Sunday, October 28, 2012

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P. 3-5

PHCN: Still the controversy continues

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0basanjo, Oni, others move to reclaim South-West states Urge discipline among party members www.nationalmirroronline.net

Vol. 2 No. 46

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Sunday, October 28, 2012

Cessna 208 Crash

Suntai in dramatic, emergency departure from National Hospital P. 6

Governor still in coma, flown to Germany

AIB deploys investigators to crash site

Lawan/ Otedola: Reps’ report out in two weeks P. 47

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Godswill Akpabio (left) and President Goodluck Jonathan, during the inauguration of Akwa Ibom Governor’s Office in Uyo, yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

P. 47

2015: Jonathan’s rerun plot thickens, North jittery

Ex-IBB, former PDP chair’s aides to coordinate project Governors, ministers approached for funds

News

Anxiety in Bayelsa as Supreme Court rules on governorship poll

P. 6

Boko Haram: Soldiers comb Kano, raid militants’ hideouts

Sallah tragedy: Man kills two, injures four in Kaduna

P. 49 P. 52

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Sunday, October 28, 2012

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

A PASSION FOR A GREATER NIGERIA

By Godswill Obot Akpabio Mr President, everyone saw stars that bright, starry night in the east. But in the midst of the billions of twinkling stars of all colours and hues, some wise men saw only one star - the star of Jesus. That was how the wise men began a joyous journey to see the infant Jesus and told everyone along the way that a king had been born. History should note that we in Akwa Ibom State saw your presidential star first, began a journey with you and told all Nigerians on the way that a president like no other is at hand. This is the birthplace of your Presidency, and we are always delighted to have you in our State.

Welcome home. Welcome to your family. Welcome to the Land of Promise, where the promise of your leadership began.

Though some have questioned your actions and some your policies, no one has yet questioned your heart.

We know your heart - it is filled with good intentions for all Nigerians.

A heart burning with fiery passion for a greater Nigeria. A heart which shares the joy and pains of all Nigerians. That is why we invited you to come and commission the seat of our Government, the Governor’s Office, and lay the foundation stone of the Akwa Ibom State Stadium, Uyo. Your Excellency, the New Governor’s Office was conceived to meet the demands of an ever-changing world. It is not only ICT compliant, it has all the facilities needed for e-governance and contemporary governance. It replaces a building we met, at the inception of this Administration, which lacked space for visitors and facilities for the administrative controls needed in today’s world.

We estimated that the work would be completed in eighteen months but thanks to the diligent supervision of the Finance and General Purpose Committee headed by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr Umana O. Umana, and cooperation of the contractors, the JB Group, the building was finished in just eight months. This is a proof that we are running Government at the speed of light, because we know that time waits for no one.

This same principle we hope to apply to the Akwa Ibom State Stadium which foundation stone you graciously laid today. It will be a 30,000 seater stadium with a banquet hall, proximate conveniences for all spectators, restaurants on each floor etc. It is planned to meet global standard in stadium architecture.

Your Excellency, we intend to invest more in sports and this is just the beginning. The global sports industry is four times larger than the automobile manufacturing industry, and seven times larger than the film industry. Despite a global economic slowdown, a study by Price Waterhouse Coopers predicts a revenue growth rate of 3.7 per cent ($145.3 billion) for the sports industry by 2015. We intend to be part of this action.

We also want our sons and daughters to be part of the action. The American tennis great, Serena Williams looks like the African girl next door in terms of physique and energy. What she has achieved our women can achieve - provided they are introduced to tennis as early in life as she was. She has grossed over $40 million in career prize earnings. That could be the story of an Ekaete or Amina or Yetunde or Ada tomorrow.

David Beckham, the British footballer who plays for Los Angeles Galaxy Football Team, has a lifetime endorsement contract with Adidas for $160 million (equivalent of N16.2 billion). Basketball star, Lebron James has a seven-year endorsement contract with Nike for $90 million.

Your Excellency that we failed to win a medal in the London Olympics this year was the subtext of the main story. The main story is that we are left out in a global market which defies economic meltdown - in spite of our huge potentials. This we seek to address in Akwa Ibom State with

a sustained programme for sports development.

Your Excellency, we have a lot to thank you for. When James Watt invented the steam engine he brought the sister into it and started it. The amazed sister said, “James it will never go! It will never go!” The engine started and began to drive. She turned to him and screamed, “James, it will never stop! James it will never stop!!” Mr President, if we want to thank you for everything, we will never stop.

But let us thank you for approving an Export Processing Zone for the Ibaka Deep Seaport and constituting a Technical Committee for the Implementation of the Ibaka Deep Seaport Initiative. Our desire to make the port, along with the Ibom Industrial City the economic hub of the Gulf of Guinea, received a boost with your patriotic action. We want to request that you keep supporting this project to the fullest.

A short distance from the site of the Ibaka Deep Seaport is the Ibom International Airport which had the privilege of hosting the Presidential Jet on your arrival. We are building a Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility at that airport. We most respectfully appeal to your good heart to partner with us and turn this project into a National Hangar.

Such a hangar is needed for the effective maintenance and checks on our aircrafts and for the avoidance of air crashes which had become the bane of flying in our country. It will be the first of its kind in West Africa and will be a panacea for air safety in the sub-region. It will save the lives of Nigerians and boost confidence in the aviation sector in Nigeria.

We deeply appreciate your approval for the Akwa Ibom State Government to construct/dualize the Uyo -Ikot Ekpene - Aba Federal Road and the Ikot Ekpene - Itu - Odukpani - Calabar Federal Road and the approval for the refund of the money so spent. These roads are important in the achievement of the objectives of the Deep Sea Port and the Ibom International Airport, which has facilities for cargo flights. They will open up both the seaport and airport to the rest of the Country.

Your Excellency what is happening in Akwa Ibom State has been described as Uncommon Transformation. I have been asked so many times what is the secret of our success. Let me attempt an answer with a story. A certain professor requested his students to undertake a study of some bad boys in campus neighbourhood. All the students came up with the conclusion that the boys would end up in prison and would never amount to much. Twenty years after that study, another professor stumbled on the study and decided to find out what happened to those boys. He discovered that all of them made good and became successful in their different careers. He called them and asked them what turned their lives around. They all said it was one teacher.

The professor excitedly called the teacher and asked her, “How did you turn the lives of those bad boys around?” Surprised, she said simply, “I do not know how I did it, all I know is that I loved those boys.”

How are we embarking on the uncommon transformation of my state?

I do not know. All I know is that, like you, I love my people, I love this Country, I love humanity. That is the secret of your success as the President of Nigeria. It is the secret of my success as the Governor of Akwa Ibom State.

Once again welcome home and feel the warmth of the welcome of all Akwa Ibom people every minute and every second of this brief visit.

God bless all of us.

Being text of the speech presented by the Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom State, His Excellency, Dr. Godswill Obot Akpabio, CON, on the occasion of the visit of the President, Commander-in-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR, to Akwa Ibom State, yesterday, October 27, 2012.

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Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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Big Read SUNDAY SPECIAL INVESTIGATION

October 28, 2012

DG, BPE, Bolanle Onagoruwa

Power transmission facility

Peterside

PHCN: Still the controversy continues These may not be the best of times for workers and top officials of the former Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN). The privatisation exercise, which threw up 10 core investors as new owners of the Electricity Distribution Companies (DISCOS), may have brought about an uneasy calm in the business activities of PHCN firms concerned. While some workers have argued against the sale of the companies, others are pleading with the Federal Government to settle their entitlements before a complete handover to the new owners. But, the issues are more than these, writes Head, Special Investigations, Isioma Madike

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n Nigeria, government has always been accused of wastefulness in its activities. It has also been argued that the repercussions of any bad decision or activity of government is borne by everybody in the country. In this manner, many talked the government into privatisation, hoping that it would in the process reduce it’s involvement in business management, which would be yielded to capable privately-owned enterprises. This may have been one of the reasons government embarked on its privatisation exercises. Incidentally, the current exercise in the power sector is dogged by controversy.

There are palpable tensed atmosphere as it stands now within the premises of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) firms around the country. It does appear that the privatisation exercise, which threw up 10 core investors as new owners of the Electricity Distribution Companies (DISCOS), may have brought about an uneasy calm in the business activities of PHCN offices concerned. Some of the workers of the utility companies are in pensive mood due to fear of the unknown. And their fears, however, are not misplaced. They probably have woken up to the realities of the likely implications of the privatisatisation exercise of Nigeria’s hitherto hegemonic electricity company.

This may not also be the best of times for top officials of the firms. They seem to be receiving the outcome of the privatisation exercise with mixed feelings. While some of them

have argued against the sale of the companies, others are pleading with the Federal Government to settle their entitlements before complete handover to the new owners. They are learning also to be more careful as they are now select adjectives to qualify their new entity to fit the name of the buyers.

Yet, the workers are not the only ones agitated with the turn of events in the power sector. There has been an extensive, sometimes heated debate since the start of the unbundling and privatisation of PHCN. The proponents have always argued that government is normally not an efficient executive, hence should be stripped off all duties, which could otherwise be executed by private bodies. They believe that it would benefit government if it restricts itself to pure governance and generally intervening in public utilities only when needed. The critics on the other hand, are quick to point out that careless privatisation could lead to another unappetising market failure such as monopolies. There are fears also that the rich few in the country could use the process to eternally corner what is considered a national patrimony. Some groups have equally cried out over perceived marginalisation and alleged lack of transparency in the bidding that threw up the new players in the industry, particularly some past leaders, who were believed to have showed little interest in turning around the electricity sector while in power.

At the end of bidding exercise, 10 firms emerged victo-

‘ABUBAKAR AS HEAD OF STATE NEVER HAD INTEREST IN POWER SECTOR’

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rious. The Integrated Energy Distribution and Marketing Limited, believed to be owned by former Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, was the winner in the bid for four distribution companies. The company with 18.58 percent got Yola Disco; Aura Energy Ltd with 16.22 percent was awarded the Jos Disco, Sahelian Power SPV Ltd with 21.21 percent got the Kano Disco, 4Power Consortium with 19.55 percent won the Port Harcourt Disco; Interstate Electrics Ltd, 21.62 percent received the Abuja Discos while Vigeo Power Consortium with 21.78 percent was handed over Benin Disco.

Others are Interstate Electrics that emerged the preferred bidder with 20.83 percent for Enugu Disco; Integrated Energy Distribution and Marketing Limited preferred bidder with 17.46 percent for Ibadan Disco; Integrated Energy and Marketing Limited with 21.43 percent for Eko Disco and Integrated Energy Distribution and Marketing Ltd with 22.51 percent for Ikeja Disco. The bid for Kaduna Disco was not opened as none of the two bids received was technically qualified. Integrated Energy, whose directors include Peter Odili, Dr. Haruna Usman Sanusi, Dr. Abass Mimiko, Ibrahim Aliyu, Mallam Ibrahim Aliyu, Senator Usman Albishir, Aminu Ibrahim, and Dr. Olusola Ayandele, was established in 2006 to provide distribution and marketing services in the power sector.

The Chairman of the Technical Committee of the National Council on Privatisation (NCP), Atedo Peterside, disclosed that the Council decided to use the ATC&C method for the selection of core investors for distribution companies because the method will provide Nigerian consumers and other stakeholders with specific parameters with which to measure the outcome of the privatisation. But, hardly had he finished the explanation that stakeholders took him up in many fronts. For instance, the governors of Edo, Delta, Ondo and Ekiti states rejected the results of the commercial bids for the Benin Power Distribution Company as announced by the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE). The governors accused the BPE and NCP of midwifing a privatisation process that was fraudulent and unacceptable. They had presented a common bid for the distribution company, believing that state governments, having CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

‘IT’S UNFAIR TO SELL NATIONAL ASSETS TO POLITICIANS’

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The Big Read

Sunday, October 28, 2012

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

‘Abubakar as head of state never had interest in power sector’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3 invested heavily in the subdivision, should be allowed to participate in the power sector.

The governors did not stop there, but warned that the company, Vigeo Power Consortium, which was adjudged to have won the bid covering the four states, will not be allowed to operate in the states. Yet, Delta State Governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan, has another strategy. He is soliciting the intervention of the nation’s parliament in the process adopted by the Federal Government on PHCN. He told the visiting House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum Resources (downstream) sector, led by its chairman, Hon. Dakuku Peterside, in Asaba last week that the new companies may end up in wrong hands. He also noted a situation where, according to him, the communities and states directly affected were sidelined does not portend good for the people and may not make for peace in the areas.

Besides, the governor said such a shoddy process of sale, fraught with fraud, was bound to throw up incompetent hands, which may not be able to deliver as expected. He urged the National Assembly to intervene in order, according to him, to ensure that due process was followed, taking into cognisance huge investments of state governments in the power sector. The governor stated that privatisation exercise ought to be done correctly, regretted that what had been done could create more problems for the country. He, nonetheless, appealed to the authorities not to allow politics to take away the essence and need to provide regular power supply to the people, insisting that the roles played by states in the energy sector should be acknowledged and compensated for. “State governments play crucial roles in the energy sector, with provision of transformers, setting up network of electric lines. Governors are deeply concerned over the power situation and when the chips are down, it is state governments that communities run to for transformers, among other equipment,” he said.

Apart from the governors, the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) has also criticised the process. According to its Lagos State chairman, Adeleke Ibrahim, “the more you look, the less you see. What the government did is not different from what was done on generating stations. The government handed what belongs to all of us to individuals that are loyal to them. People should find out what qualified one individual to buy four zones. Abdusalam Abubakar as former head of state ought to have fixed this sector, but for his ulterior motive.

If Nigerians keep quiet, it is unfortunate.”

In the same manner, the National Secretary of Senior Staff Association of Electricity and Allied Companies (SSAEAC), Abiodun Ogunsegha, also stated that the workers were totally against the process.

To the workers, it is unfair to sell national assets to politicians. Ogunsegha is equally concerned about the workers wellbeing, appealing to the Federal Government to fast track the payment of workers’ entitlement before finalizing the privatisation process.

The fiery Archbishop Emeritus, Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos, Cardinal Anthony Okogie, is not left out as he slammed BPE over its choice of core investors for the privatisation of PHCN. Cardinal Okogie, in a statement through the Director of Social Communications, Archdiocese of Benin,

Abubakar

Uduaghan

Okogie

Very Rev. Father Stephen Okojie, in Benin, Edo State, said the outcome of the power sector privatisation exercise was unacceptable. He saw the exercise as another deliberate ploy by few privileged individuals to continue to hold on to the collective wealth of the nation to the detriment of the masses. He chided past governments for their inability to address the lingering erratic power supply in the country, despite the huge amount expended on the sector.

The Archbishop, however, urged President Goodluck Jonathan to right the wrongs of the past by ensuring that the sector was not high-jacked by some powerful individuals as is now the case. “Nigerians have been taken for a ride for too long. The result of the exercise, to me, shows that government is not sincere about sanitising the power sector. How can the government allow firms of some individuals, who are still under investigation by Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and other law enforcement agencies, the liberty of administering such a sensitive area of our power sector reforms? It will not work. Their antecedents are there for all to see. We will only end up in vicious circles.”

Also, the President, Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Dr. Solomon Nyagba, is bemoaning what he has described as an unfortunate non-involvement of local engineers in the packaging of PHCN for privatisation. Though, he claimed not to be privy to the details of the criteria leading to successful sale of the federal government

assets, Nyagba said Nigerian engineers would have played a very vital role since PHCN is engineering based institution. According to him, the absence of the inputs of local engineering body could give room for suspicion that the whole exercise was not transparent enough. Labour and other stakeholders, like the civil society groups, are also not happy with the turn of events in the privatisation exercise. The PresidentGeneral of the Senior Staff Association of Electricity and Allied Companies (SSAEAC), Bede Opara, doubted the transparency of the process. He said, “at first, the government disclosed that it was interested in selling 51 percent so that other Nigerians, including workers can also have stakes in the privatised companies. Now we are hearing that it is 60 percent.”

Opara, whose group and others have the support of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), also said that the sector might go the way of failed privatised firms, including Daily Times. “From all indications, it is like the government just assembled a team to share our national assets to influential Nigerians. We are not worried because the firms are being privatised. We are worried because Gen. Abubakar never had interest in the sector even as Head of State,” he said.

The Trade Union Congress (TUC), through its Head of Media and Publicity, Chris Onyeka, said the emergence of the company as the core investor for the firms showed that the process might not have been transparent and fair to all parties. He

stated that TUC is ready to partner with other stakeholders, especially the National Assembly to ensure the process is reviewed for Nigerians to understand how the company managed to emerge as the core investors.

“TUC is in support of privatisation because we hope that it would better manage the national assets to benefit the nation and its people. It is unfortunate for the firms to go to Abubakar because he is not known to be a businessman. He is more known as a soldier than an investor. This partly explains why some people wonder what actually motivated him to go into business.”

Reacting to the choice of the firms, Executive Director of the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), Auwal Ibrahim, described the exercise as failing to meet the minimum standards of due process and transparency. He noted that in view of the magnitude of the taxpayers’ money that were committed to the distribution companies, NCP, should have allowed a more participatory approach that would have enabled Nigerians to know who was acquiring what and at how much. Ibrahim, an Associate Director of Transparency International, noted that the privatisation programme had so far allowed people who had access to public funds to borrow from such funds and buy what was being put up for sale. He was not alone in his observation. The National Chairman of African Renaissance Party (ARP), Yahaya Ndu, also believes that the just concluded privatisation exercise was a demonstration of the suspicion that public assets of Nigerians were being shared among those privileged to be in power. According to him, it would be wrong for Nigerians to watch while a cabal buys off their common patrimony with the money stolen from the public till.

Meanwhile, Peterside has come out to state that the governors’ firm in PHCN bid flouted the rules. Reacting to the allegations that the bid process was fraught with corruption, the NCP chairman refuted such allegation, stating instead that the governors’ consortium contravened the rules by submitting two different commercial bids. He said that “aggregate technical, commercial and collection loss reduction proposal” was used as bases for core investor selection. “It is sad that in year 2012, some Nigerians will not go and read the rules before they rush to make comments. The rules (request for proposal) are in 72 pages. They should cite which rules were breached. If they read and understood the rules, they will comprehend that the rules were followed to the latter from the very first day of the transactions,” Peterside, who is also the chairman of Stanbic/IBTC Bank, said.

In like manner, the spokesman of the BPE, Chukwuma Nwokoh, said the accusations of a flawed process and irregularities were unfounded and reckless, adding that the process was transparent and credible. “The accusation of a flawed process and irregularities against the BPE in the privatisation of PHCN distribution companies by the governors are unfounded and reckless. Our process was transparent and we were guided by the provisions of the request of proposals for the transaction,” he further said.

The spokesman of the Ministry of Power, Greyne Anosike, commented on the labour issue and said there was no need for the grievance as the government had already CONTINUED ON PAGE 5

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The Big Read

Sunday, October 28, 2012

5

Abdulsalami, others can’t remedy the anomaly in the power sector –Ezike Comrade Ibuchukwu Ezike is the Executive Director, Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO). He tells Isioma Madike in this interview that the Electricity Distribution Companies were sold to friend of those in government, who may not have the expertise to drive the power sector.

How would you evaluate the sale of Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) firms around the country that threw up 10 core investors as new owners of the Electricity Distribution Companies (DISCOs) via the recently concluded privatisation exercise in that sector?

Well, on the face value, because the process was monitored by the two anti-graft agencies, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC), one would expectedly believe that the procedure was transparent. But, the issue is beyond that. The companies that won the bids were either those of the government or people who are friends of the government. So, the supposed due process would have been compromised.

Having said, we are not questioning much of that even when it was a major problem; what bothers us more is the issue of efficiency, which to most of us, were not properly taken into account.

But, all of that were said to have been considered?

If you look at the beneficiaries, one would not need to be an expert to know that some things do not just add up.

Take, for instance, General Abdulsalami Abubakar; he ruled this country for only nine months and stole Nigeria dry. Have Nigerians questioned how he got the money to buy up this critical sector that he ought to have fixed when he had the opportunity? Has he ever been concerned about sufficient electricity to drive the economy of this country?

Nobody has an idea of his company’s expertise in this area. And if this is the picture, how then would he and his company be able to remedy the anomaly in the power sector? The same goes for the others that would now be in charge of that industry. As a career military man, his earnings would not have added up to what could buy that part CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4 accepted responsibility to pay them. “The Federal Government has an understanding with labour on these issues. It is a matter of time; these issues would be resolved because the government has reached irreversible point in the privatisation process,” he said.

However, the Director of Deramo Energy, Ugo Okpara, believes in the just concluded privatisation, stressing that it was a good policy. He charged the new owners of PHCN to adopt and implement global best policies and practices to operate them in order to provide improved and uninterruptable services to consumers. Okpara said government should ensure that the right environment was created for operators to carry out their business.

The privatisation of the PHCN successor companies (six generating and eleven distribution companies), according to President Jonathan when he was unveiling the

Opara and Ogunsegha

of the PHCN. He got his wealth by stealing our collective sweat and now he is recouping it to buy up Nigeria. The focus of Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) and the Technical Committee of the National Council on Privatisation (NCP) would have been how these companies are supposed to improve efficiency and economic growth through effective generation of the required electricity in the country.

Is that not what they did?

I can tell you that wasn’t their thinking. The major concern of Nigerians and that is my concern too, is what would happen to the tariffs these companies would charge.

From what we have seen so far, there would be problem of high tariff that would eventually make it impossible for the poor masses to enjoy the services. Definitely, there won’t be any cheap rate and that means that poor Nigerians are not in their calculations. There will also be problem of how metres would be distributed; that one has already started apart from the limited funds and the competence needed to drive the project. These are the real problems.

Another issue is that of the former employees of PHCN. They seem not interested about how the process of this privatisation goes anymore like they did at the beginning when government made the idea known to Nigerians.

Would you say they may have been compromised?

The issue of compromise is out of it. When they were asking that their retirement benefits be paid and other factors properly considered before the process, many thought they were selfish because the government was blackmailing their leaders. But, if government is serious, their dues ought to have been paid to avoid the ugly experiences of the past. Everybody knew what happened in the earlier privatised companies in terms of paying the workers their

Ezike

dues. To me, they are fighting for survival now, which is the undeniable first law of nature. They can’t possibly take them in all fronts in an empty stomach.

There are also other arguments that privatisation has worked miracle in other climes. Why would it not work in Nigeria?

It may interest you to know that I am a socialist, apart from being part of civil society groups. To that end, I am not an apologist of privatisation. But, the simple interpretation of it means that government has failed in its responsibility to provide the people with common good.

That is the essence of governance in the first place. I may be wrong but am yet to see a reduction of tariff and increased efficiency in all the places there have been privatisation anywhere in the world. It is an admission of government insincerity and ineffectiveness in managing the trust reposed on it by the people.

So, what would you have recommended instead?

The example of Libya under Mommar Gadhafi; he was a successful socialist. Libya worked so were every social amenity that benefits both the rich and the poor under Gadhafi’s administration, the way they should. That is my model. Cuba is another country that is working under a socialist system. Beyond that, any government that cannot provide and manage effectively social amenities at an affordable rate for the people, like I said earlier, has failed.

‘It’s unfair to sell national assets to politicians’ “Roadmap for Power Sector Reform” in August 2010, is the ‘final and very important stage in the reform process’. The intention of the Nigerian government, according to the National Electric Power Policy, is to ensure that ‘management and ownership control’ in the successor companies are transferred to the private sector with substantial participation by strategic investors with experience and resources in the electricity industry. The policy objectives are basically threefold: to meet all current and prospective economically justifiable demands for electricity throughout Nigeria; to modernise and expand its coverage; and to support national economic and social development, including relations with neighbouring countries. The government is expected to generate N197.25 billion as proceeds from the just concluded exercise.

Privatisation in other countries As a result of changing economic policies, privatisation took place at a significant pace around the world during the last decade of the 20th century. It ranges from the desire to downsize government in developed countries to the demise of communism in Eastern and Central Europe. It has also helped to open the economies of various Latin American countries. Today, privatisation has significant direct and indirect effects on international business and opens unprecedented opportunities for investment throughout the world. Thus, it is of great interest to investors and businesses around the world.

Like Publicly-run companies, privatisation has its own problems, especially within markets where the suppliers have so much power over price (such as those of the necessary goods like water and electricity). Take Ghana for example, it has a relatively smaller population, approximately 25 million.

Such a small population size may not attract so many investors. This is because, after one or two companies have entered a particular market (especially one with high fixed cost of entry like water, electricity and airline), it becomes unprofitable for other potential investors to also enter and compete. As a result, it creates monopolies that, like government, have little or no incentive to be efficient yet capable of charging whatever price they want to. In the Ghana example, it becomes a privatisation without the assur-

ance of competition, which yields worse results than publicly-run companies.

India initiated its privatisation programme in 1991 as part of a larger macroeconomic stabilisation and structural reform effort to cope with extremely difficult economic conditions. Inflation had risen above 15 percent and foreign exchange reserves were dangerously low. India had to access International Monetary Fund (IMF) resources through a Stand-By Arrangement in 1991. The policies adopted by the country around that time covered the whole gamut of ‘Washington Consensus’ policies, including the privatisation of state enterprises. There was a growing domestic consensus that state-owned enterprises were not generating adequate returns and were suffering from low efficiency, and the government expected that privatising these enterprises would lead to better outcomes.

For Bolivia, a South America’s poorest country and the site of one of the world’s most controversial water privatisation programmes. In the 1990s, under World Bank guidance, the water systems of some of Bolivia’s poorest regions were put up for sale to private investors. In the area of Cochabamba, a US-owned company, Bechtel, was awarded a long-term contract to manage and deliver water in that region. The results of exercise shed light on the complexities of water privatisation and differences between economic theory and what happens in the real world.

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NEWS

Cessna 208 crash MARCUS FATUNMOLE (ABUJA), OLUSEGUN KOIKI (L AGOS)

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he injured Taraba State Governor, Suntai Danbaba, was yesterday flown out of the country for further treatment in Germany.

Suntai, who was the pilot of his jet, Cessna 208, 5N-BMJ Jet that crashed in Yola, Adamawa State on Thursday evening, was brought to the National Hospital, Abuja on the advice of President Goodluck Jonathan on Friday.

The governor was conveyed to the hospital, and was bandaged from the head to the toe.

It had been anticipated that Suntai would be flown out of the country given the critical nature of his injuries.

His departure was confirmed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Hassan Mijinyawa, who said the governor was flown to Germany in an air ambulance for further medical attention at about 3.05 p.m. He spoke to newsmen in Jalingo yesterday.

But his departure was hurriedly done in what could be considered an emergency despite claims that his condition had stabilised.

The same State House ambulance with registration number SH 557 that brought the governor on Friday arrived at the National hospital with a heavily-armed police convoy and some Taraba State government officials yesterday at 10:57 a.m. Some members of the National

Sunday October 28, 2012

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Suntai in dramatic, emergency departure from National Hospital •Governor still in coma…as AIB deploys investigators to crash site Assembly, who could not be immediately identified, were also on ground.

Our reporter spoke with two of their drivers who confirmed their presence although they refused to give the names of the legislators.

Chief Medical Director of the Hospital, Prof. Shehu Bala, came to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), where the governor was being attended to, at exactly 12 p.m.

After a light refreshment among the officials, the whole environment was cordoned off from human and vehicular movements; thus raising concerns over the governor’s state of health.

Suntai, who unofficial sources claimed was in coma, was driven out of the hospital at exactly 1.57 p.m. in a dramatic manner. He was driven to the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport to be airlifted to an undisclosed country as at press time.

An ambulance belonging to the National Hospital had made a decoy, pretending to be taking the governor out of the hospital and blowing siren endlessly. The ambulance was accompanied by police escorts.

Fifteen minutes later, the ambulance came in alone without the escorts. Again, after about 10 minutes, another ambulance belonging to the hospital did the same, but without siren.

Unconfirmed reports said Suntai’s right hand had been completely dislocated.

In his entourage, when leaving the hospital, were other eight vehicles, some of which had the registration numbers Abuja CZ 724 RBC; Abuja CU 184 RSH; FG AD82 A01; NPF 45839, BMW and a Toyota Prado Jeep, BS 677 RSH. No one was allowed by the police officials to come near the ICU where the governor was to be stretchered out.

However, our reporter caught a glimpse of the reclining stretcher that was used to bring the governor being wheeled into the ICU. The governor, unofficial sources said, had not opened his eyes nor been able to move any part of his body since his arrival at the hospital. He had been on life support gadgets with oxygen mask since he arrived at the hospital, our reporter learnt.

Effort to speak with the CMD of the hospital was futile, but the Public Relations Officer of the hospital, Mr Tayo Hastrupp, confirmed the departure of the governor.

However, he said he did not know the country Suntai was being taken to.

Meanwhile, the Deputy Governor, Alhaji Garba Umar, in a statement called on the people of the state to pray for the quick recov-

ery of the governor and his three aides.

“We are grateful to God Almighty that in spite of the impact of the crash, Gov. Suntai and his three aides survived and are in a stable condition.

“I call on the good people of the state to pray for the speedy recovery of our dear governor and his affected aides,” he said.

The deputy governor also urged the people to be patriotic, law abiding and to live in peace and harmony with one another.

“While we thank God for his wonderful miracle, we remain committed to the protection of lives and property of our citizens.

“We will, therefore, view with grave concern any attempt to breach the peace and security of our state,” he warned.

According to a FAAN official, who spoke to our correspondent, the governor on arrival at the local airport was immediately taxied to an air ambulance at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport which took off at about 4 p.m.

Also yesterday, the Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) said that it had deployed investigators from the agency to the scene.

Speaking on phone with our correspondents, the image maker of the agency, Mr.

Tunji Oketunbi, said that AIB immediately deployed three investigators in the crash site to conduct checks on the crashed plane and cordon off the crash site to prevent violation of the site.

He said full investigation had already begun from the agency to unravel the cause of the crash.

He could not however confirm the present conditions of the victims, but said they would be important in the conduct of investigation by AIB. He said, “Our people have gone there and are commencing full investigation into the cause of the accident. I don’t know the present condition of the victims, but we have deployed three investigators to the crash site to commence investigation into the probable cause of the crash.”

It will be recalled that Suntai and five other occupants of a Cessna 208 with the registration number 5NBJM aircraft were involved in a plane crash a few metres from the Yola Airport.

As at the time of the crash, Suntai was reportedly in command as he had graduated from the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria in 2010 with a pilot private licence from the college.

He immediately fell into coma after the crash.

Sources close to the gov-

ernor confided in Sunday Mirror that he had acquired the crashed plane from the former House of Representatives member, Hon Ibn Na’ Allah, in 2010 shortly after graduating from the college.

Another source close to the governor confided in our correspondent that Suntai was issued with VSR certificate (visual flight) by the college in 2010 and wondered why he embarked on night flight, which he was not licensed to do.

An online statement signed by the Special Assistant to the Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Oduah, Mr. Joe Obi, stated that the aircraft had departed Jalingo, Taraba State, for Yola on Thursday and reported contact with the Yola Control Tower (1720Z) and field in sight at 38 miles estimating landing at 1730Z. The pilot subsequently lost contact with Yola Control Tower and subsequent effort to reach the aircraft failed.

Oduah stated that, “search and rescue was immediately activated and site of incident located with all victims alive with various degrees of injuries. The victims have been evacuated to the hospital for treatment pending further investigation of the incident.

•See more report on Page 50

2015: Jonathan’s rerun plot thickens, North jittery OBIORA IFOH, ABUJA

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particular mansion in Jabbi, a highbrow area in the Federal Capital Territory is becoming conspicuous in recent days as activities that have seen many top politicians visit the place are gradually picking up and all fingers are pointing to the fact that the plot by the camp of Dr. Goodluck Jonathan to relaunch his Presidential bid is being hatched within the premises.

Investigation by Sunday Mirror has it that top appointments have already been made by the sponsors of the President Jonathan’s 2015 project. This include the appointment of a former aide of President Ibrahim Babangida and who recently served as the principal secretary to the current National Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party’s chairman, Alhaji

Bamanga Tukur as the coordinator of the project.

He is also to work closely with a professor who also once served as the political adviser to former National Chairman of PDP, Prince Vincent Ogbulafor.

The duo will lead a pack of other eminently qualified administrators who will soon be engaged and the project is believed to have the endorsement of the presidency but funded by at least two ministers including ministers of Niger Delta, Godday Orubebe and FCT’s Bala Mohammed. Some state governors, including the governors of Delta and Akwa Ibom have also been approached for funding.

The Director General of the National Orientation Agency, Mike Omeri in a chat with Sunday Mirror denied any knowledge of such campaign office, he however insisted that the constitution is very

Fun seekers at Maitama Amusement Park during Salah celebration in Abuja yesterday

clear about who qualifies to contest any elections in Nigeria.

Omeri who played key roles in 2011 election of President Jonathan denied that his recent stakeholders

meeting with political parties in Owerri was not a forerunning activity for the 2015 agenda, insisting that the Owerri retreat was purely in line with the law that established the NOA act.

Also another meeting of the political advisers to mainly PDP state governors was held in Abuja a fortnight ago. Sunday Mirror gathered through one of the attendees that

PHOTO ROTIMI OSASONA

the meeting was at the instance of the Political Adviser to President Jonathan, Ahmed Gulak and the purpose has to do with CONTINUED ON PAGE 48

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Sunday, October 21, 2012

Dateline

Dateline

7

SHAPING THE FUTURE WITH THE PAST OCTOBER 28, 2012

How Nigeria’s freest and fairest election was annulled ONUKWUBE OFOELUE On June 12, 1993 Nigerians went to the polls to elect a new president. In what was considered the most freest and fairest election in the country, Nigerians voted with one accord for businessman, Bashorun MKO Abiola. But surprisingly, the election was annulled by Nigeria’s military president at the time, General Ibrahim Babangida, his friend of many years who allegedly had assured him of his support to contest.

Foray in politics

Coming from a humble background, Abiola worked long and hard, and grew fast to become one of Nigeria’s richest businessmen in the 1970s and 80s. It was during this era that he went into active politics. Abiola had joined NCNC in 1956, at the young age of 19. When the military leader, Olusegun Obasanjo handed over to a civilian government in 1979, Abiola joined the ruling National Party of Nigeria (NPN) in 1980 and was elected the national party chairman.

His first plan towards the presidency began in 1983 after the re-election of Alhaji Shehu Shagari, then president, who was in his party. His plan was to run at the end of that tenure, but that plan was dashed when Shagari was overthrown in a coup in 1983, and succeeded by Muhammadu Buhari, who was appointed head of state by the junta. This abruptly ended civilian rule in the country.

Ten years later, General Ibrahim Babanginda who was the leader of the military junta came under pressure to return democratic rule to Nigeria. After an aborted initial primary, Abiola was to defeat Baba Gana Kingibe and Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and was Social Democratic party (SDP) presidential nominee. With Babagana Kingibe as his running mate, Abiola swept the polls in the June 12 national presidential elections.

In an overwhelming enthusiasm for a return to civil rule, Nigerians came out in their numbers to vote, and Abiola beat his rival, Bashir Tofa of the National Republican Convention (NRC).

To the international and local observers, it was Nigeria’s freest and fairest presidential election, with Abiola even winning in his Northern opponent’s home state.

Abiola won at the national capital, Abuja, military polling stations, and over twothirds of Nigerian states. The reason why the election was so historic, was because men of Northern descent had largely dominated Nigeria’s political landscape since independence. The fact that Moshood Abiola (a Southern Muslim) was able to secure a national mandate freely and fairly remains unprecedented in Nigeria’s history. However, shortly after, on…, Ibrahim Babangida, self-styled military president of Nigeria annulled the elections.

The June 12 Crises

In a dramatic turn of events, Babangida had ordered Professor Humphrey Nwosu, chairman of National Electoral Chairman, (NEC) not to announce the results,

and on June 15, Association for a Better Nigeria (ABN) won a ruling in the Abuja High Court directing the NEC to halt the publication of election results. NEC complied on June 16. Both political parties issued demands for the release of election results. As tensions increased, the military tightened security in all the main cities.

Two days later, Lagos-based Campaign for Democracy (CD) released what it claimed to be the final banned election results. According to them, SDP candidate, Moshood Dashimawo Olawale “MKO” Abiola, who is a Muslim Yoruba, had easily defeated NRC candidate, Bashir Othman Tofa, a Muslim from the north, winning outright in 19 of the 30 states. About one-third of northerners voted for Abiola, seeing him as being more independent of the military than Tofa. IBB carried out his main intention of annulling the elections.

With growing tension, protests began, and civil rights groups led open campaigns denouncing the government and Babangida ordered solders to shoot innocent people on the street. South Easterners, whose main trade is sales, began to migrate back to their home states, in fear that a new war was imminent. Many died in motor accidents, while crooks vandalised peoples’ property across the nation. The death toll was very high. The country was plunged into a political crisis so deep it resembled the 1966 crises that led to the Biafra war.

Finally, Babangida reluctantly agreed to hand power to an “interim government” on August 27, 1993. Without popular and military support, he was forced to hand over to Ernest Shonekan, a prominent nonpartisan businessman. Shonekan was to rule until new elections, scheduled for February 1994. Although he had led Babangida’s Transitional Council since early 1993, Shonekan was unable to reverse Nigeria’s ever-growing economic problems or to defuse lingering political tension.

With the country sliding into chaos, Defence Minister Sani Abacha quickly assumed power and forced Shonekan’s “resignation” on November 17, 1993. Abacha dissolved all democratic political institutions and replaced elected governors with military officers. Abacha promised to return the government to civilian rule but refused to announce a timetable until his October 1, 1995 Independence Day address.

Following the annulment of the June 12 election, the United States and other nations imposed various sanctions on Nigeria, including restrictions on travel by government officials and their families and suspension of arms sales and military assistance. Additional sanctions were imposed as a result of Nigeria’s failure to gain full certification for its counter-narcotics efforts. In addition, direct flights between Nigeria and the United States were suspended on August 11, 1993, when the Secretary of Transportation determined that Lagos’ Murtala Muhammed International Airport did not meet the security standards established by the FAA. The FAA in December 1999 certified security at MMIA, opening the way for operation of direct flights between Lagos and U.S. airports.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 8

Late Abiola

Abiola’s death: Confirmation of an open secret •Kofi Annan memoir reveals his suspicion

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n his new memoir, Interventions: A life in war and Peace, former United Nation’s Secretary General, Kofi Annan revealed what has always been known in the country, that the death of the unacclamed winner of the June 12, 1993 elections, Bashorun MKO Abiola was suspicious.

Annan wrote: “On June 8, 1998, Abacha unexpectedly died. General Abdulsalami Abubakar was installed as his replacement the next day. But now Abubakar was president, and he, as he later revealed to me, was scared. The country was entirely isolated internationally after repeatedly refusing to change its political course or release political prisoners, and could count on little outside help; it was in a terrible financial position with a crippling high debt; Abacha had antagonised the country’s power bases, which had brought growing unrest and violence onto the streets; the military (dominated by the Hausa ethnic group) was used to its privileged position in society and was not going to give this up easily; and while Abubakar recognised the necessity of democracy to ensure the country’s political sustainability, a mismanaged and sudden introduction of elections could bring even more instability.

“Part of the problem for Abubakar was how to deal with the imprisoned Abiola. If released, he could still upend the political balance in the country if he demanded the presidency as he had before. Such a move would be backed by his mainstay of supporters in the South-west of the country, but almost certainly rejected by the military. A few weeks after Abubakar came to power—on June 22, 1998, at 3.30 pm—I had one of these sessions with Nigeria’s foreign minister, Tom Ikimi.

“He conveyed Abubakar’s message: The president hoped I could help him exploit the current opportunity provided by Abacha’s death, Ikimi said, to assist his plan to move Nigeria out of its current predicament. He wanted to return Nigerian to a position of reasonable standing

in the region and internationally, to end the country’s misrule, and to usher in democracy. But he also wanted to extend the timetable for elections to ease the process of change—and he wanted my public support for this.

“Ikimi’s style was unrecognisable in comparison to the one he had displayed while serving Abacha. Previously, he had lectured me and others, at length, on how the internal affairs of Nigeria were solely the government’s business. That bold front was now giving way to realism: recognition of the truly interdependent world of which Nigeria was a part.

“My first thought concerned Abiola. He could not be a casualty of this transition, or it would not be a transition at all. He had but won the first real attempt at democratic elections, retained significant support, and his imprisonment had caused him to become a symbol for those demanding political change in the country. Continuing to imprison him would mean the antithesis of any progress toward genuine democracy and the rule of law. “‘I’m willing to publicly give my approval for the president’s plan,’ I said, as Ikimi’s eyes visibly lit up. ‘But only if Abiola is released.’ Ikimi looked taken aback.

But he replied that if I came to Abuja personally to voice my support of Abubakar’s election proposals, then Abiola could be released. I accepted the invitation to visit.

“I would play whatever small role I could to aid the end of a military dictatorship; particularly in Nigeria, which had suffered enough from military rule, after an exhausting series of coups that had ridden roughshod over the country since 1960.

“Due to my flight schedule, we flew on June 29 to Abuja from Vienna on a plane provided by the Nigerian government.

