Sunday, October 14, 2012 by GLOBAL MEDIA MIRROR LIMITED

Big Read News

THE

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Flood of trouble

News

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Kidnapped Osun Speaker’s wife regains freedom www.nationalmirroronline.net

Vol. 2 No. 44

2013 budget: Stakeholders task FG on prudence

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Jonathan allays fear over food crisis

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N150

Sunday, October 14, 2012

Awolowo blameless over civil war action –Biafran war commander

P. 7

Says Gowon ceded Bakassi over the war Ondo governorship race Parties, candidates

Their strength, weaknesses across senatorial districts Tell the thugs, we’ll not tolerate rubbish –Jonathan Tinubu, Akande, ACN governors, Ribadu storm Akure for redemption rally Labour Party to rig with Israeli militia –ACN You are jokers, Mimiko replies P. 12, 16, 41, 52

Super Eagles’ Ahmed Musa somersaulting after scoring a goal for Nigeria while Obiora Nwankwo looks on in the 6-1 walloping of the Lone Stars of Liberia yesterday.

Eagles land in South Africa, thrash Liberia 6-1 P. 56

2,000 women protest Plateau mass killings.... as gunmen murder two News

P. 9

Ondo North Senatorial District AKEREDOLU Owo

MIMIKO

OKE

Comment

Sure for ACN (Homeboy factor)

Ose

Sure for ACN

Akoko North East

Not clear

Akoko North East

Not clear

Akoko North East

Not clear

Akoko North East

Not clear

Between PDP and LP with ACN taking Owo and Ose and sharing others Too close to call between LP and PDP

To close to call between PDP and LP

See full analysis on pages 16-41

Fire guts Bayelsa ex-deputy governor’s home

P. 52

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

What’s new Interview

Seven Days TALKING POINT OF THE PAST WEEK OCTOBER 14, 2012

Achebe has never liked Awolowo,or the Yoruba –Adebanjo Chief Ayo Adebanjo is one of the surviving acolytes of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo. In this interview, he speaks about the accusations laid against Awolowo by renowned novelist, Professor Chinua Achebe.

Politics

2013: Jonathan proposes N4.92trn budget

President Goodluck Jonathan on Wednesday presented the 2013 budget estimates before a joint session of the National Assembly. The presentation was done amid tight security within the precincts of the National Assembly complex. The budget, which the President christened “Budget of fiscal consolidation

with inclusive growth”, proposed an aggregate expenditure of N4.92 trillion for the fiscal year, representing an increase of about five per cent over the N4.7 trillion appropriated for 2012. The budget, the President said, was construed on a fiscal policy objective of promoting the agricultural and industrial sectors of the economy.

ernment agencies responsible for disaster management to intensify their efforts in managing the situation. The President also commiserated with those who lost loved ones, property and all the affected communities and institutions. He added that the National Emergency Management Agen-

Yemi Shodimu CEO, SHOBAM VISIONS LIMITED

Vivian Ejike is a movie producer and mother of one. Acting for her started when she was a student and this led her to release a movie, Golden Fleece, while she was still a student. In this interview, she speaks about her foray into the make-believe world, among others.

Wellness

‘Chickenpox can spread without symptoms’

UNIPORT 4: Students on the rampage …vandalise vehicles, burn houses Students of the University of Port Harcourt on Wednesday went on the rampage to protest the killing of four of their colleagues. The visibly angry students vandalised properties, including vehicles, residential and business premises along Omuokiri road, Aluu in Rivers State The students, who marched down in droves to the Omuokiri village, also razed houses, including private hostels housing UNIPORT students. They, however, did not encounter any

resistance as many residents of Aluu had fled the town, anticipating trouble in the community following the killing of the students by indigenes of the area. The protest took many hours before security agents in over 10 Hilux vans dispersed the students. The protesters, led by the national and zonal executives of the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, also called for the removal of the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Joseph Ajienka.

Jonathan releases N17.6bn for flood control …presents Budget 2013 today

Chickenpox infection is one of such sicknesses that children President Goodluck Jonapick up while on holiday. It than on Tuesday approved is a disease that can spread N17.6 billion for states and like wild fire to other children government agencies to once one person still has the ameliorate the devastating chickenpox virus active in DEPLOYED his/ D 20 WE HAVE BUSES SO FAR effect of the flood–MASSOB that had her system. claimed many lives and de-

stroyed valuable property. In a nationwide broadcast, the President said N13.3 billion would be in direct f i n a n c i a l assistance to the a4f f e c t e d states, while N4.3 billion would go to gov-

THU WED TUE

A lady can show cleavages and be decent about it –Vivian Ejike

I do same on Tuesday The things I do on Monday, I also repeat on Wednesday. The slight difference is if there is anything that cropped up unceremoniously. The same thing happens on Thursday

FRI

Friday is somehow light for me. I don’t go on air on Friday. That is why I give people appointments for Friday because I don’t have much to do that day. In the evening, I go home. I really don’t night-crawl

SAT

Applause

My Monday is like my Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Usually, I take the children to school. That is my first duty. I come back and take the day one at a time. Of course, I check my mails, make my calls to clients and then check on what’s up next. This takes me to 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. when I start preparing for my radio program. I run a radio program between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. which is called ‘Naija Cruz’. It runs on ‘Rainbow 94.1FM’ on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays for two hours. I need to prepare for the program and it is live. That is how it goes except in a situation where I have to anchor an event or have a very crucial business appointment to keep. I try to wave it off but if it becomes impossible, I look for a presenter for the program. At times, I may have to go out and source for information or solutions to strategic issues or problems with regard to the program. After that program, on a daily basis, I hit the road for my office to attend to things I couldn’t finish in the morning or things I booked to do in the afternoon. That takes me to late in the evening when I’d head back home. I rarely go out after going back home but once in a while I may not have an option to do otherwise when it is very vital. I prefer to sit at home in the evening and watch the TV, play with the children and making calls could come in-between that. At dinner, my wife sits by. You have to listen to your woman at the end of the day. She would want to tell you things that happened in the day. I also love to listen to the news, local and international, on the TV, local station and cable, I do that regularly.

Saturday mornings, I play lawn tennis. If I have a function or an event to anchor as master-of-ceremony, of course, I would go.

SUN

Plot against APGA: Real or imagined?

abulele. In the report made available, Enabulele said; “In most of the communities visited, there were poor waste disposal and inadequate toilet facilities. Also, “the underground wells, boreholes and surface water which are the sources of water in the flood-ravaged communities have been polluted, with attendant risks of outbreaks of water-borne diseases such as cholera, typhoid and gastro-enteritis, among others.”

MON

Flooding may lead to outbreak of epidemic –NMA The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has said that the various flooding across Nigeria may soon result in epidemic, if the situations are not well-managed. The body, therefore, called for urgent intervention in order to prevent the resultant disasters. This call followed preliminary findings from the tour of some of the communities ravaged by flood in different parts of the country by the President of NMA, Dr. Osahon En-

cy, NEMA, had so far spent N1.314 billion to provide relief materials, while the Ministry of Works had spent N556 million on the repair of collapsed bridges and the construction of bye-passes. The Ministry of Environment, the President explained, had also spent N95 million on sundry relief measures.

On Sunday, they take me to church. I have chosen to put it this way. They that I’m talking about are my wife and children. After, I come back home to rest for the rest of the day until Monday. *By Adaeze Amos (0802 301 2293)

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

THE

Big Read SUNDAY SPECIAL INVESTIGATION

October 14, 2012

Flood of trouble Lokoja-Abuja highway taken over by flood

Food crisis, epidemics, displacement loom The climate change across the globe appears to have caught up with Nigeria. This manifested two weeks ago when the heavens opened alongside the fury of the River Niger, which overflowed its banks, leading to the flooding of many communities in the country. Now, the rampaging flood has put many families in untold hardship. This has equally led to economic activities being totally grounded and farmlands swept away, thus hastening what many fear as a looming food crisis in the nation. Head, Special Investigations, Isioma Madike, looks at the situation, with reports from Sebastine Ebhuomhan (Benin), Ademu Idakwo (Lokoja), Charles Okeke (Awka), Priscilla Dennis (Minna) and Henry Iyorkase (Makurdi)

ince the time of Biblical Noah, Nigeria has never witnessed what happened about three weeks ago when the heavens opened. The rain had come in torrents and caught the nation napping. Though, it had been foretold by meteorologists as well as the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA). They warned of heavy rainfall and its attendant consequences even as they listed states that would be affected. Newspaper headlines, perhaps, mistaking the floods for a tsunami – are talking of “shock and awe”, while every-

one from politicians to news anchors, victims and bystanders could not believe their eyes as the famed Lokoja-Abuja Road turned into a swimming pool. Communities in the adjoining valley have already borne the brunt of the flood that saw houses, cars, people, farmlands and key facilities necessary to make life worth living, swept away. As the flood deepens with no immediate end in sight, Nigerians are counting their losses, running into billions of Naira. The tsunami-like situation has created refugees across the country. Other residents, who have suddenly become no-

FOOD CRISIS LOOMS IN ANAMBRA, EDO STATES

Mailafia

madic migrants, move in droves searching for safe abode, pending the time the water would recede. In Kogi State, where it all began, the flood ravaged nine local government areas leaving about 623,690 persons displaced. According to the latest report released by the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), in Lokoja, about 344 communities were completely submerged, while the estimate of property lost has been put at over N2 billion. The report further claimed that 50,493 people had been housed in 87 camps spread across the local councils while 152, 575 hectares of farmlands had been destroyed in a state where agriculture is the predominant occupation of the people. Dams in Kainji and the neighbouring Cameroun have been singled out for blame for the deluge. Stories have it that the waters in the reservoirs of the dams were threatening to burst at the seams with the rising levels of the waters. This, it was said, could cause harm to the multimillion naira infrastructure with collateral damage to electricity generation and agricultural irrigation if not released in a controlled manner. However, in trying to manage that, another disaster was created. As the dams were opened, the deluge helped the surging River Niger to create the massive flooding where people drowned, properties destroyed and farms washed away. CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

‘DISASTER BEYOND STATE’S CAPACITY TO COPE’

The Big Read

Sunday, October 14, 2012

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Food crisis looms in Anambra, Edo states

Obi

Oshiomhole

Adesina

The damage done by flood in the affected areas has been enormous. For instance, the entire Nzam, Aguleri Out, where President Goodluck Jonathan commissioned the Orient Petroleum facility, Nmiata, Odekpe, Osomala, Osuche, Atani, Amii, Umuzu, among other communities in that state are now under water and properties worth billions of naira in the four local government areas, destroyed. Also, the Ogbaru Anglican Cathedral and the Catholic Church in Atani, the Divisional Police Station and the High Court and Magistrate Courts in the area as well as secondary and primary schools were affected. Canoes now ply there as if nothing existed in the area before the flood. This prompted the senator representing Anambra South, Dr. Andy Uba, to visit the affected areas. Uba confessed that he was unaware that the situation in his state was the worse. He donated over N1 million to alleviate the peoples’ hardship and promised to do more. The Ogbaru people are agrarian in nature as farming is their main occupation. But, their farmlands along with planted crops, like yam, potatoes, rice and vegetables have all been destroyed. Investments made by farmers, running into millions of naira appear to have been wasted also. Communities in Awka North, which is regarded as the food basket of Anambra State, including a section of Ihiala local government area, were also affected. That is not all. About 250,000 persons and 10,000 homes spread across the 45 communities in the eight local government areas of Anambra East, Anambra West, Ogbaru, Onitsha South, Onitsha North, Awka North, and Ayamelum are now bearing the brunt of the expanding flood. The number of refugees at the various camps keeps swelling as influx of more stranded people continues. According to the state Commissioner for Information,

Joe-Martins Uzodike, “about 6,917 documented refugees are at the camps, but, the figure grows every day. Specifically, what we need at the end of the day is money and seedlings to help the farmers resettle themselves adequately and curtail the looming food crisis in the state,” he said. In Auchi, Edo State, farmers have also asked governments to prepare for food crisis as a result of the severe flooding of farming communities. According to the Coordinator of All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) in Edo North Senatorial District, Alhaji Abdullahi Mohammed, farms with rice, yam and cassava and other staple foods are affected by the floods. He said that few farms that may be spared should be supported as they expect poor harvest. “The Federal Government should take urgent proactive steps to prevent a looming food crisis in the country. Edo State is one of the nation’s food baskets. Edo North, which accounts for most of the farm produce cultivated and harvested in Edo State, is noted for the production of rice, yam and cassava among other food crops. It is also noted for the production of livestock. The district comprises of Etsako Central and Etsako East, two of the three local councils that are most hit by the massive flooding in the state. The third is Esan South-East,” he said. Mohammed did not stop there, but warned: “Without rice from Udaba, Udochi and Anegbette in Etsako Central; yam and cassava from Etsako Central and Esan South East, there will be no food in the state. It is, therefore, urgently imperative on the authorities to find a lasting solution to the problem to avoid serious food and health crisis as well as social problem.” In his suggestion, an agent of the Edo State Agricultural Development Programme (ADP) urged governments at all levels to immediately put a plan in place that will assist farmers with both financial grants and farm implements to mitigate the effect of the flood and the impending food disaster. “Farmers have lost all that they laboured for throughout the year to flood. In order to encourage them to cope with the situation, government should, as a matter of urgency, come to their aid. All they need from the Federal and State governments are farm inputs like seedlings, fertilizers and tractors to assist them to get back,” he stated. Other analysts have also suggested that while government at all levels work on the relief and rehabilitation of the victims of flooding, the main focus should, however, be on how farmers can be assisted and farmlands recovered to regain productive status in order to attain national food security. It is the combination of both short-term and long-term solutions, they say, that could help to prevent the looming food crisis that may result from the present severe flooding. Udaba, Udochi, Anagbette, Ekperi, Agenebode, Urho, Urhowa, Inyelen and Illushi are just some of the more than 30 communities with an estimated population of 500, 000 persons that are presently reeling under the threat of being washed away in Edo State by waters CONTINUED ON PAGE 5

A submerged school in Lokoja, Kogi State

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3 A visit to Ibaji Local Council, one of the worst hit areas, was greeted with unusual gathering of groups of displaced persons. Visibly dejected, they hurdle together in classrooms; homeless. Their situation was understandable. Virtually all the communities in Ibaji were completely submerged, including farmlands, the mainstay of the people’s economy. “Ibaji is gone!” cried David Ogu, a prominent indigene of the area as he narrated the ordeal of his people whose heritage had been sensationally washed away in one fell sweep. The smaller coastal settlements that were ordinarily not accessible by road before the flood were not spared as they have been buried in floodwater. Villages like Shintaku, Mozum and Sheriya in Bassa Local Council have gone. Besides Ibaji, Lokoja and Idah, other local councils affected in Kogi are Koton-Karfe, Bassa, Ofu, Omala, and Ajaokuta. The story is not different in other cities nationwide where the flood has also been intense. With the plethora of canoes now plying the areas, the terrains are easily mistaken for pure riverine areas, which they are not. The ‘sea’ was once lands with roads snaking through them. This is the situation in four local government areas in Anambra State. They are, Ogbaru, Anambra West, Anambra East and Ayamelum. The communities have all virtually been submerged by the ravaging flood. It began in August this year with the flooding of farmlands in Anambra West and later spread to three other council areas. Governor Peter Obi had to suspend the Independence Day celebration to meander through the flooded Onitsha-Osomala road in Ogbaru and Nmiata axis of Anambra West to supervise the evacuation of people trapped in those neighbourhoods by the menacing flood.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

The Big Read

Sunday, October 14, 2012

‘Disaster beyond state’s capacity to cope’ Dr. Olufemi Bolarin is the Commissioner for Agriculture in Kogi State. He spoke with our correspondent, Ademu Idakwo, about the palliative measures being packaged by the state government to overcome the impending food scarcity. What effort is the government making to ensure that the flood induce situation will not result to artificial scarcity of food in parts of the state? Well, the disaster is beyond what the state government can cope with. However, the government has put in place short, medium and long term mechanism for the reviving of the agricultural sector. Approximately, 650,000 people and 430 communities as well as farmlands have been displaced by the flood disaster in the state. Kogi State is the worst hit in terms of the recorded damages. The multibillion naira sugar refinery in Ibaji, which is due for commissioning, has been swept away. Goats, sheep, cassava, yam and corn have also been submerged by the natural disaster. How would you evaluate the farms destroyed in the state and how is the government going to assist the people to get back on their tracks? We thank the Federal Government for putting us on the group A category of states and that means they are also aware of the calamity facing us in terms of food scarcity. Recently, 50 million naira worth of food were donated by the Dangote Group; Hannatu Foundation and other corporate organisations as well as well spirited individuals have equally contributed immensely in both cash and kind to the state in order to tackle the menace. We are still taken statistics of estimated damage to know how many of our stable food have been affected. What I mean by stable food

is our traditional crops like rice, corns, yam and millets; it is then we can now talk of the nature of palliative to give. Some farmers in the state who have taken loan from the Central Bank through the state agricultural credit scheme are now complaining that they cannot pay back the money due to the disaster that affected this year farming season. What is the government going to do about that? In fact, as a responsive government, we have decided to give additional loan to them of which 50 per cent will be paid back while the remaining 50 per cent will be taken as a grant from the state government to enable the farmers pursue their farming activities. In the interim, we have distributed seedlings, agrochemicals and other farming tools to the dry farmers in a quest to arrest the looming food crisis. We are also going to establish micro finance banks in many communities of the state to bring financial aid closer to the farmers. What other measures can the people of your state look up to? Well, the state is posed to key in to the federal ministry of agriculture’s assurances that the Federal Government would aggressively pursue dry season farming to make up for the losses incurred from the flood disaster in the country. When that comes on stream, we shall make sure that our people maximise such benefits.

Bolarinwa

Agricultural yields estimated at N1b lost in Niger

Uduaghan

Idris

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4 from an over-flowing River Niger, which has demarcated some parts of the state’s boundary. Canvassing a realistic plan to quickly address the challenges that could bring about a re-occurrence and its consequential food crisis in the future, Governor Adams Oshiomhole has called for a synergy between the Federal and State governments. Oshiomhole, who flew in a helicopter and rode in a canoe to access the affected communities, met the displaced persons and noted that the natural disaster has resulted in aggravated loss worth billions of naira in Edo State. The destruction, he said, cuts across buildings, household properties

and food crops in farmlands. The governor afterwards, announced a N100 million relief to displaced persons and flood-ravaged communities. In Niger, some of the victims, who are currently sheltered in camps in some parts of the state, are insisting that they would like to continue living there because of the fear of starvation. Their farmlands have all gone with the flood. For the people, flooding in the past years had been limited to communities along Rivers Niger and Kaduna, affecting those living downstream of Jebba, Kanji and Shiroro, which are the three multibillion naira hydro electricity generating stations in the state. But, the flooding of this year extended to other

communities including Chanchaga, Bosso, Munya, Shiroro, Borgu, Wushishi, Mokwa, Bida Edati and Lapai. Besides the human lives lost, properties worth millions of naira were lost alongside animals and farm produce. The flooding affected 14 local government council areas of the state, and rendered many homeless. It washed away farmlands, which has now created a food emergency in the state. About 47 lives have so far been lost with a total of 663, 000 people displaced. Agricultural yields estimated at over N1 billion, especially areas where Rice is cultivated in large quantity, were also touched. According to the Director General of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NISEMA), Alhaji Shaba Mohammed, the development has overwhelmed the state government. He said, it affected a total of 500 communities, out of which, 117 communities were completely displaced. As a result of the looming food crisis, the state government, he said, has alerted the state ministry for Agriculture to procure and stock food that would later flood the markets to meet the challenges ahead. Mohammed also urged the federal government to, as a matter of urgency, help the state restore the farmlands that the people had used to grow rice in view of the fact that Niger presently is the largest producer of the commodity. He said the action would in turn help in the realisation of the government’s policy on increasing food production and security in the country. Shaba said aside the rain, the state has continued to experience flood that destroyed farmlands and homes, though, not in large scale as experienced this year. He blamed the occurrence on the presence of

three hydro electric power dams located in the state, explaining that when the dams’ spillways are opened to release water each year, communities living around the areas are usually affected. The Managing Director, Upper Niger River Basin Development Authority (UNRBDA), Professor Paul Marley has also warned of possible food scarcity due to the damage done to farmlands in the recent flooding. He said flooding in the northern region where most of the nation’s cereals are cultivated is a bad omen for food production as most cereals are not water tolerant. Marley, who is a professor of Crop Production, said, “except for Rice that is highly tolerant to water, other cereals are not. Horticulture corps and other food corps in flood affected areas are being lost and these will cause the country big problem in food production next year because it may take long for the water to recede.’’ He also noted that the devastation was more pronounced this year because of the flash flooding experienced in some other states in the region. According to him, “Flash flood is very dangerous; it washes away anything that is on its path. We recorded the highest devastation from flash flooding this year. It washed away thousands of houses and farmlands.” However, this kind of reports from eminent citizens on food challenges is creating fears in the minds of the people, forcing many in the state to start making what they consider adequate plans to buy foodstuffs in large quantity and store. A visit round the markets showed that the prices of foodstuff commonly used by most families have gone a little higher. Items such CONTINUED ON PAGE 6

The Big Read

Sunday, October 14, 2012

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Flood worse because we ignore environment rules –Minister

Anambra community submerged in flood

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5 as Beans now go for between N350 and N400 as against N120 and N150 for the new Beans at this period of the year in the state. Maize floor is another popular food item in the state that presently goes for N90 per measure as against N40 and N50 per measure for the new corn this time last year. The prices of other food items as well as ingredients that enable people prepare good tasty meals are also gradually going up with indications that others may follow suit in the next couple of days. For Benue State, never in its history have the people been so devastated by flood. Most indigenes woke up that morning to discover that they were sitting in the middle of an angry River Benue that overflowed its banks. From Katsina-Ala to Makurdi down to Otukpo and Agatu, it was all tales of woes by the victims of the devastation. As it stands now, close to 10,000 houses, business places, huts and farmlands have been swept away or submerged by the raging flood. The Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) has also suffered a huge loss as all the transformers in the communities where the flood occurred were completely submerged just like those of the Benue State University Teaching Hospital (BSUTH). The House of the Second civilian governor of the state, the late Rev. Fr. Moses Adasu, located along the beach road was affected while property estimated at hundreds of millions of naira were lost. Similarly, Chief Audu Ogbeh, a chieftain of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN’s) residence and farm known as Efugo, were flooded with all the produce stored in the premises destroyed. The former AttorneyGeneral of the Federation and Justice Minister, Chief Mike Aondoakaa, whose company stored hundreds of bags of rice in his warehouses, estimated to cost over several millions suffered a huge loss as well. The floods did not spare the residence of foremost historian, the late Dr. Tesemchi Makar along Makurdi-Gboko road. In the same manner, the proprietor of Bridge View Resort at Mu Bridge along MakurdiGboko road as well as Group Captain Ianta Tor-Sabo’s four fish ponds, estimated at N44 million were washed away. A small scale farmer, Mrs. Nyiepila Atser of Inongun told Sunday Mirror that she lost two fish ponds, a rice farm, yam farm, beniseed as well as cassava farm. Also speaking with Sunday Mirror, the Rector of the College of Agriculture Yandev-Gboko, Dr. Orgbanyi Gbonko, said

A family swimming out of their flooded home in Edo State

that the disaster has left the state in a very difficult situation. He expressed fear that towards the end of this year a serious scarcity of food stuff may be witnessed owing to the devastating effect occasioned by the flood. This, according to him, would further heighten the prices of the commodities; people should brace up for the impending food challenges. “It has become imperatively difficult to predict the outcome in terms of food shortage. In any case, we are trusting and hoping that we shall overcome the trauma.” Bayelsa, Kwara, Delta, Cross River and the other flood ravaged states are not any better. However, it is unimaginable how this year’s Christmas and New Year celebrations without enough food would look like for members of many household. Apart from depending on food and water to survive and live healthily, children and adults often look forward to festive season as a memorable time to make merry with healthy and delicious foods. Nutritionists have also said that food helps to nourish life. Good food in balanced measure not only helps to conquer hunger but activates the body, mind and soul through a metabolic process. It also fulfils the first Millennium Development Goal (MDG). The Nigerian Civil War between 1967 and 1970 and the once historical famine in Ethiopia typified by kwashiorkor and malnutrition are direct consequences of inadequate food. But, there is a succor. When President Goodluck Jonathan visited Kogi State to evaluate the extent of the flood damage and sympathize with the victims, he announced a relief package of N17.6 billion. The money, according to the President, was the Federal Government vote for immediate flood control and assistance. He listed all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory as beneficiaries. The President also announced the establishment of a 34-member National Committee on Food Relief and Rehabilitation under the cochairmanship of business mogul, Alhaji Aliko Dangote and human rights activist and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Chief Olisa Agbakoba. Another businessman, Dr. Mike Adenuga, is to serve as the committee’s Chief Fund Mobilizer. He said that the measure is for short-term actions and promised that a more lasting solution to the issue of flooding in the country would soon be put in place. Meanwhile, the Kogi State government, through the Commissioner for Information, Yabagi Bologi, received with great relief and joy the promise made by the

Minister of Agriculture, Dr Akinwumi Adesina, that the Federal government would aggressively pursue dry season farming to make up for the losses incurred from the flood disaster in the country. In a statement in Lokoja, the state government described the move by the Federal Government, as very timely and re-assuring. The state government pointed out that all the nine affected Local government councils are located in the basins of Rivers Niger and Benue, and are populated by farmers who grow a lot of rice, maize, vegetables and sugarcane that support irrigation system. It, however, urged the authorities to follow up the announcement with concrete steps in order to avert the imminent crisis in the agricultural sector. In spite of all these, Governor Oshiomhole frowned at the under-utilisation of the Ecological Fund and regretted that the Federal Government has not used the Fund judicious. “It is a national intervention fund designed to tackle the problems of natural disasters such as flood and erosion. We all appear completely helpless and the Federal Government ought to do more than it has done. The situation calls for a far more drastic response,” he pointed out. Other observers have also argued that the Fund, which was intended to respond to the challenges of flood and erosion presently ravaging several agrarian communities with attendant reduction of agricultural harvests, is yet to be put into such use. A clergy, Apostle Johnson Suleiman, while reacting to what he calls “colossal damage” by the recent flood, blamed the nonchalant attitude and failure of the authorities to heed the warning on the disastrous flooding of many states of the country. Suleiman, who is the General Overseer of Omega Fire Ministries in Auchi, said though, the flood was unfortunate, especially as it resulted from the overflowing of the River Niger and other rivers, it would have been avoided if the Federal Government had listened to the warnings of meteorological experts and agencies. He cautioned that even after the flood, most of the submerged houses may become too weak and no longer safe for habitation, in addition to the potential health hazards from the disaster. “We have a government in power but that is only in quote. I will not say they are insensitive but the sensitivity they have is minimum. We have a government that doesn’t really react to issue until it hits them directly. Government did nothing to

the flooding issue but watched when those in the meteorological department predicted this disaster two years ago. We always have this emergency approach to issues and that is a problem,” Suleiman lamented. However, it is disturbing that only a few Nigerians could lay claim to knowing what climate change is all about, in spite of orchestrated campaigns and public sensitisation activities about the phenomenon, particularly in advanced countries. To most Nigerians, God is always in control. Climate change, which has since become the most topical environmental issue, is the result of greenhouse gases, principally carbon dioxide, which are building up in the atmosphere and helping to trap heat. Scientists claim that this has caused the climate to change globally, causing ice-melts in some regions and flooding in others. In the past years, the world has been strategising on how to tackle climate change. Yet, Nigeria appears to have been left behind. The Minister of Environment, Hajia Hadiza Mailafia, said the recent flooding was very unfortunate. “The situation is worsened because we do not obey environment rules; this is traumatizing,” she said, adding that states and local government councils should do more to discourage property development along river banks and flood-prone areas. In like manner, Dr Adewale Oyeniyi, an environmentalist, has urged relevant authorities to organise pragmatic enlightenment campaigns on environmental issues for the people. He said, the need for the sensitisation activity, particularly now that the citizens were becoming more conscious of the fact that weather predictions could be very accurate, should be paramount. “Our attitude to the environment is deplorable; a situation where drains are blocked, where people are allowed to live in buildings built on flood paths, should end,” he said. Oyeniyi added that channelisation of water to other rivers, apart from River Niger, should also be encouraged. “If that practice had been adopted, River Niger could not have over-flown its banks, leading to destruction of lives and property,” he remarked. Besides, he said, “water releases from dams should be done continually; such releases should be made regularly because of earlier predictions that volume of rain this year would be more. Apart from causing disruption to the environment, flood disasters could also affect the people’s health and disrupt academic calendars, while causing food insecurity.

Sunday, October 14, 2012

National Security Adviser Presidential Villa Abuja

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Wednesday October 10 2012

Sir,

PETITION AGAINST ISREALI TRAINING OF MILITIA AHEAD OF GOVERNORSHIP ELECTION IN ONDO STATE I wish to draw your attention to a thickening cloud of political violence hovering over Ondo State due to the nefarious activities of Governor Olusegun Mimiko who is currently training militia in Israel with a view to fomenting trouble and unleashing terror on known members of Action Congress of Nigeria and other electorates not sympathetic to their cause before and during the Ondo State Governorship election on Saturday October 20, 2012. However, in the build up to this election, the state has been under a siege of mindless killings and politically-motivated attacks perpetrated by the terrifying mercenaries of the ruling Labour Party in Ondo State. Our party, the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, and our supporters have been victims of serial ambushes and feral brutalities. Some of these premeditated attacks were duly reported to the State Police Command and State Security Services, SSS. Nevertheless, there are clear indications that things may get worse in the days ahead. At present, a group of people from Ondo State are undergoing training in a security company in Israel known as NIRTAL LIMITED. They are believed to be sponsored by Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, Ondo state governor and governorship candidate of the Labour Party in October 20, 2012 governorship election. The scope of the training according to our discovery includes, Offensive, Tactical Training, shooting (AK-47 live ammunition in a shooting range and in a dedicated facility). We are also aware that this squad has been trained in the act of making bombs. According to our findings, about 50 members of the Labour Party have undergone this dastardly training. Many more are said to be there at present. The returnees (Israeli trained militia) are believed to be strategically distributed in different parts of the state ahead of elections. The predictable consequence of this terrorist tutelage is better imagined. Today, Nigeria is grappling with many security challenges posed by the menace of the Boko Haram sect. It is pertinent to note that after the October 20 election, this squad will be idle and will invariably swoop on the society. We cannot, therefore, fold our arms and allow the invasion of the public space by another set of highly trained militia. This portends grave danger for the people of Ondo State, those in the neighbouring states and the nation as a whole. NIRTAL LIMITED is owned and managed by highly experienced Israeli ex â&#x20AC;&#x201C;military personnel that specialize in security training. We, therefore, appeal to you to direct the appropriate agencies of the state to commence full and fast investigations into this looming threat with a view to averting a major security breach in our state and potentially in the country. Yours faithfully, Signed Chief Tayo Alasoadura Director-General Akeredolu Campaign Organisation

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Sunday October 14, 2012

2013 budget: Stakeholders task FG on prudence TOLA AKINMUTIMI ABUJA

he post-presentation comments by informed analysts and key stakeholders on the 2013 Appropriation Bill now before the National Assembly are gathering momentum each passing day. The stakeholders are charting what they believe are the most feasible courses to achieving the Bill’s broad policy objectives. Although, most of the reactions are tainted by the overall primary interests of the commentators and analysts, their overall concern is how best to avoid the pitfalls of the fiscal policy implementation adventure that had characterised past

Appropriation Acts. They therefore hope to offer government the needed insight into how to translate the socio-economic intentions of the 2013 budget into tangible gains for stakeholders and sustain the economy on the path of sustainable growth in the years ahead. From the oil price benchmark and revenue generation profiles of the proposed budget, through the GDP growth rate projection, capital and recurrent expenditure as well as fiscal incentives, the overall position of analysts is that the proposals look appealing at face value. They, however, feel that government would need to do a lot in ensuring the efficiency of the budget, particularly inclusiveness of the growth

of the economy. For instance, while the National Association of Road Transport Owners see the reduction of duty on Completely Knocked Down (CKD) motor parts as a desirable measure that would likely reduce the cost of transportation in the country, the imposition of 100 per cent duty on polished imported rice has been described by the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) as likely to trigger sharp rise in the price of the commodity. This is as the local capacity remains largely incapable of meeting market demand for it. Stakeholders including civil society organisations, nonetheless, have continued

to pick holes in the fiscal structure of the Appropriation Bill, despite its positive potential implications for the economy in many areas. In his review of the key issues in the 2013 Appropriation Bill, Eze Onyekpere, Lead Director, Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) for the Citizens Wealth Platform (CWP), noted that the $75 per barrel benchmark price used in the budget was realisable in view of the need to de-link the budget from the volatilities of the global oil market. He however said the downward review of the GDP growth rate from 6.85 to 6.5 per cent owing to the ravaging impact of floods in many parts of the country was too simplistic and questions the use of Ecological Funds dis-

Plateau: 2,000 women protest killings JAMES ABRAHAM JOS

ore than 2000 women at the weekend protested the rising killings in some villages in Plateau State.

There have been attacks by gunmen, especially in Barki Ladi and Riyom Local government areas of the state, which have resulted in the death of no fewer than 22 people in the past week. The protesting women, mainly of Berom ethnic stock, were particularly angry over the shooting of a woman said to be on her way to the farm by unknown gunmen. They blocked Jos-Abuja highway forcing motorists to make a detour to their destination. The arrival of soldiers in the area did not change the situation but rather their presence infuriated the women who accused them of not doing enough to stop the killings. Although, the women were later dispersed by the security agents, tension has continued to mount in the area. Meanwhile, two people

NIGERIA IN

....as gunmen murder two more

presentation of the Appropriation Bill to the National Assembly, believes that there is need to tinker with some areas of the fiscal policy measures, particularly the tariff incentives and the domestic debt burden, among other proposed measures. His words: ‘‘We note the 2.7 per cent reduction in recurrent expenditure from 71.43 per cent to 68.7 per cent; and the increase of 2.8 per cent in capital budget, from 28.5 per cent to 31.3 per cent. These adjustments are not profound enough to provide the needed infrastructural support to stimulate the economy.’’

FG plans to revive destroyed forest reserves T

he Federal Government says it would revive destroyed forest reserves through the planting of economic trees.

