Sunday, January 13, 2013

Big Read News

THE

State of the states: The unfinished tasks

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NEWS

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P. 12

Amaechi condemns ruling class

Says selfish interest responsible for nation’s problem Abdulsalami, Suswam tell FG to dialogue with Boko Haram

DAYS TO GO Eagles pip Rotterdam P. 54 1-0 in friendly

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Vol. 3 No. 5

N150

Sunday, January 13, 2013

PDP crises: Jonathan slams Tukur, Nyako P. 9&12

...Forbids chairman, governor’s sons from contesting 2016 governorship Adamawa politicians call for resignation of 10 PDP NWC members

L-R: Former head of state, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar; Governor of Niger State, Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu; Benue State Governor, Gabriel Suswam and Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, during the first graduation ceremony of the Abdulsalami Abubakar Institute for Peace and Sustainable Development Studies, in Minna, yesterday.

30 killed as explosion rocks NNPC pipelines Lagos, South-West fuel supply threatened Vandals responsible for explosion –Police Medical doctor arrested at scene of blast

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Trouble brews in Ohanaeze over election of new leaders

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US bars Igbinedion, ex-Edo governor, from country P. 11 SEC budget: Senate, Reps on collision course over Oteh P. 9

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Sunday, January 13, 2013

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DANGOTE SUGAR REFINERY PLC DANGOTE SUGAR REFINERY PLC PRODUCT PRICING Our attention has been drawn to the campaign against Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc that we have reduced Sugar prices to a level where it makes it difficult for competition to survive.

THE FACTS Nigeria is not a sugar producing nation, hence all Raw Sugar that are refined locally are imported from South America Raw Sugar is traded openly on the International Commodities Market with the prices available for all to verify All existing sugar refineries in Nigeria import their Raw Sugar from the same country in South America.

When prices of sugar shot up internationally, we increased our prices and charged consumers as much as N9,600 per bag In the last one year the International Prices of Raw Sugar have dropped from about $0.26cents to the current price of about $0.19cents per pound. Therefore, in line with DSR Plc’s strategy of passing the benefits of price reduction to our customers we reduced the prices of our 50kg sugar bags from N8,900.00 to N6,600.00 (VAT inclusive) with effect from December 16, 2012 In year 2012, our unaudited financials shows that we recorded a net profit of about N11billion while we paid the Federal government a total of N20.25 billion which includes: VAT N8.2 billion, income tax N5.4 billion, duty/other charges N5.8billion and withholding tax of over N800 million. In effect, the Federal government’s income is almost twice our profit.

All other sugar refineries in Nigeria are enjoying five years tax holiday at the moment With our current pricing, our budget for this business year 2013 will give even a better profit/returns to our shareholders and with a corporate tax and other miscellaneous charges of over 22 billion naira.

Besides the tax benefits the price reduction will also check the proliferation of unfortified sugar, which is hazardous to the health that finds its way into the northern markets through unverifiable sources Smuggled sugar accounts for over 30% of public consumption. Our action of reducing the sugar price has resolved this problem All these are verifiable facts and are available with the regulators for public scrutiny.

Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc. is not only a Pioneer sugar refinery in Nigeria; we are a quoted company with over 100,000 share holders and a leader in the Sugar Refining Sub Sector of the Nigerian Food & Beverage Industry.

As a responsible corporate citizen, we are committed to the socio–economic growth of the nation’s economy and state categorically that there is no need for this horrendous accusation. We are not the only player in this industry. We have about 60% dominance Despite the new levy on raw sugar beginning January 2013, the business is still very attractive. We are working aggressively towards implementing backward integration policy and we will continue to pass any reduction in international price of sugar to our local consumers WHERE HAVE WE GONE WRONG BY PASSING SAVINGS TO NIGERIAN CONSUMERS? Signed Management

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THE

Big Read SUNDAY SPECIAL INVESTIGATION

January 13, 2013

Mbam

Dickson

N

igerians were bewildered March 14, 2012, when Elias Mbam, chairman of the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), told the Senate joint committee on national planning, finance and appropriation, that many of the states in Nigeria were broke. Mbam, adopting the mien of an ascetic monk, explained that the cumulative external debts of the 36 states stood at $2.165 billion.

His revelation was anchored on documents from the Debt Management Office (DMO), in which the total external debt stock of all the states stood at $2.165 billion.

In the same vein, the Federal Government itself owed $3.501 billion as at December of the previous year.

Rationalising what seemed as the insolvency or systemic distress of the states, the RMAFC boss particularly lamented “the huge domestic debt profile of the states”, saying “most of them are highly indebted to various local banks in short term borrowing and are substantially exposed to the Capital Market.” According to his summation, most of the loans were tied to Irrevocable Standing Payment Orders (ISPOs), issued to the Accountant-General of the Federation to deduct directly from their monthly allocations, thus preventing them from meeting their minimum basic obligations to the citizens.”

But last week, the Bayelsa State governor, Seriake Dickson benumbed the nation with what seemed a joke of the April Fool scenario, when he said that his predecessor in office, Timipre Sylva, only left behind N4, 451 in the treasury.

Dickson’s revelation sounded unbelievable and reeked of a seething bite in his political dogfight with Sylva. But observers nonetheless concurred that for him to have cited a paltry N4, 451 as his administration’s take-off inheritance, somewhat showed that Bayelsa, one of Nigeria’s oil-producing states, is in a dire strait.

From Sunday Mirror’s investigations, however, this appears the fate of most states in the country, where

State of the states: The unfinished tasks In this assessment of the states by our correspondents, details emerge of how most governors have been unable to cope in terms of economic stability, infrastructural development and security provision. In the report anchored by Deputy Editor, Kayode Fasua, many of the states are bogged down by indebtedness, corruption and wastage. Besides, some northern states are totally down, owing to security challenges posed by the activities of insurgents. revenues accruing to the them both from the federation accounts and internally, have not added up, with clear evidence in government’s inability to provide basic needs in the form of employment, social infrastructure and rural communities’ development.

Rationalising the problem with the states then, Mbam had said, “It’s not just the borrowing that’s the problem (with the states), it is the impunity.

“While deficit budgeting is tolerable within an acceptable limit, its endless application has endangered and forced the state governments to resort to excessive borrowing to meet their basic expenditure demands even where they have no capacity to pay back.

“The regular sharing of Excess Crude Account is an indication of the desperate financial position of the state governments to get funds to meet costs of governance. For instance, $1.5billion was shared in three equal installments from the Excess Crude Account in 2011 alone of which the states received $400.800 million,” a worried Mbam disclosed.

IN THE NORTH, IT’S FEAR OF BOKO HARAM

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Though Sylva, Dickson’s predecessor who is currently standing trial on corruption charges has denied the governor’s claim, describing it as a white lie, stakeholders in Bayelsa are of the opinion that all is not well with the state from where President Goodluck Jonathan hails. For instance, the immediate past chairman of the Conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP) in Bayelsa State, Comrade Sunday Frank-Oputu, in repudiating Dickson’s claim, said that the alleged N4, 541 was not an amount left behind by the former administration but monies rendered in a hand-over note by the former Accountant -General of the state, Mr. Francis Okokoro as the amount left in the Treasury Office steel-box.

Across the states, however, similar circumstances pervade, as the viability of the states are suspect, owing to their debt profile, inability to generate sustainable income and the bankruptcy’s attendant negative effects on community development.

In Kwara State for instance, the picture is grim. Wole CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

REPLACE STATES WITH THE SIX GEO-POLITICAL ZONES –OYOFO

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The Big Read

Sunday, January 13, 2013

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

In the North, it’s fear of Boko Haram Rimi council area.

The incident left two people dead, another critically injured, a police station bombed with improvised explosives while work at the wind-farm was temporarily put to a halt.

However, as for Borno State which is the hub of Boko Haram insurgency in the country, and other states like Kaduna, Kano and Yobe States, development has been stunted in the last two years, apparently owing to a state of insecurity that pervades the state.

Corpses of those shot dead by Boko Haram insurgents in a Kano attack

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3 Adedeji reports that the state’s accounts are in red having been made so by a debt profile of about N50billion, which consists of a N30billion bond obtained by the administration of Governor Olusola Saraki, shortly before he left office.

Again, it was learnt that incumbent Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed took another N10billion loan as soon as he assumed office. This is outside other sundry debts the state has owed all the while. For now, Kwara is said to be servicing all these debts from its monthly allocations put at an average N1.9 billion every month.

But last Thursday, Governor Ahmed came up with what would looked strange to civil servants in the state, when he said he had appropriated more money for recurrent than the capital expenditure in the 2013 budget that he presented to the House of Assembly shortly before Christmas. The governor said he wanted to see to the welfare of civil servants, this time round. That would be the first time such a statement would come from the governor of the state in 15 years.

This is because, civil servants in the state had been subjected to poor condition of service even before Kogi and part of Niger states were carved out of Kwara. Some communities were excised from Kwara State to form Kogi State and join Niger states, respectively, in 1991.

According to Sunday Mirror findings, the state then had maintained a bogus civil service with paltry salary structures with a resolve not to lay off workers as were being witnessed in other states . But the Kwara workers soon realized that their contemporary who had shifted indigeneship to Kogi and Niger respectively earn two and half times higher than they did, thus causing disaffections within the state’s civil service.

According to findings, the parlous state of the state workers’ condition worsened under the late Governor Mohammed Lawal and deteriorated badly under Saraki. Lawal, it was gathered, forced every government worker to remain on Step Three of any Grade Level.

When Saraki came on board, sources said he made civil servants to write promotional examinations, following which he promoted a selected few but never attached corresponding monetary value to the promotions. The worst hit among the government workers, according sources, were the primary school teachers and those seconded to the Junior Secondary Schools. The teachers’ annual leave bonuses were subtly cancelled.

For now, there is a running battle between the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) government in the state and the opposition. The latter sees as a misnomer to budget N51billion for recurrent expenditure and N42.6billion for capital expenditure in a state that is bereft of viable revenue generation outlets. The opposition par-

ties, which were mainly the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), urged that the budget should be re-packaged; else the state would tumble into the valley of total bankruptcy.

For Katsina State, our correspondent, James Danjuma observed that a major challenge in the state is that despite government’s efforts, the state has continued to lag as it leads in the poverty index.

According to information on states by the National Bureau of Statistics, released last year, the state was the second poorest in the country, after Sokoto, with 74.5 percent poverty rate.

This, stakeholders have advised, should be addressed in 2013 by the state government in order to enable the state record improvement in efforts at combating poverty.

Nevertheless, at monthly average of N5 billion in federal allocation and estimated N500 million as Internally Generated Revenue, IGR, Katsina State governor, Ibrahim Shema, is confident that the state had fared well in 2012.

In the area of infrastructural development, Shema says the state government had succeeded in “providing new roads, laying asphalt on some selected road networks as well as continuing the construction of many rural feeder roads.”

Information from the state’s works ministry reveals that the state government had been able to provide infrastructure in some of the local government areas.

Some of these infrastructure include construction of 280 housing units for civil servants, continued construction of a 15.6km ring road around the state capital, dualisation of township roads in three local government areas and the construction of feeder roads in more than a dozen community areas.

But some stakeholders in the labour union, opposition parties, religious groups, among others who expressed their views on the state’s infrastructural development in 2012 were of the opinion that more could have been done.

They called on the state government to prioritise the infrastructure to develop and ensure even distribution of such projects across the three senatorial zones.

In the area of security, Shema said the sector remains the cornerstone of the administration and that support had been given to “all security agencies, traditional institutions and Ulama’u in maintenance of peace and order”.

The state had in 2012, enjoyed relative peace except in cases of clash between farmers and herdsmen that occurred on about four occasions in council areas that share boarders with Niger Republic.

A great setback last year however was the violent abduction of a French national, Mr. Francis Colump, who was an engineer in charge of a wind-farm project in

In Borno, Inusa Ndahi reports that in the last two years, the overriding concern has been, where the next bomb is going to explode, and not whether the state government performs or not. The state governor, Kashim Shettima, when he could no longer stomach the trouble, had to cry out at a public function, last week. He decried the vandalism displayed by insurgents, especially those operating on the platform of the dreaded Boko Haram sect, saying they had done incalculable damage to most of the social infrastructure in the state.

In fact, in terms of revenue generation, political pundits and economists alike have come to terms that the state’s profile is nil, as people and businessmen of repute, especially those of the Igbo ethnic stock, have fled the state, while others are leaving in droves, on daily basis. In tow, human casualty, being victims of bomb blasts and gun attacks, is in thousands and still counting.

As for the monthly pay from the federation accounts, the state has one of the least accruals, save for occasional bailouts through the sharing of excess crude oil fund.

Although the administration of Governor Shettima has in the last two years striven to ensure that with the limited resources accruing to the state he executes people-oriented projects, it has all appeared as an exercise in futility. On regular basis, social structures like schools, hospitals and markets are either bombed or set on fire at ungodly hours.

Just last week in Bama Local Government area of the state, which is alleged to be a stronghold of the opposition All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), Shettima expressed dissatisfaction over the incessant destruction of government projects, especially those already executed and others undergoing construction under his leadership by “enemies of progress hiding under the umbrella of Boko Haram.”

In Kaduna State, as it is with Borno, a gale of ill-wind whirled in the state especially last year, over the Boko Haram activities. Aza Msue reports that the sect’s attacks crippled both social and economic activities in the once booming hub of northern Nigeria’s economy.

Without let, bomb and gun attacks have discouraged any meaningful investment in the state.

The late governor, Patrick Yakowa’s tall ambition was to appreciably increase the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) to help fund most of the projects in the state. But even while still alive, this dream fizzled out before the governor eventually died in an helicopter crash in Bayelsa State, December 15, last year. This could be traced to the general atmosphere of insecurity in some parts of the state..

Available statistics indicate that Kaduna gets between N4.5 billion and N5 billion monthly allocation from the federation accounts. Also, the state’s internally generated revenue stood at about N10 billion and monies from the federation accounts at N61 billion for the entire year ended 2012. In terms of value added tax, the state garnered N9 billion for the year.

Reacting however, President of Civic Rights Congress of Nigeria (CRCN), a human rights group, Malam Shehu Sani, had said that northern governors have squandered the N8.3 trillion that accrued to them from the federation accounts in 11 years.

Sani was responding to a media report which said that the 19 northern states and their local governments had received N8.3 trillion between 1999 and 2010.

His words: “Half of the money was stolen by the govCONTINUED ON PAGE 5

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The Big Read

Sunday, January 13, 2013

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Replace states with the six geo-political zones –Oyofo Two-term senator, Victor Oyofor, who was in the Senate between 1999 and 2000, in his appraisal of the 36 states, believes that they are in no way viable. In what will definitely stir a hornet’s nest, Oyofo, in this interview with Deputy Editor, Kayode Fasua, and Senior Correspondent, Ayo Esan, wants the states substituted with the existing six geo-political zones.

Excerpts: What is your opinion as regards the claim that some of our states are not viable?

I have stated my position on this issue of states. I am looking at a country that is organised to develop its people as opposed to a country that is conceived along sentiments. So if I want a country that is strong, where the people can realise their full potentials, I think we should be talking about administrative units that will take care of their own people. We should not talk about administrative units that depend on a commodity that is produced from a section of the country being distributed to so many people. Because this is the fallacy on which people craving for state creation base their argument. They think that when you deny the people and you have everybody taking their turn, they will get more; but this is not correct. It is not correct because you will lose a lot of money on administration, which is what is now happening.

So we have seen that Nigeria is going along the line of rulers or administrators putting money in their pockets, rather than developing the people. What will ultimately happen is disappointment and loss of hope, which will lead to disintegration of the system. So I am looking at Nigeria that is working harmoniously and developing its people. Fundamentally again, there is the argument that we need to keep dividing the people, without knowing that the more you divide the people, the people, the more you are creating differences among

them. So if we say so, so ethnic group is being molested or is not getting its own share and you want to give the state that is adjacent to them its own state the tribe will also have another tribe who are also minority to them. Therefore, logically, if we are taking a family as a unit, then we will also be talking about each person’s mother. Next year, we will be 100 years old; we should all strive to see Nigeria as a unit.

The six geo-political zones should become the basis of administering the country; they should be the federating units.

And the six geo-political zones should organise themselves and create sub-units.

What I am saying is that the present states have to be reorganized. If you look at Nigeria today, what have the people gained?

We have billions and billions of Naira everyday but the ordinary man is still poor.

Meanwhile, people in government are riding big cars and blowing siren all over the roads. In another 10 or 15 years, what do you think will happen? So politics should not always be, ‘what could I get?’ it should be, ‘what is the best for us?’ So, all that are concerned, men and women, whether they are legislators or otherwise, should think of a greater glory.

Therefore, they should put themselves as statesmen.

It is true that our students that went to the university can’t find job. No development; no industry. Why? Because too much money is going into administration. And what is also going to happen, which is now happening, is that politics is becoming the main profession. Everybody wants to be in politics because they want to be near the bread, to be near the knife and want to apply the butter. So, we are putting ourselves into a very dangerous hole.

You were in the Senate for two terms. Did you bring up this matter?

As a member in the Senate, no. But it has been my political thinking in several interviews which I have granted. Not that I tabled it as a motion in the Senate. So I will rather address myself to the conscience of all Nigerians; for the people often say ‘if

Oyofo

you don’t know where you are going, you can at least look at where you are coming from.’ Look at what we have seen in the years that we have been in this dispensation. I know it is not going to be easy because people will not want to give up what they have been enjoying. But what is the use of enjoyment if all it is doing for you is to give you a keg of gun-powder that can explode any day? I believe politics is not about self; it is about how to organise people to achieve happiness using the talents that the Lord has given them. So it is in this light that I base my comment for the average thinking Nigerian, because we have seen what is happening. So if you create 20 or more states, what are you going to do with them? They are not loaves of bread that can feed you. It is like telling people that ‘I have created universities now, people have no jobs and many universities even have no qualified teachers.’ So what Degree are they going to award? Who will value them?

A school of thought believes that the Federal Government is always afraid of secession that could arise if we revert to regional

structures, drawing from the 1966-70 Biafra war experience. Do you think such can recur in this era?

Those people who are saying that don’t know what they are talking about. For example, how can you expect that SouthEast will want to secede from Nigeria? It is a different thing today. How do you think South-South will like to secede from Nigeria? Where are they going? Or you think North-West would secede from Nigeria?

No. You know what would lead people not to want to be part of a group is when they are not happy in the union. What we have today has cultivated a dependency attitude, a dependency culture. People don’t want to work; they don’t exercise their talents, they are not creative. Everybody is milling around the government because they want money. So, a dependency culture has arisen, which is self-destructive, as a result of policies that we are pursuing. So if you are not working and you are milling around the government to carry money, that is what causes corruption. And I believe that when you violate the rule, if you disobey the law of God, you have disobeyed God and you must suffer for it.

Dickson, Ajimobi, Jang: We met a bad situation CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4 ernors, 30 percent of it was shared to traditional rulers, religious clerics and marabouts, political cronies and sycophants.

Only 20 percent of it was used for the common people.”

“The resources allocated to the states are not commensurate with the level of development on the ground. The scandalous looting of the states is a product of thieving by venal governors and compliant and placid state assemblies.”

“If such sum of money were used for the development of the north, we could have been on our way to the status of Malaysia or Indonesia. But we are now a region in the league of Western Pakistan and Eastern Congo.”

Augustine Madu-West reports from Kano State that though the state was beset with Boko Haram security challenges last year, the government of Governor Rabiu Kwakwanso was a ble to execute

Jang

a lot with its N6 billion monthly federal allocations and N1.8 billion monthly IGR. Out of its N7.8 billion cummulaive income, the government spends N2.9 bil-

lion monthly to pay workers’ salaries.

Many may consider it harsh assessment or doomsday prophesy but the reality is that Plateau State’s economy is in

tatters, James Abraham reports.

It will be recalled that sometime in July last year, a report by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) and the RMAFC that many of the states are in distress classified Plateau as one of the 16 states under ‘critical condition’.

There are indications that since then, the fortunes of the state have not changed significantly as government, the private sector and the residents are increasingly faced with harsh economic realities.

Currently, the state has not been able to implement the N18,000 minimum wage at the local government level owing to what government attributed to paucity of fund.

The government is also complaining that the problem is worsened by the security challenge facing the state resulting in increased demand on the state’s purse.

It is the general belief that the state CONTINUED ON PAGE 6

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The Big Read

Sunday, January 13, 2013

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Lagos: Commitment to infrastructural renewals SOME STATES AND THEIR DEBTS, AS AT 2012 Lagos

$491.847 million

Kaduna

$182.261 million

Cross River

$107.532 million

Ogun

$94.573 million

Oyo

$78.085 million

Katsina

$74.138 million

Delta

$15.404 million

Taraba

$20.396 million

Akwa Ibom

$62.648 million.

Borno

$12.957 million.

Source: RMAFC

Kwankwaso

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5 cannot survive without the monthly federal allocation which fluctuates between N2 billion and N3 billion.

On the whole, more than 70 percent of the allocations is said to go to the payment of salaries, allowances of workers and government’s running cost, leaving the state with virtually nothing to spend on infrastructural development.

In the dwindling economy, the private sector is also not left out as trade and investment remain largely unattractive to operators.

Worst hit are the ordinary people who are increasingly finding it difficult to eke out a living, especially with the underhand hike in petrol prices which had resulted in significant increases in prices of goods and services across the state.

It is feared that the situation may degenerate in 2013, if urgent measures are not taken to reverse the trend. But Governor Jonah Jang, since he assumed office on May 29, 2007, has never hidden his intention to improve on the living condition of the people. Even the opposition would acknowledge that he has performed well in the management of state’s resources through road construction ,human capital development and other infrastructure But government appears to understand that it must find other ways of improving its economy apart from relying on the monthly federal allocation if it must achieve its transformation agenda on the Plateau. As part of measures towards this, it had gone ahead to carry out several measures aimed at cutting down on government expenses The state government has equally gone ahead to set up a Special Task Force on revenue with a view to improving the monthly IGR put at N600m.

Chairman of Plateau State Board of Internal Revenue, Mrs. Rauta Jat, in an interview said the state had the capacity to generate N1 billion monthly. “All we need is the sincerity and commitment of the people in paying their taxes and collection of new number plates and licences,’’ she said.

But the state chairman of the Nigeri-

an Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Jibrin Bancir, who described the situation as unfortunate, said unless deliberate efforts were made to develop other sectors of the economy like mining, tourism and agriculture, not much progress would be witnessed in the state in 2013.

Coming down South, Oyo presents another spectre of a state that has for years, been gasping for salvation. Kemi Olaitan reports that over 20 years after its creation, it has been tales of woes in a state that is regarded as the political capital of the entire Southwest. In the area of education, analysts are of the view that this sector rather than moving forward, has more or less retrogressed. Also, scattered all over the state are dilapidated structures with the students buying their own desks in both the primary and secondary schools. While most of the administrations in the state often mouthed free education, this has not reflected in the education sector with the state sliding down on the ladder of states in the country. Also, in the area of health sector, nothing significant could be said to have been achieved with health officials being on strike day-in, day-out, while the populace often resort to self-medication to take care of their health challenges.

The near hopelessness of the situation with virtually every sector grounded, made the state governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, at his inauguration on May 29, 2011, reel out his mission to salvage the state with an assurance that a new dawn has come. While painting a grim picture of what has befallen the state for many years, he revealed that his administration would turn things around to make life more meaningful for the people of the state.

But with huge billions of naira accruing to the state from both the federation account and IGR, the opposition in state is of the belief that not much has been achieved. A chieftain of the PDP in Ibadan North-West Local Government, Prince Bimbo Makanjuola, who insisted that governance has been bastardised, accused the Ajimobi administration of facing irrelevance at the expense of addressing the basic needs of the people. He

said rather than concentrating on delivering the dividends of democracy to the people, the government has concerned itself with beautification projects. To him, a sincere government that has the interest of the people at heart should set a goal to positively touch the lives of the people and pursue it.

He said, “There is no doubt that the present government in the state has failed the people, I am very sorry over the dilemma the people of the state would have to endure till 2015. What it means is that the governor did not prepare himself for the position; rather, he finds himself in the office and is now using trial and error to govern the state.”

But countering Makanjuola, an analyst, Mr. Lekan Adeyanju, said it would be too hasty to blame the present government in the state given the magnitude of the problems that were put on its way by the former administrations in the state, explaining that what is important is for the administration to have focus and ensure that it is not derailed.

The Special Adviser to the governor on Media, Dr. Festus Adedayo, also said the Ajimobi administration has succeeded in utilising the state’s resources to turn things around with virtually every sector touched. According to him, the state is an example of where things work and the people the essence of governance with every kobo accounted for, whether in terms of IGR or the federation account.

He said, “The Oyo State Government has, in the last 18 months, constructed and/or rehabilitated a total of 215 roads across the state. This is aside the recent award of contracts for the dualisation of the Toll Gate Interchange-Challenge-New Garage-Toll Gate and Dugbe-JerichoEleiyele-Onireke-Dugbe Roads, as well as the ongoing dualisation of entry roads into such towns as Oyo, Iseyin and Ogbomoso. The first fly-over bridge to be constructed by any civilian administration since the creation of Oyo State at the Mokola Roundabout is also at the completion stage and will be ready for inauguration any moment from now. ”Government has also rehabilitated a total of 1,500 blocks of classrooms in both public primary and secondary schools across the state, while the newly-established Technical University of Oyo State will admit its new set of students in Sep-

tember 2013,” he added.

As for Lagos State, Muritala Ayinla reports that the aspiration of the country’s commercial nerve-centre is to survive without federal allocations.

According to the Lagos State House of Assembly’s 2013 approved omnibus, the state’s federal allocation is put at N59 billion per annum, which means that state would get N 4.9 billion monthly Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) is also put at N23 billion monthly.

With this, the state government has demonstrated commitment to infrastructural renewal in all a nook and cranny of the state, a development which is fast turning the state to Africa’s mega city.

Unlike in other states where the labour unions have to engage the government before their salaries and other arrears are paid, civil servants in the state are paid promptly.

In Metropolitan Lagos there are 20,000 people per square kilometer while authorities estimate that some 3,000 people from other states of the federation migrate into the state every day without plan of leaving.

The state has also launched a regulated bus rapid-transit system and has begun work to develop a reliable and affordable urban rail system as part of efforts to sort out its legendary snail-paced traffic. The first section of the Lite rail system is expected to take-off by June this year, the governor, Babatunde Fashola, promised.

Charles Okeke in his reports, states that Anambra State, as at December 2012 had recorded impressive performance in many respects, especially in the areas of maintenance of fiscal discipline, provision of security and development of infrastructure.

Since 2006 when the Governor Peter Obi administration came into office, Anambra has maintained some balanced budgets, whose figures range between N67.786 billion in 2010 to N66.676 in 2011. In 2012, the budgeted sum rose to N83.200 billion, and by 2013, it has risen to the sum of N110.890 billion, made up of N70.895 for capital expenditure and N39.995 for recurrent expenditures. The projected revenue profile for the 2013 fiscal year stands at N66.500 billion, with IGR yielding N12.500 billion and N54 billion derivable from state’s share of federation account.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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Dateline SHAPING THE FUTURE WITH THE PAST JANUARY, 13, 2013

K AYODE FASUA

H

is full name is Abdurrahman Shugaba Darman, an Alhaji and a grassroots politician from Maiduguri, Borno State. He was born in 1920. However, folks in his native home simply called him by his middle name, Shugaba. This politician, who cut his political teeth in the 1950s, was a contemporary of the late Sir Ahmadu Bello. When the military returned power to the civilians in 1979, after a 13-year stint, Shugaba simply allied with Alhaji Waziri Ibrahim, the leader of Great Nigeria People’s Party (GNPP) and was thus a founding member of the party. On the platform of the party, he was elected as a member of the Borno State House of Assembly in 1979, where he also became the House Majority Leader. But while in the House, Shugaba proved a thorn in the flesh of the President Shehu Shagari-led National Party of Nigeria (NPN) which ruled at the centre. He was regarded as a threat by the ruling party, especially as he was a charismatic politician who attracted large crowds at political rallies. The crowds, usually stirred by his speeches, were said to be fond of chanting political war songs or songs that fanned his adulation, which to the rival NPN, was turning Waziri, his party leader, and himself to a folk heroes, to the detriment of the NPN’s aspiration to dislodge the GNPP from Borno, a northern state considered strategic.

Deportation And on January 24, 1980, Immigration officials, in the wee hours of the day, stormed Shugaba’s Maiduguri home and arrested him. They brought with them a deportation order signed by the Minister of Internal Affairs, Alhaji Bello Maitama. The deportation order entitled, “Shugaba Abdurrahman Darman’s Deportation Order 1980”, stated among other things that “...Shugaba Abdurrahman Darman at present in Nigeria ought to be classified as a prohibited immigrant” and also that “Shugaba Abdurrahman be deported from Nigeria by the first available means....”

Shugaba was as such deported to a village in Chad.

The government claimed that his father was a Chadian, hence he was from Chad. During the subsequent court case he filed to challenge the deportation order, the government brought a Chadian woman who claimed that Shugaba was her biological son whom she wanted back. While making this claim, this woman was weeping profusely. Shugaba denied knowing the woman and claimed that his mother was alive and well known in Maiduguri, even though her sight was now poor.

The media angle The deportation elicited public outcries, especially in the media, as it was widely alleged that the man is a victim of political vendetta. And in response to the public outcry against the deportation, the government instituted a one-man tribunal of inquiry presided over

by Justice P.C Okpanbo. The NPN government and President Shehu Shagari in particular, on the surface, displayed that they were concerned about the negative publicity the issue was generating and also about attempts in the media to mock government’s sincerity in setting up a one-man tribunal and to give the tribunal the mandate to sit in any place of its choice.

Shagari reacts An autobiography, ‘Shehu Shagari: My Vision of Nigeria’, recalls the Shugaba episode, thus” “An important constitutional issue which arose early in 1980 concerned the deportation to Chad, his alleged birthplace of Alhaji Abdurrahman Shugaba Darman, majority leader in the Borno State legislature, which

Shugaba

How Shugaba, Borno lawmaker, was deported is controlled by the GNPP, one of the parties which oppose the President’s NPN. There had been some political disorder in the state. The deported politician denied the claim that he was a foreigner. The President appointed a tribunal to examine the matter. But the High Court of Borno State found that Alhaji Shugaba was a Nigerian citizen and awarded him heavy damages against the Federal Government.”

The book also records a speech made by Shagari, while inaugurating the one-man tribunal to look into the Shugaba case: “The deportation of Alhaji Abdurrahman Shugaba Darman from Nigeria has generated public interest and in response to the representations made to me on this matter, I have decided, in accordance with the powers conferred upon me by Section 1 of the Tribunal of Inquiry Decree of 1966, to appoint this Tribunal of Inquiry to ascertain the true nationality of Alhaji Abdurrahman Shugaba.

“In order to ensure the proper dispensation of justice and fair play, I have selected a responsible member of the Judiciary in the person of Justice P.C. Okpanbo to be the sole member of the tribunal. The tribunal

is vested with full powers and authority to hold public hearings at Maiduguri or any place that it considers suitable for the efficient discharge of its functions and is expected to submit its report to me not later than three weeks from the date of its first sitting. I take this opportunity to appeal to the general public to give maximum cooperation to the tribunal and not to do anything that will hamper its smooth operation.

“I observe with dissatisfaction some press comments which tend to pre-judge the findings of the tribunal before it even commences its assignment. I therefore appeal to the mass media to exercise restraint in its comment and news reporting so as to enable the tribunal discharge its functions effectively and in the best interest of the nation.

“I have every confidence that this tribunal will conduct its business without fear or favour, and will put the interest of the nation above all other considerations in the discharge of its responsibilities. I assure the nation that my administration will, on its part, continue to uphold the rule of law and ensure the supremacy of justice to all Nigerians.”

CONTINUED ON PAGE 8

Dateline

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Sunday, January 13, 2013

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Shugaba’s deportation by Shagari’s NPN government

Shagari

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 7 Shugaba gets justice Wrenched over his deportation, Shugaba headed for court and a Borno High Court sitting in Maiduguri ruled in his favour in the case of “Shugaba Darman vs. Federal Minister of Internal Affairs and Others”.

It revoked the deportation order and awarded damages to the tune of N350, 000 to Shugaba. The Federal Government appealed the verdict at the Appeal Court in Kaduna and lost. The case then shifted to the Supreme Court and that court also ruled in Shugaba’s favour in a unanimous judgement by four justices led by Justice Coker. The case was overtaken by the subsequent military coup and no compensation was paid by the civilians. Nevertheless, Shugaba later said he had forgiven the Shagari-led government for his deportation.

Shugaba’s personal account of ordeal When he later in life became a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Shugaba, in a media chat, recalled his deportation saga thus: “I was born in this very house here in Maiduguri in 1933. I joined politics in 1953, with NEPU (Northern Elements Progressive Union). I spent one year before moving to NPC (Northern Peoples Congress). I was elected the youth leader of the party where I was referred to as Shugaba Darmai. This name came as a result of my political prowess which made many people understand the ideology of our party then; NPC. I was then called Shuga Darman before the ruling party then concocted falsehood and deported me to Chad Republic.

“During the time of GNPP (Great Nigeria Peoples Party), I was persuaded to decamp to NPN but I rejected all offers made to me by the NPN. As a result of that, they planned this evil against me. In 1978, we started the Nigerians Peoples Party (NPP). From there, we changed to GNPP. It was at that time that they continued to pressurise me to leave GNPP to join NPN, but I still refused. When we started political campaign in Borno, We won election and formed the government at the state level. We also won the seats of Senate, House of Representatives, State House of Assembly with full majority. As a result of opposition party in the state then, NPN was not happy with the rejection of their overtures. During the campaign, I lectured our party faithful and they accepted my lectures. The NPN then felt that I was too vocal for their liking and I was seen as a very strong pillar behind the GNPP. They said that I was from Chad and that I would be deported to Chad.

But they were so myopic to have forgotten that I was born in Maiduguri and my mother is from Konduga Local Government, 28 km from Maiduguri. The then ruling party, NPN used their federal might to deport me to Chad. They alleged that I was a Chadian and a

Goni

Awolowo

security threat to Nigeria. They carried out their plans without the knowledge of the then President, Alhaji Shehu Shagari. The then Interior Minister, Alkali Bello Maitama brought a letter on January 25, 1980. Some immigration officials came around 6.00 a.m. and took me to Chad.

Shortly before I was deported, my mother and my brother sued the Federal Government over their action.

The court nullified the deportation order and asked me to come back. I came back, the Federal Government had a lawyer and I also had a lawyer. We went on with the case and God gave me victory. I won the case on May 25, 1980. The court said that Federal Government was wrong and ordered that I should be paid the sum of N350, 000 as compensation. Rather than pay, the Federal Government proceeded to the Federal Court of Appeal in Kaduna. I also won the appeal but the court reduced the compensation to N59, 000. I was paid the compensation during the Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida regime.

I felt very happy when some prominent Nigerians visited me after my court victory, because at that time, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe and all the nine progressive governors came to this very house to visit. In fact, it made me more popular.

“It is a fact that there have been tremendous changes; so many changes. It is part of human life. But the system we are operating now is not suitable for the country. In 1979, the military brought changes to the system. They brought American Presidential System which is too expensive. You spend a lot of money; the parliamentary system is the best system for the country. Nigerians are suffering and we have embarked on amending the constitution several times, but we still have problems. We seem not to have an alternative.

As a majority leader in the then Borno State House of Assembly, I was able to contribute my quota to the development of my state and party. But quality debates are no longer in place as lawmakers have become mere rubber stamps.

“At that time, we had the majority and as such, the people’s confidence. We campaigned for the GNPP and people accepted the party and we formed government.

It is a known fact that the old Borno State, which consisted of the present Borno and Yobe States, witnessed immense developmental programmes; both military and civilian governments built on our foundation, and up till now, they have not exhausted our plans. There is no local government area in the present Borno and Yobe States that we had not built a secondary school.

But now we are operating a wrong system.

“Why former Governor Mohammed Goni and I then left the GNPP to join the UPN then was that during our progressive alliance, we agreed to join the nine progressive parties. It was based on our conscientious desire that we joined the group. But along the way, the ruling party, NPN was not happy with our alliance. They did a lot of propaganda and convinced the late Waziri Ibrahim who came to Maiduguri and told Mohammed Goni and Governor of Gongola State to leave the progressive alliance because NPN was not happy. We told him no! Because we had entered into agreement with the alliance, we were not leaving the progressive alliance. That was what brought misunderstanding between Waziri Ibrahim and Governor Goni. We then left GNPP to join UPN. The Gongola faction of the party joined NPP while Waziri Ibrahim remained in the GNPP. We would have won the election if there was a free and fair election, but NPN rigged the election and brought autocracy. That was why we lost the election in 1983.

His assessment of Shagari government Shugaba, also in the media chat, recalled the politics of the Shagari era with nostalgia:

Babangida, whose tenure fine was paid

Death Shugaba died on Wednesday April 20, 2010 at the age of 80. He was survived by three wives and 29 children.

Shugaba had been a founding member of the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua-led Social Democratic Party (SDP), and later became a founding member of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in which he was active as a party elder till he died.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

News

SundayJanuary 13, 2013

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PDP crises: Jonathan slams Tukur, Nyako •Forbids chairman, governor’s sons from contesting 2016 governorship

OBIORA IFOH, ABUJA

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he crises in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) took a new dimension at the weekend with President Goodluck Jonathan wielding the big stick. In the aftermath of the power tussle between the National Chairman of the PDP, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur and Adamawa State governor, Murtala Nyako, President Goodluck has now forbidden their sons, Awwal Tukur and Abdul-Aziz Nyako from contesting the 2016 governorship election in the state.

Visibly angry President Jonathan at the meeting with the leaders of the party dur-

ing the week at the Presidential Villa had expressed displeasure at the ongoing power tussle and had reportedly banged on the table and swore that as long as he remains the President of Nigeria both men would not be cleared to contest the election.

Both Tukur and Nyako were present at the meeting.

Present also were other members of the National Working Committe of the PDP, some state governors and other major party stakeholders.

According to the source, President Jonathan had said that the inordinate ambition of both leaders to secure the governorship seat for their sons has been the cause of the crisis in the state and the only way to end the crisis was by making it difficult for both

men to stand for the governorship election in the state.

“The President was angry that succession agenda was the crux of the crisis in Adamawa PDP and has reasoned that the only way to achieve peace was to stop both aspirants from the election.

“The President also warned that he will not take kindly with anyone who flouts the recommendation of the reconciliation committee set up. He also warned that 2016 should be set aside and that development of the state should be uppermost in the mind of the governor.”

Awwal, eldest son of the PDP chairman, had contested for the PDP governorship ticket in Adamawa State with Governor Nyako, in early 2007. The outcome of the

primaries, which was mired in controversies, led the former member of the House of Representatives (1999-2003) to withdraw temporarily from politics.

The latest report about Awwal is that he may throw his hat into the ring once again in 2016 and vie for the PDP governorship ticket.

Sunday Mirror gathered that late last year, Abdul-Aziz, the eldest son of the governor undertook a tour of the state with the full protocol of a governor. Opponents of Nyako said his son went to the extent of making promises of what the government would and would not do. But with the president’s directives, the dreams of the duo seem to have been aborted.

It would be recalled that

President Jonathan had penultimate week constituted the (Sule) Lamido committee to work out truce between the warring factions in the state and ensure that peace reigns again in the state chapter in the party.

Part of the recommendation was to harmonise the positions of the different parties in the state, make the state suitable for the conduct of fresh congresses as well as elect the new state exco.

Meanwhile, Governor Nyako has called on party faithful to support the executive reconciliation committee set up by the President.

The Governor made the call on Saturday while addressing party supporters at a solidarity rally in Yola, the Adamawa State Capital.

The Governor said there was hope that things would be better for the party following recent positive changes while promising to support the party leadership.

The Governor commended PDP stakeholders within and outside the state for their concern over the crisis and congratulated members of the new executive committee of the party, led by Alhaji Umaru Kugama.

Also speaking, Kugama, leader of the executive committee commended members of the party for their support and corporation to him during the party congress.

The People’s Democratic Party supporters from the 21 local government areas of the state attended the rally.

Opposition merger: Gadi, Al-Makura, David-West to lead CPC team OBIORA IFOH, ABUJA

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L-R: Former Military President, General Ibrahim Babangida; Governor of Rivers State, Rt Hon Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi and former Head of State, Gen Abdulsalami Abubakar, during the first graduation ceremony of the Abdulsalami Abubakar Institute For Peace and Sustainable Development Studies, In Minna, yesterday.

SEC budget: Senate, Reps on collision course over Oteh TORDUE SALEM

ABUJA

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he House of Representatives may be pitted against the Senate over 2013 appropriation for the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Though both chambers passed a clause in the Appropriation Bill to give legal teeth to their earlier resolutions not to allocate money to the Commission until its DirectorGeneral, Ms. Arunma Oteh, is sacked for “incompetence”, the Senate through its Chair-

man of the Business and Rules Committee , Senator Ita Enang (PDP-Akwa Ibom) made a U-turn, promising that the National Assembly would “re-consider” the budget of the Commission.

