Sunday, September 2, 2012 by GLOBAL MEDIA MIRROR LIMITED

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THE

Interview

P. 3-6

P. 13-14

Ex IGs feel threatened, that’s why they oppose state police –Okurounmu

State funding: Big question mark on centralised policing

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Vol. 2 No. 38

Sunday, September 2, 2012

Alleged $620,000 bribe scandal

N150

Why we can’t prosecute Farouk Lawan now –Police P. 8

CONDOLENCE VISIT

President Goodluck Jonathan signing a condolence register for the late Prime Minister Meles Zenawi of Ethiopia at the Grand Palace in Addis Ababa, yesterday.

Islamic banking in trouble P. 8

Photo: State House

N5,000 note controversy

Dino Melaye, others set to storm CBN

P. 9

... as low patronage threatens operations Two brothers 2015: Igbo leaders slam Obi, Arthur Eze over Jonathan’s endorsement P. 8

‘No right-thinking Igbo man will endorse Jonathan for second term’

killed as flood wreaks havoc in Niger

P. 50

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

What’s new Interview

Ex IGs feel threatened, that’s why they oppose state police

TALKING POINT OF THE PAST WEEK SEPTEMBER 2, 2012

Story behind my sleepingwith-dogvideo, by Cossy Cossy Orjiakor’s name, no doubt, rings a bell, especially in the social and entertainment world. In this interview, she speaks about a few controversies that have trailed her recently.

Wellness

Newswatch clears salary arrears, lays off 70% staff The management of Nigeria’s leading news magazine, Newswatch, has paid salary arrears owed its entire workforce, while it also laid off 70 per cent of its staff to pave way for the successful implementation of its ongoing restructuring process. The management however pledged to recall some of the laid off staff who might be considered suit-

able for reengagement. Among those sacked were two 70-year-old photographers. The company’s management in a statement described the move as the first step towards a comprehensive surgical operation, necessary for its corporate turnaround by the Publisher and internationally- acclaimed turnaround expert, Barrister Jimoh Ibrahim, OFR.

FG sacks Power Minister, Nnaji

President Goodluck Jonathan on Tuesday fired the Minister of Power, Prof. Barth Nnaji, over an apparent conflict of interest in the ongoing power sector privatiFood poisoning has gone on sation programme. the rise in the country going by According to a two-parathe reports revealed recently graph statement issued by by a Professor of Food Science President Jonathan’s Special and Technology, Alfred Adviser on Media and PubIhenkuronye. He has said that licity, Dr. Reuben Abati, the more than 200,000 persons President said he “has accepted the resignation with die of food poison in Nigeria WE HAVE DEPLOYED D 20 BUSES SO FARof–MASSOB immediate effect the Minannually. Read more...inside

Food poisoning: Causes, prevention and treatment

ister of Power, Prof. Barth Nnaji.” “President Jonathan thanks Prof. Nnaji for his services to the nation under the present administration and wishes him well in his future endeavours,” the statement added. Nnaji’s departure followed disclosure of his interest in some of the firms bidding for controlling interest in subsidiary companies of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN, slated for4 privatisation.

Jude Thomas-Inung CEO, EFFIZI INC

Effizi is into branding, ideas, inventions.

MON

Applause

they may reside, warning officers and men of the force to exhibit the finest ideals of discipline in their relationship with members of the public. Commissioning the vehicles at the Force Headquarters in Abuja, Mr. Abubakar assured that more of such vehicles would soon be procured to boost the working condition of the patrol units.

and Other Financial Institutions, Senator Bassey Otu, made this known while fielding questions from National Assembly correspondents. He said that the Senate believed that the project required parliamentary approval because it had numerous and fiscal implications for the entire economy.

My Monday is always a low key for me because I may be returning from events on the wee hours of Monday. So, I use my Monday to refresh and rest.

TUE

Soverign wealth fund: The tasks, the expectations

The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Abubakar, on Wednesday gave out 40 light armoured patrol vans and four specially built crime scene management vehicles to the Police Highway Patrol Unit. This was even as Mr. Abubakar reiterated the commitment of the police to protecting Nigerians from all forms of crime wherever

The Senate on Monday said it had directed the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, to suspend the introduction of the proposed new N5,000 notes until the apex bank “fully and convincingly explains the merits of the new currency” to Nigerians. Chairman of the Senate Committee on Banking, Currency

My week begins on Tuesdays. This is when I go through my schedule and see who I have appointments with. I also hold meetings with my staff where we brainstorm on projects. So, Tuesdays is when we do review.

WED

Police get 44 light armoured vehicles for highway patrol

Senate rejects N5,000 note

Wednesday is my studio day. It is the day for audio studio section because I’m a recording artiste.

THU

ed to cost the taxpayers a whopping N40.3 billion. The Chairman of the Banking Committee, Hon. Jones Onyereri (PDP/ Imo), who announced the invitation at a press conference on Wednesday, said that the CBN governor would also brief the committee on the progress of its cashless policy which was introduced in 2011.

year and follows monetary policy tightening measures introduced by the CBN. The reserves have continued to grow gradually since July 24 when the apex bank’s Monetary Policy Committee reduced the amount of foreign exchange banks can hold as a percentage of their shareholders’ funds to one per cent from three per cent and increased their cash reserve requirements to 12 per cent of total assets from eight per cent.

I have a night club I work with as their Public Relation Officer. So, Thursdays, I resume work there and start getting set for the weekend, for events that would be coming up there. It is my duty to make contacts with clients and ensure that things are well arranged.

FRI

The House of Representatives Committee on Banking and Currency will soon invite the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Mr. Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, to defend the proposed plan to introduce a N5,000 note and reintroduce coins. The proposed introduction of the new note, which has been generating controversy, is expect-

The nation’s foreign reserves has increased by 4.25 per cent to N38 billion as at Friday, August 24 according to latest figures from the Central Bank of Nigeria This is up from N36.39 billion one month earlier, due to strong oil prices forex inflows from non-Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, sources to the official market; including banks and oil firms. The figure is the highest this

Wow, I always thank God it’s Friday. I’m usually happy on this last day of the week because the week is coming to an end and my day starts from 10pm mainly at the night club

SAT

Senator Femi Okunrounmu represented Ogun Central Senatorial District between 1999 and 2003. A former Secretary-General of the panYoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, Okunrounmu is the secretary of the Yoruba Unity Forum. He speaks on the “marginalisation of the Yoruba in the sharing of present political positions at the Federal level among other issues.

Foreign reserves hit N38bn

This is the day I check my wears and give the dirty ones out for dry cleaning. I also go for shopping later in the day. It’s also the of the week that I spend time in the gym trying to work out. I may go out to swim.

SUN

Reps summon Sanusi over N5,000 note

–Okurounmu

Politics

Seven Days

Sundays I go to church. It’s compulsory for me to be in church every Sunday. When I was growing up, church was boring but now it is no longer so. So, I must be at the church. I have realized there is power in congregation, so I don’t miss it *By Adaeze Amos (0802 301 2293)

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

THE

Big Read SUNDAY SPECIAL INVESTIGATION

September 2, 2012

Gov. Shema presenting part of the 34 Hilux patrol vans to the Katsina State Police Command

50 Hilux patrol vans from Ondo State government to the State Police Command

Some Hilux patrol vans donated to the State Police command by Lagos State government. (Inset: Gov. Fashola)

State funding: Big question mark on centralised policing The huge spending on security in the country by states and corporate organisations has again led to public outcry and renewed calls for the decentralisation of the Police Force. It’s again raising fears, concerns and anxiety in people, just the way it generated controversy and heated debate in the polity a few years back. But what really are the fears for state police? Head, Special Investigations, Isioma Madike, writes

hen, on August 20, 2012, the Nigerian media feasted on the report of an oil industry’s watchdog account of how the Anglo-Dutch company, Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) spent a fortune on security in Nigeria, many were livid with rage over the revelation. Citing leaked company documents, London-based Platform said Shell spent a total of $383 million in the country between 2007 and 2009, when a rebel insurgency in the oil-rich Delta region was at its peak. The report went further to state that Nigeria’s military and police got over $65 million for two years to secure the company’s facilities. According to the report, Shell’s 1, 200-strong private security outfit complemented the 1,300 government forces that guarded its facilities. A source at Shell’s Nigerian subsidiary, who spoke on conditions of anonymity, said that protecting company staff and assets is “Shell’s highest priority.” Shell international had, before then reacted by saying, “We have always acknowledged the difficulties of working in countries like Nigeria. In the period that this report

refers to, the armed militancy in the Niger-Delta was at its height, requiring a relatively high level of security spending there.” Incidentally, Shell may not be alone in this spending spree on security. As the debate over the creation on the state police continues to take the centre stage, the overall expenditure of Lagos State on security is said to have hit over N9 billion in the last five years. The amount represents the contribution by the state government, corporate organisations as well as individuals, to security operations in the state, through the Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF), established in 2007. The idea of LSSTF is to partner with the Federal Government-controlled police to fight crime and criminality in the state. The state government’s subvention in the trust fund was put at over N5 billion while private organisations and individuals’ contributions in cash and kind, added up to make the total contribution a whooping N4 billion. The state, through the Fund, had provided patrol vehicles, Armoured Personnel Carriers (APC), Marine gun boats, Naval Vessels and motorbikes.

‘KANO GOVERNMENT CATERS FOR OFFICERS’ DAILY ALLOWANCES AND FEEDING ‘

The state had also provided helicopters, bullet proof vests, walkie-talkies and other logistics, including the fuelling of the patrol vehicles and APCs. Part of the contribution also covers the maintenance of the state’s security operatives, especially the Rapid Respond Squad (RRS) and Operation MESA. About 114 patrol vehicles are also expected to be presented to the state security outfit by the 57 local government areas and the local council development areas (LCDAs) before the end of the year, according to government sources. In like manner, two Lagos-based commercial banks, Skye and Zenith, had, on January 26, 2011 also donated N50 million each to the trust fund. The donations, according to the Managing Director of Skye Bank, Kehinde Durosinmi Etti, were part of their contribution to the eradication of crime in Lagos State. The Skye Bank boss also described the N50 million as a lot of money, but a token when compared to the enormous amount needed in the fund to make the state safer. For Zenith Bank MD, Godwin Emefiele, his bank’s donation was an appreciation to Governor Babatunde Fashola in particular for providing a safe and enabling environment for banks and other corporate organisations to do business in Lagos State. Zenith and Skye appeared to have ‘encouraged’ Leadway Assurance into donating N2 million on April 25 to help improve security in the state. It was the third time the company was donating to the Fund, starting with an initial block donation of N10 million in 2007 and N1million last year. But, Zinox Technologies Limited, which contribCONTINUED ON PAGE 4

5 ‘STATE POLICE WILL MAKE GOVERNORS EFFECTIVE CSO IN STATES’

The Big Read

Sunday, September 2, 2012

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‘Lagos spent N9bn for state police command in five years’

One of the four APCs donated by Ogun State government to the State Police command

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3 uted in June, did that in relative style as it preferred to donate four Toyota Hilux security panel vans to the state security trust fund. LASACO Assurance Plc and Dangote Group have, at other times, partnered with the Fund too. While LASACO Assurance gave out N2 million, Dangote Group doled out N50 million to become the single largest donour to the Fund, outside banks and oil companies as an indicator of the high premium it places on “security and collective safety of all the residents of the state.” Governor Fashola, while appreciating the contributions towards effective policing of the state, stated that the Fund remains one of the cardinal objectives of his administration’s 10-point agenda for maintaining of security of life. He also used the success of the trust fund to restate the need for state police, which he believes would supplement the inadequacy of the Nigeria Police. He disclosed that there are about 33,000 police officers in the Lagos command and argued that the federal police cannot effectively police over 18 million inhabitants of the state. “For me, the question of a state police is no longer if, it is when,” he said. He did not stop there, but asked, “Should a state that has its own House of Assembly, university, and hospitals not have its own police? What are we afraid of ?” Incidentally, the governor was not alone in this thinking. His Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Lateef Aderemi Ibirogba, also pointed at the dynamism in the activities of the underworld, occasioned by the sophistication in criminality as witnessed in recent years, saying, “this has made it imperative for the state to champion the funding of police and other security agencies to effectively ensure safety of lives and properties in the state. The present insecurity challenges have also proven to us that the community or state police is what is desirable and what is really required for us to really police our environment. The central police cannot really do the kind of policing that is required to guarantee safe living that is mandatory. That is why there is need for community police; community policing cannot be done virtually from Abuja. See how much the state government is spending to help all these security agencies, it shows that Federal Government alone cannot fund the police.” For the Executive Secretary and Chief

Members of RRS displaying some of the motorbike donated by Lagos State government

Tsafe

Executive Officer of LSSTF, Fola ArthurWorrey, underfunding of the police by the Federal Government, gave birth to fund raising intervention by state governments. “If a state can do this much, who says it can’t do better if they allow state police to thrive in Nigeria?” Arthur-Worrey queried. In spite of these arguments, however, Dr. Ona Ekhomu, Nigeria’s first chartered security professional and president of the Association of Industrial Security and Safety Operations of Nigeria (AISSON), has a different view. Ekhomu argued that the demand by some state governors for the creation of state police is not because they are keen on providing security for their people, but for their myopic, selfish, and parochial interests. He rather advised that the governors should press for the centre to allow the states control of electricity, roads for instance, before delving into security. “What the governors want is absolute control of the police in their states so as to

coerce their opponents to do their will without any question; to further terrorise opposition groups, appear and be seen as the kings of the jungle. It is diversionary from the real issues of governance,” the African regional representatives of the International Foundation for Protection Officers (IFPO), said. Ekhomu has some support in Innocent Chukwuma, executive director of CLEEN Foundation, a non-governmental organisation established with the mission of promoting public safety, security and accessible justice. Chukwuma, while admitting that crime and criminality could be localised, nonetheless said what is needed in Nigeria’s instance is proper funding, reorientation and re-education. “Honestly, policing is not about numbers. It’s essentially about sophistication, education, orientation and proper funding. All of these would boost professionalism. This, to my mind, is what we need now and not state police,” he said.

Aside these, there are those who chose the middle course by advocating that there should be a co-existence of both the federal police force and that of the state. This, however, was punctured by Chukwuma, who said that such arrangement may breed a conflict of interest between the central and the state police, which he noted, may eventually create more problems than it seeks to solve. The security expert cited Lagos State, where he sees LASTMA being at daggers drawn with other security agencies over who controls what on Lagos highways. He also argued that the states do not have the financial muscle to fund state police. “Let them pay workers’ salaries first. Many of them could not and have not been able to pay the minimum wage of N18, 000 till now,” he further argued. But, those who are conversant with the LSSTF would disagree. Governor Fashola, for instance, has, through the well-intentioned security trust fund, provided about 80 percent of what is used in the state as against what is coming from the central police authorities. According to available statistics, the Lagos State Police Command has so far been provided with over 30 armoured personnel carriers, 400 patrol vans with communication gadgets, one million rounds of live AK47 ammunition, eight patrol boats for the rejuvenated marine police section, 10 BMW power bikes, as well as the payment of allowances for members of the RRS, and fuelling of the patrol vans, among others. “The state trust fund has provided over 400 patrol vehicles currently operating for RRS and OP MESA while it has also provided about 30 Armoured Personnel Carriers stationed at strategic locations in the state. Eight patrol boats as well as smaller speed boats have also been provided. Some organisations are responsible for fuelling the boats as their contributions to the trust fund. The substantial donation comes from the Lagos State government and other donors, which are largely financial homes and corporate organisations, taxi drivers, churches, mosques shareholders of various companies and individuals, who have concern for security. The trust fund also contributes from its proceeds to the State Security Service (SSS) and Prison. Part of the state government’s contribution to the security is also the multi-million naira reCONTINUED ON PAGE 5

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The Big Read

Sunday, September 2, 2012

Kano government caters for officers’ daily allowances and feeding – CP, Idris Ibrahim Idris is the Kano State Commissioner of Police. He spoke with North-West Bureau Chief, Augustine Madu-West, on the security challenges in Kano occasioned by the activities of the Boko Haram sect and the efforts being made by security agents in tackling the situation. He also acknowledged the support from both the state government and the general public in the campaign to rid Kano of undesirable elements. What is the security situation in Kano like now? Well, the security environment in the state has continued to improve tremendously and this is due largely to the support and cooperation we are receiving from members of the public, the traditional rulers, and the state government. But, of course we cannot rule out the gallantry, professionalism and commitment of officers and men of the Nigerian Police Force; the synergy between members of the various security agencies as reflected in the joint operation of the Joint Task Force, including quasi state security outfits such as Hisbah and Neigbourhood Watch Vigilance Group. This joint effort has led to drastic reduction of crime in the state. Economic and social activities have returned and Kano State has now resumed its number one position as the economic nerve centre of northern Nigeria. What has been the specific role of the Police in the security challenges confronting your state? We have continued to adopt our strategies of combating crimes, which include visibility policing and raids on criminal hideouts, which have really been successful leading to the arrest of hundreds of criminals of different categories. Apart from the raids that are carried out as a routine operation, we have improved vehicular patrol, especially around the city as well as the ‘stop and search’ operation. All these have proved to be successful in this campaign. We also have our plains cloth personnel deployed in flash points for intelligence gathering. In summary, my men have lived up to expectation in the circumstance. Don’t forget also that in the last six months in the state, our bomb experts have been nosing around for abandoned

explosives and at the last count, we are able to mop up no fewer than 964 assorted high caliber explosives, which were either detonated or defused. The exercise is ongoing and we have taken time to explain to the public that whenever they hear the sound of explosives it should not be interpreted that the state is under attack, because most times, we are the ones that carried out the detonation. You talked about support from the government and members of the public. Could you be more specific on this? The state government particularly has rendered immeasurable support to the command in terms of material assistance. I cannot count the number of vehicles and security gadgets the government has donated to the command but, one thing is certain, they have made contribution to enhance security in Kano. For instance, since the security problem, which began on January 20 leading to the deployment of officers in the streets of Kano to strengthen security, the government has taken it upon itself to cater for the welfare of the officers in terms of their daily allowances and feeding. In fact, officers in the field are fed three times daily by the state. And for the public, they have also been wonderful in terms of the provision of useful information, which has tremendously assisted the security agents in this war against all manners of criminals. Do you see these efforts as enough justification for a state police? I think no sane person in this country will support that; I mean; we are not ripe for it. In the pre-independence era, we had the local authority police, which in my opinion

Idris

was not different from state police and we are all aware of the abuses that characterised the setting. So, that the (state) government supports the police does not justify that call at all because the issue of security is everybody’s business, it’s a huge investment that every member of the society must be part of. For instance, protagonist of the state police are citing advanced countries like the United States of America and United Kingdom. I know today, these countries are working towards centralising their police with the creation of coordinating ministries for the police. Let us recall the era of General Ibrahim Babangida when he gave the directive that policemen of certain levels should be posted to their states of origin, what happened thereafter? Of cause, there were complaints here and there, especially in conflict situations where officers were accused of taking sides based on ethnic divides. This development was prominent in Kaduna and Plateau States. So, in my opinion, we cannot think about state police creation until we have reached a stage in which where you come from no longer matters. We can’t have state police in our peculiar environment without creating problems for this country and its people.

‘Katsina donated 34 Hilux vans to the state police command’

Chukwuma

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4 habilitation of the police barrack project at Surulere. The state has equally procured two helicopters, which are customised for emergency evacuation, aerial security survey, and quick response, from Bell Corporation,” Governor Fashola said. However, Lagos State may not be alone on this path. Though, police and government officials in Katsina State were reluctant to speak on the type of assistance

being given the state police command to ensure effective crime fighting, sources within government circles say such assistance has been ongoing for many years. The state governor, Ibrahim Shema, recently donated 34 Hilux vans to the police in the 34 council areas, with such donations made from time to time. He recently also launched an armoured storage building at the headquarters of the police in the state, with substantial part of security votes said

to be going to the police in the state for improved services. In Ondo State, the state government has in the last eight months equipped the state police command with no fewer than 50 patrol Hilux vans and about 500 bulletproof vests. The state command was also boosted with five APCs, stationed in different locations of the state to fortify the police against armed robbery attacks while additional 10 high velocity motorcycles ply the interior communities within the state. Kaduna State government’s case is not different. Recently, according to the state Commissioner for Works and Transport, Engr. Suleiman Yahaya Richifa, the state started the construction of mobile police barracks at Dogarawa in Sabon Gari Local Government Area at the cost of N1.2 billion. “The project consists of provision of access and internal road networks, 70 staff quarters, administrative block and the armoury; water and electrical distribution networks, as well as construction of wall fence round the barracks,” the commissioner said. For Borno State, which has become the hotbed for the dreaded Boko Harem sect, the government has been supportive of the state police command. During the former governor Ali Modu Sheriff ’s administration, the state police was said to have been supported with over 200 patrol vehicles and other communication gadgets for the then “Operation Flush II.” Apparently worried

by the current situation in the state, Governor Kashim Shettima’s administration has also continued to spend billions of naira every year in the area of buying security patrol vehicles, fuelling them on daily basis and providing weapons to the police and other security agencies maintaining peace in the troubled state. Shettima has only recently purchased new Hilux patrol vehicles, alongside the ongoing construction of 200 housing units for the Joint Task Force (JTF) along Maiduguri –Damaturu – Kano road. About N30, 000 monthly allowance is also constantly paid to each of the personnel of the state command. The state Commissioner for Information, Home Affairs and Culture, Inuwa Bwala, said despite the security challenges facing the state, Governor Shettima was able to procure 5000 tricycles, which he distributed to the unemployed youths following the outright ban of ‘Achaba’ in Maiduguri and its environs in his effort to reduce criminality in the state. There are indications too that since the inception of Governor Gabriel Suswam’s administration in Benue State, the security outfits operating in the state such as the Nigeria Police, Nigerian Army, the Nigerian Prisons, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) as well as the Nigerian Civil Defence have at one time or the other received tremendous support in cash and CONTINUED ON PAGE 6

The Big Read

Sunday, September 2, 2012

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

‘State police will make governors effective Chief Security Officer in states’

Ladoja

Ngige

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5 equipment from the state government. In April this year, the current Inspector-General of Police, Abubakar Mohammed, commissioned over 10 state-of-the-art Toyota Hilux vehicles at IBB Square in Makurdi, equipped with communication gadgets estimated to have cost the state millions of naira. Efforts to get the graphic details of assistance doled out to security outfits from the special adviser on security matters, Col. Basil Kwembe (rtd), failed as several visits to obtain the information proved abortive. Assistant Inspector-General (AIG) of Police, Zone 11, Ibrahim Tsafe, while acknowledging the tremendous support from both the states and the corporate world to better the state commands, however, says that those measures are not enough to justify the call for state police. “Yes, we appreciate what the states are doing to help the police, especially in Lagos State where the state police trust fund has been wonderful. Yes, they have bought vehicles, gave special allowances to some specialised units of the police in their various states, but, police funding goes beyond those things. Even the Neighbourhood Watch in some states has also complemented the efforts of police in good light. But, there are other considerations. Perhaps, the country might need to adopt the state police system like what operates in some other climes in the future. For now, I would like to go with the argument of Mr. President, who believed that though, it is desirable; the country may not be ripe for it yet. Incidentally, he was part of those agitating for it when he was a governor. Now that he has come to the centre, he is better educated on the complexities of this nation and has seen that it could be suicidal to go with those clamouring for state police. What I think should be done now is to fortify the existing centralised structure of the police because I believe it is more of a unifying factor in the country. It goes beyond support funding; that’s my personal view. Above all, it could be abused by the state governors,” Tsafe said. Since the return to democratic rule in 1999, the centralised police structure has been a subject of debate among those who insist that the practice of proper federalism is key to Nigeria’s democratisation process. It has also been argued that the existence of symbols of unitarism such as the Nigeria Police Force amounts to a contradiction in terms, and serves as a source of tension and stress in the polity. Questions have been raised about the capacity of the Nigeria Police Force as presently structured and constituted to discharge its duties, such that in the last few years, there have been more strident calls for a police reform. Successive Inspectors-General of Police have each promised this reform, and in response to the charge of

Part of the 10 APCs donated to the State Command by Lagos State government

the Police being too centralised, zonal police commands were created. There has also been much talk but little action about community policing. These attempts, however half-hearted, have not reduced the clamour for state police. Between 1999 and now, this has been at the top of the shopping list of the Southern Governors Forum. The source of contention is Section 214 (1) of the 1999 Constitution, which provides expressly that “there shall be a Police Force for Nigeria, which shall be known as the Nigeria Police Force, and subject to the provisions of this section, no other police force shall be established for the Federation or any part thereof”. Yet, Chief Ralph Okey Nwosu, chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), believes there exists a contradiction of some sort in the constitutional provision. He said, “Whereas the 1999 Constitution stands on the principle that Nigeria is a federation, it contains many provisions such as Section 214(1) which is cast in the mould of unitarism. Is it not illogical that, whereas state governments can have the three arms of government, yet they are tied in ensuring the protection of life and property to the apron-strings of a unitary police force? In relation to Section 14 of the 1999 Constitution, which defines the purpose of government as ‘the welfare and security of the people,’ it follows by this provision that state governments are rendered dependent on the federal police for discharging the latter responsibility since ‘no other police force shall be established for the federation or any part thereof.” Added to the arguments are illustrations of abuse of the federal police authority in the Fourth Republic to justify the clamour for a decentralisation of the Nigeria Police Force and an amendment of Section 214 of the Constitution to allow for the creation of state police. For instance, a social activist and public commentator, Yinka Odumakin, pointed to delayed processes of operation, particularly in emergency situations. He illustrated a situation whereby the police in a particular state has to take directives from a far-away President in an urgent situation. “This much has been demonstrated on more than two occasions in Plateau State when in 2008 and again twice in 2010, the state governor was in no position to direct the security agencies, not even the Police, to put an end to ethno-religious violence before it went out of hand. It was on each occasion difficult getting through to Abuja and by the time Abuja got back with the required directions, much havoc had been created. So, the centralised structure of the Nigeria Police Force ultimately defeats the objective for which it is created,” he remarked. There are also those who argue that in elections, men of the Nigeria Police are usually used by influential politicians with access to the highest levels of government to

Arthur-Worrey

snatch ballot boxes, rig elections or intimidate political opponents. Often cited is a case of the 2009 re-run gubernatorial election in Ekiti State, where policemen were openly used in this manner. The then governor, Ayo Fayose, had to flee when his police guards were withdrawn and lorry loads of policemen acting on Presidential orders arrived in Ado Ekiti. Some other examples in this regard include the case of former governor Chris Ngige in Anambra State, who, as a sitting governor, was chased out of his office in July 2003 by a contingent of policemen led by an AIG of Police acting on orders from Abuja. Also in Oyo State with Rashidi Ladoja as governor, the late Chief Lamidi Adedibu, a self-styled commander of Oyo State politics with strong connections to the Presidency in Abuja, had better access to the police in the state than the governor of the state, and in the politics of impeaching the governor, the police had no problems pitching their tent with the President’s friend in Oyo State. For this line of argument, however, the assumption is that the creation of state police will negate this wanton imposition on the states by the federal authorities and their agents in the states. There is also the thinking that it may well create a balance of terror, result in a dispersal of control and make state governors effective Chief Security Officers in their states. Additional reports by Muritala Ayinla (Lagos), Inusa Ndahi (Maiduguri), Aza Msue (Kaduna), Henry Iyorkase (Markudi), Ojo Oyewamide (Ondo) and James Danjuma (Katsina).

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Sunday, September 2, 2012

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Sunday, September 2, 2012

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Islamic banking in trouble… as poor patronage threatens operations LANRE OYETADE, AUGUSTINE MADU WEST (KANO) AND TOLA AKINMUTIMI (ABUJA)

peration of the Islamic or non-interest banking model in the country, which commenced early this year, appears to be in jeopardy as the only Islamic banking institution in the country, Jaiz Bank Plc, has continued to record poor patronage even in the North, which should ordinarily be its strong hold. Reports coming in from both Abuja and Kano, where the bank has its branches, indicate that awareness of the bank’s operations and patronage are both on the low side, a situation which industry watchers believe can spell trouble for the premier Islamic banking institution and by extension, the noninterest banking model. For instance, in Kano, where there is a large presence of Muslim faithful numbering about 8 million, forming a huge potential market for the bank’s products, banking hall traffic in the only visible branch of Jaiz Bank is very lean. Sunday Mirror investigations carried out on Friday, in the ancient city,

•It’s too early to conclude –CBN

which is the North’s economic nerve center, suggested that the bank is yet to find its bearing in the bustling city, although its structure located on Tafawa Balewa Road speaks of fine and expensive taste. The edifice, which also accommodates two regular commercial banks - Zenith Bank Plc and Fidelity Bank Plc - is still undergoing a facelift. Visits to the building revealed that Jaiz Bank recorded virtually insignificant traffic unlike its neigbouring commercial banks going by the volume of traffic in their respective banking halls. It was actually difficult to know that the bank’s section of the building was one that interacts with members of the public on account of the very light traffic. Industry watchers have expressed concern that with the patronage required to make a profitable outing being seemingly low, the bank may find it difficult to stay afloat. One concerned businessman, who spoke on conditions of anonymity, expressed doubts over the future of the banking model.

Equally, Investigations by Sunday Mirror indicated that awareness about the existence of the bank among small- and mediumscale trading and commercial entrepreneurs in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, remains low. For instance, a trader in Lugbe, a satellite town in the FCT, who simply identified herself as Mummy Keji, said she would have been patronising the bank given the interest-free loan policy if she knew more about its location. “Some of us hear about the bank but we don’t know where they are located in Abuja. For me, if I knew where they are or if they establish branches near us, we can easily do business with them,” she said. However, Head, Corporate Communications Department of Jaiz Bank, Alhaji Idris Salihu, debunked the reports of poor patronage, insisting that the level of patronage of customers had been “amazing and that this shows clearly that Nigerians have come to see the immense value Islamic banking is set to add to the financial system.” He noted that as a re-

gional bank, Jaiz Bank’s performance had been impressive in terms of branch network, customer base and other operational parameters. He explained: “I must say with all sense of modesty that the acceptance of Islamic banking, which our bank is pioneering in the country, has been amazing. Customer patronage has been impressive since we started in January. “We are attending to the needs of customers irrespective of their religious, ethnic or cultural backgrounds. We have been doing this for all customers in the past eight months we

have been operating. He continued: “As at today, we have established branches in Kano, Kaduna and Abuja. This branch network growth is good for our business as a regional bank. We are planning to establish eight more branches before the end of the year. All this shows clearly that Jaiz Bank is growing and we give all the glory to God.” Commenting on the development, spokesman for the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Ugo Okoroafor, said it was too early to conclude that the Islamic banking model was not doing well. While speaking in a telephone chat with our correspondent yester-

day, Okoroafor said, “Let us wait for the bank’s results then we can conclude whether they are doing well or not. He maintained that the model had barely commenced, insisting that there are several components in the Nigerian financial system that need to be included in policy considerations. “For some people, that (Islamic banking) is the kind of banking they desire and you have to include them in the system for the purpose of financial inclusion.” He argued that he saw no problem with the model, which needed the necessary support of all stakeholders.

Alleged $620,000 subsidy scam: Why we can’t prosecute Farouk Lawan now –Police EMMANUEL ONANI

egal fireworks on the $620,000 subsidy bribe allegedly offered chairman of the House of Representatives Ad Hoc Committee on Fuel Subsidy Disbursements, Honourable Farouk Lawan, by oil baron, Mr. Femi Otedola, may not commence anytime soon. The police say investigations into the alleged bribefor-clearance deal was still ongoing. Speaking with Sunday Mirror yesterday, the police Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), Mr. Frank Mba, a Deputy Superintendent (DSP), informed that the police were yet to conclude investigations into the criminal matter, hence the need for Lawan to appear at the Force headquarters on scheduled dates. According to Mba, “Farouk Lawan still appears at the Force headquarters and we will continue to invite him until we have concluded investigations into the case.” An earlier enquiry from the spokesman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Mr.

Folu Olamiti, revealed that the anti-corruption agency had no details on the matter, as he pleaded for “patience” adding, “You people will be briefed by any of the anticorruption agencies that will try the matter when everything is in place.” These revelations from the police and the ICPC confirm an earlier report by our correspondent that, contrary to stories making the rounds, that an eminent Senior Advocate of Nigeria had been appointed by the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Mr. Mohammed Bello Adoke (SAN), to lead the prosecution of the embattled Lawan on the alleged $620,000 subsidy scam. It will be recalled that Lawan’s “confessional statement” to the police to the effect that the controversial bribe sum was kept with the House committee Chairman on Narcotics and Financial Crimes, Hon. Adams Jagaba, had been punctured by Jagaba, who addressed a press conference where he threatened to sue Lawan if the latter did not apologise over the “misleading” claim. He noted that, “Hon. Farouk Lawan alleged that

he wrote a letter to me attaching $500,000. That is callously untrue and, in fact, calculated to smear my hard-earned reputation, a reputation I painstakingly built since 1999. I never received any letter or money, or any other exhibit from Farouk…” Lawan is alleged to have collected $620, 000 bribe from the oil magnate and Chairman of Zenon Oil and Gas, Mr. Otedola, to delete the names of his companies, Zenon Petroleum and Gas as well as Synopsis Enterprises Limited from the list of companies allegedly found guilty of defrauding the Federal Government of billions of naira, in what is termed “sting operation”, in security circles. On Monday August 28, Lawan was said to have reported at the Force Headquarters, having spent about three weeks in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, where he had gone to perform the Lesser Hajj. According to reports, soon after he arrived in the headquarters, he signed a register to indicate that he was back from Saudi Arabia, in fulfilment of one of the conditions the police gave him before travelling.

L-R: Senator Magnus Abe, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Aminu Waziri Tambuwal and House Leader, Hon Leo Ogor, at a reception in honour of Hon Barinada Mpigi held in Ogoni, Rivers State, recently.

2015: Igbo leaders slam Obi, Eze over short-change himself or Jonathan’s endorsement disappoint his supporters DENNIS AGBO (ENUGU) AND CHRIS NJOKU (OWERRI)

enowned automobile inventor and Chairman of the South East Forum, Dr. Ezekiel Izuogu, yesterday, asked the people of the region to ignore the statement made by Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State and some other indigenes of the state that the Igbo will support President Goodluck Jonathan for a second term in office come 2015. Dr. Izuogu rather urged Ndigbo to begin to get ready for the presentation of a South-East indigene for actualisation of a president of Igbo extraction in the next general elections. Izuogu, who spoke with Sunday Mirror stated that what the select people of Anambra told Jonathan in Onitsha on Thursday was a mere expression of personal opinion, probably for some cheap political interest, insisting that the Igbo would aspire to the presidency in 2015. He said that since Ni-

geria was in a democracy, people were at liberty to say whatever was in their minds, adding that the Anambra people that met with Jonathan did not obtain the region’s mandate before making the statement. He told the Igbo to get ready for November 8 and 9 declaration when the South-East Forum would meet in Enugu to make an official pronouncement to the effect that the Igbo will contest for Presidency in 2015. The President, who was on a one day visit to Anambra State, was assured by the State Governor Mr. Peter Obi, that if he decides to go for another tenure, he would get the backing of the people of the state. Governor Obi assured Jonathan that he was very much loved by the people of the state, and that they did not regret voting for him. Businessman, Arthur Eze, also said that since it was constitutional for presidents to take two tenures of four years each, Jonathan should not

by refusing to go for another tenure. In the same vein, some opinion leaders in Owerri, the Imo State capital, have also described the endorsement as laughable, saying the President had not achieved anything to justify the call for his second term bid. President, National Mandate Union (NMU), Chief Dede Uzor Uzor, said the endorsement was unnecessary, stressing that the President had done nothing to earn such a call back. He said that a lot of projects are non-functional, pointing at Lokoja and Onne ports, and Oguta Lake project as dents on the President, adding that roads in the South-East zone are death traps. “A journey from Onitsha to Enugu that ordinarily should not take more than an hour now takes six hours,” he decried. According to him “no right-thinking Igboman will endorse President Jonathan for a second term. CONTINUED ON PAGE 12

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

News

Sunday September 2, 2012

Dino Melaye, others protest introduction of N5,000 notes C ontroversies over the planned introduction of N5,000 notes by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) have taken a new dimension as former lawmaker, Hon Dino Melaye, has begun the mobilisation of Nigerians to storm the CBN’s headquarters on Tuesday. The protest organised by the Anti -Corruption Network is meant to force the CBN to reconsider its

stand on the planned introduction of N5,000 notes. The move by the CBN has been widely condemned as contradicting the bank’s cashless policy and is likely to worsen inflation in the country. The bank, however, insists on going ahead despite the directive by the Senate to suspend the action. A short message mobilising Nigerians to support the protest was sent out

yesterday via social network by a former member of the House of Representatives and Coordinator of Anti Corruption Network, Dino Melaye. “You are invited to the protest organised by the Anti Corruption Network. The protest is against the introduction of 5k note by CBN. We are all to meet at the CBN HQ in Abuja on Tuesday, September 4, 2012 at 11 a.m. prompt. Every

onlooker is either a coward or a traitor. Come one come all. Democracy must continue to be government of the people by the people and for the people,” it read. Speaking with Sunday Mirror in a telephone interview, Melaye said he was optimistic that the exercise would make the apex bank rescind its decision, adding that the introduction of N5,000 note is not in the interest of the masses.

Lagos advises residents of flood-prone areas to relocate The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) at the weekend advised occupants of flood-prone areas to relocate to a safe place in view of the expected heavy rainfall. The General Manager of the agency, Dr Olufemi Oke-Osanyitolu, gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos. He said that the advice was necessary to avoid loss of lives and property in the event of flooding associated with the predicted downpour across the state. The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) had predicted heavy rains across some states with the possibility of flooding. Oke-Osanyitolu explained that the low land topography of the state often led to incessant flooding during the rainy season. ``The agency has carried out vulnerability and capacity assessment analyses in the three senatorial districts for hazards and other problems associated with flooding. ``Our people have the habit of staying in a particular place for so long

and refusing to vacate the place, even when continuous staying there threatens their lives.’’ The manager, therefore, advised people in such flood-prone areas to heed the early warning system put in place and cooperate with the agency. ``The state government has put in place early warning system for safety of lives and property. ``People in these areas

NIGERIA IN

BRIEF

Nigeria’s style, with specific reference to hair industry, is set for the first-ever Hairdressers’ Conference and Exhibition billed to hold at Time Square Event Center, Ikeja, Lagos on Thursday, October 25, 2012. The unique event, put together by Hair Media, is designed to propel the hair industry forward in line with international standards, provide an interactive forum for net-

working, re-define hairdressing as delightful occupation, bring hairdressers closer to the manufacturers and distributors, educating hairdressers on current hair styles and hair care products, as well as a medium for bulk purchases, and understanding the essence of financing opportunities as well as accessing them. The over 3,000 guests expected to attend the event would have the opportunity

L-R: Former Oyo State Governor, Sen. Rashidi Ladoja; Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo; Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun, and his wife, Olufunso, at the 40th Day Fidau for Ajimobi’s mother in Ibadan, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

should move to safe areas to avoid being trapped in flood,’’ he advised. NAN reports that the flood-prone areas include Ajegunle/Owode-Elede in Agboyi, Ketu, Ijora Badia, Apapa/Igammu and Aradagun in Badagry. Others are Jakande area in Eti-Osa, Bogije Elego and Okegun Odofin in Ibeju Lekki council area and Makinde/Fatokun in Alimosho Local

Hair Media convenes hairdressers’ conference of gaining more knowledge about business-turn-around ideas to be presented by competent, successful, up-todate professional hairdressers and consultants from different parts of the world. According to the organizers, issues such as branding, franchising, salon/staff management, customer service, hygiene, hair styling techniques, and trends will also be explored.

Government Area. Osayitolu recalled that lives would have been saved during the ocean surge at the Kuramo Beach, if the people had complied with the early warning. He gave assurance that the state government would not relent in providing adequate support through advocacy and continuous sensitisation programmes.