A top official at the Federal Ministry of Environment in Birnin Kebbi, Mr Ejioye Emmanuel, made the disclosure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at the weekend. He said the ministry would also facilitate the planting of Gum Arabic seedlings at the Dukushi Forest reserve located in Dandi Local Government Area. Emmanuel said that the seedlings would be distributed to other parts of the state. ``The planting of Gum Arabic in commercial

quantity for industrial use, especially the cosmetics sector, would also be encouraged. ``The ministry would spearhead the rehabilitation of the degraded forest reserve in the state by establishment of ``Senagal plantation in Dakushi Forest Reserve,’’ he said. Emmanuel disclosed that the rehabilitation was meant to provide source of income for farmers, while identifying lack of funds as a hindrance to the immediate commencement of the project. He called on state authorities to support the project because of its long term benefits to the environment as well as the economic benefits to farmers.

PDP calls for national integration

L-R: Delta State Commissioner for Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Anthonia Ashiedu; Anambra State Governor, Mr Peter Obi; his Delta State counterpart, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, and President Goodluck Jonathan, during the PHOTO: NAN President’s visit to one of the camps for persons displaced by flood, in Asaba, on Friday.

have been shot dead by unknown gunmen in Karkru village in the area. Two other people were also injured by the gunmen in another incident which occurred in the early hours of yesterday at Burdiga, Garshish District in Barki

Ladi local government of the state. A resident, Mr Mark Lipdo, who confirmed the incident to Sunday Mirror in Jos yesterday gave the names of the dead victims as Bulus Mashigi and Silas Malo.

BRIEF

NCWS commends Jonathan for gender-friendly budget The National Council of Women Societies (NCWS) yesterday commended President Goodluck Jonathan for making the 2013 budget proposal gender-friendly. National President of the council, Mrs Nkechi Mba, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Enugu that the gesture had further demonstrated the President’s interest in women affairs. ``We were overwhelmed

bursed over the years. He would therefore like the National Assembly to take specific action on the recurrent non debt expenditure by ensuring that the reports’ technical committees to review the mandate of MDAs commissioned by the President are implemented to the letter to prune recurrent expenditure that is taking up an unnecessary chunk of the budget and needs to be kept in check. In his comments on the Appropriation Bill, the President of Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Mr. Goodie Ibru, while commending the early

when he announced that women will head Works and Health ministries; he has given us 33 per cent out of 35 per cent we were asking for. ``We pledge our unalloyed support in attaining his transformation agenda,’’ she said. On the flood disaster in the country, Mba said that women were the worst hit because many of them lost their lives and proprty in the disaster.

She, however, commended moves by the federal and affected state governments in rescuing the situation. Mba, who inaugurated the new state executive of the council in Enugu, urged women in the country to be agents of peace to sustain national development. She said women had a major role to play in ensuring that peace and tranquillity reigned in the country.

He called on the security agents to live up to their responsibilities and stop the incessant attacks on the innocent villagers. When contacted, the Police public Relations Officer, DSP Abuh Emmanuel, said he was yet to get de-

he Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) said yesterday that national integration, and not ethnic affiliation, was what was required to save Nigeria from the current political impasse. The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Mr Olisa Metuh, made this known in a statement ahead of the Ondo State governorship election slated for October 20. According to the statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria

Menu Masters opens in Akure

The Ondo State capital, Akure, came alive on independence day, October 1, with the opening of a new eatery centre, “Menu Masters” located along the popular Akure-Owo road. The new eatery was specially established to showcase originality of African dishes and to introduce dishes that could nourish the body. Speaking at the official opening, the proprietor of the

eatery, Vincent Olusola Bajulaye, said the urge to contribute to the economic development of the nation led to the establishment of the centre. Bajulaye said he was prompted to create employment opportunities and to feed the nation, adding that the establishment of the eatery was the beginning of good things to happen to eatery business in Akure in particular and Ondo State in

(NAN), he urged voters to ensure their votes were in favour of PDP, represented by Mr. Olusola Oke. Metuh, who extolled the qualities of Oke, said that he was one of the best candidates the party had ever presented for a gubernatorial election. He said that a vote for PDP would ensure the return of Ondo State to mainstream politics. Metuh described the governorship candidate as someone who had served in various capacities, putting his people’s interest first.

general. He informed that no fewer than 30 staff members had been trained on the aspect of food handling, assuring that the centre would in no time become the best eatery in the state. The director assured that customers’ satisfaction would be given priority by the establishment, saying it’s a complete new dimension in food affairs.

SM Extra

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STORIES THAT TOUCH YOU OCTOBER 14, 2012

UNIPORT 4: Tears among families, friends S

till gripped by grief, family members and associates of Lloyd, Tekena, Ugonna and Chidiaka, four University of Port Harcourt students who were beaten to a pulp and later set ablaze by a mob in Aluu community in Ikwerre Local Government area of Rivers State, are beaten hollow. Reports gave different versions of the locals’ reasons for killing the students,

ranging from allegation of stealing phones and laptops, to attempting to forcefully recover debt from a member of the community. In these reactions, Chinedum Emeana in Port Harcourt captures the mood of the families, which in unison are demanding justice for the jungle justice metted out to the UNIPORT 4.

I want my son, his friends immortalised in UNIPORT –Chiadika’s mother

rs. Chinwe Biringa, whose son Chiadika and his friends were gruesomely murdered over a week ago, has called on the authorities to ensure that the four boys are immortalised, but not just anywhere, but in the University of Port Harcourt and in Aluu, the community where they were killed, because they made a difference and brought sanity to the University. “Well, I want him and his friends to be immortalised in that University of Port Harcourt so that generations to come will see the four boys that brought sanity in the University, especially in the host community.” The grieving, sad but calm mother, who remarked that the lynched students were all talented first sons, wondered at their shared destiny and expressed a strong belief that they had “paid the price for other students”. “I did not know that all of them were first sons. They were friends; I knew them but I didn’t know they were all first son; I don’t know the destiny that brought them together. And they were all doing well. “They were singers and their album is even in the market. These are children between the ages of 18 and 21, but they already have their album. My son was a comedian, they already had their album. Their future was so bright, but only God knows why He wanted them to die like this… I believe they have paid the price for other students, both the ones yet unborn.” Recalling how she heard about the incident, and her initial reaction, she said Chiadika’s younger brother, who is also a student of the University, called her on phone and informed her that his brother was being beaten up by a mob, but before she was able to rush down to the place, the

evil deed had already been done. “His younger brother called me that I should come that a lot of people are beating Chiadika, but before I could get to the place, they had finished their evil act. I saw them going away with my son in an ambulance. I collapsed but God in his own way lifted me up,” the distraught mother lamented, amid sobs. ‘There will be justice from God, even if govt fails us’ With eyebrows beginning to be raised over whether or not the authorities are really committed to bringing those involved in the heinous act of extra-judicial murder of the four students of the University of Port Harcourt, Mr. Onyemachi Biringa, father of Chiadika, one of the slain students, says if the government fails them, God will act at the appropriate time. This is even as the Toku Mike family is beginning to express unhappiness over alleged attempts by the police authorities to manipulate the investigation process, apparently to cover-up the role of its men in the shocking affair. “I believe they are not going to fail us, but if they choose to fail us as usual, and nothing happens, we have no cause to query them or trouble anybody, we will leave it to God and we believe that God will also react at the appropriate time,” he said. He said it means a lot for the authorities to be committed to the process of ensuring justice in this matter, because the families and the whole world wants to see that something is being done, and not just making empty shows. “Being committed means a lot. We want to be seeing

The UNIPORT 4

something happening. We want to hear that people who really took part in the heinous act, those who acted barbarically, those who acted animalistically, we want to hear that they have been arrested; not hearing that 20 or 100 have been arrested, but if you go and sieve it, not up to five or two of the people that really participated in the killing of these children are among those arrested.” He said he believed that those in government have children and would not want their children to die in such a manner at such a prime age, with no consequence. However, he expressed strong faith that whichever way, there must be justice, because whether government acted well or not, God would take a decision on the matter and pay all those involved appropriately. “We have chosen to leave it to government; we have chosen to leave it for God; if I must say that. What has happened, if it is good here on earth and outside, let God take decision. If it pleases government to also do something, we want to leave it at their hands. We are not going to force them, we believe they have children.” “I don’t want to believe that any person, no matter how

LAMENTATION OF ‘ONE-DAY GOVERNOR’ RUNNER-UP

Robbers killed my dad, broke my leg…what happens to my RICHARD EGHAGHE

he fate of 15 years old Omeruwa Chigemezu, boy who won the first runner-up position in the junior category of the maiden edition of the One-day Governor of Lagos State Competition, now looks uncertain. The competition was instituted the then governor of Lagos state, Senator Ahmed Tinubu in 2005. Only last Sunday, at their Ojodu residence in Lagos, his father was killed by armed robbers while Chigemezu was left with severe gunshot injury on his right leg. The boy was making preparation along with his father, having recently been admitted into the Abia State University, when the dare-devil men of the underworld struck. Narrating his ordeal after being discharged from the Solid Rock Hospital, Ojodu, Lagos, where he was admitted for treatment, Chigemeze said at about 9.30pm on Sunday, October 7, 2012, “after having

my dinner, my mother, who sells foodstuff outside our compound, asked me to call my junior ones who were inside the house watching television. On my way back, I heard sporadic gunshots and observed people running helter skelter for dear life from the passage. So, I quickly turned back to run inside our room, but they shot into the passage and I was hit by a bullet on my leg. I fell down and started crying in pains and shouting, ‘My leg! My leg! My leg’. Between life and death, I crawled with the wound to the backyards, bleeding profusely and writhing in pains. Moments after, people came to my rescue and I was rushed to the Solid Rock Hospital, Ojodu. “I was initially denied treatment because the hospital authority insisted on a police report. So I was taken to the Grammar School Police Station where the incident was reported and we were given the police report before the hospital could admit me for treatment. “I only got to know that my father was killed by the armed robber, after I was resuscitated and brought back to life at the

hospital. I fell into coma over the news but the doctors battled to bring me back to life. I was making final arrangements with my father on my admission into the Abia state University. I was among the first batch given provisional admission into the university. I finished my secondary school education last year.

Chigemezu’s mother

Chigemezu

“Now, I don’t know who to run to. My mother is only a petty foodstuff seller. She is now left with shouldering the burden of five children (all boys), all alone. That is why I would want to appeal to the government to come to our support. I am a brilliant student and I don’t want to miss the opportunity of my university education. I

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Sunday, October 14, 2012

highly placed or lowly placed would want his own child to be killed at a prime age. And even the manner they were killed, I don’t want to believe that any living soul will want to see that happen.” “Therefore, if you are in a position where you

can help to begin to change people’s mindset, change the core values, change the bad and evil attitude of Nigerians, “ he told our correspondent as he looked straight ahead in deep contemplation.

Expressions from the condolence register in Toku Mike’s home for Lloyd

he Mike Toku family opened a condolence register at their home for their son and this has afforded sympathisers who have been trooping to their home to to record their condolences. Ricky Uzoma wrote that he was “deeply shocked and saddened by the outrageous loss of Lloyd. We will stand by you all the way”, he assured; while Faith Evans Papamie of the Bie-Ama Youths “totally hand over all that happened to God almighty, for God to comfort the entire family”. In the case of Chief Kokoriko of the League of Character Clubs, Nigeria, the club “condemns the killing totally.” But Charlotte Tam-George prefers to express gratitude to God for what has happened, in the usual Christian religion’s total submission to God. She wrote, “Lord! You taught us to forgive and give thanks in every situation, and so we say thank you Lord!” Charity Wokoma agrees, as she declares, “It

is well,” expressing her conviction that “I know and believe that you are resting in peace. Good night.” Igbika Akwa, President of 5th Generation Old Boys of G.S.S Ogu (1981), obviously from Mr. Toku Mike’s alma mater said “ Toku, on behalf of the 5th Generation Old Boys of GSS Ogu, I say sorry for what happened to you and your family on the brutal murder of your son.” Atibi Jumbo and Tammy called down God’s vengeance on the killers of the four students: God who sees the heart of those that carried out the evil act will take vengeance. Take heart and may your soul rest in peace”; while Mrs. Belema Enwoh, acknowledging that the boys fought gallantly for their lives, also assured the family that the killers of the boys would not go unpunished “Hew! You fought for your life but death said no. Sleep in the bosom of the Lord. God almighty will surely avenge your death”

Only God can speak for them –Chiadika’s cousin

hukwuebuka Uchenna Mmadubuike, Chiadika’s cousin, who is also a second year student of University of Port Harcourt, has declared that it is only God that will speak out for the four students that were brutally murdered. He said this in reaction to different unsubstantiated allegations against them. “I don’t know what actually happened. But when the thing happened, many people tagged them whatever they liked and whatever they wanted to say but they (the deceased) are not alive to speak for them-

The Biringas: The late Chidika’s parents

education? also appeal to well-meaning Nigerians and philanthropic organisation to come to our aid while praying God for His grace.” Chigemezu is, however, not happy with the of the police investigation into the incident as they are yet to apprehend the culprits. In his words, “judging from my experience in this incident, it is either the police are feigning to know that a criminal incident of this magnitude involving the loss of a precious life and grievous bullet wound on a citizen of this state actually occurred in their area of jurisdiction or they just close their eyes to it. “I am saying this because the Grammar School Police Station is very close to us at Olaleke Taiwo. They can’t deny hearing gunshots but up till the time I was shot, rushed to the hospital and later discharged five days after, I am yet to be approached by the police for my statement, and neither have they been here at the scene of the incident to ask question and find out what actually happened.” He lamented further: “Even when we got to the police for their medical report sheet, they were asking to know the kind of gun the robbers used, weather it was cartridge or bullet? So, they cannot

selves; we are just hearing rumours from different angles. I don’t really know what happened, but all I know is that they were innocent”, he said. “Another thing I heard is that they went to recover a debt and the debtor called them thieves, I don’t know. Nobody knows the truth; only God,” he said. “We were very close, we were brothers, cousins, friends…among his siblings, he was the closest person to me”. “The last time I saw him was on Sunday before he left for school. I can’t really remember what we discussed about, but I can remember our last ping. That period, he was sick. When I came back and told mumsy (his mum) that Chiadika is sick, she said I should tell him to come back since he doesn’t normally have classes on Friday. “But because I didn’t see him, I pinged him on Thursday morning, but by Thursday evening, he pinged me that he would not be coming back, that I should tell mumsy that he has rehearsal. Unfortunately, that Friday morning, this thing happened,” a visibly shaken Chukwuebuka recalled.

feign knowledge of the incident. “So I would really want to also appeal to the government to improve on security of lives and property in the state. It is like there is no security to check the crime wave in the state. This is the second time this kind of incident is occurring in this environment and on a Sunday too. Is it bad if the police come to check me up in the hospital to know how I am faring after issuing medical report for my treatment for gunshot wound? I think the government should have a way of assisting people in a situation like this, where suddenly, you lost your father, the breadwinner of the family to armed robbery attack and you are living you in pains with no visible means of livelihood. “I think people that find themselves in such a miserable condition like this should be given encouragement,” a distraught Chigemezu said. In her version of the incident, Chigemezi’s mother, Mrs Florence Umeruwa, narrated that her husband was sitting outside her shop while she was arranging to close for the day, when the robbers struck. “I sent Ugemize inside to call the rest of his brothers to come and help pack the wares inside for me, to close for the day. Moments later, the robbers rushed in, shooting indiscriminately. I saw them attempting to snatch a car from a woman and the woman was resisting. I ran for dear life to no destination in particular. After the robbers drove towards Morgan Estate, one woman ran to inform me that they had shot my son in the leg. As I rushed out of hiding to see to my son’s condition, I started asking of my husband to inform him,” she said.

‘Civil Defence was first to arrive for DANA crash rescue’ OKAY OSUJI

n a clear Sunday afternoon of June 3, 2012 at Iju Ishaga, Lagos, some children were playing under a large mango tree, oblivious to lurking danger in the sky. Only three minutes separated them and near deaths. Suddenly, Kunle look up the sky and saw a very large object hurtling towards them. There was panic and pandemonium as the children scampered to safety. Before they realized what was amiss, an ill fated DANA Aircraft with 153 passengers on board and coming from Abuja, crashed into a two storey building, only 100 metres from the tree. Following this confusion, a distress call alerted a crack emergency rescue team, which immediately headed to the crash site to help those trapped in the aircraft, and assist persons who in any way may have suffered collateral damage resulting from the accident. The sheer grits and determination to pull victims out of the inferno, even at risk of their lives, won them public admiration. Incidentally, being the first agency to arrive at the scene, it succeeded in ameliorating what would have been a large scale catastrophe. Welcome to the world of the Nigeria Security & Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Zone A, led by Sam Udo Onyemachi. Before now, not many knew of the agency and what tasks it performed. But Onyemachi was quick to clarify this confusion. “The corps has some core functions which we share with other agencies and some which we do not, even as we complement each other. For example, we are into security and intelligence gathering, and some of our staff carry this task all over the country”, he said. He maintained that many of them are students in tertiary institutions, while some live among the people, and through this way, gather valuable information that could assist in the prevention of heinous crimes. According to Onyemachi, the corps is mandated by Act No.2 of 2003 establishing it, to rescue persons during fire disasters, floods, collapsed buildings and even epidemic.”We have a ‘Disaster Department’, that handles rescue operations and some of our staff have been trained overseas and locally for such assignments. Again, we monitor activities of private guards companies in the country and anyone wishing to establish such company must first register with the Federal Ministry of Interior, our supervisory ministry”, he affirmed. Onyemachi said, the corps recommends to the ministry on whether a prospective private guards stakeholder should be allowed to establish a company or not. This is done through investigations on whether the prospect has a criminal back-

ground or not. And during recruitment, the agency helps them to employ genuine staff. “We have a ‘Private Guards Companies Department,’ that monitors their activities and where they go contrary to laws establishing them, we recommend for withdrawal of their license”, he emphasised. On whether they perform paramilitary functions? The Assistant Commandant General, said, the agency’s organogram, is such that their personnel live in the midst of the people and by so doing effectively monitor activities going on in the society. Through this way, they are able to gather intelligence that could aid in busting and preventing high level crimes. “We are empowered to arrest and prosecute criminals and some other functions include, monitoring of oil pipelines. Initially, we did not carry arms and in the process, some of our personnel were killed by pipeline vandals. The Federal Government therefore deemed it wise to empower us to carry arms through the amended Act of 2007”. But where do they operate? Onyemachi said, “We operate on land and in the creeks. We have our boats in Lagos, and this has enabled us arrest several pipeline vandals, especially in Epe”. The Civil Defence Corps boss revealed that they work in cahoots with the Joint Task Force (JTF), especially in the area of availing them with vital information, even as they carry out joint military operations alongside them. How does he see the clamour for the streamlining of all uniformed agencies? The Assistant Corps Commandant said: “Many people have the erroneous impression that our agency is an offshoot of the police or any other paramilitary in Nigeria. This is very wrong, because the Civil Defence is not an arm of the police and the functions it performs are not police related.” Throwing more light, he said “the agency was founded on May 23, 1967, in the wake of the civil war, resulting from the first bomb blast in Lagos that caused panic. It was also the first time people were experiencing bomb blast. So, then Federal Military Government felt that something should be done to educate the civilian population on what to do during war periods. Originally, it was known as Lagos State Civil Defence Committee and operated as a voluntary organisation. The membership was made up of retired civil servants, soldiers and police. After hostilities, the government restructured it to fit in as a modern paramilitary organization”. Then, what is the difference between it and National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA)? “For example, the relief materials provided for disaster victims are sent to NEMA, while the NSCDC is into rescue of disaster victims”, he clarified.

Onyemachi

News

Sunday October 14, 2012

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Jonathan warns against thuggery, promises free, fair election HAKEEM GBADAMOSI AND OJO OYEWAMIDE

resident Goodluck Ebele Jonathan yesterday warned against any act of violence in the October 20 governorship election in Ondo State, just as he promised to ensure that the election was free and fair.

Jonathan said the Federal Government would not allow thugs to forment trouble on the day of election, adding that any attempt to bring the name of the country to disrepute would be prevented. The President spoke in the Democracy Pack in Akure, the venue of the final state rally of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He said: “We are at the federal and cannot come and vote here. But what we can guarantee the good people of Ondo State is the commitment of this ad-

ministration to ensure that Nigeria comply with the comity of nations in the selection of our leaders in this country. “I was told some people are mobilising thugs to this state. Don’t worry yourself. If they like, they can bring thugs from anywhere. Federal Government will not allow any thug to come out that day. If you know you are a thug or your child is going to be used as a thug, please take them away from the state because Federal government will not tolerate any rubbish. We want a free and fair election. This is what we want. Nobody will truncate the commitment of the Federal Government to Project Nigeria.” Jonathan, who appealed to the people of the state to vote for the PDP candidate, Olusola Oke, in the October election, said Ondo is one of the luckiest states in the country. “Let me start by saluting the next governor of Ondo

State, Chief Olusola Oke and his deputy, Hon. Lawal. We are here today to let you know how much we love you. We want Ondo State to grow and we want Nigeria to grow. Ondo State is one of the lukiest states in Nigeria. There are two ways a state can make money. The state is blessed and known for farming. Most of us went to school through the proceeds of farming from cocoa, coffee and the rest. “The state is also blessed with crude oil. Ondo state has oil and to manage this we need good government to change agriculture and put it in its rightful place. The federal government is working hard with the Minister of Agriculture to change the face of agriculture in the state so that Ondo farmers can become rich. This is a PDP agenda to give recognition to farmers. So if you vote for PDP, we are here to give you the assurance that we will work with your governor to be,” he said.

The state chairman of PDP, Ebenezar Alabi, who delivered the welcome address, said Ondo State was the cradle of Nigeria politics. He said: “what we are seeing here today is a manifestation of the resolve of the people of the state change the incumbent government. They have come to demonstrate to the whole World that the change is imminent and to demonstrate that they will vote for Oke on October 20. They have come to demonstrate that they want to continue to enjoy the good things they used to enjoy. “A lot of rumours have been milling around that the President does not support our candidate. This visit has shown that The President is solidely behind the party’s candidate.” Former Governor Segun Agagu of Ondo State said: “The who is who in the party are here. The President is here. The Vice President is here. The Senate Presi-

dent is here. Members of the National Executive Committee of the party are here. Chairman of the Governors’ Forum is here. The governor of Balyeisa, the state of the President, is here. Who says we don’t have father? For the past three and a half years, our people have moved from hope to hopelessness.” Agagu lamented the state of the roads in the state and the level of youth unemployment, predicting that the suffering of the people would soon come to an end. The President of the Senate, David Mark, expressed optimism that the candidate of the party would win the forthcoming election in the state, saying “I When I look at the faces of the youths here, I know we have won the election. There will be an environment to do a free and fair election, Ondo belongs to PDP. The mistake of the past will be corrected on October 20.”

No plan to ‘import thugs’ for poll –ACN chief ONUKWUBE OFOELUE

chieftain of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Hon. Dipo Okeyomi, has described as mere political propaganda, an allegation that the party has encamped political thugs in some ACN-controlled Southwest states, to be unleashed on the state next Saturday. Okeyomi, known in the party circles as ‘Carry Go’, said as deputy director of Independent Network, a security outfit of the ACN for the October 20 governorship election, he should know better. “I can confirm to you that there is no training camp anywhere; Ondo is not the first state outside Lagos where ACN participated in a governorship election. We

Okeyomi

were in Edo, Oyo, Ogun and Osun States. The opposition in those states did not accuse us of breeding thugs outside the state. So, there is no basis for such a thing in Ondo, whose people are overwhelmingly for us. If the people are cheated, they will fight for themselves,” Okeyomi explained. According to him, Independent Network, being the security outfit of the party, has been working closely with the Nigeria Police and other security agencies with a view to ensuring that Saturday’s election holds peacefully. On the accusation that the leader of the party, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, was behind a planned ‘importation of thugs’ to Ondo State, Okeyomi sneered, saying, “Let them bring up their evidence; state the location of the training camp and identifying one or two persons who are undergoing training or who their trainer is.” Tinubu, he said, has always been a promoter of democracy and public decorum, and would not condone a drift to anarchy. However, Okeyomi appealed to other political parties participating in the election to also embrace peace, “as the wounds of the 1983 bloody political crises in Ondo State are yet to heal up.”

Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala (left) and Director-General, Budget Office of the Federation, Dr. Bright Okogu, at a book launch during an International Monetary Fund and World Bank meeting in Tokyo, Japan.

Akande, Tinubu, Ribadu storm Akure for ACN

ix days to the Ondo State governorship election, the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) will tomorrow in Akure, the state’s capital hold a mass rally, which heavyweights in the party are billed to attend.

Tagged ‘Akure Redemption Rally, the campaign is slated for the Democracy Park in Akure, at 9.00am. A statement by the Director of Media, Publicity and Strategy of Akeredolu Campaign Organisation (ACO), Mr. Idowu Ajanaku, said that “great leaders of ACN are being expected, such as the National Chair-

man, Chief Bisi Akande; the National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu; Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, the presidential candidate of the party in the 2011 election and ACN governorsComrade Adams Oshiomhole, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, Senator Ibikunle Amosu, Senator Abiola Ajimobi and Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola of Edo, Lagos Ogun, Oyo and Oswun, respectively. Other leaders of the party from all over the country would be at the redemption rally which promises to be the mothers of all rallies, the statement added.

“In fact, the rally will afford the people of Ondo State the opportunity to hear again the plan of ACN to transform Ondo State if the flag-bearer of the party in the October 20 election, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN) is elected governor. “The robust manifesto of the party diligently implemented has transformed Lagos, resulting in massive, sweeping infrastructural development. Edo, Osun Oyo, Ogun and Ekiti have all become the flashpoint of sustainable development in Nigeria. The Ondo people cannot be left out.

Akeredolu, Oke not ready for governance –Mimiko HAKEEM GBADAMOSI

he Mimiko Campaign Organisation has averred the candidate of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Chief Rotimi Akeredolu is not ready to lead the state because he has no iota of the rudimentary knowledge of governance and about the state.

The MCO equally lambasted the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Olusola Oke saying he lacked the pedigree to govern the state but was on a vengeful mission for his godfather. This was contained in a release issued yesterday by the organisation Director of Publicity, Kolawole Olabisi who noted that the dismal performance of Akeredolu at the just concluded election debate displayed Akeredolu’s ignorance about governance. MCO while expressing regrets that Oke, being a lawyer, could descend on the nation’s judiciary, labelling it as corrupt and lacking in integrity said that when lawyers start attacking the law, then the nation is in trouble. It equally posited that Oke was not only unfit for the position having been indicted by the Senator Lyle Imoke panel over financial impropriety while he was on the board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). It equally berated him for standing truth on its head in his attempt to sweet tongue the people during the debate. “Isn’t it a shame that for Oke, who has had two socalled mega rallies at the Democracy Park built by Dr Olusegun Mimiko within two years in office can call Mimiko’s monumental projects for which accolade and awards have come severally to the State cosmetic? Yet his principal who ruled the state could not point to any single project that outlasted his regime; it goes to show then that his rallies too were cosmetic rallies if they had been held on a cosmetic project,” Olabisi alleged.

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Interview ENCOUNTER WITH A NEWS MAKER OCTOBER 14, 2012

Chief Ayo Adebanjo

Achebe has never liked Awolowo, or the Yoruba –Adebanjo Chief Ayo Adebanjo is one of the surviving acolytes of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo. In this interview with Ayo Esan, he speaks about the accusations laid against Awolowo by renowned novelist, Professor Chinua Achebe, who in his latest book, ‘There was a country’, passes scathing remarks on Awolowo and the roles he played during the civil war. Adebanjo’s reactions to extracts from the book are ingrained. He is virtually saying, ‘Achebe has lied against the dead.’ Excerpts: Professor Chinua Achebe in his new book has accused the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo of having caused many Igbo people to die of starvation, by a federal policy of cutting off food supplies to the East. What is your reaction to this? As to the question of the pogrom and the annihilation of the Igbo, there can be nothing further from the truth. Achebe is just being mischievous. For him to say that in his latest book does not surprise those of us who were around during the war. This is because, such statements were propagated during the war and we thought it was just a war propaganda emanating from the Igbo Biafra. And some

writers at that time who were supporters of Biafra’s cause including Professor Achebe, wrote such. Like I said, his statements and accusations against Awolowo are not unfamiliar to those of us who were around during the civil war, and who knew that falsehood and half-truths were bandied around then, especially from Biafra Radio and supporters of the Biafra cause, notable among whom was Professor Chinua Achebe. But we know as a fact that Achebe has pathological hatred for Awolowo and for the Yoruba race in general. You remember his reaction when Professor Wole Soyinka won the Nobel Laureate Award? He said he (Soyinka) stole it from him and all that. That is the type of a person he is. But what sur-

prised me is that at the age of over 80, a man like that could now resort to these types of old things that separated us. The different groups have been trying to live together in peace. We have been working with the Easterners. What he is talking about is not true. Then you now say Chief Awolowo wanted to starve the Igbo to death; that is not true. They were supplying food there but it was discovered that the food being supplied there were cornered by Biafran soldiers. And until they stopped that, war didn’t end. If the foods were being sent and the soldiers would not allow the people to benefit, we better stopped it so that there wouldn’t be anything to corner. That was strategic.

He also talked about their financial institutions. Talking about their financial institutions, that he wanted to impoverish them, that he only gave them 20 pounds after the war…But there was no record of the amount they had in the banks before the war. The claimant couldn’t show their passbooks, the banks themselves had been burnt. And Achebe just wants them to say ‘well, pay Tom, Dick and Harry’ when the whole country is bankrupt. In fact, how can you say many of them had substantial amount in banks, when as it is the normal thing, there will be a run on the bank? And particularly, the Igbo who knew they were fighting for their country would have withdrawn their money. But that notwithstanding, the Central Bank set up a committee to look at what could be done in that circumstance. It was that committee, whose members Awolowo did not know, that recommended 20 pounds. And 20 pounds was not small money at that time. That is by the way. He also said that Awolowo wanted to eliminate the Igbo, because he saw them as an impediment to his ambition to rule the country. This is very important, but that is not true. It is true to say that Awolowo wanted to rule the country but it is very unkind to say he wanted it by eliminating a section of the country. Awolowo made all efforts to rule the country with the progressive elements. And this he demonstrated not by words of mouth. Even in the election we had before independence, he offered to serve under Dr Nnamdi Azikwe. This is also important because many people didn’t know that he wanted an alliance between the Action Group and the NCNC, where Dr. Azikiwe will be the Prime Minister and he the Minister of Finance. But the NCNC turned it down but chose to work with the NPC. And to confirm this, anybody who can do the research should get the New Nation published in 1977 by Gbolabo Ogunsanwo . In that publication, Dr Okpara referred to that incident and said he regretted that he did not support that proposition. That is somebody Achebe said wanted to eliminate the Igbo for him to rule the country. But in actual fact, he had offered himself to work under an Igbo man. Let me react to the accusation that Awolowo wanted to impoverish them during the war. When Gowon created the states and created the East Central State, which was mainly for the Igbo, Awolowo as Commissioner of Finance, was keeping all the allocation that was due to that state. He was keeping it for the state. After the war, he handed it over to them for development. After the war, the African Continental Bank (ACB) and the Co-operative Bank of Eastern Nigeria which were the financial institutions of the East that were moribund during the war, Awolowo lodged substantial amount of money there for the banks to continue operation. Is that an attitude of somebody that hates them? After the war, he now wrote to all prominent Igbo leaders abroad, including Professor Achebe, to come back home. Among those who came CONTINUED ON PAGE 14

Interview

Sunday, October 14, 2012

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‘Awo worked for the good of Igbo race’

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 13 back home as a result of that and who he himself personally sponsored were Chief M.C.K. Ajuluchukwu and his wife, who was a doctor. And after returning home Awo facilitated a job for his wife at the Lagos Teaching Hospital. That is a man that doesn’t like the Igbo. He even employed Ajuluchukwu himself. Do you know Ajuluchukwu was the editor of Azikiwe’s West African Pilot? So he wasn’t a small man among the Igbo, just like Jakande was the editor of the Nigerian Tribune. He even made him (Ajuluchukwu) the Director of Research and Information of the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) which was his party. That was the man who was said to hate the Igbo. How do you reconcile that? So, all he was saying was just based on the fact that he doesn’t like the Yoruba and Awolowo. And this is after over 40 years or thereafter. After the war, Senator Adesanya worked with the leaders of the East- Ndubuisi Kanu, Ebitu Ukiwe and Professor Ben Nwabueze. We have been relating to them and these are the people you say we don’t like. The fact of history does not justify his theory of annihilation. He has what I call, ‘Awophobia’, but he is accusing Awolowo of ‘Igbophobia’. Awolowo doesn’t have Igbophobia . It is only Achebe that should be cured of Awophobia. So on all fronts, he was lying. What do you think is the implication of all these, now that there are moves to foster unity among the different ethnic groups in the country? Will this not bring problem between the east and the west? It can’t cause any problem, because we are already working together. We have forgotten all those things that Achebe is referring to and at that time, not all the Igbo agreed with him. His statements cannot cause any problem. I meet regularly with Professor Nwabueze, almost every month, under ‘The Patriot’. I am very much in touch with Ndubuisi Kanu. We are looking towards the future, not the past. If somebody said he is becoming senile, I don’t know. But the mood of the nation now is, how we can live together in peace, not by making references to our ugly past. He is alone. I mean Achebe is alone in that school of thought. Even the chief priest of Biafra after the war and at the demise of Chief Awolowo had to say that Awolowo was the best president Nigeria never had. That is Ojukwu himself. If all these allegations that are made against Chief Awolowo are correct, Ojukwu would not refer to Awolowo as the best president Nigeria never had. And Ojukwu knew better. Probably, he must have recollected the discussion he had with Chief Awolowo before the war and said ‘oh what a pity, this man should have been president of the country.’ Achebe couldn’t know better than the man who led the war against Nigeria. And all the acts that Chief Awolowo did to people of Igbo extraction before and after the war do not show him as somebody who have hatred for them . He also accused Chief Awolowo as being part of General Gowon’s cabinet that initiated pogrom and genocide as a policy against the Igbo Professor Achebe has accused Chief Awolowo of being part of General Gowon’s cabinet that initiated pogrom and genocide as a policy against the Igbo. Yet, Professor Achebe cannot claim ignorance

of the fact that specific recorded instances of pogrom and genocide were a consequence of the second military coup of July, 1966 in which the northern soldiers and northerners committed series of atrocities against the Igbo in the North. At this time, Chief Awolowo was still in Calabar Prison serving his jail term of treasonable felony. It was after his release from prison that General Gowon invited him to join his cabinet as Vice-Chairman of the Federal Executive Council and Minister of Finance. The war was already brewing at such time. At the risk of his life, and against the advice of his cabinet colleagues, Chief Awolowo made contact with Ojukwu and met him in Enugu to dissuade him from going to war. In his one-on-one meeting with Ojukwu, Chief Awolowo tried to persuade Ojukwu to come to a round-table conference with the Federal Government, to iron out his differences with the government. But despite the assurances that Colonel Ojukwu gave to Chief Awolowo that he had accepted to dialogue, Ojukwu reneged and a few weeks later, attacked the Mid-West and thus declared war against the Federal Government. Which is how the civil war became inevitable. “The above facts are verifiable. Fairminded persons cannot accuse Chief Awolowo of being part of the intellectual arm of a cabinet that intentionally initiated the pogrom of the Igbo, when in fact the record shows he took positive steps to persuade Ojukwu to avoid the conflict. While the war was raging after the liberation of part of the then South-East which then included Port Harcourt and Calabar, Chief Awolowo visited Enugu and Port Harcourt where he saw kwashiorkor or malnourished victims for the first time. What other positive role do you think Chief Awolowo played before, during and after the war? Before the war, when Awolowo was invited to the cabinet, he on his part, at the risk of his life and the tempo of the country for war at that time, made contact with Ojukwu and met him in Enugu. And he had a one-on-one with him, to persuade him that he should come to a round-table discussion with the Federal Government and iron out their differences. He gave Awolowo the assurance that he would do so. But he reneged a few weeks or so after. He attacked the Mid-West and the war became inevitable. What else could he have done? In fact, from the inner details we had from Chief Awolowo, he (Awolowo) made it clear to Ojukwu that Nigeria was on a tripod then. That if one of the legs of the tripod is removed, Nigeria cannot stand. And that was what made Chief Awolowo say that ‘if you allow the East to go, the West would follow.’ Because, he alone cannot carry the load of inequalities of the country. He tried to persuade Ojukwu that ironing out the differences is the main thing and not war. That has given backing to what is currently taking place now. Those of us who

Chief Ayo Adebanjo

are talking of national conference; let us sit down and discuss our differences and find solution to them peacefully. If we don’t come to the table and meet peacefully, then violence is the other thing. That is why people say ‘if you make peaceful change impossible, you would make violent change inevitable.’ When we talk of national conference, I regard any opponent of national conference as unpatriotic and one that is calling for the disintegration of Nigeria. Because if you don’t settle your nationality problem at a round table conference, there will continuously be a conflict. What is happening in the Niger-Delta can’t be stopped. What the people want there is an autonomy, autonomy to rule themselves. Not autonomy to be guided by an outsider. What we call ‘resource control’ is what Chief Awolowo agitated for-derivation which he got before independence and under which the revenue of the country was distributed then. It was 50 per cent on derivation and that was how the Western Region had 50 percent through cocoa; North had 50 percent through groundnuts and the East, 50 percent from palm kernel. This system was put aside after the coup of 1966 and since then, we have not had peace. So, when you heard some of us talking of restructuring Nigeria, it was because it was the army that destroyed the structure in Nigeria after the 1966 coup. So there is the need to sit down together and say ‘what is the cause of all these problems?’ Why are the Niger-Deltans fighting? why is this struggle in the Plateau; why is the rumbling in the North? Why are we having Boko Haram; what is the cause and all that? We discuss at the round table. And we will argue among ourselves that everybody going his own way, wont pay us. There is an advantage in economy of scale. But these things

AT THE RISK OF HIS LIFE, AND AGAINST THE ADVICE OF HIS CABINET COLLEAGUES, CHIEF AWOLOWO MADE CONTACT WITH OJUKWU AND MET HIM IN ENUGU TO DISSUADE HIM FROM GOING TO WAR

have to be negotiated to make every stakeholder believe there is advantage in coming together. It is that system that makes us to develop at our own pace; that is known as federalism. You can’t rule a country like this, a heterogeneous country like this, under a unitary system of government. And everybody that cares to read Chief Awolowo’s books right from 1948, when he published ‘The path to Nigeria’s freedom will understand what I am saying. He said Nigeria is not a nation; he described us as a geographical expression, consisting of several nations. You are one of the few persons that were close to the late Chief Awolowo. You said Achebe lied against him. Can you then tell us some qualities possessed by the former Yoruba leader to show that he wasn’t a person that Achebe called him? If those allegations are correct, they should prove it . They should give evidence of his wickedness. If you say he is intolerant, show evidence of his intolerance. We have instances to the contrary. Many of them talk on hearsay. You say he is a dictator; a man who will argue from morning till evening to convince a committee of the party on a line of action that must be taken. Everybody knows about the free education today. It will interest you to know that at the time free education was to be introduced, the party decided on compulsory free education. Chief Awolowo said ‘don’t put compulsory just say free’. As a result of that, we lost the 1954 federal election in the Western Region. We were the first incumbent party to lose election because of compulsory free education. This was because of tax. After the election, we now came to the party again to discuss and people say let us remove the compulsory aspect and Chief Awolowo said ‘I have told you’. To show how democratic Chief Awolowo was, it was he who was propagating compulsory primary education because the party had taken the hard decision. When we said it was no longer compulsory, he was the one who was propagating it. Is that a characteristic of a dictator?