But the deputy spokesman of the House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Hon. Victor Afam Ogene (APGA-Anambra) said the Senate would stand alone on its decision to re-consider a budget for SEC or worst still, risk breaching budgetary resolution they were a part of.

“Our resolution on the

Securities and Exchange Commission still stands as it were. If the Senate is saying the National Assembly would consider the budget, well, we have made our decision and it stands that way; until whoever is the head of SEC is removed”.

Ogene said the House at no time harmonised views with the Senate that the SEC budget issue should be given a second look.

“As you know, there is a clause in the 2013 Budget that backs our decision on SEC and was passed by both

Chambers of the National Assembly, so I don’t know where the Senator is coming from on that. But I don’t know of any harmonisation with the Senate on the consideration of the SEC budget”, he submitted.

Recall that the House of Representatives had in third second quarter of last year passed a resolution requesting for the removal of Ms. Oteh for salleged undry malpractices at the capital market that led to its collapse and loss of huge investments by investors.

he ongoing merger talk by leading opposition political parties in Nigeria has received a major boost with the release of names of prominent Nigerians who have been pencilled down to lead the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) team.

In a statement by the CPC National Publicity Secretary, Rotimi Fashakin, the team will be led by Alhaji Garba Gadi.

Other members of the CPC team include Nasarawa state governor, Umaru Tanko Al -Makura, as well as Professor Tam David-West.

The list also contains the names of Alhaji Sabo Nanono, Senator Hadi Sirika, Chief Okoi Obono Obla, Owelle Oscar Udoji, Engr. Ife Oyedele, Mr Osita Okechukwu and Chief Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba.

Others are Mrs. Lucy Ajayi, Air Cdre Bernard Banfa (rtd), Engr. B. D. Lawal, Dr Haruna Yerima, Mr James Ocholi , SAN, Alhaji Adebayo Shittu, Professor Buba Bajoga and Dr. Osagi Ehanire The party’s National Leader, General Muhammadu Buhari

, is expected to charge the appointees on the party’s expectation at the inauguration which will hold on Wednesday at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja.

Other parties which are part of the alliance/merger talk include the All Nigeria Peoples Party, ANPP and the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN. Both the ANPP and ACN have already inaugurated their own teams of negotiators and it is expected that the alliance or merger will take effect as early as March this year.

An ANPP source told Sunday Mirror that the merger would be test-run by March this year and that it is expected that every paper work would have been done with, both at the parties level and at the INEC. Leading the ANPP team include former presidential aspirant of the party in the last general election, Alhaji Ibrahim Shekarau, while ACN leader, Ahmed Bola Tinubu, will lead the party’s team.

The groups which pride themselves as progressives will seek to adopt a common name while also putting together, a new constitution, and resolving on sharing of positions.

NIGERIA IN BRIEF

Ghanaian president pledges support for Imo education policy Ghanaian President, Mr John Mahama, has pledged to support the education policy of the Imo State government. The Imo Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Chinedu Offor, said this while briefing journalists in Owerri.

Offor, who travelled to Ghana with Governor Rochas Okorocha, said that Mahama made the promise when he received the Imo governor in Accra.

According to the commissioner, Mahama urged Okorocha to continue providing effective leadership to Imo people and commended him for his philanthropy, through the Rochas Foundation Colleges. “President Mahama said his sister’s mother came from the Balogun family in Offa, Kwara. He, therefore, pledged the commitment of his administration toward improved ties with Nigeria.

“The President said he had Nigerian roots and that it is in the mutual interest of both countries to ensure a vibrant economic and cultural cooperation for maximum benefits,’’ the commissioner stated.

Offor said that former Ghanaian President John Kuffour, also received Okorocha and urged him to work hard toward greater cooperation between Nigeria and Ghana.

ANC’s 101st anniversary: PPA chairman lauds Zuma National Chairman of the Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA), Chief Sam Nkire, has congratulated President Jacob Zuma of South Africa on the occasion of the 101th anniversary of his party, the African National Congress, ANC. In a congratulatory message, Chief Nkire said as leader and national chairman of ANC, President Zuma had steered the party to the envy of many democracies in Africa and the

world.

The PPA chieftain noted that the recent ANC national convention during which Zuma was challenged by his deputy showed that many African countries, including Nigeria still had a democratic lesson to learn from South Africa.

Nkire said in most African countries, no one in the same party, dared to challenge a sitting president in any form of election whatsoever, but

that Zuma took it in his strides and did nothing to undermine democracy in South Africa.

He urged the ANC to not only speak out but do more as a leading voice, to correct some of the bad democratic practices in many African countries.

The PPA boss also informed President Zuma that the leadership of the PPA would soon, once again, visit South Africa on a familiarisation tour of the ANC headquarters.

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Sunday January 13, 2013

Trouble brews in Ohanaeze over election of new leaders DENNIS AGBO ENUGU

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he apex Igbo sociocultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, yesterday elected new set of officers amid protests by a splinter group of the body which claimed that the election was slated for January 19.

The exercise, in which over 200 delegates participated, produced Chief Gary Igariwey (unopposed) from Ebonyi State as the new President-General with Dr. Joe Nworgu as the SecretaryGeneral.

A splinter group of the organisation led by the Secretary of the Election Committee, Chief Richard Ozobu, however, said the purported election was a nullity, claiming that the committee was not ready for the ballot yes-

terday more so when the ImeObi (council of elders) had slated the poll for January 19.

The elected PresidentGeneral, Igariwey, described the election as credible, promising to run the office with the consultation.

He denied knowledge of any opposing group, saying that the secretary of the election committee could have been removed if he was found wanting in the assignment.

Those that attended the event included MASSOB leader, Chief Ralph Uwazuruike, outgoing PresidentGeneral, Ralph Uwaechue, Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezife and Chairman of South-East Traditional Rulers, Eze Cletus Ilomuanya.

Others are Igwe Gibson Nwosu, Justice Eze Ozobu, Senator Uche Chukwumeri-

je, Dr. ABC Nwosu, Col Joe Achuzia, Amb. Eddy Onuoha and Commodore Alison Madueke, among others.

One of the protesting members and leader of Pro-Biafra group, Ndubisi Igwekani, popularly called Agu Biafra, described some of those that emerged in the election as enemies of Ndigbo who ab initio were not qualified to represent the Igbo nation.

Contestant for Publicity Secretary of the organisation, Chief Emma Okocha, said that ‘on January 19 proposed date for the election, the Anioma people stand’.

He alleged that the Ralph Uwaechue-led leadership hurried into the election yesterday to impose cronies that would cover their corrupt practice in the past four years.

Okocha alleged that the

Uwaechue leadership was very corrupt to the extent that they allegedly have over N8 billion unaccounted for.

Chief Richard Ozobu said that the due process of election was not followed which was the problem he had with his colleagues in the electoral committee that made them keep him on check.

Chairman of the electoral committee, Chris Asoluka, said that as far as he was concerned, the creme de la creme of Ndigbo participated in the election and adjudged it credible.

Top Igbo leaders that were conspicuously absent at the election venue included All the Governors of the zone, former President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Dozie Ikedife and Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, among others.

JTF destroys massive drugs owned by gunmen in Yobe INUSA NDAHI DAMATURU

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onnes of illicit drugs, including marijuana allegedly used by gunmen suspected to be terrorists in their recent attacks and killings in Yobe State, were at the weekend intercepted and destroyed by the Joint Task Force (JTF) in Damaturu.

The illicit drugs, according to JTF sources, were recovered in its various raids of their hideouts and during the “cordon and search” operations by security task force in Damaturu, Potiskum and Gashua, 185 kilometres northwest of the state capital.

Briefing newsmen and representatives of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on the “torching and destruction” of drugs in Damaturu, Spokesman of JTF, Lt. Lazarus Eli, said the destruction of these drugs was inevitable; to discourage youths from illicit acts of drug trafficking and addictions.

He disclosed that during the recoveries of the drugs in JTF’s operations and raids,

Bauchi State Governor, Isa Yuguda (left), and Emir of Dukku, Alhaji Abdulkadir Haruna, during the governor’s PHOTO: NAN visit to the emir’s palace in Gombe State on Friday.

most of the arrested suspects and other criminals, however, operated under the influence of drugs.

Lt. Eli listed the destroyed drugs to include cannabis sativa, locally known as Indian hemp, codeine, tramol, tutolin, among other drugs recovered during the JTF operations and raids.

He, therefore, appealed to parents and guardians to ensure that they monitored the activities of their chil-

dren and wards and should endeavour to know their associates as measures of preventing them from joining the “bad peers”.

Meanwhile, the security task force has embarked on a sensitisation campaign on creating public awareness on security issues and the need for members of the public to contribute towards fighting “crimes and terrorism” in the state and the country.

In the pamphlets being

distributed to motorists and residents in the capital city, the JTF called for full cooperation with security agents in ensuring peace in the state.

It added that residents could also call the following telephone numbers08065320525, 08183601361 and 08039271822- in contacting JTF for prompt intervention and action against terrorism and other criminal acts that had claimed many lives and property.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Jonathan surrounds self with sycophants as aides –Tofa rible and are source of his

AUGUSTINE MADU-WEST, KANO

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eteran politician and prominent northern leader, Alhaji Othman Tofa, has identified sycophantic tendencies among President Goodluck Jonathan’s aides and escalating corruption in the country as the bane of his administration.

Alhaji Tofa, who spoke with Sunday Mirror, said the major defect of the President is the people around him, masquerading as his aides.

According him, “whatever is the defect of Jonathan’s government, the most disturbing one is the people he appointed as his aides, most of whom are incompetent, dishonest, incapable of doing anything right and lacking nationalistic ideals.”

To him, this remains the shortcoming of the President as he does not have “the right kind of team needed by his office to move the country forward”.

The Kano politician and immediate past Chairman of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), added that what the President needed to do to redeem the situation was to ensure that wide consultations took place, outside his “kitchen cabinet”, that most of his ministers and advisers only confronted him with those things they believed he would want to hear, while their primary interest in government was to pursue their personal economic interest.

The former presidential candidate on the platform of the defunct National Republican Convention (NRC) in the controversial June 12, 1993 presidential election, believes strongly that there are capable Nigerians outside the government who can be trusted and have the capabilities of moving this country to greater heights.

He added, “From what I have seen, the people around him today are ter-

weakness, which he needs to get rid of because anybody in position, no matter how intelligent, if he doesn’t have the right team to work with, he is obviously bound to fail.”

On the issue of corruption, he cautioned leaders against tampering with public funds, saying the moment a leader tampered with public money: “If it’s one kobo, you have not only derailed but lost your gut to sanction your subordinates when they commit similar offence”.

Tofa maintained that whoever would emerge Nigeria’s president should be such a person with no interest in public money.

On the issue of merger among some opposition parties, he stated that the success would depend largely on the ability and courage of the leaders to dump their personal ambition.

“They should not overlord people with their ambition; there must be sacrifices by the parties involved and see the issue as one embarked upon to ensure the survival of democracy, rather than opportunity to climb to power, otherwise the party to be so merged will be bedevilled with factions that will take them back to square one.

The political bigwig, who said he was on sabbatical from the ANPP, accused the party leaders of insincerity, which he said caused them some of their stronghold.

“In Kano, we in the ANPP lost to the PDP in the governorship election because of internal sabotage.

“We have a lot of hypocrites who are members of the party only within; once in Abuja or somewhere else, they are PDP members; they work relentlessly for the party which employed them to sabotage their own party and they are doing so because of their interest in federal appointments or some kind of favour from the PDP,”, he regrettted.

NIGERIA IN BRIEF Yakowa’s brother dies at 60

IAA gets new board of directors Investment and Allied assurance Plc (IAA) has been given a new board of directors to run the company for the next four years.

Following approval by shareholders during its last annual general meeting, the new board is constituted as follows: Alhaji Aminu Baba Nabegu, Mr. AbayomiRufai, Mr. Wilfred Erhahon and

Mr. Remi Olaofe. Others are Mr. Sabur Shogbamu, Mr.Babatunde Bello and Hajiya Nafisatu Adamu.

The board is expected to restructure and recapitalise the company.

Consequently, Messrs Matthew Sadoh and company were appointed its new auditors.

IAA Managing Director, Mr.

Abayomi Rufai, said there were good prospects for investors in the company.

“The national Insurance Commission has impacted positively on the company and additional capital being pumped into it would be contributing immensely to prosperity of the company and Nigeria as a whole”, he said.

Barely a month after the death of his older brother and former Kaduna State governor, Sir Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa, his ailing younger brother, has also died.

According to an online publication, SaharaReporters, Mr. Adamu Yakowa passed on yesterday afternoon in Kaduna. He was 60 years old.

It claimed that “a credible

source in Fadan Kagoma area of Kaduna State had told SaharaReporters that his ailing younger brother Mr. Adamu Yakowa passed on this afternoon at 60 in their hometown.

“Adamu, according to our source, had been battling with an undisclosed illness even before late Governor Yakowa’s death in a naval

helicopter crash in Bayelsa State on December 15, 2012.

“The source who is a member of the Yakowa family, also added that the information had been passed to the wife and children of the late governor, who are currently mourning Yakowa at the late governor’s private home in Kaduna”.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

News

Sunday, January 13, 2013

11

30 killed as explosion rocks pipeline

•Fuel scarcity looms in South-West FEMI OYEWESO ABEOKUTA

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o fewer than 30 suspected vandals of a pipeline belonging to Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) yesterday lost their lives in a fire explosion at Arepo village in Obafemi-Owode Local Government area of Ogun State.

Several others also sustained varying degrees of burns in the pipeline explosion that lasted for hours and caused panic in com-

munities close to the scene.

The affected pipeline, it was gathered, is the conduit for Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), popularly known as petrol, from Atlas Cove Jetty in Lagos to other South-Western states.

Sunday Mirror gathered that the vandals who were in the regular habit of scooping fuel from vandalised pipelines in the jungle, had previously engaged officials of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in a gun duel, less than 24 hours be-

fore the incident.

Sources in the NNPC also yesterday informed that the fire incident was result in another major fuel scarcity in the entire South-West, as the burnt pipeline was the only reliable channel for supplying the product to the entire region.

Reacting, the Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) in charge of the Special Task Force on AntiPipeline Vandalism, Mr. Friday Ibadin, confirmed the incident to newsmen in

Lagos.

Recalling how it occurred, Ibadin said an explosion was heard at about 2 a.m. and shortly after, a team of policemen led by the sector commander, Lagos, Onaghise Osayande, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, arrived at the scene and cordoned off the area.

He said the fire was caused by suspected vandals, who were in the habit of siphoning petroleum products from a ruptured NNPC pipeline and ferrying them across the creeks. ``Our preliminary investigation reveals that

the fire was sparked off by vandals, who were arguing over who was eligible to fetch from the ruptured pipeline. It was in the heat of the argument that one of them accidentally released a bullet that led to several explosions. However, operatives of the Inspector General of Police Special Task Force on Anti-Pipeline Vandalism Unit, Force Headquarters Annex, Lagos, who were on patrol, rushed to the scene to avert further disaster,” he said.

The police boss added: “It was in the process that they arrested a medical doctor and one of the survivors on their way to the hospital in a jeep. The doctor was alleged to be smuggling one of the survivors, who happens to be a vandal, to his private clinic for treatment. In the course of

interrogation, we discovered that the survivor was one of those who allegedly participated in the killing of three NNPC officials in 2012 in the same area.’’

The ACP said fire-fighters were still trying to contain the fire. He gave an assurance that the police would provide adequate security in the area, noting that security agencies were on the trail of other ``vandal’’ survivors, who fled the scene of the incident.

According to him, one of the suspects arrested told the police that many of his mates were killed in the explosion, while others injured might still be alive and `` dying in the creeks’’.

On the number of persons involved in the incident, a suspect told the police that there were more than 50 men and women.

Trouble brews in NSCDC over wage disparities A ZA MSUE KADUNA

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L-R: Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Ade Ipaye; Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola and Chairman, House Committee on Legal Matters, Hon. Sanai Oyediran Agunbiade, during the valedictory session in honour of the late Justice Wasilat Abisoye Esther Ayo at the High Court Foyer in Igbosere, Lagos, on Friday.

ECOWAS approves deployment of troops in Mali E conomic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has “decided to authorise the immediate deployment of troops to Mali”, a statement said in Abuja yesterday.

The statement by the Chairman, ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State, President Alassane Ouattara, said measures would be taken to implement the decision to assist the Malian Army to

defend the nation’s territorial integrity.

It said the chairman took the decision in consultation with his peers and in conformity to Resolution 2085 of the UN Security Council.

The statement said the deployment was ``within the AFISMA framework’’ and added that ECOWAS was committed to support the Malian Government to tackle its securi-

ty crisis. ``The authority recalls its previous decisions on Mali and reaffirms its commitment to support the Malian Government in overcoming the security crisis.

“It shall hold responsible any individual or group threatening national cohesion and the decisions of ECOWAS and the African Union,” the statement said.

ECOWAS called on

the transitional authority to expedite action on the establishment of an agency responsible for political dialogue with rebel groups that renounced terrorism and violence in Mali. It expressed gratitude to the African Union, UN, partner countries and the international community for their efforts aimed at stabilising the situation in Mali.

Igbinedion barred from entering US, as authorities revoke visa

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ormer governor of Edo State, Lucky Igbinedion may no longer enter the US, having been barred by the authorities, a web news service, SaharaReporters said yesterday, quoting sources in Washington, DC. According to SaharaReporters, the American consular authorities had written to Igbinedion to

tell him that he was no longer welcome in the US. Another source indicated that the former governor, who has been convicted for corrupt practices shortly after his governorship term, had multiple entry visas to the US. “However, he has received a letter revoking his visa,” said one source.

Mr. Igbinedion was a two-term governor in Edo State, and was accused of looting the state’s treasury by the EFCC. In 2008, a year after leaving office, a Federal High Court in Enugu had convicted Igbenedion over false declaration of assets and was fined N3.5 million, under a plea bargain trial.

Sources further revealed to SaharaReporters in Washington, DC that the US government was reviewing the files of some of Nigeria’s current and former government officials and would deny them visas once they are deemed undesirable on account of their engagement in corruption.

rouble is brewing in Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, as officers with Higher National Diploma, HND, have sent a distress call to President Goodluck Jonathan over disparity in their remuneration.

They petitioned the Minister of Interior, Abba Moro and Commandant General NSCDC, Professor Ade Abolurin, over their failure to correct what they see as abnormality and unfair treatment.

According to the aggrieved officers, the civil defence authorities had created disparity within as the officers with HND in accounting and engineering were placed on grade level 8 while their degree counterparts and other HND holders in other disciplines were placed on grade level 7 together with the National Certificate in Education, NCE holders, without any reason given to them.

Most of the affected HND officers who spoke with Sunday Mirror with evidence to justify their claims, said they all got appointment in 2010 but proper replacement was done in 2011 during which the shoddy manipulations against others were carried.

Some of the affected officers who pleaded anonymity for fear of being

sacked, narrated how it all happened: “We were all recruited in 2010 but proper ranks replacement was done in 2011. To our shock, the same HND officers who studied accounting and engineering were given grade 08; that is one star together with degree officers while the rest HND officers in other disciplines were given grade level 07 the, same rank with NCE holders”.

They are worried that while they were doing the same job, employed on the same date, some are placed on higher ranks than others, adding that some HND officers made distinctions in their qualifications.

They appealed to President Goodluck Jonathan to call the minister and commandant general to order before things get out of hand.

However, in a telephone interview with Sunday Mirror, NSCDC Corps Public Education Officer and Head of Public Relations, Mr Emmanuel Okeh said, the board or head of service of the federation should be contacted for that because they handle anything related to the cadre in the civil defence.

“Recruitment, ranks placement are being handled by the board and head of service of the federation. They have documents on both public and civil servants of the level you are talking about,” he said.

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News/North

Sunday January 13, 2013

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Amaechi condemns elite over nation’s woes PRISCILLA CAMPBELL WITH AGENCY REPORT

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or meaningful progress to occur in Nigeria, there should be a shift in the dominance of elite in the affairs of the country.

This was the assertion of Rivers State governor, Rotimi Amaechi in Minna, the Niger State capital, yesterday.

Amaechi, who is also the Chairman of the Governors forum was speaking at the graduation ceremony of the Abdulsalami Abubakar Institute for Peace and Sustainable Development (AAIPSDS) in Minna.

Amaechi accused the elite of being responsible for the imbalances in the system for their selfish interest saying they are not contented with what they get and thereby create problems in governance for the nation.

“Their attitude has created a lot of conflicts and crisis due to the series of demands they make on the nation, leading to imbalances in the system”, he said.

“A shift of dominance of the elite in governance will correct the imbalance

because the imbalance has created problems and crisis for this nation.”

He also recalled that the creation of states in the nation before was not as a result of the need to spread governance to the grass root areas of the country, but to further the elite’s individual interests. Also speaking at the occasion, former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, called on the Federal Government to engage in dialogue with the Boko Haram sect to end the insecurity in the North.

Abdusalami lamented: ``Today, the cycle of bloodletting, the brutal termination of lives of innocent and defenseless Nigerians should not be tolerated’’.

He stated that dialogue between the Federal Government and Boko Haram was the only way to tackle the current security challenges in the North. ``It is a collective responsibility of all to dispassionately understand the root causes of the problems and urgently search for lasting solutions. The path of dia-

logue is the most appropriate strategy in addressing security challenges; we must, therefore, cooperate and address our problems.

The government at all levels, the people within the crisis zones, security personnel, sympathisers of the aggrieved parties and the aggrieved must, for the sake of our future and that of our children, dialogue. ``This approach will yield huge dividends and this will eventually lead to the restoration of peace, security and development in our nation,`` he said.

Speaking further, Abubakar said the institution, which was affiliated to University of Jos, would promote African conflict transformation, development methodologies and equip students with the intellectual and practical skills to prevent conflict. ``It will remain focused on its mission and mandate in the coming years to play its vital role that will continuously be a platform for transforming conflicts for human security and sustainable development,`` he said.

The former head of state, who is the chairman, Governing Council of the institution, congratulated the graduands and urged them to strive and excel in ensuring transparency and accountability toward sustainable peace and development.

Benue State Governor, Dr. Gabriel Suswam, who was the chairman of the lecture, in his speech, cautioned leaders in the country to watch their utterances in order not to overheat the polity.

According to him, by guarding their statements, leaders would be able to sustain peace in the country. While speaking further, he lamented that the statements of some leaders hinder peace and cause tension in the country thereby aggravating the tension and security challenges.

He also called on the media not to promote inflammatory statements of people, stressing that the media are partners in helping to install peace in the country.

The governor pointed out that the insecurity challenge bedevilling the country is the problem of everyone and not

District head of Gombe, Alhaji Abdulkadir Abubakar (left) presenting a gift on behalf of Gombe State University “Muslum Ummah” to outgoing pioneer Registrar, Dr. Aliyu Kamara for his years of service, in Gombe State, yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

Drama as couple disagree over child’s name

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mild drama took place over the weekend at an Omu-Aran Area Court in Kwara State as a couple engaged in an argument over the name of their first child.

The argument occurred during conclusion of hearing in a divorce suit filed by Mrs Esther Gbadeyan of the Oro town in Kwara whose marriage to Yinka was eventually dissolved. Esther, a court clerk, had filed the suit on December 24, saying that she was no longer in her marriage to Yinka and that she was already in another relationship.

She had accused Yinka of irresponsibility, battery and lack of care. At the resumed hearing in the case, Esther submitted that the marriage contracted in 2003 was blessed with a boy and a girl whose names she gave as Odunayo, aged nine years and Praise, seven.

In his response, Yinka said the first child’s name was Odunola and not Odunayo. He told the court that he had a valid birth certificate of the boy to authenticate his claim. At that point, Esther interrupted and insisted that the boy’s name

was Odunayo. This resulted in an argument between the couple, a situation that compelled the judge, Mr Abolade Banigbe, to stop the proceedings for a while.

When the situation came under control, Yinka resumed his evidence with denial of all the allegations made by his wife.

He claimed that he once caught his wife in an illicit affair with another man in their matrimonial home. ``That incident led to a scuffle and I was hit with an object in the head in the process. ``My effrontery of

having confronted the intruder infuriated my wife; hence, the reason for her filing for divorce,” he said.

Yinka urged the court to dissolve the union and grant him custody of the children.

In his judgment, Banigbe reprimanded Esther for relating with another man without formally dissolving her marriage with Yinka. ``I will not deceive you; you are taking a risk. ``Should any man be killed or murdered as a result of your action or inaction in your home, you are on your own,” Banigbe warned.

the leaders alone.

According to him, “rather than us being involved in the process of ensuring peace, there have been a lot of misbehaviours on the part of the people. People heap blames on political leaders when in all honesty, everyone is to be blamed. It is a collective problem and we must all find solution to it.”

The governor called on Nigerians not to let the efforts of those who fought in the civil war to be in vain adding that in sustaining the peace in the country, the efforts of those who fought in the civil war will be sustained.

He further called for dialogue between Boko Haram and the Federal Government to resolve the security challenges. He said the crisis was

grinding economic activities in the region to a halt.

Moreover, he urged the political leaders and opinion leaders in the North to work together to address the crisis to avert future catastrophe. He described it as a serious crisis that required the support of all northerners to tackle.

About N60 million was realised at the launch of the endowment fund of the institute with Niger and Rivers states donating N20 million each. Imo and Benue states donated N10 million each. Governor Babangida Aliyu of Niger State, Chibuike Amaechi of Rivers, Suswam and Rochas Okorocha of Imo were honoured with the fellowship of the institute.

Adamawa: Stakeholders call for resignation of 10 PDP NWC members OBIORA IFOH ABUJA

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hieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Adamawa State have called for immediate resignation of the 10 members of the party’s working committee over their roles in the aborted ‘coup’ against the National Chairman of the party, Dr. Bamanga Tukur.

The Adamawa PDP leaders also accused the NWC members led by the deputy National Chairman Dr. Sam Sam Jaja of deliberate mismanagement of party decision and abuse of privilege.

The party chieftains also hailed the ouster of the national secretary of the party, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola describing it as a good riddance to bad rubbish adding that the other members of the NWC should be subjected to probes to ascertain the reasons why they sabotaged the National Chairman by upturning the collective decision of the party.

Speaking to Sunday Mirror on the current crisis rocking the ruling party, former gubernatorial aspirant in the 2011 election, Dr Umar Ardo who is the spokesperson of the Adamawa PDP stakeholders blamed Oyinlola for the crisis rocking the Adamawa chapter of the party, saying his actions and inactions are responsible for the current crisis.

Ardo who kicked against the disbandment of the party’s NWC, said what the

stakeholders would love to see is each member judged according to his or her action and those found wanting especially against the backdrop of abusing due process be axed from the party’s leadership.

“Starting from October 5, 2012 when the party announced the purported dissolution of the Kugama exco and everything that has transpired till this weekend was with the authorisation of the present NWC. “Based on where we are and the situation we have found ourselves in, we the Adamawa PDP stakeholders that have always clamored for due process, call for a probe of the PDP NWC members.

Let us treat them as individuals. Those who are culpable especially with Oyinlola who signed the controversial October 12, 2012 letter endorsing the illegality that now snowballed into the present crisis, should be handled without hindrance,” Ardo said.

He particularly frowned at the action of the 10 members who rescinded the decision to dissolve the Mijinyawa Kugama - led state exco saying while they quoted the article of the PDP to justify their action in dissolving the Kugama committee, they were silent on any provision of the PDP that gave them the powers to rescind their decision as it related to disbanding the caretaker committee and recognising the congress conducted by the Kugama - led committee.

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Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Interview ENCOUNTER WITH A NEWS MAKER JANUARY 13, 2013

Agitation for presidency by zones, anti-democratic –Tofa Alhaji Bashir Tofa does not need an introduction except for those born after the June 12, 1993 election. He was the presidential candidate of the second major party in that election, the National Republican Convention (NRC). In this interview with Augustine Madu-West, Tofa is saying the parties should do away with zoning arrangements. What are his reasons? He also spoke on other national issues such as the unending call for a sovereign national conference, INEC under Prof. Attahiru Jega, among others.

Excerpts: Controversy is already trailing the 2015 presidential race more that two years to the exercise with the North and South East laying claim to the slot. How do you see this situation?

For politicians, especially ambitious politicians, even a day after the elections, campaign starts, despite all the other weaknesses of leadership and so on, setting the mind on election or the time is detrimental to the development of the country because you find that officials no longer focus on the work ahead and the responsibilities they are shouldering but on their own ambition and how to achieve it. Because these are political ambitions and people have to be elected. This also fuels corruption because from the onset, people would begin to scout for associates, for people who would help and campaign for them and so on. To that extent, you have to source for the money to execute these goals and in the process; corruption ensues. So it is based on that sense that you don’t execute the job properly because this is where your mind is, coupled with the fact that you have to look for money to execute it at the early stage and therefore the issue of corruption becomes wider and deeper and I think it is very bad. I however hope that sometime, some day, a law would be promulgated, which will compel politicians to hold on, at least for three years after elections before they embark on any fresh political activity. Of course campaigns can be embarked upon but not be seen to be done openly. To me personally I feel that this North, East and West clamor for Presidential ambition is anti-democratic, It doesn’t tally well with the democracy that we want, and it also harms our march to national unity. We were doing very well in solving our problems in Nigeria before but suddenly this ambition of becoming President sectionally has jumped into our national psyche, prompting us to now move backwards into regionalism and from there to statism and so forth.

This unhealthy development does not in any way help our national unity for us to be seeing ourselves as Northerners, Southerners or Westerners and so forth. If people will seek an ambition and become somebody because they are from a particular part of the country, then you can say that the main motive of doing that is that people believe that until their own is at the helm of affairs, they would never fare well and this has been proven to be a fallacy.

For example, Goodluck Jonathan is the President of the country from the South South, does that mean that all the people from that region are doing well and swimming in wealth. So I think it is a fallacy but it is more dangerous

Tofa

that we should continue to see ourselves as Northerners and Southerners. What I think we should be doing is to abolish this dichotomy and zoning arrangement, as far as national positions or President are concerned. People should go to their conventions as Nigerians from wherever it is and let the electorate elect whosoever among those aspirants that they want to be their leader, irrespective of where he is from and irrespective of any other regional considerations or characteristics. I think that approach would be better because what Nigerians want is a Nigerian President, who would be fair to all Nigerians, irrespective of whatever else would be seen to divide them, like religion, tribe or ethnicity. If we elect a Nigerian President, who is fair to all Nigerians, that President is the only President who can promote national unity. But if we elect a President because he is from a particular section of the country. We would be sliding further and further backwards and that is harming the unity and survival of this country. I think this should be stopped because it has been proven to be detrimental to our national unity and it is a Peoples Democratic Party creation. Of course, we did it in the National Party of Nigeria (NPN) but it was not to the extent of a do-or-die-affair, it was just a system of ensuring justice and fairness. I am sure whoever is separating issues, if he happens to be from a section of the country, he is telling us that the law we have in the constitution about federal character would make it necessary for him to be fair to everybody to make sure whatever he does in

appointments covers all peoples from different parts of the country. I think we should look at issues that way and stop all these nonsense because I think it’s harming the unity and therefore the survival of this country.

The issue of zoning is not constitutional but rather a party arrangement, don’t you think it is the responsibilities of respective parties to adopt measures or policies that will enhance their activities?

Yes, it is. But what I am saying is that this particular aspect of zoning arrangement that we should rotate the Presidency between the North and South is causing problems for this country and if we like to be a united country, we have to wipe out this kind of thinking from our minds.

Only doing that can help us to be a united country. But as long we as we continue to entrench this north and south dichotomy in our conscience, I don’t think we would make any improvement and in view with the ongoing poverty and corruption in this county, people are beginning in their own areas to blame others for their own woes. So anybody, who is in problems would think that somebody from somewhere is the cause of his own problems but this is not the case. For instance, if you look at Kano, there are lots of people from the South East, South West and South South, who are just ordinary people living their lives, doing their business, with other ordinary people from Kano.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 14

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Interview

Sunday, January 13, 2013

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

‘Nigerians have not benefitted from democracy, how can they benefit from its dividends?’

Tofa

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 13 They don’t care about all these issues we the elite are talking about. All they want is a quiet life, something to eat, a successful business in their own level. But we are spoiling everything, due to our own political ambition and the way that we like to see this country as a divisive entity. I think that issue needs to be stopped and the only way to do that is to de-emphasize zoning, due to the realization that it is now causing problem for us and tell parties to give all Nigerians the liberty to aspire to any position of their choice and let the electorate elect the best one among them. Of course, you live somewhere; at least you are not elected because you are from that place but largely due to your character, quality, antecedent, pedigree and integrity and that should be the criteria that we should emphasize in putting people in position of leadership in this country. We should stop putting people in a position of leadership, mainly because they are from a particular part of the country, without due regard to their quality and sense of unity, sense of responsibility for all Nigerians, I think we are doomed.

What roles, in your opinion will the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) play in this regard?

INEC has very little to do with that because there is no law that tells INEC of who parties should elect, it is the parties that have to be responsible, have to try to bring about this change within themselves. They should endeavour to see the nation as a whole, rather than see themselves as individual Northerners, Easterners or Southerners within their political parties. If Nigerians begin to see themselves as Nigerians and question themselves, work together, as well as ensure that whoever is elected is based on his quality. That quality means that he must also be fair to everybody, regard Nigerians, whoever they are and from wherever they are as Nigerians on merit. That should be the criteria for judging and entrusting responsibilities to people and not because they are specifically from a certain state or place.

The way this country is drifting, are you really comfortable with the quality of governance?

Well, you know in 2015, people have a lot of predictions, very bad predictions, they call them prophets of doom but I call them the devils of doom, because prophets do not predict terrible things like that. So, I think these devils of doom predicted that 2015 would be a year that Nigerians will make it or will break. And the way we are going now, however the election will turn, whoever will emerge a candidate in his party will cause problem for the country, because they are some people, very powerful people, who are not willing to compromise. For instance from the South South, I heard some people saying that if Jonathan is no

longer the Presidential candidate in 2015, they will consider seceding from this country. And lately, the South West is not so keen or ambitious about the Presidency, they are being realistic, maybe they want the second position or they want Senate presidency or whatever it is, but the bottom line is that they are not part of this dangerous game for the Presidency. The race is now between the North and the South South and the South East. I must warn that if we are not very careful, these three zones, who were political associates before will now be the danger Northern Nigeria will have to face in 2015, so we have to be very careful, there are still responsible people in this country, we have to start talking and make sure that issues are sorted out ahead of that time for us to make any progress.

How do you sort things out?

Well, I am not a member of the PDP but I have already said it that the moment you begin to insist that somebody from somewhere has to be the Presidential candidate of a particular political party, that is where the danger lies, I think PDP should now say okay, we are not insisting on anybody to be President from wherever it is but it should be free for all, so let anybody from wherever it is contest at the convention and become the Presidential candidate if he is lucky.

In you opinion, have Nigerians benefited from the dividends of democracy since the commencement of our democratic experience?

Well, they have not benefited from democracy itself, how can they benefit from its dividend. You know, if democracy is causing so much trouble, sponsoring irresponsible people in high places, condoning corruption and things like that and if people are not democratically elected and they are there running your affairs, while you know they did not win the elections, how can there be any dividend of democracy? The first dividend of democracy is peace in the country which we are not enjoying, sec-

NIGERIANS WANT IS A NIGERIAN PRESIDENT,

WHAT

WHO WOULD BE FAIR TO ALL

NIGERIANS, IRRESPECTIVE OF WHATEVER ELSE WOULD BE

SEEN TO DIVIDE THEM, LIKE

RELIGION, TRIBE OR ETHNICITY

ond is economic dividend, which people are not enjoying, so there is no democracy in Nigeria because democracy is supposed to bring about peaceful co-existence, responsible leadership, even or at least equitable distribution of wealth and their unity. All these are non-existent right now, so I don’t see what it is that people enjoy in democracy right now, we need democracy, certainly I prefer democracy however it is because it is now the order of the day all over the world but the responsibility of everybody for now is to ensure that we are practicing democracy the way it should be practiced. But we are not doing that. It begins from proper and true elections, where people who are actually elected are those who will represent people.

But what happens now is that about 80 per cent of Nigerians representing or leading us are not elected, they rigged the elections and are there. Elections sometimes are useless issues because they will just write whatever they like to write because nobody can do anything about it and there is of course corruption at every level, so the person who will arrest you is corrupt, the person who is going to judge you is corrupt, so therefore people are beginning to believe that they can be corrupt at any level, without any harm on them and that is why corruption is flourishing because you are not going to get justice anywhere. If you have money, you are okay. How many people have been arrested or jailed because they are corrupt in this country or how many times have we read in the newspapers that so and so persons are being indicted because they have stolen so many billions of public money? This is because of corruption, everybody is corrupt, so how can a thief arrest a thief or judge a thief, it can’t happen, go anywhere in Nigeria, the system is corrupt from top to the bottom, the corrupt people will always carry the day and the common people will find it increasingly difficult to survive and then people will begin to think and even believe that corruption pays and I can be corrupt and nothing will happen to me, so why not, since so and so persons were corrupt and nothing happened to them, so why should anything happen to me? So in the light of this, corruption will be increasing by the day, as more and people would be corrupt, so at every level you will find it, in the hospitals, in the car parks, indeed everywhere. Everybody is just talking about money and not talking about doing the right thing or being honest.

For now, is it proper to say that Jega’s leadership at INEC has not changed anything?

Look, there is nothing Professor Attahiru Jega the INEC Chairman can do in the midst of evil doers. Again Jega’s responsibilities and powers are limited. He does not have the power to appoint anybody like the National Commissioners, State Commissioners and so on. And so he cannot dismiss anybody on account of wrong doing.

He is just a figurehead there. So, if anybody does something wrong in INEC, Jega cannot dismiss him because he did not engage the person. so the summary is that he does not have the power to implement what he wants in INEC. We have always said if you want the INEC boss to do a good job, give him the right tools, give him free hands, in his own case, he is loaded with responsibilities without the required powers to carry out his functions. Most of us believe that Jega was simply set-up by whoever employed him because there is nothing he can achieve in the circumstance.

As a man with integrity, what is he still doing there if his hands are tied?

Do not be surprised if Jega resigns any moment from now and that is what we are afraid of because he may reach the point of frustration with resignation as the only option especially the way the issue of 2015 is going with politicians not ready to change.

Do you foresee revolution in this country such that was experienced in some Arab Nations especially in North Africa?

Did it not happen here in the country shortly after the 2011 elections? Even I was a victim of that uprising in parts of the North, my properties were burnt comprising eleven cars and two buildings among other items, my nephew Ghali Na’bba was another victim, his properties were burnt not because he committed any offense but because people are really frustrated and they are on the edge, so anything can happen. We expect the worst to happen in CONTINUED ON PAGE 40

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Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Politics PROVIDING FRESH PERSPECTIVES TO ISSUES JANUARY 13, 2013

LIKE OUR LEADER SAID, YOU CANNOT HAVE ONE 2015: The North, P 16, 41 South-East showdown

Imoke

Danbaba

PART OF THE COUNTRY IN DARKNESS AND THE OTHER IN LIGHT AND THEN EXPECT EVERYBODY TO BE HAPPY. A HUNGRY DOG CANNOT PLAY WITH A SATISFIED DOG. ALL OUR DOGS MUST BE SATISFIED –CHIEF OLUSEGUN OBASANJO

Briefly Imo holds council elections in April

The Imo State Independent Electoral Commission (ISIEC) said at the weekend that local government election in the state would hold on April 27.

ISIEC Chairman, Mr Teddy Akwari, stated this at a meeting with the chairmen of registered political parties in Owerri.

The state chapter of the Conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP) also attended the meeting. Akwari said that election forms would be issued to candidates who had emerged winners in their party primaries.

He said it was wrong to issue ISIEC forms to several aspirants from one party as one person had to emerge from a party at the primaries.

Akwari pledged that the April election would be free and fair, adding that only those who got the people’s mandate would be the approved winners.

The ISIEC chieftain said that development at the local government system in the state had been very slow owing to lack of experienced leaders at that level.

He said the commission had concluded arrangements with the Imo State University to train aspirants on leadership and wealth creation. Akwari said the seven-week training would enable successful candidates to render quality services.

He urged aspirants to participate in the training, saying that diplomas would be awarded at the end of the exercise.

Akwari said all the parties that had been registered by INEC would participate in the April election.

CNPP chairman Chinedu Ukadike, in his response, urged ISIEC to recognise all the political parties which showed interest in the election.

He said since the court had not decided on the de-registered parties, it would be unfair for ISIEC to bar them from the election. All the political parties except the PDP, ANPP and APGA attended the meeting.

Chime

Absentee governors: The controversies grow AYO ESAN, L AGOS AND DENNIS AGBO, ENUGU

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he long and continuing absence of some governors from their states in the country has been causing anxiety in those states. Three governors namely, Sullivan Chime of Enugu state, Lyel Imoke of Cross River State and Danbaba Suntai of Taraba State have left their office for their deputies for upward of three months now.