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Dateline

Babangida

Sunday, October 28, 2012

Shonekan

Abacha

How Nigeria’s freest and fairest election was annulled CONTINUED FROM PAGE 7 Although Abacha’s takeover was initially welcomed by many Nigerians, disenchantment grew rapidly. A number of opposition figures united to form a new organization, the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), which campaigned for an immediate return to civilian rule. The government arrested NADECO members who attempted to reconvene the Senate and other disbanded democratic institutions.

Most Nigerians boycotted the elections held from May 23-28, 1994, for delegates to the government-sponsored Constitutional Conference.

On June 11, 1994, using the groundwork laid by NADECO, Abiola declared himself president and went into hiding. When he re-emerged, he was promptly arrested on June 23. With Abiola in prison and tempers rising, Abacha convened the Constitutional Conference June 27, but it almost immediately went into recess and did not reconvene until July 11, 1994.

The political crisis created by the annulment of June 12 is still unresolved till this day. During his imprisonment, Abiola was deprived of outside news and subjected to solitary confinement and abuse that included negligent medical care. Suddenly on June 8, 1998, General Abacha died.

Abiola’s release seemed imminent following this but he too died suddenly under mysterious circumstances, arousing suspicions of foul play. Although heart attack was officially declared to be the cause of death, that conclusion was greeted with scepticism by many.

So, who killed Moshood Abiola?

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 7 craft, designed for the president’s use. On arrival, I met with President Abubakar to discuss the situation. He emphasised everything Ikimi had said in New York, and I pushed him to move on his promises, to open up the political system and to bring in civil society, to build the momentum in his favour in order to keep the country on course.

“He replied positively but said the October 1 date for a transition to democracy was too soon for credible elections. I counselled him that if he postponed the date, he would have to publicly provide a new and detailed timetable and communicate clearly to everyone why this delay was necessary. I also reminded him that Abiola needed to be released if he was to obtain international goodwill—and mine.

“On this Abubakar wavered slightly. He pledged his willingness to release Abiola immediately, but under the condition that he made no attempt to reclaim the presidency. I could see the general’s concerns: if Abiola came out and demanded to be instated as president, it could cause a deep and violent split that, given the fragile conditions, could take the country to goodness knows where. Abiola’s release was necessary, but it also needed to be a calm process.

According to medical reports, Abiola collapsed shortly after taking a cup of tea at a meeting with the US secretary of state, Thomas Pickering in Abuja.

Abacha’s former Chief Security Officer, Major Al-Mustapha captures the moments so aptly in court in 2011: “I was technically present when Abiola slumped and died. I was present with him when he drank the tea and with the four visitors that were there. But I was not the one that gave him the tea. When I said ‘technically present’, in security parlance it means I was physically present there. If I was not there, then I cannot claim ownership of the tape I talked about. I was watching through a centralized camera. I took a video tape of what happened and I saw everything. I kept the tape in secret. Abiola had a big Quran and a Bible and he was busy writing on them. It was then I realized that he needed writing pads to write on. All his writings were very important and they should be produced in court for everybody to see.”

Al-Mustapha added that the events that led to the death of Chief Abiola was too sudden to be taken for granted, stressing that he was not insulting anybody when he related the events that occurred before, during and after Chief MKO Abiola was murdered. His words: “On July 6, 1998, the late Chief Bola Ige was told to bring Abiola’s family to the Presidential Villa.

On July 7, Chief MKO Abiola was murdered and on July 8, the leaders you saw on that tape were brought to the Presidential Villa. This was too real to be true, within three consecutive days, major events happened in a country like this, where the position of the late Chief Abiola could de-

termine the standing of Nigeria! “Yet, the elders still came and they had discussions, they were people who ought to be in a state of shock but they were ready to go on without the man they claimed to be fighting for, somebody who was hale and hearty suddenly died. “All the detainees were to go home; Chief Obasanjo and the rest were sent home, why should Chief Abiola be left behind?”

Indeed, in 2011 Major Al-Mustapha testified before a Lagos High Court that all fingers point at Abdulsalami Abubakar. He told the court that former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, was afraid he would make the information at his disposal public, hence he wanted him to spend the rest of his life in prison.

He said: “My incarceration was as a result of a script written and acted out by former Head of State, General Abubakar to further keep me in prison.

“First were the events that happened after the murder of General Abacha and late Chief MKO Abiola and for fear that I may divulge information that led to their death, they had to keep me in prison.”

Another account states that the then United States Under-Secretary for Africa, Susan Rice was the person that urged Abiola to drink that tea of death. This piece of evidence was given by Major Abdulsaheed Mohammed Aliyu, the then Chief Security Officer to Gen. Abubakar.

According to Aliyu, when Abiola was attending the meeting with the United States officials led by Mr. Thomas Pickering, Abiola initially declined the offer to take tea but upon suggestion by Susan Rice, the

Abiola’s death: Confirmation of an open secret “I asked if I could see Abiola, to discuss this problem, and Abubakar said it would be arranged. It was later that night that Lamin heard the knock on his door, and we found ourselves speeding along Abuja’s dark roads to Abiola’s current holding place. We pulled up at a location near the presidential palace, and sullen guards walked us inside the guest houselike building into a simple, bare room with white walls, where I found him sitting quietly.

“After exchanging greetings, I explained that I was in discussions with the president and the junta concerning current developments in Nigeria, and I was pressing them for his release. He seemed remarkably ambivalent. I asked if he wanted to claim the presidency once he was out, which I told him I was confident would happen very soon.

“He said he was not sure, commenting that the junta would be afraid if he did. He seemed to be hedging his bets, not wanting to be drawn into a firm answer. Suddenly, he switched his interest and asked, ‘But who are you?’ “‘I’m Kofi Annan,’ I replied. ‘I’m the secretary-general of the United Nations.’ “‘What happened to the other one? The

Egyptian?’ He said, surprised. I had mistakenly assumed that Abiola had been told who was coming to see him and why. All he had been told was that an ‘important person’ would visit. It was amazing the isolation in which this man had been kept—the regime was so used to keeping him in the dark, they maintained his ignorance of anything going on outside even now.

“Once he realised who I was, he became more enthusiastic. He also became more explicit regarding his plans. He said he had no intention of claiming the presidency. All he wanted was go to Mecca to pray and give thanks. But he emphasised that he would make no commitment in writing. If he did so, he felt this would destroy his reputation. But he said he was willing to give the same assurance to President Abubakar.

“I conveyed this assurance to Abubakar the next day, but he was still hesitant. I explained that a free Abiola, who had no interest in upsetting the situation, would be a calming influence on his supporters, not an agitating one. I then told him that I would be announcing in my departing speech to the press that the president had promised me he would release Abiola and the other prisoners very soon. Whether this speech reinforced his credibility or undermined it

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Abdulslami

Chief took the tea to soothe his cough.

But this account has always drawn the ire of the late Abiola’s personal physician, Dr. Ore Falomo. On June 5, 2003, in an interview with reporters, Falomo had said: “I believe there was a conspiracy on the part of the then Federal Military Government and all the top hierarchy. I am not even absolving Abdulsalami Abubakar.

Whether he was actively involved or innocently kept behind does not matter. None of the members of the hierarchy wanted him to come out of detention.”

Dismissing the “tea theory,” Falomo went further to say that “there are indications that Abiola’s heart was thrice the size of a normal human heart at the time he died.”

Appearing at the Justice Chukwudifu Oputa-led Human Rights Violations Investigation Commission (HRVIC) sitting in Lagos, the Former Chief Security Officer to the late General Sani Abacha, made a revelation that some top Nigerians conspired to kill the late Chief M.K.O. Abiola by all means soon after Abacha’s death, “to balance the equation”.

At the Oputa Panel, in keeping with his earlier promise to make more revelations concerning the regime of General Abacha vis-a-vis the opposition group, Major Al-Mustapha said at his third appearance there were some powerful forces within and outside the military who wanted Abiola dead at all cost soon after Abacha’s death. He did not mention names.

Also, the then Secretary-General of the United Nations, Kofi Annan, in a new book titled “Interventions (A Life in War and Peace)”, stated that the events culminating in the death of the statesman was quite suspicious. would now depend upon him.

“In the ensuing press conference, given shortly before our flight out of the country, I did as promised. But I also revealed that Abiola had, indeed, told me that he had no intention of claiming any right to the presidency, further removing any justification Abubakar held for not releasing him and also smoothing the path ahead with Abiola’s more hard-line supporters. I was also trying to ease the concerns of those Nigerians who feared Abiola’s return.

“On our return journey, everything seemed set for Abiola’s release. But tragedy struck a week later when Abiola collapsed and died during a meeting with U.S. Under-Secretary of State Thomas Pickering. Despite the earnest intentions we had detected in Abubakar, the timing could only be considered suspicious.

“However, an international team of pathologists established that it was the result of heart condition, and there was no foul play—other than the fact, I thought that Abiola had been denied adequate medical care throughout his incarceration. Either way, he was yet another casualty of the systematic violations of a whole range of human rights that are inevitable under personalised and oppressive regimes.”

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Interview ENCOUNTER WITH A NEWS MAKER OCTOBER 28, 2012

Gowon ceded Bakassi to Cameroun to win the civil war –Madiebo Major General Alexander Madiebo was a war commander of the Biafran Army during the civil war otherwise known as the Biafran War. In this interview with Muyiwa Oyinlola, News Editor and Ayo Esan, Senior Correspondent, he speaks about the controversy generated by extracts from Professor Chinua Achebe’s book on the role played by the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo during the Nigerian Civil War, the reintegration of the Igbo race, and the ceding of Bakassi Peninsula to Cameroun.

Excerpts: It is now over 40 years since the civil war ended, would you say the Igbo have been reintegrated into the polity?

The reintegration of the Igbo has been a slow process.

You can never reintegrate the Igbo fully as it used to be before the war. Now the Army was completely against the reintegration of the Igbo into the Nigerian society because of selfishness. The soldiers thought that if Igbo officers came back, they (Nigerian soldiers) would be relegated to the background because Igbo officers were, on the whole, senior to all of them. This is because after independence, most of the senior officers were Igbo. So, reintegration did not start at all until the military regime stopped, probably with the exit of Obasanjo. Now, since then, we have had some progress. For instance, for the first time, we are having Chief of Army Staff as an Igbo man. The Igbo are getting attention in various senses, both in politics and in other ways, but there is a long way to go. There are people who are determined that the more you draw the Igbo into the society, the more they are threatened. I have the details of the reintegration of the Igbo but I can’t give you all. What I am merely trying to tell you as briefly as possible is that the Igbo have not been fully reintegrated into Nigeria.

What is your observation on Professor Chinua Achebe’s comment on Chief Obafemi Awolowo in his book, There was a Country?

What Achebe said, as I told some people, in all aspects, is correct. In fact, I went further to say that if I am to give my own account of the war and Awolowo’s role, I would even have said more. But that is as far as I can go. I do not want to draw attention on Achebe’s book to myself. This is because I haven’t written any book and I do not want to steal the show or act for Achebe. Achebe is well qualified to defend himself but one thing you notice is that, of all the people who have been criticising Achebe, no one had said what he said was wrong. If there is anybody who has said that, then I have not been able to read or hear it. Nobody is saying that Awolowo did not give the Igbo £20 at the end of the war; that he did not starve the Igbo during the war, and all that Achebe had to say. This is because what he (Achebe) said are true. Awolowo’s people agreed that he

Madiebo

had to do them to win the war. So, what is the bone of contention? There is no basis for controversy because one person has given the facts, and the other person is trying to justify the facts. They are all entitled to that.

Now, I have more. I keep a lot of documents and materials on the war and the participants. If I had to write my own, I might not even mention any of the things that Achebe said. I mean, he has written as a civilian and I will write as a soldier. What he said are all correct and everybody agrees, I mean all the tribes.

The question now is, is he justified to do those things just to win a war. That is for anybody to answer.

One of his followers, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, said that food supply was stopped because the soldiers hijacked the food being sent to the East and didn’t allow it to get to the people. How true is that?

Obviously, that is a talk of an idle civilian. How can you be giving food to soldiers? I was commanding the Army throughout the war. For the first two months, we had no problem of food. As far as I know, throughout the war, Nigeria did not give food to any warfront or any part under the control of Biafra. This is common sense.

The only thing was that we had the support from the Caritas (it is a church organisation) and the Red Cross.

I think Caritas is based in Rome. It is a very big relief organisation. To get food from them, their flight only

came in the night and completely under bombardment by the Nigerian command to prevent the food from coming in. He said he was giving Biafrans food. If I were a Nigerian, I won’t give Biafrans food. We did not have the means to hijack food coming, with the sophisticated planes from Nigeria. How could we have hijacked them with helicopters? The point is that, officially, unofficially or in any way, Biafra got no food from Nigeria at all.

There was a brief period when we benefitted from Nigerian food by accident. It was when Biafran troops cleared Owerri and cut off a lot of Nigerian soldiers.

The Nigerian Army started dropping food for their soldiers inside Owerri. Obviously, we discovered that what they were doing was that they asked their soldiers to spread white clothes in the areas where they were and they would drop food for them. The Biafran soldiers cleared other areas and spread white clothes and they were dropping food for them mistakenly. They soon found out. They didn’t at any time during the war give Biafrans food. If they captured any part of the original Biafra, they had to feed the people there, but not Biafrans.

The agitation for a Biafran nation is still ongoing. Do you think it is achievable?

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Interview

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‘Adebanjo’s comments on civil war are those of an idle civilian’

Madiebo

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 13 Frankly, if one wants to be realistic, you cannot achieve Biafra again as we used to know it. First of all, the old Biafra presently consists of eight or nine states.

There are five in Igboland and four in the South-South. I am just saying this off hand. There are about eight states now made up of the old Biafra. How on earth are you going to start reuniting all these people who have enjoyed a lot of progress and have seen the fruit of local independence? How can you join them again under one state? It is not possible. It is not necessarily the political independence of about eight or nine states. They cannot lump themselves together again.

Biafra stands for justice. People who are agitating for Biafra are, in fact, agitating for justice. They are agitating for an end to the marginalisation of a certain part of Nigeria.

What would you now want to tell people like Chief Uwazuruike who is pursuing the project?

Uwazuruike, in a way, is useful to the Igbo. As I told you, it is not useful to the extent of getting independence for the Igbo.

He is the only pressure group now the Igbo have to let the rest of Nigeria know what our problems are. In fact, there was a time that I would say he achieved more than all the South-East (Nigerian) governments put together. Under these governments everybody is trying to get maximum benefit for himself and his family and not for the Igbo really. After the war, the Igbo who joined political parties were just the second fiddle, not hoping to achieve more than satisfying their families. Under Abacha, an Igbo man, Kalu, formed ‘ Youths Earnestly Ask for Abacha, to have Abacha there permanently, not an Igbo man. Abacha was not an Igbo man. Nobody has the ambition of reuniting the Igbo. They just became nuisance in a way, individually.

But now, people are beginning to realise that you don’t achieve much by trying to shine in the midst of poverty. The Igbo are uniting again.

Why were you not promoted when Gowon and Unegbu were promoted?

I don’t know.

People are asking why Professor Achebe is reliving the civil war issues after over 40 years. They believe we should not be looking at what divided us in the past but for something that will unite us. What is your view on this?

That is the point. The issue of the civil war or Biafra is not coming back. One single person wrote a book. I haven’t read the book. All I know about the book is what I have read in the newspapers or from different journalists. I am not aware that the issue of Biafra is coming up again except that Achebe wrote his memoirs.

Nobody talked about many other things he wrote but only about Awolowo. As if he wrote about only Awolowo. Maybe, he did, I don’t know. But I understand that he wrote a book called ‘There was a country, Biafra’. Which is true. When Ojukwu died, he was buried as a General and Head of State. His coffin was carried by Generals.

In fact, it was the first burial that looked like a Head of State’s in the history of Nigeria. Ex-Heads of State came, those who recognised Biafra. Nigeria was, indeed, trying to recognise that there was a country.

What are we arguing about? If somebody says it, he gets into trouble. If he went beyond it and said that Awolowo did this or that, he gets into trouble. He just said the truth but it is left for people to justify if Awolowo did it because he wanted to win the war. In fact, there were other things Awolowo may have done which are part of his job. This is the way I look at it.

I don’t think there is any need for controversy over it. If somebody had said that Awolowo never gave the Igbo £20 after the war or that he didn’t change currency dur-

ing the war, then I would start wondering whether I had forgotten. But nobody has said that. All they are saying is that he did this purely to succeed in his job. He was given a job. Whether he did it in order to punish the Igbo, I don’t know. After all, he never consulted the Yoruba for any decision he took. He was acting as an individual, not as a Yorubaman, but as a Minister or Commissioner of Finance. It has nothing to do with his tribe. Why should his tribe be angry if he took wrong decisions or if he showed any overzealousness in anything he did? After all, there were other things credited to him. To start revealing those things now would obviously try to draw blood. I know that if at any time that there was anything necessary to say, that would be in my own memoirs. I am not going to support somebody else’s book. Supporting a book that you have not read, one must be carefully moderated.

What I am saying is that, as far as I am concerned, everything already credited to him by Achebe are absolutely correct.

As a commander during the war, you were familiar with every section of Biafra and, perhaps, Nigeria. Was Bakassi within the geographical zone of Nigeria?

Bakassi is an example of the evils of inter-tribal politics, evil of colonialism and of North-South dichotomy. If I tell the story of Bakassi, it may take too long but we started losing Bakassi in 1959.

That was when we lost South -West Cameroun. You know South-West Cameroun is Adamawa in the North and Barmanda in the South. They were part of Nigeria because the League of Nations after the Second World War shared Cameroun into two. It belonged to Germany. It gave the

IF I WERE A NIGERIAN, I WON’T GIVE BIAFRANS FOOD. WE DID NOT HAVE THE MEANS TO HIJACK FOOD COMING, WITH THE SOPHISTICATED PLANES FROM NIGERIA. HOW COULD WE HAVE HIJACKED THEM WITH HELICOPTERS? THE POINT IS THAT, OFFICIALLY, UNOFFICIALLY OR IN ANY WAY, BIAFRA GOT NO FOOD FROM NIGERIA AT ALL

East to France and the West to Britain.

Britain then shared its own into two, administered the North as Adamawa Province with the Northern Nigeria and the South with Eastern Nigeria. In 1959, most colonies were to get independence and the British thought of what to do with this Western Cameroun being administered

by Britain under Nigeria. Britain decided to give the Southern Cameroun back to France and the Northern one, Adamawa to Nigeria. Do you know why? Britain was adjusting population so that the North should have overall majority in Lagos. I took part in the United Nations plebiscite which was to decide who goes where. I was the only Nigerian indigenous officer that took part in that exercise. The British realised that South-West Cameroun under Hendeley was NCNC. That was why they called it National Council for Nigeria and Cameroun (NCNC). They had 14 seats in Nigeria in the Eastern Region and one seat at the centre. That seat at the centre was won by Hendeley and he became Minister of Labour. Hendeley won 13 of the14 seats in Enugu. Funcher was being used by the British to remove Cameroun from Nigeria. Funcher won only one seat, yet when the plebiscite came, he defeated Hendeley who had 13 seats. It was possible because Sardauna and Awolowo saw it as an opportunity to reduce the representation of the NCNC both in Lagos and in the East. You know this is shortsightedness.

I won’t dwell much on that, so eventually we lost that. Having lost that part of Cameroun, Britain and Nigeria were rejoicing that NCNC’s wing had been clipped.

They didn’t realise that after losing it they had given the North over 52 per cent representation over the South. They didn’t need anybody in the South to rule Nigeria.

That was the beginning of the end. When the civil war came, having taken that part of the Cameroun, they were too happy to bother about demarcating the area. We decided to bring all our weapons from the Cameroun. Ahidjo, the president of Cameroun said he didn’t know where the boundary was, so we should carry on. He was blackmailing Nigeria. If that place had remained open, Nigeria would have defeated Biafra, but it would have taken about 10 to 15 years.

Gowon told Ahidjo to select the boundary and close it after the war, ‘we shall discuss’.

Ahidjo said, okay thank you sir. Ahidjo then went and told Biafra enough is enough. He marked the boundary and policed it. Eventually, we lost the war. At the end, Nigeria went back and said that was not the boundary. Ahidjo reminded Gowon that he told them to mark the boundary. ‘‘We marked the boundary, you won the war forget it’’. Ahidjo, being a Fulani, each time he wanted to discuss the Nigerian border with Cameroun, he might even go to Sokoto and speak in vernacular.

Journalists wouldn’t even know what they were saying. That was how they took Bakassi. We tried from 1972, they started enforcing it with soldiers. People would say you can’t eat your cake and have it; you sacrificed Bakassi for Biafra. If you say take what you want, we want Biafra, you have got Biafra, so you have lost Bakassi. It is unfortunate that they are our brothers. My troops were there and, if we are to be truthful, that place is Nigeria. But if you have in anyway given it to them, let them have it.

15

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Politics PROVIDING FRESH PERSPECTIVES TO ISSUES OCTOBER 28, 2012

Will additional states for South-East assuage Ndigbo?

FEDERALISM, PROPERLY PRACTISED ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD, SEES CONSTITUTIONAL PARTS, THE FEDERATING UNITS, AS CO-COORDINATING UNITS. BUT IN OUR OWN SITUATION, WE HAVE A UNITARISM THAT IS MASQUERADING AS FEDERALISM

–EKITI STATE GOVERNOR, DR KAYODE FAYEMI.

P. 16, 41

Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu

Why they are fighting

ABIA

I

t was the least expected. When former Governor Orji Uzor Kalu of Abia State in his 2007 political commitment was painstakingly pulling the strings for incumbent Governor Theodore Ahamefule Orji to succeed him in office, the duo never had the slightest imagination they were into a blind alley that would end in political hostility.

Theodore Orji was, perhaps, the most trusted aide to Kalu who, at his time, was arguably the most vocal governor. Thus, Kalu expressly appointed him his Chief of Staff for the two terms spanning eight years that his administration lasted. By the dictates of his office, Theodore was said to be calling the shots of the finances under Kalu’s government and, the relationship between them was untainted, trustful and personal.

In the build-up to the weird 2007 gubernatorial polls, political watchers could not even position Theodore Orji to be among

P. 40

Briefly ACN didn’t suffer setback in Ondo poll –Ikuforiji Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mr Adeyemi Ikuforiji, at the weekend said the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) did not suffer any setback from the last gubernatorial election in Ondo State.

Ikuforiji told newsmen during the Eid-el Kabir prayers at the Epe Praying Ground in Lagos that the ACN made tremendous progress in the election since it had not been on ground in the state. ``You need to understand that two years ago ACN did not have any ground at all in the state.

ACN has been able to prove that it is a party to reckon with.’’

The lawmaker said since the re-elected Gov. Olusegun Mimiko could not score twice the votes secured by the ACN, it showed that much would soon be desired by the party.

The Independent National Electoral Commission, on October 21, declared Mimiko of the Labour Party, LP, as the winner of the election.

The commission declared that he polled 260,199 votes while the PDP and ACN candidates, Chief Olusola Oke, and Mr Rotimi Akeredolu, polled 155,961 votes and 147,512 votes respectively.

On the PDP’s recent win of the Ikoyi/Obalende Local Council Development Area of Lagos State through an election petition, Ikuforiji said ACN would regain the council area through an appeal.

NAN reports that the Lagos State Election Petitions Tribunal recently declared Mr Babajide Obanikoro, of the PDP, the winner of the council election.

Gov. Theodore Orji

Abia: Battle of the Orjis GEORGE OPARA

Constitution review: Imperative for agenda setting and public hearing

the hordes of contenders who on various political parties’ platforms were ambitiously seeking to take the reins from Kalu.

However, Orji had considerably ingratiated himself with the Kalu political family.

He was believed to be the most important confidant but an underground player in the power game of the state. Very influential, Orji also allegedly enjoyed the perks and trust from middle-class politicians in the state. This benevolent action, in no small measure, endeared Orji to the grassroots politicians while his apparent loyalty won him the heart of the Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA) upper political hierarchy, nay the dictating political pressure group called Reality Organisation, founded by Kalu’s mother, Mrs. Eunice Uzor Kalu.

When it was time for the PPA to decide its gubernatorial flag bearer, Kalu exploited his political masterstroke to anoint Orji.

Political pundits said Kalu settled for Orji’s candidacy as his most trusted insider in his kitchen cabinet. He, it was believed, would protect his expansive economic and political interests. Suffice it to say that Orji’s candidature raised discontent among

the frontline PPA gubernatorial hopefuls, but the former governor swiftly weathered the storm.

A few weeks after the 2007 electioneering started, Theodore Orji was arrested by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on the accusation that in his capacity as Chief of Staff to Kalu, he was the conduit pipe through which his former boss allegedly laundered millions of naira abroad and eventually siphoned dry the treasury of the state. This development, however, ceded great advantage to the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its governorship flag bearer, Chief Onyema Ugochukwu, PPA’s main challenger. But PPA chieftains, stalwarts of Reality Organisation and the battery of other loyal political groups and PPA foot soldiers headed by Kalu were undaunted in their campaigns.

Contrary to expectations, PPA was able to beat PDP at the polls. Ugochukwu lost to Orji. The governor-elect was released from the Kirikiri Prison through the instrumentality of Kalu two days to the May 29, 2007 handover date when he was eventually CONTINUED ON PAGE 16, 41

Hon. Ikuforiji

Obi pledges to empower women Anambra State Governor, Mr Peter Obi, has pledged that his administration would promote women empowerment, particularly in the rural communities.

The governor gave the assurance in Awka when a delegation from the National Centre for Women Development (NCWD) visited him.

Obi stressed that if women were adequately empowered and motivated, poverty would be considerably reduced in the society, while the quality of life in families would be enhanced.

He said the government’s efforts to develop the rural areas and provide infrastructure for them would particularly boost the wellbeing of the women, among other things.

Obi noted that the state government had collaborated with donor agencies and development partners in efforts to attain specific targets of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

Earlier, the centre’s Director-General, Mrs Fatima Bertora, said they were in Anambra to inspect NCWD’s skills acquisition projects in Idemili North, Ogbaru and Orumba South council areas.

She expressed satisfaction with the quality of work at the sites, adding that the projects were aimed at complementing the state government’s efforts to empower women and alleviate poverty in the state.

16

Politics

Sunday, October 28, 2012

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

DENNIS AGBO ENUGU

T

he Igbo nation, found in some other geopolitical zones, especially in the South-South but dominant in the South-East, has for 42 years lived in Nigeria with a feeling of marginalisation.

Beneath this feeling is the inexplicable reason why the zone remains the only one in the country with five states whereas a zone like the North-West, for instance, with about equal population, boasts of seven states while the other zones have six states each.

Ndigbo, therefore, feel that it is part of the punishment for daring to pull out of the country between 1967 and 1970 during the military incursion into the nation’s politics. It’s like a sore wound that the people have contended with over the years believing that “bad” politics, a fall out of the 30-month civil war may, after all, be responsible for this and also an indication that the ill-feelings of the war are not over yet.

But recently, especially with renewed effort to amend the country’s constitution by the National Assembly, the South-East zone dusted up the files for agitation for the creation of an additional, if not two more, states in the zone to keep them at par with other zones. This is more so as the Federal Government continues to share the allocation of the nation based on the number of states and local government councils. The South-East zone therefore thinks it should legitimately get same share as other federating zones in the country.

Therefore, the Igbo intelligentsia, especially those in the leadership of the apex socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, are currently of the opinion that what is required is going back to regional system of government as was obtained before the incursion of the military in the polity. With a proposition that the present six geopolitical zones would federate, others however insist that even before that return to the old path, additional states should be created in the zone to assuage the people and once more give them a sense of belonging in the Nigeria project.

The clamour for additional state(s) in the South-East was however heightened last week in Enugu when the people of the zone celebrated the 80th birthday of the Second Republic Vice-President, Dr. Alex Ekwueme. At that forum at the Dr. Michael Okpara Square, the Imo State Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, won the hearts of many when he used the event to further press for the demand of additional state.

His words: “We are a great nation and only waiting for the appointed time, and Nigeria is waiting on the Igbo nation. Those people who thought that unity has been responsible for the denial of what is due to us might not be right. What is simply happening to Ndigbo is apparent disunity, which does not reflect any practical realities. Let no one believe again that we are marginalised because nobody can marginalise Ndigbo. It is indeed the seemingly self marginalisation by Ndigbo that look like an outside marginalisation; nobody can marginalise the children of God.” He reiterated that the cry of every genuine Igbo person now should be how to attract additional state to the zone to bring it at par with other zones in the country, as this was the basis of the apparent marginalisation the South-East is suffering.

Okorocha canvassed that the Federal Government should urgently initiate an executive bill to the National Assembly for the creation of another state in the South-East. He said the eulogies and praises for Dr Ekwueme would not be complete unless an ad-

Obi

Will additional state for South-E ditional state was given to the South-East before other considerations. “This is the cry of this man we have come to celebrate.

This is the desire of the elder statesman who is being acknowledged as a true democrat. I want to believe that he will be happier that his service in the country is being rewarded when this request is granted in his lifetime,” Okorocha said.

Leaders of the zone among them governors, lawmakers, traditional as well as religious leaders, among others, had also not quite long ago rose from a stakeholders’ meeting in Enugu, insisting that the zone’s demand for creation of an additional state was not negotiable.

Governor of Anambra State and Chairman of South-East Governors Forum, Mr. Peter Obi, had in several meetings said that their deliberations centred on two issues of creation of additional state in the zone and security challenges, adding that the issue of creation of additional state in the area was extensively deliberated upon and resolved as non negotiable for Ndigbo in the forthcoming constitution amendment.

Elaborating on the matter, former President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Dr. Dozie Ikedife, said the comment credited to Kano State Governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso, that the SouthEast did not deserve additional state, was balderdash and a personal opinion of Kwankwaso. Ikedife said that other problems of Ndigbo were stepped down in the meetings to emphasise the desire of the zone for additional state which, he said, would be raised at the constitution amendment forum.

According to other notable Igbo leaders that attended the meeting, the creation of additional state would help in addressing the imbalance in the polity and also go a long way in checking the persistent cries of marginalisation by the people.

They said the people of the zone believed in the amendment of the 1999 Constitution, noting, however, that bringing the zone at par with others in terms of number of states was crucial

Abia: Battle of the Orjis CONTINUED FROM PAGE 15

sworn in amid surprises and fanfare.

Unfortunately, about two years into Orji’s governorship came a visible crack in the relationship between him and his former boss, Kalu, after the duo battled to hide their disagreements from the public domain. Central to the faceoff was said to be greed, avarice and failure to keep certain accords between themselves.

It was widely believed that Kalu was greedy and avaricious so much that he was allegedly breathing down on the neck of Orji over his actions, inactions and policies of government. Consequently, Governor Orji reportedly started a game of countermove to free himself from Kalu’s grip. But Kalu would not let go but allegedly insisted on the implementation of the details of their alleged accord. Orji allegedly reneged on the said MoU. This stalemate made them to wash their dirty linen in public through various political intrigues.

In trading blames, Orji disclosed that he was operating the government from the prisms of Kalu. Other precursors of the feud reported that Kalu’s mother mandated the local government chairmen and heads of parastatals in the state to allocate speci-

Ekwueme

fied amount of money to her monthly. Also, she was reportedly grabbing all the juicy contracts in the state and local government areas as well as influencing political appointments to her loyalists. It was also alleged that some of the contract awards went to Kalu’s companies.

It was also alleged that Kalu’s mother ensured that anyone who wanted to run for any elective position on the party’s platform must first pay homage to her. Whoever she anoints for the party’s ticket got it unchallenged.

However, apart from coveting the state treasury, Kalu and his mum allegedly usurped government operation, machinery and also determined the appointment of all members of Orji’s first cabinet in 2007. The struggle to control the state speedily polarised state affairs, with many officials of government, House of Assembly members and party faithful supporting Kalu and his mother against the governor. It was this situation that led to the dissolution of Orji’s first cabinet and his attempt to reconstitute it with his own loyalists was to no avail. Orji ran the government for four months without a cabinet until an agreement for the two divides to jointly nominate members was reached.

before the amendment. They contended that true which the various sections of the country had canv start by addressing injustices being meted out to o Angered by the unguarded utterance of the Kan the Igbo Youth Movement (IYM) asked Kwankwas an unreserved apology to the people of South-East leged comment that the zone does not deserve addi IYM President, Mr. Elliot Uko, said it was very that such a ‘horrible comment’ could come from such as Kwankwaso, adding that such jaundiced comments, though quite unfortunate, served as a co that the same section of Nigeria whose military wi up the country and foisted on it an unkind struc only unrepentant and unapologetic, but is surpri mitted to the disintegration of the country as its re rect the deliberate imbalance would lead to an earl Nigerian experiment.

“Even the military that imposed this unjust States and Local Government structures know tha not endure. Kwankwaso and his ilk only make it for Ndigbo to vote any northerner as president as n would vote for his enemy. Kwankwaso lives in a w own as Nigerians are unanimous that Ndigbo nee tional states for the sake of justice and equity,” U sised.

On the other hand, the National Chairman of A sives Grand Alliance, APGA, Chief Victor Umeh, s not subscribe to constitution amendment because ments for creation of additional states by the c is herculean. “So the promise of creating state in East is only through the lips. I do not think that th unity of purpose in the National Assembly today of only one state. I have been talking about local go

Orji was said to have inherited about N29.2 billion Kalu-led administration. The administration allegedly banks N19.2 billion, debts to local contractors were N gratuities were in arrears to the tune of N1.4 billion 2007 and pension harmonisation arrears estimated a lion. Sources also alleged that Kalu’s presidential cam penses were drawn from the state coffers.

But the sour point of it all was that Kalu and his mo perceived to have the determination to stop the gove ond term bid on the platform of PPA in 2011, ostensib his younger brother, Mascot Uzor Kalu, who was Chie to Orji. Another projection, it was gathered, was to use Chris Akomas, Orji’s former deputy governor, to succe so that he would pave the way for Mascot’s governorsh A few months to the 2011 governorship elections, Or his PPA membership in the face of his erstwhile par threat of expulsion and allegation of poor perform pitched his tent with the All Progressive Grand Allian but subsequently settled for the PDP, on which platfo and won the 2011 polls.

By his defection, the soul of PPA died in the state and image greatly impaired as the majority of its elected m the national and state houses of assemblies joined the thermore, the whole structures of PPA in all the 17 cou

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17

Sunday, October 28, 2012

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

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Telecoms: Huge profits, embarrassing services

T

he huge profits routinely posted by telecommunication firms underscore the urgent need for the relevant regulatory agencies to whip them into line and make them truly upgrade the current largely unreliable services and their fleecing of helpless subscribers. Investigations strongly suggest that about 105 million active telephone subscribers in the country spend up to N107 billion every month to communicate and transact their businesses. However, there exists a mismatch between this boom in turnover and the abysmally poor services the outfits render to their subscribers.

The rash of apparently uncontrolled lotteries and promotions by the operators to boost subscriber base and market penetration might have further depressed their network carryingcapacity to deliver quality services.

The result of overburdening their network capacity, in the face of challenges, has led to unprecedented epileptic telecom services nationwide.

The past 10 months, for instance, witnessed the consistent deterioration of services on the part of virtually all the major service providers, like the MTN, Glo, Airtel, Etisalat and Visafone, which posted large volumes of incomplete or drop calls; undelivered but billed short message service (SMS); and lapses in paid-for and time-bound Internet subscriptions as subscribers were denied service to surf. Yet, the customer-care units of the GSM firms hardly apologise or refund monies collected for services not rendered. After the Eugene Juwahled National Communications Commission (NCC) fined most major network operators for failing to achieve basic quality benchmarks in May this

year, the regulator apparently retired to sleep, while the operators became more brazen in subscriber-extortion through sundry doubtful promotions and lotteries in the face of disgusting service quality.

Although the service providers blame drop or dumb calls on equipment system upgrade, the fact remains that the telecom companies are simply exploiting the absence of strict regulation of the industry by the NCC and the National Lottery Regulation Commission (NLRC) to rip off subscribers. In addition to their evidently endless system upgrades, the operators have become more daring in assaulting subscribers with unsolicited SMS and voice calls, even in the dead of the night, to mainly announce doubtful promos and outlandish lotteries. Apart from the nuisance such unsolicited promos and lotteries constitute to many subscribers and the inherent invasion of privacy, some operators debit the credits of unsuspecting subscribers that never requested for such campaigns.

The MTN, particularly, which for seven weeks advertised its system upgrade to redeem its distressing service, within the same period, offered a bogus lottery of free airplane to greedy and undiscerning subscribers, a development that further overloaded an already depressed network; leading to system collapse for weeks in some states, for instance.

The fundamental questions are: How long would Nigerians continue to feed the greed of unscrupulous telecom firms that cannot justify the huge profits they cart away despite their embarrassing services? Why

have the Consumer Protection Council remained inept, very uncaring and a direct opposite of what its name stands for; and the NCC and the NLRC impotent in discharging their statutory responsibilities under a democratic dispensation? What really has happened to the NCC after the exit of Ernest Ndukwe; and what is the National Assembly doing to protect the electorate from fraudulent telecom firms?

It is quite understandable, the fact that the telecom companies are facing challenges of power, security of equipment and discordant policies from multiple regulatory agencies, which we think are problems the government should urgently address.

However, these challenges cannot be sustained as smokescreens for dishonest telecom firms to collect monies upfront for inconclusive and poor quality services. With the yearend coming with its accompanying bustling activities, there is the likelihood of increased dubious promos and lotteries to further depress the weak network capacity if the government fails to whip and wake up the regulatory agencies to perform their duties of protecting the interest of subscribers. To end the festering regime of poor services and check fraud, telecom operators must be compelled to accommodate only the number of subscribers that match their carrying capacities. In addition, the NCC should ensure that the twice postponed Mobile Number Portability programme takes off unfailingly in December to engender operators’ competition, as subscribers would be free to migrate from one network to another while retaining their original numbers.

Reminiscences OCTOBER 28, IN HISTORY 1922: Mussolini usurps power in Italy King Victor Emmanuel III of Italy handed over power to Mussolini who was supported by the military.

1948: Germany’s war crime convicts hanged Nine more Germans convicted of war crimes were hanged as the US Army continued with executions of those convicted of war crimes.

1965: US Gateway Arch completed The Gateway Arch, a 630 ft high parabola of stainless steel marking the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial on the waterfront of St. Louis, Missouri was completed.

1988: Allen, Microsoft co-founder, gives $10m to University of Washington Microsoft co-founder, Paul Allen, gave $10 million to University of Washington library.

1997: NBA announces hiring of Kantner National Basketball Association (NBA) announced hiring of Dee Kantner and Violet Palmer as first women to officiate a major-league all-male sports league.

2001: Pakistan - Islamic extremists gunmen kill 18 Islamic extremist gunmen burst into a church in eastern Pakistan and killed 18 people, including children who were at prayer.

2007: Indians march for land rights Tens of thousands of landless Indian farmers and tribal people reached Delhi after a three-week march of 200 miles for land rights.

2010: China cancels meeting with Japan, South Korea In a dispute over the use of rare earth metals, China cancelled a meeting with Japan and South Korea.

2011: ‘UK women equal in throne succession’ Commonwealth leaders unanimously agreed that female heirs to the throne would be equal in the rules of succession. The ruling meant that sons and daughters of British monarchs would have equal claim to the throne. They also lifted the ban that stated that British monarchs cannot marry Roman Catholics.

18

Opinion

Sunday October 28, 2012

Uncensored U nc

Sheriff S Folarin

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

A

t a time like this when our beloved Nigeria appears to be in local and international news for the wrong reasons, there is no alternative to seeking divine intervention in our affairs.

When killing has become a pastime and when irate mobs resort to jungle justice at the slightest provocation, all we need is God’s intervention. In an age of unfettered wickedness and banal acts with no conscience to spark a sense of guilt, men can only have recourse to their God. In a society where evil is an art and the devil is a playmate, it will take the special intervention of Almighty God to reorder the nature of man. At this time when malice and mischief are the attributes of religion, then we need the supernatural to quickly put us right. In a system where hate and conflict reign supreme, then we must seek the intervention of the Prince of Peace to establish the only genuine and lasting coexistence strange bedfellows.

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Wanted: Divine intervention!

Nigeria truly needs prayers. The prayers required are not the routine “God bless Nigeria” kind of anthem. We need spirit-filled and intense prayers to stop the menace of road, air and sea mishaps that claim the lives of innocent and potentially useful citizens every day. We need prayers to halt the daily abduction by kidnappers of citizens and expatriates, which paint a grim picture of a lawless, anarchical, unsafe, and irresponsible country. We need prayers to expose and stop the activities of ritual murderers whose use of human parts, people’s souls and little children for all sorts of purposes ranging from wealth to spiritual fortification and political power, have resulted in disappearances of thousands of future leaders of the country.