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Politics PROVIDING FRESH PERSPECTIVES TO ISSUES

Ondo governorship: The candidates, their strength and weaknesses P. 16, 41, 50

T HOSE

OCTOBER 14, 2012

WHO ARE TALKING ABOUT THE ABOLITION OF STATES AND RETURN TO THE REGIONAL ARRANGEMENTS HAVE A STRONG CASE . I THINK WE WILL ACHIEVE GREATER LEVEL OF COHESION , NATIONAL UNITY AND GREATER LEVEL OF PROGRESS EVEN IN TERMS OF ECONOMY IF WE RETURN TO THE REGIONAL LEVEL WHEREBY THE PRESENT TRADITIONAL ZONES ARE TRANSFORMED INTO REGIONS –A LHAJI B ALARABE M USA

Adamawa governorship: Nyako, Bamanga Tukur, Atiku’s men battle for PDP’s soul

Briefly

P. 40

INEC holds session on 4-year strategic plan

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has held a one-day interactive session in Sokoto on its 20122016 Strategic Plan, meant to enhance the credibility of future elections. The session drew participants from the commission’s offices in Sokoto, Zamfara and Kebbi states. INEC National Commissioner in charge of the states, Hajiya Amina Zakari, said the session was to gather inputs from the staff members to ensure the smooth implementation of the plan. “We want to draw from your rich store of knowledge and experience,’’ she said, adding that it was aimed at making the staff members proud owners of the plan so as to elicit its implementation. Zakari maintained that it was of great importance to involve the staff members in the planning process, as well as the subsequent implementation to enhance the credibility of subsequent elections in the country. Sokoto State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Alhaji Husseini Mahuta, also said that the forum was to sensitise and generate input from the staff members. “The strategic plan is aimed at giving proper and appropriate direction to the commission’s staff members in carrying out our statutory responsibilities in a way and manner that will add great value to our service delivery, and to the satisfaction of the average Nigerian,” Mahuta, added

Ijebu Ode LG boss launches people-oriented programme

Plot against APGA: Real or imagined? DENNIS AGBO ENUGU

hat is the problem in the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA? Could it be due to the jostle for the 2015 presidency as being alleged in some quarters? What role is the Anambra Governor, Peter Obi, playing in the crises? And most importantly, what role is the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, playing in the APGA crises? According to Sunday Mirror findings, trouble started in APGA when some members decided that the party would no longer continue being a spectator in the political arena, without contesting for the presidency, especially the forthcoming 2015 general elections. Ever since, the party has been in turbulent waters.

It was the National Chairman of the party, Chief Victor Umeh, who let the cat out of the bag when he told a group of visitors that APGA would contest the 2015 presidency and that Ndigbo should get set for the Aso Villa. Umeh’s statements, it was said, did not go down well with the Anambra State governor, whose attention, as it was alleged, was drawn to Umeh’s statements by President Goodluck Jonathan. Ever since then, Umeh had been hounded by forces both within and outside APGA, especially by the Anambra governor who, it is believed, is working for President Goodluck Jonathan’s second term. The problem was allegedly compounded when the Imo State Governor, Chief Rochas Okorocha, signified interest in contesting for the presidency in 2015 under

the platform of APGA. This, it was alleged, threw a spanner in the works of PDP as this would alter their permutations of securing votes from the South-East. Thus, when one Jude Okuli took the National Chairman of APGA, Victor Umeh, to Enugu High Court, little was it known that the matter would snowball into a national issue as the case has presented itself today, leading to a query being issued to the Chief Judge of Enugu State, Justice Innocent Umezulike. According to Umeh, there is no way the PDP could be exonerated from the issue at hand, especially with the different exparte order and interlocutory injunction, restraining him from acting as national chairman of APGA. It is being alleged that Governor SulliCONTINUED ON PAGE 16, 41

As part of the activities to ensure that the dividends of democracy are delivered to the people of Ijebu Ode council in Ogun State, the Executive Chairman of the council, Rasak Dadah, has begun programmes aimed at delivering on his electoral promises. Speaking at the local government secretariat at Itoro, Ijebu Ode, while test-running a local government/Community Development Association (CDA) group called Community Brigade, which is to commence operation tomorrow, the Special Adviser (SA) to the chairman on Social Works and Community Development, Wale Kuojo, said the effort was part of what the government under the leadership of Daddah had put in place to ensure the people of the local government maintained a very clean environment. He said: “The government has decided to establish the Community Brigade that will work with the CDAs, because we are committed to having a cleaner environment. Aside from the fact that this will create employment for the people, it will also serve as a feedback mechanism for the local government. This is because the Community Brigade, being an agent of the local government in the course of its duty will identify the needs of the people. “There are some areas that are in need of drainages, bore holes, street lights and many other things. It is the duty of the brigade to notify the local government so that such can be provided.” He said the brigade would also serve as an avenue to increase the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of the local government, as offenders will be liable to payment of fine. The SA sought for the cooperation of the people of the council to enhance the local government chairman’s performance.

Politics

Sunday, October 14, 2012

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Ondo governorship: The candidates

By October 20, the Ondo State governorship election would be conducted. The battle has narrowed dow Akeredolu of ACN; incumbent Governor Segun Mimiko of LP and Olusola Oke for the PDP . The electi with opinions divided over who would eventually emerge winner. In this report by Hakeem Gbadamosi, w weaknesses of the candidates/parties with a view to determining how the polls would go.

n less than a week from today the people of Ondo state will be at the poll to determine who runs the affairs of the state for the next four years. The political gladiators are putting finishing touches to campaigns activities to outwit one another at the poll with the three major parties in the race, the ruling Labour Party (LP), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) embarking on serious and aggressive electioneering activities, mobilizing and putting in last minutes strategies. Though about 13 political parties are contesting the October 20 governorship race in the state indications have shown that only the three political parties are ready for the contest, though the rest are also making frantic effort to be relevant but the other three have overshadowed them. With all the scheming, mobilization, rallies and campaigns by these political parties, analysts still believe that the three parties have strongholds where they can conveniently emerge as winner at the end of the day, and where they need to concentrate to overturn events if really they are keen on winning the election. The state is divided into three senatorial districts and looking at the personalities contesting on the platform of the three parties, the three contestants hail from the three senatorial districts. The ruling LP is fielding the incumbent governor, Olusegun Mimiko who hails from Ondo town , the PDP has presented the former national legal adviser of the party who is from the southern senatorial district and the ACN standard bearer, Rotimi Akeredolu is from ancient city of Owo which falls under the Northern senatorial district. Interestingly the three candidates are products of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) Ile Ife. Though the candidates hail from each of the three senatorial districts but their chances varies in each of the local government areas within these districts. It appears that one of the factors each of the party considered in picking candidate was looking at the areas where the party strength lies. For instance the PDP settled for the candidature of Oke because the party looks strong in the south senatorial district while the ACN picked Akeredolu because of the belief that it is the turn of the northern senatorial district to produce the next governor of the state and LP settles for the incumbent who is from the central The state has about 18 local government areas with each senatorial district having six local government areas each. The Northern senatorial district has Owo, Ose, Akoko North East, Akoko North West, Akoko South West and Akoko South East local government areas. The Central has Akure South , Akure North, Ifedore, Idanre, Ondo East and Ondo CONTINUED FROM PAGE 15 van Chime of Enugu State is being used by the PDP to stop Umeh and thwart the APGA ambition of fielding a presidential candidate in 2015. The Chief Judge is currently facing fire as the National Judicial Council, NJC, has queried him on his conduct in the case. He was given one month to respond to the query, dated October 4, 2012 and personally signed by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, and Chairman of NJC, Justice Aloma Mariam Muktar, GCON. The query issued to the Chief Judge by the NJC was prompted by a petition Umeh lodged to the council, complaining about the gross abuse of due process of the law by the Chief Judge. Similarly, Umeh has submitted another petition to the NJC against the same Enugu Chief Judge on his conduct on Monday, October 8, in court, where he refused to disqualify himself from the case based on a motion for disqualification before the court. He proceeded to rule on the matter without representation from his counsel and adjourned the matter for judgment after granting an injunction against him. He has equally appealed against the interlocutory injunction granted last Monday by Justice Umezulike, restraining him from acting as the National Chairman of APGA, pending the determination of the substantive suit before the court.

Akeredolu

West, while the Southern senatorial district consist of Odigbo, Ile Oluji/Okeigbo, Ilaje, Irele, Ese Odo and Okitipupa local government areas Ondo North Senatorial District ACN There are six local government areas in this district which include Owo, Ose, Akoko North East, Akoko North West, Akoko South West and Akoko South East local government areas. These local governments are supposed to be the stronghold of the ACN as many people from the area believed that the zone should produce the next governor. Though the party candidate emerged from this zone, but the political calculation however failed to favour the party flagbearer, Akeredolu who hails from Owo. The agitation of the people from the zone was built around the Akoko producing the next governor with the popular Akoko agenda being pursued by the people of the area but the choice of Akeredolu as the party candidate dashed the hope of the people from the area. This led to the exit of some notable politicians like Dr. Olu Agunloye, Olaiya Oni and Saka Lawal, among others with many of their followers. Although, the party still enjoy sympathy from some quarters in the area, but it is believe that Akeredolu may secure the votes of the people of Owo where he hails from and that of Ose local government area but the election results in the other four local government areas may not favour him and seems unpredictable as the Akokos have four local government areas out of six in the

Mimiko

area and may see themselves as not having any stake in the ACN since the LP and the PDP have given them the number two slot. PDP The PDP may secure the votes of this area, the deputy governorship candidate of the party, Saka Lawal hails from this districts. Lawal, grassroots politicians who dumped the ruling party to seek for the governorship ticket of ACN before opting for PDP may help to garner some reasonable votes for the party. Also PDP may take advantage of neglects, as being claimed by the people of the area to have an edge over other parties based on its past record in the state. Some leaders of the PDP like the former defence minister, Tokunbo Kayode, Victor Olabimtan, Taofeek Abdulsalam , Otunba Oyewole Fasawe, Senator Bode Olajumoke and Olaiya Oni will always be on ground to secure victory for PDP in the area as they are well known in the area as grassroots politicians and mobilisers. LP The deputy governor of the state, Alhaji Ali Olanusi is from this district and he is expected to put up a good fight in this area against the PDP. Olanusi who is from Supare in the Akoko Southwest local government area has a very strong influence on the people of the area. He is an experienced politician and good fighter when it comes to politics. He is a mobiliser and grassroots politician. With Olanusi in this area, LP might secure reasonable votes from the area.

Is plot against APGA r

Umeh, Sunday Mirror learnt, has also concluded plans to file a motion before the Court of Appeal, asking for a stay of execution of the injunction granted by the Enugu State High Court. The APGA boss petitioned the NJC that Justice Umezulike erred in his handling of the case, especially by refusing to rule on the preliminary objection which he brought before the court, and was duly argued by both counsel. Umeh informed the NJC that the Chief Judge extended the life span of the exparte order he made against him on July 25, 2012 by extra 48 days against the High Court rule of Enugu State that says an ex parte order cannot last beyond 14 days. He explained that by the action of the Chief Judge, the ex parte order which ought not to last more than 14 days was extended to 55 days without any request by any of the parties in the matter. Umeh, in his petition to NJC, contends that by July 31, 2012, the CJ took full arguments on notice of preliminary objection challenging the jurisdiction of the court to entertain the case and adjourned the matter to September 17, 2012 for a rendition of the considered ruling of the court on the notice of preliminary objection

“In adjourning the matter, the CJ stated that ‘if this court accedes to the contentions of the defendants/applicants on any of the above issues, this suit shall legitimately come to an end ...In the event, I shall adjourn the case for a considered ruling on the merits. In the circumstances, the interim order of this court shall endure against the parties and against the convention of any APGA Executive Committee Meetings as stated under the order until the court’s rendition of a ruling which I now fixed for the 20th day of September, 2012,” Umeh said. He, however, regretted that on September 17 when the ruling ought to have been delivered by the Chief Judge, to the amazement of the people who gathered in court, the he declared that he had ‘remanded’ his ruling and would instead hear the main suit and deliver judgment on the preliminary objection and the main suit together. The direction taken by the court, Umeh said, has exposed the Chief Judge as being desperate to get into the main matter and deliver judgment against him, knowing that the notice of preliminary objection was strong enough to have legitimately terminated the suit, being grossly incompetent as

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Sunday, October 14, 2012

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

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HEAD, GRAPHICS

Abuse of Export Expansion Grant

he assurance given to stakehold-

ers by the Minister of Trade and Investment, Mr. Olusegun Aganga, during his two-day facility visit and assessment of industries in Kano some weeks ago; that the Export Expansion Grant (EEG) scheme is not under the threat of being suspended by the Federal Government, FG, appears very insightful. “The EEG is not under any threat… We are putting structures in place to make sure that the EEG is not abused in the future,” Aganga was quoted as saying. Coming at a time when there were strong complaints about the scandalous abuse of the scheme, however, it cannot be ruled out that the FG truly contemplated halting the facility at a point in time; a decision that would have been defeatist and objectionable. The EEG scheme is supposed to be a critical incentive stimulation package to drive the non-oil export sector. It is an FG initiative aimed at encouraging exporters of nonoil products, including agro-commodities, through the reduction of high cost of production occasioned by inhospitable business climate at home. Beneficiaries in various categories mainly – manufacturing/ processed to finished products; and merchandise exporters/exporters of primary products (including commodities and Solid minerals) whose products are evaluated based on local value added, local content, employment of Nigerians, priority sector, export growth and capital investment; gain between 10 and 30 per cent EEG (financial assistance). To be eligible to enjoy the benefit, an exporter must be registered with the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC); shall be a manufacturer, producer or merchant of made-in-

Nigeria products for the export market; must have a minimum annual export turnover of N5 million and evidence of repatriation of proceeds of exports; and shall submit baseline data like audited financial statement and information on operational capacity to the NEPC. Violators of the guidelines are supposed to be dealt with by the Presidential Committee on Trade Malpractices (PCTM) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in conjunction with members of the EEG Implementation Committee. Trailing the EEG, however, are several complaints of abuse, like crooks and cronies with no exports claiming the grant; over-invoicing and fraudulently claiming the entitlement of manufactured products when raw commodities are exported; for example. Reports said the country lost about N27.8 billion it would have earned as Customs duties and other charges in the first half of this year to the corrupt and inept implementation of the EEG; while about N74 billion was lost between 2003 and 2007. The calculated loss for the first half of 2009 was put at N12.5 billion. Customs authorities allege the huge fraud was perpetrated through the use of Negotiable Duty Credit Certificates (NDCCs) to cover import and excise duties that would have been paid by fraudulent beneficiaries of the EEG; and that the matter was made worse by reckless compromise in the issuance of duty waivers and concessions on the orders of the Presidency, especially in 2007. Indeed, one report indicated that NDCCs passed under the guise of the EEG scheme covered new cars, rice and other imported luxury items, with no records available to the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS)

of any importation of raw materials and machinery or the generation of new jobs. It does appear, therefore, that both the EEG Implementation Committee, the body charged with dealing with violators of the EEG guidelines and the beneficiaries are complicit in the outrageous corrupt exploits, especially when, to public knowledge, no dubious beneficiary has been caught and punished. We think the agencies have some explanations to do; which the FG must extract from them if it really wants the EEG to serve its intended purpose. Perhaps, a National Assembly probe of the entire EEG programme might also be necessary. Against the backdrop of the nation’s monolithic economy that relies mainly on oil, with the attendant vagaries of the international crude price, the EEG ought to attract special government attention and monitoring, considering its potential to boost genuine interest in diversifying the nation’s economy through the export of other products. But again, as was the case with fuel subsidy fund management, systemic official corruption seems to have ruined the initiative. Therefore, in addition to whatever steps Aganga’s ministry is taking to sanitise the scheme, good efforts should be made to fish out and punish the crooks that fraudulently benefitted from the EEG and their dishonest earnings retrieved. The theft is unacceptable. The FG and other tiers of government should also demonstrate more commitment to diversifying the economy by revamping large-scale agriculture and consolidating all areas of comparative advantage. Besides, the hardly friendly business environment in the country deserves serious attention.

Reminiscences OCTOBER 14, IN HISTORY 1907: US – First telegraph sent across Atlantic The first commercial wireless telegraph was sent over the Atlantic Ocean. 1933: Scientist, Einstein, wife flee Germany Dr. Albert Einstein and his wife fled from Nazi Germany, arrived in Princeton, New Jersey, where he continued his scientific work at the Institute of Advanced Study. 1947: Britain grants Burma independence 300 years after Britain and Burma signed an agreement giving Burma full independence outside of the British Commonwealth if it chooses. This ended 300 years of British rule over the country. 1961: French police kill 200 Algerians Paris police shot and killed more than 200 Algerians marching in the city in support of peace talks to end their country’s war of independence against France. 1979: Mother Teresa awarded Nobel Peace Prize Mother Teresa was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for her work on behalf of the poor and destitute in Calcutta. 1989: 103 nations’ conference seeks ban of ivory trade A 103-nation conference in Lausanne voted for a complete global ban of the ivory trade. 1998: Trimble, Hume win Nobel prize David Trimble a Protestant and John Hume a Catholic were joint winners of the year’s Nobel Peace prize for helping to create a lasting peace in Northern Ireland. 2000: Passenger train crashes in England A high speed passenger train derailed just north of London at Hatfield leaving four dead. 2003: Taiwan’s Taipei 101 becomes world’s tallest building Taipei 101 became the world’s tallest high-rise building at 1,671 feet after the pinnacle was fitted on the roof. The definition of tallest building in the world was disputed because of disputes over what and what not should be included.

Opinion

Sunday October 14, 2012

Uncensored U nc

Sheriff S Folarin

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

e often perceive Boko Haram as the single most evil group in our land. We sometimes see it as the only problem we are grappling with as a people. We do not see the evil we as humans commit everyday against one another. For me therefore, it goes beyond the evil of Boko Haram. Boko Haram has become a metaphor for all acts or individuals that work against the cause of humanity. All anti-existentialist manifestation is Boko Haram. Any thought or act that is inimical to the progress and peace of mankind is Boko Haram.

For me, there is a thin line between murder thought, murderous act and actual murder. The difference between an evil thought and the evil act is marginal. The Holy Book tells me that sin becomes sin not only when it has been committed, but from the very moment it has been conceived in the mind. So, as soon as envy or jealousy makes one to wish a prosperous man evil or to seek his downfall, no matter the level of our sanctimonious exhibitions, or how many times we go to church, pray or fast, we have committed an evil act from which we must first repent. That evil thought alone brings us closer to the murderer on the Maiduguri Street, or to the assassin on Mubi campuses, or even to the ritual murderer in the covens. Gunning down a fellow man or bombing of an assembly of worshippers, and sitting down conspiratorially to concoct a plot to shortchange a fellow man is the same evil; they all come within the same radar. Whenever someone hurts

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The Boko Haram in all of us another fellow or tries to deny him or her of peace, he is Boko Haram. Whenever we work against the destiny of another man, we are Boko Haram. Boko Haram may mean the “forbiddingness of Western education”, but I like to see it a metaphor for all the evil that now reigns in our land. It represents lawlessness, disorder, anarchy, and disregard for life. It stands for the lack of human conscience, the death of truth, and the reign of deceit. It is a synonym for bloodcuddling act, wickedness, and godlessness. It represents the sickness of the human conscience, demented thought-process, corruption of the soul and defiled state of mind. Whatever is inimical to the peace and progress of Nigeria, is Boko Haram. Therefore, any act of bank or pen robbery, oil theft, subsidy fraud, pension theft, embezzlement of fund, corruption in high and low places, contracts inflation, phenomenon of ‘ten percenters’, mismanagement of the economy, money laundering, 419, education mismanagement, ‘manknow-man’ syndrome, nepotism, ethnic politics, politicization of religion, official cover-ups, lying, among other vices, is tantamount to Boko Haram. What this means is that in Nigeria, the Boko Haram group is not alone in the murdering of sleep in this once prosperous land. The multiple violence and its dimensions are worrisome. In Mubi, Adamawa State, gunmen raided three academic campuses overnight and in one fell swoop, murdered about 40 undergraduates. Reports have it that the assassins woke the students from their sleep, filed them out, and asked each of them to mention their names. Like when a teacher marks the classroom roaster, the assassins marked out about 40 of the students and pumped hot lead into their hearts. Some were hacked down with machetes. Days later, another gruesome murder

took place in Aluu, Rivers State when four very young students of the University of Port Harcourt were roasted to death by a vigilance group for reasons still shrouded in mystery. The students were stripped naked, beaten to a pulp, paraded in the town, and taken to a spot where they were soaked in petrol and burnt alive. People, including police officers, saw this incident and seemed to acquiesce with this horrific spectacle. The incident was reminiscent of the Surulere (Lagos) tragedy of 2005 when an 11-year old boy was roasted alive by an adult mob for alleged petty stealing. On the issue of the nationwide flood, it is described as a natural disaster. But I differ on this. There are indeed rains and they can be destructive, but only when adequate provisions to avert destruction have not been made. Our decaying infrastructure, including worsening condition of the roads, unavailability of proper drainage system all over the country, lack of maintenance of canals, abandonment of culverts and refusal to dredge rivers and build dams for such rainy days, which are all a result of diversion of funds or embezzlement, exacerbate such “natural” disaster. Put differently, when the funds meant for rehabilitation of roads are stolen, the roads will collapse, be flooded and become impassable during the rainy season. When abundant oil money that can build world-class facilities to divert or suck up rain water, store up excess rain or sea water, is rather shared and coveted by the executive and the lawmakers, ministers and oil marketers, et cetera, disaster will happen in the rainy days. The displacements and misery in several states of the Federation today have been blamed on climate change, rains, rising sea levels and the Cameroon dam opening; but that cannot be the underlying factor. There will always be heavy rains and natural disasters. But they can be averted or minimized when adequate planning preempts

the situation. The disasters are therefore caused by those who failed to plan. My understanding of the situation therefore is that Boko Haram is not alone in holding Nigeria hostage. As the terrorists strike from their holes in Maiduguri and Damaturu, so do the armed robbers, sometimes with the connivance of the police (who are trained and funded with state money to protect lives) strike in Lagos and other places. So do kidnappers operate from their hideouts in the Eastern part. Now, people in government have become the targets. The Delta State Commissioner for Higher Education, Professor Hope Eghagha is still in kidnappers’ den. What of ritual murderers? They operate from their covens all over Southern Nigeria without any report of police smashing or arrests. This is because it is the same people elected to provide welfare for the nation that patronize the ritualists. State security has collapsed and communities are providing alternative police, with resultant jungle justice everywhere. Fraudsters continue to win the corruption war. Pick-pockets have a field day every time. There is reported violence everyday and everywhere. Nigeria is on the road to the pantheons of infamy. Like Macbeth who murdered sleep, Boko Haram has murdered sleep. But, so are people in government and every other group or individual whose invidious act denigrates or undercuts humanity. And for everyone who is bringing the country to these infamous paths and disrepute, by their thoughts and actions, and yet for anyone who conceives of evil or seeks the downfall of others, they should not wait for too long for the law of karma (nemesis). It is a natural law…it must surely come around. •Dr. Sheriff Folarin teaches Politics and Inernational Relations at Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State.

Between Tambuwal and the President’s media men IMAM IMAM

ince the presentation of the 2013 budget by President Goodluck Jonathan to the joint sitting of the National Assembly last Wednesday, some members of the President’s media team have come up with what can best be described as hysterical responses to the remarks made by Senate President, Senator David Mark and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Aminu Waziri Tambuwal. From innuendos to outright insults, the President’s media managers, led by Dr. Doyin Okupe, sought to denigrate the submissions of the two leaders of the National Assembly who in their estimation, had the temerity to tell their guests gathered at the hallowed Green Chamber that fateful Wednesday that not all things were right with past budgets and that more was expected from the Executive arm of government in the future. It worth mentioning here that Mark and Tambuwal’s speeches were made with the best of intentions aimed at finding lasting solutions to the myriad of socio-economic problems confronting the nation. Speaker Tambuwal, who gave the vote of thanks in his capacity as the Deputy Chairman of the National Assembly, toed the line of the Senate President and Chairman of the National Assembly, Senator Mark, to lay on the table, the fears of Nigerians and how the National Assembly thinks those fears can be better allayed.

The Speaker rightly asserted that as elected representatives of the people, the legislators, representing 469 federal constituencies and senatorial districts of the country, have closer interaction with the nooks and crannies of the nation. In essence, the legislature, more than any arm of government, is privileged to feel the people’s pulse more intensely and feel same on behalf and for the benefit and guidance of all the other arms of government. It is therefore highly incongruous to now turn around and say such views showed disrespect to the person and office of the President. It is appropriate to state here that section 81 (1), (4) as well as section 83 (2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) classify the proposed budget documents by the President as mere ‘estimate’ and therefore only a constitutional amendment can alter this. The phrase ‘mere’ as used by Senator Mark was not intended to demean, rather it only distinguishes between a document of finality and a proposal. It is therefore mischievous to read meanings other than those intended. On the oil benchmark which the House made it clear it will set at $80 per barrel, all variables were considered in arriving at the figures. The chairman of the House Committee on Finance, Hon Abdulmumini Jibrin, has since availed the public such superior variables which apparently may not have been countenanced by those who drafted the

estimate. As for the poor implementation of the capital budget for 2012 which Dr. Okupe brazenly attributed to non-utilization of already released votes, there could be no better self-indictment, as all the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) that ought to execute these projects are all under the Executive watch and control. The assertion that the National Assembly will not rubber stamp the estimates as stated by the Senate President was intended to clear the erroneous impression created in the minds of the public by military apologists in the corridors of power that the laying of the estimate by the President is akin to budget broadcast by a military dictator which is only a notice and to enlighten the people. But for the avoidance of doubt, by the clear provisions of section 59 subsection 4 of the constitution, the legislature has the FINAL say on the budget document. I am sure President Jonathan does not share the overzealous and rather morbid views and sentiments of Dr. Okupe and some of his co-travellers in the President’s media office. If they had cared to carefully study the President’s transformation agenda as it affects the kind of legislature the Number One citizen desires, they will certainly discover their errors. As clearly stated in the past and for the avoidance of any doubt, Speaker Tambuwal is not on a popularity contest with any official of government. Instead, he embodies

the wishes and aspiration of the Nigerian people, and expresses, at every point, only the position of the members of the House of Representatives. On the rather funny issue of alleged Tambuwal’s disloyalty to the PDP which one of the aides raised in a newspaper article, nothing can be farther from the truth. It is safe to say here that Nigerians are tired of worn out sentiments dished out to them at every given opportunity in order to justify unnecessary attacks on the person of the Number Four Citizen of Nigeria. As seen during the budget presentation, of all those who spoke at the event, only the Speaker recognised the presence of the PDP National Chairman in his order of protocol while delivering his vote of thanks. As a matter of fact, this loyal gesture to the largest political party in Africa drew the ire of opposition lawmakers who shouted ‘Nay’ repeatedly to show their disapproval at the Speaker’s recognition of his party chairman. In conclusion, let me state here that the level of discourse emanating from the President’s public affairs managers is not only unbecoming of the requirement of the highest office in the land, it shows lack of depth in the understanding of public issues and governance generally, including even the rudiments of democracy and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. •Imam is the Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs to Speaker Tambuwal

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Applause LIFESTYLE, FASHION & ENTERTAINMENT OCTOBER 14, 2012

A lady can show cleavages and be decent about it –Vivian Ejike Vivian Ejike is a movie producer and mother of one. Acting for her started when she was a student and this led her to release a movie, Golden Fleece, while she was still a student. In this interview with Adaeze Amos, she speaks about her foray into the makebelieve world, among others.

Why did you choose to be a movie producer, a writer, a marketer and not an actress? I derive more pleasure and fun from making stars I’m into movie distribution as well. I have never acted before in my life because I have always been a behind-the-scene person. What’s your field of study? I studied Foreign Languages and Linguistics at the University of Port Harcourt. I graduated in 1997 and here we are today. I was a banker for a while, basically because I come from a family of bankers. My parents worked and retired as bankers. Almost everybody in the family has been through the bank or is in the bank. I did that to satisfy them because there was no job satisfaction. I was doing very well in the bank but there was no job satisfaction. I needed something more exciting that would challenge my creativity. That was why I came back to my first love, although I made my first movie in 1996 while a student. What was the title of the movie you released while a student? It is called Golden Fleece. There was an old friend that had some money and needed to invest it. Out of my interest and passion for the theatre, I encouraged him to invest in movies even though I had never made one before. That was how I found myself playing the role of a producer. Thankfully, I had a few contacts already in the industry who were

family friends, and that was how I started.

their property.

What really motivated you to start producing movies? It was the passion for the arts, theatre and movies. It’s actually in-born. A lot of people could have sworn when I was much younger that I was going to end up being an actress but for some reasons as I had just told you the circumstances surrounding my becoming a producer. I found out that I got a bit more satisfaction from making the stars, from being there, doing the creative part of the work, then sitting back and having people enjoy my creativity.

What inspires the stories you write? When people ask me that question, I think I’m the weirdest person on earth. I get inspired to do my stories either when I’m in the shower or, as strange as it may sound, when everywhere is quiet and I hear the sound of children. When children are playing in the background, like sometimes I have my daughter’s friends in the house, like during holidays, the house would be filled with kids, making all those kids’ noises in the background, somewhere and I’m quiet in the room, I get inspired. Things just keep coming. Maybe it is weird, I know, but that is just me. When there is water flowing down my head or face or anything, I just get fresh ideas. Also when I’m driving, I know nothing would disturb me, a lot of ideas come to me.

