Sunday 9, September 2012

Big Read News

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Private schools: Worsening the rot in education

News

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12 burnt to death in Ogun auto accident www.nationalmirroronline.net

Vol. 2 No. 39

Sunday, September 9, 2012

Controversy trails Tinubu’s attendance of US Democratic Party Convention Ex-governor allegedly paid $5,000 for invitation

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L-R: Former MD/CEO of Zenith Bank, Mr. Jim Ovia; Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola SAN; Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka; retired Federal Permanent Secretary, Francesca Emmanuel; Governor of Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun; former President of Ghana and Chairman of the occasion, Mr. John Kufuor and former Governor of Cross River State, Mr. Donald Duke, during the 4th Edition of the Wole Soyinka Prize for Literature in Africa at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos, yesterday.

Aftermath of terror attacks

Security operatives take over Telcos’ installations We won’t shut down operations –GSM operators P. 7

Fuel scarcity looms in Oyo State

Jonathan to terror groups: Desist from dividing Nigeria P. 8

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PHCN: Workers adamant, vow to resist privatisation

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Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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What’s new

TALKING POINT OF THE PAST WEEK SEPTEMBER 9, 2012

2015: Can PDM make the difference?

Applause

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The Federal Government on Wednesday lifted the suspension order on Dana Air, 10 weeks after it was grounded. The suspension followed the crash of one of its aircraft in a Lagos suburb on June 3 killing all 153 passengers and crew members as well as five persons on the ground.

The lifting of the suspension of the operating licence

of the airline was sequel to government’s satisfaction with the air-worthiness of the airline after a technical, operational and financial audit.

A statement issued by the Special Assistant to the Minister of Aviation, Mr. Joe Obi, explained that in view of the development, Dana Air could now resume its normal commercial flight operations.

Work on Lagos-Ibadan Expressway begins soon –FG My marriage will be a success, I have no fears –Uduak Akrah Uduak Akrah is one Nollywood star who is doing well in the industry.

This Creative Arts graduate of the University of Lagos is also an event planner.

Wellness

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The Minister of Works, Chief Mike Onolememen, has said that the rehabilitation of the Lagos - Ibadan Expressway was a major task that must be achieved by the Federal Government.

He also disclosed that talks were still going on between the government and the concessionaire, Bi-Courtney Limited.

He said: “The Federal Government through the Ministry of Works is determined to finally ensure the

full implementation of the reconstruction and rehabilitation of the Lagos - Ibadan dual carriageway. It is a task that we must accomplish.

“Consequent on that resolve, we began engaging the concessionaire and that engagement is ongoing.

But I want to assure all Nigerians that everything is being done to ensure that immediately after the rain, there will be full reconstruction work on that particular road.

Adrian Okosun

CEO, MACBELL CONCEPTS AND DESIGNS LIMITED

Mondays are too busy for me. In fact, it is choky for me or should I say hectic because it is the beginning of the week. So, I take time to plan for my two companies. I plan for my week ahead. I start the day by holding meetings. I don’t eat until I get home by eleven in the night.

Reason being that I’m so busy that I don’t remember to eat. Moreover, I’m not a food person anyway.

I’m more relaxed on Tuesdays. It is a day of the week that I prefer to take a trip out of town to see some of my clients. I travel to some northern states, western states, Enugu, Owerri, Bayelsa, Abia and Imo to see my clients.

I check my mails on the net on this day. It is also a day of supervision. I supervise my staff at the construction sites. And those of them I gave some assignments on Monday during the meeting are expected to start bringing in results.

Same also applies on Thursday. This is like a deadline for members of staff that are supposed to bring in results based on what they are assigned to do. I feel bad if any of them fails to deliver because that can drive away clients but I can only pardon such a person if he has genuine reasons for not delivering.

I have a slogan for Fridays and that slogan is ‘My day out.’ This day, I work less. I work 18 hours every day of the week but on Fridays, I work less. You won’t see me close to my construction sites on this day. I stay in Macbell my bar to unwind. I stay there till night when my key players come to network with me in business.

My relaxation day continues. I don’t go to anywhere on Saturdays. I spend adequate time with my family.

I go to church at Agape Worship Centre. And when I come back from church, I rest until in the evening when I go back to Macbell

Anxiety over Dame Jonathan’s health Anxiety heightened on Monday over the health condition of the wife of President Goodluck Jonathan, Dame Patience, who is currently receiving medical attention at a German hospital.

