of cultural celebrations that bury the sordid history of slavery and indenture.

The festival of colour, like its parallels in Nigeria, unites the varied ethnicities and cultures that define the dual-island nation. They all converge in love, in food, in music and dance to lift one another to a seventh-level of ecstasy.

This is Trinidad and Tobago-islands of pleasure.

• Olamiti, who was in the Carribean cities, is the resident consultant for the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

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Interview ENCOUNTER WITH A NEWS MAKER

Why we planned Babangida’s overthrow –Nyiam Lt-Col Tony Nyiam was one of the surviving officers that took part in 1990 military putsch led by Major Gideon Orkar to oust the government of General Ibrahim Babangida. In this no-holds-barred interview with Muyiwa Oyinlola, Nyiam speaks on why he joined the action, his relationship with Generals Olusegun Obasanjo, Muhammadu Buhari and Babangida, among other issues.

AUGUST 5, 2012

Nyiam

Could you please reflect on your early days?

I was born in Boki Local Government, in Cross River, a place you’re quite familiar with. But I was taken as a child to Cameroun where my father was working in the Cameroun Development Corporation. Just before the Camerounians got their independence, they gave their Nigerian staff from a certain level a choice and my father decided to return to Nigeria on transfer and we joined him in Lagos in 1958. I grew up in Yaba area, specifically around where you now have University of Lagos. I enjoyed a good education. In those days, Lagos was the federal capital. It was such that from primary school, we were given most of our textbooks and even exercise books. I went through St. Patrick Primary School in Yaba, which is now St. Dominic’s Primary School, Yaba.

The Dominican fathers gave us a good religious education. I was baptised and confirmed in St. Dominic’s Catholic Church. We had our sister school, St. Agnes, which is still there. That school and the teaching of Jesus which I had from it nurtured my mind to have not only fear, but the love of God. It was from that school that I took the common entrance like every other pupil to different schools, and I elected to go the Nigerian Military School, Zaria. I went to the school because my father had been a soldier who fought in the Second World War. He was part of the contingent that went to Burma. His contemporaries then were Major-General Aguiyi Ironsi, who later became the first General Officer Commanding in the Nigerian Army; people like Col. W. Bassey who was the first officer in the army, and that was why his number was 1; the late Oba Adeyinka Oyekan of Lagos; S.B. Bakare. These

were the set of learned people who went into the army and they were taken into the clerical corps, and trained.

A number of them went to Burma.

It was from this group that those who decided to stay back in the army became the first officers, like Aguiyi Ironsi and Bassey. People like my dad, S. B. Bakare and Oyekan opted out.

So, I was influenced by the stories my dad used to tell me about how honourable the military profession was.

Also, I lived close to the barracks and had friends whose parents were soldiers. All these made me, as a little boy, to like the military and that was why I elected to join the army.

Can you recall your days in the military and some of the bosses you served?

The impact the military training had on me is still one of the greatest gifts I had as a young man. The military training really is a kind of religious training in that the training takes you away from the mindset of what you think are your limitations and tries to break you free to realise that you can actually do more than you think. The training has helped me to adapt to any situation, to be strategic in the way I look at things.

One of the officers I met who had impact on me was my first principal at the military school, Gen. T.B. Ogundeko, who incidentally we celebrated his 80th birthday anniversary a couple of weeks ago in Ijebu Mushin. He was such a honourable man who gave us the best of education. He tried to inculcate in us the art of self discipline. Here was a man who, before Federal Character, was ensuring that students from all parts of

the country were given a chance and those from the less academic areas like the far North, he ensured that he gave them the necessary assistance.

In your days in the military, would you say southerners like you were deprived of certain privileges or would you say you were at par with your northern counterparts?

Everything was going on well until after 1967. After the coup of Chukwuma Nzeogwu, there was a retaliation coup which killed Aguiyi Ironsi. After that coup, what we started experiencing was that officers from a certain part of the country started arrogating power to themselves and thus were depriving people from other parts of the country chances.

Can you please reflect on the 1990 coup where you played a very active role and let us know how and why you got involved?

Let me again correct, as I have always corrected, I did not take part in a coup, because by definition, a coup is move or a putsch against an elected government. I think it’s the duty of any officer to resist and to knock off any unelected man who assumes office. And what we did was more of a pro-democracy action against an unelected military government that usurped power from civilians; to take the power back to civilians. In that sense, I would like to correct that that was not a coup. It was a pro-democracy action.

How did you get involved in it?

I was actually not involved in the beginning. There CONTINUED ON PAGE 14

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Interview

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sunday, August 5, 2012

‘The coup did not fail’ oligarchs, these oppressors were no more in control of the areas.

This particular issue of excision is something that was a mistake and we have apologised. As I also said of recent, I and General Babangida have since realised our mistakes and we’ve moved forward. We’re in good terms.

What was the reaction of your wife and other family members to your involvement in the action?

I am blessed with a family that respects fighting for honour; the same with my wife’s family. So, they took the action with all the sacrifices it entails. It’s not been easy but they’ve taken it well.

Nyiam

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 13 were young officers who had been planning it for over eight or nine months. And in February of 1990, the officers, from what they told me after, had observed my position on certain things, then approached and told me of their grievances.

They went further to say that they were not going to accept this illegal government of Babangida anymore.

At that point, remember I was approached in February and the action was in April. At that point, I had the option of going to report to these chaps which is what is expected in the military, but because these young men were honourable in their intention, even though they could be said to be overzealous in some aspects of how they were going to operate, I could never have betrayed my conscience, so I joined them.

Major Abubakar Mohammed, a former CSO to Gen. Ibrahim Babangida, once cited disagreement among you over the killing of U.K. Bello as the reason for the failure of that action. How do you react to this?

No, I think I had addressed that matter very well that it had nothing to do with the killing. As I said, I think Major Mohammed himself and those who sponsored him have shut up, and we’ve reached, as it were, a truce. I corrected that impression.

What did you say?

I don’t want to open old wounds. The accounts are well recorded, I wouldn’t want to go into it again. It’s too immaterial an issue to be discussed now.

In the broadcast you excised some states in the North, and some people felt that also contributed to the failure of the action. Why did you do that?

No. as I said, there were some conditions at that time that some states were working in conjunction with the military junta to erode the cultural basis of the emirship, because this was when they were trying to install a Sultan against the wish of the kingmakers. Also these were the people who had hijacked power and felt they were the only ones that could govern. So we now said we would not allow these people to be there except these

Could you recall your relationship with any or some of the Heads of State who ruled Nigeria during your days in the Army?

I was very fortunate and I can say that all the people that have been Heads of State during my stay in the Army were people I worked with closely. Let me start with General Olusegun Obasanjo. He was my first boss after I was commissioned and, in fact, he was one senior officer who identified my potential and stood by me even when reactionaries in the military would have sent me out. He ensured that (he may not remember it) I and Major General Patrick Akpa went to some of the best universities abroad to study. I worked with him. At that time people thought he was tribalistic, that he was favouring Yoruba officers. His argument then was that ‘I don’t have officers from other parts of the country that I can work with’ because our corps was engineering, which required people of certain skills and intelligence.

When I and Akpa came back to the corps, he gave us the chance. You will recall that at this point in time most Easterners were not in the country so the only people he had who were professionally prepared were Yoruba, and that is why they accused him of being tribalistic.

But one thing you cannot accuse Obasanjo of is doing something on the basis of parapo. He’s a man that has friends from everywhere. And I can say this, he gave me the break. I would have gone to ABU where I had secured admission, but he told me he would give a better chance and he ensured I went to a university in Edinburgh to study Quantity Surveying. Major General Patrick Akpa was sent to Nottingham.

And that was why when I came back from exile I wanted to serve under Obasanjo as a way of paying back the good thing he did for me as a young officer. We’ll come to that, because that is where I had my biggest disappointment.

Between Obasanjo and Abacha, I also worked with Major General Muhammadu Buhari. I was commanding the Maintenance Engineering Battalion in 3 Armoured Div, Jos, where General Buhari was the GOC. General Buhari has always been a very honourable man. In fact, I first came across Gen. Buhari as a Captain. Remember after the killing of Easterners, I was a student in Zaria, 1966 to 1967.

I did not go back with the Easterners initially. I went back to Zaria. But when the killings were too much I had to go back to the East to join my fellow

Easterners then. But I and Admiral Victor Ombuhs who later became Chief of Naval Staff, were the only two non-Igbo who escaped to our various places when the civil war started. He went back to today’s Bayelsa while I returned to the Cross River.

On getting there, the commander of the formation that captured the area I was going back to in Cross River was Captain Buhari, and when some of the officers saw me, against the indoctrination we had that federal troops would kill anybody, they got me back, and Buhari, in conjunction with the administrator of the South East then, Mr. Michael Ani, the father of the former minister, ensured I went back to Zaria without missing any year. That was my first encounter with Gen. Buhari.

When I worked under him, I saw him as a diligent, honourable and a very good, religious man.

So, I was not surprised that they restored dignity of service and discipline to Nigeria when he, along with Idiagbon, took over power. That is vintage Buhari.

Now, to Gen. Babangida. When I was in Command and Staff College, after I returned from the UK; from my paper, which is like a thesis, that I wrote, Gen. Babangida liked the suggestions I was making as to how we could reorganise our nation and modernise the military.

On that basis, he sought for me immediately I left the academy and asked me to come and join him as a General Staff Officer in the Army Headquarters.

Gen. Babangida, as at that time, was an officer who believed in gathering young officers to modernise the army and that was how he pulled me to work with him for over five years.

The great thing about Babangida unlike many other leaders in this country is that he was at home with people who are ready to be of service. That was why he was at home with people like Prof. Wole Soyinka, Dr. Tai Solarin, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, and so on.

He was never a man who had complex like many of our other leaders. A lot of our other leaders are intimidated by people who can help them. They are people who fear their shadows and you can see that now. But Babangida never had that problem. He liked the best advice from the best source he could get it. As to why he had problems later, I think he started derailing when his government was blackmailed by a few people, and instead of keeping to the programmes that he started with, he began playing to the gallery of a few groups.

Instead of trying to bring down his government, since you were this close to him, why did you not call his attention to his errors?

I have explained to you earlier that I did talk to Babangida and he did take our advice. But here was I, I was faced with young boys who had come to tell me what they intended to do. Remember that at this time, his government had started derailing. His government would have been the best we would have had in this country. Within its first 18 months, one can see what he did. But thereafter, when he was blackmailed and people started saying that his government was a gov-

ernment of the Middle Beltans, that the people who had power in his government were the Langtang in the Plateau, people from Benue. He didn’t like it and they put pressure on him. That was where his government started derailing.

With this derailing, Babangida’s government then preferred to use the ideas of those of us who were advising for mere presentation rather than making substantial changes. He was no more ready to carry on with the reforms that he had started; our ideas were now mere means of presentation while the nation was retrogressing.

This was happening when these boys came. And because I now had the dilemma of either being loyal to a system that was going to ruin my own country or to the young boys who had the fears that I also had; I chose not to give away these young boys.

That action eventually failed. Do you have any regret participating in it?

To say the effort failed is to judge things superficially. Do you remember that since the 1990 action, the then cabal has never stood up again? Do people realise that it is because of the action of 1990, which incidentally the majority of the officers were from the Niger Delta, that today Jonathan is the president? Do people realise that it was because of the 1990 action that MKO was given a chance?

Prior to this action, those who would rule this country for the next 100 years had been anointed, as it were. So, to say it failed is incorrect.

Some of the problems we itemised then, are we not seeing them rearing their heads now? You now see the self-determination groups. Don’t you see the connection that the fact that the issues we raised in 1990 were unattended to is still just like the Aburi Accord that was not honoured?

This is the price we are paying.

I think because our action was one of the first to embolden Nigerians to rise against the oppressors, the action also demystified the invincibility of some people riding on the horse of being in the military to oppress the people. With these, nobody can say it was a failure.

The other key aspect of the 1990 action is that people didn’t realise that most of the key participants were either civilians or retired officers, because then most of the military had been bought up. We had to resort to civilians and retired soldiers to the extent that we were able to wake Nigerians from their slumber not to accept continued oppression.

To the extent that we forced the government to relocate to Abuja, you cannot say it was a failure.

In effect, one way of looking at it is that those who now pride themselves as sitting in Abuja should realise the feat was necessitated by our action. Moreover, many states, including Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom and Osun have been created after our action.

It may be a failure to anyone that is ambitious to be a leader, but to the extent that we offset the mindset of Nigerians, I won’t say it was a failure.

•

To be continued next week

15

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Politics PROVIDING FRESH PERSPECTIVES TO ISSUES AUGUST 5, 2012

We’ll never bend our rule to please Otedola –Hon. Bello P. 16, 41

“EVERYDAY YOU WAKE UP, THERE IS A PROBE ABOUT BILLIONS THAT DISAPPEARED. PEOPLE READ OF ALL THESE THINGS AND YOU THINK IT WON’T AFFECT THEM. THEY BELIEVE THEY ARE BEING RULED BY A GANG OF THIEVES. WHETHER IT IS CORRECT OR NOT, THAT IS THE PERCEPTION - THEY ARE JUST VICTIMS IN THE HANDS OF THIEVES.”

Briefly Kwara Assembly wants state television repositioned

–PROFESSOR PAT UTOMI

BUDGET IMPLEMENTATION CONTROVERSY

Reps remain resolute Ahmed

Kwara State government has been urged to reposition the state television authority to enable the station serve as a medium for effective service delivery.

The assembly made the call in Ilorin at the weekend in its resolution on a motion tagged “Repositioning Kwara Television for efficient performance”.

The motion, which was sponsored by Mr Ebun Owolabi, the member representing Ekiti Constituency, and seconded by Malam Kamal Fagbemi (Oke-Ogun), received the support of all members present at the session.

Speaker of the House, Malam Razaq Atunwa, while reading the resolution, called on the state government to, as a matter of necessity, carry out the general overhaul of the equipment at the station.

He said this was the only way that the signal of the station could be received in the nook and cranny of the state.

The Assembly also called on the Ministry of Information and Communication to ensure the recruitment and training of qualified personnel for effective service delivery.

The legislators also advised the management of Kwara Television to improve on the quality of its programme contents in line with international standard.

Jonathan

TORDUE SALEM ABUJA

B

y next month, the 2012 Budget war with the Executive which was ignited by the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila (ACN/Lagos), would have gained a rocky climax.

On July 19, just before they packed up for a recess that lapses next month, the House alleged a breach of the Appropriation Act by the Ministry of Finance.

But the Finance Minister, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, at a function in Abuja, dismissed the threats as survivable or manoeuvrable as she insisted before a Senate Committee that the Appropriation Act was not violated as alleged by Gbajabiamila’s motion. She told the panel that the Budget for which releases were supposedly commenced in April was about 41 per cent executed, while releases stood at 56 per cent. On another occasion, the Presidency had accused the House of

Lamido links prudence to success of his administration

Gbajabiamila

fighting a selfish battle for their companies to handle constituency projects.

The fight against Gbajabiamila started from a smear publication by a ‘faceless group’ alleging that an American association of lawyers indicted Gbaja in the states on account of a professional misconduct.

Gbajabiamila would promptly fire back in a statement, saying he was never indicted nor was he convicted on any charge.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) would take it a notch further to ask the Minority Leader to resign from office. But the spokesman of the House, Hon. Zakari Muhammed, dismissed a statement attributed to Finance Minister, Okonjo-Iweala, claiming that the 2012 Budget was yet to be fully implemented because the National Assembly Constituency Projects were an obstacle.

Muhammed at a press briefing stressed that constituency projects made only 10 per cent of the entire budget and could not be a hindrance to its implementation.

He said: “For the avoidance of doubts, constituency projects represent less than

10 per cent of the 2012 capital budget. How can this be the reason for the slow implementation of the budget? This excuse for non-implementation falls flat on its face when a review of the performance of the executive on even its own preferred projects is made. More evidential is the fact that releases so far made to the MDAs are not enough to pay for ongoing projects or projects chosen by the executive. For instance, out of a total appropriation of N145 billion for the Ministry of Works in the budget, only N47 billion had so far been released to the ministry. In the first quarter N38 billion was released and in the second quarter only N9 billion was released, with a shortfall of about N30 billion for the second quarter.

The projects that need these appropriations are core road projects scattered all over the country. Or are these inter-state highways and other strategic road projects also constituency projects? Playing to the gallery by the executive arm will not CONTINUED ON PAGE 16

Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido, said at weekend that the success of his administration was based on the prudent management of resources.

Lamido made the statement in Dutse while breaking the Ramadan fast with supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

“I never took loans from any bank, institution or foreign organisation to execute projects and my government is not owing any contractor.

“As soon as contractors complete their projects, our consultants evaluate them and we pay immediately,” he said.

The governor commended the citizens for their support and peaceful coexistence.

He stressed that “no development can take place in an atmosphere of violence and rancor”.

The governor promised to lead the people with the fear of God and give them their due by providing them the dividends of democracy.

Lamido

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Politics

Sunday, August 5, 2012

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

We’ll never bend our rule to please Otedola The last has not been heard on the riveting bribery allegation levelled against House of Representatives member and former chairman of the House Committee on fuel subsidy scam, Hon. Farouk Lawan. A member of the House, who is also a lawyer, Hon. Ibrahim Bello, has opted to revisit the issue, with a view to clearing grey areas. Bello, who represents Igabi Federal Constituency of Kaduna State in the House, is a member of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC). In this interview with Tordue Salem, he also talks on Boko Haram attacks in Kaduna, lambasting the state government for what he describes as its “carelessness”, among others. Excerpts: How will you react to the recent bomb blasts in three churches in Zaria and Kaduna metropolis, which led to reprisal attacks by youths and the loss of lives and properties?

It’s very unfortunate. In the last two weeks, we have been interracting with the state governor, regarding the issue. Because one of the most stubborn areas is the Gonin Gora route, which everybody going to the northern part of the country, from Abuja must pass through. Many have become targets, and sometimes, people are maimed and injured. But in my opinion, there are a lot of security lapses and carelessness on the part of the state government. During the Ahmed Makarfi administration, we had some points where the government built huts where military personnel were stationed. So the mere presence of these military men covered a lot of problems. But after the Makarfi administration, successive governments in the state neglected their services and it is these same points that these crises have continued to happen. So the government of the state has no other option than to face reality. The military personnel are there and are willing to help. This is not a military regime but we know their responsibility constitutionally.

It’s only when the situation is above the knowhow of the police that the military will have to come in and intervene so that we can have security control.

Secondly, one of the ways we can have relief in this issue in Kaduna State is the fact that the government should make

local government elections a reality. Because, all these self-acclaimed local government chairmen imposed by the governor do not enjoy the support of the people.

They are not happy with the government.

So, the government should have allowed for local government election as done in other states. We have seen it in Lagos, Akwa Ibom and many other states, so why not Kaduna state?

The third one is unemployment. We have a high number of youths from various local governments that are unemployed. They are abandoned and neglected hence they become readily available as political touts among other illegalities. There is no government programme to affect those sensitive areas.

So these youths will continue growing since there are no opportunities. This is a great challenge. So, that is why whenever there is any rumour in Kaduna within the next 30 minutes, what happens is of monumental proportion. These youths that are everywhere without what to do look for every kind of opportunity to loot. So the state government is very far away from the grassroots, and they don’t go to the people. All the people surrounding the executive leaders are sycophants. Even when they are benefiting from the government, they do not go to the grassroots to meet with the people. So, whenever there is a problem in Kaduna State in form of bomb blast, killings etc, in a democracy, one would expect the executive officers to visit such places. The people there would have a

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 15 change the facts of the situation. It is also important to restate that these constituency projects are managed by the executive arm of government. Members of the National Assembly are not involved in the advertising of these projects, nor are they involved in the shortlisting of contractors for the projects neither are they part of the process of the actual award of the contracts. It has been their exclusive preserve.”

Muhammed said the minister was breaching the budget law by using her own discretion to decide which aspect of the budget was implementable.

According to a part of his statement: “The House of Representatives will like to restate its concern on the poor and selective implementation of the 2012 Budget by the executive arm of government and the attitude of officials of government saddled with the responsibility of implementing the Appropriation Acts.

For the avoidance of doubt, section 6 and 7 of the 2012 Appropriation Act clearly says what officials of government and in this case the Honourable Minister of Finance is permitted to do.

“Section 6 of the Appropriation Act, 2012, states that: “The minister of Finance shall ensure that funds appropriated under this Act are released to the appropriate agencies and or organs of government as and when due, provided that no funds for any quarter of the fiscal year shall be deferred without prior waiver from the National Assembly”. Mark and note the choice of the word “shall” which is mandatory under the circumstance, not discretionary. This is what the minister is expected to do. It is not within her powers to pick and choose projects and pro-

sense of belonging. But sadly, they will never go. Even if a message is sent, it never gets delivered. So when you don’t touch the life of the common man you will see the implication, because this is democracy. You claim that you have been elected by these people; then I challenge you to go to your people. If you know that you have been re-elected, you have to go to the people. So, you see, the people are worried because of these challenges.

In your opinion, what approach should the Federal Government adopt in tackling the menace of the insurgents; dialogue or confrontation?

Let me tell you; although some people relate this thing with religion but it’s not.

Why is the schedule for poverty alleviation not in existence? Youth empowerment programmes are not there and the populace is watching and we don’t have birth control and our population is multiplying every day. So, in as much as this thing is not curtailed, we are going to have these kinds of problems. Don’t relate this issue to religion. But all they do is to give the money belonging to the local government to the state government, and the reasonable part of the sum does not always get to the LGs. That is why we are coming up with a Bill to separate the interference of the state government with the affairs of local governments, by quashing the so-called joint account system. It is only when there is that autonomy that the council bosses will be

Bello

held responsible for the millions given by the FG to the people.

Is the Ethics and Privileges Committee of the House considering inviting Femi Otedola to appear before the panel in an

Reps: We won’t be cowed grammes to fund as has been the case with the Appropriation Act 2012. Her piecemeal and discretionary release of funds for projects contrary to the schedule approved in the Appropriation Act is unlawful. She is, in fact, apparently breaking the law. What the law requires the minister to do is ensure that all funds appropriated for projects within a particular quarter are released to all the Ministries, Departments and Agencies, as and when due without preference. If the revenue target is not achieved in any particular period, it is the responsibility of the Honourable minister to seek for waiver from the National Assembly.

This has not been the case.”

The spokesman stressed that this was not to say that funds should be released and accessed by MDAs without due process and actual execution of projects. “In other words, there should be value for money. How released funds are accessed by the various MDAs is stated in section 7 of the budget Act and further guided by due process law. Section 7 of the 2012 Appropriation Act states as follows: “The department of government charged with the responsibility of certifying that due processes have been complied with in the processing of implementation of projects shall ensure that all processes of approval are completed within the specified period as provided for in the Public Procurement Act,” he added.

At a separate briefing, the spokesman of the Green Chamber said the threat by the House of Representatives to impeach President Goodluck Jonathan is in the interest of the country.

Zakari said this in response to insinuations from the Presi-

dency that their threat to sack the president was selfish.

He wrote off comments from the Presidency as blackmail and targeted at the integrity of the House.

According to the spokesman, the warning of the House was for the good of the country and meant to jolt the president to action on the budget.

“This bold and patriotic step by the Seventh Assembly has attracted different comments from a lot of quarters, expectedly, therefore some sponsored news editorial and commentaries choose to deliberately misinform the public on the rationale behind our nationalistic stand”, he stated.

He reiterated the earlier position of the House. “For the avoidance of doubt, whilst we are aware that all revenue generating agencies have surpassed their annual target by mid this year, the House is worried that this positive development did not reflect the implementation of the budget for the benefit of the Nigerian people.”

He recalled that “Arising from Thursday’s (19th July 2012) Plenary which discussed extensively on the snail speed implementation of the 2012 Appropriation Act, by Mr President and the attendant ultimatum issued, that if by 30th September 2012 when the House resumes from recess, there is no marked improvement, the House would be left with no choice than to initiate impeachment proceedings”.

According to him, “This trend (not implementing budgets), if not arrested would worsen the already fragile state of the nation, hence the need for our quick intervention”.

He regretted that such an altruistic stance of the House would be interpreted as selfish and negative. “To then insinu-

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London 2012 Olympics and Nigeria’s medals’ prospects

T

he 2012 Summer Olympic Games (the 30th Olympiad or London 2012), a major international event and the world’s foremost sports competition, officially kicked off in London, England on Friday, July 27 and would run till Sunday, August 12, 2012. Parading thousands of athletes from more than 200 nations from five different continents, the event comes up every four years - biennially, with the Summer and Winter Olympic Games alternating. The games originated in ancient Greece from the 8th century BC to the 4th century AD; and were held in the city of Olympia. The Olympic Movement of the 20th and 21st centuries led to several changes in the games and the eventual emergence of the modern Olympic Games now being held under the auspices of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) founded in 1894.

Participation in the competition has been massive, with over 13,000 athletes competing at each Summer Olympics in 33 different sports and nearly 400 events.

The first, second and third place finishers in each event receive Olympic Medals: gold, silver, and bronze, respectively. Meanwhile, the growth of the game has created numerous challenges, including boycotts, doping, bribery, racism and terrorism; but the IOC has always been able to curtail the shortcomings without injuring host or participating countries’ chances to prove their mettle. The IOC primarily promotes peace worldwide through sporting activities.

Nigeria first participated in the event in 1952 and has ever remained consistent. Her athletes have won a total of 23 medals mostly in athletics and boxing. The Nigerian Under -23 football team won

the gold medal in the football event in 1996, for example. But the country’s subsequent performance has been, to say the least, most unflattering. Such factors as late preparations, inadequate funding, corruption, low commercialisation, and a corrupted athletes’ selection process have been blamed for the dismal showing.

The Olympic Games in Nigeria is managed by the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) established in 1951. But how autonomous and credible the Committee has been seem questionable; as corrupt public officers impose athletes on the coaches unhindered. Likewise suspect is the NOC’s handling of funds allocated to it by the Federal Government; and its accruals from the IOC. Reports said the NOC would receive roughly $350 million (about N56.6 billion) from the IOC as part of its shares from the income generated from the merchandising of the ongoing 30th Olympiad, for example. Addressing such puzzles could help explain the country’s poor performance at the Olympics in recent times. The 2012 London Olympic Games which cost a whopping sum of 24 billion pounds sterling to organise is obviously one of the greatest in the history of the competition. Nigerian athletes have the opportunity to regain lost grounds through concrete and result-oriented participation in the event. We sadly recall that the country failed to qualify for the Olympic football tournament in both the male and female categories. But the President of the NOC, Alhaji Sani Ndanusa, had assured Nigerians of a good outing when he stated that the time-lines for events as speci-

fied in the Olympics Charter (OC); and by the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games (LOCOG) had been met.

It is, perhaps, pertinent to note that the country is participating in athletics, basketball, boxing, canoe slalom, table tennis, taekwondo, weightlifting and wrestling, which translate to eight sports events and a total of 53 athletes. Hitherto, the country had restricted the fielding of athletes to its areas of preparation. This had resulted in lackluster outings and poor utilisation of voted funds. Besides, the country’s entourage is often characterised by the shameful spectres of struggling for estacode, bloated number of officials, as well as athletes’ selection processes tainted by deafening corruption and influence peddling.

Our fear, judging from experience, is that prospects for winning quality medals in the ongoing games are slim as a result of the colossal rot and mismanagement plaguing Nigerian sports management, including the NOC. The FG should develop the culture of early preparations for major sporting events, stop politicising and corrupting the athletes’ selection process and curb the diversion of funds meant for the development of sports facilities, etc. The NOC should give priority to schools’ competitions to be able to identify young talents for local and foreign exposure. The country should look beyond London 2012 and commence concrete preparations for the Rio 2016 Olympics holding in Brazil in earnest.

These are the minimum imperatives for the country’s meaningful involvement in the next Olympic fiesta.

Reminiscences AUGUST 5 IN HISTORY 1944: Poland frees Jewish prisoners Polish freedom fighters liberated a German forced labour camp in Warsaw, freeing 348 Jewish prisoners, who joined in a general uprising against the Germans.

1962: US – Monroe commits suicide Marilyn Monroe was found dead in her bedroom. The death was ruled a suicide, as a bottle of empty sleeping pills was found near her body.

1963: US, UK, Soviets sign nuclear test treaty A partial nuclear test ban treaty was signed by the United States, Britain and Russia. The ban ended testing in the atmosphere, outer space and underwater.

1973: Arab gunmen kill 50 in GreeceTwo Arab gunmen from the Palestinian militant group, Black September, took 35 hostages, opened fire and threw grenades into a crowded passenger lounge at Athens airport, which killed three and injured over 50 more.

1976: S’Africa students’ official dies in custody Former South African Students’ Organisation official, Mapetla Mohapi, died in custody.

2006: Turkey erects dam on the Tigris Turkey began building a dam on the Tigris River. The controversial construction was projected to cost over $1.5 billion and create around 10,000 jobs. Critics believed that the dam would endanger ancient ruins and artifacts while also displacing many villages.

2007: US rapist soldier jailed 110 years Jesse Spielman, a United States soldier convicted of playing a role in the rape and murder of a 14-year-old girl and her family in Iraq, was sentenced to 110 years in prison.

2007: Israel holocaust survivors protest Holocaust survivors and other protesters demonstrated in front of the Israeli Prime Minister, Ehud Olmert’s, office. The protesters demanded more state-sponsored aid from the government for holocaust survivors.

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Opinion

Sunday August 5, 2012

Uncensored U nc

Sheriff S Folarin

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

T

he meeting of the two former Heads of State, Generals Olusegun Obasanjo and Ibrahim Babangida had reportedly resulted in reflections and stock-taking of the cost of insecurity in Nigeria, from which they rose to posit that dialogue is incontrovertibly the way out. The two former presidents, in their joint statement titled, “A Call for Peace and Dialogue” reportedly referred to the groups letting out violence in Northern Nigeria as “militias” and “armed belligerents”, and had also described the situation as “internecine crises”. President Obasanjo had disclosed that the joint statement represented the general position of the entire nation’s former heads of state. Their position was that the present administration should act with dispatch in inviting the “belligerents” to a roundtable.

Further, the former heads of state want to see an inclusive approach to tackling the security threat, beginning with the 774 local councils that make up the Nigerian Federation. The states and federal government were to define the framework for broad-based dialogue as well as the strategies for its sustainability.

Their concern is premised on their apprehension of the brink of disintegration that was becoming more apparent every other day.

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Insecurity: Where the ex-Presidents got it right?

One has Obasanjo, Babangida and other heads of state to thank for this initiative.

If not for any other thing, at least, one has them to show appreciation for taking the bold step of making a joint statement.

That Gowon, OBJ, Shagari, Buhari, IBB, Shonekan and Abdusalmi could speak through such person of no mean stature, is not only decisive but also commendable.

At last, we now know- and it is gratifyingthat the man still lives in eminent Nigerians. One has OBJ and Abdusalami in particular to thank for the previous loud and presidential voice on the issue. OBJ had taken the boldest step so far, to reach out for dialogue to bring out an end to the spate of violence in the country.

What is however worrisome about the steps and that joint statement is the definition of the security problem. The former rulers have deliberately termed it “belligerence” or “insurgency” and have referred to the menacing groups as insurgents. Given that they are former helmsmen and ex Chief Security Officers of a nation, one cannot doubt the credibility of their definitions or classifications. Their views should be witty and their submissions on a national security issue should be sacrosanct.