Are there challenges you face as a female movie producer? Most movie producers are male but I have been fortunate enough. I enjoy a lot of support from my male and some of my female colleagues. I’m basically not complaining. What a lot of people would call challenge, I call it fun because I’m a rugged person. I feel it all comes as a total package. Like when we are shooting and there is power problem, we have to carry generators of about 60 kilogrammes all round Lagos or outside and all of that. Those are the little challenges that I’m faced with. I see them as part of the fun. But that is not to say that today if we have a film village that I wouldn’t appreciate it or somewhere you have a steady supply of power. You don’t have fixed locations as you go to beg people for houses. They sometimes cock their guns at us if you have overstayed your welcome or you have damaged

DANCE IS WHAT I DO WITH EASE –VICKY DANCER

How do you combine motherhood with writing and producing movies? For a lot of people, they feel it must be really challenging. Yes, it’s challenging but when you are doing what you enjoy, you don’t feel the challenge. It’s tough, to be honest with you, the regular person in the street is going to find it very tough because you go to work in the morning, you do homework by the time you get home. Fortunately, I have a driver that picks my child from school. But you still have to look at the homework, go through it and make sure the CONTINUED ON PAGE 20

MY DREAM IS TO BE LIKE AGBANI DAREGO

Applause

Sunday, October 14, 2012

Dance is what I do with ease –Vicky Dancer Victory Akingbade, popularly known as Vicky Dancer, is the founder of Just Dance Entertainment. She has been a professional dancer for 12 years. The Theatre Arts graduate of the University of Benin, in this interview with Angela Davies, reveals that dance is now very acceptable in Nigeria. She also hasº some advice for aspiring professional dancers. Who is Vicky dancer? I am a professional choreographer and dance instructor. I run a registered dance group called ‘Just Dance Entertainment’ which consists of a group of professionals who are flexible, creative, charismatic and energetic. What inspired you to go into dancing? I will say what really inspired me to take dance as a profession was because I wanted to make a change through dance. A lot of Nigerian youths are talented but they are deluded. I felt I could be a change through dance. What I do is that I gather youths together and I make sure they are being rejuvenated for excellence through dance and seminars. I also have a programme called Pump Him All Praise (PIMP) where I bring in different professionals from various walks of life that have excelled in their career. They speak to these youths on how they can excel in life. Really, it is just to make a change. Did your parents support your dance career? I grew up in a home where they support you if you are doing something positive. Right from my childhood, my parents knew what I would become in future. When I was quite young, there was a prophecy that I was going to be great and all my parents needed to do was to support me. However, when I began dancing and people that knew my parents started seeing me on the television, of course tongues started wagging because they believed that dancers are corrupt and this worried my mother. That was how it was back then. I am 12 years in my dance profession and it has been good, at least it is rewarding. My parents supported me, my father particularly. Now that you are married, does your husband support your profession? My husband has always been supportive. He is an artistically inclined person. He is into music too. He played for Hennessey artistry but he is just the kind of person that does not like to show himself. He is very good with drums and he is a music director in one of the Redeemed Christian Church of God parishes. How would you rate dance right now in Nigeria? Dance is magnetic and right now it is very acceptable in the country. Back then, once you say you are a dancer, they won’t take you seriously. There was this perception about dancers before now; nevertheless there were a few of us who were able to make change through dance like Kaffy and myself. Since we have been able to make a change through dance, some parents now encourage their children to take to dance. I will say dance is very acceptable in Nigeria now as we have quite a number of dance reality programmes showing on television which are even sponsored by organisations. How can one succeed in the dance profession in Nigeria? I tell people that to succeed, they must avoid short cut. I tell them that you just don’t come out of the blues and say you are a dancer when you don’t understand what you

are doing. I think most of the dancers need education and that is why I have a programme called ‘Dance with Vicky’. It is a medium where I educate, empower, entertain and encourage dancers. A lot of female dancers, particularly, sometimes want to mess up themselves by sleeping with one so-called person because they want to dance in a show. I tell you we get reports and it is a pain in our hearts because dance is what we do. At least I am supporting my home through dance and it is what puts food on our table. It is disheartening when some female dancers create the impression that we all sleep our way just to perform at a show. No dancer should go out and start fighting for shows, when your time comes you will get there. Kaffy is on top and I congratulate her a lot. When I go out people respect me because I do the right thing. We didn’t go through the short cut. What is your unique selling point when it comes to dance? What stands me out is my uniqueness in dance. I don’t do copyright, let me use that word. I try to be original. I am flexible, energetic and creative. Once I dash my foot against anything while performing, I turn it into a dance step instead of limping. The next day when I get to my rehearsal ground, I teach my students that dance step I originated from hitting my leg. Dance is something I do with ease. I give room for criticism after my performance and I am incorrigible that has been something that has kept me going. I also do a lot of burn outs through dance, especially for fat people. It is just for them to slim down through dance while having fun. Define your style statement. My style is simplicity. I like to be very simple and I really don’t go for names. I have always liked simplicity. Even when it comes to my costumes, I sketch them, then take to a good tailor, explain how I want it and they make it for me. You wear dreads. How do you maintain it? I actually had to change my look in 2010 to dreads because it is a bit free. I could lock my dread twice or once a month. Now there is dye on it, I am about locking it. It makes me feel free because I don’t need to comb my hair. What advice do you have for aspiring dancers? They need to be creative and original with their dance steps. Also they should not have it at the back of their minds that they must sleep their way to perform at shows or even to be recognised. You need to achieve excellence in creativity and by that I mean give yourself the opportunity to showcase what you have at any given time. This will encourage and motivate you. Once you are motivated, you will be energised to do more practice. Just be yourself.

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‘My husband supports my profession’

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 19 lesson teacher is there. You ensure that dinner is ready on time, she has her baths on time and she gets to bed by eight. And when she gets to bed you play the wifely duties by making sure everybody is fed and everything. You retire to work again. I write very well late at night when people are sleeping. After I have had the inspiration, and I know what I want to write, now the proper writing, dialoguing and everything comes for me naturally in the night or during the day when everywhere is quiet and people are off. How does your husband see what you do for a living? He loves it; he supports me. Most actresses complain that movie producers give out roles based on sentiments at times, what do you have to say about this? I can’t deny the fact. I hear people complain about it. But the truth is that, that is not the case with me. With me, I don’t care who you are, you would definitely come for audition. Unless you are an established star with a name and I already have an idea of where I want you to be in the story, else you are coming for audition. When you come for audition, and you are not good enough, that is the end of the story. If you are good, I don’t care where you are coming from or who you are; you would be taken. When you are less busy, what do you like doing? I love reading and travelling. Sometimes the job takes me round. I thank God for that. Define your style? My style is me; it is who I am. It is what defines me. I’m not someone who is moved by fashion and trends because I always tell people that fashion and trends would come and go but style remains. The style is you. My style is Vivian, I’m timeless. Once I know what suits me, what looks good on me, be it hairstyle, clothes, shoes, I will stick to it. What is that fashion accessory you always long to have? Shoes! I have obsession for shoes. How many pairs can you boast of? Many! Sometimes I buy and I keep. Sometimes, I keep those I haven’t worn and then when I bring them out, I notice there is a problem because I haven’t worn them for so long. It is that bad really but I have asked God to deliver me from that spirit of shoes. Honestly, it is not good because sometimes I buy even the ones I know I may not use. I love shoes and I have a massive collection of wrist watches. Coincidentally, I barely wear most of them. Most of them happen to be in their packs for long unworn and out of all of them, I choose just two or three that I always wear. I have a massive collection of wrist watches. I didn’t realise that till lately. I just keep buying, piling them and I don’t use them. What are those fashion blunders you often notice in this part of the world? Sometimes I like what I see, at other times they become an eyesore. There is this low-rise jeans. I have one that is particularly painful to my eyes. When I see low-rise jeans, I like them, they are nice. But I don’t want to see your buttcrack, thank you. It is very painful to my eyes. Honestly, I feel like we are selling ourselves, dignity and virtues cheap. I mean why should any man look at your butt-crack when he is not your boyfriend or your husband? It is silly. You can still be properly covered and look good. Even if you want to show flesh or skin, you can show a little bit of skin and still look nice. You can show cleavages and be decent about it. That is what I always tell people. I’m not a nun, I show skin but you have to show it in moderation, in a decent way. But when I show excessive skin, know that I’m at home. What is that part you flaunt? I’m grateful to God for the kind of body he gave me. But I want to say that hips don’t lie. What is your philosophy of life? I always have this mantra: do onto others what you would want them do to you. That is what guides me, the fear of God.

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Cocktail Whispers

Stories by Olumide Segun-Oduntan

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

OCTOBER 14, 2012

Between Dino Melaye and Bisi Ibidapo-Obe Few months ago when she appeared at a social gathering in Lagos, it was not only her beauty that got many of the guests at the edge of their seats. Without a doubt, the major thing that made many people at that event to take a second look at her was the baby bump which she did not disguise in anyway. Of course, the question that waited to burst out on many lips that day and thereafter was, “who is the lucky father-to-be?” And perhaps because she was being careful at that time, she was not forthcoming with the name. However, all that silence has since changed. In place of it is what seems like an interesting war of words. Yes, the very beautiful actress, Bisi Ibidapo-Obe fondly called Bisi Omologbalogba has recently disclosed that the father of her yet-unborn child is former member of House of Representatives, Dino Melaye. But guest what; that is where the excitement stopped. Well, the controversial Mr. Melaye has come out to say that the gorgeous actress’ claim that he is responsible for her pregnancy is simply a Nollywood tale. Actually, Melaye was said to have strongly denied being responsible for sexy Bisi’s pregnancy. According to a source, Dino Melaye was said to have called Omologbalogba a liar. In fact, it was gathered that the ex lawmaker disclosed that he was not the stunning actress’ fist victim and may not be the last. But Bisi has disclosed that Dino actually dated her after they were linked up by a mutual friend and that an argument that occurred between them may be responsible for his denial. She also stated that it is insulting for anyone to think that she would not know the father of her child. Interestingly, the paternity issue between Bisi Ibidapo-Obe and Dino Melaye has set tongues wagging online. While many tend to believe the actress, others are of the opinion that in order to settle the matter, the politician and the screen goddess should probably let DNA test come to play. But then, the question everyone is asking is, would Dino Melaye submit to such test?

Bisi ibidapo-Obe

The night Otunba Olukoga rocked dance floor with Ronni Dikko

Dino Melaye

Anne Njemanze set to remarry?

ADAEZE AMOS

Ini Edo still on the 9-month course?

If the gist at Cocktail Whispers’ disposal is anything to go by then talented actress, Anne Njemanze may be gearing up to give the marriage institution another try. Reports reaching this column have it that the A few weeks ago, she celebrated actress is about to tie the knot with confirmed online that she and a businessman who, it was gathered, she has her husband, Philip Ehiagwina been dating for a while now. were expecting their first bundle of In case you are not aware, Anne Njejoy. But if the latest information made manze was once married to popular acavailable to Cocktail Whispers is to be tor, Segun Arinze. However, their marbelieved, then it seems that pretty actress, riage, which produced a child, ended Ini Edo may no longer be on the 9 months a long time ago. And while Arinze course. has since remarried, Njemanze According to a source who saw the hugely talhas been on the single side. ented actress at a recent gig, instead of a baby bump Gist of Anne’s impending evident of a pregnant woman, she spotted a flat tommy. marriage is actually true, This has made those who saw her at the bash conclude it is doubtless that many that she may have lost the pregnancy. However, the gist of her fans and friends could not be confirmed, as the actress did not pick calls would be thrilled for made to her phone. her. Many will, no doubt, be hopeful that the star actress of Yes, the hugely talented actress is truly How ‘Domitila’ excited as she has recently taken delivery would you has found of an FX 50 S model Infiniti jeep. And it is a feel if your lover true love surprise gift from her husband. gives you a surprise packat last. While it is not yet clear whether the exage as a gift? And what will be otic ride is a birthday gift for the actress your reaction if that gift happens or not, what is certain is that the gorgeous to be a jeep? Ecstatic, wouldn’t you? Mercy Aigbe is no doubt really excited Well, one celebrity that this scenario fits about her latest ride. very well is popular actress, Mercy Aigbe.

ckage

prise pa r u s ’s e b ig A y c r Me

One thing Otunba Fatai Olukoga, the Special Adviser to the Governor of Lagos State on Education does is that he takes time out to unwind whenever the time calls for it. He likes to enjoy himself to the fullest after a hard day’s work. Of course, from Monday through Friday, he is always busy at work. Did you ask how authentic this piece of information is? On Sunday night, September 15, to be precise, yours sincerely was at Club Vegas, Ikeja, to capture the activities of the event, a beauty pageant that was strictly meant for all the Nigerian universities and institutions, accurately entitled Miss Institutes Nigeria. The chief was present and directed that blissful night when the beauties started filing in different apparels that ranged from mid-rib tops, bum shorts to micro minis and flowing gowns. He feasted his eyes well on them. As if that was not enough, when it was time for spectators to dance, Otunba stood and gently took Rooni Dikko, the Nollywood act, by the hand and both walked to the dance floor, not giving a hoot whose ox was gored. All eyes were on them as the lady too followed him psychedelically. When they got to the dance floor, they danced to the lyrics of Omawunmi’s new release Bottom Belle which was blasting in the air. When those who refused to dance owing to one reason or the other saw that the two celebrities (Otunba and Ronni) weren’t looking at anybody’s face, they had no choice than to join in the groove. It was indeed a blissful night.

Movies & Music

Stories by Olumide Segun-Oduntan

08189418761 e-mail: lumidezy@yahoo.com

Sunday, October 14, 2012

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Are you ready to grace The M

Femi Kuti set to thrill fans at The Headies 2012

f you are a fan of Afro-beat, then you will be delighted to know that you are in for feel-good moments come Saturday, October 20. Yes, M&M can reveal that the great Afro-beat singer, Femi Kuti, is about now gearing up to perform at one of Nigeria’s most prestigious music awards, The Headies, billed to take place on that day at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos. Just so you know, this is the first time the great entertainer will be aligning with a Nigerian contemporary music award initiative. Formerly known as Hip Hop World Awards, The Headies is fast becoming a blend of generational genres of music. It will also interest you to know that Femi Kuti, who has twice received nominations for the Grammy awards, began his international career in 1988 when he was invited by the French Cultural Centre in Lagos and Christian Mousset to perform at the Festival d’Angoulême (France), the New Morning Club in Paris and the Moers Festival in Germany. Those who are keen followers of Afro-beat would agree that the first son of Abami Eda has been very committed to social and political causes. In 2001, Femi collaborated on his album, Fight to Win with a number of U.S. musicians, including Common, Mos Def, and Jaguar Wright. He created his own band, Positive Force, in the late 1980s with Dele Sosimi (Gbedu Res-

urrection), former keyboard player of Fela Anikulapo Kuti. “My career is not based on awards. I sincerely mean what I sing about. My music is truly fighting for electricity, good healthcare service, good roads, equal education for my people and African unity. It’s neither a love song nor commercial and it still gets headlines and good reviews. I’m especially touched when young people appreciate what I am doing,” Femi Kuti said. Interestingly, as a way of honouring Femi Kuti, the organisers of the forthcoming award will be inducting him into The Headies Hall Of Fame during the event. M&M gathered that the popular music star is very excited about the planned induction as he intends to celebrate it. One person who is very happy about the line-up of artistes for the 2012 edition of The Headies is the Executive Producer, Ayo Animashaun. Hear him: “Every year, our target is to surpass our very best efforts. With notable artistes such as Femi Kuti and many more gracing The Headies this year, our fans should expect to watch the most exciting awards ceremony to be held in recent times.” Other Hall Of Fame inductees for The Headies include Dayo D1 Adeneye, Kenny Ogungbe, Phillip Trimmel, Olisa Adibua, Obi Asika, Femi Akintunde Johnson, Sir Shina Peters and DJ Jimmy Jatt.

Excitement as WAP TV berths on airwaves When it came to the fore that Wale Adenuga Production (WAP) has been licensed to transmit direct to satellite, many people thought it was a fluke. However, as October 1 is significant to Nigeria, so it will henceforth be for acclaimed King of TV drama, Wale Adenuga (MFR). While Nigerians recently joined the celebration of 52 years independence anniversary of the nation, the humorist cum creative mind per excellence, Wale Adenuga, soar higher as his much- talked about WAP TV berthed in style on the airwaves! Although, Adenuga has undoubtedly gained supremacy as TV contents provider with the awesome successes of Papa Ajasco and Family, Super Story, This Life, Nnena and Friends, Odd World among other TV series, owing a TV channel is absolutely a ground-breaking effort for Wale Adenuga Production (WAP). Recalling the steady growth of Wale Adenuga Production, Abdulhakeem Williams, the General Manager of WAP TV said, “WAP TV’s journey began many years ago from the humble creation of Ikebe Super magazine, which was followed by others such as Super Story, Binta and Friends which sold exceedingly well and led to the development of Papa Ajasco on celluloid back then in 1983.

Movie buffs that have been eager to watch one of this year’s m ed productions, ‘The Meeting’ can now rest easy as M&M can re ers of the movie are about now gearing up for its premiere. The world premiere of ‘The Meeting’, which is billed to take Hotel in Lagos on Friday, October 19, 2012, is expected to be atten stellar cast but also the glitterati of Nigerian cinema, entertainm well as government officials, dignitaries and leading business p The invite-only premiere is expected to kick off with a red car prompt and will also feature an after party session. The premiere proper will be hosted by Basorge Tariah, also of ‘The Meeting’, while the guests will be serenaded by Nigeria famed for her 3-octave voice. Fans will recall that she recently re new single, ‘Oko Mi’ and the previously leaked heartbreaker ‘I upcoming album ‘WAJE’ (Words Aren’t Just Enough). A MORD Pictures production for Audrey Silva Company, dire dred Okwo and produced by Rita Dominic and Mildred Okwo an co-written by Tunde Babalola and Mildred Okwo, The Meetingi tic comedy set in Abuja following the trials of Lagos-based corp ecutive Makinde Esho who finds himself at the mercy of polit tronage, bureaucratic red tape and Cupid’s arrow while in hot pu of a ‘meeting’ to secure government contract.

Basorge & Kate

Karen Igho

Karen Igho spreads her tentacl

Big Brother Africa winner, Karen Igho’s love for the tube has been a hidden affair, she surprised many when she first hit the light in the Sola Fajobi produced reality show, Next Movie Sta acting prowess was handy in the Big Brother Africa house whe outshone 24 other contestants to win the highly coveted USD 200, Now the 2011 Big Brother Africa winner wants to take her act reer to the next level as she plans to take the movie industry by s Already having two movies in her kitty – ‘Blackberry Babes ‘Heavy Beauty’ - which have helped proved her acting prowess, Igho is presently working on movie that will further help establi mark in the industry. The movie which might hit the stands in th quarter of next year has notable actors as casts and respected members on set. However, Karen does not have hand in just a pie; the vivacious tainer is also a proud supporter of charity works. Her range of c works involve her helping children living with Cancer, Breast C prevention initiatives, HIV intervention projects and Children O ages. Karen is also an ambassador for Peace as she was heavily in in the We JOS want Peace campaign. Presently working on her clothing line, Karen is a busy, well after compere who shuttles her time between Lagos, Ghana, Sou rica and the United Kingdom. In recent times, Karen has hosted events like Delta@20, Dynamix Awards, Safari awards, Calaba People Amplified Party, Facebook Unplugged in Warri, Miss Abuj the launch of Ibadan GoTV, October 2011, Face of Edo, Benin, Multi-choice 2011 end of the year party, and in recent times the F Selara 2012, Say No To Crime event at the Ikoyi prisons in Lag many others.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

There is always a way out, says Pastor Okereke

Praise Worship E-mail:richardeghaghe@yahoo.com

E-mail:titusanyanwu.2012@gmail.com

EDIFYING GOD

29 9

October 14, 2012

Prison not necessarily reformatory, says Adeboye •Seeks legal aid for the poor RICHARD EGHAGHE

he General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has observed that the prison does not change people, as some people are thrown into prison only to become worse criminals at the end of their prison terms.

He revealed that the only person that can change a criminal on permanent basis is Jesus Christ. “As a matter of fact, some people go to prison, and come out worse than before they went in. Maybe, we haven’t discovered better ways of dealing with some criminals,” he said. Delivering a sermon, “Jesus, the great advocate” at the Headquarters’ Church of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Throne of Grace Parish, in Lagos, at a special prayer session with lawyers from across the country, Adeboye, however, commended the Chief Judge of Lagos State for releasing suspects on the awaiting trial lists at the Kirikiri Prison who might have outstayed their prison terms, if eventually found guilty of the charges against them. He equally expressed serious concern over the slow pace of dispensation of justice in the county’s judicial system. “I want to use this opportunity to say thank you very much to the Chief Judge of Lagos State, for releasing those prisoners or those people that had been awaiting trials in prison all these years. My heart leapt for joy when I heard the news. By now you know, I am really interested in those who are in prison.” Pastor Adeboye pointed out that the last time he visited the Kirikiri Prison, he saw people who, if they had been found guilty of the offence they were alleged to have committed, the maximum sentence would

have been three years in prison. “But, they have been in the prison for more than 12 years, awaiting trial. If they were guilty, it would have been a maximum of three years. But they were still waiting trial after 12 years and my heart bled because if it was somewhere else in the world, they would sue the government for robbing them of at least nine years of their lives. “So, when I heard that at long last, so many of them were released, my heart leapt for joy and I prayed that the Almighty God will bless our Chief Judge. Those who are still remaining who needed to be released, Pastor Adeboye I pray that very soon, after today, they will be released in Jesus’ name.” Pastor Adeboye, however, observed that the prison service in Nigeria no longer

mid incessant attacks on churches and Christians in some northern parts of the country, clerics in The First African Church Mission Inc, at the weekend in Okitipupa, Ondo State, rose from a week-long annual general conference of the church, calling on the Federal Government to urgently arrest

the dire situation. In a communiqué after the conference, which was made available to Sunday Mirror by the publicity secretary of the church, Brother Emmanuel Campbell, the Primate of The First African Church, His Eminence, Dr. Emmanuel Olabode Koya, said Christians across the world were saddened by the spate of attacks on the faithful in the North, which had been going on, unchecked.

THE GOD CALLED MAMMON

Pope marks 50th anniversary of Vatican II Pope Benedict XVI at the weekend marked the 50th anniversary of the Second Vatican Council, the church meetings he attended as a young priest that brought the Catholic Church into the modern world but whose true meaning is still hotly debated. Benedict celebrated Mass in St. Peter’s Square, attended by patriarchs, cardinals, bishops and a dozen elderly churchmen who participated in the council, and later will greet the faithful re-enacting the great procession into St. Peter’s that launched the council in 1962. In his homily, Benedict urged the faithful to return to the “letter” and “authentic spirit” of the council found in the Vatican II documents themselves, rather than rely on the distorted spirit promoted by those who saw in Vatican II a radical reform away from the church’s tradition. “The council did not formulate anything new in matters of faith, nor did it wish to replace what was ancient,” Benedict said from the steps of St. Peter’s. “Rather, it concerned itself with seeing that the same faith might continue to be lived in the present day, that it might remain a living faith in a world of change.”

Gloryland Baptist Church celebrates Activities marking the eighth year anniversary of Gloryland Baptist Church will hold between October 13 and 14 at the church auditorium located at AMAC New Market Bridge, Federal Housing Authority (FHA), Lugbe, Abuja. According to the publicity secretary of the church, Mr. Sanjo Faniran, the church decided to hold the event to celebrate the goodness of God in the life of the church and its members. In the same manner, the occasion will be used to appreciate the pastor, Rev. Sunday Ogundipe. “The Lord has been good to us in the past eight years as the church has witnessed tremendous growth, but more importantly, we want to specially appreciate Rev. Ogundipe, who God has used to perform wonders in the lives of our members and this is in line with the directive of the convention which stipulates that every five years, we should appreciate our pastors,” the statement added.

Sunday Mirror/Babcock University Bible Quiz: Winners of Oct. 7, 2012 served its purpose as a reformatory establishment. His words: “My own little observation is that prison, really, does not change people. As a matter of fact, some

•Linda Idakwo (0703181835288) • Musa Katai (08033979916) • Ogidan Rachael (08096840591)

CONTINUED ON PAGE 25

Insurgency: It is time to act, Church tells FG K AYODE FASUA

Briefly

Rallying other clergymen who include Rt. Rev Sunday Olabiyi, Venerable Solomon Ogunbona, Venerable Benson Emoruwa, Venerable Emmanuel AccraJaja and Brother Nwachukwu Asonye, Primate Koya demanded that the menace of the insurgents be given increased attention, “as a matter of urgency.” His words: “We condemn in totality, the incessant destruction of lives and

• 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

When money becomes your master, it controls your desire, your time schedule, your giving and charity character.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 25

IS IT RIGHT TO BE PREGNANT BEFORE MARRIAGE?

–Bishop Kingsley Enakirerhi

Praise & Worship

Sunday October 14, 2012

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Nigerians have cause to celebrate –Bishop Umunna OKAY OSUJI

he General Overseer of Bible Life Church, Bishop Leonard Umunna, has said that even when there seems to be a consensus of failure in Nigeria’s 52 years of Independence, there are still reasons to celebrate our achievements. Speaking at an interactive session with journalists, Umunna, said Nigerians should not allow the many lows recorded in the country to prevent them from appreciating the progress so far recorded in some areas. Going down memory lane, he said, “Nigeria took off in grand style, but along the way, there was a mishap and we crash-landed. We are trying to take off again. In the days of Dr.Nnamdi Azikiwe, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Sir Tafawa Balewa and others, we made appreciable progress in sports, agriculture, culture and even

technology. We were respected in the international community. But something terrible happened along the line. So, at 52, it is not all gloom. But compared with where we are coming, we are now lagging behind. Those calling for disintegration of the country should discontinue the campaign because from God’s perspective, Nigeria will not go down. However, our leaders must always be proactive and pre-empt problems before they become full blown crisis”. Bishop Umunna, also disagreed that the long years of brutal military rule was responsible for the country’s stunted growth, even as he acknowledged that many of the past military rulers, did not put Nigeria on the path to progress. “Nigeria could have been better. But we must not lose sight that there are good and bad leaders in both military and civilian

administrations. So, we cannot rightly say that the military was bad because it was run by soldiers, or civil administration is good, all because the leaders were elected, “he said. On the current administration, the cleric said: While the President’s party would be praising him for good performance, the opposition sees it from another perspective, since they are interested in taking over the reins of power. It is only when one performs below the minimum expected standards, that you can say he is a failure. But President Jonathan must quickly move to assert himself and replace those not in sync with his administration”. Corroborating the recent call by former governor of Lagos State, Ahmed Bola Tinubu, for abolition of the Senate, Umunna said, the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) chieftain never said anything novel.

“Tinubu said the minds of most Nigerians. It is all about the cost of governance. Rather than copying the practice in other lands, we should develop an indigenous governance style. Currently, there are lot of duplications of offices and functions in government. Is it not time we trim these down”? On privatisation of power sector, the Bishop said, there was nothing wrong with those who won the bids. “Who else did you expect to win? Deep must call to the deep. Nigeria is a corrupt place and things don’t follow the proper channels. Those who won have the resources and are in charge. There is no viable alternative for now. Government does whatever it likes and I don’t expect the privatisation to go otherwise,” he said. On way forward, Umunna said: “Nigeria must wake up; the country has slept for too long. We

Bishop Umunna

must begin from the top. I have always said that if you give a good leader a bad constitution, he will perform well, and if you give a bad leader a good constitution, he will not make any progress due to his makeup and those he interacts with”.

My husband is irresponsible, pastor’s wife tells court A

Senior Apostle of House of Deliverance Mission, Dr. Paul Ofurum (m), presenting a certificate to Cletus Ekoh, while as an elder of the church, recently.

Church to honour Kofo Savage, others TAI ANYANWU

he First African Church Mission Incorporated is to accord special recognition to the former Dean, School of Dental Studies, University of Lagos, Professor Kofoworola Savage-Fafowura, today.

She is being awarded with an

Award of Stewardship in the Lord’s vineyard. Professor Savage is also being decorated as Grand Patroness of the Choir at the 2012 Choir Festival held at the church auditorium The Choir competition will feature the 55th Annual Choir Festival of the cathedral and

the 35th anniversary of Christ Morning Star Society. Lekan Sholake and Toyin Agiri will conduct special rendition by the Choir while Lanre Lumowo iof Hoares Methodist Cathedral and Abayomi Eludire of Methodist Church, Olowogbowo, Lagos are special guests at the event.

32-year-old woman on Wednesday pleaded with the Agege Grade ‘A’ Customary Court in Lagos to dissolve her six-year-old marriage to Pastor Victor Odafe over alleged threat to life and other irreconcilable differences. The petitioner, Blessing, who lives at No. 7, Renna St., TabonTabon, Agege, told the court that her husband was fond of watching pornographic films alone and masturbating. ``My husband has not been a responsible man to me and the children. He does not know how we feed, his ways are not clear to me. ``Each time he asks for money and I do not give him on time, he gets angry and make life difficult for me at home. ``He asked for money and I refused, he beat me mercilessly and wanted to strangle me. Again, he accuses me of sleeping with other pastors in the church. ``My husband does not do what he preaches. After coming home from church, he resumes watching pornography and masturbates, and if I talk, he simply asks me to keep shut,’’ she told the court. The mother of two boys, aged between two and five years, told the court that when she gave birth to her second child, her husband said he was not the fa-

ther because the child was not fair in complexion. ``I am tired of staying with him, all I want is the dissolution of the marriage and the custody of my children,’’ she submitted. Responding to the allegations, Victor, 36, a businessman, told the court that his wife was adulterous and nags a lot. ``My world came to a crash when I knew that she pretended to be nice during our courtship. ``She abused me on the alter on our wedding day. She used very harsh words on me. ``She frustrated me, and that was why I told her that our second child was not mine. According to the pastor, his wife wears all kinds of indecent dresses and comes home late in the night. ``She maltreated me because she is now richer than me; I endured because am a pastor,” he held. The pastor told the court that he was now a new creature and had stopped doing what the wife accused her of doing in the past. ``I do not support divorce. I still want my wife and children,’’ he said. The president of the court, Mr Emmanuel Sokunle, told the parties to maintain the peace whenever they meet outside, and adjourned the case to Oct. 30 for further hearing.

Archbishop urges Catholics to pray for peace, unity

rchbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos, Dr Alfred Adewale Martins, at the weekend urged the faithful to pray for justice, peace and unity in the country, as the Catholics begin to celebrate the year of faith. Martins said this in his homily at the opening ceremony of

the year of faith, held at the Holy Cross Cathedral, Lagos. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Catholics in Nigeria are joining their counterparts worldwide to celebrate the “Year of Faith’’-- to renew their confidence in the gospel. The year of faith offered

the faithful opportunity to rediscover the truth of the faith. Martins urged all Catholics to use the period to pray specially for God to intervene in the violence in some parts of the country. “Let us, therefore, pray for ourselves, for our families, our

friends, for our church and for our nation, for justice, peace and unity in the country,” he said. The cleric urged Catholics to use the opportunity to give charity to the homeless, hungry, sick, aged and orphans. “We should use the opportunity and privilege to be of as-

sistance to those affected by the flood in the country. “You need not be rich to be charitable; through your time, talents, skills, counsel, service and sacrifices, you can also bring Christ to others and bear witness to your faith,” Martins noted.

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Praise & Worship

Sunday October 14, 2012

Oshiomhole assures monks of govt’s support G overnor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has assured monks in the Order of St Benedict Catholic Church in Ewu, the central part of the state, of government’s support in giving adequate publicity to the breakthrough in their herbal work and other researches. The Governor also promised to pay a visit to the monks in their monastery with a view to providing the infrastructure needed on roads and water sup-

ply. Speaking during a visit of the monks led by their Prior, Rev Dom Peter Eghwrujakpor, Governor Oshiomhole said, “Since you are not a profit-making organisation and you are part of Edo State, the state government can be of help to your activities with our state-owned electronic and print media. “From your exposé today, it is clear you are involved in a spiritual lifestyle of total abstinence

in the service of God. You need support to help mankind in the way you have chosen to. We have to take advantage of our state media to inform the public on the need to take advantage of the services you provide,” he noted. According to a statement by the Peter Okhiria, Chief Press secretary to the Governor, Oshiomhole assured the monks that between now and November 8, this year, he will pay a visit to the monastery to have an on-the-

Bishop calls for fumigation of Ogbaru community

nglican Bishop of Ogbaru Diocese in Anambra, The Rt. Rev. Samuel Ezeofor, at the weekend called for the fumigation of the area to rid it of mosquitoes.

Ogbaru is among parts of the country ravaged by flood and as a result the victims are camped in relief camps. Currently, 3,500 persons from eight communities are in four

camps within up-land areas in Ogbaru council. Ezeofor told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Onitsha, Anambra, that there was the need to fumigate the area to save the people from malaria attacks. ``Fumigating the area will help a great deal now. But the fumigating chemicals and substances must not be injurious to

the health of the people,’’ he said. The bishop also called for more medication and expressed gratitude to faith-based organisations and humanitarian health agencies for their help so far. ``I must thank the medical team from the Anglican Province of the Niger for always coming around as well as a team from the Catholic Arch-Diocese of Onitsha,’’ he said.

spot assessment of the condition of the road leading to and within the monastery and what could done by the state government. Earlier, the Prior Rev. Eghwrujakpor, congratulated the governor for the victory in the election and prayed for wisdom and strength to enable him serve. He said, “We do not come out often, but hear of the good things you are doing and we assure you of our prayers. With

over 200 workers in the monastery, we are considered one of the best job creators in the Esan region as well as our impartation of spiritual and psychology wellbeing, it is against this background that we seek government’s assistance”. According to him, the monastery serves humanity, through work and prayers and is involved in the provision of traditional remedy in the treatment of ailments including diabetes.

It is time to act, Church tells FG

24 pass out with First-Class at RUN

s calls for self-reliance continue to pour in, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, over the weekend joined other stakeholders in the education sector to urge Nigerian graduates not to wait for job, but endeavour to create jobs and be employers of labour.

His Eminence, Koya CONTINUED FROM PAGE 23

Adeboye who is a visitor to Redeemer’s University (RUN) during their fourth convocation ceremony where 24 graduands made First Class said; “You have graduated into a world of uncertainty, don’t wait for ready-made job, create one.” The clergyman charged unemployed graduates to be bold enough to start their own businesses instead of waiting for unavailable jobs. He prayed that within three months, if they hold on to the wisdom of God, they will succeed in their aspirations. Moreover, Adeboye noted that

parents who think the Redeemer’s University is a reformatory school where people who are not willing to do God’s will could be revolutionised if admitted, would be disappointed, stressing that he, as a pastor, was not ready to influence the institution’s policy if a student does anything wrong that warrants his rustication.

He said, “It pains me as a pastor to find a 300-level student rusticated for violating the university’s policy, adding, “The vice-chancellor of any institution should have a free hand to run the university as it should be run without interference. Tell your children that this university does not stand for nonsense.”