Divine intervention is required to disorganize Boko Haram and all other terrorist groups in the land, and to unveil more of their highly placed sponsors for the maximum punitive measures they deserve. Divine intervention is required to fight corruption in high and low places, particularly the corruption of those in government in whose sticky hands our national destiny is placed. We need divine intervention in addressing the numerous and increasingly complex economic problems, which have been undermining the great stature and respect Nigeria once enjoyed in the comity of

serious-minded nations. Divine intervention will restore the country’s glory in economic greatness; it will provide the compass for the right political and policy direction; just as it will impart our leaders with wisdom and the genuine fear of God. Our collective and private supplication will put an end to the frequent cases of armed robbery. Robbers will lose their thirst or urge for stealing, neither will they continue to cause pains and agonies for victims or their families. Supplication will heal Nigeria of the old wounds of ethnicity, religious extremism and the senseless killings in the name of religion. Supplication will go a long way in restoring the nation’s faded glory in sports, particularly in the game of soccer, where we had produced the kings in the continent and beyond. Prayers will restore our sense of patriotism and increase our love for one another. True love for humanity will not make us to see human throat as that of “Sallah rams” or ‘Christmas fowls” that can be slashed at any slightest provocation.

It will not allow for irate mob to seize young promising persons on allegation of theft or anything whatsoever and burn them alive. It will not allow a midnight massacre of 40 students who are working hard at school to become responsible men in the future.

We must pray for Nigeria. Our prayers will stop the floods and keep the sun shining on everything we do. With prayers for Nigeria, the prediction of more floods in about 13 states before December will amount to nothing. We need prayers to stop untimely and shocking deaths, particularly of young people who have barely started life.

Nigeria requires prayers to make us occupy our rightful place in African and global politics. We were once the “giant of Africa”; prayers can get us back there.

After all the Bible says, ‘With God, all things are possible” (Matthew 19: 26), and that “without Him, we can do nothing” (John 15: 17; 1 Peter 3: 7).

We need to go back to God to recover our birthright. The kind of prayers we offered during the iron-curtain rule of General Sani Abacha that ended against all odds a long reign of political aberration: that is the kind of prayers we need to do once more. Prayers of faith, fervent prayers, prayers of the heart, prayers coming from a heart connected to God: that is the kind of prayers we must offer.

Prayers with steps of faith, prayers with action, and prayers with belief that God has done it: that is the kind of prayers!

•Dr. Folarin teaches Politics and Inernational Relations at Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State.

Suswam’s good governance in Benue State CONRAD WERGBA

T

he entourage of the Governance Tour initiated by the Federal Ministry of Information and Communication has arrived Benue State on an inspection of Federal Government projects.

While the delegation carries out the assignment, the team is bound to come face-to-face with the dividends of democracy which Governor Gabriel Suswam has delivered to the people of the state in the last five and half years.

As governor, Dr. Suswam has given such a massive facelift to all sectors such that he is easily referred to across the country as ‘Mr. Infrastructure’, given the manner he has rebuilt dilapidated infrastructure in the state.

For instance, his urban renewal scheme has positively affected major towns in the state such as Makurdi, Gboko, Otukpo and Katsina-Ala. Hitherto considered as glorified villages, these communities are at present enjoying the status of towns, that residents are proud of.

Movement from the rural to urban centres has also been made easier particularly for the predominantly agrarian population through the construction of rural roads.

Some of these roads include OtukpoOweto, Otukpo-Utonkon-Okpoga, Orokam-Owukpa-Okpoga, Eke Elengbecho-Ugbokolo-Otukpa-Orokam, Adikpo-Ikyogen-Jato-Aka, Amaafu-UgbaAnyiin, and Ge-Ikyobo-Agbeede-Anshagba, among others.

In addition to the roads, the governor has invested heavily in the provision of massive rural electrification for over 200 communities across the state as well as major new water works, including the Greater Makurdi Water Works, and those in Katsina-Ala, Otobi, Anyiin and

Otukpa.

Besides transforming the old Government House into a befitting Governor’s Office, Dr Suswam initiated and completed a multi-billion naira ultra-modern Governor’s Lodge with guest houses, sporting facilities, a world-class swimming pool, as well as a banquet hall with 1000-guest capacity.

He has also successfully completed the Benue State University Teaching Hospital which contract was awarded by the previous administration. The hospital is today fully operational.

A good number of the aforementioned projects, particularly the Greater Makurdi Water Works, the Governor`s Lodge, the Teaching Hospital and some of the rural roads were inaugurated by President Goodluck Jonathan during his two-day visit to Benue State last March.

The state also enjoys a good government-labour relationship, due to the Suswam administration’s unwavering commitment to the welfare of workers, as demonstrated in numerous workers’ incentives as well as the early payment of one of the best packages of the new minimum wage nationwide.

The drive for his public-private partnership vision for the industrialisation of the state has started yielding results with the reactivation of the Benfruit Juice Factory taken over by Transcorps and the hitherto moribund Taraku Mills Limited undergoing turnaround maintenance, while the Makurdi Sheraton has also been leased out.

In the area of healthcare delivery, a lot has been achieved with most of the general hospitals in the state given comprehensive renovation, equipped with modern facilities and stocked with drugs.

According to a state government policy, all pregnant mothers receive free treatment in public hospitals.

The education sector has also received

attention with a good number of primary schools spread across the three senatorial districts having been renovated and furnished, in addition to the construction of new classrooms and provision of learning equipment.

Tertiary institutions such as the Benue State University, College of Advanced and Professional Studies, Makurdi, as well as the Colleges of Education at Katsina-Ala and Oju have their structures rehabilitated or new ones constructed.

This attention has reflected in the accreditation of courses at the respective tertiary institutions.

In the area of agriculture, the governor demonstrated his commitment to boosting the sector by acquiring and distributing 136 tractors to farmers in one day and several hundreds at various times, in addition to the provision of other farming inputs.

The state government has also embarked on an integrated swine production farm.

The state also procured a commercial agriculture loan of N1 billion from the Central Bank and distributed to farmers in the state recently.

For youth empowerment, the state government last week signed a memorandum of understanding with the Bank of Industry to access N1 billion for disbursement as loans to young, small-scale entrepreneurs, having paid a counterpart fund of N500 million.

In the transport sector, the governor has reinvigorated the state’s transport company, Benue Links, which recently acquired more than 50 new buses to boost its fleet.

The Suswam administration has also within its tenure, introduced far-reaching reforms into the local government administration; the high point of which has been the reorganisation and reposi-

tioning of the Benue State Independent Electoral Commission to conduct free, fair and credible elections.

The entire premises of the commission has been renovated, new vehicles provided for it and funds released to enable the electoral body conduct local government elections in November, 2012.

Having realised that no meaningful development can take place without the security of lives and property, Governor Suswam had the foresight to secure the approval of the Presidency to set up Operation Zenda, a joint military and Police task force that has enhanced the security of lives and property in the state.

This task force has been equipped with the requisite gadgets and provided vehicles some of which the Inspector General of Police, Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar, formally inaugurated in Makurdi recently.

Dr. Suswam, who has been described by many as a bridge builder, has also been able to foster peace within Benue communities and their neighbours within and outside the state, as well as rise to the challenge of curtailing the incessant clashes between nomads and farmers.

While on tour of the state, the good governance team will notice a sharp contrast between the efforts of the state and those of the Federal Government.

While the state government under the Suswam administration has projects spread throughout the nooks and crannies of Benue State, the Federal Government has little or nothing to show for the tremendous support it has enjoyed from the government and people of the state.

The team will, therefore, do well when it gets back to remind Mr. President of his promises to the good people of the state during his visit last March.

•Mr. Wergba is the Benue State Information and Orientation Commissioner.

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Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Applause LIFESTYLE, FASHION & ENTERTAINMENT OCTOBER 28, 2012

Don’t walk out of your marriage at slightest provocation –Mary Uranta Mary Uranta is a Nollywood screen diva. She started acting 12 years ago and featured in a popular movie entitled, Girls’ Hostel. In this interview with Adaeze Amos, this yet-to-be-married star advises her married colleagues to jettison stardom and be submissive to their spouses so that their marriages would stand the test of time.

You are looking younger, what is the secret?

Thank you! I just try to work on myself and try to look good. People are embarrassing me every day because of my look. I’m a very shy person, so I see their compliments at times as an embarrassment.

What are you doing right to have this youthful look?

I tell a lot of people that I don’t really do anything big and they usually think I am lying. But that is the truth. I just had to cut down on my food intake. I don’t even go to the gym. I also try not to bear grudges because I believe that if the inside is clean it reflects on the outside. I let out anything that would pile pressure on me.

What is your diet like?

I don’t take much of oil food. I don’t go for junks anymore. I used to love junk foods a lot. I also had to stop eating rice and ‘eba’ for a year. I also stopped taking oily foods for about six months. I started eating unripe plantain, wheat at times. I like licking soup. I take more of vegetables and fruits.

What did you do to put stretch marks at bay?

I never had stretch marks on any part of my body. I think it is just luck.

What is your style?

I’m a very simple person. There is really nothing elegant, nothing big about how I look. I just know I look good. Simplicity is my style key.

What is that style you won’t be caught in?

You can never see me wearing blonde hair.

But you are light-skinned?

Yes, I’m light-skinned but I just can’t go on blonde.

That is one style I don’t think I can go for.

Looking at Lagos where you live, what is that fashion blunder that puts you off?

For me, I hate the fact that because colour-blocking is in vogue, everybody in the street tends to go for it.

For me, it’s funny. Sometimes you see some people wearing very long heels, and they struggle to walk in them. That puts me off. At times, you see them in their green, pink and shocking red dresses in the afternoon, or on a Monday morning. That is not hip. That disgusts me.

How about flaunting cleavage, legs, and what have you?

That is okay for whoever that has the mind to flaunt. If you have the guts to flaunt any part of your

body you think can sell, it’s your choice ice but it is not mine. But ensure you flaunt what is good…what is not offensive to decent minds. One thing ng I believe is that a lady, for instance, can flaunt cleavage avage and be decent about it. You can actually look very nice in whatever thing you are wearing. You can flaunt hot part of you and still look very responsible esponsible and good.

What motivated you into acting?

It’s the passion I have for acting. I have flair for it. It’s even now that people act for money and fame. When we came, at least ast my first movie was with Uche Jumbo, Empress press Njama, Ngozi Ezeonu, Uncle Olu Jacobs cobs and that was in 2000. The movie was entitled ‘Girls’ Hostel’. It was for the love e of it that I featured. But today, it is for fame me and money.

How does that make you feel?

Well, good luck to everyone. These e days, we have bills to pay so I don’tt blame anyone.

What did you study?

I studied Secretarial Administration at the Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Port Harcourt. Amazingly, I did my first movie while I was in school.

You do bitchy, bad-girl-roles most often, why? Are you actually like that?

No, I’m not actually like that. I think for those roles, it started coming recently because, if you know my movies very well, what producers were practically giving me were good-girl kind of roles. Bad roles actu-ally started coming late and I accepted d them because an actress should be verrsatile.

Is there any role you won’t accept no matter how much you will be paid for it?

I won’t accept roles that would have to do with nudity. Apart from that, every very other thing for me goes because as an actress, you should be able to do any role le that is given to you.

How about romance roles?

‘BEING A WOMAN FASCINATES ME’

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MY M Y STYLE STYLE IIS SE ELEGANT LEGANT –TOKUNBO TOKUNBO

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Applause

‘My ideal man?

How perfect am I?’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 19 Yes, that’s okay for me.

Have you ever given marriage a thought?

Why not? Am I not a woman? God, I’m a woman o! I must settle down.

Some ladies see marriage as bondage and wouldn’t want to go close to it; what’s your view on this?

For such people, they are still sleeping. One day they would wake up from their slumber and realise that they are women and need to settle down and have their own kids. I do think of how to settle down and have my kids. This fame may not last forever. Fame is like one working in an office, a time would come in your life when they would decide to drop you. Nothing is a lifetime thing and it is what you built for yourself today that would last, the kids you have today are the ones that would fend for you tomorrow.

You are an actress; after acting, what other plans do you have for yourself?

What next for me is the life of womanhood and probably whatever thing I have kept for myself to feed from for the rest of my life. For now I don’t know, whatever the future brings I pray would be okay. What I know, for sure, is that I work very hard. Sometimes, you plan but what God has in store for you is different. I would keep mum and wait for that time.

What are you looking out for in your ideal man?

I don’t like to talk about the kind of man I want. I’m depending on God because He said in his words that when you are his own, he makes your decisions for you. He looks at you, He has created you, He knows the kind of person you are, what suits you, His will and wish for you are greater. I could easily say I want everything perfect in a man but how perfect am I? It is still okay to envisage, have that vision of what you want but till then, we still don’t know what God has in store for us.

Looking at the way some of your colleagues’ marriages are crashing, are you not scared?

No, I’m not scared. It doesn’t make me feel bad because everyone has his or her own problems. I still know a lot of people who are doing well in their marriages. They already have four or five kids and they are still there.

Omotola is in her marriage, Chioma Chukwuka Akpota is there, a lot of them are in their marriages. It’s the business of whoever that wants to destroy his or her marriage!

But what if your marriage is not working?

If it is not working, it’s not working. Marriage is a lifetime thing and when you stay in a marriage and you are not happy, for me, it is a mental torture. You don’t have to die in it. Take a walk. It is not a door-die thing because you can’t suffer for the rest of your life.

But, some of your colleagues allow fame to get into their heads so much that it begins to affect their marriages?

One thing I know is that when you are married, a lot of men would want to have you. Some would tell you to leave your husband and marry them but when you try it, you would see how they would dump you like a piece of rag. Whoever you are married to, be humble to him, be submissive, learn how to be good wife and how to respect your husband.

At least, when you try to do your best and it still doesn’t work, you know that at least you have tried your best. You don’t just walk out at the slightest provocation because you feel you are a star. When the time comes, we know whether you are a star or the man. You know women are the ones that age faster. When you give birth, it weakens you. You won’t be that strong.

What has stardom ‘stolen’ from you?

It hasn’t stolen anything from me because I still live my normal life.

I don’t even see myself as a star. If you ask me, I would say I’m a business woman because what do we even call a star. Who made you a star if not for the people in the street? So, why won’t you reach out to them nicely? Stardom hasn’t taken anything from me. From time, I have always been a simple person but the only thing I know I miss so much is the fact that I can’t eat my junks any longer.

Sunday, October 28, 2012

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Being a woman fascinates me –Adetoke Oluwo A renowned model and a fashion presenter on TV, Adetoke Oluwo strikes with radiance.

She studied Linguistics at the University of Ibadan. In this interview with Adaeze Amos, Toke, as she is fondly called by her friends, says she loves being a woman irrespective of some outdated cultures that tend to run women down.

Can you tell us a bit about the modelling world having been there?

There are numerous challenges in the modelling world really but I would only unveil some striking ones. One is the difficulty in getting jobs.

I was working with a professional model groomer whose name is Modela. He really tried in getting jobs for his models, including my humble self. He is my mentor. Another thing is that when you go for auditions, you may not be picked at the end of the day and you come back looking gloomy having wasted your time and efforts. That is honestly discouraging because having looked yourself in the mirror and believing you are worth any modelling job, you go for auditions and you are not picked.

What then kept you going despite these challenges?

I was always encouraging myself. I kept telling myself that I wouldn’t have to get all the jobs in the world.

Those few words of encouragement really helped me and that was why I remained ever focused even till date. I’m very strong and I’m hardly discouraged.

How do you feel when you are not paid well after each modelling job?

I don’t also allow that to weigh me down because, basically, if you are in any job because of money you will easily be discouraged. Any job, whatsoever, be sure you have passion for it. Once you are passionate about what you do, it wouldn’t even become a job, it will look as if it is a hobby. That is what compensates some of us.

Who are the Nigerian models you admire?

Funny enough, I really admire guys because I believe guys are more focused. So, I admire Damola, the current model of Africa. There is also Ejiro who is the best runway model. Then of course, Olamide Da Silver.

He is very humble.

Having mentioned humility, what’s your advice to some of your colleagues who lack this virtue?

Basically, what I want to tell them is that they should remember that some people were there before them and they are no longer there. I’m happy that there are some models who are making waves in the industry and they are still very humble. For such people the sky would not even limit them because humility pays. It is the key to the door of any success. If you feel you have arrived or gotten to somewhere and it is swelling your head, that means you are ready to fall because you cannot cut down the ladder that brought you up. My advice to them is to turn round, change their ways and be humble. I still say that it pays.

What is it about womanhood that thrills you?

A lot thrills me about womanhood. In fact, let me say that if given the chance to relive my life, I would still want to come back as a woman.

This is because women are strong… we are powerful, life givers. That one is a special responsibility from God. No man can get pregnant and give birth. It’s impossible. So nothing or no one can take our position.

Another striking thing about women is that we know how to endure pains. Let the men go through ordinary menstrual pains, just for one month, and see how some of them would scream like babies. I think being a woman is the best thing God did for me.

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Cocktail Whispers

Stories by Olumide Segun-Oduntan

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

OCTOBER 28, 2012

Rita Dominic to wed ‘very soon’ If you are a fan of Nollywood star actress, Rita Dominic then you will do well to start preparing your dancing shoes and steps and get ready to click your glass in honour of the screen diva.

Though the hugely talented actress just celebrated the premiere of her latest movie, ‘The Meeting’, if new information made available to Cocktail Whispers is to be believed, then Rita Dominic may be preparing to walk the aisle soon.

Just recently when asked when she will be getting married, the very stunning Miss Dominic revealed that she will be getting married “very soon”.

Though the star actress did not disclose an exact date, a source close to her stated that it is very likely that Rita Dominic is actually going to come up with a surprise wedding plan soon.

But perhaps, if the popular role interpreter is truly getting married ‘very soon’, one question that may be on many lips is who the lucky guy is. Trust pretty Rita, she is keeping that under the wraps for now.

Did Jim Iyke father 11-year-old boy?

If the gist at Cocktail Whispers’ disposal is anything to go by, then celebrated Nollywood actor, Jim Iyke, may have fathered a child without knowing it, at least not until recently.

According to latest information reaching Cocktail Whispers, years back when the talented actor was about 23 years old, he was romantically involved with an undergraduate of Abia State University for ‘a brief period’. Well, the lady, said to be gorgeous, is now a barrister and based in the United Kingdom.

But the interesting thing now is that the love affair between Jim Iyke and the barrister produced a child (a boy) which the actor did not know about until recently. Now, 11 years after that love affair ended, the boy, also based in the U.K. with his mum, is said to have a striking resemblance with the movie star and may be anxious to meet his celebrity father.

However, while Jim Iyke is not exactly denying dating the lady in question, but as regard the 11-year-old boy she allegedly bore him, the actor’s media manager, Mitch Ngaman, has issued a statement saying that ‘this is not the first time that issues of this nature have arisen’. Ngaman maintained that as a responsible man, Jim Iyke ‘is always disposed to verify any such development(s) brought to his attention and when any satisfactory outcome has been ascertained, the public will be duly informed without ambiguity’.

Well, what is certain is that while this paternity issue lingers on, readers of this column will be informed as the matter unfolds.

Kwam1 hosts baby shower for Titi Masha It is no longer news that celebrated Fuji star, King Wasiu Ayinde Mashall is now married to and expecting a baby with his ex-wife’s niece, Titi Masha. However, the latest development in K1’s household is that the expectant father has held a baby shower for his pregnant wife, Titi.

According to a source, only the popular musician’s close friends and associates were invited for the gig which was held a few days ago at Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Cocktail Whispers gathered that the only people allowed to take photographs of the event were the official photographers hired by the Fuji king himself. Cocktail Whispers’ source also informed that guests at the baby shower were begged not to take photographs of the party with their phones.

Toyin Aimaku finds love again This piece will come as feel good news for friends and fans of celebrated actress, Toyin Aimaku. Cocktail Whispers can reveal that several months after separating from her ex-lover, Kunle Soyombo, the very talented screen diva has found love again.

According to a source, the very beautiful Toyin Aimaku is currently dating her colleague in the make-believe world, Adeniyi Johnson. He is part of the cast of popular television series, ‘Tinsel’.

Those close to Toyin Aimaku say she is very excited about her romance with Adeniyi such that she wants everyone to know it. Toyin and Adeniyi are said to have met at a movie location early this year. They are also said to be so much in love with each other. In fact, there are speculations that they plan tying the knot before the end of this year.

Just so you know, Toyin Aimaku was romantically involved with Kunle Soyombo, but they parted ways in March this year. Soyombo has since married another lady.

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Movies & Music

Stories by Olumide Segun-Oduntan

Sunday, October 28, 2012

08189418761 e-mail: lumidezy@yahoo.com

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Pop princess, Mya K, unveils infectious single, video This is a feel good story for pop music fans as M&M can reveal that 11-year-old British-born Nigerian Pop Princess, Mya K has come out with her latest single titled ‘For Now’ and the exciting brand new visuals to go with it.

Produced by UK-based producer, Shabach and taken from Mya K’s forthcoming self-titled E.P, ‘For Now’ is an outstanding Pop song that is sure to leave fans and critics yearning for more from the 11-year old triple threat singer, dancer and actress.

Laced with bass-heavy drum patterns and lush beats which are reminiscent of classic 80’s dance music, ‘For Now’ sees Mya K in her elements as she fabulously showThe energy levels went through the roof as music cases her singing abilities and burgeoning performance reality show, Nigerian Idol made its second stop this prowess on the track. season in the city of Port Harcourt on Saturday 20, Visually, that performance prowess is underlined even October 2012. further as Mya K shows off her dancing skills along with Hotel Presidential, the venue for the audition, played her already established vocal talents to make for a sassy, host to a lot of young and aspiring acts, from the excitbubbly and excitingly enthralling performance all around. able to the nervous, all revved up to be Nigeria’s next “Stars are born not made”, this best describes Mya superstar.

K, the 11-year old British-Nigerian singer, dancer and ac“I have come back to finish what I started last year,” tress who is serenading the world with her breath taking said Oguadu Chinedu, who was evicted from the show singing dexterity and performance prowess. last year.

“I have always dreamt of being discovered on a Mya K started singing at the tender age of two and has Each time you hear a crunk voice that large platform like the one Nigerian Idol provides,” said never looked back since. Based in the UK, she realized says ‘What’ or ‘Naija’ in a song, what comes another hopeful, Felicia Pako. “I was sad when I realized quite early that her purpose on earth is to touch and afto mind of music lovers is Frenzy, a nickCross River wasn’t selected as one of the states for the aufect lives through music. name of the gifted music producer born Emditions, but I was advised to come to Port Harcourt.”

Signed to First Entertainment and currently working manuel .T. Okafor. This popular introducAs usual, lead sponsor Etisalat was on hand to ease the on her debut E.P, Mya is already causing a stir in Nigeria tion has not only become a signature for the tension and entertain the hopefuls.

There was music and with her music. After having released three hugely popurapper cum sound engineer, it’s a trademark comedy , headlined by Kay Switch who performed his hit lar singles in 2011 – ‘I’ll Survive’, ‘Superstar’ and ‘Xmas for Frenzy who happened to be one of the last Charity’ - which are still enjoying massive airplay on Nifew people who worked with Dagrin before he gerian radio, Mya K was specially invited to perform at died. He actually produced ‘If I Die’, Dagrin’s the Calabar Festival by the Cross River State government last single on earth. in December 2011 and was also invited by Governor GodAs it is no longer news that all is set for the swill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State to perform at a Christposthumous album for the shining music star mas concert in the same month.

It was no walk in the park for the judges of on-going taldimmed too soon, Dagrin, it may interest you ent hunt show, Nigeria’s Got Talent over the weekend as they to know that the album titled ‘Invincible Bulmade final decisions on acts from auditions in seven cities letproof ’ will be released by Spinlet and most across the country. Themed the ‘Culling Episode’, Episode 6 tracks were learnt to have been produced by saw judges Kate Henshaw, Dan Foster and Yibo Koko select 50 Frenzy. outstanding acts for the semi-finals.

While ‘If I die’ was also remixed with vers“I am looking for talents that are original, have interestes added by Styles P, Nasty J and Show Dem ing contents and are Nigerian based,” said entertainment Camp (also produced by Frenzy) was released entrepreneur, Yibo Koko. “If I can see room for growth and exclusively on Beat 99.9 FM and on spinlet.com improvement in what you do, then you have my vote and supsometimes ago; the music video which was shot port,” actress, Kate Henshaw added. in Lagos and Brooklyn, New York, has been reThe episode was an excellent reminder of the amazing leased and it is currently making waves on TV talent across the country, showcased in the past five epistations globally. sodes. Ibadan auditions saw the likes of 11-year-old singer, However, Frenzy, who hit the limelight in Toke Salami and 49-year-old magician, Stephen Faunwei.

2008 with a remix version of ‘U Go Wound O’, Across Port Harcourt, Warri, Enugu, Benin, Abuja, CalaIll Bliss’ hit song which musical video won the bar and Lagos, the show encountered comedians, ventriloBest Hip hop video at the Soundcity Music VidFresh from her performances on Trybe Records’ recent quists, fire eaters and dancers, including Benin’s darling, eo Awards 2008, recently launched a website 8-year-old Amarachi.

Olympic tour, the very talented singer/songwriter, Arand floated a new record label called SoSoHits The judges divided the acts in categories which inamide, is currently igniting the airwaves with the viral Entertainment. cluded; singers, dancers and musicians. Not surprisvideo for her acoustic cover of eLDee’s hit record, Today The label formerly known as Black SurviToday. vors Records is set to drop its first single from After wrapping up a session at Iman Studios, Aramide its officially signed artiste, Nasty J. who is also shows off her prowess on the guitar and unique vocal a co-founder of Frenzy’s new entertainment style for some of the Trybe crew with a bold spin on the company. hugely popular song. Only a keyboardist accompanies The latter recently made an amazing appearher as she sings while handling guitar duties in this priance on Dagrin’s ‘If I Die’ remix and he’s set to marily acoustic rendition. release his first single titled ‘100 Naira Swagga’ The video highlights one of Aramide’s many gifts - the under ‘SoSoHits’ . The song was produced by ability to Frenzy. bring music to its purest, simplest form.

Frenzy Produced hit songs for many artistes She ups the such as Dagrin’s ‘If I Die’ / ‘If I Die’ remix fealevel of sentituring Styles P (New York), Nasty J and Show ment in this Pop Dem Camp, P Square’s ‘Break It’ featuring hit, shedding the Frenzy / ‘Super Fans’, DJ Jimmy JATT’s ‘Too instrumentation Much remix’ featuring Blaise, Sasha, Kemistry and party-feel of and Bouqui, Illbliss’ Dat Ibo Boy / “U Go Wound the original, and O” remix featuring Kel and Suspect, Sasha’s smiling through a ‘Put It Down’ featuring Dama Do Bling from rendition that feels Mozambique, Roof Top MC’s “Elenu” featuring intimate and personal.

Frenzy / “Drinks”, Djinee’s “My Love”, Nasty

The search for Nigerian

Frenzy brings Dagrin back to life, floats record label

Nigeria’s Got 50 acts selected f

Trybe Records’ Aramide hits screen with fresh talent

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Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

How to overcome the wicked,

by Pastor Okereke

Praise Worship E-mail:richardeghaghe@yahoo.com

E-mail:titusanyanwu.2012@gmail.com

EDIFYING GOD

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October 28, 2012

Why Pope appointed six new Cardinals

•My elevation, honour to Africa -Onaiyekan

K AYODE FASUA

WITH AGENCY REPORT

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ast week’s appointment of six new Cardinals by Pope Benedict XVI has reportedly jolted many Vatican observers, who saw the step as coming earlier than necessary.

The AFP at the weekend reported that the deteriorating condition of the Pope’s health was a likely factor in the appointment of the new Cardinals.

The news of a second consistory this year has raised concerns that the elderly Pope has been hit particularly hard by his demanding schedule; then by the child abuse scandals rocking the Church, and by the betrayal by his porter, Paolo Gabriele, who leaked Papal’s sensitive documents.

As Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, the Pope had once suffered a stroke while vacationing in the Alps, which briefly affected his eyesight and weakened his heart. Besides, The Vatican said he suffered another mild stroke in May 2005 after being elected Pope.

Pope Benedict thus named six nonEuropean Catholic prelates last Wednesday, who will join the Vatican’s College of Cardinals in November, in a move which may affect the election of the future Pope.

The new Cardinals are from the United States, Lebanon, India, Nigeria, Colombia and the Philippines. They have thus joined the elite body that advises the Pontiff and elects his successor upon his death, and the consistory is currently heavily weighted in favour of Europe.

Vatican watchers had not expected there to be another consistory until next year and the surprise announcement sparked concern that the 85-year-old Pon-

ABUJA

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hairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Federal Capital Territory, Rev Israel Akanji, has called for honesty and fairness in the distribution of relief materials to victims of flood disaster across the country.

Rev. Akanji said this at the Pastor’s Appreciation and 8th

‘Prayer, fear of God’ll solve Nigeria’s problems’ The Bishop of Ika Anglican Diocese in Ika-North East Local Government of Delta State, the Rt. Rev. Peter Onekpe, has identified prayers and fear of God as the spiritual panacea to solving the myriads problems confronting Nigeria Onekpe proffered the solution in his sermon at the thanksgiving service for the burial of the mother of the Primate of All Nigeria Anglican Communion, Mama Sarah Okoh, at St Michael’s Church Owa Alero.

He said God is still alive and answers prayers, even when we are faced with lack, criticism, rejection and harassment.

Bishop Onekpe recalled how God came to his rescue when he was bedeviled with barrage of attacks from the enemy, and admonished the faithful that “there is no reason to be frightened at all, but to wait upon God until our prayers are answered”.

He said one may not be rich in money or substance, but that if one is rich in prayers and in God, he has the highest resources.

CCC, Delta State, holds harvest The Celestial Church of Christ (CCC) King of Glory Parish, will hold its sixth Adult Harvest Thanksgiving Service 2012, tagged, “Bright Success of God Harvest” on Sunday, November 4, beginning from 10 a.m., at the church premises, DSC Expressway, Igbogidi, Delta State.

A release by the shepherd in-charge, Prophet Victor Padonu, requested all branches of the CCC in the federation and the public to attend, as God would richly bless them.

Dr Onaiyekan

Pope Benedict XVI

tiff ’s health may be worse than thought.

The consistory follows the death of several Cardinals in recent months and will bring the number of those eligible to vote back up to the maximum of 120.

Cardinals must be under 80 years old to take part in a Papal election.

The new Cardinals are the American James Michael Harvey, Lebanon’s

Bechara Boutros al-Rahi, India’s Baselios Cleemis Thottunkal, Nigeria’s John Onaiyekan, Colombia’s Ruben Salazar Gomez and Filipino Luis Antonio Tagle.

Harvey, 63, Prefect of the Papal household since 1998, was the direct supervisor of the Pope’s disgraced former butler

Anniversary of Gloryland Baptist Church, Lugbe, Abuja.

The cleric particularly tasked the local, state and federal agencies responsible for the distribution of the relief fund and materials provided by the Federal Government to ensure that the materials got to the actual victims.

Akanji added that there was the need for religious groups to also complement the efforts of government by bringing

succour to the victims.

Earlier, the Minister in charge of the church, Rev Niyi Ogundipe, had urged religious leaders to always inculcate the spirit of love and religious tolerance in their people, for the peace and development of the country.

The clergyman also advised Nigerians not to relent in praying for the country and its leadership, to overcome challenges.

‘STILL, THE POWER OF OLD EXISTS

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CONTINUED ON PAGE 24

Flood: CAN seeks fairness in distribution of relief materials JOEL AJAYI

Briefly

In his remarks, the President of Men Missionary Union, MMU, of the church, Mr. Courage Omosigho, said the service was organised to appreciate God for the Church and the Minister in charge of Gloryland Baptist Church, Lugbe, Abuja.

He stressed the need for Christians to be steadfast in faith and prayers, to ensure breakthrough in their endeavour.

• 08061372336 • 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.

HOW TO GET OUT OF A WRONG RELATIONSHIP

QUOTE Fasting places us in a position to receive from God’s hand, protects us from harm and grants victory over the enemy.

–Pastor Goke

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Praise & Worship

Sunday October 28, 2012

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Archbishop marks birthday with prisoners, tasks leaders T

he Archbishop of Catholic Archdiocese of Onitsha, Anambra State, Most Rev. Valerian Okeke, has urged leaders in the country to shun selfishness and greed while working for the common good of Nigerians.

Okeke said this after a special thanksgiving mass to mark his 59th birthday, which he held with inmates of Onitsha Prisons.

The archbishop also urged inmates to imbibe good virtues and fear God in all they did even as they went through their period of transformation of character and mind. ``I would call on all Nigerians at this point in time to shun selfishness. ``As long as the selfishness mounts, crisis will continue to increase; as long as the selfishness mounts, confusion, violence, ha-

tred would continue to multiply. ``Let those at the corridors of power seek the common good; let those who are opportune to be in positions of leadership consider themselves servants and serve the people they are called to minister to. ``As long as we do not serve, as long as we amass -mass wealth only for ourselves; as long as we use power to undermine the rights of others; as long as we use power to subdue the less-privileged, the under-privileged and the less-fortunate; so long shall we except confusion and crisis. ``But as long as we seek the common good; as long as we engage ourselves in the roles of service; so long shall we carve our names in gold on the sands of time and the books of history. ``So long shall we be fulfilled.’’

The archbishop thanked the federal and states governments as well as organisations, companies and individuals that had donated to ameliorate the plight of persons internally displaced by floods. ``I would want to personally to thank anybody or group at any level or capacity that have donated and given succour to our brothers and sisters who are victims of the flood disaster in the country. ``May God Almighty remember you also in your time of distress and need,’’ he prayed.

Reacting, Mr. Azuka Ndupu, Deputy Controller of Prisons in charge of Onitsha Prisons, thanked the archbishop for his love and support for the prisons, especially the Onitsha Prisons. ``My Lord, you have indeed transformed this place to look like what you have in the rooms

and offices housing those under you at the Basilica of the Most Holy Trinity. ``We are sincerely grateful to God for using you as a great blessing to us,’’ Ndupu said.

The prisons boss urged the Church, other public-spirited organisations and individuals to assist the prisons with a coaster bus in order to convey inmates to more than 70 courts within the state for trial. ``We also need tyres for our existing three vehicles as well as a generating set, office equipment and equipment for the inmates’ workshop among other needs.’’

The archbishop promised to sink a bole hole in the prisons and donated more than 1,000 toilet soaps, laundry soaps, toilet tissues, biscuits, two cows and food to the inmates.

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56-year-old clergyman, Ogunremi Lawrence, who allegedly assaulted one Peter Adeoye, was on Monday brought before an Ojokoro Senior Magistrates’ Court in Lagos.

Lawrence, who resides at No 4, Layi St., Amikanle Alagbado, is facing a charge of assault.

Lawrence, who came to the court in his white church garment, however pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The prosecutor, Insp. Clara Olagbaiye told the court that the accused committed the offence on Oct. 18, at Amikanle bus stop, Alagbado, at 8. 00p.m.

“Lawrence slapped one Peter Adeoye on his face and dragged him on the floor,” she said.

The offence, according to Olagbaiye, contravened Section 171 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Lagos State.

Why Pope appointed six new Cardinals

Prophetess Oberiko to be ordained Bishop

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rophetess Dr Joy Oberiko, wife of the General Overseer of Divine Souls For Christ Church International, Evangelist Moses Oberiko, will on Saturday, November 3, 2012, be consecrated as a full-fledged Bishop in Lagos. The thanksgiving service comes up the following day, Sunday, November 4, 2012.

The event, which holds at the main auditorium of the church on 3, Lukemon Avenue, Ijaiye Ojokoro, off the Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway in Lagos, is expected to attract the EndTime Apostolic Global Network Regional Bishop of Nigeria, Bishop I.G. Dreamson, and the Principal, College of Bishop, Bishop David Iyamu.

Also expected on the occasion are Bishop Ben N. Stephen from Abuja, Bishop Glory from South Africa, Bishop Sam Akengbowa from Edo state, Bishop E. Monty from Bayelsa and the national coordinator of the End-Time Apostolic Global Network, Apostle Pius Osobor, among others.

In a chat with journalists in Lagos, Prophetess Oberiko revealed that the call on her to be consecrated a Bishop is not by accident but God’s ordained, “because right from my mother’s womb, as I was told by my parents, I brought light into the family. As I was growing up, they called me that name ‘Bishop’ and the name stuck to me till date. That is how I know that my consecration as a Bishop is God’s ordained.

“Also, God has used me to touch lives. And my consecration will be a platform to renew my childhood calling by this name ‘Bishop’, to meet with great men of God and reach out and help the orphans, widows and the needy in the society, both Christians and non-Christians. I already started a foundation for this purpose and I believe my consecration will be a serious challenge to expand the scope of the foundation, to benefit the greater number of the less-privilege members of the society.”

Clergyman docked over alleged assault

CONTINUED FROM Page 23

Pastors rededicating themselves to God at the just concluded Christian Pentecostal Mission (CPM) Bible Conference at Ajao Estate, Lagos.

Only spiritual cleansing can end Nigeria’s crises –Cleric ONUKWUBE OFOELUE

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cleric, Evangelist Innocent Ugochukwu, has decried the spate of wanton destruction of lives and property in Nigeria, stating that unless President Goodluck Jonathan adds four vital ingredients to his leadership, it was bound to fail.

According to Ugochuwku, who is the pastor in charge of Perfect Christianity Mission, Ajegunle Branch, the problems with Nigeria have a serious spiritual dimension, and no physical solution can salvage Nigeria.

He further stated that the country was on the brink of collapse but stated however, that it is redeemable if only the President include these vital ingredients.

Speaking further, the prophetic evangelist went on to proclaim that by divine revelation, he had been made privy to six foundations baring Nigeria from moving forward, and would reveal them to the President, if he (the

President) so requested.

He explained that he was acting strictly on divine instruction.

“While I was praying for God’s intervention to the crises facing Nigeria, an angel appeared to me and said ‘there are six foundations holding Nigeria bound from moving forward and until they are dealt with, Nigeria remains in crises’. The details of the foundations and how to go about them were given to me by the same angel and they are strictly given for the presidency to apply,” he claimed.

He made reference to an earlier revelation God made through him early in 2009 which came to pass, in which God told him specifically that President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua would not lead Nigeria into 2010. The statement, in a bulletin published in February 2009 and titled A New Nigeria read in part “…Yar’Adua does not have the divine approval to sit over the affairs of Nigeria. Yar’Adua will not lead the nation and people into 2010…” He stated that the ful-

Evangelist Ugochukwu

fillment of that revelation which took the President out of Nigeria through failed health was the beginning of the cleansing.

The same evangelist had also prophesied the that there would be air crashes in 2005, the year Bellview and Sosoliso planes crashed in Lagos and Port Harcourt.

He also made frightening prophecies about the 2011 elections, where he stated that unless prayers were fervently said, they would be marred by violence.

Paolo Gabriele, who was sentenced this month to 18 months in prison for stealing secret Vatican memos.

He will be named archpriest of one of the four principal basilicas in Rome.

Gabriele was Harvey’s butler before the later recommended him to the pope, and observers questioned whether the posting to St. Paul’s Outside the Walls was a way of removing Harvey from his position in the wake of the theft scandal.

Bechara, 72, is the head of the Christian Maronite Church in Lebanon.

Thottunkal, the youngest cardinal to be appointed, at age 53, became archbishop of Trivandrum in 2007.

Onaiyekan, 68, has fought to stop revenge attacks against Muslims and promoted peace after attacks on Christians by the Islamist sect, Boko Haram, in Nigeria.

Salazar Gomez, 70, has been the archbishop of the enormous Bogota diocese since 2010.

Tagle, 55, is noted for his young, modern approach. In February, he openly urged the Church to tackle child-sexabuse offenders rather than covering cases up, and has called on bishops to report rather than protect paedophile suspects.

Reacting to his appointment, Onaiyekan described it as “a great honour to Africa.

“I see the elevation as a great honour to Africa, Nigeria, my country and Abuja. It is an encouragement for me to continue the good works that I have been doing for humanity,” he said.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Praise & Worship

Sunday October 28, 2012

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Day Deeper Life surprised star artistes TAI ANYANWU

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ntil previous Sunday’s outing, many Nigerians would have sworn that Deeper Life Church, arguably the country’s most conservative Pentecostal Church, was incapable of mingling with the glamour boys and girls who make Nigeria’s entertainment industry thick.

That illusion was shattered at a remarkable prayer meeting organised by the Yoruba arm of the church with the aim of wooing

Yoruba musicians, theatre art practitioners to become agents of positive influence.

The occasion was titled ‘Ipade Adura Pataki ni Ojo Afiyesi awon olorin ati awon elere ori itage fun igbala, aoba ati aluyo.’ It means a remarkable day for salvation, security and breakthrough of Yoruba musicians and theater art practitioners. The event held at the refurbished Banquet Hall National Art Theatre, Lagos.

Over 500 members of the targeted group, including Tajudeen Ojuelegba, Fatai Rolling Dol-

lars, Evangelist Funmi Aragbaye, Baba Sala, Oga Bello, Yinka Kadiri, Taiwo Hassan, Idowu Philips (Mama Rainbow), Fatia Balogun, Saidi Balogun to mention a few, came for the event.