However, it appears this classification or definition is a mere attempt to downplay the veracity of the problem. Describing such murderous group as the Islamist militants in the North as “belligerents” is an attempt to paint a picture of a mere terminal political interregnum that requires the old roundtable dialogue for truce. If it is not a diplomatic or a Wiseman’s underplaying of a delicate issue in order to let it go, then it must be that the position is fundamentally faulty and misplaced. It then means that obviously, the former Generals

are looking at insecurity with a piece of old war-time binoculars by which feuding parties raise the olive branch for truce.

Can one really blame them? Not at all!

There was no domestic terrorism (as is currently universally defined) nor was there the globalization of terrorism in their time. The worst case scenario for Nigeria at the time was the Civil War in which Gowon, Obasanjo, Buhari, and Babangida played critical roles; as well as religious violence under Shagari (Maitatsine, Bulumkutu and Kaduna riots); Babangida (Zango-Katarf riots) and Obasanjo (Sharia killings in most of Northern Nigeria as well as the Odi, ZakiBiam and Niger Delta crises). These were regular problems of a multinational state.

Such groups could be described, as the United Nations has defined it, as belligerents seeking separatism. Their leaders are known nationals, their grievances are recognized and under international law, they do possess a legal personality.

As a result of these features distinct from what now obtains in Nigeria, such belligerents could-and advisably so-be invited to the roundtable. However, when you have a group of people that has no face or identity or that has no clear demands, you do not describe them in such dignified terms. Asking them to come and dialogue is to dignify them, and it is to, seriously speaking, suck up to their antics and make them go scot-free for all the barbaric and obnoxious acts, including killing, bombing, maiming and robbing, that have denied the nation of so much peace. In fact, what that would mean is that such groups are being strengthened to do more, and by extension encouraging other groups to emerge with another name and perpetrate similar or worse evils in order to be heard

and reckoned with. Multiple groups and shenanigans may just find this the easiest recourse to hold Nigeria to ransom.

It cannot be gainsaid that the composition, agenda, tactics and operations of the so-called belligerent groups in Nigeria today are criminally terrorist in nature.

They do not have any realistic agenda.

They are simply attention-seekers who get patronage from desperately ambitious politicians. That is why they strike both churches and mosques and kill on Christmas and Sallah days. There are NO GRIEVANCES as such against the Nigerian State. Those that should have genuine grievances are the unacknowledged patriots and jobless millions of educated youths whom the government rips off on daily basis. These terrorists are in a world of their own, who are simply enjoying the sophisticated weapons that flow freely through the porous borders, from their benefactors in the Middle East that are seeking to expand their operational base and network.

The past presidents have done well in painstakingly taking stock and prescribing the way out. It has to be bluntly stated however hat their outlined panacea seems out of place. The position is not in currency in today’s Nigeria; it is also not that of the strong-willed but of the weak; and surely, it is defeatist. Nigeria’s security situation demands a holistic approach and overhaul; not leaving out corruption in the security apparatuses that dogs the issue, nor the growing menace of armed robbery, kidnapping, ritual murders, and general wanton disregard for law and order of which terrorism is just one of the plethora of cases.

•Dr. Folarin teaches Politics at Covenant University, Ota, Nigeria

Caution for the Reps CHUKWU ELESIOKWU

T

he threat of impeachment of President Goodluck Jonathan from the House of Representatives comes as a legislative bellicosity that the country can afford to do without at this challenging period of its history. The insecurity situation in the country, particularly the internal terrorism orchestrated by the Islamic group, Boko Haram, rather calls for a unity of purpose and concerted efforts by all arms of government to enable Nigerians as a people overcome the common enemy. This time, therefore, is most inauspicious for the arms of government to work at cross purposes.

It must be observed that it is the constitutional right of the legislature to invoke the impeachment clause against any erring president; yet the quality of our democracy and several precedents have established that this constitutional licence can easily be subjected to abuse by some legislators. A broad spectrum of Nigerians who watched the events of July 19 in the House of Representatives and the events that led up to it are persuaded that deviant elements in the House are only out to stoke up tension all the more in the polity. One need not search beyond the surface before grasping the fact that the adrenalin of the House members are running high mostly because of what they have not been able to grab from the 2012 federal budget.

The anger of the House members is clearly over the non-replenishment of their

pockets by the Federal Government with constituency project fund, which it must be noted was inserted into the budget by them.

It is also instructive to point out that even with all the sound and fury of July 19 at the floor of the House over the said poor implementation of the 2012 Budget, the positions of the House members were backed up with examples of abandonment or neglect by the Federal Government of any of the specific capital project item it listed for attention in the 2012 Appropriation Act. Worse with the ultimatum is that the House members all well know that the capital budget runs till March next year. It is therefore bizarre that Minority Leader, Femi Gbajabiamila, and company felt no compunction in giving the government a September 30 ultimatum for 100 per cent implementation of the budget and added an impeachment threat to it.

Even as the lawmakers in selfish consideration for just their own well-being made constituency project fund an act of the National Assembly, the snag in shelling out the money to them has only arisen from the Finance minister’s insistence that she must be satisfied that all aspects of due process are met before asking for the legislators’ bank accounts. The Nigerian lawmakers’ keen appetite for this money has over time pushed the observing electorate to question the propriety of the continued sustenance of this expenditure on the legislators. This is because the spirit behind allocating constituency project fund to the legislators is for them to use it on behalf of the government to address social and physical infrastructure deficit in their constituents’ communities.

With the Nigerian democracy gone 13 years

down the line, no constituency in the federation has anything meaningful to show as a result of this fund, funneled to them through their legislators; rather the fund has all the while ended up fattening the bank accounts of legislators at both the state and the federal level who receive it on behalf of their constituencies. So where lies the essence of this allocation to legislators, one may ask?

Of note is that the Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and the President have stated in no unclear terms that the executive is as much concerned as the legislature for the full implementation of the 2012 capital budget. Even as ministries and parastatals are already preparing detailed reports of the level of their budget performance, the Finance minister has revealed that the budget as at July ending has already achieved 56 per cent implementation. Given the belligerence of the House members, it may be reasonable to seek to know the measuring instrument and the mode it was applied by the House members in reaching at their own conclusion. Failure to do this reasonably would only lend credence to the conviction of Nigerians that the House is only responding to stimulus from their selfish pecuniary interest and perhaps to drumbeat from extraneous political forces.

Speaker Aminu Tambuwal, and Deputy Speaker, Emeka Ihedioha, need to do more to convince Nigerians that gnawing at the president at every turn on the floor of the House has nothing to do with the already mooted Tambuwal-Ihedioha presidential ticket in 2015. In these critical times in the life of the country, destructive self-centred-

ness for either money or power ought to be hedged in by all well-meaning Nigerians, especially people serving in critical institutions of government. Rather than heightening tension in the polity, all hands ought to be on deck in backing the President up to steer the ship of state to the much needed safety in these perilous times.

More disappointing in all these is that the House has not come to equity with clean hands. The House of Representatives at the moment chokes in and out with pungent stench of corruption. Members have had their hands soiled with everything dirty that fetches lucre. From the committee members that conducted the power probe, through the one that probed the Security and Exchange Commission (SEC), and the one that probed the police pension scam, down to the Farouk Lawan Committee that probed fuel subsidy administration, one cannot but agree with former President Olusegun Obasanjo over the lurid picture he painted of the federal lawmakers recently.

Though, the House spokesman, Zakari Mohammed, said the impeachment threat was not rooted on selfish interests, yet he has not provided the answer as to why the House members have kept grumbling over the nonrelease of this year’s constituency project fund allocation to them by the government.

Nigerians have also not forgotten how riled and bellicose the House members have been over the Jonathan administration pruning of their constituency project fund from N40 million to N20 million for each lawmaker in this year’s budget.

•Elesiokwu writes from Aba.

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Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Applause LIFESTYLE, FASHION & ENTERTAINMENT AUGUST 5, 2012

I stumbled into acting –Tope Oshin-Ogun

What you would observe first about Tope Oshin-Ogun is her calm and gentle mien. This was one of the attributes that attracted her husband then. An actress, a movie director and a mother of four, whose style signature is her low cut, she acknowledged in this interview with Adaeze Amos that her profession has brought so many men who wink at her and stated what she does to keep them at bay.

Apart from acting, what else do you do that takes much of your time?

I’m a presenter, an artiste and I was a director on MNET ‘Tinsel’ which is a daily soap opera, DSTV. What was your discipline in the university?

I studied Theatre Arts and TV Production at Lagos State University and graduated in 2000. Since then, I thank God, life has been blissful.

Are you sure you are enjoying the acting world?

As I have said before in some other interviews that I had granted, I stumbled into acting. My lecturer somehow forced me into acting but when I got into it and discovered that it was something that I like doing. Honestly, I’m enjoying it.

What has acting and stardom deprived you?

I won’t say acting has denied me anything because I got into acting and fell in love with it. Good enough, it helps me to meet a lot of people. I’m naturally a reserved person.

What I’m doing helps me to meet a lot of people than I had before. Stepping into a role and getting out of it has made me know people. I’m a private person so there is nothing that bothers me much. I try as much as possible to stay out of the public glare. I see what I’m doing as a profession and not as a glamour or fame. I do my job well. I retire back to my private life and when I have a job to do, I come out again. That is how I basically handle my career.

What are those things you used to do but can’t do now that you are a star?

Let me tell you one thing about my person. I don’t live to please others. If, for instance, I see roasted plantain by the roadside and it is decently done, I would pull by and buy. I can eat from a ‘buka’ if the place is clean or hygienic. Am I not a human being? So, I doubt if there is anything that I used to do that I can’t do now.

Can you buy fairly used clothes (‘bend and pick’) in an open market?

No, I won’t do that. I never did it before so nothing has changed about me. But basically, I don’t live a fake life. I see myself as a normal human being, not that I’m a star. I’m just Tope. The same Tope you see at home is the one that you see at work.

What’s your social life like?

I don’t club that much. Most of my going out is with my husband. We do go, have a drink together. I attend all the

functions that I’m invited to, but I don’t go to club on my own. I can’t be caught clubbing alone, never!

Do you have a child?

I have four children.

How old is your first child?

The first are twins and they are both going to be 10 in October. My last one will be six in October.

How do you cope with career and the home?

So far, God has been faithful. My husband is also a script writer, a producer. He understands what we both do. So it is pretty much okay combining the home front with career.

Do men still wink at you?

Sure! That’s natural. I mean if you look good, expect people to admire you. That’s the same thing for my husband. Definitely, women do admire him because he looks good.

You know, when you are not admired, know there is a problem somewhere.

So, how do you keep men who want to have an intimate relationship at bay?

Simple! I’m married, I’m not available. That is as simple as that. I’m not interested in anything outside of my marriage.

But many celebrities’ marriages have crashed or seriously shaken, does that not scare you?

To me, it doesn’t have to be with being in entertainment industry, it happens to people in the banking sector. It does with people in the advertising sector as well. It’s just because we are out in the open, it’s what people see and say oh celebrities, their marriages are breaking up. It happens to everybody but it is worst for artistes on the limelight because all eyes are on you. Everybody sees every little mistake you make and they are interested in every little gossip about your marriage. There are a lot of marriages that are shaking; but you only know about ours because we are in the eyes of the world.

A woman feels she is a star and doesn’t respect her man.

Don’t you think stardom is part of it?

I don’t think so. I think most marriages have their peculiar problems. Really, there is no woman who doesn’t want

‘IT’S A PROBLEM BEING MARRIED TO A MAN WITHOUT FEAR OF GOD’

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to be loved, and who doesn’t want to be cherished. It is just easier for the world to assume that it is because of stardom. People have different problems. To some, their marital problems might be money, some infidelity. It varies, it is not always stardom.

But some ladies brag about being single even when they are old enough to be married?

Well, what I know is that marriage is not a do-or-die thing. If you found yourself married, good for you, if you are not married, it is not the end of the world. Get on with your life, do something, get a career, if marriage comes good! If it doesn’t, don’t kill yourself. You have a life primarily; you have to love yourself first before someone else can love you. I believe that marriage is not a hook or crook thing.

How old were you when you got married?

I was 24.

That was young. Some ladies would prefer to be single, have their freedom and enjoy their lives, why didn’t you choose that?

I don’t believe there is anything I could have done as a single girl that I can’t do as a married woman, primarily because of the kind of person that I’m married to. We trust CONTINUED ON PAGE 20

‘I’M PRETTY AND HAVE THE BRAIN TO CARRY THE LOOK’

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Applause

‘I can’t be caught clubbing alone’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 19 each other so much, so there is no life for me out there that I would have wanted to see that I can’t do with him. We go to club together to dance, we dine out together. I can dress decently the way I want to, so for me there is nothing different from being single to getting married. There is nothing that I really missed for not being a single girl.

What’s your impression about some ladies who say they would wait until they hit their late 30s before getting married?

As I usually tell people, the first thing about marriage is that you should love yourself, have a personality before you can merge your life with someone else. Some people are ready for marriage at 21, some are ready at 35. It depends on the person. Some people mature early, some later. What I would just say and advise is that you should make sure you discover who you are first before getting married.

How many more children do you wish to have?

After four? God forbid, I’m done with kids.

You don’t have a tattoo, why?

I don’t have o! And I don’t have anything against those that have it.

What is your style signature?

It’s my hair. My hair is always short. My low-cut is my style signature.

You have four kids and you still look good, what’s the secret?

The usual things ladies do. Watch what you eat, try to walk out from time to time, keep a healthy lifestyle.

Do you believe in the school of thought that flaunting of cleavages makes a lady feel feminine?

Well, I dress daily based on how I feel. Sometimes, I feel sporty and I wear a tee-shirt. For example, when I’m shooting, when I’m directing, I usually don’t dress feminine. I wear tee-shirt, jeans and my snickers. On the days I’m editing or scripting, I could decide to go feminine: wear a girly top, my make-up. It depends on how I feel and what I’m doing.

But your cleavages are showing, won’t your hubby frown at this?

No! As long as it is not indecent. I mean as long as I don’t overdo it. What I feel comfortable in is what I wear. I definitely would not dress indecent.

Do you smoke?

No, I don’t Do you take alcohol?

Sometimes, socially yes.

Socially, how do you mean?

I don’t take to be drunk. I just take to be relaxed in it, that’s all.

What kind of books do you read?

I like motivational, inspirational and Christian books.

Who are the Nigerian women you admire?

I admired the late Pastor Bimbo Odukoya … her ability to combine Christianity, her belief and faith with being fashionable as well.

Some ladies keep malice a whole lot, do you do that?

No, I don’t.

What about being snobbish?

A lot of people who see me for the first time always think I’m snobbish. I have heard that like a million times. When they eventually get to know me you hear them say haa, we thought you were snobbish! I’m basically a shy person.

Shy, and you are in showbiz?

Yeah, that’s the biggest surprise. When I don’t know people around me or I’m in a new environment, I keep my head straight. I look straight ahead and people take that as being proud or snobbish. But when they now get close to me, they realise that I’m not.

How do you overcome shyness?

By keeping my head straight; I don’t look at people. It’s just like performing on stage, you don’t look at the crowd; you look at what you are there to do.

How did you meet your husband?

I met him on set. I was on set on a movie, when I went to shoot in a company where he was the head writer. We became friends from there.

Sunday, August 5, 2012

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

‘It’s a problem being married to a man without fear of God’ Grace Awujoola Olujoke Ogunseye is the proprietress of Solomon Grace Schools, Lagos, This educationist tells Adaeze Amos that what kills a woman fast is stopping her from pursuing her career.

How does being a woman make you feel?

First of all, I would like to say that I appreciate God for making me a woman. He knew I was going to be a Nigerian and not an American. I have no regret being a woman.

What do you think about women facing one challenge or the other?

I still believe that every woman must be able to forge ahead despite challenges. I know women are faced with a lot of challenges. Imagine, once a woman is married, she begins to run her home.

In fact, they have a lot of burden on them and if you look at it from the African context, most men want to be in charge. The man wants to come back from work, despite the fact that woman also goes to work, sits down, stretches his legs and the woman would run to the kitchen and care for him. I have discovered that when a woman is not doing what she is supposed to do in the home, it affects the children and the society generally. As an educationist, I know what I’m saying. This goes to show that every woman is overburdened. And that is why you see that most times most women are depressed and mentally sick.

Fortunately or unfortunately, if a woman gets married to a man who does not fear God, it’s a big problem.

What is your advice to women in hellish marriages?

What I would like to say to them is that things c a n still b e done aright b u t t h e y should learn to voice out.

Most women bottle up a lot. And when you start bottling up your problems you may lose your senses, you may die in the process. Just have somebody to confide in apart f r o m G o d .

Y e s , G o d must be number one whom you must always call upon.

There was a time my

husband was doing what I never liked and what I did was to pray. While I was praying he didn’t hear me but all of a sudden I started praying aloud. God help me to punish this man if he refuses to repent. That was my prayer point. When he heard my prayer that day he woke up and that marked the turning point in his life. Don’t fail to seek for God’s intervention. That brings me to the fact that every woman must be hardworking.

No woman must be made a housewife because financially you won’t be able to be a helpmate to your husband.

But what do you have to say to men who stop their wives from working for the fear that their bosses at work would want to sleep with them?

For every person getting married, let your husband know that you wouldn’t want to be a 24-hour housewife. Just as I used to tell my own female children that once you are getting into any courtship, tell the man that you are going to work, tell him that your parents sent you to school to have something doing in life. Don’t just remain at home. Even being a housewife kills. So men who stop their wives from working are very selfish. I see them as being very domineering, possessive men which doesn’t augur well for any woman. When you work, and go out, you can still express yourself to somebody.

You may have a friend you can share your problems with. You may be diplomatic while telling her your problems. By this, I mean you may not even be directly talking about yourself to her but you can just tell the story and you may say the thing happened to a friend, whereas it is you that it happened to. The person’s advice can even help you get you off the burden and you are relieved a bit. Every woman must strive to work, men should understand this and I have discovered that men who tell their wives not to work die early. And you the wife who wasn’t doing anything before he died, if he had property, your in-laws would come and usurp them from you and remind you how you were not working, so their brother must be the owner of those property.

Can you give a few words of encouragement to women?

What I have got to say is that women should be prayerful and hardworking.

Do you think education can empower a girlchild?

In fact, everybody, whether you are a girl-child or not, education can empower you. Endeavour to educate your children. Yes, education can empower a girl-child. I’m into education so I know what I’m saying. Everybody should be given equal opportunity to be educated because what a man can do, a woman can do as well. That is why I have always believed that women who have all female children and no male child and feel sad about that are making mistakes because even when you look around in the society today, who are those ones that are into evil doing? They are mostly men. Don’t forget that when there is no proper follow-up of a male child, he may end up finding himself in wrong hands or wrong group.

Whichever God gives you, educate him or her. By so doing you are empowering them.

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Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Cocktail Whispers

Stories by Olumide Segun-Oduntan

0818 941 8761 e-mail: lumidezy@yahoo.com

AUGUST 5, 2012

Ex-keep fit trainer, Pamela Mojekwu, to remarry?

She used to host a keep-fit segment of the then popular talk programme, ‘Morning Ride’ on NTA 2 Channel 5. And she was very popular among the fans of the programme in the late 1980s and early 1990s. In fact, many ladies were always excited whenever she appeared on the Saturday morning show because she helped them to keep fit.

But ex-keep-fit trainer, Pamela, has since ‘disappeared’ from the television screen. Cocktail Whispers gathered that Pamela relocated to the United States several years ago in search of greener pastures and to source for medical help for her daughter.

The interesting news now is that Pamela seems to have found love again. And if the words reaching Cocktail Whispers are anything to go by, then it appears that the wedding bell is about to ring again for Pamela.

Yes, Cocktail Whispers has learnt that she is likely going to be relocating back to Nigeria soon. And she may be getting ready to give marriage a second try.

Though details of Pamela’s forthcoming wedding plans are still sketchy, Cocktail Whispers can reveal that her soon-to-be husband hails from Delta State and he is a marine engineer.

What is also certain is that Pamela is very excited about coming back home, especially since she would be coming into the arms of her long-time sweetheart.

Pamela Mojekwu

Linus Idahosa gets doctorate degree The next time you see Linus Idahosa, the husband of celebrated actress, Stephanie Okere, you may need to address him as ‘doctor’ so as to be on the correct lane.

Well, while Idahosa may not be a medical doctor, his educational status has recently changed.

According to the gist made available to Cocktail Whispers, he has been conferred with a combined doctorate degree by the Commonwealth University, Belize and the London Graduate School convocation in Dubai.

And can you guess who is very excited about Idahosa’s new staus? Of course his very beautiful wife is very excited about the good news. Cocktail Whispers gathered that Stephanie has been so happy about the news that her husband is now a PhD holder that she tweeted excitedly to congratulate him while waiting for him to be back home.

So the soonest you come across Stephanie’s hubby you would do well to address him as Doctor Linus Idahosa. And remember to congratulate him as well.

2face & Annie

2face, Annie Macaulay postpone church wedding The solemnisation of their marriage in church was initially planned to take place this month. But latest information reaching Cocktail Whispers has it that the church wedding between one of Africa’s top celebrated music star, 2face Idibia, and his sweetheart, Annie Macaulay, has been put forward.

Those who are in the know would recall that the father of six children from three different mothers proposed to the Nollywood actress on February 14 this year and legally but secretly married each other in May. But the latest news of postponement of their church wedding may come as a big blow to many of their fans and friends who may have been waiting eagerly to witness them exchange their marital vows in church.

Just so you know, the couple have known each other for over a decade. Besides, they have a daughter together.

As things are, no reason has been given for the postponement of their church wedding and a new date is yet to be fixed for it. However, what is certain is that the readers of this column will be informed as things unfold.

Linus Idahosa

Timaya picks new Bentley If the information at Cocktail Whispers’ disposal is to be believed, then hugely talented artiste, Timaya, has certainly joined the ‘big boys’ club. According to a source, the celebrated music star fondly called ‘Egberi Papa of Bayelsa, has acquired a 2012 Bentley Continental GT. Cocktail Whispers learnt that Timaya’s latest ride was shipped in Nigeria a few weeks ago and the singer has been cruising around town with it.

Although it is not certain how much precisely that Timaya doled out to acquire his new car, it was gathered that the

wonder-on-wheels cost the singer a lot of money. One thing that is certain is that Timaya, who became a father this year, is very excited about his new acquisition.

While it was gathered that the new car is expected to boost Timaya’s image, a source also said the singer had long looked forward to having such a powerful wonder-on-wheels. And while some of Timaya’s fans are also excited about the car and have sent congratulatory messages to him online, there are those who have wondered whether the popular singer has not spent too much to acquire the car.

Timaya

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Movies & Music

Stories by Olumide Segun-Oduntan

Sunday, August 5, 2012

0818 941 8761 e-mail: lumidezy@yahoo.com

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Coal City comes alive Addiction comes to town with as MDA auditions hold

I

t was fun, excitement and dance galore as the Maltina Dance All (MDA) audition train berthed in the ancient coal city of Enugu State for season six of the popular family reality TV show tagged ‘The Most Spectacular’. This search by Maltina, the premium malt brand from the stable of Nigerian Breweries plc, is for the potential number one dancing family in Enugu City.

Both the young and the old converged at Dannic Hotel, Enugu, venue of the twoday auditions to showcase their dancing skills for a chance to win the N6 million grand prize and a brand new car.

Speaking on the occasion, Assistant Brand Manager, Maltina, Abayomi Abidakun, said Maltina Dance All is one way Maltina has utilised to continually connect with its consumers in a relaxed, exciting and fun filled manner. “The MDA is about the ability of a family to create unique dance steps for each dance style. The academy entails serious work but we are proud of the result over the last five seasons.

Some of the dancers have taken their dancing to a whole new level both locally and internationally,” he added.

The first day of the audition in Enugu involved different age categories dancing for a prize. The 5-12 age category saw 10- year-old Tochukwu Gideon winning the first prize, a generator; Odinake Onyemazu, 12 years old, came second; Agbo Chinecherem, 9 years old, was third. They won a television set and home theatre system respectively. The 13-19 age categories witnessed 13-year-old Chinaza Nwalee in the first position; Chimezie Ibekwe, 19 years old, and 18-year-old Prince Adio in the second and third positions respectively.

The 20-30 age category was won by Achor Ifeanyi George, 21 years old, while Israel Uchenna and Anosike Sophia were first and second runners-up respectively.

The category of 31 years and above saw Mrs. Agbo Cynthia, coming first, while Mrs. Lizzy Ogbedo and Echebe Theck came second and third respectively.

Mrs. Lizzy Ogbedo was full of thanks and gratitude to Maltina as she appreciated the wonderful opportunity the brand was providing to create excitement and fun for all ages. Achor Ifeanyi George was excited to win for the first time since dancing from the inception of the MDA auditions. He was full of smiles as he said a very big thank you to the brand for its exceptional and innovative platform for consumers.

The second day’s auditions saw individuals between the ages of 18-30 perform daring, spectacular and unique dance steps to qualify for a position in the MDA academy. At the end of the day, Dosari Iyore 22 years old; Jerry Obiajulu Ukadike, 19 years old; Matilda Ozurumba Chiamaka, 20 years old; Davidson Enijie, 23 years old; Melanie Ezinne Onyebuagu, 25 years old, Amibo Michael Moxie 24 years old; Anosike Sophia Chibugo 20 years and Achor Ifeanyi George, 21 years old were selected to represent Enugu State in the academy. They will proceed to the next level of screening, which include dancing with their families and medical fitness.

From the 2007 edition which produced the Onye family as winners, Maltina Dance All has gone through five successful seasons. In 2008 it was the Opuwari family that carted away the star prize; in 2009 the Ibiams were voted the nation’s best dance family. The Adejoh’s were champions in 2010 while in 2011, the Ekubo’s were crowned the best dance family with the unforgettable swinging moves of Ebi Ekubo and his little sister.

The show will bring to the fore, the Nigerian essence and values of sharing, happiness, unity, cooperation, vitality and creativity which have set the show apart from others. It will be aired in September this year on major TV networks with video uploaded on You Tube and Facebook. Viewers can also participate and win fabulous prizes through the interactive SMS platform during the show.

Maltina Dance

Addiction

Illrymz blends with Femi Kuti in

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fter a popular behind-the-scenes footage and teaser, popular radio and TV personality, Illrymz, recently released the highly anticipated ‘Teacher, Teacher’ video featuring Afro-Beat legend, Femi

Kuti.

The video which blends the fiery energy of Femi Kuti with the cool flow of Illrymz was directed by Contagious Collective and shot at the famed New Afrika Shrine Already, the video has been the recipient of critical and commercial acclaim from industry watchers and the OAP/artiste explains why.

“We tried to delicately but boldly fuse these two genres,” Illrymz stated.

“Teacher, Teacher is an experimental sound with a broad message for everyone. I am humbled by the response the video is getting across all boards,” he added.

The video which captures the live performance is steadily climbing the charts in Nigeria and is beginning to find its way in international music channels.

According to feelers, the song is currently riding in the top 10 countdowns on popular urban stations like Soundcity, Nigezie and the Pepsi Top 10, among others. It is also set to make its debut on other international platforms, including Trace Africa, MTV Base and Channel O. It was also learnt that the video had recorded over 5,000 downloads within days of release and is popular on mobile platforms.

Interestingly, the video has been made available on Youtube and other websites and blogs.

From his twitter handle, the popular urban personality continues to thank his fans for enjoying his music. “We intend to wow Nigerians,” Illrymz promises. “In a few weeks, a club banger is in the works,” he adds.

The popular presenter who is regarded as a pioneer of Nigeria’s new cool has also been nominated as OAP of the Year TV for The Future Awards and MC of the Year at The Nigerian Event Awards. From this multi-talented urban personality, there is definitely more than meets the eye.

Born Olowu Bardia Adebola, IllRymz is one of Nigeria’s most reliable and versatile entertainers. He is currently the host of Nigeria’s music reality show, Nigerian Idol. He is also a popular radio personality, writer, producer, a Hip-Hop and R&B artiste. He would be releasing his highly anticipated album this year.

Currently the host of the hit show, Nigerian Idol, Illrymz cut his teeth on television in 2007 as the host of the now rested Nokia First Chance.

In late 2007, the now-in-demand TV host signed on to popular urban Nigerian music and lifestyle channel, Nigezie, where he gave the channel its first feel of international celebrity interviews bringing on Grammy Award winners - Black Eyed Peas, Lil Kim, Brick & Lace, and Amerie.

In 2008, Soundcity came calling with a lucrative television deal. This platform would be where the multi-talented Ill rose to become a house-

Illrymz

hold name in televisio ular Global Countdow celebrity interview sh He also produced an 2008 - The Nokia Expre ity include: Tuface, D national celebrities, t US rapper - MIMS of SWV, Shaka Khan, th Ground, Wyre from K In 2010 the TV host as the host of the G-Ba host of music reality s Ill is producer and gerian syndicated rea in Lagos, Rhythm FM Freedom FM, Kano.

In 2006 he released ‘No Mago Mago!’ This joyed heavy radio air ‘NoMago Mago No Wa Due to a hectic wor music. In 2011 his sin was leaked on the airw radio stations in Niger In 2012, Illrymz is highly anticipated de nominee, Femi Kuti, a perimental sounds to

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Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

He is God of all hope, says Muoka

Praise Worship E-mail:richardeghaghe@yahoo.com

E-mail:titusanyanwu.2012@gmail.com

EDIFYING GOD

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August 5, 2012

Why Oritsejafor wants Boko Haram declared terrorist group

Briefly

TAI ANYANWU

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resident of Christian Association of Nigerian, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, has explained why he recently sought the assistance of the US Congress regarding insurgency in Nigeria.

He had, during the visit, urged the United States government to make haste and declare Boko Haram, Nigeria’s leading insurgent group, a Foreign Terrorist Organisation (FTO).

According to him, the group’s activities had negative global implications and that, its activities in Nigeria resonated beyond the country’s borders, thus prompting the visit.

He supported his request with instances of bomb and gun attacks on Christians and churches in the North, especially in the North-Eastern states, citing also, the group’s bomb attacks on the United Nations office in Abuja.

The CAN president made the call while presenting a paper before the US Congress committee On Africa, Global Health and Humans Right on July 10, in the United State of America.

He told that committee that the insurgent group was not a northern problem, but a Nigerian problem with global implications.

“Nigeria is not a country divided by north and south, but a country divided between those who supported freedom and equality in the eyes of the law, and those who promote persecution and violence as a means to an end.

To an outside observer, he stated, “it may appear as though Boko Haram is not a monolithic group; that it is fragmented and disorganized; I am here today to give you the Nigerian perspective.”

Oritsejafor explained that since its creation, the group had never hidden its agenda or intention, adding that the group had openly sought to impose Shari’ah law on the rest of the country.

To this end, he continued, the group had waged a systemic campaign for terror and violence; and sought an end to western influence and removal of the Christian presence in Nigeria.

This is outright terrorism, not political activity or airing of grievances, he insisted.