While the absence of Chime and Imoke are shrouded in mystery though they are believed to be ill and receiving treatments abroad, Suntai was flown abroad when the plane he was flying crashed in Yola, the Adamawa State capital in October last year .

Suntai, his aide-de-camp and chief security officer, who were also in the plane that took off from Jalingo, the Taraba State capital, and three others, were seriously injured The absence of these governors from their duty posts has also continued to generate controversy with demands for explanations by the ordinary people, civil society groups and the opposition parties.

Chime, as if he was preparing for a long absence reportedly transmitted to the State House of Assembly a letter stating

that his Deputy, Mr. Sunday Onyebuchi, would function as acting governor in his absence He was said to have flown out of the country on September 20, a day after he attended a meeting of the Nigeria Governors Forum .

He has not returned to the country since then and he is believed to be receiving treatment for an undisclosed ailment at an undisclosed hospital abroad.

As the absence of Chime lingers, it continues to generate concern and anxiety and this came to a head when, a prodemocracy group under the auspices of Save Enugu Group (SEG) urged the state government to quickly constitute a delegation to pay a visit to the governor wherever he is and report back to the good people of the state.

The group, made up of prominent Enugu citizens, insisted “that this matter be given the priority it deserves and the palpable anxiety pervading the state arrested” within a maximum period of two weeks.

In a petition sent to the acting governor of the state, Sunday Oyebuchi, where the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Eugene Odoh, was copied, the group suggested that “eminent Enugu State sons and daughters like the Catholic Bishop of Enugu His Grace Bishop Callistus Onaga, Rev.

Hyde Onuaguluchi, Prof. Bath Nnaji, Igwe Paul Egbogu, Chief Grace Obayi, Chief Nduka Eya, Secretary General Ohaneze Ndi-Igbo, Dr. Louis Anya Chukwuma” should be members of the delegation to visit the governor.

The statement which was issued and signed by former commissioners in the state, Igbonekwu Ogaziomora, and Barrister Ray Nnaji, renowned politician, Chief Mazi Okwu, National Secretary of the Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP), Chief Willy Ezugwu and Comrade Victor Eneh, urged the government of the state to give a categorical explanation on the whereabouts and status of Chime.

On January 7, 2013 another twist was added to the continued absence of Chime from office as the three zones that make up the state asked the Acting Governor, Sunday Onyebuchi to constitute a delegation within two weeks to search for the governor and report his whereabouts back to the people of the state.

They threatened to occupy Enugu Government House as a way of driving home their requests should the acting governor fail to give priority attention to the call.

However in a swift reaction, the state government dismissed the letter as “a non-issue”, stressing that though government would not join issues with those it CONTINUED ON PAGE 15

Okorocha

Lawmaker pledges empowerment for constituents A member of the House of Representatives, Mrs Rafeequat Onabamiro, has promised to implement empowerment programmes for men, women and the unemployed youth in Badagry.

The lawmaker said unemployed youths in the town would be supported in various ways.

“This year, we are going to carry out empowerment programmes for men, women and unemployed youths in Badagry.

“The programme will be on skill acquisition and we shall also empower the participants with various tools,” Onabamiro stated.

She added that they were currently searching for jobs for the unemployed people and were going to submit names for employment to the government.

Onabamiro, a member of the Action Congress of Nigeria, is representing Badagry Federal Constituency in the House.

The lawmaker promised that awards would be given to undergraduates that had impacted positively on Badagry in various ways.

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Politics

MUYIWA OYINLOLA

W

hereas, President Goodluck Jonathan’s body language and recent utterance suggest that he may run for another term of office by 2015, politicians, especially those from the North and South Easter part of the country appear to be getting ready in their different zones to give the president a run for his money during the next general election.

Both zones are not taking chances, as they believe that the presidency slipped off them in the 2011 general election due to political miscalculation. Whereas the North which comprises of three geo-political zones: North East, North West and North Central fought vigorously to deny Jonathan the office, the south East zone appeared to have willingly given it to Jonathan, hoping that the president would hand over power to somebody from the zone by 2015.

However, giving the president’s recent posture, politicians from the four zones who are of the view that power should be given to their zones in the next election have started grouping in a bid to realising their objective.

Last month, Prominent Northern leaders, including former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, 2011 governorship candidate for Kaduna State Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Bashir Bugaje, and former Governor of Kano State, Ibrahim Shekarau, among others, in Kaduna met and programmed how power would return to the area by 2015.

Speakers at the two-day conference entitled, “The North and strategies for sustainable development,” organized by Arewa House Centre for Historical Documentation and Re-

Sunday, January 13, 2013

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2015: The North, So search of the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), expressed worry over the dwindling political leadership fortunes of the North.

Gowon, who was represented by the Chairman of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), Alhaji Aliko Mohammed, stressed that the North must come together to forge a common front for the region to enjoy political progress and development. “Unless we come together in the North, we would continue to have problems”.

He added that “the country has been relying for direction from the North. This is contrary to what some out there would want the world to believe about the North. History has shown that the unity and strength of the North, with a collective sense of purpose and focus had been the bastion for the unity and strength of Nigeria. We must do everything to sustain this responsibility bestowed on us by providence.

My candid belief is that the outcome of this conference will rather reinforce this fact of history.

Also stressing on the need for unity, the host governor, the late Patrick Yakowa noted that “We hereby call upon the conferees to look at these questions seriously but passionately and to come up with an articulated agenda to recreate a new North for a new Nigeria, to the satisfaction of the founding fathers, the present and future generations and to the greater glory of God. We strongly believe these are possibilities.”

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo was also recently said to have backed the North for 2015 presidency, by alleg-

edly canvassing for support for Jigawa state governor, Sule Lamido. This according to sources is part of the reasons for the rift between him and President Jonathan.

However, former governor of Niger State, Engr. Abdulkadir Kure, has asserted that Obasanjo is not in a position to choose a presidential candidate for the North.

Kure faulted the political arrangement on the grounds that the North was capable of deciding on who would represent it during the 2015 presidential election, and said that the North would speak with one voice and choose a credible leader to represent the region.

Meanwhile, prominent northern leaders and groups have begun surreptitious moves to resist President Jonathan’s ambition to run for another term in 2015.

The move which began late last year, peaked recently following reports that the President’s campaign posters have flooded Abuja, the nation’s seat of power.

But the Presidency has distanced itself from the ‘Jonathan for re-election posters.’ Leading the northern opposition are leaders of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) and those in the various northern groups, including their youth wings.

Besides, senators and other lawmakers of northern extraction have been drafted in, to pursue the goal of wresting power from Jonathan.

The ACF has maintained that President Jonathan’s eligibility to contest in 2015 is already before a competent court of law, to decide whether or not he could be sworn in as Presi-

South-East: Men who would be president

choice but that which was rigorously debated by the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party.

Okorie emphasised the decision to zone the presidency to the South-East was borne out of the desire to right the wrongs in Nigeria, stressing that the UPP believed that the foundation of the various crisis and threatening issues plaguing the country arose because certain zones and people are being marginalised.

Okorocha

DENNIS AGBO ENUGU

I

t is not yet certain the number of Igbo politicians that would seek the 2015 presidency. However, two prominent Igbo figures, one a former governor and the other, a serving governor are being seen as candidates that would fly the zone’s flag come 2015. Both have signified that people from the South-East should not continue to be spectators on presidential issues, whether the incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan runs for a second term or not.

The two conspicuous figures are former governor of Abia State, Chief Orji Uzor Kalu, and the incumbent governor of Imo State, Owelle Rochas Okorocha. Although, they have not come out openly to declare their ambition, their body language speaks volume, indicating their readiness to be the vanguards of Igbo Presidency. Kalu has since formed the Njiko Ndigbo as a platform for achieving unity of purpose among the Igbo. He and Okorocha seem to have the financial muscle and political sagacity needed to contest for the office.

Moreover, different political leaders in the zone have been canvassing for Igbo presidency in their various political parties, such as in the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), the United Peoples Party (UPP) and in the Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA).

Ironically, no Igbo man in the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has summoned courage to campaign for a president of Igbo extraction, probably for the fear of being victimised by the party that looks poised at giving the incumbent President Jonathan, an Ijaw man from the South-South zone, a second term ticket.

Kalu

Expectedly, some prominent politicians from the SouthEast have been championing the awareness project on the need for the Igbo to leave the second fiddle position and take to the centre stage by courageously contesting for president in 2015.

It was for the same issue of Igbo Presidency that made Chief Victor Umeh of APGA fall out with the Anambra State Governor, Mr. Peter Obi, when Umeh insisted that APGA must present a presidential candidate for 2015 general election. Since then Obi, who had already endorsed President Jonathan of the PDP for a second term of office, has been up in arms against Umeh.

Umeh is, however, confident that truth will triumph over presumed falsehood, stating that Obi would lose charm in Igboland and seek for political exile. Umeh has so far proved his resolve for Igbo presidency by aligning with Okorocha, who, it is believed, has the ambition of contesting for the presidency on the APGA platform. Same thing goes for Senator Annie Okonkwo who through his chairmanship of Committee 21 has mounted vigorous campaign for a president of Igbo extraction in 2015.

A reinvigorated clamour for a president of Igbo extraction came with the newly registered UPP under the leadership of Chief Chekwas Okorie. Okorie, from the inception of UPP, made it abundantly clear that the South-East would pursue Igbo Presidency with the party platform.

Okorie said he was disappointed with positions being canvassed in some quarters that Ndigbo cannot rule the country because of their alleged disunity, noting that what Ndigbo required to rule the country was not 100 per cent unity, but 30 per cent. He disclosed that the decision to zone the presidency of the country in 2015 to the South-East was not a personal

Orji Uzor Kalu: The two -term governor of Abia State contested for the presidency in 2007 on the platform of Progressive Peoples Party (PPA) and lost to the late President Umaru Yar’Adua of the PDP. Since then, the former governor had kept a low profile until recently when he started a campaign for the promotion of Igbo presidency. Though Chief Kalu has not come out to declare his intention for 2015, those who know the former governor very well insist it was just a matter of time.

He recently tried to get back to the PDP but met a stiff opposition by the members from his state led by his successor and incumbent governor of Abia State, Chief Theodore Orji.

In a recent interview, Kalu expressed deep disappointment with President Jonathan’s administration when he said that the Jonathan-led administration lied to Ndigbo over his plans for 2015 presidency. According to Kalu, “Jonathan promised Ndigbo the 2015 presidency” but he has reneged on his promise and he is now preparing for 2015 elections.” Ndigbo, he insists, will not support Jonathan, said the former governor who also revealed that he was presently engaged in uniting the various factions within the Igbo political sphere.

He pointed to the political quandary within APGA as unnecessary, saying, “I want to bring together our Igbo leaders, Senator Annie Okonkwo, Governor Rochas Okorocha, Victor Umeh, Chekwas Okorie and other Igbo sons so we can produce an Igbo president”. He pledged to do whatever is required for Ndigbo to produce the next president of Nigeria come 2015. “I am not doing politics now. I am not a member of any party,” he said.

In his avowed desire to unify the Ndigbo, Kalu has been touring round Nigeria and has kept canvassing for Igbo Presidency. Late last year, he was guest speaker at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, at the 6th Emeritus Professor D. A. Ijalaye and Equity Chambers 25th anniversary where he spoke on the topic: ‘Leadership: A key factor to a better Nigeria’. To many people, Kalu would be an ideal candidate for the South-East, “he has age on his side, a successful businessman, he was once a governor whose tenure witnessed unprecedented development in the state, so I think, if he wants to contest, people from the zone would rally round him”, was how a politician from the zone, who did not want his name in print, put it.

Owelle Rochas Okorocha: The incumbent Governor of CONTINUED ON PAGE 50

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Sunday, January 13, 2013

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

MD/EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

BOLAJI TUNJI

SUNDAY EDITOR

DOZIE OKEBALAMA

COORDINATOR, EDITORIAL BOARD

ADESOYE ADEKOYA

CONTROLLER, PRODUCTION

ISE-OLUWA IGE

ABUJA BUREAU CHIEF

KAYODE BALOGUN JNR

SM, STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT

CALLISTUS OKE

EDITORIAL PAGE EDITOR

FRANK OBOH

HEAD, GRAPHICS

Needless face-off between lawmakers and SEC D-G

T

he House of Representatives appears to have taken its legislative responsibilities to an absurd dimension with its refusal to include the proposed appropriations for the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in the 2013 budget. The house had initially denied the SEC delegation to a budget defence session a hearing, insisting that it would not have anything to do with the Commission that is responsible for the regulation of the nation’s capital market until its DirectorGeneral, Miss Arunma Oteh, is removed from office by President Goodluck Jonathan.

The disagreement between the legislators and Oteh started last year when during public hearing by the House Committee on the Capital Market, Oteh, in apparent response to a perceived witch-hunt by some committee members, opened a can of worms regarding her dealings with the legislators. Specifically, Oteh revealed that the erstwhile chairman of the committee, Herman Hembe, collected N4 million for a trip to the Dominican Republic, which he never did, but failed to return the money.

She also accused Hembe and the committee’s vice-chairman, Ifeanyi Azubogu, of demanding for N44 million bribe so that the committee would be soft on her during the hearing. The ensuing scandal consumed Hembe and his colleague, with both now standing trial for corruption. It seems obvious that the House has not forgiven Oteh for this development. Subsequent efforts

to rubbish Oteh had led to her suspension as SEC D-G to allow for an independent probe of her tenure. But she was, in the end, given a clean bill and reinstated.

The decision by the House to deny an agency of the Federal Government necessary and legitimate funds to operate in a new fiscal year on account of the aforementioned face-off can hardly be defended in any decent society. It amounts to the personalisation of government offices and institutions, which the legislature is tacitly mandated to work against. Can an agency of state be lawfully denied appropriation by the House on grounds that the FG refused to sack a certain public officer?

Was it mature and responsible for the budget session of the House to invite the SEC D-G and her delegation with the sole purpose of ridiculing and walking them out of the Chamber? With their position that they would not have anything to do with the SEC until President Jonathan sacks Oteh, with whom they have scores to settle, have the lawmakers not constituted themselves into accusers and judges in their own cause? These are questions the lawmakers should answer with all sincerity.

For, we are unable to see what purpose the refusal to appropriate funds for the SEC will serve at a time when the nation’s capital market is showing the clearest signs of recovery yet after the disastrous crash of 2008.

Indeed, the Nigerian Stock Exchange All Share Index gained

35.4 per cent for the full year in 2012, placing it among the top three performers globally on account of increasing investor-confidence, amid evidence of tighter regulation, improvement in management and processes, and the modernisation of Nigerian Stock Exchange’s operations.

These are achievements directly linked to Oteh’s tenure, which the lawmakers now seek to truncate.

Agreed that there are many other qualified Nigerians to take up the SEC D-G’s position, the executive needs not succumb to the armtwisting tactics and blackmail of the legislature, lest the nation faces a situation where lawmakers will be denying a ministry or any other government establishment the required funds any time the House feels offended.

It would have been a different matter if the legislators had any concrete evidence of wrong-doing against the embattled SEC D-G. As many stakeholders have warned, the sustained attacks on Oteh and the ill-conceived attempt to starve the capital market regulator of funds could ultimately trigger a reversal of the gains so far recorded in the market.

We commend Oteh for calling the lawmakers’ bluff; and the Senate for distancing itself from the conspiracy of the House to punish a woman for daring to speak up against corruption.

The House should desist forthwith from personalising public issues as strong democratic institutions cannot develop from a political culture that gags whistle blowers.

Reminiscences JANUARY 13 IN HISTORY 1942: Ford Motor gets patent on plastic car

Wartime material shortages forced manufacturers to become very creative.

Therefore, Ford Motor Company - one of the first leading manufacturers of mass-produced vehicles - registered for a patent on a plastic car. This was the date that the patent became official.

The plastic that was used to make this particular model of car was derived from the soybean plant.

1961: UN troops battle Lumumba’s supporters

Fighting erupted between UN troops and supporters of Patrice Lumumba in the Congo.

1973: US – West Virginian woman files discrimination complaint

A female West Virginia University student filed a discrimination complaint through the West Virginia Human Rights Division. The reason for the complaint was that this female student was denied resident tuition prices because her husband was attending an out-of-state school.

1982: 78 killed in air crash In Washington D.C., a Boeing 727 aircraft crashed into the Potomac River, just two miles from the White House. In the process, 78 people were killed. This crash was caused by bad weather.

1993: Allieds bomb southern Iraq

American, British and French bombers carried out a series of bombing raids over southern Iraq because Iraqis repeatedly breached the “no-fly zone” set up after the Gulf War.

2001: Earthquake kills 1,000 in Salvador A major earthquake measuring 7.6 on the Richter scale struck the South American city of San Salvador leaving over 1,000 dead.

2009: Israel attacks, occupies Gaza

The Israeli attacks and occupation of Gaza continued with 60 more targets bombed overnight, the Israeli offensive is entered its third week and the number of bombings and the death toll in Gaza approached 1,000 with nearly 300 of the deaths being children. The attacks and Israeli occupation are in retaliation for rocket and mortar attacks from Gaza on Israeli cities.

2011: German tanker capsizes on Rhine River

A tanker carrying a large amount of sulfuric acid sunk on the Rhine River. Two crew members were rescued while two others were missing.

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Opinion

SundayJanuary 13, 2013

Uncensored U nc

Sheriff S Folarin

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

T

he New Year surprise campaign posters of President Goodluck Jonathan currying electoral support ahead of the 2015 general elections reads: ‘No Vacancy in Aso Rock…One Good Term Deserves Another”. The bills and posters, which have Jonathan and Vice President Namadi Sambo’s portraits, are boldly occupying strategic spots in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. Although Jonathan has kept mum on the issue, his aides have tried to come out to deny (not too boldly) that the President had a hand in the posters and bills. But when the newspapers carried pictures of the renovated Jonathan-Sambo Campaign Headquarters in Kaduna, the billboard bore something similar to the “strange” posters in the nation’s capital.

Public opinion is so far divided about three things namely, the legality of such early campaigns for an election in 2015; the morality of Jonathan’s reelection ambition in view of the perceived non-performance; and the sense in putting up what can spur general anger and confusion. Many also wonder how such posters, which were not posted on the eve of the New Year suddenly, appeared on January 1. It means that while millions were preparing for the New Year and keeping vigil

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One good term deserves another ? at churches, stadiums for carnivals and fun places to usher in the New Year, some persons were busy rather planting the seed of discord for the New Year.

The Jonathan-Sambo poster saga could have been orchestrated by political friends with the knowledge and blessing of the two protagonists themselves. It could also have come from political enemies. As to the first probability, it is commonplace in Nigeria to have national leaders pulling such political stunts as a political step to either test the “waters” in anticipation of getting an idea of what people’s disposition to their quest may be, or a subtle announcement to the public that they have a target to remain in office.

It could also be a way of projecting that they are popular leaders in high demand by the people.

That is an old strategy of Nigerian leaders. We are used to such phony and lousy approach when leaders would put a sort of political campaign in motion and later distance themselves from it or keep quiet and allow rumours and confusion to overwhelm and heat up the polity. The illegal campaign gathers momentum and when the leaders speak, they say they are compelled by the overwhelming demand from the people to go ahead and contest. It is an old hogwash which Babangida used to justify the annulment of the June 12 election. After setting up Arthur Nzeribe and Abimbola Davies with their Association for Better Nigeria (ABN), Babangida steered from a distance, the ship of democracy to wreckage in a bid to remain in power.

Abacha’s episode of “five fingers of a leprous hand” (a la Bola Ige) in which the existing five political parties ad-

opted him as their sole presidential candidate ahead of a sham of an election, cannot be easily forgotten. Abacha was projected as Mr. Hero, Mr. Superman, Mr. Messiah and Mr. All-in-All by the mass of the ‘financially sorted’ political class who sang his praises to hell in a bid to help him realize his transmutation (self-succession) agenda. And what of our dear Obasanjo? To be fair to him, he has repeatedly denied he ever nursed any Third Term ambition, but what transpired at the time had the appearance of the usual self-succession plan.

President Jonathan could therefore be towing the footsteps of his predecessors.

But like we said earlier, his enemies could also be the ones setting a trap for him or seeking to heat up the polity by the posters so as to make him unpopular. Smarting from the perceived poor performance, impatience of the people about the slow pace of the actualization of the political promises and transformation agenda, and storm of national insecurity, the masquerades behind the posters may be pushing a point: that “does this Goodluck man deserve another term?” they could be using that to further stir up opposition and wake up the terror groups once again to step up their violence and further make the nation ungovernable. This theory seems to me more like it. Why? The administration has a slow approach to achieving results and Nigerians at this crucial time does not need that kind of style. Nigerians have suffered, persevered and waited long enough to have a feel of good governance. Democracy got restored in 1999, and 14 years after they still do not have

a bite of democracy dividends: no electricity, no roads to pass, no jobs for the youths, no pipe borne water. All they get is exploitation, more corruption and stealing of public fund meant for their upkeep, failed promises and to add salt on the wound, terrorist strikes and growing insecurity. These are enough reasons for a serving President to legitimately resign with a bag of apologies for failing them. But because this is Nigeria where anything goes, posters announcing second term are what the people get.

If President Jonathan and Sambo know about those posters and billboards and are using the old approach of cajoling the people, they better retrace those unpopular steps and apologize to the people. This is not yet time for campaigns. This is the set time for keeping to and fulfilling 2011 campaign promises.

As for 2015, they should simply allow the leading of the Lord. They should learn from history that all those who used that approach failed: Babangida, Abacha and (may be, we are not sure) Obasanjo. If President Jonathan fights corruption and insecurity alone and puts them in check, he would not need posters for any announcement or watertesting. The mass of people would naturally throng the streets chanting his name for second term. We will defy the nonsense northern cabal’s opposition and rubbish the grand and age-long (but baseless) agenda to keep power perpetually with the northerners.

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

Adetunji Adetosoye: Tribute to a great departed friend SUNDAY AKINOLA AKINTAN

T

he sad news of the death of The Hon. Justice Adetunji Adetosoye on 30th November, 2012 came to me as a rude shock. I say it was a rude shock because of the manner the information got to me.

There was totally no news of his illness or of his being hospitalised. But on that day, a call came in to me from his stored telephone number. I picked the call and leisurely I said: “Hello Tunji”, as I usually called him. The voice that replied me was not that of Tunji but that of his son, Adewumi. He told me that my friend died a few hours ago at the Teaching Hospital in Ile-Ife where he was talking to me with his father’s phone. I was short of words for a few moments. But on regaining myself, I asked Adewumi the whereabouts of his mother. He replied that she was also in Ile-Ife. I later learnt that when Tunji fell ill in his home in Ondo, he was first attended to at the State Specialist Hospital in the town. It was from there that he was transferred to the University Teaching Hospital, Ile-Ife where he died early on that day.

Adetunji Adetosoye is a prince of Fidipote Royal Ruling House in Ondo.

My close relationship with him started while we were in London where we both read law at Holborn College (University of London ) in the early sixties. I graduated a year ahead of him and returned to Lagos for the then three month Law

School course (April to June, 1964 ).

Thereafter, I secured an appointment at the Federal Ministry of Justice as a Pupil State Counsel in Lagos.

When Tunji completed his degree course in 1965, he too secured an appointment as a Pupil State Counsel in the Federal Ministry of Justice in Lagos.

A number of us young lawyers were recruited as Pupil State Counsel around that time. Among them are myself, Siji Soetan, Tunde Ilori, Olabode Eso, Bayo Oladapo, George Omonuwa, Lai Somorin and Sunday Ojomo. We were deployed to various departments of the Ministry.

I was posted to the Department of Public Prosecutions, while Tunji, Eso, Omonuwa, were deployed to the Administrator General Department. When Lagos State was created, the department of Public Prosecutions and that of the Administrator General were transferred to the new State along with the entire staff then in each of the two Departments. I was on leave when this incident took place and Tunde Ilori was sent to the DPP Department to replace me while I was away on leave. On resumption from leave I was posted to the Solicitor General’s Department.

This was how Tunde Ilori, Tunji, Olabode Eso, and others became staff of Lagos State. Olabode Eso, Sunday Ojomo, George Omonuwa, and Bayo Oladapo are since dead. Siji Soetan rose through the ranks and retired as Solicitor General and Permanent Secretary

of the Federation. Tunde Ilori rose also through the ranks and retired as Chief Judge of Lagos State. Tunji rose through the ranks too and became the Solicitor General and Permanent Secretary; the position he held when he was appointed a Judge in Ondo, his home State.

I too rose through the ranks in the Federal Ministry of Justice and was appointed a High Court Judge of Ondo State in 1978 from the rank of Legal Adviser. I left Lagos for Akure on appointment as a Judge in March 1978. Tunji came to join us in Akure in 1986 when he was appointed a Judge. We again renewed our close relationship which continued till his death. I moved to the Appellate court in November 1991while Tunji continued in Akure where he eventually retired as the State Chief Judge. I retired in December 2008 in the Supreme Court.

Apart from Tunde Ilori and Omonuwa, we were all bachelors as at the time when we started working in the Ministry. We therefore met our respective wives, got married and raised our God given children after we assumed duties. We knew each others’ wives long before marriage. Myself, Tunji and Bayo Oladapo, were the closest throughout.

Bayo Oladapo died on Tuesday 7th February, 2012. When the news of his death reached Tunji and I, we were both shocked to the marrows because it was the news of his death that came to us.

We were not aware of his illness. We only learnt of his death. My wife and

I had to move from Abuja to Lagos for the funeral services of Bayo Oladapo in April 2012.

Tunji and I come from Ondo State.

He is a native of Ondo town while I come from Idanre, a neighboring town. We are both Christians (Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion) I am Chancellor of Akure Diocese while he is Chancellor of Ondo Diocese. My view of Tunji as a public officer is that of an excellent gentleman. As a Judge, he was a Judge with zero tolerance to corruption. He was a man who loved and cherished his relationship with his friends.

We both involved in many social activities, such as marriages of our children, etc in both families. We shared common views on many things. Since his retirement, he settled in his house in Ondo, but we exchanged regular visits.

There was scarcely any occasion when we met after Oladapo’s death we would not discuss the loss of that our mutual friend. Now he too is gone. His remains will be interred on Friday, 18th January,2013.

His sweet memories will remain with me and my entire family for ever. It is our prayer that God Almighty will give his widow, Oluyinka and his four children the fortitude to cope with the great vacuum created by his death. Good bye Tunji. Our prayer is that your soul will find eternal rest with the Lord.

•Justice Akintan, CON, is a retired Justice of the Supreme Court

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Applause LIFESTYLE, FASHION & ENTERTAINMENT

Some Nigeriann women dress inappropriately – Nikki khiran JANUARY 13, 2013

Graceful Nikki Khiran is fashion designer of high repute. The Fashion Design Technology graduate of London College of Fashion, in this interview with Angela Davies, revealed that a lot of Nigerian women commit what she considers as fashion faux pas as they do not dress appropriately and to age. She also talked about her style and fashion generally. Excerpts: Who is Nikki Khiran?

I am a fashion designer and the CEO of Nikki Khiran Couture. I am from Kogi State. I have been a designer for almost 25 years. However; I have been in Nigeria for 11 years.

As a designer, what inspires your designs?

I am inspired by fabrics; what I see around me: colours, jewelries and beautiful things. I love being in exotic places, that really inspires me and gets me going as well.

So, there is a variety of things that inspire my output and what I turn out eventually.

What are your challenges as a designer?

Well, as a designer working in Nigeria, obviously you are dealing with lack of infrastructure, which is what everybody complains about. But actually, it really makes a big difference to your output because 24 hours a day, you are running on generator and of course, you have to have a big generator that can power whatever it is you are going to produce.

So it is not a joke because the amount of money we are spending on diesel and petrol is what some people spend in the Western world to pay their rent and car loan every month, as well as their food. It is a very tedious environment; it is extremely stressful and very challenging. And then also, we are dealing with lack of skilled labour.

A lot of the people we are dealing with are raw material suppliers, such as the tailors, finishers and so on, and we have to teach them everything from the scratch. And of course, we also don’t have any help from the government or any other institution.

So, you just find that as a small business owner, you are on your own, just struggling and trying to do everything unaided. So it is quite challenging, working in this country.

How was growing up like for you?

Well, growing up was quite interesting.

I had my grade school and Junior High in the United States of America and then, I came back to Nigeria as a teenager and completed secondary school which was very challenging. This is because my par-

ents just took us from where we were and brought us to Nigeria. It was a bit of a cultural shock but we eventually got over that.

I completed high school and then went to England for my university. I am a graduate of London College of Fashion, where I studied Fashion Design Technology.

What makes you unique from other designers?

I can’t really say what makes me unique from other designers. We are a product of our environment, where we grew up and our experiences, all these are what defines our style and what we produce. So of course, having lived in different parts of the world, I think I get a lot of inspiration and input from all the different things I have seen in my life and that is what informs what it is that I bring out. Hence, I can’t say what makes me unique but each designer is unique and different in their own way.

What puts you off about fashion in Nigeria, especially among women?

Nigeria women on the whole are generally fashionable, but people follow trends blindly. For instance, if leggings are in fashion, everybody wants to wear leggings, not minding their size, weight and figure.

Women dress inappropriately and a lot of them don’t dress to age, appropriately. You have 60-year old women wearing minidresses; it is totally inappropriate. Women should dress to age, appropriately. There is dignity in growing up and there is dignity in growing up gracefully but a lot of women don’t do that. When it comes to fashion in Nigeria, often time, people can be very gaudy. I love beads, gem stones and embellishments but within reason. Sometimes, women put too much accessories on their clothes and it just looks gaudy.

Some women have a big stomach and bum yet they wear tight-fitting clothes.

Again, women don’t ask stylists what is appropriate for them (the women) to wear; they just look in the fashion magazine and tell themselves, ‘Oh, I will just go and get one of these.’ And sometimes, as a professional, when you give people advice, they CONTINUED ON PAGE PAGE 20

‘FOR ME, EVERYTHING IS ON THE FAST LANE’

36

‘I’M A MODEL AND NOT EMPTY HEADED’

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Sunday, January 13, 2013

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

...Even 60 year olds wear mini dresses CONTINUED FROM PAGE 19 don’t listen. So these are all the things that I find rather irritating.

What thrills you about fashion?

I just like being around beautiful things.

When I am in my world, fabrics and home decor, it excites me because I always get inspiration and come up with something different. So, there is no particular thing I can say that thrills me about fashion but I don’t think I would have done anything else. But I think the only thing that could probably thrill me is how a customer reacts to what I do. You design for customers; they call you afterwards and say it was really beautiful and everybody said it was gorgeous.

As a designer, I like seeing people happy with my product and that is really what excites me.

‘For me, everything is on the fast lane’ Princess Blessing Patrick, a Nollywood screen diva has a loud style and she is proud to say so. “My style is simple but loud.’’ This fashionista who is a strong force in the makebelief world, has featured in so many movies. In this interview with Adaeze Amos, she talks about her lifestyle and passion for fashion. Excerpts: How did you get into the movie world?

I am a Nollywood diva and fashion designer who has endured in the style world for long. I try to blend acting and fashion designing together. My debut into the acting world started professionally, two years ago, through a friend I was nice to. And since then, I have grown in both experience and fame, which of course is still a mystery to me. I guess it’s my destiny that is at work here.

I have featured in Sexy Vampires, My Word, Painful Agony, Daughters of Eve, Masquerade dancer, Rural Bed, Village Babes, Midwives and so other ones that are not yet released.

Define your style?

My style is just me. I’m original. I believe one’s style tells who you are, what you want to be known for and who you want to be addressed as. Above all, I believe in keeping it simple but let it speak out loud.

How has the journey to stardom been?

The journey so far has been awesome. I’m so blessed the way everything is soaring well for me. To be frank, everything is happening so fast.

Who is the guy rocking the love boat of your life?

My love life is a no-go-area.

Please don’t let us go there.

What has your sex as a woman robbed you of?

Oh nothing! Absolutely nothing. My sex as a woman never stopped me from succeeding in life. Rather, I would say it’s a great blessing being a woman.

I honestly love myself as a woman.

How do you cope with fame?

Guess what? God made me humble before He gave me fame. Little wonder I still remain loyal and humble because it is only God’s doing and the support of my fans. So, I owe my fans, loyalty.

A little about yourself as a fashion icon?

I have always loved fashion. That was why my job as the editor of a fashion and style magazine known as infinity had been with ease. The job which was based on contract level has ended anyway but my passion for fashion is still intense.

Now, I’m focused on my own clothing line. Whenever I’m not on location, I face my fashion business. When I’m not filming, I’m busy sketching. Combining acting with fashion designing is not daunting.

What are the movies you have featured in?

Regrets?

I won’t say I have any regrets. I believe that everything works together for good for those that trust God. I don’t live on regrets. I move on, no matter what happens.

What are your worst fears?

You won’t believe it that nothing makes me to fear. I solidly believe in God and whosoever that believes has nothing to be afraid of; even though the storm of life arises, the Lord will always be there to keep us strong as a daughters of Zion.

What is one fashion item you cannot do without as a woman?

There are so many facets; there is the cloth and accessories so I love everything equally. It is a little of everything that makes a complete outfit but I love nice smelling skin care products. Maybe that is what I will say my weakness is because I am not into jewelry per se. I like accessories but I like custom jewelry and precious stones.

What makes you happy about being a woman?

Being feminine, you can express yourself more when it comes to fashion. As a woman, you can be in a dress today, a top and jeans, a skirt and blouse, a wrap dress, silk, chiffon or lace outfits tomorrow. We get to express ourselves a lot more and that is what I really enjoy about fashion and about being a woman.

Define your style statement?

I am a bohemian girl. I am a 60s’ child but a throw back of the 70s’ because I was growing up in the 70s and I love floaty flowing outfits. I love clothes that are feminine and have movement. I love nice fabrics like chiffon, silk and so on. I am a bohemian chic.

What is your beauty secret?

I honestly don’t know if I have a beauty secret. I think that beauty comes from the inside; it is not just an outward thing. I try and keep myself happy and healthy and I don’t diet. I think we just have good genes in my family. I don’t believe in too much make-up because it is like a mask. I like people to be able to allow their face to breathe.

How do you relax?

I love watching movies at weekends when I am not working. I order my take-outs because I love my food, sweets and ice cream. And I like reading magazines. So once I have my books, magazines and movies, I am cool. I don’t really like going out that much. It is the little things in life that make me happy, not the big things.

What is your philosophy of life?

I think people should be true to themselves; people should be who they are. I discovered that in our environment, a lot of people in my opinion are very pretentious. I like people who are real and true to themselves.

When you feel low or down, what do you do to make yourself happy?

I go to the spa, read motivational books, watch a good movie, something to make me laugh; travel or hang around people that I appreciate. And sometimes, I read my Bible.

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Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Cocktail Whispers

Stories by Olumide Segun-Oduntan

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

JANUARY 13, 2013

Deji Adeleke builds another church?

If the information reaching Cocktail Whispers is to be believed, then it seems that Dr. Deji Adeleke, the ProChancellor of Adeleke University, Ede, in Osun State, may have built another church in Lekki area of Lagos.

According to a source, Dr Adeleke, who is a devoted member of the Seventh Day Adventist Church, has completed a multi-million naira church in Lekki, where he now worships.

Dr. Adeleke is the father of popular Nigerian singer, Davido, and he is also a younger brother to former Osun State governor/senator, Isiaka Adeleke.

The philanthropist, who is also the founder of Pacific Holdings Limited, was said to have, not long ago, built a church behind his company in Ikeja, Lagos. With the completion of yet another church in Lekki, Dr. Adeleke is no doubt setting a pace.

Behold the generous Paddy Adenuga

One celebrity that is not only likeable but also generous is the Group Executive Director of Globacom, Paddy Adenuga. At least, those who saw him recently at a boat club in Lagos were not left in doubt about his generosity.

According to the information reaching Cocktail Whispers, Paddy, the son of billionaire, Mike Adenuga, took a ride recently in his black Porshe Carrera to the Awolowo Boat Club to enjoy himself with some of his friends. It was learnt

that the young businessman enjoyed his visit to the boat club in the company of his friends.

But the interesting aspect of Paddy’s visit to the boat club came later, to some people that witnessed the event.

Cocktail Whispers gathered that as Paddy made to leave the boat club, he dipped his hand into his pocket, and guess what: he gave out N5,000 to a physically challenged beggar. Not a few people were pleasantly surprised at this gesture.

Sumbo Ajaba gets lucky If the latest gist made available to Cocktail Whispers is anything to go by, then Sumbo Ajaba is one lucky woman.

Well, those in the know will recall that the pretty Sumbo has two kids for celebrated music star, Tuface Idibia, and when he was ready to pick a wife, he chose someone else.

However, it seems that Sumbo’s star is shining now as the gist around town is that the pretty lady is set to get married to Pastor David Adeoye, the General Overseer of Royalty Christian Cen-

tre in Agege, Lagos.

You may also want to know that Sumbo is a chorister and praise leader in Pastor Adeoye’s church.

She also runs Esob Events which is in the same street with the church.

Although the wedding date has not been fixed, Cocktail Whispers gathered that it is likely to take place soon. It will also interest you to know that Pastor Adeoye is a widower. He lost his wife, Folake, in November 2011.

Passion Folake Majin shares with daughters That fashion designer, Folake Majin, is celebrated for her exotic designs in clothes that are not only beautiful but classy, is not in doubt. However, what you may not be aware of is that the exotic passion for the ‘out-of-this-world’ design runs deep in Folake’s bloodline.

Let’s inform you that one strong trait which Folake Majin has passed on to the generation after hers is the passion to design quality clothes to make a woman feel great. Really, she shares this passion with her daughters: Patigi and Gogo Majin.

Interestingly, the trio of Folake, Patigi and Gogo wowed guests at an amazing three-in-one fashion show held a few days ago at the Expo Hall of Eko Hotel and Suites. In fact, Cocktail Whispers learnt that the guests were pleasantly stunned when they beheld the designs of the trio tagged: Diamond Collection, Midnight Rainbow and Earth Collection for Folake, Patigi and Gogo, respectively.

What is also interesting is that just as the mother inspires her daughters, the daughters also inspire their mother in her designs.

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Sunday, January 13, 2013

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

& ovies Music M Stories by Olumide Segun-Oduntan 08189418761 e-mail: lumidezy@yahoo.com

Ebuka Obi-Uchendu takes the stage as Rubbin’ Minds reloads

Olu Maintain features Olivia, Fatman Scoop in new singles

A few days after winning Best Reggae Video of The Year award at the just concluded Nigeria Music Video Awards (NMVA) with the artistic Nawti video, multiple awards winning artiste, Olumide Adegbulu, popularly known as Olu Maintain has released two new songs featuring two Just in time for the New Year, the producers of popular American artistes, Olivia and Fatman Scoop.

Rubbin’ Minds, the influential TV talk-show for Olu Maintain indeed had an eventful 2012. His last single, Nawti, was one of the most young Nigerians, have announced major uppopular songs of 2012. The song won him several awards including Best Video of The grades. “It’s been five spectacular years, and Year at the Nigeria Entertainment Awards in New York and Best Reggae/Dancewe’re excited to take this to a whole new level hall Video of the year at Nigeria Music Video Awards. Now, Olu is sure ready in 2013,” says Adebola Williams, who is exfor greater exploits in 2013 with the release of two songs at the beginning ecutive producer of the show. of the year.

The first change to the show is the The two songs are titled Hypnotize and Oya Dancia. Hypnotize announcement of a new host: the lawyer on-air personality cum is a well crafted melodious song with well arranged strings and event compere, Ebuka Obi-Uchendu. horns that will mesmerise first listeners. The smooth vocal Obi-Uchendu, who holds two Master’s degrees in Intellectual delivery of Olu Maintain and Olivia on the song makes it a Property as well as Communications Law, both from the Americlassic collaboration and one of the songs that will rule can University, Washington DC took over the presenter’s show on the airwaves this year. the first show of the year – Sunday, January 6, 2013.

Oya Dancia is a party starter and definitely “Obi-Uchendu has been an influential voice for young people one of the songs to rule the parties this year. across issues – from pop culture to politics – over the past few Whether you love or hat The DJs definitely cannot resist the influyears,” Williams explained. “As an issues columnist on Thissinger, Tonto Dikeh, is alway ence of Fatman Scoop on the song. day newspapers, anchoring the country’s first youth-centred thing to grab your attention. An

Tonto Dik into sexy

Nigerian Idol selects top 90

Presidential Debate, writing for the YNaija FrontPage and for Leadership, among others. He mirrors the ‘Rubbin’ Minds’ prime position as the conversation driver for young people After months of intense search, the curtains nationally, and he will be an effective face and voice for that have drawn on the first phase of Nigeria’s exciting imperative.” Obi-Uchendu recently joined the show along music reality show, Nigerian Idol. The last two days of with a new set, and new segments on the show – broken into auditions saw the show hit the bottomless talent pools news analysis, discussion and culture interview. of Benin City and Lagos giving fans some of the most ex“I am very excited to be joining the A-team at Rubbin’ citing auditions of the show.