The Rev. John Wesley Yohanna of the Mungo Dosso area in Nigeria has been lected a United Methodist bishop by delegates of the West Africa Central Conference. Yohanna, 49, succeeds Bishop Arthur Kulah who was recalled from retirement about five years ago to lead the Nigeria Episcopal Area. The Nigeria Episcopal Area encompasses three annual (regional) conferences — the Central Nigeria, the Northern Nigeria and Southern Nigeria annual conferences. Bishop John Wesley Yohanna is consecrated October 7 at King Memorial United Methodist Church in Freetown, Si-

erra Leone. Yohanna is a new bishop of the Nigeria Episcopal Area. UMNS web-only photos by Phileas Jusu. “I have a huge responsibility resting on my shoulders,” Yohanna said. “It is to pursue peace as articulated by West Africa Central Conference theme (‘Seek Peace and Pursue It’). I need to serve the people of the United Methodist Church in Nigeria and show servanthood leadership to ensure transparency in every transaction that I make and picking everybody along the peace and development process,” said Yohanna. Yohanna was elected October 6 at Bishop Baughman Memorial

United Methodist Church on the first ballot with 57 votes of the 65 clergy and laity delegates from the four nations that form the West Africa Central Conference — Cote D’Ivoire, Liberia, Nigeria and Sierra Leone. “Since my election Saturday night, I have received several calls from non-Christians congratulating me on my election victory, and they are looking forward to working with me as the bishop of The United Methodist Church. With the foundation already laid by General Board of Church and Society workshops, we will be able to continue with interfaith dialogue in our Episcopal Area,” Yohanna said.

Pastor Goke Aniyeloye of the RCCG Headquarters’ Church, Throne of Grace and Elder Olukurin, during the special prayer service for men of the Bar and Bench, in the church at Ebute-Metta, Lagos.

properties in some parts of Nigeria, particularly in the northern areas as a result of Boko Haram menace and pray the government of Nigeria to seriously, as a matter of urgency, address ever than before, the issues of security of lives and properties to avoid further losses in the country.” However, the Primate commended President Goodluck Jonathan and his cabinet “on their achievements since assumption of office” and prayed “for the peace of God which

passeth all human understanding to reign supreme in our country.” Alluding to the theme of this year’s conference, “The Estate of the Wicked and the Righteous”, Koya prayed that God would revive both missionary activities and the socio-economic and political advancement of the country. At the conference, however, the church ratified all the elevation of ministers to various cadres, which played out in the last one year.

Prison not necessarily Yohanna elected United Methodist bishop reformatory, says Adeboye CONTINUED FROM PAGE 23

people go to prison, and come out worse than before they went in. Maybe, we haven’t discovered better ways of dealing with some criminals,” he said. Pastor Adeboye noted that the only ‘fellow’ who can change a criminal on permanent basis is Jesus Christ. He said, “This is because the Bible says, ‘if a man be in Christ, he is a new creature. Old things have passed away and behold all things have become new.” He regretted that there were some people who should be in the prison, but were not there

because “they have the means to make sure that they remain outside the prison. Some people are in prison because they don’t have anyone who will speak for them, they don’t have anyone who will defend them. “That is why I am believing God that very soon, the lawyers in Nigeria will be able to pull their resources and say ‘well, if there is anyone who needed to be defended and has no one to defend him, we will defend him free of charge’ and the Lord will reward you richly for that in Jesus’ name,” pleaded the clergyman.

Praise & Worship

Sunday October 14, 2012

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There is always a way out, says Pastor Okereke For those facing one hardship or the other, or those in dire need of miracles, the General Overseer of Global Success Ministry, Pastor Chima Okereke, says the time has come for divine intervention. Richard Eghaghe presents excerpts from his message:

ne of the challenges I have discovered in Africa or basically Nigeria is that, most times, some people will refuse to try out new things; because they have tried before and could not succeed. This does not mean you failed, rather you only discovered the number of times or ways you could not use, to get your answer. Surely, the answer is still there and must come, if you believe in God and also believe in yourself, that this could be possible in your life. It is the spiritual that decides what operates outside.

In John 5:5-9, the Bible told us a story of a man who was paralyzed; totally impotent for 38 years. Possibly, when his friends and relations took him to the pool of Bethesda, they were not patient enough and left. One person only is expected to be healed inside the pool of Bethesda when the Angel of God stirs the water once in a season; it could be a year or more, but whoever that shall be healed depends on the availability of help the fellow gets. He has to be thrown into the pool first before anyone else gets there. The man waited for one year, two years and so, until 38 years before the healing finally came his way. What challenge are you going through right now? Remember that whatever has a beginning also has an ending; there is a manufacturing date and there is an expiry date. In the name of Jesus Christ, your challenges end this day. The end of your challenges start in the spirit world now, after you must have read this message, and thank God in your heart that it is yours. Nobody will hear you; even if it is inside the office, car, house, outside or anywhere, just thank God in your heart. Except you personalise this message, it will be like news or information to you. So, personalise it by thanking God in your heart. Mention that challenge in your heart, and thank God that it is over. I know you must have done some great things to stop that challenge but it did not yield any good result. So you may see this instruction as that which will cost you nothing and refuse to obey; but I tell you that as you obey this instruction, that ugly situation has come to an end in your life. I earlier mentioned that there is the need to try out new things. The level of the thanksgiving you offer will determine the level of the heavenly response your get. I want you to believe that this write-up contains God’s power in it because the Word of

God is involved. From now, all our messages shall be carrying greater anointing for supernatural miracles, starting from the lives of our dear readers. The organisation that owns this newspaper through which men and women in this nation shall experience God’s power shall be blessed too. The Lord shall bless National Mirror, the owner and all the staff, especially our reporter. Many shall have some wonderful experiences before the end of this year, starting from this day. When you try to have a breakthrough, and possibly meet resistance on the way, create another way towards the same direction. You must succeed; there could be so many good roads leading to the same destination. A lot of air routes could lead to America. For example, from Nigeria, South Africa, France, United Kingdom, all the flights that took off from the above mentioned countries and many more will all arrive in any United States’ International Airport of their choice; but they did not fly the same route. I have told you, my beloved, of what you have to do when you are through with this message. Just personalise it; make it your own testimony. I tell you the truth in Christ, that God is very powerful. In Psalm 62:11, it is clearly stated that power belongeth unto God. I want you to understand that there is nothing impossible for God to do. In Jeremiah 32:27, the Bible says, “He is the God of all flesh; is there anything too hard for Him to do?” Many of you have equally tried God through your spiritual Father or Mother but remember that God’s gift and anointing defer in people’s lives. Your Man of God, whether Christian or Muslim may be powerful, but Psalm 115:3 states, “But our God is in the heavens: He hath done whatsoever He hath pleased.” So, all you need is an answer from God, no matter the channel He uses. In 2 Kings 5:1-14 records that when Elisha gave Naaman, the Captain of Syrian Army an instruction to go and dip himself into River Jordan seven times, and be cleansed from leprosy, he was very angry. But when he was advised and he adhered to the instruction, he was totally healed. So, thank God that you have finally got a way out of that ugly situation and you shall surely be blessed. Love you all. May the peace of God be upon you all in Jesus’ mighty name. Amen.

•For more information and enquiries about our programmes and church activities, please send text messages only to these numbers: 08067802407, 07038638984, and 08033599027.

Briefly

Testimonies herald 12 Wednesdays and Sundays programme

Pastor Okereke Pastor Okereke during prayers

Testimonies have started pouring in as the ongoing ‘12 Wednesdays and Sundays’ special programme at the Global Success Ministries auditorium Alao Bus stop, Amuwo-Odofin, Lagos. The programme, which holds respectively every Wednesday by 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.; and on Sunday from 7:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. to 12:35 p.m. with Pastor (Dr.) Chima Emmanuel Okereke, the General Overseer, ministering, recorded testimonies of major divine manifestation of God’s power through financial breakthroughs heaand deliverances on each session as the number

of participants continued to increase at the event. Our correspondent who covered a session of the programme last Wednesday reports that there were innumerable account of great financial recovery and breakthrough by testifiers who willingly filed out to give testimony of their experiences after attending past editions of the programme. One of the testifiers, an electrical dealer at the Alaba International Market, recounted how he recovered a bad debt, running into millions of Naira, which he had already written off. Others testified to how they were surprisingly blessed financially and materially after attending the programme. Presiding minister, Pastor Okereke,

disclosed in an interview that the breakthrough programme was for all categories of people to celebrate this year’s Christmas like never before. “I want to thank God for all His miracles and the testimonies that have become the hallmark of our ‘12 Wednesdays and Sundays Rain of Favour’ programme, I must revealed that “it is the divine wish of God to shower rain of favour to categories of people that trust in Him and are committed to doing His work. They will rise and shine before the Christmas,” he said. He added, “The church didn’t just come up ordinarily to put together this special ‘12 Wednesdays and Sundays for Rain of Favour’.

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Sunday October 14, 2012

Praise & Worship

Be happy to make God glad –Pastor Oloruntimilehin “What God requires from you is to make yourself happy at all times; no matter the situation you find yourself. When a person exhibits the love of doing the things he or she does, then happiness comes in,” says Pastor Joshua Daramola Oloruntimilehin, founder of Omnipotence Mission of God. Excerpts brought by Tai Anyanwu

Pastor Oloruntimilehin

hat can you do for God to make Him happy? Many believe that by clapping, dancing and getting into the frenzy of praise worship are all that are required to make God happy. Are the clapping, dancing and praises all that God wants? No. God is so great, mighty and powerful and people learn and do what they should do to make Him happy.

God is so powerful that many things He created and kept in various planets are still mysteries to be unravelled. That is

why some people are making expeditions into the space, in search of God’s greatness. God is so powerful that nobody can see his eyes or even see the true appearance of God. Even the Bible says that Moses could not look at God because he came in form of fire. Exodus 3: 2-6 says, “…At this, Moses hid his face, because he was afraid to look at God.” Exodus 19: 16 – 19 records, “…Mount Sinai was covered with smoke because the Lord descended on to it in fire…” It is an

established fact that nobody has ever seen God but the Bible says Jacob believed he wrestled with God in the book of Genesis 32: 22 – 32: “…It is because I saw God face to face, and yet my life was spared”. Since no one can see God or have ever seen God, then what Jacob and Moses saw were angels of God? The above implies that God could come in form of a man because man was created in the image of God. Brethren, I want you to understand that God is an unquestionable God. He does whatever he likes because all powers belong to Him. He declares in Jeremiah 32: 27, “I am the Lord, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?” The Bible makes us understand that the blind, lame and able-bodied persons are created by God and there is nothing God creates that can be recreated. Any attempt to recreate oneself will result in deformity or death as has been seen in the case of an internationally acclaimed musician, who is now late. So, whatever physical condition a person is created with, believe in; it is God’s making. Whatever he bends, nobody can straighten; and whatever he straightens, nobody can bend it. Could you imagine a thief who does not go to church or serve God but he is rich while some people that attend church service and serve God diligently cannot afford three square meals. Imagine how God does His things. Therefore, the question is; what are the things a person should do to make God glad? This question may seem simple but it requires a great answer. If a son or daughter buys a gift desired by his or her parent, the child makes the parents happy. But what will you do for God to make him glad? The answer is for you to make yourself happy. Whatever you do, ensure you are happy

doing it. Are you happy when you are applauding, dancing or praising God? It is when a person exhibits the love of doing the things he or she does, that happiness comes in. What is faith? The Bible says in Mark 11: 22 - 23 “…Jesus answered, I tell you the truth; if anyone says to this mountain , Go, throw yourself into the sea, and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will happen, it will be done to him.” Therefore faith is not having double mind, thinking about what to eat and problems confronting you. Faith is about being happy and putting any confusion in his or her mind. A man or woman of faith will have authority to command and he or she can make God to be glad. Once a person is happy, he or she will not be sick e .g. headache or any other sickness. What God requires from you is to make yourself happy all the time; no matter the situation you find yourself. If a person is not happy with the job he or she is doing, the salary the person earns will not be spent very well. If you are a married person and you are not happy in your mind with your wife or husband, the marriage will not last long because you do not tolerate each other. It is either the husband or wife dies early. It is, therefore, pertinent for you to start learning how to make yourself happy gradually. Do not always complain or have regrets on whatever you do because it does not give peace of mind. And when your mind is not at rest, there is no prayer you say either in the church or at home that can be answered. I pray that God Almighty will give you peace of mind, to be happy always over what you do, and in turn, make God happy. Remember, God does not dwell in a confused mind.

A ministry without work is misery, by Pastor Bamidele The predilection of some men of God for placing pleasure above the work of God receives utmost condemnation from Pastor Lai Bamidele, founder of Christ Glorious End-Time Evangelical Ministries, who says such attitude is a recipe for misery. Tai Anyanwu produces excerpts of the message: What do we mean by the word ‘diligence’? Diligence means hard work. Nothing works without work. Those who don’t learn to work ‘small’ cannot work ‘big’. In the book of 1Samuel 18:5, David went out to work. Go out to do something. Those who do not want to become a messenger cannot become a manager. And that is why any man who is not prepared to start small cannot become big. Laziness is foolishness in all sides. A lazy man is indeed a foolish man. It is your diligence that will always announce you everywhere. Nothing ever speaks for a man than his work. People may not respect you but when they see your work, they honour you. The Bible was talking about David as he went out to work, in the verse referred to above. The only thing some believers understand is to beg and beg. You have your hands and legs intact. Yet you beg and borrow money all over the place. It is a sin for a believer to be borrowing and begging. When I started the ministry, I

had nothing; I did not even have two pairs if cloths. I started with nothing, but by the virtue of the privileged training I received from the ministry that raised me, I give glory to God today because God has been so kind to me. I heard my spiritual father, Bishop David Oyedepo, speak in one of his preaching that only diligence can take a man to the peak of his career. One day I heard the Bishop speak in one of his messages that, “I don’t close in my office sometimes until the wee hours of the following morning. I stayed up late in the night and as early as 6am, I am in the office again. I told myself that ‘I need this one.’ When I have nothing to write, I will remain in my office, either to read the Bible or some literature book or meditate in my office. That is why you hardly see me leave my office until late at night; sometimes, I stay up at about 11: 30pm; and as early as 5: 30am to 6am, I am back to the beat. I do this religiously because I don’t want to end up ‘small’. Those who are not diligent will end up as nonentities. It is diligence that made Da-

vid to become a distinguished kid. When his brothers were lazy, they were fighting over the throne of Saul, David was in the bush, rearing his father’s sheep. God saw a man of diligence in him and He said to Samuel, ‘Go and anoint me a King.’ You need to improve on your hard work. From hard work, you move to ‘right work’. For example, Isaac moved from the right work to wise work. If you want to be a wise man in life, then you must be diligent. The Bible says, “Seeth a man that is diligent in his work, he will eat with Kings and he will not eat with mean men.” Whatever God has made me become in the ministry by privilege today, did not come on a platter of gold. It came through hard work. Some of my fellow pastors will come to me and say, “What is the secret of this ministry’s success? When I give them the analysis of what I do, many of them cannot do it. The day I heard God’ servant, Bishop Oyedepo, saying that it is the ministry you build that will build you. Again, I said to

Pastor Bamidele

myself, “You need this one.” I picked a point from there. For almost six years that I was in the ministry, I was living in one-room apartment in premises that had a pit toilet facility. I was there until the time I could conveniently live in a flat. While I was still in one room, many of my colleagues and friends who were ministers of God were mocking me. But

Praise & Worship

Sunday October 14, 2012

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God is not limited by your situation –Pastor Muoka In this exhortation, Pastor Lazarus Muoka, General Overseer of The Lord’s Chosen Charismatic Revival Movement, stresses that no situation defies the power of God, once the Almighty decides to attend to it. He enjoins Christians to be faithful, believing that with God, all things are possible. Richard Eghaghe brings excerpts from the message:

any people think that they can no longer be rich again. Some think they cannot recover what they have lost. While some have lost hope of getting married, bearing children of their own, gaining promotion and getting healed. However, one undisputable fact is that from the Bible days till date, nobody that reposed confidence in God Almighty has been disappointed. So it is crystal clear that with God, there is hope. All your aspirations are embedded in God from whom all things are possible. Paul the Apostle told the Philippians that attended to his welfare that God has an abundant treasure in glory and will repay them. Phil 4: 19 says, “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus” This scripture is for you also. God of all expectation has assured that He will supply all your need today. Is there anything that you are hoping that God will do for you? I want to assure you that He will not disappoint you. Are you sick? He will heal you. Are you poor? He will prosper you. Are you barren, rejoice for your time of visitation has come. You will conceive and bear your own children. Are you looking for salvation, it is already granted to you. Phil 4: 13 states, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” Brethren, you can do all things. With God all things are possible. He is the hope of the hopeless. No matter what your need is, He will grant answer to it. John 11: 28 –35 and 41-44 state, “And when she had so said, she went her way, and called Mary her sister secretly, saying, The Master is come, and calleth for thee. 29 As soon as she heard that, she arose quickly, and came unto him. 30 Now Jesus was not yet come into the town, but was in that place where Martha met him. 31 The Jews then which were with her in the house, and comforted her, when they saw Mary, that she rose up hastily and went out, followed her, saying, She goeth unto the grave to weep there 32 Then when Mary was come where Jesus was, and saw him, she fell down at his feet, saying unto him, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. 33 ¶ When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and

he Lord’s Chosen Charismatic Revival Movement (TLCCRM) last weekend took Lagos by storm with a massive, power-packed international crusade tagged, ‘God has the Answer (Mt. 19: 26)’. Here is an address by Pastor Lazarus Muoka, General Overseer and spiritual head of the Church, to world during the crusade.

“I welcome you to this special programme titled, ‘God has the answer’. The programme is special in the sense that God has brought it to give answers to the prayers of His people. Brethren, it appears we have been boxed into a tight corner by circumstances and recent events in our country. Our only option now is to pray and supplicate to the Almighty God to intervene in our plight and He will give us answers today.

the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled, 34 And said, Where have ye laid him? They said unto him, Lord, come and see. 35 Jesus wept” “ 41 Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me. 42 And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by, I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me. 43 And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. 44 And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with grave clothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go” Wherever God arrives, all things become possible. He is the Master. Wherever or whenever He arrives the blind will see, the deaf will hear, the cripple will walk etc. Today He has arrived in your situation and if you believe it, you shall experience the goodness of God. Mt 11: 4- 5 says, “Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see: 5 The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them”. The reason is that with Him, all things are possible. It does not matter how long you have hoped or who is behind the delay of your hope, what is sure is that He has all power to change situation. Power to give children, job, promote, heal the sick, make the lame walk, the blind to see, deaf and dumb to speak and hear, and above all provide for the needy, defend the defenceless, preserve, etc. Whatever you are going through today God will address it in Jesus name. Psalms 62: 11 says, “God hath spoken once; twice have I heard this; that power belongeth unto God” He alone has the power to do all things. Babalawo (herbalist) has no power, charms have no power, neither your boss nor friend has power, but all power belong to God. Mt 4; 23 -25 says, “And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues,

The congregation during worship

L-R: Pastor Lazarus Muoka (General Overseer), Joy Muoka (his wife) and Pastor Louis Chidi, briefing journalists at the crusade ground

and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people. 24 And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them. 25 And there followed him great multitudes of people from Galilee, and from Decapolis, and from Jerusalem, and from Judaea, and from beyond Jordan” He healed all that came to Him and He never changes. What He did in the Bible days, so shall He even do today in your

‘God is ever ready to deliver His people’ In this crusade, the trace of trouble and sorrow that have dominated the mind of the people of this country for some time because of unanswered prayers will come to an end. The crusade is expected to bring amazing blessings to our nation and all the participants. Beloved, only God has the answer to all your problems. ‘Babalawo’ cannot give you answer of peace, that rich man has no answers to you problem, your father or mother has no answer to give you because they are human and thus are limited to the help they can give. Doctors’ reports are not the answer to your problem. Only God has the answer. When King Pharaoh had a dream that puzzled him beyond imagination, he

sought for an interpretation among his people. He sent and called for all the magicians of Egypt, and all the wise men and told them his dream, but there was none that could interpret them unto him. Gen. 41: 15-16 states, “And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, I have dreamed a dream, and there is none that can interpret it: and I have heard say of thee, that thou canst understand a dream to interpret it. 16 And Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, It is not in me: God shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace”. The magicians and wise men of the Egyptians who used to lay claim to supernatural skill in revealing mysteries and dreams could not give answer to Pharaoh’s poser. But when Pharaoh met with Joseph

life who is reading this. Having knowledge that our God can do all things, we should therefore trust Him to do all things for us. Don’t give up hope no matter what you are going through believe that God will give you hope. He will do it. Don’t give up hope. Mattthew 11; 28 says, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” God is inviting you to bring your entire problem. Lu 14:23 says, “And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled”. So, come your children are ready, your hope is ready etc. Come and be blessed. who has the favour of God, Joseph made him to understand that it is only God that has the answer to any problem, whether puzzle, mystery, or whatever that is troubling you. In this crusade, there shall be answers to your prayers. If there is any petition made in time past by the participants that has not received answer or request concerning their loved ones, I am assuring you that God will answer all in this crusade in Jesus’ name. It does not matter how bad the situation may be, or how powerful the enemy behind the predicament is, the fact is that He will answer all prayers today. If somebody is troubling or blackmailing you, let it be known to you that there is God that gives answers to issues. He is ever ready to answer and deliver His people.

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Praise & Worship

Sunday October 14, 2012

Jesus is the great advocate, by Pastor Adeboye Men of the Bar and Bench across the country last Sunday praised and worshipped God at the Headquarters’ Church of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Throne of Grace Parish, Ebute-Metta, Lagos. General Overseer, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, ministered to them at the special prayer programme which had in attendance other judicial workers and students. Richard Eghaghe brings you excerpts from the sermon.

A cross section of lawyers during prayer

uke 13:10-17, “And he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath. And, behold, there was a woman who had a spirit of infirmity 18 years, and was bowed together, and could in no wise lift up herself. And when Jesus saw her, he called her to him, (I pray that Jesus will call you to him today) and said unto her, Woman, thou art loosed from thine infirmity”. (I decreed that whatever is holding anyone bond be loose in Jesus’ name). “And he laid his hands on her: and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God.” (I pray one more time, that miracle that will cause you to glorify God for the rest of your life, receive it right now). And the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation (can you believe that?), because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath day, and said unto the people, ‘There are six days in which men ought to work: in them therefore come and be healed, and not on the Sabbath day. The Lord then answered him, and said, Thou hypocrite, doth not each one of you on the Sabbath loose his ox or his ass from the stall, and lead him away to watering? And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these 18 years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath day? And when he had said these things, all his adversaries were ashamed (I pray that all your adversaries will be ashamed): and all the people rejoiced for all the glorious things that were done by him.” Tell your neighbour, very soon, you will be rejoicing with me.

The elders have a saying that, people don’t want you for joy. They don’t want you to rejoice. They don’t want you to be healed, they don’t want it to be well with you. Let us face the facts. When you are poor, they hate you for being poor. Even the Bible said so. It said the poor is hated of his neigbours. If you are poor and they

The attorneys at law dancing during offering

are discussing in the family circles, and you have the brightest idea, they ask you to shut up. People are talking and you are talking. This is simply because you are poor, and if you are rich, you are in trouble, you are a target. In those days, when all you had was a second-hand bicycle, and maybe a pair of shoes and so on, you don’t need a bodyguard. Nobody is coming to steal your second-hand bicycle. The day you begin to move from one car to two, if you like yourself… anyway, all you need to do is to go to Ikoyi. If you see the kind of houses, you will know that some houses there look more like Kirikiri Prison. They hate you if you are poor, they hate you if you are rich, they hate you when you are succeeding. But thank God, the Bible says we have an advocate. 1John 2: 1- 2 says Jesus Christ is our advocate. We have somebody who pleads our cause, somebody who will say whether you people like it or not, I am going to bless this person, I am going to support him.

I mean, look at this story: a woman had been sick for 18 years. The Bible says she was bond. In other words, the devil bonds her and no matter how she tried, she couldn’t lift up herself. She had been going around for 18 years. Then Jesus saw her in the church and asked her to come. He made a decree and said: ‘Alright woman, you have suffered enough, an end will come to your suffering today. Immediately, she was loose. You will think that everybody will begin to rejoice. Even the leader of the church, the Bible said was full of indignation, which means his eyes turned red and said she should not have been healed. We should have allowed her to keep on suffering. Well, the devil is a liar. All those who said you should not get your breakthrough, the Lord will put them to shame. When you go through the scripture, you will discover again and again that the world does not want you to be healthy. They don’t want you to prosper. Thank God that we have someone who said I am the Lord

that healeth thee (Exodus 15:26). God said: “It doesn’t matter whether they want you to be healthy or not, I will heal you anyway, and after I have healed you. When you read 2Kings 4:1-7, you see a story there. A woman was a widow and she was in debt. All she had left were two sons. You know what the creditors said? “We give you 24 hours to pay or else we will sell your sons. Can you imagine that? They want to sell the son of a widow for money. That is the world. When they see someone who is down, they want to crush him. You fall down; they don’t want you to rise. I have come in the name of the Almighty God to tell those of you who might be down right now that you will rise up in Jesus’ name. It is Jesus who said: ‘I have come that they might have life and have it abundantly’. Thank God for our Advocate. Do you know that people of the world would not want you to be free? When you read Mark 5:1-20, it tells us of a mad man who had 6,000 demons in him. He was so mad that he was living in the graveyard. The Bible tells us that the people didn’t do anything to see how he will get well. Instead, they were binding him with filters of iron and he will keep on breaking them off. But they like it that way…Let him be mad, let him remain mad. How do I know? One day Jesus was passing by, He saw this man and set him free. What did the people do? They told Jesus to go away. We don’t want you here! Why should you begin to cast out demons from this man? Get away from our place! In other words, they preferred that the man be mad. I would have thought that they would rejoice and say ‘thank you sir, this fellow has been mad for so many years, now you have set him free. Oh stay’. One would have thought that they will throw a party for him. They asked Him to leave. That is the world but thanks for the advocate. There are forces everywhere trying to hold you down. But Psalm 24:7-10 tells me that Jesus Christ, our advocate, is the Lord of host. He is the controller of all forces. It is in His name that I am decreeing this morning that anyone of you in any form of bondage, you shall be free in Jesus’ name. I remember very well: we were praying for somebody. We were young then and we felt that if we want to cast out demons we must shout very well, so that the devil will hear you. We were ordering: Get out in the name of Jesus, get out… Do you know some people came to us and said that we were making noise? We wanted to set the captives, what concerned you is about the noise you say we are making? I have good news for you. All those who said you will not be free, in their presence you will be free in Jesus’ name. Do you know the world does not want you to be promoted? No, no, no, when you announce your promotion, and they come to eat and drink with you, don’t think they are happy. They are only eating because they feel you are giving them free food. Go through the scripture and you will find a lot of things there. In 1Samuel 16:11-13, when Samuel came to the house of Jesse to appoint a king, do you know that even the father of David did not present him? He presented seven boys, and forgot David. The man of God had to ask: are these all your sons? The way he answered was so bad. He said, well there is one more; that one can’t be king. It was the way he spoke that caused the man of God to say we will not sit down until you go and bring that boy. Even his father didn’t want him to be promoted. We have several other examples. Take Joseph for example. God gave him a dream that he was going to be number one. His brothers said we will kill him and see what will become of his dream. But thank God we have an advocate who said in John 12:32, “And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.

Praise & Worship

Sunday October 14, 2012

For every problem there is a force –Pastor Olukoya “If there is any problem in your life, it shows that you have something worth contesting for. So, you need to fight to free yourself. The solution to any crisis you are going through is embedded in the crisis itself, says Dr. Daniel Olukoya, General Overseer, Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries (MFM). Excerpts produced by Tai Anyanwu

he attack of the enemy can take three forms:

•There is something the Bible calls the fiery darts of the enemy. The enemy fires this kind of evil arrows into the life of a person to last for a while. He just punishes the person for a while, releases the person and returns again. Many people are facing these fiery darts now. • The enemy can have a foothold in a person’s life. That is why the Bible says, “Give no place for the enemy.” It means you must never allow the enemy to move freely in your life. The foothold of the enemy can keep a person from moving forward. •The enemy can have a stronghold in a person’s life. A stronghold can run from generation to generation. It can affect so many things. Abraham at one time in his life told Abimelech a lie. He said that his wife was his sister. Forty years later, Isaac the son of Abraham told the same lie to Pharaoh. He said that his wife was his sister. Sixty years later, Jacob the son of Isaac and his mother deceived Isaac. Eighty years later, Laban deceived Jacob. Hundred years later, Jacob himself was deceived. One hundred and twenty years later, Reuben slept with his father’s wife. One hundred and forty years later, Judah slept with his daughter-in-law. It went on like that. That is what is called a stronghold. This stronghold of deception, lying and iniquity was going across generations of a particular lineage. So, a stronghold is a very terrible thing. That is why the Bible says, “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (for the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds;) casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:3-5). In military terms, a stronghold refers to a place that is fortified. It refers to a kind of area that cannot be easily penetrated. It is a place that provides sure safety for the enemy. When the enemy of a person is hiding inside a stronghold, there is a serious problem. The enemy uses strongholds to keep people from enjoying abundant life. He uses it to hinder prayers, and maturity, and to keep people from being effective for the Lord. He also uses it to downgrade or demote destinies. The stronghold of the enemy is the reason many Christians suffer from defeat over and over again even when to the best of their knowledge, they are doing everything right. •Your parentage will determine the battle you fight. It would be foolish for anyone to think that the battles from his home will not affect him. It would be foolish to think that the enemy of your parents will leave you alone. If the Israelites did not go to Egypt, they would not have had any cause to pass through the Red Sea. It was their parents that went to Egypt and that action of their parents subjected them to some hardship. •If there is any problem in your life, it shows that you have something worth contesting for. So, you need to fight to free yourself.

Pastor Olukoya

Prayer points • Every power that must die for my breakthrough to manifest, die, in the name of Jesus. • Every enemy of my appointed time, die, in the name of Jesus. • O, mountain that boasted against me, your time is ‘up’, scatter, in the name of Jesus. • My problems, face the anger of the finger of God, in the name of Jesus. • Every arrow of unfriendly friends, backfire, in the name of Jesus. • Every magnet of darkness in my life, die, in the name of Jesus. •Jesus Christ, my deliverer, knock out every darkness in my life, in the name of • The solution to any crisis you are going through is embedded in the crisis itself. This is why you must pray and roar in desperate prayer like a wounded lion or a mad prophet and tell your problems to reveal their origin or source and the solution. Those are the two commands to give to them. Many people run away from crisis point because they do not know that the place of rest is the point of victory. Until victory is complete, there would be warfare. Some also do not know that there is a treasure even in the trouble they are going through. There is a miracle in the garden of your misery. There is a treasure in the garden of your trouble. There is a possibility in the garden of your problem. There is triumph in the garden of travail. And there is prosperity in the garden of poverty. There is honour in the garden of humiliation. So, the answer to every trouble is in the trouble itself, meaning that every problem comes with its seed of solution inside it. Romans 8:28 says, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called accord-

Jesus. •Jesus Christ, my deliverer, knock out every darkness in my life, in the name of Jesus. •Jesus Christ my deliverer, knock out every darkness in my life, in the name of Jesus. • Every power assigned to kill my joy, what are you waiting for? Die, in the name of Jesus. • Let the enemy enter into the grave he has dug for me, in the name of Jesus. • Every power assigned to kill my joy, what are you waiting for? Die, in the name of Jesus. Amen. ing to his purpose.” It means that as a child of God, opposition will work for your good. That is why you need to cry out to God to show you the answer. Running away from your trouble may be running away from your breakthrough. You can turn every pressure the enemy places upon you to power. God is able to pinpoint for you the origin of your problems and the solution, if you will go to Him in desperate prayers. •The worst thing anyone can do to himself is to wage war against himself. Unfortunately, many people are unconsciously doing that; they are assisting the enemy to fight them harder. If God opens your spiritual eyes and you see what a mermaid spirit looks like, when you see somebody who dresses like a mermaid, you will scream. Unfortunately, ignorance is no excuse. Sometime ago in Ghana, a boy came for prayers. He needed deliverance from witchcraft attacks. After the prayers, we noticed that he had a necklace on and we asked him to remove it. He refused and said he had been wearing it right from the day he was born. He said that the

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native doctor told him that if he removed it, he would die. But looking at him, I knew that what he had on was the instrument of his attack. I convinced him to remove it. At first, he resisted but he eventually agreed and we destroyed it. When we cracked open the pendant, we saw the following three words clearly written on a piece of paper, “I love Satan.” That was what he had been wearing since he was born. Sisters who dress indecently in the name of fashion need to wake up so that they will not wage war against themselves. Some people are waging war against their breakthroughs and are praying against an enemy that they are already hanging on their bodies. If God wanted people to punch their ears and wear things on them, He would punch the ears from their mothers’ wombs. Likewise, if God wanted people to be smoking cigarettes, He would put chimneys on their heads from their mothers’ wombs. The early Pentecostal fathers in Nigeria uniformly banned jewelry from their churches because it invited demons. And the most effective ministers now are those who believe in holiness within and without. The practice of ear-piercing started with slavery. In those days, if you punched one ear, it showed that you belonged to one slave master. If you punched the two, you belonged to two slave masters. So, when the slaves were being set free, it was customary for them to cover the holes in order to hide the slavery. So, ear-piercing is even bad enough because the origin is in idolatry. Decorating these holes is even worse. We cannot serve God well when we encumber ourselves with these things. If you bake a cake and put an emblem of idolatry on it, you are partaking in idolatry. Many people hang crosses on their necks, when Jesus is no longer on the cross. Many do not know that there are different types of crosses, and that crosses with holes on top of them are witchcraft crosses called hank. Anyone who wears that kind of thing is a modern idol worshipper. The Bible says, “You shall not make to thyself any graven image” (Exodus 20:4). So, do not be the one waging war against yourself. If you are stylishly worshipping idols, you will be blocking your own breakthrough. Idol worship is not only when you physically carry idols or bow down to a particular thing. But when you design something in the shape of an idol, it is idol worship. These days, even Christians are wearing clothes designed with the eyes of serpents, stars, half a moon etc on them. All these strange objects find their way into Christian homes. Many Christians are wearing rings that carry strange patterns, and they do not understand the language the rings are speaking to them. Many of these rings and earrings are testifying even against the people wearing them. It is foolishness for a Christian to buy a vest bearing a sign he does not know or understand and wears it. Such a person may be cursing himself stylishly. Christians should avoid these kinds of things. A believer is not a wig wearer. If God has given you short hair, glorify Him for it. A believer does not put on long nails. If God had decreed that your nail would be short for you to have a breakthrough, keep it short the way He wants it. A believer does not buy extra things to attach to his or her hair. Certainly, a believer does not punch holes in the nose or mouth. If you do those things, you are waging war against yourself. 10. We do not choose our enemies, battles or struggles. But we can choose our weapons of retaliation. Beloved, please pray the following prayers from the bottom of your heart. Perhaps, you have been wounded in the house of your friend, who you did not know was your terrible enemy. Perhaps too, you do not even know the root of what you are going through. You have to pray aggressively. *To be continued

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Sunday October 14, 2012

Praise & Worship

Tragedy of Alan Joe, the prayer warrior –Rev. Chidi Rev. Chidi Anthony of Kings in Christ Church relates different true life stories of how God exposes the secret sins which some highly rated church leaders commit, underscoring the need for the Christian to always be faithful and be on the guard. Tai Anyanwu produces excerpts from his message:

oday, I like to share with you the story of Brother Alan Joe (real name withheld), a prominent member of the church. Brother Alan Joe is the leader of Prayer Warriors group in the church. Always, he is a spectacle to behold during prayers.