He said: “By refusing to designate Boko Haram as a foreign terrorist organization, the United States is sending a very clear message, not just to the Federal Government of Nigeria, but to the world-that the murder of innocent Christians, and Muslims who reject Islamism, and I make a clear distinction here between Islam and Islamism, are acceptable losses.

Oritsejafor adjudged as hypocritical on the part of the US and the international community to say that they believed in freedom and equality, when

His Eminence Dr. E. O. Koya

‘First African Church’ holds Convention

The First (indigenous) African Church Worldwide will from Wednesday, August 8 commence this year’s Convention, otherwise known as International Camp Meeting, at the church’s Diocese of Ondo in Igbokoda, Ondo State.

The Convention with the theme, ‘The Certainty of the Harvest of the Saints,’ will be rounded off with a thanksgiving on Sunday, August 12, according to the chairman of Publicity Sub-Committee, Ven. Jonathan Adebari, under the General Planning Committee Chairman, Archbishop Bethel Ossi, and the Secretary, Bishop Folorunso Olabiyi.

The committee added that the Primate of the Church Worldwide, Rev. (Dr) Emmanuel Olabode Koya (JP) and other and other anointed men of God will minister at the Convention.

King in Christ Ministry hosts community President Obama

Oritsejafor

NIGERIA IS NOT A COUNTRY DIVIDED BY NORTH AND SOUTH, BUT ONE DIVIDED BETWEEN THOSE WHO SUPPORTED FREEDOM AND EQUALITY IN THE EYES OF THE

LAW, AND THOSE WHO PROMOTED PERSECUTION AND VIOLENCE AS A MEANS TO AN END

their actions did not support those who were being persecuted.

“A non-designation for the group only serves to hamper the cause of justice, and has emboldened Boko Haram to continue to strike out at those who are denied equal protection under the law,” he further pointed out.

The CAN president maintained that the frequent, lethal sophistication of Boko Haram’s attacks raised disturbing questions regarding training and logistic support they had received from other like-minded international terror networks.

Oritsejafor pointed out that although the designation of Boko Haram as an FTO was not a solution to Nigeria’s problem, yet it was an important step towards restoring the confidence of those who support freedom and equality in the eyes of the law.

“We too want to have freedom; freedom of religion, freedom of worship as we choose without fear, we want to have justice, based on equality and not driven by discriminatory religious practices. Let me remind us

‘IT’S YOUR TIME TO RECOVER ALL’

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that this is not about economics but about an ideology that has a history of sponsoring genocide based on religious intolerance across the globe,” oritsejafor noted.

Already, however, a bill, a copy of which was obtained by Sunday Mirror, was on May 24, 2012, introduced at the US Senate, to the effect that Boko Haram be classified as an FTO. It was sponsored by Mr. Brown of Massachusetts, who also joined the interests of Mr. Chambles and Mr. Risch. The bill was read twice and then referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

Section 1 of the proposed bill reads in part, “This Act may be cited as the “Boko Haram Terrorist Designation Act of 2012.” Exhaustibly, the bill details the activities of the Boko Haram group between last year and now, to justify its quest that the group be classified an FTO. At press time, efforts made by phone calls to get the response of the Boko Haram acclaimed contacts to react to the US Congress moves, proved abortive.

‘HEALING WITHOUT ANY LEFTOVER’

In order to preach oneness among humanity in the society, King in Christ Ministry International also known as Solution Ground, will host the Ajao Estate community in Lagos to a special, three-day programme.

Senior Pastor and host Rev. Chidi Anthony described the programme as “Woe unto my enemies” being an annual event where various ethnic stocks with diverse languages and cultural backgrounds would converge.

The event is billed to start on Monday 16th in a morning session at 8:00am and continue on Friday 17th all-night, at 10:00pm and finally end on Sunday 19th August, 2012 at 18/20, Osolo Way, Ajao Estate, Lagos.

Special features of the event include command performance by renowned comedians, John Okafor, a.k.a, MR. IBU, Kingsley, Ogbonna, a.k.a David, Victor Osuagwu, among others.

Sunday Mirror/Babcock University Bible Quiz: • Current and past winners can collect their prizes from the office of the Editor, Sunday Mirror, 151/161 Broad Street, Lagos anytime from Monday to Friday. Participants should always indicate their names when sending their entries

QUOTE

Your enemies have already been judged and sentenced to everlasting confusion; they are supposed to be afraid of you, and not vice versa.

–Apostle Utibe-Abasi

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Praise & Worship

Sunday August 5, 2012

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Anglican bishop opposes state police B ishop of Nsukka Anglican Diocese in Enugu State, Rt. Rev. Aloysius Agbo, has said that the establishment of state police is not the solution to the problem of insecurity in the country.

Agbo said in Nsukka that what government should do to tackle the problem of insecurity was to equip and sanitise the police by sacking the ``bad eggs’’ within the force.

``Corruption will increase if state police is established without sanitising the federal police. If police is sanitised, well paid and adequately equipped, it will surmount any security challenge. ``If the system is not overhauled, those that will be recruited in the state police will be infected with the same corruption virus,’’ he said.

He urged the government to

tackle the security challenges before it got out of hand.

Agbo also urged those behind the incessant bombing in the country to respect the sanctity of life, adding that nobody had the right to take the life of another person. ``The number of people losing their lives, and properties being destroyed by insurgents’ bomb blasts have all become worrisome.

``People should not hide under religion to commit atrocities because I know every good religion abhors killing.”

On the ban of motorcycles in Enugu metropolis, he said residents should accept government’s decision in good faith, since it was for security reasons.

Agbo, however, advised government to find alternative way of empowering the affected com-

mercial motorcycles riders. ``It is true that some people use motorcycles to carry out violent crimes but not all motorcyclists are criminals. Some of them are godly and breadwinners of their families. ``Government should empower them by training them in one skill or the other, so that they can be useful to themselves and the society,” he urged.

Christians urged to visit Holy Land once in lifetime T he Executive Secretary, Nasarawa State Pilgrims Welfare Board, Mr. Odeh Clement, has called on Christians to visit the Holy Land at least once in a life time.

Clement, who spoke to newsmen in Lafia, said that the resurrection of Jesus Christ after death was a source of joy to all the Christian faithful.

According to him, Christ rising from death signified victory over death and that it gives Christians the hope that there is life after death. ``With the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the grave, it means that faithful Christians would live with Jesus Christ after death.’’

Clement urged the Christians to visit Jerusalem on pilgrimage, at least once in a lifetime to strengthen their faith.

He said that the board would

sensitise Christian pilgrims on what was required of them, to perform the holy pilgrimage. ``We have enlightened the people about the conduct of the pilgrims because going to the Holy Land is strictly for religion activities.’’

The Executive Secretary said that the board had initiated a programme named ‘Christian Education’ with the responsibility of creating awareness for intending Christian pilgrims in the state.

He said that the aim of the programme was to educate Christians, particularly in the area of peace, security and stability. ``We find it necessary to establish the Christian Education, to educate, enlighten, sensitise and create awareness among Christians on the importance of the pilgrimage,’’ he said.

Osu decries rising wave of kidnapping Director of Social Communications, Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos, Monsignor Gabriel Osu, has urged the National Assembly to amend the law on kidnapping and impose stiffer punishment on offenders.

In a statement issued in Lagos, Osu, who deplored the rise in cases of kidnapping in the country, said that ``the

Monsignor Gabriel Osu

maximum punishment must be considered by the National Assembly for the offence’’.

The cleric also urged security agencies in the country, particularly in Lagos State, to pay greater attention to the rising phenomena.

Reacting to the mysterious disappearance of Alhaji Rasaq Gawat, a former employee of the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA), earlier in July, Osu called for intensive police investigation into the case.

It will be recalled that sports utility vehicle of Gawat, who had been reported missing, was later discovered abandoned on the Apongbon Bridge by officials of the Lagos State Transport Management Authority (LASTMA).

He said that it was `shameful and disheartening that the former NTA official could disappear in daylight without any trace’.

Osu implored Nigerians to assist the police in their investigations by giving useful information that could help in solving crimes and arresting criminals.

L-R: Spiritual Head of Mt. Sinai C&S Chuch (Ikirun Conf), Rev. Lekan Akintayo; Queen Capt. Olatoun Fashola, Chairperson, Good Women Gongress of C&S Unification Church of Nigeria, and Supreme Head of the church worldwide, His Most Eminence, Abel Olujimi Akinsanya, at the general conference of the womenfolk held in Lagos recently.

‘Develop infrastructure with oil subsidy proceeds’

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he Anglican Diocese of Aba, Abia State, has urged government to begin re-investing the proceeds of the partial removal of subsidy on petrol into the provision of social amenities.

The church made the call in a communiqué issued at the end of the 1st Session of the 14th Synod of the Anglican Diocese of Aba. The synod was the first, and was chaired by the new Bishop of Aba, the Rt. Rev. Christian Ugwuzor.

The synod, also said the

funds should be used to address the problems of roads, water, electricity and medicare.

It acknowledged the efforts of the government to repair roads across the country but expressed concern over the poor state of some roads in Abia, particularly the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway.

“A good number of roads in Abia and some federal roads, especially the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway, are still in terrible state of disrepair. ``Therefore, the state and

federal governments are called upon to give serious attention to these roads,” the church said.

It condemned incessant bomb attacks on churches and other public places by insurgent groups, which have resulted in the killing of innocent persons.

It urged the Federal Government not to relent in its efforts to bring the perpetrators of the attacks to justice.

It urged mankind to seek the knowledge of God as the only way of finding peace and salvation.

Cleric, six others charged with breach of peace

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cleric, Ejike Okpanachi, 37, was among seven persons, who appeared before an Abuja Senior Magistrate’s Court at the weekend, charged with disturbing public peace.

The accused persons are Okpanachi; Francis Jeremiah, 25; Emmanuel Lura, 22; Ikenna Okpanachi, 15; Wisdom Picos, 18; Sylvanus Moses, 21; and Stephen Amos, 21, all residing at Kapwa village in Lugbe, Abuja.

Prosecutor Paul Anigbo told

the court that the accused persons engaged in a fight, which breached the peace of the people living in the area.

He said that during the fight, Jeremiah, Lura and Picos were injured and rushed to the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) Hospital Lugbe, for treatment.

The prosecution said that the accused were standing trial on a one-count charge of breach of peace, which contravened the provisions of sec-

tion 113 of the Penal Code.

The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The prosecutor prayed the court for another date for further mention of the case.

Magistrate Tony Ubani, in his ruling, granted bail to the accused in the sum of N30, 000 each with a surety in like sum, who should reside within the jurisdiction of the court.

He adjourned the case to August 13, for hearing.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Praise & Worship

Sunday August 5, 2012

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Significance of the Ark in a Christian’s life, by Apostle Utibe-Abasi General Overseer of The Rock of Salvation Church Ministries- Iju, Lagos, Apostle Utibe-Abasi Emmanuel, in this exhortation, dwells on the significance of the Ark of the Lord in the life of a Christian, stressing that the transformation power of God in the lives of the faithful is as potent as the terrific powers of the Ark of those days. Excerpts:

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n 1st Samuel 4:8, the Bible explains about the war between the Israelites and the Philistines. How the Philistines defeated the Israelites and captured the Ark of God, but they failed to realise what was in store for them, for taking Israel’s symbol of God’s glory (they were playing with trouble and divine judgment). They took the sacred and consecrated thing to dedicate to their own god to show the powerlessness of the God of the Hebrews. In chapter 5:1-6, they brought the Ark into the house of Dagon and set it by the Dagon.

When they arose in the morning, there was the Dagon fallen on its face to the earth before the Ark of the Lord. They set it in place again the next morning when they arose. This time, Dagon was totally destroyed in verses 8 & 9. The judgment of God fell upon Gath. The Lord was against the city with great destruction. In verse 10, “therefore they sent the Ark of God to Ekron, so it was as the Ark of God came to Ekron that the Ekronites cried out, saying, ‘they have brought the Ark of the God of Israel to us, to kill us and our people.’ There was a deadly destruction throughout the entire city and the Hand of God was very heavy there.

In 6:3, the Ark of God was returned to Israel with a trespass offering. What I want you know now is that the same Ark of God still exists this day. Now the important question; what was in the Ark and what made it so powerful? But first, let us know the importance of the Ark. Num 10:33-34 states, “and they departed from the mountain of the Lord three days journey to search out a resting place for them. And the cloud of the Lord was upon them by day when they went out of the camp.”

In Joshua 3:5 down, the Israelites crossed over Jordan on dry ground (the sea parted ways for them) because of the Ark. The importance of the Ark in a simple explanation was ‘Their Protector and Their Defender’. Now we come back to the content of the Ark. Deut. 10:1-5, at that time the Lord said to me (Moses) ‘Hew for you two tablets of stones like the first, and come up to me on the mountain and make yourself an ark of wood. And I will write on the tablets the words that were on the first writing, the TEN COMMANDMENT.’ And He gave it to me. And I put the tablets in the ark which I made, and there they are just as the Lord commanded me.” There were two tablets of stones in the Ark (The Ten Commandment). Now, how does it exist in our time? What is inside us?

Heb. 8:10 states “for this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days saith the Lord. I will put

wizards are afraid of me. Heb. 1:7 states; “and of the angels He says, who make his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire. Prov. 23:7 says “for as he thinketh in his heart so is he.” If you don’t believe that God has transformed you to be great, the devil will use you as his plaything and you will know no peace.

Believe in the word of God; don’t allow little foxes to assault the body of Christ.

1 Cor. 12:27 states “now ye are the body of Christ and members in particular, now that you know what God has made you to be, you are great because your God has made you to be, you are great because God is great. The bible says in 2 Chron.

2:4-6, “that Heaven and Heaven of Heavens cannot contain God.”

We have three Heavens:

Apostle Utibe-Abasi

my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts. And I will be to them a God, and they shall become my people.

It was the law of God in the ark of wood that transformed it to be so powerful (it was just ordinary wood) now, that law is no more in a wood but in our hearts and has transformed us from being worms or maggots, like it’s been stated in Job 25:6, how much less man, that is a worm and the son of man, which is worm. God has changed us to be very powerful. Isaiah 41:14-15 says “fear not thou worm Jacob and ye men of Israel, I will help thee, thy redeemer the Holy one of Israel. Behold I will make you into a new threshing sledge with sharp teeth. You shall thresh the mountains and beat them small. And make the hills like chaff.

You have been transformed into a new sharp toothed threshing instrument to tear all your enemies apart, destroying mountains, hills will crumble into dust. You will tread upon serpent and scorpions and over all the powers of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Why are you then afraid of evildoers (family enemies), evil tidings, troubles of life when God has given you power to tread upon them? Jer. 20:11 says, but the Lord is with me as a mighty terrible one, therefore my persecutors shall stumble, and they shall not prevail, they shall be greatly ashamed for they shall

not prosper, their everlasting confusion shall never be forgotten. Your enemies have already been judged and sentenced to everlasting confusion; they are supposed to be afraid of you, and not vice versa. We don’t even trust the power of God let alone remember what God has transformed us to be. We are afraid of every little storm. cry and lament and bring to shame the power of our God and exalt the power of the devil. You will hear a (so call) born again Christian saying, oh the witches in my family have finished me, where will I run to? Christians disappoint me, some go to the herbalists, fortune-tellers, spiritualists (as they are called) seeking for solution to their problems when they have God. On Sunday you’ll see them in church singing and dancing, if they are confronted, you will hear words like, ‘Heaven helps those who help themselves’, ‘I want solution as soon as possible, I can’t wait!’

‘God takes time in answering prayers.’

It’s a shame! In my vision, a woman entered my room in the manner of a witch, I was looking at her but couldn’t move until she came and lay on my stomach, as soon as her body touched mine, she cried out, ‘fire! fire!’ And then I woke. happened that way because I know in my heart that I’m a flame of fire; I trust in the power of my God, witches and

•The Cloud - Atmospheric Heaven.

•The starry space Heaven.

•The planet Heaven The Bible makes us know that these three heavens cannot contain God, but these same God dwell, in our inside we are His temple, just imagine how great you are. 2 Cor. 6:16 states “and what agreement hath the temple of God with idols for ye are the temple of the living God as God has said, I will dwell in them and walk in them and I will be their God and they shall be my people. 1 Cor. 6:19-20, also makes us to know that our body is the temple of the Holy Ghost. The greatest is inside of you, heaven is worshipping God inside you, why do take yourself so common? You are honoured by God. Isaiah 60:15 states; “whereas, thou hast been forsaken and hated so that no man went through thee, I will make thee an eternal Excellency, a joy of many generations.”When everyone looks down on you, counting you as a “nobody”, they reject you from their gathering don’t be afraid, your God says He will make you an eternal Excellency. The worldly Excellency expires, but you will never expire but eternal and you will become the joy of many generations.

What else do you want in life that God has not offered you already? Be happy, Jesus loves you! Deut. 11:25 says “there shall no man be able to stand before you for the Lord your God shall lay your fear and the dread of you upon all the land that ye shall tread upon, as He hath said unto you.” Ex. 23:27 says “I will send my fear before you, no man shall be able to do you harm. Do not be afraid of the devils devise, If God is your father, my children, you are gods! In John 10:34, Jesus says “is it not written in your law, I said ye are gods?” Psalms 82:6 says “I have said ye are gods and all of you are the children of the most High.

My dear children, whoever has taken you into captivity is playing with God’s symbol, His image and His glory, they are in trouble. Whosoever is confiscating your property is in trouble.

Now, if ye are gods, rise up and rule your world!

•0803-718-7775, 0809-356-0644

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Praise & Worship

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Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

It’s your time to recover all – Pastor Okereke

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he Bible in 1 Samuel 30:1-8 states, “And it came to pass, when David and his men were come to Ziklag on the third day, that the Amalekites had invaded the south, and Ziklag, and smitten Ziklag, and burned it with fire; And had taken the women captives, that were therein: they slew not any, either great or small, but carried them away, and went on their way. So, David and his men came to the city, and, behold, it was burned with fire; and their wives and their sons and their daughters, were taken captives.

“Then David and the people that were with him lifted up their voice and wept, until they had no more power to weep. And David’s two wives were taken captives, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite. And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the Lord his God. And David said to Abiathar the priest, Ahimelech’s son, I pray thee, bring me hither the ephod. And Abiathar brought thither the ephod to David. And David inquired at the Lord, saying, shall I pursue after this troop?

Shall I overtake them? And he answered him, pursue: for thou shall surely overtake them, and without fail recover all”.

The answer that the Almighty God gave to David was interesting but there is a key word of assurance; without fail, recover all; this implies that there was no probability of disappointment or failure in his pursuit to recover his belongings. When we talk about belongings, we are talking about the things that God has freely given to you. Sometimes, you will be having this inner thought that your level in life as at now is not exactly where you ought to be. Something keeps telling you that for some unknown reasons, you find yourself in the position that is really lower than where you should have been. I declare to you that from today, whatever you have lost you must recover all this year in Jesus’ name.

There are two categories of lost items; the first group could belong to those things which God had given to you but the enemies had never allowed you to even handle them for once. It

could be a great position in the government or to be very successful in business. I therefore prophecy to you, that your rightful position be released to you from now in Jesus’ name. The second category is a very painful one; people who were once rich but today are poor. Those who once occupied exalted positions today are demoted; those who had good jobs before are jobless today; those who were enjoying their relationship before with husband, wife, fiancé or fiancée, today do not want to see each other.

Some people’s children who were behaving well before suddenly became total strangers to good behaviour. One who had been enjoying his or her spouse suddenly lost that joy to the cruel hands of death arranged by the wicked ones. There are people who were giving others money before but today, they are begging.

Some were enjoying good health before but suddenly the health condition turned to a nightmare. You were always happy before but now, the matter is different. I command you to return to your former state of joy in Jesus’ mighty name.

Secrets on how to recover all •Stop crying or weeping; David stopped weeping before the Lord answered. When Jesus met the widow of Nain whose son died and she had no one left on earth because her husband had died earlier; He said to her ‘weep not.’ So before the miracle begins, you must stop weeping. Psalm 30:5 states that weeping is for the night; so if you are weeping, you will remain in the night spiritually. You know that no activity takes place at night in the real business world.

•Encourage yourself in the Lord; Not in your friend, husband or wife, father, mother, family member; people that put hope on other people most times get disappointed.

We shall continue next week, but before then, begin to recover all you have lost in the name of Jesus Christ.

•Send your prayer requests through text messages to the following numbers: 08067802407, 07038638984. God bless you all.

Briefly

All set for Behold a New Thing

Pastor Okereke

All hands are now on deck for the 6th international crusade of the Global Success Ministry for the year, titled: “BEHOLD, I WILL DO A NEW THING” (Isaiah 43:19).

The event, which is celebrated as Holy Ghost convention of the church, commences from Wednesday, August 15 and ends on Sunday 19th August, 2012 According to a release by the spokesman of the church, Brother Ogochuckwu, the interdenominational crusade

kicks off on Wednesday the 15th of August from 5:00p.m.

On Thursday & Friday, the event will hold by 5.30pm, while on Saturday, the 18th of August, the crusade will be flagged off by 9:00a.m.

Sunday the 19th August will feature two Services. The first service holds between 6.30a.m and 11.30a.m while the second service starts by 11.30a.m and ends by 1:30p.m.

The monthly international crusade affords people in dire need of deliverance, heal-

ing, breakthrough, salvation, fruitfulness and any form of miracle, the ample opportunity to seek the face of God. According to Ogochuckwu, all are invited to benefit from the crusade. He pointed out that “anyone who attends will never return home the same as the Holy Ghost fire is bound to fall through the powerful anointing of the General Overseer, Dr Chima Okereke, and the blessing of God will come mightily upon the people to deliver and to save”.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

The power in the word, by Oloruntimilehin In his message, founder of Omnipotence Mission of God, Pastor Joshua Oloruntimilehin Daramola, teaches how people can reverse evil intention using the power of the spoken word.

Excerpts, as presented by Tai Anyanwu:

E

vil always lives with people. It does not run away; but it can be cast away.

There is a saying that a pregnant mother is considered safe not after she had given birth to her baby but after she had also given birth to the placenta.

The placenta is usually portrayed as both evil and good. After the baby is delivered, the placenta must be separated from the baby by someone. A woman once told me that she winked at the black polythene bag containing the placenta of her grandchild and silently decreed that the child will be a problematic child.

She explained that her son and his wife, who are the parents of the baby, prevented her from seeing the child because they said she was devilish. For that reason, she decided to cast a spell of problems over the life of the new born baby. The child, she further related, grew up to become an imbecile.

This shows that evil resides with human beings. It cannot be expunged from human existence, because the world is composed of both good and evil. The world is full of calamities and disasters.

A happy and peaceful family of five went to the farm to get some maize one rainy day.

Thunder struck; a tree fell and killed the head of the family and two of the children.

Each time the wife talks about the unfortunate incident, she always says that evil came into her home and destroyed a happy home. It is my fervent prayer that evil will not befall any of my readers.

Brethren, wherever goodness exists, there also exists evil. A day comes when the cold hand of death will snatch away a husband from the wife and their children and verse versa. Such is an evil death; and everyone will encounter it one day. Everybody will encounter this evil day.

There is evil every time. Whenever people are hungry, sick, feel pains or go through whatever brings unpleasantness, such a situation is evil. People desire good things of life but a day will come when these things will bring about evil on their users or owners, e.g. cars and aircraft.

A pregnant woman that is about to deliver will realise that the day of delivery is a perilous day. Evil hangs over peoples’ lives, nobody can cast it away except the almighty God. However, there are things people can do to suppress evil or make it inactive. The first thing you should do is to refuse to recognise and regard the potency of the evil over you.

Two, is that, you must be able to exercise authority over the situation, armed with words of authority. Somebody told me that he always sees masquerades in his dreams. Whenever he had such dreams, the man explained, all his good expectations or possession were destroyed.

I told him that his initial mistake was that he had come to recognise the masquerade and accepted it as a bad omen. His negative pronouncement also reinforced the power of the evil omen in his life.

Then I told him that whenever he had such dream comes, he should wake up and decree positive pronouncements that disregard and condemn the masquerade as nothing and of no consequence. By so doing, he had used the authority in his mouth to suppress the evil.

Some people say they had sexual intercourse in a dream. And they become worried, disturbed and troubled, rather than

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Sunday August 5, 2012

Pastor Daramola

render the dream of no consequence, with the authority in the word of mouth.

Brethren, evil will not cease to come but when it comes, what is required is the words of God, to nullify its intended mission. If you ate food in your dream, wake up and thank God; the people that brought the food will realise that you have condemned the food by your positive pronouncement.

When things are not working the way you expected, you are not supposed to accept it as your fate. The proper reaction should be to condemn it and command the evil attached to it to become of no effect.

The fact remains that there is authority in the tongue and whatever one says become authorised.

The day of evil came to Abraham when God told him to sacrifice his son as a burnt offering to God. Abraham was able to change the bad situation when he told his son that God would provide the lamb for the sacrifice, when the young Isaac enquired about the sacrificial lamb.

What was expected of Abraham was to tell his son that he was the lamb for the sacrifice. But he used the authority in his mouth to tell his son that God would provide the lamb for the sacrifice.

Genesis 22 verse 7 – 14: Isaac spoke up and said to his father Abraham, “Father?”

“Yes, my son? Abraham replied. “The fire and wood are here, Isaac said, but where is the lamb for the bunt offering?” Abraham answered, “God himself will provide the lamb for burnt offering, my son.” And the two of them went on together.

The Bible passage continues, ‘When they reached the place God had told them about, Abraham built an altar there and arranged the wood on it. He bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. Then he reached out his hand and took the knife to slay his son.

‘But the angel of the Lord called out to him from heaven, “Abraham! Abraham!”

“Here I am,” he replied. “Do not lay a hand on the boy, he said. Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son.

‘Abraham looked up and there in a thickest, he saw a ram caught by its horns. He went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son. So Abraham called that place The Lord Will Provide (JEHOVAH JIIRE)…. “ Children of God, you can use your mouth to amend your life with the authority of the tongue. There is no need for people to be proclaiming the evil that befell them.

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Sectarian crises in Nigeria beyond religion–Report A

report has revealed that the violence in Nigeria, responsible for hundreds of deaths since January, is due to more than religious tensions alone.

According to a report by a high-level Christian-Muslim taskforce comprising the World Council of Churches (WCC) and the Royal Jordanian Aal Al Bayt Institute (RABIIT), while the violence between Christians and Muslims in Nigeria is the worst between members of the two faiths since the Bosnian war of 1992-1995, the sectarian conflict is driven by poverty, inequality and injustice.

The religious aspect of the violence, the report says, is reinforced by radical Islamist groups like Boko Haram which, the taskforce believes, exploits the secular issues, and the revenge killings by Christians and Muslims.

The report states: “The joint delegation believes that the primary causes of the current tension and conflict in Nigeria are not inherently based in religion but rather, rooted in a complex matrix of political, social, ethnic, economic, and legal problems, among which the issue of justice—or the lack of it—looms large as a common factor. Nevertheless, the joint delegation acknowledges that there is a possibility that the current tension

and conflict might become subsumed by its religious dimension (especially along geographical ‘religious fault-lines’) and so particularly warns against letting this idea—through misperception and simplification— become a self- fulfilling prediction.”

WCC and RABIIT said they would not presume to advise the Nigerian people or Government on how to resolve their own problems, adding that it sufficed to identify them from a neutral, external perspective. However, they said they intended to help, “bearing in mind that resolving some smaller problems—especially problems that seem theologically-driven—can help make the larger problems of which they are a part, less intractable and more easily manageable”.

The two organisations have pledged an ongoing commitment to the situation in Nigeria and have agreed on a number of projects. Separately WCC and RABIIT plan to publish information on the theology of peace in their respective religions.

These publications are to be published in Nigeria with Nigerian participation and WCC and RABIIT hope the texts can be included in Nigerian school and university curricula.

Maku calls on Christians to pray for peace The Minister of Information, Mr Labaran Maku, in Abuja on Tuesday called on Christian faithful to continue to pray for peace in Nigeria.

Maku made the call at the ordination of three priests at the Saint Kizito Catholic Church, Kuje.

Represented by Mr Charles Chikezie, the Director of Communications in the ministry, Maku enjoined the new priests to thread on the path of peace. ``I congratulate you all on this memorable day and enjoin you to use your position to pray for peace in Nigeria. ``Nigeria is transforming and what will see us through is the volume and effectiveness of our prayers. Therefore, I urge you to dedicate yourselves to constant prayers for the nation,’’ he said.

The Papal Nuncio to Nigeria, Most Rev. Augustine Kasujja, during his homily, urged Christians to live exemplary lives.

He called on them to emulate the life of Saint Kizito, a young Christian, who sacrificed everything he had for the love of Christ.

Kasujja advised the priests, who were called into `the Vincentian Order’, to emulate the life of Christ while carrying out their religious obligations.

He also advised them to follow the path of peace at all times and to shun any form

of ethnic, racial or religious discrimination. ``People are looking for miracles or signs rather than intensifying their faith and fidelity to the risen Christ and his divine message. ``Strive to bring the faithful together and always keep the instructions of the Good Shepherd, who came not to be served but to serve and to save those who are lost. ``You are priests forever like Melchizedek of old and Melchzedeck means the king of peace, the king of justice.’’

Rev. Fr.Michael Ngoka, the Provincial Superior of the Vincentian Missionaries in Nigeria, encouraged the priests to hold on to God in spite of the temptations they might face in the course of their duties.

He prayed God to protect and grant them the wisdom and grace to live the faith, as they take up the responsibility to serve in God’s vineyard.

The Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Collins Ekpe, thanked God for the success of the ordination.

Responding on behalf of the ordained priests, Rev. Fr. Sylvester Umanhonlen expressed appreciation to God, their parents, friends and well wishers for their support in making the day a reality.

Umanhonlen said they were delighted to get to the end of a 12-year journey.

Security: Cleric urges FG to adopt new tactics The Provincial Superior of the Vincentian Missionaries in Nigeria, Rev. Fr. Michael Ngoka, has called on security agencies to evolve new ways of tackling the security problem in the country.

Ngoka made the call during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja on Friday.

He condemned the loss of lives and property in various communities, adding that there was need for government and security agencies to adopt new ways of tackling the problem. ``I commend the efforts of govern-

ment and security agencies so far. There is however, need for new measures to be adopted to effectively tackle the problem,’’ he said.

The cleric also called on Nigerians to pray for the restoration of peace in various communities in the country. ``The first instinct of every human being is to be persevered and be protected and so what is happening in some parts of the country is a thing of concern. ``We continue to pray that God, who is the ultimate security officer, would secure us.”

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Praise & Worship

Sunday August 5, 2012

Healing without any leftover, by Pastor Adeboye

General Overseer, The Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, in his exhortation says that whoever wants his/her healing to be permanent, must humble self, follow instruction to the letter, testify and serve God till the end. Excerpts of his message brought by Richard Eghaghe.

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sk the mad man of the Gadarenes, Mark 5: 1 – 20, the Bible says after God set him free, he came to Jesus and said, I will go with you everywhere.

Jesus Christ said no! Go and advertise me. Do you know that those who are always advertising Jesus Christ never get into bondage? If God sets you free and you keep on telling other people about him, He will make sure that you remain free.

What about healing without any leftover; many at times, when you go to the hospital for a particular problem, that problem may be solved but there are almost invariably some side effects.

I used to be a victim of malaria fever and I had an uncle who was a very good doctor. He’s gone to be with the Lord now.