As the rumour over the It is believed that individuals whereabouts and the health can develop typhoid fever of Mrs. Jonathan began after ingesting food or water to spread like bush-fire in contaminated during handling the harmattan, Aso Rock, WE HAVE DEPLOYED D 20 BUSES SO FAR –MASSOB by a human carrier. the seat of government, re-

Unhygienic food vendors can spread typhoid fever bacteria –Expert

mained close-mouthed.

Mrs. Jonathan, according to findings, was flown out of the country a few days ago to a German hospital for treatment over what a Presidency source called “food poisoning”.

She reportedly suffered “food poisoning” along with her medical doctor and had to be airlifted to Wiesbaden, Germany, for 4 treatment.

line, Barrister Jimoh Ibrahim, OFR, said it was difficult to continue further investment in the airline, with the high level of staff disloyalty and weak business environment. “But we are strongly committed to ensuring that Air Nigeria survives,” he stated.

He said 50 loyal staff from various departments of the airline have been selected with a mandate to recommence business within 12 months while other staff have been relieved of their employment effective from the last day of work on their various routes, be it local, regional or international.

MON

FG lifts suspension on Dana Air

Air Nigeria has announced the suspension of all its operations – local, regional and international – with effect from Monday, September10, 2012.

The suspension, according to the management of the frontline airline, was largely due to staff disloyalty and environmental tension, “which are not conducive for business in the aviation sector”. The airline expressed regrets for any inconveniences caused to passengers on all the routes and advises passengers to contact agents from whom they have purchased tickets for refunds.

Reacting to the development, the Chairman of the air-

TUE

towers belonged to different telecommunications networks, including MTN, Globacom and Airtel.

The latest assault came one week after men of the Joint Task Force, JTF, in Maiduguri raided the home of a suspected key commander of the Boko Haram sect where they recovered 54 assorted SIM cards and arms and ammunition.

WED

About 25 base transceiver stations, BTS, belonging to different telecommunications companies were on Wednesday bombed by suspected terrorists in some parts of the North.

Also, four persons, suspected to be southerners were also killed in Gwange ward of Maiduguri metropolis. It was gathered that the telecoms

Air Nigeria suspends all operations ...sets up 50-man committee

THU

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Terrorists bomb telcos’ facilities

FRI

His Grace, the Most Rev. Nicholas Dikeriehi Okoh, is the Archbishop, Metropolitan and Primate of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion. Okoh, who superintends 14 Provinces and 164 Dioceses of the communion, bares his mind to Omeiza Ajayi on the issues of state police, terrorism, homosexuality and inclusion of women in the priesthood.

Politics

Seven Days

SAT

Homosexuality has divided the Anglican Church –Okoh

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SUN

Interview

*By Adaeze Amos (0802 301 2293)

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Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

THE

Big Read SUNDAY SPECIAL INVESTIGATION

September 9, 2012

Tunde Nursery and Primary School, Aguda, Lagos

Private schools:

Prof. Rufa’i

Worsening the rot in education In recent times, the proliferation of privately-owned primary and nursery schools has become intense and many greedy entrepreneurs have taken over the system to make quick money. While some proprietors of these schools do not obtain the required licence before operating, others employ ordinary level certificate holders as teachers.

The schools, which are usually overcrowded and filled with filth, are also lacking in facilities. Head, Special Investigations, Isioma Madike, takes a peep at these mushroom private schools and reports

M

rs. Edith Sule is an Igbira from Kogi State but resides at the popular Oluwole Housing Estate, Ogba. A petty trader, having lost her husband a few years back, she dropped out of secondary school because there was nobody to take responsibility after her parent’s painful death in a motor accident. She was only 16 years old at the time. And since then, she had vowed to see her children through qualitative education in life. She got married at the age of 18 in 2004, but lost her husband after four years in 2011. Shortly afterwards, she withdrew her two children from Estate Primary School, Ogba.

Today, the kids are schooling at Fingers of God primary/Nursery Schools, a private primary school situated in a makeshift storey building behind the popular Tasty Fried Chicken eatery, also in Ogba, Lagos. “I did that so that people would stop mocking me; almost everybody in my neighbourhood send their children to private

schools and I didn’t want to be different. People would conclude that things are hard up for me because I lost my husband,” Edith said in her smattering English.

But, what about the school itself ? Fingers of God school, is made up of two dingy halls, partitioned into five classes with a population of over 100 pupils crammed in the rooms like infant prisoners. The school, according to one of the teachers, who pleaded anonymity because “we are barred from talking to strangers”, has only three teachers including the owner of the school, who also sells food stuff at the popular Sunday Market in Ogba. “We rotate our classes and sometimes merge two classes to teach. Our method is to keep one of the classes busy with assignment while teaching goes on in the second class. Our madam takes the senior class alone,” the teacher said.