Minds,” Obi-Uchendu said. “This is the show to be on to Now that auditions are over, the tension is building as Idol know what young people are talking and thinking about moves to the next stage of the competition that always makes or at any time. If it’s real and if it’s topical and it concerns breaks many hopeful - the elimination rounds. young people, we will be discussing it, and I look forward “The competition is beginning to unfold as the best of the lot go to that ongoing conversation.” neck and neck, said Tiwa Medubi, the Nigerian Idol project manager.

“The grit and tenacity that the contestants show is unbelievable and you cannot help but watch to see what happens next. These contestants leave absolutely nothing to chance; they believe that they are the next Nigerian Idol and it is just spectacular to watch and listen to them all give it their best shot.”

If you ever doubted that she has other passion aside In Benin City, the Nigerian Idol judges were more than from interpreting movie roles and perhaps flaunting pleasantly surprised with the first contestant of the day, her huge ‘twin towers’, then you probably need to check 26-year-old student, Emmanuel Egbo, with his rendition out her debut single. Yes, of R. Kelly’s When a Woman Loves, and it earned him a sexy Nollywood golden ticket straight to Lagos. The judges were even actress, Jennifer more surprised at twins Peter and Paul Samari, Eliogu, has joined and Peter made it to the next round. Though the ‘exclusive club’ there were rough moments, overall the judges that some of her It was a night were impressed by their first time visit to colleagues belong – full of fun, thrills the ‘Heart Beat of Nigeria’, Edo State. singing. and excitement as the The search closed on a high note with The pretty screen leading telecommunia return to Lagos for the final round goddess has not only cations network and ofof the audition, and it was a day of shown her keen interficial sole sponsor of Glo guys with guitars, epic vocal dexest in handling the Presents The Big Friday terity and even more epic disapmicrophone, she has Show, Globacom, hosted cepointment. actually dished out lebrities and top entertainers a single and put her to a night of good music, exotic name on it. drinks, finger foods and freebies a But guess what, Jencouple of days ago. nifer Eliogu’s brand The event was hosted at the popnew single titled ‘You ular Aura Lounge, & I’ is actually making opposite Eko Hotel & waves since it made its Suites, Victoria Island, debut a few days ago.

Lagos. It was a night to Interestingly, the chorus of remember as both stars gorgeous Jennifer Eliogu’s song comes and invited Glo subscribers with an Igbo flavour which gives it a very good were given a special treat.

Highlife/R&B feel. Of course, being a very loveable The party paraded an array person herself, Jennifer’s croons towards love song. You may of Nigerian stars in the movie need to listen to the latest music effort of the beautiful star acindustry, some of who are also tress to get a feel of her other passion.

set to put the wheel in motion aga Ova, is set to rock your screen. But the controversial Tonto Dikeh liter new music video, the sensational Ton into a sexy blond to reflect the message Tonto’s debut music video, Itz Ova, will of days’ time. She won the Magic Factory sored by Nigezie. The new music video was Studio in Oregun, Lagos a few days ago.

Interestingly, Tonto has been able to s quickly into shape after being squashed by t probably like her maiden musical effort, two she dropped a while ago.

Jennifer Eliogu excites fans with love song

Glo hosts celebs, youth subscribers at The Big Friday Show party

Glo Ambassadors Rita Dominic, Uche Jombo and Ramsey Nouah. They had featured in the popular TV show, Glo Presents The Big Friday Show.

Other celebrities at the party included Nse Ikpe Etim, Ruki Sanders, Ejike of Cool FM, Uti Nwachukwu (Big Brother Africa Winner), Sneeze (ace Nollywood producer), Sound Sultan, Banky W, and Skales.

Expectedly, the Ye evening kicked off with photo sessions by for ta celebrities, with their acquaintances on the green carpet where Glo hostesses welcomed and registered invited guests.

m w Ne t b hi

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Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Only God can solve insecurity challenge –Pastor Muoka 28

Praise Worship E-mail:richardeghaghe@yahoo.com

E-mail:titusanyanwu.2012@gmail.com

EDIFYING GOD SundayJanuary 13, 2013

Briefly

RICHARD EGHAGHE

B

ishop of the Dioceses of Lagos West, Anglican Communion, Dr. Peter Awelewa Adebiyi, has expressed concern over the various socio-economic and political problems besetting the country, saying “Nigeria is in a trap.”

He also charged the media to rise up “in battling the mounting satanic forces bedeviling the nation, including the unsustainable fight against corruption.”

According to the Minister of God who took the centre stage as the officiating minister at the annual thanksgiving service cum end of the year awards ceremony by the Independent Newspapers Limited (INL), publishers of Daily Independent last weekend, “It is journalists who can deliver this country from the shackles of Satan through their journalism. Without the press, Nigeria will die a natural death and nobody can fault it.”

The Rt. Rev. Adebiyi also blamed the country’s woes on bad leadership. According to him, Nigeria experienced development during the colonial era but that the country is now in a dilemma owing to bad leadership.

“In Nigeria today, we are not moving forward any longer. We are moving back. It is we who can tell you what happened in this country in the past 50 years when we were under colonial rule. We have few roads but they were maintained. The schools were going on well.

Those from the western region had free education, governance was good. Journalists were good. Life was meaningful.

“We should ask what has brought us to this level. It is a trap. We should think about how to come out of this trap.

The trap is corruption. When things were going well in Nigeria, we had far less resources.

Children were very happy, education going on because we had leaders who were people

2013, not cheery -Prophet

Bishop Michael Ipinmoye ( Right) unveiling the plaque of the church office of Saint Andrew’s Church Alade, Idanre, Ondo State, donated by the Olamiti family in memory of their late parents, Cathechist Daniel Akinseye Olamiti and Madam Julianah Oluwawemimo Olamiti. Behind him are Oba Segun Akinbola the Aladeokun of Alade and Mr Folu Olamiti.

Nigeria is in a trap, says Bishop Adebiyi oriented. Politicians today are looking for how to make money and not concern about people oriented programmes but self oriented programme.

Those on the pulpits should also tell the leaders the truth, he said and adding that “even when we say it on the pulpit it will not go out, it is the duty of journalists to tell them. Journalists are the husbands of politicians.”

Hammering more on corruption, the septuagenarian Anglican Bishop retorted: “When we talk of corruption, those of us who have seen the two sides of this country weep because we see bleak future for those coming behind. How do we tackle corruption, how do we suppress it? If you have something better for yourself we must all fight corruption, he urged while drawing inspiration from the Book of Genesis 6:11-13 and lamenting that “corruption has an end which is destruction and that was why God destroyed the first generation. ”

The clergyman, however, pointed out that in fighting corruption through journalism, journalists must ensure they check themselves from within. “Media managers should ensure journalists are well paid. If you do not pay them well you have opened them to corruption. I even learnt that some media owners don’t pay their staff. Management has big role to fight corruption.

Management should cater for those who work with them. If journalists are not paid, they have nothing to live on, no place to retire to, then, corruption.”

He advised the audience “never to allow corruption to spoil your future and make your future very epidemic,” while praying for the host company, the members of staff, their families and the nation.

In a brief remark on the occasion, Managing Editor of INL , Akpandem James, thanked God for the sustenance of the company since its inception till date.

Goodluck Jonathan will not be re-elected if he contests the 2015 presidential election.

AKURE

F

ounder and General Overseer of the Possibility Church of the Lord along Akure-Owo road, Ilu-Abo,

Akure, Prophetess Olayemi Adesida (AKA Omo Oba Jesu), has predicted that President

The Prophetess, who spoke during a special church service, said God only gave the president an opportunity to rule the country for only one term.

The cleric also revealed that

‘YOUR ANOINTING IS NOT FOR SALE’

a slight storm will shake the presidency of the American President, Mr. Barak Obama, adding, however, that he will survive it and God will shame his enemies.

Speaking on the activities of the dreaded Islamic sect, Boko Haram, whose members have claimed responsibility

29

Pope makes case for the poor Pope Benedict XVI urged has world leaders to try to reduce the growing gap between the rich and the poor in regions such as Europe as they reform their economies.

The pontiff also used his annual New Year’s speech at the Vatican to diplomats to press concerns he had raised in his Christmas Day message: calling for an end to Syria’s civil war and its growing death toll, including many innocent civilians.

He said he hopes Jerusalem will one day become “a city of peace and not of division.”

Regarding Europe’s economic crisis, the pontiff urged the EU to make “far-sighted” and “difficult” policy decisions favoring growth of the region as a whole. “Alone, certain countries may perhaps advance more quickly, but together all will certainly go further,” he said.

In addition to issues such as bond market yields and interest rates, world leaders should focus on “the increasing differences between those few who grow ever richer and the many who grow hopelessly poorer, “ Benedict said.

Bishop Adebiyi

“We started 2012 looking up to God and he saw us through. We went through the year and we did not have any reason to weep or mourn.

And this year, we are starting with God and we know that our God is faithful and he will see us through, he said while adding that “surviving this long was a miracle”.

2015: Getting a second term’ll be difficult for Jonathan –Prophetess OJO OYEWAMIDE

The presiding shepherd of ‘Iyanu Oluwa Titun’ Glorious Parish of the Celestial Church of Christ, CCC, Ijegun, Lagos, Prophet Oluwole Gbere, has predicted a tougher 2013, asking Nigerians to be prayerful to avert a national calamity.

The cleric said the economy would slump further, the value of the naira would fall, adding, “this would trigger inflation, unemployment and youth restiveness across the country,’” he said.

Contrary to government’s projection that the standard of living of Nigerians would improve, Gbere said, “except we are prayerful and return to God in total submission, I see a very gloomy picture ahead of this country”, he told the congregation.

“A major crisis would rock the Central Bank, more large scale fraud would be uncovered, crime rate would escalate, more deaths would be recorded, PHCN would fail the nation; all these as a result of the government not been sensitive to the plight of the people”, he predicted.

for a number of bomb attacks in the northern part of the country, Prophetess Adesida said the group will soon become history, claiming that God had revealed to her the defeat of the sect.

Her words: “President CONTINUED ON PAGE 24

Sunday Mirror/Babcock University Bible Quiz: Winners Dec.30, 2012 • Paul Unuavworho (08034378721) • Current and past winners can collect their prizes from the office of the Editor, Sunday Mirror, 151/161 Broad Street, Lagos anytime from Monday to Friday. Participants should always indicate their names when sending their entries.

QUOTE Anything and any matter that prayer can affect exists in the spirit realm.

–Pastor Adewunmi

WHEN YOU ARE TOO LOADED TO BE WASTED – PASTOR CHIDI

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Praise & Worship

SundayJanuary 13, 2013

‘Getting a second term’ll be difficult for Jonathan’ CONTINUED FROM Page 23

Prophetess Adesida

Goodluck Jonathan can not have a second term in office.

God said He only gave him the opportunity to have only one term.

There will be a slight storm in America that will shake the government of President Barak Obama. But as revealed by God, he will survive it and his enemies will be put to shame. God also said He has put an end to the activities of Boko Haram, this year.”

According to Prophetess Adesida, there would have been three plane crashes in the country in 2013 but the calamity has been reversed through

prayers, just as she predicted that there will be a slight storm which will lead to some changes in government at the top.

“Those who are looking the face of God for children will have their prayers answered this year. The poor will have enough while the sick will be healed.

Trade will boom and the year will be one of joy, blessings, progress, grace and victory. Agricultural products will be good. The price of cocoa will rise. There will be many twins.

Many blind will see.

God said He will touch them through out the year,” she predicted.

Prophetess Adesida said fake men of God shall be judged in 2013 because God said they are misleading His people, adding that God will ensure breakthrough for those who have been struggling.

She, however, said that only those who seek the face of God in 2013 will find His favour.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Akingbade wins Sunday Mirror/ Babcock University Bible Quiz

Akingbade Oluwasamilola (Winner of the Sunday Mirror/ Babcock University Bible quiz flanked by Richard Eghaghe, Priase and Worship Correspondent (left), Bolaji Tunji, Sunday Editor (right) and Mrs Folashade mother of the wunner during the presentation of the gift in National Mirror Head office, Lagos...recently.

RICHARD EGHAGHE

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retty seventeen years Akingbade Oluwadamilola, a 200 level

student of the Medicine and Surgery Department of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Akoka, gracefully walked into the office of the Sunday Mirror

Editor, Mr. Bolaji Tunji, with her mother, Mrs Folashade, a business woman and later come out smiling with a prize gift for winning in the Sunday Mir-

ror/Babcock University Bible Quize competition.

She said she decided to participate in the quiz having been attending Bible classes in her university and before the commencement of Sunday service at her church, the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Divine Favour Model Parish, in Magbodo, along the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Ogun state.

“I jumped for joy when I found my name published in the Sunday Mirror as one of the winners and I feel happy and encourage for the prize, presented to me by the Sunday Editor. The joyous mother also observed the prize would be a great encouragement to her daughter and her peers to challenge themselves with their understanding of the Bible.

Presenting the prize earlier, the Sunday Editor congratulated Akingbade for participating in the quiz which according to him is aimed at creating better understanding of the Holy Book of God- the Bible and propagating the Gospel

Pity, the Church has taken after the World –Pastor Olusore In this episode, presiding minister of Livinglight Church International, Pastor Israel Olusore, teaches how believers should conduct themselves to truly reflect who they are. Excerpts: tea

W

e have been looking at ‘Kingdom Behaviour’, i.e. how to behave in B kingdom of God in order for us to the k partakers of the feast of fast or inbe pa heritance that God has packaged for heri us. No N one ever enjoys the best without the right behaviour.

A lot of us go to certain restaurants ran and we are told that this is a nosmoking area. If one does not behave smo accordingly in such places, one might acc be thrown out of the restaurants with t his cigarette. In certain offices, there are certain ways we are expected to behave in order to be a partaker of the beh blessing in that place. ble So also in the Kingdom of God, there are ways by which we are exth pected to behave in order to partake of pe the th blessing that God has packaged for us. Yes it is God’s will for us to possess u the Kingdom, it gives him great pleath ssure. But then, God also is a principled God. He believes that there are behavG iiours that must match the blessing.

When God gave King Saul the kingdom of Israel and he misbehaved, God d ttook the kingdom from him. We have been made to understand that God promb ised something does not mean that He will deliver when we start to misbehave. We are given a very sound warning in Jeremiah 18, that ‘well, even though I promise you this and because of the promise, you think that you can begin to do things anyhow? I will change my mind about that. I pray that God won’t change his mind concerning us in the name of Jesus.

In the natural, when somebody promises us something and we start to do things anyhow, he might not do that again as a measure of discipline. And when we begin to do it right, he will now perform his promise.

That thing he promised, take it…when you have amended your ways.

So in the Kingdom of God, there are ways God expects us to behave. The reason a lot of us are still going in circles, the reason a lot of things are not working the way they should work most times is not because God is weak; it is not because God is not faithful; it is not because God is not committed to us.

Often times, it is because of our behaviour.

The Devil is not the issue. A lot of us have believed that the devil is the reason for a lot of bad things that happen to us. But often times, it is not the devil; we are the reason.

The Bible says when a man’s way pleases the Lord, even the devil will be beaten hands down. He makes his enemies to be at peace with the man.

Let’s look at 1 Timothy 3:14 and 15; “This things are right to you; though I hope to come to you shortly but if I am delayed, I write so that you may know how to conduct yourselves in the house of God which is the church of the living God; the pillar and the ground of the truth.”

Without controversy, great is the mystery of godliness; so godliness is a mystery. God was manifested in the flesh, justified in the spirit; seen by the angels, preached among the gentiles, believed in the world and received up in glory. There is a way we are expected to behave in order for us to be able to become what God has ordained us to become.

We cannot do things the way the world is doing it and expect the kingdom of God to be manifested in our lives. And I want to let you know something; in this dispensation, because the world will soon come to an end, the world is crawling into the church. The ones that are not sensitive are being carried away into the world.

For instance, there are certain ways a woman must never dress. The Bible calls it the attire of a harlot. You can discern who a woman is by her dressing. You can discern who a man is by his dressing. You can discern a person by the way he talks. And it is a pity that these days, the church is talking the language of the world. The world will not talk the language of the church but the church is talking the language of the world.

Do not speak in the world’s way, you speak the God way. For example, the world says they are weak and that there is nothing they can do about that. They are telling the truth as far as they are concerned. But in the kingdom, there is a way you must speak; the Bible says ‘let the weak say I am strong.’

You are not lying by saying what God said you should say. There is a way we behave in order to become what God want sus to become. Hook on to this column next Sunday for more nuggets for successful kingdom life.

•For counseling contact email: info@livinglightng.com or phone

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Praise & Worship

SundayJanuary 13, 2013

Marriage, a covenant, not a promise says Rev. Izuchukwu

Family FORA with Pastor N. C Pa

Amaefula A e-mail: familyfora@yahoo.com, 08033062027

‘Yes I do’; more than just a vow

Rev. Chukwudebelu Izuchukwu, the Presiding Minister, Assemblies of God FESTAC 2, in this exhortation, stresses the sanctity of marriage and why it should be upheld by the two parties involved.

Excerpts:

D

M

arriage is a covenant relationship designed by God for two persons, male and female. It is not a promise. A covenant is completely different from just a promise. A promise is a verbal or written undertaked to do or not to do something. Usually, there are no conditions attached to it.

A covenant is, however, two or more parties, with each party agreeing to do something as a prerequisite to receiving some benefits.

A breach of the agreement by any party automatically disqualifies him from reaping the rewards and privileges attached to the covenant. A covenant is usually written and sealed.

Many, especially believers in our part of the world, think that a good marriage is a promise from God, so they wait endlessly for the fulfillment of that promise.

Others think it comes by wishing, so they wish and waste unknowingly.

If wishes were horses, beggars would ride, according to an old saying. Mere wishes are at the mercy of Witches and Wizards.

A good home and marriages are not promises from God; neither do they come by wishing. To assume that sweet marriage could be achieved by mere wishing is to live mystically. Wishing is the undoing of kingdom children in this part of the globe.

The marriage covenant involves two parties; God on one hand, the vertical and man and wife on the other, the horizontal.

God is the initiator of the covenant and His terms of agreement are sealed up in His word.

Everything needed to make the most of marriage is packaged in the word of God. It is practically impossible to enjoy a good home and marriage without recourse to the word of God. The word of God is the manual which the manufacturer of man and his wife approved for operating marriage. This is where many fail it. May you not fail it!

May you not fail in Jesus mighty name! Marriage cannot survive on western ideas. If their ideas

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Rev. Izuchukwu

are okay, they would not have been the world’s worst marriage record holder. The highest rate of divorce is found in the western world.

They even recently graduated to impregnating men, ordaining and wedding homosexuals. It is common knowledge that in the recent past, African Anglican Communion severed ecclesiastical relationship with their western counterpart due to disagreement over the ordination and wedding of homosexuals by them it is very pathetic that people that were greatly used by God to evangelize to us could go down the lane in such a drastic manner.

I read with utter dismay the reaction of the western church which said that, ‘The African Church should grow up to respect the freedom and rights of people’. Outside the word of God, it is nothing but a celebration of anniversary of woes in the home. Man on His part is required to obey God’s terms of the agreement as stated in God’s word to enjoy harmony, abundance and fulfillment in the home. God’s side of the covenant is constant because He is invariable and faithful.

‘For I am the Lord, therefore

ye sons of Jacob are not consumed’ Mal.3:6.

God will always fulfill His own side of the covenant. The man and his wife who are the second party in marriage covenant are variables. The disobedience of man and his wife to the terms of the covenant as stated in God’s words is usually the cause of many marital sorrows, problems, frustrations and eventual divorce. It was instability of mankind that disorganized the first marriage and is still doing so to many even in our time.

May you not be a victim in Jesus mighty name!

Whenever there is crisis in a marriage or home, it is clearly as a result of man’s disobedience to God’s word. Every independent mind void of obedience to God’s word is bound to crash in marriage. The experiences we have been privileged to gather as gospel ministers cum trained marriage counselors give credence to our conclusion.

Obedience to God makes marriages better while disobedience to him makes it bitter.

For counseling contact him via email: izuchukwudebelu@yahoo.com or phone +2348033290241, +2348028390885, +2348056027044, +2347044714424..

ear Reader, I welcome you to an adventurous voyage into the plane of marriage and relationship. Considering the statistics of divorce and the rate it inflates on daily basis, it becomes necessary to draw our minds to the originator of this institution and discover the guiding principles for success.

So many who entered into relationship and marriage had an erroneous view of the institution. They formed their opinion either from their close experience or observation. Irrespective of where and how the opinion was formed, you can never build on a sinking or shaky foundation and expect the house to stand. Hence these series on Family Fora Page is meant to present proven solutions from Biblical perspective to this menace.

The statement ‘Yes I Do’ is a commitment made at the climax of most relationship between the unmarried. But the big question is how many people who are involved in this agreement really do what they had promised.

They say to themselves, is it not just a mere vow? Some by this misunderstanding are not prepared before they get hooked up.

Hence sooner or later such people will desire to get themselves off the hook. God hates divorce.

Malachi 2:15-16 But this indeed is an error and it is a high time such errors are unequivocally corrected under God’s supreme law and order. Every product has a manual which is a guide to the users for maximization of such product.

Any contravene of the rules of the manufacturer lands the user into nonnegotiable difficulty and the manufacturer is not connected to the consequences of such negative experience and discomfort.

God expects a positive attitude from anyone who seeks admission into the school of marriage.

It is also noteworthy that there is no graduation until death comes.

One’s ability to know the prerequisite for any position is a step to the right direction and guarantees success at last. The marriage arena is not an exemption.

Therefore, ‘Yes I do’ is not just a mere vow but it is more than just a vow. Why? A vow is a solemn promise by which a person specifically binds himself to an act, service or condition. ‘Yes I Do’ is therefore a solemn promise by which a spouse consciously and specifically binds himself to the act of marrying one another in self-

less and sacrificial service with a conditional attachment.

In the words of Chris Fisher (2011), Tupelo Christianity Examiner; there is a V in a Vow. This indicates that Victory is possible when a vow is kept.

There is an O in a Vow and it indicates that Opportunity for many things to happen, some good, some not so good, and some bad.

There is a W in a Vow and it indicates Work is going to be required to make the vow stand the test of time. Everyone who had experienced victory at one time or the other in life can agree with me that it does not come on a platter of gold. Victory is not cheap and does not come as a coincidence. Victorious people work for it, prepare for it and then look forth to it.

The sportsmen/women understand readily the meaning of the word ‘Victory’. It comes with lots of rules and regulations, so many dos and does not. It comes with a calculated level of discipline, self denial, articulation, focus, determination and strict adherence to the instruction of the Coach. Beloved one, the language of victory is the same everywhere, keep the rules of the game, and you will remain in the game but violet the rule, and you will be shown the way out.

My prayer for you is that once you get in through the door of marriage, there shall be no exit door available for either of you to leave. The challenges are inevitable because your challengers want to prove that you cannot make it to the end. However, I release God’s grace upon you to understand the possibility of victory in your Marital Vows of Fidelity.

When you both keep your vows one to another, victory is assured.

You have what it takes to overcome your marital challenges and emerge a victor under God. Success in life is determined

by God, but delivered through opportunities that come your way. Opportunities come for things to happen. They come as good, fairly good and some bad.

Nonetheless, the outcome of any opportunity is largely a factor of how such opportunities are handled. Opportunities are adequately utilised, underutilised or aborted. I declare to you that the opportunity God has given to you as intending husbands/wives or already married people will not elude you. You will maximize your opportunities for the realization of your marital bliss.

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Praise & Worship

Sunday January 13, 2013

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

It’s victory at last, says Pastor Okereke I

Founder and General Overseer of Global Success Ministry, Pastor (Dr) Chima Okereke, in this sermon, assures of victory for the righteous this year. However, he lists the spiritual life, health and finance, as some of the areas in which Christians should cleave unto God. Excerpts:

n John 5:1-9 “After this, there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches. In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of the blind, the halt, the withered, all waiting for the moving of the water.

For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had. And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years. When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, wilt thou be made whole?

The impotent man answered him, ‘Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me. Jesus saith unto him, ‘Rise, take up thy bed, and walk. And immediately the man was made whole, and on the same day was the Sabbath”. This story is wonderful and it is a good example of victory at last.

He battled with his problem for 38 years but at the end he got victory over the spirit of paralysis. I pray in the name above all other names that every spirit of sorrow against you be destroyed in Jesus’ name.

Victory is so important and there are three areas of life we shall consider in this message. They are as follows; spiritual victory, financial victory and Health victory; all these great victories shall be your portion in Jesus’ name. The above quoted scripture we just read is an example of health victory. In Genesis 14:13-20, some wicked kings came and attacked Abraham’s brother, Lot, and carried them away with all their goods but when Abraham was told, he moved with his armed servants and recovered all; so he had victory over

his enemies.

Psalm 66:3 states, “Say unto God, How terrible art thou in thy works! Through the greatness of thy power shall thy enemies submit themselves unto thee”. I am praying for you dear reader that in the Name of Jesus Christ all your enemies this year shall submit forever. Your victory is assured. When Nigerian super Eagles wins a cup in football competition; there is always a great celebration, they will have presidential handshake when arriving at airport, people around shall begin to hail them but when they lose, they come back in shame.

This year, anything programmed against your victory shall be destroyed

by God; in 1John 3:8 the Bible told us that Jesus was made manifest that He mighty destroy the works of the Devil. All works of the Devil against your family this year shall be destroyed in Jesus’ Name. You need victory in these areas of your life beginning form this year; but we will see more areas next time where victory is also needed.

Now, let us consider the areas we need victory as stated in our message for now: Spritual Life: This is one of the most important aspects of life that victory is needed; because the spiritual controls the physical; great and important things that happens on earth must have been confirmed in the spiritual before taking place on earth; for example in Job 1:6-21, there was a discussion between God and Satan concerning Job and the result of that discussion were those things that Job experienced; he lost everything he had, including his children. In the mighty name of Jesus Christ, every spiritual discussion about you shall result in greater signs and wonders in your life this year.

You shall be the head and not the tail; your victory is assured in Jesus’ Name. so take charge of your spiritual life through prayers and good works; by the grace of God, I do help a lot of poor people, widows, orphans, fatherless, less privileged, I pray a lot, study the word of God and when I issue a decree, it comes to pass by the power of the Almighty God. You too could wax stronger in your spiritual life and have victory over spiritual depression if you could indulge in all these which are stated in this message; so that way, you can take charge and when you decree a thing, it shall come to pass.

If you want to be successful in life, your spiritual life is very important; if you want to have long life; your spiritual life is very important. If you want to stop your enemies, your spiritual life is so important. Most of the sins that people commit sometimes are spiritually influenced. These people do regret those sins almost immediately, only to keep on repeating the same thing. I pray that every spiritual arrow of the enemy fired against your righteous life be destroyed in Jesus’ name. Another example of spiritual victory is in Mark 5:1-20, the

mad man of Gadarene who was supposed to be a great evangelist but suddenly he found himself dwelling with dead people, cutting himself with stones.

He was completely mad before Jesus came and commanded six thousand demons out of his life, and they entered two thousand Swine and perished in the waters. These evil spirits arranged themselves in the spirit world and came to disgrace that man. I pray for you right now that any evil arrangement which you do not know going on now in any area of your life be scattered in Jesus’ Name. Isaiah 54:15 “Behold, they shall surely gather together, but not by me: whosoever shall gather together against thee shall fall for thy sake”. Any gathering against you shall scatter from today in Jesus’ Name. The two other important areas you need victory this week Health and Finance.

Health: Your health is your life; and your life is the most important of all your prosperities, money, position and whatsoever. In John 8:1-9; the man had victory over health attack after 38 years. I pray that from today, sickness shall be a total stranger to you in Jesus’ Name. When your health is not in order every other aspect of life shall be sick because nobody will do things for you exactly the way you would have done it, but even if that is possible, no one else can be you. You will never experience any sickness this year and beyond in Jesus’ Name. In 2Kings 5:1-14 Naaman was rich; a great General in the Army of Syria but he was a Leper, until he met Elisha; that sickness made him not to have joy upon all his money.

This is your season of good health and many years ahead, you will never be sick in Jesus’ Name.

Finance: One of the greatest problems in Africa today is poverty. This is a great disease on its own. The way poor people are treated in this nation and around the world is terrible; sometimes their condition become pitiable. I decree continuous financial victory over your life in Jesus’ name. In Proverb 14:20 “The poor is hated even of his own neighbour: but the rich hath many friends”. Most times people feel so rejected and try to commit suicide or get involved in some terrible acts that could jeopardize the life of others. Poverty makes people run away from the poor; so you must have victory over finance from now on in Jesus’ Name. I love you all with the love of Jesus Christ. All the Blessings the Lord used me to pronounce shall be your portion if you love God and your neighbour this year in Jesus’ Name.

Do not bring any form of painful experience to your brothers or sisters no matter the religion or tribe so that it shall go well with you this year in Jesus’ Name.

•For further enquiries and counseling, please send text messages only through the following numbers: 08067802407,

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Praise & Worship

SundayJanuary 13, 2013

TOMOG Bethel begins prayer conference

How to become a good steward, by Pastor Bamidele Founder of Christ Glorious End-Time Evangelical Ministries, Pastor Lai Bamidele, harps on the importance of good stewardship. Excerpts:

G

TAI ANYANWU

A

36-year-old impotent young man regained his manhood at the ongoing Bethel prayer conference of the Omnipotent Mission of God otherwise known as TOMOG Bethel, 2013.

The gathering of the people of God. began on Wednesday January 9, at TOMOG Beach, Akoro area of Badagry, Lagos.

During the prayer conference, three ladies who testified that they had entered into covenant to die mysteriously at child birth willingly denounced the satanic covenant while ministration was going on.

Many other people who had been under the captivity of witchcraft spirit, occult operations and other afflictions got delivered at the glorious opening event.

Before the event proper, founder of Omnipotent Mission of God, Pastor Joshua Oloruntimilehin Daramola, said that TOMOG Bethel 2013 offers opportunity for participants to contact the glory for positive manifestation in 2013.

“As you have come to this prayer meeting, every garment of poverty, lack, disgrace, bondage, affliction and shame would be burnt and you would be dressed in new garment of glory by the reason of the anointing in the Bethel, in the name of Jesus.

“God is going to burn it to ashes; your bareness, lack, sickness and whatever manner of problems that you have come with will leave as you leave this prayer ground,” he further declared.

The servant of God added, “All you are required to do is come with a robust faith and believe that you will not go with those problems.

“TOMOG Bethel is the solution ground. If you come here, trust in the power of God to deliver and save his people,” he further counselled.

The glorious church choir, led by Evangelist Olasukanmi Oladele later took the stage and “brought down the glory of God.” A mammoth crowd that had gathered from different parts of Nigeria, Be-

nin republ i c a n d overseas countries sang, danced and rejoiced in the presence of God and His anointed ministers.

Participants used the first day of the event to ask God to forgive their sins so that they would not be hindered from receiving God’s package of blessing.

Oloruntimilehin explained: “You know when there is sin in one’s life, the person cannot receive grace except you beg God to forgive you for the sins.

“That thief who was at the right hand of Jesus at Calvary, said to the Lord Jesus Christ, ‘Remember me when you get into the Kingdom of your father.’

“Forgive me and remember me and Jesus said, today you will enter into my father’s kingdom. So, today we are going to pray and we will be asking God to forgive us our sins.”

The event continued on Thursday with thanksgiving and high praises to God. The idea is for participants to give adoration to God Most High and to appreciate Him for what he has done in the lives of members of Omnipotence Mission of God and what God has for Nigeria.

Speaking concerning other activities lined up, Oloruntimilehin said, “On Friday, we shall make our individual needs and requests from God. We all came here with one need or the other and we need to say something to God. Because we have asked for forgiveness of our sins, and we have praised Him, He is ready to bless us and grant what we require from Him. Our anointing service and the highlight of this year’s TOMOG Bethel come up on Sunday (today),” Oloruntimilehin said.

Before then, a soccer competition between Bosoro Youth Football Club and club sides from Benin Republic had commenced on January 5th, 2013.

Pastor Oloruntimilehin explained, “I donated a trophy to encourage healthy competing and sport development among our youths. It is a decent way for Christian youths to recreate themselves. Saturday (yesterday) is the finals of the football competition.”

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od spoke to me on this emphatically, even including pastors in this church. How have you been serving God all these while? Many of you who call yourselves ministers of God; many of you workers in this church; many of you that call yourselves elders in the vineyard; many of you that call yourselves deacons and deaconesses in this church, God told me to ask you this morning to search your hearts.

Have you measured up to God’s expectation? Are you doing the work the way God says you should do it? Have you been faithful in your services? Have you been serving God the way He says you should serve Him? Or have you been serving God in your own ways?

Listen to me today; God spoke to me that year 2013 is a year He is going to bless His people at the frequency of their relationship with Him. He said that He is going to visit people at their frequency of commitment to Him. The Lord sent me to a lot of people in this church but I don’t want to mention names today. I had to mention names in a certain case because God said I should warn them. On two occasions, the devil wanted to snatch two children of that member but God preserved them.

God was looking for that member this morning but her seat is empty.

Hear me today, I like to encourage you; it is not only that member that is not here today, but God singled her out because God has something in stock for her.

Some of you, you call yourselves pastors and you cannot be controlled.

I called a meeting of pastors; many of them refused to respond. They didn’t even bother to phone and take excuse.

As a leader, you want your people to obey you.

G o d w i l l p a y ev-

Pastor Bamidele

erybody according to the work of their hands. You are a deacon in the church, if I call for ministers’ meeting, that is when your family meeting becomes more important to you than God. God is seeing you. I called a meeting, you say ‘well, I have family meeting. I own myself.’ Whether you own yourself or you don’t own yourself, God is recording everybody’s service. In heaven, He will bring out my own picture and bring out my file of how I lived my life.

And on the last day, He will bring out your own file too and show you the video of what you have done. You better check your ways; you better check your ways. I don’t see anything that can be more important for than to serve God. I don’t see anything that can be more important than for me to be in His presence.

All of you in this church, you are fond of one thing; you say you have an occasion; an occasion that will take something away from you; an accession that will take you away from the presence of God. Is it really more important than your God? If I tell you what I experience in the prayer mountain in the last seven days, what has happened in the last seven days, many people will be weeping this morning because God is querying your stewardship?

Hold thisGod tight. Be a good steward. That position you are you were not born with it. Remember, wherever you find yourself, you were not born at the level; God extended His mercy to you.

If you mess up that place, he will reject you, change you and put a better person there. God will not have a need to replace you.

•For counselling contact: pst_lai@yahoo.com, phone 08074484415, 08027502864 and 08161285586

28

Praise & Worship

SundayJanuary 13, 2013

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Pastor Muoka storms Mgbidi RICHARD EGHAGHE

I

t was indeed three days of wonders in the host community of Mgbidi, a suburban area of Owerri, the city capital of Imo State as the Lord’s Chosen Charismatic Revival Ministry held its power-packed international, annual interdenominational crusade.

Tagged “That His Wonders be multiplied”, the event was organised to usher in the New Year. Testimonies to the manifestation of the miraculous power of God kept coming in torrents as the founder and General Overseer, Pastor Lazarus Muoka, mounted the pulpit to minister to the mammoth crowd, from different walks of life Prior to the grand take-off of the spiritual revival which also marked a decade of existence of the church, Pastor Muoka had assured the people not to harden their hearts but to expect the great multiplication of wonders from God as the end time is at hand.

His words: “This year, I cried out again to the people of the world, particularly Nigeria, not to continue hardening their hearts from turning to God after seeing all the evils going on in the world and the doom approaching mankind. This is because all these evils and atrocities being witnessed by our generation are for the wonders of God Almighty to be multiplied”, he said.

True to his prophetic declaration for all afflictions, sicknesses including deafness and dumbness, blindness, paralysis and stroke disappeared as there were testimonies to instant healings and deliverances at the crusade ground. A middle-aged man of 36, who was proclaimed to have been deaf and dumb from birth, opened the floodgate for the hordes of testifiers. He was examined and asked to recite 1, 2,3,…, which he did; and he even called “Jesus”, to the wild jubilation of participants.

It was indeed evident that the testifier could now hear and speak like many others in the category that came out to testify. Numerous others testified to have been healed instantly of blindness, broken bones, paralysis, insanity, stroke and so on. There was even a lady who fell into trance and when she eventually recovered, she testified to being a queen of the coast on an evil mission to render the power of the presiding G.O useless and stop the crusade from holding. Another gave a testimony to have afflicted a former top pastor of the church with demons because of “his pride”, which ultimately led to her

inglorious exit from the church. Pastor Muoka, however, performed deliverances on them and set them free of their evil spiri.

The third and final day of Mgbidi 2013 ‘wonder’ crusade reached its climax with a surprise shower of rain. The unexpected shower was greatly celebrated by the huge crowd as a shower of blessing from God. They sang, clapped and danced to the glory of God. Even dignitaries, seated under canopies came out while the G.O. climbed down from the imposing podium built as the altar at the crusade ground, to go into the rain and join in the celebration. It was the first rain of the year in the Mgbidi community but strange enough, it only fell within the crusade environment.

In appreciation of the wonderful shower, Pastor Muoka remarked, “Yes, we prayed for it and God has answered us. It is unimaginable that rain will fall today. As I was praying, I made a mistake and said rain will fall. Thereafter, I began to wonder why I should pray for rain to fall. Now this is a rain of blessing falling, take it… take your blessing… that is the climax of miracle, the climax of wonders, take it…

I say take it!’. And just as the rain, which lasted about 20 minutes came to an abrupt stop and following Pastor Muoka’s declaration for the people to take their blessing and miracle, the crusade arena became charged in an atmosphere of testifiers.

They testified to unprecedented miracles and wonders, characterised by spontaneous jubilation of people in different areas of the crusade, including an instant cure to 15 years insanity of one Magdalene and another lady named Blessing from Warri in Delta State, among others.

Highly spirited in the euphoria of the shower, the minister of God went into fervent prayer for the multiplication of God’s wonders in the lives of the people and the country, Nigeria. He decreed the restoration of peace and security in the country. According to the pastor, the great wonders associated with the crusade is a clear indicator of how the year will be for participants.

In his final day’s sermon last Monday, at the crusade, Pastor Muoka admonished the people to remember that there is no impossibility with God because He can do all things and the bigger the problem, the easier it is solved. He reminded that God allowed every situation so that at the end, He will take the glory. “Nothing can work more than He permits because all power, in heaven and on earth, belongs to Him and today, He will manifest His power, that his wonders be multiplied. So whereever

(L-R) Head of Communications, Lords Chosen Charismatic Revival Ministries, Pastor Chidi Louis, founder and General Overseer, Pastor Lazarus Muoka, his wife, Pastor (Mrs) Joy Muoka, during the just concluded three days International crusade, held at the Chosen Revival Ground, Mgbidi, Owerri, the Imo State capital.

Jubilation at Mgbidi 2013 crusade

you are, I want you to just say ‘Jesus’ three times”, he said.

Reading from the book of Exodus 11:410, Jeremaiah 32:27 and Luke 13:31&32, he pointed out, “All I want you to understand is that God will allow those things, those situations, to come in the years ahead and the reason for allowing them is that His wonders be multiplied. So get ready for the many things that will happen in this world but don’t be shaken at all, at all, as we have taken the world by signs and wonders.”

He asked rhetorically: “Who is God going to use to demonstrate His wonders in these last days? Is it the people of the world? Or other people? In the days past, He used Moses whom He had chosen and also used Joshua whom He had chosen

and in this last days, before the coming of Jesus Christ, He had chosen me and you to show His wonders in our generation and He will take the honour over all adversities in Jesus’ name.

He cautioned his members that as a ‘Chosen’, they should never you limit miracles to the pastor alone by saying ‘until when my pastor prays, that is when the wonder will take place.’

“Don’t try that. Since God has called me and brought me under the ministry, I give you permission, use that power. Wherever you are, use that power and whenever there is a situation that is adverse, remember the God of your pastor and the situation will change. Now that I have given you the authority, we can take the world by signs and wonders,” he declared.

‘Only God can solve insecurity challenge’ T

he founder and General Overseer of the Lord’s Chosen Charismatic Revival Ministry, Pastor Lazarus Muoka, has cautioned the country’s leaders and the people not to seek external solution to the problem of insurgent attacks, but to seek the face of God. Addressing a world press conference at the international annual New Year interdenominational crusade by his Ministry in Mgbidi, Imo state, tagged “That His Wonders Be Multiplied”, which was concluded during the week, the clergy man disclosed,

“We believe that as long as we are still in the world, we are in the perilous times.

“We are in the end time and many things are bound to happen. As they are happening, no one should panic but rely and have confidence in God, knowing that He allows those things to happen. They should continue to pray unto Him so that protection, in the face of these insurgent attacks.”

He added that no force on earth surpassed God and as such, “the leaders and people should find time to seek God in

prayers, against bomb and gun attacks in the new year; It is not by finding external solution but by seeking God,” he admonished.

Delving into the scriptures, Pastor Muoka said that the prophecy of the last days revealed that perilous time shall come, and as they come, believers should understand that God allows those things to come so that His wonders might be multiplied.

He buttressed his argument by citing the instance of what happened in Egypt, before the children of Israel moved out.