He will tell me, “For your fever take this, and this”, and I will take it and the fever will go.

Later on I will have a little bit of stomach discomfort and I will go to him, fever is gone but what about this stomach discomfort. He would say that is the side effect of the medicine you have taken.

There is a God who can heal you without any side effect, he will give you permanent healing today in the name of Jesus Christ.

In 2 kings 5: 1 -14, when God healed Naaman, the Bible says his skin returned to him as that of new baby; there were no scars left, no signs at all that he ever had leprosy. There is a God who can guarantee that once he heals you, you will remain healed. Exodus 15:26 says I am the Lord that heals thee.

If you will hearken diligently to the voice of the Lord your God, to observe and to do all that he commands you, he said he will make sure no disease will come upon you.

It is possible to be healed and remain healthy forever. I am praying for all of us who are here tonight; in the mighty name of Jesus Christ, after tonight no more pain, no more ache in Jesus’ name.

But take the example of Naaman; how come this man who was a leper was cleansed so much that his skin was like that of a new born baby? I mean this man came as a leper, he went home glowing like a new born baby. What do we notice about him?

Number one: He humbled himself before God. Initially when they say go and wash in the Jordan, he was going home angry (what is wrong with this person?

I thought he will come out, lay his hands upon me and call upon the name of his God). Many of us wants to dictate to God how we want to be healed; some of us come and say unless the G.O. lays his hands on me, I won’t be healed. Sorry!

That is not the way God does his things.

The Bible says, he sent his word and his word healed them. As his word is coming

someone here tonight, you will understand, the lion that is trying to choke you shall die this month.

John 5:2 -14, You remember the story of the man who was sick for 38 years, when Jesus healed him, he told him go and sin no more else something worse would happen? You want your healing to be permanent? Go and sin no more.

And then what about victory without a defeat, victory is not good if it is going to be followed by defeat; victory loses its value if it’s followed by defeat. There used to be a boxer and I am telling you, nobody wants to be called ex-champion.

The best thing is to be called the undefeated champion, and I decree to you in the name that is above every other names, for the rest of your life you will be undefeated champion.

Look at the example of Joshua in Joshua 6: 20: He led the children of Israel, they shouted, they made just one shout and the wall of Jericho fell. In Joshua 7, they came against just one small town called Ai and the people of the town chased them and slaughtered 46 of them.

Joshua who was lifting himself high was shouting; there is nobody like me. God you are great, he fell on his face because when victory is followed by defeat, victory loses its value.

Pastor Adeboye

to you now, be healed in Jesus’ name.

Number two: He followed instruction to the letter; “deep yourself seven times”, at the sixth time he still came up a leper until the seventh time.

Anytime you want to do anything for God, follow instructions! For example, when you want to give God an offering, he says he loves a cheerful giver. If you can’t give cheerfully, don’t give at all. If you do, there will be no returns.

That is why when you hear it is offering time; wise people who know how God operates begin to rejoice because God loves a cheerful giver. God is not a beggar.

Follow instruction to the letter.

And then after he was healed, he came back to testify. He came back to the man of God and said look at me; I was a leper when I was going, look at me now, I am well.

When we say it is testimony time, it is amazing how a few people came forward, those who come forward are many by comparison to other places, but there are hundreds of thousands who have received miracles from God who had never testified.

It is when you testify that God put a seal on your miracle so that the enemy can never steal it from you. He came back to testify and he told the man of God, for the rest of my life I will serve this God. You want your healing to be permanent, humble yourself, follow instruction to the letter, testify and of cause serve God till the end. The Lord says there is

So what do I do so that I will be victorious all the time?

Number one: make sure that you are not your own enemy, because the most dangerous enemy of all is when you are your own enemy. I have always told us Romans 8: 31 says if God be for us, who can be against us?

When we ask that question everybody says nobody, until one day I said to my children let’s open the Bible; where is nobody written? All that the Bible says is who can be against us, question mark? That means the question was not answered and the reason the question was not answered is because if God be for you the devil cannot be against you; resist the devil and he will flee from you. If God be for you demon cannot be against you; you are to cast out demons. If God be for you herbalist cannot be against you; because every weapon fashioned against you shall not prosper.

But if God be for you and you are against yourself, then God have mercy. As I have always told you before you sing that beautiful song, let God arise and let his enemy be scattered , find out that you are not one of the enemies, because when he arises; all his enemies will scatter.

You see, we love to quote the Bible, we quote the section that is beautiful for us and we forget the underlining principle.

Maybe one of the reason God trained me as a mathematician before calling me into the ministry, is because he knows I will know that formulas only work when

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they satisfy certain conditions. So when I come across Deuteronomy 28: 7, he says the enemy that rises against you shall be smitten before your face, they shall come against you in one way, they shall flee seven ways.

Beautiful passage! But is there any condition for that? The condition is in verse 1; if you, the one that God is going to fight for, if you will hearken diligently to the voice of the Lord your God to observe and to do all that he commands you, then any enemy that comes against you, will be smitten before your face.

They come against you in one way, they see God behind you and they flee seven ways.

Many times I had prayed my wife and I. We had fasted, prayed for some people and when we don’t get the answer we begin to query God. Father what else can anybody do? And God will say my children, you don’t know all the story, the fellow you are praying for is not who you think he is. I will tell you one story: one very important chief somewhere in this state was sick and his friend, very close friend of his, came to me and said please, he is a very good man; he has built a church for the town, he has done this, he has done that, come and pray for him so he will be well. I went, sir “are you a Christian?”, he said “I have been a Christian before your mother was born”.

“Have you really surrendered your life to Jesus?” He said look at that church, I built that one, there is another one over there I built that one”. “That is not what I am asking for, are you a Christian?” So he said “I am a Christian”. I said “yes sir”.

So I prayed, a week later I went, no improvement at all. So I said I know what I will do; I took two of my prayer partners and I sent them to the place.

And I said I want you to stay there for seven days, the water you are going to drink there, take it from home, no food, no drink from his house. Fast and pray for him.

They fasted and prayed. After seven days I went to check, no improvement. I said I know what I will do. I will handle this case myself personally: I will fast and pray nonstop for 21 days until he gets well. Then God spoke to me and said, “Son, if you want to fast it’s alright. Fasting is good for you but don’t fast for this man because you will be wasting your energy. But “Lord why?”

He said, ask him the following questions. God gave me seven questions to ask him.

The man who claims to be a Christian, how many secret society do you belong to?

How many people have you killed? I said, “God, how can I ask these questions?”

God said “ask. You are the one who wants to fast for 21 days”.

I went to him and said, “I am sorry sir, its God who asked me to ask these questions...”

By the time I got to the seventh question, he asked me to go away that he will send for me. The next information I got from him is that I should never come back there.

Of cause I never went back.

You want a miracle from God? Hearken diligently to the voice of the Lord your God … to observe and to do all that he commands you.

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any people thought that they could no longer be rich again.

Some thought they could not recover what they had lost. Also, some have lost hope of their getting married, bearing children, gaining promotion and getting healed. However, one indisputable fact is that from the Bible days till date, nobody that reposed confidence in God Almighty has been disappointed.

So it is crystal clear that with God, there is hope. All your aspirations are embedded in God from whom all things are possible. Our hope is not met in any other than in God who is our sufficiency.

Paul the Apostle told the Philippians that attended to his welfare that God has an abundant treasure in glory and will repay them. Phil 4: 19 says, “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus” This scripture is for you also. God of all expectation has assured that He will supply all your needs today. Is there anything that you are hoping that God will do for you? I want to assure you, He will not disappoint you. Are you sick? He will heal you. Are you poor? He will prosper you. Are you barren? Rejoice for your time of visitation has come. You will conceive and bear your own children.

Isaiah 54: 1: “Sing; O barren, thou that didst not bear; break forth into singing, and cry aloud, thou that didst not travail with child: for more are the children of the desolate than the children of the married wife, saith the LORD”. Are you looking for salvation, it is already granted to you. All these promises are because the death and resurrection of Christ is not only the life of the Church but also of all that truly belong to it.

Phil 4: 13 states, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” .Brethren, you can do all things. With God, all things are possible. He is the hope of the hopeless. No matter what your need may be, He will grant answer to it.

Jn 11: 28 –35, 41-44 says, “And when she had so said, she went her way, and called Mary her sister secretly, saying, The Master is come, and calleth for thee. 29 As soon as she heard that, she arose quickly, and came unto him. 30 Now Jesus was not yet come into the town, but was in that place where Martha met him. 31 The Jews then which were with her in the house, and comforted her, when they saw Mary, that she rose up hastily and went out, followed her, saying, She goeth unto the grave to weep there 32 Then when Mary was come where Jesus was, and saw him, she fell down at his feet, saying unto him, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. 33 When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled, 34 And said, Where have ye laid him? They said unto him, Lord, come and see. 35 Jesus wept”

Praise & Worship

Sunday August 5, 2012

He is God of all hope, says Muoka General al Overseer of Lord Chosen n Charismatic Renewal al Ministry, Pastor Lazaruss Mouka, in this special ecial message, harps on the fact that no problem blem is too hard for God d to solve, as the Almighty ty epitomises the hope that hat cannot fail.

Quoting g copiously from the Bible, le, he puts the mind nd of the faithful at rest in this exhortation, hortation, excerpts ts of which Richard Eghaghe he presents: ts:

Pastor Muoka

“ 41 Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me. 42 And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me. 43 And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. 44 And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go” Wherever God arrives all things become possible. He is the Master. Wherever or whenever He arrives, the blind will see, the deaf will hear, the cripple will walk, etc. Today, He will arrive in your situation and if you believe it, you shall experience the goodness of God. The reason and example The reason is that with Him, all things are possible. It does not matter how long you have hoped or who is behind the delay of your hope; what is sure is that He has all power to change situation. Power to make you bear children, get job, gain promotion,

heal the sick, make the lame walk, make the blind to see and the deaf and dumb to speak and hear. And above all, provide for the needy, defend the defenceless, preserve, etc. Whatever you are going through today, God will address it in Jesus’ name.

Psalms 62: 11 says, “God hath spoken once; twice have I heard this; that power belongeth unto God” God is so immutable that he needs not speak twice. He speaks, and it is done; He commands, and it stands fast. He has the power to do all things. A ‘Babalawo’ has no power; charms have no power, neither your boss nor friend has power, but all power belong to God. He is the source of it, and in Him it actually abides. The intent of the above passage is to teach men to trust in God; and not to trust in wealth or strength nor in the power or promise of men.

Mt 4; 23 -25 says, “And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.

24 And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers

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diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatics, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them. 25 And there followed him great multitudes of people from Galilee, and from Decapolis, and from Jerusalem, and from Judaea, and from beyond Jordan” He healed all that came to Him and He never changes. What He did in the Bible days, so shall He even do today in your life who is reading this.

Our response and benefit Having knowledge that our God can do all things, we should therefore trust Him to do all things for us. Don’t give up hope; no matter what you are going through. Believe that God will give you hope. He will do it. Don’t give up hope.

Mk 9: 20- 23 And they brought him unto him: and when he saw him, straightway the spirit tare him; and he fell on the ground, and wallowed foaming. 21 And he asked his father, How long is it ago since this came unto him? And he said, “Of a child. 22 And oft times it hath cast him into the fire, and into the waters, to destroy him: but if thou canst do any thing, have compassion on us, and help us. 23 Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth”.

‘If THOU canst BELIEVE’- This was an answer Jesus gave to the father of victim above. The question is not whether Jesus can, but whether the afflicted father can.

Can he have the needful hope in Christ?

Faith, trust or hope in Christ is our greatest need that will activate our expectation from the Lord. In the answer Jesus was saying, “I can furnish a sufficiency of power, if you can but bring faith to receive It”. Why are not our souls completely delivered? Why is not every demon cast out?

Why are we wobbling in our salvation?

Why is it that we pray and don’t receive answer? Why is it that pride, self-will, love of the world, lust, anger, peevishness, with all the other bad tempers and dispositions which constitute the mind of Satan enslave us? Why do we ask and do not receive? Sadly! it is because we do not believe that Jesus is able. Brethren, Jesus is ever willing, but our problem is that we are not willing to give up our idols or give credence to His word. If only you can believe today, your faith will heal you, grant you salvation, bring promotion, give you victory and bring your heart desire into fruition in Jesus name. For with God nothing shall be impossible (Lk 1: 37) Mt 11; 28 says, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” God is inviting you to bring your entire problem. Lu 14:23 says, “And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled”.

So come your children are ready, your hope is ready etc. Come and be blessed.

Muoka ‘prays down power of God’ in Onitsha RICHARD EGHAGHE

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nitsha the commercial hub of West Africa with its attendant hustle and bustle, is set to experience the transformational power of the God of Chosen, as Pastor Muoka prays down the power God, as of old, in the city.

The two-day, power-packed crusade is titled, “The God of Miracles”. It is scheduled to hold on Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th of August 2012 at the spacious playground of the Metallurgical Institute, along Owerri Road, Onitsha. There will be salvation, Holy Ghost baptism, breakthrough, healings and deliverances among other miracles,

said Pastor Louis Chidi, spokesman of the church.

The General Overseer, Pastor Lazarus Muoka, who will preside over the meeting, has called on everybody, irrespective of their religious preference or leaning to avail themselves of this opportunity to meet with “the God of the Chosen that makes all things possible and

available for people.” According to him, God has chosen the twoday crusade to divinely intervene in their situation and give answers to as many as will come and present their needs and also, spiritually empower them to be able to achieve their desire.

He said that the power of God to address their needs would be prayed down as never before in a

meeting. He expressed the optimism that every participant and the entire nation would benefit from the program.

Speaking further, the cleric said that he expected participants from all walks of life to come with one need or another which may range from spiritual needs to salvation and sanctification.

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Divine Message with Special Apostle James

Akinadewo E-mail: molailatugrow@hotmail.com

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lory be to God in the highest. The Heavens are shouting Halleluyah.

His providence is: evidence of our living. Feedbacks are soul-lifting. His light will shine on our path and God will protect our homes in Jesus’ name, amen.

No matter how hard a pregnant woman tries, she must pass through the ninemonth course. Any plan to deliver the baby before the appointed time (God’s time) will be counter-productive. To have a living soul with the right senses, that behaves normally, the mother (pregnant woman) must carry the baby in her womb for nine months.

It is the divine timing for a full-blown baby to come into the world and it is predetermined by God – it is the divine plan for our fullness as human being – building the muscles, eyes, nose and parts of the body inside the womb to have a complete form when the baby comes out.

That informed our teaching today – Delay is not denial.

Power in the Word “And he said, I will certainly return unto thee according to the time of life, and lo, Sarah thy wife shall have a son.

And Sarah heard it in the tent door, which was behind him.

Is anything too hard for the Lord? At the appointed time, I will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son” (Genesis 18, verses 10 and 14) Divine word concerning Abraham and Sarah came to pass at the appointed time. The Bible’s text was emphatic on appointed time and time of life.

There is a season set for your lifting.

You have been set up for a glorious des-

Sunday August 5, 2012

Delay is not denial tiny but with a proviso – you have an appointed time for your manifestation.

Why the timing?

• Learning process • Room for training • Preparation precedes presentation •You (raw materials) need to be refined (a square peg is not good for a round hole) • Knowing your route and how to get there •Understanding human mentality and how to handle them • Knowing the mind of God for you

Your time The plan of God for Abraham came to pass at the appointed time. Though the promise has been there for long, God was preparing him and his wife (Sarah) for their divine timing. It is the heavenly timing that will be beneficial in whatever we do in life, not in our own pace because God knew you before you were born into the world. At the appointed time, Isaac (the child of promise) came and sorrow turned to joy.

Brethren, delay is not denial – that it has not come to pass does not mean God has forsaken you – God is about to fulfil that promise now.

Don’t pack your bags yet. Don’t leave your husband’s house (you will carry your baby soon). I see you getting pregnant this month in the mighty name of Jesus Christ. That business will flourish, don’t leave it, pray well; you will soon succeed. Don’t lose hope on that child; he will succeed in his education. Just pray once more.

Are you going through rough paths lately? It is not your dead end. I see hope and light inside that tunnel for you. You are coming out bigger and better in Jesus name, amen.

Nigeria will become better again. Our lost glory shall be restored. Don’t lose hope. Giant of Africa will soon become global giant. Just pray for right leaders, I know we will get there.

For his anger endureth but a moment, in his favour is life, weeping may endure

for a night, but joy cometh in the morning> (Psalm 30 verse 5).

Your requests will be granted by God and you will have cause to smile. The delay is for a reason – for your testimony to be the biggest and for your joy to be full.

I know you are asking—why are things like this now? Look up and see the miracles coming now.

I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help? My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth (Psalm 121 verses 1-2).

This is your month of success. You are unstoppable. Your time and season have come. Delay is not denial.

Success time God revealed to David he would bless his generation as a leader. Wondered why it has not come to pass (sent to the bush to keep the animals by his father – preparation time).

Resigned to fate (thought delay had become denial). At the appointed time, God brought him out, overtook his peers, became the king and took his rightful place in the divine agenda. Delay is not denial.

For a three and a half year ministry, God prepared Jesus Christ for 30 years.

Followers of John the Baptist [the forerunner] kept asking where is the Messiah being preached about daily by John, thinking the King of kings is no longer coming. Unknown to them, Jesus Christ is in their midst (being prepared by God).

To them, the waiting time has become delay and denial until the master came out and changed the course of history within a short time. And they understood better. Delay is not denial.

The waiting time is not a wasted time.

It is the time of preparation. Solid preparation produces good presentation.

Don’t come into the world unheralded and go unnoticed. Prepare and pray well, your time will come. Delay is not denial.

It is a tragedy not to be ready when your time comes.

Nigeria has a great future.

Run from sin. Jesus loves you. It is well.

Manifestation of mercy Moment of Blessing with Pastor Taiye

Olayemi Email: taiye_olayemi@yahoo.co.uk Phone: 08037229730

(Psalm 136:1-15) There are certain blessings of God that must manifest in you to bring about your manifestation.

Having the Spirit of God in you is not enough. Despite the personality Jesus carried, He had to be endued with the power of the Spirit for Him to manifest.

No wonder, He admonished His disciples to wait until they are endued with power (Luke 4:14-15, 24:49). You need the mercy of God to manifest the greatness of God (Psalm 18:35).

There are sufferings that have made your glory not to manifest, but God’s activation of His compassion over you in your moments of deep distress is what

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is called the mercy of God. This act can turn any situation around however sever it may seem. Through this, God’s power is made manifest to attend to the needs of people.

No matter the help of man, it is limited. Man’s help only alleviates, it does not eradicate the situation, but God’s mercy provokes His readiness to show up on your case to give you a life time solution. There are so many that are miserable today because of what they are suffering. It takes the compassion of God for them to be delivered from this misery. Sometimes, this suffering comes as a result of the acceptance to do the will of God and not sin. Accepting to do God’s will does not exempt you from suffering, it in fact exposes you to suffering (Rom. 8:18). For this cause, it is expedient to go through this pain and no man can explain this mystery but God Himself.

Moreover, some suffer as a result of the choices and decisions they made in the

past. Whoever you are today is a product of the decisions you took yesterday (Prov. 16:25, 14:12). Like Lot, the decisions of some of us are informed by our sight (Gen. 13:8-13). For your judgement to be just as a child of God, it must be rooted in faith. This has to do with your patience to wait for the fulfilment of God’s word (Ps. 105:19). Lot walked by what he saw physically and he lost it all at the end. Elimelech was also a victim of such (Ruth 1).

Some are suffering because someone dropped them, and today the effect has become a part of their lives. We have so many of this in bible days, and one very common story is the story of Mephibosheth (2Sam. 4:4). Another factor is a care free way of life. When you don’t take care of yourself, you will die untimely (Phil. 2:25-27). But when mercy of God shows up in your case, it removes the suffering and your glory shall be revealed for men to bow and fear your God (Ps. 40:30).

Olutola

Embrace peace, Olutola charges leaders TAI ANYANWU

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s the 2012 International Convention of Apostolic Church Nigeria gets under way, President of the Lagos Western Nigeria Area Territory LAWNA of the church, Pastor Gabriel Olutyola JP, has urged political and religious leaders to work for peace and stability of Nigeria.

He made the statement at a press briefing, which was one of the activities lined up for the convention that lasted from July 28 till August 3rd.

Olutola, also the Chancellor of Samuel Adegboyega University explained that the convention would afford participants ample opportunity to pray for the peace and tranquility of the nation.

However, he urged the leaders to listen to the word of God and to be vigilant.

Commenting on the security challenges face Nigeria, he described the terrorist activities of Boko Haram as a devilish act that was capable of undermining the nation’s development.

He noted that Nigeria still believed in the country and pointed out that only prayer was needed to bring peace and tranquility to the country.

He added that good advice, good leadership and permissive will of God would change this country rather than killing as it is today.

Olutola explained that the theme of the convention: ‘Great Separation of Tares from the Wheat,’ was chosen to enhance spiritual advancement of members and to prepare them for the second coming of Christ.

He expressed regret that standard of education in Nigeria has also falling; and therefore called on leaders and those in government to give education necessary financial, moral and academic backing.

According to him, Samuel Adegboyega University was established following God’s leading that the church should provide one of the leading universities in Nigeria.

“The vision of the University which was established in NMarch, 2011 as the 45thj Private and 1117 overall in the Nigerian University system is envisioned to be a world class university, excellent in academic tradition and exceptional in providing university education which empowers the graduates to act with professional competence and ethical steadfastness in fulfilling their obligation to the society,” he explained.

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Praise & Worship

Sunday August 5, 2012

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Living the victorious life Shepherd Life with Bishop Kingsley

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Enakirerhi

od’s desire and plan for every child of His, is to see us live a life of victory over the devil. God desires us to fulfil life to its fullest; hence, in 3 John 2, He says that He desires us to prosper and be in health even as our soul prospers.

This is a wholesome form of prosperity.

Even though this is God’s will for His children, many of us are still living below this standard. Christ paid a costly price for us to live a victorious life, hence we must not allow the devil to rob us of this inheritance which Christ’s death has purchased for us.

There are certain factors which hinder believers from living this victorious life. The greatest of these is sin. Anyone living in sin is cut off from the blessings of God. Sin pushes God far away from us and leaves us at the mercy of Satan.

A look through the Old Testament will reveal that whenever the children of Israel turned their back on God and began to serve idols, God also turned His back on them and left them to experience oppression in the hands of their enemies.

But whenever they repented and turned to Him, He delivered them and made

them enjoy peace once again.

If you desire to live the victorious life that God has promised His children, then you must choose to live a holy life.

You must flee all appearances of evil and walk closely with God. In 2 Corinthians 6:17 – 18, the scripture says, “Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing, and I will receive you, and will be a father unto you and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.”

When you are in right standing with God, you will enjoy the victorious life.

The enemy will have no option than to be submissive because they can do you no harm. Anyone who tries to harm you will find himself fighting God directly.

Your guess is as good as mine who the loser will be. No wonder, Proverbs 16:7 says that when a man’s ways pleases the Lord, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.

Another reason many believers are not living the victorious life is because of ignorance. Miles Munroe said, “The strength of the oppressor is in the maintenance of ignorance”. As long as the oppressor keeps you ignorant, he will continue to oppress you and deny you victory.”

Today, many believers are suffering because of evil covenants which their fathers entered into before their birth or as a result of evil dedication of their lives to their family idols. The devil will want to

make you believe that those things don’t matter and that they have nothing to do with what you are passing through. Some even deny the existence of witchcraft.

The Bible says that we are not ignorant of the devices of the devil. So long as you are ignorant of his devices, he will continue to have the upper hand over you and deny you of your covenant inheritance in Christ. Jesus said in John 8:32 that you will know the truth and the truth shall set you free.

Knowledge is very powerful. Until you know what is yours, you cannot claim it.

Many have been deceived by Satan that it is the will of God for them to suffer what they are suffering. These kind of people cannot live in victory because they have accepted failure as their portion.

Beloved you must seek the face of God to know the root cause of whatever you are passing through so as to enable you overcome it and walk in victory. You must also study God’s word diligently so as to know those things that are rightfully yours and those things you should not tolerate in your life.

Another reason believers don’t live the victorious life is because of prayerlessness. There is a serious spiritual battle going on. The devil does not leave without a fight. Daniel fasted and prayed and for 21 days, the Prince of Persia withstood his blessings.

Many believers engage in casual prayers. In Luke 18:1, Jesus told a parable to illustrate the need for persistent

prayers. In first Thessalonians 5:17, the scripture says we should pray without ceasing. The reason is not far-fetched.

The enemy will not let you go easily.

In Ephesians 6:12, we are told, “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places”. These wicked forces are not willing to let you realise your dreams and visions. They will contend with you and resist you, just to make sure that you don’t become what God intends for you.

This is why it is very important that as a believer, there are times you need to separate yourself and engage in intensive prayers with fasting, in order to deal with these evil forces. Many have died without realising their visions because they underestimated the forces they are contending with.

Most things we consider as natural have been planned in the realm of the spirit. You will not experience freedom in the physical until you have been freed spiritually. The spiritual controls the physical. Learn to engage in spiritual warfare and you will enjoy the victorious life.

Beloved, it is possible to live the victorious life because with God, all things are possible. However, the choice is yours to determine whether you will live it.

In 1 Corinthians 3:21, we are told “…All things are yours”. Take charge and walk in freedom.

Ten dating rules Christian Relationship with Taiwo

Odubiyi

E-mail: info@pastortaiwoodubiyi.org.uk

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he Bible does not mention the word dating just as it does not mention cigarette, wedding rings, petting, etc; but there are several scriptures to guide us in whatever we are doing or desire to do.

In the case of dating, here are some scriptures to guide you.

1) Whether therefore ye eat or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. (1Corinthians 10:31 KJV) 2) Let him that nameth the name of the Lord depart from iniquity.

3) For ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus.

For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication, that everyone of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour, not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God. (1Thessalonians 4:2-5 KJV) What people do when they go on a date and what they allow to happen are as a result of what they know, what they think, what’s in their hearts and who they are. For example, some women might disrespect their husbands when they earn more. Some women will never do this though simply because of whom they are and what they

have come to know. It’s all in the heart.

If my thinking is right, I will do what is right. If I’m righteous, I will not want to sin. It all depends on the state of the heart, and that was why Jesus said, “Make the tree good and the fruit will be good or else make the tree corrupt and the fruit corrupt, for the tree is known by his fruit. How can ye, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.

A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things (Matthew 12:33-35).

And so, the questions you should find answers to before you go on a date are: Who am I? How well do I know the word of God? Do I fear God? Do I want to please God? What do I want to achieve by going on this date? If you don’t have the right answers to these questions, everything will be wrong. That’s a sure recipe for trouble.

Some people date casually, going out with different people including strangers. Where is God in that? No wonder they run into trouble.

What is the purpose of a date?

It is an appointment to go out with the opposite sex in order to get to know more about the person or know the person better. It is an opportunity to ask questions so as to know if you are right for each other.

Is it okay to go on a date? As earlier said, it all depends on who the people are and what they know. A cell phone is a good thing, but in the hands of a fraudulent person, it’s bad.

In ‘You Found Me’, one of my novels, Ann went on a date with Sam so she could know more about him. There, she told him, “Tell me why I should marry you.”

He laughed and put his spoon down.

“Wow! That’s a big question.” Even though he wasn’t expecting the question, he began to talk. “You should marry me because I truly and sincerely love you. I will take care of you, protect you, nourish you, cherish you and honour you. I will always be there for you no matter what happens. I won’t abandon you.”

Ann concentrated on him, considering and weighing his words.

He went on. “You should marry me because I am your friend and I’ll always be your friend. I will be a good husband as well, and a great lover. Give me the chance to prove it.”

“That’s good.”

He continued. “You should marry me because you will be happy with me. I know you have a ministry. If you marry me, you will have the opportunity to fulfil it. With me, you will be free and able to fulfil your purpose in life. I will support you with all I have. I will not cheat on you, for me there will not be another woman. I will never lift my hands up to hit you. I will -” Ann raised a hand to stop him. “That’s enough. One more question. How do you intend to take care of your family since you said you’re going to be a pastor and have a church?”

“That’s simple. I will continue working while I’m running the church. I will do all that I need to do to support my family. I’m not lazy. My family will not suffer.

I know someone like you will want a man who will be able to provide her with the comforts of life but trust me; I will provide them for you, with time.”

Ten rules Just as there are principles to be followed to have a good and successful marriage, dating also has principles and rules. People have relationship problems because they don’t follow them.

Here are some of the dating rules that should be followed.

1) Pray. This is very important.

Commit the outing into God’s hands.

Take God with you.

2) Don’t date an ungodly person.

Doing so will get you in trouble.

3) Don’t date a stranger, you might end in danger. Some ladies go out with complete strangers, sometimes for money or fun. This has led to regrets and the death of many.

4) Let someone know your plans, where you are going and who you are going with.

5) Don’t go on a date with someone you don’t trust, so that you don’t get robbed or raped.

6) Decide ahead of time how you will handle issues if they should come up.

7) Set a boundary.

8) Dress decently.

9) Avoid night dates, to avoid troubles.

10) Be ready to ask questions. That is the purpose of a date.

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Sunday August 5, 2012

Olympics: Running the race of your life Footprints with Dr. Tunde

Ojewole Email: ojewolea@babcockuni.edu.ng Phone: 08058299434

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he 2012 London Summer Olympic Games are well underway. Many new records have been set and old ones broken. The excitement is high in the sky.

Stories and testimonies abound as well as several upsets, twists and turns. Beyond winning and losing, the Olympic fashion also made some buzz as part of the Games.

“The man or woman of the hour spent many days and nights getting there.” Great heights are often not achieved by sudden leap! On the personal level, each of us is involved in life’s Olympics with eternal consequences. In the race of life, you are either on the losing or winning side.

Apostle Paul uses Olympic language in the epistles to the Galatians saying: “lest by any means I should run, or had run, in vain” (Gal 2:2); telling the Galatians: “you did run well” (Gal 5:7). In his prison epistle to the Philippians, he charged them: “holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain” (Phil 2:16). The wise man observed the race of life as such: “the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happens to them all” (Eccl 9:11). Prophet Jeremiah wonders: “if you have run with the footmen, and they have wearied you, then how can you contend with horses? And if in the land of peace, in which you trust, they wearied you, then how will you do in the swelling of Jordan?” (Jer 12:5).

“So run, that you may obtain” (1 Cor 9:24). These are the words with which the instructors of the young in

Holy Inquiry with Pastor Paul

Nkirukah E-mail: pstpaul11@yahoo.com

Dear Pastor, Why are some Nigerian pastors always prophesying evil, doomsdays and tragedies for people and the nation? Is it that God doesn’t give them good or encouraging prophesies for the people and mankind?

Ann C. C., Lagos Dear reader, Be aware, it is not all Nigerian pastors that prophesy evil or doomsdays for the people. So many deliver both bad and good prophesies, as the Lord instructed and these prophesies came to pass. Maybe it is the prophet or pastor you know and hear about that you are talking about.