His fecundity in prayers also leaves no one in doubt that Brother Alan Joe is a sure candidate of heaven. Even when he is seen associating in a seductive manner with a sister, nobody suspects a foul play. He is trusted and believed to be sacrosanct. Unknown to everyone, God was about to reveal deep secrets of Brother Joe to unsuspecting fellow Christians. God ministered to Brother Alan Joe’s Pastor and said, “My son, go to the house of your prayer warrior, I want to show you something.” “Initially, I wanted to argue with God, but I heard again, “Do what I said you should do,” the servant of God related. So he went to the house of the prayer warrior. Getting there, the pastor found the brother’s door locked. “I knocked at the door gently but loud enough to be heard. And the occupants replied, ‘Who is Pastor Chidi that?’ and I said “It’s me,” the Pastor explained. very active nights. According to the pastor, he was sure that the prayer Every night, he would take a motorbike ride to anwarrior and his companion heard him clearly. other community far removed from his service station, Behind the closed door of his room, Brother Joe and to have some drink and smoke his favourite cigarette. the voice of his female companion immediately burst And this habit went on unchecked until one night. The into praying in tongues, to deceive the visiting pastor pastor went to his usual spot. He ordered for his regular regarding the actual thing they were doing behind beer and it was served along with his usual cigarette. closed doors. The pastor settled down in the shadow of the night, But the pastor waited; after 10 minutes, they stopped to another round, sipping beer and intermittently praying in tongues. The pastor still waited, feeling puffed his cigarette. As fate would have it, the cover of that they had probably entered into meditation stage. the night which the pastor usually exploits to pacify his Ten minutes passed by; then 30 minutes, one hour, two unusual habit also prevented him from taking note of hours, three hours went by, and there was still grave sithe presence of a sister in his church. The sister had lence. Agitated, the waiting pastor felt that something gone to buy a stick of candle within the environs and was not alright. So, he decided to narrate his experiin the process of the transaction, the candle fell on the ence to other residence and neighbours. ground by divine arrangement. Now, many people gathered. They knocked several The rolling candle stick led the lady face to face with more times on the door, but there was no response from her ‘dear pastor’, as he smoked hard, his cigarette and the prayer warrior and his female companion. The regaled in his bottle of beer. door was then broken. Before the full glare of neighThe sister was more devastated. But we will all give bours, the prayer warrior and his female companion account of our actions on the day of reckoning. lay stark naked on the cold floor, dead. Often, I recall with pains in my heart how a promisThey were both slain by the Holy Ghost because ing born-again child of God that I know recently paid they committed fornication and tried to make jest of for her sin with her own life. I could at a time vouch for the Holy Spirit, to speak in fake tongues to deceive the her before she fell into sin. pastor. She risked her life because her boyfriend had promIt is real shame that today’s Christians have thrown ised to buy her Christmas clothes. The sister’s desire faithfulness and trust to the dogs. to celebrate the festivity with gorgeous dress led her to There is this clergyman who pastors a church in defile herself. Eventually, she got pregnant in the proAbia State in Eastern part of Nigeria. In spite of his cess. One sin led to another as she went for an abortion position in God’s vineyard, he has a habit of enjoying in a failed attempt to hide her shame.

The sister died; and news of her death was a big blow. It rocked the fabric of the local assembly and the Christian community in general. On the day of her burial, many people gathered, including the young man who impregnated her. A hot, piercing salvation sermon was given by her graveside. The cutting edge of the sermon from the man of God was very touchy that the young man who impregnated the sister and caused led to her to death could not bear it. As the message went on, he ran helplessly to the pulpit and held the preacher by the leg and he cried out, “Please, stop. It is enough. Pray for me, I was the one who led this sister to her untimely death. I did it ignorantly but as you were preaching something continued to hit me. Please pray for me. I am a sinner. Talk to your God to save me.” He cried and cried as everybody watched in amazement. We prayed for him and he got born again there and then. Today, the young man works for God in Onitsha, Eastern Nigeria and he is highly anointed. You might want to ask, ‘What about the sister he committed fornication with?’ The answer you need to put at the back of your mind is that your partner in sin can send you to hell while he could become converted and make heaven. But hear now; and take note of my flitting experience with rapture. I was on a preaching engagement somewhere in the Delta region of Nigeria. Then the country’s rail system was still operational. So, at the end of my preaching, I hurried out to catch the train at a station near Asaba, to travel to the eastern part of Nigeria. I got to the station ahead of arrival time, and waited for the train close to three hours before it finally pulled up. I was checked into the first section after which I decided to dash out and quickly purchase some items from nearby retail shop. Leaving my travel bag on my seat and in care of a co-traveller, I ran off. Having bought the items I needed, I hurried back to my seat, but before I got close enough, the train slowly pulled off. With my hands outstretched, I ran as fast as my legs could carry me, as if a thousand demons were chasing after me and shouted, “Devil you are a liar; I waited for the train nearly four hours…” Again, I ran and ran, nearly catching up with the now fast moving train, but eventually, I fell to the floor. From the ground, I could still see my empty seat with my bag on it. I said again, “God, it’s a lie. I must go with this train. I must go with this train.” As I struggled to my feet and began to run again, I heard the voice of the Lord: “Son assuming, this is rapture what would you have done?” Then I realised that I had had a glimpse into rapture. Come to think of it; why should one risk going out of a train he has waited for a good fraction of the day, only to miss it at the 11th hour? That is exactly how many Christians gamble with their salvation. They toy with their faith after they had spent many years in God’s vineyard. Few minutes’ backsliding can land you to hell. Check your life today, hell is real. Eternity in hell is comparable to the length of time that will take a bird to lift the whole sand on earth, grain by grain, into another planet.

Praise & Worship

Sunday October 14, 2012

RCCG’s Peniel Parish

Counting the gains of extra devotion

Pastor Aniyeloye Pastor Aniyeloye

Richard Eghaghe writes on his encounter with the pastor in charge of the Peniel Parish of Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) in Lagos, who revealed the unusual dimensions through which God works, at the church’s extra-one-hour Sunday programme.

he Peniel Parish of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), fondly called ‘The place of God’, is gradually becoming the new Jerusalem for Christian worshippers and non-Christians in Lagos and its environs. Located on a two plot stretch of land at 69, Miyaki Road, Oworonsoki, the church, with initial membership strength of 600, now draws a very large number of followers to its newly introduced one hour, special interdenominational prayer service, every Sunday, from 7.00am. The divine programme, introduced by the new zonal pastor of the Parish, Goke Aniyeloye, replaces the first Sunday service and stands the Peniel (translated as Place of God) Parish stand out, of the crowd. The programme is highly rated by participants for its spiritual efficacy, particularly the abundance of miracles like financial breakthrough, healing, deliverance, open doors, etc. According to Pastor Aniyeloye, the special one hour prayer service comes up every Sunday before the normal Sunday service commences. “The prayer programme is for the benefit of everybody; no matter your religion or creed and be you a Christian, Muslim or pagan; no matter your faith, the church invites everyone because God has made it in our heart that we are not man of the valley but born to excel. And with the special prayer session, everybody will be blessed and at the end of the programme, every other person will go their various ways or to their various churches to worship while our members will remain for the normal Sunday service.

A RIVER THAT DOES NOT FLOW STINKS. IF YOU KEEP MOVING, YOU KEEP INCREASING AND ACCUMULATING EXPERIENCES The anointed man of God further disclosed plans by the church to introduce other lofty and spiritually enhanced programmes to benefit larger segment of the populace. In his words, “the church is also making solid arrangement for another powerful divine intervention programme, which will come up every first Wednesday to Friday of every month and every last Sunday of the month, as a kind of breakthrough services which will take the form of ‘ destiny changing encounter’ from 8.00a.m.” Pastor Aniyeloye who also doubles as Assistant Pastor in Charge of Special duties, at the Headquarters’ Church is very confident that God is able to do all things for His children, no matter the challenge. “That is why we call on everybody to be at our special prayer service every Sunday. We believe that whatever the challenge that is there, God is able and will be more than able to tackle it. So we invite everybody to come and surrender their problems to God and get the right solution from Him during our special prayer service.” As part of the mission statement of RCCG to move its pastors around at the God’s appointed time, Aniyeloye had been moved from one place to the other in the course of his pastoral duties, doing the work of God and touching peoples’ lives. He started out as a parish pastor

in 1991. He became a full-time minister in 1998 and was made an Area Pastor. In 2002, Aniyeloye became an acting zonal pastor. He was first posted from Ado-Ekiti, to the then Ogun province 3, and from there to Ososa, Ogere and then Sango Ota. Thereafter, he was transferred to Gboko in Benue state (Northern province 7), were he served commendably for three years before he was re-assigned to Katsina Ala, and finally to the Headquarters’ Church, Throne of Grace Parish, Ebute Metta. Only recently, he was assigned to the Peniel Parish as zonal pastor. “A river that does not flow stinks. If you keep moving, you keep increasing and accumulating experiences,” he observed. Relating his experience in the RCCG, he enthused that pastoring at the national headquarters of the RCCG had been a great privilege. “Here, you meet older people that can teach you the gospel and tell you the story of RCCG: how it started and every level of its development. Thus far, it has been a wonderful experience and the good Lord has been increasing us. “I know by his grace, that I am a pastor and God has helped us in the area of evangelism. God called me on January 20, 1996, it was in the evening. God called me and said I should work full-time for Him. I was a part-time pastor then and

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I then asked God what kind of work did He want me to do for Him after all I have been doing for Him. So I encountered a lot of challenges between 1996 and 1998 when I finally decided to become fulltime pastor. Since then, I have been engaged in full-time ministry. On his impression of the General Overseer of the RCCG, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, he said, “I pray for him (the G.O) every day and I beg Him to give me the kind of heart of Daddy G.O. He is an embodiment of humility and love for everybody. My prayer is that God will give Him long life, because he is a gift to this nation, a gift to RCCG, a gift to me and the entire world. May be this is not what I should be saying in the paper but I know Daddy G.O personally; he has affected my life positively. He added: “There was a time I had a serious personal challenge, financially. This great man of God made things to turn around for me. Spiritually, there was a time I had a very big physical challenge. I was an area pastor then, and I developed very serious stomach ache. Most times, I couldn’t sit, but lay the stomach flat on my bed. I was brought all the way from home to the camp. That was the particular year Daddy G.O. said he found that the anointing on him was just too much or too heavy on him and sat at the altar to minister. As he sat on the altar, and mentioned, ‘everyone that is sick here is receiving their healing’, that was how my stomach ache disappeared and never troubled me again. Before then, we had tried all means and hospitals without solution. But when the man of God spoke, the healing came. So He is a man I can never forget in my life. A man I will keep looking on to; even though the Bible says we should look unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, Daddy G.O. is a rare model many men of God also look unto.” On how he has been able to cope with the pastoral job, despite that it is hectic and not too financially rewarding in some cases, he replied, “Well, it is God’s work. “When God sends you on an errand, he equips you. I have plans that every Tuesday, which is the ‘digging deep day’, I will be at Oworonsoki; I will also be there on Wednesdays and Thursdays while I will be at the Headquarters’ Church every Monday because ‘digging deep’ is held at the Headquarters’ Church every Monday and whatever is taught there, I can take it to my on parish on Tuesdays when we hold our digging deep. Then every first Sunday of the month, I will be here at the Headquarters Church, because that is when the G.O. is most likely going to be there and when he leaves, I will live also for my zonal parish, which is Zone 7, Lagos Province 1. In his counsel to the public, Pastor Aniyeloye said, “My advice to Christians and Nigerians in general is to remain focused because when we remain focused, we will get to our destination. No matter the storm, very soon, we will experience peace.”

Foursquare Gospel Church holds concert

nthony Village Foursquare Gospel Church City of Refuge has concluded plans to hold week-long activities to celebrate this year’s Concert, Revival and Anniversary at the zonal headquarters at 1/3, Adeteju Adeyeye Street, Anthony Village, Lagos.

The programme is scheduled to start

on Sunday 21 to Sunday 28, October, 2012 at 8.30a.m (Sunday) and Monday to Friday at 6p.m respectively. ‘Back to Bethel Gen. 35:1’ is theme of the event. It will also feature Word Exposition, Intercession for revival, Pure Praise & Worship and Musical/Concert.

Others include, Prayer Focus and ‘Ask the Lord for revival rain, Spirit of humility & brokenness, understanding His holiness, grace, forgiveness, confession, fresh Pentecost, obedience to the word and removal of obstacles to revival.’ Brother Joseph Faulkner, the head,

planning committee, on behalf Chief host Zonal Superintendent, Rev.Dean Adegbenga Adekoya, said this year’s concert is going to be a time for worship and when people are expected to come out in connection with God, in an atmosphere of worship.

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Sunday October 14, 2012

Praise & Worship 33

Are you struggling with forgiving someone?

Christian Relationship with Taiwo

Odubiyi

E-mail: info@pastortaiwoodubiyi.org.uk

s I wrote in the book ‘God’s Words To Singles’, there are people who offend us and we forgive easily. But there are some people or some offenses that we find difficult to forgive. You just can’t get past it. You are deeply hurt. And for months or years, you are still angry. The pain is still fresh. For example, what do you say about someone who raped you or raped your loved one?

In ‘Tears On My Pillow’, Ufuoma told Moni of how her innocence was taken away by a man she called ‘Daddy’. “He tied my hands to the back and raped me.” “Oh Jesus!”Moni gasped. She raised her right palm up, wanting to tell the girl to stop. She had heard enough. But if she didn’t hear the whole story, how would she be able to help the girl? She brought the hand down. Ufuoma sniffed and continued, not knowing the effect her story was having on Moni. “I cried and cried. He told me it was only a game but when he realised that I wasn’t convinced about his excuse, he threatened me and said I must not tell anyone about it. That was how it began. He did that regularly for…” She looked up at the ceiling as she tried to remember, “I moved in with them at the age of ten. He continued until I was seventeen.” “For seven years?” Moni asked disbelievingly. How cruel could some people

Shepherd Life with Bishop Kingsley

Enakirerhi Money is good for earthly living. It is a means through which things are done. Virtually everything accomplished has the underlying support of money. Money is indeed the “life blood of human activities”. No government, establishment or organisation can stand without it. It has a wide range of earthly application. On the other hand, the scripture gave us a stern warning about it in 1 Timothy 6:10 when it stated, “For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows”. (KJV) There is nothing wrong about making money. There is nothing apparently wrong to have money. After all, the lack of money can also be another root of evil. The lack of it has led many young girls into prostitution and young men into various criminal activities. What then is wrong with money? 1 Timothy 6:10 has the verdict: “the love of it”. The love of money entails placing the value of money above all things. The endless quest to possess it at all cost without

be?… “Were you pregnant at any time?” Ufuoma nodded … “He took me to a clinic for abortion … My mother broke down when she eventually got to know ...” Worse still, what if the ‘someone’ was your biological father or uncle? In ‘Rape & How To Handle It’, I mentioned the case of a man who raped his three daughters. There was also the case of a man whose wife went to have a baby in hospital, and while she was away, he raped his wife’s younger sister who had come to take care of their two children and put her in the family way. (Really, I don’t know what these men thought they were doing. What they did was ridiculous!) Or what about when you love someone but the person betrays you or you are suddenly dumped by your intended partner few days to the wedding as it happened to Aunty Kate in ‘You Found Me’? (One of my novels). A lady sent a text message to me and said, “I have just finished reading the novel ‘You Found Me’. What happened to Aunty Kate is what happened to me. I wanted to hurt myself ...” What are you expected to do? God wants you to forgive even when the hurt you have suffered is genuine and you have been greatly wronged. But you say, “It’s so hard to forgive!” Still, God wants you to forgive that person. Now, I need to point out that forgiveness does not mean that you have to bring the person close or that the person has to remain your best friend, neither does it mean that you should allow the person hurt you again or that you don’t talk about the issue. There are times when you have to talk about the issue. Forgiveness is simply to release the person in your heart; you choose not to dwell on the issue so you can be at peace. In which case, you don’t hold

grudges or bitterness, and you can say hello or God bless you to the person in spite of what happened. Why should you forgive? 12 And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors. 14 For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. (Matthew 6:12, 14, 15 NKJV) 1. Do you want God to forgive you? If the answer is yes, then you need to forgive that man; forgive that woman in Jesus’ name. Give up the desire for revenge. 2. Another beautiful thing about forgiveness is that you will feel relieved and have peace as earlier mentioned. You experience true freedom. Unforgiveness puts a lot of heavy burden on your soul. It’s a weight you shouldn’t carry. Someone who had suffered from unforgiveness said, “When we do not forgive, we suffer and eventually decay spiritually.” 3. Forgiveness is not optional, it is a command. And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses.(Mark 11:25 NKJV) 4. When you forgive, you are being like your Father in heaven. 44 But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, 45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. (Matthew 5:44,45 NKJV)

You are also being like Jesus, who while He hung on the cross prayed and forgave His enemies. Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.”And they divided His garments and cast lots. (Luke 23:34 NKJV) 5. You should forgive because unforgiveness robs you of joy. What to do Are you struggling with forgiving someone? Does your countenance change when you see the person or the name comes up? Do you still think of what the person did to you? Are you still holding on to hatred and bitterness? Then ask God for help and the healing of your heart. It may appear rather difficult to do but you can do it. First, make the decision to forgive. Then begin to pray, “Lord God, I forgive (name).” With time, it becomes easier to say and you will find yourself feeling better. Another thing you can do is to go to the person who offended you and talk with him or her about it. If there is no positive result, you can tell someone or the church to intervene, as Jesus taught us in Matthew 18. 15 “Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother. 16 But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that ‘by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.’ 17 And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector.” (Matthew 18:15-17 NKJV) And so, forgive, put the whole situation behind you and move forward in life.

The god called mammon any concern as to who is hurt and who is dying in the process of acquiring it, is what God abhors. When your soul becomes one and your heart becomes one with the pursuit of money, every other thing that does not lead to the place of money becomes nonsense to you. This is the acute love of money. At this very point, you will view money as an end and not as a means. This is a systematic worship of the object called money. It is adoration and enjoyment of its accompanied pleasure. There is a Syrian god of riches called Mammon. It was worshipped by the Syrians because they believe it causes and showers riches upon them. It was a personification of wealth and greed. That is why you see leaders embezzle public fund and acquire huge amount of money which they cannot finish in their life time. The love of money has turned them to political vultures, feeding on the robust flesh of the economy, leaving austerity, joblessness and restiveness as the trade mark of the people. Money is no longer a means to them but an end for political manipulation and public oppressions. No matter who you are-governor or servant, you cannot acquire money greedily and pretend to use it to serve God. No prayer can make stolen money clean. It does not matter the good use to which you apply stolen money to, it is still stolen money and you need to make

restitution before you can be accepted by God. You cannot bribe God with ill-gotten wealth. Money is not God’s problem. “No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other, or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and Mammon”. Matthew 6:24(KJV) Do not be confused, this passage is not, or rather, has not by any means condemned riches. But it condemned your service, your excessive love for it. When you abandon the service of God in pursuit of wealth, you are turning to the service of Mammon. Remember that it is God who gives riches. (Deuteronomy 8:18). When you trust and hope on the salvation of money, you have turned your heart to Mammon. When the scripture says ‘worship of Mammon’, it does not mean engaging in prayer and devotions to money. Rather, it is to love, admire, or respect it greatly and perhaps excessively. Calvin Coolidge, one-time U.S. President, said, “Prosperity is only an instrument to be used, not a deity to be worshipped”. The mixture of wealth and greed constitutes the altar of Mammon in ones heart. A Yiddish proverb says; “the world stands on three things. Money, money and money”. He is in the world who seeks money before the kingdom of God and its righteousness. And worldliness can

never take any man to the place of eternal glory. Acquiring money in an ungodly way is acquiring the Syrian god called Mammon. Placing money and wealth ahead of everything in life is worshipping of Mammon. When money becomes your master, it controls your desire, your time schedule, your giving and charity character. It dictates your reason and controls your temperament and love for others. When you serve God faithfully, money becomes your slave. But when you turn to wealth and greed, you will become a servant of Mammon. No prayer can cleanse stolen money. If you steal money from government coffers and use it to do wonders in the house of the Lord, that does not change the fact that you are a thief. It has not removed your name from the book of heavenly condemnation. The worship of this Syrian god called Mammon has taken the heart of many Christians away from the truth. Even many ordained ministers have fallen to its allures. Do not be deceived, for God cannot be mocked. He (God) has said it and there is no alternative to it. In Matthew 6:24 Jesus Christ warned us before hand saying “no man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon”.

Praise & Worship

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sunday, October 14, 2012

How to communicate with your deceased loved one (ii) Footprints with Dr. Tunde

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

onfucius exclaimed: “we don’t know life: how can we know death?” Saul Bellow concurs: “ignorance of death is destroying us. Death is like the dark backing a mirror needed; if we are to see anything.” We need not be scared. The Bible has not left us in the dark. There are biblical records of people who died and were resurrected such as the Shunammite’s son (2 Kings 4:8-37), Jairus’ daughter (Luke 8:41-56), son of widow of Nain (Luke 7:11-17), and Lazarus (John 11:3812:11). None of them brought back horror stories from death. None was conscious of anything that transpired during their state of “deadness” (whether on earth, in the grave or in heaven). This is because the dead knows nothing (Eccl 9:5-6). Death is not a vehicle that transits the deceased to glory, as many are assured in consolation that their loved ones are enjoying the bliss of heaven, and as stated in some death announcement notice: “transition to glory!” Death neither brings the righteous to heaven’s gate directly at death nor takes the wicked straight to hell. Emphatically, the Bible makes it clear that the dead body returns back to dust from where humanity was created, while the spirit of the dead person returns to God (Job 34:14, 15; Psalm 104:29; Eccl 3:20; 12:7; John 5:28, 29). Niels-Erik A. Andreasen portrays the death experience as a “slipping into an unconscious state in which all normal mental functions such as thinking, planning, loving, hoping, and believing cease” (cf. Eccl 9:5, 6, 10; Ps 88:3-7). Ancestral worship is a fallacious delusion, no matter how appealing it is in many traditional societies in the world. This is the belief that the spirits of ances-

Holy Inquiry with Pastor Paul

Nkirukah E-mail: pstpaul11@yahoo.com

Dear Pastor, Is it right for a Christian to be pregnant before marriage? Sir, I am asking this question because my boyfriend said until I become pregnant for him, we cannot get married. -Vivian from Edo State. Dear reader, This is a sin to mankind and to God, or don’t you know that this will mean both of you are committing fornication? And you know that sex before or outside marriage is called fornication, which is a sin before God. Moreover, I want to also let you know that a pregnant woman cannot be married until after delivery, and even after

tors still live on after death and that their survivors must feed them, appease them, and follow their instructions. The Bible does not teach nor support the concept of the immortality of the soul in anyway. At death, the soul dies and does not keep existing. The complete living human being is called a soul, not that he/she has a soul (Gen 2:7). The soul that sins dies (Ezek 18:4, 20). Therefore, souls are not immortal but mortal. In other words, death brings the entire life to a total termination/cessation. This implies the human life activity has no continuation of any kind at death. Consequently, all forms of human life come to end. Even though, memories of the life lived well by the deceased lingers in the hearts of the survivors as well as in God’s mind, but the deceased themselves are totally unconscious of anything (Isa. 49:15; Neh. 13:14, 22, 31; Eccl 9:5-6). Ecclesiastes chapter nine (9) reveals the following about the dead. They neither receive rewards for their works anymore, nor are they aware of what happens on earth (vs. 5); their love, hate, and jealousy vanishes, including their involvement in life’s activities (verse 6); their thoughts, knowledge, and wisdom are no more, and they will not work or plan any more (verse 5, 10). (See also Psalm 146:4). More so, the dead has no remembrance of anything (Psalm 6:5). They cannot even praise God after death (Psalm 88:10, 11; 115:17; Isa 38:18). Hence, the belief in the continuous existence of life is unbiblical and contrary to the scriptural teachings on resurrection and judgment. It is akin to modern spiritism.

Consequently, any attempt to communicate with the dead by means of occultism, spiritism, or the use of a medium should be condemned and fought as falsehood (Ex 22:18; Lev 19:31; 20:6, 27; Deut 18:9-13; Isa 8:19, 20). Isaiah 8:19 asks this question: “why consult the dead on behalf of the living?” The witch of Endor was Satan’s agent to rejected king Saul and he did not bring up the real prophet Samuel, but a familiar spirit (1 Sam 28). Moreover the story of Lazarus and the rich man that Jesus told in Luke 16 is a parable and not a real story. Satan has more deceptions he is planning for the last days and we must be warned. He will mimic and impersonate angels and even Christ (2 Cor 11:13-15). He is desperate to perpetrate his first lie that the dead are not really dead. He told Eve: “You shall not surely die!” (Gen 3:4). The belief in the natural immortality of the soul is not from God. It is unbiblical and pagan. Do not be deceived by the wrong teachings concerning the conscious state of the dead, worship of saints, veneration of the dead, purgatory, reward at death, prayers and baptism for the dead, eternal torment, and universal salvation. Be biblically informed! Death is same and common to all human beings, whether saint or sinner. If the righteous or wicked are immediately rewarded with instant gate pass to heaven or hell, the biblical teaching about resurrection, would be meaningless and unnecessary. However, they are all reserved in their graves until the trumpet shall sound

Answer these questions and win a prize 1

Who prevailed with men and God? Provide scriptural evidence.

What is the meaning of John and who is his father?

How many men went to war with Gideon against the Midianites? Supply the passage.

•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.

(John 5:28-29; 1 Thess 4:16-17; 2 Cor 5:10; Heb 9:27). At that glorious day of resurrection, death will be finally destroyed and its power will be broken. So this mystery of death should not be a frightening thing to the righteous ones who have been redeemed by the precious blood of the Redeemer and Savior Jesus Christ. Jesus Himself holds the keys to life and death and has defeated the power of the grave. Hence, the righteous will be victorious over death with Christ at resurrection. The Apostle Paul reveals that Christ second coming will be “in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. The trumpet will sound; the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable and the mortal with immortality. When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: ‘Death has been swallowed up in victory.’ ‘Where, O death is your victory? Where, O grave is your sting?’” (1 Cor 15:52-55). “No one should be afraid to die, who has understood what it is to live” said Thomas Fuller. Matthew Henry agrees: “he whose head is in heaven needs not fear to put his feet into the grave.” If you live your life for Christ; dying is as fearless as going to bed at night. Then you can testify like the talented Leonardo da Vinci who said: “while I thought I was learning how to live, I have been learning how to die.” Therefore, “to die well is the action of the whole life.” •Tunde Ojewole, Ph.D., is the University Pastor and Associate Vice-President for Spiritual Life, Babcock University. For enquiries: ojewolea@babcock.edu.ng; 08058299434/08060376577

Answers to October 7, 2012 Quiz 1.

Job- Job 1:1, 12 NIV

Grievances; one another- Col 3:13 NIV “on the palms of my hands” –Isaiah 49:16

Is it right to be pregnant before marriage? delivery, the marriage cannot be as it is supposed to be if you were not pregnant before marriage. Of course, you also know that there will no more be church wedding (white wedding) for you. Furthermore, fornication is a sexual sin committed by married and unmarried woman and man. Or is there any how you can become pregnant before or without sex? And you know that sex before or without marriage is called fornication, and fornication is a sin before God; so all you need do is to find out what God said concerning fornication (sex before marriage) in the scripture, then you can be able to tell whether it is right to be pregnant before marriage or not. After that, you make a choice, either to obey God or your boyfriend. See or read 1Corinthians 7 verses 1 and 2. The Bible says it will even be better not to touch a woman. In verse 2, the Bible went further to say we should avoid or flee fornication by marrying a woman properly to ourselves. Moreover, in 1 Corinthians 6 verses 12 to 19, the Bible talks

about all things being lawful to us but all things are not expedient and that we should not be brought under the power of any. In verse 13, it says that our body is not for fornication but for our Lord. See verses 14 to 17; also read verses 18 and 19. God warned us to flee fornication because our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who lives in us; so our body is not ours but God’s. Therefore, if God warned that we should flee or run away from fornication, it means fornication is forbidden. You will agree with me that anything forbidden is a sin. In addition, see or read 1Corinthians 10 verses 5 to 9. God said in verse 5 that he was not pleased with those that committed fornication and other evil acts in the time past hence, they were overthrown in the wilderness. Verse 6 says that it was for example to us that we should not lust after evil things of the world and perish as they perished in the wilderness but that we might have everlasting life. More so, 1Thessalonians 4 verses 1 to 5 recorded that it is the will of God for us to flee

or abstain from fornication for our sanctification. Verse 5 said we should not act as the unbelievers or Gentiles who know not God. If I may ask before my advice to you, do you believe that the Bible is the word and commandment of God? Do you believe that every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God must be fulfilled? If yes, then you have to judge yourself. You should know that it is not enough to be a believer but to behave what you believe. To be able to flee or avoid fornication, see or study Galatians 5 verse 16 and 17 which says you should walk in spirit so that you will not fulfill the lust of the flesh but be led by the spirit. How can one walk in spirit? You walk in spirit by obeying all the commandments of God. However, 1 Corinthians 7 verse 2 advised we should avoid or flee fornication by getting married properly, one man to one woman. Therefore, I advise that you properly get married before you become pregnant to avoid sin of fornication, be aware that fornication is a very big sin before God.

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most highly anticipateveal that the produc-

For models who think beauty pageants in this part of the world have become overrated and cheapened, with the delay of prize monies a regular occurrences, it is perhaps, time for a rethink as the Face of Peace Africa Pageant promises more for females aspiring to hit it big in pageantry. The Face of Peace Africa Pageant is coming from the stable of Blu-Moon Imaginationz, a media and film production outfit in Abuja founded by Ify Concepta, the current Miss Peace Nigeria and one-time runner up for Miss Imo and Miss Tourism. Auditions will hold in Abuja, Port Harcourt and Lagos in the coming weeks. Unlike most beauty pageants around these days, every contestant at the Face of Peace Africa Pageant will get to walk away with amazing prizes; the winner (Face of peace Africa 2012) will go home with $10,000, brand new car, 1 year movie contract with Blu-moon Imaginationz, 1 year Beauty routine with Bold & Beautifuland a trip to Gambia. The 1st runner up (Blu-moon model) will get $5,000, 42 inches Plasma TV, one year movie contract with Blu-moon Imaginationz, one year Beauty routine with Bold & Beautiful, a trip to Ghana. The 2nd runner up (Blu-moon Image) will get prizes worth $,2000, 27 inches Plasma TV, one year movie contract with Blu-moon Imaginationz, one year beauty routine with Bold & Beautiful , and trip to Obudu cattle ranch. Consolation prizes will also be available for other contestants in the pageant.

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Movies & Music

Sunday, October 14, 2012

Banky W makes appearance on Jacob’s Cross final season Since its launch, the riveting African prime-time drama, ‘Jacob’s Cross’ has ignited screens across Africa. The story of one man’s fierce ambition to build the next great African oil and energy dynasty has been told against the backdrop of vicious family feuds, heart-breaking betrayal and hard-won triumph. Dramatic and provocative but always entertaining, ‘Jacob’s Cross’ has woven a tale of wealth, power and success around the fascinating idea of chasing, challenging and changing one’s destiny. However, as Jacob’s Cross’ final season begins on Monday October 15 at 09:30 pm on Africa Magic Entertainment on DStv, viewers should not miss this gripping final installment as the incredible story of Jacob Makhubu Abayomi comes to a close. “What a fascinating journey we’ve shared with Jacob over the past few years,” Biola Alabi, M-Net Africa’s Managing Director enthuses. “Audiences have watched him discover his identity, grow from a young man into a tough leader, find his own successes, fight for his survival and test the limits of his character, his relationships and his aspirations. This is a drama that delivered fantastic storylines again and again. “It’s always sad to say goodbye to a sensational series like this, characters this vivid and memorable, but the time has come to finish the story of Abayomi’s and the Makhubu’s, their friends and their partners. We’re comfortable it is the right time for this polished and well-told story to conclude, and while we will miss them, it is time for new stories and new characters. But you can bet that ‘Jacob’s Cross’ will have some twists and turns before the final credits are played so keep watching,” Alabi concluded.

O.C Ukeje, Chelsea Eze, Gabriel Afolayan speak about Hoodrush For the dynamic trio of O.C Ukeje, Chelsea Eze and Gabriel A fo l aya n , perhaps, it is time to count and share their blessings as they all open up on how life has been for them after starring in one of the most talked about movies this year, ‘Hoodrush’. Even though the movie, ‘Hoodrush’ did not hit the cinemas until few days ago, the movie has been generating loads of positive reviews and ratings, features that have made the movie a talking point for many. The movie, which features other acts like the talented Bimbo Akintola, Bolanle Ninolowo of Diesel Music, Ijeoma Agu, Lee

Lee Byoma and others, was shot in the city of Lagos and was written, produced and directed by Dimeji Ajibola of Flipsyde Studios. Hoodrush tells a story of two brothers Shez Jabari (O.C Ukeje) and Tavier Jabari (Gabriel Afolayan) closely bonded by their love for music but deeply separated by their means for success. Chelsea Eze played the role of Shakirat in the movie, ‘Hoodrush’ who later fell in love with Shev Jabari (O.C Ukeje). Speaking on how life has been after starring in ‘Hoodrush’ despite the fact that it is yet to be released, O.C Ukeje said, “for me it was a great experience.