According to him, God allowed so many things to happen so that the Egyptians would be convinced of the power of His existence.

“As those things were happening, the children of God were protected; nothing happened to them. So, I want to say that in this last day, many things will be happening but you shall be protected and nothing shall happen to me, in Jesus’ name”.

The prophet urged everybody, everywhere, “including our national leaders, that they should all embrace the Lord and call on

His mighty name. If they go seeking for solution from anywhere else, they are wasting their time.

The solution of this nation is in the hand of God and the solution of every family is in the hand of God. So it is left for everybody to return to Him. “The believers also should pray because this is the time for believers to pray, especially for this nation. If we are thinking of peace, if we are thinking of progress, this is the time to pray because in time to come, many things will be happening which will be inexplicable,” he foresaw.

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Praise & Worship

SundayJanuary 13, 2013

Your anointing is not for sale –Pastor Samuel Founder of Global Grace Church, Pastor Sam Effiong Daniel, fondly called Prophet Sam, urges men of God to turn away from turning the gospel of Christ to merchandise. Excerpts:

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Rather than using the gift of God for salvation of souls and setting the captive free and freely as it is given, it has become common for these servants of God to collect fees before The church has a divine origin and it is designed, they can give counseling to Chriswith precision, to achieve God’s supreme purpose tians who are afflicted. on planet earth. The Bible, speaking in the book of No wonder, the Bible callS them Malachi 4:5-6 states, “See, I will send the prophet Ministers of Satan, as contained in Elijah to you before that great 2Corinthians 11; and dreadful day of the LORD DO NOT CHARGE FEES 13-15. “For such comes. He will turn the hearts people are false of the parents to their chil- FOR USING GIFTS THAT apostles, deceitful dren, and the hearts of the workers, masquerchildren to their parents; or ARE FREELY GIVEN BY ading as apostles of else I will come and strike the Christ. And no wonder, land with total destruction.”

OD S THE IBLE for Satan himself masWithout any ambiguity, querades as an angel of Prophet Elijah was sent into SAYS FREELY IT WAS light. It is not surprising, the world just like Jesus Christ then, if his servants also and other great characters in GIVEN FREELY YOU masquerade as servants the Bible to prepare believers of righteousness. Their end for the coming of Christ. In MUST GIVE T IS will be what their actions deHis infinite wisdom, God creserve.” ated man on earth to reclaim WRONG TO MANIPULATE We are not supposed to rethe earth from Satan and the quest money for counseling or devil, who robbed man of his MEMBERS OR OUTSIDERS for offering prayers. The book of godly heritage and filled the Mathew says in 10: 8, ‘Our busiearth with ungodliness.

URELY IF OD CALLS ness and order are to go for the The passage in question lost sheep and to use the gift givsays that Elijah was sent to the A MINISTER HE WILL en to us by God t win souls, recchurch in his time, to restore oncile souls back to our maker.’ the fallen church of God back MAKE A WAY Those who relish in doing this to the faith of the fathers and must know that it is sinful to do to prepare the word, believing so. They should remember also and obeying the bride, preparing for the coming of that making merchandise, especially in the house of the Lord Jesus Christ.

God is one act that made Jesus angry, and that was When the disciples asked Jesus, during his minis- the only time the master got angry throughout His try on earth, why did the teachers of the law say that ministry on earth.

Elijah must come first, and the master’s reply includSome men of God have turned themselves into ed an assurance. “To be sure, Elijah comes and will Balaam’s prophets, declaring fake visions. They have restore all things,” he had said (Mathew17:10-11). specialised in the act of manipulating the congregaBut before then, God commissioned bishops, pas- tion and collecting their money. Some no longer care tors, evangelists, teachers and all those who fall about speaking the mind of God. You may say that within the class of church workers and believers the Bible says that your gift will draw men to you or generally, to reconcile men and women, especially make a way for you. Yes, it will make a way for you, the lost souls to Christ. We serve a God of mystery, but do not charge fees for using gifts that are freely but in Christ, he had given to us everything we need given by God. As the Bible says, freely it was given, to lead a godly life, which includes a flurry of men freely you must give. It is wrong to manipulate memof God who he has anointed to demystify His mys- bers or outsiders. teries and prepare his people for the coming harvest Surely, if God calls a minister, he will make a way, of the lamb. though it will not be an easy terrain to tread. For this Hence, revelation 10:7 says, “But in the days when reason, Apostle Paul forewarned us in Acts 20:26-35. the seventh angel is about to sound his trumpet, the He was admonishing the people, saying that God had mystery of God will be accomplished, just as he an- raised him up to fight these errors and be restored to nounced to his servants the prophets.” the Bible Christianity.

The funny thing about today’s end-time pastors The truth of the Bible is no longer held sacred by peois the way they are going about their divine assign- ple who are supposed to be people of God. In our daily conment. Bone-facedly, some men of God have turned ducts, we put away enduring Bible teachings and follow the business of preaching the good news of the after fables and lies. The practice of charging fees in orkingdom and the commission ‘to go into the world der to pray for someone, or pay before one can be booked and reconcile men back to God’, into merchandise. to see a man of God or of selling special anointing or ol-

rethren, we are living in a world where all manners of funny people are occupying the centre stage even in the house of God. However, the house of God or the church is not cut out to be a laughable place.

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ive oil, and blessed w a ter, are against the teaching of the Bible.

A true and restored church is a giving church.

In Acts 2:44-45, we read that, “And all that believed were together, and had all things common; sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.”

The Bible pointed out that each day the number of them that believed increased. Brethren, God blesses a giver tremendously. Nigeria will be a better place if we turn around and get restored unto God. •For counseling contact Prophet Samuel via email globalgracechurch@yahoo.com ; www.

Global Grace Church.org or phone 08060143296 and 08164392405

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Praise & Worship

John 4:3 states, “But anyone who denies these about Jesus does not have the spirit from God. The spirit that he has is from the enemy of Christ. You had it would come but now it is here in the world already; but you belong to God my children and have defeated the false prophet because the spirit that is in you is more powerful than the spirit in those who belong to the world.” Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world,” says the King James Version I will start with a story and I will end with someone’s story. The Bible says that the spirit of the anti-Christ is already in the world. Arguments are going on; different people are saying a lot of things.

You know, prophetic ministry is a ministry where people can offer varying interpretations. What people don’t know, they give it a name. The Bible says that there is something in you that is greater than the one in the world.

There is a certain lady named Chinyere from Enugu; who is filled with the Holy Ghost, highly anointed by Jehovah, the only daughter of her parents.

Her mother died early; and her father vowed saying, “My daughter, you will graduate as a lawyer.” But two years to her graduation, the father died.

Incidentally, there was no money to further her education, after her father’s burial. She made up her mind to go into business and her friend advised her to start bread business. The day she negotiated with a baker who would teach her bakery, the man said to her, ‘there is no flour in Enugu.’ We need to go to Onitsha to get the flour. On their way to Onitsha, the man died in a motor accident. She decides to go into petrol business after a reasonable period of mourning her previous master. The week she joined that line of business, tanker drivers went on strike.

Her friends later rallied round and sent her to America. The same day she arrived in America, the American Immigration Service on routine check discovered that her Visa was a fake one. Both Chinyere and the lady who was to welcome her at the airport were both deported to Nigeria, that same day. Chinyere arrived Lagos shattered; she called her one of her dear friends, Ijeoma, and lamented; “Ijeoma, they have finished my career.”

Ijeoma told her to stop crying “I will connect you to the man that helped me.

If you have encounter with this man your life story will change. Helplessly, Chinyere consented and said, “Please let’s go.” “Take it easy, I need to call him first,” Ijeoma pleaded with her. After she had called the man, he said bring your friend at once.” When they entered the man’s place, behold it was a Babalawo house.

This sister who is filled with the Holy Ghost found herself in a Babalawo house. Her friend, Ijeoma said to the Babalawo, “Please help my friend the way you helped me.” Without wasting time, the Babalawo started to consult demonic powers but soon realised that the spirits in-charge of his satanic altar was not there again. He did all the incantations but there was no signal from the spiritual realm again. So he called another more powerful native doctor somewhere in Calabar. He said, “Do some searching for me. A lady has entered here, and I

SundayJanuary 13, 2013

When you are too loaded to be wasted –Pastor Chidi When you have a God whose limitless power resides in you, there is no one that can stop or subdue you. Pastor Chidi Anthony, presiding minister of Kings in Christ’s Church, relates the moving story of how a sister who is endowed with the power of God rendered a demonic temple impotent. Excerpts:

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

I STAND AS A COM-

MANDER WITH A COM-

MANDMENT;

I APPEAR

AS ANCIENT AND MODERN

PROPHET.

I STAND WITH THE GRACE OF GOD UPON MY LIFE. ANY MAN THAT HAS VOWED THAT YOU WILL NOT

SUCCEED,

I DECLARE

HIS OBITUARY IN THE NAME OF

Pastor Chidi and wife

don’t know what is going on.” on ” After the search, he sent a signal to the Babalawo in Lagos and said, “The lady that entered your shrine has that thing.

And what is that thing? The Babalawo said to Ijeoma, “Take your friend out of this place. She has that thing. Ijeoma said to him, “I can’t take my friend out of this place; I brought her to you so that you

can help her too, discourtoo and how can I discour age my friend. He said, “Take her out of this place. The lady said, “I am sorry; go to her and tell her to go by yourself.”

Frustrated, the Baba turned to Chinyere and said, “Sorry, you need to go because you are not meant to be here. You have that thing.” The lady said, “I don’t understand?” Baba said, “You have that thing

JESUS

that can make a cripple to walk.”

The Babalawo had found out that the sister is highly anointed; filled with the Holy Ghost. He testified that she carried that thing that can make a blind to see; she has that thing that can take a man from grass to grace. I prophesy to a hundred of you tonight, if I am sent by Jehovah, that thing in you will work for you. If you believe it shout ‘I have that thing.’ That thing that made a poor man a proud owner of his own house; that thing that took a deputy governor to a Governor, from Governor to Vice President, from Vice President to Acting President to a President without election is the anointing of God. You carry it, as a child of God. Hear me. I know the God I am serving. In the Old Testament He divided the sea; in the New Testament he matched upon the sea. I know the God that I am serving, the God that took a man from grass to grace. Get this. You are too loaded to be wasted. You are too surrounded to surrender.

I don’t care about what is happening in your father’s house. If I am sent

by Jehovah, the history in your father’s house has nothing to do with your future. We are serving a God of history.

We are serving a God of mystery; when mystery arises, history will be deleted.

I don’t care what the doctor says. I appear as a Niger Delta militant Prophet. I stand as a commander with a commandment; I appear as ancient and modern Prophet. I stand with the grace of God upon my life. Any man that has vowed that you will not succeed, I declare his obituary in the name of Jesus.

I feel like raising trouble now against your detractor. Any man that hits the ground and curse you, I stand in the name that is above any other name, I stand under the grace of God in this commission, I swallow them, in the name of Jesus. I appear in your father’s house, I appear in your mother’s house with a spirit whip and I whip them in the name of Jesus. Any man that has stopped your parent and wants to stop you in your office or business place, I flog them into desolation with spiritual cane. If you believe, say I hear.

No man born of a woman will stop or destroy you because you have that thing.

Because you have that thing, doors will open for your sake.

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Praise & Worship

SundayJanuary 13, 2013

places.” Some of these spirit beings actually govern some geographical areas as the representatives of Satan; for example Daniel was told of two entities namely:the prince of Persia and the prince of the Greek. The entities referred to were in position of authority in the regions. We deduce from the above that Satan, the devil, has regional or zonal representatives in different parts of the earth because he and his angels-turned demons are spirit beings that reside and operate in the realm of the spirit.

The realm of the spirit is the intangible half of the earth. It is the realm of dreams, trances and other forms of higher thoughts where extra human activities are initiated. Realm of the spirit is where Satan, the devil himself presides over his demonic kingdom. It is the realm where situation of lives of the earthly people are manipulated.

Organisation of Satan

Pastor Adewunmi

A, B, C of Satan and his devices, by Pastor Adewunmi Lives are manipulated in spiritual realm presiding minister of House of Prayer Ministry, Pastor Segun Adewunmi, writes on the need for believers to understand their spiritual environment for greater exploits. Excerpts: Demonic Kingdom

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here is the need for believers to really understand who Satan the Devil really is and how he operates. The Bible says we should not be ignorant of his devices. “Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.”- 2Cor 2:11 This series will teach you all you need to know about Satan, the Devil, and his evil organisation. You will also learn about all you should know about demonic human agents who are witches, wizards and cult men.

The Realm of the Spirit

The earth consists of the Physical and the Spiritual realms. The Bible speaking in Matt 18:18; “Verily I say unto you, whatso-

ever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”

Action initiated in a realm affects the situation in the other realm. It implies that every object animate and inanimate has a spirit dimension. It is on this basis that prayer which is entirely a spiritual exercise affects the affairs of these objects. Anything and any matter that prayer can affect exists in the spirit realm. The Bible also acknowledges the existence of the spirit beings that intervene in the lives of man.

Hence Ephesian 6:12 says, “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high

The government of Satan is similar to the unitary government practised in a military government. It follows the pattern where the military head of state chooses regional governors as well as ministers in charge of different departments of his government. Indeed, principalities refer to the equivalence of the zonal governors.

Each of the principalities forms strategy of operation even though their collective objective ‘which is opposing the children of God” remains the same. This is one of the reasons strategies for deliverance may vary from one geo-political area to the other, for prayers to be effective. Under each principality are millions of demons in the categories of different levels of power and authority. These demons are the followers of Satan, the fallen angels that were cast out of heaven with Satan. Each of them is identified by different names among the languages of the world.

There also exist some demons in the form of national ministers who take charge or coordinate various demonic operations in all parts of the earth. They are available to do havoc as they consider necessary throughout the world. For example, we have demon of lust, demon of anger, demon of destruction, among other demons of human vices. There are also demons that cause different sicknesses. These demons can be conjured or invoked to cause calamities and wreck havoc as intended by the evil people.

Demonic materials

Juju medicine, talisman and other fetish objects have no spiritual power of their own. It is when the demons are conjured to inhabit them that they begin to manifest power. Demons enter such objects through incantations, chanting and other meditative devices. Fetish objects often placed on the way, buried in the ground or suspended in the ceiling derive their power this way. Included among the fetish objects is the seal made in some churches.

A seal is usually a concoction or image of the demons or names of some fallen angels wrapped and tied up with thread upon which an invocation is made to enable the demon desired to inhabit them. Seals are as fetish as other juju objects. The same principle applies to the shrine, idols and other objects that depict various deities.

One may defecate in the shrine or ride on the idols and there shall be no repercussion whatsoever unless the deeds are known to the demonic human agents who have the physical custody of the idols and the spiritual custody of the demons. An example was the action of Gideon against the shrine of Baal. Gideon took 10 men with him to bring down the altar of Baal, killing its bullocks and using the wood of

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the idol Altar to roast the meat of the idol’s bullock His action angered the men (Baal worshippers) of the city and they requested that his father release him for punishment. The response of Joash, the father of Gideon is a challenge to the relevance of the idol.

The book of Judges 6:31 says, “And Joash said unto all that stood against him, will ye plead for Baal? Will ye save him?

He that will plead for him let him be put to death whilst it is yet morning. If he be a god let him plead for himself because one hath cast down his alter”.

Baal could not avenge itself because it is as ineffective as any other inanimate object. Isaiah spoke of carving images as the demonstration of the stupidity of man.

“A person uses part of a tree for fuel and part of it for making an idol. With one part he builds a fire to warm himself and bake bread; with the other part he makes a god and worships it. With some of the wood he makes a fire; he roasts meat, eats it, and is satisfied. He warms himself and says “How nice and warm! What a beautiful fire! The rest of the wood he makes into an idol, and then he bows down and worships it. He prays to it and says, You are my God, save me. Such people are too stupid to know what they are doing. They close their eyes and their minds to the truth. The maker of idols hasn’t the wit or the sense to say, “Some of the wood I burnt up. I baked some bread on the embers and I roasted meat and ate it. And the rest of the wood I made into an idol. Here I am bowing down to a block of wood.” -Isaiah 44:15-19

Idol and the shrine

An idol is usually the symbol of worship of Satan the devil or one of its principal demons. Satan the chief demon manifests in different dimensions some of which are listed below: Beelzebub (Prince of demon), Abadon or Apollyon (Destroyer), Prince of the power of the air (disobedience), Accuser, Wicked Spirit, Murderer, Liar, Prince of the World, Belial, Opposer.

Names of the wicked spirits are also listed in some of the so-called prayer books such as Sixth and Seventh Books of Moses and other books in its category. It may surprise the believers that invocation of the demonic forces could be done with the use of Bible lines, especially from the book of Psalms. The fact is that the words of the Bible are a collection of the supernatural laws often referred to as graphic.

These passages are potent with spiritual power that can only be released and applied through invocation made on the demonic or the Holy Spirit. The words of the Bible are like the military weapons that cannot fight on their own. The gun requires a bullet and firing to create effect and impact. The igniting power, genuine or counterfeit, will provide a result. The Holy Spirit is the genuine, while the demonic spirit is the counterfeit.

Prayers

That a prayer was answered does not imply that such prayer was right. It may not even be made to the true God. Some prayers are directed to the demonic forces and yet receive quick answer. In most cases, prayers could be mere manipulation of spiritual forces for a desired result. A typical professional Prophet could be that person who understands spiritual forces and has the ability to manipulate them. He may not be different from the occultic men and other practitioners of idol worship in his method of prayer.

•For counseling contact the minister via email: pastorsegunadewumi@gmail.com or phone 08091663586.

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Praise & Worship

SundayJanuary 13, 2013

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Lost vision (1)

wrecked their mandate and the resultant effect has brought untold hardship into the lives of millions, rendering many disillusioned and destroying the lives of unborn generations.

That informed our teaching today – Tragedy of a lost vision.

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raise the Lord. Heavenly hosts are rejoicing because destinies and purposes are being reawakened and fulfilled. To God be the glory.

Text messages and feedbacks on our teachings are soul inspiring. The one received from the Academy for Future Leaders is striking and instructive – I am always available to teach future leaders and help them discover their being. Shalom.

Heaven opened up today again that as individuals are sent and equipped, so also nations.

•Moses and children of Issachar with Israel.

•Jehoshaphat with Judah.

•Tabitha with Joppa.

•David with Bethlehem.

•Samson with the tribe of Dan. •George Washington, Martin Luther King and Barrack Obama with America.

•Zerubbabel with Jerusalem.

•Nelson Mandela with South Africa.

•Anthony Enahoro with Nigeria.

For nations to fulfil their mandate, those sent to them must play their roles effectively but ironically today, nations and their harbingers have lost focus, derailed and ship-

Think rightly •A man of lost vision will grope in the dark.

•Those following him are endangered.

•He is unknowingly destroying others.

•Those ignorant will fall into the same trap with him.

•Helpless but too shameful and arrogant to seek help.

•Former height make others too fearful to confront him[ Joseph Stalin and Adolf Hitler as case study].

•Will not go down easily, millions and great destinies will perish with him.

Divine word “Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works, or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.”

“But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to cast a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.

So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.

Repent, or else I will come unto thee quickly and will fight against them with the sword

of my mouth.

He that hath an ear let him hear what the spirit saith unto the churches (nations) …”

(Revelation chapter 2 verses 5 and 14-17).

What a tragedy of a lost vision. God is watching nations and will judge them quickly. Tell those who are merrymaking that this will be more severe than the days of Noah.

It is dangerous and suicidal to fall into the hands of an angry God. *Whence thou art fallen – What Heaven asks us to do, are we doing them? We have derailed, let’s go back to the basics. The heart of the matter is the matter of the heart.

•Repent, do the first works – One thing I have learnt from history is that people refuse to learn from history. Is this the nation of our dream in the 60s and70s?

•Will come quickly – Run to the mountain with your ill gotten wealth, nemesis will catch up with you. No mercy on that day, whatsoever a man soweth, he shall reap.

Watch your back, judgement beckons.

•Remove thy candlestick – No one will be able to save you. Repent now. Candlestick is your life. Divine fury will be too hot for you to handle, it is a judgement of no appeal. Better go and undo the wrongs you have done now.

Whither Nigeria Nigeria, the once vibrant country and the pride of black race suddenly became a pariah in the comity of nations because we lost our vision and direction. Leaders and the led became disjointed, wickedness took over and disorderliness became the order of the day.

Note that God will not bless a nation where His laws are being broken with impunity.

This is not the nation our leaders craved

for. Not the present ones but those who fought the colonial masters. Enahoro, who moved the motion for Nigeria’s independence, is saddened with this development likewise Chief Ayo Adebanjo and other co-travellers of the pre-independence era.

Why, how and when did we find ourselves in this sorry state behaving as if we are in a jungle? – Ask yourself, you are part of the rot and God will judge you.

Search within Are you among those destroying our society? Every form of bad behaviour is corruption. Civil servants without civility, honourables without honour, His Excellency without excellent spirit, His Grace with disgrace trailing you, youths with youthful and evil lusts, businessmen with sharp business practice, contractors with contrasting spirits, leaders leading astray, parents with perverted spirit, teachers becoming ‘cheaters’, chairmen with demonic characters, leadership with selfish ambition [self first, self middle, self last], politicians with polluted spirit [do or die politics], godfatherism – appointing, supporting, importing and imposing cronies to suppress and oppress the people.

In fact, Nigeria has become a family contract to some politicians because they have no second address. Simply put, our leaders are ‘dealers’.

You destroyed your nation with your position in that office by milking her dry. Some stole the country blind, displaying the wealth publicly when millions are going to bed hungry with thousands dying miserably daily – their blood is on you and God will give you full dose of your judgement.

Your tomorrow will be alright Hope for Hopeless with Pastor Goke

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Aniyeloye

elcome to the day you have been waiting for, the 12th day in the month of beginning. Year 2012 has been terminated.

2013 has come with new hope, new assurance, new determination, new desire, new aspiration and dream fulfillment. This is a year that every lost possession is going to be recovered, a year that the point of ridicule is going to be converted to a point of miracle; a year that the garment of glory and favour is going to replace the garment of shame.

A year that weeping is going to turn to laughter, a year that every Goliath, Pharaoh and Hamman is going to be silenced permanently. Number of twelve is number of termination; the sickness of 12 years came to an end. “And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with issue of blood 12 years, came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment; 21 For she said within herself, if I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole. 22 But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole.

And the woman was made whole from that hour.” Matthew chapter 9 verses 2022.

Jesus said your days of mourning has gone, the days of mourning for this Nation has gone, he said we should be of good comfort, the word is coming from the commander of heaven and the earth, that means no power, no principality, nor ruler of darkness can terminate our comfort and joy this year. Any one born of a woman that might want to destroy the peace of this na-

tion this year, may his or her blood be shed for our peace. When the good Lord says we should be of good comfort, it means He has subjected our enemies under our feet. This year, where ever you have been rejected you will be accepted in Jesus name.

Why I’m I so sure that this year everything that has being opposing you, medically, physically, financially, and spiritually will be terminated?. The bible says that the disciples and the multitude were hungry, Lord Jesus fed them to satisfaction with little and there was surplus left over. 19”And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the grass, and took five loaves, and two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, and brake, and gave the loaves to his disciples, And the disciples to the multitude. 20 And they did all eat, and we’re filled: and they took up of the fragments that remained 12 baskets” Matthew chapter 14 verses 19&20.

That day Jesus attended to their poverty.

Today I decree into your life and destiny, everything associated with poverty is banished today in Jesus name. The word of life says according to saint Mark chapter number 5 verses 35-42.

When Jesus came into the house the people around made jest of Him thinking that there was nothing He could do to rescue the situation, but they were disappointed, I equally decree into your life, your enemies will be disappointed this year in Jesus name. 39 “ And when he was come in, he saith unto them, why make ye this ado, and weep? The damsel is not dead, but sleepeth. 40 And they laughed him to scorn.

But when he had put them all out, he taketh the father and the mother of the damsel, and them that were with him, and entereth in where the damsel was lying. 41 And he took the damsel by hand, and said unto her, Talithacumi; which is, being interpreted, Damsel, I say unto thee, arise. 42 And straightway the damsel arose, and walked; for she was of the age of twelve years, and they were astonished

with a great astonishment. This year the Lord will make your case a surprise to your enemies in Jesus name. I decree into your life, whatever that is dead in your life to receive life now in Jesus name.

For you to have your tomorrow, there are some things you must note: • You must keep your dream alive. Joseph, while passing through challenges he kept his dream intact. He got to Potiphar’s house and was offered satanic gift.

He saw that humanly speaking it was good, but he never shifted his gaze from the God given dream.

• You must stop living in your past. No one lives in his or her yesterday and sees his tomorrow. Remember, your yesterday is a cancelled cheque, which you cannot use to draw out money today, your tomorrow is a promisory note but your today is your cash.

Saint Luke says in Luke chapter number 9 verse 62 “And Jesus said unto him, no man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God”.

• Do not listen to discouragers. There so many people out there who don’t want you to make it. Enemies pretending to be friends, may the Lord deliver us from them. 46, And they came to Jericho: and as he went out of Jericho with his disciples and a great number of people, blind Bartimaeus, the son Timaeus, sat by the highway side begging. 47 And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out, and say, Jesus, thou son of David, have mercy on me. 48 And many charged him that he should hold his peace: but he cried the more a great deal, Thou son of David have mercy on me. 49 And Jesus stood still, and commanded him to call. And they called the blind man, saying unto him, be of good comfort, rise; for he calleth thee.”

Listen, the bible says that “And they called him saying be of good comfort for he calleth thee” Saint Mark chapter number 10 verses 146-49. Who are these “they”? They are enemies of miracle, progress, joy and

breakthrough. I decree into your life, every enemy that is responsible for your ugly condition, the Lord will silent them this year in Jesus name.

•Determine that you must get to your goal. The crowd asked the blind man to keep silence, he refused. You must not accept failure as your partner this year. Remember you are wired for success, you are a record breaker, you are created to be above and never be beneath. Jacob determined that enough is enough, “this very night I must get my breakthrough, he told the angel I will not let you go unless you bless me” that’s rugged determination and that’s what you need this year.

• Remain focused, don’t get distracted.

Any one going to the mountain and keeps looking back never gets there.

• Be an obtainer and not a complainant. A complainant is never an obtainer, so if you want to get anything good from the Lord this year, don’t complain of what made you a failure last year, but think of how you can make a good success this year.

• Believe that helps come from above and not from abroad. King David said “ I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. Are you there trusting God for breakthrough this year through your brother? Why not first call unto the God of that your brother.

Somebody said don’t go to Canada to can (cage) your life, don’t go to Germany to germ your success, don’t go to London to go and lost out of Goods will, Ladies and gentlemen stay were the Lord has appointed for you. There is an appointed place and time for everybody, I strongly believe, this is your year in Jesus name.

•You can reach Goke Aniyeloye on Dove media every Tuesday by 11:00 pm for hope for the hopeless. You can also contact me on gokeaniye999@yahoo.com or gokeaniye@ gmail.com

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Praise & Worship 33

SundayJanuary 13, 2013

How to achieve success this year Christian Relationship with Taiwo

Odubiyi

E-mail: info@pastortaiwoodubiyi.org.uk

D

ear friends, compliments of the season. I pray that this New Year will be good to you and your family. The Lord will go ahead of you to level every mountain, and the year will be filled with joy, peace, prosperity and answered prayers in Jesus’ name.

You might have heard or read in newspapers a lot of negative predictions concerning this year 2013, but the truth is that God wants to save and deliver His children. He still wants the best for them, He does not want anyone to perish but that all may come to repentance.

He has not changed His mind concerning you. He still wants you to prosper and be in good health even as your soul prospers. He also wants your relationship or marriage to work as well. Of course, there will be challenges in the year but the people who know God will be strong and do exploits. ‘When men are being cast down, those who know God shall say ‘there is lifting up.’ (Daniel 11:32).

What are some of the things you need to know and do in order to have success this year? Here are two of them: • Do not forget God’s words. There are things we must forget if we will move forward and prosper in life. They will hinder us if we don’t put them behind us. The past is one of them. Apostle Paul knew this truth and mentioned it in his epistle to the Philippians. “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which

are before.” (Philippians 3:13 KJV) We must also forget disappointments, offences, etc. But there are things we must never forget. We must never forget God’s words, laws and teachings.

“My son, do not forget my law, but let your heart keep My commands. (Proverbs 3:1 KJV) God’s words in our hearts will give us wisdom and make us know how life works.

God told Joshua, “This book of the law shall not depart out of thy; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. (Joshua 1:8 KJV) To succeed in every area of life including marriage, we must pay attention to God’s words. As human beings, we are going to pay attention to something or someone. Some people make the mistake of paying attention to the advice of bad friends, and they get misled. But God is saying, “Pay attention to Me and My words.” Why? Verse 2 reveals the benefits of paying attention to God’s words. For length of days and long life and peace they will add to you.

• Be prayerful. Prayer is taking your requests to God. No matter who you are, you must learn to talk to God and rely on Him. God wants you to come to Him and depend on Him this year, so that you don’t fall where others are falling.

The importance of prayer

Where all else fails, prayer prevails.

There are things that your pastor cannot do for you, things that your parents cannot do for you, but prayer can. Your parents and pastors cannot give you joy and peace, but prayer can.

The more you pray, the better you become; the more peace you have; the clearer things become; the stronger you become; the more favour you receive; the more

blessings you get; the closer you are to God, your maker; the more protection you have; the more chains are broken.

People prayed for Peter in Acts 12, and God delivered him.

5 Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church. 6 And when Herod was about to bring him out, that night Peter was sleeping, bound with two chains between two soldiers; and the guards before the door were keeping the prison. 7 Now behold, an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shone in the prison; and he struck Peter on the side and raised him up, saying, “Arise quickly!” And his chains fell off his hands. 8 Then the angel said to him, “Gird yourself and tie on your sandals”; and so he did. And he said to him, “Put on your garment and follow me.” 9 So he went out and followed him, and did not know that what was done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision. 10 When they were past the first and the second guard posts, they came to the iron gate that leads to the city, which opened to them of its own accord; and they went out and went down one street, and immediately the angel departed from him. 11 And when Peter had come to himself, he said, “Now I know for certain that the Lord has sent His angel, and has delivered me from the hand of Herod and from all the expectation of the Jewish people.”

Ten prayer points with Scriptures.

Use them to pray in this month of January

• But the king spared Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan the son of Saul, because of the LORD’s oath that was between them, between David and Jonathan the son of Saul. (2 Samuel 21:7) Mephibosheth was not killed along with the others, he was preserved. Pray that your life will be preserved in this year.

• Lord, defend Your interests in my life

in Jesus name. God has plans for your life but satan also has his agenda. You need to pray that God’s plans will come to pass.

• Pray for the removal and destruction of every power contending with the power of God in your life, in Jesus name. Be sure though, that you are doing the right thing, and that you are in the will of God. • Help me, O LORD my God! Oh, save me according to Your mercy, 27 That they may know that this is Your hand— That You, LORD, have done it! (Psalm 109:26-27) Ask God to have mercy on you and help you, so that the world may know that He is the One working in your life.

• Therefore thus says the LORD concerning the king of Assyria: ‘He shall not come into this city, Nor shoot an arrow there, Nor come before it with shield, Nor build a siege mound against it.’ (Isaiah 37:33) Pray that no arrow of the enemy will come to you in Jesus name. It shall not stand or come to pass.

•And He increased His people greatly; and made them stronger than their enemies. (Psalm 105:24) Pray for great increase to come upon you this year, that the Lord will prosper all that you lay your hands upon to do, that will glorify Him. • He made them stronger than their enemies. Pray for God’s strength to come upon you, to help you and give you victory so that the enemies do not prevail against you.

• And when Peter had come to himself, he said, “Now I know for certain that the Lord has sent His angel, and has delivered me from the hand of Herod and from all the expectation of the Jewish people.”

(Acts 12:11) Pray that as the Lord delivered Peter, so shall He deliver you from every trouble and danger.

• God delivered Peter from the expectations of the people. Pray that God will deliver you from people’s expectations of shame, and destruction.

• Pray that the lord will go ahead of you into the year and level every mountain.

Self-deliverance Shepherd Life with Bishop Kingsley

Enakirerhi

T

o God be the glory; that has made it possible for us to see another year and even this week. Today, I want to share with you something that will enable you to achieve your dreams and visions for this New Year. In Psalm 11:3, we are told that “if the foundation, be destroyed, what can the righteous do?” The foundation is a very important part of a building. Without a foundation, a building cannot stand. In fact, the nature and strength of a building is dependent on the foundation of the building.

Thus, if the foundation of your life is not in order, no matter how much you work hard, you will only labour in vain.

There will be little or nothing to show for your labour. The Israelites who returned to Jerusalem after the Babylonian captivity refused to build the house of God and God placed a curse on them. He said in Haggai 1:6, 9, “Ye have sown much, and bring little, ye eat, but ye have not enough, ye drink, but ye are not filled with drink, ye clothe, but there is none warm; and he that earneth wages ear-

neth to put into a bag with holes… ye looked for much, and, lo it came to little, and when ye brought it home, I did blow upon it…”

You can imagine what will happen to the finances of a man whom the Lord is against. That person, like those in the above passage, will have nothing to show for it. Same thing applies when there is a curse operating in your family. Until it is dealt with properly, you will struggle all your life.

There are people who are at the verge of their breakthrough. Something will happen that prevents them from experiencing the breakthrough. This is the reason why Ministries like ours conduct monthly school of deliverance in order to liberate men to fulfill their destiny.

However, I want to state here that in order for you to be delivered, you need not attend a school of deliverance. When I got born again, I never went to any school of deliverance. I experienced deliverance personally. This is because I had to take the bull by the horn. Many believers today don’t want to make sacrifice. But remember that Jesus said unless you “deny yourself, take up your cross and follow me”, you can never be his disciple.

There are so many shallow Christians walking around today. They don’t want to do anything independently. They want others to pray for them, fast for them and even attend service for them. This nonsense must stop. In Isaiah 52:1-2, the

scripture says, “Awake, awake, put on thy strength, O Zion, put on thy beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city; for henceforth there shall no more come into thee the uncircumcised and the unclean.

Shake thyself from the dust, arise, and sit down, O Jerusalem: loose thyself from the bands of thy neck, O captive daughter of Zion”.

Believers must wake up out from every form of spiritual slumber. We have allowed the devil to oppress and humiliate us for too long. Because we have failed to pay the price, we now make the devil and his agents look very powerful. Ephesians 2:5-6 says that we are seated in the heavenly places with Christ Jesus, far above principalities and powers.

In order to deliver yourself from anything that has held you down or limited you, you must apply the principle in Romans 10: 8-10 which says, “But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith which we preach, that if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation”.

From the above passage, the first step to conducting self-deliverance is to receive God’s word. God’s word has the capacity to deliver and set you free. As

many as received Christ (the word), he gave the right (the freedom) to be called the sons of God. Romans 1:16 tells us that the gospel is the power of God unto salvation. Proverbs 11:9b says “…through knowledge shall the just be delivered”. It is the truth (God’s word) you know that will guarantee your freedom. You receive God’s word when you study, hear and meditate on it. It is God’s word that will reveal to you what your inheritance in Christ is. And until you know, you cannot enforce.

The next step after receiving God’s word is to confess God’s word. God calls those things that he desires into existence. Every believer who wants to enjoy God’s provision must confess what God’s word says he is. You must declare that Christ has made you free and you cannot be bound. You must confess that because God has blessed you, no curse is permitted to reign in your life. Keep on confessing your healing until it will manifest physically.

Finally, you must believe God’s word.

Many today pray and make confessions which they don’t believe in. You must believe that what you have spoken according to God’s word must come to pass.

You must then act it. God will not come to enforce your deliverance; He expects you to take certain steps. Faith without works is dead. Let your action match your confession and you will experience self-deliverance.

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Praise & Worship

SundayJanuary 13, 2013

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Rehoboth

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ells provide a dominant motif in the patriarchal stories as tangible evidence of divine blessing. It is very striking and significant that the name of Isaac is associated with “wells” just seven times, not less, not more. “And Isaac’s servants digged in the valley, and found there a well of springing water” (Gen 26:19; the margin reads: “of living water!”). Water is imperative for the maintenance of the natural life; so, too, is it with the spiritual. The first need of the believer is the “living water!” “The way that water ministers to life and growth is indeed a beautiful type of the Spirit’s action. Without water a plant will die in the midst of abundance of food in actual contact with its roots. Its office is to make food to be assimilated by the organism, and to give power to the body system.”

Wells and fountains are sources of “living water” (see Zech. 13:1), connected with spiritual blessings (cf. 1 Cor. 10:4). “With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation” (Isa 12:3). “Whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” (John 4:14; see 7:39). For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour out my Spirit on your offspring and my blessing on your descendants” (Isa 44:3).

The story of Isaac in Genesis 26 provides several contrasts. For instance: Isaac, the bearer of God’s promises is also Isaac, the fearful one. Isaac, the famine refugee is also Isaac, the wealthy sojourner. Isaac presented as the weak one becomes strong but chooses not to use that strength to fight. The astonishing thing here is that Isaac kept finding water in time of famine! God will continue to satisfy your own soul in drought (Isa 58:11).

Clearly, God was with him and was blessing him. When his enemies filled his wells with water and pushed him from his pos-

session, he left God to do the fighting for him and he held his peace. Quarrels about watering-places and pastures are common among the ancient Middle Eastern region because of its arid condition. “In many regions the scarcity of water is such that the Bedouins rather offer milk than water as a beverage.”

“All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not” (1 Cor 10:23; see 1 Cor 6:12). A Christian cannot contend for all his rights all the time everywhere. “Repay no one evil for evil.

Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.

Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, ‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,’ says the Lord. . . Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Rom 12:17-21; see also Lev 19:18; Deut 32:35).

Some commendation is appropriate for Isaac’s sense of his heritage in re-opening wells that were stuffed by sand over time.

God calls us to follow Christ’s example: the wells of ancient truth which had been choked up by error, but Christ reopened them and restored them to their pure biblical light. “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever!” (Heb 13:8). The everlasting gospel has not changed. What was taught to Adam in the Garden of Eden is still true for the Christian today. God does not change with time. “I am the Lord, I change not” (Mal 3:6). If the Bible says it, modernity cannot erase it! Let us go back to the old landmarks (Deut 19:14; Prov 23:10). Heaven and earth may pass away, but one jot or tittle shall not pass away from God’s law (Matt 5:17-19). You cannot

explain away fornication because of the new laws of the land. Stealing is stealing; tapping is not a game! Abortion is killing and not a choice. The Sabbath is still Saturday, God never changed it!

“Moja, mosa, ni nje akinkanju logun!”

This means: “knowing when to fight and when to retreat is what makes for a successful warrior.” Isaac did not contend with the Philistines in Gen 26 over his wells, but just moved to another location.

There is a time to fight, and a time to flee.

There is a time to retreat and a time to resurface. There is a time to be silent and a time to answer. The wise man did not contradict himself when he made these two seemingly opposing statements: “Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him. Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit” (Prov 26:4-5). There is time for everything! To mix things up will be foolhardy!

Finally, Isaac had his Rehoboth—room to expand, rest, and worship. Rehoboth means: “wide spaces, wide, broad, spacious, and broad place,” (Gen 10:11; 36:37; 1 Chron 1:48), commemorating the Lord’s provision for his growing wealth. Rehoboth is a figure of freedom from danger or distress, because God “has broadened our place for us.” In other words, the Lord has given us a place where we can spread out and be free from the pressure of others.

Now, our work can go ahead well here. It could be “a place or space that is vacant or not being used by other people, an empty place.” The Lord has given us freedom to live in the land. As a result of the space to live in peace, and we shall be fruitful in the land. Fruitful is the same term as in Gen 1:22, 28; 8:17, that is, increase in numbers.

Answer these questions and win a prize

1.

Jerusalem is also named as… after which King? Locate the passage.

This year, God shall establish you in your Rehoboth. The earth shall make room for you. People shall make room for you to grow. You will overcome all your obstacles and hindrances. Claim the same promises God gave Isaac: “I will make you exceedingly fruitful; and I will make nations of you, and kings shall come from you” (Gen 17:6). He inherited this from his father: “I will make you very fruitful; I will make nations of you, and kings will come from you” (Gen 17:6). He passed it on to Jacob: “may God Almighty bless you and make you fruitful and increase your numbers until you become a community of peoples” (Gen 28:3). Joseph experienced it: “for God has caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction” (Gen 41:52). Likewise, “the children of Israel were fruitful and increased abundantly, multiplied and grew exceedingly mighty; and the land was filled with them” (Exod 1:7). David testified: “he brought me out into a spacious place” (2 Sam 22:20). The Psalmist rejoiced: “the LORD answered me and set me in a broad place. You have set my feet in a wide place.” (Ps 118:5; 18:19; 31:8). Claim the Rehoboth promise for 2013. Act on it: “enlarge the place of your tent, and let them stretch out the curtains of your dwellings; do not spare; lengthen your cords, and strengthen your stakes. For you shall expand to the right and to the left, and your descendants will inherit the nations, and make the desolate cities inhabited. Do not fear, for you will not be ashamed; neither be disgraced, for you will not be put to shame; for you will forget the shame of your youth” (Isa 54:24). …concluded •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

2.