From the high table and down to other seats arranged in a banquet, the glamour boys and girls had access to tables flowing with apples, grapes, fruit juice and other drinks for refreshment.

Evangelist (Dr.) Ebenezer Obey Fabiyi, formerly a worldly singer but now a front-line evangelist, was chairman at the

L-R: Senior Special Assistant to Deputy Governor Lagos State, Dr Tunde Opeibi; Church Secretary, Deeper Bible Church, Pastor Jerry Asemota; Head, Yoruba Section of the Church, Pastor Rufus Bamigbayan, and Pastor Phillip Oluwi, at the event.

event which started well ahead of schedule.

The target of the reach was not lost on its organisers; and this was captured in the chairman’s brief remark and in the sermon of Pastor W F Kumuyi, General Superintendent (GS), Deeper Life Church titled ‘Using Your Talent with Judgment Day in Focus.’

To set the ball rolling, Evangelist Obey had remarked, “Today reminds us of what the Bible says, that we are the light of the world, which cannot be hidden. God will do wonders in our midst today.”

On that note, Head, Yoruba Section of the Church, Pastor Rufus Bamigbayan, proceeded to deliver Pastor Kumuyi’s piecing sermon.

The effect of Kumuyi’s sermon elicited a spontaneous response as about 300 hands among the entertainment personalities went up as members of the targeted group to give their lives to Christ.

The text of the message was taken from Mathew 25: 30. Pastor Kumuyi had pointed explained that a day of reckoning, when everyone would be required to give account of his or her action would soon come.

People, he noted, do use their talents in different ways. Reminding the entertainment stars of the unique privilege they wield in the area of influencing members of society, kumuyi urged glamour ‘boys

and girls’ to use their God-given talents “to build rather than destroy their fans.

“Let us take away religion from all we are doing here today and remember that we are all creatures who will give account to our creator, the giver of all talents,” he urged.

“Many proclaim that they are God’s but do we all truly know the giver of our talents? Do we use our talents to make God our friend or enemy? What is the outcome of your ministration with your talent as a musician or actor?

“What do you hope to gain by using your talent? How many people’s lives have we either uplifted or destroyed or destroyed with our talents?” the GS asked.

The GS warned that Satan’s target was to snatch people’s talent and use it for its own glory and that some people allow pride and self-deceit to lead them to succumb to Satan’s activities.

“God was unhappy with the first man and his wife for giving Satan an inroad,” he added.

Pointing out the dangers of using one’s talent amiss, the Servant of God explained that it had grievous consequences.

He said that to glorify Satan with one’s God-given talent makes it impossible for the offender to reconcile with God and prayed that the participants would not misbehave and displease God with their talents.

Turn now to God of the helpless –Pastor Julius As the Body of Christ Evangelical Ministries celebrates its third anniversary, Pastor Julius Akinloye, General Overseer, warns about approaching the end-time. In this interview with Tai Anyanwu, he urges all to turn to God, who alone can help the helpless: Could you tell us a bit about the church?

The Body of Christ Evangelical was established to be the ark of salvation through inspiration from God. I come from Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) background. I began the ministry work there until God called me to establish another ministry-The Body of Christ Evangelical Ministries.

Why didn’t you continue serving God in CAC? When God calls or gives one a ministry, there is nothing you can do other than take up the call. I did not move out intentionally. My father is still an elder in CAC; but in my case, God asked me to find another ministry, but we are all doing the same work in His vineyard.

What is God’s call on your life all about?

Thanks for that question. God called me to be a pastor; and he also gave me the gift to be an evangelist.

How many branches of the church have you grown now?

Now, we have branches at Osogbo, Osun State and in Ogun State. In Lagos here, we have one in Oribanwa, Badagry and Imode, respectively.

We thank God for that. And we are cel-

ebrating our third annual anniversary beginning from 29th October to November 4th.

It is tagged, “God the Help of the helpless.”

That is the topic of this year’s convention.

In the Bible, in the book of Daniel, you see how God proved to be the help of the helpless Hebrew boys in the land of Babylon.

Precisely in chapter three of Daniel, Nebuchadnezzar commanded Meshack, Shedrach and Abednego to bow to his idol (image), they refused, though they did not have anybody to rescue them from the punishment which the King had spelt out. However, God the help of the helpless manifested His power in the predicament they found themselves. As you may know, some people conspired against them to rope them in.

Those enemies made the king to believe that the Hebrew boys had no regard for the king by not serving the gods of Babylon.

The king got angry with them and decided to demonstrate that he actually wield powers over his subjects. Hence, he commanded that anyone that did not bow to the king’s image would be thrown into the fiery furnace. The Hebrew boys, who served the God of Israel fervently and were resolute that they would never serve the gods of Babylon, did not mind that their lives were in danger. Because they believe in the God of their fathers, the told the King

that they know that their own God is able to deliver them from the fire, and that even if their God decides not to deliver them, they would not bow to the King’s image.

Thank God, the God of the helpless came down in the fire and rescued them. The bible tells us that neither their bodies nor their garments were touched by the fire.

The miracle made the king confess the supremacy of God. God opened the king’s eyes to see the fourth person in the midst of the fire.

Nebuchadnezzar also confessed that the fourth person looked like the son of God. The question is who told Nebuchadnezzar that He was the son of God? It is because God’s power manifested to save the helpless to show that He, God, can help people out of any situation.

This is to show us that if we can call on God, he can also rescue us from the problems we are passing through these days.

That is the message we want to pass unto people during this convention. If you do not have God, you can still come to God. He is still God yesterday, today and forever.

Jesus said something of interest in book of John 15: 33. He said that in this world, we will surely see tribulation, but be cheerful I have conquered the world. That is a promise. So, the help of the helpless is there for you to conquer the problems you

Pastor Julius

are passing through.

What is your attitude to the insecurity in our country Nigeria?

If you look around, you will discover that insecurity and all forms of threats to peace is actually happening all over the word. This is pointing out that the End – Time is up. My advice is that people should hold on to God. They should pray harder and reconcile themselves with God.

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Sunday October 28, 2012

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

How to overcome the wicked, by Pastor Okereke In this message, Pastor Chima Okereke, the General Overseer of Global Success Ministry, dwells on the gale of floods and other disasters that swept through some parts of the country, attributing them to the works of the wicked one. But for the faithful, he gives a recipe on how to overcome. Richard Eghaghe produces excerpts of the exhortation:

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salm145:20 states, “The Lord preserveth all that love him: but all the wicked will he destroy”. This is good news for all who are going through trials and temptations in life now. The Lord said that the wicked who is responsible for whatever you are going through right now shall be destroyed before the end of this year in Jesus’ name. Do you know that there is a level of celebration that is meant for you now in the spirit realm? But many people’s celebrations have been exchanged with the opposite; sorrow, pains, agony, frustration. Do you know that a lot of people die not because their time has come as a result of old age but because the wicked is on the rampage? We read in one of the daily newspapers some days ago, how 33 people who were said to be travelling to Benin for a burial ceremony got drowned when their bus plunged into the river. That was the wicked on the rampage. I pray for you that any plans of the wicked against you be destroyed in Jesus’ name. It is written in 1 John 3:8; “For this purpose, the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. It is good to have God on your side. If you look at the world now, starting from Nigeria where we are now, many strange things are happening. Natural disaster such as floods swept off a lot of communities, farm produce, buildings and human beings recently. Nobody planned for that. Government did not expect such emergency expenditure just as the year is already rounding off.

What do we do to stop the wicked?

Let’s consider three ways: • Humble yourself and surrender to God. Matthew 5:5, Romans 8:31 • Give to the poor and help those in need when you are in the position to do so. Ecclesiastics 11:2 • Prayers and praises. Acts 16:25-26 We shall go on now to explain briefly each of the above mentioned three ways to overcome the wicked.

•Humble yourself and surrender to God: Matthew 5:5 states, “Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.”

Inheritance of the earth means to have access to every blessing on the earth, like wealth and riches, good health, extraordinary favour; whether spiritually, educationally or politically. You might not even know politics but somehow, you might find favour and before you know it, you are there; a good example is our president. In Matthew 23:12, the Bible states, “And who-

Pastor Okereke

Briefly All is now set for the massive celebration of the ‘Holy Ghost Night of Victory’ at the Global Success Ministries, come Friday, November 2, 2012 with the anointed man of God and General Overseer, Dr. Chima Okereke, ministering The Holy Ghost Victory Night is a powerful monthly interdenominational programme of the church for spiritual cleansing, breaking of yokes, healing and deliverance, breakthrough, promotion, restoration of destiny, and lots more.

This month’s edition of the all night programme is tagged, “God of Miracle” (Mt.

GSM set for Holy Ghost Victory Night 15:30). It is targeted at securing total victory from all agents of darkness and principalities for total liberation and victory over your enemies. “The programme is also aimed at reinforcing the 12 Wednesdays and Sundays for all-round success for the people before Christmas,” said pastor Okereke, in a chat with Journalists in Lagos, during the week.

The programme holds at the main auditorium of the Church; Plot 34, Global Success Street, FESTAC, Amuwo-Odofin, from 7.00pm prompt. According to Pastor Okereke, the best way to attack and destroy

the enemies to achieve total freedom and breakthrough is to attack from all spiritual directions.

“The all-night Holy Ghost victory service is very vital for everybody to battle and destroy the enemies’ hideouts, as well as overrun their agents of darkness called by whatever name. It will feature the Holy Ghost worship and praise ‘jamz’, deliverance, healings, breaking of yokes and powerful ministration of the word of God,” said the G.O., who will be supported by other anointed men of God. “That is why I want everyone to come

soever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted”. No matter your position in this country today, many people had occupied such positions before you, and today, some of them are dead. So, there is nothing you will become today that someone else had not tasted before you. When you humble yourself, you will enjoy the attention of the Lord, to help you overcome the wicked.

We all know very well that the spiritual rules the physical. Romans 8:31 says, “If God be for you, who can be against you?”

Nobody can ever do any harm to you if God be for you. In that name that is above all other names, I declare all activities of the wicked against you destroyed in Jesus’ name. You need God to fight your battle. I pray that before the year runs out, the major challenges in your life from the wicked shall be wiped off your way in Jesus’ mighty name.

•Give to the poor and help those in need when you are in the position to do so: Ecclesiastics 11:2 states, “Give a portion to seven, and also to eight; for thou knowest not what evil shall be upon the earth”. There is a level of giving that provokes supernatural intervention. It means that whenever there is a natural disaster caused by the wicked, your giving to the poor, the needy or even towards the things of God shall stand as a defence for you.

Sometimes some people give and still experience some issues. The book of life states that you shall give cheerfully. We may speak more next time on why some people still experience certain issues after giving.

God’s word stands sure. Any mistake must be from man. In the name of Jesus’ Christ of Nazareth, no evil shall befall you; all the days of your life shall be characterised with miracles. The Lord shall bless you and multiply you in Jesus’ name.

•Prayers and praises: Acts 16:25-26 tells us that Paul and Silas prayed and sang praises to God while in prison and there was a great divine intervention that brought them out of the prison. Prayers and praises to God will surely render the wicked in your family powerless in Jesus name. The Lord bless you and your family in Jesus’ name. We have a lot to tell you but we shall continue next week.

•For further enquiries and counseling, please send text messages only through the following numbers: 08067802407, 07038638984, for prompt attention. with his or her family, friends, neighbours and business associates, to benefit from the programme, because the best you can do for your loved ones at this period of the year is to invite them to the programme and they will never go back home the same but will live to celebrate their breakthrough with you. My request from God is to see that everyone celebrates this year’s Christmas like never before,” said Pastor Okereke.

Meanwhile, ‘12 Wednesdays and Sundays’ programme tagged, “Rain of Favour,” is ongoing in the church. It holds every Wednesday by 7am to 9am and 9am to 11:30am, and on Sundays, from 7:30a.m to 10:30a.m and 10:30am to 12:35pm.

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Praise & Worship

Sunday October 28, 2012

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Be diligent in doing God’s work, says Pastor Oloruntimilehin Founder of Omnipot Omnipotence Mission of God, Pastor Joshua Daramola Oloruntimilehin, encourages workers in God’s vineyard to preach His words diligently, knowing that man was God’s will. Excerpts brought by Tai Anyanwu: created only to do G It might surprise many people that I do not prepare or write ite my sermons. I do not even always the Bible, but ys read r when it is time e to deliver delive a sermon, the spirit of God to say someod tells me what w times right righ ight there on the pulpit. The spirdirects it direc rects me on what to t say. Sometime, through the scripture I glance throu without studying it. What I am doing is to deliver the word of God and th I am not afraid to do so at anytime.

Brethren what is making the people of God to be afraid? People are afraid of death, they do not want witches and wizards to kill them but there are other ways that can cause death. People forget that accidents can lead to death. For instance, the food water we eat and and drink can cause an dent that can lead accideath if part of the t o or the water goes food the brain. That is t o witchment. There nott b beare eral ways that ar a re sevto someone’s can lead so there is no death, person canway a not die.

Pastor Oloruntimilehin

My concern is that you should not be afraid to deliver God’s message when He sends you on an errand or to do His work when you are expected to. God always set His eyes on the person he assigns on errand and at the destination of the errand.

In the Bible, God sent Jonah on an errand to the city of Nineveh. He felt reluctant to deliver the message, not afraid. His reluctance was based on the premise that God in his mercy can later have a change of mind and forgive the people of the town.

That brought Jonah to ridicule and the people almost mobbed him. He decided to find refuge in the vessel that was to sail out. Jonah’s action almost implicated many people which might have led to their death.

But God wanted Jonah and his covoyagers to know that He controls the universe and the things in it. He allowed storm to threaten the vessel and made the passengers to take an action that led to Jonah being thrown into the sea and a big fish swallowed him. The fish later swam to the seashore within the city and vomitted him there. The lesson it teaches is that if anybody God sends on errand refuses to deliver, God has the ability to force the person to deliver.

It is important that God’s assignment must be carried out. Do not hesitate to do what is expected of you as a follower of Christ, especially in propagating the word and work of God. Deliver the message of God. What are we in the presence of God? Some people would say they are servants of God. No. We are regarded as slaves of God. The

Bible says in Genesis 2:15, “Then the Lord took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to tend and keep it”.

Therefore, it was not after the curse on Adam that the problems of man started.

God did not create us as His children but as the gardener and keepers of the garden.

Man is a slave of God that requires working for God and delivering His message.

Do not allow people to influence you or prevent you from doing the work of God. A person who causes others not to do the will of God will first be judged before the person that disobeyed God. The Bible says in Genesis 3:14-15, “So the Lord said to the serpent because you have done this, you are cursed more than all cattle and more than every beast of the field...” Then to Eve, verse 16, “I will greatly multiply your sorrow and your conception; your desire shall be for your husband, and he shall rule over you.”

Then to Adam, verse 17 – 19, “Because you heeded the voice of your wife, and have eaten from the tree of which I commanded you, saying, you shall not eat it: Cursed is the ground for your sake; in toil you shall eat of it all the days of your life…”

It is better for everyone to be diligent in doing the work of God, particularly, church workers. Do not relent and remember that you are a slave who is to work in God’s vineyard.

•For counseling, contact Pastor Oloruntimilehin Joshua Daramola (JP), founder of Omnipotence Mission of God, on 08023002834.

No fulfilment without pursuit –Pastor Bamidele Pastor Lai Bamidele of Christ Glorious End-Time Evangelical Ministries says that there are obstacles one must pass through for one’s glory to manifest. No amount of prayer and fasting would remove such obstacles but such hindrances will announce one’s glory. Excerpts, as presented by Tai Anyanwu:

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Pastor Bamidele

or every purpose in life, there must be a pursuit. There cannot be any fulfillment in life without a purpose. In the book of 1 Samuel 17: 32-35, the Bible states there concerning the story of a man called David. David was a rejected person. But only one encounter made David to be established as a King.

No matter what a man is going through, no matter how long that man has been passing through that situation, only one divine encounter makes a hopeless case to be a case of success. No amount of prayer can remove the mountain you must climb.

You can pray and pray, and pray, no amount of the time and the level of your prayer will remove the situation you must pass through.

And that is why if you look at the book of 1Samuel 17, you will see the story of that same young man called David.

The Bible is speaking there, beginning from verse 25 and 26. It states, “And the men of Israel said,

Have ye seen this man that is come up? Surely to defy Israel is he come up: and it shall be, that the man who killeth him, the king will enrich him with great riches, and will give him his daughter, and make his father’s house free in Israel. And David spake to the men that stood by him, saying, what shall be done to the man that killeth this Philistine, and taketh away the reproach from Israel? For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God? And the people answered him after this manner, saying, So shall it be done to the man that killeth him.

“And Eliab, his eldest brother heard when he spoke unto the men and Eliab’s anger kindled against David. And he said why thou comest down hither. And with who has thou left those few sheep in the wilderness. I know thy pride and the naughtiness of thy heart, for thou has come down that thou mightiest see the battle.

And David said, what have I now done? Is there not a cause?”

The Bible is speaking there when David had the privilege to confront the wicked Philistine in person of Goliath; and David’s brothers were angry over the presence of David.

I want to let you know that your case is the case of someone that has been rejected; that it has been a hopeless situation. People look at you and feel that you cannot become anything but God asked me to tell you that there is some-

thing God has deposited in you that is going to announce you to the whole world. And that was the exact thing that happened in the life of David.

David was a rejected person but he became the cornerstone of his family. That is why I say that for every purpose, there must be a pursuit.

David actually had a purpose in life and he had to pursue it.

And one of the obstacles he had was that he must go and fight the man called Goliath, the wicked Philistine. After Goliath was destroyed, the news of David’s victory spread abroad. The news of David’s glory spread all over the world. His name became a household name in the land of Israel.

And after that, people were able to recognise God’s grace upon the life of David; the same David that his elder brothers confronted and embarrassed, because they had looked down on him and concluded that he could not become someone in life.

He was a rejected person; which is why he was sent to rear the sheep of his father. But after David encountered his destiny via his prophet, Samuel, there was a great turnaround in his life.

•For counselling contact: pst_lai@yahoo. com, phone08074484415, 08027502864 and 08161285586

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Praise & Worship

Sunday October 28, 2012

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Still, the power of old exists, says Pastor Muoka Any believe believer without the power of God is like a soldier without a gun, says Pastor Muoka, General Overseer, Lord’s Chosen Charismatic Revival Movement.

Lazarus Muo exhortation, he notes that the power of God which breaks yokes, casts down In this exhor imaginations and performs great things, still exists, as in the days of old. Richard brings excerpts from the message: Eghaghe bri

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Pastor Muoka

uke 10; 119 states, “Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any the powe means hurt you” Power is an authority to exert obedience, comm and, determ mand, determine or judge issues. It could be seen as various fo forms of constraint on human action, as well as tthat which makes action possible. If you pati patiently examine the above chapters and v verses of the scripture, you will come to the conclusion that God understands the value and importance of power.

He knows that His people need power that will distinguish them from other people of the world and give them complete victory over their enemies.

After all, He is the Almighty God and holds the omnipotent power.

When Jesus Christ appeared to His disciples after His resurrection, He was questioned by the disciples on the promise He made to them previously concernin ing the restoration of the Kingdom of Israel rael. The question was because they realised He ha has become a Spirit and thus may no longer physic be physically with them always. His appearance to op them was an opportunity for them to know what becomes of His promise of restoring again the Kingdom of Israel, Is the dignity of Israel or the dominion of Israel over every Ac 1: 6- 8 says, “When they therefore were other nation. Acts come together, tthey asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou rest at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? 7 And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which tthe Father hath put in his own power. 8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come y shall be witnesses unto me both in Jeruupon you: and ye salem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the par of the earth” uttermost part Jesus told them that the knowledge of knowing the seas when the kingdom would be restored time or season o power because knowledge is power and was a sort of n been bestowed on them yet; it was still power has not part of the power of the Father. He, therefore, advised ve them in verse eight that they would receive power a do other things of God and this power to know and a would be accompanied with the Holy Ghost for a cont firmation that it came from God. We must understand poi at this point, that the power we are discussing here phys is not physical power, political, magical, judiciary, ocme cult or mental but the absolute power. We are talking fro above, the power of God. of power from disci The disciples were asking of a political power or dominating power p dominating that will deliver them from their enR emies, the Roman Empire. But the promise of God was powe that would not only deliver them from of a power ene their enemies but also make them do the work of exe God, execute the programme of God, achieve sucal areas of their endeavours, dominate and cess in all othe nations. rule other Thi is the power that a Christian needs to This ex do exploit and a barren woman needs to bear child children.

This is the power a businessman or wom woman needs to succeed in his/her business. dem A demon-possessed person needs it to dispossess the devil, and a weak Christian needs it to rev revive his prayer life. If the power of God is upo you, your enemy will flee from you. The upon rod of Moses carried the power of God and whe it was applied at the Red sea, miracle when too place. The Red Sea divided, and the Chiltook dre of Israel passed through the sea on dry dren gro ground with wall of water on their right hand and on their left.

The power of God was upon the Ark of coven enant, a little wooden box which contained the

Ten Commandments and when it was carried to the bank of River Jordan, the river divided and again the Children of Israel went through the river on dry ground. Remember Shadrack, Meshach and Abednego, the three Hebrew men who refused to bow to the image made by King Nebuchadnezzar, and the king warned, “Now if ye be ready that at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the image which I have made; well: but if ye worship not, ye shall be cast the same hour into the midst of a burning fiery furnace; and who is that God that shall deliver you out of my hands?” (Daniel 3: 15).

And Daniel 3: 16- 18 states, “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter. 17 If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. 18 But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.”

And eventually, when they were cast into the fire, the power of God manifested and delivered them. In the case of Esther, when Haman, an agent of darkness nurtured the plan to wipe out the children of God, he also made gallows to hang Mordecai, but when Queen Esther heard about it, she quickly sought the power of God and after three days, the Bible reports in the Book of Esther 7: 10, “So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai. Then was the king’s wrath pacified”. This power is very, very real and is omnipresent to every child of God. That is the power as of old. As it was in the beginning, it is now and ever shall be.

The presence of the power of God generates atmosphere for miracles. Stephen had this power and as a result wrought miracles in his days as testified by the Bible. Acts 6:8 states, “And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people”. This passage captures the great character given of St. Stephen; a man full of the grace of God, full of faith, full of power to work miracles and deed, able to do all things through Christ that strengthened him.

And any believer without this power is like a soldier without a gun. He cannot accomplish much. In the Old Testament, the rule was that any person, including the prophet, whom God assigned a responsibility must be empowered by the pouring of oil on the person’s head as a symbol of power or in other words, anointing the person thus commissioning him for the assignment of the works of God. David was anointed; so also Elijah, Elisha, etc.

But in the New Testament, the method of commission differs. Phil. 2: 13 states, “For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure”. Eph. 3: 19 -20 adds, “And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God. 20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us” So, from the New Testament till date, it is God that works in us through His Spirit, to will and to do what He likes.

He decides who works for Him and what will be worked.

The ability to overcome temptation, preach, read the Bible and to do other assignment as He may apportion to any of us is by His grace. And it is, according to that infinite and almighty power which God had exerted and put forth in all the believers. This power was, and is, the main prop for confidence in prayer. All that God can do and all that He has promised to do, will be done by that power of the Holy Ghost, which works strongly in us and acts as energy in our hearts, expelling evil, purifying and refining the affections and desires, and implanting good.

It is the Spirit of God that works in us to do exploit. And this Spirit has been released by God to work in us. For without Him, we can achieve nothing. We cannot excel in business, sports, academic or any other area of our endeavours without the Holy Ghost power.

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omans 8, verse 31 states, “What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?” When God is on your side, nobody can stop you; sickness cannot stop you, poverty cannot stop you because Exodus 15 V 26 tells us that the great physician Himself said ‘I am the Lord that heals you.’ You cannot have God as your doctor and be stuck by sickness because if God be for us, nobody can be against us.

He is the one who made you and can repair any part of your body (John 1 v 3).

Sickness cannot stop you and as I have always pointed out, not only can He repair what is wrong with you, He can also give you a spare part (John 9 v 1-7). So, if you are sick and the enemy has been telling you this sickness is going to stop you, tell the enemy he is a liar. Sickness cannot stop you because God is on your side.

The Bible says in 1st Peter 2 v. 24 that “by His stripes, we were healed.” Matthew 8 verses 1 - 3 tell us that He can cure the incurable. A leper came to Him. In those days, leprosy was an incurable disease; but just with one touch from the great physician, the leper became cleansed. In Mark 2 verses 1 -12, they brought to him a man who was paralysed from the neck downwards; just one word from the great physician, he was healed.

When I was preparing my little note for this sermon, I remembered an incident that happened when I was in Ilorin several years ago: There was this brilliant young lawyer, the whole thing started as a joke; he thought it was an ordinary headache but gradually, he discovered that he couldn’t use his hands.

After some time, he couldn’t use his legs.

After some time, the only place that remained alive in his body was his head and everybody was saying they were just waiting for the head to die and they would bury him. But Jesus took control and with what the doctor said, we just couldn’t know what to do; they didn’t even know where to put the injection because everywhere was dead. The great Physician touched him and healed him.

Whatever it is that is in your system that the enemy has planted to slow you down or to stop you shall be uprooted tonight in Jesus name.

How many of you will remember the story of one of my sons? I think his brother even shared the testimony sometimes. In 1983, the doctors told the parent in London; ‘you want your boy to see his home country again?’ They said ‘yes’.

They said take him home now because he has less than two weeks to live. They brought him; then somebody said ‘take him to the pastors. He will be prayed for and he will be healed.’ When I saw him, even my faith was shaken. He had cancer of the jaw-bone. His head had become so swollen that it has blocked the passage that go down the throat into the belly.

It took him one hour to drink a bottle of Fanta because there was no way for the liquid to go down. When I saw him, I knew only God can do this one, that was in 1983. The one they said had two weeks to live is still alive today. Not only is he alive, he is well, (because they have given him all sorts of chemotherapy before they finally said we can’t do anything anymore). But one thing is clear; because with the chemotherapy, you can never have a child, because of the poison that goes with chemotherapy. Today, he is married and has a child. So, I am standing on the word of God to say to every fellow here today, it doesn’t matter the nature of sickness or disease, my God will give you victory over that sickness in Jesus’ name.

If God be for us, no demon can be

Praise & Worship

Sunday October 28, 2012

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Be among the Unstoppable Generation –Pastor Adeboye Pastor Enoch Adeboye, General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, delivered this sermon entitled, “Unstoppable Generation”, at the Holy Ghost Service held early this month at the Redemption Camp Grounds, Kilometre 46, Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Mowe, Ogun State. Richard Eghaghe, who was there, brings the excerpts: against us. Why? Because Psalm 24 verse 1 says, “our God is the Lord of host.”

I have told you before that when I first read that He is the Lord of the hosts, I thought He is the commander of all the angels. But God opened my eyes to see that He is the Commander-in-Chief of all hosts; whether those on the earth or underneath the heaven. Philippians 2 verses 9 -10 tell us that at the name of Jesus, every knee shall bow; of things in heaven, of things on earth, of things underneath the earth. So, all hosts; it doesn’t matter which host they are they must obey his voice. Whether the demons are few, like about seven in number as in Luke 8 v 1- 3, where the Bible tells us that he cast out seven demons in Mary Magdalene, or not.

Even if they are only seven demons, they must obey Him, and if they are a legion as in Mark 5 verses 1-15, they must obey Him. With just one word, 6,000 demons scattered. I stand here today in the mighty name of Jesus Christ and I decree that all the demons in your father’s house, all the demons in your mother’s house, all the demons in your husband’s house, all the demons in your place of work, will never be able to stop you in Jesus’ name.

I have seen God at work and I know if God is on your side, a demon can’t stop you. I think I have shared with some of you what happened when I went to Cameroon earlier this year. We were hurrying to a programme in the evening and there was a terrible traffic jam. We had police escort and it was trying to clear the way for us but the road was so busy that the drivers were not even paying attention to the police and then all of a sudden, out of nowhere came this mad man, and I mean he was mad.

All you have to do is just have a look at him and you will know he was mad.

He stood in front of my car and began to clear the way. He will beat the bonnet of your car and order you to move and when you see the person asking you to move, you will move. What the policeman could not do, this mad man did. Within minutes, he had cleared the way and as he was clearing the way he was beckoning to my driver to follow, and the driver was

Pastor Adeboye

following and when he got to the round about where the holdup ended, he came to my side of the car bow down and disappeared.

Those who were in the car with me were dumbfounded, and I said to them “I told you my father is the Commander-

in-Chief of all the hosts”. Let somebody shout hallelujah!

And it is on behalf of my father, that I am decreeing tonight that every evil force that has been trying to block your way shall be cleared out of the way tonight in Jesus’ name.

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Praise & Worship

Sunday October 28, 2012

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Show that you are truly born-again –Pastor Chidi General Overseer of Kings in Christ Power International Ministries, Pastor Chidi hidi Anthony, urges believers to manifest Christian virtues. Excerpts, as presented by Tai Anyanwu:

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ast time, we looked at the process through which one can become a child.

We pointed out that many have joined the fold with their own design of how they think they can live their lives.

We were admonished to stop that drift toward compromising the commands of the Lord Jesus Christ, if we sincerely want to become genuine children of God. Today, I like to remind us that there are certain virtues that truly born again children of God must possess. The world, I must reiterate, is watching whoever calls himself or herself a child of God. The only way not to disgrace and make a mess of our calling is to let our lives or conducts bring out good Christian virtues.

Apostle Paul, speaking in the Book of Ephesians 4: 22-32, outlined the virtues while exhorting the Ephesians church on true Christian living.

It is important that having worked so

hard to accomplish spiritual transformation through God’s words, a child of God should equally strive to put off any scratchy aspects of his or her life that is associated with the old nature of sin.

Part of spiritual renewal entails that children of God must avoid the corruption that is in the world by being committed and totally devoted to complete observance of the word of God. It is disturbing that lying is rampant even among church goers. Lying is not a virtue; it is vicious to the recreated human spirit. According to the Bible, the devil is the father of lies. Children must not succumb to the fear because it gives birth to lies. The shortest way to achieve that is to do things right. Again, anger does not promote the righteous cause of God. Hence, children of God must watch against anger. just as the Bible puts it, “Be angry and not sin. Let not the sun go

down upon your ur anger.”

An offence e haboured in the heart can metamorphose e into bitterness and acrimony, which, of course, eats up the spiritual life like a cankerworm. An offence haboured in the he heart can metamorphose into bitternesss and acrimony, which of course eatss up the spiritual life as a cankerworm rworm would.

Therefore, I urge the brethren; simplify plify your heart like that of Jesus.

Do not hold an n offence against anybody body, to let it weigh you ou down spiritually. The he devil is cunning. Do not give the devil any breathing space in your life.

Always stand d your ground; cast yourself Pastor Chidi upon God’s words. ords.

‘Being married to a pastor is not easy but I cope well’ She is too pretty to settle for what some women describe as ‘boring lifestyle of a pastor’s wife’. She never actually wanted to marry a pastor; her desire was to marry a businessman. From her growing up days, however, she had always found herself doing the things of God. So when she got a revelation that God would trouble her if she refused to marry God’s choice, she threw in the towel.

Today, she is happy and joyfully playing her divine role. Meet Evangelist (Mrs.) Chidi Anthony, wife of the General Overseer of the Kings in Christ Power International Ministries, in this interview with Tai Anyanwu: Why did you choose to marry a pastor?

Honestly, I did not want to marry a pastor. But throughout my school days, I had always been President of my school’s Christian fellowship. I gave my life to Christ in my Junior Secondary Class Three. But I did not want to marry a pastor because I knew that ministering before God is not an easy job. I had desired to marry a businessman.

I was in a relationship with one young man named Victor. I loved him because he was a businessman. But one day, a woman of God told me that if I made the mistake of marrying the young man, “God said He will deal with you.” I was so afraid because the revelation came at a time we had planned our introduction to take place the following month. Another prophecy immediately came, saying, “Within two weeks, I am going to raise a man for you, to show you that I am the Lord.” I did not know what to do.

Before then, I was happy that I was going to marry a businessman I loved. The revelations made me very sad, but I began to pray.

In the process, the message became clearer

to me a n d t h a t gave me the boldness to walk up to Evangelist (Mrs.) Chidi the guy and declare that I was not going to continue with the marriage plans between us. The boy almost killed himself; he threatened to pour acid on me for making him to lose me.

How did you meet your husband?

My husband and I usually met at church activities. I never dreamt of marrying him; not in my wildest imagination.

Two weeks after I broke up with Victor, a friend of mine had invited me to a camp meeting and handed me a flyer which bore the address of the venue of event.

One day as I was still worried over the broken relationship, I passed through the street where counseling was going on in a church that bore a familiar address, and I decided to enter. It turned out that Pas-

tor Chidi was ministering and I stayed to listen to his counseling. At the end, he gave me a flyer inviting me to his car dedication event the next Sunday.

My friends and I were there. At the end, he said, “please I want to see you.”

I said ‘okay’, and waited. He told me that the Spirit of God told him that I would be his wife. “Are you accepting it or are you saying no?” He asked pointedly. I said to myself, “Look at this man. I came with a problem and he is telling me the Lord said you will be my wife. You are not serious.” I told him that I had a guy in my life and that was why I attended his counseling programme. But he said, “Don’t worry, I will pay back whatever he had paid. I left without consenting, but when he approached me the second time, I agreed. But the truth is that, I did love him initially.

How has it been as a pastor’s wife?

To be a pastor’s wife is not easy. Imagine that you are married and you hardly have your husband around you. He would travel from one programme to another only to breeze in and go out again. It is not easy.

Yet, I don’t have any regrets. God knows why He chose me to be a pastor’s wife. And I find happiness in the divine call. That is why whenever he goes out, I am indoor, always praying that God should protect him, give him more vision and anointing.

You do not wear ear rings but most of the women in your church do, why?

Like I said, I repented when I was very young. Till now, I don’t know how to put on those things. One time, I bought an ear ring and put them on. I heard an instant voice saying, “Remove those things.”

When I turned around, I did not see anybody- it was a personal encounter with God. I put the ear rings on again and after a while, the voice sounded again saying clearly, “I said remove it, it does not belong to you.” I quickly obeyed and never again wore ear rings.

You should be a role model for other women in the church. How have you been coping with that role?

Women are managers in their various homes. When one is saddled with the task of influencing or leading other managers, then it is no mean task. One would have to deal with women who have different ideas, characters and mentalities. It is not easy to carry women along, but God has been given me the wisdom to carry on.

Could you tell us about your the forthcoming event?

The Glorious Women of Kings in Christ Church would hold its fourth anniversary in the second week of November.

The event would feature a beehive of activities like seminars, empowerment programmes, drama, exchange of gifts, songs ministrations and the like.

Do you have any advice for women in Nigeria?

I advise every woman to be prayerful, be close to God, take good care of their husbands, children and avoid anything that can lead to a broken home. And to everyone, it is time to prepare for the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ because, every indication points out that rapture is around the corner.

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Divine Message with Special Apostle James

Akinadewo

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E-mail: molailatugrow@hotmail.com

et somebody shout Halleluyah. The past few weeks have been glorious. My prayer is to see wonderful and united families in the world – it produces solid and great leaders for a better world.

Influx of feedbacks is soul-lifting. May God bless our homes – God’s purpose for those children will be fulfilled in Jesus name, amen.

As previously discussed on how to train our children spiritually, physically, educationally and morally, parents need to train them more on domestic chores to serve them in good stead for a better tomorrow.

“Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it. (Proverb 22 verse 6)

Surest way

The surest way for parents to have an enjoyable future at home is to train their children well – if you fail in this regard, those children will destroy you, your name and everything you have (properties, wealth e.t.c) in your lifetime and ultimately lead to a sad end. *Train – Creating time to really train them. I mean very well. Making them worthy disciples. Showing leadership and lead by example [not sparingly]. Example is Text only: 07035967847

Peniel Parish with Pastor Goke

Aniyeloye

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ast week, we stopped when looking into reasons why we should fast and pray. It’s my prayer that as we look more into this important subject, you will not be stranded in the journey of life in Jesus’ name. The purpose of God for your life will manifest, and every power that has held you down, I decree today, will let you go in Jesus’ name. This week, I decree your total liberation from stagnancy, poverty and every ugly situation of life in Jesus’ name.

Why do we need to fast and pray?

•When we feel tension in our relationship: we fast when we feel tension in our relationships. A sign that God’s grace is doing its work in our lives is that we have harmonious relationship with other believers.

Walking in the light of God’s truth means that we have fellowship with one another.

“But if we walk in light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin” 1 John 1:7.

Fellowship implies that we relate to each other as equals. Lack of fellowship means that we either feel we are above others or below them. But when we are able to accept ourselves and accept others equally, a fellowship is established, and it paves way for the glory of God to be revealed. Prophet Isaiah writes, “Every valley shall be raised up, the rugged places a plain. And the glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all mankind to-

Praise & Worship

Sunday October 28, 2012

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Still on rules of parenting better than precepts.

•Child –“Children are the heritage of the Lord, and the fruit of the womb is his reward.” (Psalm 127 verse 3) The child in your hand is owned by God. Given to you to train when you ask him/ her from God and you will get your reward how dutiful you are in the assignment – negatively or positively.

•Way he should go – Which way? Right or wrong – where have your abdicated your responsibilities as parents on the child? As a mother and a married woman, are you in a fling with another man outside?

Daddy, as the head of the house, are you involved in extra-marital affairs – pursuing everything and anything in skirt [lying to your wife], a drunkard, a dupe, wife batterer, smoker, ‘smokey joe’ or a ‘ganjalokomania’?

As mentioned in previous teachings, children have computerized brain and are watching you passionately. Wrong acts are capable of having damaging affects on their future.

•When he is old – The memory of parental teaching lingers. In their infancy, they see the image of God in us (Almighty factor). We are the television they watch and the Bible they read – our actions will either make or mar their future.

Those values properly taught will remain with them forever and everlasting joy will remain in the family with positive effects transcending generations.

•Will not depart from it – Your children cannot stay with you forever. Based on sound teachings and core good values at home, in their adulthood, they will not depart from it. Strange teachings that

abound in the world will not sway them because they have a solid background.

Domestic teachings

Children should be taught how to wash their cloth as they grow from babyhood into teenagers.

After greeting their parents in the morning [boys must prostrate, girls must kneel down], teach them how to sweep the house as they grow, brush their teeth, bath [looking neat]. They shouldn’t eat without brushing their teeth [cleanliness is next to godliness].

To be taught how to cook good food [mothers should take note], boys and girls should learn this, no one will cook for them in the university.

Girls are having problems in their marriages today because they don’t know how to cook. No man will allow you to be buying food in restaurants every time, learn now, after marriage, no room for you again in your father’s house.

Your children must not be lazy, let them run errands for you. Pilling up all the jobs for the housemaid is an over-kill. The maid is not a slave but an assistant in the house, doing so negates the roles of a good mother. Train your children to stand on their feet in the future. *They should learn how to rearrange their room in the morning in order to become home managers later in life. Kindly teach them and lead by example, children do what you inspect, not what you expect. *Sin is dangerous, poisonous and shipsinking. Teach them to run from sin and avoid bad friends. ‘Evil communication corrupts good manners’ says the Bible.

Watch your back. The evil one (the devil) is on the prowl seeking who to devour.

Samson was too careless, romancing with sin; it landed him in the prison of the devil and became history in no time.

Sin will hinder your purpose and blessing in life. Devil is too cunning – You cannot sleep on the laps of Delilah and wake up in the bossom of Abraham. Sin will sink your ship before berthing in its destination.

Discovery

Study your children well. Teach and help them to discover who they are and their purpose in life – They must use their talents for the Lord and parents must bring out the best in them.

Systematic teaching on personal discovery should be given to them consistently – those not focused in life can never be a focus.

Also teach them how to pray. Have morning and evening devotion/prayers at home.

Parents must be prayer warriors. A praying parent is an home builder, modernization and many evil things are craving for the attention of children today – counseling, good leadership and prayers will serve as ‘covering’ for them in this ‘demonic’ world this end time.

That child is a potential world changer.

Give him the best and leave the rest to God. For more details, make enquiries form the houses of Eli and Samuel in Israel, caretakers there will oblige you with situation reports.

I see you going higher. God bless Nigeria. Jesus loves you. It is well.

Fasting and prayer: The victorious staff for Christians gether will see it. For the mouth of the Lord has spoken. Isaiah 40:4-5.

When done as God prescribes, fasting and prayer prove to be a great leveller. It brings the haughty down to size and lifts the oppressed from their valley of despair. This is evident from the description of God’s chosen fast as related in Isaiah 58.

• When we feel weak and vulnerable: We should fast when we feel weak and vulnerable. This may seem too illogical as fasting weakens one physically. Many use food for psychologically gratifications when they feel beat up emotionally. They are saying essentially, “I believe I’ll better after I eat”. So, why on earth would one prescribe fasting to treat vulnerability?.

There is that vulnerability point to our dependence upon God, prayer and fasting appeals to God to intervene at the point of our need. When we fell vulnerably, we need God to protect us from harm and give us victory over adversity.