UNICEF laments poor access to safe drinking water DENNIS AGBO ENUGU

s part of the activities marking the World Water Week, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has said that despite tremendous progress in the last two decades towards access to improved drinking water sources to billions of people, finishing the task was not going to be easy. “There have been outstanding gains in every region of the world, however, the job is not done until every single person every day can get sufficient drinking water from a reliable source, and unfortunately the most difficult part is ahead,” said Sanjay Wijesekera, head of UNICEF’s water, sanitation and hygiene programmes. Wijesekera cited a report, ‘Progress on Drinking Water and Sanitation 2012’, released earlier this year by UNICEF and the World Health Organization (WHO), which says that between 1990 and 2010, more than 2 billion people had gained access to improved sources of drinking water such as piped supplies, or protected wells. The report says the world reached the Millennium Development Goal on drinking water in 2010, five years ahead of schedule, but that 783 million people are still without access. According to the report, those still without access are the hardest to reach, being largely the poorest people in urban slums or deep rural areas. •UNICEF is of the opinion that the most important step in providing universal

access would be to address the inequity which exists in all regions and at all levels and where the poorest and women are most affected. According to UNICEF, when water is not available on premises and has to be collected, women and girls are much more likely to be the main water carriers for families, walking an average of six kilometres per day in some regions. “Poorer countries lag far behind their wealthier counterparts, as only 11 per cent of the population in Least Developed Countries (LDCs) use piped water supplies compared to over 50 per cent of the global population. “Within countries, there is an almost universal disparity of access in rural areas compared to urban areas. Overall, 80 per cent of the world’s urban population has piped water connections, compared to less than 30 per cent of people in rural areas. The ruralurban divide is particularly acute in Sub-Saharan Africa where the gap is 29 percentage points. In LDCs 97 out of every 100 rural dwellers do not have access to piped water,” said UNICEF in a release. The principles of “The Human Right to Water” endorsed by the UN General Assembly in 2010 state that drinking water should be affordable, reliable, safe, accessible and available in sufficient quantity to meet basic needs. UNICEF projects that in 2015 when the Millennium Development Goals are due, 605 million people would still not have this basic human right.

...advises youths to obey traffic rules

inister of Youth Development, Alhaji Inua Abdulkadir, yesterday advised Nigerian youths to always obey traffic rules and regulations when driving to reduce road traffic accidents. Abdulkadir, who made the call as the special guest at the Federal Road Safety

Commission’s (FRSC) monthly jogging in Abuja, noted that youths were more likely to commit road traffic offences because of their exuberance. The minister was represented by Hajia Salamatu Fulani, the director of Staff Welfare in the ministry.

Court dismisses case for lack of jurisdiction An Ilorin Area Court on Thursday dismissed a claim to title suit for lack of jurisdiction. The judge, Mr Yusuf Abdulkareem, averred that the issue at stake was more of inheritance rather than a claim to a title. Sulyman Gidado of Kure Compound in Gambari area of Ilorin had approached the court to reclaim a room at Ala-

pinni Compound in Ojuekun area of Ilorin, being the alleged share of the property bequeathed to his mother. He told the court that his mother, Hajia Sa’adat Gidado, lived and died in the room. According to the plaintiff, his mother relocated to the room when she had a conflict with her husband. He told the court that

the defendant, Babatunde Hanafi, his cousin and son of a male child in the family, converted the said room to a bathroom without his consent. Police rescue 9-monthold abducted baby, arrest suspects The Imo Police Command on Friday said that it had rescued a nine-month-old baby boy from suspected traffickers in Lagos.

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STORIES THAT TOUCH YOU SEPTEMBER 2, 2012

Our banished monarch can’t return –Ondo community I’m innocent of allegations, says ex-king HAKEEM GBADAMOSI AKURE

The embattled monarch wearing white singlet in the midst of the protesters

he last has not been heard on the fate of Oba Pius Akinfesola Adewola, the embattled monarch of Igburowo, an agrarian community in Odigbo Local Government area of Ondo State. He was recently dethroned and subsequently banished from the town by residents of the community, over alleged high-handedness, sacrilegious conducts and non-performance. Though there are indications that the monarch may not return to the throne as traditional rites to usher in a new king has started, signifying that the post is vacant, the state government has, however kept mum over the imbroglio, apparently studying the situation. An official of the state government, who pleaded anonymity, said “appropriate steps will be taken and the position of the government would be made public. “The people had presented their case to the state government and action will be taken accordingly, all we want in that community now is peaceful co-existence, “the source

explained The Police Public Relations Officer for the Ondo State Command, Mr. Aremu Adeniran, told Sunday Mirror at the weekend that the Adewole was still in the police protective custody in order to prevent him from being attacked, adding that men of the command from Ore Division were also in close watch of events in the community to avoid a breakdown of law and order. The ex-monarch’s ordeal started last Sunday when the people of the community said they could no longer bear alleged injustice and other atrocities being perpetrated by Oba Adewola. The people of the town had gathered as early as 6am, bracing up for a showdown with the traditional ruler as they stormed his palace with placards of various inscriptions such as “Enough is Enough, 16 years of No Development, no Action,” “No to backwardness, Igburowo says no to Akinfesola” “Go, Akinfesola, Go, Igburowo community rejects you Pius Adewola “ Oba Adewola was alleged of various offences such as fraud, forceful acquisition of land belonging to his subjects, frivolous litigation over subjects’ properties, non-performance of traditional rites and assaulting of his chiefs and subjects. He was also accused of running an autocratic regime by refusing to constitute the Oba-In –Council in the

Dana crash: Emotions,tears as Och GEORGE OJI, ABUJA AND CHRIS NJOKU, OWERRI

eeping, wailing and gnashing of teeth pervaded the atmosphere as remains of the late Assistant General Manager of First City Monument Bank (FCMB), Mr. Chukwuemeka Reginald Okere, were lowered to mother earth at his residence in Umuokomoche Umudibia Nekede Autonomous Community, Owerri West Local Government area of Imo State, two months after he died in the unfortunate Dana plane crash which occurred on June 3 in the Iju area of Lagos. The disaster claimed all the 153 persons on board and others, in their homes. It was the same sad mood in Benue State yesterday as another victim of the air crash, the commanding officer of the 6 Battalion, Nigerian Army, Abak, Akwa Ibom State, Lt. Col. Owoicho Jumbo Ochigbo, was also buried. The bodies of Ochigbo and Okere, among others, were not released early for burial as a result of the DNA test which the Lagos State Government had to conduct for the verification of the identities of some charred bodies among the victims. In Owerri, the Imo State capital, It was a herculean task to control the surging crowd as Okere’s corpse, in a brown casket, was conveyed in a hearse at about 9 am from Aladima Hospital to his home town, Umuokomoche. Men, women and even children who filed out to ‘receive’ Emeka as he was fondly called, wept profusely as they held the motorcade for several minutes before it was finally allowed into the compound. The late Okere was the seventh out of the eight children of Mr. and Mrs. Boniface Okere. He graduated in Management with a Second Class Upper Division from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. He served his first in-law, Engr. Agbasimalo’s firm, Marudeni Engineering Company, after

•Senate President, Mark, adopts Ochigbo’s children

Chidinma, Emeka’s elder sister who lives in Texas, who his National Youth Service where he was said to have demcould not stop crying still managed to utter these words. onstrated huge administrative and management skills. He worked with FCMB dutifully to the best of his ability “How can Emeka vanish like that without a word to his and later moved to Diamond Bank where he rose to the po- loved ones? It’s unbelievable and truly a devastating blow to sition of Assistant General Manager. When he retired from me. I have called his phone several times without response. Diamond Bank in 2011, he went back to FCMB, now First This is just not right: I wish he did not board that Evil…” City Monument Bank as AGM. He was on his way to an offi- Now I know that death is real. It’s still like a mirage to me cial assignment from Abuja to Lagos when he met his death that I will not see him again in this world. What would I say on the ill-fated Dana flight, which left his family devastated. to his young kids, Kamsi and Duma who love and adore him Okere’s 81-year-old mother, Madam Dorothy, devastated so much? Oh God. You who allowed Emeka to go so soon, and dumbfounded, said, “Nnaa, you are such a good man please uphold my faith and hope. Emeka’s death has really that I just cannot make any sense out of all this, except that got me.” Betty and Edith, Okere’s elder sisters, and Ujunwa, his Jehovah has good purpose for allowing it to happen.” His eldest sister, Mrs. Ada Agbasimalo, still in deep younger brother, were equally impassioned, as they poured shock and pain, lamented thus: “Reggy, you are very close to me. Your death has shown me that anything can happen to anybody anytime, anywhere, anyhow.” She described her late younger brother as a good and accomplished man. “I am so happy I immortalized your name in Chapter 19 of my new book, ‘The Forest Dames’,” she said, trying to hold back tears. His eldest brother, Mike Okere could still not believe that Emeka is gone. Having participated in the gruesome corpse identification process in Lagos, he remained dazed and speechless for days. When the body was lowered into the grave, he lamented: “Emeka’s death is still like a mystery to me.” According to him, the identification and search for his younger brother’s body made him to conclude that life is actually vanity upon vanity. He said that that the reality dawned on him the very day he visited Emeka’s Abuja office and saw that on his desk and chair he used to sit on, he was conspicuously absent. Late Okere with his family

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Sunday, September 2, 2012

community several years after the death of some the sleepy town. Some leaders of the community, who spoke with other High Chiefs called Iwarefas, who traditionally are required to run the township administration journalists, expressed concern about the trend of events in the community, expressing dissatisfacwith him. The monarch was accused of refusing to convene tion with the leadership style of the traditional traditional meetings where people gather to discuss ruler. According to an indigene of the town, Samuel matters affecting the community, just as he was al- Adeyemi, who claimed to be the youth leader, the leged to have short-changed traditional chiefs in protest had no political undertone and was carried the town of their entitlements, among other allega- out in the interest of the community to show the lotions. And to crown it all, the traditional ruler was cal’s dissatisfaction with the leadership style of the alleged to have connived with an indigene of the monarch. He said though the youths were not happy about the behaviour of the monarch, they have recommunity to defraud the community of the sum of solved to maintain peace in the area N3.6million being money meant for the payment of Also reacting, a woman leader in the community, electricity consumption to the Power Holding ComChief (Mrs.) Agnes Akintola, while expressing seripany of Nigeria Plc (PHCN). One of the High Chiefs disclosed that the com- ous concern about the trend of events, also appealed munity had earlier forwarded a protest letter to the to the youths and inhabitants of the community to state governor through the State Commissioner for remain peaceful and law abiding. The people of the town however did not wait for Local Government. In the letter dated August 3, 2012 any directives from the government before beand signed by about 21 leaders of the comginning a fresh process for the selection of munity who include representatives a new king for the town. They appointed of various interest groups, high the Lisa of the town, High Chief Feschiefs, women chiefs, otherwise tus Ogunsesin, who was until his apcalled Opoji, members of Igbupointment the second-in-command rowo Development Committee to the ruler, as Regent of the town, (IDC), youth associations and pending the appointment of a new the representatives of Akinking. bumiti Ruling House, among However, a visit to the sleepy others, asking the governcommunity at the weekend showed ment to call the monarch to orthat the palace was still under lock der, alleging that the monarch and key while the market in the town through various atrocities, had had been moved from its former locabrought the ancient town into distion to another place which is repute. said to be part of rites usually perAccording to an eye-witness High Chief Festus Ogunsesin, the new formed following the demise of a who said what pained the peoregent of Igburowo community traditional ruler in the town. ple of Igborowo most was the Though, normal activities had alleged connivance of Oba Adewola with one of the elite of the town, in defrauding returned to the agrarian community, the palace of the community under the pretence of working with the monarch remained shut while policemen from the PHCN to install electricity into the town, as all the Ondo Area Command and Ore Division of the the money went down the drain without the project Ondo State Police Command were still watching over the community to forestall a breakdown of law seeing the light of day. It was just like a dream to the king, his four wives and order. The Igburowo Youth Leader, Mr. Samuel Adeyand other family members when they were forced to trek for several kilometers out of the town to a neigh- emi, told journalists that all inhabitants of the town, boring town on the Ore-Ondo Highway with Oba Ad- including women, youths and chiefs were ready to ewola wearing only trousers and singlets. The men cooperate with the regent in his assignments until of the state police command from Ore however saved the appointment of a new monarch for the town. He disclosed that the decisions and action of the the traditional ruler and put things under control in

community had been communicated to the Ondo State Government, which had earlier been notified of the various alleged offences of Adewola through a letter written to the governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr. Tayo Oluwatuyi and the Attorney- General and Commissioner for Justice, Chief Eyitayo Jegede, SAN. However, the embattled monarch who was crowned as the ruler of the town in April 15, 1996, in a telephone interview, described all the allegations leveled against him as spurious, unfounded and subtle blackmail by those he described as his detractors who he said were out to destroy his reputation. He expressed shock at the situation, saying “I don’t know what to say now because I have not done anything to warrant the treatment being metted out to me”.

The deserted palace of the monarch

The monarch in the midst of protester before he was banished by community

igbo, Okere are buried

cut-off. We will stand by what you believe in; the kids are holding on to all the wise counsel and advice Daddy gave. You live on in our lives and in the lives of all the people you touched. “We would fulfill all our dreams and aspirations, all the plans we’ve made shall also come to pass not by my power but by the special grace and power of God, because he holds the key. He alone knows why he took you away from us now. He alone can answer all the questions we have. He alone fights for the fatherless and widow. I’ll hold onto you Lord for strength, help, when troubles come, my safe haven, and my hope for tomorrow.” Apostle Victor Igboanusi, the officiating minister, called on Nigerians especially those who are placed in positions of authority to always take up the true image of God and provide assistance to the less-privileged as they would one day be called upon to account for the opportunity given to them while on earth.” We will one day answer this call like Emeka did and then, the reality will dawn on us to now account for the opportunities granted to us by God while on earth,” the cleric admonished. As for Ochigbo’s burial in Otukpo, Benue State, yesterday, the event was witnessed by some top government officials including the President President of the Senate, Sen. David Mark and Wife, Helen, widow of Late Lt. Col. Jumbo Ochigbo, Bridget, and sons, Ada- of the Senate, Senator kole and Akondu, when the GOC, 82 Division Major General Olayinka Oshinowo, was presenting the deceased’s official David Mark, his wife ceremonial kits to his first son during the funeral rite in Otukpo, yesterday. their hearts out, in the outpouring of grief. The crowd wept profusely when Okere’s wife, Chinyere, accompanied by her two daughters, Kamsi, Duma, said at the graveside: “I will cherish my last words with you before that unfaithful incident, a treasure to last with us till we meet you again. We do miss you, sweetheart, but what we do have now are the wonderful memories we shared; your morning music, your excellent planning skills, your dedication, care and love for us, our Saturday morning family time, the rides, your favorite tunes from Yanni, Alfa Blondy, Sinachi, Chima Eke etc, making your tie selection for work, the kids wearing your suit when you get back from work, Saturday morning pillow fights, etc., the list is endless. A huge part of our daily activity and routine has been

Helen, Minister of Interior, Comrade Abba Morro, Akwa Ibom State Governor, Godswill Akpabio, top military brass led by the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 82 Division, who represented the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Azubuike Ihejirika; wives of Military Officers, community leaders among others witnessed the emotion laden burial. A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Senate President, Paul Mumeh, said in his tribute at the grave side, Mark lamented the untimely death of Ochigbo whom he described as an officer and a gentleman in every sense of it. According to Mark, “Lt. Col Jumbo Ochigbo was clearly an officer and a gentleman in every sense of the word. He was passionate about development of the Nigerian Army. He was an intelligent young man with a very bright future, who conducted himself in an exemplary manner”. Mark, the statement said, urged the bereaved family and the Nigerian Army to take solace in the fact that the deceased lived an exemplary life worthy of emulation. To lessen the pains of the bereaved, the Senate President announced scholarship to the university level, for the three children of the late Ochigbo. He also adopted them as his children. In his tribute, the Chief of Army Staff lamented that the late Ochigbo would be greatly remembered for his gallantry, good sense of purpose and selfless service. He said:” He was a worthy son of Nigeria, an officer and a gentleman. It is our fervent hope that we take solace that his calling is beyond man’s ability and imagination”, Also speaking, Morro noted that the late Ochigbo lived a short but eventful life and impacted positively on the society. The Akwa Ibom state governor who had earlier paid a condolence visit to the bereaved family in Otukpo, Benue State, described the late Ochigbo as a very committed officer who would be missed greatly. In his sermon at the interdenominational service, Assistant Director 82 Division and chaplain, Rev. Lt. Col. Gwom Mairiga, said as humans, we cannot question the will of God but we that we should examine ourselves and avoid pitfalls.

News

South-East leaders condemn Jonathan’s endorsement CONTINUED FROM Page 8

Such endorsement is a political suicide the Igbo must avoid. No right-thinking man can support Jonathan for a second term. What has he achieved,” he asked. He disclosed that President Jonathan’s administration had failed the zone in terms of Federal Government infrastructural development and poverty alleviation. Hence, he described those making such endorsement as bootlickers. “They are people looking for contracts or people who want to make money.” Expressing disappointment over the President’s performance, he said “the Igbo are completely disappointed. We want a change and we have credible and capable people who can salvage the situation in 2015.” Uzor, who is also the president of Campaign for Democracy (CD), South-East region, pointed out that the recent indication of the government to devalue the naira was a signal that the President had failed economically. However, the Administrative Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Imo State, Dr. Goddy Okwu, described the endorsement as a welcome development. His words: “It is a welcome development; however, it is the party that has the mandate to endorse the President, not zonal leaders.” Speaking further, he added that, “it is of no impact until the South-East zone of the party endorses him because it is the zone that will follow it up to the national level. If PDP South-East zone endorses him, that means the national will be in line with the endorsement.” Barrister Ama Akalaonu, former Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) Chairman, Owerri Branch, said that he did not believe in endorsement, but said that constitutionally Jonathan had the right to contest come 2015. However, he said, for the President to justify this he has to deliver on security and power supply, among others. “He should perform more than he is doing now for that second term bid to become meaningful,” he said.

Sunday September 2, 2012

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NLC president tasks judiciary on corruption ADEMU IDAKWO LOKOJA

resident of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Abdulwaheed Omar, yesterday called on judiciary workers to collaborate with judges and other judicial officers in fighting the festering corruption ravaging the country. Speaking at the 3rd National Delegates’ Conference of the Judicial Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) in Lokoja, the NLC boss stressed that corruption was endemic in the country because the perpetrators are perfectly manipu-

lating the judicial system to their advantage. ‘’I believe that if you collaborate with judges in this country to deliver justice and mete out appropriate punishment to corrupt officers, the fight against corruption will be very effective. ‘’If our judicial system will rise to the challenge, convict and punish corrupt officers severely, the situation will change for the better,” he added. Omar, however, charged the five-year-old workers’ union to guard against in-house fighting often orchestrated by external forces saying, ‘’Nothing weakens a union than in-house

fighting which is always externally induced”. In his keynote address to the conference, Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chief Emeka Nwogu, urged the members to use the occasion to X-ray the problems and issues of the union and entire judiciary by putting them in proper perspective. The minister, who was represented by Mrs Obiageli Ike, commended the maturity with which the union had handled its activities and urged it to entrench the culture of social dialogue in its agitation. He urged them to continue educating their mem-

bers, noting that the various challenges, especially corruption among the judicial officers today, requires the contributions of all to tackle.’’ Earlier, the National President of the association, Usamatu BadawiAmin, commended all the stakeholders in the judicial system for their understanding of problems of the workers and aiding the emergence of the union. The conference which was meant for repositioning and effective justice delivery was declared open by the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Nasir Ajanah.

First Bank to partner Osun govt on economic development Executive Director, Public Sector, of First Bank PLC, Mr. U. K. Eke, has disclosed the bank’s resolve to support and assist the economic development drive of Osun State. Eke stated this at the state house in Osogbo when he paid a courtesy visit to the Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola yesterday. Eke, who commended the good work the governor is doing, said First Bank was ready to collaborate with the government in the areas of agriculture, education, mining and small and medium scale industries. The First Bank boss noted that the good policies of Aregbesola’s administration are beginning to manifest in the state. He stated that the visit was necessary in order to strengthen the partnership between the bank and the government on areas of mutual interests, adding that the economic base of the state could expand. “Basically, we discussed areas of mutual collaboration so that we can expand the economic base of the

L-R: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Assembly Affairs, Cameroun, Mr., Amadou Ali; Chairman, Cameroun-Nigeria Mixed Commission, Mr. Said Djinni, and Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Nigeria, Mr. Mohammed Adoke, at the 29th Session of Cameroun-Nigeria Mixed Commission in Yaoundé, PHOTO: NAN Cameroun, yesterday.

state. “First Bank will always be at the forefront of economic development in the Osun State. We are beginning to see improvement in scale economies. We have restated our commitment to small and medium scale enterprises. “We intend to assist in

other areas we can. There are other opportunities in mining and there is a whole lot we can do with respect to education, empowerment, employment generation and agriculture. These are areas of interest to us,” Eke said. He added that the bank had established itself in

the state a long time now and so had been involved in its development. He enthused that First Bank was happy and proud of what the administration of Aregbesola has achieved within a short period of time, adding that the history of the state could not be wr

PDP will reclaim South-West –Akpabio

overnor of Akwa Ibom State, Chief Godswill Akpabio, yesterday urged the people of Osun State to rally round the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Akpabio explained that the stage was set for the party to form a government in the South-West, and that Osun State should not be an exception. The Akwa Ibom governor stated this in his address during the civic reception organised for the National Secretary of the party, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, in Osogbo, the Osun State capital. Speaking through the Secretary to the Akwa Ibom State Government, Obong Umana Okon Umana, Akpabio said Osun State was blessed with capable politicians, who were also ready to take the state from the woods. According to him, “let me state here without mincing words that the state and the good people of Osun are looking up to you for leadership and it is my hope and belief that with the calibre of people in the party, the stage is now set for the party to form government in this state and other South-West states.” “The PDP is noted for performance and delivery of democracy dividends. If you visit a state that is being governed by our party, you will see what is going on there. What we have in Akwa Ibom State is called uncommon transformation and that is why we want you people to vote the PDP into office in 2014 so that you will also enjoy what my people are enjoying in Akwa Ibom State,” Akpabio urged. He thanked the party leadership led by Alhaji Bamanga Tukur for steering the ship of the party creditably, adding, “Come next election, the PDP will reclaim all states”.

NIGERIA IN BRIEF

Agric experts, farmers fault e-wallet scheme Some agriculture stakeholders on Friday criticised the implementation of the ewallet scheme initiated by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, claiming it had not improved productivity. They told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that due to poor implementation of the scheme, the country had lost 47 per cent of agriculture output,

this year. The Executive Director of the Admiral Environmental Care Limited, an NGO, Mr Shedrack Madlion, stressed the need to put in place checks and balances to ensure success of the initiative. In a separate interview, Mr Bolaji Alonge, a farm developer in Lagos, said that the scheme could only work effectively with good road

network and efficient communication system. According to him, the idea of farmers carrying little of no cash for the purchase of fertilisers and other farm input has not been achieved. “The scheme is not favourable to the rural farmer. If you say farmers should not carry cash about, then there should be banks with good internet services in the villages where they dwell.

Experts raise alarm on danger of neglecting environmental issue Experts on environmental protection have warned that Nigeria might face the threat of serious disaster if it continued to neglect its environment. They made the declaration at the Quality Living Awards on Environment forum held at the All Seasons Plaza in Lagos. Delivering a lecture on environment, Mr Desmond Majekodumi, an environ-

mentalist, said that the risk emanating from degradation would become greater in the next 10 to 15 years. ` “Climate change is one of the biggest threats to our common future. We must begin to address the issues of forest protection or face the calamities that come with it,’’ he warned. Majekodumi, however, advised governments at all levels, to show more interest

in protecting the nation’s environment by stepping up the tempo of awareness. Also speaking, Dr Samuel Daramola, one of the awardees and member of the International Energy Foundation in Canada, noted that many Nigerians did not understand the global issues on environment. ``They make many mistakes against the environment out of ignorance.

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Interview ENCOUNTER WITH A NEWS MAKER SEPTEMBER 2, 2012

Ex-IGs feel threatened, that’s why they oppose state police –Okurounmu Senator Femi Okurounmu represented Ogun Central Senatorial District between 1999 and 2003. A former Secretary-General of the pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, Okurounmu is the secretary of the Yoruba Unity Forum. In this interview with Ayo Esan, he speaks on “the marginalisation of the Yoruba in the sharing of present political positions at the Federal level”, the controversy over the call for the creation of state police and the rising trend in corruption in the country, among other issues. Excerpts: The issue of corruption has remained one problem that has continued to be on the increase; how can the country get out of the woods? Well, I think the problem is with the leadership. The leadership of the country since 1999 has been playing upon the intelligence of Nigerians, by telling us that they have been fighting corruption while in fact they are doing nothing of such. This is because if somebody stole N10 billion and we caught him and investigated him and found him guilty, we would then recover one quarter of the money, and tell Nigerians that because of our investigation and the fight against corruption, we have recovered N2.5 billion. And we would send the person to three months in jail. The thief still keeps the larger percentage of what he stole and you said you have recovered much from him, let him go with the rest. That alone is an encouragement of corruption. Other people that see that will consider the risk and benefit

of being corrupt. It pays everybody under those circumstances to be corrupt because you know that at most, you will keep half of the money you have stolen. You will only make sure that you steal big money. Once you steal big money, you are sure that for the rest of your life, you can never be poor. So even if they send you to jail…and how many of them have they even sent to jail? Most of them are not sent to jail. What they do is to say you should do plea bargain and they let you go away with the rest. That is what has encouraged corruption. People know that they can steal as much as they want and nothing is going to happen to them. The worst that could happen to them is to be asked to surrender part of what is stolen and what is remaining is enough for their family and generation unborn. Every Nigerian today wants to be corrupt because there is no deterrent. Nothing to discourage anybody

from being corrupt. So, anybody who has access to steal money will steal it without any inhibition. So, though all they are telling us is that they are fighting corruption, they are just deceiving us. And the reason they cannot fight corruption is because for you to fight corruption, your hands must be clean. Nobody who has his hands soiled can face another man and said ‘you are corrupt and I am going to send you to jail.’ He will be afraid that, the man will also expose him. And that is why we cannot send people to jail because they are corrupt, because the person that is sending them to jail has probably stolen much more money. So, the corruption is from the top; and from the top, it started going to the bottom and it has now reached every Nigerian. Those at the top have their hands heavily soiled, so they cannot curb corruption. They don’t have the moral turf on which they can stand to fight corruption. So what is the way forward? There are many things we can do, if all of us agree that corruption is bad. We all know those of them who are stealing our money; most of them are known. We can react to them the way it is being done in traditional Yoruba society; when you see a man who is a thief, even his son will be ashamed. The way we should now relate with them is to let them know that we know that they are thieves. We should not invite them to any decent place, we should not keep their company, and we should not give them any recognition. When they get to any decent gathering, we should boycott them and CONTINUED ON PAGE 14

Interview

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 13 ostracise them. We should let the people know that these are thieves. We should not be giving them chieftaincy titles. We should not put them at the high table in any function. We should not put them in front row in our churches and other gatherings. Let them be stigmatised as lepers because they are thieves. If we start treating them like that, they will know that the society does not accept it. You have been an advocate of national conference for years. The topic has been a recurring one but President Goodluck Jonathan, like his predecessors, seems not to be keen in acceding to it. So, how do you and your fellows hope to realise your dream reforms for the country? Well, if you are preaching something good, and people are yet to accept it, you keep preaching it. Maybe initially when we started, it started from the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) days, but now, more and more people who were never NADECO members are embracing the idea. We are in a position today where the whole South is embracing the idea. Even some elements of the North are even embracing the idea. So, gradually, we are making some progress. We should not give up a good cause because it has not materialised immediately. All good things take time to germinate and I am sure with time, all of us will accept it. This is because without a national conference, we will just be beating about the bush as a nation Another issue that is generating controversy is that of state police. Many are calling for the creation of state police but former Inspectors General of Police recently met with the President and advised him against the idea. What is your position on this? Former Inspectors-General are forming themselves into a trade union. All of them are coming out one by one to say that we should not have state police. They have a vested interest; they are not a disinterested group. They are an interest group. Of course, nobody who has been controlling a lot of power wants his power to be diluted. The InspectorGeneral of Police controlled the police throughout the country. It is a lot of powers. When you have state police, they feel threatened that the power of the Inspector-General is going to be diluted. These are people championing selfish interests. It is in the national interest to have state police. The national interest must be separated from a selfish interest. Those who are championing personal interest or professional interest or their group’s interest are saying the police should remain a federal one. But those who really know what is good for this country are the ones saying ‘let us have state police.’ The same people that are opposed to state police are supporting community policing .If the community policing is good, is the state not a kind of community? Why are they saying state policing is bad while the community policing is good? If you have police who are native to an area, who are used to the area, they know every family and they are not strangers to the area, it will be difficult for them to be colluding with criminals. It will be difficult for them to be patrons to criminals and selling guns to them as many of the police personnel are doing right now. As one of the Yoruba leaders, are you not worried about the invasion of Kogi State, where many of its inhabitants are predominantly Yoruba, by the Boko

Sunday, September 2, 2012

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‘Nigerians deserve to know how much senators earn’ Haram sect? And what are you doing to forestall their entering into the South West proper? We know that when they got to Kogi they have a step already in the South West. These are security measures which I don’t think I will want to discuss on pages of newspapers or discuss publicly. But we are taking proactive measures. We as leaders of the Yoruba Unity Forum are taking proactive measures to see that if they get to the Yoruba land, they will not receive the kind of welcome they expect. We shall be ready for them. The Yoruba leaders feel that the region is marginalised in the current political appointments at the federal level. You are part of the delegation that met President Goodluck Jonathan on the issue. Since then, nothing much has changed. What is went wrong? He (the President) has made some minor changes which I will not consider very significant. But we shall keep mounting pressure on him. We are marginalised, severely marginalised and it will take a lot of corrective efforts for us to feel that we are part of the nation as it is today. But all the same, we cannot because of that allow Nigeria to go into blazes. But while trying to protect the unity and integrity of Nigeria, we shall continue to keep mounting pressure on the President. As you said, we went to the President purposely on this marginalisation issue. Since then, he has made some token appointments to which he appointed the Yoruba but we believe those are just tokens and not enough. Yoruba are still heavily marginalised. We are yet to be compensated. Even at the meeting we held with our South-South and South East neighbours, we made it clear in our presentation that we were coming there only because of our interest in the nation. That we are marginalised; but that was not what we came there to discuss. But we know that we are a marginalised people; we are not on the same platform as the SouthSouth or the South East when it comes to the Nigerian issue. All the same, we are ready to cooperate You were in the Senate between 1999 and 2003; how will you compare your tenure with the present Senate? The two senates are incomparable. Those of us in the senate of my time which was immediately after the military era went with a lot of hope. A lot of enthusiasm and a lot of belief that the civilian government was going to be different from the military one. So we believed that it was a real chance for Nigerians to have good governance. It was during our time that we passed the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences (ICPC) Bill. The first bill we passed against corruption was

Senator Okurounmu

the ICPC bill. We were very enthusiastic about passing that bill even though a lot of the Abacha senators among us were reluctant. But those of us that were the progressive senators supported it actively, believing that Obasanjo would seriously go after corruption, only for us to realise later that he was not serious. We remember that in our senate, we even impeached our Senate President, Chuba Okadigbo, for a contract that was worth only about N100 million which he gave without approval. He said he gave it on anticipatory approval. That was considered enough by us to impeach him. So that is the attitude of our own set of senators towards corruption. I wish I kept my pay slips, because we were getting our salary as senators during our time. We were not getting these allowances that they are now giving to themselves. These extra budgetary allowances, which they just blackmailed the President to include in the budget. When the President brought the budge, they decided what they wanted for the National Assembly and they added it on top of what the President had provided. And if the president doesn’t allow what they want, they blackmail him and they would say that they won’t pass the budget. We didn’t do that during our time. We only got allowances approved by the Federal Allocation, Mobilization and Fiscal Commission. Those were the things we took home. We didn’t take home anything more than that. And you can go and ask any of my colleagues.

‘PEOPLE KNOW THAT THEY CAN STEAL AS MUCH AS THEY WANT AND NOTHING IS GOING TO HAPPEN TO THEM. THE WORST THAT COULD HAPPEN TO THEM IS TO BE ASKED TO SURRENDER PART OF WHAT IS STOLEN AND WHAT IS REMAINING IS ENOUGH FOR THEIR FAMILY AND GENERATION UNBORN’

Senator Biyi Durojaye is around from Ogun State here. Go and ask him. We took home only our authorised allowances. These days, the senators decide what they want and they just add it to the budget. And today, all the senators go home with fantastic money. Is it even fair that we don’t know how much our senators take home? Today, nobody knows accurately how much a senator takes home every month. Figures have been given but they refuse to publish it. Some take as much as N50 million every month, some say they take home N48 million every quarter. We don’t even know which one to believe. The whole thing is arbitrary .Those that we voted for? It is our right to know how much they are earning and are taking home. They refused to tell us and that, in itself, is corruption. Do you support part-time or full-time legislators for the country? Frankly speaking, at the state level, we need no full-time legislators. Part-time legislators will do at the state level. At the national level, we can have full-time legislators if they will be serious. Right now, we don’t have serious legislators. I challenge the media; the media did not do their job properly by really exposing the ills of the National Assembly. There are supposed to be 109 senators; it is for the media to go there and expose how many are really there when debates are going on. Sometimes, they are less than 40. At times, they are less than 30, out of 109 senators. Even when I was a senator, when we found out that we were not forming a quorum and a quorum was a third, we decided that people should not bother to count. We just decided to pass a bill, no matter the number of people there. So a number of bills passed did not even enjoy a quorum of the senate and yet we passed them to the nation as law. These are illegal laws, if only the media will do their job.

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Politics PROVIDING FRESH PERSPECTIVES TO ISSUES SEPTEMBER 2, 2012

“FOR ME THIS GOVERNMENT IS ONLY PERPETUATING AND HAS MADE

Oyerinde: Still, the unanswered questions P. 16, 41

CORRUPTION LEGAL TO A POINT THAT THERE IS NO MECHANISM OF PUNISHING THE CORRUPT ONES, BECAUSE IT HAS MADE IT AN AWARD THAT WHO IS MORE CORRUPT GETS MORE AWARDS”

–SENATOR JOSEPH WAKU

Sovereign Wealth Fund: The tasks, the expectations

Dr Okonjo-Iweala

President Jonathan

Alhaji Mahey Rasheed

TOLA AKINMUTIMI

Government in order to assuage their feelings. Coordinating Minister for the Economy and the Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, who made the disclosure named a former board member of First Bank, Alhaji Mahey Rasheed, as chairman of the SWF Board while Mr. Uche Orji, former Managing Director of JP Morgan, was announced as chief executive officer of the Fund. Other members of the board announced include Mr. Arnold Akpe; Mr. Jide Zeitlin; Mrs. Bili Awosika; Barrister Bisi Soyebo (SAN); Alhaji Hassan Usman and Mrs. Stella Ojekwê-Onyejeli, who will serve as chief risk officer of the Fund. Okonjo-Iweala disclosed that the selection process involved a professional services company, KPMG, which helped in sourcing the 730 applications submitted. She explained: “In all, 730 applications were received for three executive positions - Chief Executive Officer, Executive Director (Investments) and Executive Director (Risk). Forty of these were long listed by KPMG which assisted in sourcing suitable candidates. Sixteen candidates were shortlisted before the final three were selected.

“With the development, the country is firmly on the path of reaping the benefits of this tried and tested strategy for achieving fiscal prudence and economic transformation. “The establishment of an institutional foundation for the Fund is a victory for all Nigerians and a credit to the President who assented to the bill in May this year”, the minister added. Okonjo-Iweala, who recalled the various steps taken over the past few years by the Federal Government and other stakeholders, including the state governors and former ministers of finance to ensure that the SWF dream comes true, said the operations would kick off with the agreed US one billion dollars and be committed to the projects and programmes as spelt out by the enabling Act. According to her, the take-off of the Fund would not disrupt the operations of the ECA which, she said, had accrued $7.35 billion, adding that both would continue to be operated side by side until the latter would ultimately fold into the SWF. On the Council of the Fund, the minister said the constitution of the membership which would include governors,

ABUJA

s plans towards the formal operational take-off of the much-awaited Nigeria’s Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF) on October 2 this year becomes prioritised among other fiscal measures of government, one of the issues that agitates the minds of many Nigerians is the challenge of operating the Fund in a most transparent manner. Financial experts believe that transparency in its management would translate it into a fiscal instrument of socio-economic transformation. A sovereign wealth fund is a stateowned investment fund composed of financial assets such as stocks, bonds, property, precious metals or other financial instruments. Most SWFs are funded by foreign exchange assets. The Federal Government had last week announced the planned commencement of the Fund after initial opposition by the state governors who had to sheathe their battle swords on grounds of public opposition to their stance and other reasons that have to do with underground political dialogue by the Federal

CONTINUED ON PAGE 16

Yoruba: In search of a common agenda

P. 40

Briefly Group lauds Ajimobi for appointing opposition members as chairmen

A socio-political group in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, Oluyole Elite Forum, has commended the state Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, for his decision to appoint members of the Accord Party (AP) as Caretaker Chairmen for some local government councils in Ibadan. It described the action as one that would bring stability to his government. In a release issued and signed by the President and Secretary of the Forum, Alhaji Bode Ojo and Mr Michael Ogunsola respectively, the Forum said the decision is in keeping with the agreement reached between Ajimobi and the leader of the AP in the state, Senator Rasidi Ladoja. While commending the governor on his decision, the Forum said the results from the last general election showed that AP won a landslide in most local government areas of Ibadan, adding that it was a good calculation by the governor to allow the party control the affairs of the council. “In Lagelu and Egbeda Local Government Areas, for instance, the Accord Party won with a landslide. It is therefore a good reasoning for Governor Ajimobi to compensate the people of the area who massively voted for Accord to have one of their men as the council boss”, the release said. The Forum urged Ajimobi to be wary of some political detractors who are condemning his decision on the appointment of the AP members as caretaker council chiefs, describing their action as one that could truncate the good running of his government. “It is clear that the ACN government needs the support of the Accord Party to have a smooth passage of its bill in the state assembly. Governor Ajimobi should therefore be wary of those who have no genuine interest of the state at heart and maintain a cordial relationship with the former governor of the state and leader of the AP, Senator Ladoja,” the Forum stressed.

Don urges FG to enact law against building on coastline

Prof Chukwuma Eziashi of the Department of Geography and Planning, University of Jos, at the weekend advised the Federal Government to enact a law preventing construction close to the coastline. In a telephone interview in Lagos, Eziashi advocated that a good distance should be maintained, off the coast, before putting up structures around any ‘water body’. ``This ocean surge, which is basically caused by wind on sea surface, can be very dangerous. ``The truth is that repairs are very expensive once an ocean surge has occurred.’’ The Professor of Climatology insisted that appropriate precautions should be instituted to prevent flooding of property and roads. He also warned tourists and small boat operators to be careful not to go too close to the beaches during rising ocean tide. The don also advised the Federal Government to erect strong barricades and buffer zones to prevent any attempt to build houses in surge- prone area ``Anyone that fails to comply should be prosecuted because it is also a threat to everyone and not just an individual,” he said, urging the government to swing into action as delay could be disastrous.