However, a first time visitor to this ‘private primary/

‘SOME SCHOOLS OPERATE IN INAPPROPRIATE ENVIRONMENT’

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nursery school’ would be shocked at the appalling sight.

There is no sign to indicate of its status as an educational institution. Right from the entrance, the rough building appears to have suffered long neglect. Most parts of the structure look dilapidated. Paints have been applied without repair, making the school an eyesore to behold. The interiors are moist just like the murky marshes all round its environment; its dingy surroundings thus providing excellent sanctuaries for swarming hordes of mosquitoes.

With the open sewage ground in the building, the students are constantly assaulted by the sound of their amphibious neighbours, breeding and luxuriating in the stagnant waters. And like most houses in similar miserable condition, the makeshift school stands in vulgar, wobbly poses and defiantly threatening to sink and disintegrate any moment. Inside, the toilets are disgusting and the two toilets in the halls have shaky seats that could be a source of dangers to the students. Most parts of the ‘building’ are leaking and with the open sewage, there is a constant stench within the neighbourhood.

Yet, Fingers of God Primary/Nursery Schools does not stand alone in this infamy. In Lagos, it is a common sight.

They are commonly found in areas like Surulere, Kosofe, Alimosho, Ifako-Ijaiye, Badagry, Ikorodu, Mushin and Oshodi/Isolo local council development areas of the state.

Surulere and Kosofe are urban, while the others are rural and classified as ‘poor’, with overcrowded housing, poor drainage, poor sanitation, lack of potable water and prone to persistent flooding.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

WE ARE SET TO FLUSH OUT MUSHROOM PRIVATE SCHOOLS –AMOSU

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The Big Read

Sunday, September 9, 2012

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

‘Some schools operate in inappropriate environment’

A private primary school in Abeokuta, Ogun State (NET PIX)

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3 But, the situation in most public primary schools in the state, some say, gave birth to this. It is widely believed that economic hardship among public schools’ teaching staff increased the teachers’ engagement in non-academic activities to make ends meet. Added to these difficulties were such factors as lack of books, materials as well as industrial action by some state public school teachers in recent past, prompting many Nigerians to opt for the privatelyowned schools, especially at primary and nursery levels.

Lately, however, the proliferation of these institutions of learning has become intense as many greedy entrepreneurs have taken over the system to make quick money.

Investigations revealed that many of these proprietors do not obtain the required license before operating the schools; among them are those who employ barely literate and or ordinary level certificate holders as teachers.

There are also the issues of illiteracy and extreme poverty among the populace, who desired good education for their children but ended up in some of these mushroom schools out of ignorance.

According to the Lagos State Ministry of Education, efforts are in top gear at correcting this ugly trend. The state, sources say, have concluded plans to embark on closing down many of these mushroom schools due to what it calls poor learning environment and lack of essential facilities needed at that level of education. The director of Private Education and Special Programme (PESP), Mrs Sewanu Amosu, told Sunday Mirror that most of these proprietors run these schools in dilapidated buildings.

“Others operate their schools in market places, motor parks and other environment not conducive for learning.

These schools lack basic facilities like toilet, recreation facilities and modern technology facilities among others. A lot of them are only concerned about maximizing profit without adequate consideration for academic excellence.

But, every nation is determined by the level of education of the citizens and as such, the foundation of educational career must be solid to avoid the production of half-baked graduates,” she said.

Amosu believes that primary education is a foundational level that needs to be well funded, controlled and managed. She said that the state government is making efforts to ensure that qualified and well-trained teachers are employed, and that only licensed schools be allowed to operate. She advised that both the Federal and State Ministries of Education should as a matter of policy, monitor and supervise private nursery and primary schools thoroughly and make sure proprietors comply with necessary guidelines. Education, she said, is a systematic method of passing instructions from one source to another. “For it to be functional, the instruction being passed must be potent, but the potency of the teaching would depend on a number of variables. These include the instructional materials, the environment and the personnel,” Amosu said, adding that the three variables are like a tripod on which good education stands. “In many of the private nursery and primary schools, the quality of the teaching staff is poor and most of the teachers had no formal teachers’ training.

Another private primary school in session at Sabo-ngari, Kano State

Dr. Egwu

Esan

There are even those with uncertified school certificate graduates as teachers,” she further said.

But, these are not enough to dissuade some parents from rushing to enroll their children in these schools.