5. It appeals to God for victory: Jehoshaphat, a king of Judah, learned the power of prayer and fasting to conquer literal military adversaries. When faced with a military alliance of Ammonites, Moabites and Meunites, Jehoshaphat called a fast for all people of Judah. “And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the Lord, and proclaim a fast throughout all Judah” 2 Chro 20:3.The result was that God set confusion in the camp of the enemy so that they turned upon themselves and destroyed one another” verses 22 and 23.

For Prophet Elijah, prayer and fasting brought victory over a powerful demonic principality operating through Queen Jezebel, Elijah was fearless in the face of King Ahab and 850 prophets of Baal and Asherah.

1 Kings 18:16-40. But he ran for his life at the

threat of Jezebel because she was empowered by demonic principality of witchcraft that intimidated him. 1 Kings 19:1-3 and 2 Kings 9:22 “And it came to pass, when Joram saw Jehu, that he said, is it peace, Jehu?

And he answered, what peace, so long as the whoredoms of thy mother Jezebel and her witchcraft are so many? At the end of 40 days period of fasting and prayer, while en route to Mount Horeb to meet with the Lord, Elijah received a message from God that assured him of His sovereignty over political and spiritual forces, 1 Kings 19:15-18. He was able to return at God’s command with no fear for his security as God had assured over his enemies.

Fasting places us in a position to receive from God’s hand. It protects us from harm and grants victory over the enemy of our soul. It is not that God withholds this blessing from us but that we have been blindsided by the enemy into living below our privilege. Fasting and prayer open our eyes to see things in the right perspective so that we cast off our insecurity complex and embrace expectation of continual blessing and favour. To employ computer terminology, the old insecurity programme is removed from the memory and replaced with a new blessing programme.

• When we tend to be oppressive towards others: sometimes our lives become so selfabsorbed that we unintentionally develop attitude that is oppressive towards others.

Even our fasting can be self-absorbed as it focuses on what we want from God as a result of our fast. In answer to such, God encouraged the people of Israel not to fast merely as an outward form of humility before God while continuing to exploit their workers and quarrel among themselves (Isaiah 58:35). Rather, their times of fasting were to be

combined with setting the oppressed free and providing food for the hungry, clothing for the naked and shelter for the homeless, so it’s written in Isaiah, 58:6-7. Fasting as God prescribes turns oppressive attitude into new attitude that truly liberates others.

•When we feel oppressed by others: The blessing of God promised to those who adhere to his chosen fast apply to the repentant oppressor and the oppressed one who needs to be lifted from his valley of despair. Those blessings are listed in Isaiah 58:8-14 as healing, vindication, revelation, enlightenment, enlargement, satisfaction, strength, prosperity, productivity, joy and victory. These are results of allowing fasting to be practised in such a way that it becomes a great leveller to our relationships.

When fasting we should combine the denial of self with the affirmation of others.

We humble ourselves before God and commit to offer ourselves as servants to others to lift them from humiliation of oppression. As we make this two-way commitment we will find that God’s chosen fast replaces tension in our relationships with harmony among fellow believers.

As we meet next week on same topic, I like you to pray this prayer, “ Father, don’t let my service in your kingdom be in vain”. * “Father, let the oppressors of my life be oppressed today in Jesus’ name”. * “Father, every area of my life that is experiencing storm, let your peace take over in Jesus’ name”. I decree into your life, this season, your desire for victory will be granted unto you in Jesus’ name. Remember we can do this together at our one-hour interdenominational prayer session every Sunday between the hour of 7.30 a.m. and 8.30 a.m. At Peniel Chapel of RCCG. 69, Miyaki Street, Oworonshoki.

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How to get out of a wrong relationship Christian Relationship with Taiwo

Odubiyi

E-mail: info@pastortaiwoodubiyi.org.uk

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he first step to coming out of a wrong relationship is to recognise it for what it is: wrong, unhealthy and probably ungodly. Realise that the relationship must end for it is an ill-wind that blows no one any good. It will only bring heartaches, troubles and a lot of unnecessary stress.

An example is a relationship with an abuser. Another example is a relationship with an ungodly person who has no fear of God. God reveals His will concerning this in the Bible without mincing words: Don’t team up with those who are unbelievers. How can righteousness be a partner with wickedness? How can light live with darkness?15 What harmony can there be between Christ and the devil?

How can a believer be a partner with an unbeliever? 16 And what union can there be between God’s temple and idols? For we are the temples of the living God. As God said, “I will live in them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they will be my people.17 Therefore, come out from among unbelievers, and separate yourselves from them, says the LORD. Don’t touch their filthy things, and I will welcome you. And I will be your Father, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the LORD Almighty.” (2Corinthians 6:14-18) A third example of such a relationship is what Anna, a married woman had with her ex in my novel ‘My First Love’. She reconnected with the man on facebook

and before long, they had met and had lunch together four times! She confided in Lisa, “He said he still loves me and believes God brought us together again. He said he is not happy in his marriage and wants us to … leave our spouses.”

Lisa shook her head.

Anna nodded. “I know I can’t do that.

I know meeting with him, having lunch with him is wrong and it’s a dangerous game but I … I’m still attracted to him.”

“What do you think is the right thing for you to do?” Lisa asked.

“I know I should stop seeing him.”

•The next thing to do to end a wrong relationship is to pray and ask God for wisdom and guidance so you will know what to do and how to go about it. The word of God encourages us to do this.

• If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.6 But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind.

•Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8 Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do. (James 1:5-8) • Inform some close friends or family members or a counsellor about your decision and reasons to end the relationship.

This could serve as protection for you in

future. Besides, they could give you advice that would greatly help you. Proverbs 11:14 talks about safety in a multitude of counsellors.

Where there is no counsel, the people fall; But in the multitude of counsellors, there is safety.

This piece of advice was repeated in Proverbs 15:22 and Proverbs 24:6.

Without counsel, plans go awry, But in the multitude of counsellors they are established. (Proverbs 15:22) For by wise counsel you will wage your own war, And in a multitude of counsellors there is safety. (Proverbs 24:6) In my novel ‘My First Love’, a lady Tofe followed this advice; she informed Lisa and Mofe about her troubles with Jude.

•Communicate your decision to your partner, don’t just keep away or ignore the person. There is the tendency to want to do this, with the hope that the person will get the message and stay away from you. This does not really work though as the person would want to come after you, demanding to know why you have been avoiding him or her and what’s going on.

Besides, ignoring the person without a reason is not the best way to end a relationship. Don’t leave the person in doubt; let him or her know you no longer wish to continue with the relationship. Your decision could be communicated via a text message, phone, e-mail or in person.

Of course, the person would be upset and

COMMUNICATE YOUR DECISION TO YOUR PARTNER, DON’T JUST KEEP AWAY OR IGNORE THE PERSON. THERE IS THE TENDENCY TO WANT TO DO THIS, WITH THE HOPE THAT THE PERSON WILL GET THE MESSAGE AND STAY AWAY FROM YOU

want to know why. Explain your real reasons in a straightforward and truthful way. Don’t give excuses or keep silence when the person is asking questions, and don’t hurl insults at him or her.

I need to sound a note of warning here though. If you are a female and you have to see the man face-to-face to terminate the relationship, it might be better that you don’t go alone. Go in company of a trusted friend, and let it be at a public place. This depends much on who the man is and what he is capable of doing.

A lady went to a man’s apartment alone to end the relationship with him because she would like to honour God and marry as a virgin; the man locked the door and raped her. In another case, the man stabbed the lady. Let the meeting be at a public place.

Another good thing about having someone with you when you break the news is that the person might be able to help you explain your reasons to end the relationship better.

•You should be firm about your decision. Of course, your partner would feel hurt and might want to talk you into staying or changing your mind but if you know it must end, then be firm about ending it. Don’t say things like “I just need a break for some time.” Both of you should be sure of the position of things between you. Giving in and going back on your decision would only be delaying what needs to be done. If the relationship is bad, it is bad and must end before things get very bad and out of hand.

•You have to have a clean break by staying away from the person. There should be no calls, and you should return whatever needs to be returned to the person. If you still get in touch or ask for favour, you will not be helping the situation.

It is the Lord’s doing Shepherd Life with Bishop Kingsley

Enakirerhi

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any people living in the world today go about life as if they are what they are by their own might and ability. In Luke 12:16 – 21, Our Lord Jesus Christ gave the parable of the rich fool. The account goes that the rich fool had a great harvest and instead of giving glory to God for the harvest, he was thinking of how he would consume it upon his own lust. That night, God had to take his life.

A man who is able to venture into business and is doing so great should not despise his neighbour who cannot do business like him. This is because the wisdom and skill with which he does the business is given to him by God. No wonder James 1:16-17 says “do not err, my beloved brethren. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning”. So the fact that you are skillful in business should not get into your head. You must recognise that such skill is a gift from God. A minister who is blessed of God and highly anointed can also fall into this deceit of the devil. He may think that it is

because of his fasting and prayers hence he is highly anointed. There are many who have fasted and prayed so much yet they are not “highly anointed”, as some other ministers. The healing ministry or the manifestation of signs and wonders in the ministry of any minister is the gift of God and not of works, lest any man should boast. This is the more reason it should not get into your head and you start looking down on other ministers.

Some young ministers whom God has given such wonderful gifts suddenly begin to look down on their General Overseers simply because he does not possess such kind of gifts. Remember that there is nothing that a man has except what is given to him. In 1 Corinthians 4:7, the Bible states, “For who maketh thee to differ from another? And what hast thou that thou didst not receive? Now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?”

As a leader, whether secular or spiritual, I want you to know that the position you are occupying is not because you are the best qualified for the position. It is not because you schemed so well hence you were able to overcome your opposition.

It is not because you are the most popular person hence you won the election. It is the mercy of God! So stop being arrogant and disrespectful as if you are the best qualified person for the position. Acknowledge the goodness of God towards you and dispense justice without fear or

favour.

All those political associates who call themselves kingmakers and godfathers are not actually the ones who put you there; so stop serving their interest to the detriment of the general populace. God only used them as instruments.

Whatever you are enjoying in life today is a gift from God. Whether you are working in a good company or playing for the national team, it is not because you are the best. You can pass an interview and on the day you are to resume, lose your sanity or health, which makes it impossible for you to take up the appointment. Your life itself is a gift from God; hence you must always acknowledge that whatever you achieve, it is not just by your ability but by God’s mercy.

In Ecclesiastics 5:19, the scripture states, “Every man also to whom God hath given riches and wealth and hath given him power to eat thereof, and to take his portion, and to rejoice in his labour, this is the gift of God.” It is when a man does not realise this fact that he lives without acknowledging God. Someone may want to ask; how can I tell if I am acknowledging God for what he has done for me? To know if you are acknowledging God as the source of all things in your life, is determined by the way you live your life.

First, anyone who claims to acknowledge God as his or her source will always honour God. You will give Him the priori-

ty which He deserves. You will serve Him and obey His word. You cannot truly honour someone until you respect and obey the word of that person. In honouring God, you offer yourself to Him as a living sacrifice. Romans 12:1 states, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service”. Make yourself available to serve in the house of God by first surrendering you life to Him. Secondly, you acknowledge God as your source when you honour Him with your substance. In the world, we pay taxes to the government to show our allegiance and loyalty. In the same way, we must pay our tithes in the house of God to demonstrate our loyalty to God. In Malachi 3:10, God instructs His children to bring in all the tithes into His store house so that there will be provision in His house.

Thirdly, we show that we acknowledge God as our source and for our achievement when we refuse to oppress the lessprivileged. By this, we show that we have realised that the difference between them and us is the mercy of God. Finally, a man who knows that he is what he is by God’s grace will be humble.

He will not be proud and arrogant. He will say like the Apostle, Paul, that, “I am what I am by the grace of God”. Remember you are what you are today by the grace of God.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Footprints with Dr. Tunde

Ojewole Email: ojewolea@babcockuni.edu.ng Phone: 08058299434

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ne of the stories that connect Christianity, Islam, and Judaism is found in Genesis 22. It is the story of the near sacrifice of Isaac by his aged father, Abraham, acting on God’s command.

Child sacrifice was the bane of Israel’s neighboring cultures of the Phoenicians and Amorites. God expressly prohibits such heinous practice of child sacrifice (Deut 12:31; 18:10), especially the practice associated with the worship of Molech (Lev 18:21; 20:2–5). Later the practice appears in the Southern Kingdom of Israel (2 Kings 16:3; 21:6) but is eliminated by Josiah (2 Kings 23:10) and condemned by the prophets (Jer 7:31–32; Ezek 16:20–21).

Lest the reader confuses issues, the author alerts the reader that the story is a “test” (Gen 22:1). This divine request for human sacrifice is unique in Israel’s experience. The special circumstance of Abraham’s role as the father of the covenant requires a test without parallel. This testing of Abraham was not devious since God tests only those who can withstand, that is, the righteous (Job 5:17; Prov 3:11-12; Heb 12:5; Rev 2:10; 3:19). “The LORD tests the righteous; but the wicked and the one who loves violence His soul hates” (Psalm 11:5).

Abraham responded without hesitation to the unexplained and unexpected command of his God to sacrifice his only son. The author heightens the pathos of the story by repeating the family connection: “son,” “only son,” and “father” (Gen 22:2, 3, 7, 9-10, 12-13). Isaac is in fact not the “only son,” but he is the “only son” who remains the potential heir. Abraham had expelled Ishmael, his firstborn, and now he faces sacrificing his “only” son. Most probably, the three-day journey (Gen 22:4) was silent, difficult, and excruciating. The distance from Beersheba where Abraham lived at that time (Gen 21:31-34) to Mount Moriah was about 80 kilometers.

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Sunday October 28, 2012

A faith that cannot be tested cannot be trusted! How do you expect promotion without going through examination and testing? It is not possible! God “tests” His people as a means for revealing their obedience (e.g., Exod 15:25; 16:4; Judg 2:22), producing fear so as to engender piety (Exod 20:20; Ps 26:2), discovering their authenticity (Deut 8:2; 13:3[4]; 2 Chron 32:31), and producing their well-being (Deut 8:16).

Satan tempts men to bring out the worst in them; God tests them to help bring out the best. The most severe tests come from the Lord; yet the greatest blessings accompany them. Like Job, the patriarch Abraham chooses the giver over the gift, relying on the Lord to uphold His promise of a heir even if Isaac was sacrificed.

Abraham learnt in his walk with God that God’s integrity is at stake in everything that happens to him. Hence, this issue of sacrificing Isaac lay with the Lord, not Abraham. He left it to God to resolve the theological and moral problems God Himself created. It is not about you, it’s about God. Trust Him implicitly and unquestioningly. That was why Abraham could answer Isaac’s inquiry for the lamb for the sacrifice as such: “my son, God will provide for Himself the lamb for a burnt offering” (Gen 22:8). Your needs are His needs, and God will provide for Himself. When you partner with God, your finances are divinely enhanced and you enjoy divine healing and divine health. God will provide for Himself !

Abraham did not stagger at God’s promise. He did not talk or rationalize himself out of obedience. It was a divine mandate and he consulted no one, not even his wife with whom he shared parenthood of Isaac.

That is hard! He staggered not under the

Akedah

crushing weight of such demand. He was prompt; he rose up early in the morning (Gen 22:3). He was deliberate and intentional; preparing the wood beforehand (Gen 22:3). He was fully determined so he commanded his young servants to stay back after a while, so as not to hinder him.

“Stay here with the donkey; the lad and I will go yonder and worship, and we will come back to you” (Gen 22:5). His faith held on to the immediate resurrection of sacrificed Isaac so they would both return home! This is your challenge to heroic faith. Faith must be tried for faith to live!

Genesis 22:1-19 is known in Jewish tradition as the Akedah, “the binding [of Isaac],” taken from the word “bound” in v. 9, which occurs only here in the Old Testament. It is interesting to note that Isaac, the stronger and swifter of the two, submits without struggle to the old man’s binding to the altar. Various traditions put Isaac’s age at that time at between 25 and 37. At the designated spot on Mount Moriah, Abraham built an altar. He arranged the wood. Abraham laid his future on the altar of sacrifice. He bound his heir with rope. He raised the knife to slit his throat!

So determined was Abraham to carry out the divine directive, that Isaac was as good as dead (Gen 22:6–10)!

At that moment the angel of the Lord spoke from heaven to announce that the test was over. “Now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your only son from me” (Gen 22:12). God did not desire the death of Isaac, but the heart of his father. Abraham then noticed a ram caught in a nearby thicket which he hastened to offer as a joyous burnt offering before the Lord. This was the final test of Abraham’s faith, resulting in his unwav-

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ering discovery of God’s sufficiency to achieve the promises God made to him (Gen 12:1-9; 13:16; 15:5-6; 17:4-9; 18:18). This event was the culmination of Abraham’s acclaim as the father of faith. As Abraham succeeded, so shall you.

Ultimately, Genesis 22 reveals more about God than Abraham. The climax comes in verse 14 where Abraham gave a commemorative name to the spot: yahweh yir’eh (Jehovah Jireh). This severally means: “Yahweh will provide;” “on the mountain of the Lord it will be provided;” and “on the mount the Lord provides.” Aalders puts it succintly: “when God’s people reach the summit of their faith, the Lord will always provide (22:13–14).” This name draws attention to God, not Abraham. The emphasis is not on Abraham’s performance but on God’s provision.

Abraham realized that in the ram God was providing a substitute for his son.

This incident was foundational for the teaching of substitutionary atonement.

God needed Abraham to feel God’s pain in giving His only begotten Son, Jesus, to die as substitute for mankind. Paul alludes to the Akedah in Romans 8:32: “He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?”

The Akedah reminds us that: (1) Faith obeys completely the Word of God. (2) Faith surrenders the best to God, holding nothing back. (3) Faith waits on the Lord to provide all one’s needs. But God does not provide until personal sacrifice has been made. True worship is costly.

Tunde Ojewole, Ph.D., is the University Pastor and Associate Vice-President for Spiritual Life, Babcock University.

For enquiries: ojewolea@babcock.edu.ng; 08058299434/08060376577

Answers to October 14&21, 2012 Quiz

1.

To whom did Jesus say; “here is your mother?” Provide the passage.

2.

What usually snowcapped mountain in northern Palestine is the source of the Jordan River?

1.

Jacob - Genesis 32:28 (King James Version).

3.

I denied Jesus three times before the cock crowed? Supply the scripture.

2.

Grace, Zechariah- Luke 1:19-21, 62-64.

3.

300- Judges 7: 16

•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.

Is it possible for a free-thinker to make heaven?

Holy Inquiry with Pastor Paul

Nkirukah E-mail: pstpaul11@yahoo.com

Dear Pastor, Is it possible for any person who doesn’t belong to any religious group or association whatsoever, but only believes in the existence of God, to enter into the kingdom of God? Mackson from Akumazi, Delta State.

Dear reader, There will be no need to prolong issue; let me just go straight to the point. The answer to your question is capital NO. I believe in whatsoever the scripture says; for that reason, let’s examine the scriptures together: John 3: 3 – 6 reads, “Jesus answered and said unto him, verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God, verse 4; Nicodemus

saith unto him, how can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb and be born?

Verse 5; Jesus answered, verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. Verse 6; That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.”

According to the scriptures above in verse 6, you will understand that until one is born again, he or she still remains flesh, [human] but when you are born again, you are born of the Spirit (God) because God is a Spirit. In a simple and clear definition, whosoever that is born again is born of God, but whosoever that is not born again is born of man. This also means that whosoever that is born again, is born of God, and whosoever that is born of God is god, thus the bible says in Psalm 82: 6 – 7 I have said, ye are gods, and all of you are children of the most high, verse 7; But ye shall die like men, and fall like one of the princes.

According to all the scriptures above, it

is very evident and obvious that until one is born again he or she cannot be like God, and cannot be with God; for he said where I am there you will also be that we may be one in God. But how can you be in and with God when you don’t possess God’s nature, think about it.

What you suppose to be asking now is how can one be born again? Let’s find out below from the scriptures.

Romans 10: 9 – 10 reads, “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved; verse 10: For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”

Let’s also take a closer look at another scripture. Acts 10 : 1 – 6 reads; There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band, 2; A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God always, 3; He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day an angel of God

coming in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius, 4; And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, what is it, Lord?

And he said unto him, thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God, 5; And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is peter, 6; He lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side: he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do.”

In conclusion, you could see that both Nicodemus who was a Bible scholar (teacher) but did not know anything about being born again. Jesus told him that his teachings could not save him but has to be born again, and so many Christians are like that. Cornelius also believed and even served, prayed and gave offerings, and possibly paid his tithes and even went as far as giving alms to people. Yet, God refused to consider him until he sent for Peter who led them to exempt Jesus before He could exempt him. So, it takes your being born again and your continuously fellowshipping with the children of God to enter into the kingdom of God.

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Sunday, October 28, 2012

Connecting

Vanessa with

Vanessaonsunday@yahoo.com

How to know when you are being used –the female angle

W

omen fall into this trap every time. What trap is that, you say, The one where she gets agitated waiting endlessly for a call from her lover; when she should be smart enough to realise that the guy in question only calls when he needs to fulfil his basic desires. God blessed women with intuition and gut feelings, yet many do not use them or simply ignore them and end up Models ensnared into a trap they could have easily uncovered.

Love is very real; you either feel it or you don’t.

When you love someone, the minute you see that person, your heart pumps fast, your eyes sparkle like a thousand stars and inside you bursts a feeling of excitement and joy and you simply feel blessed to have that person in your life. It even becomes a headier feeling when that person reciprocates the same feelings and emotions.

Conversely, when you’re being used, these feelings all seem one-sided on your part while lack of communication, constant excuses for avoiding your company and total lack of affection, come from your partner’s side, making you sad and unhappy.

The truth of the matter is that as a woman, being used for sex or money is easy to recognise if you can be truthful to yourself. The signs have been there from the beginning but you choose to ignore them because you were so attracted to this guy and felt ‘‘lucky’’ to have got his attention that you failed to listen to your gut feeling.

People can seem considerate and normal in the early stages of dating, but it does not take long for blinders to come down and the truth to be revealed in subtle and not-so-subtle ways. Guys and girls alike are generally on their best behaviour in the beginning. After all, everyone wants to make a good first impression. However, this façade eventually crumbles, if people are not entirely genuine or have underlying motives.

So the trick in discovering if a man genuinely loves you as a person and not necessarily after your body is to get past the first impression stage without giving in to his desires.

I call the men who want to sleep with women on the first date or soon after you got introduced to them as ‘‘hit and run lovers’’. Men are easily attracted to what they see at first glance and like butterflies, all they want is to perch, sip the nectar and away they fly! His focus is solely on the physical aspect alone. Just understand that a man can have sex with you and not have any feelings for you.

So the joker here is this: if you refuse to sleep with a man again, and tell him you want to take things slow for a while, if he still sticks with you,

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Heart-throb Send text only to 08025253996

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the chances are he may not actually be using you.

But a man who’s using a woman will almost immediately move on to the next target!

Do not wait for many months to pass before figuring out he does not really and truly care. Find out now and get out of the relationship before being slapped in the face by a harsh dose of reality.

Save your heart and your sanity by learning how to separate the real men from the monsters.

Signs to look out for if you feel you are being used: • He isn’t that interested in getting to know you.

He does not want to know about your dreams, interests, and family. In fact, he doesn’t really ask you many questions about yourself at all.

All he ever really seems to want to do is to sleep with you.

• He does not make any significant effort to please you, surprise you or make you feel special.

• He is not very affectionate towards you unless during bed time. He also does not show any significant feelings towards you. No tender touches or gaze into your eyes lovingly. And once you have slept together, he wants to leave your side as quickly as possible with only a flimsy excuse.

• He hardly calls, texts or e-mails you. Even when you try to contact him, he either does not pick up immediately or his number is not available. Also, he will not even return the call when he sees your missed calls.

• He hardly takes you out on dates except to a hotel or his house and it is only for one thing - to have sex with you.

• He only wants you to meet his needs without going out of his way to meet yours or make you happy.

You don’t feel loved, respected, appreciated or cherished.

• He does not want to introduce you to his friends, family or work colleagues. You have also noticed that he seems to want to keep you private from the rest of his life.

• He does not compliment you about your person but only about your body or something that pertains to your sexiness. He does not compliment you on your personality, intelligence, talents or ideas.

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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, October 28, 2012

35

Eclipse rocks with witty freestyle lyrics If you are a fan of hip-hop then you will be excited to know that Aboriginal Music has unveiled its emerging Hip-Hop artiste, Eclipse - the Demigod - with his debut track on the label titled ‘As E Dey Hot’.

Taken from his forthcoming debut mix-tape titled ‘DemiGod Mode’, ‘As E Dey Hot’ sees the up and coming MC dropping a blistering freestyle over Kardinal Offishal’s 2008 hit ‘Set It Off ’ for your listening pleasure.

Serving as the lead track from his debut mixsong, ‘Sister Caro’ and Waconzy who performed his tape, Eclipse puts his best foot forward on ‘As E song, ‘I Celebrate’.

Dey Hot’ with straight fire lyrical prowess, clear “We’ve been to Port Harcourt twice before and yet vocal cadence, a sharp flow and captivating we had an even larger turnout”, said an excited Tiwa wordplay over three odd minutes of top drawer Medubi, who is the show’s Project Manager. “It proves rap verses that will keep you hitting rewind something we have come to find out - young people pasover and over. sionate about their dreams and talent are passionate If you are a fan of action movie With witty lyrics like: “I belong to a class about the platform that Nigerian Idol offers. And it cerpacked with a lot of intrigues and arresting suspense, of rappers / and rap is a craft we master / we tainly adds a spring to our step as we move to Owerri, then be assured that in a matter of weeks, you will be steadily coming after the throne / and we riding where we anticipate even larger numbers.” treated to a feel good time in front of the big screen. after…” and “Point of correction, I rap die – no The Nigerian Idol auditions now move to Owerri this M&M can reveal that another exciting movie titled need for resurrection,” Eclipse shows his talent weekend and will hold at the IMO Concorde Hotel, Owerri‘The Gods Are Still Not To Blame’ is set to roll in. Acon the rap scene.

Port-Harcourt Road, New Owerri Layout. After this, Benin cording to latest information made available to M&M, A versatile, highly skilled rapper with a disCity is the next stop on 3 November and Lagos will host the the film is a modern cinematic adaptation of the famous tinctive microphone presence, undeniable chagrand finale on 9th and 10th November, this year.

Ola Rotimi play, ‘The God’s Are Not To Blame’ and stars risma and witty lyricism, Eclipse is a Hip-Hop This season’s prize is valued at $100,000 and the elements popular actors Kareem Adepoju aka ‘Baba Wande’ and prodigy at the forefront of a new generation of are thus; N7.5 million cash, a recording contract worth Carol King, Akin Lewis, Nobert Young, Dele Odule, FunNigerian MCs determined to carve their names N7.5million and an SUV. sho Adeolu, Gloria Anozie-Young, Iretiola Doyle, Bukky boldly in the next chapter of the book on AfriAjayi, Gabriel Afolayan. can Hip-Hop. The new movie, which was produced by Funke FayThough new to the game - having only startoyin and directed by Byron Ene also features new act, ed rapping in 2010, Eclipse has already carved Omowunmi Dada. out a reputation as an MC to watch. In 2011, You will also be delighted to know that ‘The Gods he was crowned King of the South-East at the Are Still Not to Blame’ was shot on different locations ingly, there were several disagreements amongst the three South-East Universities Freestyle Friday Comin Nigeria, Cameroon and Cote d’Ivoire and makes use about who deserved to stay on and who should be out, but petition after emerging victorious in a battle of five languages; English, French, Yoruba, Hausa and they finally decided on 50 talented Nigerians to make it to royale featuring the 15 best rappers in the reIgbo. the next round. gion.

‘The Gods Are Still Not To Blame’ tells a story of a Acts from 29-year-old Ekeng Bassey to 36-year-old Bariyu child who was born to King Adedoyin. While the namYusuf couldn’t hide the excitement as they received the lifeing ceremony is in progress, the leading clergy goes changing calls from the judges. “And now, it’s game on!” into a trance and proclaims that the baby will kill his says Debby Schulman the producer of the show. “This is the father and marry his mother. The child was later sefirst show of its kind in Nigeria, where we finally see excretly taken to Cameroon so as not to make the prophcellent talents from across the country battle to win hearts ecy come to pass. and minds it isn’t about a particular talent, it’s about how

n Idol moves to Owerri

Want to know why The Gods Are Still Not to Blame?

Talent show: for the semi-finals

much you are able to use that talent to make the hearts of the viewer soar.”

The semi-final round kicks off in a few days’ time and in this round, viewers will have the power to vote and save their favorite contestant weekly.

Hosted by Andre Blaze, the judges for the season are radio host Dan Foster, actor Kate Henshaw and entertainment entrepreneur, Yibo Koko. The Airtel-sponsored first season of Nigeria’s Got Talent began to air on 16 September and will run until December 2012.

Gaise returns with two new songs

Are you ready for WAP Talent Hunt 2012?

Following the release of his DJ Tee-directed music video for ‘Movie Song’ back in March, award-winning Afro-fusion singer, songwriter and recording artiste, Entertainment Company, Wale Adenuga ProGaise has returned to the music scene with two brand ductions, has cooked up another delight, WAP new singles titled ‘Awa O Tush Oh’ and ‘Dobale’ for the Talent Hunt 2012, set to be of benefit to all Nilistening pleasure of music fans. gerians and the entertainment industry as a Produced by Olaitan Dada of Natialo Productions, whole.

‘Awa O Tush Oh” is an enthralling Afro-fusion record Rather than being a money-making scheme, laced with lush drum patterns, heavy keyboards and a the WAP Talent Hunt is mainly targeted at disbass line over which Gaise shows exactly why he is one covering and projecting new talents into the Enof the bests indigenous Nigerian artistes in recent times. tertainment Industry, thus the organizers have He rides the stirring beats backdrop - in Yoruba and in made entry into the Talent Hunt free of charge Pidgin English - with a striking lyrical showing and a to ensure that everyone will be able to particicommanding word flow. pate and stand a chance to be among the winOn ‘Dobale’, Gaise takes it a little slower on the midners. tempo feel good music which is largely backed by percusFurther buttressing WAP’s aim of using this sion drums and slow building keyboard arrangements as Talent Hunt as a means to give back to society, he shows off more of his enthralling and captivating vothe company has also announced that apart cal abilities on this sweet, melodious and rather poignant from being free to enter, the top 6 contestants and life-affirming record, produced by Qbittz. will win fabulous cash prizes while 20 StarWith this double songs, Gaise Baba, as he is fondly Times decoders are also up for grabs for all called, warms his way back into the hearts of welcoming contestants as well as instant fame from the fans and critics alike. nationwide exposure on several platforms.

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Sunday, October 28, 2012

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

A Fashionista’s

World OCTOBER ER 28,, 2012

I have a flat tummy and fantastic boobs’ Tall and gracious Tokunbo Odedina Casson is an actress-cum-model. The proud mother of two who is married to a Briton, in this interview with Angela Davies, discloses that her fashion statement is elegant.

Are you married?

Yes, I am married with two children. My husband is a British and he is based in the United Kingdom. We travel over there to see him from time to time.

Aside from acting and modelling, what else do you do?

I am also into event and artiste management.

Define your fashion statement I just love looking elegant.

What is that fashion item you cannot do without as a woman?

That would be my powder because it puts the desired finishing touch to my make-up.

What is that clothing item you can never be caught in at any time or place?

I can never be caught wearing anything too transparent.

What I mean is a transparent outfit without lining underneath that will reveal my underwear.

What aspect of modelling do you do?

I do runway, television commercials and photography.

However, the runway is my favourite. My best runway event was the ‘Bodies and Beads’ runway show which held in the United Kingdom. It is my favourite because the cloth I modelled that day was bought after the show and the designer was so happy that she had to increase my pay. She also gave me a dress for free.

As a model, have you encountered any sexual harassment before or after a show?

Yes, I have been harassed. I still remember this particular one. After a fashion show in the United Kingdom, we were taken to an after party at a night club. I was wearing a mini skirt and as I entered the club, a white boy just smacked my ass. I was going to react but my agent intervened. He begged me to let go and not make any trouble. My agent later went to warn him.

How do you love to dress?

I always dress fit for the occasion and I love African prints a lot. Most of my casual outfits are designed with African print in different designs and colours. If it is a red, green or yellow carpet event, I wear an evening outfit and if it is an African event, I also dress African. How I dress basically depends on the event.

If you are to flaunt any part of your body, where would that be?

That will be my tummy and boobs. I have got a flat tummy and fantastic boobs. I wear clothes that would reveal my cleavage just a little. To flaunt my tummy, I put on a pair of jean and tops that are always a bit short.

How do you love to carry your hair?

I carry my hair long most of the time. I love fixing and when I want to look African, I go on braids even though I don’t braid often.

Do you love accessories?

Yes, I do because they are on vogue and I can easily match up different kinds of accessories to go with what I am wear-

ing.

What is your greatest fear in n life?

My greatest fear in life is dying before my time. I always pray to God to give me e long life because I have two kids and I will like to grow w old with them. I will also like to see my grandchildren, en, so I am always praying for long life.

When you hear about divorce ce stories of your colleagues in the industry, how w do you feel?

I feel sad because nobody y is perfect. The unfortunate thing is that when n the news breaks, people always say that it is the woman that is at fault. It is not right. It could uld be the fault of any of the couple. The truth h is that I always feel bad, especially when it is published in the newspapers.

What do you do to safeguard rd your own marriage?

After God, I will say trust st is the next bedrock of my marriage. My husband is British; this makes it even easier because we trust each otherr so much.

When there is no trust in a relationship, that is when you believe eve whatever you hear about your partner.

He is an IT person, so we are even world apart in terms of what we both do. He knew my job before we got married and he has always supported me. There is no o way you will go and tell my husband sband that ‘I saw your wife with a man or one artiste’, that he willl feel bad or jealous. He will tell you, ‘O I know’, even if he does not know because of the trust between us. If you trust your our wife, there is nothing anybody ody will come and tell you that hat would move you.

What is your philosophy of life?

Just be true to yourself no matter what anybody says ys about you. Be focused and d be true to yourself How was growing up for you?

Growing up was quite e exciting. I will say from year one to 10 was quite exciting because my parents were still together and it was really fun. But when I got to the age of 15, it wasn’t so anymore because of the separation.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

37

&

Weddings Engagements CELEBRATING THE JOY IN MARITAL BLISS OCTOBER 28, 2012

Comedian Elenu proposes to girlfriend, Chinwe ANGELA DAVIES

W

hat every woman craves for when dating a man she truly loves is the day he would ask her that very important question that would ultimately move them to the next phase of their lives: ‘will you marry me?”

Aside from the fact that she wants it to be a surprise, she also fantasises how romantic she wants her man to propose to her. On Sunday, October 21, ace comedian, Akinlami Babatunde Julius, popularly known as Elenu, proposed to his sweetheart, Chinwe Anyanwu, in a rather romantic manner.

Chinwe actually thought she was

going on a dinner date with her sweetheart, Elenu and some friends at the Federal Palace Hotel. After ordering for their food, the waiter brought her ‘supposed’ plate of food to the table. When he opened the plate to show her the mouthwatering food she had ordered for, what Chinwe saw was not food but a beautiful engagement ring with the question: “ “will you marry me?” with two strawb berries at the edge of the plate while h stood beside her waiting for her rehe s sponse.

It was romantic like an act from the m movies.

Chinwe was not only surprised b was excited. She ecstatically said, but “ “Yes”, and immediately, Elenu slipped t ring into her finger and took a very the g good look at it. They then ate the strawb berry , kissed, popped champagne and t merriment continued. the The few selected friends of Elenu and C Chinwe who witnessed their engagem ment include comedian, Ayo Makun, p popularly known as AY, and his wife, G Gbenro Ajibade; comedian, MC Shak kara; designer, Yomi Casual and music v video director, Patrick Ellis, among othe ers.

The lovebirds have been dating for t three years. Chinwe is a graduate of Int ternational Studies and Diplomacy of B Benson Idahosa University, Benin.

From campus fellowship to the altar OLUWASEGUN IJABIKEN

T

he families of Amudipe and Falajiki, both of Ekiti descent, hosted a societal wedding in a grand style for their children, Odunayo Emmanuel Amudipe and Christy Bosede Falajiki, on Saturday, October 20.

The marital rites took place sequentially on the same day. It began with the traditional wedding at the bride’s family residence in the early hours of the morning. At the traditional wedding, the couple dressed in full Yoruba regalia. They looked elegant in their cream-coloured lace attire which they harmonised with chocolate-brown and cream-coloured aso oke. Guests were served pounded yam, the typical food of the Ekiti people.

The white wedding immediately followed at St. Silas African Church. The stylish reception held at the multipurpose hall of Demonstration Secondary School, all in Ikere-Ekiti, Ekiti State. Emmanuel, the happy groom, decked a cute cream-coloured suit, brown shirt and a slim tie to match. Bosede’s wedding dress was a combination of white gown and bolero, sewn with satin and bridal lace. She complemented her bridal look with hair accessories, stud earrings and a colourful bouquet. The couple showed their joy as they both expressed this by dancing excitedly both at the church and at the reception.

According to Emmanuel, they met in 2004 as firstyear undergraduates at the African Church Evangelical Students Fellowship, University of Ado Ekiti, UNAD, chapter. They later became friends and in

You have a story to tell us about your wedding/engagement, or your new born baby.

Please call this line: 08051980588

BABIES OF THE WEEK

Chidera Iwuagwu was born at Madonna Hospital, Awka to Ogbonna and Faith Iwuagwu. She was delivered at 1:23 a.m. and weighed 3:25 kg.

According to Faith, “I craved for moi-moi. I also ate enough fruits during pregnancy.”

Speaking about her obvious physical body change, Faith said, “I looked more beautiful; however, I had swollen legs.”

What irritated her during the pregnancy?

She emphasised that she was irritated by the smell of drugs.

What do Chidera parents love about her?

Ogbonna said, “She smiles a lot. We also love the way she eats and sleeps.”

What do the parents want her to become in future? “We would love her to become a medical doctor,” said Faith.

What is the meaning of Chidera? “Chidera means what God has written stands,” Ogbonna revealed.

their penultimate year at the alma mater, precisely January 26, 2007, he proposed to Bosede after serious prayers, expecting her to give him an instant response, but it took eight months for Bosede to say “Yes’.

What attracted Emmanuel to Bosede? “I like her Godfearing attitude, humility, beauty and intelligence,” he revealed.

Guests were entertained by the sonorous rendition of Ayenco Melody Group at the reception. Interestingly, the hilly topography of Ekiti State created a tourism adventure for people to behold and admire.

Odunayo and Bosede savouring their marriage

Chiagoziem Mbagwu was born at St. Emmanuel Hospital, Isolo, to Obinna and Ezioma Mbagwu. He was delivered at 12:16 p.m. and weighed 3.5kg.

“During the pregnancy, I craved for roasted yam with palm oil. I also drank a lot of water,” Ezioma revealed.

What were the obvious physical changes?

“I looked much prettier during the pregnancy which was my second. But I had no swollen feet, nose, or face,” Ezioma disclosed.

What does she like about Chiagoziem?

“He is very peaceful and he hardly cries. He sleeps well too,” she disclosed.

What does she want him to become in future? “I would like him to become a footballer or a medical doctor,” Ezioma said.

What is the meaning of his name?

“Chiagoziem means God has blessed me,” Ezioma explained.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

38

ANGELA DAVIES lessonsoflife2@yahoo.com 08023342083

Lessons of Life ‘Help, my husband has discovered I was impregnated by a fake prophet!’

TRUE LIFE STORY ON MATTERS OF THE HEART OCTOBER 28, 2012

M

y mother died leaving nine children behind. I was just six years old and the eighth child of the family. My father had no time for us because he was a drunk, thus everyone was entirely on their own.

Those of my siblings who could not continue with their education due to lack of finance either got married or learnt a vocation. Well, for me, my eldest sister, Sarah, took me to live with her after she got married to a mechanic.

She managed to cater for my education until I completed secondary

school. When her husband died and things became really difficult for her, I had to start fending for myself. I vowed that I must further my education no matter what and how long it took because I wanted to become an accountant. I thought of what I could do to earn money without disturbing or begging anyone so I decided to serve as a maid for at least three years so that I could make some money.

Fortunately, I got a nice family to serve as a maid. The good thing is that every member of the family liked me, especially their two adorable children

in primary school. Aside from the fact that I am hardworking and dedicated to my duties, I am also very good in mathematics, so I help the children with their mathematics homework.

Later, my salary was increased as I doubled as their maid and children’s home teacher.

One day, my madam called me and said, “Harmony, you are very good with everything you do. You do not only keep my house clean, I am proud to tell you that my children have also improved in their academics. All thanks to you”. “Madam, thank you but all the glory must be to God.” She asked, “Harmony, I hope you will still further your education?”

“Yes madam, I will. I plan to work here for three years so that I can gather enough money to further my education,” I revealed.