Politics

he Nigeria Police Force finally arraigned 10 suspects in court in Benin City on Friday, August 31, 2012 for the murder of Olaitan Oyerinde, Principal Private Secretary to Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole, about 128 days after the heinous crime was committed. Curiously too, the State Security Service (SSS) had paraded different persons as those suspected to have killed the governor’s aide, promising to also ensure that they were arraigned them in court The police-version suspects were led in chains and handcuffs and arraigned before an Oredo Magistrate’s Court on Sapele Road, presided over by Mr. Francis Idake, before whom they were slammed an eight-count charge bothering on conspiracy, armed robbery, possession of dangerous materials, murder and obtainment of stolen materials. The charge sheet marked: MOR/326C/2012 gave the names of the accused persons as: Messrs Garba Usman Maisamari (39yrs), Danjuma Musa (23yrs), Muritala Usman (27yrs), Moses Asamah Okoro (32yrs), Auta Umaru Ali (26yrs), Umaru Adamu, alias Duna (33yrs), Rev. David Ugolor (42yrs), Wilfred Iserhienhi (30yrs), Hassan Aliyu Babete (44yrs) and Idris Abdulhamid (24yrs). Oyerinde was dastardly shot on his head, chest and stomach in his home on May 4, this year, after which Ugolor allegedly made frantic efforts to save him. Oshiomhole promptly accused the opposition of complicity in the murder, stating that it was intended to derail his re-election bid. Plain-clothe police officials investigating the murder arrested Ugolor on July 27 and detained him indefinitely. Ugolor went to court to enforce his fundamental human rights, resulting in a ruling for his bail on August 16. But the police still detained him until August 31, 35 days later, before he was arraigned along with nine others for the murder. The charge sheet was quickly read out to all the accused persons, who included a smiling and cheerful Ugolor. The prosecution soon began with yet another of the endless theatrical displays by the police force, which failed to avail the court, the case file. Magistrate

Sunday, September 2, 2012

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Oyerinde: Still, the Idake reprimanded the police for not obeying a subsisting High Court order releasing Ugolor on bail and ordered the prosecutor, Mr. David Abuo, to immediately after the arraignment serve the court a duplicate copy of the case file that will be sent to the Director of Public Prosecution in the State Ministry of Justice for proper advice and action especially as it admitted lacking the jurisdiction to entertain the matter. Furthermore, the magistrate ordered the accused persons to be kept under prison custody before completing the police legal cycle with an adjournment to September 27 for mention. Speaking on the non-submission of the case file, Ugolor’s lawyer, Mr. Olayiwola Afolabi said it was a perversion of justice by the police. Afolabi said, “If the police had charged him to court before we secured that order, we would not have been so bothered. But having secured the order, the police ought to obey the court and then furnish the court with the case file today. I am sure that the lawyers with the IGP are those that are wrongly advising him. When he was in Zone 5 here in Benin City, he used to obey court orders.” It could be recalled, however, that when the police appeared in court last week to respond with supporting affidavit to the suit filed by Ugolor against his continued detention, Abuo filed the names of seven “selfconfessed armed robbery” suspects, who allegedly claimed that they were hired by Ugolor to kill Oyerinde. However, the number increased to nine on Friday at the formal

arraignment. It might also be recalled that the prosecutor said the police had during the process of investigation recovered some items and properties of Oyerinde even as they were still gathering information regarding the analysis of call logs, bank accounts as well as record

The late Oyerinde

Sovereign Wealth Fund: The tasks CONTINUED FROM PAGE 15 fold into the SWF. On the Council of the Fund, the minister said the constitution of the membership which would include governors, ministers, members of the civil society and the organised labour, among others, would be after the operations of the Fund had taken off, possibly by the first quarter of 2013. The Act which establishes the SWF provided for a board of directors for the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority, which shall have primary responsibility for the attainment of the objects of the body, the making of the policy and general supervision of the management and its affairs. The board shall consist of nine members, including a nonexecutive chairman, the managing director of the authority, two executive directors and five non-executive directors. Similarly, the Act also as part of reporting and regulatory provisions also saddled the National Economic Council (NEC) which seems to make the board of the authority subordinate to the NEC even when it did not categorically confer regulatory powers on the NEC. For instance, the Act provided in Section 29 that the initial capital for the Funds to be contributed by the shareholders was to be determined by the NEC while Section 37.1 of the Act makes it mandatory for the Authority to submit its Annual Report to the NEC. In addition, the Act also stipulates in Section 8 (3) that the Minister of Finance will advise the President in the appointment of the non-elected appointees in the Council and the members of the Board of Directors while Section (Section 41 (5) & (7) confer on the NEC the power to make the final decision whether the Authority may invest funds of the NIF in ‘development projects’ The Act provides in Section 25 that, “the Council may not by resolution or otherwise require the directors to take or to refrain from taking any specified action” as part of the efforts by the framers of the Act to underscore the independence of the board. By its other provisions, the Act by the provisions of its Section 4 (2) (d) suggests provisional conformity to the Santiago Principles by specifically enjoining the Authority to “implement best practices with respect to management independence and accountability, corporate governance, transparency and reporting on performance”. But then stakeholders are wont to believe that beyond the statutory provisions regarding the responsibilities of the board is, the need to adopt some other operational strategies that would ensure unbridled interference with the activities of the board in a manner

that will make the administration of the Fund transparent and the managers ac Speaking on how to make the board effective, a seasoned social critic, Barris Ibrahim, suggested that the only way to make the Fund operationally effective gerians to take more than ordinary interest in the management of the Fund a that those appointed to manage it are subjected to constant monitoring so that formance and lifestyles can be assessed from time to time. Ibrahim, who is the executive director of the Civil Society Legislative Advo tre, argued that since this was not the first time Nigerians are witnessing the c specialised funds to manage the economy, the concern of everybody should be h vent embezzlement of the Fund or illegally transfer assets acquired through th investment initiatives to private accounts or property acquisitions. “There is no gainsaying the fact that the board can do a lot to make the Fu positively on the economy given the windows that have been created by its ena for savings. We are happy that after the initial face-off between the governor Federal Government over the legality of the SWF, the operations would soon st “From experiences in other climes where SWFs have been created for dev Nigerians expect that the SWF will be a fiscal instrument for sustainable grow economy and providing for the future of the young generations of Nigerians. “But we are worried that given the pervasive level of corruption in public go the SWF may be another gamble that may translate to nothing in terms of socio impact on Nigerians, particularly in alleviating poverty among the poor in th We are all aware of what has happened to money recovered from the late Gener and other looters of the public treasury. What has happened to those funds tod him queried. He would therefore want the media, the civil society organisations and Ni ensure that when the Fund becomes operational, whatever its disbursements committed are monitored to ensure performance and targeted at projects with d ing on welfare of the ordinary Nigerians. Another analyst and financial expert, Dr. Samuel Nzekwe, who described lishment of the SWF as potentially desirable for the economy, pointed out that would be made accountable if the Fund, rather than being channeled to differe windows, is totally committed to infrastructure development. Nzekwe, a past president of the Association of National Accountants o (ANAN), posited that if the savings were committed regularly to infrastructur which could be seen and assessed at the key sectors, the possibility of stealing

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

MD/EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

BOLAJI TUNJI

SUNDAY EDITOR

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COORDINATOR, EDITORIAL BOARD

ADESOYE ADEKOYA

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HEAD, GRAPHICS

INEC and its decaying DDC machines

he deployment of the hi-tech Direct Data Capture (DDC) machines by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as part of the build up to the April 2011 general election was widely applauded as one positive step in the country’s bid to consolidate democratic governance. Beyond the data storage capability of the machines, the permanency of voters’ cards churned out by the machines was seen as the solution to the past culture of waste. This, perhaps, will help explain why the princely sum of N35 billion expended on 132,000 units of the machines did not arouse deep public resentment. Equally central to the uncritical acceptance of the machines by Nigerians was the promised novel innovation of continuous voters’ registration nationwide. Prof. Attahiru Jega, the INEC chairman, had beautifully articulated this perspective at a pre-election conference when he gave continuous registration of voters as the reason the Commission overshot the projected election expenditure by roughly 10 per cent. Unfortunately, however, there are disgusting indications that public expectation of a more enduring and cheap voters’ registration exercise; as well as the continuous registration of voters promised by Jega, seems not forthcoming. They might well be arguments canvassed by INEC strictly for the purpose of attracting generous funding from the Federal Government (FG). Indeed, reports allege that the DDC machines are currently in various stages of decay, a pointer to the fact that INEC went for them without proper arrangements on safe storage. Jega confirmed at a meeting with the Senate Committee on INEC in Abuja on May 30, 2012 that the Commission had no storage facilities for them, but that INEC had gotten 300 containers from the Dangote Group and

Julius Berger for the storage of old materials from the stores in order to create space for some of the machines. We consider this a disturbing development; given the billions of naira invested by the FG in acquiring the machines. A storage policy ought to have been put in place before the arrival of the DDC machines, particularly when the consignment took longer time than was expected to be delivered to INEC. Perhaps more importantly, the machines are strategic to the success of the Commission’s touted policy of continuous voters’ registration. Heightening the sad report on the machines rotting away was a statement credited to Chief Solomon Soyebi, INEC’s National Commissioner in charge of its Information and Publicity Committee that the machines would be offered for sale. We think Nigerians deserve explanation from Jega on Soyebi’s remarks. Presently, INEC appears the most strategic political institution to the country’s democratic growth and development; as has been rightly captured by the Commission’s vision statement of representing “a dynamic and formidable organisation that is a major force in the continuation and furtherance of democracy in Nigeria”. A robust democratic culture in the country is impossible if out of carelessness, INEC trifles with any of its core functions of compilation of credible voters’ register, demarcation of constituency boundaries, monitoring the conduct of political parties, as well as the organisation and conduct of credible elections. Nigerians have demonstrated their resolve to nurture the country’s fledgling democracy to maturity as can be gleaned from the enormous privations they are often subjected to during elections since 1999. They remain undaunted in the face of increasing economic hardship and a

public sector riddled with incredibly high level of corruption. The total grant to INEC between 1999 and 2009 was put at about N133.27 billion. The Commission was mobilised to the tune of N183.32 billion for the 2011 general elections. The best way for INEC to show appreciation for the huge sacrifice is for it to give Nigerians value for the money invested in growing democracy in the country. We do not see how the DDC machines bought less than two years ago with a whopping N35 billion, and consciously allowed to waste, justify the reasons INEC gave for acquiring them, just as Soyebi’s suggestion of selling them is an assault on the nation’s economic sense. The love of Nigerians for democracy must not be taken by INEC and other related institutions as an excuse for brazen extravagance and waste of public funds. Jega made mention of INEC needing more money during his May meeting with senators. He should be obliged if the purpose is for the preservation of the DDC machines. Their outright sale is, however, objectionable. Nigerians expect the deployment of the machines for the continuous voters’ registration exercise, which is acknowledged to be cheaper and more cost effective than the periodic registration exercise INEC seems used to. The Commission must surmount whatever challenges that have hindered its use of the DDC machines to update the voters’ register or risk public antagonism whenever it comes up with its usual requests for fund. We are convinced that through continuous voters’ registration, such acrimony and fury as the types that greeted the attempted rag tag update of voters’ register before the last July 14 governorship election in Edo State would be forestalled. It is, indeed, embarrassing that INEC shied away from this challenge all along.

Reminiscences SEPTEMBER 2 IN HISTORY 1923: Fire burns in Tokyo over eathquake Following the Kwanto Earthquake, fires continued to burn in the City of Tokyo. These fires caused a greater number of deaths than the earthquake and became known as the Great Tokyo Fire. 1942: Rommel fails in bid to take Suez Canal Rommel gave up on his quest to take the Suez Canal, having once again failed to take the Alam Halfa Ridge. He withdrew towards El Alamein. 1969: America installs first ATM The first ATM to be installed in America started dispensing cash at Chemical Bank in New York City. 1976: Nigeria introduces UPE The Universal Primary Education Scheme, UPE, was introduced in Nigeria, making education free and compulsory in the country. 1986: US sanctions Zimbabwe over minister’s utterance As Zimbabwe hosted a meeting of the non-aligned movement, Prime Minister Robert Mugabe, welcomed 50 world leaders. The US announced that it had completely cut its aid to the country ($20 million) in response to a tirade against the US by a Zimbabwean minister during a meeting with President Jimmy Carter. 1998: UN court finds Rwandan mayor guilty The United Nations (UN) court found the former mayor of a small town in Rwanda, guilty of nine counts of genocide. 2005: US flayed over aid to hurricane victims Four days after Hurricane Katrina struck New Orleans, National Guards arrived with food, water and medicine. This was and still considered a failure by US government departments who it was thought misjudged the situation. 2008: France finds steppe mammoth skull Paleontologists in France found a well preserved skull of a steppe mammoth. They said that the rare find could reveal more about the evolution of that particular species.

Opinion

Sunday September 2, 2012

Uncensored U nc

Sheriff S Folarin

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

t has to be established that President Jonathan did not mean to put Nigeria through these insidious paths. No national leader would want the destruction of his own country, except such leader is not a true son of the soil. And yet, a bastard would not get near power in the first place. The developments since October 1, 2010 are just unforeseen circumstances, unanticipated, unexpected, and they would certainly be met by unpremeditated strategies or solutions. So, when we criticize the President, we do so not because he is hated, but because it gets to a point he needs to change tactics as, like someone often says, ‘you cannot continue to do the same thing and expect a different result.’ That is why I beg to differ with Mr. President on his lamentation last week that he is often criticized. He should take every criticism in good faith and bear in mind that it is because people still believe in him that they lampoon his policies. If they keep quiet, it means it is finished; they have lost all faith in his capabilities. As the first Executive President from the South-East (or more specifically, SouthSouth as zoning apostles will like to call it), he is putting that zone’s political destiny in Nigeria on the line as the future of that part of Nigeria will be determined by the level of Jonathan’s performance. So, the more criticisms, the better for him, so as to adjust and do the best for the country. While I really do not agree with Jona-

What I will do differently as Commander-in-Chief than’s claim that he is the most criticized Nigerian leader, because in actual fact, Ibrahim Babangida is; I believe there are some decisive steps he should take as this opportunity is a “once-in-a-lifetime” for him, for his people, and for that region. If I were the Commander-in-Chief, I will do things differently. I will not mind whose ox is gored, and I will step on toes to fix Nigeria. But I will not be stupid to act tough enough and yet make myself vulnerable. People in the corridors of power do not like or want change, so I will have to compromise them, anyhow, to embrace it. As CIC, I will not describe the terrorists as “our brothers”. They are not our brothers. They are avowed enemies of life and peace in Nigeria. They are adversaries of the state. I will designate and label them as terrorists before the international community does so. When I take this step, Nigerians and the international community will have confidence in me and see me as a serious-minded President who is poised to tackle the situation head-on. This will also attract increased and faster helps from other nations to join hands with me in pulling down the festering terrorist activities in my domain. I will definitely not condone any Boko Haram financier or supporter, even if he is the King of the Hausa-Fulani Empire, in my government. The overall interest of my people will guide my actions, and not the cheap blackmail or sectional interests of some so-called powerful people. As CIC, I will not harbour any indicted criminal in my government. Any Minister found wanting will surely be thrown out without the benefit of soft-landing. Corrupt persons in conspicuous and strategic positions of authority attract indignation to government. They make that administration appear corrupt or incapable of checking itself. They make government unpopular. This is why I commend President Jonathan for taking the step of stripping indicted persons of the national

honours they had hitherto been given, as well as showing the Power Minster the way out. But, there are still persons of questionable character, such as those indicted in the Subsidy Fraud report that are still prominent in Jonathan’s administration. As CIC, I will not allow myself to be seen as appeasing a particular section of the country. Doing so will make other sections to want to blackmail my administration since they realize that I will want to appease them too. The reports in the last two weeks showing the lopsidedness in Jonathan’s administration, in which the Hausa-Fulani seem to be controlling his government with them heading nearly all the strategic positions, does not only attract unnecessary controversy. It also shows how susceptible a President can be in the face of an ethnic blackmail or subterfuge. If indeed we must operate by the principle of Federal Character (I personally do not believe in it because it promotes mediocrity and has been the bane of national development in sports, education, civil and public service, military, economy, etc), then why is there lopsidedness? The list is endless: Vice President, Senate President, Speaker of the House of Reps, Central Bank, Customs, National Security Advising, Federal Capital Territory, and lots more. Are people from the other sections of the country too dumb to handle these positions? I do not believe in ethnicity, but it is careless acts like this that wake up the ethnic sentiments of people. As far as I am concerned, since we are “One Nigeria”, we should only go for the best persons who are capable of positively affecting our collective wellbeing. We should not go that way of ethnic or sectional balancing. Yet, the present lopsidedness does not reflect a careful composition based on merits; it is a compromise to appease a section of the country that so badly feels hurt to have lost their ‘traditional power’ for so long

Mimiko’s doomed dome project IDOWU AJANAKU

hen William Bryant wrote in his soul-stirring book, ‘The Battlefield’ that, “Truth crushed to earth shall rise again…”, he could not have had Ondo State, Nigeria of the 21st Century in mind. Nor, could he have fathomed that a time would come when a certain medical doctor-turned politician called Dr. Olusegun Mimiko would be opportune to steer its political affairs for four tortuous years. Interestingly, Bryant also noted that no matter how long it takes, falsehood eventually consumes its worshippers. So be it. As a stakeholder in the acclaimed Sunshine State, I am writing this to let the whole world know that on several instances incumbent Governor Olusegun Mimiko has taken millions of his people on a fool’s bumpy ride. Devoid of base sentiments, political persuasion and for the sake of posterity, which will judge us all someday, one must face the truth in its face and tell it as it is, no matter whose ox is gored. That precisely underscores the whole gamut of the controversial doomed dome project, Akure which Mimiko fantasised about and eventually made public in March 2010. At the grandiose kick-off ceremony back then, he gleefully told the world that the 25,000-capacity hall, much-touted to be Africa’s biggest events centre, was conceived to reposition Ondo State as a tourist haven and destination of choice. Situated on a sprawl-

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ing expanse of 34 hectares of land, along Igbatoro Road, Akure at a whopping cost of N1.5 billion, it was to have other complementary facilities such as a five-star hotel, a well laid out, spacious car park added to a head room of five-feet tall. He even boasted that the project would be completed within five months! However, only a few people, including his coterie of fraudulent friends and himself knew right from inception that their intention was surreptitiously to hoodwink, otherwise intelligent and politically sophisticated people of the state. Now, more than two years later what he has to show the world is a fictional ‘paradise’ peopled by all manner of rodents and reptiles, tractors and bulldozers rust in ruins. Trust the ever vigilant Nigerian media. By August of that year (a month after the promised five months) questions as to the sincerity of purpose and significance of the project had started agitating their minds. Was it, in truth and honesty, one of the priority needs of Ondo people? Was it awarded to the right construction company with the requisite pedigree and relevant skills, manpower and materials to handle it? Was the award itself in tandem with the nationally accepted due process? Was the mind-boggling cost itself justifiable? Would the citizens and the state get value for money? The answers to these troubling queries did not take long in coming. First, it was discovered to the chagrin of Ondo people that the outfit that got the project is owned by one Mr. Modupe, a

BSc holder in Sociology with experience in public relations, publishing and events planning! The company had not as much as laid a building block for any construction activity in its years of existence. Why would a state governor give out such an expensive project to an incompetent company if not for fraudulent reasons? It was one expensive joke taken too far-a handshake that had gone beyond the elbow. But when a man’s moving mantra is steeped in self delusion and deception he has to tell more lies to cover past ones. Taken to task by the press in August 2010 over the undue delay in executing the dome, Alhaji Sikiru Basaru, the Commissioner for Land and Housing, on behalf of Mimiko’s administration lied again that the delay was due to various processes involved and the need to ensure structural stability. Furthermore, that the contractor had to carry out topography survey, cart away sand and refuse and cut the ground to the required size! What balderdash. It would have been better telling thrilling tales by moonlight to some over excited naïve children. But we are adults with our heads rightly screwed on our necks. Yet, there were more lies to tell. Basaru disclosed that Mimiko and a few delegates were in Warsaw, Poland where such a dome exists to see for themselves and avoid mistakes. There they discovered that vermex fabric which the governor had claimed was the best in the world has only 40 years warranty, compared to glass of 100 years warranty. Pronto, there

and is encouraging Northern terrorists to ventilate that anger. What are the other things I will do differently as the President? I will pay attention to Nigerian roads. It feels so embarrassing to see the foreigners we so much court on road-shows abroad coming here to carry out business on such dilapidated roads. With all the oil money and revenue declared by the Nigerian Customs, we should have the best roads in Africa. In fact, Nigeria is the only oil-rich nation with poor road networks and dilapidated roads. Ironically, the roads to the oil wealth are even the worst: Ore-Benin, Onitsha-Aba-Uyo, Aba- Port Harcourt, and of course the very narrow road that links Yenegoa with the rest of the nation. Not only roads, I will pay more attention to the aviation sector. It is a shame that as the world flies their planes around in national colours, Nigeria’s own carrier went into extinction years ago, only for government to apply face-saving measures of commissioning private airlines to serve as national carriers. Yet, there is so much insanity in the sector. No wonder, while Ethiopia, one of Africa’s poor countries has acquired the Dreamliner (one of the few nations in the world to possess it), Nigeria is still in the recrudescent stage of looking at how to evacuate many disused aircraft from the airports. There are lots of things to do about Nigeria as President. Fixing the power sector to make local business grow and to attract foreign investment is one. Rehabilitating our federal universities and if possible merging some unviable state and private universities, is another. The institutions are in palpable state and make us object of debauchery in international circles. There is need for our President to act now because of what posterity will say of him in the near and distant future. •Dr. Folarin teaches Politics at Covenant University, Ota, Nigeria

and then Mimiko and company reverted the plan in favour of glass. Talk about taking an action before thinking about it. That decision taken in the absence of members of the state executive only highlighted the dictatorial tendency of the man in whose hands Ondo people had vested their political destiny. In a manner of crass betrayal of trust, Mimiko, who claimed that the dome would take the place of Akure Stadium used to host rallies, church crusades and concerts due to lack of space, and who went ahead to halt the contract for banquet hall originally awarded by the previous administration, has failed and woefully too to fulfil his litany of promises. In the absence of any extractive industry in the state to reduce the astronomical costs of such white-elephant projects or create jobs for the people, Mimiko’s deliberate tomfoolery is unbecoming of a political leader who deludes himself with questionable awards, all in the blind bid to be seen as one of the best governors ever. But Ondo people cannot be fooled. Yet, this is just one out of the many failed projects Mimko has embarked upon. In governance, conventional wisdom dictates that a political leader should be a visionary, a prudent spender and a team leader. By starting what has turned out the doomed dome, Mimiko has shown clearly that he lacks the managerial acumen of a worthy leader. •Ajanaku is the Director of Media, Publicity and Strategy, Akeredolu Campaign Organisation.

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Applause LIFESTYLE, FASHION & ENTERTAINMENT SEPTEMBER 2, 2012

Story behind my sleepingwith-dog-video, by Cossy Cossy Orjiakor’s name, no doubt, rings a bell, especially in the social and entertainment world because of the way she exposes her massive breasts without giving a damn about what people think about her. The Nollywood actress, musician and ex-dancer in this interview with Angela Davies speaks about a number of issues. with my friends, especially when I am bored or stressed. Have you ever had an experience where a guy could not resist looking at your boobs and then touched them? Yes, sure it has happened to me. What was your reaction? I was in the traffic one day and one of these guys who sold in traffic just came and grabbed my boobs and ran away. I was stunned. He was coming back the second time and when he saw my facial expression, he could not try it again. I was ready for him. Is it true that you are now into big-time property business? Basically it is true but it is not like a big-time thing. What’s the worst rumour you have heard about yourself? The worst rumour I have heard about myself was that dog story where it was alleged that I slept with a dog. It was so terrible that even the producer and director denied me. It got me thinking that what of if I was dead. If they had the mind to deny a living person, then, they can as well poison you. I took the producer to court because I served them court papers. We got the video and my mother said if these people can go to this extent to tarnish me, then they can do worse and she advised that I should just leave them. It was actually my mother that made me forget about the matter because my sister is a lawyer and she was working for Ricky Tafa, a law firm based in Abuja. She was ready to take up the case but my mum asked me to forget about it and I did. Did that experience make you stop acting? No, it didn’t stop me from acting. If I am called upon to take up a movie role, I go but I am very particular about roles. I love my life. I can’t really go to a place where I will be scared. Some people don’t like you so you just keep off.

What have you been doing of late? I do music now and I do movies sometimes. I will be producing my very first movie probably at the end of this year. How was growing up for you? Growing up was nice. In the kind of family I come from, my parents allow you to be who you want to be. But, they gave all of us education up to the university level. Can you define your fashion statement?

Basically, how I dress or what I wear depends on how I feel. The event I am attending determines the way I will dress.

If you have to flaunt any part of your body, where will that be? It depends, I don’t know. I have very nice bikini bottom.

Are you a fashion freak? No, I am not but I love fashion.

Well most people will think you will say your boobs (Laughs) No, I will probably flaunt my nice bikin bottom in my bikini.

What is that fashion item you cannot do without as a woman? I can do without anything but I cannot do without my Blackberry. Most times I am all alone in the house so I chat

If you have to change anything about yourself, what would that be? Nothing. I just like myself the way I am. CONTINUED ON PAGE 20

‘WOMEN NOT DOING ENOUGH TO SUPPORT THEMSELVES’

I AM VERY DARING – MTN MODEL

Applause

‘I’m fun-loving, nice but an introvert’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 19 How do you handle your male fans? I try not to get very close. If I am in a place where there are so many people and I don’t want to get personal, I assume a bony look so that nobody will actually come and talk to me. But if I am in the mood to smile, I will smile with everybody. It actually depends on my mood.

Sunday, September 2, 2012

‘Women not doing enough to support themselves’ Winnie Egwuatu Okonji is an Estate Surveyor and Valuer. She studied Estate Management at the Enugu State University of Technology (ESUT). This fashionista urges women to love and support themselves.

What puts you off people? The negative attitude of people, the way they talk or their attitude towards me, especially for the first time, puts me off. I read faces a lot.

As a fashionista, what is your opinion about the way Nigerian women dress? It is quite impressive. At least I now admire a lot of women because of their dress sense.

A lot of people believe that you do not have friends neither does your colleagues in the Nollywood industry like you. How true is this? I have a lot of friends but I protect my friends. I don’t like to be seen with my friends.

Does it make you happy being a woman in a society dominated by men? Though, I’m in a male-dominated society, I’m doing well in my profession. It still boils down to the fact that if you give in your best, you would be recognised as one of the best. It’s not about whether a man can do it better. Although it is always in the minds of men that being males, they are the superior being. But it is left for you to prove who you are and what stuff you are made of. A woman can also do it better. Or even do it more or just the way the man should do it.

Why? As I said I like protecting my friends because I don’t want people to say to them, see your friend, see what she is wearing, see your friend she slept with a dog. My friends keep defending me so I try to stay off them but I have very good friends in the industry. How would you describe Cossy Orjiakor? She is very fun-loving, nice but an introvert. I don’t like going out much and mixing with people because I am scared of people’s reaction. You know some people already have this negative mindset about me, so I prefer you to have that negative mindset than for me to say ‘hello’ and then you give me a negative attitude just because of the negative attitude that you already have towards me. The truth is that I shy away from negativity, so I maintain a very few friends. What is your normal day like? It is very hectic. I work for myself so sometimes it is really hectic and stressful. At other times, I am just there chilling. How do you like your make-up? It all depends, but I am not actually particular about makeup. However, when I am going to an important event, I make up to suit the event. How do you keep fit? I have some gym equipment in the house so I gym at home. What is your philosophy of life? Take life easy, just live your life and be happy. The most important thing is to be happy. Also, you should only go to places where you are celebrated. So, who is the man in your life right now? I am very single and available. I am open to date. What makes you happy? Being with happy people makes me happy. I love positiveminded people around me. I believe you pray, what do you tell God when you pray? Prayer is a personal thing with God. I tell God what is on my mind. All have sinned and have come short of the glory of God. I go to church you know; I am an Anglican. What is the misconception you think people have about you? I have bad press publicity about the kind of clothes I wear and all that. There was a time I attended this old school party and I dressed the old school way. The press then wrote that this is how Cossy is, she is looking ugly, and maybe she was on cocaine and all that. How could I go to an old school party looking new school? That day, I even had nice Brazillian weave-on on and I had to weave it any how so that I will look old school. I think they just like talking about me. How do you love your hair? I love wigs a lot. I love Brazillian, lace wigs and other long weave-on. For my hair, I am always wearing short hair. I cut my real hair and I groom it well.

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Do you think women are putting to good use their numerical strength? We have to blame ourselves. The women are not doing enough, and they are not supportive. If a woman sees a fellow lady doing better, she would feel like pulling her down. Or she may begin to ask, ‘why is she dressed like that’. This shouldn’t be. We are the givers of life and we bring up the men. I believe that we should be able to bring up the men the way we want them to think. After all, we may have a man in the house but he is not always there for the children. If you have kids and you want them to be nurtured the way they should, begin to see a woman as someone to be respected, it would be all well for us. I don’t think any man would want to beat up his mother or his wife. Women should teach their sons from tender age that it is very important to respect a woman and to see her as the mother of nature. Are you saying that men who beat their wives do so because their mothers didn’t bring them up well? Yes, they weren’t well brought up. You see, everything depends on a woman. The way you nurture your children or bring them up matters a lot. If you are there for your kids and you understand what it means to be there and educate them well, not just giving them formal education but at least being a mother to your children, that will benefit the society generally. Most women are not doing this. I think we are not doing enough. How can we curb the petty jealousy we have against ourselves? It just boils down to the same thing that women should emulate good things, good people. Let’s begin to emulate our role models like Dora Akunyili. Let’s try to be like her? Dress like her, think like her. Those ones we look up to as role models don’t have time for petty jealousy. Let us educate our daughters that it doesn’t pay to be unnecessarily jealous or hate a fellow girl. That is why I said that mothers are not doing enough when it comes to educating their daughters. For instance, the way you dress is a way of educating them. If you don’t want them to walk around half-nude, you as a mother shouldn’t expose too much; be proud of who you are and emulate the best people in the society. If we can really do that, I think the children that we have now or the new generation will turn out to be better people. What do you really do to look good? I try and take whatever I see that is good for me. Before I go to bed, I try to have my bath first with a good

Winnie Okonji

scented soap. Then I cleanse my face; that is all I do. I wake up in the morning and use my make-up just to look good. What’s your style? Very normal. Anything that is comfortable on me, I go for it. But it must not be too revealing. I abhor people who see women as sex objects. It is because of the way we dress at times that gives them such impression. I like traditional clothes too. What is that common fashion blunder in this part of the world? Short skirts that you can’t sit comfortably in. You shouldn’t be too revealing in everything. Another one is that there are some ladies who have tiny legs and they still wear minis. Remember too that every occasion has a dress code, you should follow the code. Don’t appear in a wedding looking sexy like you are attending a night club. Don’t go to a traditional marriage or a ceremony wearing a night club dress. It would not come out well. You try and flow with the dress code and what is acceptable. When you are down, how do you get your inspiration? I read my Bible. When I can’t sleep, I read my Bible. I try to talk to God, He is everywhere. What’s your advice for women? I would advice women to give all the support to fellow women. We are mothers, we are compassionate. We know what it means to suffer. In the society, if you look at the women commissioners, ministers, they are better ministers, they are better commissioners but we don’t have many of them. Let us produce many of them as much as we can support, as much as we can reach out to.

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Cocktail Whispers

Stories by Olumide Segun-Oduntan

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

SEPTEMBER 2, 2012

Is Genevieve hinting at something?

Genevieve

She was once said to be in a hot romance with one of Nigeria’s most talented and up-and-coming artistes, D’banj. However, not many people know the truth about the status of that relationship or where both partners took it to before the speculations fizzled out. At least, when she was asked on air about her relationship with the singer, her response was simply that “he is a gentleman”. Since then, not much has been let out about her love life. But a few days ago, many people were literally on the edge of their seats when celebrated screen goddess, Genevieve Nnaji, tweeted what looked like an engagement ring on one of the fingers on her right hand along with ‘just for you’ to someone. Since then, not a few people have been wondering what the very gorgeous Genevieve was hinting at. Could it be that the actress is gearing up to say ‘I do’? While the very lovely actress is not known to be a noise-maker, some feel that it is not likely that she is planning a secret wedding. Or what do you make of Genevieve’s tweet of the ring?

Ramsey Nouah

Ramsey Nouah’s other talent With several acting credits to his name over the years, no one can doubt that he is a good actor. Right from the early days of his career when he stared in television series, ‘Fortune’ to the numerous films he stared in leading roles and clinching the 2010 African Movie Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role for his performance in ‘Figurine’. But it appears that celebrated movie star, Ramsey Nouah, also has other talents that not many people are aware of – singing. Yes, the Nollywood big boy has a thing with the microphone. At least, he showcased this other talent of his recently. According to information made available to Cocktail Whispers, Nouah was seen recently during the Karaoke night of a bar situated in Surulere, Lagos, thrilling those who patronised the place that night. In fact, it was gathered that Ramsey crooned the lyrics of Lionel Richie’s ‘Hello’ to the delight of those present so much that some people commented that the original singer would have been jealous. Perhaps, the famous actor might consider taking up professional singing some day.

Frances Agoda acquires another wonder-on-wheels

Tonto Dikeh

Has Tonto Dikeh really quit smoking? This seems to be the question on many lips lately. But if the gist at Cocktail Whispers’ disposal is to be believed, then those who wish that controversial star actress, Tonto Dikeh, stay away from cigarettes may have just had their wish granted. According to a source, the popular screen goddess was said to have recently stopped the habit of smoking cigarettes. Yes, while it may be difficult to believe, it seems that the pretty actress has miraculously quit ‘puffing’ the sticks which she once loved to place on her lovely lips. Those who are familiar with Tonto would recall that last year when she was asked about her ‘puffing’ habit, she had responded that her smoking does not affect anyone and that she would stop it at her own time. Now that the sexy Tonto has disclosed that through a sort of miracle, she has stopped the smoking thing, not many people are keen on believing her. In fact, some have decided to adopt a wait-and-see approach to the gist.

It is obvious that these are feel-good moments for comedian, Frances Agoda, popularly known as I Go Dye. Well, it seems that the celebrated entertainer has decided to kick off the celebration of the 18th anniversary of his stage career in style. According to feelers reaching Cocktail Whispers, I Go Dye is said to have taken delivery of a brand new Escalade Hybrid a few days ago. The gist making the rounds has it that the comedian bought the 2012 model of the car brand as an addition to the cars he already has in his garage. And guess what, according to latest information made available to Cocktail Whispers, Agoda’s new wonder-on-wheels was said to have cost about N23.3 million. But if you thought that the stand-up comedian stopped at that, then you may need to think again. According to a source, I Go Dye was said to have bought another dazzling ride – Range Rover Evogue – for his manager. Of course the comedian parted with another huge sum of money (about N14.7 million) for that purchase. Interestingly, I Go Dye’s latest acquisitions have set tongues wagging. While some of his fans are happy for the popular comedian and have expressed congratulatory messages to him online, there are others who feel that the cars may not have actually cost up to the stated amount and that if, indeed, they did cost up to that, then it may not have been a wise decision to have spent such amount on cars. However, one thing that I Go Dye’s fans agree on is that entertainment is no longer a field for the ‘never-do-wells’ of this world. Frances Agoda

Movies & Music

Stories by Olumide Segun-Oduntan

Sunday, September 2, 2012

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

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Afro-pop princess, Kwin Diva, u

Don Jazzy & Wizkid

Wizkid, Don Jazzy, others clinch The Future Awards 2012 Movie fans would be glad to know that celebrated screen goddess, Tonto Dikeh has emerged winner in the Actor of the Year category of The Future Awards 2012 held in Port Harcourt a few days ago. The Central Working Committee (CWC) of The Future Awards 2012 announced the winners of this year’s awards in an elaborate event that held in the Garden City of Port Harcourt on August 26. The event held after the governor’s reception in the state, and an extensive tour of paths of Rivers led by the Commissioner for Information and award-winning journalist, Ibim Semenitari. The keynote speech was delivered by former group CEO of UBA and Chairman of Heirs Holdings, Tony Elumelu, MFR. Guests included the former president of the World Bank, Mrs Obiageli Ezekwesili; the deputy governor of the state; founder of the Rainbow Book Club Koko Kalango; entertainment lawyer, Efere Ozako; blogger Linda Ikeji; on-air personality, Denrele Edun; actors OC Ukeje and Tonto Dike; designers Ohimai Atafo, among others. “We are pleased to announce the names of great indi-

viduals that made it through the process of nomination, voting and judging over the last three months. Everyone that made it as far as being nominated, is a winner in our eyes,” said the Executive Director of The Future Awards, Chude Jideonwo, who also delivered a rousing speech themed, “This ship is sinking - so what will we do about it?” It was a gathering of change agents, innovators, entrepreneurs, celebrities from all over the 36 states of the country. The keynote speech and the ‘Conversation about Nigeria’ held at The Atrium, while the red carpet reception and the awards show took place at the new international events venue, Aztech Arcum, launched the day before. There were performances by Bez, Chidinma, Muma Gee, and the national anthem was rendered by Nene, Ruby and Shaydee. Timi Dakolo ended the show with a spectacular performance of ‘Great Nation’. Guests were also treated to a documentary playing tribute to January’s fuel subsidy protests and the youth corps members who lost their lives in the 2011 elections.

The new face of Afro Pop music in Nigeria, Kwin Diva, explodes on the scene with her debut single titled ‘Tinini’. Brilliantly produced by the extremely talented Young D, the new song has been delivered with an exciting Afro-beat milieu that is sure to make the clubs jumping and feature heavily on radio playlists for a very long time. ‘Tinini’ is a catchy and infectious love song about finally finding the right one and letting go of previous heartaches. And on this debut single, Kwin Diva highlights her outstanding song writing skills, captivating melodies and eccentric singing style. The singer uses her music to profess her love for her significant other in a rather warming Afro centric manner as she tastefully injects her Igbo dialect into her lyrics to proudly fly the flag of her home town and effortlessly warm her listeners to the music. From the chorus with its contagious rhythm that has a beautiful effect on the listener to the very well-crafted verses that form ‘Tinini’ to its music backdrop which provides an upbeat fusion of rhythmic drum patterns, lush synths and guitar strings, Kwin Diva captures the hearts of her listeners from start to finish. You will find yourself singing along with and moving to the song’s every beat, no matter where you are when you hear ‘Tinini’ while the impressive delivery from Kwin Diva on this song is likely to get you putting ‘Tinini’ on permanent replay. Kwin Diva, who sees herself as the new face of Afro-pop in Nigeria, is a singer, vocalist and songwriter. Real name Okoye Queen Elizabeth, the 22-year-old singer was born and raised in Asaba, Delta State into a large musical family.

Rita Dominic, Jide Kosoko, others

This piece w Audrey Silva nic and Mildr date for the th movie The Me It was gath tribute the m film distribut The roman features appea Nse Ikpe-Etim “We are ex story that cut will find some “We are no Jacobs and Li and dynamic Mildred Okwo A MORD P TASC, The M and Okwo and

Rick Ross rocks Lagos with Terry G, Flavour, Eva The glamorous Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos was a beehive of activities recently with an unusual crowd as one of America’s finest rappers and founder of the Maybach Music Group (MMG), William Leonard Roberts II, otherwise known as Rick Ross or Ricky Rozay performed in front of a very packed hall at the Summer Jam Festival. The artiste came into the country at the expense of St. Eves Rick Ross Concepts. The hugely publicised concert also featured Akpako Master, Terry Gee Amanyi, ‘Kukere’ crooner, Iyanya, Eva Alordiah, Flavour, rapper, Vector and Liquid Deep from Johannesburg, South Africa. The event was anchored by Larry D and Beat FM on-air-personality, Olisa Adibua. DJ Jimmy Jatt was on the wheel of steel on the night as he thrilled the fans. Iyanya was the first to perform. He thrilled in grand style as he got the crowd dancing ‘kukere’, his hit track and he particularly got the females involved as he moved

his waist in a manner that got them screaming. Terry Gee was next with his ‘Akpako’ music. He brought with him a bell to the delight of many. Liquid Deep came on thereafter, he sang three tracks from his album before Rick Ross was introduced. The rapper came to town with an artiste on his label by the Eva name, Meek Mill, a popular rapper too. Ross gave a stellar performance as always and was not surprised when the crowd sang all his tracks word for word. Eva Alordiah performed her hit tracks on the night to wrap up this year’s Summer Jam Festival. The event attracted some celebrities. The founder of Mavin Records, Don Jazzy, was seen in company of Dr Sid, Sound Sultan, Linda Ikeji, a popular blogger was also spotted at the event alongside Karen Igho, former Big Brother Africa winner, and others.

Rita Dominic

Legendary Gold gears up for Ni ONUKWUBE OFOELUE

Lexy Mojo-Eyes, Nigeria’s foremost fashion show promoter an elling unit, has revealed plans about his annual Nigeria Fashion According to him, the event has been slated to hold in Lagos b November 8 and 10, and they have put some things in place to ens success: “There are a lot of things we are topping up this year. We ing to have more designers, especially from French-speaking cou Also, more local and international press will be covering the ev we are going to enjoy more press coverage. We are going to be exp buyers. We already have people coming from Milan, New York, A lia and Asia. We have also been able to reorganise our team in o meet up with today’s challenges. We have a new MD, an Ivoria Montreal, Canada and others will be joining from Paris, UK an York. They are professionals we need to pop up our staff strengt Ablan Joyce Nouaho, new MD of Legendary Gold Limited, o ers of this annual event, also spoke with Sunday Mirror. She exp efforts already made to host an even more interesting event th with details about the theme, which is ‘Going Green 2’: “We have place a new team at Legendary Gold, of which I am one in orde sure a successful outing this year. Buyers are also coming to ad to the event because the market is one of the key points in the f industry.