Most mothers, who spoke with Sunday Mirror, said they prefer private schools to public schools in spite of the perceived low standards and lack of basic facilities some of them parade. Mrs Modupe Michael, a petty trader who lives at Sango-Ota, said she prefers private school because of the perception that the students are well taught, well behaved and are neatly dressed. For Mrs Blessing Gabriel, a shop owner at Ebute-Metta, “the private school builds a solid foundation for its pupils, so that in later years, even if the children have cause to attend public schools, they would be ahead of their peers.”

As far as Mrs Ronke Balogun, a teacher in one of the private schools at Ifako Agege is concerned the only reason for which she would not send her children to public school is due to dearth of infrastructure. “I have seen a student writing while kneeling on the floor while another student wrote on his back. Is that a conducive atmosphere for learning? And where some in public schools have lockers, others lack chairs. The situation in government-owned schools is deplorable, if truth must be said,” she stressed.

However, the teachers are the major reason Mrs Edna Ojugbo, a parent at Olowu Street in Ikeja, would not send her children to public schools. “The teachers are not regular in school and when they come, they come late. Even when they are there, the students, most times are left unattended to while the teachers are busy gossiping, discussing domestic affairs or haggling over the price of one aso ebi or the other,” she noted. But, Anthony Boi, who works at Zenith Bank headquarters in Victoria Island and lives at Obawole area of Lagos, also prefers private schools because “there is no disruption of academic calendar, and as fee paying schools, they strive to give their students good value for the money paid.”

Boi believes that private schools usually have a unique setup. “Good private schools like many in Lagos and

Nwosu

Abuja are inimitable in the sense that they have all that a student needs to excel; qualified teachers, good learning environment, good and convenient buses to convey the children. Go to Beautiful-Gate Junior Academy at Ifako, off College Road in Agege and see how a moderate good primary/nursery school should be. You can also visit Hallmark Primary/Nursery School at Ikeja behind MKO Abiola Garden to see the highest standard of such schools.

There are many of such good ones around. Though, some are in terrible shape; but those ones should not be allowed to operate,” Boi advised.

For Mrs Esan Deborah Folasade, a former classroom teacher for many years and owner/founder of BeautifulGate Junior Academy, “the challenges encountered while teaching motivated me into looking for solutions for similar challenges. Apart from that, I have passion for grooming little children as well. Though, one must acknowledge that public schools are now being equipped unlike before and this could be attributed to the challenge posed by good private schools. We now have what I can call healthy competition in junior schools and that is good for our children, the ultimate beneficiaries. Although, like in every sphere of the nation’s life, it would not be out of place to see one or two sub-standard ones and I believe that most parents patronise them out of ignorance.”

Esan did not stop there. She pointed out that her pupils are found in top secondary schools all over the federation, who were admitted on merit. “Most of them won top prize in the various academic competitions they participated in before passing out. That is our trademark here. And we monitor their college activities even after graduating from here and by the grace of God, we shall continue to do that and even follow them to their various universities and other careers they may choose,” Esan said.

But, Lagos is not the only state where these mushroom primary and nursery schools are found. Other cities, especially in urban populated poor neighbourhoods, particularly, overcrowded environs, are flooded with such centers.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 5

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

The Big Read

Sunday, September 9, 2012

5

We are set to flush out mushroom private schools –Amosu Mrs Sewanu Amosu is the director of Private Education and Special Programme (PESP) in the Lagos State Ministry of Education. She acknowledged, in this interview with Isioma Madike, the existence of mushroom primary and nursery schools in the state and says her ministry is doing everything possible to flush them out.

Amosu

There are speculations that Lagos State is flooded with mushroom private primary and nursery schools. What is the Ministry of Education doing about them?

It’s no longer a speculation. We are aware of their existence. Those are the ones cutting corners. And that is why the ministry is insisting that only licensed schools should be allowed to operate in the state. The Ministries of Education has also made it a point of duty to monitor and supervise private nursery and primary schools thoroughly and make sure proprietors comply with necessary guidelines.

We see anytime we go round for inspection, proprietors running schools in dilapidated buildings. Some operate in market places, motor parks and other environment not conducive for learning. Most of these ones lack basic facilities like toilet, recreation facilities, and modern technology facilities. We discovered a lot of them also, who are only concerned about maximizing profit without adequate consideration for academic excellence. But, we shall gradually flush them out.

What are the procedures for establishing these schools?

First of all, let me say here that the state government encourages private individuals to establish schools; government can no longer go it alone because of the phenomenal population growth of the state. But, it is highly essential that such schools should be subjected to certain conditions, which must be fulfilled and strictly adhered to by the proprietors of such schools. The first condition is that no person is allowed to establish a private school without prior application letter to the Commissioner for Education to seek approval. Apart from that, a structural and building approval from the relevant ministry is also crucial. Any private school that operates without necessary compliance of the specified guidelines is classified as illegal and subsequently closed down on the authority of the commissioner. However, any school closed down under that circumstance is expected to seek fresh approval by undergoing all stages of approval procedures.