However, it is pertinent to note that God can give His prophet some prophecies that may not be palatable or good enough, particularly when the people are not living up to His commandments; just as He could

the Grecian exercise schools (gymnasia) and the spectators on the race course exhorted their pupils to stimulate them to put forth all exertions. Back then, every candidate had to take an oath that he had been ten months in training, and that he would violate none of the regulations (2Tim 2:5; 1Tim 4:7-8). He lived on a strict self-denying diet, refraining from wine and pleasant foods, and enduring cold, heat, and most laborious discipline.

Nothing was left undone that might contribute to secure the victory.

Much more mandatory it is for Christians to observe strict diet and discipline in order to win in the race of life and gain eternal life. “Every man that strives for the mastery is temperate in all things” (1Cor 9:23). The Christian warfare cannot be won without taming, curbing, and conquering the body, restraining fleshly appetites and inclinations, as the combatants were in these Grecian games, and thereby bringing the body into subjection. Those who would rightly pursue the interests of their souls must beat down their bodies, and keep them under. The body must be made to serve the mind and not be lord over the mind.

These athletes were not only temperate, but endured hardships. The boxers often would prepare themselves by beating the air and throwing out their arms.

There is no room for any such exercise in the Christian warfare. Christians are ever in close combat. Their enemies make fierce opposition, so the Christian must fight, not as those that beat the air,

but must strive against their enemies with all their might. The enemy must be vanquished.

The Olympians take pains, and undergo all those hardships, to obtain a corruptible crown (1Cor 9:25), but we, an incorruptible. Those who conquered in those ancient games were crowned only with the withering leaves or boughs of trees, of olive, bays, or laurel. Paul emphasizes the duty of practicing self-denial and voluntarily submitting to great privations for the salvation of others. He did this so that he may obtain the prize of glory, the incorruptible crown. So you as a Christian today must live in self-denial, making constant exertion against the strong-holds of sin, that you may not fail of that prize, the crown of glory that never fades away, which awaits the righteous in heaven (Heb 12:1).

Should you be outdone by these Olympic racers or wrestlers? Christians have a better reason and motivation than the Olympians and should exert themselves to obtain the heavenly inheritance. The racers in these games run at uncertainty, not being sure of winning (1 Cor 9:26).

Contrariwise, the Christian racer is at no such uncertainty. Every one may run here so as to obtain. He who keeps within the limits prescribed, and keeps on in his race, will never miss his crown. The certainty of our heavenly reward should motivate the Christians to exact themselves more vigorously, each assured of a crown with stars at the end of their race.

Answer these questions and win a prize 1.

Who was Ahasuerus’ wife before Queen Esther? Supply the scripture.

2.

The just shall live by… Fill in the space and supply the scripture.

3.

Who fled to Egypt when Solomon sought to kill him? Locate the scripture.

•Please, be informed that the first correct entry via text message wins the prize.

See next week’s column for answers to the quiz. Send your answers with your names to 08054238905. Gifts: courtesy Babcock University.

A preacher of salvation may yet miss it. He may show others the way to heaven, and never get there himself. To prevent this, Paul took so much pains in subduing and keeping under bodily inclinations, lest by any means he himself, who had preached to others, should yet miss the crown, be disapproved and rejected by his sovereign Judge (1 Cor 9:27). A holy fear of himself was necessary to preserve the fidelity of an apostle; and how much more necessary is it to our preservation? Holy fear of ourselves, and not presumptuous confidence, is the best security against apostasy from God, and final rejection by him.

In the original Greek versions of the games, every one thronged to see and congratulate them; their relations, friends, and countrymen, shedding tears of tenderness and joy. They lifted them on their shoulders to show them to the crowd, and held them up to the applauses of the whole assembly, who strewed handfuls of flowers over them.

At their return home, they rode in a triumphal chariot; and in many cities, monetary rewards were given them out of the public treasury, and they were exempted from taxes. Similar celebrations await the victorious Olympians in their respective countries today.

There is great joy when a sinner confesses and comes to God’s loving arms and enlists for service. “Oh there’ll be joy when the work is done. Joy when the reapers gather home!” No Olympic medal can be compared with the reward that is laid up for you in heaven. “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, works for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory” (2 Cor 4:17). Go labor on! Your pay is out of here!!

Answers to July 29, 2012 Quiz 1.

2.

3.

Tent- Josh 7:21-24 Sheba- 1 kings 10:1 Amos 1:1-Tekoa, shepherd

Why are some pastors fond of prophesying doom? give good and heartwarming prophecies for the people. So, whichever way, it is what God put in the prophet’s mouth to speak that he speaks. It does not matter how well or bad it sounds or looks like to the person it is given to. As long as it is from God, you had better accept and pray against it, if it is that bad; or turn your back to it and wait for it to happen. You don’t disprove God; whatever He says, He does. Whatever He decrees must surely come to pass, unless it is not from God. Don’t forget; so many fake prophets or pastors abound these days.

Having said that, and taking a clinical look at the way Nigeria is today, do you think God is happy about the country?

Specifically, do you think God is happy with the so-called Nigerian leaders, who are only after our oil money and not the good and general well-being of the people?

Tell me. So, you don’t have to blame your so-called prophets of doom. Many of them are capitalising on the precarious socioeconomic predicament of the country in making prophecies. Some make heartpricking prophecies for recognition or to make money; after all, ‘man must wack.’

Nonetheless, there is something you have to know about prophecies. Any proph-

et or pastor that is always prophesying evil is not a genuine prophet of good. You have to run away or be very careful with such a prophet or pastor, because God cannot be giving. His prophets do not prophesy only evil and damaging prophecies all the time.

He also gives them good prophecies. Moreover, bear it in mind that you have a choice to either receive the prophecy or reject it. It all depends on you. Let’s take a quick look at some areas of the scriptures that have to do with the prophet and prophecies.

Isaiah 38: 1- 5 reads, “In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz came unto him, and said unto him, thus saith the LORD, set thine house in order for thou shalt die and not live. Verse 2; Then Hezekiah turned his face toward the wall, and prayed unto the LORD. Verse 3; And said, remember now, O LORD, I beseech thee, how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight; And Hezekiah wept sore. 4 Then came the word of the LORD to Isaiah saying, Go, and say to Hezekiah, thus saith the LORD, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears behold, I will

add unto thy days fifteen years.

The lesson from the above scripture is instructive. It is very obvious and evident that prophecy can come, but it all depends on whether you accept it or not, no matter from whom it came; it may have come from God. You and I are very much aware that Isaiah is a real prophet of God. Moreover, the Bible states that the LORD sent him to prophesy to Hezekiah.

It was not as if it was not from God, but Hezekiah refused the prophecy. How? He prayed God against it and reminded Him of how much he had been committed and faithful to His word. And what did God do? He did not only revoke the prophecy, He added 15 more years to Hezekiah. I am trusting God to act in such manner to somebody reading this piece today.

I also want to make you understand that many prophets of today do not know or understand that it is not everything that God revealed to you that you turn into prophecy to give to people. God may have showed them to you for you to pray over them. So, my honest advice to everyone is to live a holy and righteous life like Hezekiah; because, if you do, you will not be worried or afraid of evil prophecies.

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Lessons of Life

ANGELA DAVIES lessonsoflife2@yahoo.com 08023342083

TRUE LIFE STORY ON MATTERS OF THE HEART AUGUST 5, 2012

‘My husband filed for divorce because I carried him’

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eorge is the most loving man I have ever met even though I am taller than him.

Our height difference has never changed the way we feel about each other. He may be shorter than I am but I love him just the way he is.

He is not a dwarf but short like the popular Nollywood actors, Aki and Pawpaw. Anyway, because of his stature, he does not like people looking down on him. He is proud and could be arrogant at times. He is quick-tempered but very caring, understanding and loving. The day I introduced him to my family as the man I wanted to marry, my mother was so disappointed but my father gave his blessings. We have been married for seven years and we are blessed with three beautiful children.

His size has never affected his career and I thank God for that.

I am proud to say he is the Chief Accountant in a company and his subordinates respect him despite his size. I would not fail to mention that sometimes he comes home lamenting how some top management staff talk to him like a child and look down on him because of his size. “Darling, can you imagine how my colleagues were talking to me at the management meeting today just because I made some suggestions that will help move the company forward? They think I don’t know what I was saying because they keep looking at me like a child. They that are taller than me, what contributions did they make?” he complained. “Sweetheart, don’t mind, they only want to frustrate you but please don’t allow them,” I said.

The first time I saw George in action was the day we all went to the supermarket to get some items for the house. After the shopping, George and a man were trying to make payments at the counter almost at the same time. Without looking at George properly he said to him, “Little boy move away, let me make my payment.

I am in a hurry, my family is waiting for me in the car.”

George felt so demeaned. “Didn’t you look at me well before calling me a little boy? What is your problem?” he screamed. Pointing at the children and me, George said,

“Look at my family, they are waiting for me too.” The man quickly apologised and instructed the cashier to attend to George, seeing how angry and furious he was.

One evening, there was no light and unfortunately the generator packed up that day. We tried to get someone to fix it but he informed us that some parts needed to be bought. Since it was already too late to do anything, George gave him the money to buy the needed parts the next day so that the generating set will be ready for use.

We all sat in the sitting chatting but later decided to go to the balcony to receive some fresh breeze when the heat became too much. For about three hours, we

RESPONSES

Re: ‘What is my sin? Life has not been fair to me’ Dear Lillian, Lillian should tell Mayford about the rape and your womb because he deserves to know the truth. I still feel you should marry him after you had told him the truth. You people can adopt a child and also pray to God always to bless you with your own children.

–08106867979

I will advise that you explain what happened to Mayford if you really want a settled home and also have peace in your life.

–Emmanuel, Akure – 07032245252 All this happened so that you can learn your lessons.

That is why you should not allow anything come between you and your happiness. If you truly love Mayford and he makes you happy, go for him and tell him what his father did to you, then watch his reaction. His reaction will now shape how you will make your decision, but happiness should be your priority.

–08126819731

Please, be bold enough to let Mayford know all that happened between you and his father because if he finds out later, he will definitely hate you for life.

–O.A. Rahman, Ogbomoso -08050809021.

enjoyed our stay there until the children said they wanted to sleep. I went to their room with them so that I could read bedtime stories to them as the tradition. When they finally fell asleep, I was already tired and sleepy too. However, before retiring to bed, I decided to check on George.

When I got there, he had fallen asleep on the chair. I tried to wake him up so that he could go inside and sleep, but he didn’t. I called his name and shook him. There was no response. I guessed he was too tired and fast asleep. “I cannot leave him to sleep here till morning. What do I do?” I murmured.

I decided to carry him inside and I guess that was the biggest mistake of my life. But the truth is that I could not just stay and allow my husband sleep outside until whenever he woke up or worse still, till the morning. I carried George like a baby since he was small and was taking him to the bedroom when he suddenly woke up and started shouting, “put me down, put me down. Did I ask you to carry me? Abomination, why must you carry me? Am I a baby?” he retorted. When I eventually put him down, I tried to explain why I had to carry him but he kept saying, “I will deal with you”. I kept apologising but he didn’t listen to me. The truth is that I have never seen him this angry since we got married.

George slept in the sitting room. The next day, before leaving for the office, he refused to say a word to me.

Three days later, precisely on Saturday, at about 10:00 a.m., some of his family members came to our house and I was very surprised. I later learnt that they came because of me. They actually came to ask me why I had to carry their brother like a child. Anyway, at the end of the day, George told everyone that he felt so humiliated that his wife, Victoria, had the nerves to carry him like a baby. “Victoria had no right to carry me no matter what the situation is. How can she lift up a titled man? It is an abomination and for this, I have decided that I will file for a divorce and nothing will change that. The children will stay with you but I will still fulfil my responsibilities to them as their father,” he screamed. I pleaded with him to think about his decision and the effect it would have on our children but all my plea fell on deaf ears.

He has actually filed for the divorce. My question now is was I wrong to carry him into the house rather than allow him sleep outside in the cold? Does it even worth his filing for a divorce or is there more to this that I don’t know? I am really confused because I don’t want to sign the divorce papers. What do I do?

Please send your advice to the phone number or email address above. No calls, please.

34

Sunday, August 5, 2012

Connecting

Vanessa with

Vanessaonsunday@yahoo.com

Signs of a cheating partner I saw your column and I loved it. Please I will want you to write on tips to know if your partner is cheating on you. I am in a relationship and we have been together for about seven years now. What baffles me about him these days is that I don’t trust him a bit. He actually caused it. I caught him several times cheating on me with a particular lady although, he first denied he was not dating her but he later confessed they were dating. Aunty, recently again he told me he used to date her but they are no

I

got the above E-mail from a reader of this column and I was impelled to grant her request.

So, we’ll be looking at cheating in relationships this week.

The way people tell lies easily these days with impunity never ceases to amaze me. Mobile phones and other communication gadgets have helped to compound this trend. Have you ever been in a public bus heading to one end of the town and then the phone of the guy sitting next to you rings and your ear automatically tilts in that direction to listen in on the conversation?

Well, it has happened to me on several occasions and I always get astonished when they begin to lie on top of their voices that they were heading to another part Models of the town whereas the bus they are in is obviously going in the opposite direction!

Lying and cheating go hand in hand. You cannot be a successful cheating partner without mastering the act of cooking up lies for every occasion. It’s now left for the person who was given such false information to figure out if truth exists in that statement or not.

Now, I don’t claim to be an expert when it comes to figuring out if truth lies in the mouth of a deceiver or not. I leave that to the polygraph (lie detector) machines. All the same, there is always an element of truth in every lie.

Take for instance, from the above E-mail; the signs that the writer is being cheated on are crawling all over the place waiting for anyone to pick up.

First of all, she lost her trust in him because he kept lying about his relationship with this other girl, hides people’s phone numbers in coded language; deleted her number from his phone and even blocked her on Facebook. What other sign does she need to know if this guy is cheating on her? Perhaps she’s waiting for him to send his wedding invitation to this other girl to her mail box before she accepts the reality that is staring her in the face.

I know that the thought of your partner cheating on you can be a very difficult pill to swallow, especially if you are still in love with that person. You feel so betrayed and scandalised to realise that you have been played the fool all these while. Yet, if you

more dating. Sometime ago I was with him and a call came with the caller ID ‘temi t’ which he told me means Temitope. I don’t know how far they are in love but I feel they are still together. He didn’t save my own number at all. He told me it’s because he knows my number off hand. He even blocked me on Facebook because I was always accusing him of dating this girl. I am so much confused. Please help me...-Shola yinka anjorin olamides4real@yahoo. com could think back a few months ago, I’m sure you’ll remember one or two things that gave indications you were being cheated on but you were not paying attention at all. The signs are there but you don’t have any proof to back up your suspicions.

If you suspect that your partner is being unfaithful, look for a combination of tell-tale signs and clues to back up your claim. Remember that everyone is presumed innocent in the court of law until proven guilty. Also keep in mind that there is no more definitive sign of cheating other than catching your partner in the act. So, pay attention to the signs and your instinct but, be careful and don’t confuse signs with proof.

Here are a few of those signs that can indicate that your partner is cheating on you: • Your own fears and suspicions that something strange is going on with your partner should not be ignored. Your intuition is frequently one of the best indicators that something is wrong.

• Your mate criticises things about you that he or she once found attractive and appealing.

• Your loved one suddenly deletes all emails from the computer where they used to accumulate.

Same goes for calls on the cell phone or caller ID and you can’t access his/her computer or mobile phone • When you notice that they are reluctant to kiss you or accept your affection.

• Your mate stops paying attention to you, your children and home-life in general.

• Your mate stops complimenting you on your looks.

• Your mate stops saying, “I love you”.

• When they suddenly have to work late and have all kinds of new obligations that take them away from you repeatedly or for long periods of time.

• When they talk to you, treat you abusively or with disdain, disrespect or excessive sarcasm.

• Your loved one seems to pick fights or finds reasons to fight only to stomp out of the house and away from you.

• You find a diaphragm, condom, birth control, etc. hiding in their pockets or handbags.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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Doris is my name, 25 years old, based in Lagos. I need a sugar daddy that will take care of me, within 35 and 50 years. – 08182672218 NOTICE: Please note that we don’t do personal connections outside this column. Calls to connect privately are not allowed. Just send an SMS or email and we’ll get your request published. The request is published on first come first served basis. Thank you!

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Movies & Music

Sunday, August 5, 2012

h Down Low and Who Be Dat You might not know the group, Addiction yet, you will, soon. Addiction is a set of un-identical twins that have been ruling the Abuja entertainment landscape with easy-to-remember hook-lines, energetic performances and sense of styles to match.

The twins christened Aaron and Sharon Igho, play the kind of hip hop that hits you from the word ‘go’. With two singles, ‘Down Low’ and ‘Who Be Dat’, the set of unidentical twins, born in the UK and raised in Jos, originally from Delta State, studied at the University of Jos (UNIJOS) and obtained a degree in Psychology and Political Science.

Presently signed to Zakudia Records, the group is known for its energetic and choreographed performances, easy-tosing-along lyrics and very strong delivery.

Armed with videos for ‘Down Low’ which were shot in South Africa by Godfather Productions and ‘Who Be Dat’ by Clarence Peters in Lagos, Addiction has relocated to Lagos to stake their claim in the scheme of things.

Addiction came into the limelight last year when they performed at their first show ever, ‘Wondering’. The group has since shared the stage with 2face, Ruggedman and others.

Since then, they have graced other shows like NTA Band Stand, Crack your Ribs, Night of a Thousand Laughs, Abuja Carnivals, Miss Benue, Calabar Carnival, Guinness Extra Smooth Tour in Jos, Benue, Calabar, Taraba and Abuja, Names on Platinum, Runway fashion show, I-Rep Abuja season 1, Big Brother finale after party in Santon, South Africa, and at many other gigs.

Tajudeen Adepetu, CEO of music channel, Soundcity, said

n exciting video

on circles. He was also presenter of the hugely popwn show, Sprite Triple Slam, and One on One - the how. nd presented Soundcity’s most popular program in ess Music show! His interview credits with SoundcDBanj, Don Jazzy, PSquare and many others. Interthe prolific TV host, has interviewed Jarule, NAS This Is Why I’m Hot fame, Sean Kingston, Sisqo, he hugely popular South African acts Jozi, Freshly Kenya and lots more. t hit network TV with the multi million naira deal am show. In 2011, he returned with a big bang as the show, Nigerian Idol. host of Radio Outloud with Nokia & Ill, a PAN Niality radio show that airs on Beat FM and Cool FM M in Abuja and Port Harcourt, BCA Umuahia and

his first solo single produced by Papilastic entitled s hilarious sing-along became an instant hit and enr-play. This song would popularise the street lingo, ayo o…No Come Put Sand Sand For MyGarry o’. rk schedule, Illrymz went on a 5 -year hiatus from ngle ‘Anyhow’ produced by ace producer Dr. Frabz waves gaining massive followership online and on ria. staging the big comeback with the release of his ebut album in which he features Grammy award and others with some of the boldest and most exhit Nigeria’s airwaves.

he had heard the group and he’s very sure it won’t take long before the industry and Nigerians at large appreciate what the twins have to offer.

‘Addiction did well in Abuja. I have heard them and very impressed with what they have, some established industry acts don’t have the quality of songs they have. I want to believe that the Lagos crowd will receive them well and Nigerians will appreciate them in a matter of time’.

Meanwhile, the group will be presented to a few industry stakeholders, media and fans at an exclusive event today at Oriental Hotel, Lekki, Lagos. Soundcity, Bigsam Media and Zakudia Records are putting resources together for the unveiling.

35

Ezi Emela unleashes catchy hooks in new single, video Music fans will be delighted to know that exciting new Afro-beat star, Ezi Emela, has released her brilliant debut single titled, ‘Catch My Heart’.

The new track features UK-based Afro-beat singers, Mista Silva and Skob. The fresh music also has an accompanying music video as directed by burgeoning director, Mr. Moe Musa.

On ‘Catch My Heart’, Ezi not only radiantly showcases her enthralling vocals and strong song writing skills but also unleashes one of the catchiest hooks in 2012 as she confesses to her leading man that “you don catch my heart”. Listening to ‘Catch My Heart’ will leave you singing along with Ezi even long after the song had already ended.

‘Catch My Heart’ is beautifully backed by grand keyboard arrangements and lush drum patterns provided by Heavy K on production with Mista Sliva and Skob. The duo complemented Ezi perfectly by adding their trademark buttery smooth rap flows and Azonto flavour to the monster record to make ‘Catch My Heart’ a sexy, catchy and infectious Afro-beat future hit.

With the captivating music video for ‘Catch My Heart’, prolific director, Mr. Moe Musa, succeeds in capturing Ezi Emela in her fun and enigmatic element and provides a befitting visual backdrop for an already captivating song.

Rising Afro-beat sensation and singer/songwritEzi er, Ezi Emela - real name Ezichimemela Ezeh - is exactly what Afro-beat music has been missing in 2012. Hugely anticipated and hotly tipped for super stardom, Ezi - an actress, model and artiste - is what many would describe as a “Triple Threat” and rightly so.

Born in Manchester, England to Nigerian parents, Ezi has had a passion for music for as long as she can remember and has been singing from a very tender age.

She formed a group with her sister and at the age of 16, she took things up a notch by getting involved with her local Church choir where she continued to hone her singing skills further.

In 2009, Ezi moved away from her home in Manchester to London to begin her modelling career which has seen her model for campaigns for the likes of Chanel, GAP, London Fashion Week, Arise Magazine Fashion Week (Nigeria) and many more.

An outstanding singer, songwriter, performer and model, Ezi - who also speaks fluent French - is currently studying Business and Management at London South Bank University whilst also furthering her music career.

Music is and has always been Ezi’s passion and she takes pride in her abilities as a versatile artist, a visual chameleon and an extraordinary performer.

She is ready to take the African music landscape by storm with her unique style, amazing vocal dexterities, exceptional songwriting skills and unforgettable stage

Darey Art Alade’s second child arrives Nigerian multi-platinum selling and award-winning musician and singer-songwriter, Darey Art Alade and his beautiful wife Deola have announced the arrival of their second child, a gorgeous baby girl.

The couple welcomed the new baby on Friday, in a London hospital. It’s the couple’s second child.

Their first child, Femi was born on December 28, 2007. Darey and Deola tied the knot on February 17, 2007.

Delivered at 9:50AM that day, at Queen Charlotte and Chelsea Hospital, the baby weighed 2.4kg.

Darey, who is in London by his wife says he’s ‘extremely happy and grateful to God’.

‘We are overjoyed, ecstatic and over the moon by the new addition to our family. Many thanks to family and friends to their love, support and good wishes.’

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

36

A Fashionista’s

World

‘I’m pretty and have the brain to carry the look’ AUGUST 5, 2012

Mona Okoroalum is an up-and-coming musician who hopes to take her career to the peak. She tells Adaeze Amos that it pays for a woman to be beautiful and brilliant.

When did you start performing?

I started performing six years ago and I love what I’m doing with a passion.

What did you study?

I made it a point of duty to acquire education despite the fact that I sing. I studied English at the Lagos State University, LASU. How did you develop the passion for music?

Right from when I was a child, I had always loved to be a musician. Before I got to where I am now in the music world, I was fond of entertaining people. I have always loved to sing and perform for my family and friends. Anytime I got the opportunity to do so, I did it wholeheartedly. Even in school, during the break I would start entertaining my classmates. I never knew I could do anything professionally because in the past, it wasn’t easy for young people to go into music. Your parents would not accept it. These days, people are more enlightened and are accepting every positive thing their children want to do with ease.

In some Igbo cultures, women are relegated. How does that make you feel?

That’s too bad! But that hasn’t made me less a woman. Thank God such cultures are gradually fading. No one day in my life have I regretted being a woman. If I would have to come back, I would still be a woman again. It is true that our culture and tradition tend to relegate us to the background and that stopped most women from aiming to the top. I won’t allow that affect me. I think that was back in the past. A lot of women and a lot of families allow their children, men or women, to pursue their dreams. Basically for me as a girl, I think a lot of doors are open to me not only because I’m a pretty girl but because I also have the brains to carry the look. It pays for a woman to be beautiful and brilliant. I’m not just the dummy, beautiful face. I thank God I’m a Nigerian because women in this country have really gone high.

Does that mean you wouldn’t mind having only female children when you are set for that?

For me, if I want to have kids now, I really don’t mind if I have a boy or a girl. Any sex is okay. I don’t really care. Who am I to question God? I know that most times, some superstitious people would tell you that if you have a female child first,

the doors of favour and goodness would be opened to you. If that be the case, if I have a daughter first, I would even be very happy because it gives me the room to groom my daughter well, maybe the way my own mum could not do. I actually learnt most of the things I know on my own. I would have the opportunity to train my daughter well. Yes, if I have a daughter tomorrow, she would be more talented than I am, I guess.

Can you define your style in three words?

I’m classy, sophisticated and posh.

What are the most common beauty/style blunders in this part of the world?

The blunders they commit are mostly make-up and hairstyle blunders. Most women don’t know how to put makeup together. They just come out looking like mannequins. Most women would just come out with some funny colours that don’t suit their faces and what they are putting on. They would just plaster the whole thing on their faces and they’ll end up looking funny. They don’t know the right shade to use, the right colour that suits their complexion. Most often, you see a woman putting on make-up she should have worn in the night, in the day time. At times, you see a woman putting on very long lashes with thick mascara on it. Long, wild lashes don’t suit most ladies, but they just want to do it.

Some ladies do a lot of hairstyles that do not suit their faces. But if some of us could just calm down and try to be ourselves and do the things that suit us, and not look at any other woman, or start copying sheepishly, the world of fashion and style would be better for us all.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

37

&

Weddings Engagements CELEBRATING THE JOY IN MARITAL BLISS AUGUST 5, 2012

Day Nollywood actress, Uche Jumbo, hooked Rodriguez

You have a story to tell us about your wedding/engagement, or your new born baby.

You can call this line 08051980588

BABIES OF THE WEEK

T

he secret wedding between talented Nollywood actress cum producer, Uche Jumbo, and her Puerto Rican lover, Kenney Rodriguez, took place on May 16, 2012.

We learnt that the lovebirds walked down the aisle at a private beach in Puerto Rico and it was attended by close family members and friends.

However, many of her fans had doubts if she really got married as they never saw any of her wedding pictures on any social media, the dailies or even the soft sell magazines to allay their doubts.

It was even more surprising when she returned to the country without her husband. The only evidence was the glittering ring on her finger which many felt could have been bought and worn as is being done by many ladies.

To allay all doubts in the minds of her fans, the wedding pictures were released last week by WOW magazine which we gathered bought the exclusive rights to the wedding pictures and Uche looked so captivating. The couple is full of smiles and cheerfulness together as they begin a new phase in their lives.

Although she looked slimmer, she appeared breathtaking in her sequined tube ball gown wedding outfit which she paired with a long sleeve bolero and earrings. Kenny decked a black suit which he harmonised with a white shirt and black bow tie.

With the seeming hush about her true marital status after she returned to the country, Uche confirmed that she is married. “Yes it’s true, but I won’t be revealing any other information for now. But I promise to give a statement soon,” she explained. One person who attended the wedding was Uche’s close friend, Desmond Elliot.

OLUWASEGUN IJABIKEN

I

t was a glorious day in the ancient town of Efon Alaaye, Ekiti State on Saturday, June 9, as Akinlolu Johnson quit bachelorhood to be married to his heartthrob, Arowosafe Olayemi, after four years.

The couple met in 2008 at Kano Park as they were to return to their homes af-

Abdul Baqii Adeleke was born on May 9 at Anu Olu Hospital, Illobu, Osun State to Adewale and Morufat Adeleke.

He was delivered at 9: 25 a.m. and weighed 3.5 kg.

What did Morufat crave for during the pregnancy? She emphasised that, “I craved for tea, rice, amala and ewedu soup. And for fruits, I ate a lot of apple.”

What irritated Morufat during the pregnancy? “I was irritated by the smell of fish and eba,” she revealed.

What do Abdul’s parents love most about him? “Abdul is a peaceful and calm little boy. He smiles a lot too,” Morufat said.

What do they want him to become in future? “We want him to become a medical practitioner,” she added.

What is the meaning of his name? “Abdul Baqii means servant of God. He will be a servant of God,” said Morufat.

National Mirror’s Akinlolu quits bachelorhood ter the mandatory three-week orientation course for National Youth Service Corps members.

After the church wedding at Christ Apostolic Church cathedral, Oke-Isegun, guests were hosted and entertained at a large reception in a multipurpose hall within the church premises.

The arena was attractively decorated with purple and lilac drapes, accentuating the colours of the day.

Olayemi appeared in a sequined tune wedding gown which she paired with a bolero. She completed her bridal look with a simple jewelry set. Her hair was also beautifully decorated with silver clips and a fascinator while Akinlolu decked a combination of grey and lilac outfit.

For Akin, he was first attracted to Olayemi’s beauty and physique. “I was first attracted by her beauty and physique. However, as

we became close, I realised that she is a humble, submissive, caring and dedicated servant of God.” Excited Olayemi revealed that, “I was surprised to see a man I was meeting for the first time to say I like you and I want you to be my wife”. This gesture to her was funny. However, , she said she appreciated the fact that Akin was handsome, caring, cheerful and loving.

The couple performed their traditional wedding on Friday, June 8. It was a splendid and befitting one in which guests were treated to both indigenous and conventional delicacies amid the serenity and tranquility that characterised the hill town of Efon Alaaye. The bride and groom were radiantly dressed in the typical Yoruba outfit in a combination of peach lace and coffee brown aso-oke.

On the dance floor, shy Akin took his dancing steps in a psychedelic manner, while his bride danced energetically to the thrill of all eyes.

The occasion witnessed a large turnout of guests among whom were relatives, friends, church members and colleagues of the couple. Akinolu is a staff of National Mirror.

Glory Chimamaka Nzechukwu was born on February 25 at the General Hospital, Isolo to Chidi and Vera Nzechukwu. She was delivered at 7: 44 p.m. and weighed 3.1 kg.

According to Vera, during the pregnancy, “I craved for yoghurts and fruit drinks in general.”

Speaking about her obvious body changes, she disclosed that, “I had breakout of acne and general darkening of the body. My feet were also swollen in the ninth month.”

What do Glory’s parents love most about her? “We love her smiles and calm demeanour,” Vera stressed.

What do they want Chimamaka to become in future? “We want her to become a reference point. We want her to serve humanity and also touch the lives of all she comes in contact with,” she revealed.

What is the meaning of her names?

“Glory means God’s glory while Chimamaka means my God is awesome,” Vera said.

38

Sunday, August 5, 2012

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Opinion

Sunday August 5, 2012

39

A pub session with my Edo friend

“C

lara, please tell your girl to buy me some analgesic across the road, so I can dilute this beer with it and thus assuage the anger of alcohol.”

“Oga Kay, your grammar too much. Na so I organised one babe for you the other time. The babe run comot when your grammar become too much. You just dey blast grammar say, kata-clismi (cataclysmic), kaka worm (cankerworm) and halotin (harlotry). Na wa o.”

“Eh, baby, let me rest. Who told you that babe left because of my grammar? Don’t you know I am a salary earner? When we arrived here, she demolished four big bottles of beer worth N1, 200, took two plates of fish pepper-soup worth a thousand Naira and later took a bowl of Isiewu (goat-head) sold for N1, 500; at the end of which she went to the backyard to vomit.

“So you notice the whole drama?”