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For eight years, my parents forgot me because... –Oshodipe

Praise Worship E-mail:richardeghaghe@yahoo.com

E-mail:titusanyanwu.2012@gmail.com

EDIFYING GOD

September 2, 2012

Pastor Adeboye alerts: Facebook fraudsters are impersonating me RICHARD EGHAGHE WITH AGENCY REPORT

he General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has warned the social media operators, particularly those using Facebook, to be mindful of how they interract on the internet. According to the cleric, some unscrupulous elements are using his name to defraud unsuspecting social media users. The cleric said, “Please be very careful of what you easily fall for. There are some persons going around creating false Facebook pages or names, claiming they are Pastor E. A. Adeboye. All you have to do is a search for them on Facebook and they will add you and then pretend to be me, telling you to send some money into an account and because they know you will obey me, they are using this as a new

form of fraud. Please stop them and report those pages to Facebook so they can be stopped.” He also told of a member of the church who had reported to him on how he had been ordered by an impostor to pay certain sums of money into a bank account for a trip to India. About a couple of weeks ago, information hit the media about how Pastor Adeboye had instructed the faithful not to put on any attire with red colour on a particular day, a rumour which was later denied by the revered pastor. “It seems some people just take delight in causing unnecessary tension. While using the social media for fraud and other illicit activities cannot be excused, users of the social media too have to be very careful,” the cleric urged.

Family Booster holds summit for singles Family Booster Ministry (FBM), a.k.a Living Home Foundation, in conjunction with some national and multinational companies across the country, will on September 30, hold a ‘national breakthrough summit for the singles’, with the theme: “Before You Say I Do”, at the Gymnasium Hall of the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos Pastors Bisi and Yomi Adewale are expected to be chief hosts, according to a statement by the ministry. Already, over 10,000 singles, drawn from across the country, would participate in the summit, which is supported by establishments like Brila FM Radio, Complete Sports newspaper, Success Digest, LAGBUS, Dove Media, Pic Consulting, COWBELL, X Plus Branding, Mind & Brains Ltd, among others. It would feature red carpet seminar, Mrs. Breakthrough contest, music, comedy by Erujeje, and lots more.

Pastor Adeboye

Winner emerges in Bible Society’s NYSC essay competition RICHARD EGHAGHE

corps member serving in Ogun State, Ntor Gogo George, has emerged the overall winner of the first National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Essay Competition, organised by the Bible Society of Nigeria (BSN). He recorded the highest mark to beat Adesina Adedeji and Olajide Adedamola, who ranked second and third, respectively. Six finalists, considered to be the best in the essay contest with the topic: “Good Governance: Antidote To Militancy and Other Social Vices,” slugged it out during the debate/public presentation of their essays which took place at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, Victoria Island, Lagos, last weekend. But it was George who emerged tops. He smiled home with a laptop, Management books and a copy of the Bible. Adesina received a Desktop Computer, Management books and a copy of the Bible while Ademola got a mini-notebook, Management books and a copy of the Bible. The three other finalists got consolation prizes, which included Management books and a copy of the Bible each. Earlier in an address, Chairman of the occasion and Registrar/Chief Executive Officer of the Institute of Personnel Management, Mr. Sunday Adeyemi, had remarked that the topic for the essay competition could not have come at a better time than now. He attributed the cause of militancy and the security challenges in the country to corruption, poverty, unemployment and lack of accountability. According to him, good governance

Briefly

Accept God in totality, Christians urged Senior Pastor of Foursquare Gospel Church, zonal headquarters, Anthony Village, Lagos, Rev. Sunday Ashe, has urged Christians to accept God in totality, saying there is life after death. He spoke at the just-concluded special programme which the church organised for social urchins, otherwise known as ‘Area Boys’.

Winners of August 19, 2012 Sunday Mirror/Babcock University Bible Quiz: •Remilekun Faparusi (08052236450)

To our readers

L-R: The overall winner of Bible Society of Nigeria (BSN) NYSC Essay Competition, Mr. Ntor Gogo George; the Registrar/CEO of Chartered Institute of Personnel Management, Mr. Sunday Adeyemi; BSN’s Youth/ Programmes Officer, Miss Olayinka Moka, and General Secretary/CEO of the BSN, Rev (Dr.) Fred Odutola, at the presentation of prizes to George, at the weekend.

should not only be expected from those in government; leadership in every category should strive to uphold good governance. His words: “All of us have a role to play to entrench good governance because the choices we make determine the kind of leadership we present.” The guest of honour, Professor Joseph Mba, who is the Director of School of Strategic Business, Lagos, described corruption as pervasion of values. He called for change of our value system while he charged the audience to start the ‘value change campaign’ by themselves. Professor Mba also called on Chris-

‘ GOD HAS REMEMBERED YOU’

tians to go into politics, noting that things would remain the way they are as long as Christians continue to give vent to the ‘siddon look’ syndrome of not participating. The General Secretary/CEO of BSN, Reverend Fred Odutola, while commending the efforts of all the participants, disclosed that the essay competition was only one of the organisation’s efforts at proffering solution to the myriads socio-economic and political challenges confronting the nation. He assured that the NYSC essay contest had come to stay as an annual event and that next year’s edition would be better planned and celebrated.

It has come to the attention of the management of Global Media Mirror, publisher of National Mirror, Sunday Mirror and Saturday Mirror that some people have been making phone calls to our readers to inform them that they have won some prizes in the Sunday Mirror/Babcock University Bible Quiz competition. Please ignore such message(s) as we do not call any winner of the quiz on phone. We only publish names in our newspapers. –Editor • 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 In times of trouble, your connections will fail; your allies may betray you and frustrate you. But the only ally who cannot betray us in the time of battle is Jesus

WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU’RE WITHOUT A CHILD

–Bishop Kingsley Enakirerhi

Praise & Worship

Sunday September 2, 2012,

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What a minute of sin does to you –Apostle Utibe-Abasi Apostle Utibe-Abasi Emmanuel, General Overseer of The Rock of Salvation Church Ministries, Iju, Lagos, in this special message, descends hard on those who commit sins secretly and says such persons are only living in delusion, as nemesis would one day catch up with them. Excerpts:

hristians, a minute of sinful pleasure can cause eternal sorrow. The life you live today determines how your future will turn out. A song writer says, “Your sin will find you out, wherever you may be. Any sin you commit today waits for you in the future. Matt. 26 v 52 says, “Then Jesus said unto him, put up again thy sword into his place, for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.” What you sow is what you reap, according to Gal. 6 v 7. Also, Job 4 verse 8 says, “Even as I have seen, they that plough iniquity, and sow wickedness reap the same. The sin you commit lives with you until the day it manifests. There are sleeping sins, which recompense is irrevocable. The Bible says in Job 14 v 17, “My transgression is sealed up in a bag. And thou sewest up mine iniquity.” When committing a sin, you may feel it’s over; my children, it is not over. Deut. 32 v 32 – 34 says, “For their vine is of the vine of Sodom, and of the fields of Gomorrah, their grapes are grapes of gall, their clusters are bitter. Their wine is the poison of dragons, and the cruel venom of asps. It’s not this laid up in store with me, and sealed up among my treasures?” After committing a sin, you seem to forget about it, eating and drinking, making merriment, thinking you are free. The Bible says, your sin is stored and sealed among your treasures and one day, when you are totally relaxed, it manifests from nowhere; then you will from glory become nothing. All those who were respecting you will start making jest of you, then you will try to correct your mistakes but it will be too late. Isaiah 2 v 17 – 12, states, “And the loftiness of man shall be bowed down, and

the haughtiness of man shall be made low, and the Lord alone shall be exalted in that day. And the idols he shall utterly abolish. And they shall go into the holes of the rocks, and into the caves of the earth, for fear of the Lord, and for the glory of his majesty, when he ariseth to shake terribly the earth. In that day, a man shall cast his idols of silver and his idols of gold which they made each one for himself to worship, to the moles and to the bats. To go into the clefts of the rocks, and into the tops of the ragged rock, for the fear of the Lord, and for the glory of his majesty, when he ariseth to shake terribly the earth.” You have heard different sermons on repentance from different ministers. Now, ask yourselves this question; will I be exalted on that day with God, or will I be looking for where to hide myself and my idol? How will God meet you on that day when He comes to judge the earth? Will you be ready? (Whatever sin you are found with is your idol). Gen. 35 v. 22 states, “And it came to pass when Israel dwelt in that land, that Reuben went and lay with Bilhah his father’s concubine, and Israel heard it... Now the sons of Jacob called unto his sons and said, gather yourselves together, that I may tell you that which shall befall you in the last days. Gather yourselves together, and hear, ye sons of Jacob, and hearken unto Israel your father. Reuben, thou art my first born, my might and the beginning of my strength, the excellency of power. Unstable as water, THOU SHALL NOT EXCEL, because thou wentest up to thy father’s bed. Then defiledest thou it, he went up to my couch.” For many years after Reuben had slept with his father’s wife, this

Apostle Utibe-Abasi

AFTER COMMITTING A SIN, YOU SEEM TO FORGET ABOUT IT, EATING AND DRINKING, MAKING MERRIMENT, THINKING YOU ARE FREE. THE BIBLE SAYS YOUR SIN IS STORED AND SEALED AMONG YOUR TREASURES AND

ONE DAY, WHEN YOU ARE TOTALLY RELAXED, IT MANIFESTS FROM NOWHERE sin has been sleeping until the day of blessing; Jacob had to remember it. This same sin that destroyed Reuben’s destiny is what many of us are practising today. We are all the Lord’s bride, and He is our groom. Whenever you lay with any member of the church, you defiled your father’s bed. On the day of your blessing, I tell you, your sin shall be remembered. If you have ever touched your father’s (God’s) bride, right now is the time to repent and ask God for forgiveness ( and do it no more) before it will be too late. But if you refuse to repent and continue in

your sin, the book of Num. 32 v. 32 says, “But if ye will not do so, behold you have sinned against the Lord, and be sure your sin will find you out. Judges 1:4-7 states, “Then Judah went up and the Lord delivered the Canaanites and the Peruzites into their hands, and they killed ten thousand men at Bezek. And they found AdoniBezek in Bezek, and fought against him, and they defeated the Canaanites and Peruzites, then Adoni-Bezek fled and they pursued him and caught him, and cut off his thumbs and big toes. And Adoni-Bezek said,

“Seventy kings with their thumbs and big toes cut off used to gather their food under my table, as I have done, so God has replied me. Then they brought him to Jerusalem, and there he died.” There is no way you can run away from your sins; it must come back to you. Jesus told Peter, “Put away your sword, he that takes the sword shall perish by the sword.” If you sow evil, you must surely reap evil, you sow well, you reap good. The good things you do will also be remembered in the days of evil, when you think all hope is lost. Mordecai’s good deeds were remembered. Esther 2: 2123 states, “In those days, while Mordecai sat in the king’s gate, two of the king’s chamberlains, Bigthana and Teresh, of those which kept the door, were wroth and sought to lay hand on king Ahaseurus. And the thing was known to Mordecai who told it to Esther the queen, and Esther certified the king thereof in Mordecai’s name. And when inquisition was made of the matter, it was found out, therefore they were both hanged on a tree, and it was written in the book of the Chronicles before the king.” In the day of evil (when Haman was planning for Mordecai to be killed) something happened. In Esther 6: 1-3, “on that night could not the king sleep, and he commanded to bring the book of records of the Chronicles, and they were read before the king. And was found written, that Mordecai had told of Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king’s chamberlains, the keepers of the door, who sought to lay hand on the king, Ahaseurus. And the king said what honour and dignity hath been done to Mordecai for this? Then said the king’s servant that ministered unto him. ‘There is nothing done for him”. The book of Chronicles was opened and Mordecai’s good deeds were remembered and he was honoured by the same person who wanted him dead by the king’s order. Verse 11 states, “then took Haman the apparel and the horse, and arrayed Mordecai, and brought him on horseback through the streets of the city and proclaimed before him, thus shall it be done unto the man whom the king delighted to honour.” If your way pleases God, He will order your enemies to honour you. Christians, your sins can bring you eternal sorrow like Adam and Eve (they fell away from the glory of God) and your good works can as well bring you eternal joy. However, do well; to be able to maintain joy and happiness both in your life, your family and in the society. Always remember that things you think are hidden in the corner of your room will soon be heard at the rooftop. There is no hiding place for the wicked. Repent and be saved. •For enquiries, call 08037187775

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Praise & Worship

Sunday September 2, 2012,

For eight years, my parents forgot me because... –Oshodipe Can you compare events in the early days of your calling and what is happening in the ministry of today? At the time of my calling, people were more serious about worshipping. Nothing else attracted people to the ministry; be it money or anything. Then people mock you if you say you are a Pastor. In fact, it was very difficult for us to get wife to marry at that time. It was as worst as that. But we, who are called, have the conviction. Comparing that time to what obtains today, there is a big shift and gap. People now enter the ministry because of what they are seeing; those who have jet, jeep, money, prosperity. But at that time, there was nothing; we were under the conviction of the Lord. It was only God. Even my parents forgot me for almost eight years, because I didn’t have anything. But later, they searched and found me. By that time, it was almost 13 years.

Reverend Samuel Adekunle Oshodipe, Presbyter in Assemblies of God Church, Lagos Mainland District, was called into the Lord’s vineyard when he was just a boy. Having served meritoriously for 46 years, and will be retiring voluntarily on September 15, this year, 68-year-old Oshodipe has one regret: Christians of today are not taking God seriously. He speaks on this and other issues, in this interview with Tai Anyanwu

Was that after you had become comfortable? I was still in infantry in the ministry, because I got married the first time in 1972. By that time, I was a pastor in a very small church; but the lady was really converted. In fact, during our courtship, which lasted six months, I used to wear the same dresses, though they were always washed clean. This went on to the extent that her guardians told the lady, “This man who wants to marry you, I have observed that he wears the same dresses every day. Is that the kind of man you are going to marry?”And I heard it; I didn’t reply since I don’t have a solution to the privation. All I was after was that I wanted to do the will of God. You said you had two wives? I got married first in January 1972, and by January 1975, she passed on to glory after about two to three years; then I got married to my second wife about 18 months after.

Was your faith not shaken after you lost your wife? No. God hid nothing from me. Before my beloved wife passed on to glory, I had revelations about it. Sometimes, I discussed it with her, prayed with her and for years, I prepared food for her. But God would still show me that there was nothing

done? I did not have such revelation. What God told me is to be in the Assemblies of God, as Pastor doing his work in the kingdom within the fellowship. What day would you say was your happiest moment? I remember about two. One, the day I gave my life to Jesus Christ; that night I did not sleep till day break. I was just singing and was joyful there in my mother’s room. The second would be the day God gave me a child. That was April on 14, 1997. Ah! You waited so long? I waited for almost 26 years. Yes. Those two days I can’t forget, because I remember that afternoon when news came through one of my deacons who came rolling on the floor. He said, “Mummy has given birth to a bouncing baby boy.” I was enthralled. But you were dedicating babies week after week; how did you feel carrying other people’s babies at dedication services when you didn’t have one you could call your own? I had no reason to worry about that, because 10 to 12 years before my baby arrived, I had clear revelations. Every year, I read my Bible over; revelations that usually followed assured me that I will have my own. Every year, we go to the mountain for prayers; and I was convinced that I must have my own child and I stood on that promise until that day when it materialised. I never allowed any problem to control my life, no matter how heavy or big it is. When I have a problem, I pray, fast and live there. I don’t allow it to overcome me or even to show on my face. When this happened, one of my good friends who is a superintendent from our Kaduna branch arrived by night about a month later, enquiring from our leader about these matters. He expressed surprise, saying that all these years he had met me in conferences in Enugu, Aba, Calabar and other cities in Nigeria but I never showed that I had difficulty in the area of child birth. So, in my life, I love to cast every burden upon the Lord and go my own way. I don’t complain of sleeplessness except when I say, “God remove sleep from my eyes,” because of certain assignments.

How then did you get your wife? I got my wife in the ministry also. I was in Ishara in now Oyo State by that time; this lady was converted in Iperu (Ogun State). She agreed to marry me.

What was the biggest challenge you faced in the work of the ministry? The biggest challenge I faced was how to really please God. Because when I look at the souls God committed into my hands and their how they are progressing, I feel challenged. And the next course of action is to go back to God in serious prayer, serious fasting, seeking God and going to the mountain to really have a breakthrough. The challenge there was to make me do what He wanted me to do.

Rev. Oshodipe

I could do about her situation. I sought the counsel of elderly ministers and they told me to prepare my mind. So it did not take me by surprise. What is your counsel to younger ministers, who feel God has called them? Whoever says God has called him should go back and hear three times. And if He had called him, what did he call him to do. Is it to own schools, to be a pastor, to be an evangelist, to be a prophet, to be an apostle, to be a teacher or to be...What did he call you to be? Once the fellow has defined that, I will ask him to be ready to pay the price. Because, whatever God asks you to do, there is a price to be paid.

You are still very strong and active, why are you quitting? For the past five years, this idea has come and I have been nursing it. I have been reviewing it. By the grace of God, in our organisation, The Assemblies of God, we have what is called retirement age. Voluntary age of retirement is 45 years and the compulsory retirement age is 70 years. I am just 68 years and still on the voluntary retirement age bracket. I still have about two years more. But because of what God has laid in my heart, I have to take a step. Why did you not have your own ministry and name it after yourself like many have

What is your counsel for couples who are looking unto God for children considering that childlessness has been one of the major problems causing separation and creating unhappiness in some homes? One, they need to know God. Most of the problem we have in marriages today is that many people marry outside the will of God. Some people marry because of certain selfish ends, but if we marry according to His will, we will know that we are one as the Bible says and if we agree together in prayer, there is nothing God cannot do; it can happen anytime, anywhere. My advice to such couple is that they should live together as husband and wife and not allow childlessness separate them. They should read their Bible because they begin to have problem when they fail to do so; and not allow culture, tradition and religious believes to ruin them. Anybody who reads the Bible on daily basis will build confidence in the word of God.

Praise & Worship

Sunday September 2, 2012,

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When God remembers you, by Pastor Okereke In this exhortation, General Overseer of Global Success Ministry, Pastor (Dr.) Chima Okereke, says that once God is prepared to deliver you from bondage, there is no hiding place for the enemy. Besides, he charges those who have been displaced that it is time to reclaim their lost glory. Richard Eghaghe brings excerpts from the message:

xodus 3: 7-8 states, “ And the Lord said, I have surely seen the affliction of my people which are in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows; And I am come to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land unto a good and large land and unto a land flowing with milk and honey; unto the place of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites.”. My prayer for you today is that anyone occupying your position presently, and denying you access to that heavenly given office, be thrown out in disgrace by the mighty power of Jesus. Like the passage above rightly says, the lands that originally belonged to the people of Israel were being occupied by the Canaanites, and the Hivites and Jebusites while Israel, the original owners of the land, which was flowing with milk and honey, were turned refugees in their own land; suffering in the hands of the taskmasters, until the king of kings, the lord of lords, our God and saviour, remembered them. You may be suffering one oppressive situation or going through very arduous time now as somebody else is sitting on your breakthrough because he/she is in position or more influential than you, or possesses some evil powers, or has manipulated the system to his advantage. Now, be in the spirit of worship and focus all your attention on the most high God, as I decree in the name of Jesus Christ that the persons occupying your rightful position will have his backbone broken beyond replacement and thrown out of that seat like the Canaanites, Hivites and Jebusites. God indeed has remembered you. Just watch out from this moment the areas where you have failed; success has now become your portion in Jesus’ mighty name: Where you have been rejected before, you will henceforth be accepted and celebrated in Jesus’ name. It doesn’t matter how long you have been in this pit. It doesn’t count how much you have been battling the situation. Israel spent 430 years in a foreign land suffering, but when God remembered them, He sent Moses to go on His behalf to deliver them. Today, I believe that God has sent me on His behalf to deliver someone out there who has been held captive. God has instructed me to speak to someone out there who has been in bondage and another person there whose destiny has been tied down for a very long time now. As you read this message, and place your trust in Him that can do all things, all those wrongly occupying your land and position must vacate before the end of this year in Jesus’ name. If they don’t, the earth will open and swallow them by the power of God. So, get ready, you are moving to your Canaan land-whether your enemies like it or not-to possess your possession. You don’t need anybody’s approval to begin to celebrate when the time comes; once God says ‘yes’ nobody can say ‘no’. Events take place at their appointed time; when the time comes, nothing will ever stop it and I believe this is your time. Arise and talk to God now. Tell Him to remember you and not to pass you

The Angel told Jacob my name is not too important but what is important is that I have been sent by God to bless you. God has remembered you. The time has come when you will stop tolerating any mockery from whichever quarters. In 2 Kings 2:23-24, little children mocked Elisha and he cursed them in the name of the Lord and two she-bears ate 42 children. And because of the power of the anointing of the same Almighty in me, I decree that all those wrongly occupying your position must vacate by fire in Jesus’ name. When we talk about God remembering you, we are not only talking to the poor. There are several rich persons in Nigeria today going through private and secretive challenges. Some invested money and it yielded no profit, some are sick, some are childless, some, their special positions have been taken from them. some are no longer finding favours before their superiors. So, something has to be done urgently in order to restore your rightful position to you. But the good news is that God has remembered you and you must testify in Jesus’ mighty name. I look forward for your tes-

Briefly ‘God ordered me to organise Rain of Favour programme’

Pastor Okereke

by. When God remembers you, He will silence all your enemies. God has remembered me and I want Him to also remember you. Maybe you have tried your best in the past to regain your position which you are convinced, rightfully belongs to you in life. Maybe you were once there but lost it questionably and you have been fighting to regain it for a long time now without success. Now stop bothering yourself any more. This is the appointed time. Isaiah 10:27 says, “And it shall come to pass in that day , that his burden shall be taken away from off thy shoulder, and his yoke from off thy neck, and the yoke shall be destroyed because of the anointing”. All the things consisting yoke in your life shall be destroyed because of the anointing in Jesus’ name. This is what this Bible verse is telling us. It says, ‘it shall come to pass in that day’; the appointed day. After reading this message in faith, I know you will have a dream where God will visit you and deliver you spiritually and it will be-

come manifest physically, for you to know that God has truly remembered you. When God remembered Jacob, He paid him a visit. Genesis 32:24-29: And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day. And when he saw that he prevailed not against him, he touched the hollow of his thigh; and the hollow of Jacob’s thigh was out of joint, as he wrestled with him. And he said, let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me. And he said unto him, what is thy name? And he said Jacob. And he said, thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed. And Jacob asked him, and said, Tell me, I pray thee, thy name. And he said, wherefore is it that thou dost ask after my name? And he blessed him there”. It does not mean that a servant of God will have the biggest name in Nigeria before God will use the person to bless you.

The General Overseer of Global Success Ministry, Pastor Chris Chima, has disclosed that God has given him a mandate to bless the faithful, as the Almighty is set to pour out a ‘rain of favour’ before the end of this year. Are you determined to experience ‘Rain of Favour’ in your life within the next 12 Wednesdays and Sundays? It is all happening at the main auditorium of the Global Success Church, at plot 34, Global Success Street, by Festac Link Bridge, Alao B/stop, Amuwo Odofin, Lagos,” he urged, during a chat with newsmen. Dr Okereke, who is also a prophet by calling, 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. “The church didn’t just come up ordinarily to put together this special 12 Wednesdays and Sundays for ‘Rain of Favour’. The divine message came to me during a midnight prayer. The Most Migh opened my inner eyes to the suffering and difficulties His children, who served and are committed to His words are going through. He then directed me to assemble them for fellowship in a large auditorium twice a week for 12 weeks. “Having given me the mandate and ordination to minister His word to them, He assured me that He will be present to shower rain of favour and that before this year runs out, all those that participate in the programme will testify to the fact that they are serving a living God. He said He is ready to listen to everybody’s supplication and shower them with rain of blessing. Two of my senior pastors also had the same revelation. That was how we put heads together and arrived at this 12 Wednesdays and Sundays programme which begins from 7.00a.m. It is divinely cut out to benefit both members and non-members of this denomination,” he stressed.

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Praise & Worship

Sunday September 2, 2012,

You need to plan your life well, says Pastor Oloruntimilehin Pastor Oluruntimilehin Joshua Daramola, founder of Omnipotence Mission of God, in this message, encourages all to have good plans for their lives, failing which achieving success would remain elusive. Excerpts from the exhortation, which he delivered recently, are presented by Tai Anyanwu:

od has plans and arrangements for everything and everybody. When a person fails to move closer to God, when people betray each other, they run the risk of untimely and sudden death. Disobedience to divine instructions can bring about manifestation of bad dreams and visions; a person can be implicated in a matter he or she does not know anything about. A boy that I know disobeyed an instruction given to him not to sleep outside; he was arrested and consequently implicated in armed robbery frame-up. I want people to know and be aware that God has arrangements and plans for their lives. Let’s consider the story of Joseph in the Bible. Many people thought he had no plan. He had a dream and narrated it to his parents and brothers who understood the implication of the dream. Though Jacob understood that God has a good plan for his son, he was not comfortable that he told his brothers about the dream. When Joseph’s brothers knew the implication of the dream, they planned to prevent God’s plan in his life from becoming a reality. They plotted initially to kill Joseph but ended up selling him into slavery. After they sold Joseph, the brothers deceived their father that a wild animal had killed him; and they showed him Joseph’s cloths soaked in blood, as evidence. Genesis 37 verse 5 – 36 “…So when the Midianite merchants came by, his

brother pulled Joseph up out of the cistern and sold him for twenty shekels of silver to the Ishmaelites, who took him to Egypt……” Eventually, Joseph was sold to an Egyptian named Potiphar, one of Pharaoh’s officials. He commenced a good plan for his life and resolved to make sure that all the works assigned to him in his master’s house were perfectly done. Joseph’s works were recognised by his master and he made him the head of his household. He gave him the responsibility to oversee everything in his master’s house except his wife. A person who has a work or business and does not plan very well is bound to fail. A family head that does not plan will end up raising a home where children and everybody would not know what to do at a particular time. It was the plan of Joseph that elevated him to the position he attained. As Joseph was doing well, the other slaves were jealous of him. When his master’s wife blackmailed him, he was unjustly imprisonment. But while he was in prison, his diligence and hard work were also recognised by the prison authorities. Again, his good resolve and behaviour paid off. He was made the leader of the inmates. It was the same art of dreaming that ‘made him not to plan well’ that came up again in the prison. Two inmates that had a dream and Joseph translated the dreams for them. Then he requested one of them whose dream was favourable to

remember him when the dream comes to reality. The prisoner promised to invite Joseph to the king’s palace when the dream becomes reality. Genesis 40 verse 14-15 “But when all goes well with you, remember me and show me kindness; mention me to Pharaoh and get me out of this prison. For I was forcibly carried from the land of the Hebrews, and even here, I have done nothing to deserve being put in a dungeon.” It is my fervent prayer that all the good plans you have will come to manifestation in the name of Jesus. Amen. Some people have the plan to buy a car, to build a house, to have a husband or wife within a certain period of time. Anybody that does not have such plans in mind, nothing can happen in his or her life. When these plans are conceived, they should be entrusted in the hand of God for authorization, so that they are manifested. Now, my admonition to people is to have plans for whatever you want to do. For example, if you want to marry, have a plan for your prospective partner and, if you want to sire children, plan for it. Imagine, Jesus’ parent did not plan to have a child; it came suddenly and that is why they encountered problems to the extent that Jesus was delivered in the manger. It was God that planned for them and directed their movements. I had a plan for my life from my childhood days. My plans were to be counseling people spiritually, to train my children so that

Pastor Oloruntimilehin

some of them will be a lawyer, a medical doctor and an accountant. I thank God that the process of achieving my plans is in progress. Brethren, do not be persons that fail to plan in life. If you fail to do so, your life will be meaningless to you, the society and to God. •For counseling, contact Pastor Oloruntimilehin Joshua Daramola (JP), founder of Omnipotence Mission of God, on 08023002834.

Serving God ensures your increase –Pastor Bamidele Pastor Lai Bamidele, General Overseer of Christ Glorious End-Time Evangelical Ministry, wants Christians to cultivate the habit of praising and serving God with reinvigorated commitment. This, he says, provokes God to promote or ‘enlarge serious children of Go’. Excerpts by Tai Anyanwu:

hat do we mean by the word ‘increase’? Increase can literarily be called addition; adding to something. The book of Psalms, 67: 5, states, “Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee. Then shall the earth yield her increase; and God, even our own God, shall bless us.” Listen to me; after this teaching, we are going to dance to God. It says ‘let the people praise thee; let the people praise thee. Then shall the earth yield its increase.’ So, one of the principles that you require for your increase, is praise. Shortly from now, we will be rising up to praise him; so that our hearts can yield its increase. Listen to me; it is not only praise that is the instrument for increase. I will be teaching you on ‘service’. Serving God brings about increase. It brings about expansion. Serving God brings about enlargement. The book of Joshua 24: 15 says, “And if it seems evil unto you to serve the Lord,

choose you this day who you will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood…” Listen to me; at the vigil we held the previous night, we were told about God talking about breaking the yoke of curses. And I told you in that service, about how our forefathers served gods. The god of wood, the god of graven image; they served them and their lives had no meaning. In the book of Joshua 24: 15, the Bible told us in there; “choose whom you will serve.” Are you serving the God that is in heaven or you are serving a graven image? Choose whom you will serve. Listen to me, everyone reading me today. That you have made a choice to serve the King of Kings, after today’s teaching every problem that are following you about God will put an end to them, in the name of Jesus. As for provoking God for your increase, commitment is not an art, it is an attitude.

I told you earlier that it is your attitude that determines your altitude in life. I like to encourage you to go and carry the attitude to serve God. Serving God the same way you served him last year will not give you a new result this year. If you serve God this year at the frequency you served him last year, you don’t expect a better result; but when you serve God in a new dimension, God will daze you with new things. But the reason so many Christians are going through some problems today is that they refuse to serve God more than the way they served him the previous year. Listen to me; heavens remain unmoved until there is a move from you. And that is why I want to encourage you today. You must be prepared to move from the way you served God the previous years. •For counselling contact: pst_lai@yahoo. com, phone08074484415, 08027502864 and 08161285586

Pastor Bamidele

Praise & Worship

No man can serve two masters, says Pastor Muoka Matthew 6:24 says, “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.”With that quotation, Pastor Lazarus Muoka, General Overseer of Lord Chosen Charismatic Revival Ministry, releases the first part of this series of exhortation on the need for the believers to be truly faithful to God. Excerpts, as presented by Richard Eghaghe:

Pastor Muoka

eloved, the passage above which was culled from the Bible, is self-explanatory and unambiguous. Our lord and master, Jesus Christ, made it very clear in His teaching that no man can simultaneously serve two masters.

You cannot serve at the same time the almighty God, and Mammon, which is personified here as the goddess of riches or things of this world. God is our master by creation, preservation, and redemption. He is our helper, preserver,

Sunday September 2, 2012, provider, redeemer, defender, etc. He has employed us from the beginning of creation to be His bride and worker. He brought us into the world for this purpose. The world, therefore, is our master by intrusion and usurpation but many people are esteeming it as their god and have allowed it to control their actions. But no man can serve two masters, who are of contrary interests, and issue out contrary commands. When two masters issue commands that are of same interest to each other, the difficulty of serving both is not great, because any service rendered to one is benefited by the other; but where the commands interfere, and interests clash, it is impossible. No man can serve God and the world. You cannot seek God and mammon at same time because no man can divide his heart between God and the world. To love the world and serve the world as your chief and sovereign commander, cannot stand with the love and service which you bear and owe to God. The master of our heart may be fitly termed, ‘the love that reigns in it.’ We serve that only which we love supremely. A man cannot be in perfect indifference between two objects which are incompatible. This is because he is prone to despise and hate whatever he does not love supremely, when the necessity of a choice presents itself. Some people, who claim to be serving God, pay100 percent attention to the things of the world and are totally engrossed in them. Thus, they pay little attention to God and the things pertaining to Him. Many people in the days of Christ were engrossed in the things of the world and came to trade and make profit in the house of God. Their attitude provoked Jesus to upturn their wares in His father’s house. John 2:13-16 says, “And the Jews’ passover was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem,14 And found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting: And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers’ money, and overthrew the tables;16 And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father’s house an house of merchandise.” The first public work in which we find Christ engaged in, was driving the traders from the temple, whom the covetous priests and rulers encouraged to make a market-place of its courts. That was a demonstration of His hatred against those who bring in the love of this world when giving devotion to God. Those who make God’s house a house of merchandise, whose minds are filled with cares about worldly business when attending religious exercises, or who perform divine offices for love of worldly gains are not ready for God. Our Lord Jesus Christ, having thus cleansed the temple, gave a sign to those who demanded it, to prove His authority for so doing. The Lord was greatly displeased with those who turned the place of worship into a den of thieves. There was nothing wrong in the merchandise; but to bring it into a most sacred place and place it at par with the worship of God was a high-handed profanation which the eyes of Jesus could not endure. There is no way you can worship money and God at the same time. If you do this, you face the risk of not making it to the kingdom of Heaven at last. The love of money is a sure way to ensure that an eternity is spent in hell. The ‘master of the ungodly’ and ‘the

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great master’ Many people are unaware of who the real master of this world is. The master of this world controls the flesh and demands all attention from their subjects throughout their life-time. The real master of this world is the lust of the flesh. The lust of the things of this world has ruined the relationship of many people with God. It has equally separated them from the love of God. 1Jn 2: 15 -16, states, “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world”. There is a spirit that is in charge of lust of the flesh. This controlling power makes men to yearn continuously of only sensual gratification, and never get satisfaction. Impure desires which seek their gratification in women, strong drink, inordinate luxury, etc, are the lusts of the flesh. In the same family is the pride of life which includes hunting after honours, titles, and pedigrees; boasting of ancestry, family connections, great offices, honourable acquaintance, and the like. When a heart is occupied by the lust of the things of this world, it will not have room for the things of God. The love of God and the love of earthly things are incompatible. If you give place to the love of the world, the love of God cannot dwell in you and if you have not His love, you cannot have peace, holiness or heaven. It is strange for people that are professing Christianity to suppose that with a worldly spirit, worldly companions, and their lives governed by worldly maxims, they can be in the favour of God; or make heaven at last. When the world gets into the Church, the Church becomes a painted sepulcher thus its spiritual vitality is destroyed. Galatians 5:16-21 says, “This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. 18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envying, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.” Nothing is so destructive to the peace of man, and to the peace of the soul, as when there is spiritual obstacle in the heart. By describing above the works of the flesh and fruits of the Spirit, we are told what to avoid and oppose, and what we are to cherish and cultivate. Our Lord Jesus Christ will never accept those who yield themselves up to be the servants of sin. And it is not enough that we cease to do evil, but we must learn to do well. Our conversation will always be answerable to the principle which guides and governs us. We must set ourselves to mortify the deeds of the body, and to walk in newness of life. Not being desirous of vain glory, or unduly wishing for the esteem and applause of men, not provoking or envying one another, but seeking to bring forth more abundantly, those good fruits which are through Jesus Christ, to the praise and glory of God.

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ow, there are levels, when we are talking about health. There is the level of the sick; there is the level of those who have been healed. There is the level of those who are healthy, healthy to the extent that some people don’t even know what is called headache. And then there is the level of those who if they touch you at all, you will be healed; they have the healing touch. They are not just healthy; they carry the healing virtue. So even if you are not sick and you are healthy, you can go higher, you can get to that level, where whoever you shake hand with, will receive healing. We just finished our American convention and one of the testimonies there was that last year, some people came for prayers and because they were many, I just prayed for all of them, and they moved out. After I have prayed for them, I got up to go elsewhere; as I was walking by, the spirit just directed me to one man and I greeted him and shook hands with him and I left. I didn’t know his problem; I didn’t know he came with cancer. I shook hands with him, he returned this year to come and give his testimony that the cancer disappeared. I pray for all of you who are listening to me; that sickness, that disease that the doctor says is incurable, next month, you will testify that your sickness disappeared. So there is the level of the healing touch, and then there is the level of the healing handkerchiefs. Acts 19, verses 11 to 12 tell us that from the body of Paul, handkerchiefs and Apron were taken to the sick and they were healed and the devil departed from them. That is a level. You can move to that level. And then of course, there is the level of the healing voice. You just speak the word and healing takes place. I can tell you many, but I want you to be the next one to testify. That in the name that is above every other name, even as you are hearing me now, be healed in Jesus’ name. And then you can move from the healing voice to the healing shadow. Acts 5, verses 14 to 16 tell us that the shadow of Peter was healing the sick. That is a level. You can move from the sick to the healed, to the healthy, to the one with the healing touch; to the one with the healing handkerchief, to the one with the healing voice, to the one with the healing shadow. Which level do you want? Because, God is calling you to come up higher. This man has been sick for 38 years; you don’t need to be there to know that his wealth has dwindled year after year, for 38 years. But the Lord that owns all things stood by him and said ‘come out of poverty.’ And I’m repeating tonight, as the representative of the Most High God. There is someone here tonight, you will come out of poverty. I have already told you there are levels: the poor, the comfortable, then, the rich. The rich people are those who save money, the wealthy are those who put money in fixed deposit. They just give you 100 million and say ‘keep it for three years; I will come for it later.’ And there are those who are prosperous and there are those who are flourishing; there are those who lend to nations. I pray for someone here tonight, even if you are poor right now, one day, very soon, you will be lending to nations. We read about somebody like Solomon in 2Chronicle 1, verse 15, a man who treated silver like ordinary stones. That is some kind of money! And I know there are people here tonight, it’s not that they want money just for the fun of it, they want to do the work of God. There are people who want to build churches. We need a new auditorium, because those who are outside the audi-

Praise & Worship

Sunday September 2, 2012,

Pastor Adeboye: Come up higher has different levels The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, at the recent 60th Convention of the church, held at the Redemption Camp ground, Mowe, in Ogun State, beckoned on all to ‘Come up Higher’. In this recap, the cleric touched on different levels of ‘coming up higher’, in health and in wellbeing. The extract is brought to you by Richard Eghaghe who covered Pastor the Adeboye convention. Pastor Adeboye

torium now are almost more than those who are inside. Thank God, it’s not raining; so we need a bigger auditorium. May I prophesy to somebody here tonight, that in the name that is above every other name, you will be one of the 10 that will build the new auditorium. The reason I said one of the 10, is because I have to include myself and my wife and one or two of my friends. So the rest of you can struggle for the remaining number. I decree in the name that is above every other name, none of you will die poor. Jesus stood beside this man, this nameless man, so low, so unimportant that they didn’t bother to mention his name, because among the Jews, if you are important, if you come from a good home, they will mention your name and the name of your father. If your family doesn’t matter, they will mention your name and they won’t bother to mention the name of your father. But this man was so useless that they didn’t even mention his name. They mentioned the name of Bartime-

aus the son of Timeaus. Even though he was a beggar, they still mention his name and the name of this father but this man was so useless that they didn’t mention his name, But the great Promoter stood beside him and said ‘come up higher.’ As the Lord lives, I prophesy to someone here tonight, nobody may know you now, but before you die, the world will celebrate you. Because the God who is asking you to come up higher is the God who picked Abraham who was completely unknown until God intervened. In Genesis 12, v. 1 -3, God just said to Abraham, the son of an idol worshipper, unknown, and said to him, “Now, I have decided to have mercy on you, I will bless you, I will make you great, I will turn you to a blessing, I will bless those who bless you, I will curse those who curse you and through you shall all the nation of the earth be blessed. That God of Abraham is here tonight and He is going to come to somebody and he will say ‘you, nobody knows you now,

nobody knows your father, you don’t matter, you don’t count, but by this time next year, the world will already be celebrating you. If you are the one, say ‘it is me oh Lord!’ When we talk about greatness, there are levels; Abraham was great, his son was very great, his grandson was exceedingly great. You may be great already, God is saying come up higher, let’s make you very great, you may be very great already , God is saying come up higher, let’s make you exceedingly great. The Lord says there is someone here tonight; he is already in the mouth of the lion. But the Lord says he will rescue him. The Lord also says there is someone here tonight; he said you had known joy before. But it was for a brief moment. He asked me to tell you, the joy I am about to give you will last forever. Thank you father! The Lord further says there is someone here tonight; he said a major breakthrough slipped through your hand, the Lord asked me to tell you, “I will give you a bigger one”. So the Lord stood beside this helpless man. The Help of the helpless stood beside this helpless man, because this man said ‘I have nobody to help me’, and He said to him, ‘come up higher.’ There is nobody to help you but the Helper of the helpless has come; let’s change your level from failure to success. From Success to great success; from great success to frightening success. You know it is possible for God to make you so successful that you will become so afraid. Read Luke 5 v 1 -11; Peter fished all night and caught nothing. Jesus stepped into his boat, told him where to throw the net; he did and caught so many fish; two boats began to sink and he became afraid. Once in a while, God will give you a miracle and you will think you are dreaming. I decree tonight that the next time you are sharing your testimony, you will tell everybody that three days after the miracle happened, you still thought you are dreaming, so shall it be in Jesus’ name. But not only is this man helpless, the man said for 38 years, as I was moving towards my destiny, 38 different people stole miracles. Before I could get there, somebody had taken it and the Lord of host said: ‘come up higher, no more defeat’. I pray for you tonight that the Lord of Host will rise for you. Because we don’t have the time, I could have showed you we have different level of victories; we have victory, we have great victory, we have victory without a fight. We also have a victory that will frighten the victor. God will fight for you. Liveway Radio, IPTV studio relocate to RCCG Hqtrs The official broadcast outlet of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Liveway Radio, and IPTV studio, have finally shifted their base from Surulere, Lagos to the RCCG national Headquarters, Throne of Grace, at Ebute Metta. A statement by outfits’ management, reads in part: “We are delighted to inform you that the Liveway Radio and IPTV studio have moved to RCCG National headquarters, Ebute Metta, Lagos Nigeria. We have been very busy setting up our equipment and gears this week. We are currently testing our output on Liveway Radio 2, trying to work out all the bugs before (hitting the airwaves) starting Monday, September 3rd 2012. “We want to thank you for your love, prayers and support all these years and we pray that God who has called us to move up higher will sustain us in Jesus’ mighty name.”