What infrastructure and facilities are required from proprietors before school take-off?

At the nursery level, the minimum land requirement is standard plots of 60’x120’ (18.29mx36.58m) and should be two plots; a minimum of three classrooms; a library, sickbay, Head Teacher’s office, Staff Room, eight WC toilets and administrative office. The dimensions of each classroom shall not be less than 8.36 metres by 6.80 metres. There shall be open space on the premises of the Nursery School for playground (sand-filled), adequate toys, and recreational facilities such as swing, merry-goround and balls. In addition, all classrooms shall be lit

and ventilated; fire-fighting and other emergency equipment in all buildings and should be kept functional at all times. For the primary, minimum land requirement is same with the nursery section. The classroom furniture shall be dual desk and benches adequate for the age of the pupils. And there should also be provision for sports and games equipment amongst others. All other conditions in the nursery section apply.

How about staffing?

A teacher employed in a private school shall be fully trained and possess a certificate not less than Nigerian Certificate in Education (NCE). The school shall employ adequate number of teachers at all times and the ratio of teacher to pupils per class shall be 1:25 in nursery while it shall not be more than 1:35 in primary. There should also be an additional teacher in the nursery to be designated as an Assistant teacher/care giver per class with a minimum qualification of SSCE. But, these guidelines are not adhered to, especially in the ages for admission into both nursery and primary schools. Is there anything the ministry is doing to force compliance?

It is the responsibility of the ministry to effect compliance and it has been doing that. Where these guidelines are flagrantly flouted, the ministry through the instruction of the commissioner will apply the necessary sanction. It could even lead to closure of the school in question.

How does the ministry carry out the building structure/ site inspection?

It entails the inspection of the proposed site/structure by officers from the Ministry of Education to confirm its suitability prior to the commencement of school activities in the environment. However, approval of the building and other documents such as Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) and Deed of Conveyance/Building plan approval must have been obtained from the Ministry of Physical Planning, Urban and Regional department.

These responsibilities fall on the lap of the departments of Private Education and Special Programme (PESP) and Quality Assurance Agents (Inspectorate department).

30 private schools shut in Kogi for non-compliance to standard CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4 Makurdi, the Benue State capital has an estimated 100 privately-owned primary/ nursery schools scattered across the metropolis. Out of this number, a lot of them had sprung up from being just mere day care centers over the years to full-fledged school. Incidentally, almost all of the schools have the approval of the state Ministry of Education, but are being guided by the rules and regulations establishing them. Giving an insight into how the schools are approved by the relevant ministry, Jonathan Amedu, Headmaster of the NUJ Pen Nursery and Primary School said the procedures for eventual approval are cumbersome. “You must have a standard place, which can accommodate recreational facilities as well as trained and qualified teaching staff.

Another requirement is the premium the ministry of education attaches to the school structures,” Amedu said.

However, when Sunday Mirror visited the Makurdi International School, serious renovation works on the roof were going on. Yet, most teaching staff in the school declined to speak when their views were sought. When contacted, the Commissioner for Education in the state, Dr (Mrs.). Elizabeth Ugoh said that her ministry is not giving room for any laxity, especially in the

standard of education as “we are not compromising on the laid down procedures for recognition of new private schools. To the best of my knowledge, since I took over as the commissioner in charge of education, no case of sub-standard education by private owners of nursery/primary schools has ever been brought to my attention.”

But, it is a different story in Kogi State, where government has closed down over 30 private schools that failed to conform to the requirements and standard set for the establishment of private schools. According to the director, private schools in the state ministry of education, J.A Ilah, “education bill is presently before the State Assembly.” He disclosed that the state has no Education Law but a temporary measure, which has been put in place to curtail the abuse of educational institution by private proprietors, who may want to establish schools. When our correspondent visited John and Paul Nursery Primary School, Adankolo in Lokoja, the state capital, the school was in a sorry state. The pupils were cramped in wooden houses, partitioned into classes with no ventilation. An attempt to speak to the proprietor was resisted by one of the teachers in the school, who looked more like a house help than a professional tutor. The situation was the same at the missionary owned schools

Pupils of Beautiful-Gate academy in a class

along Baptist Road in Lokoja. The classrooms had thatched roofs and dilapidated structures.