How we achieved magic make-up for actors As soon as the press materials and pictures of the highly anticipated movie, ‘The Meeting’ was released, one of the talking points o f the movie was the ‘’special effect makeup’’ of the stars especially that of Rita Dominic who played the role of Clara Ikemba who was made to look like a woman in her 50s. Some of the unsuspecting fans even went as far as believing that Rita must have suddenly aged and her 50 year old look must have been the side effects of years of heavy makeup. However, the makeup artiste behind the makeup, Jennifer Joe- Alegieuno has opened up on how she was able to achieve the spectacular feat. According to the South Africa trained artiste, “Turning a diva into Clara was really exciting because unlike most makeup artistes in Nigeria, who love all the beauty part of the job, I really love creating weird. I actually love creating effects that at first sight you say “eeewww”. The process of aging Rita involved a lot; backaches, early wake up calls, and above all, a detailed

understanding of the character which I related to my matron from secondary school”. Speaking on the challenges, Jennifer said ‘’due to the humid atmosphere here in Nigeria, I had to deal with heat causing the skin to sweat and lifting the products used off her face. Also, I had to deal with the fact that special effect supplies are unavailable for purchase here so we were a bit limited and couldn’t really do the buildup of character we really wanted”. Ugo Igbokwe of ‘Make Me’ who worked on the hair said he had to read the script for proper understanding in order to realise the goals of the producer. “Rita’s character in the film, Clara, is a woman in her 50s; she is not well informed about fashion and style, but likes to dress very fashionably in her own way, thinking she is a high fashion woman in her early thirties. I worked on her look and those of others by reading the script and understanding the characters well before I got to work”.

Sunday, October 14, 2012

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t’s that time of the year when wedding bells ring off the hook! Yes, I know couples have been getting married since the beginning of the year, but these bells ring louder as the year gradually winds into the “ember months”. It’s as if there’s a race to beat the year’s clock as couples rush to the altar to say ‘’I do’’ Weddings are usually beautiful and exciting. Preparation is in top gear as the bride shops for her wedding gown and the groom looks for the best car to convey his beautiful bride to the church. The excitement gets to fever pitch as the D-day draws closer and the couple can’t wait to fall into each other’s arms on the wedding night and the honeymoon they are sure will be filled with bliss. It’s all very well to plan for a dream wedding, but there’s more at stake than just the wedding day and how to entertain the guests at the reception. It is very crucial to make it clear to the newlyweds that there is a great difference between courtship and marriage. Falling in love and being in love with each other for the rest of your lives are two different things. While it may be okay for your courtship to be smooth sailing and free of hitches; don’t expect marriage to go like that and let no one deceive you. Marriage comes with it the usual up’s and down’s. This is because there are a lot of adjustments that needs to be made when you merge two lives together. That‘s why it is essential not to enter into marriage with your head in the clouds. Make sure that your feet are firmly planted firmly on the ground with your expectations and how you want to make those aspirations become a reality. As both of you start living together, embrace the change and know that it takes work and mutual give and take from both partners to make a marriage flourish. You are both responsible for contributing to the success of the marriage and not a one-sided effort. Its best to always have this discussions during your courtship days, but If you did not have time to discuss objectively your individual roles in the marriage because of the euphoria of being in love, now is the best time as newlywed couples to decide who will take which responsibilities in the home. Discuss the division of labor within the marriage and around the house. Talk about having kids. Discuss finances. Talk about long-term planning and goals and what each of you wants the other to

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support. Come up with a plan that you can both be excited about. Also note that marriage is a partnership. The days are gone when you were living for only three things-me, myself and I! Now, someone’s happiness is dependent on you and how you treat him/her in that marriage. Commit to each other and to your marriage from day one, and work on your relationship every day. Wake up every morning and ask yourself, “What can I do today to make my spouse’s life better?” Deal with your spouse in a way that protects and enhances his/her self-esteem. Let your spouse know that you are proud of him/her. Instead of badgering, inspire your spouse to be the partner you want to be with. Build a partnership of love, mutual support and commitment to each other. Don’t be too absorbed in work or other activities that take you outside of the house. Make sure you are spending enough quality time with your spouse and family. As newlyweds, it is also important to make a pact to be honest with yourselves and what you need in your relationship. When there are problems, go back to the beginning and resolve it; don’t go to sleep with that quarrel hanging over your heads. Remember the reasons you started your relationship in the first place. Instead of just complaining, be specific about what it is that you want. No one’s a mind reader, so don’t expect your spouse to be able to figure out how you’re feeling. Communicate freely about your feelings with your spouse on anything. This will help both of you to create a strong bond in that marriage that will be difficult to penetrate into by another person. This is because a large percentage of divorces in the society today are as a result of lack of communication and allowing a third party to come into your marriage. Make a pact with your partner to always turn toward each other to fix your problems and not to outsides, most especially the in-laws. Any time you turn away from your partner to fulfill your needs instead of toward him/her, know it is a mark of betrayal. Finally, be patient and willing to make sacrifices. If there are financial problems, you must be willing to forgo some of the things you are used to, so that you can get out of debt and start saving for your future and the future of your children. As newlyweds, create the happiness you desire in your future now!

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Weddings Engagements CELEBRATING THE JOY IN MARITAL BLISS OCTOBER 14, 2012

Grandeur as Funke Ogunde weds Ayotunde Adepoju STORIES BY ANGELA DAVIES

eptember 16 and 22 respectively were joyous days for the families of Adepoju and Ogunde as their children, Ayotunde Adegbite Adepoju and Funke Teniola Ogunde, were joined in holy matrimony atrimony. The couple’s couple s journey into matrimony y began with the traditional wedding which took place on Sunday, September mber 16 at Landmark Village Event vent centre, Victoria Island. nd. The bride was exqui-sitely dressed in a lace gold blouse which she paired with an orange-coloured wrapper and headgear. She harmonised her look with a lovely red-beaded necklace, a matching gold purse and shoes. The groom m dazzled in his gold and orange-colour aso oke agbada and fila. Guests attended ended the events in beautiful and stylish styles in aso ebi which were in blue and orange colours. The venue was beautifully decorated in eye-catching colours of gold while the chairs were covered in white. The ceremony was anchored by the duo of Atinuke Ajala Ogunrinde and Mrs Odele (Alaga Iduro and Ijoko). The white wedding held at the Pastor Ituah Ighodalo-led Trinity House Chapel, Victoria Island, Lagos. The officiating ministers, Pastor Ituah Ighodalo and other clerics admonished the newlywed to remain steadfast in love and make God their rock.

Guests later moved to the Landmark Village Event centre, venue of the reception which was lovely decorated in turquoise blue and white colours. The drapes and chandeliers added some sparks to the hall. Beautiful Funke changed her wedding gown twice. For the church wedding, she wore a sleeveless sequenced, floor-length wedding g dress which she complemented with a diamond chandelier earrings cha and shimmering shimmerin peep toe sandals. She lat later changed into a mono strap wedding dress for f the reception. The groom looked dapper in a grey dap suit su matched with black shoes. b The cutting of the cake was sut pervised by the p trio tr of Chief Molade la Okoya Thomas, Justice George Oguntade and RaOgu sak Okoya. There was Ok plenty of assorted foods, small chops, drinks and chop wines for all present. pre Funke is the brain behind Phunk in chic Afrique Collections which specialises sp and trendy wears. She is also the grand daughter of frontline businessman, Prince Samuel Adedoyin of Adedoyin Groups. Ayotunde is the son of Engr. Kayode and Princess Wuraola. He is also the grandson of the late Ooni of Ife, Oba Adesoji Aderemi. It was indeed a gathering of top socialites. Some of the guests that witnessed the event included ex-CBN governor, Chief Sanusi, Chief Lai Mohammed, Oba Rilwan Aremu Akiolu, Oba Otudeko and Dr. Tunde Fowler, among others.

You have a story to tell us about your wedding/engagement, or your new born baby. Please call this line: 08051980588

BABIES OF THE WEEK

Oluwapelumi Fayidat Afolabi was born at Tolu Medical Centre, Ajegunle, Apapa, Lagos to Ibrahim and Monsura Afolabi. She was delivered at 3:00 p.m. and weighed 3.5 kg. Monsura disclosed that during the pregnancy, “I craved for fruits like pineapple, watermelon, apple and pawpaw. I also loved eating amala with lots of vegetable.” Speaking on her physical body changes, Monsura revealed that, “Many people did not know I was pregnant because my stomach was not too big. However, I looked more beautiful during the pregnancy. I had no swollen feet, nose or face.” What do they love about Oluwapelumi? “She eats and sleeps well. She loves to play a lot too.” What do they want her to become in future? “We want her to become a medical doctor so that she can treat people and also save lives,” Monsura said. What is the meaning of her name? “Oluwapelumi means God is with me,” Monsura explained.

Fate brings Olayinka, Taye together in marriage O Oguntunde Charles Olayinka and Afolabi Nafisat Taye met at a cyber cafe in Osogbo, Osun State, though they did not engage in much discussion. However, Olayinka later got Taye’s number from one of the documents she had submitted at the cafe. Some weeks later, he called Taye and introduced himself and asked for the description of her house. Ever since then, he became a regular visitor to her house and he also never stopped calling her. That was how the relationship between them blossomed. Today, they have become one flesh. What actually attracted Olayinka to his beau, Taye? He revealed that he was attracted to her because of her simplicity and lofty smiles. However, Taye disclosed that, “What attracted me to him was his sacrificial attitude to be of help at all times even if it is not convenient for him. He is also very loving and caring to a fault.” How and where did he propose to Taye? According to Taye, “Olayinka eventually proposed on one of his numerous visits to my house. However, the day he proposed, I turned down his request and he was disappointed. But when I noticed his sincerity, I gave it a second thought and gave him a positive answer later. This made him very excited.” What pet names do they call each other? Olayinka revealed, “I call her Ejire because she is the first of a set of twins.” She calls him Ademi because he is her crown. What will they do to spice their marriage? The excited couple in one voice said, “To build a home based on trust and mutual understanding.” The wedding took place at the Registry, Olorunda Local

Mr. and Mrs. Oguntunde

Government, Igbona, Osogbo, Osun State. The reception followed immediately at Hotel De Charity along Ikirun Road, Osogbo. The colours of the day were Army Green and Mint Green.

Aisha Aderonke Oluwasemilore was born at Lifegate hospital, Ogba, Lagos to Abdul Ganiu and Fareedat. She was delivered at 8:39 p.m. and weighed 3 kilogrammes. According to Fareedat, “I craved for spicy food, fruits and I also drank a lot of water during the pregnancy.” Were there obvious physical body changes? “I had swollen feet, nose and puffy eyes,” Fareedat stressed. What irritated her during pregnancy? “I was irritated by my mood swings,” she said. What do they love about Aisha? Fareedat emphasised that, “She is beautiful, calm and smiles a lot.” What do they want Aisha to become in future? “We won’t choose a career for her, however, we want her to walk whatever good path she chooses in future and we will support her.” What is the meaning of her name? “Aisha means living, prosperous wife of Prophet Muhammad,” she added.

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A Fashionista’s

World OCTOBER 14, 2012 OCTOBE

My dream is to be like Agbani Darego –Miss Institutes Nigeria, 2012

Sy Sylvia Ekwenibe, a model and Miss Institutes Nigeria, 2012, is a great beauty. She was also Miss Coal City, Enugu 2010. She te Adaeze Amos in this interview about her new lifestyle as the tells re reigning queen and her duties as Miss Institutes Nigeria, 2012. You are the Miss Institutes Nigeria 2012, can you tell us about the pageant? Y Miss Institutes Nigeria, 2012 is a pageant where students from all the universities and institutions of higher learning came together and contested. A queen emerged at a tthe end of the pageant. She has the responsibility of empowering the youths and make tthem realise that they have a lot to offer to the society. When you emerged as the queen, how did it feel to have the diamond-studded crown W on your head? o I felt good, I was happy. I’m privileged to be crowned. I believe I’m blessed because it wasn’t an easy pageant. I prayed before I went in for the contest, asking God to show w me favour before the judges and spectators. He answered me. Through this crown, I’m m going to bless people and give something back to my motherland. g What do you think were the qualities that made you emerge as the winner? W I think it was my boldness that paved way for me. Apart from that, I answered the questions the judges asked me very well. I think my intelligence also contributed imq mensely to my winning the crown. Above all, the favour of God saw me through. I gave m tthem what they wanted and they gave me the crown in return. I was quite creative with what I wore, especially my traditional outfit made me stand out. w What is your style? W My style is simple and dynamic. I don’t go for what is in vogue. I don’t follow trends ssheepishly. What I do is if a particular trend is hot in the fashion world, I try to recreate iit and come out looking different. IIn the beauty world, who are you aspiring to be like? In the beauty world, seriously speaking, I’m aspiring to be like Agbani Darego, the fformer Miss World. She is a simple lady but very outstanding. She is intelligent and has beauty. Her crown lifted the spirit of Nigerian women whom she made proud. h Who are some of the Nigerian fashionistas you admire? W I admire Genevieve Nnaji, the Nollywood actress. She is different, she is creative. I also admire Stephanie Okereke because she didn’t just stop at acting, she went ahead a tto produce movies on her own. Joke Silva is another woman I admire. She gave Nollywood a lift; I admire her a lot. Another lady I won’t forget to mention her name is ly Dakore Egbuson. D What pet project are you going to be busy with throughout your one year reign? W The pet project I’m seriously going to embark on has to do with the youths. I’m targeting the youths. I want to help them build that God-given talent in them. So many g youths come out from the university and are unable to empower themselves. They y would be going about looking for white collar jobs. Most of them can be entrepreneurs w on their own. Look at your talents and do something positive with them. There are so o many fashion designers, caterers who are doing well. I’m also going to embark on vocam ttional education. The best among them, I would get sponsors to give them scholarships. Now that you are the Miss Institute Nigeria, what do you think would change about N your lifestyle? y So many things are going to change about me, especially the way I talk. I talk anyhow not minding whose ox is gored. But now, I calculate what I say and how I present it h tto people. The way I dress would also change. I would be shopping more now to enrich my wardrobe. m Is this your first beauty crown? No, I have had other beauty crowns. I was Miss Coal City, Enugu in 2010. What’s your advice for some mothers who frown at their daughters participating in W beauty pageants? b The notion Africans have for models and beauty queens irk me a lot. Some of them tthink they are never-do-well. Imagine when you tell some people you are a model, they llook at you as if you are a harlot. It shouldn’t be because we are responsible. I’m a model, I have always been a model before I became a beauty queen and I know that I’m m not irresponsible. n

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Opinion

Sunday October 14, 2012

Musing on Ondo governorship poll

n Ondo State, this is the week of anxiety. And giddily, October 20, the woozily perceived day, which the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had fixed for a governorship election, is now countable on the finger tip. For the gladiators in the poll who majorly include Governor Segun Mimiko of Labour Party, Chief Rotimi Akeredolu of Action Congress of Nigeria and Mr. Olusola Oke of Peoples Democratic Party, these are moments for sharp reflexes, as they move to breast the tape of weeks of tortuous, arduous, tempting, provoking and heart-pulsating campaigns. While the electorate, being kings now, sit majestically, listening to Mimiko give account of his stewardship in the last three and half years and tell them what he still hopes to do, so they also do for Akeredolu and Oke, who give respective promises of what they could do to transform Ondo State, if voted in. The campaigns actually reached the elite-class crescendo last Thursday, when the trio stood before a select audience of opinion moulders, on prime TV, laboriously explaining why they wanted to be governor. Mimiko, who is the incumbent, was particularly on the spot, as his opponents censoriously descended on the performance of his administration thus far. But now that the showy exteriorisation that is a debate is over, what can add up to calibrate in victory for any of the trio, are last-minute horse-trading, frenetic leg-work and propaganda through the mass media. While many political observers outside Ondo State have been

giving permutations as to who will carry the day next Saturday, it is rather instructive to inform that for people of the Sunshine State, a U-turn in the choice of a candidate can occur at any time, just as in the eruption of an earthquake. If the election is a day away and you are being hoisted as a messiah, beware of the banana peel of last-minute smear, which could rob you of whiffing victory, thus giving the day to the scenario of a dark horse coming from the rear, to win the race. The government of Chief Adebayo Adefarati had a swallow of such a bitter pill when in 2002, a house purchase scam involving key government officials eventually denied that government a second term, as Dr. Olusegun Agagu-led PDP later uprooted the ruling Alliance for Democracy, and cruised to power. Fitfully as he could, Adefarati, now of blessed memory, demonstrated his innocence and chaste, by sacking all those involved in the scandal, including a serving commissioner, but the people were still not impressed. While some felt it was an after-thought, others simply whistled away, that he ought to be in charge, and as such should take responsibility for any transaction under his administration. While it was not impossible that the AD lost the election partly due to a wellorchestrated determination of the PDP to capture the Southwest, the house purchase scandal was indubitably the last straw that broke the carmel’s back. What analysts appear to be battling against in the ensuing Ondo electioneering activities is to be able to say with

magisterial finality, that a particular candidate will come tops. But trying to predict a winner in Saturday’s poll may require taking about three or four factors into consideration. A look at the visage of Governor Mimiko on the debate day revealed that he had lost some lobes, apparently reacting to the radiation from the heat of the ACN, whose national leader who is former governor of Lagos, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, is Southwest’s steely Octopus. Having launched the ACN blitzkrieg out of its Lagos confines, Jagaban, as Tinubu’s Adamawa chieftaincy title is fondly hyped, simply went the whole hog, seizing political power in Edo, Osun, Ogun and Oyo States. But Mimiko, a quick-heeled grassroots politician, is also a master of the game; one who can recite all available polling units off-hand. In the hue of this dexterity, the governor could rely on the knowledge of Ondo’s political trenches to make the votes trickle in from the hinterland, thus torrentially overwhelming the figures in urban centres. But this permutation may all the same turn out to be flawed if the locals are convinced that the governor has not performed up to expectation in the provision of amenities, or if a certain political decision by his government regarding their local affairs was unwelcome. A straight take may also classify the strength of the three gladiators to mean that Mimiko who is from the Central Senatorial District may be sure-footed there; same with Akeredolu’s and Oke’s, who are from the North and South Senatorial Districts, respectively. Though

Kayode Fasua

kayodefasua@nationalmirroronline.net (08034101207; SMS only, pls)

Mimiko is from Ondo town, what does one make of yet Akeredolu’s counterpoise, as his campaign director, Prof. Tayo Alasoadura, is from Iju/Itaogbolu in Akure North council area? Oke, whose strength is being assessed from the South district as he is from Ilaje Local Government and has the support of former Governor Segun Agagu in Okitipupa Local Government, may also pull some stunts in Akoko, a zone with four local governments, where his running mate, Saka Lawal, hails. Yet, while Akeredolu, who is from Owo, may seize the better part of the North district, will he not share the votes in the South, where his running mate, Dr. Paul Akintelure, is also a force? As for Mimiko, his deputy, Ali Olanusi, is from Supare in Akoko; though an old man, he may make some useful moves in the area. Egregious as politicians can be, the security agents have to be on their toes, to foreclose rigging in Saturday’s poll, so we can foreclose riots and bloodletting as were witnessed in the 1983 governorship election in Ondo State. The beauty of democracy is for the people to speak through their votes, which they are elegantly poised to do, as they file out to vote, come next Saturday.

Tribute to Major Akinloye Akinyemi (1954-2012) TONY NYIAM

est we forget, the soul whose form of incarnation we used to address as Major Akinloye Akinyemi has risen. This needs to be remembered particularly by souls like ours, which are still subject to the physio-and psycho-logical laws of the physical bodies of our embodiments in particular, and to the time and place we find ourselves in general.

For those still in doubt that the soul which used to be caged in the person of Akinloye has, like a caged bird, been set free, I suggest we pray. We pray fervently that he is enabled soon to attain perfection in Christ Consciousness. So that, like Apostle Paul, Akinloye is able to declare: “For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God…I live; yet not I but Christ liveth in me” (Galatians 2:19-20). In existential life and during his body’s dying experience, the Major was fearless. This is a quality that marked him out from the crowd. It is most likely that the dare-good paratrooper which he was, knew that it is only the biological body that dies. That is, far from there being annihilation, the dying phase is a period of the transition of the soul from temporal existence to eternal life. Akin must have known, as Saint Paul did, that death does not touch our true Self. Is this not why Paul taught that death “has no power to sting those who

believe in Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:5455)? Whenever Major Akinloye was called for services in the defence and promotion of Justice, Truth and the welfare of the oppressed, he was in relation to many Nigerian leaders, literally like an eagle or lion among goats. But whenever he found himself amongst these leaders being unrighteous, Akinloye became a sheep among wolves. Being unafraid of death and, above all, the liberation, God willing, of Akin’s soul to the Boundless Consciousness of Christ, are no mean feats. Thus I took a temporary hiatus from the writing of an intervention in the ongoing Nigeria’s constitutional reforms debate to quickly compose and rush out this eulogy to my very dear comrade. The proposed book to which I refer above is on the subject of a politicaleconomic system which Akin and I have, for decades, prayed and acted to build in our country. Akin had often reminded me that restoring Nigeria to true democratic federalism is a task that must be done, as the fake democracy and federalism we are now promoting, will lead us to a fall. This is why the title of the forthcoming book is ‘True Federal Democracy or The Implosion Awaiting Us Nigerians’. Major Akinloye Akinyemi was a detribalised gentleman who loved humanity in general and Nigeria in particular. This is why I plead for this opportunity

to correct any wrong impression any one has about our friend, and put on record the self-sacrifices which Major Akinyemi made for some of the democratic freedoms, and respect for human dignity, which we are beginning to taste in Nigeria. There is an urgent need for those who have sincerely sacrificed for us Nigerians to have a better livelihood, to be adequately recognised. A better understanding of the nature of the sacrifices which heroes, like Akinloye, have made is very useful for the well being of our society. This is particularly good for our youths’ upbringing. It is equally relevant that the pretentious democrats or statesmen, or the internal colonisers, in our midst, need to be exposed and put to shame for what they are. Thus I am reverently seeking the kind permission of both the noble Akinyemi’s family and my comrades in the struggle for a better Nigeria, to make certain disclosures. Some or more correctly a few people might not be happy with what they see in this tribute. I must confess: it is paradoxically speaking, some Boundless Consciousness, a State of Being greater than Tony Nyiam making the revelations. So if anyone has any fight to fight over these revelations they should go and contend with the Holy Ghost Fire, to use a Pentecostalist preferred terminology.

This book’s list of the names of both those who were for, and against, Abacha’s military regime is far from being an exhaustive recognition of those I have worked with directly or indirectly. I have had to use reliable sources to confirm the roles of those who I did not work directly with. One such reliable source is Kunle Ajibade’s Jailed For Life: A reporter’s Prison Notes. As you may find, this writer seems to be like a medium urged on by the transited Major Akinloye Akinyemi to allow himself to be used to speak the truth. After all, this is part of why God has extended the writer’s existential life. This writer, for your information, has been blessed with overcoming well over five close shaves with the death of his biological body. These revelations will not include disclosures about the covert agents, and their roles, which underpinned what has become known as the “1990 Major Gideon Orkar action”. As for our internal colonisers and their stooges, I have no apologies to make. I am having to do this not because Akin needed the adulation of we humans. He after all, did repeatedly put to practice the understanding of Jesus’ exhortation: “Take heed that ye do not your alms before men,…otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 6:1). •Nyiam lives in Lagos

Politics

Sunday, October , 2012

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

OWOLABI ADENUSI

rom all indications, the Adamawa State governorship race in the 2015 elections is going to be a battle of intrigue and manipulation. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)-controlled state is rocked in what political observers see as divisive politics that has pitched the camps of the party’s National Chairman, Bamanga Tukur, former Vice-President, Atiku Abubakar, and incumbent Governor, Murtala Nyako, against one another. Sunday Mirror can authoritatively say that some political gladiators within the ruling party in the state chapter are set to test their might on which camp produces the party’s governorship candidate in the next general election. For now, the permutation and political manoeuvring have begun. Investigations by our correspondent revealed that the battle line has been drawn between the state leadership of the party and its national secretariat, which is believed to have an anointed candidate for the post of number one citizen of the state. Recently, the leader of the party in the state-cum-State Governor, Murtala Nyako, declared that he would produce his successor through ‘internal democracy’. Nyako, argued that there was no other means a PDP candidate would emerge than through ‘internal democracy’, stressing that the era of godfatherism was gone. He said whosoever thought he could force a candidate on the party should shelve the idea. Nyako, however, added that the party primary in the state for the 2015 gubernitorial polls would be transparent as the most popular candidate would emerge through it. He said he had no anointed candidate for the governorship position but that he was determined to strengthen internal democracy within the state chapter of the party ahead of the 2015 governorship ballot. The governor maintained that his action should not be misconstrued as it was made in good faith to allow for the emergence of a credible and more popular candidate. Nyako also sent a warning signal to politicians who are vying for elective posts not to be desperate and desist from divisive politics that would lead them nowhere. According to him, ‘no particular ethnic or religious group in the state is capable of ensuring victory for any political party because of the heterogenous nature of the state with over 80 nationalities’. He, therefore, urged all politicians seeking elective posts to embark on campaigns based on ideology devoid of politics of religion and sentiment, which he said could only raise bad blood among the citizens. In view of the new trend of political activities in the state, political analysts see the upcoming 2015 PDP primaries as going to be a fierce battle between supporters of the incumbent governor and those of the national chairman of the party, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, whose first son, Awwal, had already indicated interest in the governorship seat in the state. There is also a clear indication that the party structure, led by its state chairman, Alhaji Minjiyawa Umar Kugama, might be working on a tight rope as Tukur’s supporters are not comfortable with it. It was gathered that some supporters of Tukur believe that the party structure under Kugama might not work in their interest but might instead be used by Nyako to produce a successor which might jeopardise the chances of Awwal Tukur in becoming the next governor of Adamawa State. It must be realised that the Kugama-led exco was duly elected by the same congress that brought Bamanga Tukur as the national chairman of the party, although the Adamawa exco was later ratified by the Tukur-led working committee Our correspondent disclosed that recently some of the loyalists of the national chairman of the party, led by Senator Paul Wampana were in Abuja canvassing for the desolution of the Adamawa PDP exco, with a threat to move out of the party ahead of future elections. The move came barely a week after Tukur declared that the party would not recognise the primaries conducted in some local government areas of the state for the chairmanship and councillorship polls scheduled for November. Political watchers are of the view that no amount of manoeuvring by the disgruntled PDP members in the state would change the state exco as it legitimately came on board via a congress. They allege that the national chairman of the party was scheming to remove the state party chairman, Kugama, be-

Atiku Abubakar

Gov. Murtala Nyako Bamanga Tukur

Adamawa governorship: Nyako, Bamanga Tukur, Atiku’s men battle for PDP’s soul cause of his ‘unalloyed loyalty’ to the incumbent governor, Nyako. Teneke’s recent move to the national hierarchy of the party canvassing for the desolution of the state exco is therefore viewed in certain quarters as a plot to actualise the political dream of the son of the national chairman of the PDP, Awwal. Sunday Mirror learnt that the thinking in the Tukur camp is that, for the young Tukur to be firmly rooted politically, the national chairman of the party has to swiftly take control of the party structure in the 21 council areas of the state. This would then help to produce the local council chairmen and councillors who would later endorse his son’s candidature for the upcoming 2015 party gubernatorial primaries. According to authoritative PDP sources, Kugama’s sin is that he is seen as a stumbling block to the dream of the national chairman’s son to rule Adamawa come 2015. Sunday Mirror gathered that while Kugama is fighting a battle of his life to sustain his mandate, those loyal to Tukur are insisting that the national hierarchy of the party should kick him out on the ground that he hails from the same constituency as Nyako and Tukur. The aggrieved people have allegedly urged the party’s NWC, headed by Tukur, to nullify the congresses that brought the Kugama exco to power, insisting that it was against the party rotational rule for the governor and the state chairman to come from the same zone. It is believed in certain quarters that the move is part of the strategies adopted by Tukur’s men to create a false political crisis in the state chapter in a bid to make a way for his son to emerge governor. The Tukur men are also said to be working on the pretence that ongoing restructuring in the party was to enforce its rotation rule said to be enshrined in the party constitution. Our correspondent reports that Wampana, who led Teneke and others to the NWC secretariat in Abuja, was alleged to have hatched a plan to lodge a complaint of alleged injustice being perpetrated by the Nyako administration and the state executive of the party. During the visit, he purportedly said some stakeholders of the PDP in Adamawa would not support illegality and urged the NWC members to stop the alleged injustice being meted out to them. He, however, commended the national leadership of the party for the bold decision it took in cancelling the just-concluded local government chairmanship primaries held in the 226 wards of the state.

Wapana said, “We did not come here to argue cases but because of the decision of the leadership of the party. We are in support of the decision. You, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, are our own. We will be loyal to the party on one condition: that illegality is removed from the party. “We brought ourselves here, you did not invite us; we have come to support you and hope the NWC will not let us down and we will not let you down.” The agitation for desolution of Adamawa State PDP exco from ward level to the state by Wampana and some other party’s stakeholders has been seen by political observers as a means to take over the PDP structure by Tukur’s men from Nyako’s men. Political watchersnalysts also believe that those behind the agitation have sinister motive as Wampana and Teneke were seen as diehard former VicePresident Atiku Abubakar’s loyalists who are working for the realisation of Atiku’s presidential ambition. It would be recalled that Wampana and Teneke were the factional leaders of PDP who issued controversial membership cards to Atiku when the former vicepPresident was defecting from Action Congress (ACN) to the PDP. Tukur then led the Teneke faction to the former chairman of the party, Vincent Ogbulafor, seeking for desolution of the state exco of the party on allegation of marginalisation. Speaking to Sunday Mirror in an interview, the state secretary of the PDP, Hon P.P. Elisha, denied any internal crisis rocking the state chapter, stressing that the exco was duly elected and will leave office at the expiration date. He said those calling themselves stakeholders of the party who went to the national secretariat of the party to lodge a complaint against constituted authority in the state were doing so because of their self desire to be relevant politically. He explained that Teneke and his supporters were all returning members who should not be accorded respect, stressing that those that went to the Abuja party secretariat had lost their respect as chieftains of the party. According to Elisha, “PDP is a party that is guided by its constitution. Section 8 and sub section 18 say returnees lose their right, indicating that a person who has earlier defected from the party but later decided to return loses the seniority and privilege conferred on him by his previous status. He added that section 8 (b) of the party constitution gave a provision that unless a waiver is given to returnees by the NWC, such a person would be placed on probation for a period not less than one year.”

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Politics

Sunday, October 14, 2012

s, their strength and weaknesses

wn to three main gladiators - Rotimi ion has generated wide interest we take a look at the strength and

Oke

Previous election indicated that Olanusi has single handedly delivered the area to his party as they have the House of Assembly seats, the House of Representatives seats and the senatorial seat in their kitty. Moreover, Olanusi may want to justify his nomination for the second term in office as deputy governor by Mimiko. Central Senatorial District The senatorial district also has six local government areas which include Ondo West, Ondo East, Akure South, Akure North, Idanre and Ifedore PDP The party may find it difficult in penetrating this district as it is regarded as no go area. It is believed to be the stronghold of the LP . Previous elections showed that the PDP had never had it good since the LP came on board in the state. The crisis within the party, has pitched some leaders of the party who have influence against one another. Party leaders like the former ambassador to Greece, Prof. Olu Agbi, Segun Adegoke, Tayo Dairo and many others are not working towards the same goal of reclaiming the state. Although there are still some leaders who still believe the party remains a party to beat in the central but it might be an herculean task for the party to overshadow the ruling LP. ACN Aside the influence of the Director General of the ACN campaign group, Chief Tayo Alasoadura, who is also a mobiliser, the party chance of winning the central district is

very slim and remote. But the influence of the Special Ad- mission (NDDC) and the Chairman of the Ondo State Oil proviser to the Osun state governor on Environment, Bola Ilori, ducing Areas development Commission (OSOPADEC) which who is from Ondo town like the state governor, Mimiko, the took care of the oil producing communities of the state and ACN may want to slug it out with the governor in the cen- as such is deeply rooted in the area. So Ilaje and Ese-Odo may tral to prove a point. But ACN may spring some surprises in be given to the PDP because of the performance of the insome areas within the capital city and some parts within the tervention agencies in the area while the PDP held sway in central districts, this might however not be enough to with- the state. Moreso that an average Ilaje person will want somebody from the area to be governor of the state. The people of stand the ruling LP. the local government area are likely to support one of their LP This is one of the stronghold of the LP and one of the own. Also in Ese-Odo local government area, the only lawareas the party will record a resounding victory. Many rea- maker representing the PDP at the state House of Assembly, sons have been attributed to this, the governor is from the Hon. Akpoebi Lubi came from this local government, while district while most of the projects executed by the CONTINUED ON PAGE 50 LP administration is clustered across this districts. The people from this area will be ready to Central Senatorial District pay the governor back by voting for him for the Akeredolu Mimiko Oke Comment second time. Ondo west and Ondo East are two of the areas where Mimiko never lost election in this Ondo West ACN may A Crisis in A C N dispensation. Akure South and Akure North local swing a sur- stronghold the party would take government areas are hosting the state capital and Ondo East prise with the of the LP. has pitched part of this have benefitted immensely from the developmenAkure South influence of But will the chief- district with tal projects of the administration, particularly Akure North A l a s o a d o r a slug it out tains of LP putting the urban renewal projects which was centered Idanre around these local government. Against all odds, and Bola Ilori with ACN the party up a strong LP will have a clear lead in Idanre where Mimiko here. against one fight. Ifedore has about three sons of the town in his cabinet, another this include the Chief of Staff (COS) to the goverSouthern Senatorial District nor, Kola Ademujimi, Information commissioner, Odigbo Very strong LP is Weak Kayode Akinmade and Taye Akinyele while the showing avera g ely senator representing Ondo Central senatorial disstrong here trict, Ayo Akinyelure will also have role to play in ensuring that LP sweeps the votes in the area. The Ile Oluji/ Strong Weak ACN and LP will also enjoy the support of the people of IfeOkeigbo showing PDP candidore local government area having benefitted from for LP date will slug the Mimiko’s administration. it out here as Southern Senatorial District There are also six local government areas in this districts too, Odigbo, Ile oluji/Okeigbo, Ilaje, Irele, Ese Odo, and Okitipupa local government areas. PDP This senatorial district is considered as the strongest base of the PDP and the party is expected to put up the best of its performance in the district. The people of the area believe the present administration has not been fair to the area in terms of development claiming that most of the projects initiated by Agagu’s administration had been abandoned by Mimiko.PDP will make some impact which might translate to votes in many of the local governments in the southern senatorial district. Oke is from Ilaje local government area and his vast experience in politics of the state and the area in particular is expected to work in his favour. He has been the commissioner representing the state on the board of the Niger Delta Development Com-

the deputy governorship candidate of ACN is from here. But PDP and LP would want to prove a point Ilaje

Irele Ese Odo Very strong Okitipupa presence

real or imagined? APGA was not made a party. The APGA chairman noted that in his letter of September 19, 2012 to the Chief Judge, he requested for the transfer/re-assignment of the case to another judge and informed the Chief Judge that he no longer had confidence in obtaining justice in his court, being reasonably satisfied that he was biased, compromised and was intent on causing mischief for the party, APGA. He regretted that since July 25, till date, activities in their party had been halted because of the ex parte order, which had paralysed the entire party apparatus and therefore urged the NJC chairman to urgently intervene by calling Justice Umezulike to order, and ensure that the due process was followed. “In this era of rule of law, as an ardent believer in the ideals of democracy, I have no doubt that judicial impartiality is an important hallmark of due administration of justice. I will be grateful if the Chief Judge of Enugu State is made to understand that every citizen of Nigeria is entitled to justice and fair hearing,” the APGA boss stated. Ebonyi and Enugu states chairmen of APGA, Comrade

PDP candidate is from here. PDP is favoured, has strong presence

Jery Obasi and Chief Okechukwu Nkolagu, respectively, said it had become crystal clear that Mr. Peter Obi is hobnobbing with Sullivan Chime as appointed by the PDP to destroy the Igbo-dominated political party so that Obi could have a leeway and reason to dump APGA and join the PDP in order to realise his alleged ambition to become a running mate to a PDP presidential candidate in 2015. Obi has been alleged of masterminding the APGA crisis to give the impression that all is not well with the party, hence his reason to cross carpet to the PDP. But the Anambra governor is said to be at sea on how to achieve the project and yet gain the South-East support. The APGA chieftains said they became apprehensive when after the end of South-East Governors’ meeting, Obi stayed back when other governors had left. He purportedly went back to Governor Chime’s office and stayed longer than necessary. “That was when the plot to stop Umeh was hatched by Obi and Chime, they alleged. The APGA members in the South-East said they had now realised where Chime was coming from when the Enugu governor made pronouncements that APGA as a

political party would go into extinction by 2014. They said that Chime’s wishful thinking on the death of APGA was a manifestation of confident discussions with Obi which the Enugu governor let out of the bag without knowing he had done so. “So for us, we are not surprised by the Umezulike obnoxious restrain, which of course, is bound to be vacated. But Umezulike should beware of falling into the dongeon pit of his mates like the infamous dismissed Justices Polycarp Nnaji, Egbo Egbo and co. But for us this is an eye opener to the people of Enugu State on the pretence governor they have.” Nkolagu recalled that during the 2011 general election, governor Chime and his co-travellers had sought for the ticket of APGA when the opposition within PDP almost cut them short of picking the PDP nominations but were rejected by APGA that never saw them as true politicians but liabilities. He therefore wished Chime and Obi well “in their joint unwholesome ambitions against the generality of Ndigbo”, recalling that Obi after buying the APGA governorship ticket with N5 million and thereafter threw away Chekwas Okorie with ignominy, has now felt that he was through with Umeh and could now do away with him and finally decimate APGA as if he bought the party with the N5 million nomination fee in 2003.