“Wait now, after vomiting my hardearned money, she came back to sit, wanting me to resume another round of financial operations, unto wastefulness.

Consequently, I branded the babe ‘a cataclysmic cankerworm; one who parasites on men through unrestrained harlotry.”

“Na wa for you o! Eh, your friend don arrive. I mean Oga Osareren” (Clara retreats) “Osarenrenstic! The forthcoming Commissioner for Entertainment to His Excellency, the Edo governor. I wonder why you are fond of coming late to the Cathedral.

One of these days, we will start surcharging, as a way of instilling discipline in parishioners.”

“Kay, the ‘Firer’. You just called me Commissioner for Entertainment. Who

told you that our re-elected governor will like to give political appointment to a civil servant like me? If anything, they have more political hawks than positions available. And these hawks are desperate they can eliminate anybody. I don’t want to die young.”

“Let Clara bring you beer. Thank Goodness, her beer is criminally cold, mortuary standard, at least as far as tonight is concerned. Yap...hic.., what you have just said evokes an instance in history.”

“Kay Baba, please titillate me.”

“Yes, it’s the tragedy of US President James Garfield, way back in 1881. He was assassinated by one irascible lawyer and psychopath, Charles Guiteau, who was wrought that, having worked for the President during electioneering campaign, he was not given any political appointment.”

“Whoa, how did he succeed in his mission?”

“Good question. Guiteau simply went to buy a gun, trained himself on how to use it and trailed the President to a train station where the poor man was waiting to receive his ailing wife. He shot him twice from behind and then, surrendered himself.”

“Oh God! And that President died immediately?”

“No, not immediately. Medics battled in vain for 11 days to save him. You know medicine hadn’t advanced so much then.

Physicians who performed operation on him reportedly used unsterilised equipment while trying to remove bullets lodged in his organs. So, his organs were infected.”

“Well, I hope as President, he had spent close to three years in office before his death?

“For where? The man only spent 200 days in office. Arthur, the Vice-President was the beneficiary of his death. He took over as President.”

“And what punishment was served on the man who assassinated him?”

“Oh, Guiteau was sentenced to death, and hanged.”

“So, you see why I should steer clear of politics? I want to remain the father of my children.”

“And of course the ‘Firer’ of your wife.” (Joint laughter) “Kay, I hope my beer is not flat? Please, taste it.”

“No, it’s not. It’s just abnormally cold, that’s why it’s not foaming like an epileptic. Remember the local, original palmwine. You only know it is the real palmy with the rushing foam at the mouth of the gourd.”

“If not for paucity of funds, I would have ordered for two plates of steaming hot broth, I mean fish pepper-soup prepared by the spoon-fitting hands of Clara, the lady that is well-consolidated.”

“God knew you would die of philandering should he make you a rich man. He knew money would accentuate your libido and make you snatch the wife of a juju man who would not forgive you. That’s why He opted to make you an average Nigerian, a commoner and not a rich man.”

“Just because I appreciated the Godgiven endowment of Clara? Are you interested in the babe? Tell me now so I

Kayode Fasua

kayodefasua@nationalmirroronline.net (08034101207; SMS only, pls)

can work out the project for you. Instead of brimming with unfounded wisecracks that suggest I’m dating her.”

“What is wrong with you dating her? Is she not a woman and are you not a man?

I beg, leave story. As for the anticipated pepper-soup, Insha Allah, just give me till tomorrow night, you will eat and vomit.”

“Like your gluttonous girlfriend who ate the whole world and vomited everything? No, a plate will be enough for me.”

“En, en; where did Clara get such a girl? I was even scared. Suppose she died the day she was vomiting here, you think I would have gone scot free?”

“How could she have died, when she was not doing D&C? That babe is a rebranded whore, nothing shakes her...”

“Wait, wait, Osarenren. Did I hear you say ‘re-branded whore’? Haba, how did you come about such debilitating ascription? You must be a very intelligent drunk.”

“Yes, while you are an implacable philanderer.”

“Bull-shit, we are both.”

State budgets: Wrong priorities, pathetic outcomes NASIR AHMAD EL-RUFAI

T

he paltry amounts allocated to agriculture exemplified the misplaced priorities of most of the states’ budgets. Rural Anambra budgeted less than 2% for agriculture, Bauchi with 80% of its population engaged in farming allocated only 5.5% of its budget to agriculture, Edo allocated only 1%, and Gombe with its arable land and 80% of its population engaged in agriculture allocated only 5% to agriculture. These poor allocations are in contexts of high levels of poverty and unemployment. In Kaduna and Gombe the rate of unemployment is respectively 25.7% and 29%, which are above the national average of 21.1%. For states like these, attracting businesses and encouraging SMEs should be the front-burning issue. Increasing the budgets of agriculture, mining and tourism to address constraints in the value chains should be the governors’ priorities.

The budgets’ analysis therefore showed that most states in the country are not viable economic entities, and the so-called ‘rich, oil-producing states’ are far more dependent on the federation than the rest in proportionate terms! Standing alone, virtually all states will be unable to perform their basic functions like providing education and healthcare to citizens. Most states in the country will be illiquid in months without federal allocations, which in turn are largely derived from oil and gas revenues. The six Northern states in our sample are engaged in significant borrowing to sustain their operations.

An example of this is Bauchi where 40% of its 2012 budget is funded by loans.

To develop their states and meet the needs of the people, governors will have to change their strategic focus in a manner that will enable them to increase their IGR and reduce dependence on federal allocation.

Among others, these will require increased capital investment in social and physical infrastructure and to create conditions to diversify their economies, including promoting manufacturing-based industrialization.

Each state needs to develop a blueprint for a post-oil economy and identify and promote investments in sectors that will generate jobs. Finally, as we can see from states like Lagos, developmentally-oriented leaders are required to pilot the affairs of the regional governments that will emerge from such political rearrangement. With these steps, may be our children will have a nation that has truly attained its potential.

Not only have the states neglected the economic sector but also the social sector. It is generally acknowledged that investment in healthcare is necessary to maintain a healthy and quality population. Similarly, investment in education is important for human resource development. In effect, education and health sectors are necessary for social and economic development. A healthy and educated population enhances the competitiveness of a nation. Unfortunately, these two sub-sectors are neglected by both the federal and states governments.

Given the contribution of education to development, the United Nations recommends that countries allocate 26 percent of their resources on education. In 2012 neither the federal government nor state governments meet this budgetary target.

The Federal government allocated only 8 percent of its budget to the education sector, which is lower than comparable African countries such as South Africa (26%), Cote d’Ivoire (30%), Ghana (31%), Kenya (23%) and Uganda (27%).

Like the federal government, the ten states reviewed in this column did not meet the recommended benchmark. Gombe - the best of the sample - allocated about 17% of

its N93.5bn budget; Edo (14%), Nasarawa (10%), Lagos (10%) and both Akwa Ibom and Zamfara (5%). This poor funding partly accounts for the deteriorating state of Nigeria’s education system.

Using the 180-point benchmark in JAMB amongst the 10 states analyzed, Lagos State had the best performance of 80% achievement improved upon by the large number of private schools in the megacity, in addition to investing a whopping N45bn in public education. This amount is over a third of Zamfara’s entire 2012 budget. As expected, Zamfara State which invested least in education also had one of the lowest pass rates of 44%. What is striking is that Nasarawa which invested the second highest percentage in education (14%) in 2012 did so mostly in response to poor performance of the state (43% pass) in the 2011 JAMB UTME. An open ended question here is, with our paltry allocations to education, is it possible that we can be among the 20 most developed economies in 2020?

Budgeting for education is one thing, getting commensurate outcomes in quite another thing. Most state governments invest in building schools and classrooms instead of the improvement of teacher quality and welfare, providing books and materials and ensuring that children remain in school.

A free meal daily, free transportation to schools and back and enhanced welfare and incentive packages for teachers improve academic performance far more than spending on lucrative building contracts for political party apparatchiks. In education as in everything in public finance, the quality of spending is as important as amount and proportion of the total budget.

The health sector across Nigeria reveals an area of national life that is in dire need of rescue through new policies, regulations and strengthened institutions. In the two-

part column titled “No Health, No Wealth”, we x-rayed these problems at national level.

Across the country, treatable diseases like malaria and cholera are still killers, infant and maternal mortality rates are amongst the worst in the world, while our life expectancy seems to be dropping. The state governments have greater responsibility for healthcare than any other tier, being in charge of primary and secondary healthcare. We had hoped that our states’ budgets would be more effective, and higher in both quantity and quality. Sadly, that is not the reality the budgets revealed.

The World Helath Organisation (WHO) recommends that 15% of national budgets be allocated to healthcare. The 2012 federal budget of N282.77 billion is just about 6%.

With many of the sampled states, the budgetary allocation is higher than the dismal FGN number, though nowhere near to the 15% benchmark. For instance, the only sensible thing about Bauchi’s generally hopeless budget was the allocation of N13.7bn or 9.8% to health; Gombe 7.4%; Lagos 6.7%; and Nassarawa 6%. Edo’s allocation is 5.5%; Kaduna 4.3%; Benue and Akwa Ibom 4% and Zamfara’s, a very low 3%. Zamfara in particular is plagued by a tragic lead poisoning crisis that has claimed the lives of hundreds of children and it would need well above 15% of its budget to sanitize its health sector.

With the widespread dysfunctions in governance that we are experiencing as a country, the under-budgeting for the sector is worsened by the fact that actual releases are usually far less than the amounts allocated.

Additionally, effective utilization of the little that gets released is hindered by the corruption and incompetence that exist in the public sector agencies.

•An abridged version of an article by ElRufai, former Minister of Federal Capital Territory

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Chuckles

Sunday, August 5, 2012

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Politics

Sunday, August 5, 2012

–Hon. Bello open session?

Nobody can come and bend our rules.

We don’t have any business with Otedola. I said it before the Chairman (of the committee). Who told him not to talk with us and answer our questions? He was only a witness before us and we told him categorically.

We are about 10 lawyers in the Ethics and Privileges Committee. But he came with a SAN (Senior Advocate of Nigeria) who sat beside him and told him not to answer our questions. He didn’t know that Otedola was only a witness before us and we told him categorically. But the position of the Nigerian law as at today is that, he who gives graft and he who receives are both culprits.

You

are not a member of the parliament and you claimed to have given one of us something which is illicit, then you are the best person to come before the committee and tell us the true position of what transpired before you and him. This particular issue is a unique case. We as a committee, our business also

have to do with the conducts of our members. But this matter is unique because it involves somebody who gave and somebody who took. The allegation is that somebody who is not a parliamentarian offered (bribe) to a parliamentarian. And we in the parliament want to ascertain the veracity of the claim. Are we going to import a demon to come and find out what transpired between Femi Otedola and Farouk Lawan? When we asked him about the Video clip, he (Otedola) told us to even summon the media house and ask them how they came about the video. He categorically denied the video and said he had not discussed with anybody.

He is in our own record. He denied the video clip. All he said at the meeting was that Farouk Lawan lied four times and that’s all.

What I am saying is on record and we have it. So, it’s a matter whereby the onus is on Chief Femi Otedola to come before us and give us justification, testifying to the fact that truly, he gave Farouk graft because he is an accused person too, by virtue of our laws. So, can you see fallacy in this country? We don’t know who is protecting the accused person here. He came and we interrogated him for almost four hours. After giving his testimony he left, with the arrangement that whenever we need his presence, he will come back. Now he is insisting that we should go into a public hearing.

But let me tell you, there is a difference between a public hearing and a committee sitting. In a public hearing, each and every Nigerian has the right to come and witness the sitting as long as such a person will maintain peace. But in a committee sitting of this nature, it is strictly restricted to members of the House, especially as it concerns the conduct of a member of the

ate that the House of Representatives took this noble step to satisfy pressure from a political party or because the Constituency Projects were not awarded to members or because of the drama that followed the presentation of the fuel subsidy report, is to say the least malicious, damaging and uncharitable to the image of the Assembly”.

“We in the Legislature are law makers and not contractors and that the Constituency Projects execution has been the exclusive preserves of the executive and its agencies.

At no time has there been any argument on this. Similarly what members do in the course of the budget preparation is to furnish the respective MDAs with locations and area of needs of our constituencies. The bidding processes are handled by the supervising ministries”.

He distanced the House from suspicions that it was threatening to sack the President because of the ongoing probe of Hon. Farouk Lawan (PDP/Kano) and to tally with the wishes of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).

He also explained that the House’s move was not connected to the prosecution of Lawan by security agencies over $500,000 bribe allegations from oil marketer, Mr. Femi Otedola, as he denied that they were doing anybody’s bidding against the President.

“The entire 360 members in the House are bonded by the Nigerian project, our independence and objectiveness is evident in the selection of our principal officers which we did according to our thoughts. To assume that we are guided by some forces outside the House of Representatives is mischievous and a deliberate ploy to misrepresent the House before the Nigerian public. He also dismissed claims that the House was angry with the presidency because of the Hon. Lawan alleged corruption matter.

parliament; hence we had to meet in privacy.

Because, we are not a court neither are we a tribunal to give a verdict. He doesn’t know that we cannot give verdict. We are just to analyse by law, obtain our own findings and take them back to the House. That is our limit.

We cannot punish Farouk or Femi Otedola.

And we do not have any provisions within our standing rules where we can compel Otedola to give any testimony.

But the law of this country provides that he who asserts must prove beyond reasonable doubt. So, what is beyond reasonable doubt here? Curiously, Femi Otedola was the nominal complainant in this allegation but he declined in giving statement. So, what do you want us to recommend to the House? To punish Farouk Lawan? Because, we are not a court. But we are challenging his conduct, and the only way we will know whether he (Lawan) has done that (collected bribe or not) is for you (Otedola) to testify.

He said he wouldn’t want to talk because he was a business man, and the testimony he gave the SSS and police was okay for him.

We said okay. We even asked him to give us a copy so that we could allow him to go.

He (Otedola) said SSS was also involved; were you able to ascertain whether they were indeed involved in the operation?

You see, this is the beginning of this exercise. We summoned Farouk Lawan and he was there with us. And we now summoned Otedola and other people who we are told were involved to come and give their testimonies. But the truth is that, the issue of the police or SSS does not matter.

We are Nigerians; if you claim that somebody stole my money, the onus is on you to come and tell us at this level so that we can have clarity, but he declined. So, tell me; what machinery will you use in trapping this our member you alleged, has done what you are alleging outside? So, as I have told you, we don’t have any business with anybody who is not a parliamentarian.

But this case is unique because it involves

“The 7th Assembly has distanced itself from the Hon. Farouk and Otedola case as evident in the bold steps we took in suspending him as chairman of both the committees on fuel subsidy and education. In addition it is to encourage the law enforcement agencies to do their work according to the dictates of the law.

The House spokesman frowned that to now conclude that their (members) resolution for Thursday was borne out of selfish motives was terribly out of place. He insisted that they would however continue to raise their voices to the highest ebb where they sight injustice or impunity.

“No amount of blackmail or intimidation would cow us to abdicate our constitutional responsibility which we signed with our employers (the Nigerian people) to stand firm and protect their interest.

We would continue to preserve our resolve as one indivisible country,” he stated.

But all said about Gbajabiamila and the rest of the House’ battle against the Executive for the Budget, the Presidency might still hold the yam and the knife. The problem is, would the President prefer to stick to its knife and yam in the cold or do the National Assembly bidding by implementing the Budget fully?

On Friday, Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila said he would stick to his earlier position that Finance Minister, Dr. Ngozi OkonjoIweala released N1.3 billion for a private water project in her village in Delta State.

Gbajabiamila who accused the minister of releasing funds for a water project worth N1.3 billion in her community, regretted that the same minister would withhold funds meant for constituency projects.

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somebody from outside accusing somebody inside. If this case is between a member and another member, we would have known how to do our thing and nobody will know. But what we did was to protect Otedola to come and tell us exactly his own side of the story in the committee. Because the matter is not going to court; he has the privilege. Nothing that we did in that committee would be used against him. Our duty is to take it to the House as our own findings and is debated among the 360 members of the parliament.

We are not hiding anything and we are not protecting anybody. We have been cautioned.

Any of our members who goes the extra mile to do anything that is abominable is on his own. Every member is assumed to be responsible and reasonable. That is why we are going to do our work without fear or favour; be it Farouk or Otedola, it’s not our business.

Are you concerned about the negative image the bribery scam had brought the House?

It pains me as a member of this seventh Assembly. That is why as lawmakers, we were not happy when Otedola could not give his own side of the story to help us determine whether our member is a culprit or not. But, honestly speaking, in moving this country forward we must start from somewhere. Everything is stagnant and this country is not growing. If we the legislators are trying to see that there is sanity in all that is happening, then I don’t know what the other two arms of government are doing. And you know we cannot interfere but we thank God we are doing our best and Nigerians are happy with us. Everybody knows that the Seventh National Assembly is dynamic and we are contributing our own quota. Some of the things written in the media are not the reality. Look at what happened that day. It was reported that there was an exchange between the members of the Ethics Committee with Chief Otedola, which was not true. But this is a democracy; everybody has the right to express their opinion.

Okonjo-Iweala

“I stand by the House Committee on Water Resources chairman’s report to the whole House that Okonjo-Iweala released N1.3 billion for a water project in her village. If he (the Chairman) made a mistake which I doubt, he will let us know when we resume”, he said.

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Sunday, August 5, 2012

GROWING UP with

Aunty Angela growingup5@yahoo.com

Hello children, How are you enjoying your holiday? What have you been doing with your time since you went on holiday? This week’s edition is not only interesting but also entertaining and educative. Read, enjoy and learn from the story of the pencil, how to handle your holiday home work and other articles featured today.

I wish you a wonderful week ahead.

JOKES

Mummy ate the baby

For weeks, Tommy, an eight-year-old boy kept telling his class teacher about the baby brother or sister that was expected at his house. One day the mother allowed the boy to feel the movements of the unborn child. The boy was obviously overwhelmed, but made no comment. Also, he stopped telling his teacher about his expected baby brother and sister.

One day, the teacher sat the boy on her lap and asked, “Tommy, whatever has become of that baby brother or sister you were expecting at home?”

Tommy burst into tears and said, “I think Mommy ate it!”

RIDDLES

What has a ring, but no finger?

Answer: A telephone

What bank never have any money?

Answer: The riverbank

Parable of the Pencil

What can clap without any hands?

Answer: Thunder What has a bark, but no bite?

Answer: A tree

QUOTE

Children’s games are hardly games. Children are never more serious than when they play.

–Montaigne

HOLIDAY TIPS

Handling ho M

any children do not like the idea of take home holiday homework or project. They feel the holiday should be a time to forget about school work and be with their families and loved ones.

Parents need to recognise their role in helping children set ground rules for doing holiday homework, such as when it should be done, where and when breaks wouuld be taken just to make homework fun and enjoyable.

However, it is advisable that parents encourage their children to complete their homework early, ideally, before relatives arrive or before they go and spend the holiday with one relative or the other, rather than wait until the last minute.

Here are some tips that will help: Create a good study area - First; designate an area where it would be ideal for your children to do their homework, usually in their rooms, dining area or a very quiet part of the house. It should be somewhere free from distraction. Set up this area to make it conducive for studying by putting proper lighting; also store studying materials such as pencils, pens, papers, books, and other essentials.

Set fixed hours - There should be a fixed schedule for homework. This way, the children can arrange their schedules and make sure they get their homework done every day without excuses.

Allow them take frequent, short breaks Children should be allowed to embark on frequent short breaks so that they don’t easily get

WHO INVENTED WHAT…?

James Gibb: Invented the Table T

J

ust before the pencil maker put into the box, he told the pencil, “There are five things you need to know before I send you out into the world. Always remember them and never forget, and you will become the best pencil you can be.”

Firstly, “You will be able to do many great things, but only if you allow yourself to be held in someone’s hand.” Secondly, “You will experience a painful sharpening from time to time, but you will need it to become a better pencil.”

Thirdly, “You will be able to correct any mistakes you might make.” Fourthly, “The most important part of you will always be what is inside.”

And finally, “On every surface you are used on, you must leave your mark.

No matter what the condition, you must continue to write.” The pencil understood and promised to remember, and went into the box with a purpose in its heart.

Now I am replacing the place of the pencil with you children. Always remember them and never forget, and you will become the best person in whatever you do.

First, “You will be able to do many great things, but only if you allow yourself to be held in God’s hand. And also

allow people help you discover the potentials you possess.”

Second, “You will experience a painful sharpening from time to time, by going through various problems in life, but you will need it to become a stronger person in life.”

Third, “You will be able to correct any mistakes you might make.” Fourth, “The most important part of you will always be what is on the inside.” And finally, “On every surface you walk through, you must leave your mark.

No matter what the situation, you must continue to perform your duties.”

Always remember to allow this parable of the pencil to encourage you to know that you are a special child and only you can fulfil the purpose to which you were born to accomplish.

Morale: Never allow yourself to get discouraged no matter what. The pains of life will only make you better.

Children, you can send your contributions and pictures through this email address growingup5@yahoo.com or call telephone number: 0805 198 0588

able tennis, otherwise known as ping pong, is one of the most popular indoor sporting activities in the world.

Table tennis has had the honour of helping melt relations between the United States and China during the Cold War, and was introduced as an Olympic sport in 1988. British manufacturers, J. Jaques and Sons Ltd., trademarked the name ‘ping pong’ in 1901.

The sport started in England towards the end of the 19th century when, after dinner, some upper-middle class Victorians decided to turn their dining room tables into miniature versions of the traditional lawn tennis playing field.

Several different everyday objects were employed in constructing the sport. They used a line of books as the net. Rackets were lids from empty cigar boxes, and a little later, parchment paper stretched around a frame. The ball would be either that of string, or perhaps, more common-

ly, a champagne cork or rubber ball.

In 1901, an English table tennis enthusiast, James Gibb, visited the United States and discovered celluloid balls, finding them ideal for the game. In 1903, E.C. Goode fixed a sheet of stippled or pimpled rubber sheet to the wooden blade and the modern racket was born.

In 1921, the Table Tennis Association was founded in England. The International Table Tennis Federation was formed in 1926 and the first official World Table Tennis Championship was held in London in 1927. Table tennis was introduced as an Olympic sport at the 1988 Olympics.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Growing Up

Sunday, August 5, 2012

DID YOU KNOW? The crocodile’s tongue is unmovable, as it is attached to the roof of its mouth

liday homework

The crocodile’s skin is very hard, so that it is not hurt when struck by stones. It is armed with cruel teeth and claws; it is the only animal that

tired or bored.

Keep the distractions to a minimum - As a general rule, children should not watch television while doing their homework as

43

this is usually a big distraction. The television should be turned off any time it is time to do homework, but of course, this depends where the television is located.

can move the upper part of its jaw while keeping the lower part still. Importantly, its tongue is unmovable, as it is attached to the roof of its mouth.

MAZE

POEM

Tennis

The Cat with a smile The Cat with a smile Will wait for a while, Cleaning its paws And sharpening its claws, Though for what I don’t know Perhaps it’s just show?

If there’s a mouse nearby Perhaps it should go ….

TONGUE TWISTERS

How much wood would a woodchuck chuck If a woodchuck could chuck wood?

He would chuck, he would, as much as he could, And chuck as much as a woodchuck would If a woodchuck could chuck wood.

Please help the fish get to the bottom of the sea.

POP

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Sunday, August 5, 2012

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Wellness YOUR HEALTH AND HEALTH RELATED ISSUES AUGUST 5, 2012

Benefits of exclusive breastfeeding VANESSA OKWARA

J

oy is a young woman in her late twenties and a nursing mother. She gave birth to a bouncing baby boy three months back and has enjoyed breastfeeding her baby exclusively with breast milk all through her maternity leave. Now it is time to go back to work and she is very worried about how she and her baby will adjust to her coming home late since she works with one of the banks on the Lagos Island. She is now considering the option of introducing formula food to the baby at three months as against the six months exclusive breastfeeding she was advised to do during her ante natal classes.

Joy is not alone in her misgivings about not giving her baby breast milk exclusively for six months as recommended by medical experts; this is the dilemma a lot of working, nursing mothers face in our society today. Although exclusive breastfeeding has been introduced to women during their antenatal and post natal care, yet, the actual practice of this method of caring for the baby is yet to be fully implemented.

August 1 to 7 of every year has been set aside by the World Health Organisation (WHO) to mark the World Breastfeeding Week and this year’s theme. ‘Understanding the Past - Planning the Future’ focuses on “Celebrating 10 Years of WHO-UNICEF’s Global Strategy for Infant and Young Child Feeding.

WHO and UNICEF launched the Baby-Friendly Hos-

Health benefits to babies who are breastfed Children receive the most complete and optimal mix of nutrients and antibodies Reduced risk of chronic constipation, colic, and other stomach upsets Reduced risk of childhood diabetes Protection against ear infections, respiratory illnesses, pneumonia, bronchitis, kidney infections, septicemia (blood poisoning), Protection against allergies, asthma, eczema, and severity of allergic disease Reduced risk of heart disease later in life Breastfeeding plays an important role in the emotional and spiritual development of babies Breastfed babies enjoy a special warm bonding and emotional relationship with their mothers Antibody response to vaccines are higher

Health benefits to moms who breastfeed Reduced risk of breast, ovarian, cervical, and endometrial cancers for the mother Protection against osteoporosis and hip fracture later in life Reduced risk of mortality for women with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has been associated with total time of lactation

mortality. Antenatal care was strongly associated with an increased rate of EBF. Appropriate infant feeding practices are needed if Nigeria is to reach the child survival Millennium. “Development Goal of reducing infant mortality from about 100 deaths per 1,000 live births to a target of 35 deaths per 1,000 live births by the year 2015.”

These researchers from their findings discovered that some of the reasons why women in Nigeria do not exclusively breastfeed their babies were due to traditional beliefs, practices and rites. They considered exclusive breastfeeding dangerous to the health of the infant who is thought to require water to quench thirst or stop hiccoughs. But this couldn’t be further from the truth as various medical studies have indicated that the breast milk contains all the nutrients that a child needs to sustain life, including water.

What exactly is in breast milk that makes it so essential for a new born baby? Dr Bukky Oluwatosin, a gynaecologist with Gracefield Medical Hospital, Ijanikin in Lagos, stressed the importance of the breast milk and why exclusive breastfeeding is beneficial to both mother and child.

“Exclusive breastfeeding means that an infant receives only breast milk with no additional foods or liquids, not even water. The first few days after birth, the first milk a woman’s breast will produce is called the colostrum. It cleans the stomach of the baby, protecting it from bacteria. Colostrum is thick, yellowish, and scant but there’s plenty to meet your baby’s nutritional needs. Colostrum CONTINUED ON PAGE 48

Helps the mother’s body return to its pre-pregnancy state faster. It promotes weight loss. 1/2 of calories needed to manufacture milk are pulled from fat stored in the body Helps the uterus contract after birth to control postpartum bleeding.

A woman exclusively breastfeeding her baby

pital Initiative (BFHI) in 1992, to strengthen maternity practices to support breastfeeding. The BFHI has been implemented in about 16.000 hospitals in 171 countries and it has contributed to improving the establishment of exclusive breastfeeding world-wide.

In Nigeria, various efforts have been geared towards promoting Exclusive Breastfeeding (EBF) by the Federal Ministries of Health and other non-governmental organisations. But how far has these efforts helped Nigerian mothers to see the importance of EBF? A research conducted by Kingsley Agho and others on the ‘Determinants of Exclusive Breastfeeding in Nigeria’ drawn from a data collected for the Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) in 2003, showed that “The EBF rate in Nigeria is low and falls well short of the expected levels needed to achieve a substantial reducation in child

Diabetics risk eye complications –Ophthalmologist An Abuja-based Consultant Ophthalmologist, Dr Stephen Ume, has advised diabetics to seek prompt medical advice to avoid eye complications that may result from their condition.

Ume, speaking to newsmen recently said that

“while the average person is required to get their eyes checked at least once a year, people with the disorder may be required to have more checkups”.

He said if the eye doctor noticed any problems, he should follow up closely by

asking the patient to come back sometimes as often as once a month.

Ume explained that this was because of the link between diabetes and the eyes, which sometimes prompted people to get a diagnosis for the disorder.

A health worker teaching a woman how to breastfeed her baby

HEALTH NEWS Commissioner advises doctors to counsel patients Ogun Commissioner for Health, Dr Olaokun Soyinka, said the refusal of doctors to educate and counsel patients was creating gaps in the health sector.

Soyinka spoke in Abeokuta at the Annual General Meeting and Scientific Conference of the Nige-

ria Medical Association (NMA), Ogun chapter.

The commissioner said it was worrisome that doctors focused more on curative rather than preventive medicine He noted that patients who attended hospitals to treat malaria should be counselled on the need to

use Long Lasting Insecticide Treated Nets (LLITN) as a means of prevention.

“I would say that currently doctors do not do enough to educate patients about their conditions and how to avoid the problems that brought them to the hospital,” he lamented.

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Special Report

Sunday, August 5, 2012

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

WINNING BATTLE AGAINST MALARIA

Fight against malaria has been a continuous –Inabowa For several years now, Nigeria-German Chemical (NGC) Plc has been in the forefront in the fight against diseases in Nigeria. With its quality drugs, NGC has become a household name with pain relief medicines like Daga. In this interview with Correspondent Onukwube Ofoelue, the Executive Director, Pharmaceuticals of the firm, Benson Inabowa, speaks on the unending war against malaria, the new measures to manage it, and simple ways of preventing it, especially in the tropics: From all indications, the fight against malaria looks like a losing battle for mankind. What do you think is the reason why the parasite has remained a scourge?

Don’t forget that the African continent is a tropic, where malaria is an epidemic, so the fight against malaria is going to be a continuous one. The government and some donor agencies have actually sustained the fight against malaria. One of the most popular ones is the Roll Back Malaria Programme, a multi-lateral approach to the fight in African continent. There is government involvement, and also there is the various donor-agencies’ involvement. One of the goals is to reduce the cost of treatment of malaria by making available very good and efficacious anti-malarial drugs that are affordable to the mass of our people. Because of this initiative, many people, especially in the rural areas are able to buy effective anti-malaria drugs.

The other way is to educate our people how to live in hygienic conditions, whereby the malaria parasite does not have any room to attack, meaning living in clean environments.

What are the causes of malaria?

Malaria is simply caused by mosquitoes. You get malaria when you are bitten by mosquito, and as you know, the mosquito will inject the parasite into the bloodstream. Once that is done, you have malaria. But the mosquito episode will continue for a long time because there is a lot of mosquitoes in the environment. Once there is mosquito, there is bound to be malaria.

What, in your own perspective, is the most effective way to avoid mosquito bites and prevent malaria?

Prevention is different from treatment. One way is to control or eliminate the presence of mosquitoes in our environment. One of the biological ways to control malaria is to ensure the usage of mosquito nets in the villages, in schools and at home. Beyond the usage of nets, we also need to live in hygienic environments. We should avoid dirty environments, with dirty sewages, stagnant pool waters. If there is no breeding ground for the mosquitoes, they cannot breed. Another way is to use the spray, there are lots of them.

Since the advent of quinine, there has been several medicines invented to battle malaria. What are the unique qualities of NGC drugs in tackling malaria?