When it was exactly three years, I left, feeling happy and sad. I was sad because I was leaving a nice family and happy because I was going to fulfil my dream. I went back home and in a short time, I gained admission into one of the polytechnics in the West.

I was so excited because I was the first person to attain this level in my family. In the twinkle of an eye, I had completed my Diploma programme in Accountancy and proceeded immediately for my Higher National Diploma. In no time, I was done with school. I also got a job in one of the new generation banks. I was very excited as I saw this as another breakthrough in my life.

Four months later, I met and fell in love with Elliot. Elliot was just transferred to my branch as the Head of IT. He had everything a woman wanted in a man. He was handsome, tall, caring and loving. We started dating and he spoilt me with gifts and pampered me so much. Within a short time, he asked me to marry him. Precisely on my 24th birthday, Elliot proposed but I turned down his offer because I felt I was not ready for marriage yet. But after taking out time to think about the fact that I had been carrying my burden alone for a long time, I decided to change my mind. Two weeks later, I went to Elliot’s apartment to inform him that I was going to marry him. This made him really happy and within two months we had a registry wedding. After the wedding, we were informed that both of us cannot work in the same branch. I had to be transferred to another branch.

Three months later, I took ill. When I visited the hospital, after some

tests, it was confirmed that I was a month pregnant. When I told Elliot the good news, he lifted me up and gave me a warm kiss. He promised to take good care of me and our unborn child. Since I was having problems with the pregnancy and had to spend most times either in the hospital or at home, I decided to resign and face pregnancy squarely until our child was born and old enough to start nursery school.

Unfortunately, when the pregnancy was four months old, I feel down the stairs and had a miscarriage. It’s been almost three years since that miscarriage, and I have not been able to get pregnant. Doctors kept telling me that nothing was wrong with me; however, they attributed my inability to get pregnant again to anxiety.

I prayed and fasted, drank different types of concoction, underwent a series of tests and all proved that nothing was truly wrong with me. But I never got pregnant. All I ever wanted was to give my husband a child, for he had been very patient and understanding.

One morning, about an hour after Elliot left for the office, the door bell rang. “I am not expecting anyone, so who could that be?” I murmured.

When I opened the door, to my amazement, I saw a bearded man clad in white garment and red cap holding a cross and a big Bible under his arm.

“Good morning, who are you and how can I help you,” I asked. “Good morning madam, I am the servant of the Almighty God and He has sent me to you. God said He knows what you are going through but not to worry because you will conceive and bear children after five days of special fasting and cleansing,” he revealed.

Immediately, I welcomed him into the house and asked him when the special prayer and cleansing will commence.

“Madam, don’t be in a hurry. Anyway, we will start next week Monday. But I must warn you that you must not tell your husband or any other person because you don’t really know who is behind your problem,” he warned. He also revealed that if I should tell Elliot, he would not approve of it since it was easy for him to marry another woman. Nevertheless, he asked me to buy different kinds of fruits and a pack of white and red candles for the special programme.

To be continued next week

Please send your advice to the phone number or e-mail address above. No calls, please.

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L

Opinion

Sunday October 28, 2012

39

Clatters of the Suntai crash

ike rivulets trickling down the cottage rack, the social media virtually imploded Thursday night, following the jaw-dropping report of the crash of a plane in which a Nigerian state governor was the pilot. Danbaba Suntai, best known as the executive governor of Taraba State, incidentally is a pilot, who obtained his training two years ago. He reportedly attended the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, Zaria, Kaduna State, and graduated in 2010.

Reputed as a man of little means before he was drafted into the governorship race by then outgoing Governor Jolly Nyame in 2007, Suntai came as a maverick, in his rapid passion for flying objects. To demonstrate his sagacious bold step to transform the sleepy, rural state to an orbital glean of primal fancy, the governor, reckoning that the state had two aircraft parked in Kaduna, since the state’s airport in Jalingo, the state’s capital was not conducive, descended the pilot in him.

He reportedly spent the state’s fortune, conservatively put at N9 billion, to reconstruct the Jalingo airport, even though the port till date totters for want of planes to land on its tarmac.

During his first tenure, Suntai bought a small aircraft for the state and only last year added another one, with the antithetical din that none of the newly purchased jets had the temerity, as it were, to land at the Jalingo airstrip.

They are thus landing, taking off and parking at Yola Airport in neighbouring Adamawa State. Not done, the flying governor, spotted as a freak for choppers, also gave vent to hedonistic fad of wanting to enjoy the evening breeze, aerially.

Up over there in his helicopter, he would see better, the deeds of friends and foes.

To that extent, he reportedly built a helipad at the Government House, so he

could fly in and out at will, retiring to his bedroom with countable steps.

A dashing Suntai, who conquered the air above the long-suffering electorate, also won the battle on the ground.

Only recently, he successfully saw to the removal of his deputy, Sanni Abubakar, whom sources said was rather too pesky for Suntai, who like most Nigerian governors, desired an understanding, choicely colourless and contented persona for deputy. The state’s House of Assembly, ever plyable as their ilk in other parts of the country, and chuckling with possibly heavy pockets, booted out Abubakar. His place an unelected deputy, Garba Umar, has now taken.

And as recapitulation of some echo of accident of history, Umar, who is now acting governor, looks at the hot seat of governor with a reachable hue.

This Suntai crash saga slightly resonates in the invocation of a similar circumstance in American history. When in the early 70s, Vice-President Spiro Agnew was enmeshed in some bribetaking scam, he tendered his resignation; paving the way to the coming of Gerald Ford as V-P to President Richard Nixon. Not too long after, Nixon himself was overwhelmed by spurns from the Watergate Scandal, which speedily disintegrated his Presidency. Upon his resignation, Ford became the President and he appointed billionaire Nelson

Rockefeller as V-P. For the first time in the history of the US, both President and V-P were not elected.

While wishing Suntai speedy recovery, reports that his entire body had been bandaged and that he suffered a broken arm in the accident which claimed three lives, are benumbing. The immediate aspiration of the hospitalised governor will naturally be to be restored to reasonable health and not the politics of Taraba and what becomes of the cosy ambience of the Jalingo Government House.

A flip through the profile of the 53-year-old governor, however, presents him in the main, as a 1984 graduate of Pharmacy from the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. Why he ‘waited’ till after 2007 when he became governor to train as a pilot is as clear to the simpleton as the marks on the latter’s palm. Perhaps, Suntai could not have afforded the tuition fees in an aviation school, much less later graduate with the acquisition of planes for state-totting; as his case turned out.

Quite jejune as it is rudely tickling is also the claim that the governor bought the multi-billion naira Cessna 208 plane, which he crashed last Thursday, for the state government. If the jet was bought for the state, did the state also appoint the governor as pilot for the aircraft? If without what has come to be,

A DASHING SUNTAI, WHO CONQUERED THE AIR ABOVE THE LONG-SUFFERING ELECTORATE, ALSO WON THE BATTLE ON THE GROUND. ONLY RECENTLY, HE SUCCESSFULLY SAW TO THE REMOVAL OF HIS DEPUTY, SANNI ABUBAKAR, WHOM SOURCES SAID WAS RATHER TOO PESKY FOR SUNTAI

Kayode Fasua

kayodefasua@nationalmirroronline.net (08034101207; SMS only, pls)

would Suntai have submitted his fleet of aircraft to the state government after the expiration of his tenure?

While not ruling out the fact that governors, presidents and other highranking persons in power are also humans and are susceptible to shores that can result in accidents, the trajectory of the air rave involving Suntai recedes in the face of humble mishaps that had befallen people in power.

Recall that in 1981, Sokoto State governor, Alhaji Shehu Kangiwa, while playing polo, fell off from his horse and the mule accidently galloped on him, ripping out his bowels. He died thereafter. It was only in a game; not that Kangiwa bought the horse for the state government and chose to be gallivanting on it around the streets, amid a regale of flutes of kakaaki.

While he was the governor of Ondo State too, Governor Segun Agagu broke his leg while playing golf in the Government House. In the same vein, former American Vice-President, Dick Cheney, while in office, had mistakenly shot his friend, Harry Whittington, in a quail hunting game.

Recently too, Mauritanian President, Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz, was shot and wounded, when an army unit of his country accidentally fired on his convoy.

All these passed as accidents; but in the Suntai case, controversy is the middle name of the Yola crash.

Akpabio, Nsima: Team players for good governance LUKE UDOH

W

ith the massive infrastructural development and unprecedented human capacity-building in Akwa Ibom in recent days, patriotic Akwa-Ibomites have come to the consensus that the coming of Governor Godswill Akpabio as their political leader in the state is God’s uncommon intervention in internal affairs of the state.

Thus, in spite of constant anti-Akpabio media campaigns by the opposition, majority of citizens of the state whose lives and living conditions have been positively changed by the great vision of Governor Akpabio and the mission of his administration, has remained indebted to the governor’s total commitment to purposeful governance.

Another good thing is that in all public discourse about the uncommon transformation in Akwa Ibom, which has continued to make the state the cynosure of eyes both in and outside Nigeria, a fact usually appreciated is the choice of Obong Nsima Udoh Ekere as deputy by Governor Akpabio.

It is a thing of joy that majority of Akwa Ibomites know and appreciate the humane background of the Deputy Governor, his legendary humility

and large-heartedness; his unalloyed support for all that Governor Akpabio stands for in the state and national firmament and political sagacity, which has become his patent attribute since he emerged as a leader of note in Akwa Ibom and Nigeria in 1997.

As it is common in Nigeria, not many politicians would remain patient and steadfast when their interests are been threatened by political expediency. In the political sphere in Nigeria, events have proved beyond reasonable doubts that the spirit of sacrifice for the common good has been buried in the rubbles of political merchandising.

This explains the constant defection of politicians from one party to the other.

These politicians often have a defense: In politics, there are no permanent friends and permanent enemies but permanent interests: But Nsima is an exemption of all this!

The symbiotic relationship between the two leaders is legendary. This can be deduced from the admiring manner he has continued to represent the governor in events both home and abroad.

As it seems, the symbiotic relationship between Governor Akpabio and his able deputy is largely effectuated by the common vision to turn the state around

from being a rural to an industrial geopolitical economy.

As alluded to by Nsima when he briefly acted as the governor of Akwa Ibom, “the uncommon transformation being experienced in the state is a conscious and deliberately planned and sustained effort to transform not only our infrastructure but also our people and give them a better life”. Charging all public servants to hold on to the vision of the administration, which according to him is to mold the state into such a jewel in the Gulf of Guinea that would make posterity proud and at the same time fulfill the dreams of our forefathers.

Really, this is the crux of the issue of the symbiotic relationship between the two leaders; Akpabio, the chief visionary officer of Akwa Ibom State, has his soul-mate as deputy as he is admiringly piloting the affairs of the state towards its planned industrial takeoff in the Nigerian socio-political landscape!

With the construction of roads across the state, provision of electricity through Ibom Power Plant, completion of Ibom International Airport, building of 5 new General Hospitals, free and compulsory education from primary to senior secondary level, free medical services to children under five,

pregnant women and the aged, among others, the Akpabio administration had over the last five years laid a solid foundation that will support the envisaged industrial renaissance of the state.

As a matter of fact, it is a thing of joy and our pride in Akwa Ibom that this inimitable symbiotic relationship has become an object of national discourse. One can only further advance this relationship by urging all politicians in the country to key into this perfect working relationship, which has greatly catalyzed the uncommon infrastructural cum socio-political transformation of Akwa Ibom State.

Indeed, one is proud to allude to the now popular view which was aptly captured in a recent publication, “that it is the uncommon symbiotic relationship between the governor and his deputy as well as the untainted two-way sincerity of purpose between them, which has made party politics, especially within the rank and file of the PDP in the state, be devoid of the acrimonious, and sometimes, fratricidal bickering, found in many other states of the federation”.

•Udoh, an engineer, is a public commentator in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

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Politics

Adebanjo

Sunday, October 28, 2012

Ekweremadu

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Musa

Constitution review: Imperative for agenda setting and public hearing AYO ESAN

T

he National Assembly through its Constitution Review Committee is set to review the 1999 Constitution which has been described by late Chief Rotimi Williams (SAN) as a document that lie against itself just as it has been condemned for its lopsidedness by many Nigerians.

The national legislature, through the committee chairman, Senator Ike Ekweremadu gave the hint that the public hearing on the review would start this month. However, many eminent Nigerians who spoke with Sunday Mirror believe the National Assembly is not in the best position to carry out a wholly review of the Constitution as this, according to them, could only be achieved by a national conference or constituent assembly purposely called for the assignment.

While the Senate President, David Mark, has assured that the exercise would be targeted towards addressing all grey areas and imbalances in the nation “so that no citizen, group or section would feel oppressed or marginalised anymore”, the Chairman of the Constitution Review Committee and the Deputy Senate President, Senator Ekweremadu, has gone further to state the areas which the review would cover.

According to him, the devolution of powers among the tiers of government, fiscal federalism, state creation and the Nigeria Police are on the top agenda of his committee.

Others, according to him, are the local government system, rotation of executive offices, residency and indigene provisions, immunity clause, recognition of the six geopolitical zones in the Constitution, as well as executive and judicial reforms.

Ekweremadu who said these were based on the memorandum submitted by Nigerians to the committee, added that it had set aside October 11 and 12 for public hearing in Abuja.

It was further gathered that other items listed for debate during the exercise include the role of traditional rulers and autonomy for local government councils.

Also on the agenda of the committee are the review of the Land Use Act, the National Youth Service Corps Act, Code of Conduct, fiscal federalism, immunity clause, the judiciary, rotation of executive offices among senatorial districts of a state and zones.

Others are the mayoral status of the Federal Capital Territory and inclusion of residency and indigenes provisions in the Constitution.

Ekweremadu urged Nigerians to use the opportunity of the public hearing and the Constitution amendment project to bare their minds on the way forward for the nation.

According to him, “the Constitution remains the num-

ber one law, the foundation upon which a nation is built, and for the Nigerian structure to stand the test of time, meet the visions of our founding fathers and the aspirations of the wider Nigerian populations. We have no choice but to subdue all sectional, ethnic, personal and narrow group interests to national interest so as to get it right.”

He regretted that “some basic constitutional frameworks laid by the founding fathers to engender a peaceful, united and prosperous nation had been gravely distorted”, but assured that the National Assembly was poised to reengineer the 1999 Constitution, so as to restore the nation on the path of greatness.

It would be recalled that he Senate had received 169 proposals from different interest groups, while the House of Representatives had 95 memoranda before it as the National Assembly gets set for the constitution amendment exercise scheduled to begin this month.

It was gathered that as at September 28, a total of 264 proposals had been submitted to the National Assembly Joint Committee on Constitution Amendment.

It was gathered that the demands for state creation, which were previously 57, had jumped to 61 in the Senate, while 27 requests for new states dominate the 95 proposals before the House Ad-Hoc Committee on Constitution Alteration.

All the six geo-political zones of the country are said to be demanding additional states.

The South-East, according to the figure before the House committee, shows that the zone has the number of requests for more states. The geo-political zone is said to be asking for eight new states. Following the South-East closely is the North-Central, which is seeking seven new states. The South-West and South-South are said to be requesting for five new states each.

There were also hints that 12 requests for new local government areas are before the House of Representatives committee.

Despite the assurance by Mark that the constitution review would touch all grey areas and reverse all the imbalances, top Nigerians who spoke with Sunday Mirror are of the opinion that a constitutional conference of all ethnic nationalities would be more appropriate to find solution to the myriad problems facing the country.

Founder of the pan-Yoruba group, Oodua People’s Congress (OPC), Dr Frederick Fasehun, suggested that only a new constitution can guarantee an end to the menace of insecurity and other problems plaguing the country, adding “that the 1999 Constitution is totally bad and needs not be ‘panel-beaten’ but outright overhauling”.

According to him, the foundation of the current Nigerian Constitution is faulty, and therefore, the country must hold a Sovereign National Conference, SNC, as the irreducible minimum requirement for the survival, sustenance

and development of Nigeria.

He warned that continuing to avoid the SNC would mean continuing to stumble from one milestone of crisis to another adding , “we must get the ethnic nationalities together to hold the SNC as a matter of national emergency.

A chieftain of the pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, said, “Our position has always been that the National Assembly cannot amend the present Constitution. What the 1999 Constitution needs is a surgical operation and not patch-patch amendment. The surgical operation required by the Constitution can only be carried out at the national conference. All these amendments they are trying to do will not lead us anywhere and it cannot be long lasting.

“Our position on the issue of the 1999 Constitution is still constant; we need to overhaul it because it was not a product of Nigerians. It is a military constitution and so we can just amend but it needs to be wholly reviewed.”

Also speaking with the Sunday Mirror, the president of Coalition Against Corrupt Leaders (CACOL), Mr Debo Adeniran said, the “so-called review of the Constitution by the National Assembly cannot go far because most of the National Assembly members are selfish and that selfishness is what is guiding their decisions. We can no longer be fooled any longer. How do they want to go about the devolution of power? They should better concentrate on how to foster checks and balances in government.”

He advised the National Assembly not to embark on a purposeless journey saying, “what the National Assembly should do is to dissolve itself into a constituent assembly which will give each section of the country a say and produce a new Constitution that will be acceptable to all”.

“A national conference is the ultimate, not the tokenism which is borne out of the selfish interest of the lawmakers,” he said.

Lagos lawyer and human right activist, Dr Tunji Braithwaite said, the clamour for the conference is to consolidate the union on a more federal basis where units will enjoy considerable level of autonomy under one nation and one flag.

“The terminology is irrelevant. Whether you call it Sovereign National Conference or Ethnic Nationalities’ Conference, it is irrelevant. There should be a constituent assembly where people would be represented to discuss broadly all these issues. The only thing that will not be tolerated is secession but it is sine qua non for the continued corporate existence of this country and its development”.

Former Governor of Kaduna State, Alhaji Balarabe Musa, said the solution to the inadequacies in the present Constitution and problems bedeviling the country is the convocation of a national dialogue where all ethnic nationalities would send representatives to sit down together and draw the basis of our living together.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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41

Ondo: Can Labour Party recall Senator Boroffice?

MUYIWA OYINLOLA

N

Okorocha

East assuage Ndigbo?

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Politics

Sunday, October 28, 2012

because the South-East has only 95 local governments while other zones have over 125 local governments and revenue sharing has remained in the basis of states and local governments.

Other zones are also talking about state creation and so creation of states will be difficult but if it happens miraculously for the South-East we will be very happy.”

Not long ago, however, political and religious leaders in the geo-political zone set up a 30-man committee headed by Senator Uche Chukwumerije to collate views of the people of the zone ahead of the proposed constitutional review. Former Anambra State governor, Senator Chris Ngige, stated that the political and social leaders in the zone decided to deliberate on its economic development as well as additional states, adding that the creation of an additional state had become necessary as the area was yet to get the equal number of states like most other regions with less population.

The proposed states being canvassed by the South-East include Adada out of the present Enugu State; Orashi, Njaba or Okigwe out of the present Imo State; Aba, from the present Abia State and Etitti, that would comprise carving out different local governments in the five states of the zone to create a new state.

On the other hand, the Igbo-speaking parts of Delta State are also agitating for the creation of Anioma State, while some elements in the Delta North are saying that the proposed state should be created and the people made to join their brothers across the River Niger, to become the sixth state of South-East.

Political observers believe that in all the discordant agitations, whichever state is created is expected, to a great extent, to placate the feelings of denial and neglect by most Ndigbo. It would as well, like in the former Germany, reunite various families with their kindred who had for over 42 years domiciled separately from their brothers in other zones. with its teeming grassroots members also collapsed into the PDP. Consequently, PPA lost radically to PDP in the 2011 general elections. Even Kalu lost to Senator Uche Chukwumerije in the Abia North senatorial polls as Chris Akomas, PPA’s governorship candidate, came a distant third to Orji’s re-election. By this colossal defeat, the former governor had lost the fame of his political dynasty and followership. Recently, Ezogo Emeka Onuoha, PPA state chairman who superintended the 2007 elections resigned over an intractable intra-party disagreement between him and Kalu. Chief Clement Ebiri, National Chairman of PPA left the party in 2009 along with many others. Shortly after, Chief Lisa Olu Akerele, former deputy national chairman (South) and later acting national chairman, also left the party with many members from the South-West.

Yet, undeterred, Kalu has persistently lampooned the administration of his successor and continually accused him of corruption. He had on many occasions mentioned how Orji acquired illegal wealth and erected choice buildings abroad and at home.

But penultimate week, the sour relationship seemed to have worsened. Abia State has resolved to probe ex-governor Kalu over his dealings in the state infrastructural fund where he and his mother allegedly looted the state among other areas. But the maverick Kalu, hitherto, has kept studied silence on the looming probe.

ow that the governorship election in Ondo State is over, one other issue dominating the politics of the state is the attempt by the Labour Party (LP) to recall Senator Robert Boroffice (Ondo North), who defected to the opposition Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in March.

The politician had joined the party in control of the South West with the hope of flying its flag in the just concluded October 20 governorship election.

Boroffice lost the governorship candidacy of the ACN to Chief Rotimi Akeredolu, but he has remained a party loyalist.

The defection of Boroffice astonished political observers in the state who had thought he would take time to consolidate himself in the Senate and then establish himself as a force in the political landscape of his senatorial district.

Another reason why they were shocked is because of the way and manner the state governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, foisted the senator over other contestants during the race for the seat last year.

It will be recalled that the governor supported Boroffice against the ambition of his (Mimiko) bosom friend, Dr. Olu Agunloye, who had interests in the seat.

But while defending his action, Boroffice in an interview shortly after the March defection said his action was a response to the aspiration of the people of his constituency: “I have responded to the aspiration of my people. In any case, there is a constitutional provision for an elected senator to move from one party to another. Those provisions, I believe, were met. There is factionalisation in the Labour Party (LP). As a result of this factionalisation, my people believe I cannot deliver the dividends of democracy, using Labour Party as a vehicle. In consultation with them, I decided to go to the ACN.” Members of the LP have however denied any form of factionalisation among them and are demanding that the lawmaker must vacate the seat “because he was elected to the Senate on the platform of the party”.

In the same vein, the state House of Assembly has also formally petitioned the Senate on the defection of Senator Borrofice from LP to ACN and the petition sought for the removal of the lawmaker.

Chapter five section 69 of the 1999 Constitution states that “A member of the Senate or of the House of Representatives may be recalled as such a member if (a) there is presented to the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission a petition in that behalf signed by more than one-half of the persons registered to vote in that member’s con-

Boroffice

stituency alleging their loss of confidence in that member; and (b) the petition is thereafter, in a referendum conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission within ninety days of the date of receipt of the petition, approved by a simple majority of the votes of the persons registered to vote in that member’s constituency.

National Publicity Secretary, ACN, Alhaji Lai Mohammed has however disclosed that Boroffice’ seat cannot be declared vacant, alleging that the attempt is being championed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the leadership of the Senate.

In a statement signed by Mohammed, the party said that under the nation’s constitution and laws, it is only the courts that can make the determination that a legislator’s seat has become vacant and warned the David Mark-led Senate to desist from its arm twisting tactics to gain undue political advantage.

According to the party, Senator Boroffice has violated no provision of the 1999 Constitution as amended or any extant law when it made the decision to dump the LP for the ACN and “this latest attempt to arm twist and declare Senator Boroffice’s seat vacant came only after months of overt and covert pressure to make him to join the ruling Peoples Democratic Party failed”.

The ACN said it would resist “the jack-boot manipulations”. The party called on all its members in the Senate to resist and fight “this act of illegality”.

The party recalled that since the dawn of democratic government 13 years ago, the nation had witnessed opposition senators defecting to the ruling PDP without any threat of sanction and vowed “to stop at nothing within the ambits of the law to ensure that what is good for the goose is also good for the gander”.

Meanwhile, Mark has distanced himself from the alleged plot to remove Boroffice from the senate and described the allegation of the ACN as unfounded and mischievous.

In a statement signed by media adviser to president of the senate, Kola Ologbondiyan, Boroffice is the architect of whatever fate befell him in the ongoing imbroglio over whether he, Boroffice, could retain his seat in the senate after decamping from LP, on which platform he was elected, to join the ACN or not.

The president of the senate recalled that Boroffice himself wrote to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, notifying the commission of his resignation from the LP and requested the commission’s opinion on his decision to join the ACN while alleging division in LP. But the commission in its response however declared that “it, commission, has no record of any division in the Labour Party to justify your, Boroffice, resignation from the party”.

“The INEC response dated 13th September, 2012 and signed by the secretary of the commission, Abdullahi A. Kaugama, further stated that “Section 68 (1)(g) (of the 1999 Constitution as amended, does not operate in your favour as there is no division in the LP”, he further said.

Boroffice has however challenged the attempt to recall him at an Abuja Federal High Court where his suit was struck out.

An ex parte application by his counsel, Olumide Olujinmi, on October 10, seeking an interim order of the court to restrain the Senate President, Senator David Mark, from declaring his seat vacant was not accepted, but the court rather ordered that respondents be put on notice and fixed hearing for Tuesday.

While it remains uncertain whether or not the PDP and Senate leadership has any hand in the attempt to declare Boroffice’s seat vacant, it will be recalled that in spite of the constitutional provisions, it has not been possible for any political party to recall any lawmaker who defected to another party.

The major challenge has always been how to get the signatures of one-half of the persons registered to vote in a constituency.

But expectedly, the attempt to recall the lawmaker has become the focus of political watchers after the governorship election in the state.

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Sunday, October 28, 2012

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

43

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Wellness YOUR HEALTH AND HEALTH RELATED ISSUES OCTOBER 28, 2012

Persistent, irritable cough: Its prevention

Facts

Coughing is the body’s way of removing foreign material or mucus from the lungs and upper airway passages.

A cough is only a symptom, not a disease, and often the importance of your cough can be determined only when other symptoms are evaluated.

Experts declare that the diagnosis of a cough is based largely on the information the patient provides.

Coughing can also be used in social situation to reduce tension or serve as a defence mechanism.

VANESSA OKWARA

D

o you have a cough that won’t go away? It comes with an irritation in your throat and chest that makes you uncomfortable that most times you may even have tears in your eyes from the exertion it brings to your chest and lungs.

Cough, according to experts, is the most common symptom people experience at one time or the other and oftentimes, you may not need to see a doctor before it goes away. Medical experts define cough as a defensive reflex of the body that functions to keep the airways clear of irritating or obstructing substances so that breathing and the intake of oxygen is effective. That means that having a cough at times is good to clear the throat and lungs from things that may be blocking the airway passages.

A family physician and Medical Director of Goodwill Memorial Hospital, Okota

in Isolo area of Lagos State, Dr Tunde Olubanjo, says, “Coughing is the body’s way of removing foreign material or mucus from the lungs and upper airway passages or of reacting to an irritated airway. Coughs have distinctive traits you can learn to recognise. A cough is only a symptom, not a disease, and often the importance of your cough can be determined only when other symptoms are evaluated.’’

The expert warns that the type of cough people should be more worried about is that which lasts longer with attendant pain and aches. ‘‘This is the cough that is persistent and increases in its intensity as the day goes by. It makes you uncomfortable, irritable and sometimes brings sleepless night and even embarrassment in public when you cannot control the involuntary action of relieving the irritation in your lungs or throat. When you notice such a cough, then you should visit the hospital to determine the cause and get a cure for

it before it escalates into a more dangerous sickness,’’ he said.

Most Medical journals define persistent cough as a cough that continues for a period of eight weeks or longer. The cough may be dry, or you may cough up mucous. It is also known as chronic cough and often a symptom of an underlying disease such as pneumonia, asthma or any other respiratory tract infection. While it can sometimes be difficult to pinpoint the problem that’s triggering your chronic cough, the most common causes are tobacco use, postnasal drip, asthma and acid reflux — the backflow of stomach acid, which can irritate your throat. Chronic cough typically disappears once the underlying problem is treated.

Dr Olubanjo states that a cough can occur

Lab scientists, herbal practitioners urged to collaborate A Chemical Pathologist and Toxicologist at the University of Ibadan, Prof. John Anetor, has called for partnership between medical laboratory scientists and herbal medical practitioners.

Anetor, who made the call in Lagos, said that the collaboration would help to assess the efficacy and safety of herbal remedies.

The expert delivered a lecture entitled: “Enhancing Herbal Remedies by Scientific Evaluation” at the Annual Biomedical Week of the Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria.

The professor said that considering the increased use of herbal medications, there was a need to evaluate the merit and

limitation of herbal remedies scientifically.

Anetor said that herbal remedies could be subjected to contemporary scientific principles and methodologies to determine their limitations and merits.

Anetor further urged herbal medical practitioners to embrace scientific analysis.

in any age group or population. “It occurs both in adults and children. A child can eat something forcefully and it enters wrongly into the lungs. This is called aspiration. A cough can indicate a mild condition, such as briefly inhaling bush burning smoke or cigarette smoke as a passive smoker. It can be the result of a disorder or disease, such as influenza, upper respiratory infection such as common cold. It can also accompany serious conditions that can even be life-threatening. These include pneumonia, acute bronchitis, bronchiolitis, asthma, choking, and congestive heart failure”.

Medical experts reveal that a cough can be classified by its duration, character, quality, and timing. It can be either acute CONTINUED ON PAGE 44

HEALTH NEWS

Expert alerts on newborn babies with tetanus A Paediatrician, Prof.

Olugbenga Akinyinka, has called on nursing mothers to ensure proper care of their babies’ umbilical cords after delivery to stem the increasing cases of tetanus infection on them.

Akinyinka, who is the provost, College of Medi-

cine, University of Ibadan, told newsmen recently in Ibadan that there was an increase in the cases of tetanus in newborn babies at the hospital.

He, however, advised mothers to stop the practice of applying items like yam flour, cow dung and some other

unhygienic solutions on babies’ cords, adding that such practices exposed the child to contracting tetanus.

He lamented that many newborns brought in with tetanus ended up dying because they were brought in late to the hospital.

44

Sunday, October 28, 2012

Know your organs

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Your

The human skin

he skin is an organ that forms a protective barrier against germs and other organisms. Skin helps maintain a constant body temperature. The human skin is only about 0.07 inches (2 mm) thick.

It is the largest organ of the body, with a total area of about 20 square feet. The surface area of the skin on an average adult is 1.8 m2, and represents 16 per cent of the total body weight. The thickness of the skin varies throughout the body.

Its other features It is made up of two layers that cover a third fatty layer. The outer layer is called the epidermis; it is a tough protective layer that contains melanin which protects against the rays of the sun and gives the skin its colour.

The second layer located under the epidermis is called the dermis; it contains nerve endings, sweat glands, oil glands, and hair follicles. Under these two skin layers is a fatty layer of subcutaneous tissue (the word subcutaneous means “under the skin”).

On average, an adult has from 18-20 square feet of skin, which weighs about six pounds (2.7 kg).

The skin’s colour is created by special cells called melanocytes, which produce the pigment melanin. Melanocytes are located in the epidermis.

The epidermis is the outermost layer of the skin.

This layer consists of many special cells, including keratinocytes and melanocytes. Keratinocytes are cells that make a special fat which gives skin its waterproof properties. This layer is continuously shed and replaced, every 15–30 days.

The skin layer The dermis is the second major layer of the skin. It is a thick layer made up of strong connective tissues. It is further divided into two levels – the upper is made of loose connective tissue, called the papillary region, and the lower layer is made of tissue that is more closely packed, called the reticular layer. The dermis is made up of a matrix of collagen, elastin and network of capillar-

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

ies and nerves. The collagen gives the skin its strength, the elastin maintains its elasticity and the capillary network supplies nutrients to its different layers. The dermis contains a number of specialised cells and structures.

The dermis also plays an important part in controlling our skin temperature and acts as a cushion against mechanical injury. When injured the dermis heals through the formation of granulation tissue (a tissue rich in new blood vessels and many different cells). This tissue helps pull the edges of a cut or wound back together. It takes our body from three days to three weeks to form this tissue.

Other functions The skin protects us from microbes and the elements, helps regulate body temperature, and permits the sensations of touch, heat, and cold.

Skin performs the following functions: • Protection against harmful objects; Sensation since it contains a variety of nerve endings that react to heat and cold, touch, pressure, vibration, and tissue injury.

Others include: Heat regulation; Aesthetics and communication: Storage and synthesis: acts as a storage center for lipids and water, as well as a means of synthesis of vitamin D by action of UV on certain parts of the skin.

• Excretion by sweating is at most a secondary function to temperature regulation.

• Absorption: the cells comprising the outermost 0.25–0.40 mm of the skin are “almost exclusively supplied by external oxygen In addition, medicine can be administered through the skin, by ointments or by means of adhesive patch, such as the nicotine patch.

The skin is an important site of transport in many other organisms.

• Water resistance: The skin acts as a water resistant barrier so essential nutrients aren’t washed out of the body.

Some of the diseases that can affect the skin are: rashes, dermatitis, eczema, acne, dandruff, scabies skin cancer and ringworm.

BONE Health with Dr. Olatunji Idowu

Head injury (6) Because head injuries may also be associated with neck injuries, victims should not be moved unless they are in harm’s way. If possible, it is important to wait for trained medical personnel to help with immobilizing and moving the patient.

If the patient is awake and feeling normal, it may be worthwhile seeking medical care if there was significant trauma. These patients may be considered to have minor head injury or concussion, and there is a significant amount of research that has been done to decide which persons with head injury should be admitted to the hospital for observation or have a CT (computerized tomography) scan of the head to look for bleeding.

While there are many guidelines from which to choose, recent literature suggests that any of them work well to help a physician decide who might have a brain injury associated with a head injury. These guidelines apply to people ages 2 to 65 who are fully awake and have a Glasgow Coma Scale of 15. Potential brain injury may exist if the patient had any of the following: • amnesia to events preceding the injury, • vomiting, • alcohol or drug intoxication, • seizure, • trauma above the collarbones, • significant headache, and • dangerous mechanism like a fall more than five stairs or being hit by a car.

Those older than 65 years of age are at increased risk of bleeding from head injury because the aging brain shrinks away from the skull, causing the veins that bridge from the skull to the brain surface to be more easily torn.

If a person is taking a blood thinning medication such as warfarin, they are also at an increased risk of a brain injury, even if it is a relatively minor head trauma.

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.

‘Cough can be classified by its duration, character, quality, timing’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 43 if it is less than three weeks, sub acute if it is present between three and eight weeks, and chronic when lasting longer than eight weeks. A cough can be dry or productive, depending on whether sputum is coughed up.

Experts declare that the diagnosis of a cough is based largely on the information the patient provides. Such information relates to such things as the duration of the cough, associated signs and symptoms, activities or locations that make your cough worse or better, relationship between the cough and time of day, past medical history, and any home therapies already attempted.

Dr Olubanjo explains that it is very important to know the type of cough you have because that is the only way proper treatment is given to it or the underlying sickness that has cough as its symptoms. “The treatment of a cough will depend largely on its severity and underlying cause. I will give you a few tips of the kind of treatment measured to either an acute cough or a chronic one: • The treatment of an acute cough is directed primarily at decreasing it in addition to treating the underlying cause. Symptomatic relief of cough can be provided by over-the-counter or prescription of cough remedies. These are the ones you can buy for yourself without necessarily going to see a doctor. Do not take an overdose of these overthe-counter cough syrups as some patients have become

quite addictive to them. Adhere strictly to the instructions on the bottle or given to you by a pharmacist.

• Severe coughs or coughs that interfere with sleep may need remedies that include narcotic medication. If these are prescribed, take care to avoid alcohol, driving, and operating any heavy machinery while using the medication.

• If a bacterial infection is suspected, the doctor will often prescribe antibiotics. People who are suspected of having a viral infection will not benefit from antibiotics and will receive treatments directed at their symptoms only.

The treatment of a chronic cough will also be directed at treating the underlying condition. It is important to recognise that treatment may be difficult, may employ multiple approaches, and may not completely eliminate the cough.

• If you have a cough caused by smoking, allergies, or environmental irritants, you will benefit from elimination of the offending substance. It may take several weeks for the doctor to assess the response to this approach because of the length of time required to repair damage to the lungs and air passages from the offending agent.

• If you have a lung disease, you will often need ongoing therapy to treat your condition. Therapies used will depend largely on the type of disease present. Multiple

treatments are often used at the same time to help reduce symptoms. Careful adherence with the treatment selected will be critical to help slow the progression of any disease and to reduce symptoms. In cases where home therapy fails and symptoms worsen, you may need hospitalisation so that additional or more intensive therapies may be attempted.

In all of these, the expert advised that if you are having one or more of these symptoms, it is recommended that you visit the hospital for proper diagnosis where the doctor, depending on the suspected cause, can refer you to undergo further tests such as blood tests, EKG, and imaging tests, such as X-ray, CT scan, nuclear scans, and MRI. Are there ways to prevent coming down with persistent coughs? Dr Olubanjo says, “Some viruses can survive on doorknobs, keyboards, and other objects. Touch them, then touch your nose or mouth, and you may get it. So it is important that you wash your hands after being in public places, before eating all meals, and after direct contact with others who have cold. The virus is spread through airborne transmission or personal contact. Don’t take a chance of exposing yourself to their germs. Also avoid exposure to smoke. If you smoke, take steps to quit and if you do not smoke, avoid second-hand smoke from others.

Then, drink plenty of water and get a good night’s sleep,” he advised.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

45

Business FRESH BUSINESS NEWS AT YOUR FINGERTIPS October 28, 2012

Checkmating fraudulent diversion of Export Expansion Grant Recent revelations over the diversion of the Export Expansion Grant by some unscrupulous elements, with the active connivance of some government agencies charged with the responsibility of administering it, have raised a lot of concern on the part of industry stakeholders. Francis Ezem, in this report, examines some of the loopholes as well as some remedies to address the abuse.

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reated by the Export (Incentives and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, the Export Expansion Grant is designed to be vital incentive to stimulate export oriented activities that will lead to significant growth of the non-oil export sector. The Federal Government had over the years re-stated its commitment towards boosting non-oil exports as a way of diversifying Nigeria’s mono-product economy given the challenge posed by her dependence on only petroleum product. It was also in line with these efforts to bring about tremendous growth in non-oil exports that the government put in place some guidelines geared towards efficient and transparent administration of the scheme.

For instance, government set some guidelines for the eligibility for the grant, which includes that an exporter must be registered with the Nigerian Export Promotion Council; an eligible exporter shall be a manufacturer producer or merchant of products of Nigerian origin for the export market i.e. the products must be made in Nigeria and that an exporter must have a minimum annual export turnover of N5 million and evidence of repatriation of proceeds of exports.

Others include that an exporter-company shall submit its baseline data which includes audited Financial Statement and information on operational capacity to NEPC as well as that Negotiable Duty Credit Certificate shall be used for the payment of import and excise duties only.

The importance of this grant cannot be over emphasised. An exporter, who craved anonymity, said in an interview that most Nigerian exporters would be out of business if the scheme was cancelled. This, according to him, is because many Nigerian products, due to a combination of lack of required expertise of the exporters and improper packaging, cannot compete favourably in the international market and so the grant constitutes over 80 per cent of their profit.

Regrettably, there have been reports that this well-thought out scheme has been subjected to gross abuse, just like most other schemes in Nigeria. It has been alleged that Nigeria lost about N27.8 billion that would have been collected by the Nigeria Customs Service as duty and other charges in the first half of 2012 following alleged manipulations of the scheme, even as another N74 billion was lost by the country between 2003 and 2007 due to fraudulent implementation of the EEG. It was also gathered that in the first half of 2009 alone, the nation lost a whopping N12.5 billion over fraudulent activities al-

Aganga

legedly perpetrated using the NDCC to cover import and excise duty that would have been paid by some fraudulent beneficiaries of the EEG. National public relations officer of Customs, Mr. Wale Adeniyi, who spoke in a telephone interview, insisted that that many of the beneficiaries of the grant were using the EEG concession certificate for purposes other than what it was meant for, saying that the service would liaise with other relevant government agencies to review it.

Adeniyi had argued that many of the beneficiaries were using the grant for the export of finished products rather than raw materials and other allied products, which is in line with the government’s policy of diversifying the nation’s monoproduct economy by encouraging non-oil exports.

It was also gathered that NDCCs certificates passed under the guise of the EEG scheme covered new vehicles, rice and other imported luxury goods, which transactions do have any record of importation of raw materials with the service.

But an authoritative source close to the NEPC, which provides the secretariat to the grant, noted that if there are issues relating to fraud in the administration of the grant, Customs which solely determines which exporter has exported anything and notifies the Central Bank of Nigeria and NEPC accordingly should be held responsible.

The source noted that the export process, which terminates in the collection

Dikko

of the grant begins with the completion of the Nigerian Export Procedure (NXP) form, which is a declaration of an intention to export to the service with the aid the of the intending exporter’s domiciliary account with a local bank.

It was gathered that a copy of the NXP form completed with the service is sent to the NEPC, which registers the transaction and sends a copy to the CBN, which in turn documents it.

According to the source, after the documentation processes, the service alone conducts the stage of un-stuffing and stuffing of the products for export into the container, which will be preceded by the stamping of the container by the service to confirm that it witnessed the loading and that the metric tonnes of the cargo declared in the document is actually what has been loaded in the container.