422

Sunday, October 14, 2012

GROWING UP with

Aunty Angela

TONGUE TWISTERS

WHO INVENTED WHAT

Frank Epperson

growingup5@yahoo.com

Hello children, How were your last week’s activities in school? I hope you are all studying very hard. I wish you a wonderful week ahead.

Nero, the selfish man

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Long-legged ladies last longer Rubber baby buggy bumpers Tim, the thin twin tinsmith

RIDDLES

Why do dragons sleep all day? Answer: They like to hunt knights.

rank Epperson from San Francisco, California accidentally invented the Popsicle in 1905. At the age of 11years old, he earned himself a niche in American folklore by putting a stirring stick in a glass filled with sodawater powder and water to create a fuzzy drink, popular at the time. By accident he left his drink, with the stirring stick still in the glass, on the front porch of his house overnight. Well, that night happened to be a rather very cold one. He found it frozen the next morning. The stirring stick became a handy handle and Frank enjoyed the frozen drink. However, 17 years later, in 1922, Epperson served his ice lollipops at a Fireman’s ball and they were a huge hit. It didn’t take long then for Epperson to realise the commercial possibilities of his accidental invention. A year later, in 1923, he introduced the frozen pop on a stick

What can honk without a horn? Answer: A goose. What has a horn but does not honk? Answer: A rhinoceros. What does a cat have that no other animal has? Answer: Kittens.

Frank Epperson and his grand-daughter

PICTURE NEWS

nce upon a time, there was a selfish man named Nero. He did not share his belongings with anyone, not even his friends or the needy. One day, Nero lost his 30 gold coins on his way out. When he discovered that he had lost his coins, he went to his friend, Bill’s, house and told him how he had lost his gold coins. Bill was a kind man and so he promised to help him look for his missing coins. As Nero’s daughter was returning from an errand, she found the 30 gold coins. When she got home, she told her father what she had found. Bill was so happy for his friend; he told his daughter that the gold coins belonged to his friend, Nero. Immediately, he sent for him so that he could give him the good news. When Nero arrived, Bill told him how his daughter had found his 30 gold coins and handed them over to him. After counting the gold coins, instead of thanking Bill and his daughter, surprisingly, Nero said that 10 gold coins were missing and he was sure that the girl kept them as he had 40 gold coins and

not 30. He further stated that he must recover the remaining amount from Bill. Nero left the gold coins with Bill and headed straight to the court and informed the judge about what had taken place between him, Bill and Bill’s daughter. The judge sent for them immediately. When they got there, he asked the girl how many gold coins she found and she replied that she found 30 gold coins. The judge then asked Nero how many gold coins he had lost and he answered 40. Instantly, the judge told Nero that the gold coins did not belong to him because the girl found 30 gold coins and not 40 as he claimed to have lost. Finally, the judge told the girl to take the gold coins home and that if anybody came looking for them he would send for her. The judge also told Nero that if anybody reported that they have found 40 gold coins he would send for him. It was then that he confessed that he lied. He told the judge that he actually lost 30 gold coins. The judge told him it was too late as there was nothing he could do about it. Nero left the place disappointed.

Moral: It pays to be honest at all times.

QUOTE

Choose your friends with caution, plan your future with purpose, and frame your life with faith . –Thomas S. Monson Children, you can send your contributions and pictures through this email address growingup5@yahoo.com or call telephone number: 0805 198 0588

Fiive-year-ol F old tale ol ta ale ent n ed e Ozio Oz ioma mach chuk ukw wu Favvo ou ur Mo M oje j kwu, u, pop o ul op u arly arrly know kn o n as ow a Ozzy zzy B Bo ossc co, pe perf erf rfor forrm miing in ng g hiss so on ng g,, Supe Su pers pe rsta rs ta ar,r, dur u in ing g an an e ent ev en nt re ece cen nttlyy.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Growing Up

Sunday, October 14, 2012

T…?

DID YOU KNOW?

formulated the Popsicle The albatross can sleep while flying

n albatross while flying can be so perfectly used to wind conditions that it may not flap its wings for hours, or even for days, as it can sleep while flying. In flight, where it spends the

to the public at Neptune Beach, an amusement park in Alameda, California. It was a big success. He then applied and received a patent for a “frozen confectionery”, in 1924, which he named the “Epsicle Ice Pop”. He began producing it in different fruit flavours on birch wood sticks. Later, he changed the name to Popsicle. There are more than 30 different flavours to choose from, but Popsicle Corporation said the general flavour favourite through the years had remained “taste-tingling orange”. Epperson and his partners set

up a royalty arrangement with the Popsicle Corporation, but Mr. Epperson sold his patent to the Popsicle after 1925, to the Joe Lowe Company of New York. At the time, he was broke and had to shut down all his assets to stay afloat. The Joe Lowe Company grew the brand as the Popsicle gained popularity, diversifying into similar frozen treats. By 1928, Epperson had earned royalties on more than 60 million Popsicle ice pops. This popular treat is now a summer favourite for children everywhere. Epperson died at the age of 89 in California.

ARTS AND CRAFT

Finger Puppets

know you have always watched puppets on television. Now, here is your chance to create one. Do you know what? It is very simple. Required items • Brightly-coloured fabric, scraps, or paper. • Pieces of paper for designing your puppets. • Glue in a tube with a fine nozzle. • Scissors. Steps to follow: •First make a template – That means draw your designs for puppets on paper before you make them. Look at pictures of animals or people to get some ideas. •Lay the template on the piece of fabric and draw around it twice. Draw the puppet features on other pieces of fabric. Cut out the body pieces. •Spread a fine line of glue around the curved edge on the body, leaving the bottom edge free. Then, press the two body pieces together. •Now carefully cut out the puppet’s features that you drew on the other pieces of fabric. Remember to cut out two arms, two legs and so on. •Arrange the cut-out features on the body to see how they look. If any part doesn’t look quite right, try making another version of it. •First glue the legs and arms to the back of the body. Then glue the rest of the animal’s features on to the front. Make the puppets look as though they are talking by moving your fingers. You are done. I am sure it is quite simple. You can make as many designs as you want.

JOKE

‘Dad, I need a glass of water’

A small boy was sent to bed by his father. Five minutes later, the following dialogue took place. Son: “Da-ad....” Father: “What?” Son: “I’m thirsty. Can you bring me a glass of water?” Father: “No. You had your chance. It’s your lights out.” Then five minutes later: Son: “Da-aaaad.....” Father: “What?” Son: “I’m thirsty. Can I have a glass of water?” Father: “I told you no. If you ask again, I will have to spank you.” Then five minutes later again: Son: “Daaaa-aaaad.....” Father: “What?” Son: “When you come in to spank me, can you bring me the glass of water?”

majority of its life, it has a most graceful, beautiful and regal motion. It takes advantage of the air currents just above the ocean’s waves to soar in continuous graceful motion.

BIRTHDAY Alimat Morenikeji Adeosun clocked one on October 3, 2012

POP

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Lessons of Life

ANGELA DAVIES lessonsoflife2@yahoo.com 08023342083

TRUE LIFE STORY ON MATTERS OF THE HEART OCTOBER 14, 2012

‘Cletus, I’m sorry I cannot marry an illiterate’ We conclude the story of Cletus who took pity on a young orphan (Tonia) and sent her to school. She acquired university education and now works in a bank. Cletus is proposing marriage. The lady says she can’t be wife to illiterate. Now, a disappointed Cletus is almost insane.

nyway, a year later, I got admission into the university to study Economics. When I informed Cletus, he reminded me that he had promised to cater for my education and would fulfil his promise. In my first year in the university, I came home one Saturday afternoon and decided to see Cletus where he sells fruits before heading home to rest. I didn’t meet him there. Surprised, I went home and met him sleeping at the corridor. I quietly walked into the house and decided to prepare something for us to eat before he woke up. As I was cooking, he woke up and asked, “Tonia, when did you come?” “Brother Cletus, I came in about 30 minutes ago,” I replied. “I must have slept very deep since I was very tired,” he said. “On my way home, I decided to check on you first at your fruit shop. As I could not see you, I came home and met you sleeping at the corridor. I hope there is no problem?” I asked. “There is no problem, I only decided to rest today,” Cletus explained. Although, he assured me that there was no problem, deep down in my heart, I knew that he was troubled. From the way he was eating when I gave him his food, it was obvious that he was forcing himself to eat. Later that evening, he informed me that he had something important to tell me. He disclosed that his fruit business was no longer doing well and as such he had stopped selling fruits. “Tonia, my fruit business is no longer doing well and I spend a lot of money on it. I have decided to look for another business to do,” he revealed. “Which business do you want to do now?” I asked. “I don’t know yet but I will think of one and start as soon as possible. Don’t worry you will not stop going to school,” he assured. The next time I visited home, Cletus was a truck driver. He worked for a construction company and he was so excited about it. “Tonia, I am now a truck driver for a construction company and they pay me well. It is just that sometimes I have to travel to other nearby states to deliver building materials,” he disclosed. “That is good. I can see that you are very happy with this your new job,” I said. “I am not ashamed to

drive a truck as long as I can pay your way through the university. I know you are like a sister to me but I love you very much,” he said. “Cletus, I love you too. You have done so much for me,” I emphasised. For the first time, he kissed me. That was how we started an affair in my second year. No doubt, Cletus loves me so much. He was willing to do anything just to make me happy and also ensure that I completed my university degree. Sometimes he comes to visit me in school with lots of foodstuff, beverages, gifts and money. On my birthdays, he makes sure I don’t feel alone. He ensures we celebrate it together no matter how small. He warned me to stay away from boys so that I don’t get distracted. I knew however that he was speaking because of his own interest. In my third year, I had become older and wiser and came to the realisation that Cletus was not the kind of man I should even have a relationship with. I was so sure he was waiting for me to complete my univer-

sity degree so that he would ask me marriage. The truth is that he is not the kind of man I want to spend the rest of my life with because he is illiterate. I still had to play along because of my education. At this point, a couple of young men had started asking me for a relationship. However, I was not ready to lose focus as I wanted to graduate with good grades so that I could get a good job after graduation. As I had anticipated, I went home one weekend in my final year and Cletus spoke his mind. “Tonia, there is something I have been wanting to tell you and I guess now is the right time,” he started. “I hope there is no problem,” I asked. “No my dear, I just want to tell you that now that you are almost through with your university degree, it is time we started talking about our wedding plan,” he stressed. I didn’t know whether to smile or frown but I had to put on a fake smile. “Are you serious? Well, yes, I am in my final year but remember I still have a year to serve my country. Whatever plans you have must still have

to wait,” I said. Although, he was not too satisfied with my answer, nevertheless, he had to drop the topic. Already my mind was made up, I cannot marry him. Three months after graduation, he brought up the issue of marriage again. I stylishly told him I was not ready and he promised to wait until I wam ready. Deep down in my heart, I cannot marry him because he is not my type of man. About two months after I completed my National Youth Service Corps programme, I got a job with a bank and Cletus would not stay a day without bringing up the issue of marriage. I threatened to move out of the house if he continued to bug me about marriage. He temporarily stopped until some weeks later. It was a Saturday morning, after breakfast he asked me if I was still not ready to get married to him and I said, “Cletus do you really think I am going to marry you? No way. I appreciate all you have done for me but the truth is that I am sorry I cannot marry illiterate.” He was shocked. A few seconds later he said, “Tonia, you call me illiterate? I worked so hard just to see you through school and you pay me by calling me illiterate? Thank you and God bless you.” “Cletus if you had told me from the beginning that you were going to marry me in exchange of training me through both secondary school and the university, I would not have agreed because you are not and will never be my kind of man,” I retorted. He angrily stormed out of the room while I gathered my things together. I knew that the rate he was going he might do something nasty to me because I rejected him outright. A few days later, I moved out of the house. I now stay with Freda, one of my colleagues at work in Ikeja. Aside from staying miles away from Cletus, it is much closer to my place of work. Some weeks back, I ran into a young boy who lived in the same street with Cletus who informed me that Cletus was almost running mad because of me. “All he does is talk to himself while walking in the street. The only thing he says is, ‘Tonia does not want to marry me because I am illiterate’, and then he will smile,” the young man said. I am grateful that he sponsored my education but I want someone in my own class and not a truck driver. The difference is very clear. Have I done any wrong by telling him the truth? If you were in my shoes, won’t you do the same?

Please send your advice to the phone number or e-mail address above. No calls, please.

RESPONSES

Dear Phina,

Re: ‘I married a man old enough to be my father, now I’m in love with his son’

You should totally love Mr. William your husband and not his money or fame. With that, he can live longer and you will enjoy your marriage. -Emeka Umunnakwe, Jos – 08060128827. My candid advice for you is to quickly go on your knees and pray to God for a new partner. You are digging your grave too early if you do not forget entirely about Mr. William and his son. God will help in choosing a husband for you.

-Ted Ode, Makurdi – 07057235882.

I am of the opinion that he married you because of your beauty and also knowing his health condition, he wants his son to inherit you after his death. You have jumped the gun by sleeping with his son, when he is still alive and by common tradition, it is an abomination. I am compelled to believe that you are not interested in getting pregnant and having your own children at your age. I would advise you to boldly disclose to him your unfaithfulness and desire to marry his son, whom you have been sleeping secretly with for some time now. He may accede as he knows of his failing

health and he would not allow you to get married to someone else outside his family, when he dies. You still need to pray to God for direction in this critical matter. -Patrick Adiasor, Surulere – 08033452087. I hate to judge you but what you did was absolutely shameless. Though the heart is not smart, you should have controlled yourself and your emotion. The truth of the matter is that Morgan will never love you. Ask God and your hubby to forgive you. -Oyin, Lagos – 07064420108.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Wellness YOUR HEALTH AND HEALTH RELATED ISSUES OCTOBER 14, 2012

‘Chickenpox can spread without symptoms’ VANESSA OKWARA

he long vacation is over and most schools have reopened for a new calendar session. At this time of the year, school children usually come back from the vacation with all manner of infectious diseases they may have contracted while on holidays. Chickenpox infection is one of such sicknesses that children pick up while on holiday. It is a disease that can spread like wild fire to other children once one person still has the chickenpox virus active in his/her system. Already, there have been reports from schools in Lagos that some children were sent back home on the first day of school resumption when their teachers noticed the drying spots of chicken pox on their bodies. That way, they can protect the other kids from catching it since chickenpox is very contagious. According to various reports in medical journals, Chickenpox is a highly contagious illness caused by primary infection with varicella zoster virus (VZV). It is an airborne disease that spreads easily from direct contact with someone who already has the virus in their system. Dr Amupitan Rotimi, a general practitioner in Abuja capital territory, said this sickness can infect others while lying dormant in the body of its host before the rashes become noticeable. “Chickenpox is a common airborne illness that causes an itchy rash and red spots or blisters (pox) all over the body. It is most common in children, but most people will get chickenpox at some point in their lives if they have not had the chickenpox vaccine. You can

get it from an infected person who sneezes, coughs, drinks or through eating with an infected person.You can also get it if you touch the fluid from a chickenpox blister. A person who has chickenpox can spread the virus even before he or she has any symptoms. Chickenpox is most easily spread from two to three days before the rash appears until all the blisters have crusted over and this can take approximately six days after it first appeared.” Medical experts reveal that chickenpox usually isn’t serious in healthy children. It is rarely fatal, although it is generally more severe in adult males than in adult females or children. But it can cause problems for pregnant women, newborns, teens and adults, and people who have immune system problems that make it hard for the body to fight infection. The good news about chickenpox is that after you have had it, you are not likely to get it again. But the virus stays in your body long after you get over the illness. If the virus becomes active again, it can cause a painful viral infection called shingles. Dr Rotimi stressed that people who never had the illness and have not taken the chickenpox vaccine were of greater risk of contracting the infection. How is chickenpox spread? The medical doctor explains: “Once infected, chickenpox may take 10 to 21 days to develop. It is contagious for one to two days before the appearance of the rash and until the blisters have dried up. The blisters usually dry and become scabs within four to five days of the onset of the rash. Children should stay home and away from other children until all of the blisters have virtually disappeared or become more of a spot

‘90% of people with down syndrome suffer eye diseases’ fering from eyesight problem. wearing of eye glasses. An optometrist, Dr Ogechi

Nwokedi, said in Lagos that 90 per cent of people with down syndrome suffer several eye conditions. Nwokedi disclosed this at an international seminar entitled, “Unique with a Difference” organised by the Down Syndrome Foundation of Nigeria. “Most people with Down syndrome are at risk of suf-

The most common ones include astigmatism, cataracts, long-sightedness, myopia, strabismus and refractive errors,” she said. Nwokedi urged parents and caregivers to take their children to eye doctors to prevent loss of sight. She said most of the visual problems could be treated easily and effectively with the

“Occasionally, surgery may, however, be required,” she said, stressing that people with Down syndrome deserved and have a right to sight like everybody else. Nwokedi also stressed the need for people to maintain good hygiene at all times, noting that everybody, able or disabled, has a right to good eye sight and examination.

on the skin to avoid an outbreak in that school. Family members who have never had chickenpox have a 90 per cent chance of becoming infected when another family member in the household is infected. Parents should take maximum care to protect the other siblings who have not yet shown signs of the illness from having direct contact with the infected child. By taking the necessary precautions you protect your household from total collapse to chickenpox.” Medical experts instruct that the first symptoms of chickenpox often are fever, headache, stomach ache and a sore throat. It is often accompanied by lack of appetite. The chickenpox rash usually appears about one or two days after the first symptoms start. Some children get the chickenpox rash without having a fever or other early symptoms. It takes from 10 to 21 days after initial infection for the disease to develop after you have been around someone with the virus. This is called the incubation period. After a chickenpox red spot appears, it usually takes about one or two days for the spot to go through all its stages. This includes blistering, bursting, drying, and crusting over. New red spots will appear every day for up to five to seven days. Most pox will not leave scars unless they become infected with bacteria from scratching. Some children who have had the vaccine will still develop a mild case of chickenpox. They usually recover much more quickly and have only a few poxes (less than 30). However, these children can still spread chickenpox to others. The average child develops 250 to 500 small, itchy, fluidfilled blisters over red spots on the skin. The blisters norCONTINUED ON PAGE 46

HEALTH NEWS

‘Depression, anxiety can be managed at primary health care level’ A consultant family physician, Dr Enefiok Udofia, has said that depression and anxiety can be managed effectively at the primary health care level. He made the statement during a talk on ‘Depression and Anxiety in General Practice’ which he gave at the 2012 World Mental Health Day Symposium in Abuja.

Udofia said only a third of patients, who present themselves to their general physician with signs of depression, were correctly diagnosed. He added that the symptoms of depression were also symptoms of everyday life but the duration of these symptoms was what separated the two. “Serious warning signs

included preoccupation with death and dying, mood swings and constant talk about killing or harming self,’’ he said. Udofia warned that depression was a major risk factor for suicide and should be taken seriously. He said that while depression affected the mood, anxiety was mostly related to stress.

Wellness

Sunday, October 14, 2012

Know your organs

The small intestine

he small intestine is the part of the gastrointestinal tract following the stomach and followed by the large intestine. It is where much of the digestion and absorption of food takes place. The average length of the small intestine in an adult human male is 22 feet 6 inches (6.9 metre), and in the adult female 23 feet 4 inches (7.1 metre). However, it can vary greatly, from as short as 15 feet (4.6 metre) to as long as 32 feet (9.8 metre). It is approximately 2.5–3 cm in diameter. Its form The small intestine is divided into three structural parts: duodenum, jejunum and ileum. The stomach releases food into the duodenum, which is the first segment of the small intestine. Food enters the duodenum through the pyloric sphincter in amounts that the small intestine can digest. When full, the duodenum signals the stomach to stop emptying. The duodenum receives pancreatic enzymes from the pancreas and bile from the liver and gallbladder. These fluids, which enter the duodenum through an opening called the sphincter of oddi, are important in aiding digestion and absorption. Peristalsis also aids digestion and absorption by churning up food and mixing it with intestinal secretions. The rest of the small intestine, located below the duodenum, consists of the jejunum and the ileum. These parts of the small intestine are largely responsible for the absorption of fats and other nutrients. Churning movements facilitate absorption. How it absorbs fats, nutrients Absorption is also enhanced by the vast surface area made up of folds, villi, and microvilli. The intestinal wall is richly supplied with blood vessels that carry the absorbed nutrients to the liver through the portal vein. The intestinal wall releases mucus, which lubricates the intestinal contents, and water, which helps dissolve the digested fragments. Small amounts of enzymes that digest proteins, sugars, and fats are also released. The consistency of the intestinal contents changes gradually as the contents travel through the small intestine. In the duodenum, food is diluted with pancreatic enzymes and bile, which decrease stomach acidity. The contents continue to travel through the lower small intestine, becoming more liquid as they mix with water, mucus, bile, and pancreatic enzymes. Ultimately, the small intestine absorbs most of the nutrients and all but about 1 liter of fluid before emptying into the large intestine. Its contents Contents of the small intestine start out semi-solid, and end in a liquid form after passing through the organ. Water, bile, enzymes, and mucous contribute to the change in consistency. Once the nutrients have been absorbed and the leftoverfood residue liquid has passed through the small intestine, it then moves on to the large intestine. Some of the small intestine disorder include: colon cancer; small bowel bacterial overgrowth syndrome; Obstruction from external pressure and Obstruction by masses in the lumen (foreign bodies, bezoar and gallstones).

Head injury (3) • Sheer injury: Sometimes, the damage is due to sheer injury, where there is no obvious bleeding in the brain, but instead the nerve fibers within the brain are stretched or torn. Another term for this type of injury is diffuse axonal injury. • Edema: All injuries to the brain may also cause swelling or edema, no different than the swelling that surrounds a bruise on an arm or leg. However, because the bones of the skull cannot stretch to accommodate the extra volume caused by swelling, the pressure increases inside the skull and causes the brain to compress against the skull. • Skull fracture: The bones of the skull are classified as flat bones, meaning that they do not have an inside marrow. It takes a significant amount of force to break the skull, and the skull does not absorb any of that impact. It is often transmitted directly to the brain. Skull fractures are described by which bone is broken, whether there is an associated laceration of the scalp, and whether the bone is depressed and potentially pushed into the brain tissue. Brain injuries often occur in combination with one another. The effects of brain injury depend upon the amount of brain tissue damaged and the level of pressure within the skull and its effects on the brain. What are the causes of a head injury? By definition, trauma is required to cause a head injury, but that trauma does not necessarily need to be violent. Falling down a few steps or falling into a hard object may be enough to cause damage. Motor vehicle crashes account for more than 50% of traumatic brain injuries, with sports related injuries adding another 20%. Almost 80% of head injuries occur in males. Penetrating head injuries describe those situations in which the injury occurs due to a projectile, for example a bullet, or when an object is impaled though the skull into the brain. Closed head inju-

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Your

BONE Health with Dr. Olatunji Idowu

ries refer to injuries in which no lacerations exist. What are the symptoms of a head injury? The symptoms of head injury can vary from almost none to loss of consciousness andcoma. As well, the symptoms may not necessarily occur immediately at the time of injury. While a brain injury occurs at the time of trauma, it may take time for enough swelling or bleeding to occur to cause symptoms that are recognizable. Initial symptoms may include a change in mental status, meaning an alteration in the wakefulness of the patient. There may be loss of consciousness, lethargy, and confusion. Head injury symptoms may also include: • vomiting, • difficulty tolerating bright lights, • leaking CSF from the ear or nose, • bleeding from the ear , • speech difficulty, • paralysis, • difficulty swallowing, and • numbness of the body. Other symptoms may be more subtle and include: • nausea, • dizziness, • irritability, • difficulty concentrating and thinking, and • amnesia.

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.

Chickenpox...what to do CONTINUED FROM PAGE 45 mally appear in these stages: • They are usually first seen on the face, middle of the body, or scalp • After a day or two, the blisters become cloudy and then scab. • Meanwhile, new blisters form in groups. They often appear in the mouth, in the vagina, and on the eyelids. • Children with skin problems such as eczema may get thousands of blisters. Children should not scratch the blisters, as this could lead to secondary bacterial infections. Keep your child’s fingernails short to decrease the likelihood of scratching. There is no actual cure for chickenpox. That is the reason why Dr Rotimi advises that getting your child immunised early will help boost their immunity against many infectious diseases. “Immunisation remains the

surest antidote against the infection and I am urging every parent to ensure that their children were immunised at the right time during their early years,” he urged. In the treatment of the illness, medical experts recommend that it should be geared towards relieving the symptoms while the immune system clears the virus from the body. That is why it is imperative you don’t send your child to school nor should an adult go to the work place to avoid spreading the disease to other people. In most cases, the condition resolves by itself within a couple of weeks but the patient must pay attention to their personal hygiene. The rash caused by varicella zoster virus may however last for up to one month, although the infectious stage does not take longer than a week or two. Also, staying in a cold surrounding can help in easing the itching as heat and sweat make it worse. To relieve the symptoms of chickenpox, people commonly use anti-itching creams and lotions. These lotions

are not to be used on the face or close to the eyes. The spread of chickenpox can be prevented by isolating affected individuals. Contagion is by exposure to respiratory droplets, or direct contact with lesions, within a period lasting from three days prior to the onset of the rash, to four days after the onset of the rash How to take care of a child with chickenpox: •Try to keep him or her from scratching the sores. The sores can get infected, scarred, and become more painful. Clip your child’s fingernails short, but do not cover the sores. •Keep your child away from anyone who has not had chickenpox or has had the vaccine. Apply calamine lotion, use cool wet washcloths. Give your child a bath with lukewarm water once a day to keep his or her sores clean. Take your child to the doctor if he or she has a fever of more than 38.3°C for longer than two days or if he or she has a fever that goes above 38.8°C.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Business

FRESH BUSINESS NEWS AT YOUR FINGERTIPS October 14, 2012

We are involved in capacity development in Nigeria –Canadian envoy The Canada High Commissioner in Nigeria, Mr. Chris Cooter, spoke with Stanley Ihedigbo at the International Investment Forum organized by the Federal Ministry of Trade and Investment in Lagos. He spoke about his country’s relationship with Nigeria and plans for further business dealings with the country. In your presentation, you mentioned your home country as one of the largest producers of energy in the world? We are the largest energy exporter in the world, because we believe so much in energy in Canada, with the volume increasing by over 20 per cent last year. We export over $150 billion per year that is half of the entire GPD of Nigeria as a nation. That is why some of the Canadian energy companies have started coming to Nigeria because we do see the opportunities in the country and we see the need here. Also we see the direction the Federal Government of Nigeria is taking by liberalising the sector, of which the privatization of electricity is a key part. That is why a Canadian company has been contracted in the privatisation of Nigeria’s electricity sector, to bring more energy power to ordinary Nigerians. Apart from energy issues, what other things have Nigeria benefitted from your country? On the trade side, we have a wide range of Canadian investments here. In aviation for example, we have over $1 billion Canadian air craft flying the Nigeria sky; we just opened a telecommunication company office in Lagos and they are the manufacturers of blackberry. Also, we have people doing other aspects of Information Technology in the country. We have companies cleaning up the environmental problem in the Niger Delta region; also Canadian companies are into infrastructure. We have over 50 colleges and universities that come to Nigeria once a year to bridge the gap for the students. Also we are looking at bringing Canadian institutes to Nigeria, in particular to help with skill training

for young people. We observed that it is a critical need in Nigeria and we recognized that we probably are the leader in providing that kind of capacity building around the world. We have an organisation and colleges in Canada that work in over 120 countries in capacity building. Even here in Nigeria we have ready taken on a very big mission; about 50 Nigerians citizens travelled in June this year for training, and are looking forward to establish a project shortly. What is the volume of bilateral trade between Nigeria and Canada? The Canadian government is interested in looking at the new emerging market, and Nigeria is going to be one of the next 11 big markets in the world. We need a position to be here; we want to be your trade partners, and last April, four ministers signed a bilateral commercial agreement, and in that agreement, a frame work was created. We were able to talk about political cooperation not just in Nigeria but round the world. We were able to talk about security cooperation, commercial cooperation and we are looking at total agreement to further advance our trade. So we see the future in Nigeria, we see it on the right path. The growth of trade is one of the highest in the world, and the Canadian economy is also very strong as we are the 7th strongest economy in the world. We haven’t suffered the recession and our economy continues to grow. So we are good partners. We are both commonwealth, English-speaking, federal countries and both respect and recognise the importance of human rights as well as democratic development. Also we have increased our presence here to help in various areas we can; we are building

Mr. Cooter

a new chancellery and a new embassy in Abuja, which recognises that our presence is growing rapidly. What has Canada as a country benefited from Nigeria, especially in the area of our oil and gas, raw materials, and other minerals products? We import oil from Nigeria and have benefited from their Diaspora. In other words, we have benefited from their brain because Nigerians in Canada have established businesses and are doing very well in the country. There are other things in Nigeria we are looking at; like the mining sector, we don’t have any company in mining and we are hoping to do that in the next six months. Again we see a huge mineral potential, and also a huge agricultural potential. Most of all, Nigeria has a huge body of people, which is one of its greatest resources. So we are doing better things al-

ready from working with Nigeria, but then it is a mutually beneficial partnership; we both must get something from the relationship. We’ve got ideas and Nigeria has got ideas too, and we want to share those ideas to work together and double the new future. What is the level of investments of Canada in Nigeria in figures presently? These days, trade is not a black and white thing; trade means for example, the blackberry company that was opened in your country. I may say that the volume in figure is roughly $3 billion in trade and this can be multiplied in a matter of two years with additional investments. So the interesting thing about our relationship is that we have diversified interests in every sector of the country including education, aviation, ICT, infrastructure, and in so many other things in Nigeria.

Sunday, October 14, 2012

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Business

Sunday October 14, 2012

‘Dying’ daily to multiply Inspirati

VERILY, VERILY, I SAY UNTO YOU, EXCEPT A CORN OF WHEAT FALLS UNTO THE GROUND AND DIES, IT ABIDETH ALONE; BUT IF IT DIES, IT BRINGETH FORTH MUCH FRUIT

with Lanre

Oyetade

NMMA Capital Market Award Winner 2004, 2005 E-mail: lanreoyetade@gmail.com, 08039428648

or the avoidance of doubt, we refer to ‘dying’ here as the process in which you give of yourself through hard and smart work, study, self-denial, giving, and meditation etc in order to live an exceptional life. The returns from this ‘dying’ process are so high that it is yet inexplicable. It is a mystery engendering from God’s statement that out of a man’s sweat he would eat.

The Master’s example

Christ laid the example when He died so that He would multiply the kingdom of His Father; so that he wouldn’t be the only one qualified to be the Son of God. But the kind of ‘death’ we need to ‘die’ to multiply our cause no longer has to be a terminal one but rather one of giving of ourselves, our resources, our time and our very lives to the cause of multiplying at our calling on earth. But yet many individuals go through life not being ready to give this much; some of them are not even aware of this need and yet they are all around the few that have such knowledge, and are ready to make such necessary commitment - the necessary ‘dying’ - to attain their cause and purpose on Mother Earth.

- THE ‘MASTER’ IN JOHN 12:24 Mere witnesses

This lot that are unaware of the need – or unprepared – to give the requisite commitment to life are called witnesses, mere spectators. They are here as onlookers; to watch, comment and marvel at the achievements of those that are ready to ‘bear their cross and earn the crown’. They may come in the form of friends, family members, colleagues or even enemies. They are simply not prepared to apply the process as you are doing. Worse still, they may not even know of the process. They fail to realise that there is always a cause-and-effect linkage in all life processes; that the effect cannot be divorced from the cause. Some of them may yield when you try to affect their lives for the better by telling them about the fundamentals but most of them would rather prefer you ‘give them the fish rather than teach them to fish’. They are called to witness only.

Nothing marvelous, nothing supernatural

Such people would keep marvelling at what is taking place in your life and regard you as an outstanding human being. They fail to realise that whatever is happening in your life can readily be replicated in theirs if only they are ready to give of themselves, to ‘die’ now in order on any of the following phone numbers: 01-58511418, 2701074-79, 7743309, 5456142 and 802700-9.

Money Consult Your money questions Y t answered E-mail: lanreoyetade@gmail.com, 08039428648