What sign did Judas give to identify Jesus when he betrayed Jesus? Supply the scripture.

Answers to January 6, 2013 Quiz

3.

Who was said to be the wisest of men? Locate the Bible

1.

Elijah-1kings 19:24

2.

Phillipians 4:13

3.

Mercy seat-Exodus 25:22

•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.

How can I know my enemies?

Holy Inquiry with Pastor Paul

Nkirukah E-mail: pstpaul11@yahoo.com

Dear man of God, How can one know his or her enemies?

Every time, you keep hearing, “It is the handiwork of the enemies”. Where and who are these enemies? Can I ever know them?

Bright O., from Kaduna.

Dear reader, I think the best thing for you to be worried about is, how you can find solution to your challenges. It is not about knowing who your enemies are. This is because it is very difficult to know.

Suffix it to say that we have visible and invisible enemies. Our chief enemy is Satan, the devil and his visible and invisible agents. Time will not permit me

to explain or go into details, why Satan is our principal or major enemy. So, let’s quickly dig into the scriptures for a better understanding.

Psalm 55: 12 – 14 reads, “For it is not an enemy that reproached me; then I could have borne it: neither was it he that hated me that did magnify himself against me; then I would have hidden myself from him, 13 But it was thou, a man mine equal, my guide, and mine acquaintance; 14 We took sweet counsel together, and walked unto the house of God in company.”

If you can clearly understand exactly what the scripture above is saying, then you will know very well who and where your enemies are. The scripture above is trying to tell you that your enemies are the people so close to you; in fact, they are the people of your household, the people you call your best friends. I call these sets of enemies, enemies that cannot keep malice, or enemies with smiling faces. These sets of enemies are the most dangerous enemies and are very difficult to deal with, in the sense that, you wouldn’t be able to dictate or know them

unless by the grace of God. Moreover, Micah 7: 5 – 7 reads, “Trust ye not in a friend, put ye not confidence in a guide: keep the door of thy mouth from her that lieth in thy bosom, 6 For the son dishonoureth the father, the daughter riseth up against her mother, the daughter in-law against her mother in-law: a man’s enemies are the men of his own house. 7 Therefore, I will look unto the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation: my God will hear me.

My dear, according to the scriptures above, it is very, very obvious that the enemies you are looking for are right there in your own house and around you. One important thing you have to know is that you and someone can be good and be the best of friends in the physical, while in the spirit realm, both of you are great enemies. You can love someone and that person may not love you; but he or she can be pretending to love you. You can be your mother or father‘s pet in the physical but in spirit, you are his or her greatest enemy, mostly when you are a Christian and your parents are not Christians.

That is why you can at times hear that

someone’s mother killed him or her through witchcraft.

Let’s also see Mark 14: 43 – 46 which reads, “And immediately, while he yet spake, cometh Judas, one of the 12, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders, 44 And he that betrayed him had given them a token, saying, whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he; take him, and lead him away safely.

45 And as soon as he was come, he goeth straightway to him, and saith, master, master, and kissed him, 45 And they laid their hands on him, and took him.”

If you can observe very carefully in verse 44 of the scripture above, you will understand that the enemies of Jesus did not know him, but it was Judas the insider that said to them ‘whomsoever I shall give you a sign with a kiss, that is the person, take him.’ And you will also notice that it was not the heathens that crucified Jesus but Christians, in fact the chief priests.

Be careful with everybody that knows you up to your house, your so-called best friends, and your household.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

keh transforms blond for Itz Ova

te her, Nollywood star actress cum ys willing to come out with somend it seems that this year, she is ain as the video of her song, Itz t you need to get ready to see ally in a new light. In the nto transformed herself in the song. l premiere in a couple competition sponshot at the Koga

spring back those who singles,

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35

Sunday, January 13, 2013

Lotanna, movie where fear is darkness, perseverance is light

Oge Okoye dazzles in stylish photo shoot Nollywood actress, Oge Okoye, has kicked off 2013 in a super star style. In a stylish “photo speak” shoot, the screen goddess has presented her fans with stunning images through which they can see her aside from her movie roles.

According to Oge Okoye’s Public Relations representative, Egor Efiok, who also produced and directed the new photo shoot, the shoot is Oge depicting that she wants to achieve as much as she can in life because time waits for no one.

In the new photographs, fans will see Oge Okoye go from striking a pose as a high fashion corporate entrepreneur to rocking a fabulous Ankara piece and basking in the sun in gorgeous yellow apparel.

ar ye h g in uc cit e m in x e th ned tn e a that cree tiva k b s cap or l o Y ea be gt in rev t to gely ew well r a u e N s h an as pe ap M c d is the d in it w dh e e t & c w r ar e u rd no ha M i u t a g m n s as ngu to k rem red Un soo r. p e 3 i ers f U u a 1 h o o t n 0 ov ea at e vie t y ee ga l r2 er ned his y om i ea vie t mo eres dy b was e. t m is e o ou int lrea d it ther s pre scre uary Ch ond y n r m d-ab ill a r e o b o, s sm eb e ag ll b d r, a ce t w as De omb d alk os. I ie h t yea dien he L d wi in F duce by J an , t e s u g v o d n e e La mo e la he a that ey a venu s pr ecte Uch ah -le t g tim y a dir s Oz ers. ou nt w-k sed w in r b e r N a d d o a lo d m th so eive M le l be iscl arde e an , st ey me ng o d l t o s e c i & u s o e e o g m hi -L lli r M d w o-b C am E Ra Un Oz e t

If you are a movie buff that loves intriguing and suspense-filled film packed with fear in darkness and perseverance in light, then you would be delighted to know that a new film is in the offing this new year. The new flick, which is made available to you by ICS Entertainment, is titled Lotanna.

Lotanna tells the story of a young man who discovers at an early age that he has to offset a N20 million debt owed to a mysterious stranger called Don Creflo by his late father.

The titular character goes through a myriad of trials and challenges that stand to break or make him; aided by an unbreakable resolve to succeed, a sonorous voice, friends, enemies and mysterious individuals he meets along the way.

Lotanna, which captures the scenery of the mid 70s and 90s, is about an opinionated, introvert son played

by Christopher Okagbue. Christopher plays the lead role, ‘Lotanna’ - a stubborn child who had his life refocused when he realises the lack of solvency on the part of his father and forced to offset a debt owed by him.

Other members of the cast include Ireti Doyle, Bimbo Manuel, Beverly Naya, Chris Attoh, Jide Kosoko, Joseph Benjamin, Kaptain Tony, Sandra Okagbue, Ifan “Ifeanyi” Michael, Ocean Adaeze, and Seun Kentebe among o t h e r acts.

Adefulire, K1, 9ice, Adefulire, others to headline premiere of Jejere All is now set and ready for the premiere of Laide Bakare’s multi-million naira movie Jejere, meaning tumour. The blockbuster movie starring 9ice, Emeka Ike, Fathia Balogun, Toyin Adegbola, Segun Ogungbe, Akin Lewis and Laide Bakare, among other superstars, has been described as the first African Super Hero movie and will be premiered at the event tagged An Evening with Laide Bakare, under the chairperson of Her Excellency, the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Mrs. Adejoke Orelope Adefulire.

The three-in-one event would also witness the super launch of Laide Bakare’s record label Simline Records and its artiste “T Code” and would be rounded off with a concert to be headlined by the King of Fuji music, Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, proverbial lyrist, 9ice, JJC, Chuddy K and Simline Records signee, “T Code”.

T h e

event is billed to hold today at the prestigious Orchid Hotels & Conference Centre, Lekki, Lagos and will be hosted by the funny duo of Yaw and Funke Akindele (Jenifa).

An Evening with Laide Bakare is put together by Simline International Limited, a company owned by the delectable Nollywood actress, Laide Bakare, with media support from Muziqglobe World and the blogs.

The event is expected to attract over 1,000 guests from the entertainment industry, the corporate world and the government.

A new national pageant emerges in June TAI ANYANWU A fast-rising Events Company in Nigeria, Ereon Pageantry-Proudly Nigeria is set to organise a national pageant in June.

According to a release signed by the executive director of the organisation, Miss Mercy Elema, it will be the first of its kind in the country as nine beauty queen ambassadors would emerge for finals out of 36 states that would be contesting for the exalted crown. She says

preparations are already in top gear. The national pageantry would be in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, Abuja.

Restating the company’s commitment to redefining beauty pageant to meet international standards, Miss Elema said ‘this is the first time nine beauty queens would emerge in a national pageant of this magnitude in Nigeria’. She explained that Ereon Pageantry would hold a press conference at the Sheraton Hotel, Lagos to inform media houses about the official name of the pageant and the exact date in June.

She said, “We want to change the mind set of African girls who are copying western lifestyle of exposing their bodies. A beautiful African girl need not expose her body to look beautiful and attractive.”

36

Sunday, January 13, 2013

Connecting

Vanessa with

Vanessaonsunday@yahoo.com

While waiting for Mr. Right…

G

race is a lady in her mid 30s who graduated from the University seven years ago and up till now; she cannot really pinpoint what she has been doing with her time, except to wait for Mr. Right to come sweep her off her feet.

After she graduated, she sweated for about three years looking for a decent job and was quite lucky to get one as Customer Service Personnel in a Generator servicing company.

Once she got that job, she closed the book on doing anything else but to get married and settle down.

The desire to get married has consumed her for so long that every other achievement seems dull in comparison.

In her thinking, all her problems in life will end once she gets married and pushes her burdens to her would-be husband to carry.

And for this reason, she has lived in arrested development; doing absolutely nothing with her life as she waits for Mr. Right to come ‘whisk’ her away to his faraway castle where she will be pampered and treated like a princess for Models the rest of her life.

With all the efforts she puts into relationships, who would’ve thought that she will still be unmarried by now? Almost every man she has dated these past few years either dumps her for someone who is younger or richer than her, while the ones she would not even consider as marriage material are the ones flocking door-post, asking for her hand in marriage. This situation is truly getting her frustrated and depressing. What is it that men are actually looking for in a woman that she does not have? She kept asking herself.

Today, reality is staring her in the face and she has come to understand that stagnant water does not attract fishes; it only attracts tadpoles and a few frogs.

Not doing anything with your life just because you are waiting for Mr. Right only makes your life stagnant. You will end up being a mediocre that attracts men of like manners who also have not bothered to improve their lifestyle and upgrade to the next level. Is that the kind of marriage you want?

It is understandable to be anxious. If you think age is no longer on your side or you think your maternal clock is ticking away, but while waiting, what are you doing with your life? Are you really prepared for marriage or do you just want to answer a man’s ‘‘Mrs’’?

It is advisably that while waiting for Mr. Right, a woman uses the period of being single to prepare mentally, spiritually and even financially for her fu-

ture. It is definitely not right to keep off improving your life until you get married.

This is the best time for you to get that education, learn handwork such as tailoring, catering or think of some other business you can do to improve the quality of your life. Don’t put off that creative idea or that feat you want to achieve just because you are waiting to get married.

Contrary to popular beliefs and trends where people think it is wrong for a woman to be successful as a single person, stop keeping things off, like investing and buying shares, a car or a house, till you meet Mr. Right. Some people may frown at it, but I tell you, it is only those who are myopic in their thinking that will not applaud a young woman who has invested her resources well.

While you are striving to improve yourself financially as a single woman, it is equally important to look inwards on how you can prepare yourself mentally for marriage.

You start out by first of all knowing who you are.

What are your strengths and weaknesses?

Are you a giving person, are you a pushy/bossy person and are you teachable as a woman? These are some of the soul-searching questions you need to use to evaluate your readiness for marriage.

Ladies, stop keeping your life on hold! Play hard, work hard and make something meaningful out of your singlehood. Don’t allow family or peer pressure to box you into a corner. Hold your head up high in this New Year and be determined to live your life to the fullest. Most of the time, it is when you are less anxious about what you want that it actually manifests.

Stop carrying the placard that screams, ‘’SINGLE AND SEARCHING’ written all over your face! By looking and acting desperately, you chase prospective suitors off and it gets worse when they actually come and realise that you are like stagnated water waiting to drown unsuspecting men. Women need to understand that men of this modern age want a woman who will complement them in every way and not just to answer their name or bear children for them.

So get determined to make the best of your single years! It is a time of your life you will never recover again once you are married. Keep your head up, square your chin and live your single life to the fullest while you wait for that Mr. Right who will be so proud to whisk away a full-baked Amazon, rather than a frustrated unleavened woman.

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37

Weddings Engagements CELEBRATING THE JOY IN MARITAL BLISS JANUARY 13, 2013

Lagos rapper, Playbuoy, weds blogger Chizy

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n Saturday, December 22, 2012, rapper Chima Michael Kallys, popularly known as Playbuoy, and blogger, Chioma ‘Chizy’ Onwuta, walked down the aisle in a classy ceremony.

The couple exchanged marital vows at the Chapel of Christ the Light, Alausa, Ikeja Lagos and the beautiful wedding reception held at the exquisitely decorated Goshen Hall Events Centre, Ikeja, with friends, fans and family gathering to rejoice with the young couple.

The lovely couple looked radiant and beautiful in their outfits. While Chioma was stunningly dressed in a tube sequined wedding dress, Playbuoy complemented his bride in a black suit paired with a white shirt. When they took to the dance floor, it became a competition of some sort as they tried to out dance each other to the admiration of all present.

After they cut their four-tier, cream cake which was superbly decorated with red and cream roses, the couple left for a few minutes only to return in new outfits. While pretty Chioma wore a cream colour fitted mono strap gown, Playbuoy looked dapper in his lilac blazer which he wore over a black shirt and trouser. The couple really looked happy together.

According to veteran rapper, Terry tha Rapma, who was the Best Man, the couple just looked perfectly together. And for the excited groom, Playbuoy, “I married my best friend, the one I laugh with, live for and dream together with.”

Playbuoy and Chioma performed their traditional wedding a few weeks to the church wedding at the bride’s hometown. Chioma is a blogger; she runs the blog, ‘Chizy’s Spyware’, while Chima is a rapper.

Kehinde walks down the aisle with Taiwo OLUWASEGUN IJABIKEN

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weethearts, Taiwo Kujore and Kehinde Ijabiken were recently joined in holy wedlock with the support of their family and friends in a beautiful wedding ceremony.

Their church wedding took place on Saturday, December 22, 2012 at the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) headquarters, 5th

Avenue, FESTAC Town, Lagos.

The couple crossed paths over a decade ago, as members of Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) Youth Fellowship, Amuwo Odofin District. However, as church members, they exchanged greetings from time to time until last year when Kehinde started developing interest in Taiwo. He proposed to her in December and within a space of three weeks, she gave him a positive response after fervent prayers.

What attracted Kehinde to Taiwo? He disclosed, “I was attracted to her by her diligence and fear of God.” He added that he also appreciates the fact that Taiwo is disciplined, well cultured and humble. He disclosed that in her, he has found the best choice of a wife in the world.

In describing Kehinde, his sweetheart, Taiwo said, “He is God-fearing, hardworking, honest, loving and caring. I really appreciate God for bringing him into my life.”

Kehinde accentuated his 7ft height with a slim-fit, threepiece grey suit, pink shirt and purple tie, paired with a pocket square. On the other hand, the bride, Taiwo, wore a dazzling white wedding gown sewn with French lace and beautifully layered with organza fabric, below. She harmonised her bridal look with lovely accessories.

The happiness of the couple knew no bounds as they both danced tremendously to the amusement of everyone. Their reception took place in one of the multi-purpose halls within the church premises and was radiantly decorated with drapes. The colours of the day-purple and gold, were exquisitely expressed in the bridal bouquet, bridal train outfit, wedding cake and hall decoration. The whole atmosphere was serenaded by danceable tunes rendered by the Praise Team of the church.

The wedding was witnessed by immediate and extended family members, friends, colleagues, old school mates and well-wishers. They had their traditional wedding a day to their white wedding at the bride family’s residence at Okokomaiko, Lagos.

Elizabeth Adeola Olayiwola was born at Osuntuyi Hospital, Iju-Ishaga, Lagos to Muyiwa and Tobi Olayiwola. She was delivered at 12:30am and weighed 2.7kg.

“During the pregnancy, I had an unusual appetite for fruits and vegetables. I also ate rice and plantain as part of my diet,” Tobi, the enthralled mom, revealed.

What irritated Tobi during the pregnancy?

According to her, “Anything called drugs turned me off, especially the drugs given to me at the antenatal class. I also had rashes on my skin during this period.”

What do they love about Adeola? “She is adorable, light-complexioned, smiles and sucks the breast a lot,” Tobi stated.

What do they want her to become in future? “It is my prayer that God’s purpose be fulfilled in her life,” emphasised the mom.

What is the meaning of her names? “Elizabeth is derived from the Bible, while Adeola in Yoruba language means ‘crown of wealth’, Tobi revealed.

Inioluwa Ifeoluwa Adeogo was born at Mojisola Hospital and Maternity Clinic, Iyana Ipaja, Lagos to Christopher and Deborah Adeogo. She was delivered at 7: 00 am and weighed 2.8kg.

According to Deborah, “During the pregnancy, I craved for light food. And sometimes, I preferred eating only rice and plantain. I also craved for fruits and I drank enough water and blood tonic,” she revealed.

Were there obvious physical body changes?

“I would say I had the best of pregnancy because I had no swollen legs, face or nose,” Deborah stressed.

What do Ifeoluwa’s parents love about her?

“She is beautiful, hairy and light in complexion.”

What do they want her to become in future?

Christopher said he wanted his daughter to become either a lawyer or a medical doctor. What is the meaning of her names? “Ifeoluwa means ‘love of God’ while Inioluwa means ‘wealth from God’,” Christopher explained.

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38

A Fashionista’s

World JANUARY 13, 2013

I’m a model and not empty headed –Anita Mogbolu, Afrikqueen Super Model

She is daring, chic and hot on the runway. Little wonder she won the diamondstudded crown of Afrikqueen Super Model, beating the rest of the 30 models from different African countries hands down. When this Delta State-born stepped out on the runway in her bikini on the night of the pageant, the applause shook the rooftops.

The 22-year-old, dark-skinned beauty held the spectators spell-bound; what with her curvy shape and swag? Welcome to the world of Anita Mogbolu, who told Adaeze Amos in this interview the most daring thing she has ever done as a model.

You have a stunning body frame, what is your statistics?

My statistics are 34,28, 36 Some people believe models are emptyheaded beauties; is it true?

No, it is not! I totally disagree with that.

I’m 22 years old and I study Business Administration at the University of Benin.

I’m a model and I’m not empty-headed.

Modelling, to me, is a passion and it fetches me money too.

For how long have you been modelling?

I have been modelling for a long time but professionally, I started modelling for 16 months steadily before I won the crown that gave me a lift in life.

Can you reveal what happened on the night of Afrikqueen Super Model pageant?

Honestly, the pageant was challenging. It was a catwalk contest really and we had models coming from neighbouring African countries. We were 30 models in number and you can bear me witness that it was indeed very challenging.

What made you think you deserve the crown?

I won because I was focused and I didn’t let anything deter me from what I was aiming at, which of course was the crown. I was really hot in my bikini (giggles). I’m happy I won and now, I look forward to international contests.

What is your selling point as a model?

My selling point is my shape. I have a stunning shape and a complimentary look to carry it.

How daring are you as a model?

Very daring and I give kudos to Afrikqueen Super Model Contest that brought out the best in me. I was daring enough to wear bikini. Behind the stage, I was somehow fidgeting but I later told myself that I can do it as long as I want to be an international model; I should be bold to walk down the runway in bikini. Guess what?

The boldness just suddenly came on me and I strutted down the runway without caring whose ox is gored. The spectators glued their eyes on me, including the men folk. I walked with my shoulders high. That, to me, is the most daring thing I have done so far as a model.

Does that mean you won’t be able to pose nude?

I can do that but it has to be done professionally. If I have a challenge that is worthwhile, I can, but like I said, it has to be professionally.

What lapses in the modelling world would you want to talk about?

There are many flaws in the modelling world and that has to do with models falling into the hands of fake modelling agents. Another flaw is the way and manner models are being treated during casting or auditioning.

In fact (with a little frown) people need to learn how to treat models. Sure, we models need to be treated with respect because we are the face of big brands.

What advice do you have for your colleagues?

My advice to my fellow models is, don’t be too desperate for jobs. A job that is yours is yours. Another necessary thing is that you should ensure you are properly groomed professionally and make research on who is going to manage you.

Who is your role model?

I have two role models. The first one is Oluchi Onweagba Orlandi ,the first winner of Mnet Face of Africa, who is married to an Italian designer. She is a mother now, she has a son. Then the second person is Agbani Darego, the first Nigerian to win Miss World crown.

Why did you choose these two ladies out of all the fashionistas in our country?

They are my role models because they have broken the international records.

Looking at yourself, what part of your body can you flaunt with ease?

For now, I can wear bikini with ease and you know, bikinis are revealing. My bikini helps me to flaunt my wide shoulders, flat tummy and my good shape.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Opinion

Sunday January 13, 2013

39

Pep talk ahead 100th year birthday

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ext year is far elevated than a hollow ritual. It is not a year likely to be re-celebrated in a circle by anyone alive today, or one to be born in some few years to come. This is, however, without prejudice to all who hold tenaciously to the pristine conviction of reincarnation, in which humans’ developing spirits are expected to return for another earth-life experience, once the needed maturity has not been attained.

In that wise, the moment you ‘return’ to the world in the aftermath of death, a cloak is expected to make you oblivious to your previous earth-life, thus presenting you as a virgin to live your new life, devoid of what would have been an inescapable paranoia or wasteful mumbo-jumbo.

So, for the Nigerian, 2014 is a like a clap of thunder, one attracting shudder once it breaks for those who will witness it. Then, Nigeria would be 100 years old, counting from 1914, when Flora Shaw helped to christen the ‘Niger areas’ as ‘Nigeria’, thus forging a contraption from territories in the Southern and Northern Protectorates.

Shaw was the wife of Lord Lugard, the Governor-General of the British Colony.

Though Lugard was credited with this name that translated to a forced union of over 250 ethnic nationalities, the mere fact that it was suggested by his wife and accepted by him, makes it a classic tintinnabulation to the average African man, who believes that there, a woman has used her ‘bottom power.’

Really, centennial celebration in the life of a nation should attract all the needed

pomp for the fact that such a nation has survived all odds to remain intact. But a dawn of commemoration is never a welcome breeze to a world rent by the fight of jackals. Like a fast-moving vehicle with failed brakes, Nigeria in 2013, on the eve of its 100 years birthday celebration, reads patently unsure to breast the tape of that landmark age, going by factors as familiar to all as the marks on one’s palm.

Though all the best wishes are reserved for this union which has seen better days, in the perceptive variable of critical analysis, it is only lame to attach the prowess of clairvoyance to the forewarn that the country is on the precipice, and that it may soon lose its grip on nationhood, if certain fundamental issues are not urgently addressed.

Already, the politicians are disparately gung-ho as to where power should shift, in the 2015 presidential election. While the North is keeping vigil ahead of the expiration of President Goodluck Jonathan’s four-year mandate, the South-East, which has assumed the new face of marginalisation on the Presidency slot, has also found its voice. Indubitably, Jonathan, who is from the South-South, will definitely be expected by his ethnic stock to take another shot at the topmost office in the land.

Though the hysteria caused in the North over the suspicion that Jonathan could re-nurse a return in 2015 is understandable. For a man who was Vice-President, and upon the death of his principal, President Umaru Yar’Adua, became the President and afterwards was re-elected

President, to now wish to try his luck once more, may be considered as carrying his luck too far. Though Jonathan has been pilloried thus far by certain northern persons within the ruling Peoples Democratic Party who believe he should not have contested for another term in 2011, in deference to the zoning arrangement within the party, it is needless to tell such persons that honey is sweet and is a friend of the mouth.

But what will come in denouement to the whole hoopla is still expected any moment hence. The Supreme Court will eventually determine if Jonathan can run again, having been sworn in as President upon the death of Yar’Adua and having been so sworn in, when he won the 2011 poll.

Yet, contrary to permutation that the 2015 Presidency will determine if Nigeria will continue to exist after the age 100, what stares the country’s further existence in the face like a blood-thirsty gnome, is the pervading scenario of joblessness, mass hunger, hopelessness, brigandage and the like. For someone without hope of what to eat and how to survive in the midst of unreachable plenty, drafting such to join in a religious or political fight is as easy as the journey of a needle through the seam.

The major problem with the Jonathan administration is that it has followed the beaten path of leading the nation with the business-as-usual mentality; in which case, there has not been remarkable, visible economic impact to address the masses’ worry over uneven distribution of the nation’s wealth. Why is the unbun-

Kayode de Fasua ua

kayodefasua@nationalmirroronline.net (07043855192; SMS only, pls)

dling of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) heading towards fiasco? How many industries have sprung up through the touted public-private participation of the government?

How many farm settlements, with crop specification, has the Federal Ministry of Agriculture raised since the administration took off ? In specific terms, what is the country’s major export today, for which the country is renowned in the comity of nations? Or is it cassava bread?

Languidly, Nigeria continues to pride itself with the trite sobriquet of ‘Giant of Africa’, which anyway seems to be thrust upon leaders with ‘the feet of clay’. So, rather than gaze in the uncertain direction of a 2015 election as what will possibly disintegrate Nigeria, the obsession should be to make the political leaders accountable. There is, therefore, the inviolable need to pester them with unassailable agenda that will salvage Nigerians of disparate ethnic backgrounds, who are now united in igniting the fire bulkanisation, having been goaded by hunger, the common enemy of man.

The tax war in Edo State OSAGIE IDEMUDIA

R

ecently in Edo State, the state’s House Assembly passed an executive bill tagged “Land Use Charge Bill”. The bill, which was introduced on the floor of the House by Honourable Phillip Shuaibu who is the Majority Leader of the House, had a very rough ride through the House with some members vehemently opposing it on behalf of their constituencies.

In essence, the Land Use Charge seeks to impose taxes on landed properties in Edo State. Upon its first and second reading at the plenary session, the bill elicited spontaneous reaction from the general public in Edo State, most of whom denounced it in unequivocal terms.

The opposition to the bill was so loud and strong that the Speaker of the House, Hon. Uyi Igbe, in total confusion and embarrassment attempted to calm frayed nerves by pledging loudly to the people of Edo State that public hearing would be conducted by the House.

Rather than further enlighten the public on the bill by holding the promised public hearing, the parliament went to sleep and to the chagrin of the people of Edo State, woke up one unfortunate morning and rail-roaded the bill through the third reading and final passage, thus dealing a fatal blow on democracy and the much-trumpeted slogan of the Oshiomhole administration: “Let the people lead”.

Within 24 hours of the passage of the bill by the House, Oshiomhole again, like a wounded lion, bared his fangs, signing the Land Use Charge into law, threatening fire and brimstone on any citizen

of the state who dared to oppose the law in any way or manner. Imprisonment was one of the options he promised to impose on anyone who proved recalcitrant in respecting the new law.

As a responsible citizen contributing to the ongoing debate on the Land Use charge Law, from a layman’s point of view, I make bold to say that there is nothing that is fundamentally wrong with the Edo State Land Use Charge Law 2012. The purpose of governments globally is to improve the standard of living of the people they govern through the provision of basic infrastructural facilities and amenities, such as good roads, electricity, to the people and of course security of life and property and a guarantee of their rights and privileges under the constitution and the law, ideally in a democratic setting.

To achieve these laudable goals, governments everywhere need money, a lot of money in order to make any impact.

This is why apart from government depending on the natural resources of a country over which it exercises jurisdiction, it also goes the extra mile to impose taxes on individuals and corporate citizens in addition to several other conceivable taxes.

In introducing the Land Use Charge bill in parliament, government put the wrong foot forward. Yes, it is an indubitable fact that it is the Majority Leader of the House that introduces government’s bills. This task rightly fell on Hon. Shuaibu on that fateful day but to the disappointment of the decent, responsible and discerning people of Edo State, Hon. Shuaibu performed the assignment so poorly that he left many of those who watched him on television that day wondering

about the poor sense of judgment and unconscionable partisan considerations that earned him that prestigious office in parliament. Shuaibu’s performance was even more embarrassing and unbecoming when protesters against the bill came calling at the House. Decked in the same apron of “Edo Youth Congress” that some of the protesters were donning’ probably as a ploy to show esprit de corps and win their sympathy and understanding, Hon. Shuaibu gleefully told the protesters that the new law had nothing to do with them because they were poor people (as if poverty is itself a virtue). The new law, had added, was aimed at the “Esama” of Benin whom he asserted, owned property “from street to street” in GRA (Government Reservation Area) in Benin City.

He repeated this insult and disrespect several times in halting English in the course of his reckless, undiplomatic, tactless and unreasonable defend of the new law and his principal. This unmitigated insult to a great son of Edo State further angered the protesters some of whom loudly mouthed invectives against him. As the interraction progressed to the disadvantage of Hon. Shuaibu, he told the protesters that they were unlimited!

While it is true tax policies formulated by different governments are generally aimed at taking from the rich to give to the poor as a way of creating an equitable society and sustaining peaceful coexistence citizens across the socioeconomic strata of society, it is also true that government must not target and humiliate a single individual in order to press home its point. Government has a burden of duty to demonstrate decorum, respect and impartial-

ity to citizens that want to give up their hard earned money to assist the implementation and realization of its welfare programme.

Indeed, in his feeble, drab and uninspiring defence of the Land Use Charge Law, Hon. Shuaib goofed, shot himself in the foot, made a mockery of his legislative standing, thoroughly embarrassed his colleagues in the House and the government of Edo State which initiated the bill. Those who watched Hon. Shuaibu defend the new law on television would have observed to their utter disappointment that this acolyte of the man in the seat of power made more than 10 grammatical errors in a minutes’ speech.

Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, the governor of Edo State has been seen to spiritedly counter all opposition to the new law which the people describe as draconian, unparliamentarily, anti-people, obnoxious, punitive and repugnant by holding town hall meetings with some selected party loyalists. During these meetings, the governor always launched thinly-veiled attack on Chief Gabriel Igbinedion, Esama of Benin Kingdom and his television station – ITV. He demonizes the Chief and his broadcast medium as those responsible for his travails.

As far as Governor Oshiomhole is concerned, Chief Igbinedion is his political enemy who never wanted him to have a second term as governor of Edo State and the man sponsoring all the protests against his government on the new law. Nothing can be farther from the truth.

•Idemudia is Secretary, Edo Unity Club, Lagos

40

Interview

Sunday, January 13, 2013

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

‘Resource control agitation’ll destroy Nigeria’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 15

Nigeria except there is a change of attitude by the leaders especially when you are in a society where you have ignorant people and illiterates in the majority. So, they may not be able to differentiate between those responsible for their problems and the others. They will destroy everything and kill everybody especially when they associate you with anything good like nice houses and cars, they will think you are part of their problems. If we think it can’t happen in Nigeria then we are being very foolish.

How do we address this fear?

This is a country where there is no social security for anybody irrespective of class and yet the poor and the rich buy from the same market. If government can set aside billions of naira every month for social security, it would be better than stealing them under whatever name.

If you share N10 billion a month to every Nigerian, every individual will have not less than N670,000. Isn’t it better two or three people stealing such money. So, I’ll suggest the government budgets between N100 and N200 billion every month to take care of its citizens via distribution.

This in my opinion will help to stabilize the country. Let’s not pretend, people are becoming aware that their poverty is not God sent, it’s man-made, it’s caused by their leaders and this is because their leaders are stealing their money.

Why should this country be so rich and its people so poor?

It’s unimaginable and unacceptable in my opinion.

What is your take on the agitation for the convocation of a Sovereign National Conference (SNC) I have long canvased for this, I have called for all Nigerian nationalities to sit together and discuss how we want this country to be administered including taking care of everybody’s interest, discuss how we should relate with

one another and how we should do things together. What problems we have and how to solve them. This is important so that we’ll be able to come out with an acceptable constitution that will address the Nigerian Question. I am still saying it is necessary we get out of this mess we find ourselves, we are not moving forward, we are rather moving backward. We need this conference badly.

How will you see these agitation for resource control?

This is one of our problems, that is what is going to destroy this country, if we cannot accept that whatever is in the country belongs to all Nigerians, then what is the point being in this country, if it is your country and some people are saying the resources are theirs alone so, what am doing there? The implication is that we are not equally Nigerians just because of our resources, the moment we continue with this kind of attitude, this issue of resource control then we are in a bigger trouble. Come to think of it, if you go to the South South you’ll ask yourself where has all the money gone to with so much underdevelopment. Ninety-nine percent of the people there will tell you

WE SHOULD STOP PUTTING PEOPLE IN A POSITION OF LEADERSHIP, MAINLY BECAUSE THEY ARE FROM A PARTICULAR PART OF THE COUNTRY, WITHOUT DUE REGARD TO THEIR QUALITY AND SENSE OF UNITY

Tofa

they don’t know where the money is going because their leaders are stealing the money. They don’t care about their communities, all the commissions and ministries set up for South South are simply stealing the money through the award of fraudulent contracts and the masses are not benefiting from anything. They are all means of stealing money.

Absentee governors: The controversies CONTINUED FROM PAGE 15

described “as habitual attention-seekers”, it was obvious that having realised that their media attacks had not achieved their intended results, they had chosen to issue baseless statements as a group.

In a letter to the Acting Governor, dated January 7, 2013 entitled “Prolonged and unexplained absence of His Excellency, Sullivan Chime, Governor of Enugu State” and made available to reporters in Enugu, the three zones under the aegis of Save Enugu Group, said that the development had become necessary following various rumour trailing the absence of the governor, whom they said had been away from the state for 110 days as at January 7, this year.

Signatories to the letter copied to Enugu Speaker, Eugene Odo, includes Chief Maxi Okwu and Ozo Igbonekwu Ogazimorah for Enugu West, Mr. Ray Nnaji and Comrade Eneh Victor for Enugu East, Chief Willy Ezeugwu and Comrade Ibuchukwu Ezike for Enugu North.

Eminent Enugu indigenes listed by the group to constitute the delegation include Catholic Bishop of Enugu, His Grace, Callistus Onaga, Senator Hyde Onuaguluchi, His Highness Paul Egbogu, Professor Barth Nnaji, Mrs. Grace Obayi, Chief Nduka Eya and Dr. Louis Anya Chukwuma.

The group noted in the letter: “Today (January 7) makes it 110 days since our great governor was last seen in public. It is in the public domain that our governor, His Excellency Sullivan Chime was last seen in public on 19th September 2012.

“Since then sightings and near sightings of him have been reported which all turned out to be a hoax.

This unsavory state of affairs has created a thriving mill of idle gossips who speculate on his whereabouts and state of health. These rumours ranged from the insensitive to the ludicrous.

“Matters got to a head on the 15th day

of December 2012, the day of the fatal air disaster in Bayelsa State that claimed the lives of Governor Yakowa of Kaduna State and General Azazi, when the national media was rent with the news also of the death of our governor.”

They continued: “On at least two occasions, the Commissioner of Information, Enugu State in the person of Mr. Chucks Ugwuoke has come out with an official statement on the status of the governor.

Essentially it was stated that his Excellency was quietly enjoying his holiday and accumulated leave, or that he would be in office shortly.

These conflicting accounts merely served to exacerbate rather than ameliorate the situation.

“We are also told that at the time of his disappearance from public view, his Excellency as required by section 190 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), duly handed over to the deputy governor Already, lawmakers in Enugu have been reported to be considering a move against Chime over his prolonged absence if he is not back to work by the end of January 2013.

The situation is similar in Cross River where the state authorities claim that Imoke, on December 7, transmitted to the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Larry Odey, a letter stating that he was proceeding on “two-month accumulated leave”. This is said to be in consonance with section 190(1) and (2) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which says that a governor who is going on leave or is unable to discharge the functions of his office shall transmit a written declaration of that fact to the Speaker of the House.

Imoke has not been seen in the public since mid-November and curiosity arose on the part of the residents of the state who started the rumour on the health status of the governor.

But to assuage the state inhabitants’ anxiety and curiosity, the Chief Press Secretary and Special Assistant to the Governor on Media, Mr Christian Ita, explained that Imoke had written to the State House of Assembly for a two-month accumulative leave.

According to him, “Some three weeks ago, His Excellency took a short break after a long hectic and eventful year all preparatory to the start of the busy Calabar festival season. He used the opportunity to undergo medicals and in the course of so doing, was advised by his doctors to undergo further evaluation.”

Few days after Ita’s assurance that all was well with Imoke , the rumour of the Governor’s ‘death’ spread in all the nooks and crannies of the state like wild fire.

The Cross River State Commissioner for Information, Chief Akin Rickett however debunked the rumour and said the Governor was undergoing proper medical checkup and analysis.

He said despite the fact that the Governor formally wrote to the State House of Assembly for a two-month accumulative leave, “from all indications, we are expecting him before the end of two months”.

“You know the man is a workaholic. He took time out of his tight schedule to go for full medical check-up and evaluations.

After that he would proceed on vacation so that he would come back energized and fully prepared to carry on his work without any form of disturbance”, he said.

As for Governor Suntai, he has been out of the country since October 25 and is receiving treatment at a German Hospital .

Many believe that the governor may not be able to go back to his seat as they believe he must have been incapacitated by the plane crash However , the state Commissioner for Information, Emmanuel Bello, said the Governor will soon return to the country to resume work and shame those who have

claimed that the air crash incident of last October damaged his brain.

Bello also dispelled claims that Taraba State Government stage managed the picture showing the governor sitting with his wife and a set of twins born in Germany recently to deceive Nigerians.

“Look, let me tell you the truth, the picture being used in the media did not come from Taraba State but from Germany, it was not generated from Jalingo, as claimed by some persons.

“Governor Danbaba Suntai is coming back any moment from now but I cannot say exactly when. It is the doctors who are attending to him who will decide when he should return home.

“We are not under any pressure to embark on desperate measure since the machinery of government is working perfectly with the Deputy Governor in charge.

“I can tell you that there has been no conflict of any type in the state since the law has stipulated what should be done in times like this and that is what the government has been doing since the accident occurred.

Political analyst believe that the absence of these Governors would have adversely affected many affairs of the states such as timely presentation of the states’ 2013 Budgets to their Houses of Assembly.

They also believed that the uncertainty as to why the governors are absent in their state especially Imoke and Chime has brought us back to the time of illness of former President, Late Alhaji Umaru Yar’Adua when nobody could say exactly his health condition.

According to them when governors are ill, as public officials their illness should not be shrouded in secrecy rather the people ought to know what is wrong with them and where they are being treated, more so, when their treatment is at public expense.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Politics

Sunday, January 13, 2013

outh-East showdown dent more than twice.

ACF spokesman, Mr Anthony Sani said via text message to Sunday Mirror, “What is more? The case challenging his eligibility to contest in 2015 is in court on the ground that he has been sworn in as president twice already and that the constitution cannot allow him to be sworn in thrice.

In the same vein, Chief Chekwas Okorie, the National Chairman of the United Progressives Party, UPP, has insisted that power must go to the South East by 2015, but warned that such ambition cannot be realised in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), hence the formation of his political party.

“All aspirants from the South East geo-political zone wishing to contest for the office of the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria at the 2015 presidential election are welcome to do so, on the platform of our great party”, he said.

Although, Prof. A.B.C Nwosu, former Minister of Health and chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), shares Okorie’s view on the Igbo 2015 presidency, he laments that the zone has not presented a common front strong enough to realise the objective.

“The Igbo got the first Presidency of Nigeria, but it was a ceremonial president during the time of Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe.

It has not always been like this with the Igbo. After independence, it was Azikiwe until 1966. The situation changed when we had the executive president in 1979, after the civil war had intervened.

“There is a school of thought that believes that the Igbo,

Atiku

having fought the civil war, should never be allowed to be President again until centuries have passed. There is also another school of thought that says ‘no, the Igbo have paid their dues and are entitled to the exercise of their full citizenship rights, including the Presidency.

“The Igbo believed they must produce the President and in 1979, they came near it with Chief Alex Ekwueme as Vice President. Perhaps, if the military hadn’t intervened in 1983, Ekwueme might have become the President at the end of Shagari’s second term, but the military intervened and later there was June 12 presidential election, which was won by the late Chief MKO Abiola. Because of that, in 1999, it had to be exclusively Southwest issue.

Now, the Igbo are saying that they also need to become part of the equation and they reached an agreement with the Southwest, South-south in 2007 that the we didn’t mind if a Southsouth was, that was why some of us gave Dr. Peter Odili our best support in his presidential quest in 2007. “ Now that the South South has produced the President, the only people who have not produced president is Southeast and we are saying we should produce. We are not anti-anybody, we are just pro-Igbo.

“I respect the Yoruba the way they canvassed, pushed and held on to June 12. They are a people, they didn’t have to agree, but they made June 12 an issue and Nigeria recognised that June 12 was an issue. They presented a credible threat and were recognized.