In those days, mono-therapy was used, like quinine

Benson Inabowa

and others. But the malaria parasite has developed resistance to the drugs available. Currently, a combination therapy is being recommended by WHO and other health organisations. One of the problems of the monotherapy is after some days of taking them, there is a relapse. But for the newer drugs, the combination therapy, our own brand is called Artemisinin, it’s very good. We also have other ones like the Amodiacian Artenusenate combination. We also have our own brand called Combinesunate which is also very good. We also have Arco, which is Artenusenate natoquin combination. They are very good anti-malaria drugs that are very efficacious in the treatment of malaria, and do not allow the incidence of relapse. It’s effective against all types of malaria, especially the chloroquine resistant malaria. When you have malaria, one tends to have aches, pains and headache. We also have other products like Daga. It’s a very effective paracetamol and immediately you take it, it relieves you of headache. These drugs have been made available and cheap by the different agencies that are involved in the Roll Back Malaria Programme.

Does it mean you are providing free drugs and treatment for people?

Not exactly. Some of the donor agencies through AMFM (Affordable Medicine for Malaria) Programme have actually subsidised these products through the companies, through the buyers.

This is to make it easy for its distribution to users of the drugs. Some of these medicines that used to be expensive are very affordable now to the members of the public due to these programmes.

Daga has been a long standing name as an effective paracetamol. What have you done to make it such a popular drug?

Daga has been like that. Why this is so is because the company has been involved in good manufacturing

practice. We also conform to very high quality standards. Based on the formulation, Daga paracetamol is supposed to relieve headache and pains very fast. That is why people love it. In times of headache, you need an analgesic like Daga to clear it under 20 minutes.

What are you doing about the menace of fake drugs, which we believe must also have affected your products?

I must say that NAFDAC is trying in this regard. We partner with them to ensure that any such faked product is reported timely. NAFDAC brings these perpetrators to book. At the same time, we are also very vigilant.

We have our staff all over the country. They are the ones that give us information about such drugs they intercept, the outlets and other information. From there, we take it promptly to NAFDAC and also the police. They arrest the culprits, close the shops and charge them to court. For the several successes we have recorded in the past, I think the fakers are really on the guard. But they are also very stubborn and keep coming back. That is why we are not relenting in our fight against them.

On our own, we are developing some features for our drugs that will make it difficult for these people to fake our products. We also change our packaging from time to time to ensure it’s very difficult for them.

Why do some drugs for malaria itch certain people?

Itching is peculiar to chloroquine, but with the newer anti-malaria drugs that we have just discussed, its incidence is very rare. But still, people with different body make could have allergic reaction, though this is quite rare. But all drugs have their side effects and when it occurs, it is better for the patient to report to the doctor. But the modern anti-malarial drugs are quite safe, and the incidence of itching is quite minimal. The side effects are normal and minimal, and goes away within two and three days after treatment.

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Sunday, August 5, 2012

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48

Wellness

Sunday, August 5, 2012

Your

Know your organs

F

Fallopian Tubes

allopian tubes or oviducts are the two long, thin tubes that connect to a woman’s uterus (one on each side). They stretch from the uterus to the ovaries and measure about eight to 10 cm (four to six inches) in length. The fallopian tubes are a necessary part of the female reproductive system. They are the superhighways that allow an egg to travel to the uterus, and the point where egg and sperm can join to become a fetus.

Its major function The sole function of the fallopian tubes is to serve as a pathway for an egg, released from an ovary, to travel to the uterus. During a woman’s fertile years, the fallopian tubes are essential to the reproductive process.

Once per month, the ovary ruptures, releasing an egg into one of the fallopian tubes.

The tiny cilia guide the egg along the tube and into the uterus, where, if fertilized, the egg will implant for pregnancy.

In a woman’s body the tube allows passage of the egg from the ovary to the uterus.

Its different segments are (lateral to medial): the infundibulum with its associated fimbriae near the ovary, the ampullary region that represents the major portion of the lateral tube, the isthmus which is the narrower part of the tube that links to the uterus, and the interstitial (also intramural) part that transverses the uterine musculature. The tubal ostium is the point where the tubal canal meets the peritoneal cavity, while the uterine opening of the Fallopian tube is the entrance into the uterine cavity, the uterotubal junction.

Long fringes The other ends of the tubes flare open with several long fringes, called fimbrae, on the end. After ovulation, these fimbrae beat back and forth to help guide the egg into the fallopian tube. Once inside the tube, tiny hairs called cilia push the egg along and to-

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ward the uterus.

Fertilization typically occurs in the fallopian tube if the egg encounters a sperm. If an egg doesn’t become fertilized within 24 to 36 hours after ovulation, it will deteriorate and be removed by the body’s immune system like any other dead cell in the body.

Fertilized ovum When an ovum is developing in an ovary, it is encapsulated in a sac known as an ovarian follicle. On maturity of the ovum, the follicle and the ovary’s wall rupture, allowing the ovum to escape. The egg is caught by the fimbriated end and travels to the ampulla where typically the sperm are met and fertilization occurs; the fertilized ovum, now a zygote, travels towards the uterus aided by activity of tubal cilia and activity of the tubal muscle. After about five days the new embryo enters the uterine cavity and implants about a day later.

Infection and tube blockage These tubal cilia are essential to the movement of the egg through the tube into the uterus. If the tubal cilia are damaged by infection, the egg may not get ‘pushed along’ normally but may stay in the tube. Infection can also cause partial or complete blockage of the tube with scar tissue, physically preventing the egg from getting to the uterus.

Women wishing to prevent pregnancy often undergo a procedure called tubal ligation, to prevent eggs from meeting with sperm.

Any process such as infection, endometriosis, tumours, or scar tissue in the pelvis that cause twisting or chinking of the tube damages the Fallopian tube or narrows its diameter increasing the chance of an ectopic pregnancy: a pregnancy developing in the Fallopian tube or another abnormal location outside the uterus.

BONE Health

with Dr. Olatunji Idowu

Ankle injuries (Fractures and sprains) [6] Treatment of sprains The treatment for sprains depends on the severity; mild, moderate, or severe of the injury. Surgery is not usually a treatment option unless the damage is extensive and involves more than the ligaments or unless other treatment options fail.

Mild sprains -- called grade 1 -- are treated with the RICE approach for several days until the pain and swelling improve. With a mild sprain, you won’t need a splint or a cast. Your doctor will tell you to put weight on the ankle fairly soon -- within one to three days -- as long as you can tolerate it and will prescribe range of motion, stretching, and strengthening exercises.

If your sprain is classified as moderate, or grade 2, the doctor will use the RICE approach but allow more time for healing to occur. The doctor may also use a device such as a boot or a splint to immobilize the ankle.

You will be given exercises to do first to improve range of motion and then to stretch and strengthen the ankle.

The doctor may also prescribe physi-

cal therapy to help you regain full use of your ankle.

Grade 3 or a severe sprain involves a complete tear or rupture of a ligament.

It takes considerably longer to heal.

It’s treated with immobilization of the joint followed by a longer period of physical therapy for range of motion, stretching, and strength building. Occasionally, especially if the sprain does not heal in a reasonable time, surgery will be considered for reconstructing the torn ligaments.

On average, the initial stage of healing a sprain, which involves resting and protecting the ankle until swelling goes down, takes about one week. That’s followed by a period of exercise to restore range of motion, strength, and flexibility that lasts for one to two weeks. Then it takes several more weeks to several months to gradually return to your normal activities while you continue to exercise.

Treatment of tendon Injuries Options for treating tendon injuries are similar to options for treating sprains. They include: • immobilization using a cast or splint • oral or injected anti-inflammatory drugs to reduce pain • physical therapy for range of motion, strength, and balance • a brace to provide support during activities • surgery to repair the tendon or tendons and sometimes to repair the supporting structures of the foot

If you have any problem or question about your musculoskeletal system (bones, joints and muscles) do send me a mail at tunjiidowu@live.com for advice. Meanwhile, your comments and feedback on the issues discussed are highly welcomed.

‘For mothers, breastfeeding reduces risk of breast, cervical cancers’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 45 helps a newborn’s digestive tract develop and prepare itself to digest breast milk. After this first milk comes the rich breast milk, which contains extra fat and energy, so the baby will feel full and grow strong. In today’s society, breastfeeding is often thought of as unnecessary.

Young mothers are mistakenly led to believe that formula does very well as a replacement for breast milk. This is definitely not true. Nothing can duplicate the properties of breast milk, no matter how many vitamins, minerals and supplements are added; it is still a chemical formulation and not natural like the breast milk,” she explained.

According to Dr Oluwatosin, breast milk remains the one and only natural, complete and complex nutrition for babies. It is nature’s formula for ensuring the health and quality of life for infants, as well as through childhood to adult life. Just as importantly, breastfeeding promotes a very special bond between mother and child that only breastfeeding can provide as various psychologists have revealed.

WHO recommends that infants start breastfeeding within one hour of life, and are exclusively breastfed for six months, with timely introduction of adequate, safe and properly fed complementary foods while continuing breastfeeding for up to two years of age and beyond.

The gynaecologist stated that exclusive breastfeeding is the most cost effective way of ensuring your child’s survival, yet many women do not breastfeed exclusively for six months. She explained that a number of socio-cultural factors caused the decline. “Breastfeeding is free, it is cheap, we don’t need to be rich to produce breast milk to feed our child, it’s already been produced by nature. It is not that women don’t breastfeed their babies, but how many do exclusive breastfeeding? They give water because they believe water is life, but breast milk also contains water. Yet we still see a lot of women, especially those living in the urban, do what we call mixed feeding. They breastfeed as well as feed their child with formula and the rural women copy them thinking it’s fashionable to bottle-feed.

That is why the World Breastfeeding Week was originally initiated to continue this crusade of imploring mothers to exclusively breastfeed their child for the first six months

of life so as to fortify that child with enough antibodies to fight diseases as they grow,” she stressed.

On the issue of working nursing mothers and exclusive breastfeeding, the medical expert advised that, “That you are doing a nine-five job is not an excuse not to exclusively breastfeed your baby. This thing is all about your commitment to the health of your baby. I admit that juggling breastfeeding and work is not easy, but once you make a commitment to continuing to breastfeed, you’ll find a way to do it. If you believe that breastfeeding is important for your baby and for yourself, doing what it takes to continue this beautiful relationship will not seem as difficult. And you’ll enjoy all the practical benefits of nursing your baby fulltime when you are together after work and on weekends.

Working mothers can continue exclusive breastfeeding by expressing breast milk at work and home. Expressed milk should be left covered in a clean container in a cool place, to be fed to the baby from a cup while the mother is away.

Expressed breast milk lasts five to eight hours out of the fridge, and three to five days in a fridge. When the mother returns home, she should breastfeed her baby as often as possible,” the medical expert counselled.

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Business FRESH BUSINESS NEWS AT YOUR FINGERTIPS August 5, 2012

Cassava bread not harmful to health –FIIRO DG The Director-General of the Federal Institute of Industrial Research, Dr. Gloria Elemo, in this interview with Johnson Okanlawon, allays the fears in some quarters that cassava bread is harmful to human health, and speaks on other economic advantages of cassava production in the country.

Excerpts: There has been emphasis by the Federal Government on 20 per cent cassava flour inclusion in bread. Do you support the initiative?

Cassava, being of many crop varieties, has a relative advantage in Nigeria and several opportunities for us to maximize to the fullness, not only in food security but also in industrial utilization.

We have the capability. As for us in the Federal Institute of Industrial Research (FIIR), we have worked on several areas of cassava review in developing various products as well as improving and upgrading our indigenes technology to various suitable cassava foods such as garri and so many other things. We have high quality cassava flour, which has been developed for industrial utilization.

In Nigeria, we import all the flour we use in the baking industry and bread has come to be staple food and so we cannot play with issues of bread and it is a product, which we can maximize and exploit for job creation in the country. That is why the inclusion of cassava in bread making is an opportunity for Nigeria.

From our research, Nigeria imports wheat worth N855 billion annually and the technical inclusion of cassava flour will be saving us about N53.3 billion. The beauty of it is that we have quality cassava flour for the production of cassava bread; it has the capably to generate about three million jobs from the survey that was carried out by the Institute.

And this is actually based on an estimate of 75,000 small and medium enterprises that will be set up in the production of cassava bread flour.

Apart from UTC that is using cassava flour for bread, what other companies use the product?

Before the policy, we at the Federal Institution of Industrial Research since 2004 had started using cassava flour in the production of FIRRO bread. The bread contains 10 per cent cassava flour, and when the need to step up came and we increased the percentage to 20, the texture was not different from the 10 per cent bread. And we have been producing the bread daily since 2004.

Flour millers have actually put in

some level of cassava flour, only that we are not certain of the volume of the cassava in the flour. Study has shown that the many flour millers use some level of it in the market. We desire that the policy should be enforced by the government so that the percentage of the inclusion will be known. Hence, when you are buying flour in the market, you know that you are buying so much percentage of cassava flour. I believe that in order for the policy to be sustainable, we must get the Nigerian milling industry on board, they must start the inclusion right at the milling than leaving it in the hand of individuals.

There is the issue of the cassava bread flour being claimed to be harmful to health. Is there any truth in this?

The claim that there are chances that the cassava bread will bring about the occurrence of diabetes in the society is a call for concern because scientifically, that is not true. Immediately we heard the rumour, we embarked on a research of measuring the gravity in-depth, which is an indicator of how much individuals with diabetes and non-diabetics can handle the blood sugar levels due to the level of carbohydrates. For instance, if the gravity in-depth proves between 0 and 55, it is low and it’s usually recommended for diabetic patient and if it’s between 55 and 59, it’s also recommended as medium range. But if it is about 70, it is high and is usually not recommended. Cassava flour has about 52 to 53, so it’s encouraging for utilization in bread making. So, there is no cause for alarm in terms of its effect on health. In fact, it is recommended for good health, and if you cast your mind back, we have always been eating cassava for a long time, and it has not had any deteriorating effect on our bodies.

Do you eat cassava bread?

That is what I have been eating since 2005 that I came to this institution. I take it for breakfast everyday and my family too eats it. On a lighter note, nobody wants to eat any other bread in my family except the cassava bread and you cannot actually detect any different in the bread without cassava and the one with cassava.

Dr. Gloria Elemo

potential that is therein.

Is it the same bread that was offered to the House of Representative Committee on Science and Technology when they visited the Institute?

It’s the same bread. In fact, we use cassava flour for meat pies, sauce rolls and cake contains 20 per cent cassava and that is what we used to serve them.

What is the source of the cassava flour for your bread production? Do you have a cassava farm?

In the Institute, we produce our own cassava flour every day, we have a unit dedicated to the production of high quality cassava flour, and we actually source our cassava from neighbouring villages, going as far as Ogun State.

Do you think there is enough flour in the country to serve this purpose?

Yes, the production of high quality cassava bread is the best way to drive production; it is the market that drives the production. If you are a farmer and you don’t have the market for your products, you will be discouraged from further production. So we are expecting that the policy is going to be geared towards the production of more cassava.

Cassava is quite easy to manage and organizations like the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) have done a lot of work in improving cassava species. I will also go into the production of cassava and you will be amazed at the

Agriculture is contributing 40 per cent to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and yet the number of agro-allied industries that are doing well is very minimal. What is responsible for this?

It is not only the agro allied industry that has been so affected. Industrialization has also gone down in Nigeria simply because of the oil we have paid so much exclusive attention to. We have relaxed in the area of production of materials for the manufacturing industry.

If you go to any market, you will find all types of imported foods, we import actually everything.

According to the Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina, it is like flour millers appear to have shown a kind of resistance to carrying along the cassava policy. What is your take on this?

It is a collective effort and national project that all stakeholders in the cassava industry must be involved in. We must put Nigeria first in all our decisions. I think the flour millers just want a soft landing; they are interested in cassava flour and they have no choice if it’s the government’s policy. The policy will be implemented properly, and there will be good monitoring. If it’s what we want in Nigeria, definitely Nigeria has to do it; I believe the gradual inclusion of cassava flour into their production line will convince them.

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Business

Sunday August 5, 2012

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The virtues of patience and temperance Inspirati with Lanre

Oyetade

NMMA Capital Market Award Winner 2004, 2005 E-mail: lanreoyetade@gmail.com, 08039428648

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he story is told of a man whose precious painting was inadvertently destroyed by his son. In extreme anger, the man grabbed his knife and chopped three of his son’s right fingers.

The son went through extreme pain but was lucky enough to be saved in time from death from over-bleeding by a nearby physician.

After returning from the physician’s place, the poor child looked at his now twofingered right hand, looked up to his now remorseful father and asked in his little innocent voice, “father, when will my fingers grow back?”

The pain that went through the man’s heart was too much for him to bear. Tears welled from his eyes as he quietly left his dingy room, moved to the nearest secluded tree and hanged himself. And such was the end of a man that let anger, impatience and intemperance rob him of his joy and very life.

Just a little patience

Patience has been defined as the capacity to accept or tolerate delay, problems, or suffering without becoming annoyed or anxious, and is a middle English word derived from the old French and Latin patienta, meaning suffering, itself derived from the verb pati.

In the words of my mentor-on-paper, Dr.

M Money Consult C Your money questions Y ti answered E-mail: lanreoyetade@gmail.com, 08039428648

How do I raise money?

Dear Lanre, I am 21 years old. Please what can I do? No money, helper or job and I wish to go to school.

How can I raise money for myself? I have five credits. Thanks. Oladokun Dayo, 08055219973.

Dear Dayo, I cannot say exactly how each individual will raise funds to get out of his predicament because opportunities available differ from person to person but I do know that the twin-approach of diligence (hard work) and frugality (prudence) has never failed anyone.

Think about this and apply it as much as you can. Best wishes.

Shares without current account?

Dear Lanre, Well done. I am a student. I have N10,000 in my savings account (from several monthly drops). I desire so much to invest in stocks. Can I do that without a current account?

Sam, Osogbo, 08032559563.

Dear Sam, For the purpose of stock acquisition, bank accounts are needed, among other reasons, for paying in dividend warrants, which are issued by the concerned companies and which are like cheques. Really, banks are supposed to allow customers pay in their dividend warrants into all accounts, whether current or savings, but there are reports of some banks disallowing customers from

Sidney Newton Bremer, in the work, Success Achievement, either patience must be a quality graciously inherent in the heart of man, or it must be acquired as the lesson of years of experience, if he would enjoy the greatest good of life.

“Without it, prosperity will be consciously disturbed, and adversity would be doubly clouded; the loud complaint, the complaining temper and fretful spirit disgrace every character,” posits my longrespected mentor.

Several benefits

He continues: “Afflictions supported by patience and surmounted by fortitude give the last finishing stroke to the heroic and virtuous character. Patience comforts the poor and moderates the rich; she makes us humble in prosperity, cheerful in adversity, unmoved by calumny, and above reproach; she teaches us to forgive those who have injured us, and to be the first in asking the forgiveness of those whom we have injured; she delights the faithful, and invites the unbelieving; she adorns the woman, approves the man; she is beautiful in either sex and every age.”

Patience is a virtue that a whole lot of us could do with more of in our sojourn on earth.

It is quite unnerving to see just how much our youth are in a hurry to make wealth, and at all cost too! They seem to have forgotten that nothing worthwhile was ever done in a hurry. It took even the Almighty God six days to put things in the kind of order He wished in the process of creation, and remember that, according to the Good Book, with God, a thousand years are like a day, so who knows if it actually took God thousands of years to put things in the kind of order in which we all paying in the dividend warrants into savings accounts. I will advise that you find out what obtains with your bank and if investors are not allowed to pay in warrants into savings accounts, it is advisable to open a current account if one really wants to start buying shares to avoid the aforementioned problem.

Turning talents into fortunes

Dear Lanre, I am a regular reader of your column in the Sunday Mirror. You are doing a wonderful job; keep it up. Please I want you to advise me on how to turn my God-given talents to a fortune. Firstly, I always have a passion for people around me to succeed. Secondly, I do offer appropriate advice to people when consulted and it always turns out in victory for them. I’m also good in leading people up to a task especially where mobilization is necessary. I always think of making Nigeria great and I put some things down on paper but they can’t be executed for financial reasons. Above all, I am quite intelligent in investigating conflicting issues. I read International Relations at the diploma level. Now, I’m studying History And Dilomatic Studies. Your response will be greatly appreciated. Regards.

Ademola Adeyemi, Ogun State.

Dear Demola, It is good you have taken a very vital initial step towards success and that is self-discovery by recognising what your gifts and talents are. However, you must not be in a hurry to turn these talents into money immediately. A good route to take to turning them to success and wealth is the route of selfless service i.e. to continue rendering service and using these gifts to add value to other people’s lives by solving their problems and motivating them.

I tell you, though it may take some time, you will definitely be discovered by those that

currently enjoy them?

The cankerworm of impatience

It is impatience that causes our youth to turn to examination malpractice, fraud, prostitution and even crime when faced with any substantial level of hardship. It is impatience that makes a married woman separate from her husband without just cause or worse still, undertake adulterous acts to ‘complement’ the ‘inadequate’ allowances she receives from her husband.

Yes, it was impatience that caused a landowner to abandon his search for gold on his piece of land and sell the land for a paltry sum only for the buyer to strike gold with a few more meters of digging!

Nothing gives without patience

I said earlier that we could all do with a little more of the virtue of patience since I sincerely believe I could also do with a little more dosage of it. Without patience, and her twin sister, temperance, nothing gives. With patience, everything gives.

My people, the Yorubas, have a proverb that says, “With patience, you will cook even the hardest of rocks!”

At each of the seminars I have been privileged to facilitate, I have mentioned the virtues of patience, persistence and perseverance as sine qua non to successful achievement, as I believe strongly that hard work, when not combined with these virtues, amongst other, is headed nowhere.

So it is advisable that we imbibe some more of this virtue, which has not been found wanting in any of the truly great leaders humanity has been fortunate to be blessed with, either in business, religion or politics.

• Till next week, please stay blessed, stay inspired and stay patient!

matter who require your services. After a while and with requisite maturity and experience, you may also wish to hold or partake in motivational seminars where people will appreciate and demand more of your skills.

Plant the tree of selfless, valuable service, and that same tree will bear you the fruit of money. Believe me.

What are Cornerstone, LASACO into?

Dear Lanre, Please what are Cornerstone, Crusader and LASACO Insurance into?

Arib BJ, prospective investor, 08053075422.

Dear Arib, Just like their names suggest, they are into the business if insuring lives and property or did you not get your question across properly? In that case, I would advise that you rephrase it and resend to me.

Marketers for poetry wanted

Dear Lanre, I read your column and it’s tight. I’m a poet/ lyricist. I write motivationals in poetry style and was wondering if you could help me with marketing them. Thanks sir.

Dominic Oshindero, 08056414223.

Dear Dominic, I’m afraid I’m currently not equipped to do this but I have published your letter in the belief that an interested party will come across it and get in touch with you.

Indebted to you, Lanre!

Dear Lanre, Indebted to you on your awareness-creation and money consultations. Please, my best regards.

Abdulrazak, Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State, 08052333733.

Wealth Nuggets ‘Top 10’ In the lexicon of youth, which fate reserves for a bright manhood, there is no such word as fail –Bulwer Little by Little the wedge goes into the wood –Welsh proverb Victory belongs to the most persevering –Napoleon Money is fruit of the perseverance tree –Japanese proverb Let us then be up and doing, with a heart for any fate; still achieving, still pursuing, learn to labour and to wait – Longfellow Kites rise highest against the wind – not with it –Winston Churchill Wherever souls are being tried and ripened, in whatever commonplace and homely way, there God is hewing out the pillars for His temple –Phillips Brooks Only in adversity do the virtues of man reach their height. In the absence of wind, a heap of cotton is as steady as a mountaintop –Hindu proverb Adversity is the source of strength –Japanese proverb Stumbling is not falling –Portuguese proverb

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Zonal News

Sunday August 5, 2012

NORTH CENTRAL

NORTH WEST

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Army uncovers bomb factory in Kaduna

he Nigerian Army in Kaduna yesterday announced the arrest of a suspected member of a terror group after raiding an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) factory in the city.

The Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 1 Division, Kaduna, Colonel Sani Usman, who made the announcement, said security agents discovered the factory along Abuja Road, Rigasa, Kaduna, on Friday after one of the devices exploded. ``I wish to confirm that

on receipt of information and distress call from some Good Samaritans at about 2.21 a.m. on Friday, August 3, our troops moved to Taro-taro by Abuja Road in Rigasa. ``We discovered an Improvised Explosive Device factory where suspected terrorists were in the process of coupling the IEDs and we detonated some. ``The factory was cordoned and searched and the following items were recovered: IEDs at various stages of development, cans of 33ccl, a sack containing

33ccl, empty cans and two IEDs packed in fire extinguisher tubes as well as timing devices,’’ he said.

Usman said the troops arrested one suspect, while others escaped, shot and wounded two residents in the area.

He said the factory had been demolished and advised property owners to be wary of their tenants.

The assistant director appealed to the public to volunteer information on suspicious movements of people to security agents.

Why I was summoned

by ICPC-Benue official HENRY IYORKASE MAKURDI

T

he Benus State coordinator for Millennium Development Goals (MGS), Mr. Timothy Aikyor, has clarified why he was summoned by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) According to him, his invitation was in relation to the termination of the contract of an errant contractor (names withheld) and not because he committed any fraud.

Speaking to journalists

in Makurdi, the Benue State capital at the weekend, Aikor said the contract was given out to one the man at about N1.5 million to sink a motoriSed bore hole at NKST Adikpo, in Kwande Local Government area of the state but that he could not carry out the project according to specification.

He observed that after termination of the contract, he was petitioned before the ICPC by the contractor and consequently, the commission called upon him to appear for questioning at its headquarters in Abuja,

“which I did honorably.”

He said once he cleared the air before the ICPC, he was allowed to go.

He further asserted that unidentified persons were after him, to smear his hardearned reputation by bringing frivolous claims to dent his image, observing that with God on his side, his opponents would not actualise “their diabolical intentions.”

He further acknowledged that some persons, for no just cause, were hell bent on sabotaging the efforts of the agency under his leadership.

Family slams FG over Al-Mustapha’s absence at mum’s burial AUGUSTINE MADU WEST KANO

H

undreds of Muslim faithful and friends of the family of detained Major Hamzat Al-Mustapha, former chief security officer to the late Head of State, General Sani Abacha were visibly angry yesterday over the absence of the detainee at the third day prayer for the repose of the soul of her departed mother, Hjiya Fatima who died in Kano on Wednesday.

Major Al-Mustapha lost both parents while in detention and could not witness the burial of any of them.

He has been in detention for over 12 years over allegations bordering on crime against humanity in the hey days of the Abacha regime.

His absence at the traditional third day prayer sparked off condemnation of the government by hundreds of sympathizers that thronged the family house for the religious ceremony, saying the government is insensitive to the plight of the family.

The Firdau prayers that attracted top politicians, religious cleric, artisans was

held at the home of the late Hajiya Fatima Al Mustapha located along Lamido Crescent, Nasarawa GRA Kano.

But for the intervention of some religious leaders who presided the ceremomony, it would have turned bloody as the yuths geared foe violent protest over Almustapher’s absence at the burial rite his late mother.

Hajiya Fatima, died at the aged of 70 last Wednesday at the Malam Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital Kano following the deteriorating state of health following the verdict of Lagos High court that sentenced her eldest son to death early in January.

The atmosphere at the family was charged as sympathizers most of them in tears could not understand while the authority failed to tamper justice with mercy to let go the once dreaded Major Hamza Al Mustapha pay his respect to the departed soul.

Major Hamza Al Mustapha, former Chief Security Officer CSO to late Nigerian maximum ruler General Sani Abacha was condemned to death by hanging by Lagos High court in January over his infamous role in the assas-

sination of Kudirat Abiola, wife of presumed winner of June 12 Presidential election in 1993.

The condolence register at the family House further captures the mood of several Nigerian over the plight of Major Al Mustapha as inscription like “ free Al Mustapha, he has paid enough sacrifice”, “the failure of Government to allow this illustrious son join other members of the family to mourn the death of his mum is an attestation that somebody somewhere want him dead”, Haba Jonathan, free this man now and win our heart”.

The Spokesman of the family, Hadi Al Mustapha rose to contain the situation as he pacify well-wishers to “seek refuge with the Lord” at a trial period like this, adding that “we must not forget that destiny is playing its full role now”.

Hadi Al Mustapha in tears reminded the crowd that the family had since file an appeal contesting the verdict m of Lagos High court, adding that “I am confident that my brother, my family, and all of you here shall overcome this nightmare in not too distant future”

15 years old boy died in Kano fire A 15 year old boy identified as Emmanuel Temitope died in a Kano fire incident at the weekend.

The primary six pupil of school died instantly from severe burns, before any help could reach him.

He hailed from Ondo

state according to sources close to the family who hinted that the fire which gutted a two storey building sourced from electrical problem.

The disaster occurred at the Yakasai quarters in the city it was gathered,

While the deceased was said to be in company of two others in the ill fated rented apartment at the time of the incident on Friday morning.

His remains had been buried in Kano, his other two friends escaped unhurt.

L-R: FRSC Corps Marshal Osita Chidoka; Air commander Gideon Truman, who is the representative of the Chief of Air Staff; Director, Public Affairs, Nigerian Communications Commission, Mr. Tony Ojobo, and MD, NICON Insurance, Mr. Emmanuel Jegede at the FRSC jogging for the month of August 2012, held yesterday in Abuja.

Monarchs resolve land dispute in Kogi T he Igalamela-Odolu Local Government Traditional Council in Kogi State has resolved the land dispute between OyoAkpanya and Ogboligbo communities.

Chief Abel Etuh, the Etemahi of Igalamela and Chairman of the Traditional Council, disclosed this at the end of the council’s meeting in Ajaka, at the weekend.

He said the land was ceded to Oyo community in line with evidence of both writ-

ten and oral traditions.

He said that the decision of the council was based on the recommendations of the peace panel set up to look into the matter.

Etuh said the council also considered the 1989 judgement of the High Court in Ankpa on the matter.

According to him, the late Attah Igala, Alhaji Aliyu Obaje also ruled on the matter and held that the Oyo-Akpanya was the traditional owner of the land.

He said these rulings

formed the basis of the decision of the traditional council.

On insinuations that the council was misguided, the Etuh said, ``We on the council take exception to such a remark.

“We have our reputation and integrity to protect.”

Reacting to the decision of the council, Chief Samuel Haruna, the Onu of Oforachi and Chief Noah Uyah, Onu Amaka, described it as ‘credible’ saying it would stand the test of time.

Catholic Diocese ordains 14 new priests F ourteen Deacons of the Catholic Diocese of Makurdi were yesterday ordained priests by the Bishop of Makurdi Diocese, The Most Revd Athanasius Usuh.

Performing the sacred rite at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Usuh charged them to emulate Jesus Christ by teaching the people sound Christian doctrines that promote peaceful co-existence.

He also charged them to conduct their priestly duties in line with the Catholic faith and prayed for the mercy of God upon them.

Usuh also admonished them hold their new vocation with reverence and shun worldly pleasures.

The bishop reminded them that were called to share with Jesus Christ in sustaining the work of God and explained that priest-

hood was a vocation for those who possessed the grace to serve.

Responding on behalf of his colleagues, Rev Father Paul Nyinya, thanked God for the opportunity they have to serve in His vineyard.