Praise & Worship

Sunday September 2, 2012,

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Information that will bring changes to your life –Rev Chidi Many people are without knowing it, enemies to themselves. They pray, fast and sow seeds in search of relief from various problems, without success. In this message, entitled ‘What a day!’ the General Overseer of Kings in Christ Church, Rev. Anthony Chidi, asserts that repentance would set you free. Excerpts by Tai Anyanwu:

urn with me to the book of Zephaniah 2: 1, 2, and an n shameful 3, “Gather together, gather together, O shamef fu nation, before the appointed time arrives and that tha a the day sweeps on like chaff, before the fierce anger of th h LORD’s LORD comes upon you, before the day of the LORD D’ humble wrath comes upon you. Seek the LORD, all you humbl l of the land, you who ho do do what what he he commands. Seek righrigh teousness, sheltered teou te ousn ou snes esss, sseek eek k humility; perhaps you will be sheltere on the day of the LORD’s anger.” Today’s message is titled, ‘What a Day.’ My unction today’s is not the anointing to preach neither have I found myself in the ministry of teaching. RathRath er, I have come to give you information that will bring changes to your life. The passage we have just read rea states, ‘gather yourselves, prepre pare yourselves so that on the day of the Lord’s anger, ange involved.’ you will not be involved book What a day? In the boo puts of Amos, the Bible put it expressly, “Prepare “Prepar yourself.” talk When we tal preparaabout prepara saytion, we are say for ing ‘prepare fo of the coming o Lord.’ the Lord comThe com of ing o Lord our Lor r Jesus Christ C Ch riss no i n is lonlon n ger ge e iin n

Rev. Chidi

our agenabout da. We don’t pray abou u holiness righteousness or holines s been any longer. We have bee en carried away by the soso o The called miracles. Th h yourBible says ‘gather your r that selves together so tha a you will be safe on Judgment, the Day of Judgmen shall when the Lord shal pour his anger on the earth. of What type o livlife are you liv truming? If the trum now, pet sounds now where will you be? There is a song that says say ‘when trumtrum pet sounds, sounds where will wil you be?’ be? When JeJe

sus comes, where will you be? What we are after these days are the things of this world. Most of us here in this church have already ironed the clothes we will wear to the office tomorrow. Your entire mind is, “Oh, let tomorrow come.” You have one business or the other to attend. And you have already arranged yourself for business against tomorrow. What if you go to bed and do not wake up? Have you thought about it? What if you were in the house and armed robbers struck and shot you down on the street; what next? What a day, when the anger of the Lord shall come on earth! The Bible says some will be making merriment; some will be jubilating, some will be in the cub, some also their houses, not knowing that it was the day, the appointed day when the anger of the Lord would be poured on earth. They were in the city, jubilating and what happened? There was fire that consumed the city of Sodom and Gomorrah. Remember that those things that happened then are happening in these our times. The sins that made God destroy the cities are today still being committed by most of us. We indulge in them without reckoning that we have little time left before the day of the Lord. When prayer points are called today, people prefer to pray, “Oh God, I need money, Oh God enlarge my coast, I want to travel abroad and so on. Hardly do you find Christians praying for a prepared soul that will help them make heaven. That prayer point is not found in our agenda. Let me tell you something; the greatest miracle that can happen in any life is miracle of salvation. Why we are the way we are today is because the joy of salvation is no more in us. Things should be such that, when you receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and personal saviour, there is a kind of joy you feel in your heart. Irrespective of whether you eat or not, married or not, or whether business is doing well or not. There is a kind of joy you feel in your heart. Because you are no more yourself, His spirit rules and controls you. The questions that one should ask here are; “What type of life are you living?” Who are you? If anything should happen now, where will you be? One day, I went to a supermarket to buy something. By the time I finished buying, I was highly pressed. I wanted to urinate and did not know where I could do that. In my desperation, I went to a corner of the neighbourhood where I saw a sister; I asked her, “Sister where can I urinate?” she said, “Sorry ooo, brother, there is nowhere to urinate here.” I said, ‘God deliver me today.’ I was running to see if I could get a better place, when I opened the door of the supermarket to take my exit, I saw two sophisticated ladies. You need to see how they were dressed in a funny way. I heard one of them say ‘I have flushed it.’ So I said ‘where did you flush, I am highly pressed?’ They laughed at me. It was only afterwards that I realised that what they were flushing was a human being, a foetus. She had just committed an abortion and she was making jest of it, ‘I have flushed it.’ Remember those innocent souls will come haunting you. Are you hearing today’s message? Now, repent. You don’t know what is happening to you; you have prayed, you have no answers. You have fasted, you have no breakthrough. You have been sowing seeds, there is no way out. Why? It might be those things you had done in the past. Do you know that at times, we are the enemies of ourselves? Is it because of what we will eat? And then change our lives? The Bible says, ‘Gather yourselves, all the nations; prepare yourselves, so that you will not be involved on the day of the Lord’s anger.’ •For counseling: contact Rev Dr. Chidi at kingsinchrist church@yahoo.com or phone 08124284979.

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Praise & Worship

Sunday September 2, 2012,

Abuja delegates

Benin delegates at the conference

Echoes of El-Shaddai’s youth conference TAI ANYANWU

ouths of El-Shaddai Covenant Ministries from different states of the country were hosted to a three-day annual conference within the ambience of Ajuji Hotels, in the federal capital territory, Abuja.

Though the conference which held under the theme, “Exploring the greatness in you” has come and gone, the memories and lessons garnered at the confab linger in the minds of thousands of youths who attended the event. Chief Host of the event and General Overseer of the Church, Rev. Dr. James Iruobe, had taken cognisance that many youths are not looking at certain directions which would enable them to explore their potentials maximally. This, he further identified,

happens to the future leaders because the adults fail to give them the right information and counsel during their growing stages. For this reason, some resource persons were engaged by the church to impart into the youngsters, inspirational knowledge, wise counsel, and other enlightenments that they require “to rise above the cocoon of spiritual blindness.” Iruobe set the mode of the discourse with a message titled, ‘Problem of Spiritual Contamination,” pointing out that spiritual contamination is one reason children of God find it difficult to perform up to their full potentials. Dr. Iruobe noted that when a child of God begins to mingle with filths, sin, guilt and faults, the person loses touch with heavenly endowment which makes positive achievements possible in

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esearch has it that money is responsible for divorce and marital problems more than any other factor in the world. Some schools of thought believe that if husbands and wives can agree on money, there is nothing that can separate them. Interesting! Money is very vital and important to everything we do. There is scarcely anything you can do without money. If you don’t have money, you won’t live comfortably and if not, you will die early. It amazes me to learn that even those who sleep under the bridges in Lagos now pay rent. You need money to live a good life and can I be honest with you, you also need money to serve God. I have discovered that what makes people poor is bad handling of money. When you do not handle money the way you should, you will be poor. Money comes to everybody, although the quantity that you get may be little compared to others. But,

their lives. Spiritual contamination, he said, “blocks their access to heaven, exposes one to attacks and causes the devil to have in-roads into their lives. This, he also identified, was the reason there are many weak Christians in the church today. “Many children of God go backwardness instead of moving forward, and the church today lacks fire of the Spirit.” Recalling his youthful days, he said, “We had zeal, not just zeal but zeal backed up with knowledge. We make sacrifices. We spent time with God. We didn’t have money to give, but we gave our strength, time. We went witnessing, did crusade and missionary trips. Dr. Iruobe warned that spiritual contamination involves bad thoughts and evil conducts.

Port Harcourt delegates

He, therefore, charged the participating youths to flee from sins. “What can a man, who is polluted bodily and spiritually achieve if he cannot pray or contact God?” Speaking on Vision analysis, Pastor Victor Ayo Philips explained the dynamics of vision to the eager-to-learn young people. “The first point to understand is that there is a king in you, and in every man. The first law of success is first within and then without. Until you understand the realities that are within you, you will not amount to anything in life.

“A lot of people die without scratching a well of greatness in them. I was shocked when I read about intimidating statistics that say, ‘For you to exhaust your potentials, you need to live in this world for a thousand years.’ That means God has deposited in you what it takes to become a giant in life.” He regretted that here, multitudes of people are in the valley of decision because they have not discovered themselves. He explained that such people are characteristically like the Pharisees and Sadducees in the Bible.

Make money first, qualify to spend it if you know how to handle the little you have, you will have more money to spend and even to spare in the nearest future. Money is too important to be ignored in the family. Therefore, we must talk about money management in the family. This issue has generated a lot of quarrels in home in the past. In fact, there have been more quarrels in the families about money than on any other issue.

Money is a servant Couples must agree that money is a servant to them. You need to agree that money will never separate you. Do you know that there are people who live better and harmoniously when they had little money than when they have more? When their money increased it separated them! The money they have been praying and working for came and separated them. Why? Because the money dictated how they lived.

Learn the use of money Agree that you will learn how to use money because there is a learning process to this. We must have the right attitude before we can handle money properly. If you do not have the right attitude towards monetary expenditure, you will encounter

problems. Let me give you a glimpse of people who do not have the right attitude to handling money. Such people always overspend – they spend well above their earnings. What leads people to indebtedness is over spending. As long as a person overspends he or she cannot be rich. It is a well known fact that a borrower is always a servant to the lender. There are people today who borrow money to buy clothes. Some even buy shoes, wristwatches and jewelries on credit. Such, spend their salaries before they earn it. So one wonders how they intend to make ends meet. This is one thing you must not involve yourself in. Make the money first, and then you will be qualified to spend it.

Be content with your present level of income In Luke 3: 14, John the Baptist said something to the soldiers that I think we should all heed. As he was preaching his dynamic message, the soldiers came and said to him, what shall we do and he replied among other things, “… be content with your wages.” This does not mean that you should not aspire for a greater income; in fact, I

encourage people to do so. However, you should make the best use of what you have now instead of complaining that your income is too small or never enough. When you are not content with your wages, you will go borrowing. One major reason why people do not have a right attitude towards their expenditure is because they do not have a vision. Where do you intend to be in 10, 20, 30 or even more year’s time? You must have a vision as to where you are going and you must be working towards it. For example, though building a house in Lagos or Abuja is expensive, if you agree with your wife that you want to build a house in Lagos before you are 45 and you work in line with your vision you will achieve it. It may seem impossible but our God does impossible things. So, do you have a working plan or a financial plan? Or did I hear you say, I don’t know? Then, talk to people who know so that they can help you to come up with one. •Rev Dr. James Iruobe is the General Ovrseer of El-Shaddai Covenant Ministries. For counseling, contact him Tel 07034183333, 08083001752 or e-mail .iruobe@ gmail.com.you

Praise & Worship

Sunday September 2, 2012

Find your flame

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hat a wonderful time we had in His presence. Glad to have you around this time. Yet another time we had in the upper room during the week and God Almighty spoke clearly and the words were direct, lifting and punchy. It simply showed God has an undiluted love for us. Have you ever sat down to examine your yesterday, today and the next step for tomorrow? Has it ever occurred to you that your placement is better than this level? Has your thoughts ever flowed towards self appraisal? Ever stood in the front of the mirror for self cross examination? Have you looked up once to ask your creator the way you were wired? It has not come to your mind to know your how and when? Do you know your where is just the beginning but the how is the summary? Think about these today as we enter the throne of grace and answer the divine charger – Find your Flame.

Divine Word

Behold, I come quickly, blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book. And, behold, I come quickly, and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. I am the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. (Revelation 22 verses 7, 12 and 13) What a powerful word. May His name be praised forever, amen. The creative word must be examined viz

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•I come quickly. To see who – YOU. There is an assignment given you by God for your world and it must be fulfilled. •Prophecy of the Book – How you were moulded from Heaven and the divine breath planted inside you. You can’t afford to miss your divine book of prophecy. •My reward is with me – You won’t be rewarded for any other thing except the job God asked you to do for Him in the world. •Alpha and Omega – God knows your end from the beginning. You only get a pass mark from your creator only if you understand who you are, search it out, bring out your best, grab your space, fulfill your assignment, make headlines and ultimately report back to your creator.

Creative mind

You were not wired to become jack of all trade, master of none. You were made to fulfill destiny. You came because your generation needs you. You are not an after thought. You were created as a bundle of creativity to better your world – Infact, you were created to become creative and continue the work of creation and become a co-creator with God. To become creative and be the who you should be, you must find your flame. Finding your flame is discovering your talent and make better use of it to be who God said you should be during creation. But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people, that ye should show forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.(1 Peter 2 verse 9) You are unique – not just unique but uniquely gifted. You can’t function better in another field aside yours unless you discover your talent and endowed gifts and detonate them to fulfill your assignment on earth. Your talent is different from mine and will function and explode positively if properly deployed in your divinely chosen field and you will be amazed at the volume of your success.

Insight

Your talent and gifting is what you do easily for days and still enjoy doing it because it is your wrap around. Discovering and locating your talent leads to your success in life and also show light to your generation because proper usage of your talent is tied to the lifting of millions in your days.

interest – Cement business. That decision marked him for greatness and that business has become an oak tree attracting other interests in manufacturing and was recently named Africa’s richest man in the world’s billionaire club, published annually by the influential Forbes Magazine.

Posers

Flame Two

•What usage will it be for an evangelist to be sitting in an office for 24 hours – rotting away. •Will soccer stars Augustine Jayjay Okocha and Nwankwo Kanu be known if they had become a mechanic? •Comedian Ali Baba would have been a misnomer working in the bank. •Football legend, Edson Arantes Do Nascimento called PELE will not be famous today if he was an architect. •Prophet Gabriel Olubunmi Fakeye left engineering to embrace his talent of spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ and he is a super hit today. •The 1930 Oke Ooye earthquake came into being because God’s general, Apostle Joseph Ayodele Babalola knew he was not cut for tractor driving. •Bill Clinton and Barrack Obama knew leadership was their lives and created spaces for themselves when their peers gave them no chance. •Imagine what would happen to the world of art if Professor Wole Soyinka was a bread seller? •Biblical Moses thought he was meant to eat bread and tea in Pharaoh’s palace until God showed him his mission to draw Israelites from the Egyptian gulag confirming his name that ‘I drew him out of water’. Check your talent out. The world is waiting for your manifestation. Those who know their route can never miss the road.

Flame One

A colossus in the world of business and philanthropist, Aliko Dangote knew what he came for and stopped other attachments. Got little loan in 1978 from his uncle added to his savings and plunged headlong into his

Oil giant, Femi Otedola decided he was not cut for civil service bottlenecks and contract seeking and moved to his interest – Petroleum sector. He is a phenomenon today because he gave diesel packaging a new name and his success is now a reference point in the world of business.

Flame Three

Known as Mister turnaround with an eye for the biggest pie. Barrister Jimoh Ibrahim is a role model today owing to his speed in clean sweeping. Knew where his talent lies and moved there – midas touch for dead businesses. This man of means with the unrivalled talent for waking dead woods has made such a great impact that people now invite him to lecture them on his trade secrets.

Flame Four

Nigeria’s foremost humour merchant, Wale Adenuga, is a success story today because he left the comfort of his office to showcase his talent. Left UAC in 1978 when he was about becoming a manager to face the unknown world of Ikebe Super Magazine because he was spurred by his talent for drawing and creating stories. That move has now got into television with Papa Ajasco and Super story serials and the world has become his stage. You can’t settle for less and hit it right. Find your Flame and use your talents right. Remember, you must not die wasted. God bless Nigeria. Repent from your sinful ways. Jesus loves you. God bless you and see you at the top. •Text – 08037188392. Motailatugrow@hotmail.com.

The ultimate turnaround

Moment of Blessing with Pastor Taiye

Olayemi Email: taiye_olayemi@yahoo.co.uk Phone: 08037229730

s long as you can wake up to see the breaking of the day, anything can happen. The possibility of your experiencing a positive turnaround in life is as real as your being alive. That is why the Bible says, they were like them that dream (Ps. 126:1). There are turnarounds that take place under 24 hours; it all depends on who is speaking the word (Isa. 55:10-11). Ultimate turnaround means the final concluding end

of a matter. It is the pinnacle or the last word. Ultimate turnaround in one word is restoration. Restoration is to bring back that which is missing, either in your life or materials. Restoration also means to reintroduce what was taken away so that the person will be able to complete his or her life and purpose on earth without a sense of any loss in the past. This is crucial because certain losses in your life can hinder the fulfilment of your destiny. Blessings are like enzymes in our body system. As we already know, enzymes are organic sub-

stances secreted to perform a specific function in the human body, so also is blessing. Every blessing of God is a personality. For example, favour. When you call on favour, he hears and whoever he is instructed by God to come upon will begin to attract favour anywhere he or she goes. So the personality of whatever blessing that comes upon you will manifest himself anywhere you appear. This blessing will begin to speak that you will not be able to find any traces of whatever you have lost in the past. It doesn’t matter whether the need is spiritual, physical, material or in your body; turnaround is for every one because there are certain areas of life that we all need a turnaround. For some of us, the turnaround is needed in our bodies because of the anointing the body must carry. There are certain events that take place in our lives that we cannot really ascertain the causes. Not that we are responsible or we deserved it because to the best of our knowledge, we did not do anything wrong. These occurrences most times are what I call “debt payments”. However, some could be traceable to the choices we made or decisions we took as a result of desires we have nursed within our hearts. Midnight cries have taken away the sleep of many because of these occurrences. For example; Naaman and Gehazi (2Kings 5:9-27). Many are like that today. They set their lives according to

the standard of the world system. Gehazi suffered leprosy because of his selfish motive, lust and decision (2Kings 5:20-25). It is evident that these cases could be as a result of these factors, but I still like to let you understand that some of these people could be moved by a spell because of a satanic or parental judgement to attract such occurrences to their lives. See (Jer. 22:28). God works in such a mysterious way that no man can actually ascertain the state of a man, despite whatever principle of God that is operating in the life of the man (Ps. 92:5). When it comes to the sovereign will of God, no principle can contest it. According to the Levitical and prophetic law, no leper is permitted to be in the town, not to talk of coming into the palace. They are always ostracised. Even Uzziah could not remain in the palace because he was the King when leprosy came upon him (2Chro. 26:21), neither did the children of Israel allow Miriam to be in their midst in their exodus because she was a prophetess and the sister of Moses, rather the whole camp of Israel stood still (Num. 12:10-15). Even the lepers that brought the news of turnaround to Samaria in the days of famine as a result of the siege were outside of the city (2Kings 7:3-11a). But the case of Gehazi is awesome. After he left the sight of Elisha white as snow for the leprosy of Naaman cleft on him (2Kings 5:27), nothing was said specifically of him till his resur-

facing in our text. This happening came to be because somebody obeyed the instruction of a prophet. God does what pleases Him and no man can question it. God had to work a way out for this woman because the content of the King’s conversation with Gehazi was centred on this woman though the question was about the great things Elisha had done (2Kings 8:4). Rather than speaking of his predicaments under Elisha, he started with the miracle of restoring the life of the shunamite woman’s son and suddenly, she appeared (2Kings 8:5). Nothing is impossible with God. As God used Gehazi to restore this woman’s belonging, you shall witness a turnaround in your life. Prayer: (1) Father, single me out for turnaround miracles in Jesus’ name. (2) Father, may your power remove every obstacle to this turnaround in my life in Jesus’ name. (3) Father, may your power subdue every power of darkness that is working against my turnaround in Jesus’ name. (4) Father, by your power, remove every garment of pain, suffering, misfortune and poverty that is upon my life today in Jesus’ name. •For prayer/counselling, please call: 08037229730 Email: snrpastortaiyeolayemi@ gmail.com, taiye_olayemi@yahoo.co.uk

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Praise & Worship 33

Sunday September 2, 2012

What to do when you’re without a child Christian Relationship with Taiwo

Odubiyi

E-mail: info@pastortaiwoodubiyi.org.uk

r was she destined to be barren - as she had read in a book that someone gave her to read? Tammy wondered. A woman had said a similar thing on TV some months ago. Was this supposed to be her lot in life? Should she just accept this childlessness and go and adopt a child? Adoption? No! She didn’t want a baby that was not hers. How would she tell people that the baby she was carrying was adopted? She heard the sound of the puppies coming close and soon they appeared, walking beside Ringo, going to the other side of the compound. Tammy sighed. Even Ringo had children. Her heart broke. She closed her eyes and prayed with tears, “God, even this dog has children. Open my womb and let me have children. Help me Lord.” She paused, pursing her lips in sorrow, and then she opened her mouth again, to make a vow, “If You give me children, I will give them back to You, everyone of them. And for every conception, I will bring a gift to the church.” Quickly thinking of what she could give, she said, “I will give one hundred thousand naira as an offering as soon as my pregnancy is confirmed and on my first day of bringing each child to church, I will roll on the altar seven times in the presence of everyone, to show my appreciation to You.” (Excerpts from Oh Baby!)

It took me three months after my marriage to conceive. Just three months but I can never forget how I felt and what I went through in those three months! I prayed, fasted, read books on how to conceive, and reminded God of how I had obeyed Him by getting married as a virgin. While crying and talking to God, I became pregnant. Was I glad? I can imagine what people who have been waiting for years to conceive must be feeling. That was why I wrote the novel titled Oh Baby! and dedicated it to those for whom children have not come easily, to give them hope and encouragement. God had mercy on me, and in the Bible, He had mercy on Sarah by visiting her in her old age after she had given up hope of ever having a child. He will have mercy on you if you’re also going through the delay season. God made Sarah, a woman who had been barren for years become a mother; and concerning you, it is not too late because the One who is called Faithful and True, the Almighty God does not fail. He does not slumber nor sleep, and what He does for one, He can do for another.

reproductive system, this often translates into non-conducive environment for conception. The degree of fertility can be affected more or less. The solution is - don’t be anxious. Even the Bible says that. So, take your mind off it. Expect to get pregnant and enjoy your marriage to the fullest. You should also go for medical treatments. This is very important, to correct, induce or enhance conception and pregnancy. The ovaries might have been affected; it could be low sperm count, etc. Two other causes are: wrong sex positions and high stress level, which is prevalent among working class people. There are many causes but as earlier said, if they are properly looked into and tackled, the woman would conceive. Aside going for medical treatments, you should get about three or four Scriptures to stand on, to pray with, because God honours His words. He watches over them to perform them. He is not human, that He should lie, not a human being, that He should change His mind. Does He speak and then not act? Does He promise and not fulfill? (Numbers 23:19 NIV)

Some of the causes and solutions

Here are some Scriptwures:

As a woman told Tammy in the novel Oh baby!, certain basic elements can cause delay in conception but if properly tackled, would not be a problem. Human beings are different. Simple things that affect some may not affect others, and some complex things that trip the balance of some people’s anatomy negatively, may even work positively in the bodies of others. And usually, anxiety sets in on the part of the woman if she doesn’t conceive immediately, but in her

Is anything too hard for the Lord? I will return to you at the appointed time next year, and Sarah will have a son.” (Gen. 18:14) He settles the childless woman in her home as a happy mother of children. Praise the Lord. (Psalm 113:9) The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food at the proper time. You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing. (Psalm 145:15, 16) For I know the thoughts that I think

toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Jeremiah 29:11 So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. (Isaiah 41:10) Another thing you can do is to enter into a covenant with God and make a vow to Him like Hannah did in 1Samuel 1:11 “Lord Almighty, if you will only look on your servant’s misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the Lord for all the days of his life, and no razor will ever be used on his head.” (NIV) Jacob also made a vow and said, “If God will be with me, and keep me in this way that I am going … then the Lord shall be my God … and of all that You give me I will surely give a tenth to You.” (Genesis 28:20-22) And in my novel Oh Baby!, Tammy also vowed, “If You give me children, I will give them back to You, everyone of them. And for every conception, I will bring a gift to the church.” Lastly, we must not be ignorant of the fact that above all these efforts, God’s grace and mercy are paramount. And so, dear friends, let not your heart be troubled, believe in God and His words. Realise that He has not forgotten you. Trust Him, don’t give up, don’t look back and don’t stop. God makes all things beautiful in His time. His timing is always accurate and He will do what is right. With God, there’s nothing like an accident. Even if you don’t see anything and you don’t know how, He is working on your behalf, even now.

The God of war Shepherd Life with Bishop Kingsley

Enakirerhi

ost people share absolute abhorrence for war, but little do they know that, war goes beyond the use of offensive military weapons against the enemy. We are living in a world governed by wickedness. In 1 John 5:19 the scripture states, “And we know that we are of God and the whole world lies in wickedness”. We are of God, dwelling among wolves. We interact on daily basis with enemies of destinies and destroyers of everything that is good. There is a continuous pull and push between the children of light and the people of darkness. They are known and unknown contenders, always pressing to celebrate our downfall. This inglorious contest is called ‘battle’. You must understand that no Christian is too spiritual for Satan to attack. No matter the degree of anointing you carry, you are not exempted from the battle of life. Job, the richest man from the East says, “Man born of a woman is of few days and is full of troubles” (Job 14:1). When you go through the battles of life, know that it’s one of those things common to men. As our faces are different, so are our

heart desires and the battles we fight in life. Every man has different battles to fight. Many marriages have crashed because of persistent battle of childlessness. I have seen the strong, the intelligent and the swift suffer terrible fate in life. (Ecclesiastes 9:11). Merits are being sacrificed on the altar of mediocrity. Kings and queens are walking and begging for food while slaves are enjoying lavishing banquet. These and many more are as a result of battles of life. In Psalms 24:7 the scripture says, “Lift up your heads, o ye gates; and be ye lifted up, ye everlasting doors…” In life, there are doors and gates. Your success in life is determined by the opening or shutting of these gates. Check your life; when was the last time you celebrated breakthrough and sang songs of testimony? When the doors and gates are against you, delay and defeat become your companions. There are family, ancestral and marital doors and gates. Until we fight hard to ensure victory, breakthrough in life may be a forgone issue. Jeremiah saw the battle and warring in the land; thus he cried aloud, saying, “A sound of battle is in the land; and of great destruction”. Jeremiah 50:22. As we approach the absorbing climax of this old system of things, the world and all it contains are boiling; the heat is fierce and very many have given up. From the great depression to economic recession, the entire world has suffered untold eco-

nomic hardship. The God of this earth is indeed warring against the children of light. In a fierce and formidable battle formation, he has cornered many to compromise their faith. Because of these adverse economic woes, many have lost the battle of adultery, cultism, prostitution and corruption. They seek ‘soft grounds’ to stand, thereby falling prey to the luring charms of the devil. There is another kind of battle of life which Apostle Paul, the indefatigable follower of Jesus Christ, called “The battle of the mind”. He says “but I see another law in my members (body) warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my body”. Roman 7:23. This war is referred to as internal conflict. Evil offers a push and pull against the forces of goodness in you. There is a “cold war” inside of you. A war and battle fought without shedding blood, but when lost, will lead to everlasting damnation. Upon this, victors and victims have emerged. It is a conflict of desire and emotions. What is our hope? Moses answered the people of Israel saying, “Hold your peace and the Lord shall fight for you”. In 2 Chronicle 20:15 the scripture says, “Hearken ye, all Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou King Jehoshaphat, thus saith the Lord unto you, be not afraid…For the battle is not yours, but God’s”. As a child of God, you need not to fear

any sort of battle in life, because our God is a God of battle. He is our Defender (Psalms 5:11-12), Fortress (Psalms 18:2), Refuge (Deut. 33:27; Psalm 37:5), Shield (Deut. 23:29), Hiding place (Psalms 27). Nothing can be more comforting to know that angels are our military assistants. They defend us against ugly and offensive attacks, hide us in His fortress and give us refuge in the days of evil visitation. Courage and fearlessness are the greatest weapons of war. God told the people of Israel when they were trapped in the Red Sea, saying, “Fear not.” He told Joshua, “be of good courage and fear not.” That same God is telling you today, “fear not” (1 John 4:4). Be of good courage, fear not, put on righteousness, truth and take the sword of faith to stand against every contender that is against your destiny. Jesus declared in Matthew 2: 44, “And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder”. Hold your peace and see God fight your battle. “Some may trust in chariot, some may trust in horses, but we will trust in the name of the Lord”. In this tumultuous time of ours, everybody is calling on the name of their gods. But we have a superior God, who is a God of battle. In times of trouble, your connections will fail; your allies may betray you and frustrate you. But the only ally who cannot betray us in the time of battle is Jesus and His host of military entity. Praise God!

Praise & Worship

Sunday September 2, 2012,

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

How to live in favour (I)

Footprints with Dr. Tunde

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

f the entire ingredient a person needs in life, favour is the greatest. Not money, position, influence, connection, beauty, status, education, clothes, stature, or other things will take you so far without limits. Only favour can and will. Favour lasts for a lifetime. Favour begets favour. Favour is the best gift you can receive and the sweetest gift you can give. Jesus Christ, God’s only begotten Son was described as follows: “and Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man” (Luke 2:52). Prophet Samuel was blessed likewise: “and the child Samuel grew in stature, and in favour, both with the LORD and men” (1 Sam 2:26). It is not enough to grow in stature and size. You need to grow in favour. Favour must be sought with God before you seek it with human beings. Favour will take you further than wisdom can. Favour will keep you in demand. Favour will raise your head above your fellows. Favour is the best pursuit of the wise. Blessed are those who live in favour! You want to know what favour entails? Favour is when people just prefer you and like you for no reason. Favour is when things work out for you. Favour is when people determine to help you for nothing. Favour is when people look out for you; treat your case specially and cautiously. Favour is when your own things turn out good when others fail. Favour is when you are selected or picked out of a crowd. Favour is when people seek you out to bless you; when support continues to flow towards you. Favour is friendly regard, shown toward another; especially by a superior.

Favour is attractiveness: when people pay attention to you and prefer you and yours. It is when you get approving consideration or attention. Favour is a token of love, a gift, a special privilege or right granted or conceded to you. It is gracious kindness, aid, and assistance you receive unexpectedly or from people least expected to show such to you. Favour facilitates things for you where others experience delay and denial. Favour makes people to treat you gently and carefully, providing you preferential treatment. Favour is when people express approval, commendatory, affirmative, and winning approval for you. It is when things are done to your advantage. It is when efforts are made on your behalf or interest; and in accord or sympathy with or in support of you. Favour is when you are spared. It occurs when you are marked for success, judged as most likely to win, and marked popular. Favour is at work when things begin to point toward a happy outcome for your case. It is the sign or omen of success before or at beginning of an event. One endowed with special advantages or gifts may be said to be favoured. One unusually loved, trusted, provided for may be enjoying favour at such point in life. The Psalmist knows the potency of favour and wrote severally: “you shall arise, and have mercy upon Zion: for the time to favour her, yea, the set time, is come” (Psalm 102:13). “For thou, LORD,

will bless the righteous; with favour will you compass him as with a shield” (Psalm 5:12). “For his anger endures but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning” (Psalm 30: 5). “LORD, by your favour you have made my mountain to stand strong: you hid thy face, and I was troubled” (Psalm 30: 7). Reminiscent of Israelites favour he testifies: “for they got not the land in possession by their own sword, neither did their own arm save them: but your right hand, and your arm, and the light of your countenance, because you had a favour to them “ (Psalm 44:3). Never underestimate the potential of one encounter, one service, one man or one woman. When the Pharaoh of Egypt legislated the official massacre of all male-born Israel in Egypt, it was one divine encounter of the Pharaoh’s daughter with a three-month old Hebrew boy abandoned to fate on the River Nile that set the course of change for the enslaved people. Baby Moses found favour in her eyes and determined to save him and adopt him as a prince of Egypt. Moses’ sister appeared from her surveillance hideout and suggested a nanny upon the Princess’s request. Guess who? Moses’s birth mother, Jochebed was paid to raise his own biological son for the next twelve years or so (Exodus 2:1-10). That was enough time to make Moses a Jew forever! All the subsequent thirty years in the palace could not erase the

Answer these questions and win a prize

Melchidezek was a priest and king in what city?

How many years did Moses spend on the plains of Midian? Where in the Bible?

Locate the scripture that says “God does not see as man sees…” Supply the scripture.

•Please, be informed that the first correct entry via text message wins the prize. See next week’s column for answers to the quiz. Send your answers with your names to 08054238905. Gifts: courtesy Babcock University.

lessons and blessings of the first twelve years of home schooling. Moses “refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward” (Heb 11:24-26). Favor can restore in a day what was stolen over a lifetime. The children of Israel have served as Egyptian slaves for about 400 years with no pay. They cried out to Yahweh and He heard their cry and sent them a deliverer, Moses. After a series of miraculous events, filled with several twists and turns, God was ready to deliver them from Egyptian slavery; but not empty-handed. On their last night in Egypt, Israelites got 400 years of lost wages in one single day (Exod 3:21-22; 11:2-3; 12:35-36). They got so much silver and precious jewelries that they were almost weary of the loot and bounties. God will return to you, the year that the cankerworm has eaten in your educational life, your business and your marriage, in Jesus’ name. What you need is favour, not a fight. Favour, not bottom power! “A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold” (Proverbs 22:1). Seek favour with God. Trust Him for your blessings. He shall work things out for you. As you obey Him, you shall “find favor and high esteem in the sight of God and man” (Prov 3:4). •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 August 26, 2012 Quiz 1. 2. 3.

Laban to Jacob- Gen31:49 Asia- Rev 1:4 Paul- Rom 7:15

Where are the enemies?

Holy Inquiry with Pastor Paul

Nkirukah E-mail: pstpaul11@yahoo.com

Dear man of God, Any where I go, they keep telling me that the enemies are after me and that they are responsible for my predicaments. I am tired of all these kinds of vision or prophesy. What I want to ask now is, “where are these enemies? How can I can be able to see and know them by the help of the scripture? Help me, sir. Uchendi from Aba. Dear reader, First of all, I want to let you know that it is what you imagine or wish, that is what you saw, and that is what you will be seeing or thinking about. How do I mean? You probably have been going and seeking vision instead of salvation. What you actually need is a solution, which

is salvation. Interestingly, you people don’t like to go where there is solution, because you want where they will tell you what killed your grandfather. Tell me something; even if you know what killed the aged man, what are you going to do about it? Will you go and bring him back to life or kill the person they said was responsible, or what? My dear, forget who did what, and where the problem is coming from. Instead, look for how to get solution, from God. The Holy book says, “Seek ye first the kingdom of God and every other thing shall be added unto you. So, why must you begin to run after the problem instead of seeking a solution to it? What did God say concerning how and where you can locate your enemies? Let’s quickly open our Bible to Micah 7: 5 – 6, which reads, “Trust ye not in a friend, put ye not confidence in a guide; keep the door of thy mouth from her that lieth in thy bosom. For the son dishonoureth the father, the daughter riseth up against her mother, the daughter in-law against her mother in-law; a man’s enemies are the men of his own house.” Let’s also turn to the book of Matthew

10: 36: And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household. Psalms 41: 9 also states, “Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me” The book of Obadiah 1: 7 says, “All the men of thy confederacy have brought thee even to the border: the men that were at peace with thee have deceived thee, and prevailed against thee, they that eat thy bread have laid wound under thee, there is none understanding in him.” Also, the book of Psalms 55: 12 – 14 states: For it was not an enemy that reproached me, then I could have born it neither was it he that hated me that magnify himself against me ; then I would have hid myself from him. But it was thou, a man mine equal, my guide, and mine acquaintance. We took sweet counsel together, and walked unto the house of God in company. From the totality of the Bible verses mentioned above, you can now discover or understand who and where your enemies are. The scriptures above revealed that your enemies are the people of your own house, your good and closest friends; in fact, people that know you in and out,

who can tell almost everything about you. And the scriptures also warn that you have to keep the door of your mouth shut from such people, avoid telling them about your plans and dreams; like Joseph did to his brethren and his destiny was delayed for good 13 years. So, always learn to hold your secret to yourself. I want to also quickly inform you that you don’t have to do or commit anything against somebody before you become somebody’s enemy. Buying common new shoes can anger somebody, and that is enough for the person to envy you. Of course, you know what envy can result in. It is envy that leads to murder. You have to also know that a great destiny or future brings or produces enemies. Like I said earlier, you don’t have to be going about looking for whom and where your enemies are, as this may only land you into confusion and frustration. Insist, seek how and what to do to get solution from God through His word. I pray that the almighty God, who is mighty in all situations, will help you locate your enemies and fight your battles and give you victory. Put on the armour of the living God and remain a conqueror.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Movies & Music

Sunday, September 2, 2012

unveils debut single

‘I did not attack the media in Heroes and Zeros’ Nollywood fast-rising actor, Gabriel Afolayan, has disclosed that his role as an investigative journalist in the highly anticipated soon-to-be-premiered movie, Heroes and Zeros is one of the roles he has enjoyed the most. He however says that it is not a direct attack on the media. Speaking on his role in the movie, Heroes and Zeros, Gabriel revealed that he had always believed in roles that teach moral and correct vices in the society. He said, “For me, I believe that as an actor I should be able to act any role no matter how demanding it is. The role I played in Heroes and Zeros as a bad-boy journalist who goes about scooping people’s dirty secret is one role I cherish because I was able to reveal some of the rots in the media. “I believe it is a form of campaign against what I call “dirty journalism” which believes that it is only the negative sides of celebrities and people in the limelight that should be reported. And the role is not a ‘collective slap’ on members of the fourth estate; it is just a movie exposing the rot in the system as a whole,” Afolayan said. In the movie, Heroes and Zeros, Gabriel plays the part of an emerging reporter (Dibu Ijele) with Naija Scene, a weekly tabloid. Dibu believes that the only way to beat the competition is to scoop and sell dirt about anyone with a famous face or name. His theory eventually led to the downfall of Bimbo Manuel. Heroes and Zeros brings together a costellation of stars like Bimbo Manuel, Nadia Buari, Gabriel Afolayan, Olu Ja-

Kwin Diva

in pursuit of The Meeting

Gabriel Afolayan

cobs, Norbert Young, Akin Lewis, Funsho Adeolu, Chervel Bridgette to tell the story of the destructive pursuance of Tonia (Nadia Buari) by Amos Fele (Bimbo Manuel). Set entirely in Lagos, Heroes and Zeros is a fictional film, yet it looks like a reality-based documentary. Many scenarios appear as if they have been ‘lifted’ directly from (and commenting on) contemporary realities of Nigerian life and living. Heroes and Zeros has immediate relevance to Nigeria because it’s an entertaining portrayal of the use and abuse of the media – print, television and film – in a developing society such as Nigeria.