Sambo

“ I salute people like Chief Edwin Clark, though I will not go with him, but I salute him for his spirited defence of his people. He is a soldier of his people and a defender of Ijaw rights and I respect his tenacity. Because of that and the resource control issue, they also presented a credible threat and have become a force in Nigeria and Nigeria has recognised them.

“But my heart bleeds when it comes to the Igbo, and then I weep again for the late Ikemba Odimegwu Ojukwu. And I ask, when will some leaders emerge from Igbo and say, ‘this is us, we mean no harm, but we are citizens of Nigeria and are entitled to full citizenship as a right’.

“Not for people to be looking for where they are sharing porridge and running into the place, collect plates of porridge and vanish. It has always been an issue and each Igbo man must choose what he wants”.

He also believes that those who promise that power would go to the zone by 2015 should be given benefits of doubt, stressing that People get the leadership that they deserve, but the Bible also says that where there is no vision, the people perish, I weep for the Southeast and beyond, I won’t say more.

“There are people who promised the Ohanaeze leadership that power will go to Southeast in unbroken succession in 2015 from the Southsouth, that was their solemn word and that was what the Ohanaeze leadership told Ndigbo (in 2011).

“So, we must hold them to their words if not, and the people should disgrace them thoroughly, because if we don’t disgrace them, another set will come up again. When a leadership says this is what they will deliver and they don’t deliver it, the followership should sanction them.”

As it is now, the battle line seems to have been marked out by all the contending forces. Where power will go in 2015 will ultimately depend on how each of the forces plays its hand.

Kwankwaso

2015: The North gladiators AYO ESAN

T

hough President Goodluck Jonathan has not officially said that he would run for a second term in 2015, yet scheming and intrigue to succeed him are hotting up, especially in the northern part of the country.

The political elite in the region believes that 2015 is the time for them to reclaim what they lost when President Umaru Yar’Adua died In May 2010 and in 2011 when President Goodluck Jonathan got the nomination of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and later won the presidential election.

As a prelude to the decision of the North to produce the next president, several groups are already jostling for candidates that would be able to upstage Jonathan come 2015.

A group, Concerned Arewa Patriots, CAP, had decried the security situation in the country and suggested that for the North to reclaim the presidency, all stakeholders must work together towards the emergence of a consensus candidate.

The group decried the security situation in the country and blamed it on the North’s loss of the presidency owing to Yar’Adua’s death National Coordinator of the group, Hon. Maiyaki Idris, had said in an interview that it was the breach of the gentleman’s agreement in the PDP on power rotation between the North and the South that had led to the crisis in the nation. According to him, CAP

had begun moves in the 19 northern states to find a consensus candidate for the region in 2015.

Another group, Northern Initiative for Democracy and Good Governance in Nigeria NIDEGON, is urging former Vice-President, Atiku Abubakar, to vie for the nation’s prime political position.

NIDEGON believes nobody is better suited to reclaim the presidency for the North than Atiku whom it urged to run in 2015.

Its Chairman, Alhaji Abubakar Musa-Dass, enumerated the qualities of Atiku that make him the best candidate to include his far-reaching political network, background, zeal and passion to serve Nigeria.

He insisted that the group was working towards mobilising the northern political class and others to support Atiku whom he described as “tested and trusted”.

His words: “We are calling on northerners, particularly former heads of state, to come together under one umbrella to salvage the region from the retrogressive trend, insecurity, unemployment, and bad leadership that have in the past retarded development.

“We are not selfish, but we know we have a lot of potential presidential materials in the northern region who can contest for the position anytime, anywhere, but Turaki (Atiku) is ready-made. Therefore, let him set the pace.”

Other than CAP, some northern youths have also joined in the quest that the North fields its best candidate for the 2015 presidential slot.

Among those being touted to succeed

President Jonathan include former vicepresident, Atiku Abubakar, the incumbent Vice-President, Namadi Sambo, as well as governors Sule Lamido of Jigawa State, Babangida Aliyu of Niger State and Isa Yuguda of Bauchi State. Others are Murtala Nyako of Adamawa State, Ibrahim Shema of Katsina State, Rabiu Kwankwaso of Kano State and Aliyu Wamakko of Sokoto State.

All these governors who are on their second term incidentally are from the ruling party, PDP. Atiku Abubakar The Turakin Adamawa, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, GCON, was born on November 25, 1946. He was vice-president from1999 to 2007. A Muslim, he hails from Adamawa State. He was an influential member of the ruling PDP until 2006 when he switched affiliation to the Action Congress Party. The former vice-president made a controversial return to the PDP in 2009.

He contested the presidential primary of the PDP in 2010 and lost to the incumbent president, Goodluck Jonathan.

Abubakar came up the ranks of the ruling PDP primarily, due to the pivotal role he played in its formation.

An astute politician, he is believed to have a good political network in all regions of the country and with a good campaign he may succeed President Jonathan. Political pundits believe he is the most influential northern politician.

Namadi Sambo

41

Lamido

Mohammed Namadi Sambo was born on August 2, 1954. He is currently the 4th Nigerian Vice-President. He was named Vice-President on May 13, 2010 and confirmed on May 18, 2010; then sworn in on May 19, 2010. An architect by training, Sambo is an alumnus of the Ahmadu Bello University, ABU, Zaria.

Before he became Vice0-President, he was the governor of Kaduna State. He is currently the highest political office holder from the North in the Jonathan government. Though he is being touted to take over from Jonathan, he seems to have loyalty to his boss and may not want to rock the boat.

Murtala Nyako Vice-Admiral Murtala Nyako (rtd), GCON, CFR, was elected Governor of Adamawa State and he took office in May 2007. Before then he served in the Navy; at one time, he was military governor of Niger State, and was appointed Chief of Naval Staff in December 1989.

He seems to be interested in office as his current faceoff with the National Chairman of the PDP, Alhaju Bamanga Tukur , a loyalist of President Jonathan, over the composition of the Adamawa State executive of the party showed that he may not work for Jonathan in 2015.

Sule Lamido Sule Lamido was born in 1948 and served as Foreign minister from 1999 to 2003. He was elected governor of Jigawa State in April 2007. He is a member of the ruling PDP. He was elected for a second term in 2011.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 50

422

Sunday, January 13, 2013

GROWING UP with

Aunty Angela growingup5@yahoo.com

Hello children, How are you all getting ready to go back to school? And before I forget, I hope you have all set goals for the New Year, especially in respect of your academics because it is not too late to have good grades in all your subjects.

Once again, I wish everyone a wonderful year.

Cheetahs

5 km away.

•Cheetahs cannot climb trees and have poor night vision.

•Cheetahs only need to drink once every three to four days.

•Cheetah cubs don’t open their eyes until their third week.

•Cubs become adults after 15months, but only 50% survive.

•Cheetah’s hold their prey on the ground with their paws then delivers a one bite kill to the neck.

•Unlike other big cats, cheetahs cannot roar. However, they can purr on both inhale and exhale, like domestic cats!

•When cheetahs are running, they use their tails to help them steer and turn in the direction they want to go, like the rudder of a boat.

•Many African tribes call it the Duma.

•Cheetahs are part of the big cat family.

•Cheetahs like to live in open plains for sprinting and hunting purposes.

•Cheetah’s live for 10-20 years.

•The cheetah is the fastest land animal in the world. They can reach a top speed of around 113 km per hour.

•Cheetahs are extremely fast however they get tired quickly and can only keep up their top speed for a few minutes before they are too tired to continue.

•Cheetahs are smaller than other members of the big cat family, weighing only 45 to 60 kilogrammes.

•Cheetahs hunt for food during the day.

•A cheetah has amazing eyesight during the day and can spot prey from

WORD SEARCH Find and circle all the words. They could be found in any direction.

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Study Memorize Subject Goals Creative

Learn Recite Book Play Copy

review Note determine objective Read

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

DID YOU KNOW?

Ogbunike Cave is one of the greatest wonders of nature

O

gbunike cave is one of the greatest wonders of nature. It is made up of laterite sandstones campanianmiocene age carved by nature into a network of chambers, crawls and tunnels on two levels.

The lower level is 100m long and drains an underground river. The upper level is twice as long and dry. Sandstone caves are very rare. The cave contains a

large bat colony which produced a large deposit of Guano.

Ogbunike cave is located at Ogbunike, a few minutes drive from Onitsha, the commercial heartland of Eastern Nigeria. It rests on the border of the Niksi River in Oyi Local Government Area, Anambra State. In October 8, 2007, the caves were included in the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List.

WHO INVENTED WHAT…?

Antoine-César Becquerel created the Solar panels

T

he development of solar cell technology stems from the work of the French physicist Antoine-César Becquerel in 1839. Becquerel discovered the photovoltaic effect while experimenting with a solid electrode in an electrolyte solution; he observed that voltage developed when light fell upon the electrode.

After passing through the École polypoly technique, Antoine became engineer-officer in 1808, and went into active service with the imperial

troops in Spain from 1810 to 1812, and again in France in 1814. He then resigned from the army and devoted the rest of his life to scientific investigation.

The earliest solar cells and panels that were created were extremely inefficient and the energy conversation received from the sun stood under 1%. In 1954, the three American researchers Gerald Pearson, Calvin Fuller and Daryl Chapin were able to create a solar panel that increased the efficiency level of 6% with direct sunlight.

Solar panels are used extensively to generate electricity and power throughout the world. Though the initial investment is quite high, the fuel is cheap and abundant; it hardly produces any pollution unlike the burning of the fossil fuels. The solar cell technology is extremely old and work started on this way back in the 1800’s.

Antoine was a member of the French Academy of Sci-

Children, you can send your contributions and pictures through this email address growingup5@yahoo.com or call telephone number: 0805 198 0588

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

43

Sunday, January 13, 2013

MY STORY

FUNNY ANIMAL

I screamed when Santa Claus put me on his lap

O

n December 25, 2012, my parents wanted us to have a nice outing and also enjoy the festive season like many other children. So they took us to visit Santa Claus. I have seen Santa Claus on television, so o I was excited when my father informed ormed us that we would go and see ee Santa Claus face-to-face and receive gifts from him.

When we got to the e venue, there were so o many games to play, and nd competitions such as dance, ance, spelling, singing, swimming and many more to make all the c hilch dren have fun and learn rn as well.

In the arena where Santa Claus was, the queue was so long that my elder sister had to stand in for us until it gets to our turn, while I and my younger brother kept enjoying ourselves with different games. When it was our turn to see

Santa, my sister called us and I was so excited that I was going to finally see Santa Claus for the first time.

However, when I saw Santa, I became very scared. What scared me was not his red and white outfit but the long white beard. On seeing him, he smiled a t me and asked me to come close and sit on his lap. I walked slowly towards him and immediately he carried me and put me on his lap, I screamed. He took him some minutes to calm me down just to asc sure me that he was a friend, before handing me my pack of gifts.

When I collected the pack Wh gifts, I put up a fake smile of gif and quickly rushed out to meet my parents. Although, I was scared, I am happy I have met Santa Claus one-on-one but the truth is that, I don’t know if he is a white or black man.

– Kelechi Nwagbo

QUOTE Even if you are on the right track, you will get run over if you just sit there –Will Rogers

TONGUE TWISTERS ences and the first occupant of the chair of physics at the Museum of Natural History in Paris. In 1837, he was awarded the Copley Medal of the Royal Society of London.

Antoine César Becquerel was born on March 7, 1788 and he died in January 18, 1908. He was the father of the physicist A. E. Becquerel and grandfather of the physicist Henri Becquerel.

His other Works Becquerel’s earliest investigations were in mineralogy, and in 1819, he identified a crystalline form of calcium phosphate. In addition, he invented a number of instruments, including an electromagnetic balance, a differential galvanometer, and the first constantcurrent electric pile.

Ed had edited it.

I can think of six thin things and of six thick things too.

I slit the sheet, the sheet I slit, and on the slitted sheet I sit.

RIDDLES

How do you keep an elephant in suspense?

Answer: I will tell you tomorrow.

What goes up the chimney when down, but can’t go down the chimney when up?

Answer: An umbrella It stands on one leg with its heart in its head. What is it?

Answer: A cabbage What can make an octopus laugh?

Answer: Ten tickles (tentacles)

JOKES

Good news and bad news

Mr. Bello receives a phone call from his doctor.

The doctor says, “Mr. Bello, I have some good news and some bad news for you. Please which one do you want to hear first?”

Mr. Bello answers, “Please, give me the good news first.”

The doctor says, “The good news is that you have just 24 hours to live.”

Mr. Bello replies, “Oh no, If that is the good news, then what is the bad news?”

The doctor says, “The bad news is that I forgot to call to inform you yesterday.”

Daddy did my homework A teacher gave her pupils Mathematics home work to submit the next morning.

The next morning, while going through the home work of each pupil, she noticed that Udeme’s work was outstanding knowing fully y well that he is a dulll student. She called him m aside and the following g conversation followed.

Teacher: “Udeme, did your father help you with your homework?”

Udeme: “No, he did it all by himself.”

POP

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

44

Lessons of Life

ANGELA DAVIES lessonsoflife2@yahoo.com 08023342083

TRUE LIFE STORY ON MATTERS OF THE HEART

I

decided some years ago that I will never give alms to beggars again even though right from my childhood in Sunday school class, we have always been taught to give alms to beggars and the poor. But with what happened to me years ago, I vowed never again to give alms.

You will all understand the reason after you have read my story. Well, I do not intend to scare anyone, but it happened to me. Maybe I should say I gave alms to the wrong person that fateful day; someone who did not truly need help but rather had an evil intention.

Today, I decided to share this experience because recently I sat next to a young lady inside the BRT bus and as we embarked on our journey, I noticed that she was lost in thought. She kept shaking her head from time to time as if regretting something she had done. At a point, I had to ask her what the matter was and she told me that she gave alms to a man and since then, her spirit has not been at rest. I tried to calm her down and assured her that since she did it in good fate, she has nothing to fear.

Then I remembered what I experienced some years back. This is my story.

Thompson and I had started our wedding plans after four years of dating and were both eagerly looking forward to our big day with great excitement and happiness. Preparation was in top gear; in fact, everything had been paid for and the aso ebi had been totally sold out. All that everyone was waiting for was our D day. Thompson’s parents, especially his mother, liked me a lot, she kept telling me I am a blessing to her son and family as a whole. “Veronica, I want to specially tell you that I like you a lot and you have been a blessing to my son and my whole family. Thank you for accepting to marry my son. Please allow me to say congratulations in advance,” Thompson’s mother said. She calls me the daughter she never had because she has three boys, Thompson inclusive.

Precisely two months to our wedding, Thompson had to travel to London for a two-week course. I could not take Thompson off my mind when he travelled because he is the only man who makes my world go round. He meant everything to me and I love him so much. But everything changed abruptly.

About three days to Thompson’s arrival, on my way back from the office, I decided to pass through Oyingbo market in Lagos so that I could buy some dry fish, periwinkle, snail and some other ingredients which I would use to prepare his favourite soup, Afang, to welcome him. When I was paying for the items I bought, a beggar approached me for alms and cheerfully, I gave him N100; he thanked me and went away.

I got home very tired, but I managed to prepare all the ingredients and put them in the fridge so that I could cook the next day, which was a Saturday. By the time I was through, I retired to bed, really tired.

At a point, I started tossing and turning and when I eventually opened my eyes, it was exactly 2:00 am. However, to my shock, I saw a male figure starring at me. I wiped my face to make sure I was not hallucinat-

JANUARY 13, 2013

‘See how alms giving has ruined my chances of getting married’ ing. Immediately, I recognised the man as the same person I gave N100 to at Oyingbo market. “God, how did this man get into my room?” I muttered.

Shivering, I asked, “Are you not the man I gave money to at Oyingbo market?

Wetin you dey do here? In fact, how did you get into my house?” “No worry Madam, because from the time wey you give me that money, I don become your lover,” he disclosed. I was stunned to my bone marrows. “Wetin you want from me?” I asked. “I come to sleep with you,” he emphasized. He warned me never to discuss whatever happens between us or whatever I experience because the day I do, that will be the day I die. I became so frightened and I started crying. “Woman if you like use microphone cry or shout, nobody go hear you. I don tell you wetin I come for so please no waste my time,” he warned. The next thing I remembered was that I woke up and it was obvious that he made love to me; however, he was gone. I cried until there were no more tears left in my eyes. It even saddens me because I could not tell anybody because he warned me not to hence I will die and I was not prepared for death yet.

But after clearly thinking about the horrifying experience, I promised myself to damn the consequence; that is, if truly there was any, and muster the courage to tell Thompson what happened to me when he returns from his trip so that we could look for a solution together. But I guess the harm has already been done. To my surprise, when Thompson returned to Lagos, he did not bother to call to inform me of his return, neither did he come over to my house. When I visited him at home, he

looked me straight in the eyes and asked, “What are you doing here, Veronica?”

Dazed at his question, I replied, “What do you mean what am I doing here? You returned some days ago and you didn’t even bother to call or visit me. I want to know why, darling,” I stressed. Thompson told me he owes me no explanation and as such I should get out of his house. “And please Veronica, I don’t ever want to see you again.

You disgust me,” he added. I was stunned at his behaviour so I had to go and visit his mother. When I narrated all that happened between Thompson and me, she said, “Veronica my daughter, since he came back, whenever your name is mentioned, he gets upset. He said he does not want to hear your name nor see you ever again without any reasonable reason. Did you offend him?” she asked. Sobbing, I said, “Mummy, we had no problems before now so I am surprised at his behavior,” I emphasized.

Meanwhile, after that night, the beggar comes to make love to me twice every month and I discovered that things kept going from bad to worse. Aside loosing Thompson who got married to another woman six months later, I lost my job in the bank because of a minor mistake that can be overlooked. And at a point, I got so frustrated that I felt like committing suicide.

My family members, loved ones and friends knew that something was wrong with my life but I could not open up to anyone. Nonetheless, we in the family kept praying and believing God for a miracle in my life. The prayers were so intense that I was inwardly convinced that some miracle would soon happen.

And after sometime, the mystery beggar

stopped coming and this made me really happy.

About a year later, I got a good job and I also met Donald, a charming handsome young man who loves and adores me so much and about four months later, he proposed and I became the happiest woman on earth. “At last, I am finally going to get married to Donald,” I consoled myself. Almost immediately, we started making preparations towards our happiest day and I was looking forward to settling down with him the man who brought back sunshine into my life when all of a sudden, the beggar started visiting me again. And before I could say Jack Robbinson, Donald started acting funny and in no time, he called off the wedding without any concrete reason.

“Donald, why did you call off the wedding?

Did I do anything wrong?” I inquired. “Veronica, the truth is that you disgust me. If you don’t mind, get out of my house and never come back. And please don’t forget to shut the door after you,” he said. That was how my beautiful relationship with Donald too ended.

After Donald, three other men had proposed to me but immediately the beggar makes love to me, they all called off our engagement. Did I do anything wrong by giving alms to a beggar? Why has he decided to frustrate my marital life? I am so tired and frustrated; now my two younger sisters are married. I will be 40 years old in two months’ time and marriage still seems to be far from me. Please what do I do?

Please send your advice to the phone number or e-mail address above. No calls, please.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

45

Wellness YOUR HEALTH AND HEALTH RELATED ISSUES JANUARY 13, 2013

Physical fitness, a must for everybody –Expert VANESSA OKWARA

A

nother New Year is here and this month is generally set aside by most people to reflect about their life and what they need to do to improve their general wellbeing.

Aside from setting goals that will improve your financial status or making New Year resolutions to break some bad habits, physical fitness experts advocate that you also include regular physical exercise as part of your routine to keep fit and prevent diseases that are associated with living a sedentary lifestyle from ravaging your body.

Coach Mike Olaitan, an Aerobics instructor and owner of Soul and Body Fitness Club in Okota area of Lagos, revealed that most Nigerians believe it is only those who are overweight that needs to exercise, but that is further from the truth. ‘’keeping fit is a must for everybody and not only for those who want to lose weight like most Nigerians think. As a gym owner, I only see a larger percentage of people who are overweight come in to register so that they can shed some fat and look good again; especially after the yuletide season when they must have done a lot of eating and alcohol drinking. You hardly see a slim Nigerian coming in to register at the gym because they want to keep physically fit but this is very wrong. Physical fitness is all about staying active and keeping your body functioning at a high level. For instance, both aerobic exercise and weight lifting strengthen the immune system and keeps most disease off. Everybody needs to exercise to keep fit and maintain a healthy life’’ he said.

The importance of physical fitness cannot be emphasized. In today’s society that is moving towards a more sedentary lifestyle, there is a greater need than ever to increase the daily activity level to maintain both cardiovascular fitness and body weight.

Medical experts agree that not engaging in one form of physical activity or the other on a daily basis shortens the life span of that individual to a significant percentage.

A study conducted by the United States Department of Health and Human Services discovered that to 23 percent of deaths from major chronic diseases is linked to sedentary lifestyles such as eating junk food, sweets, chocolates and generally not engaging in any form of physical activity.

The findings in their report showed that Regular physical activity reduces the morbidity and mortality from many chronic diseases. Millions of people suffer from chronic illnesses that can be prevented or improved through regular physical activity Despite the well-known benefits of physical activity, most adults and many children still lead a relatively sedentary lifestyle and are not active enough to achieve the health benefits associated with it.

Mrs. Ijeoma Iwuchukwu, a physiotherapist working in Lagos said that physical activity can reduce your risk of developing leading causes of death ‘’ Regular physical activity is one of the most important things you can do for your health. It can help to Control your weight; reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease; type 2 diabetes; Reduce your risk of some cancers and strengthen your bones and muscles. Everyone can gain the health benefits of physical activity - age, ethnicity, shape or size notwithstanding.

What is important is that you make sure you exercise your body and keep it in good shape. We found out that a lot of our patients who come here with diseases like stroke or diabetes is mainly as a result of their own making. They never engaged in any form of physical activity most of their adult life and they were eating all sorts of junk food and drinking alcohol. All these things later accumulate in their systems and damage the vital organs of the body.

People should be careful with what they eat and at same time exercise regularly to avoid all these chronic disease that come suddenly without warning.’’ She advised.

Mrs. Iwuchukwu advises that Regular exercise can help

protect you from heart diseases and stroke, high blood pressure, non-insulin-dependent diabetes, obesity, back pain, osteoporosis, and can improve your mood and help you to better manage stress. ‘’For the greatest overall health benefits, we in the medical field recommend that you do 20 to 30 minutes of aerobic activity three or more times a week and some type of muscle strengthening activity and stretching at least twice a week. However, if you are unable to do this level of activity, you can gain significant health benefits by accumulating 30 minutes or more of moderate-intensity physical activity a day, such as brisk walking at least five times a week. If you have been inactive for a while, you may want to start with less strenuous activities such as walking or swimming at a comfortable pace. Beginning at a slow pace will allow you to become physically fit without straining your body. Once you are in better shape, you can gradually do more strenuous activity’’.

However, she warns that If you have a chronic health condition such as arthritis, diabetes, or heart disease, talk with your doctor to find out if your condition limits, in any CONTINUED ON PAGE 46

HEALTH NEWS

Women with gestational diabetes risk Type 2 diabetes –Expert Unfriendly hospital environment can lead to

Mr. Chima Adinu, a diabetes specialist with Apex Diabetes Screening Centre, said that women who experience gestational diabetes had increased risk of developing Type 2 diabetes later in life.

Adinu told the News men in Jos that this form of diabetes typically occurred during the second or third trimester of pregnancy. ``Gestational diabetes occurs during

pregnancy; it is like Type 2 diabetes because the body becomes resistant to insulin. ``It generally disappears after the birth of the baby, but women who have had gestational diabetes have an increased risk of developing Type 2 diabetes later in life,” he explained.

According to him, such risk can be decreased with lifestyle modification

such as healthy dieting, lesser weight, constant exercise and routine sugar level checks. ``Women who develop diabetes during pregnancy are therefore advised to stick to a healthy diet rich in whole grains, fresh fruits, vegetables, legumes, poultry, seafood and nuts. ``Such women should also have limited intake of red and processed meats.

fear of hospitals –Psychologist

Mr. Adedotun Ajiboye, a psychologist with the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Ado-Ekiti, said a patient could suffer hospital phobia due to an unfriendly atmosphere in the hospital.

Ajiboye told journalists that hospital phobia included fear of blood,

injection and dead bodies. ``Hospital staff should be cautious of how they attend to patients so that they do not scare them away.’’ Ajiboye advised that health workers should have a positive attitude toward patients.

The psychologist said

that environmental therapy such as pleasant decor and odour in the hospital could help cure the phobia. ``Welcoming attitude from health workers, maximal and cordial attention given to the patient, especially if such a person gets worried easily, ’’ he further advised

46

Wellness

Sunday, January 13, 2013

Know your organs

S

Your

The Human Spleen

pleen is an important organ that is considered as a part of the lymphatic system. It performs several significant functions in the body. The human spleen is located in the upper left part of the abdomen, just below the diaphragm and behind the stomach. It is a small organ, not larger than the size of a fist. The average human spleen is about 12 cm in length, 7cm in height, 4cm thick and it weighs 150 gm approximately.

However, several conditions and infections can cause enlargement of this organ, which is referred as splenomegaly. The human spleen is a soft organ, which is dark purple in colour. The tissues of this organ can be classified into two types, white pulp and red pulp, which are responsible for performing some specific functions The spleen is concerned with producing lymphocytes, which is a type of white blood cells. So, it is an integral part of the human immune system, as the lymphocytes are responsible for producing antibodies to fight against the foreign invaders. Antibodies are mainly associated with the destruction of the bacteria, virus or any other microorganisms or germs, which can cause several diseases. This immune function of the spleen is the subject matter of the white pulp of the organ.

The red pulp of the spleen on the other hand, is concerned with looking after the removing the old or damaged red blood cells from the body. It is also responsible

for acting as a reservoir of blood to be supplied in time of emergencies like hemorrhagic shock or excess loss of blood due to cuts or injury.

Another important feature about the function of the spleen is that while filtering the blood, it saves some important components like iron from them. Iron is stored in the spleen as bilirubin and ferritin. Iron preserved in this way is then transported to the bone marrow, which is the main site for synthesizing haemoglobin.

Several diseases can cause enlargement of the spleen and thereby disrupt its functions. Enlargement of the spleen or splenomegaly is the main health problem associated with the organ. Sometimes, a significant increase in the size of the spleen may result in rupture, which necessitates immediate medical attention. Such a condition may require surgery to remove a part or the entire spleen.

An important fact about spleen is that though it performs several important functions, it is not a vital organ; humans can survive without a spleen. In the case of surgical removal of the entire organ, most of the spleen functions are taken up by liver and other organs of the body. However, if only a part of the spleen is removed, the organ may regenerate itself. Though we can survive without spleen, absence of it can raise the risk of infections.

Make keeping fit part of your New Year resolutions CONTINUED FROM PAGE 45 way, your ability to be active. Then, work with your doctor to come up with a physical activity plan that matches your abilities. If your condition stops you from meeting the minimum try to do as much as you can. What’s important is that you avoid being inactive. Even 60 minutes a week of moderate-intensity aerobic activity is good for you.

So what else can someone do to live a healthy life? Mrs. Edith had this to say ‘’the first thing is to watch your food intake; this is the entry point for many diseases. What you put into your mouth contributes immensely to the overall state of your health. You must eat healthy enough to effectively fight off diseases and foreign interference from the body. The human immune system is at its best based on individual health conditions. The food you take should have a good supply of all vitamins and minerals to help boost your immune system. When this is combined with physical fitness, your body is fit to prevent diseases associated with sedentary lifestyle to suddenly come upon you. Regular exercise not only increases power to flex your muscles but also improves your general wellbeing and you will always feel good about yourself. A strong body is able to fight diseases more effectively. This

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combination of a balanced diet and physical fitness is the best weapon to fight against diseases naturally’’ she said.

Coach mike, who reiterates the physiotherapist, further said that Heart disease and stroke are two of the leading causes of death we see in our society today. ‘’But getting at least 150 minutes (2 hours and 30 minutes) a week of moderate-intensity aerobic activity can put you at a lower risk for these diseases. You can reduce your risk even further with more physical activity. Regular physical activity can also lower your blood pressure and improve your cholesterol levels.

He added that a whole set of exercise routines are a must and they must involve a daily set of prescribed muscle activities and movements if you wish to get a desired result. ‘’A properly organized daily exercise routine does a whole lot of good to your body. Follow it faithfully and you will get wonderful results. The body will then be in a position to handle strains and deal with diseases. However, any exercise routine requires a lot of work and commitment. Not only does regular exercise aid in weight loss, it reduces your risk for several chronic diseases and conditions. Finding activities that you enjoy and that become part of your daily routine is the key to a long and healthy life’’ he advises.

BONE Health

with Dr. Olatunji Idowu

Growth plate fractures and injuries (3)

• Since the 1960’s, the Salter-Harris classification, which divides most growth plate fractures into five categories based on the type of damage, has been the standard. The categories are as follows: • Type I • The epiphysis is completely separated from the end of the bone or the metaphysis, through the deep layer of the growth plate. The growth plate remains attached to the epiphysis. The doctor has to put the fracture back into place if it is significantly displaced. Type I injuries generally require a cast to keep the fracture in place as it heals. Unless there is damage to the blood supply to the growth plate, the likelihood that the bone will grow normally is excellent.

• Type II • This is the most common type of growth plate fracture.

The epiphysis, together with the growth plate, is separated from the metaphysis. Like type I fractures, type II fractures typically have to be put back into place and immobilized.

• Type III • This fracture occurs only rarely, usually at the lower end of the tibia, one of the long bones of the lower leg. It happens when a fracture runs completely through the epiphysis and separates part of the epiphysis and growth plate from the metaphysis. Surgery is sometimes necessary to restore the joint surface to normal. The outlook or prognosis for growth is good if the blood supply to the separated portion of the epiphysis is still intact and if the fracture is not displaced.

• Type IV • This fracture runs through the epiphysis, across the growth plate, and into the metaphysis. Surgery is needed to restore the joint surface to normal and to perfectly align the growth plate. Unless perfect alignment is achieved and maintained during healing, prognosis for growth is poor.

This injury occurs most commonly at the end of the humerus (the upper arm bone) near the elbow.

• Type V • This uncommon injury occurs when the end of the bone is crushed and the growth plate is compressed. It is most likely to occur at the knee or ankle. Prognosis is poor, since premature stunting of growth is almost inevitable.

• A newer classification, called the Peterson classification, adds a type VI fracture, in which a portion of the epiphysis, growth plate, and metaphysis is missing. This usually occurs with an open wound or compound fracture, often involving lawnmowers, farm machinery, snowmobiles, or gunshot wounds. All type VI fractures require surgery, and most will require later reconstructive or corrective surgery.

Bone growth is almost always stunted.

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.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

47

Business FRESH BUSINESS NEWS AT YOUR FINGERTIPS Sunday January 13, 2013

Cultivating bio-fortified crops for improved health RAZAK OWOLABI

H

arvestPlus is an international agriculture organisation which specialises in funding researches resulting in bio-fortification of crops, especially in countries with limited access to nutritious diet.

When Dr Howart Bouis, Director-General of HarvestPlus International visited Nigeria in 2012, he said the country was the first in Africa to have access to fortified Vitamin A. Vitamin A Deficiency (VAD) lowers immunity and impairs vision especially among children, and can lead to blindness and even death.

Available records show that in Nigeria, Vitamin A Deficiency afflicts about 30 per cent of children under five years, almost 20 per cent of pregnant women, and 13 per cent of nursing mothers.

The organisation funded the research carried out by International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) Ibadan, which used bio-fortification process to produce the Vitamin A cassava, also known as ``yellow cassava’’ because of its colour.

Bouis who visited a pilot Vitamin A cassava farm at Lagaye community, Ibarapa East Local Government Area of Oyo State, said the breeding of the variety was the outcome of many years of research. Bouis said he was delighted to be in Nigeria on inspection visit to see the result of the organisation’s global initiative.

The head of the community, Chief Peter Adeyemo said the task of developing rural communities should not be perceived by the developed countries as a burden. Adeyemo said it should be seen as “an exciting experience to share in the wealth, knowledge and skill with those who also have, but have not discovered themselves.”

Adeyemo thanked HarvestPlus for providing effective and inspiring leadership which encouraged the “rich to share with the poor, experts to share with the ignorant.”

Adeyemo, a former senator, urged Nigerian legislators to propagate the cultivation of yellow cassava in their various constituencies. The organisation also funded the fortification of Vitamin A maize in the country.

Mr Paul Ilona, Country Manager of HarvestPlus, said about 1.8 million Nigerian households would have access to fortified Vitamin A by 2016. Ilona said that the maize fortification programme targeted 25,000 households in the first year. He said that the plan was to multiply intensively the bio-fortified maize crop so that by 2014, as many households as possible would be reached. ``Before the end of Phase II of our bio-fortification programme which will continue till 2018, we want to reach out to about eight million Nigerians who should be planting bio-fortified crops. ``For now, our areas of focus in Nigeria are cassava and maize, but in the near

future, we will bring fortified millet,’’ Ilona said. He said the fortified Vitamin A maize in Nigeria would greatly complement the nutrients in the diet of the rural poor.

On the level of penetration in the distribution of fortified cassava, Ilona said great progress had been made. ``For cassava, we have about 500 hectares planted now.

Starting from March 2013, we shall be disseminating planting materials to about 100,000 households in Nigeria.’’ The Vitamin A fortified maize hybrids were released on July 4, 2012 by the National Variety Release Committee of Nigeria as Ife maizehyb 3 and Ife maizehyb 4.

They are also recognized as IITA hybrids A0905-28 and A0905-32. Speaking on the bio-fortified maize, a maize breeder at IITA, Dr Abebe Menkir who led the development of the new maize hybrids, said they were a product of nearly a decade of breeding for enhanced levels of pro-vitamin A. ``The hybrids outperformed local varieties with yields ranging from six to nine tonnes per hectare, compared with two tonnes per hectare recorded on local variety.

Researchers said the hybrids could supply enhanced levels of Vitamin A in the diets. According to Menkir, maize is the most frequently consumed staple in Nigeria, with about 20 per cent of households consuming it at different times within a week. ``These hybrids will provide not only increased amounts of pro-vitamin A but also improve productivity in farming communities”. Mr Samuel Olakoju, another maize breeder, said areas where maize consumption was high was targeted to ``help address the problem of Vitamin A Deficiency in Nigeria.’’

To achieve maximum level of acceptance of bio-fortified crops, Ilona suggested that bio-fortification should be built into the national health policy. The HarvestPlus country manager said there was the need to communicate both the health and nutritional benefits of Vitamin A cassava to adopters for easy acceptance. He urged disseminators to focus more on youths engaged in agriculture, as they are the ones who usually embrace newly improved crop varieties than the ``old conservative farmers.’’

Ilona said the farmers should be convinced that adopting fortified Vitamin A crops would provide not only food for their households, but income for sustenance as well. The researcher said past studies had shown that whenever an improved variety was introduced, its adoption usually suffered setback even when given free to farmers.

Commenting on HarvestPlus and its bio-fortification projects in Nigeria, Mr Emmanuel Elegbede, Oyo State Chairman of All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), said the organisation’s effort would assist the

Minister of Agriculture, Adesina

THE NEW MAIZE HYBRIDS, ARE PRODUCT OF NEARLY A DECADE OF BREEDING FOR ENHANCED LEVELS

OF PRO-VITAMIN A. ``THE HYBRIDS OUTPERFORMED LOCAL VARIETIES WITH YIELDS RANGING FROM SIX TO NINE TONNES PER HECTARE, COM-

PARED WITH TWO TONNES PER HECTARE RECORDED ON LOCAL VARIETY government greatly in achieving its target in food security and agricultural transformation. He appealed to HarvestPlus not to relent in its effort in Nigeria and other developing countries.

Experts and stakeholders want HarvestPlus to sustain its activities in Nigeria and other developing countries. They want the government to sensitise the people to the importance of embracing bio-fortified crops not only to enhance their health but to also to boost their income.

•Owolabi is of News Agency of Nigeria

Experts urge FG to boost external reserves D

irector General, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Mr Muda Yusuf, yesterday urged the Federal Government to intensify efforts to boost the nation’s external reserves.

Yusuf told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that an articulated diversification of the economy would reduce pressure on the economy and improve the external reserves.

``The government needs to take proactive steps to ensure that the nation has sufficient money in its reserves to cushion the effects of any drop in the price of crude oil in the international market.’’

Yusuf advised the government to resuscitate all the refineries in the country to reduce the foreign exchange spent on importation of fuel for domestic consumption. He said that Nigeria, being one of the largest exporters of

petroleum, should reposition itself to provide good standard of living to its citizen.

He said that the successful repair the nation’s refineries by the government would increase local production of fuel and enhance the external reserves. Mr. Akin Ojo, Deputy Manager, Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), on his part, advised Government to encourage exportation of local goods and discourage the impor-

tation of foreign products. ``This will have positive impacts on the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and boost the external reserves,’’ he said. Ojo also advised Government to encourage automobile industries to establish plants in Nigeria to reduce the number of vehicles imported into the country.

According to him, this would increase the level of employment rate and improve the external

reserves. Mr Ayodeji Fagbenle, General Manager, Cash craft Assets Management Limited, said that government should stimulate the agriculture sector to produce more food for local consumption and export purposes.

Fagbenle said that the nation was depleting its foreign reserves on the importation of goods from developed countries, adding that the situation negatively affects the value of the naira.

48

Sunday, January 13, 2013

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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Business

Sunday January 13, 2013

Property Watch •For Lagos area as at Friday Jan 11, 2013 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

Freight forwarding companies assure on economic growth T

he Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN) has expressed its commitment to sustainable economic growth in the country through accountable transport initiatives in freight forwarding management.

The Registrar of the Council, Mr Mike Jukwe, made the commitment in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday.

Jukwe said that the council had a strategic plan to create efficiencies by co-ordinating the activities of practitioners in a way that would clean-up the operations of its members.

``This will enable it to serve the public better in an efficient and transparent manner.’’

He said that the council would also strive to improve public perception and awareness of the duties and responsibilities of freight forwarders in the country. ``This will encourage freight forwarders to aim for higher levels of career achievements and a broader understanding of the principles of cargo movement in the interest of the public, clients and employees.’’

According to him, the council is making concerted efforts to ensure uniform

standard of education, training and professional conduct among its practitioners. He said that the council had been admitted as a member of the International Federation of Freight Forwarders Association (FIATA) based in Switzerland, to strengthen International exchange programmes and build capacity.

NAN recalls that FIATA had on October 10, 2012, accredited some Nigerian institutions for freight forwarding training at its congress in Los Angeles, U.S. The institutions are Nigeria Institute of Transport Technology (NITT), Zaria; Redeemers University,

T

Soft wood 2x2x12 ..........N250 2x3x12 ..........N300

he Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) yesterday sealed off the warehouse of a Chinese firm, ``Three Friends International’’, over low quality

Plywood 3x3x6-----------------N3,500 2x4x8-----------------N2,400

aluminium coils.

Roofing Sheet Corrugated iron sheet per bundle ...N10,000 Asbestos 4x8 per piece ..................N1,600 Asbestos (solo) ............................N1,100

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

Ogun; Modibbo Adama University of Maritime Technology, Yola, (MAUTECH) and Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), among others.

He said these institutions would be training and awarding certificates in International Diploma in Freight Forwarding and Supply Chain Management, to candidates who already possess National Diploma (OND), Higher National Diploma (HND) and BSC certificates. According to Jukwe, the training will empower the freight forwarders and sharpen their knowledge for effective freight service delivery.

SON seals warehouse over substandard products

Wood Timber (hard) 1x1x12 ..........N1,000 Timber (hard) 2x2x12 ..........N600 Timber (hard) 2x4x12 ..........N700

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

49

L-R: Corporate Affairs Manager, Cadbury Nigeria Plc, Mr. Kufre Ekanem; Monitoring Vetting Officer, Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria, Mr. Akinnola Adewale and Managing Director, Cadbury, Mr. Dele Anifowoshe, during the Yummy Life Promo draws in Lagos, yesterday.

Practitioners want FG to strengthen tourism sector

S

ome tourism experts have urged the Federal Government to strengthen the sector to increase its contribution to the economy.

In separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos, the experts applauded some of the milestones recorded by the Federal Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

Mr Olugbenga Adebayo, the Managing Director, Gadeshire Travel and Tours Ltd., Abuja, noted that the Federal Ministry Culture and Tourism had been playing its role effectively. ``The sector is blessed enough to take over the econo-

my of the country from other sectors,’’ Adebayo told NAN. Similarly, Mrs Wanda Ibru, the Managing Director, Pathways Tourism Development Initiative, Port Harcourt, also noted that the sector was blessed with resources and the potential to sustain the economy. ``The ministry should put in place structures that will position the sector to take over from other sectors because we have the resources, the land and the potential for the country to rely on. ``With all these potential and resources, there should be nothing stopping the

government from developing the tourism sector,’’ she said.

Mr Segun Adeshina, the Director, Lagos School of Travels and Tourism, said that it was possible for tourism to be the nation’s revenue base. ``Before this could be achieved, a lot still needs to be done to reposition the sector. ``The government should assist to create a good atmosphere for tour operators, hoteliers, airlines and travel agencies to survive,’’ Adesina said.