Speaking after the ceremony Mrs. Cecilia Nyinya, the mother Nyinya, thanked God for sustaining their children throughout their stay in the seminary.

52

Zonal News

SOUTH WEST

Sunday August 5, 2012

Ondo CPC guber candidate, running mate emerge

OJO OYEWAMIDE AKURE

T

he Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) in Ondo State, at the weekend, elected Prince Soji Ehinlanwo as its governorship candidate for the October 20 election in the State.

Ehinlanwo, who is a son of the former Senator representing Ondo Southern Senatorial District, Chief Hosea Ehinlanwo, defeated his opponent, Mr. Abiodun Iwatan, at the party’s primaries held at Solton Hotel, Akure.

The party also picked its State Women Leader, Mrs. Daramola Oluyemi, as Ehinlanwo’s running mate.

The event was witnessed

by the officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the police, the State Security Service (SSS) and the Nigerian Civil Defence.

Ehinlanwo, who promised to reduce the soaring unemployment rate in the state, commended the peaceful manner in which the primary was conducted.

He said: “I want to assure that if I am elected as the governor in the October 20 election, I will provide employment and eradicate poverty and corruption.

Ehinlanwo berated what he described as the Labour Party (LP) administration’s profligacy, saying that Governor Olusegun Mimiko and his cabinet members

have retarded the pace of development in the state.

Lamenting that the citizenry has not benefited anything from the present administration, Ehinlanwo said that the state is blessed with abundant human and material resources but is being managed by people without focus, urging the citizenry to vote out the ruling party.

Among CPC party chieftains at the event were state chairman, Barrister Lekan Obolo, his deputy, Pastor Ifedayo Samuel; state secretary, Prince Tony Obaoye; Vice Chairman, South Zone, Mr. Olujimi Lumowo, Vice-Chairman, Central, Dr. Wole Awoniyi, and their counterpart from the North Zone, Chief Olaiya Samuel.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

NORTH EAST

Insurgency: Five feared killed in Borno INUSA NDAHI MAIDUGURI

F

ive persons were reportedly killed early yesterday by the Boko Haram sect at Old Maiduguri and Gwange area Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.

Among those killed include a man and two of his sons at Old Maiduguri by, suspected members of the sect.

In the other killing, two persons were said to have been assassinated at the notable black spot (Gwange ward), which had witnessed several killings since the insurgents’ crisis began.

However, a security source, disclosed that the JTF have intensified efforts

to checkmate the sect and was going after the killers.

When contacted on phone, the JTF Spokesman, Lieutenant Colonel Sagir Musa was unreachable.

Meanwhile, residents of many parts of Maiduguri had a horrific experience and could barely sleep Friday night as sporadic gunshots rent the town.

It soon dawned on the locals that there was a confrontation between members of the Boko Haram sect and men of the Joint Task Force.

Though the actual number of casualty could not be ascertained, some residents said they saw bloodstains in their vicinities on waking

up yesterday’s morning.

Some of them, who spoke on condition of anonymity, revealed that they were awake throughout the night as gunshots were heard around them for about four hours.

The areas affected include Old Maiduguri, Gamboru ward, Customs area, Gwange and some parts of GRA, which many people have now relocated to, as they thought those areas were the only safer places within the metropolis.

A reliable security source revealed that some members of the Boko Haram sect were arrested during the shootout, but the source failed to disclose the

Amosun’s wife visits prisons, counsels inmates

W

ife of the governor of Ogun State, Mrs. Olufunso Amosun at the weekend in Ibara Prisons Command in Abeokuta, identified with inmates and counselled them to always look unto God, no matter the situation.

According to her, prisons are meant to ensure rehabilitation, reformation and reintegration of the inmates, saying “no matter the circumstance, we should not lose hope but look unto God.” She explained that similar visits were replicated by members of the Spouses of Ogun State Government Functionaries Association (SOSGFA) across the prisons and other less privileged

homes in the state to establish a relationship with the less privileged and know how they could be assisted.

“Our visit is not a carnival jamboree and it is not going to be a one-off thing, rather it is an opportunity for us to assess the situation on ground across the less privileged places in the state.”

She expressed concerns over the alarming number of inmates who are awaiting trial and promised to highlight this fact to the governor in order to bring succour to needy inmates.

“We have responsibilities to assist our inmates. It is alarming to know that out of 757 inmates at Ibara Prison Command, 537 inmates are

on awaiting trial list,” she said.

In his remarks, the Deputy Controller of Prisons, Ogun State, Mr. Noel Alewon expressed gratitude to the governor’s wife for her good gesture and urged her to continue extending kind gesture to the inmates to make prisons a better place.

SOSGFA members also visited Abeokuta Female Prison; New Prison in Oba; Ijebu-Ode Prison; Sagamu Prison; Farm Centre in AgoIwoye and Ilaro Prison.

Also, visited by members of SOSGFA were Stella Obasanjo’s Children Home, Ibara; Remand Home in Asero; and Lepers’ Colony in Iberekodo.

Lagos targets 1million metric tonnes of fish MURITALA AYINLA

T

he Lagos state government yesterday said that it has mapped out strategies to produce one million metric tonnes of fish to reduce billions of Naira the nation spends yearly on fish importation.

The state’s Commissioner for Agriculture and Cooperative, Prince Gbolahan Lawal, stated this during the opening ceremony of eight annual ‘Executive Weekend Training on Investment Op-

portunities in Fish Farming’, at the state farm service in Oko-Oba, Agege.

The commissioner who decried the 105 billion the nation expended on fish importation in spite of the water body that Nigeria is endowed with, said that Lagos was embarking on a full-fledged aqua culture to enable the state achieve the target.

Gbolahan said: “Lagos is endowed with vast network of lagoons and rivers which make 22% of its total land mass and an Atlantic

Ocean coastline of about 180 kilometre. This ecological endowment confers on an enormous potential for fish production and makes fisheries and allied activities and the dominant among rural populace.”

To ensure that fish importation become a thing of the past, he stressed that the state government would provide the needed supports to fish farmers, adding that more outboard engines would be distributed to the fishermen in all the rural areas.

Adamawa Commissioner for Agriculture, Mrs. Lucy Ishaku (right), presenting post-harvest and agroprocessing machines to a representative of Adamawa Farmers Service Providers, Mr. Etan Buki, in Yola, yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

JTF spokesman’s brother dies in auto crash INUSA NDAHI MAIDUGURI

T

he spokesman of Joint Task Force (JTF) in Borno State, Lt. Col Sagir Musa, has lost his younger brother, Alhaji Bishir Musa Batsari, in an auto crash on the Kano-Katsina

Road.

The deceased has already been buried in Katsina, according to Islamic rites, as condolence messages continue to pour in at the residence of Batsari.

In a press statement from Sagir yesterday in Maiduguri which was

made available to newsmen, Batsari was survived by three wives and 16 children.

He, therefore, prayed Allah to grant the soul of his late brother eternal rest and grant the family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

Adamawa Assembly probes abandoned project T he Adamawa State House of Assembly at weekend in Yola commenced public hearing on the abandoned rural electrification projects in the state.

Speaking at the commencement of the hearing, the Chairman of the House Committee on Rural Infrastructure and Community Development, Alhaji Salihu Kabilo, said the measure

was not to witch-hunt anyone but to ensure accountability.

Kabilo urged members of the public and stakeholders to make available necessary information on the contracts to help the committee do its work.

He said the house was committed to ensuring that contractors paid to execute government’s projects did

the job they were paid to do.

The state’s Commissioner for Community Development and Rural Infrastructure, Alhaji Aminu Iyawa, lauded the house for the hearing. that about 48 rural electrification projects were being investigated, with the contractors invited to testify on the money collected and level of work done.

53

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Procter and Gamble backs Team Nigeria P. 54

Sport

Taylor blames poor coaching for Olympic P. 54 crash

KEEPING YOU ABREAST OF SPORTING NEWS August 5, 2012

CAF Champions League

Goal draught worries Ogunbote

XXXTH OLYMPIC SUMMER GAMES

London 2012

EVEREST ONYEWUCHI REPORTING

SAYO OGUNDEJI

July 27 - August 12, 2012

A

South African “blade runner”, Oscar Pistorius, in action yesterday during the men’s 400m heat and will now compete in tonight’s men’s 400m semi-finals.

Pistorius makes Olympic history, as IOC suspends dope cheats

S

outh African “blade runner”, Oscar Pistorius, made history yesterday as the first double amputee to compete at the Olympics on an action-packed “Super Saturday” in London.

The day was when the world’s fastest man Usain Bolt opened the defence of his 100m title.

A capacity crowd of 80,000 in the main stadium roared as Pistorius, one of sport’s most inspiring and controversial stories, qualified for the 400 metres semi final and excitement built ahead of the first appearance of the fastest men on earth.

The main drama was in the athletics arena, where Jamaican Bolt aimed to secure a berth in today’s short dash final and repeat the heroics of Beijing where he

won three gold medals and lit up the world with his lightning bolt celebrations.

Also lining up for today’s final, the most prestigious event of the Games will be the three other fastest men in history, all intent on toppling Bolt.

They are fellow Jamaicans Yohan Blake and Asafa Powell, as well as Tyson Gay of the U.S. Pistorius raised his arm aloft to acknowledge his warm reception.

Born without a fibula in both legs, he had to fight for the right to line up against able-bodied competition, racing in his carbon fibre prosthetic blades.

“I was so nervous this morning,” an elated Pistorius told reporters after the race.

“Thanks to everyone for show-

Bolt wins heat, books semi-finals P. 55 ticket in 100m

ing their support; I didn’t know whether to cry,” he said.

Meanwhile, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) on Saturday announced that it had excluded Russian woman cyclist, Victoria Baranova, and also provisionally suspended Colombian athlete, Diego Echavarria, from the London Olympic Games.

Baranova had been entered for the women’s track and sprint events in cycling, while Echavarria was accredited to run in the men’s 400 metres race.

Baranova had provided a urine sample on July 24 in Ratomka, Belarus, which had tested positive for the prohibited substance, testosterone, of exogenous origin.

Consequently, the IOC Disciplinary Committee, specifically

composed for this case, made up of Thomas Bach as Chairman, Denis Oswald and Namibian Frank Fredericks, decided to exclude her from the Games.

It also asked the National Olympic Committee (NOC) of Russia and the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games (LOCOG) to ensure a full implementation of this decision.

In the case of Echavarria, who was scheduled to compete yesterday morning, the athlete had provided a urine sample on July 26 in London, which tested positive for testosterone, of exogenous origin.

The same IOC Disciplinary Commission decided that Echavarria be provisionally suspended from competing in the Games with immediate effect.

Denmark snatch dramatic gold in rowing P. 55

head of his side’s crunchy CAF Champions League tie against ASO Chlef of Algeria today at the Dipo Dina Stadium in Ijebu-Ode, Sunshine Stars coach, Gbenga Ogunbote, believes his team must overcome their goal draught, and has charged the players to deliver the goals in order to beat the visitors.

Sunshine Stars, who are the only Nigeria’s representative in the continental competition, have not scored a goal in the group stage after two rounds of matches.

The coach Ogunbote-led side, who are third in Group A after a home defeat to Esperance and an away goalless draw with Etoile du Sahel, must win to stand a chance of finishing second in the group.

Despite making their appearance in the Premier African club competition for the first time, Ogunbote was not impressed with their disastrous start in Group A two weeks after losing 2-0 at home against defending champions Esperance of Tunisia and believes his team stands a better chance of making it out of the group if Sunshine wins all the remaining home matches.

According to him, his team must convert the goal scoring chances that come their way against the Algerians.

“We had a poor start to the competition but we have learnt our lessons and the only way to show that is by doing our best to beat the Algerians,” an optimistic Ogunbote stated.

“We have not been scoring goals which obviously is a source of concern but we have the players who can deliver the goals, and we are hoping to convert as many scoring chances that come our way as possible,” Ogunbote said.

Shooting: Gray smashes Olympic record, wins gold P. 55

54

Sport

Sunday August 5, 2012

Knockout IFEANYI Eduzor

with 08055829770 ifeduz24@yahoo.com

Samuel Peter to fight August 11

F

Procter and Gamble backs Team Nigeria

of the best fighters in the heavyweight division, has only fought three times in the past two years while his opponent has lost four out of his last five bouts with all four defeats coming by knockout.

Meanwhile world renowned ANDREW EKEJIUBA boxing promoter, Don King has announced his reconciliation with Samuel Peter. rocter & Gamble a At an epoch-making worldwide Olympic ceremony in Florida, USA, Don King revealed that he partner, is sponsoring was a Nigerian at heart hence more than 150 athletes at would do anything possible the London 2012 Olympic to promote the good image of and Paralympic Games, the country. including Nigeria’s Blessing Okagbare. And Okagbare will be the company’s Olympics ambassador for Nigeria.

She will serve as an ambassador for the P&G brand and will be featured in advertising on P&G sites around the world during the Olympics. She will also be the face of the compaSamuel Peter (right) punches James Toney in the face during their fight. ny’s youth sports development program in Nigeria.

Okagbare was chosen as

ormer WBC heavyweight champion, Samuel Peter (34-5, 27 KO’s), will be returning to the ring on August 11 when he will face 35-year-old journey man, Harold Sconiers (18-24-2, 11KO’s), on the undercard of the Tavoris Clouds/ Jean Paschal fight at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Canada.

Peter has lost his last two fights against IBF/WBO heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko and Robert Helenius, and hasn’t fought since April last year.

The ‘Nigerian Nightmare’, at one time considered one

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

P

the P&G ambassador for Nigeria to join other sporting stars like herself in promoting the company’s partnership with the Olympics movement and she will also be the face of the company’s legacy program in partnership with the Nigeria Olympic Committee to develop youth sports.

“We are delighted to introduce P&G’s family of athletes to the world. The world-class Olympians we’re sponsoring embody the dedication, passion and commitment that inspires us as a company,” said Marc Pritchard, P&G’s Global Brand Building Officer.

Okagbare is competing in the 100m, 4X100m relay and long jump for Nigeria.

Okorodudu not surprised with Olympic flop Karate: National Black Belt College tourney gets date E T

x-Olympian, Jeremiah Okorodudu, says that the defeat of the two boxers that represented the country at the ongoing London 2012 Olympics did not come to him as a surprise because they were never prepared to win medals at the Games.

Nigerian’s Lukman Lawal was sent packing by his Jordanian opponent, Almatboul Jhab, in the heavyweight division while his compatriot Muiyeeden Akanji suffered a knockout in his fight leaving female boxer Edith Agu- Ogoke

as the only remaining boxer.

According to him, the entire process leading to the selection of the boxers and their preparation for the Olympics was faulty which contributed to their earlier defeat in London, even as he canvassed for the re-introduction of national championships as a way of repositioning the country’s boxing.

“I was not surprised that our boxers performed poorly at the Olympics because we never planned to win, “ Okorodudu said.

he Karate Federation of Nigeria (KFN) said on Friday that the sevenday workshop and championships scheduled for August 6-12 in Abuja, would update karate athletes on the rules of the game.

KFN’s Technical Director, Dave Jegede, who disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos, said that no fewer than 300 karatekas would feature in the

P&G London 2012 Olympics ambassador, Blessing Okagbare, celebrates after qualifying for semi-finals of the women’s 100m in London on Friday.

championships.

Jegede said the 18th National Black Belt College workshop and championship, organised in conjunction with the FCT Sports Department, would hold at the Old Parade Ground, Area 10, Garki, Abuja.

He said an international instructor from Japan, Shihan Iwata, would be putting participants through the latest rules of the sport on the first day

of the championships.

According to the technical director, the event will also help to teach karate athletes from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), its basic security training.

Jegede said some upcoming karatekas would also feature in the children’s Kata championships, to encourage them to develop more interest in the sport.

pre-Olympic rating.

The governor revealed that much is expected from them and other members of Team Nigeria who are still competing for honours.

He added that they must perform brilliantly to confirm Nigeria’s rating as one of the world’s leading sporting nations.

Governor Amosun who said he has watched the performances of some Team Nigeria athletes in different sports urged them to know that they had the backing of millions of Nigerians as they

and added that he is particularly thrilled by the positive reports emanating from Team Nigeria camp which promoted determination, discipline, patriotism and the dedication of the contingents to do the nation proud.

He assured them of the good wishes of the government and people of Ogun state adding that his government will continue to develop and invest in sports as sports has now become a veritable source of promoting peace and unity among Nigerians.

He also said that the event would be used to select new karatekas for the KFN, for the 2012 edition of the West Africa Karate Competition, scheduled for a yet-to-be-determined venue, later in the year.

Jegede said plans had been concluded by the Local Organising Committee (LOC) to make the event worthwhile, adding that prizes and trophies would be given to outstanding athletes.

Taylor blames poor coaching for Olympic crash Ogun craves support for Team Nigeria Botswana bids ormer President of the F Nigeria Amateur Boxing they will justify their high wear the country’s colours to host ANOCA A E Federation, Rotimi George NDREW

Taylor, has revealed that the country’s boxing team to the London 2012 Olympics performed poorly because they did not have quality coaches that could win medals for the country at the Games.

According to Taylor, the coaches that accompanied the three-member boxing team to London were not good enough to lead the team to the games.

The coaching crew was led by Ndika Nsofor, the Technical Adviser and Head Coach, Tony Konyegwachie and an Assistant Coach, Sunday Nwamuda.

Taylor told our correspondent that the pugilists

A

KEJIUBA

s the athletics competition of the London 2012 Olympic Games hots up, the Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, has called on Nigerians to pray for Team Nigeria and Taylor charged the athletes to show would have done better if their class by doing well in they were handled by Joe Mensah whom he described their different events.

Amosun in a statement as the best boxing coach in the country. signed on his behalf by the “I want to tell you that the Press Officer of the State pugilists are good individuMinistry of Youth and ally, but they were handled Sports, Mr. Rotimi Oduniyi, by wrong coaches,” he said it is by doing this that affirmed.

Games

B

otswana has filed a bid to be granted the rights to host the second ANOCA Africa Youth Games in 2014.

The President of Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA), Gen. Lassana Palenfo, made the fact known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in London on Friday. According to him ANOCA considers the youth Games very important for Africa.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sport

Sunday August 5, 2012

Bolt wins heat, books semi-finals ticket in 100m

D

XXXTH OLYMPIC SUMMER GAMES

London 2012

EVEREST ONYEWUCHI REPORTING

July 27 - August 12, 2012

Tit bits

Drunk Aussie rower

A

ustralian rower, Josh Booth, will pay reparation of about £1,400 (about N365, 000) for damage he caused to two shop windows after a night out drinking, following the final of the men’s eight event. The 21-yearold Booth was detained by British police after the incident early on Thursday and reported to the police again on Friday. Team Australia Deputy Chef de Mission, Chris Fydler, said Booth, whose crew finished sixth in the final, would also formally apologise to the shop owners.

efending champon Usain Bolt strolled into the semi-finals of the 100m yesterday as Olympic history was made on a lightning-fast track at the Olympic Stadium.

Bolt stumbled out of the blocks in heat four but was soon into his running and looking around at his competitors - the Jamaican doing just enough to win in 10.09secs.

But that time looked positively pedestrian after first Justin Gatlin and then fellow American Ryan Bailey broke 10 seconds for the

first time in the heats of the Olympic Games.

Gatlin clocked 9.97 in heat two, only for Bailey to then equal his personal best of 9.88 in the next heat to raise hopes that Bolt’s world record of 9.58s could be under threat in today’s semifinals and final.

Bolt’s oft-stated hopes of becoming a ‘legend’ of the sport by defending his 100m and 200m titles had looked in doubt after he lost twice to compatriot Yohan Blake at the Jamaican Trials and need-

ed treatment on a stiff back which was causing hamstring problems.

The 25-year-old insisted last week he was fit and ready to compete against the likes of training partner and world 100m champion Blake, who eased to victory in 10.00 in his heat.

“I am feeling good; my legs are feeling good so I am happy. I am training well so I feel like I’m back.

My start was good, I am only focused on the semifinals tomorrow,” Bolt said after his heat yesterday.

Team GB stamps

A

55

Serena bruises Sharapova for Olympic gold

S

erena Williams claimed her first singles Olympic gold with a devastating 6-0, 6-1 victory over Russia’s Maria Sharapova at Wimbledon yesterday.

The unstoppable American, who dropped just 16 games in her five singles matches en route to the final, has now completed the “golden slam” - winning all four majors as well as an Olympic single’s gold.

She took just 62 minutes to wrap up her win over number three seed, Sharapova, securing her victory with an ace.

Earlier, Belarusian Victoria Azarenka, claimed the bronze, with a 6-3, 6-4 win over Sharapova’s fellow Russian, Maria Kirilenko.

ny of the 542-member of the host Great Britain’s team that wins a gold medal at these London 2012 Games, will have a postage stamp produced and put in circulation in his/her/their (in case of double events) honour.

The first recipients, who have the Royal Mail issue instant stamps for their feat are Helen Glover and Heather Stanning, who won gold in women’s rowing, the first gold for Team GB. Stanning is a serving Army Captain. The second gold medallist honoured with postage stamp is Bradley Wiggins, who won gold in cycling time trial event. It became Wiggins seventh Olympic medals, the highest for a British athlete.

BBC’s one-sided TV

B

ritish Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) is an octopus in the global electronic media. But the manner of their television broadcasting of the ongoing London Olympic Games has exposed their underbelly as a partial medium.

The BBC has dedicated 24 television channels (about 10 HDs among them) covering the Games. But foreigners in London can’t get much from the channels about the activities or events of their teams participating in the Games, because their focus is only on Team GB. Even when other athletes compete against British athletes and win, you’ll be aghast to see BBC reporters interviewing their own people.

Haba BBC!

LONDON 2012 OLYMPIC GAMES MEDALS TABLE Rank Country

Gold

Silver

Bronze

Total

1. United States of America

26

13

15

54

2. People’s Rep. of China

25

16

12

53

3. Great Britain

14

7

8

29

4. Republic of Korea

9

3

5

17

5. France

8

6

8

22

6. Germany

5

10

6

21

7. Italy

5

5

3

13

8. Kazakhstan

5

0

0

5

9. People’s Rep. of Korea

4

0

1

5

10. Russian Federation

3

15

10

28

11. Netherlands

3

1

4

8

12. South Africa

3

1

0

4

13. New Zealand

3

0

4

7

14. Japan

2

10

12

24

15. Cuba

2

2

1

5

16. Hungary

2

1

2

5

17. Poland

2

1

1

4

18. Ukraine

2

0

4

6

19. Australia

1

12

7

20

20. Romania

1

4

2

7

Usain Bolt of Jamaica (left) competing in the Men’s 100m Round 1 Heats yesterday at the Olympic Stadium in London.

Serena

Denmark snatch dramatic gold in rowing

D

enmark’s Mads Rasmussen and Rasmus Quist took the gold in the men’s Lightweight Double Sculls, yesterday, while Czech Republic’s Miroslava Knapkova won the women’s Single Sculls.

Great Britain’s Zac Purchase and Mark Hunter won the silver after a close finish to add to a successful morning for the Host Nation in the Rowing event on Saturday.

Bronze went to the New

Zealand duo of Storm Uru and Peter Taylor.

The race earlier had to be restarted after Purchase and Hunter, the men’s Lightweight Double Scull champions in 2008, suffered a broken seat less than a hundred yards into the race.

The rest of the boats stopped and Purchase used a screwdriver to mend the seat.

It looked like the British pair were going to

Gray

Shooting: Gray smashes Olympic record, wins gold U SA athlete Jamie Lynn Gray was the runaway winner of the

women’s 50m Rifle 3 Positions final and set an Olympic record.

Rasmus Quist and Mads Rasmussen of Denmark celebrate winning gold in the men’s Lightweight Double Sculls final at Eton Dorney yesterday.

hang on for gold but they were pipped in the final few yards by Denmark.

In the women’s Single Sculls, silver went to Denmark and bronze to Aus-

The 28-year-old, who came fifth in the same event at Beijing 2008, set a new Olympic record of 691.9.

Gray also beat the Olympic record in qualifying with a score of 592 - just two short of a world best - and never looked like relinquishing her lead in the final.

Serbia’s Ivana Maksimovic was 4.4 behind in silver medal position and Czech Adela Sykorova took bronze, while world number one Barbara Engeder of Germany was down in sixth.

Gray admitted she had

prepared for the British weather, and that preparation certainly came in handy as the wind blew and rain fell during the qualifying round.

“It was definitely a little windy but we’ve done so much training around the entire USA. We trained in all kinds of conditions which really prepared me for this.

“In the test event I wasn’t prepared for it but we really worked on it. And I needed patience. I was on top of it today, it was just awesome,” he enthused.

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Vol. 2 No. 34

Sunday, August 5, 2012

Back Page

the government of the day.

Comment

E-mail: nwaunah@yahoo.com Unah is Professor of Philosophy at the University of Lagos

with Jim Unah

T

www.nationalmirroronline.net

he news making the rounds last Sunday as I was leaving Lagos to England to attend the Oxford Round Table conference on the broad theme of “Higher Education in the Global Marketplace”, was the burst bubble of corruption saga involving oil marketers indicted by the House of Reps Committee report on the oil subsidy regime; the threat by the House of Representatives to commence impeachment process should the President fail to implement the 2012 budget 100 percent come September this year; President Goodluck Jonathan’s endless vow to deal with the oil subsidy culprits no matter how highly placed; the reluctance of the Minister of Justice and AttorneyGeneral of the Federation,AGF, Justice Bello Adoke, to appear in court to prosecute the arraigned subsidy fraud suspects, creating the dangerous impression that the PDP-led government of President Jonathan is incapable of fighting corruption because the top echelon of the party is hopelessly complicit in fraudulent and corrupt practices, and several other corruption scandals rocking and mocking

N150

N I G E R I A

I N

F I G U R E S

N32

bn, amount Head, Infra1bn, sum the chairperson structure Concession of Primus Super Specialty Regulatory Commission, Joe Ohiani, Hospital, Abuja, Mrs Achia Dewan, said Nigeria loses annually to medical disclosed as World Bank infrastructure loan to Nigeria. tourism.

Burst bubbles

Whatever is being done to deal with the troubling corruption situation in the country with its ripple effects on infrastructural deficits, poor social service delivery and growing youth unemployment, desperation and hopelessness perilously manifesting in rampant kidnapping, daredevil armed robbery, brigandage and growing insecurity and violence, there is a need for the political elites and the state actors to pause awhile and take a hard look at the worsening corruption situation in the country vi-a-vis the growing poverty in the land, the desperation among young people; and look at what is happening in Syria and the other countries decimated by the Arab Spring, and tell Nigerians where they are headed by their greed and misrule.

The concern and worry is that the state actors appear not to have the capacity to deal with the situation as the so many cases of burst bubbles, of exposed corruption issues, have not been successfully prosecuted and punished to begin to compel a change of attitude in the desired direction. The sad thing is that it is when people get incrementally frustrated and despondent that they resort to socially disruptive strategies to help themselves.

And It is where you have so many pockets of disgruntled people around that a fertile ground is irrigated for violence.

Creating more rooms for violence compounds and complicates the already per-

ilous situation on the ground. This is the scenario that the Jonathan government must watch and arrest at all cost. But how is that possible with so many people in his government not cooperating, like the AGF, for instance?

The greatest nemesis of the Jonathan government is, perhaps, the overwhelming and damning presence of dubious and corrupt elements in his cabinet, his Economic Management Team, and the political party that brought him to power. How he proposes to deal with those around him, some of whom bank-rolled his election, like the ubiquitous Boko Haram sponsors, which he has admitted lurks dangerously around his every move, remains to be seen.

But the country needs to be fixed. Nigerians want solutions, not excuses, from their leaders. The job which the famous Italian political thinker and craftsman, NIcolo Machiavelli, assigned to the leader of a weak and corrupt state, such as Nigeria, as he was addressing Cesare Borgia, who sought to unite Italy of his time, was to employ craft and cunning, and economy of violence in dealing with the corrupt elements of society, correct the weakness and effeminacy of the people, and make the state strong. In this sort of task, the leader must be able to disappoint his friends and do battle with those who put him in power. He must learn to castrate and incapacitate them if they are working at cross purposes with the

London 2012: Okagbare dashes Nigeria’s medal hopes E O T VEREST LONDON

NYEWUCHI

he track and field competitions of the ongoing London 2012 Olympic Games, which began on Friday inside the Olympic Stadium in Stratford, climaxed yesterday with one of Nigeria’s medal hopefuls, Blessing Okagbare, failing to clinch a medal for Team Nigeria in the women’s 100m final. She returned with a time of 11:01secs to place eighth.

Aside the dramatic end of the event Saturday, Okagbare failed to rekindle the spirit she displayed in the semi-finals earlier in the day where she posted a Personal and Season’s Best of 10:92secs to book a place in the final as she crashed out in a manner that beat the imagination of many Nigerians, who had prayed fervently for her success

in the event.

The 100m women’s final, which was hotly contested, saw Fraser-Pryce Shelly-Ann of Jamaica winning the gold medal at a time of 10.75secs, while Jeter Carmelita of United States finished at a time of 10: 78secs to clinch the silver.

The bronze medal went to Jamaica’s Campbell-Brown Veronica, who breasted the tape at a time of 10:81secs.

Madison Tianna and Felix Allyson, both of United States came fourth and fifth at the time of 10:85secs and 10:89 secs, respectively.

Meanwhile, Team Nigeria’s athletics Chief Coach, Innocent Egbunike, had earlier praised the feat of Blessing Okagbare, Gloria Asumnu, Omolara Omo-

tosho, Amaechi Morton and Regina George, who zoomed into the semi-finals of their track events on Friday, but things eventually took a down-turn at the end of hostilities on Saturday.

objectives of the state.

In Nigeria, those stealing the nation’s crude oil, those crippling the refineries, and fraudulently collecting foreign exchange and subsidy for importation of refined petrol, whereas they imported nothing, are the number one enemies of the Nigerian people; and the Jonathan government must so identify and deal with them for the health of the nation, no matter how friendly he is to them.

What is not negotiable is that the corruption issues and those indicted need to be brought to justice for the government to truly fix the country and restore it to buoyancy and health. No nation can go on the way the NIgerian State is going without inevitably caving in to the heat of revolutionary fire. Everyone who took time off the conference deliberations in Oxford to express concern about the state of corruption in Nigeria, being the only Nigerian member of the Round Table, since 2008, always wondered why the Nigerian people have not reacted like the Arabs of the Spring, or even the Syrians. The only answer I could offer that appeared somehow reasonable to my fellow conferees at Oxford is that the intellectuals and opinion molders of the Nigerian State do not want a Lebanon or a Somalia or a Sudan in Nigeria.

However, everyone also agreed that there comes a time in a nation’s history when nauseating, troubling, burst bubbles not fixed could drag such a nation and its people to perdition.

Pistorius makes Olympic history, as IOC suspends P. 53 dope cheats

OLYMPICS 2012 MEN’S QUARTER-FINAL RESULTS

Japan 3 - 0 Egypt Mexico 4 - 2 Senegal Brazil 3 - 2 Honduras OLYMPICS 2012 WOMEN’S SEMI-FINAL FIXTURES Monday, August 6, 2012

France v Japan 17:00 Canada v United States 19:45 CAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE RESULT Okagbare

TP Mazembe 2 - 0 El Zamalek

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