Last Flight to Abuja emerges bestselling movie of 2012

will come as feel-good news for movie buffs as The Company (TASC), an outfit founded by Rita Domired Okwo has confirmed that October 19, 2012 is the heatrical release of highly anticipated Nollywood eeting. hered that Silverbird Distribution Limited will dismovie, which has generated much interest among ors in Nigeria. ntic comedy stars Rita Dominic, Jide Kosoko and arances by Kate Henshaw-Nuttal, Basorge Tariah, m, and Chinedu Ikedieze. cited about this film because it is a truly Nigerian ts across borders. Anybody anywhere in the world ething about this film to like. ot only introducing up-and-coming stars in Femi inda Ejiofor but we are also showcasing a different Rita Dominic,” said Managing Director of TASC, o, of the company’s first cinematic offering. Pictures production for entertainment company Meeting is directed by Okwo, produced by Dominic d superbly written by Tunde Babalola.

igeria Fashion Week Obi Emelonye

One of the most talked about movies currently on release across West Africa, ‘Last Flight to Abuja’, has grossed more than N8 million at the Nigerian box office, just a few weeks after it was premiered at the Genesis Deluxe Cinema, Lagos to huge acclaim. According to a source, ‘Last Flight to Abuja’, written and directed by Obi Emelonye - the award-winning producer of Nollywood’s most awarded movie, ‘The Mirror Boy’ - is the only African movie this year that has been able to compete at the Nigerian box office with the very best Hollywood has to offer. ‘Last Flight to Abuja’, according to official Nigerian cinema ratings, beat major Hollywood blockbusters such as ‘Spiderman’, ‘Think Like a Man’, ‘Avengers’, ‘Madagascar’ and was second only to the highly rated blockbuster, ‘Dark Knight Rises’. A comparative Nollywood 2012 cinema report released recently says ‘Last Flight to Abuja’ grossed N8.35 million in its first seven days, with an attendance of 9,638 as against ‘Phone Swap’, which sold N3.72 million in its first week and recorded an attendance of 3,859, ‘Married But Living Single’ made N2.35 million and 2,602 in attendance and finally ‘Maami’, which made N3.30 million with 2,602 in attendance. Meanwhile, Emelonye’s previous movie, ‘The Mirror Boy’ grossed N6.98 million and recorded an attendance of 7,501 in its first week on release in Nigeria. The only movie that bettered this record was ‘Return of Jenifa’ which made N10 million in its first week. The movie which uniquely is the first Nollywood film to be shot mostly on an airplane features an impressive ensemble cast in Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde, Jim Iyke, Hakeem Kae-Kazim, Ali Nuhu, Jide Kosoko, Olumide Bakare, Franca Brown, Uche Odoputa, Anthony Monjaro, Uru Eke, Celine Loader, and a host of others.

Harrysong releases music video for ‘Taiye Kehinde’

nd modn Week. between sure its e are gountries. vent, so pecting Austraorder to an from nd New th.” organisplained his year, e put in er to end value fashion Lexy Mojo-Eyes

Fast-rising star singer, producer and songwriter, Harrysong is currently making the entertainment industry buzz with excitement for his most recent single, ‘Taiye Kehinde.’ This charming, charismatic singer, who is signed on to Questionmark Entertainment, is gaining the support of fans and impressing critics from all over. And in what is likely to come as a pleasant surprise to his fans, Harrysong has now released the official video for ‘Taiye Kehinde’. Interestingly, ‘Taiye Kehinde’, which was produced by Shizzi, is a catchy, candid tune that carries a unique, fresh quality that sets Harrysong apart as an artiste. The captivating track showcases Har-

rysong’s strong vocal skills and abilities as a performer. With the newly released new music video, fans can now get to experience Harrysong’s talents in ‘Taiye Kehinde’ on the screen while getting a taste of his endearing nature and down-to-earth personality. Not one to conform to the norm or cliche settings, Questionmark Entertainment and Patrick Elis did not give the groovy track a club theme. The viewer is drawn into the video through Harrysong’s relentless energy, the same that sets him apart as an artiste and gives him the edge that makes him a star. With fun dance numbers and plenty of artistic attitude, Harrysong’s ‘Taiye Kehinde’ music video keeps the viewer interested.

Harrysong

Sunday, September 2, 2012

Connecting

Vanessa with

Vanessaonsunday@yahoo.com

Live-in lovers and marriage proposal jitters

enny is getting very restless. It’s becoming very difficult to sit still and watch the year sliding through and not have something positive to tell her mother concerning settling down this year. Age is no longer on her side and her maternal clock is not even helping matters with the way it’s ticking so fast down to menopause. She has been expecting Chuks to propose to her; their relationship is close to five years now and she believes it’s time for them to tie the knot at the altar, yet he is not giving her any sign that marriage is the next thing on his mind. She met Chuks shortly after she came back

Models

from her Youth Service. It was not what you could call love at first sight. They were friends initially before they gradually shifted to being lovers. He was working as an accountant in one of the food and beverage companies while she got a job as a marketer for a finance house. As time went by, they developed a strong bond between them and were seen practically everywhere together. After the first two years of their relationship and Chuks did not say anything about marriage to her, she decided to move in with him; maybe that would hasten the thought of settling down in his mind. She reasoned that taking care of his house chores, cooking his meals, washing his clothes and, of course, giving him sex whenever he demands for it will make him see her as wife material. Two years after, Chuks still plays temporarily dumb and elusive when she broaches the subject of their getting married. No matter what she says, he just keeps saying, “it will happen, just have patience” and she is wondering how long exactly she is supposed to wait? Jenny is convinced that after four years together, surely he should know if he wants to marry her or not. The suspense of waiting and wondering WHEN is driving her crazy! Given her age and desire to have children, she couldn’t wait forever. You know what they say about the biological clock of a woman ticking away. How long should she wait? The time a woman keeps waiting and hoping for the man she loves to make her an honourable

woman can build waves of tension into her system. It creates feelings of helplessness and most times can lead to episodes of depression. One thing women really need to understand is that men are wired differently from women. A man can afford to be in his forties and still find a girl who just crawled out of her cradle to accept his marriage proposal. In some cultures in Nigeria, a man can even marry a girl when she is just five years old and then wait for her to grow up but that’s not the case for a woman. What exactly am I trying to say? Women should stop wasting their time waiting for a marriage proposal from a man they have been dating for what seems like a life time. Two years is enough time for a man to know whether he wants to spend the rest of his life with you or not and then make some level of commitment to you. If it’s not coming, then something is definitely not going well. From what I gathered from the male folks in the process of writing today’s topic, they shy away from proposing to a woman for some of the following reasons: either he’s the ‘planning’ type of guy who wants to get everything ready before he gets married - a car, house and a money-spinning venture; he does not really love you enough but only sees you as a sex object or he’s seeing someone else behind your back. If it is the former, you can tread softly but firmly with him and let him know that when you join forces together those dreams and aspirations will materialise faster because two are better than one. But if his motive tilts towards the other reasons, then you need to sit down and critically analyse the situation and see if you can continue with the relationship or not. One of the things you need to do in circumstances like this is to stop living with him immediately. Why should he consider marriage when you’re playing house now? You already do so much for him that a ring and a piece of paper seem obsolete in his mind. The number one reason why most men don’t commit when you are live-in-lovers is that it has become easier than ever to get sex without marriage, I mean, why buy the cow when you can get the milk for free? All the same, when your man is taking time to pop that all important question “will you marry me” then it’s time to wake up from your slumber and ask him exactly which direction your relationship is heading. No more stalling! If he needs time to think, give him a month. Not another year. You might have to walk away, but better now than in another seven years!

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

A Fashionista’s

World SEPTEMBER 2, 2012

I am very daring

–MTN model

Jenevieve Aken is a model and a professional photographer. She is hot, sassy and has got swag. She is the current MTN Model of the Year. In this interview with Adaeze Amos, she speaks on her lifestyle, relives her humble beginning and how she became an orphan at the age of 15. What qualities do you think brought you fame?

Your mum died when you were 15; how did you cope?

I don’t have much to say, it is just the blessing and favour of God that gave me the crown. We were 12 models that day that contested for the award and I won. So, I don’t know what the judges saw in me.

I was very tender then, but what would I do? I had to grow up from one auntie’s house to the other. I didn’t really grow up in a very good home. But I think I carried my mum’s strength because she was a police woman and a footballer, actually. Before I lost both parents, I had always had this mind of being a woman on my own.

How was the pageant?

Okay, the award was supposed to be for the Entrepreneur of The Year, Designer of The Year and Model of the Year. There were 12 participants each that came together for the model of the year. I was there and I got the award. How long have you been modelling?

Professionally, two years now. Although modelling has always been what I wanted to do, I never really had that platform and the right people to work with. I started going for auditioning in 2010 when I was selected for a fashion show and also 2011, when I did a commercial on Chris Aire Wristwatch and Jewelry. Also I was awarded the 2011 Model of the Year by MTN and the British Council. What was your childhood like?

It was really difficult. It wasn’t really easy for me because I was brought up by a single mum. At the age of 15, I lost my parents. But I always knew what I wanted to be. In fact, it’s just God’s blessing that people in one way or the other have been helping me. Also my strength has been carrying me on. Can you reach out to your colleagues?

I would say you have to believe in yourself. If you know who you are, you can be anything you want to be in life. This belief has been keeping me going. Believe in yourself and do not let yourself down because of opportunities that never came your way. Keep on believing, keep going for auditions, keep on being in all the places that you need to be. One day, just one day, it would click. Just the way it happened to me, it would also happen to another person.

Where do you hail from?

Ikom Local Government Area, in Cross River State. What are some common pains you encounter in modelling?

The most common pain is the payment. Most often they pay us peanut. But I still don’t forget that modelling is my career. It is what I stand for anytime. I didn’t go into it for the love of the money but for the passion. The money is peanut but as a model, you have to define yourself. You don’t need to wait for someone to come and brand you, you have to brand yourself. I branded myself and I think branding myself has also brought me to this height. If you know yourself you can be anything. You don’t need to wait for someone to brand you. The money is small, but keep on going on, one day you would hit the mega. What is your educational background?

I was in TV College Jos, where I studied Television Journalism. After that, I went to study Photography in South Africa because it had always been my desire, another passion. Modelling would always go but Photography would stick. What is it you can’t model?

I can model everything – bum shorts, bikinis, just name it. So, how daring are you?

I’m very daring and I can only be daring to the right clients. I can’t just be daring to anyone that comes my way who call themselves designers. I can’t be daring to them because they can’t pay me.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Lessons of Life

ANGELA DAVIES lessonsoflife2@yahoo.com 08023342083

TRUE LIFE STORY ON MATTERS OF THE HEART SEPTEMBER 2, 2012

Can I marry the man my father rejected before his death? Y

ears ago, I got pregnant for Jimmy, my first and only true love. Jimmy and I attended the same secondary school in Delta State but he was a class ahead of me. Interestingly, he is so handsome and tall that many of the female students had their eyes on him while he loved me alone. Two years later, after I completed my secondary education, I got pregnant. When I discovered and informed him about the pregnancy, he did not deny responsibility for it. He told me he loved me so much and will love to marry me but that I should bear in mind that he had nothing. However, he believed that the future will be a bright one for us and our children. “Helen, I know we are still very young and I have nothing to offer you now but I believe the future is bright for us. I am ready to meet your family with my people so that I can pay your dowry. I love you very much,” he had said. As expected, it was my mother who first noticed that I was pregnant. “Helen, don’t lie to me, are you pregnant?” she asked. Tearfully, I replied, “Yes mama.” “Who is responsible for the pregnancy,” she questioned. “Mama, it is Jimmy. You don’t know him and he has never been to our house,” I explained. “Did he accept the pregnancy or not?” she asked. “Mama, he accepted it and he is even ready to marry me,” I assured her. “Helen, I wanted you to have a proper wedding as my only daughter. But if this is how God wants it, so shall it be. We need to inform your father before he hears it from outside,” she emphasised. My dear mother had to strategise on the best time to tell my father the ‘bitter truth’. Two days later, after dinner, she broke the news to him. “Papa Helen, there is something important I have to tell you,” she said. “What is that,” he asked. “Please don’t take it too hard. Hmmm … it is just that Helen is pregnant,” she said. “I hope it is not my daughter Helen you are talking about?” he asked. “She is the one my husband,” she clarified. “Abomination! Who did this to her? She is just 18 years old. What does she know about men?” he retorted. “Your mother said you are pregnant. Is this true?” he asked. Yes daddy, I said. He asked me where Jimmy was from and who his father was. I told him the little I knew about Jimmy and his family. “You cannot marry that young boy,” he declared. “But daddy you have not even met him so why just conclude,” I asked. “He defiled you before the right time; that is just the secondary reason. The primary reason I will never tell you or your mother,” he stated. After much persuasion from my mother, he insisted that I invite Jimmy over to the house even though his mind was made up. I informed Jimmy. Three days later, he came to see my parents. “Thank you for not denying the

pregnancy but the truth is that you cannot marry my daughter. I will not allow you marry her. However, I will not stop you from seeing your child after he/she is born.” “But sir please can you tell me why I cannot marry your daughter? I love her so much,” asked Jimmy. “First, you defiled her before the set time. There is another important reason but I will not tell you or anybody. Just have it in your head that you can never marry my daughter. That will be over my dead body,” he stressed. “The same goes for you my daughter and it is final”, he declared. Jimmy’s parents also got involved but my father stood his ground. In fact, at a point, Jimmy had to ask his father if he had ever met or had any problems with my dad. That was when I knew that there was actually more than met the eyes. I gave birth to a beautiful baby girl, and Jimmy named her Patience. For so many years, we pleaded with my father to give us his blessings so that we would live together as a family but he did not go back on his words. Patience lived and grew up with me in my parents’ house. They loved her so much and so they helped in her training and upbringing, especially when I started my Secretarial studies training. After I had got a good job, I moved out of my parents’ house with my daughter. Jimmy performed his responsibilities as her father and he adored her so much. He called her ‘My Princess’. He made so many efforts so that we could be together, raise our daughter and possibly have more children but I kept reminding him of what my dad said. However, when Patience was six years old, Jimmy had to marry another woman. As for me, although I had many suitors yet they

all wanted to do nothing with my daughter. I, however, vowed that I would not have anything to do with any man who would not accept my daughter. As Patience grew older, Jimmy wanted her to stay with him permanently but I refused. Apart from the fact that the house will be too lonely for me, I didn’t want any woman maltreating my daughter and I thank God he understood. We however agreed that he was very free to come and see his daughter whenever he liked. In addition, she could start spending weekends and holidays with him. It is unfortunate to say that for 12 years Jimmy’s wife could not bear him a child and he consoled himself with our daughter, Patience. His wife finally left him. He refused to remarry, although I have never been married. My father died three years ago, three days after Patience turned 21. A year after his death, Jimmy brought up the issue of marriage again. One Saturday evening, after bringing home Patience from an outing, he insisted that we had something important to talk about. “Helen, we have something important to talk about,” he emphasised. “What could that be Jim?” I asked. “I am still interested in marrying you,” he restated. “Please can we forget about this issue? I don’t want to talk about it, not now and not forever,” I pleaded. For two years now, Jimmy has not given me any breathing space and my daughter, now 23 years old, is not helping matters at all. She wants me to marry her father so that we can live happily as a family. I have tried to explain why I cannot marry her father. She has refused to understand. I will not deny the fact that I still love number Jimmy but Please send your advice to the phone should the address wishes of the dead be ignored because or e-mail above. No calls, please.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Opinion

Sunday September 2, , 2012

Truly, we are cashless

miling dryly as they dot sullen mien as of trademark, not a few Nigerians have been beaten hollow. Helplessly stoic, and aided by some queer religious creeds, hundreds of thousands of badly impoverished folks are now vaguely waiting, waiting for the judgement day. As two non-square meal become a luxury and three-square meal the impossible, so are the locals bombarded with fantastic government policies aimed at transforming their lives. While President Goodluck Jonathan, once considered a political tot, has rapidly grown and become adept in the language of Nigeria’s political pacification and sommersault, the other actors in power are thrilling the mass media with sundry elucidations, all aimed at keeping the system going, despite ghoulish odds. For the umpteenth time, the President, last week, assured the nation of uninterrupted power supply in 2013, without offering explanations as to what crashed the fulfillment of previous such assurances from him. He digressed to express, perhaps, his magnanimity of absorbing unfair criticisms and sundry vitriol from detractors, summing it up with a marbled landing: I’m the most criticised President. Predictably, however, the President kicked against the state police system, insisting that it would be subject to abuses from state governors, thus flaunting the glory of a Presidency filled with saints, of the mould that cannot use the police for selfish interests. It needs be stressed that save for the seeming intractable electricity problem, the dogfight over whether there should be state police or not is in no way the concern of Nigeria’s sea of the poor. These

wretched of the earth, or if you like, the holoi poloi, are so wrenched they are beginning to key in to the unthinkable: leaving the country in droves to eke out a living in neighbouring West African countries, thanks to the ECOWAS regional ‘integration’ policy. But since these smaller countries surrounding Nigeria are also damn serious with their immigration laws, with a view to controlling their populations, the unlucky fleers, in retreating home, will now be frenetic, finding how to survive the home hardship, under a self-regime of criminality, or whatever. It would in that tandem seem that the Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Mallam Lamido Sanusi, had helped greatly to add salt to the common sore in his recent justification of the proposed introduction of N5, 000 notes to the economy. Sanusi, apparently delirious of the new Naira note thing, said the new currency would bolster his pet cashless policy, a policy that promotes the use of credit cards as against the unwieldy stuffing of pockets and bags with physical cash. While there is no harm in a cashless policy regime, what could be patently fatal for a developing economy like Nigeria’s is to continually downgrade lower currencies from note-form to coins, when the purchasing power of the average citizen is low. Pray, apart from the rich, who are not up to 12 percent of the population, how many persons in the almost bottomless pit of the social strata could rake in N5, 000 in a month, or to give vent to dreams, in two weeks? Perhaps, making as much en bloc, comes occasionally, attributably to providence. In the final analysis, the tribe of the poor that constitute overwhelm-

ing majority of the population, through their poor per capita income, will hardly be able to spend the new currency. The resultant effect, overtime, will be galloping inflation, made worse by a tottering Gross Domestic Products (GDP) index. In a phone-in programme on a local television station in Lagos, a respondent had said that if, in the event of the introduction of the N5,000 note she lost a piece of the apex currency while in transit, she would simply go home and hang herself. Her reason being that on monthly basis, if she made anything above N5, 000, she would go do thanksgiving in her place of worship. Leveraging on that, it is thus wise to salute the wisdom of Sanusi and his team at the CBN who are asking all to ‘go cashless.’ With about 88 per cent of the population living below the poverty line, with warehouses of dead industries bought over by religious bodies, with Nigeria, being the largest black country on earth still a consumer nation, then why would the common people not go cashless? Indubitably, the Nigerian economy is no more than a money-trading entity that is barren, production-wise. In the emergent world economic order, the attitude of financial transactions in the homeland can hardly endure the next one decade. In that crystal clear foresee, the great economies would sooner arrive to colonise us all, with an unusual subtlety, far removed from the hyped neo-colonialism being peddled by book worms. In that pattern, they will come, stay, take over our economy and determine political leadership. Rather than dissipate energy and waste a whooping N40 billion on the minting

Kayode Fasua

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

of a new Naira notes, therefore, the sum could be sourced five times over, with each devoted to the establishment of a manufacturing industry in each of the six zones. These six such industries could only come as pilot projects, as, in the real sense of the proposition, three big, employing industries would be suitable for each state of the federation; deploying the government-private participation ratio format, though. Even, once that is achieved, the madding crowd of 17 million persons currently stultifying the Lagos megalopolis would shrink considerably, as a mass exodus of professionals to their states of origin would naturally take place. Again, while the Federal Government’s unbundling of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) is welcome, it is equally foolhardy on its part to frustrate Independent Power Projects that the states might want to execute, under federal regulations. In all, without conscious moves taken to ensure uninterrupted power supply and generate mass employment through unrelenting industrialisation, the majority of Nigerians currently living in squalid squalors will continue to go naturally cashless. And thus boost Sanusi’s cashless economy.

Jonathan’s quest for results BOLAJI ADEBIYI

ast Wednesday, President Goodluck Jonathan signed a Performance Contract with members of his cabinet. The contract set out timelines for meeting stated goals by members of his cabinet, hence enhancing their ability to be accountable, productive, transparent and focused in their assigned task of improving the general wellbeing of Nigerians. As the President noted during the signing ceremony, the exercise was indeed momentous, not just because it is first of its kind since our return to democracy, it was also a bold and courageous commitment to improve performance and deliver quality and timely services to our citizenry. “We have set for ourselves a tough task and there is no going back. Nigerians expect a better deal from government and that is what they shall get, under my watch. And that is what each and every one of you must see as your primary goal,” the President told members of his cabinet on that occasion. The signing of the agreement represents a new threshold in accountability and commitment of public officials to fulfilling promises on which basis they were elected into office. The exercise cannot be described as just another government “ceremony”, as one serial critic said on television. The exercise is even much more important as an indication of the fact that despite all attempts to derail it from its goals - as manifested in the relentless attempts by an insurgent group to instigate ethno-religious conflicts in some parts of the country and unjustified, sometimes silly criticisms from the opposition,

the Jonathan administration has been able to effectively keep its eyes on the ball. I also recall that the President had charged his ministers with nearly these same words when he was swearing in the last batch of his cabinet last year July. The President had told the then new members of his cabinet that they must prove that they are deserving of the honour of recognition and of the portfolio assigned to them by ensuring that the ministry they head serves the interest of public good, and promotes the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct. As the leader of the team, the President had warned his ministers that they would have to battle with different challenges, whether institutional or deliberately concocted even as they strive to implement the transformation agenda of his administration, hence his recourse to the immortal words of the late Tai Solarin: “May your road be rough”, in charging them to gird their loins for the battles ahead. The road has indeed been rough for the administration in the past one year. But the promise of transformation is also undeniably manifesting in the different sectors of our national life as many of the ministers seemed determined to ride the waves, no matter how rough it is to deliver on their mandates. In spite of deliberate frustrations by entrenched interests, the Ministry of Power, for instance, some days ago announced that Nigeria’s electricity generation had attained a new high - hitting 4,477.7 megawatts - the highest ever generated in the country. Except for the 170MW being kept as reserve, every power generated is wheeled comfortably through the transmission infrastructure.

Even before this announcement, Nigerians across the country have been reporting improvement in electricity supply to their homes and offices, with many even saying they now go for several days or weeks without experiencing power outages. As a result, the price of automotive gas oil, popularly known as diesel used to power generators has reportedly gone down as supply from the mains become more reliable. The improvement in power supply is a culmination of different strategic steps that have been taken by the Jonathan administration in the past one year to improve the state of power facilities and right the wrongs of the past like lack of clear cut gas supply policy and system to the plants for instance. The good news, as former Power Minister Prof Bath Nnaji, had already indicated, is that the power supply situation will even get better in the next few months as new plants that will add over 500MW to the national grid are being completed for inauguration across the country. The number of jobs that will be created in the power generation and supply chains can only be imagined at the end of the ongoing reforms in the sector. Already, many Nigerians are “returning to the land”, to use a once popular phrase, as many new investors are coming to the agricultural sector as a result of the different policies of the Jonathan administration. Significantly, many states of the federation are putting facilities and inaugurating training programmes that will enable their people take advantage of the various incentives already put in place to encourage production of food and cash crops like rice, cassava, cocoa, cotton, etc.

In the same vein, Nigerians that have had the opportunity to travel through our airports in recent times will confess that a lot is going on in terms of renovation of facilities. Olusegun Aganga, the Minister of Trade and Investment, also recently reported that government efforts to tackle challenges inhibiting investments in Nigeria are yielding results as investment flow to the country went up by 46 per cent in 2011. Efforts of the Jonathan administration to get more value for Nigerians as reflected in the passage and signing of the Nigerian Content Bill has resulted in creation of hundreds of new jobs and billions of naira of new investments in the sector. Recently, the Federal Government also sent the revolutionary Petroleum Industry Bill, which when passed by the National Assembly would put Nigeria and Nigerians in the driving seat of the country’s most prized asset. There are many such impactful achievements of the Jonathan administration in the different sectors of the national life that had taken place in the past one year. With the new performance contract, the President will even be able to gauge which member of his cabinet is working in line with the transformation agenda and vice versa. There is no doubt that the President is committed to delivering on his transformation promise even faster as indicated in the performance bond he has entered into with his foot soldiers. What we can do as Nigerians, the ultimate beneficiaries of that commitment, is to continue to support him. •Adebiyi, Special Assistant to President Jonathan on Media, writes from Abuja.

Politics

Sunday, September 2, 2012

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

MUYIWA OYINLOLA

he Yoruba of the South-West geo-political zone of the country appear optimistic that sooner or later the much talked about National Conference would hold. Thus the various ethnic groups in the country would be able to have a say on whether or not they want to remain as part of the country. This would enable them to make their demands on how they want the country to be run, if they must remain as part of Nigeria. Whereas past efforts to convince the Federal Government to hold a Sovereign National Conference (SNC) or National Conference have not been successful, Yoruba leaders, particularly, are of the view that that is the only way to move the nation forward. It will be recalled that the major ethnic groups in the country forced the then Olusegun Obasanjo-led administration to convene a Constituent Assembly in Abuja. The event yielded no fruitful result because certain areas or zones that were germane to the possible restructuring of the country were embargoed. The failure of that exercise led to the convocation of the Pro-National Conference Organisation (PRONACO) of which Professor Wole Soyinka and the late Chief Anthony Enahoro played a major role. The exercise held in Lagos was inconclusive because of threats from the then Obasanjo-led government. Obasanjo later secured the support of the National Assembly which asserted that it was the only constituted authority to discuss matters relating to restructuring of the nation and other agitations being propped up by the ethnic nationalities. The current members of the National Assembly in the Dr. Goodluck Jonathan-era are also maintaining the standard set by their predecessors, insisting that they are the ones vested with the power to decide how the federating states should be administered or governed. However, the Yoruba appear to have seen the light at the end of the tunnel and perhaps the possibility of the nation holding a National Conference that would afford all the ethnic nationalities in the country to have a say on their views about the nation. This is because their leaders have been holding a series of meetings to arrive at a position on their demands from the nation. Last Monday, during a media parley in Lagos, former Chief of Army Staff who also played a major role in the return of the country to democracy from military dictatorship, Gen Alani Akinrinade, said such meetings were aimed at gathering the views of an average Yoruba sons and daughters on demands from the country. Akinrinade, who is also a former Chief of Defence Staff, said these views would be put together in a document which would be ‘Yoruba Agenda’, and would be presented to the rest of the world. As if letting the cat out of the bag, he disclosed that the position of the Yoruba would include restructuring of the nation; the need to have a people-oriented constitution; the need to practise true democracy; the need to practice true federalism, the need to have state police, among others. The Army General, who is the convener of Yoruba General Assembly, stated that a similar document had been in the 1990s. “We reviewed it in 2005 when there was this cacophony of noises that we were going to have a national conference and I’m sure you will recall the pseudo-national conference that was called in Abuja which resulted into nothing during the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo. “Today everybody is slinging mud from the window, shouting at each other, complaining, making decisions that you’re not entitled to make. For instance, it is like somebody just waking up and saying ‘except on my dead body there’ll be no state police in Nigeria. Except on my dead body we’re not going to go to any conference. Except on my dead body there’ll be no reorganisation of this country. “I think we have lived together for about 100 years; it is very necessary for us to agree as ladies and gentlemen that we should go and sit in a room in a very civilised manner and talk among ourselves and decide all those things that bind us, all those things that divide us which we can now assuage, remove or adjust. “I think this is the way a nation can be built. We have not made any genuine attempt to build a nation, especially after 1965. So, it is in the pursuit of that that we are hoping that we would form a common position for the Yoruba, re-establish what we did in 2005 and before, revalidate it because of certain circumstances that must have changed since that time and then present it, not just to our people but to Nigerians as a way forward, the Yoruba version. We hope that other nationalities in Nigeria will do the same among themselves.

Gen. Alani Akinrinade

Chief HID Awolowo

“We will then have the opportunity to put arguments on the table in support of the position that we hold. And all the other ethnic nationalities will also be heard on particular issues and we would be able to amicably reach certain decisions that will move this nation forward. Speaking further, he noted that “in the spirit of no negotiability, the then Soviet Union collapsed. Today, there is nothing like Yugoslavia, and Yugoslavia was a big boy leading the non alligned movement but it has now disappeared. We don’t want Nigeria to go this messy way because till tomorrow, they’re still trying people for war crimes in Yugoslavia. It needn’t be so. “But we have also seen how easily and peacefully Czechoslovakia divided itself into two nations and when they came to the last Olympics each of them won medals. They’re smaller countries today but they’re a growing concern. “As we speak, Scotland is not likely to get a bail out from Great Britain, but at least its autonomy is already assured now. But it was not like that many years ago. And these are the people who coupled Nigeria together, gave us a constitution, and put us in the grip of all sorts of unworkable situations and now their own country is not finding it easy. I think soon Wales is going to go its own way too. We saw how Ireland left; Northern Island now is almost autonomous. “It is nothing new what the Yoruba are saying that give autonomy to each of the nationalities in Nigeria. Let us recognise them for who they are and let them march according to their whims and caprices. “Yoruba had done it before and we knew we had got some way before the military took over. Since the military took over, there has been terrible retrogression, and that retrogression cannot continue. We cannot keep watching. When Awolowo’s legacy of education is now completely eroded and, in any case, most of the people who benefitted from it have left Nigeria and thus stripped us of all the services and benefits we would have been getting from these people. ” Speaking further, Akinrinade charged that there are very large nations in Nigeria. “And when I say nations I mean those who answer to the call of languages, affinity, culture, tradition, size, contiguity, territory, and things like that. There are a number of them; Igbo nation, the Ijaw nation, the Yoruba nation, the Hausa/ Fulani nation, etc. There are a number of them that are large enough to constitute much larger countries than those that are now members of the United Nations that have one vote each. Akinrinade, therefore, asked why the decision to live together should lead to backwardness. “Why should we, if we decide to live together, use that to become backward, unprogressive, illiterate and unable to pull our weight in the comity of nations. This large size needs to be used for the benefit of not only those of us who live in it but also for the rest of the world. “If we go on this way, it is very likely that the prophecy that is blowing around, people say it is America, but I think the prophecy is very manifest to all of us. We know it is

quite possible that we won’t last so many years from now as a Nigerian nation. “It is in the process of trying to build a nation that the Yoruba for a very long time since the time of Chief Obafemi Awolowo had been saying that the Yoruba nation itself is a federation and it has always been a federation from the time of Oduduwa when he asked his children to go out and find their own kingdoms. They ran it without any dictation from Ife. We’re federalists.” Prior to the Akinrinde media parley, Yoruba leaders had met at Ikenne, Ogun State home of the late Chief Awolowo where they discussed about the state of the Yoruba nation in national polity. They also spoke about the security challenges facing the nation and how the Yoruba could be protected. The elders, who met under the aegis of the Yoruba Unity Forum, said that appropriate steps had been taken to prepare against possible infiltration of the deadly Boko Haram sect. A communiqué issued and signed by the Forum’s Chairman, Bishop Bolanle Gbonigi, and Secretary, Senator Femi Okurounmu, said it would be suicidal to disclose the details to the public. The meeting held under the leadership of the matriarch of the Awolowo dynasty, Chief H. I. D. Awolowo, however, assured the people of the zone that the race would not be caught unawares by any threat of insecurity from any quarter. HID Awolowo said: “Without mincing words and if we are not going to deceive ourselves, the security situation in the nation horrifies an average Nigerian. When you go out, your families are apprehensive about when you will come back home. When children go out, their parents are seized by apprehension about when they will return. “This is why we called this meeting. A lot of bombings go on unabated in the northern part of the country and all hands must be on deck to avert its spread to the South-West region. Regrettably, our people who reside and ply their trade in the northern part of the country have also fallen victims in the killings in the North,” she said, while emphasising the need for unity among the Yoruba people for the advancement of the race. The Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, charged the Yoruba throughout the world to come together so as to guard against the relegation of the race among the ethnic groups in the country. His words: “Yoruba is a highly placed nation and we must not allow anyone or group of people to demote our standing. We must stop begrudging one another. This is common among us. But it is unhelpful. It should stop in the interest of the development of the Yoruba nation and its people.” Speaking on the alleged marginalisation of the race by the Goodluck Jonathan administration, the Forum said it had already met with the President and expressed optimism that the glaring imbalance would be addressed soon.

Yoruba: In search of a common agenda

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Politics

Sunday, September 2, 2012

e unanswered questions of transactions of Ugolor and the others allegedly linked with the murder. This is necessary, to know how Ugolor allegedly paid N200, 000 to the murderers out of the promised N20 million. It could not be ascertained if the police have

Rev. Ugolor

successfully conducted that investigation at the time of the arraignment on Friday. Considering the relatively short time and quality analysis carried out by the same security agency in respect of the murder of Ms. Cynthia Osokogu, lawyers and criminologists are anxiously waiting to see the result of the call logs of both Ugolor and the other accused persons linking them to the crime. Also, the public are eagerly looking forward to viewing both the recorded audio and video recordings of the parade of Ugolor, as would be made available by the police. As for the issue of whether the police inadvertently held onto Ugolor or not, the court would determine that on the September 6, when it gives judgment on the detainee’s N500 million fundamental human rights suit. While the account above represents just one side of the coin, it could be recalled that on August 1, the SSS openly paraded six totally different suspects in Abuja who openly confessed to have committed the same crime, the murder of Oyerinde. Speaking during the parade, SSS spokeswoman, Mrs. Marilyn Ogar, gave the names of the suspects as: Mohammed Abdullahi, Raymond Origho, Chike Ede, Saidu Yakubu, Sani Abubakar, and Hassan Bashir. The suspects patiently explained when, why and how they carried out the heinous crime in a blow-by-blow account. But, in court on Friday, none of the six SSS-arrested suspects, who did not reveal

s, the expectations

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gerians to are being direct bear-

the estabt the board ent savings

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Fund might be minimised. According to him, the only way to make the board accountable is to routinely audit the Fund and subject their operations to public scrutiny either quarterly or half-yearly so that Nigerians will be able to know whether the board is using the savings in the Fund judiciously or otherwise. He explained: “As much as one would not fault the creation of the SWF based on what has been seen or witnessed in other climes where such Funds have been used to transform their economies, my concern is that the board may be affected by the festering bud of corruption as times goes on. It is a good idea to have the Fund in place but the challenge of the board will be how to transparently manage it. “Ordinarily, I would have thought that rather than saving part of the accruals to the Fund for future generations, the operations should have been run in such a way that would make the board and management accountable to the public quarterly. “The fact that it will report to the Federal executive Council as provided for in the Act is not enough. The Nigerian public should have been the assessors of the performance of the board through quarterly or half-yearly report on its operations. “In fact, it should not be made accountable to National Assembly but to the Nigerian public through publication of its Accounts and Reports in newspapers and other media, including social media so that all Nigerians can know how the Fund is being utilized,” Nzekwe said. While agreeing that the Act establishing the SWF did not make provisions for such public scrutiny of the board’s operations from time to time as he suggested, the seasoned public finance analyst, voted for appointment of credible Nigerians who have demonstrated in their public and private life high sense of probity and accountability to be appointed as assessors of the board as it might be deemed necessary by the people. As a deterrent to corrupt tendencies in the board, the former ANAN leader canvassed very stiff sanctions against any member of the board or management who abused the public trust in the management of the SWF, including long jail terms without option of a fine as against the common practice. It will be recalled that the Act establishing the Authority was assented to by the President on May 27 this year as an independent statutory corporation with a mandate to, build a savings base for future generations of Nigerian. It is also to enhance the development of the nation’s infrastructure, and promote fiscal stability for the country in times of economic stress, and carry out such other matters as may be necessary in furtherance of these objectives.

Rotimi Amaechi

any link to Ugolor, were part of the 10 that were arraigned. At this juncture, the question on every lip is: what happens to the SSS suspects that are now in police custody for prosecution for the same crime? The SSS further claimed that it recovered a telephone handset and a cartridge at the scene of the murder, which have been handed over to the police for analysis. The public would like to know the Ballistician’s result of the analysis of the cartridge recovered by the SSS and the three recovered along with a gun by the police. This should be determined along with the actual number of telephone handsets that Oyerinde was using when he was alive if the ever increasing contradictions of this murder must be reduced. For example, taking another look at the eight-count charge by the police, Afolabi underlined the word: “Jewelleries” (jewelleries) in count 4 and wondered whether it describes the wedding ring of Mrs. Oyerinde that was stolen during the murder, recovered by the SSS and handed over to the police or another. According to police sources who craved anonymity, the security agency is working on among other theories, the likelihood of robbery allegedly planned and hatched by Ugolor and the likelihood of straight forward murder allegedly planned and hatched by Ugolor with the assistance of his alleged accomplices in order for him to replace Oyerinde as Oshiomhole’s aide. These theories would open many more questions than can be answered because, for example, the murder of an appointed office holder does not guarantee an instant substitution with the murderer. Considering the unanswered questions, there is no better time than now that the case has formally gone to court for the police to prove with hard and convincing facts beyond reasonable doubts that Oyerinde’s close friend, Ugolor, is connected with his murder.

422

GROWING UP with

Aunty Angela growingup5@yahoo.com

Hello children, How are you enjoying your holiday? How far have you gone with your homework or projects? Remember the holiday is almost over. If you have not completed your homework, use this week to do so.

The Boy who cried ‘Wolf’

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sunday, September 2, 2012

nce upon a time, there was a shepherd boy named Musa in a village, who looked after a flock of sheep. One day, Musa was feeling very bored so he decided to play a trick on the villagers. He started shouting, “Help! Wolf ! Wolf !” Immediately the villagers heard his cries, they rushed up the hill to help the shepherd boy. When they got there, they asked him, “Where is the wolf ?” Musa laughed loudly, “Ha, Ha, Ha! I fooled all of you. I was only playing a trick on you.” Three days later, Musa played this trick again. Again he cried, “Help! Help! Wolf ! Wolf !” Again, the villagers rushed up the hill to help him and again they found out that Musa had tricked them. They were very angry with him for being so naughty. Then, about two hour later, a wolf went into the field. The wolf attacked one sheep, and then another and an-

other. The shepherd boy ran towards the village shouting, “Help! Help! Wolf ! Help! Somebody please help me there is a wolf in the field!” The villagers heard Musa’s cries as usual but this time round, they ignored him because they thought it was another trick. When nobody paid attention to him, he started screaming, “A wolf is attacking the sheep. I lied before, but this time it is true. Please help me!” Finally, the villagers decided to go and see if he was really telling the truth. When they got there, they saw the wolf running away and many dead sheep lying on the grass. However, it was too late to do anything, so they all left.

JOKES

Subbarman at Airport Anantharaman Subbaraman arrived at Sharjah airport. He ended up waiting for his visa for about two hours for the authorities to call his name. Finally, he got fed up and went to meet them. He asked why they had not called his name yet. y They said that at they had been calling g him for the last hourr and a half and were re wondering why he had not responded. ed. The reason was later made clear when the immmigration officer pronounced his name as: ‘Anotherman Suuperman’.

John Pembert

n May 1886, Coca-Cola was invented by a pharmacist from Atlanta Georgia, named John Pemberton, otherwise known as “Doc.” He fought in the Civil War, and at the end of the war he decided he wanted to invent something that would bring him commercial success. He invented many drugs, but none of them ever made any money. So, after he moved to Atlanta, Pemberton decided to try his hand in the beverage market. John Pemberton

Don’t worry about studies

A boy who was lazy about studying asked the father, “Worry causes tension and tension causes disease, is it true dad?” His father said, “Of course, yes that is true.” Then the son replied, “That is why I stopped worrying about my studies.”

TONGUE TWISTER

Morale: It is not good to tell lies because when you eventually tell the truth nobody will believe you. So, always tell the truth.