This confirmation by the service, it was also gathered would be sent to the CBN, which also documents that transaction, which will now be followed by the repatriation of the proceeds after the statutory 90 days beginning from the date of the export of the consignment.

The source however noted that it is after the repatriation of the proceeds through the domiciliary account with the local bank that the exporter applies for the EEG to the NEPC, which now requests for the NXP form from the exporter as well as a confirmation from the apex bank that the repatriation of the proceeds has actually been done.

The next stage of the documentation is

the computation of the EEG value by the NEPC based on the volume of the exports and other determinant factors, which the council also forwards to the inter-ministerial committee.

The committee is made up of representatives from the Ministries of Finance and Trade and Investment, the NEPC, Customs and the National Association of Chambers of Commerce, Mines and Agriculture, among several others.

‘It is therefore annoying that the same service, which alone works with the exporters to ensure that the goods meant for export were actually exported could turn back to raise alarm that the EEG was not properly administered’, the source said.

‘It is only Customs and the exporter that that can ensure that the volume of goods in terms of metric tonnes declared for export is actually exported so that people will not falsely collect the grant without exporting anything’, the source noted.

It was however gathered that due to the increasing fraud associated with the implementation of the scheme that the Federal Government suspended the grant for over three months during which some National Assembly committees took their to investigate the alleged fraud.

Industry sources hinted that during the three-month suspension of the scheme, little or no activity took place in the non-oil sector, an indicator that most of them depend on the grant to be in business.

It was probably in realisation of this fact that the Minister of Trade and Investment, Olusegun Aganga, during a recent facility visit and assessment of industries in Kano assured that there were no plans by the government to cancel the fund.

“The EEG is not under any threat. We are putting structures in place to make sure that the EEG is not abused in the future,” the minister assured further.

While some operators have been left to wonder as to which measures were being put in place to checkmate this abuse, some stakeholders have suggested an offshore mechanism to ascertain what was exported through data got from country of destination.

“Though it might cost some money, it is high time government started a random check at the countries where these goods are exported to confirm whether these claims are genuine or not. The realisation that there are forms of checks and balances will keep both the administrators and beneficiaries of the grant on their toes,” he posited.

46

Business

Sunday October 28, 2012

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Stowaway corpse found on Arik Air plane Property Watch •For Lagos area as at Friday Oct. 19, 2012 A. Building materials Cement: Dangote Cement per bag of 50 kg.......N1,800 Burham Cement per bag of 50kg.......N1,800 Elephant Cement…………………N1,800 Sandcrete blocks 6 inches sandcrete block ..........N130 9 inches sandcrete block ..........N150 Sand Sand per tipper load .......... N12,000 Sharp sand (double) ..........N22,000 Gravel (single) ...................N18,000 Gravel (double) ..................N23,000 Granite ...............................N120,000 Reinforcement 8mm(153) pieces per ton (N125,000 10mm (153) pieces per ton .......... N135,000 12mm ............................................N161,000 16mm ........................................N172,000 20mm (53) pieces ....................N122,000 Wood Timber (hard) 1x1x12 ..........N1,000 Timber (hard) 2x2x12 ..........N600 Timber (hard) 2x4x12 ..........N700

…as insecurity bothers aviation stakeholders

OLUSEGUN KOIKI

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n emerging state of insecurity threatening the Nigerian aviation industry played out again at the weekend, as a stowaway was once again found dead on an Arik Air flight from New York, United States of America.

This is just as the airline said the deceased could not be identified as he lacked any proper form of identification at the time he was found dead at the Murtala Mohammed Internaitonal Airport (MMAI), Lagos on Friday.

Sources close to the airline had said that the stowaway might have got on the undercarriage of the aircraft from the MMIA, with the aides of some security personnel and ground-handling companies at the airport.

The image-maker of the

airline, Mr. Olabanji Ola, who confirmed the incident, told our correspondent on phone that the airline was still unable to identify the deceased.

He stated that proper identification of the corpse would be almost impossible as he had nothing that he could be identified with on him, adding that his age range could equally not be ascertained by the airline.

His words: “How can we identify somebody who was found dead at the undercarriage compartment of our aircraft? We can’t identify him because he had no form of identity. Also, we can’t determine his age range because we don’t know anything about it.”

He, however, said that appropriate authorities had been contacted and had taken up the issue.

A young Nigerian was on Friday at MMIA found dead in the

wheel well of Arik Air’s A340500 immediately it arrived from New York and was preparing for another flight out of the country.

Sources close to the airline said that the deceased might have been in the undercarriage of the airline for days, and was crushed to death while the flight was airborne to the JF Kennedy Airport, New York.

The airline’s sources said the dead body was found during a check on the aircraft panel. The undercarriage compartment is a where the aircraft tyres are stored and it is big enough to accommodate a grown-up human being.

However, aviation stakeholders say the persistent stowaway cases of persons at the nation’s airports, most especially at the MMIA, suggest serious security breaches at the nation’s airports.

They contend that the airports, especially the airsides, are

Expert laments neglect of tourist sites

Soft wood 2x2x12 ..........N250 2x3x12 ..........N300

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he Chief Executive Officer, Allman Entertainment Company, Anthony Obasi, has urged Nigerians to imbibe the habits of visiting tourist destinations to boost tourism in the country.

Plywood 3x3x6-----------------N3,500 2x4x8-----------------N2,400 Roofing Sheet Corrugated iron sheet per bundle ...N10,000 Asbestos 4x8 per piece ..................N1,600 Asbestos (solo) ............................N1,100 B. Landed property Focus area: Lagos Mainland 1. Four bedroom detached house with BQ at Omole Phase 11, Kosofe -----N40m Estimated price in 5 years------------N60m 2. 800 square metres at block 47 at Isheri North Estate, Lagos ---------- N6m Estimated price in 5 years----------N15m 3. 6 bedroom wing of duplex plus BQ at Adeniyi Jones off Opebi, Lagos------- N55m Estimated price in 5 years------------N100m 4. A land measuring 5.081 square metre at Ajasa, Ipaja, Lagos------------------------------N25m Estimated price in 5 years---------N50m 5. 2 nos bungalows on 800 square metres along Oba Akran, Lagos----------------N150m Estimated price in 5 years----------N250m 6. 1.12 acres of land with uncompleted building at Marwa Road, Satellite Town, Lagos---------------------------------------------------N1,5bn Estimated price in 5 years------------------N2bn 7. Uncompleted block of flats at Isheri -Osun, Lagos--------------------------------------------------N15m Estimated price in 5 years-------N20m 8. Four bedroom duplex at Gbagada------N18m Estimated price in 5 years-----------N30m 9. 8 nos of 3bedroom flats with BQ at Surulere, Lagos---------------------------------N80m Estimated price in 5 years----------N100m 10. A detached house at Oke Ira, Ogba, Lagos--------------------------------------------------N22m Estimated price in 5 years---------N35m •Compiled by Dayo Ayeyemi, E-mail: dayoayeyemi@yahoo.com

supposed to be restricted areas, but lamented that miscreantswithout any tangible things at the airports-are sometimes found at the restricted areas.

They, however, say that this is only possible with the connivance of security agents and ground-handling personnel attached to the airport.

Speaking on the issue, a member of Aviation Round Table (ART), Engr. Wale Adedunjoye, explained that the stowaway problem was a dangerous dimension in the global aviation industry and it underscored the insecurity at the nation’s airports.

Also, the an aviation analyst, Mr. Chris Owagbemi, described stowaway victims as ignorant, maintaining that anybody who hid himself under the belly of an aircraft would probably be found dead on arrival due to the lack of oxygen in that aspect of plane when it is airborne.

NAFDAC Director-General, Dr Paul Orhii (Right) and the daughter of former US President, Miss Chelsea Clinton, during the launch of “Save One Million Lives” by President Goodluck Jonathan at the State House, Abuja, recently

IITA boss gives recipe for food security in Africa

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he Director-General, International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Dr Nteranya Sanginga, has called for more support for small-holder farmers to ensure food security in Africa.

This is contained in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ibadan yesterday, signed by Mr Godwin Atser, the Institute’s Communications Officer.

Sanginga was quoted as making the call in Australia at the Crawford Fund annual conference.

He said food security in Africa would remain elusive with isolated successes unless decisive actions were taken to assist small-scale farmers to grow more arable crops.

Sanginga noted that in spite of the progress made in crop improvement, low soil fertility and nutrient depletion had continued to present huge obstacles to securing the needed

harvests.

He quoted recent studies by IITA in the Great Lakes region of Eastern Africa that showed that the soils in that region were now barren with very little fertility.

He said that the barren soils were caused by years of mining and insufficient replacement of nutrients by small-holder farmers, mostly practicing low-input agriculture.

Sanginga suggested the adoption of Integrated Soil Fertility Management (ISFM) system to reverse the trend.

He said ISFM involved ``the application of soil fertility management practices, and the knowledge to adapt these to local conditions which optimise fertiliser and organic resource use efficiency and crop productivity”.

He noted that ISFM was also the topic of an ongoing international conference in Nairobi, Kenya, being attended by the In-

stitute’s natural resource management specialists.

Sanginga said ISFM presented a means to overcome the dilemma of low productivity.

He said it offered farmers better returns on investment in fertiliser through its combination with indigenous agrominerals and available organic resources.

Sanginga also noted that disseminating the knowledge of ISFM and developing incentives for its adoption was a challenge for national planners and rural development specialists. he success of the trade fair aimed at repositioning the garment and leather industry for which Aba was mainly noted.

He said that the theme of the fair, “Boosting Nigeria’s Economy through Production for Export’’, was also aimed at revitalising and diversifying Nigerian economy in general and the Aba business environment in particular.

Obasi told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos at the weekend that if Nigerians show interest in tourism, it will help the sector to grow more than it was now. ``Some countries in Africa are making serious money from tourism but Nigeria seems not to be interested or know how to make it work. ``We need to do more in terms of making people to come to Nigeria to see what we have. Our problem is that we do not know how to manage things in this country, including resources,” he said.

The CEO said that ``Olumo Rock” in Abeokuta, which naturally positioned itself centuries ago was amazing and needed to be showcased to the world.

He explained the country had a lot of sites and prayed for a change to come to enable Nigeria to utilise its tourists’ sites. ``We need to appreciate what we have and harness it,’’ he remarked, noting that Lagos State was changing and urged other leaders to emulate Governor Babatunde Fashola, to make things work. ``People need to sit down and appreciate nature. We can draw revenue from tourism and leave oil alone. What we have in this country is wonderful.’’

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

News

Sunday October 28, 2012

Reps’ report on Farouk, Otedola ready in 2 weeks –House Panel TORDUE SALEM ABUJA

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member of the House of Representatives panel investigating claims that erstwhile Chairman of the Subsidy Ad Hoc Committee, Faruk Muhammed Lawan, took $520,000 bribe from Zenon Oil Chief Executive, Femi Otedola, says the committee’s report would be ready in two weeks.

The committee was set up by the House to investigate the circumstances that led to bribery allegation by the business man against Hon. Lawan The member who pleaded anonymity when contacted on his panel’s probe of the allegation,

said the report was receiving “finishing touches” and would be laid before the House in a matter “of two weeks at most”.

He, however, said the committee might not “have to compel, Otedola to answer further questions” as it might have already established some vital facts on a sting operation Otedola supposedly staged with members of the State Security Service (SSS).

As the matter got to a tumultuous stage, the Nigeria Police waded in, picking up Mr. Lawan for a thorough drill at its headquarters.

The House would later follow suit, by mandating its Committee on Ethics and Privileges, led by Hon.

Gambo Danmusa (PDP/ Katsina) to quiz both Otedola who claimed that Lawan asked for bribe.

The House also dismissed Lawan as Chairman of its Committee on Education and relieved him of his headship of the Ad Hoc Committee on Subsidy Payment claims by the executive.

The report had made a sweeping indictment of oil marketers, including Zenon, but had in a curious twist, before the House rounded off debates on it, dropped the name of Zenon Oil among the indicted firms. Otedola would later say that he paid heavily to be exonerated.

Lawan, who was quizzed a few months ago

by the panel, had come out self-righteous, telling reporters in the lobby of the National Assembly that, “I will soon be vindicated” of the charge. He went into a long sermon on the pitfalls of patriotism in Nigeria, advising his perceived enemies in government who he said are behind his ‘persecution’ to thread with caution.

Lawan was drilled by the panel in a close session. A member of the panel, Hon. Orker Jev (ACN/Benue), told Sunday Mirror that “Hon. Farouk Lawan and his accuser have to appear in a close session in line with the mode of operation of the Committee”, as encapsulated in Rules of the House.

But a few days later, when Otedola appeared before the panel, he refused to go by the rule, insisting that he must testify in an open session. A drama would later ensue as the oil magnate heaped insults on the panel members, describing them as “hungry men”.

Since then, Mr. Otedola had repeatedly, according to another source, rebuffed invitations before the panel.

Lawan, however, has been arraigned as the police, after they briefly detained him, took him to court.

Although, the irrepressible lawmaker has since resumed duties as a lawmaker, he awaits the final decision on the bribery case.

Governorship poll: Anxiety in Bayelsa over S’Court ruling EMMA GBEMUDU YENAGOA

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here is anxiety in Bayelsa State ahead of tomorrow’s ruling by the Supreme Court on the eligibility of Governor Seriake Dickson to contest the election as the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the last February 11 gubernatorial poll in the state.

Officials of the state government and the PDP hierarchy in the state have been worried since the gubernatorial candidate of the Change Advocacy Party (CAP) , Dr. Imoro Kubor, and the party took the PDP and the governor to court, challenging his eligibility for the election.

However, an official of the state government who pleaded anonymity said they were not losing sleep over the ruling.

He noted that the court would decide their fate as they have confidence in the judiciary.

NIGERIA IN

Dickson had earlier won the matter at the state election tribunal and the Federal Court of Appeal in Port Harcourt, but Kubor was not satisfied with the previous rulings.

Investigations by Sunday Mirror revealed that Governor Dickson had weakened the key opposition groups in the state through political appointments in which political analysts had raised some eyebrows.

Already, the suspended Chairman of CAP, Deme Kolomo, was alleged to have defected to the PDP with his few followers hoping that the governor would win in the apex court ruling.

Kolomo, who has gone into hiding had alleged that some unknown persons had threatened to terminate his life through phone calls and text messages owing to his withdrawal of support for Kubor’s gubernatorial ambition.

It was gathered that Kolomo had allegedly

Chief Lekan Are, former Chief Judge of Oyo State, Justice Nurudeen Adekola and Oyo State Governor, Abiola Ajimobi at a Sallah banquet organised by the state government in Ibadan, yesterday.

compromised his position by collecting some money from the state government.

The embattled politician denied the allegation describing it as untrue.

Unconfirmed sources

tween Dickson and Sylva had deepened since the former governor lost the bid for his second tenure ambition to return to “Creek Haven”, the Bayelsa seat of power.

Jonathan lauds Gov. Akpabio over quality projects

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resident Goodluck Jonathan yesterday extolled Akwa Ibom State Governor, Chief Godswill Akpabio, for initiating quality projects in the state.

The President made the commendation in Uyo while inaugurating the new Governor’s Office built by the Akpabio administration.

He had earlier on arrival for a one day working visit performed the groundbreaking ceremony of a 30,000-seater stadium in Uyo. Jonathan, who recalled his earlier visits to Akwa Ibom as a director in the defunct Oil Mineral Producing Development Areas Commission (OMPADEC), noted that the state had really been transformed.

He commended the governor for providing critical infrastructure in the state. ``I will not hesitate to visit the state as far as it has to do with development,” Jonathan said.

He said that Akpabio’s successor would face serious challenges if he or she did not perform as his predecessor.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the President was in the state in June when he inaugurated the e-library project and a 15km Aka-Nung Udoe Road.

The new Governor’s Ofice, described as an architectural masterpiece by the State Information Commissioner, Aniekan Umanah, was completed in 12 months

by Julius Berger Construction Company.

The office consists of a conference room, a lounge, a multi-media studio, a press centre and an executive council chamber with video conferencing facilities, among others.

Welcoming the President to Akwa Ibom, Akpabio said his administration would remain focused on the transformation programmes of the state.

Akpabio said he had more projects to execute as part of his uncommon transformation agenda, adding: ``this is not the end of projects that would be commissioned in the state”.

BRIEF

Two feared dead as fire guts Lagos building A fire outbreak has reportedly killed two young men and ravaged a five-storey building on the Lagos Island, destroying property worth millions of Naira.

Up till press time yesterday, fire fighters battled hard to put out the fire at the building located on 12, Breadfruit Street, Lagos Island. Sources said traders selling shoes, bags

in the state alleged that the former governor of the state, Timipre Sylva, was funding Kubor’s ambition. Sylva had since denied it.

The sour relation be-

47

and clothing owned shops in it, which all went up in flames.

Helpless onlookers who were mainly shop owners, sales girls and residents of the area, wailed uncontrollably as the fire raged.

Although fire service personnel and the police were on hand when Sunday Mirror arrived the scene, they could do nothing as the fire burned hard

on the fourth floor.

Evidently, they had no ladders with which to climb up to quench the fire, which was already fiercely burning.

It had engulfed the whole of the fourth floor and rendered the fifth, useless. Some brave young men were seen on the second and third floors trying to salvage their goods, despite the heat and falling debris.

Politicians differ on state of origin issue Some politicians yesterday expressed different views on the statement by Senate President, David Mark, that Nigeria should embrace state-of-residence instead of the state-of-origin currently in use.

The politicians expressed their views in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

NAN recalls that Mark made the statement while addressing the media in Quebec, Canada,

after the opening of the 127th Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Assembly.

The ceremony had as its theme: “Citizenship, identity, linguistic and cultural diversity in a globalised world”.

Mark said that discarding the state-of-origin for the state- ofresidence would help to cement relationships in the country.

He said the issue should be accorded priority attention at the

ongoing constitution review.

Mark had wondered why somebody who had lived in a town different from his home town for 20 years, performing all necessary civic responsibilities, could not become an indigene of the place.

Reacting, Mr Sunny Moniedafe, the former Chairman of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), supported the senate president.

48

News

Sunday October 28, 2012

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Fuel queues disappear in Abuja as NNPC increases supply CHIDI UGWU ABUJA

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elief may have come the way of Abuja residents as long queues which had persisted in the past few weeks disappeared during the Sallah holiday.

The sudden disappearance of queues in petrol stations across parts of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) may not be unconnected with Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC)’s resolve to increase distribution of products ahead of Sallah.

Sunday Mirror investigations at the weekend revealed that most filling stations within the metropolis now have sufficient supply of the Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), otherwise known as petrol.

Our correspondent who moved round Utako, Jabi, Garki zone 1, zone 10, Cen-

tral Area, and reports that there is sufficient product and that unlike the previous weeks, queues have virtually disappeared at most of the filling stations visited.

However, there are still some queues in the Mararaba Area of Niger State, a suburb mostly populated

by Abuja workers.

Sunday Mirror learnt that at the Conoil Mega filling station opposite Rukayyat Plaza Utako Area, the station supervisor, who simply gave his name as Ibro, said he had never experienced any scarcity since the previous week, adding that he always got supply.

Even though the attendants were seen dispensing petrol, another 33,000 litre truck was discharging product at the station as at press time.

Ibro advised that the

distributors should ensure that the product was adequately spread across all filling stations in order to avoid cluster at a particular station which usually gave people the impression that scarcity might be imminent.

A taxi driver, Mr. Ezekiel Yakubu, who drove our correspondent round the town, said he bought fuel at the Napco Filling Station Jabi without much delay, but added that he discovered queues at the Gwarinpa area at about 8 a.m. on Thursday.

Yakubu said there had been sufficient fuel supplies since the beginning of last week, adding, “you cannot take more than 30 minutes to buy fuel at any filling station since this week”.

The NNPC said on Wednesday in Abuja that it had stepped up supply and distribution of petro-

leum products across the country ahead of the Eidel-Kabir celebration.

Its Acting Group General Manager, Public Affairs Division, Mr. Fidel Pepple, said the move was to ensure that motorists did not queue for fuel before, during and after the festive period.

He said the corporation, through its subsidiary, the Pipelines and Products Marketing Company (PPMC), had intensified efforts to make fuel available in the nook and cranny of the country.

“We have stepped up fuel supply and distribution across the country to ensure that motorists can drive into any filling station and buy fuel without queuing, especially during this period of the year that comes with a lot of holidays and festivities.

“We have increased the

number of truck loadings to all the geo-political zones of the country and we hope to sustain this from now through the Sallah holidays to the Christmas and New Year.”

He said the NNPC had evolved a holistic strategy to supply fuel to Lagos and Abuja because of their peculiar nature.

He gave a breakdown of truck supply to Abuja and its environs for the month of October, and stressed that there had been a sharp rise in the average number of trucks from 98 to 118 daily.

“The number of fuel trucks supplied to Abuja and its environs from the Kaduna Refinery from October 15 to 18 are: 100, 120, 112 and 131, respectively.”

Pepple said the move was responsible for the disappearance of queues in the metropolis, adding that the corporation had also

increased supply to Lagos and its environs.

“For Lagos, a total of 472 trucks, equivalent of 15,663, 000 litres of PMS have been distributed to filling stations across the state between October 17 and 23.”

On the diversion of products, which was noticed early last week, he explained that a monitoring committee set up by the PPMC had swung into action to track the movement of the trucks to stem the trend.

He called on motorists to avoid panic buying and hoarding as there was enough of the product for the whole country.

“There is no threat of fuel scarcity. We are working round the clock to surmount the distribution challenge, and I can assure that the measures we have put in place are proving effective.”

Jonathan’s rerun plot thickens, North jittery CONTINUED From Page 6

the Project 2015.

But Alhaji Gulak denied the links when confronted by the Sunday Mirror insisting that the meeting was purely in line with his duties as the political adviser to the president.

When reminded that no other political adviser from non PDP states attended, the presidential aide maintained that “it was strategic to begin with PDP controlled states as subsequent meetings will be enlarged to accommodate the non-PDP states.”

However, despite the ambivalence of the presidency over the intention of President Goodluck Jonathan’s ambition in 2015, the north has remained suspicious of the intention of the President and it is making all efforts to put a spanner in the works of the plot, as several meetings by political leaders are on-going.

First, Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) recently said that every northerner has the right to contest

NIGERIA IN

the 2015 presidential election because the emergence of President Jonathan in 2011 as president has cancelled the zoning system in the country.

The National Publicity Secretary of the ACF, Mr. Anthony Sani, disclosed that President Jonathan was given the mandate to rule the country for four years only and he also explained that the issue of zoning is dead, as, according to him: “North will contest the presidency come 2015, but it is not going to be on the basis of zoning.

“Nigerians have passed judgment against zoning since the emergence of Goodluck Jonathan as President in 2011 instead of allowing the North to continue after the demise of late President Umaru Yar’Adua. This is not the time of politics, but when the time comes, the North will surely contest for Presidency.”

Only a few days ago, another northern group led by a former House of Representatives member, Honourable Aminu Mu-

hammed Danmaliki met in Abuja and had in attendance other prominent northern leaders where they canvassed that the north still requires the intervention of leaders like General Yakubu Gowon, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, General Theophilus Danjuma and others to mobilize other leaders in the task of finding new pathways for the economic and political rebirth of the north.

A few leaders from the north have been penciled down for possible candidate in the 2015 presidential election but most of them have kept their ambitions locked up. Sunday Mirror gathered that this was in concert with the understanding by the region to pursue a selfless goal of producing a single candidate that will slug it out against the possible candidacy of President Jonathan.

Such leaders who may have interest include former Vice President Atiku Abubarkar, Senator Bukola Saraki, governors Sule Lamido and Babangia Aliyu of Jigawa and Niger states respectively.

BRIEF

2015: Army General urges INEC to ensure credible polls Former General Officer Commanding One Army Mechanised Division, Kaduna, Major Gen. Lawrence Olufemi Jokotola, yesterday called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to update its voters’ register for credible 2015 elections.

Gen. Jokotola, who stated this during his 6oth birthday celebration in Kaduna, said the exercise would encourage massive voting as being experienced in recent governorship

polls.

According to Jokotola, “INEC should be able to come up with a comprehensive voters’ register; they should be able to update their list. Some people that were not registered then would have become 18 in 2015. They should be able to come up with their own mechanism that would encourage voters to come out in large numbers, because sometimes they say it is only 40 per cent that come out to vote; it is not

good enough.”

On Boko Haram, Jokotola said Nigerians would win the war against terrorism, stressing that the country will remain one and even stronger than before.

“I want to say that in spite of all that is happening, God loves Nigeria, and God knows that we are going to survive and he works in mysterious ways. aAt the end of the day, Nigeria is going to survive, so I am not surprised that these things are happening,” he said.

Fires Service officials putting out fire at the shopping complex razed at Breadfruit Street area of Lagos Island, PHOTO: OLUFEMI AJASA yesterday. SEE STORY ON PAGE 47

FAAN completes 2012 hajj coordination

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he Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has completed the coordination of the 2012 transportation of pilgrims to Saudi Arabia, a statement said.

General Manager, Corporate Communications of FAAN, Mr Yakubu Dati, said in the statement in Lagos that unlike in the past, the pilgrims enjoyed a transformed and reconstructed Hajj terminal.

The statement added that the pilgrims, particularly

those who travelled from Abuja, Kano and Kaduna airports, enjoyed the remodelled terminals. ``The whole facilities have been reconstructed and fitted with modern amenities to provide comfort for the pilgrims. ``The remodelling of the terminals is very significant, as it marks a departure from the previous ad hoc arrangements. ``This is a testimony of

the authority’s determination to enhance and safeguard the welfare of the pilgrims by eliminating undue hardships and difficulties experienced when Nigerians perform their religious obligations,’’ it said.

The statement said the renovated Hajj terminals at Kano, Kaduna, Abuja and Sokoto were part of the 11 terminals undergoing modifying in the first phase of the airport remodelling project.

Okunnu lauds FG for containing terrorism President, Ansar-uddeen Society of Nigeria (ADS), Alhaji Lateef Okunnu, yesterday commended the Federal Government’s Joint Task Force for curtailing the activities of terrorists in the country.

Okunnu told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the efforts of the task force had helped a lot in checking the heinous

activities of terrorists, particularly in the North.

The former Federal Commissioner for Works also sympathised with state governments and victims of recent flood disasters in the country and prayed to God to protect the nation against future disasters.

On the Eid-el-Kabir festivities, he urged Mus-

lims worldwide to always emulate the exemplary life of Prophet Ibrahim while celebrating.

Okunnu said they should ensure their activities were guided by the teachings of the Holy Qu’ran. ``The celebration of Eidel-Kabir this year should be with fear of Allah as a major consideration,’’ Okunnu said.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

News

Sunday, October 28, 2012

49

Boko Haram: Soldiers comb Kano, raid militants’ hideouts AUGUSTINE MADU WEST KANO

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etermined to rid Kano State of suspected terrorists, military men in the state have intensified their search for the gunmen who now operate in remote parts of the state capital, where pockets of attacks are often reported.

Sunday Mirror investigations at the weekend revealed that the military-led Joint Task Force (JTF) had moved more men to suspected hideouts and flashpoints in search of the extremists.

As at yesterday, the JTF personnel had embarked on house-to-house

search for suspected Boko Haram militants in areas like Hotoro, Mairi, Dakata, Rijiyan Zaki, Sheka and Sharada, among others; all, being suspected hideouts of the militants.

Findings also revealed that the presence of soldiers in the state capital, in the last few days, has more than doubled and this was more noticeable in the non-indigenous community of Sabon Gari, which has an estimated two million nonnative population.

It was also found that, apart from stationing the uniformed men in strategic locations in Sabon Gari, a predominantly Christian settlement re-

puted for its high commercial activities, there was also improved vehicular patrol by military men attached to the locality by the JTF. Reasons for the sudden huge presence of military men in Sabon Gari was not immediately known as at the time of this report but there was the hint that it might have been informed by the alleged threat by gunmen to attack some areas during the festive period.

Generally, security in Kano has remained high as the police and JTF sustain their patrol of the state capital, most times with armoured personnel carrier, apparently to warn potential trou-

Wife of the governor of Ogun State, Mrs. Olufunso Amosun (middle) and wife of the deputy governor, Mrs. Funmilayo Adesegun, watching children’s games during the 2012 Ileya Children’s Party at House of Assembly Field, Oke-Mosan in Abeokuta, yesterday

Be good ambassadors, Obi charges Igbo in S’Africa

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overnor Peter Obi of Anambra State has advised the Igbo in South Africa to be good ambassadors of ‘Ndigbo’ and Nigeria at large wherever they are and in whatever they do.

He said this yesterday during an interactive session with them at Johannesburg, South Africa, where he visited as part of his efforts to woo investors to Anambra State.

Obi, who took time to explain to them about events at home, assured them that the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan is on the right path towards restoring the glory of the country.

Obi chided Nigerians in the Diaspora for encouraging those in government to buy houses and other things they do not need in foreign lands, when, according to him, their mission should be how to contribute ideas,

based on their experiences abroad, on how Nigeria could be better governed.

Answering questions on the power situation in the country, Obi said that the government under President Jonathan had done a lot, with the present efforts to privatise it and license distribution companies as one among the series of measures already taken.

“You and I know what telephone was in Nigeria until some years ago, before private companies were allowed to invest in the sector. With the unbundling of NEPA, formation of PHCN, series of measures already taken and the present efforts to sell the power distribution companies to private companies, I assure you that in the next two years, energy situation in the country will be celebrated.”

Commenting on the

Second Niger Bridge and other projects the present administration promised the Ndigbo, Obi said that the SouthEast governors were closely monitoring development. “As I speak, Enugu International Airport is under reconstruction. It is one of the airports where a new terminal will be built. The Second Niger Bridge is receiving due attention, among others. As responsible and responsive governments, once the East is not carried along, we shall shout,” he explained.

ble makers in military terms.

The Sallah period also witnessed heavy aerial surveillance of the city by military men using

Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Idris, said there was no unpleasant incident recorded during the celebration, saying the festivity ended peacefully.

Obasanjo, Oni, others move to reclaim S’West states

•Urge discipline among party members KEMI OLAITAN IBADAN

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issatisfied with the performance of the ruling Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in the five South-West states in the last two years, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the zone, yesterday vowed to take back the states during the forthcoming elections.

Speaking in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, said such a feat would be difficult to achieve unless party disciples reconcile with the fact that “our party is not sufficiently disciplined”.

Obasanjo alongside other leaders of the party in the zone gave the advice during the maiden caucus meeting of the South-West PDP convened by a former governor of Ekiti State and National Vice-Chairman (South West) of the party, Chief Segun Oni. He said the issue of structure was a serious problem in the party, noting that people believed that once they have structure, they have all it takes, adding, “ it is the tool they are using to destroy the party and whoever ignores the word of wisdom will regret later”.

The former President advised that there was the need for inauguration of a review committee to assess the performance

of the party in the last 14 years, both at the national and state levels.

He said, “Through this, we will be able to know where we were coming from, where we are and where we are going.

Something that is destroying our party is structure.

Some believe once they have the structure in their pocket, whether they use it or not does not matter to them. Nobody can get anything without the support of others. Those in Abuja should remember to carry those at home along. Let us unite and do that which is right. Let us bring those outside back to the fold”.

Oni, in his welcome address, said the purpose of the meeting was “to widen our consultation and participation base to ensure that the PDP in the South- West becomes a really all-inclusive party in line with the 3 Rs (Reconciliation, Reformation and Rebuilding) agenda of the present Bamanga Tukur-led leadership of the party”.

Oni added, “There is a lot of unease across the zone, about the perceived control of party at state levels in virtually all the states in the South-West.

This is very dangerous for our quest to wrestle power from incumbents.

The electorate expects us as a party to demonstrate our resolve and commitment to take over the

South-West by first closing our ranks and creating enduring inclusiveness in all our states.

“In the next couple of weeks, we will take active steps to ensure proper resolution of all these concerns. I want to reassure you again that the party we are seeking to build in every state, will not be in the pocket of any individual or group.

Rather, the PDP will be a platform for all and sundry to aspire and compete fairly, with an assurance of fair treatment for all”, he stressed.

Those present at the meeting lauded the PDP gubernatorial candidate in the last elections in Ondo State, Chief Olusola Oke, for his brilliant performance, stating that the resolve of all aspirants to zero in on Oke was a plus to the party, a lesson useful for the party in future elections.

Present at the meeting were dignitaries of the party across the South West including Alhaji Shuaibu Oyedokun, Alhaji Yekeen Adeojo, Senator Teslim Folarin, Professor Taoheed Adedoja, Senator Lekan Balogun, Chief Jumoke Akinjide, Chief Olayiwola Olakojo, Elder Wole Oyelese, Senator Iyiola Omisore, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, Senator Kamarudeen Adedibu, Alhaji Tajudeen Oladipo, Senator Dipo Odujinrin, among others.

Flood sacks Owerri biggest market CHRIS NJOKU OWERRI

E

Obi

helicopters said to have been provided by both the Police and the Air Force.

In his brief situation report of the Eid el Kabir celebration, the state’s

keokwu Owerri, the biggest market in Imo State was overtaken by flood following a downpour at the weekend.

The rain which started at 10 pm on Friday did not stop until 7.30am on Saturday, thereby flooding the major roads such Douglas and Mbaise.

For several hours, traders who rushed to their shops in the morning to salvage their goods had to swim across the flooded areas to get into the market.

There was heavy traffic jam on the roads as motorists abandoned their vehicles in the flood for safety.

According to eyewitnesses, the flooding was

caused mainly by blocked drainages in the capital city that had not been cleared for some time.

It was, however, gathered that the state government had been trying to relocate the market, but the indigenes had not been comfortable with the government’s intention to relocate the market outside the capital city.

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SM Extra

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

STORIES THAT TOUCH YOU OCTOBER 28, 2012

Suntai: ‘The governor had lost much blood…and was revived with two pints’ OWOLABI ADENUSI YOLA.

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t was like a miracle that Thursday night.

Governor Danbaba Sutai of Taraba State had been pronounced dead, only for him to cheat death in a plane crash that left him with a broken right arm.

The pharmacist turned pilot had flown a Taraba State-owned plane, and was aboard with three occupants heading for a meeting at Abuja when the crash occurred in a village which is about five kilometres to Yola International Airport, capital of Adamawa State.

The scene of the incident has been sealed off by security men who are making efforts to recover the black box of the plane to recover information on the cause of the accident and also to have access to the last conversation between the governor and airport tower before the incident.

Investigations reveal that Sutai, who trained as a pilot at the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria piloted the crashed Cessna 208 with registration number 5N-BJM has been flown to the Republic of Germany for proper medical attention.

Sunday Mirror gathered that the crash occurred behind the depot of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, along Ngurore Road which is about six kilometres to Yola International Airport. He

was immediately rushed to German Diagnostic Centre in Yola, under intensive care.

Sources at the hospital disclosed to our reporter that “the governor lost much blood warranting us to place him on two pints of blood for him to stabilise.”

It was gathered that as soon as Governor Murtala Nyako of Adamawa State received information of the crash, he sent for an ambulance with dispatch to the scene of the incident, with medical experts to take charge.

Nyako was said to be in the specialist hospital to see to the health of his colleague and neighbour, the governor of Taraba State, and those on board with him.

Eyewitness accounts indicate that the plane crashed at about 8:15pm on the eve of Sallah celebration, along with his ADC and other two occupants who were also in crucial condition and receiving treatment at the Federal Medical Centre, Yola.

Some of the eyewitnesses who spoke to Sunday Mirror at the site of the incident said “the governor and others were evacuated from the crash site in an ambulance by some of his security aides and taken to German Diagnostic Centre.”

Sunday Mirror gathered that the aides were already waiting for him at the Yola Airport before the accident.

The Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Oduah, confirmed the crash. The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, also

described the plane crash as unfortunate.

Tukur who spoke to members of Adamawa State correspondent chapel in his country home at Jada on Sallah day, said Suntai is a courageous man and that PDP cannot afford missing him, calling on Nigerians for prayers for the quick recovery of the governor.

Also, an unconfirmed information alleged that Suntai had acquired the plane from the former House of Representatives member, Hon Ibn Na’Allah in 2010, shortly after graduating from the college.

A source close to the governor who does not want his name in print confided in Sunday Mirror that Suntai was issued with VSR Certificate( Visual Flight) by

Wreckage of the ill-fated aircraft (Inset: Governor Sunta)

Concern as robbers, kidnappers take over in Ogun FEMI OYEWESO ABEOKUTA

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rmed robbery incidents and other threats to security of lives and properties recently witnessed across the major cities of Ogun State have continued to question the genuineness of the much publicised security arrangements put in place by the present administration in the state.

In the early hours of last Monday, October 22, 2012, Ogun State residents woke up to the chagrin news that five police officers, who were members of the newly launched state security outfit, Quick Rapid

Amosun

Squad (QRS) were killed during a robbery incident that occurred at Ibafo and Ijemo – Agbadu area of Abeokuta metropolis.

Two other members of the same security outfit were also said to be on danger list following injuries they sustained during the attack.

The attack in which officers of the state security apparatus were killed took not only the people of Ogun by surprise but also the entire country, as the incident came barely 72 hours after the state governor, Ibikunle Amosun, received an international award as “Best Security Conscious State Governor in West Africa”, presented to him by Security Watch Africa, in Ghana.

According to the chairperson, Board of Trustees, Security Watch Africa, Dr. Theresa Oppory Beeko, factors that worked in favour of Amosun’s winning the award included his commitment to uplifting the inherited, serious security challenges in the state, where armed robbers hitherto operated with ease.

But as if the award was undeserving, the state under Amosun further recorded more incidents of insecurity. The day after the police massacre, gunmen, numbering about six kidnapped the aged mother of a federal lawmaker, Alhaja Obedatu Abudu Balogun, from her residence in Ita -Out, in Ijebu, at the Ogun Waterside Local Government area of the state.

Alhaja Obedatu is the mother of Honourable Abiodun Abudu Balogun, who is currently representing Ogun Waterside/ Ijebu North/ Ijebu East Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives in Abuja.

the college in 2010 and wondered why he embarked on night flight, which he was not licensed to do.

The speaker, Deputy Governor and a host of other Taraba politicians have made Adamawa State a second home as they have relocated to the state since the news of the plane crash broke.

Events’ watchers have also expressed concern on the fate of other occupants of the crashed plane who are in critical condition at the Federal Medical Centre, Yola, now that Governor Suntai, the pilot of the crashed plane has been flown abroad for proper medical attention. Some have argued that it is unfair, since the other casualties also deserve the best medical care too.

Meanwhile, besides the recent armed robbery incidents in the state, the Amosun government appears generally overwhelmed by recurring robbery incidents across the state, especially at its border communities with Lagos State.

Specifically, the month of November, 2011 was a month when men of the underworld specifically laid siege to Ogun leaving attendant tales of sorrows in homes.

On November 10, 2011, the Ijebu axis of the state fell to the robbery attack as four persons were confirmed dead and many others seriously injured, as a result of stray bullets that hit them during the robbery attack in which five banks were serially raided.

The same thing occurred at the Permanent Site of Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ago-Iwoye in Ijebu North Local Government area of Ogun State where five banks-Skye Bank, FCMB, Oceanic, Intercontinental and GTBank fell were raided bandits who operated with ammunition that included rockets and dynamites. It is needless to say that they carted away huge sums of money running to billions of naira.

On Friday, November 18, the former deputy governor, Alhaja Salmot Badru, was the next victim. She was attacked by a gang at her GRA, Ibara Abeokuta residence.

Still fresh in the memory of the people was the November 24, 2011 serial raiding of eight banks in the Sabo area of Akarigbo Road, Shagamu where one of the top officers of the state vigilance group was

killed.

On November 29, 2011, a gang of armed robbers also struck at the Ifo branch of WEMA Bank Nigeria Plc and carted away undisclosed sums of money. The incident occurred in the wee hours of Tuesday when the robbers tied the night guard at the bank with a rope and carried out their operation unhindered.

Commercial banks, which were the major targets of those robbery attacks, were forced to close shop across the state. Staff members of those banks, under the aegis of Ogun Bankers Forum had cause to openly confront the state government that they would not open shops unless the state government found lasting solution to the incessant attacks.

Again, the Speaker of the Ogun State house of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Suraj Ishola Adekunbi, was also not speared in the series of the armed robbery attacks. His official car, a Toyota Jeep was snatched at gun point along Abiola Way in Abeokuta.

Although the Speaker denied the robbery incident, sources confirmed it.

Aside from the armed robbery attacks, Amosun’s administration has also recorded series of kidnap cases across the three Senatorial Districts of the state.

One example among many is the event of Friday May 11, 2012. Kidnappers abducted female ophthalmologist, Dr. Taibat Otulana of Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital (OOUTH), Shagamu where they demanded for N100 million ransom.