The criteria for establishing such schools in the state include infrastructure, recreational facilities, recruitment of qualified teachers with the least minimum qualification of National Certificate of Education (NCE) and good first aid unit duly certified by health department of a

local government. The director admitted that most of the private schools in the state have not met the requirement, but stressed that the ministry would soon embark on another round of inspection. “What is delaying that is that the ministry of education is yet to get a commissioner,” Ilah said.

In Anambra, the quest for quality education and proper up-keep of children by parCONTINUED ON PAGE 6

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The Big Read

Sunday, September 9, 2012

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Kano sets up task force to investigate private schools’ operators CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5 ents has led to an increase in the number of applicants, who want to establish primary and nursery schools; although, some of the key ones are owned by churches and social groups. These include the Total Child Primary and Nursery School, Awka, Infant Jesus Nursery and Primary School, and others scattered in Onitsha, Nnewi, Ihiala, Ekwulobia and other major cities of Anambra State.

The Permanent Secretary in-charge of Ministry of Education, Dr (Mrs.) Ngozi Ezeike, listed conditions that a prospective school proprietor has to meet before he is granted permission to run a private primary or nursery school in the state.

These include sufficient ground space for classroom buildings and related structures, playing fields, space for school farm, perimeter survey and the site plan. Others are classroom buildings, which must comply with the prescribed specifications, room for library, toilets, furniture and equipment. Instructional materials and staffing must also be adequate in both quality and quantity. There should be a class teacher in every class, a head teacher with a 10 years experience and an NCE certificate holder. A class should accommodate not more than 30 pupils while between N20, 000 and N30, 000 nonrefundable application fees are payable to the state government. “We monitor them through routine inspection, which is on the spot check and those performing below the approved level, we withdraw their licence and the school is closed,” Dr Ezeike stressed.

In Kano, the constitution of a Task Force recently by the state government to investigate the operations of private schools in the state demonstrates the concern of the authority over the proliferation of private schools in the state. The seven-man task force, which is assigned the responsibility of assessing the operations of private schools to determine whether they conform to lay down rules governing private schools, is headed by Alhaji Baba Umar. But, in Kano, there are over 2000 unregistered private schools, which operate mostly in remote parts of the city where they could not be easily accessed by officials of the state ministry of education. This figure was confirmed by the Task Force on private schools, which has equally expressed the preparedness of the state department of private schools to flush them out. In a statement issued by the Task Force on private schools and made available to our reporter, Umar said the constitution of his committee was part of government efforts to improve the standard of education in the state adding that it will not compromise standard in education sector.

“It is to undertake among other things comprehensive censors of all private schools in the state and document their locations, year of establishment and names of proprietors as well as categorizing their nature of operation. It will also examine existing facilities in such schools to determine their adequacy or otherwise in meeting the requirement specified by the law governing the operation of private schools in the state. It is empowered by the government to examine the records of the schools and ascertain the level of compliance in

Shanties as schools in parts of the country (NET PIX)

terms of settlement of relevant taxies as provided by the laws of the land,” Umar said while promising that the committee is committed to achieving the desired objectives of uplifting the standard of education in the state.

Private education in Nigeria started with the advent of the missionaries in 1843.

However, after Nigeria’s independence in 1960, a few private schools such as Corona College, Lagos and Omolewa Nursery and Primary School, Ibadan came on board in the early ‘60s and ‘70s while Grange School, Lagos was established a year before independence. But, these schools were mainly for the elite because public schools then competed favourably with the existing private schools. And because most public schools were better than the private schools then, the middle class and the poor did not see any reason to embrace private education for their wards. Things, however, began to deteriorate in public primary when Nigeria’s military leaders, according to the former Minister of Education, Dr. Sam Egwu, consistently ignored education. Poor funding, non-payment of salaries and general neglect were the norm in that era. This led to agitation for better conditions of service among public school teachers.

The worst of these agitations occurred in the early ‘90s when academic activities in primary schools were shut for a whole academic session. This was the genesis of the steady rise in the number of private primary and secondary schools in the country. By 1999 when Nigeria’s nascent democracy took off, infrastructural decay in public schools was almost at its peak.

The public schools were faced with other problems like acute shortage of classroom spaces or over-crowded classrooms, shortage of teachers and equipment to underfunding.

It became evident that primary school system in Nigeria was in trouble despite

Pupils of another private school in Jos, Plateau State (NET PIX)

huge number of pupils it has to cater for.

Before then, the Federal Military Government vested the responsibility for primary school administration in the hand of local governments. This same government later reclaimed the responsibility when primary school system was about to collapse. These problems culminate in acute shortage of infrastructures, non-payment of teachers’ salary and security problem.

Some primary schools did not have enough classrooms and furniture such that classes are held under shades of trees; some pupils carry home their benches and desks and bring them to school every morning.