RIDDLES

Why does a flamingo lift up one leg?

Why do you cry, Willy? Why do you cry? Why, Willy? Why, Willy? Why, Willy? Why? If you’re keen on stunning kites and cunning stunts, buy a cunning stunning stunt kite.

BIRTHDAY

Children, you can send your contributions and pictures through this email address growingup5@yahoo.com or call telephone number: 0805 198 0588

WHO INVENTED WHA

Answer: Because if he lifted up both legs it would fall down. What happens when you throw a green stone in the red sea? Answer: It gets wet!

Why did the chicken cross the road?

Answer: To get to the other side. Why couldn’t the sailors play cards? Answer: Because the captain was standing on the deck.

inc wh

Did

L-R: Samson lhonre, two years old; Alex lhonre, a year old, and Jerry Fabian, two years old, celebrated their birthdays together recently.

Usain

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

AT…?

ton made Coca-Cola concocted the Coca Cola formula in a three legged brass kettle in his backyard. The name was a suggestion given by Pemberton’s bookkeeper Frank Robinson. It was he who first scripted “Coca Cola” into the flowing letters which has become the famous logo of today. The soft drink was first sold to the public at the soda fountain in Jacob’s Pharmacy in Atlanta on May 8, 1886. Coke did not do so well in its first year. And to make matters worse, Pemberton died in August 1888, meaning he would never see the commercial success he had been seeking. In 1887, Atlanta pharmacist and businessman, Asa Candler, bought the formula for Coca-Cola from inventor, John Pemberton, for $2,300. After Pemberton’s death on August 16, 1888, Asa Candler became the sole owner of Coca-Cola. It was when Candler took over that one of the most innovative marketing techniques was invented. He hired travelling salesmen to pass out coupons for a free Coke. His goal was for people to try the drink, like it, and buy it later on. In addition to the coupons, Candler also decided to spread the word of Coca-Cola by plastering logos on calendars, posters, notebooks and bookmarks to reach customers on a large stage. It was one step in making CocaCola a national brand, rather than just a regional brand. By the late 1890s, Coca-Cola was one of America’s most popular foun-

n Bolt

CHILDREN AND LAW

Laws protecting children in Nigeria

his legislation specifically protects children from physical and mental injury.

The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 The Constitution protects and respects the fundamental rights of all citizens, adult and children alike. Chapter four of the Constitution provides an array of such rights. Right to Life Section. 33 The Nigerian Child’s right to life, survival and development are guaranteed under the Nigerian Constitution. Right to dignity of human persons Section 34 of the 1999 Constitution ensures the child’s right to the dignity of his/her person and accordingly the child shall not be subjected to any form of torture, inhuman or degrading treatment. Also the child shall not be required to perform forced or compulsory labour.

tain drinks, largely due to Candler’s aggressive marketing of the product. With Asa Candler, now at the helm, the Coca-Cola Company increased syrup sales by over 4,000 cent between 1890 and 1900. On April 23, 1985, the trade secret “New Coke” formula was released. Today, products of the Coca-Cola Company are consumed at the rate of more than one billion drinks per day.

Children are the brightest reasures we bring forth into this world, but too large a ercentage of the population continues to treat them as conveniences and nuisances, hen they’re not treating them as possessions or toys.

d you know?

Children and Young Persons’ Law:

QUOTE

–Charles De Lint

Growing Up

Sunday, September 2, 2012

A mother helping her daughter out with her holiday homework

Right to personal liberty, Section 35 A child has a right to personal liberty. Any infringement of this provision is liable to prosecution, both under the Constitution and the Criminal Laws. To be continued

WORD SEARCH Three-letter F words There are 15 words starting with the letter F in this puzzle. Each word is only three letters long. Can you find them? This puzzle does not contain backward words.

Fox Fan Fit

Fad Fee Far

Few Foe Fug

Fat Fab Fig

Fry Fax Fly

POP

The dwarf seahorse is world’s slowest-moving fish The H. zosterae also known as the dwarf seahorse is the world’s slowest moving fish, with a top speed of about five feet (150 cm) per hour. They swim very poorly, rapidly fluttering a dorsal fin and also use fins located behind their eyes to steer. Since they are poor swimmers, they are most likely to be found resting g with their prehensile tails wound around a stationary object. They have long snouts, which they use to suck up food, and eyes that can move independently of each other like a chameleon.

Answer to last week’s sport quiz

Sunday, September 2, 2012

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Wellness YOUR HEALTH AND HEALTH RELATED ISSUES SEPTEMBER 2, 2012

Food poisoning: Causes, prevention and treatment Facts

A scientific report shows that more than 200,000 persons die of food poison in Nigeria annually The main symptoms of food poisoning include vomiting, diarrhoea and abdominal cramps. Poor hygiene and sanitation has been identified as the main cause of food poisoning in Nigeria. Continuous training of food handlers on how to operate in a hygienic environment is a major way to curb the rise in food poisoning in the country. Teach children proper personal hygiene

VANESSA OKWARA

unde is in his early forties and works as a bricklayer for a construction company. Usually the site he is posted to work is out of town and makes finding where to eat good food a bit difficult. He has no option but to eat food prepared by a local woman in that area popularly called ‘mama Sikira’. This joint is favoured by most of the construction workers since she knows how to prepare delicious Amala and Ewedu soup. On this particular day, Tunde and his co-workers were not very lucky after eating lunch from the pot of Mama Sikira. Before you know it, two of his colleagues complained of stomach aches, started vomiting and queuing up at the door of the mobile toilet provided by the company at the site because of the uncontrollable urge to pass out faeces. It didn’t take long, Tunde followed in the melodrama. His own stomach upset and vomiting became so severe that he was rushed to the hospital. When he got to the hospital, he was diagnosed with a severe case of food poisoning, a form of gastroenteritis. Tunde and his co-workers represent a minute percentage of Nigerians who have fallen victims to the unhygienic way food vendors prepare food meant for public consumption. Food poisoning has gone on the rise in the country going by the reports revealed recently by a Professor of Food Science and Technology, Alfred Ihenkuronye. He has said that more than 200,000 persons die of food poison in Nigeria annually and this has become a disturbing report since a large percentage of Nigerians do not eat all their meals at the comfort of their homes. This statement corroborates an earlier report in 2008 by the former director general of the National Agency

Always wash meat and vegetable properly to avoid food poisoning

A child suffering from diarrhoea as a result of food poisoning

for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Prof. Dora Akunyili, that over three million cases of acute poisoning and 20,000 deaths occur annually due to exposure of food pesticides. She said these pesticides are wrongly applied and abused in preventing pests and called all the stakeholders to join hands to tackle the problem and

Alarming levels of drug-resistant TB found worldwide Scientists have found an alarming number of cases of the lung disease, tuberculosis, in Africa, Asia, Europe and Latin America that are resistant to up to four powerful antibiotic drugs. In a large international study published in the Lancet medical journal at the weekend, researchers found rates of both multi drug-resistant TB

(MDR-TB) and extensively drug-resistant TB (XDR-TB) were higher than previously thought. The report also said the diseases were threatening global efforts to curb their spread. “Most international recommendations for TB control have been developed for MDR-TB prevalence of up to around five per cent.

“Yet now we face prevalence up to 10 times higher in some places, where almost half of the patients are transmitting MDR strains,’’ Sven Hoffner of the Swedish Institute for Communicable Disease Control, said in a commentary on the study. TB is already a worldwide pandemic that has infected 8.8 million people and killed 1.4 million in 2010.

safeguard the health of the people. Whether this warning has been heeded by those involved in food processing and handling is still a puzzle to the majority of Nigerians as a lot of people still come down with severe cases of diarrhoea and vomiting. What is food poisoning? Various medical studies espoused that it is an illness caused by the consumption of food or water contaminated with bacteria, their toxins, or with parasites, viruses, or chemicals. The experts are of the view that this contamination occurs through the chemicals used in preventing pests from damaging crops, grains and seeds, adding that, most of the time, they are being wrongly applied and abused. Dr Chibueze Chukwuma, a medical practitioner with Jonas Memorial Hospital in Ijegun area of Lagos State, said food also becomes contaminated from poor sanitation or preparation. Food handlers who do not wash their hands after using the bathroom or have infections themselves often cause contamination. Improperly packaged food stored at the wrong temperature also promotes contamination. “The cases of food poisoning we see in clinics are mostly from people who had eaten food prepared at these bukas. It is baffling that most of these so called restaurants are make-shift shacks built beside dirty gutters which serve as breeding grounds for flies, cockroaches and rodents like rats. These are vectors of diseases such as cholera, dysentery, diarrhoea and Lassa fever and people still patronise them. The food handlers in these places are also not hygienic at all. They don’t wash the vegetables and the meat very well. When these foods are not properly washed or cooked and people ingest them, they get infected and sometimes die from the contamination. People need to choose carefully where they go to eat,’’ he cautioned. Medical studies indicate that more than 250 different diseases can cause food poisoning. Some of the most common diseases are infections caused by bacteria, such as Campylobacter, Salmonella, Shigella, E. coli O157:H7, Listeria, and botulism. These organisms are found mostly in foods from animals, raw foods, and unwashed vegetables. This is the more reason why people need to prepare, cook, and store foods properly. The symptoms of food poisoning vary in degrees and depend mostly on the ability of your body to fight off invading organisms. Food poisoning most common symptoms include: • abdominal cramps, • Vomiting and • Diarrhoea. Dr Chukwuma said the time it takes for symptoms to appear, how severe the symptoms are, and how long they last depend on the infecting organism, your age, and your overall health. “Constant vomiting and diarrhoea can cause significant amounts of fluid loss and with nausea and vomiting. It may be difficult to replace that fluid, leading to dehydration, so the person should be rushed to the hospital for immediate attention. For children below three years it is usually a serious matter and should be referred to the hospital immediately. It is also important to get to CONTINUED ON PAGE 46

HEALTH NEWS Gombe to embark on polio immunisation for nomads, others Gombe State Government has said it would embark on polio immunisation across the nomadic routes, border and swampy areas in the state. Director, Primary Health

Care in the state Ministry of Health, Dr Nuhu Kuman, disclosed this in an interview with newsmen in Gombe recently. According to him, the special exercise is to enable the nomadic Fulani,

people living in border areas and those living in swampy areas to be immunised. He said that the exercise was part of measures to sustain zero prevalence of the disease in the state.

Wellness

Sunday, September 2, 2012

Know your organs

The Anal Canal

he Anal Canal is the terminal part of the large intestine. It is situated between the rectum and anus below the level of the pelvic diaphragm. It lies in the anal triangle of perineum in between the right and left ischioanal fossa. In humans it is approximately 2.5 to 4 cm long, extending from the anorectal junction to the anus. It is directed downwards and backwards, surrounded by inner involuntary and outer voluntary sphincters which keep the lumen closed in the form of an anteroposterior slit. The canal is divided into three areas: the upper part, with longitudinal folds called rectal columns; the lower portion, with internal and external constrictive muscles (sphincters) to control evacuation of feces; and the anal opening or the anus itself. It connects with the rectum at the point where it passes through a muscular pelvic diaphragm. The upper region has five to 10 rectal columns, each column containing a small artery and vein. These are the terminal portions of the blood vessels that furnish the rectal and anal areas; they are susceptible to enlargement, commonly known as hemorrhoids. The mucous membrane of the upper portion is similar to that in the rest of the large intestine; it contains mucus-producing and absorptive cells. The lower portions of the anal columns are joined by small concentric circular folds of the mucous membrane known as anal valves. Between the valves are small anal sinuses that open to lymph ducts and glands; these sometimes become abscessed and infected, especially in persons who have chronic diarrhea, constipation, or diabetes mellitus.

Both the upper and lower portions of the anal canal have circular and longitudinal muscle layers that allow expansion and contraction of the canal. The anal opening is keratinized skin that has several folds while contracted. When open, the folds allow the skin to stretch without tearing. In the skin around the anal opening but not immediately adjacent to it are glands that give off perspiration The lower anal canal and the anal opening are composed of two muscular constrictions that regulate fecal passage. The internal sphincter is part of the inner surface of the canal; it is composed of concentric layers of circular muscle tissue and is not under voluntary control. The external sphincter is a layer of voluntary (striated) muscle encircling the outside. One can cause it to expand and contract at will, except during the early years of life when it is not yet fully developed. Nerves in the anal canal cause sphincter response and the sensation of pain. The lower part of the canal is very sensitive to heat, cold, cutting, and abrasion. Waste products pass to the anal canal from the rectum. Nerve responses from the rectum cause the internal sphincter to relax while the external one contracts; shortly thereafter the external sphincter also relaxes and allows fecal discharge. The pelvic diaphragm and longitudinal muscles draw the anus and rectum up over the passing feces so that they are not extruded (prolapsed) out of the anal opening with the feces. Numerous blood vessels surround the anal canal and may be subject to enlargement and rupture; this condition, commonly called a hemorrhoid, or pile, may cause pain, bleeding, and projection of the vessels from the anus.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Your

BONE Health

with Dr. Olatunji Idowu

Fractures of the Pelvis (2) Diagnosis All pelvic fractures require X-rays, usually from different angles, to show how out of place the bones are. A computed tomography (CT) scan may be ordered to define the extent of the pelvis injury and other associated injuries. The physician will also examine the blood vessels and nerves to the legs to see if they have been injured. Open book type of fracture and closed book type of fracture Nonsurgical treatment Stable fractures, such as the avulsion fracture experienced by an athlete, will normally heal without surgery. The patient will have to use crutches or a walker, and will not be able to put all of his or her weight on one or both legs for up to three months, or when the bones are healed. The doctor may prescribe medication to lessen pain. Because mobility may be limited for several months, the physician may also prescribe a bloodthinner to reduce the risk of blood clots forming in the veins of the legs. Pelvic binder for treatment of mild pelvic injury surgical treatment With a potentially serious pelvic fracture (from an accident or

high fall), emergency aid should be called. The person with the injury should be covered with a blanket or jacket (so he or she stays warm), and should not be moved by non-trained personnel, especially if there is severe pain or signs of possible nerve injury.Treatment depends on how bad the injury is. With a minor fracture, the most common treatment is bed rest, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications or prescription painkillers. Physical therapy, the use of crutches and, rarely, surgery may be recommended. Healing can take eight to 12 weeks. Severe injuries to the pelvis that involve several breaks can be life threatening. Shock, extensive internal bleeding and internal organs damage may be involved. The immediate goal is to control bleeding and stabilise the injured person’s condition. These injuries often require extensive surgery as well as lengthy physical therapy and rehabilitation. External fixators used to stabilise severe pelvic fracture In the surgical treatment, the orthopaedic surgeon will put the pelvic bones back together and hold them in place with an internal device, such as: • External Fixators • Bolts and Nuts

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.

How food poisoning can be curbed CONTINUED FROM PAGE 45 the nearest hospital if the ill person passes out, becomes dizzy, lightheaded, or has problems with vision or has developed a fever higher than 38.3 C with the abdominal symptoms,” he advised. According to him, most cases of food poisoning can be handled at home if the episode of the abdominal cramps and vomiting is short and not too severe. ‘’Maintaining good hydration is the first priority when treating food poisoning. The important thing to be done at home is to keep the affected person hydrated. Oral rehydration therapy with water is usually adequate to replenish the body with fluids. A person can lose a significant amount of fluid with each diarrhoeal bowel movement, and that fluid has to be replaced to rehydrate. Patients that show any signs of dehydration such as decreased urination, dizziness, or dry mouth, especially in the young or elderly, should see a doctor immediately. Hospitalisation may be appropriate if the patient is dehydrated or if they have other underlying medical conditions that become unstable because of the

fluid imbalance in their body. While experiencing vomiting and diarrhoea, the person should avoid solid food but increase clear liquids,” he warns. Poor hygiene has been attributed as the bane of food poisoning in Nigeria. People die for nothing as a result of their own carelessness or that of the place where they paid to eat their meals. On how to address this problem, Prof Ihenkuronye called for continuous training of food handlers on how to operate in a hygienic environment. “The way out is sensitisation and training. We sensitise people about the enormity of the problem and we train them on how to do things properly,’’ he said. In the privacy of your homes, it is important you instill some preventive measures how food is handled and also teach basic hygiene to your children. These steps can help prevent food poisoning: • Wash your hands after using the toilet. • Clean any dishes or utensils when you are making or serving food. • Cook foods to proper temperatures.

Dirty environment breeds organism of food poisoning

• Promptly refrigerate any food you will not be eating right away. • If you take care of young children, wash your hands often and dispose of diapers carefully so that bacteria can’t spread to other surfaces or people. • Boil water before drinking. Don’t eat raw vegetables or unpeeled fruit. • Always keep your meat and fish refrigerated. • Always keep your kitchen clean. • Ensure that you cover every cooked food, and adequately preserve foodstuff.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Business FRESH BUSINESS NEWS AT YOUR FINGERTIPS September 2, 2012

‘Telecoms growth needs proper regulatory management’ The Group Chairman, Logica Media, Otunba Biodun Ajiboye, is a household name in Nigeria’s ICT industry and a man of many parts. In this interview with Kunle Azeez, Ajiboye, who doubles as the secretary general of the Nigerian Telecoms Award, speaks on critical industry issues ahead of this year’s edition of the award initiative. Excerpts: How will you assess the growth of the telecoms sector since it was deregulated in 2011? Without gainsaying, the industry has grown tremendously. There is no doubt about that. Unfortunately, I have a feeling that we have overgrown. We grew beyond the capability of the infrastructure of the environment. We grew beyond the readiness of the subscribers. We grew beyond the readiness of the operators and that was what actually backfired into the myriad of the problems we are having in the industry. In accordance with the simultaneous infrastructural requirement in the industry, the growth needed to have been managed but we didn’t manage our growth. That is why an operator can be having as much as 42 million subscribers on its network and half of the time you make calls you experience poor quality of service. It’s even getting better now. That is why the regulator should be on top of the management of growth, which it has started doing now. But I really would again, not blame the regulator in the last 10 years. It was a stability period. We are coming from an experience of the pariah state - a state that lacked foreign investment at that time. The people who brought the foreign investments came and I can say that we have spent the last 10 years to manage their arrival. Fortunately or otherwise, the industry grew beyond expectation. I say to you, MTN came to Nigeria with a feeling of having about 200,000 or so subscribers per annum. But for the first year, it recorded one million subscribers on its network and it was mind-blowing. Of course, they know how to do business. There is no doubt about it. They brought in experience that was cogent and that’s why MTN was able to go that far beyond every reasonable doubt. All the other operators are doing well also. A Nigerian-owned operator like Globacom has well over 22 million subscribers as we speak. That is extremely good anywhere in Africa. So, growth of the industry, going back to your question, has been extremely wonderful.

What do you see as the current challenges to sustaining growth in the sector? The sector is currently almost overwhelmed by challenges. As we speak, voice calls are not perfect and the world has even gone beyond voice. Voice is even supposed to be free as we speak now. The world is going

into data. We are not even in the data business yet because the voice, we have not perfected and the infrastructure cannot support as much data as we would be doing and that is why everybody is clamouring for broadband. If government can support broadband and broadband becomes solid then you can be sure that the problem is solved. All this hype about 3G, I have not seen it. The operating environment is still troubled. For starters in the sector, you are bound to face the enormous challenge of running on generators because our electricity situation is in doldrums. The Power Minister, Prof. Bart Nnaji, just resigned amid the ongoing privatisation process, which we are yet to get right, which may be taking us many years back. So, the challenges are a lot. There is nowhere in the world where generators are stolen at the rate they being stolen in Nigeria. Nowhere else in the world are telecoms cables cut at will by vandals. Nowhere else in the world do you see that over 167 million population will have less than 22, 000 base transceiver stations. All the base stations we have in Nigeria are less than 22,000. Europe with less than 40 million subscribers has over 60,000 base stations. What the situation means for Nigeria is that the networks have to provide enough infrastructure to ensure that they are enough to cater for the availability of investment and business opportunities in telecoms in Nigeria. So the challenges are enormous. Today, the problems we are facing in the sector are not those problems with the operators. The operators have their challenges, which the Nigerian government knows about. Their challenges are a lot, ranging from the stealing of telecoms equipment, vandalism, multiple taxations and others. That is why I support the call for making telecoms equipments a Critical Security Infrastructure. The operators have their own problem, but they would do better if they carry ICT journalists and ICT media along effectively about the problem they are facing. The ICT media constitutes another tripod in the telecoms, apart from the government, the operator and the members of the public, especially if they report conscientiously; not induced reportage.

Recently, the Foreign Direct Investments and local investment in the nation’s tele-

INTERBANK RATES FALL ON EXCESS LIQUIDITY

Otunba Biodun

coms sector hit $25 billion. Do you see this as a milestone? It is indeed a milestone. Tell me what other sector of the economy in Nigeria has recorded such calculable volume in terms of investments aside telecoms sector. The industry can be worth $50 billion in less than a year or in a year if well regulated. Telecoms has been able to achieve that milestone because that is about the only industry that is properly regulated. It has been extremely regulated and that is where we pick our interest from. We watched the oil industry move from a highly unmonitored level. What we are doing to the telecoms industry is not to monitor by merely instituting an award in this industry, it is to tell people that some people are around the corner that will monitor your activities, and that monitoring helps in their stability and uprightness and in a lot of other things in doing businesses. So, the investment in the telecoms industry can even move beyond that $25 billion if the industry is monitored and guarded properly. Of course, the leakages in the industry are a lot that nobody is talking about. There are so many leakages. I attended a meeting where Dr Stephen, the former acting Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission, said he was very sure that the level of leakages in the industry required some regulatory intervention and interest, and he made a lot of instances such as calls that are terminated offshore. Into whose account does it go? Who monitors those calls? Those are extra-investment issues.

How do you see the various steps being taken by the Ministry of Communications Technology towards moving the industry forward? A media outfit recently sought my opinion on this matter and I said it clearly that one of

SEVEN KEYS OF WISDOM (2)

the most brilliant things we have done to the telecoms sector as a country is to establish a Ministry of Communications Technology. Whether we like it or not, it would have been worse because technology is war; because the future of any race and the world, in general, is Information Technology and Telecoms. In fact, technology, finance and all sectors today are IT-driven. As a matter of fact, matrimony will soon be IT-driven on a lighter mood. But what I am trying to say is that every facet of our life is being driven by ICT. Therefore, a specialised ministry to manage this sector is one of the most brilliant things that President Goodluck Jonathan has ever done. Better still, he looked for somebody who is very competent. Mrs. Omobola Johnson is extremely competent to handle that industry. She is educated right in that particular sphere and she is doing very fine. The minister was at Computer Village in Ikeja recently. What would she be doing in the Computer Village if not for the benefit of the average Nigerian on the road? Therefore, she has now said she would support a situation where more of the products displayed on the shelves by traders there should be more of products assembled in the country. The excitement on the faces of the Computer Village stakeholders said it all that they appreciated the minister’s visit. We have appreciated her commitment and that is why in this year’s Nigerian Telecoms Awards, we are giving the minister, the African Telecoms Personality Award. Nigeria is the largest telecoms community in Africa. Nigeria today has a ministry that is specialised and she is the first minister to manage that ministry and she’s doing it very successfully. I think she deserves that kind of award, based on those things I have highlighted as her achievement. I personally feel she is doing well.

Business

Sunday September 2, 2012

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Interbank rates fall on excess liquidity Property Watch •For Lagos area as at Friday August 31, 2012 A. Building materials Cement: Dangote Cement per bag of 50 kg.......N1,800 Burham Cement per bag of 50kg.......N1,800 Elephant Cement…………………N1,800 Sandcrete blocks 6 inches sandcrete block ..........N130 9 inches sandcrete block ..........N150 Sand Sand per tipper load .......... N12,000 Sharp sand (double) ..........N22,000 Gravel (single) ...................N18,000 Gravel (double) ..................N23,000 Granite ...............................N120,000 Reinforcement 8mm(153) pieces per ton (N125,000 10mm (153) pieces per ton .......... N135,000 12mm ............................................N161,000 16mm ........................................N172,000 20mm (53) pieces ....................N122,000

•As forex reserves hit 25-mth high of $38.62bn

LANRE OYETADE

WITH AGENCY REPORTS

he country’s interbank lending rates eased further last week to an average of 10.75 per cent, from 11 per cent the previous week, as cash from matured bonds and bills hit the market and unattractive yields on treasury bills limited central bank mop-up efforts.

Dealers said about N81 billion ($512.33 million) in matured bonds and open market operations (OMO) bills were repaid. “The system is awash with liquidity and the central bank has not done OMO since to mopup idle funds in the market, be-

cause banks are quoting higher bids than it was willing to pay for the bills,” one dealer said. Yields on the country’s fixed income paper have been falling across the board, driven by a mix of local and offshore investors’ appetite for Nigerian debt. The market open with a cash balance of about N227 billion on Friday, marginally lower than about N237 billion that it was at the previous Friday. The secured Open Buy Back (OBB) was flat at 10.5 per cent, 1.5 percentage points lower than the central bank’s 12 per cent benchmark rate, and 50 basis points above the standing deposit facility (SDF) rate.

The overnight rate closed at 10.75 per cent, from 11 per cent the previous week, while call rates fell to 11 per cent from 11.5 per cent. “We expect the system to remain very liquid this week and rates stable unless the central bank issues fresh OMO bills to mop-up idle funds from the system,” another dealer said. The central bank plans to issue N142.97 billion in treasury bills ranging from 3-month to 1-year maturities at its regular auction this week, but dealers said the amount being offered is lower than the amount in bills due to mature. Meanwhile, the country’s for-

First Bank demonstrates commitment to youth development

Wood Timber (hard) 1x1x12 ..........N1,000 Timber (hard) 2x2x12 ..........N600 Timber (hard) 2x4x12 ..........N700 Soft wood 2x2x12 ..........N250 2x3x12 ..........N300 Plywood 3x3x6-----------------N3,500 2x4x8-----------------N2,400 Roofing Sheet Corrugated iron sheet per bundle ...N10,000 Asbestos 4x8 per piece ..................N1,600 Asbestos (solo) ............................N1,100 B. Landed property Focus area: Lagos Mainland 1. Warehouse comprising 400 metres square at Ojodu Abiodun, Lagos -------N600m Estimated price in 5years----------N620m 2. A block of 8 units of 3 bedroom flats at Yisa Braimoh Street, Aguda, Surulere----N80m Estimated price in 5years----------------N100m 3. Six plots of land at Maryland, Lagos-------------- N75m Estimated price in 5 years-------------N100m 4. One-storey building along Abeokuta Expressway, Abule Egba, Lagos-----N55m Estimated price in 5 years-------N75m 5. Purpose-built school on 2.5 acre of land off Adeniyi Jones, Ikeja-----N1bn Estimated price in 5 years----------N1.3bn 6. 8 nos of flats at Ijaiye Strret, Mafoluku, Lagos------ N80m Estimated price in 5 years-------N100m 7. Uncompleted block of flats at Isheri -Osun, Lagos-------------N15m Estimated price in 5 years-----------N20m 8. Four bedroom duplex at Gbagada----N18m Estimated price in 5 years--------N30m 9. Three-bedroom flat at Bucker Estate, Isolo--------N8m Estimated price in 5 years-------N15m 10. A plot of land at Oba Akran, Ikeja------N120m Estimated price in 5 years-----------N130m

•Compiled by Dayo Ayeyemi, E-mail: dayoayeyemi@yahoo.com

eign exchange reserves rose to a more than 25-month high of $38.62 billion by last Wednesday, and were 5.81 per cent up on the previous month, driven by rising crude exports from Africa’s top energy producer. Nigeria’s crude oil production hit a record high of 2.7 million barrels per day (bpd) on August 1. The foreign reserves stood at $36.50 billion on same date last month and at $37.18 billion on August 25 last year, the closest available comparable figure. The country’s foreign exchange reserves have not been as high since July 12, 2010, when they stood at $38.77 billion.

L-R: CEO, Nigerian Leadership Initiative (NLI), Mr. Yinka Oyinola; Former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo; Executive Director, Corporate Banking, First Bank of Nigeria Plc, Mr. Kehinde Lawanson and Grand Patron, NLI, Dr. Christopher Kolade, at the NLI Guest Speaker Forum sponsored by First Bank recently.

ONUKWUBE OFOELUE

est Africa’s pioneer financial organisation, First Bank of Nigeria Plc, has once again demonstrated its commitment to national growth and development. For over 116 years, the bank has made more meaningful contributions in education, youth support, leadership and economic sectors with a focus on young people all over the country. At the Nigeria Leadership Initiative (NLI) Guest Speaker Forum, which held recently at Four Points Sheraton Hotel, Ikoyi, the bank demonstrated its commitment to youth development. Speaking at the wellattended event, its executive director, Mr. Kehinde Lawanson, said its partnership with NLI was to build capacity in leadership and bridge the knowledge gap between NLI fellows and the young associates of the Future Leaders Programme. He expressed delight that a journey First Bank began in 1894 has produced eminent youths that have contributed meaningfully not just to national, but global development. He mentioned that Chief Joseph Sanusi and Mallam Lamido Sanusi who have served as Central Bank

governors were in fact former staff of First Bank. John Major, former prime minister of Great Britain, he said, was a former branch manager of the bank in Jos, stating that leadership is to be seen not as a sprint, but a marathon, and whoever decides to become a leader must learn how to endure in order to be successful. The guest speaker at the forum, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, in a lecture titled Leadership Foundation and Underpinning, spoke extensively on the qualities of competent leadership, and the virtues of successful leaders. He stated that the greatest pitfall anybody will get into will be not to believe in Nigeria, and expressed shock and anger that a young man would sing a song saying that Nigeria was in chaos. He was making reference to Idris, who sang “Nigeria Jagajaga” when he was the president “How can anybody, a young man for that matter sing ‘Nigeria Jagajaga’ and some people are dancing to it? What do you believe in if you don’t believe in Nigeria?” he queried. He however agreed that there were many things wrong with the country, but made it clear that it would never rob him the faith and confidence he has that Nigeria will become great. Also recently in Edo State,

First Bank was a key supporter for Nigeria Student Economic Forum at the Benson Idahosa University, Benin City. The Students Economic Forum, which is the largest gathering of Nigerian students representing various higher institutions in the country, involved discussants treating issues of national transformation, strengthening the next generation for economic development as well as helping students take part in the development of the state and the nation as a whole. Speaking on the development, Head of Marketing & Corporate Communications, First Bank, Mrs. Folake Ani-Mumuney, said the involvement of the bank in the forum was to help create a platform for linking the Federal Government and the youths of the country together to redefine the role of the Nigerian Youth in the economy. “We at First Bank see the Students Economic Forum as an opportunity to get students involved in financial literacy and direct their strengths into positive profitable ventures for themselves and that of their families,” she said. First Bank had earlier renewed its Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Nigerian Leadership Initiative

(NLI) for sponsorship of its activities for another three years. The renewal stemmed from the huge success recorded in the preceding years. Over the last three years, dozens of grassroots and strategic partners were enlisted to reach Nigerian public with its core values and national reorientation messages. Through various projects, they have been able to impact an estimated 500,000 people each year in Nigeria and around the world. The Future Leaders Program has also produced a total of 138 Associates. Commenting on the choice of NLI, First Bank’s GMD/ CEO, Mr. Bisi Onasanya, said his organisation is proud to be associated with another that seeks to identify and nurture leadership potentials in youths. “We have been at the forefront of championing good corporate governance and developing a workforce comprising people of impeccable integrity. There’s an alignment of vision between our organizations and we see our partnership as another way of contributing to the development of youths that will be in the driver’s seat of leadership in future”, he said adding that Dr. Christopher Kolade, NLI’s patron, should be commended for his commitment to replicating the ideals of professionalism and selfless leadership that he is renowned for under the NLI platform. He charged the organization to remain focused and pursue avenues and vocations that would enable them realize and develop their leadership potentials. Speaking during the ceremony, Dr. Christopher Kolade commended First Bank for its unwavering support, noting that the bank has remained a formidable institution committed to implementing robust corporate social responsibility initiatives.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Business

Sunday September 2, 2012

Seven keys of wisdom (2) Inspirati with Lanre

Oyetade

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

ast week, we started a discourse on the all-important matter of wisdom, the second part of which we shall consider today. We started taking what I make of the ‘Seven keys of wisdom’ as expounded by Mike Murdock on a guest programme I watched a while back on Inspiration TV. We took two of Mike’s keys, and in the close, I pointed out quite clearly, after Mike’s teachings, that you only attract what you respect; if there is anything of value still missing in your life, it only follows that you do not respect that thing enough as in taking positive action towards its realization and fruition. In the second key we took, I also pointed out that you cannot learn from a mentor or coach if in your heart, you resent, envy or only wish to take and take and take from him. You will learn and be blessed of him only if you truly desire to learn from him. For as a matter of fact and as they say, parasites want what is in your hands while true protégés want what is in your heart. Today, we take more of the other keys:

Key 3: What you make happen for others, God will make happen for you

You may consider God as the Infinite Intelligence that ensures that each man gets back according to his deeds especially towards other men. This is the basis of

WISDOM IS THE PRINCIPAL THING; THEREFORE GET WISDOM. AND IN ALL YOUR GETTING, GET UNDERSTANDING –KING SOLOMON the Golden Rule, as espoused by the Master; that you should do unto others as you would have them do unto you. An extension of this is His injunction on charity and almsgiving, very much like what you have in the Islamic injunction on Zakat. I must point out here, however, that you do not necessarily have to expect goodness from where you add goodness, for He did not promise that we would reap where we sow, but that we would reap what we sow. You must therefore endeavour to do good unto those that are not in any capacity to repay you in any way, for the Infinite Intelligence has put ‘things’ in place to ensure that what you make happen in other people’s lives (good or bad), He will make happen in your own life. This is a principle, which cannot be changed and the sooner we realize this and tap into it, the better for us.

Key 4: The secret of your future is hidden in your daily routine

Show me what you do typically in five of your day’s numerous minutes and I will predict largely what you will become in five years. The secret of you future is indeed hidden in your daily routine - second by second; minute by minute; hour by hour. This is profound wisdom. Mike asserts that men don’t decide their future; what they do is determine their habits, and their habits in turn create their future. So take care of your days and your future is taken care of. What you are doing daily will either create your successes

Concerning intellectual property

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

Concerning multi-level marketing schemes

Dear Lanre, I am a student. I would love to invest in intellectual property and receive royalties from music and scripts in Nigeria. Kindly enlighten me on how it works, from whom and how to invest to avoid swindlers. I would be expecting your reply soonest. Tomiwa Amo.

Dear Lanre, Good day sir. I will like to ask for your advice on this issue: Is it good to join multilevel marketing scheme of any kind? If yes, what are the factors to be considered? Which of them in Nigeria can you recommend? Thanks in advance for your resourceful reply. Miller Henry.

Dear Tomiwa, I am afraid I do not have much knowledge concerning this matter. Do not be discouraged, though; I will advise that you get in touch with a solicitor i.e. legal practitioner to shed more light on it for you. There are quite a number of them in town that will be just too glad to assist. Best wishes.

Dear Henry, Despite my initial scepticism about them, I have seen multi-level marketing schemes work for quite a number of people, so it may not be a bad idea to join one or a few of them. However, it appears it is important that you are an outgoing, outspoken and sociable person to make a good success there. This is because, as you may know, your level of achievement in MLM schemes (as they’re also called) will normally depend on just how many people you are able to recruit into the scheme. Moreover, you may need to seek referrals from existing members of any of the schemes that you intend to join (who are well known to you) to give you an honest assessment of the scheme. I may not be in the best position to recommend any particular one to you since I’m not an active member of any, but I believe that the foregoing should act as general guides in picking one to join. Best wishes.

Concerning changing my broker

Dear Lanre, Many thanks for the good job you are doing. How do I go about changing from one broker to the other? The account is registered with CSCS. Thanks. Reader, 08075598216. Dear Reader, You can change your brokers simply by approaching your current broker for a broker’s transfer form, which would be signed by both himself and the new (target) broker and the processing will be done for you. You may need to pay a token fee to the old broker though.

Should I or should I not?

Dear Lanre, I would like to seek your advice. I want to buy a Tokunbo car for distribution of goods. I have three types in mind; Golf, Ven-

or your failures. If you succeed or fail, it will be because of your habits, which are formed from day to day. Someone sometime ago said that the chains of habits formed by men are too weak to be felt until they are too strong to be broken. Indeed successful men do daily what most failures do occasionally.

Key 5: Your rewards in life are decided by the kinds of problems you are willing and able to solve for others

The key to all success is the ability and willingness to solve other people’s problems or to add value to their lives and causes. The more people view you as a solution to their problems, the more value they willingly release into your life and cause. Joseph solved a national problem and was rewarded with a plum position. Daniel offered services of an excellent spirit to a king and was adequately rewarded. However, as would be deduced from the foregoing, you should be wary about what, when, for whom and how you solve problems. Don’t solve a problem in the wrong place or with the wrong attitude, if your value addition is to be meaningful and rewarding. Finally, just like Mike puts it, let it stick to your mind that you will be remembered in life mainly for two things; the problems you solve and the problems you create. Let’s make it a date again next week when we take the concluding part of this treatise. Until then, please stay inspired in His presence! to, Jetta. All are Volkswagen products but I don’t know which one to go for or should I just forget about it and invest the money into other businesses. Regards. Ade Mayowa, FCT, 08074779008. Dear Mayowa, First of all, let me say that the decision to either buy a vehicle of invest directly into your business should not be taken on a rule-of-the-thumb basis. You need to carry out some sort of cost-benefit analysis on each of the options available to you, which is not really as difficult as it sounds; just list out the costs and accruing benefits from each of the options and then, if you finally decide to buy a vehicle, the decision about what type to buy can be immensely assisted by a good mechanic.

I desire change of address!

Dear Lanre, Sir, can I change the address I used when I bought my IPO shares to my CSCS account? I am relocating so that I can get my bonus or any other thing from the company. Reader, 08052786826. Dear Reader, Yes, you can change your address but you may need to visit the registrar(s) to the company(ies) whose shares you bought to effect this.

Thank you!

Dear Lanre, Thanks for the good job being done to motivate Nigerians and the world at large. I’m a writer, reporter and poet. I wish you add some colour to one of my projects. Thanks. Reader, 08059400670.

Wealth Nuggets ‘Top 10’ No pain, No gain; No cross, No crown –Anonymous The simplest way to find your purpose is to start putting a purpose behind everything you do –Andres Lara For every decision you make in life, twenty per cent of people around you will not see it the way you see it –Anonymous We are what we believe we –Benjamin N. Cardozo Obstacles are the frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your dream –Henry Ford If you don’t change your beliefs, your life will be like this forever. Is that good news? –Dr. Robert Anthony Those who believe it can’t be done are usually interrupted by others doing it –Joel A. Barker Without dreamers, mankind would still live in caves –Anatole France If you don’t know exactly where you are going, people will lead you to where they are going –Anonymous People seldom become famous for what they say until or after they are famous for what they’ve done –Cullen Hightower

Zonal News

NORTH EAST

Sunday September 2, 2012

Insurgency: Gaidam urges fleeing residents to return

INUSA NDAHI DAMATURU

overnor Ibrahim Gaidam of Yobe State has expressed worry over the increasing number of people fleeing from Damaturu, the state capital following the precarious security challenges in the town. While appealing to those remaining in the state not to leave, the governor also urged those who had fled to return, assuring that the situation was now under control. It would be recalled that during and after the month of Ramadan, over 30 people were slaughtered or shot dead by suspected terrorists in Damaturu metropolis. Gaidam made the appeal yesterday during a special broadcast to the people of Yobe on the effort being put in place by the state government and other security agencies aimed at nipping the security challenges in the bud, particularly in Damaturu and Potiskum towns. The governor said, “In spite of my earlier clarion call and additional efforts by the security operatives to bring the situation under

control, people have continued to panic and flee Damaturu in their thousands, making the state capital look like a ghost town. “Fellow citizens, the fact that no real breach of the peace was witnessed during the Sallah festival and the days following it, in spite of rumours of an impending attack, has demonstrated that the rumours are as baseless and unfounded as the fears are imaginary and unrealistic. “Circulation of such rumours could be the deliberate handiwork of miscreants through which they create a fertile environment to perpetrate their atrocities of plundering and looting of people’s properties in their absence as some reports have actually indicated. “While we lament the loss of lives and property, means of livelihood of thousands and the curtailing of socio-economic activities and freedom of movement occasioned by the imposition of six-month state of emergency on some of our local government areas, the mass exodus of people from Damaturu has further compounded the situation”.