Otulana, who was also a senior lecturer at Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital, Shagamu was kidnapped between Imota and Ijebu-Ode while returning from Ikorodu in Lagos State.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

NORTH CENTRAL

Muslims commend Jang for Sallah gift

JAMES ABRAHAM JOS

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overnor Jonah Jang of Plateau State’s Sallah package for the Muslim community in Jos to the tune of N21million, covering the purchase of 300 rams and 600 bags of rice and other cooking items, has received commendations from the Muslims in Jos and other parts of the state.

This was disclosed at the weekend in Jos by the chief scribe of Council of Ulamas in the state, Barr. Ahmed Lawal Ishaq, while featuring in a state owned-radio programme, ‘View point’.

According to Ishaq, the appointment of the Chief Imam of Jos’ central mosque as the Amril Hajj to head the Plateau contin-

Zonal News

Sunday October 28, 2012

gent to Mecca for this year’s Muslim pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia is worthy of commendation.

He said his committee was given a list of 150 Muslims within the state and that his committee was able to carry out the task given them successfully, saying that on the eve of Eid-Kabir celebrations, all those that ought to get their rams and rice got them, adding that all shades of Muslim groups in the state benefited from the good gesture of the governor.

The secretary of Council of Ulamas in the state, however, noted that this exercise was conducted silently and as a result, most of the Muslims in Jos didn’t know that government was doing this good gesture for the good of humanity.

He added, “This year, we had to reach out to many people and with that now, people have come to realise that the state government is doing things to support Muslims and we are urging government to do more to erase this apathy among the Muslim Community in Jos that the government of Jang is anti-Muslim’’ Ishaq, however, noted that the appointment of the Chief Imam of Jos as the Amril Hajj this year by Governor Jang was particularly applauded by many Muslims. ‘’ This current gesture of reaching out to the Muslim community irrespective of their political views and every other thing, goes to controvert the earlier belief that Governor Jang is anti – Muslim,” he declared.

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SOUTH WEST

LASU to offer world-class programmes in 2014

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he Vice-Chancellor, Lagos State University, (LASU), Prof. John Obafunwa, yesterday said that the standard of postgraduate training in the institution would become a world-class one, in the next two years.

Obafunwa told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in an interview in Lagos that the turnaround taking place in various sectors of the institution was to enable the university improve on its standards.

He said that the upgrade of facilities for postgraduate training in the institution was borne out of the need to have qualified manpower to contribute to the development of the institution and the economy. ``Right now, in the postgraduate school, we have about 1,600 postgraduate students and there are plans

currently in place to increase the staff strength at the senior level. ``We are actually trying to monitor in the various faculties as well and trying to ensure that the various faculties and departments have postgraduate programmes. ``We just finished a process of advertising, interviewing and accessing individuals at very senior levels so as to meet the minimum requirement for National Universities Commission (NUC) accreditation in many areas. ``We have been trying on our part to encourage our lecturers to acquire doctorates because you can only supervise a PhD if you have a PhD yourself,” he said.

Obafunwa noted that it was out of place for the institution to spend the limited resources available in

sending persons abroad for postgraduate training when it had the ability to achieve the same task. ``It is not good enough to say we are going to be sending people abroad and be paying heavily to fund their postgraduate programmes. ``In-house, we should be able to have postgraduate programmes well rooted and this we have set in motion. ``But I can assure you that in another 12 to 24 months from now, virtually all the departments would experience a serious turn-around in terms of postgraduate training. ``We also want to be sure that we can effectively carry our undergraduate students along as well, by way of strengthening the staff in the various departments in order to get the required manpower to cater for them,” Obafunwa said.

Ondo: ACN alleges assault on royal father, supporters

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L-R: Deputy Governor of Niger State, Ahmed Musa Ibeto; Governor Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu; former President, Gen Ibrahim Babangida, and former Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, at the Eid prayer grounds in Niger State, at the weekend.

Urologist warns men on prostate cancer A consultant urologist with the Chivar Clinic and Urology Centre in Abuja, Dr Evariscus Azoma, has advised men to go for regular prostate cancer screening to ensure early detection.

Azoma told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at the weekend in Abuja that early detection of cancer would prevent the disease from spreading and becoming complicated for treatment.

He warned that most men were at risk of prostate cancer, even though he admitted that there were

specific risk factors that could trigger the disease.

Azoma identified family history, age and diet, as some of the risk factors.

He recommended that men who are above 45 years should endeavour to go for prostate cancer screening annually. ``There is a rising incidence of cancer globally, with developing countries such as Nigeria bearing much of the burden. ``Prostate cancer starts in the prostate gland. The prostate is a small, walnutsized structure that makes

up part of a man’s reproductive system. ``Some of the symptoms include the need to urinate often, especially at night, an intense and urgent need to urinate, as well as difficulty in starting or stopping the urine flow. ``Other symptoms are the inability to urinate, weak or decreased or interrupted urine stream, a sense of incompletely emptying the bladder, burning pain during urination, blood in the urine or semen, and painful ejaculation,’’ Azoma said.

he Akeredolu Campaign Organisation (ACO) in Ondo State has said that Governor Olusegun Mimiko and his Labour Party(LP) have been attacking those perceived not to have voted for them in the last gubernatorial election in the state.

He said the LP thugs descended on the Owa of Ogbagi Akoko, Oba Victor Adetona (JP). ‘ “In fact the royal father whose sin is that the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) polled the highest number of votes in his domain, escaped only by a whisker from these LP thugs who completely vandalised his palace and pulled down his personal building still under construction”, he said.

In a statement by Mr. Idowu Ajanaku the Direc-

as a result, the code number is no longer for Airtel Customer Service. ``The attention of the public, especially Airtel mobile telephone subscribers, is hereby drawn to the fact that `122’ has been allocated to the FRSC as emergency toll-free number.

``It has therefore ceased to be used by Airtel for its Customer Service,” he said.

Kazeem further said the code was before now being congested by calls that were not emergency-related, adding,” the FRSC also has 0700 2255 3772 as a 12-digit emergency line.”

so-called victory they are still going about attacking harmless citizens of the state who are perceived to have supported opposition parties in the election. It would be recalled that ACO had warned that Mimiko was threatening Obas in the state with dethronement during the electioneering campaign; this is the script his foot-soldiers are now acting.

“We, therefore, appeal to security agents to bring this mad dogs unleashed by the LP to order and warned that there is a limit to human endurance. Our supporters should not be forced to resort to self-help in the face of continuous attack while security agents whose duty is to protect their lives and property stand aloof”, Ajanaku warned.

Sallah: Fashola, Tinubu, Ashafa call for peace MURITALA AYINLA

FRSC acquires toll-free emergency line G T he Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) says it has acquired “122” from Airtel as its toll-free emergency line for public use.

In a statement over the weekend in Abuja, the commission’s Deputy Corps Public Education Officer, Mr. Bisi Kazeem, said that

tor of Media, Publicity and Strategy for ACO, he said supporters of ACN have been attacked in various part of Ondo state since the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced Mimiko as the winner of the governorship election held on October 20.

“These unprovoked attacks on ACN supporters in Igbotako, Ilutitun, Okitipupa, Akure, Akoko land among others are not only crude but barbaric.

“Indeed, this is a reflection of what happened on election day when LP thugs chased away our agents and supporters in the several places in Idanre communities and has revealed what the LP has in stock for the people of the state.

“Even in the face of their

overnor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State, his predecessor, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and Senator Gbenga Ashafa yesterday charged Nigerians to shun all forms of violence threatening the unity of the country.

According to them, it is only in a peaceful environment that the country can achieve greatness.

They spoke during the Eid-El-Kabir prayer held at the Obalende prayer grounds. They said to ensure economic prosperity of the country, Nigerians must co-exist peacefully, irrespective of the ethnic and religious diversity.

This, according to them, would guarantee economic prosperity for the country.

Fashola, who described the celebration as a day of thanksgiving, emphasised

that the need for adherents of the religions to seek peace, stability and progress of the country cannot be over-emphasised.

He said: “We must seek forgiveness from God and forgive our neighbours and fellow human beings. We must pray that the philosophy and ideal of sacrifice will really build our society. Only under the atmosphere of peace can we prosper and bring economic prosperity to our people.”

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Zonal News

NORTH WEST

Sunday October 28, 2012

Katsina emir blames herdsmen for Jibia, Kaita clash

JAMES DANJUMA KATSINA

E

mir of Katsina, Alhaji Abdulmumini Kabir Usman, yesterday blamed migrating Fulani herdsmen for a recent clash that erupted between them and farmers in Jibia and Kaita council areas. The face-off resulted in the death of two people and the slaughter of several cattle.

The traditional ruler, who was speaking during the ‘Sallah Durbar’ at the Government House, Katsina, said the clash occurred when herdsmen with more than 100, 000 herds of cattle migrated into the state on Tuesday through Nigeria’s borders with Niger Republic

and destroyed crops on several farmlands.

Usman said the situation angered sympathisers and some of the affected farmers and they clashed with the herdsmen, which also led to several people sustaining injuries.

He said the herdsmen had initially tried to enter parts of Niger Republic but met hedges that kept them from passing through with their animals, and that they had entered the state instead, through the two council areas.

The traditional ruler said the police have so far arrested 20 people in connection with the clash, who include a traditional leader or Mai Anguwa, and that normalcy had returned after the inter-

vention of security agents and traditional rulers.

Usman lamented the attitude of an organisation, Rama’ah Manoma, which he claimed, extorted money, sometimes to the tune of N500, 000, from gullible farmers, with the assurance that their interests would be protected in the state.

He described the activities of the organisation as illegal and unapproved by the state government, with a call on farmers to shun giving them their hard-earned money.

He also called on traditional leaders in the state to work towards the complete eradication of polio in the state, as the disease had resurfaced in some parts of the North, despite efforts at curtailing it.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Jonathan preaches peace, development in Sylva’s community EMMA GBEMUDU YENAGOA

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resident Goodluck Jonathan yesterday prevailed on a former Minister of Science and Technology and Paramount Ruler (Amanyanabo)of Okpoama community, Bayelsa State, King Ebitimi Banigo to bring his wealth of experience to bare in ensuring peaceful coexistence and rapid development of the community and its neighbours.

Jonathan spoke yesterday at Okpoama in Brass lo-

cal government area of the state during the coronation ceremony of Banigo. He described the monarch as a man of great potential.

“The people of Okpoama should co-operate with the Paramount Ruler, there is the need for you to be at peace with your neighbours at all times to engender sustainable development in the area.”

Former governor of the state, Timipre Sylva who hails from Okpoama was conspicuously absent at the ceremony.

The President later un-

SOUTH SOUTH

veiled the crown, while and crowning of the Amanyanabo was conducted by the Anglican Bishop of the Niger Delta West Diocese, Rt. Rev. Emmanuel Oko-Jaja.

He congratulated the Paramount Ruler on his successful coronation and pledged to support him to move the Kingdom forward.

Speaking earlier, the state governor, Seriake Dickson lauded the people of Okpoama for their co-operation and peaceful disposition, which he observed translated to the success of the ceremony.

Sallah tragedy: Man kills 2, injures 4 A ZA MSUE KADUNA

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n unidentified man with wielding a knife yesterday killed two persons, injuring four others, amidst Sallah celebrants. One of those killed by the knife man was a four-year old girl. He was subsequently overpowered passersby.

An eyewitness’ account said the incident took place at the popular Kano Road by

Adejah Street, Kaduna, when the murderer appeared from nowhere stabbing people.

Two of his victims lay dead while four others are receiving treatment at a private hospital in Kaduna.

Kaduna State Police Command Public Relations Officer, Aminu Lawan, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, confirmed the incident.

According to Lawan, “we have arrested the man, and

he is cooling his heels in our custody. But we cannot ascertain whether he is a mad man or not. So far, we have recovered some exhibits, and our men have swung into action; investigation is ongoing.

“I can also confirm that a four-year old girl was killed by the man. Our men have taken over the scene of the incident to avoid breakdown of law and order” he said.

Kano may close varsity to avert riots AUGUSTINE MADU-WEST KANO

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here are strong indications that the Kano State-owned University of Technology in Wudil may be shut soon, by the state government.

Sunday Mirrior gathered that the government is contemplating closing the institution, following the controversy trailing the removal of its vice-chancellor, Ibrahim Garba Ruruwai, by the state government.

A source close to the uni-

versity said the decision to shut the nine-year-old institution was informed by fear that students might embark on protests that could disrupt academic activities after the sallah break .

The vice-chancellor was recently removed from office by the government, following the recommendation of the visitation panel set up by the latter to look into its operations and investigate alleged anomalies in the administration of the of the institution.

It was learnt that the panel

set up by Govrnor Rabiu Kwankwaso was the first since the university was established.

The pane,l at the end of its assignment, recommended among others, the removal of the vice-chancellor, which was said to have been endorsed by the governor.

The government is said to be unsettled by speculation that a powerful group is planning a sponsored demonstration that will involve students considered loyal to the sacked V-C.

Council distributes 100 pumps for irrigation

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he Interim Chairman, Faskari Local Government area of Katsina State, Alhaji Isiyaku FaskariAhmad, yesterday said the council had distributed 100 pumping machines to irrigation farmers.

He told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Faskari that the gesture was aimed at boosting

food security and reducing extreme poverty among the people.

Faskari-Ahmad said that the machines were distributed free, to encourage farming activities in the area, especially among the teeming unemployed.

He said the council embarked on free distribution of farm inputs to

farmers in recognition of farming as the major occupation of the people.

He also expressed optimism that the gesture would encourage increased food production, stressing that agriculture provided jobs to millions of Nigerians while increased government support would facilitate development.

Vice-President, Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, Nasir Awhelebe (left), and Rivers State Governor, Chibuike Amaechi, during his Sallah homage to the governor in Port Harcourt on Friday.

PHOTO: NAN

Rivers plans to make Carniriv world’s biggest festival CHINEDUM EMEANA PORT HARCOURT

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iver State Government has formally flagged off activities for the 2012 edition of its internationally acclaimed cultural carnival, popularly referred to as CARNIRIV, declaring its intention to make the annual event one of the world’ biggest cultural festival.

This year’s festival, which is branded ‘CARNIRIV 2012 Port Har-

court 100 Edition’, will hold next December, from Saturday 8th to Saturday 15th. It is being celebrated in a special way this year as it coincides with the commemoration of the 100 years existence of the City of Port Harcourt.

Addressing a world media conference at Hotel Presidential, Port Harcourt, where the detail programme of activities for this year’s CARNIRIV was announced, the state Commissioner for Culture

and Tourism, Dr. Nabbs Imegbu, unveiled an advancement plan for the CARNIRIV brand with the projection to make it one of the world’s biggest cultural fiestas by 2015.

Imegbu said the intention of the administration of Governor Rotimi Amaechi was not just to make CARNIRIV a platform to project the rich cultural value of the people of the state, but to also make it become a major pillar for socio-economic growth.

No crisis in Delta ACN, says chieftain AMOUR UDEMUDE ASABA

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s political parties continue to strategise ahead of the 2015 general elections, a chieftain of the Delta State Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Mr. Amechi Ogbonnia has denied a report that the party is enmeshed in crisis.

Ogbonnia, while describing the report as mere blackmail in a statement in Asaba,

said that the party was intact from the ward, local government and state executive.

“The Chairman of the party, Chief Adolor Okotiebor, was a founding member of the PDP who contested for the senate and the party state chairman of the party but was frustrated by the ex-governor, Chief James lbori, and having seen PDP as not being progressive, he left for the ACN where he rose to the posi-

tion of the State Chairman.”

The ACN chief also accused a member of the Democratic Peoples Party (DPP) of peddling such misleading reports, saying that it was surprising for a nonmember to make comments about a party he does not belong and that, the report was only meant to blackmail Chief Adolor Okotiebor, son of a former Minister of Finance and Labour.

53

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sport

Ekpo eyes African title

AWC: Lionesses P. 54 pose no threat – Nkwocha KEEPING YOU ABREAST OF SPORTING NEWS October 28, 2012

P. 54

Serena, Sharapova set for WTA final

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erena Williams and Maria Sharapova will face each other in the final of the WTA Championships in Istanbul today.

Williams, the American world number three, booked her place in today’s final with an emphatic 6-2 6-1 win over Agnieszka Radwanska in 61 minutes.

Sharapova, the world number two from Russia, had to work much harder before overpowering world number one Victoria Azarenka 6-4 6-2.

The match featured a sixth game in the second set that lasted 15 minutes.

Serena

Relief as Mikel Arteta (left) bundles home late winner to down 10-man Rangers yesterday at the Emirates Stadium.

Arteta’s late strike gives Arsenal narrow win over 10-man QPR

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ikel Arteta’s late winner ended bottom-club Queens Park Rangers’ resistance as Arsenal finished a turbulent week with a vital 1-0 win.

The Spaniard scrambled the ball over the goal-line in the 84th minute following an afternoon of toil for Arsene Wenger’s side in which they once again failed to find their attacking rhythm.

Already, it has been a tough week for Arsene Wenger after his side’s surprise defeats by Premier League strugglers Norwich and Champions League visitors Schalke were followed by a spiky annual shareholders’ meeting, where fans questioned the club’s ambitions.

Arteta poked in from close range after hitting the bar, as the returning Jack Wilshere helped Arsenal bounce back from defeats by Norwich and Schalke.

Arteta’s winner, which came after

Hoops keeper Julio Cesar magnificently saved Olivier Giroud’s header at the start of a goalmouth scramble, moves Arsenal into fourth in the table.

Earlier, it was harsh on Brazilian Cesar who produced several superb saves to keep out the Gunners as the crowd grew increasingly restless inside the Emirates.

Ultimately the game turned on the sending-off of Rangers defender M’bia, who was shown a red card by referee Anthony Taylor when he senselessly kicked out at Vermaelen while lying on the ground having already won a free-kick.

The defeat leaves QPR still searching for their first league win of the season and bottom of the table.

Reacting to the loss, QPR boss Mark Hughes said: “The referee has absolutely killed it to allow their winning goal because Arteta was clearly offside on two

Messi more complete P. 55 than Ronaldo –Zamarano

occasions. I’ve been to see the referee and he has created some cock-and-bull story about Ryan Nelsen being off the pitch.

I’ve no idea what he is on about because Ryan Nelsen at no stage went off the field of play. It has cost us the point.”

On Stephane M’bia’s red card: “He’s obviously very upset. The frustration from our point of view was that it was given against us.”

But manager Mark Hughes can take huge positives from a compact defensive display that only unravelled after M’bia’s dismissal.

In their next three matches, Hughes’s team face Reading, Stoke and Southampton - all teams in the bottom half - and will take heart from their brave display.

Meanwhile, England midfielder Wilshere played 67 minutes as he made his first senior Arsenal appearance after 17 months, due to the injury he cupped up.

Giggs wary of Chelsea clash P. 55

Eko 2012: KFN organises clinic for officials T

he Kickboxing Federation of Nigeria (KFN) says its forthcoming refresher course will be used to assess the competence of its officiating personnel for the 18TH National Sports Festival (NSF) KFN’s Secretary, Bisi Odubote, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Lagos, that the programme would keep the officials abreast of the current trends in the sport.

The compulsory clinic meant for states’ Associations Technical Officials is expected to hold from Oct. 29 to Oct. 30 at the National Stadium, Lagos.

“The KFN is working hard to make sure that its officials are familiar with the current trends in kickboxing,’’ she said.

According to her, exams will be conducted to ascertain those that will be deemed fit by the KFN to officiate at the biennial sports fiesta.

The two-day clinic would be handled by internationally certified resource persons.

Allegri vows to fight on at Milan P. 55

54

Sport

Sunday October 28, 2012

Knockout IFEANYI Eduzor with

08055829770 ifeduz24@yahoo.com

Ekpo eyes African title W est African super middleweight champion, Isaac Ekpo, says that his recent defeat of Ghana’s George Amuzu will prepare him for the African title in future.

Ekpo, 30, defeated Amuzu in the 11th round of the West African Boxing Union (WABU) title fight in Ghana to occupy the vacant position.

He told our correspondent that the victory would serve as the tonic he needed to challenge for both the African and Commonwealth titles in future.

“My last fight has really prepared me to go for bigger fights in future, and I want to assure my fans that they are yet to see the real Isaac Ekpo.

“Having won the West Af-

Ekpo

rican title in far away Ghana, my main focus now will be to have a crack at both the African and Commonwealth titles, after which I will go for the world title,” the army officer who has since relocated to Ghana concluded.

Aboderin rates Nigerian boxers high

T

he Secretary General of the Nigeria Boxing Board of Control (NBB of C), Remi Aboderin has revealed that Nigerian boxers are capable of challenging the best fighters in the world, if given the necessary encouragement and exposure.

He told our correspondent that Nigeria has quality boxers but regretted that the dearth of promoters has affected their ranking by the relevant boxing bodies.

“I want to tell you that

Nigeria has quality boxers that can challenge the best boxers in the world, but the dearth of promoters coupled with the poor economic situation in the country is affecting not only their performance, but rankings by various boxing bodies,” Aboderin said.

According to him, the boxing body will soon put in place modalities that will encourage more promoters to stage fights in the country which he says will lead to the revival of the game.

Lewis, Klitschko mourn Steward

F

ormer world heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis has spoken of his devastation at the death of long-term trainer and close friend Emanuel Steward.

The 68-year-old former coach who had been suffering from colon cancer died on Thursday.

Steward trained 43 world champions in a celebrated career, including British fighter Lewis from 1994 to 2004. He also trained Thomas Hearns, Julio Cesar Chavez, Oscar de la Hoya, Evander Holyfield and Wladi-

mir Klitschko.

“This has been a very tragic year for boxing world, but today we’ve truly lost one of its crown jewels,” Lewis said.

Also speaking on Steward’s death, WBA, IBF, WBO and IBO heavyweight champion, Wladimir Klitschko noted that with his passing, boxing has suffered a tremendous loss.

“Vitali and I, along with the entire Team Klitschko, send our deepest and most heartfelt condolences to Emanuel’s family and friends,” said the world champion.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

AWC: Lionesses pose no threat –Nkwocha

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our-time Africa Women’s Player of the Year winner, Perpetua Nkwocha has made it clear that Cameroon will pose no threat to Nigeria.

The Falcons will start their African Women’s Championship (AWC) title defence on Monday against Cameroon’s Indomitable Lionesses in Bata in a Group B game.

Nkwocha, who has set a 15-goal mark ahead of the 2012 AWC in Equatorial Guinea, said: “I don’t think Cameroon will stop us from achieving our goal in Equatorial Guinea. And Cameroon are no threat to our ambition.”

The Sunnana SK player also doused insinuation

SAYO OGUNDEJI

A Nkwocha

that the Super Falcons of Nigeria are under pressure to defend their title especially as other African teams are closing the gap of dominance on them.

She added that the Nigerian squad have learned the hard way having failed to win the AWC in 2008.

The 36-year-old, who

will quit international football after the 2012 edition of the AWC, has won the African title four times in 2002, 2004, 2006 and 2010. She is also the most decorated women’s footballer in individual awards having won the African Women’s Footballer of the Year in 2004, 2005, 2010 and 2011.

Eko 2012: Omoro promises medals haul for Team Rivers in trado wrestling ANDREW EKEJIUBA

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he traditional wrestling coach of Team Rivers, Dickson Tompreye Idowu Omoro, has vowed to go for a clean sweep of medals in the forthcoming National Sports Festival in Lagos.

Omoro told Sunday Mirror that since he took up the coaching job with the Rivers State Sports Council during the last sports festival hosted in Port Harcourt, the fortunes of the state has improved tremendously in the sport and promised to go for medals haul at Eko 2012.

“My coming to Rivers State has been a blessing to the entire trado wrestling team of the state, and I am happy that I have delivered in my promise to them, that the state will be a dominant force in the event.

“Aside the victorious outing we had in the last sports festival in Port Harcourt in 2010 where we came tops in

S/Africa 2013: Esin tips Eagles to fly over Zambia, others

the event, we also extended our winning streak in the just concluded National Festival of Arts and Culture (NAFEST) trado wrestling competition in Ilorin, Kwara State, by winning the gold in the 60kg class.

“So, I want to thank the Rivers State government for inviting me to serve and recognising me as one of the best wrestling coaches in Nigeria. I’m looking forward to winning more medals for the state at Eko 2012 because of the calibre of wrestlers in

our fold,” Omoro said.

Meanwhile, Omoro has confirmed that the just concluded Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) traditional wrestling tourney in Agegunle, Lagos State, was aimed at discovering more talents for the country. In the event, 16 trado wrestlers battled for trophies yesterday at the Navy Barracks, Agegunle, even as the Chairman of IYC and sponsor of the competition, Mr. Anthony Oki, called for more youths to identify with the competition.

Dickson Idowu Omoro (left) and Arasafa Ziwartine (right) raises the hands of Team Rivers’ Ayama Ogu (middle) after winning the gold medal in 60kg class at 2012 NAFEST in Ilorin.

fter Nigeria was drawn in Group C of the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations alongside defending champions, Zambia, Burkina Faso and Ethiopia, Nigeria’s ex-international, Etim Esin, has thrown his weight behind the Super Eagles to come out of the group and qualify for the second round of the competition.

The Eagles, who failed to make it to the last edition having been edged out by the Syli Nationale of Guinea, thrashed the Lone Stars of Liberia 8-3 on aggregate to qualify for the bi-annual competition.

Nigeria has only won the competition twice (in 1980 and 1994), and Esin is of the opinion that the current crop of players are good enough to win the trophy for the country.

According to the former midfielder, Coach Stephen Keshi’s style of blending the domestic and foreign-based players will produce a good result at the tournament.

Sharks unveil Eguavoen

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igeria Premier League (NPL) club, Sharks on Saturday unveiled former Nigerian international, Augustine Eguavoen as their new technical adviser.

Eguavoen, 47, will be coaching his third club in the Nigerian top flight following earlier stints with Insurance in 2002 and Enyimba where he managed on two occasions (20082009 and 2011-2012) The former Nigeria U-23 coach will be assisted by Daboere Dokubo (chief coach) and Sunny Iseokweimah (Assistant coach).

NSSF attributes decline in sports to neglect of sch sports

I Emanuel Steward (left) with Wladimir Klitschko (middle) and Vitali Klitschko (right) after the former successfully defended his IBF and IBO titles against Calvin Brock at Madison Square Garden.

brahim Muhammad, President, Nigeria School Sports Federation (NSSF), on Friday attributed the decline in sports in the country to neglect of school sports.

Muhammad told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in a telephone interview that sports in the country would grow, if proper attention and resources were channelled to revive sports

in secondary schools.

“Sports in the country have witnessed a decline, due to the neglect of school sports. You don’t expect sports to develop if proper steps are not taken. In the 70’s and 80’s, school sports used to get support from the government and that was why we were then ranked among the best in Africa.

“Now, all we do is to recy-

cle old athletes, instead of discovering new ones to replace the ageing ones,” he said.

According to him, the country’s dismal performance at the 2012 London Olympics was as a result of the country’s failure to sustain growth at the grassroots.

Muhammad, however, commended some private organisations for promoting school sports and urged the

government to extend full support to the NSSF. “Milo has been supporting schools’ basketball competition for the past 13 years and Shell has also done the same in football for 14 years.

If we can have more companies that can complement the effort of the government in this regard, then we will be on the right track,” Muhammad said.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sport

Sunday October 28, 2012

Messi more complete than Ronaldo –Zamarano

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ormer Chile star Ivan Zamorano believes Barcelona forward Lionel Messi is a more complete player than Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo.

Zamorano is reluctant to choose between the two as he feels they are both ‘incredible players’, but would pick the Argentine over Ronaldo if he had to.

“Ronaldo and Messi are both amazing and stand out from the rest. Maybe Messi

is a more complete player, but they are both incredible players,” Zamarano said.

He also said Atletico Madrid sensation Radamel Falcao cannot be compared to any of the other leading strikers around in the game as he feels his role as an oldfashioned centre-forward is becoming obsolete.

“I get asked about Falcao a lot. A lot of people see a resemblance to my style of play. Falcao is the last great

EURO BRIEFS

Giggs wary of Chelsea clash

R

yan Giggs admits that Manchester United will find it tough against an in-form Chelsea side at Stamford Bridge today. Chelsea may have dropped points in the UEFA Champions League, including a midweek defeat to Shakhtar Donetsk, but in the Premier League they have set the early pace, sitting four points ahead of Manchester United and Manchester City.

centre-forward in South America and the world. The traditional centre-forward is a dying breed.

“The new formations are spelling the end for the oldfashioned goal scorer. The new strikers are not out-andout centre-forwards. Look at Messi, Ronaldo or (Wayne) Rooney. They are different.

Falcao is the last one,” he said.

Falcao has so far netted 12 goals in eight official appearances for Atletico this term.

Ferguson: Title is a three-horse race

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ir Alex Ferguson has dismissed the Premier League title credentials of Arsenal and Tottenham, insisting this year’s title is a three-horse race between Manchester United, Chelsea and Manchester City.

In a bid to emphasise the importance of United’s clash with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge today, Ferguson warned his team that they need to maintain pace with the league leaders to avoid playing catch-up all sea-

son.

The Red Devils boss believes that the standard set by the top three early on is so high that it is unlikely Everton, Arsenal and Spurs could make a surge for the title.

“I think Chelsea, Manchester City and ourselves seem to be creating that little gap from the rest,” Ferguson said. “It’s difficult to be dead certain but I would be surprised if one of us didn’t win it.”

Chelsea have already created a four-point ad-

vantage over secondplaced United and with another tough fixture against Arsenal next weekend, Ferguson is wary that the gap could widen if his players do not step up.

While United have not recorded a Premier League win at Stamford Bridge since a 3-0 rout over the Blues in 2002, Ferguson believes the history of the clubs and their respective summer signings will make the match unpredictable.

Allegri vows to fight on at Milan A C Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri has refused to walk away from the club despite overseeing an abysmal start to the season, stating that he does not want to abandon his team.

Milan currently sit 15th in Serie A and have won just two games this season amid rumors that former Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola is being lined up by the Italian club.

The speculation surrounding Allegri increases with every poor result but the former Cagliari boss says he is not the sort of person

who simply gives up when things get difficult.

“I don’t hope to be dismissed and I don’t see dismissal as a sort of release,” Allegri said. “We’ll be released when the team manages to climb the table and qualify for the Champions League.

“I’m not used to leaving in the moments of difficulty; I have never done it, even when there have been worse moments. If I saw that the team doesn’t follow me and doesn’t do what I require according to the features of my players, then I would be the first to resign from the club.”

Juve focus firmly on Catania J uventus assistant coach Angelo Alessio says the club are fully focused on beating Catania today and not their unbeaten streak.

The Serie A champions stretched their run to 47 league games without defeat last week, and Alessio has made it clear their focus is on winning games, rather than worrying about breaking records.

“The unbeaten streak is not something we think about. We just look to take to the field and win every game.

“Of course every team will be aiming to beat us and end our run, but we go into every encounter with maximum determination.

“We’ll give the game against Catania our full attention. They’ve got excellent players and are lethal on the counter attack.

“We usually play at a high tempo in the second half, but on Sunday, we’ll need to dictate the game from the beginning,” Alessio said at a press conference.

Allegri

55

Giggs

Messi

Mourinho targets Tottenham star R

eal Madrid manager Jose Mourinho is reportedly set to make a move for Tottenham star Gareth Bale.

Reliable sources claim Mourinho has met Madrid president Florentino Perez to push for a bid for Bale.

Bale, 23, recently signed a new long-term deal at White Hart Lanne, committing himself to Spurs until 2016, but the club are nonetheless preparing themselves for a fight to keep the Welshman.

Mourinho is desperate to add some spark to his Real Madrid side after a disappointing start to the season, which has seen them so far underperform in both the Champions League and La Liga.

Real signed a partnership agreement with Spurs after buying Luka Modric from the club last summer and this relationship will be important if any deal is to be struck between the two clubs.

With a move for Bale expected to exceed £50 million, Mourinho would have to sell some of his current stars to fund the move, with Kaka and Mezut Ozil two of the names being mentioned as possibly leaving the Bernabeu.

Bale is currently on extended leave from Tottenham due to the birth of his first child a week ago.

Juan aiming for Serie A title I nter Milan defender Juan Jesus has set his sights on winning the Scudetto with the club this term.

Inter sit joint third in the league table, trailing leaders Juventus by four points, but the defender is determined to leapfrog the Turin giants before the end of the 2012/13 campaign.

“Are Inter in the hunt for the title? Yes, we always aim to be, this is a big club,” the defender said in an interview.

“Winning breeds success and it’s so much easier when things are going well.

“First and foremost we’re thinking about our next match, though. Let’s play well, get the win we need and then we can start to think about our next two opponents.

Juan

“You win when you’ve got togetherness and we have a great squad.”

Inter lock horns with Bologna today.

Voeller: Leverkusen need ‘perfect’ day

R

udi Voeller says Bayer Leverkusen will have to be at their very best in order to get a result in today’s Bundesliga match at Bayern Munich.

Leverkusen have not won an away game against Bayern for 23 years, and the former Germany international is desperate for them to end their losing streak in Munich this weekend.

Voeller

Pulis excited over Fletcher capture

S

toke boss Tony Pulis is not surprised by the success of Steven Fletcher at Sunderland after revealing he tried to sign him in the summer. Fletcher has scored five goals in six Premier League games for Sunderland since his bigmoney arrival from Wolves in the summer and Pulis believes the Scot could be one of the bargains of the season despite his £14million price tag.

PREMIERSHIP TABLE TEAM

P

GD

PTS

1. Chelsea

8

13

22

2. Man City

9

9

21

3. Man Utd

8

10

18

4. Arsenal

9

8

15

5. Everton

8

6

15

6. Fulham

9

5

14

7. Tottenham

8

3

14

8. West Brom

8

3

14

9. West Ham

9

2

14

10. Swansea

9

1

11

11. Newcastle

8

-3

10

12. Stoke

9

-1

9

13. Liverpool

8

-2

9

14. Sunderland

8

-2

9

15. Wigan

9

-6

8

16. Norwich

9

-11

7

17. Aston Villa

9

-7

6

18. Reading

8

-6

4

19. Southampton

8

-11

4

20. QPR

9

-11

3

N I G E R I A

$6bn

Vol. 2 No. 46

Sunday, October 28, 2012

www.nationalmirroronline.net

N150

I N

F I G U R E S

88,

, amount the Cenage at which the co-founder tral Bank of Nigeria of Mayflower Schools in (CBN’s) recent report stated as Nige- Ikenne, Ogun State, Mrs. Sheila Soria’s external debt as at Q2 of 2012. larin, died on Sunday, October 21

Sold PHCN discos and the IPPs

Back Page

Comment

E-mail: nwaunah@yahoo.com Unah is Professor of Philosophy at the University of Lagos

with Jim Unah

N

ow that the 10 electricity power distribution companies (discos) of the PHCN have been sold out to the successful or preferred bidders; even as the process is trailed by allegations, protests and controversies, it is time for the news media and civil society groups to police the process, investigate the tempo of activities in the cognate agencies of the electricity service industry, and ensure that every piece of card in the jigsaw puzzle that the electricity service industry has become is made to fit properly with the end result of making electric power available to Nigerians in a consistent, cost-effective, regular and uninterruptible manner.

The most controversial of the newly privatised distribution companies of the PHCN is the Benin disco which the four contiguous states of Edo, Delta, Ekiti and Ondo jointly submitted bid for through their technical partner - Southern Electricity Distribution Consortium -; a bid that was eventually awarded to Vigeo Power Consortium by the BPE. The anger of the four state governors is that they had, through their technical partner, invested in power projects in their domains and denied the bid on grounds that a different set of criteria were used to favour a bidder with dubious credentials in the electricity

distribution business. While the protest and call for review of the Benin disco bid lasts, it is imperative for the Nigerian public to keep track with and vigil on the gains made by the Jonathan government in the power sector to ensure that unattended critical loose ends, such as the severance benefits of the PHCN workers and the task of generation of electricity, do not throw a spanner in the works of the power sector reforms.

Watchers are aware that the sale of the distribution companies to core private investors does not necessarily translate to efficient and sufficient power supply. The sale or privatisation of the discos may be one of the processes towards efficient supply of electricity; but generation of power is key in this business.

While the operations of the sold discos were fraught with inefficiency, fraud and corruption under the PHCN, an area to neglect at the nation’s peril would be the energy generation platform. If this critical area is not pursued with vigour, the newly privately acquired discos would soon begin to operate a racket in which scarcity of the product will lead to hoarding and hike in tariff in ways that might be more injurious to electricity.

Power generation as key That is why the media should begin to interrogate and investigate what is going on in the power generation sub-sector. With the privatisation of the discos, it seems that FG monopoly in the realm of power distribution is being broken. What about the power by law to generate electricity? Has it also been broken?

Can private firms now be authorized by law to generate electricity for both private and commercial uses?

The first attempt to involve the private sector in power generation in a kind of Public-

Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement was the Independent Power Project (IPP) commissioned in Okpai in Delta State by the then President Olusegun Obasanjo to generate 480 MW of electricity. This was intended to combat gas flaring by sucking in 75 million standard cubit feet of gas per day, and also to contribute 15 per cent of electricity generation by the then NEPA to meet the OBJ target of 10,000 MW for the country by 2007. What has happened to that NNPC/Agip joint venture first initiative?

On December 7, 2011, the FG issued 20 IPP licenses with a mandate to deliver 6,258 MW of electricity to the national grid within three years of operation; a distribution license was also issued to Aba Power Limited, in Abia in IMO State. Zuma Energy Nigeria Limited was licensed to generate 1,200 MW from coal deposits in Itobe, Kogi State. Other licenses billed to generate electric power were Akute; Zuma Power; Cet Power, and Ilupeju Power.

But all of these mega watts, were they generated, were to enter the national grid to be distributed by PHCN as it deemed fit. That shoddy arrangement probably acted as a disincentive to the IPPs, making it unattractive for them to commence operations. What has been done to remedy this situation?

The boss of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Mr. Sam Amadi, disclosed recently that the 36 states of the federation will now have the right by law to generate and distribute electricity within their domain from next year. Has that law been enacted? Interestingly, NERC also valorizes a new set of regulations “guiding the independent electricity distribution network operators and power generators” as a radical step in the power reform process, as it entails

African U-17 Qualifier: Ugbade confident of Eaglets victory in Conakry

N

igeria’s Golden Eaglets assistant coach, Nduka Ugbade, has expressed confidence that the team would edge out the Junior Syli Stars of Guinea in Conakry today, and move into the third round of the African U-17 Championship qualifier.

Ugbade, a former Nigerian U-17 captain revealed that the boys are well prepared for the battle in Conakry and added they will maintain their attacking brand of football to score more goals.

“I’m optimistic that this team

have the ability and quality to beat Guinea over two legs. The boys are well prepared for this and we will set up the team to play an attacking brand of football as usual, even though we won the first leg 3-0,” Ugbade said.

Apart from the trio of Isaac, Kelechi Iheanacho and Alhassan Ibrahim, the Eaglets have depth in their squad with the like of Wilfred Ndidi, Mustapha Abdullahi, Bernard Bulbwa and Ifeanyi Matthew.

But Nigeria will once again come up against the Guinean

16-year-old goalkeeper, Ganaika Ibrahima, who stood out in the reverse game and ensured that his team did not suffer a rout.

The Eaglets will face either Mali or Mauritania in the third round of the qualifiers should they avoid a defeat in Conakry today.

Meanwhile the players have vowed to progress at the expense of their Guinean counterparts as they take a 3-0 lead into today’s return leg after winning the reverse game at the U.J. Esuene Stadium in Calabar on October 14.

EMBEDDED generation of power for the Independent Power Projects (IPPs). What does this mean?

EMBEDDED generation of power for the IPPs mean the authority to build a power plant in a place or locality and not connected to a national grid for transmission; a situation whereby the generated capacity or mega watt is directly connected to the distribution network. This sounds like good music to the ear, but has it been finalized? When is the deadline for finalization so that the media and civil society groups could be tasked to swing into action to closely monitor this crucial aspect of power sector activity? Have the IPPs been assisted with seed money to commence operations the same way that the bulk traders or power distribution companies have been assisted with N20billion by the Ministry of Power? If there is any sub sector of the power industry to be assisted with operational grant, should it not be the power generation sub sector?

Are we to take seriously the recent disclosure by the NERC Chairman, Mr. Amadi, that the new regime of EMBEDDED generation of power for the IPPs, which will bypass all the cost associated with transmission, is to kick off next month? Are the IPPs now fully backed by law and empowered financially to kick-start aggressive power generation as the bulk traders are now radically poised to buy every meg watt of electricity produced by the existing national power Projects; such that there could be tolerable parity between demand and supply of electricity in the country?

That is the way the power sector reforms can bring relief and laughter to Jonathan and his hyper-critical Nigerians.

AWC FIXTURES Today’s Matches Equatorial Guinea v South Africa 16:30 Senegal v DR Congo 19:30 PREMIERSHIP RESULTS Aston Villa 1-1 Norwich Arsenal 1-0 QPR Wigan 2-1 West Ham Manchester City 1-0 Swansea

PREMIERSHIP FIXTURES Today’s Matches Everton v Liverpool 13:30 Southampton v Tottenham 15:00 Chelsea v Manchester Utd 16:00

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