He expressed optimism that the sector would had the capacity to increase the nation’s Gross Domestic Product.

NAMA promotes 66 AGMs T

he Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) said at the weekend that it had promoted 66.

The Managing Director of NAMA, who disclosed this at a media briefing on Friday in Lagos, said the Minister

of Aviation, Princess Stella Oduah, had approved the promotion. Udoh pledged that the agency would sustain its seamless air navigation services to its numerous clients, and the continued safety of the country’s airspace. He ad-

vised the newly promoted officers to put in their best for the development of the aviation sector. Some of the newly promoted officers commended Udoh for recommending them to the minister for promotion.

The Head of Inspectorate and Compliance of the organisation, Mr Bede Obayi, led a task force on an enforcement exercise to the aluminium coil warehouses in Lagos.

Obayi said that the company stocked aluminium which quality was below the Nigerian Industrial Standard (NIS) minimum specification of 0.4 millimetres.

He said that SON was determined to rid the country of substandard products. He explained that the team was on routine inspection to ensure that the company complied with the NIS minimum requirement for aluminium roofing sheets.

A correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) accompanying the team, reports that the minimum standard for aluminium sheet is NIS 487 and 486.

Obayi said that the company used quality plain coil of about four layers to cover the low gauge coated coils. He noted that some unscrupulous importers indulged in such sharp practice to evade payment of complete duty. ``The duty on colour coated aluminium coil is 20 per cent while plain coil is five per cent. ``We must ensure that what the consumers want is commensurate with the value of products they are getting so that they are not cheated.’’ He advised that importers and dealers should sell the right products at the right quantity and quality. “Your 0.50 mm, should be 0.55 mm. Anybody who wants to buy aluminium roofing sheet should go to the right source with expertise for standard measure.’’

50

Politics

Sunday, January 13, 2013

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Airport shoot out: Victim regains consciousness, officer still in police net OLUSEGUN KOIKI

A

Yuguda

Babangida-Aliyu

Nyako

The North gladiators CONTINUED FROM PAGE 41

He is believed to be enjoying the support of former President Olusegun Obasanjo and though has not indicated interest openly. If he does, he may be backed by the power brokers in the North.

Lamido is especially seen as a suitable candidate. As a former foreign minister, he is suave and has what it takes to rule the country. Not only that, the ‘magic’ he has performed in Jigawa is proving him in good stead as the ideal candidate.

Babangida Aliyu Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu is a senior civil servant who was elected governor of Niger State in 2007 and got a second term ticket in 2011 under the banner of the PDP. In 1983, he was elected to the House of Representatives for Chanchaga Federal Constituency towards the end of the shortlived Nigeria’s second republic.

He is highly favoured because of his position as the Chairman of the Northern Governors Forum. He is also being backed by the former President, General Ibrahim Babangida.

Isa Yuguda Mallam Isa Yuguda was elected governor in April 2007 on the All Nigeira Peoples Party, ANPP platform. In April 2009, he changed allegiance from the ANPP to the PDP, and was reelected governor on April 28, 2011.

Rabiu Kwankwaso Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso was Governor of Kano State from 1999 to 2003. He was reelected for a second term as governor on April 26, 2011.

Kwankwaso was appointed Minister of Defence from 2003-2006 and was appointed as Special Adviser to the President on Dafur and Somalia in 2006 - 2007. He was later appointed as the Representative of the North-West geo-political zone in the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) from 2009 - 2010.

Kwankwaso made a historic come-back eight years after vacating the Government House, with a political ideology known as the “KWANKWASIYYA MOVEMENT” which is symbolised by the red cap and white brocade. He is an experienced politician

and enjoys the support of the northern top politicians Ibrahim Shema Ibrahim Shehu Shema is a lawyer and politician.

He was elected governor of Katsina State in 2007. He was reelected for another four-year term on April 28, 2011 on the PDP platform.

He may not pose much problem for the front-runners in the race Aliyu Wamako Wamakko was elected governor of Sokoto State in 2007 on the PDP platform, and assumed office on May 29, 2007. Following an appeal, his election was annulled in April 2008 on the basis that he was still a member of the ANPP when he won the PDP nomination.

A re-run was arranged and it was believed that the contest was not so much between Wamakko and Muhammadu Maigari Dingyadi of the DPP, as between Wamakko and his predecessor, Attahiru Bafarawa, founder of DPP. He is serving a second term as governor of Sokoto State and may not receive much support from the northern political elite if he enters the race.

Men who would be president CONTINUED FROM PAGE 16 Imo State was elected on the platform of APGA. Earlier, he had contested for the presidency on different political platforms, including PDP and Action Alliance (AA). It is generally believed that it is his interest in presenting himself as the presidential candidate of APGA, supported by the national chairman of the party, Victor Umeh, that is the genesis of APGA crisis.

Okorocha has however refrained from telling anybody in public that he would run for the Presidency in 2015. But the news that he would run has spread like wild harmattan fire. He has however been making comments suggestive of the speculation that he would seek presidential nomination come 2015. Such elaborate occasions included the commissioning of Ojukwu Centre in Owerri, where the Igbo intelligentsia were brought together to brainstorm on the way forward for Ndigbo in the nation’s political space. Other exaggerated occasions that took place recently in Owerri included Okorocha’s birthday bash that paralysed commercial activities in the state late

last year as well as the marriage of his daughter that grounded movement along the Ontisha-Owerri Road.

Sunday Mirror learnt that ever since Okorocha’s presidential ambition was made known to President Jonathan, the presidency has been using every available tactic to intimidate and armtwist Okorocha into dropping the ambition but Okorocha is said to be undaunted.

Instances of such intimidation included the use of police by the Inspector General of Police to forcefully reinstate the sacked local government chairmen in PDP in the state and an alleged sabotage of implementing federal government projects in the state.

One of Okorocha’s campaign promises in 2011 when he was contesting for governor in Imo State, was that he would quit as governor after one tenure, to make room for Owerri zone’s turn, in line with Imo charter of equity. He was unequivocal that he aimed to be President come 2015 after President Jonathan’s tenure, adding that Nigerians should judge him based on his performance as the governor of Imo State from 2011 to 2015.

n alleged tout who was shot on Thursday night at the car park of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos by a police corporal has regained consciousness.

Also, the police corporal whose identity could still not be ascertained 72 hours after the incident is still under police custody at an undisclosed police station.

This much was disclosed yesterday by the Commissioner of Police, Airport Command, Mr. Olatunji Caulcrick in a telephone interview with Sunday Mirror.

It will be recalled that a police corporal had shot a suspected tout on Thursday night for refusing to give him N500 at the MMIA. The corporal was said to have shot the alleged tout in the stomach at the public car park of the MMIA. The money was said to have been given to the suspected tout by a passenger

whom he had assisted to push his baggage trolley from the arrival terminal to the car park.

Eyewitnesses had said the intestines of the suspected tout spilled out from the gunshot wound and he was rushed to Beesam Hospital, near the airport, by security operatives.

Report said that Aviation Security officials of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria immediately alerted the airport police command and the corporal was subsequently arrested.

Caulcrick explained that the victim had started talking, adding that whenever the doctors at the hospital allows him to talk, he would be interrogated by the police to get his own side of the story.

He informed that the police officer had been interrogated by the police authorities, but refused to divulge what transpired between the arrested officer and the authority.

He insisted that it would be wrong for the police to

rely on a one sided story as relayed by the detained officer, but assured that justice would be done on the matter.

When asked at what point a police officer could use fire arms on a harmless citizen, Caulrick noted that under the police law, an officer could use fire arms on “Force Order 234,” but could not comment if the order was strictly followed by the detained officer.

He added that fire arms could also be used by policemen to defend themselves when their lives are being threatened by an armed person.

He said, “A police officer can also use fire arms when the life of other members of the public is also being threatened by an armed person.”

He said that the Command would wait till the investigation is concluded before coming to conclusion, adding that it will be difficult to conclude when it was yet to hear from the victim.

NGO put smiles on needy children’s faces

I

n a bid to contribute to the growing needs of the Nigerian child, the Startright Child Development Initiative, SCDI put smiles on the faces of children in need recently. The event which was the maiden edition of SCDI quarterly welfare outreach, tagged ‘TOUCH A LIFE’ was held in the back water slums of Oworonshoki, an area known as Lagos street community.

SCDI is a non-profit organization dedicated to the protection and promotion of the rights of disadvantaged Nigerian children, and as part of its crusade against societal ills that negatively impact the wellbeing of the Nigerian child, decided to reach out to the downtrodden. The SCDI team, led by Keith Ajagwaigbo, arrived the community at about noon that sunny Saturday with

gifts in hand.

Relief material such as foodstuff and condiments, clothes, used and new, was shared out to the teeming population of residents who make their home on what is clearly a dump, seeing as the settlement is more or less a rubbish heap on the lagoon. With over a hundred families living in a neighbourhood with little or no hope of a brighter future for their offspring, SCDI hopes to be a vehicle of transformation with programmes specifically packaged towards positively affecting the less priviledged children in the country, billed to fully take off in the first quarter of 2013, according to Ajagwaigbo.

SCDI also visited the old people’s home at Lancaster road, Yaba with a bag of rice and clothing supplies on December 29, last year

Some of the recipients during the SCDI outreach

to mark the concluding phase of its relief programme for the year 2012.

The team was received by the assistant matron, who was simply identified as Hajiya Sabiu. She expressed gratitude at the gesture on behalf of the old folk, noting that since the government cannot do it all alone, the onus is on well meaning Nigerians to contribute their own nation quota.

Plans are underway for the next major outing of SCDI in February 2013, when selected public secondary schools in Lagos, will play host to facilitators mandated to enlighten the young minds and inspire them to boldly take on the unique challenges of growing up in this part of the world with positive transformation as the ultimate goal.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sunday, January 13, 2013

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News/South

Sunday January 13, 2013

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Fire renders 300 homeless in Bayelsa Oko-Baba fire: Lagos EMMA GBEMUDU YENAGOA

A

fire outbreak has rendered at least 300 persons homeless in the coastal community of Ijawkiri ,Nembe Local Government of Bayelsa State.

The fire which erupted last Thursday night when residents had gone to bed, razed many buildings, thereby causing pandemonium in the area.

It was learnt that residents battled to extinguish the fire till 1am on Friday.

Though no casualty was recorded in the incident , Sunday Mirror investigation revealed that there was an act of sabo-

tage by some arsonists outside the community.

Incidentally, Ijawkiri is located close to the disputed Soku Gas Plant in Oluasiri in Nembe Local Government of the state.

Community folks claimed that the gas plant facility did not assist them during the raging fire outbreak.

Lately, Oluasiri has been maintaining a frosty relationship with its neighbours in Rivers State over the ownership of the Soku LNG Gas Plant located in the area.

The situation had degenerated into claims and counter-claims on the ownership of the gas plant by the Rivers and Bayelsa state governments, until

President Goodluck Jonathan waded into the matter.

In an interview, an indigene of the community who pleaded anonymity told our correspondent that some unknown persons besieged Ijawkiri on a speedboat and set structures in the community ablaze before zooming off.

He said: “Some persons were said to have arrived on a speedboat when people were sleeping and set the community ablaze. After fulfilling their mission, they took off”.

The indigene raised fears that the situation could lead to a reprisal that may result in another bloodbath and tension between the border communities.

Speaking in another interview, the Chairman of Oil and Gas Committee in Nembe, Chief Nengi James, confirmed that over 300 individuals were rendered homeless in the fire.

He went on:”Their major occupation is fishing. The fire destroyed properties worth millions of Naira. There is confusion in the community.

We don’t know who set the community on fire because the incident came suddenly”.

Contacted, Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Fidelis Odunna, confirmed the incident and said the police had deployed their personnel in the community, to prevent a breakdown of law and order.

begins relocation of victims

MURITALA AYINLA

B

arely six days after the inferno gutted the Oko-Baba plank markets, destroying about 50 structures, the Lagos State Government yesterday said it had begun relocation of the displaced. victims to Agbowa Relief Camp.

The relocation was in response to the order given by the state governor, Mr Babatunde Fashola to serve as succour for the displaced victims.

Speaking with Sunday Mirror, the General Manager, Dr Femi Oke-Osanyintolu who gave the disclosure, said that 1,000 displaced victims were enumerated by the agency, adding that the relief camp had been opened temporarily for them as ordered by the governor.

He said:”We have started

moving them to the relief camp so as to provide shelter for many of them that have been rendered homeless by the inferno.”

He stressed that the entire area had been fumigated to forestall health hazards as result of the impact of the inferno on the area.

Osanyintolu who bemoaned recurrent fire incidents in the country, however urged residents to be wary of fire by being safety and security concious, adding that government is more concerned about preventing avoidable disaster rather than managing them.

The governor had, during his visit to the place, disclosed that the victims might never return to the place for saw mill businesses, adding that a better place had been designed for the plank markets.

Imo Catholics reject Pope’s appointee …accuse Cardinal Arinze of imposing stooge CHRIS NJOKU OWERRI

C L-R: Former Anambra State Governor, Chief Chukwuemeka Ezeife; Imo State delegate, Chief Ezeogo Ezikpe; outgoing President, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Ralph Uwechue; Chief Chike Ebenibe and Chairman, South-East Council of Traditional Rulers, Eze Cletus Ilomuanya, during the Ohanaeze Ndigbo 2013 NEC election in Enugu, yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

Let’s preserve Yoruba artefacts –Aregbesola

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overnor of the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, yesterday said that there was the need for South-West governors to preserve the Yoruba cultural and traditional artefacts.

He dropped the hint when he visited the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, to sympathise with him over the fire outbreak that ravaged the monarch’s palace.

Aregbesola said Alaafin should call all Yoruba leaders to a meeting with a view to mapping out strategies on how to construct a fireproof structure around the ancient artefacts.

The governor, who described the incident as sad and shocking, said that because of the importance of the Yoruba artefacts, efforts should be made to ensure that none of them should be exposed to destruction by any circumstance.

He described the ancient

Alaafin palace as the emblem of the Yoruba race and Alaafin, the custodian of Yoruba culture, tradition and artefacts.

According to him, if the Yoruba should showcase half of their artefacts to the world, the race would be celebrated as one of the forerunners of the world civilisations.

He said: “It is a very sad incident. The stable of Alaafin should not get burnt, let alone the palace where every object has connection to Yoruba history.

“Considering the importance of all the Yoruba artefacts, if we should showcase half of what is bequeathed to us by our forefathers to the world, the race would be celebrated as one of the fore-runners of civilisation in the world.

“Well-meaning Yoruba people must come together to do whatever is necessary

to forestall similar occurrence. It is high time for Yoruba to protect the symbols of our cultural heritage”, Aregbesola said.

Responding, the Oyo monarch commended Governor Aregbesola for his efforts toward promoting and protecting Yoruba tradition and cultural heritage.

Alaafin said that prior to the Europeans’ visit to Africa, the Yoruba people

had developed the most viable democratic system of government through separation of power.

This, the monarch said, had led the Yoruba people to have the most enduring culture, civilisation and sound justice system.

Alaafin noted that there would soon be a conference of the Yoruba people on preservation and modernisation of Yoruba arts and culture.

atholic priests and members of the Catholic Diocese of Ahiara in Mbaise Local Government of Imo State, yesterday rejected the verdict of Pope Benedict XVI in the appointment of a Bishop for the Diocese, accusing Cardinal Francis Arinze of imposing on the people, a stooge.

Clergymen who gathered at St. Brigid’s Catholic Church in Ahiara, in protest of the appointment of Monsignor Peter Okpalaeke from Anambra State, as the Bishop-elect of the Diocese, maintained that the imposition of the Bishop on the Diocese will not “promote the spiritual wellbeing and the precious

faith of our people”.

Addressing newsmen, the President of Ahiara Diocesan Priests’ Association, Rev Austin Bernadine Ekechukwu, said that the outright rejection of the Vatican’s choice (Okpalaeke), was not borne out of disrespect for the Pope or the hierarchy of the Church, but “we strongly contest his suitability for Ahiara Diocese given its uniqueness and pastoral realities”.

According to them, his appointment against the wish of the people in the Diocese, sends a “reprehensible signal about the status and reputation of the about 500 Catholic Priests that trace their origins to the soil of Mbaise, a Diocese that has been globally acclaimed as the Ireland of Nigeria”.

Group commends Umeh for APGA reconciliation OLAJIDE OMOJOLOMOJU

A

gainst the backdrop of recent efforts to ensure unity in All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA, initiated by the National Chairman of the party, Chief Victor Umeh, the president of Igbo sociopolitical group, Committee 21 (C21), Senator An-

nie Okonkwo, has lauded the move as an initiative dictated by necessity and supported by conscience.

Okonkwo who spoke on the heels of his return from C21 delegation to the inauguration of the Ghanaian President last Monday, said beyond every disagreement, be it political or social, is a subconscious yearning for reconciliation.

His words: “It is my belief that as this reconciliation process has started and is gathering momentum through the effort of the national chairman, who has been piloting it to a cruising level with wings wide enough for everybody’s accommodation.”

Describing reconciliation as the best tonic for renewal, recovery and

growth, Okonkwo said Umeh, as a General tested in the political war front should be commended for this new peace initiative.

He added: “That way, APGA which I have said earlier is the South East political inheritance from our late leader, Ikemba Ojukwu will prove cynics wrong that it is a party fixated in crisis.”

53

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

QPR target Odemwingie P. 54

Sport

KEEPING YOU ABREAST OF SPORTING NEWS

AFCON: Oshaniwa calls for home P. 54 support

January 13, 2013

EURO BRIEFS

Wenger expects tough tie against City

A

rsene Wenger believes Arsenal’s Premier League clash with Manchester City today is make or break for both clubs.The Gunners need a victory to close the gap on the top four while City cannot afford another poor showing at the Emirates Stadium if they are to hang onto Manchester United’s coattails.

Forget United, urges Mancini

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anchester City boss Roberto Mancini has told his team to forget the pressures of the title race and focus on beating Arsenal today. Mancini’s champions trail neighbours United by seven points at the top of the Premier League and the gap could be 10 by the time City kick-off at the Emirates Stadium.

Juve should expect tricky clashes –Giovinco

J Chelsea’s Eden Hazard (middle) scores against Stoke City during their English Premier League soccer match at the Britannia Stadium yesterday.

EPL: Blues end Stoke’s unbeaten home run, as Sunderland triumph

J

onathan Walters scored two own goals and missed a penalty as Chelsea thumped Stoke to end the Potters’ 17-game home unbeaten run in the Premier League yesterday.

Walters headed a Cesar Azpilicueta cross into his own net just before half-time and repeated his unwanted trick from a Juan Mata corner.

Walters’ misery was completed when he blasted a late penalty against the bar.

The 29-year-old Republic of Ireland international has won plenty of plaudits for his play for the Potters this season but his 100th Premier League appearance turned into a memorable day for all the wrong reasons.

Chelsea manager Rafa Benitez decided to start Demba Ba up front for his first Premier

League appearance for the club, with Fernando Torres dropping to the bench.

Captain John Terry was on the bench for the first time since sustaining knee ligament damage two months ago, and came on as a late substitute.

Chelsea struggled early but gradually took control of the match halfway through the first half. And just before the break, the visitors went ahead with a little bit of luck after Cesar Azpilicueta swung in a cross from the right. Juan Mata was poised to convert but he was beaten to the ball by a diving Jonathan Walters, who powered the ball past his own keeper.

Incredibly, he managed to do it again in the second half. This time Mata sent in a corner and the Stoke striker got his head to the

Ekpo targets DeGale P. 54

ball just ahead of Frank Lampard.

The Potters were now staring at the end of their long unbeaten home run, and things got worse three minutes later when they conceded a penalty.

Mata broke through and went to ground under pressure from both Robert Huth and Ryan Shawcross, and Lampard smashed the penalty down the middle to give Chelsea a 3-0 lead.

Lampard should have added the fourth goal moments later but shot straight at Begovic from point-blank range.

The visitors did score another in the 73rd minute, though, as Eden Hazard finished off the rout with a swerving long-range strike as the ball rocketed into the top corner.

Chelsea, meanwhile, climbed into third place in the standings,

Haye: I will give Vitali the mega-fight of his career P. 54

leapfrogging Tottenham which was held 0-0 by Queens Park Rangers earlier yesterday.

Stoke had not lost at Britannia Stadium in the Premier League since February last year, but it’s normally stodgy defence came undone as the club fell to its heaviest home defeat since returning to the top flight in 2008.

Meanwhile, impressive Sunderland yesterday brushed aside a disjointed West Ham to notch an emphatic first win of 2013.

Sebastian Larsson’s 25-yard thunderbolt lit up a dull first half, before Adam Johnson pounced after a Dan Potts error to double the lead from close range.

Jack Colback hit the woodwork as West Ham began to crumble, before James McLean finished from a tight angle to give Sunderland an emphatic 3-0 win.

uventus attacker Sebastian Giovinco says his side will have to be on top of their game in the next few weeks. Antonio Conte’s men qualified for the semi-finals of the Coppa Italia this week, while they are also still in the race for the Champions League, and sit atop of the Serie A.

PREMIERSHIP TABLE TEAM

P

GD

PTS

1. Man Utd

21

26

52

2. Man City

21

22

45

3. Chelsea

21

24

41

4. Tottenham

22

12

40

5. Everton

22

9

37

6. Arsenal

20

18

34

7. West Brom

22

1

33

8. Liverpool

21

8

31

9. Swansea

22

5

30

10. Stoke

22

-3

29

11. West Ham

21

-3

26

12. Norwich

22

-10

26

13. Fulham

22

-5

25

14. Sunderland

22

-5

25

15. Southampton

21

-10

21

16. Newcastle

22

-12

21

17. Wigan

22

-17

19

18. Aston Villa

22

-25

19

19. Reading

22

-16

16

20. QPR

22

-19

14

AFCON: Malian P. 55 Eagles set to fly higher

54

Sport

Sunday January 13, 2013

Knockout IFEANYI Eduzor with

08055829770 ifeduz24@yahoo.com

Ekpo targets DeGale I nterim WBO Africa Super middleweight champion, Isaac Ekpo (18-1,14Kos), has revealed that he is prepared to face the best Super middleweight boxers in the world even as he announced his intention to challenge European champion, James DeGale, (14-1,9Kos) for a fight to announce his presence in the division.

Ekpo, who claimed the vacant WBO title, courtesy of a second round knockout of Algerian Said Mada Hamou at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos last December, told our correspondent

that apart from the WBC/ WBA Super middleweight champion, Andrew Young, no other boxer in the weight category can match his fighting prowess.

“I am ready to fight whoever they put in front of me and at the moment my target is James DaGale. I will be ready to fight even with just two weeks notice.

“The only person that I have utmost respect for is Andrew Ward and the rest of the Super middleweights cannot withstand me,” Ekpo who is currently based in Ghana enthused.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

QPR chase Odemwingie

Q

ueens Park Rangers have become the latest English club to line up for West Bromwich Albion striker, Peter Osaze Odemwingie for signing.

Sunday Mirror gathered that QPR lodged an enquiry for the Nigerian forward with Albion on Friday.

QPR manager, Harry Redknapp has expressed his desire on bolstering his striking options in this winter transfer window and Odemwingie has been top on their list.

The ex-Tottenham Hotspur manager since joining QPR in November has had to rely only on Djibril Cisse with the duo of An-

drew Johnson and Bobby Zamorano still out injured.

QPR could land the 31-year-old Nigerian for a transfer of around £3 million if West Brom are willing to do business for the striker.

Newcastle United have also been linked with Odemwingie after one of their Senegalese strikers, Demba Ba, joined European champions, Chelsea this month.

Odemwingie has made 17 appearances for West Brom this term and scored four goals so far.

The former Bendel Insurance striker joined Albion from Lokomotiv Moscow on a £2 million deal in August 2010.

Odemwingie

AFCON: Oshaniwa Our referees are calls for home support competent to handle AFCON matches –Audu S O AYO

N Isaac Ekpo (left) being decorated as new WBO Africa Super middleweight champion

Aiyegbeni calls for adequate training of boxers boxers. sports philanthropist, “These boxers are poorly Francis Aiyegbeni, has A trained because most of the called for adequate training of young Nigerian boxers to enable them excel at international championships.

He told our correspondent that poor training of boxers has contributed to the dwindling fortune of the pugilist game in the country, even as he canvassed for refresher courses for coaches to enable them be in tune with the modern techniques of the game.

“The greatest problem affecting the development of boxing in the country is poor training of young

coaches and instructors are not exposed to the modern techniques of the game and the only way to solve the problem is to ensure that coaches are re-trained to enable them impact good fighting techniques to the pugilists,” Aiyegbeni said.

He noted that the sport will continue to witness a downward slide unless the NSC takes the issue of training and re-training of coaches and instructors serious, as it is done in other countries of the world.

igerian international and Ashod of Israel left back, Juwon Oshaniwa, has called on Nigerians to rally round the Super Eagles as the team gets set to kick-start their 2013 Africa Cup of Nations campaign in South Africa.

The Eagles are currently in Faro, Portugal, putting finishing touches to their preparations ahead of the bi-annual competition and will be aiming to win their third Nations Cup trophy having won it in 1980 and 1994.

The Stephen Keshi-led team only on Wednesday held Cape Verde to a goalless draw in one of the warm up matches aimed at putting the players in shape and Oshaniwa who

Haye: I will give Vitali the mega-fight of his career

S

unday Audu, the immediate past Secretary of Nigeria Referees Association (NRA), has said that the exclusion of Nigerians as centre referees in the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) does not mean they are incompetent.

Audu made the statement in a telephone interview with the News Agency (NAN) yesterday in Lagos. He noted that Nigerian referees had previously officiated at FIFA organised tournaments, which was an attestation to their competence.

“There is politics in CAF, so if you are not in the board you will be marginalised so that is it, most of the selected match officials

Oshaniwa

are from the francophone countries.

“For our referees to be in World Cup shows that we are no pushover, if we officiate at that level, it shows that we are good enough.

“It will be wrong for anybody to think less of our referees because we have what it takes,’’ he said.

Audu, however, urged the country’s football authorities to do the right thing to have a foothold in CAF’s decision making process and influence issues in Nigeria’s favour.

“A Nigerian cannot be canvassing for a Benin Republic referee to be selected likewise a Beninoise; so we need someone that will speak for us,’’ he said.

Eagles pip Rotterdam 1-0 in friendly T

Klitscko

the fans will enjoy.

“He’s never had that flagship fight, that one megafight that people will always remember him for and I am the only one that can give him that fight,” Haye said.

featured in the game said the team would do its best to have a victorious outing at the tourney. But he believes the support and prayers of Nigerians will make the task easier.

“The preparation has been going as planned and we are hoping to make the country proud in South Africa. I believe with the total support of our fans back home, we can go all the way.

“Though many people may not be satisfied with our performance in our recent friendly matches, but I want to assure Nigerians that we will raise our game to the standard expected of us at the tournament in order to make sure the trophy returns to Nigeria,” the former Sharks FC of Port Harcourt defender said.

ANDREW EKEJIUBA

F

ormer WBA heavyweight champion, David Haye (26-2, 24 KO’s) says that he will give WBC heavyweight champion, Vitali Klitschko (45-2, 41 KO’s) the megafight of his career if he agrees to fight him.

He noted that a possible fight between him and Vitali is what boxing fans want, with an appeal to the champion to accept a fight with him to decide who among them is a better fighter.

“There’s nobody else in heavyweight division that can give Vitali the viewing figures he deserves. But the bottom line is that he’s a fighter and hopefully he wants the fight

GUNDEJI

he Super Eagles continued its buildup for the 2013 Nations Cup in South Africa later this month with a 1-0 win over Dutch side, Sparta Rotterdam, in Faro, Portugal, yesterday.

The game which was played at the Browns Sports and Leisure Club, where the Eagles are presently camped for the AFCON championship started on a cautious note.

A combination of Efe Ambrose and Ahmed Musa found Nosa Igiebor at the edge of the box, but he blasted wide.

In the 10th minute, Mikel Obi combined beautifully with Igiebor to free Emma Emenike, but his shot was again wasted. But Mikel was on the prowl in the 14th minute when he sent Emenike clear as he promptly tucked the ball into the net, but Dutch referee for the game, Wim Bronsvoort, ruled it offside.

The first half however ended goalless, and on resumption of the second half, Ambrose Efe combined beautifully with Musa, who dribbled his way into the vital area before laying the ball for bulky Emenike to riffle home what turned out to be the only goal of the encounter at the 55th minute.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sport

Sunday January 13, 2013

55

MALI’S AFCON RECORD 1957 – Did not enter 1959 – Did not enter 1962 – Did not enter 1963 – Did not enter 1965 – Did not qualify 1968 – Did not qualify 1970 – Did not qualify 1972 – Runners-Up 1974 – Did not qualify 1976 – Did not qualify 1978 – Disqualified 1980 – Did not enter 1982 – Did not qualify 1984 – Did not qualify 1986 – Did not qualify 1988 – Withdrew 1990 – Did not qualify 1992 – Did not qualify 1994 – Fourth place 1996 – Did not qualify 1998 – Did not qualify 2000 – Did not qualify 2002 – Fourth place 2004 – Fourth place 2006 – Did not qualify 2008 – Round 1 2010 – Round 1 2012 – Third place 2013 – Qualified

MALI’S FULL LIST FOR SOUTH AFRICA 2013 Goalkeepers: Soumbeyla Diakité Mamadou Samassa Aly Yirango Defenders: Idrissa Coulibaly Adama Tamboura Fousseni Diawara Ousmane Coulibaly Adama Coulibaly

Eagles of Mali looking set for South Africa 2013.

Malian Eagles set to fly higher

T

he Mali national football team, nicknamed Les Aigles (The Eagles), has a habit of punching above their weight at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and there is no reason to doubt they could do so again at the 2013 tournament in South Africa.

The Eagles have been runners-up once, third once and fourth three times in seven appearances, a record many moreestablished football countries would gladly settle for.

A draw that placed the Malians in Group B with former champions Ghana and the Democratic Republic of Congo and Niger gives the landlocked West African state a good chance of making the quarter-finals. Mali and Ghana clashed twice at the 2012 Cup of Nations in

Gabon/Equatorial Guinea with the Eagles losing a group game 2-0 and winning by the same score in the third-place play-off.

The Malian squad this year appears even stronger with the return of veteran midfielders Mahamadou Diarra from English Premier League outfit Fulham and Mohamed Lamine Sissoko from French Ligue 1 side Paris Saint-Germain.

Sissoko has not worn the national shirt since a first round departure from the 2010 tournament and injury ruled Diarra out of the last edition of the African football showcase.

Mali are particularly strong in the middle of the park with former Barcelona impact player Seydou Keita now part of a growing band of Africans playing in Chi-

Salif Coulibaly

Group B FIXTURES

Mahamadou N’Diaye

Jan 20: Ghana v DR Congo 1500, Mali v Niger 1800

Molla Wague Midfielders:

Jan 24: Ghana v Mali 1500, Niger v DR Congo 1800

Samba Diakite Seydou Keita

na skippering the team.

Although Keita was another star who became disillusioned with the national set-up, but was persuaded to return and excelled at the last tournament with his skilful footwork.

Samba Diakate from English Premier League basement club QPR is another contender for a midfield place having changed his mind after threatening to remain in London and help his team fight relegation.

Former France star Alain Giresse coached Mali last year, but a contract disagreement led to his departure and compatriot Patrice Carteron took over, guiding the team to a couple of easy wins over Botswana in 2013 AFCON qualifiers. The ex-Sunderland defender is wary of his group rivals, saying they all have good

Jan 28: Ghana v Niger 1700 DR Congo v Mali 1700 (At Durban)

Momo Sissoko Samba Sow

FACTFILE

Kalilou Traore

Nickname:

Les Aigles (The Eagles)

Mahamane Traore

Association:

Mali Football Federation

Sambou Yatabare

Sub-confederation:

WAFU (West Africa)

Strikers:

Confederation:

CAF (Africa)

Cheick Tidiane Diabate

Head coach:

Patrice Carteron

Cheick Fantamady Diarra

Captain:

Seydou Keita

Sigamary Diarra

Home stadium:

Stade 26 mars

Modibo Maiga

FIFA code:

MLI

Mamadou Samassa

FIFA ranking:

25

Mali captain, Seydou Keita

coaches and any two of the four Port Elizabethbased teams could reach the knock-out phase.

“Consistency is the key to success for Mali,” he told reporters in Bamako, with the squad opting to prepare at home, unlike most of the 16 challengers, before flying to South Africa.

“A problem in the past has been that the team plays well in one match and badly in the next. I have emphasised to the squad that they must play well in each game if they are going to win trophies.”

Mali have won once and lost once in previous tournaments against Ghana and DR Congo while their January 20 opening-round clash with Niger will be the first between both countries at the competition.

According to records, Mali reached the 1972 Af-

rican Nations Cup final, but lost 3–2 to Congo. They failed to qualify for the finals again until 1994 when they reached the semifinals, an achievement matched thrice since, 2002, 2004 and 2012.

In the recent 2010 African Nations Cup, Mali made football headlines from coming back 4–0 with 15 minutes left to level 4–4 with Angola. It is considered to be one of the best comebacks in recent memory. Definitely all eyes would be on Mali in South Africa as many football pundits believe they have a lot to offer this time, despite Mahamadou Diarra’s absence. Mali who bagged bronze in the previous edition will certainly want to move nearer to the trophy this year as they play in Group B against Niger, DR Congo and Ghana.

N I G E R I A

N100

Vol. 3 No. 5

Sunday, January 13, 2013

www.nationalmirroronline.net

N150

I N

million; amount spent by the Federal Government on the rehabilitation of Jibia Dam in Katsina

F I G U R E S

N1.8

months.

billion; amount lost by Wema Bank in nine

The human condition in Delta

Back Page

Comment

E-mail: nwaunah@yahoo.com Unah is Professor of Philosophy at the University of Lagos

with Jim Unah

I

was in Delta State, penultimate weekend, to do a post-mortem of the year 2012 of that part of the country; specifically, Agbor, where I was born well over 50 years ago, after the Christmas and New Year celebrations that confined me to Lagos. A late friend at the National Mirror, erstwhile Coordinator of the Editorial Board, Mr. Dafe Onojovwo, had done a series of articles on the security and crime situation in that state in the second quarter of 2012 in his Friday back page column, ‘Laser’. He had in the first quarter done a two-piece article entitled “Travelogue” in which he dwelt on the festering crime situation in Warri - the hob city of that part of the state.

What prompted me to undertake the trip, among other things, was to decipher the warrant for the spate of kidnapping in Delta State that culminated in the abduction of the State Higher Education Commissioner, Professor Hope Eghagha, and the kidnap of Professor Kamene Okonjo, the mother of the Finance Minister - Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala; and several other unreported cases of abduction involving low profile citizens and family members settling private grudges and grievances. It was as easy a pie. The police sources and journalists contacted confirmed that kidnapping in Delta

State and in several other states in the country is largely the creation of political office holders and their out-rigged and out-smarted colleagues. The same thing goes for big time daylight daredevil robbery and assassinations.

Sources say they are essentially the fallout of the do or die battle for political power.

On the one hand, there are cases of a large number of youths recruited and armed by politicians with dangerous weapons to out-rig their opponents. At the end of election period, the successful politicians, now public office holders, are able to place and settle a good number of their thugs and henchmen; but a few are left to their own devices, with their masters unable to retrieve the guns and other dangerous weapons issued out to them, which they then deploy to nefarious personal and criminal uses. On the other hand, you have cases of the candidates who lost elections or are brutally rigged out of the contest for public office, and thus nursing a grudge against the state and unable to settle their thugs and henchmen resort to armed robbery, assassinations and kidnapping. This category is the ones who abduct public officers’ kits and kin from relatives of local government chairpersons to wives of commissioners, deputy governors and governors and even ministers. Of course, there is the third category largely composed of professional thieves, robbers, assassins and kidnappers forsworn to a life strategy of crime.

Unfortunately, this last category, usually small in number at any given time in any state of the country, is now growing by the day because the kidnapping wing of the criminal enterprise has been found to be of low risk and very lucra-

tive venture. Now, the dispensation is, as more and more people are joining the bandwagon of thieves and kidnappers, more and more youths are disengaging interest in honest and constructive labour. Skilled artisantry is becoming an anathema. Devotion to modest living in time honoured vocations is fast becoming an embarrassing aberration. In Agbor, in particular, there is acute shortage of skilled bricklayers and carpenters; and finding other category of labourers in housing development and construction is hairsplitting. The youth are disoriented: unwilling to engage in any form of drudgery such as farm work and skill acquisition; but would rather operate okada for quick income when they are able to resist the lure of political thuggery and associated risk. Almost everybody operates a motor bike; and you begin to wonder who will patronise who in course of time.

In Delta State, as well as in most other states where armed robbery and kidnapping have become daily attractive and lucrative businesses, the first two categories of bandits have merely joined forces with the third and last category - the professional robbers and kidnappers. It is this development that has compounded the crime situation and put innocent citizens under a life of siege in their own country. Many state governors are now sweating and using their security votes to fight the menace, now grown to a scourge of frightening proportions. Just last Monday, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, the Delta State Governor, reportedly released 30 Toyota Hilux vans to the state Police Command, to assist it to intensify its battle against armed robbery and kidnapping in the state.

Unstoppable Heartland FC wins Super Four ANDREW EKEJIUBA

F

ederation Cup holders, Heartland FC of Owerri, yesterday at the Sani Abacha Stadium, Kofarmata, Kano, defeated Lobi Stars of Makurdi 2-0 to emerge champions of the Super Four championship.

According to Heartland’s Media Officer, Cajetan Nkwopara, it was Lobi Stars who started firmly on the front foot in the opening quarter, applying plenty of pressure and looking instantly livelier, but the Owerri-based club checkmated them.

According to him, Lobi Stars’ Moses Orkuma was the first to test Heartland’s goalkeeper, Chinedu Udeh, who made a superb save of the game in the

20th minute parrying well from Moses’ fluked effort.

Udeh again made another one-on-one save as he denied Lobi Stars’ Osas Aigbe a scoring opportunity, before the first half ended goalless.

Sunday Mirror also gathered that on resumption, Lobi Stars almost found the back of the net when a deflected shot located Oluseh Mathew, but the striker’s powered header hit the crossbar.

However, Heartland’s striker, John Owoeri, who came in at the 70th minute became a blessing to the Owerri-based team as the striker’s first touch broke the deadlock.

Happy Okuoka almost doubled the lead for Heartland just three minutes after Owoeri’s opener, but Okuoka who has

never played in the Nigeria’s top flight shot wide.

Substitute Emeka Ogbuh then put the tie beyond Lobi Stars as the experienced striker scored the second and winning goal for Heartland in the 90th minute to hand the Owerri-based team victory.

The outcome of the match rubbished what would be the scoreline of the second duel between champions, Kano Pillars and last season’s NPL runners-up, Enugu Rangers as the Owerri-based club ended on seven points.

Meanwhile, Kano Pillars defeated Rangers 2-0 yesterday to finish second at the Super Four championship with six points, leaving Lobi Stars in the third position with three points, while Rangers occupied the last position with just a point.

While the renewed effort to tackle crime headon is commendable, the greatest contribution to youth development and empowerment by the Uduaghan administration, in my view, would be the reorientation and constructive engagement of a large population of idle youths in state-created privately run agricultural extension projects and in skill acquisition and vocational training centres spread all over the major towns and suburbs in the state. From the rate of crime and youth disillusionment in the state, it is unarguable that what is on ground is grossly inadequate to usefully occupy them. All those initiated into crime during electioneering and ballot box snatching and stuffing should be rehabilitated, whether or not they belong to the losing or winning candidates.

That is the way that the state can have peace. It is penny wise pound foolish to create criminals from the greed for power, only to turn around to deploy state resources to hound them down.

Chronicled by historians as one of the oldest towns in West Africa, after Ibadan, Agbor is bifurcated into two by the old Lagos-Asaba Road, now almost completely ruined by erosion; owing to the wicked neglect by politicians and their conniving contractors. But you see a few new tricycles, donated as part of constituency project by some legislators, operated by joyfully whistling young men and women plying the pothole-ridden road; having successfully ripped the fruit of political participation, traumatised now and then by the locust of reckless okada riders criss-crossing the ill-fated road as they dodged potholes and apply the brakes without warning, to pick their passengers. People are somehow delighted that on both sides of the old Lagos-Asaba Road, all the school buildings, especially primary school buildings, have been redesigned and reconstructed in ways that are learner-friendly and appeal to the aesthetic sense of the onlooker.

However, Warri is still crime infested; but Asaba - the state capital - is bubbling with its wonderful illumination at night, and the completed Airport now in use, it has become a tourist haven and an investor’s dream.

PREMIERSHIP RESULTS QPR 0-0 Tottenham Aston Villa 0-1 Southampton Everton 0-0 Swansea Fulham 1-1 Wigan Norwich 0-0 Newcastle Reading 3-2 West Brom Stoke 0-4 Chelsea Sunderland 3-0 West Ham PREMIERSHIP FIXTURES Today’s Matches Manchester Utd v Liverpool 13:30

Arsenal v Manchester City 16:00

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