Gaidam stated. He added that in addition to these largely man-made calamities, the state recently also witnessed a spate of natural disasters in the form of floods and downpours causing destruction of thousands of houses, including some loss of lives in Gashua town. He said, “As believers in God, we have no explanation for all these other than to take them as the manifestation of the divine scheme of test and trials as referred to in the Qur’an (2:155) which states that Individuals, groups, communities and nations must go through one form of trial or the other in the course of their lives,” he explained. This, according to Gaidam, is a phenomenon to which every person can testify in history and in our individual and collective lives. “Trials and tests by means of affliction with fear, loss of lives and property, diseases and other forms of suffering, according to the teaching of our religion, are one of the ways of expiation for sins and a mild punishment in lieu of the greater punishment in the thereafter,” he noted.

L-R: A Cuban official, Deisy Romero; Taraba State Governor, Danfulani Suntai, and another Cuban, Karina Palacios, listening to the leader of Taraba Cultural Troupe during a cultural exchange with a Cuban troupe in Jalingo, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

No soldier killed in Maiduguri blast –JTF INUSA NDAHI MAIDUGURI

ontrary to speculations that some soldiers attached to the Joint Military Task Force (JTF), otherwise known as Operation Restore Order in Maiduguri were killed in an explosion that occurred on Friday night, the JTF spokesman Lieutenant-Colonel Sagir Musa, claimed that five terrorists

were killed while two soldiers and a teenager were wounded in the blast. In a press release which was signed by the JTF spokesman, which was made available to newsmen yesterday, he said, “There was an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) attack targeted at JTF’s patrol team at Ruwan Zafi, Dikwa – Gamboru Road in Maiduguri metropolis by suspected Boko Haram terrorists.

Sagir said a Fuel Propelled Improvised Explosive Device was used by the terrorists during the attack which resulted in a fire outbreak that burnt some adjoining shops. The incident, he said, happened at about 6pm on Friday August 31, 2012, and that five Boko Haram terrorists were killed, while two soldiers and a teenager were wounded as a result of the encounter.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Two brothers drown in Niger PRISCILLA DENNIS MINNA

wo brothers have been reported drowned following a two-hour heavy rainfall in Minna, the Benue State capital yesterday.

They were said to have fallen into a flooded drainage close to their residence in Minna, on their way back from an Islamic ‘Wolimat’ (graduation) ceremony. Sunday Mirror gathered that the two brothers; Mustapha Kudu, aged 10 years, and Bashir Kudu, 12 years, tripped into the flooded while trying to hurry home. A source that witnessed the incident said that the

boys left in the afternoon to attend the Wolimat before the rain commenced with two of their other brothers. The source also explained that their other siblings who witnessed the incident went home to report to their parents following which a search party was raised. However, before help could reach them, the two boys had been swept off afar and were eventually found in a drainage in front of Bahago Plaza, Tunga area of the town, stone dead. Also when visited at his home, the father of the children, Mallam Mohammed Kudu, a member of

NORTH CENTRAL

staff of Federal University of Technology, Minna, explained that before leaving for the Wolimat, the four children all prayed with him at 2 pm. He added that when the two drowned, the other two rushed in to inform the family but nothing could be done to save them, saying, “I have taken what happened to me as an act of God.” The Speaker, Niger State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Adamu Aliyu, and a member of the House representing Chanchaga constituency, Hon. Jumai Jafar Mariga, were the early callers to sympathise with the family of the deceased.

We’ll resist rigging in Benue council poll –Ugbah HENRY IYORKASE MAKURDI

ction Congress of Nigeria (ACN) governorship candidate in last year’s governorship elections in Benue State, Prof. Steven Ugbah, has called on party’s stalwarts “never again to allow the repetition of 2011 governorship elections’ rigging. The forthcoming local government election in the state is slated for November 24. Ugbah while addressing his party’s faithful as well as well-wishers yesterday at Tse-Iber in Konshisha Local Government was optimistic that

his party won the April 2011 governorship with a landslide but alleged that he was denied the victory.

Ugbah further stressed the need that had thenceforth resolved not to any longer go to the tribunals or the courts to challenge results of elections but that “the polling units shall be our tribunal, our Court of Appeal and our Supreme Court. “No longer shall will place our destiny, our future in the hands of those who know nothing about good governance, those who are careless about how we feel, those who use our money for their

selfish interest. But we must continue with the struggle to bring the needed change to our people, so that together, we shall build the Benue of our dreams”, he said. Earlier, the state chairman of 14-2010 Forum, Hon. Thomas Ugbah, noted that although the forum started as a non-political organisation aimed at bringing a change in the leadership of the state which he said had failed the people over time, it later expanded into supporting and spreading support for the candidature of Prof. Ugbah in the 2011 governorship elections.

‘Rumour of crisis in Assembly false’ T he Deputy Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly, Dr. Steven Onmenje, has debunked a rumour making the rounds that there is internal crisis in the 30-member Assembly. Onmenje, who represents Ado constituency on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in debunking the rumour, noted that instead of being at loggerheads, the lawmakers were united and purposeful, having passed quality bills since the beginning of the second-term administration of Governor Gabriel Suswam.

The Deputy Speaker, who spoke at the weekend with Sunday Mirror in Makurdi, said whoever was bandying the rumour was only carrying out the political agenda of his paymaster. He said that such an insinuation could only come from people who wanted to cause disunity in the House, adding “such diabolical intentions would fizzle out like a pack of cards.” Onmenje further expressed the desire of the entire members of the Assembly in ensuring “the

sustainability of the good work the seventh Assembly are doing” and craved for support from the general public to enable the lawmakers succeed in the task of bringing dividends of democracy to the doorsteps of the Benue people. Commenting on the recent feud between Ojantele and Ijegwu communities which left in its wake, four persons dead, the Deputy Speaker enjoined the traditional rulers of both communities to rise above the situation come out with a permanent resolution of the crisis.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Zonal News

Sunday September 2, 2012

SOUTH WEST

SOUTH EAST

‘Epidemic looms in Lagos market’

esidents of Erick Moore in Apapa Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of Lagos State have expressed concern over accumulated waste generated by animals and scrap dealers at the rail-line market. A check by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday revealed that the waste materials which include water sachets, ram dung, human waste and other scraps, is producing offensive odour, threatening human health. A 57-year-old scrap dealer, Mr. Olaitan Olafimihan, told NAN that the filthy environment in the market was caused by the recent rainfall which prevented the traders from burning the refuse.

``We usually gather our refuse at a particular place and set fire to it but the rain has soaked the refuse.’’ Olafimihan said that the traders resorted to burning the waste when their effort to get them disposed by the Lagos Waste Management Agency (LAWMA) failed. “We have gone to the LAWMA office several times to discuss on how we can be disposing our waste in this area. “But the N150, 000 monthly charges they are demanding to evacuate the refuse, is too high. ``We cannot afford the money because what we are selling here cannot give such money to pay for refuse disposal,’’ the market leader said. Reacting to the allega-

tion, Mrs. Folashade Kadiri, the LAWMA Public Relations Officer, denied that its staff demanded for money from the traders. According to her, the market is not covered on the schedule of the agency because the market is not registered by the state government. “The market is not registered for now. In every other market that registered with the agency, we do not charge any fee to provide refuse bins. “So, if any person came to the market and demanded for money, it is illegal as far as LAWMA is concerned. “But when we provide refuse bins, the trader will pay some amount to the agency for waste disposal services,’’ Kadiri said.

Police rescue abducted 9-month-old baby

he Imo Police Command at the weekend said that it had rescued a nine-monthold baby boy from suspected traffickers in Lagos. The child was abducted on November 23, 2011 by five armed men along with a little girl at gunpoint from the City of Life Hospital and Maternity, Akuma, in Oru-East Local Government Area of the state. Addressing newsmen in Owerri, the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Adisa Bolanta, said the children were later sold to one Ngozi Ukonu, for N450, 000. Ukonu, a mother of six and operator of Daughters of Zion Motherless Babies Home in Aba, had told police that she received the babies without knowing they were kidnapped. She claimed that the kidnap-

pers had told her that the babies belonged to their relation, who died at childbirth, adding that she paid for the children because the men claimed they needed assistance. Ukonu said she had given out about 25 babies in the past eight years she ran the home, adding that the babies were given out to families, who paid as much as N500,000 for a baby boy and N400,000 a baby girl. The Medical Director of City of Life Hospital and Maternity, Dr Anthony Ilobi, expressed joy over the rescue of the boy, saying the operation had established his innocence. ``When this incident happened, I was arrested and held in custody for two weeks; this rescue will clear any lingering doubts. ``What makes this case

painful is that the mother of this boy had a still-birth from a previous pregnancy before she was referred to me,” he said. The commissioner said the baby was rescued from one ``Mama Junior” of Esia Aba, saying the police were also on the trail of the baby girl belonging to one Ifeoma Mbodom of Amaifeke, Orlu. ``Our operatives were able to rescue this baby because we did not allow the case to go cold. We have been following this investigation diligently and it has paid off. ``We are already in the process of rescuing the baby girl who was sold to a retired matron. ``We have four suspects and we will charge them to court as soon as investigations are concluded,” he said.

Group petitions Chime over agency’s excesses DENNIS AGBO ENUGU

L-R: Otukpo Unit Commander, Federal Road Safety Commission, Mr. Obed Shekarau; General Manager, General Services, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Mr. Mathias Ogwuche; Acting Director, Administration and Human Resources Management, Mr. Danjuma Bitiyong and Oyo State Sector Commander, Pastor Godwin Ogagaoghene, at a capacity training for drivers of NAN in Ibadan, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

Lawmaker tasks Ajimobi on Saki/Ibariba Road AYO ESAN

he Minority Leader in Oyo State House of Assembly, Hon Adekunle Rafiu, has commended the Oyo state governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, on road development in Oke-ogun area of the state, just as he also appealed to the state government to hasten the construction and completion of Saki/Ilesha/Ibariba road.

Rafiu who is representing Saki West state constituency, while thanking the state governor “for his giant strides recorded on the construction and rehabilitation of some major township roads across Oke-ogun geopolitical zone of Oyo state,”

also appealed on behalf of the people of the area for speedy completion of Saki/ Ilesha/Ibariba road. He explained that this particular road was very important to the economic development of the state, region and country as whole, bearing in mind that major occupation of the people of the area is farming, which needs effective and efficient road network. According to him, “the occupation of majority of Oke-ogun people is agriculture and for their job to boom there is the need for good road network and this particular road is a link between the region, Kwara State and Republic of Benin”.

He affirmed that the stoppage of the project in the last four months had brought hardship to the people plying the road. While also commending the state government for its intention to site one of the faculties of the proposed State University in Oke-ogun, the Minority Leader also canvassed for the upgrading of the satellite campus of The Polytechnic, Ibadan in Saki to a full-fledged Polytechnic. He disclosed that the structure of the old Teachers’ Training College in Saki was suitable enough for the take-off of the University while that of The Polytechnic’s satellite campus should be upgraded.

The Network on Police Reform in Nigeria (NOPRIN), an organisation comprising 46 civil society groups spread across Nigeria, has petitioned Governor Sullivan Chime, protesting what it called the intimidation, assault and extortion by operatives of Enugu State Waste Management Authority (ESWAMA). In a petition endorsed by NOPRIN’s Programme and Advocacy coordinator, Mr. Okechukwu Nwaguma, the organisation expressed serious concern about re-

ports of the uncivil, brutal and lawless methods allegedly employed by ESWAMA in the conduct of their operations and asked the Governor of Enugu State to call the operatives of the agency to order. NOPRIN cited a particular case of assault and abduction of one Ms. Ukaoma Nma, a staff member of South Saharan Social Development Agency, a nonprofit organisation located at Gbujas Plaza, 55 Chime Avenue, New Haven, Enugu, by ESWAMA, describing the act as brigandage. A member of Staff of ESWAMA was alleged to

have invaded the premises of South Saharan Social Development Agency on August 29 2012, assaulted and abducted Ms. Ukaoma Nma for her organisation’s nonpayment of waste disposal fees despite the fact that no bill had ever been sent to the organisation and the office was located in a Plaza where service charge was being paid. All pleas to release the lady was said to have fallen on deaf ears and the organisation was left with no option but to pay the sum of N65, 000 demanded by ESWAMA, just to ensure they did not take their staff member to prison.

Governor Peter Obi (right) and Ambassador Ralph Uwechue, the President General of Ohanaze at the 18th Annual Convention of the World Igbo Congress at Orlando, Florida, USA, yesterday.

Zonal News

Sunday September 2, 2012

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

NORTH WEST

SOUTH SOUTH

Akpabio urges reprieve Terrorism’ll soon become for Bakassi returnees past tense –Yakowa

he Akwa Ibom State Government has warned against undue politicisation of the sufferings faced by the displaced Bakassi people. The state governor, Chief Godswill Akpabio, who issued the caution, noted that “Bakassi Peninsula was about people who lost their land, property, territory and means of survival in the aftermath of the lCJ (International Court of Justice) judgement and not just about oil as touted in some quarters.” He gave the advice during a fact finding visit to the state by the House of Representatives Committee on Treaties and Agreement, led by its Chairman Hon. Dayo BushAlebiosu Addressing the delegation yesterday at the Banquet Hall, Uyo, venue of the stakeholders interactive session

with the House of Representatives Committee, Governor Akpabio, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Umana Okon Umana, expressed dissatisfaction at the maltreatment of Akwa Ibom indigenes who are residing and carrying out their normal fishing businesses in the Bakassi area, by the Cameroonian authorities. He, as a result, urged the Federal Government to address the ugly development. Akpabio described as frustrating, the continued suffering experienced by returnees from the state who looked up to the Akwa lbom State Government for their shelter, means of livelihood and general survival. He noted that Akwa Ibom State had been a victim of the entire Bakassi saga with its communities moved by

executive fiat without any provision for their welfare or alternative homes. He told the fact finding committee that the real owners of Bakassi are yet to be compensated by the Federal Government, adding that those who benefitted from the compensation were not the real Bakassi owners. The governor expressed the hope that their visit would bring to rest, series of stories and fabrications that had been peddled against the innocent and law-abiding Akwa Ibom people resident in the peninsular. The chairman of the fact finding committee, BushAlebiosu, said that his committee had been able to make headway in its assignment, following the submissions so far received from those he described as the “real victims and owners of Bakassi”.

A ZA MSUE KADUNA

aduna State Governor, Mr. Patrick Yakowa yesterday declared that with on-going collaboration of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) and other security agencies, and the pragmatic approach of the state government, activities of terrorists in the state would soon become history. Yakowa said this during the NAF Training Command’s Flag-off of its annual 10 kilometre ‘Walk/ Jog-2012’ at the NAF Base Headquarters in Kaduna. Yakowa who spoke

through his Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Mallam Nazifi Muhammad, further commended NAF contributions toward the sustenance of peace and security in the state. His words: “You will agree with me that with your contribution and the pragmatic approach of the government, we will definitely defeat the devil. “Indeed, the 2012 walking/jogging competition of 1,180 Air officers, Air men and women has further confirmed the level of fitness of the NAF, most especially with the full participation of the

Air Officer Commanding Training Commander and the Commandant of the Nigerian Defence Academy, among other commanders.” Yakowa added, “We, therefore, humbly request for the release of the NAF sportsmen and women to participate in the forthcoming National Sports Festival,” he said. Earlier, Air Officer Commanding Training Commander (AOC TC), Air Vice Marshal Alex Badeh, said the 10km walk/ jog was not really to assess the fitness of the personnel but to bring officers and men to socialise.

Why we bought 200 taxicabs, 100 tricycles –Dickson EMMA GBEMUDU YENAGOA

ayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson, yesterday revealed that government spent over N600 million in procuring 200 taxicabs and 100 tricycles ,christened” Restoration cabs” in the state and warned against the diversion of the cabs by the beneficiaries like it was done during the previous administration. Dickson said the vehicles and tricycles were provided to cushion the effect of the ban on operation of commercial motorcycles in the state capital territory which

took effect from yesterday. The governor spoke in Yenagoa while launching the taxi cabs and tricycles painted in the state colours, said the transportation system in the state capital would be second to none when the ongoing road construction and expansions would be completed. ”I got a lot of calls when I announced the ban of Okada in the state capital. Some were quite cynical, saying that there had been a ban before by the previous government and it was not successful and it was suspended. They even said our policy would suffer the

same fate. Well, I have been on the saddle for six months and I believe that people should believe us. When we say something, we do it.” Continuing the governor said: “These operational vehicles are comfortable and safe. On my way, I saw a number of Okada riders leaving in droves. We didn’t say they should leave .What we said was that people should stay here and do business in conformity with the laws of the state. There is no need for Okada in this state again. The ban on Okada in Yenagoa is an act of the law enacted by the State House of Assembly.”

Okada ban: Commuters stranded in Yenagoa EMMA GBEMUDU YENAGOA

arely 24 hours after the ban on commercial motorcycles’ operation in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, were commuters yesterday stranded for lack of sufficient taxicabs and buses to board. No commercial motorcyclist was spotted on the road when our correspondent went round the city to monitor the rate of adherence to the new ban. Most of the passengers

waited for several hours before they could board vehicles . Investigations by Sunday Mirror revealed than less than 50 taxi cabs launched by Governor Seriake Dickson yesterday plied the road ,but was not sufficient for the teeming passengers. Some passengers had to embark on trekking long distances to enable them meet up their social and business engagements at the weekend. It was gathered that the poor transport situation

may worsen by tomorrow when normal work would resume in the state. The existing individual taxicabs and buses could not cushion the effect of the transport difficulties encountered by the commuters. Against this background, they jerked up transport rates to maximise profits, coupled with the scarcity of fuel in the state where “black marketers “ buy from the filling stations and resell at cut-throat prices to motorists.

L-R: Chief Corps Assistant, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Rebecca Elisha (left) and Commandant, Nigerian Army School of Infantry, Maj.-Gen. Kenneth Osuji, during the graduation ceremony of soldiers and NSCDC personnel at Jaji in Kaduna State on Friday. PHOTO: NAN

‘We’ve provided jobs for 4,000 youths’ AUGUSTINE MADU-WEST

he Kano State Government said yesterday that its youth empowerment programme had created job opportunities for over 4000 unemployed youths in the state. The state’s Head of Service, Alhaji Umar Minjibir, who disclosed this at the 12th National Productivity Day, noted that the effort would go a long way in addressing some the social problems in the state. He said the present administration was determined to reduce un-

employment and poverty rates by creating job opportunities for over 4,000 youths who could have been security threats to the society. According to him, the state government has initiated programmes aimed at addressing employment crisis among the youths. His words: “The state government is well concerned with productivity improvement, not only in the public sector, but also in the private sector. The government has come up with various strategies aimed at creating em-

ployment opportunities among the youths.” Consequently, he said over 2,000 youths were given various posts in the public sector. “Similarly, in the private sector tremendous achievements are taking place especially in job the creation drive.” “Now, Kano has an addition of 800 chemists located in different places across the state, while the state government has initiated the establishment of 20 Institutions such as informatics, institute of hospitality and tourisms , poultry institute etc.” he explained.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Oboabona plays down Liberia antics P. 54

Ogoke thinks beyond Olympics

Sport

KEEPING YOU ABREAST OF SPORTING NEWS September 2, 2012

P. 54

Yusuf makes Paralympics history YEMI OLUS

Gold medallist Esther Oyema of Nigeria in action. INSET: Oyema kisses her gold medal during the medal ceremony for the women’s -48 kg Powerlifting on Saturday at the London 2012 Paralympic Games.

Paralympic Games

Nigeria’s Oyema, Onaolapo win gold, set world records

he medal rush continued for Nigeria on Saturday as the duo of Esther Oyema and Joy Onaolapo both won gold medals and set new world and Paralympics records in the women’s -48kg and -52kg categories of powerlifting respectively. Oyema, who is the reigning Commonwealth champion, first won her event with a

weight of 135kg, followed by Russia’s Olesya Lafina (120kg) ,who won the silver and China’s Shanshan Shi (114kg) who won the bronze. All lifters were entitled to three attempts and Oyema who has a body weight of 47.05kg, made a lift of 130kg during her first attempt. She bettered it to 132kg during the second and shot to 150kg in the final

Arsenal defender plots P. 55 Reds fall

round. The 30-year-old made an impressive build up to the games having won her event at the 3rd Faaz International Powerlifting Championships in Dubai earlier this year, which served as the Paralympics qualifiers. She was later joined by Onaolapo, who also topped her category with a world record of 131kg. With a body weight

of 50.05kg, Onaolapo lifted 125kg during her first attempt. She moved forward to set the Paralympics record of 130kg during the second attempt and secured the world record of 131kg in her final attempt. She was followed by Russia’s Tamara Podpalnaya, who won silver with 119kg while China’s Cuijuan Xiao won bronze with 118kg.

Balotelli to undergo eye P. 55 surgery

igeria’s Wasiu Yusuf yesterday secured the country’s first win ever at the Paralympics when he defeated Noah Yablong 6-2, 6-3 in the first round of men’s singles in wheelchair tennis as the games entered Day 3 in London. Yusuf beat the American 6-2, 6-3 in the game played on Court 5 at the Eton Manor in Olympic Park in the Round of 64 of the men’s singles. Nigeria first participated in the sport at the Paralympic Games in 2008, which was held in Beijing. Yusuf was the sole entrant in the event, having secured a wild card from the International Tennis Federation, but lost his first match at the time. Also the second representative at the ongoing games, Alex Adewale, was not as fortunate, as he was beaten by world No.8, Nicholas Peifer, who sent him packing with 6-0, 6-1. Both Yusuf and Adewale will pair up for the doubles event, which commences on Monday. While speaking with Sunday Mirror after the game in London, national wheelchair tennis coach, Francis Tarmena, expressed satisfaction over his wards’ performance but called for more support for the athletes. “This result shows that the game is really growing in Nigeria. No one really gave us a chance before this competition started, but I’m happy about what has happened today. “Wasiu won his game and though his colleague wasn’t as lucky, he has also shown a lot of improvement. The spirit behind the games is to ensure participation and for players to get the required experience.” he said.

Moutinho move pleases AVB P. 55

Sport

Sunday September 2, 2012

Oboabona plays down Liberia antics SAYO OGUNDEJI

s the Super Eagles prepare to take on the Lone Stars of Liberia in the first leg of the Nations Cup 2013 qualifiers next weekend, Nigerian international, Godfrey Oboabona, says his side

will be aiming to shock their hosts, adding that Nigeria will be battle ready irrespective of what Liberia throws at them. Liberian Football Association chief, Musa Bility, while speaking during an interview in mid-week with a local radio station in Nigeria stated that they are ready to the Ea-

gles with a view of taking the maximum points in Monrovia. The Eagles were given a shoddy treatment during the last friendly match played in Monrovia, but Oboabona who has been a regular feature under Coach Stephen Keshi believes his colleagues are more determined to qualify the country for the tournament.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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08055829770 ifeduz24@yahoo.com

Ajose set for Matthysee fight

BC Super Light Welterweight number one contender, Segun Ajose, who is billed to take on Lucas Martin Matthysse of Argentina for the interim WBC Light Welterweight title slated for the United States of America on September 8, says he is mentally and psychologically prepared for the fight. He told our correspondent before his departure to the United States to prepare ahead of the fight that although his South American opponent is a well

respected boxer, he will not allow him to stand between him and the world title. According to him, his chances of being crowned the interim champion are very bright and he will intensify training ahead of the fight. “I want to tell you that I am prepared for the fight because I have been looking for this opportunity for a long time. “My preparations have been going on fine and I hope to finalise preparations for the fight in the United States,” Ajose said.

Segun Ajose (right) pummels Ali Chebba during their elimination fight.

Lagos committed to boxing development –Fashola

Super Eagles pose before a match.

Eaglets dedicate Aspire Football Academy’s L 4-day screening ends in Lagos 5-0 whipping T of Rwanda to he four-day Aspire Football Academy Dreams Scouting programme, organised by the Qatar-based football academy, to select four U-13 Nigerian boys for training in Qatar, ended on Saturday in Lagos. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the programme began in January with the registration of 820 young players nationwide, out of which 50 were selected for final trials in Lagos. The trials in Lagos which began on Aug. 26 exposed the participants to seven days of rigorous training, after which they were presented with certificates.

Lamine Sevane, the Academy’s Director in Africa, told NAN that it was not the practice of the academy to disclose the names of the four selected boys at the end of the programme. According to him, their names would be announced jointly with others selected from similar programmes in 11 other countries, including six in Africa. He gave the names of the other six African countries as: Senegal, Mali, Moroco, Kenya, South Africa and Cameroon. Sevane added that selected players worldwide would then be registered for the training programme at the academy’s headquarters in Qatar.

Hamilton wants Falconets to be focused IFEANYI EDUZOR

ormer national team coach, Paul Hamilton, has charged the country’s U-20 female national team, the Falconets, to be focused ahead of their semi-final match against United States in the ongoing U-20 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Japan. He told our correspondent that he is happy that the team qualified for the semi- finals of the competition but cautioned that they must rise above their

game and remain focused for them to play in the finals. “It is a thing of joy that the Falconets were able to defeat hard fighting Mexico, 1-0 in extra time to qualify for the semifinal. “They should know that this is the time the actual competition starts because any of the last four is capable of lifting the trophy and as such I want them to be more serious in front of goal so as to defeat their opponent and go into the finals,” Hamilton said.

Imoke T

he Golden Eaglets have dedicated their 5-0 whipping of visiting Junior Wasps of Rwanda in an international friendly to Gov. Liyel Imoke of Cross River. Team head coach Manu Garba, while speaking to newsmen after the game on Friday at the U.J. Esuene Stadium in Calabar, said this was “because Imoke is our foremost supporter”. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the match was the Eaglets’ first high profile match since they started camping in Calabar at the instance of Imoke. The governor was represented as the special guest of honour at the match by the state’s Deputy Governor, Mr Efiok Cohbam. “We are dedicating this victory to Imoke because he’s our foremost supporter. He, as well as the people of Cross River, gave the enabling environment for our camping and, without adequate preparation we will not be where we are today. “So, we are using this opportunity to thank the governor, the good people of Cross River and the generality of Nigerians who have been supporting us with their prayers. We have not won much yet, but we will strive to do our best to achieve our objectives in the long run,” Garba said. NAN reports that the matches are part of both teams preparations for fixtures in the qualifiers for the 2013 African Junior Championship.

agos State Governor, Babatunde Raji Fashola, says his government will continue to encourage the development of boxing to enable Nigeria regain its leadership position in the pugilist game. He stated this during the official commissioning of the newly-built Lagos Boxing Hall of Fame Gymnasium located at Itire/Ikate Surulere LCDA. According to him, the state government decided to construct the gym to enable athletes preparing for international competitions be exposed to the modern equipment involved in the game, even as he expressed optimism that the gym will be well managed to achieve the objectives of its establishment. “This is a testimony of our commitment to the devel-

Fashola

opment of boxing in the country. I believe this edifice will be well managed to enable our boxers going for international championships like the All Africa Games, world championships, Commonwealth and Olympic Games respectively to get the desired exposure before the Games.

Ogoke thinks beyond Olympics

igeria’s only female boxer at the London 2012 Olympics, Edith Ogoke, says she has put her Olympics disappointment behind her and is now concentrating on how to be a better pugilist. Ogoke’s opportunity to win a medal for the country in the boxing event of the London 2012 Olympic Games, suffered a major setback when she was outpointed 18-8 by Russia’s Torlopova Nadezda in the quarter-final bout of the middle weight category. According to her being at the Olympics has enabled her learn some

Ogoke

lessons which will be of immense help to her in future competitions. “The Olympics gave me a lot of exposure and experience which I hope to build on in future international competitions,” she stressed.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sport

Sunday September 2, 2012

Arsenal defender plots Reds fall A

rsenal defender Carl Jenkinson said victory over Liverpool today can underline his side’s Premier League credentials.

The north London club have been held to two disappointing goalless draws in their opening fixtures, at home against Sunderland and away to Stoke. And the 20-year-old insisted a win at Anfield can consign those results to the past, given the Reds’ status as ‘a big club’. “It would be a huge statement

of intent to win there. “Liverpool are a big club but we are just focused on our own game, and hopefully we will execute as we need to and get the three points,” he said. The former Charlton rightback also expressed his admiration for the Anfield crowd, describing the ground as a ‘special place’ to play football. “Anfield is always a great place to play football, we’re all looking forward to it and we’re going for the three points.

“I was only on the bench last year, but the atmosphere and the stadium itself make it a special place. Liverpool are an ambitious club, and I am sure they will not sit back at Anfield looking to take a point. “Hopefully it will be an open game and maybe that will be of benefit to us because it will open things up a bit,” Jenkinson stressed. The Gunners go into the game having not tasted defeat at Anfield in four years.

Balotelli to undergo eye surgery M

Jenkinson

Falcao fulfilled Super dream A

tletico Madrid striker Radamel Falcao said he dreamt of scoring in the European Super Cup, as they thrashed Chelsea 4-1 on Friday. The Colombian hit three first-half goals against the Blues, setting the tone for an ultimately comprehensive victory at Stade Louis II in Monaco. Speaking to the media following the triumph, the Santa Marta native admitted getting on the scoresheet was something he had dreamt of. “I dreamt of being able to score and I had that opportunity,” Falcao said. He exclusively revealed that he has no intention of leaving the La Liga outfit, the Vicente Calderon idol believes Atletico can compete on the European stage this season. Atletico will return to domestic action when they travel to Real Betis on Monday.

anchester City manager Roberto Mancini has confirmed that Mario Balotelli will undergo eye surgery on Tuesday. The 22-year-old Balotelli can no longer tolerate wearing contact lenses and requires surgery to correct his myopia. “Mario is not ready to return to the pitch yet. He no longer seems to tolerate contact lenses. He’s feeling alright now, but the problem can return any time,” Mancini said. The City manager is already without key forward Sergio Aguero for the next couple of weeks after he picked up a knee injury in the opening game of the season.

Mancini also looked forward to the high-profile clash between his side and Jose Mourinho’s Real Madrid, after the Premier League champions were drawn alongside the La Liga winners, as well as Borussia Dortmund and Ajax in Group D of the Champions League. “This is not Mourinho-Mancini, it is Real Madrid-Manchester City,” Mancini said. “It is fantastic to play against three top teams, but we have four strong months until December when we finish the group and we need to have all the players ready every three days for this reason.”

Moutinho move pleases AVB A ndre Villas-Boas says he never expected to complete the capture of Porto midfielder Joao Moutinho on deadline day. The Tottenham manager was one of Friday’s most active, completing deals for Lyon goalkeeper Hugo Lloris and bringing in Fulham forward Clint Dempsey. And, though the north London outfit failed in their pursuit of the Portuguese playmaker, their 34-year-old manager praised the work of club chairman Daniel Levy. “This has been a busy transfer window and I cannot praise highly enough the efforts the club made to sign Joao Moutinho. “I have said all along that this was never an easy transfer and as such we never had enormous expectations of getting this deal across the line,” AVB said.

Mancini: Late drama saved my job

Falcao

oberto Mancini admits he would likely have been given the axe by Manchester City had the club not secured the Premier League title in the most dramatic of fashions last season. City left it late to claim the top flight crown, with virtually the last kick of the 2011/12 campaign seeing them get their hands on the silverware. Sergio Aguero pounced to net a stoppage-time winner against

EURO BRIEFS Rooney injury a ‘blessing’, says Fergie

anchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson says Wayne Rooney’s injury could prove to be a ‘blessing’ as it will allow him to improve his fitness. The striker suffered a deep gash to his thigh in United’s 3-2 win over Fulham and is expected to be out for four weeks, which his manager feels could help him.

Why I snubbed Fergie, Mourinho –Gerrard

teven Gerrard insists Liverpool will always be the club for him, but admits to having snubbed approaches from Sir Alex Ferguson and Jose Mourinho in the past. Another transfer window has closed with Gerrard still on the books at Anfield, with the Reds skipper as committed to the cause now as he has ever been.

Gerrard

Balotelli

The former Chelsea coach went on to explain the decision to allow midfielder Rafael van der Vaart to leave for Hamburg on the final day of the transfer window. “The additions we have made in midfield coupled with the existing players we have in this position gives us exceptional cover in this department, which resulted in us being prepared to release Rafael van der Vaart,” he added. The Portuguese also expressed his delight with Tottenham’s squad depth following their summer acquisitions.

Lennon signs new Spurs deal

aron Lennon has signed a new contract that will keep him at Tottenham until 2016. The England winger has been at the club since signing from Leeds in 2005 and has made 270 first-team appearances. He has weighed in with 25 goals.

Lennon

Wenger defends transfer policy A Villas-Boas

Queens Park Rangers on the final day, with a remarkable turnaround in that tie seeing City edge out arch-rivals Manchester United to take first place. With City’s ambitious owners having pumped considerable funding into the club in an effort to see them landing top honours, Mancini concedes that he would probably have found himself out of a job this summer had the previous campaign not stretched to 93 minutes.

rsenal manager Arsene Wenger has defended his transfer policy by claiming that spending money “is not a quality”. The Gunners sold first-team regulars Robin van Persie and Alex Song to Manchester United and Barcelona respectively this summer, but reinforced their squad by signing Santi Cazorla, Lukas Podolski and Olivier Giroud. Wenger has often been criticised for his reluctance to make big-money signings, but the Frenchman insists that splashing cash in the transfer market is not necessarily a sign of strength. “We have bought already Lukas Podolski, Santi Cazorla, Olivier Giroud.

“But when you listen to people, you always have to buy more. “Spending in itself is not a quality. Buying better players than we have - that is a quality. “We do spend when we find the right players. You have to give the players who have come in a bit of time. “Thierry Henry arrived and didn’t play before November; Robert Pires wasn’t an automatic starter at first. “What is important is that we believe in the players we have and get our long-term injuries back, like Jack Wilshere,” he said. Arsenal are away at Liverpool in the Premier League today.

Vol. 2 No. 38

Sunday, September 2, 2012

N150

I N

F I G U R E S

$11.5

m, amount the director of Family Health in the Federal Ministry of Health, Dr. Bridget Okoeguale, said FG approved for family planning commodities.

Fear of state police and many other fears

Back Page

Comment

E-mail: nwaunah@yahoo.com Unah is Professor of Philosophy at the University of Lagos

with Jim Unah

www.nationalmirroronline.net

N I G E R I A

bn, sum the national President, Nigerian-American chamber of commerce, Sam Ohuabunwa, disclosed as the US investment in Nigerian agricultural sector.

had painstakingly constructed a piece on the above title when Dozie Okebalama’s article appeared on Friday at the back page of the National Mirror. The gist of his comment, I think, is that the clamour for the creation of state police is well founded, and could indeed better address the lingering security nightmares afflicting the nation; but only if and when the country graduates into true federalism could the concept of state police materialise concretely. My construction is of a different cast, how be it, with a somewhat similar conclusion, and it goes like this. There are genuine fears about the establishment of state police: that it can be abused by state governors is an understatement; as we have state governments, for the most part, that are run by chief executives who subvert the Constitution they swore to uphold. A culture of real governance is yet to take root in many states of the federation. The majority of the state governors are involved in the merciless plunder of state coffers; a practice that often pitches them in a do-or-die battle with opposition parties that are fighting to unseat or sack them from power. A state police at the disposal of such serving governors could be deployed ruth-

lessly to cripple political competitors, rig them and their protégés back to office, and crystallise and perpetuate the often hidden agenda of tenure elongation. Many other fears lurk around the corner of the agitation for the creation of state police. The emergence of state police will represent a major step in the devolution of power from the centre to the federating units (an otherwise healthy development); but state governors would have so much powers that they might, given their antecedents and penchant for corrupt enrichment and money laundering, misuse it to further loot the treasury and deform those who oppose them. In the states, things are already too bad as it is; let alone increasing the potentials of the governors to become “brother devils”, through the institution of state police. The dossiers of some of the state governors stink to high heavens. Some have been indicted and incarcerated for graft and money laundering. Some of them are connected to drug businesses, oil bunkering and kidnapping. Some have been fingered for sponsoring insurgence and terrorism against the Nigerian State. They have jointly and severally subverted the section of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on Local Governments by eroding their powers through the manipulation of the joint account process to put their functionaries in a state of pliable compliance; converting them into instruments for rigging their benefactors (the governors) back to office, against the popular will. The state governors, with a few excep-

tions, only have the penchant to struggle for more money from the federation account, excess crude account, sovereign wealth fund account, subsidy regime account, often not for the delivery of public good and safety, but for their own self-aggrandizement. Even with the huge security vote at their disposal and monthly allocations from the federation account, most of the governors have failed to deliver public good and public safety in their domains. What is the justification for asking for more powers and more resources for the state governors? Neither is the concentration of power and resources at the centre, in the hands of the Federal Government, an option to canvass and promote. That there is too much power and two much resources at the centre which are often squandered on frivolous, white elephant, projects that mock a huge infrastructure deficit, massive unemployment and abject poverty even in states controlled by the party at the centre; is distressing to contemplate. The same calibres of people that become governors are the ones that become federal ministers and state actors. How could the situation at the centre be different from the one in the states? About a decade and half ago, those of us in the pen and academic professions joined civil society in fighting the military to a standstill and chased them back to the barracks. As they beat a retreat from civil society and move back to the barracks, the military concocted a Constitution that is both federal and unitary in character and imposed it on the nation and handed it over to their protégés and cronies – politi-

EPL: Snodgrass dramatic equaliser stuns Tottenham R obert Snodgrass scored a dramatic late equaliser yesterday as Norwich consigned 10-man Tottenham to their worst start to a Premier League season for four years. Mousa Dembele had put the hosts on course for their first league win of the season with a goal on debut. But, with time running out, the Norwich midfielder found the space to unleash a low leftfoot shot that flashed beyond Spurs goalkeeper Brad Friedel. Substitute Tom Huddlestone was shown a straight red card in the 90th minute. Boos echoed around White Hart Lane at the final whistle,

Snodgrass

with Andre Villas-Boas still without a competitive win as Tottenham manager. There could be little dispute about the result, however. It was just reward for Chris Hughton’s powers of organisation on an emotional day for the Norwich

manager as he returned to the club where he had spent 28 years, as a player and then a coach. Villa-Boas could not afford to accommodate such sentiment. Having been beaten by Newcastle on the opening day and frustrated by West Brom last weekend, the pressing need for points and for that elusive first win was at the forefront in his mind. The wait goes on. This was a performance that epitomised Spurs’ faltering progress so far this season: style but no substance, beauty but no brawn, panache but no penetration. Dembele’s goal apart, VillaBoas’s side lacked confidence, cohesion and sustained threat.

cal thugs and henchmen, the drug people, professional fraudsters, kidnappers and thieves – who took over the mantle of office and have since then been recycling and perpetuating themselves in power; enlarging their personal estates and resources, instead of building genuine democratic institutions and structures to foster the conditions of authentic egalitarianism, infrastructure development and civilised progress. Thirteen years after the installation of civil rule in the country, the nation could not provide regular, uninterrupted, electricity, good road and rail infrastructure, and security to life and property for the citizens. Whether at the centre or at the state and local government levels, the crop of politicians and state actors in place are not the sort of people to give more powers or resources. They are generally anti-people in their policies and actions. The Nigerian State is caught between the devil and the deep blue sea; between malfunctioning federal authorities and avaricious state governments. The question of the establishment of state police and the devolution of economic and political powers to the federating units – be they states, regions or zones – and the evolution of credible state actors, are concomitant elements in the mixture of true federalism, and none should be done in isolation of the others. State police and effective policing are twin brothers; but they must not be isolated from the catalogue of problems and fears, and left in the hands of scoundrels; even though it appears that we have unfairly lumped governors together!

Paralympic Games: Nigeria’s Oyema, Onaolapo win gold, set world records P. 53

PREMIERSHIP RESULTS West Ham 3-0 Fulham Swansea 2-2 Sunderland Tottenham 1-1 Norwich West Brom 2-0 Everton Wigan 2-2 Stoke Manchester City 3-1 QPR PREMIERSHIP FIXTURES Today’s Matches Liverpool v Arsenal 13:30 Newcastle v Aston Villa 16:00 Southampton v Manchester Utd 16:00

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