The instructional materials needed to aid teaching-learning activities were not available. The teachers also were no longer committed to their jobs because they were not well paid. It was obvious that unless these teachers were provided with the drive that would energize them or the tools needed, their best could not be tapped or attained and the accomplishment of educational goals would be difficult.

With this development, the private sec-

tor took over the responsibility of education delivery in almost all tiers of education. But analysts believe public schools might be heading for extinction except government wakes up to its responsibility of providing primary and secondary education. For instance, Nwosu advises that government should provide favourable atmosphere for competition between public and private schools. He points to a situation where public officers that are supposed to ensure that things work in public schools are establishing private schools as commercial enterprises. “Although private institutions appear to have helped in checking the excesses of public institutions, there are fears that over-involvement of the private sector in education delivery might equally prevent access to quality education, especially, among the poor,” Nwosu said.

Additional reports from Augustine Madu-West (Kano), Henry Iyorkase (Makurdi), Ademu Idakwo (Lokoja) and Charles Okeke (AWKA).

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

NEWS

Sunday September 9, 2012

7

Bombings: Security operatives take over Telcos’ installations OUR CORRESPONDENTS

T

he Nigeria Police and some other security agencies have taken over the protection of telecommunication facilities and people living near them across the country, in view of last week’s bombings of the installations in some parts of Borno and Yobe states.

Suspected terrorists had, on Wednesday and Thursday, attacked telecoms installations in Borno, destroying about 25 telecoms base stations with more telecoms masts torched on Thursday in Yobe, a development that has affected the quality of services in the affected areas.

The Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, had, immediately after the attacks, directed all state Commissioners of Police to constitute a special unit in their respective commands,

whose primary assignment would be to ensure the safety of telecommunication equipment and installations within their areas of jurisdiction.

Despite his directive, however, the attacks have spread to Potiskum and Damaturu in Yobe State, and Sharada in Kano State.

According to Abubakar’s directives, all Assistant Inspectors-General of Police are to constitute similar units that will assist state commands within their zones. AIGs and CPs are to provide dedicated lines in their respective commands, to enable public-spirited Nigerians who may have useful information volunteer same to the Police.

Sunday Mirror also learnt that the anti-vandalism squad of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps is working with relevant security agencies in the areas as well as with agents of the affected telecommunication companies to ensure safety

of their installations.

Reports from our correspondents in most parts of the northern zones have also revealed that tight security measures are being put in place to prevent a recurrence of the ugly situation.

For instance, in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, most telecommunications facilities have been placed under 24-hour surveillance.

At the MTN regional office along Baga Road, which was bombed by the terrorists, stern-looking soldiers were positioned at the gate and other surroundings to prevent further attack on the remaining facilities in the premises.

When contacted, the police commissioner, Mr. Abdullahi Yuguda, said the police and other security agencies were doing everything possible to ensure that none of the telecom facilities is vandalized again as security had been beefed up around not only telecom fa-

cilities but all their branch offices in the state.

The police in Kogi State have deployed its men to the substations and telecommunication masts in the capital city, Lokoja, and other strategic locations in the state, according to the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Amadi Nwaneri.

Nwaneri, who spoke with Sunday Mirror yesterday, said the security formations in the state had been put on the alert to counter the activities of members of the Islamist sect in the state.

In Kaduna, telecommunication masts and offices have been placed under heavy security.

Our correspondent, who visited some telecommunication masts in the Kaduna metropolis, saw private security guards around masts of MTN, Etisalat, Airtel, and Glo, among other service providers in the state.

The Kaduna State Police Command spokesman, Mal-

lam Aminu Lawan, confirmed to Sunday Mirror on telephone that telecommunication masts and offices had been fortified with security personnel for safety in line with the Inspector-General’s directives.

However, despite the several security measures, some Nigerians living near the affected installations have expressed fears for their lives.

Sunday Mirror checks in the recently-troubled town of Okene in Kogi State, for instance, revealed that some locals, who had initially leased a portion of their lands for the installation of such facilities, now live in fear.

“We know our safety is in the hands of God but since we heard of the attacks on such facilities in Maiduguri, we have been on the edge. We practically have to wake up all night and look through the window to see if anything is amiss,” said a retired primary school teacher in Okene, who gave his name as

Umar and whose compound hosts a Base Transceiver Station (BTS) of a telecommunication company.

He said even with the decision of the police to ensure the safety of such facilities, his family and other people around the facility are at the risk of being caught in any crossfire between the police and armed insurgents were there to be attempts to destroy such facilities.

Meanwhile, telecommunication companies have dispelled speculations that they are bent on closing their operations in the northern states.

Rising from a crucial meeting in Lagos on Friday, the affected operators, under the auspices of the Association of Licensed Telecoms Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), said instead of shutting down their operations in the areas affected by the terrorists attacks, efforts would be made to reinforce improved services for their subscribers.

Controversy over Tinubu’s attendance of US Democratic Convention

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ontroversies are currently trailing how the immediate past governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, obtained his invite to attend the recently held Democratic Party convention in Charlotte, North Carolina, USA. There are allegations that the politician who is also the National Leader of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), paid the sum of $5000 to obtain the generic invitation from the Democratic Party campaign office, against his claim that he was personally invited to attend by President Barack Obama as the leader of opposition in Nigeria.

It has, however, been revealed that contrary to claims by him and his aides, Obama did not personally extend what has been dubbed by Tinubu “a

gold card invitation” to attend the event.

According to investigations by reporters of a United States based online medium, Sharpedgenews. com, the invite received by Tinubu was a generic kind sent out to donors by the campaign organisation.

The medium also revealed that the Democratic National Convention (DNC) denied ever inviting Tinubu on any official capacity as the “leader of opposition” in Nigeria.

The media team of Tinubu had claimed that he was invited to the Convention in his capacity as the leader of the opposition.

Prior to the convention, Tinubu’s media aide, Sunday Dare said “Tinubu will be at the ring side as the Democratic Party conduct activities that will culminate in the nomination of

President Barrack Obama as its candidate for the November 2012 Presidential elections in the USA.” He added, “Tinubu receives a gold card invitation which is prime and with this, he will be joined by three other eminent personalities – Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State, Speaker, Lagos state House of Assembly, Adeyemi Ikuforiji, and former Commissioner for Information and Strategy in Lagos state, Mr Dele Alake.”

DNC sources, irked by the suggestive news reports which is being interpreted that Barack Obama may have extended a preferential invitation to Tinubu in spite of similar politicians in his native country of Nigeria, said that such notion was far from the reality as was claimed by the ACN leader.

The DNC source ex-

Director -General, National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mr. Mike Omeri (right), presenting a logo tagged “Do The Right Thing” to the traditional ruler of Nnewi, Igwe Kenneth Orizu, during a courtesy visit to the Igwe in Nnewi, yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

plained that the invite that was given to Tinubu was a generic type that similarly went to whoever donated more than $5,000 to the Obama campaign.

“The invitation card sent to Tinubu, the former senator from Nigeria, was ge-

neric and it generally goes from the campaign organization and not personally from President Obama,” the highly placed source explained under condition of anonymity.

While efforts to get across to many of Tinubu’s

aides proved abortive, Lagos State Publicity Secretary of the ACN, Mr. Joe Igbokwe who spoke with Sunday Mirror in a telephone conversation, said I’ve not read the online report and I cannot comment on what I’ve not read.”

NIGERIA IN BRIEF NDPHC inaugurates 150MVA transmission station in Lagos The Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC), owners of the National Integrated Power Project (NIPP) on Saturday inaugurated a150MVA-capacity transformer in Ayobo, near Lagos, to boost power supply in Lagos.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the additional 150 MVA would raise Ayobo station’s distribution capacity to 750 MVA and boost transmission on the

132/33kV transmission line.

Speaking at the inauguration, Mr James Olotu, the company’s Managing Director, assured that the projects would boost the electricity supply to Nigerians, especially those within the distribution network in Lagos and its environs.

According to him, the NIPP initiative is in line with the power sector reform agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration,

assuring that more projects would be delivered this year to boost power supply to Nigerians. ``This is part of our efforts to ensure sustainability of the power sector reforms and to improve on electricity supply in the country. ``For years now, we have been working to deliver on these projects and this is truly our year of harvest on all NIPP projects in the country.

Jonathan begins three-day visit to Malawi, Botswana President Goodluck Jonathan begins a three-day visit to Malawi and Botswana starting from tomorrow.

In a statement issued in Abuja yesterday by Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, the trip is in furtherance of the present administration’s diplomatic initiative aimed at enhancing economic and socio-political relations with other African

nations.

The President, who would be accompanied by Governors Adams Oshiomhole (Edo) and Sule Lamido (Jigawa) would first visit Lilongwe, the capital of Malawi where he would confer with President Joyce Banda, participate in a Nigeria-Malawi Business Forum and launch Malawi’s National Cassava Project.

According to the statement, Jonathan would also

meet with Nigerians living in Malawi before proceeding to Gaborone, Botswana on Tuesday for scheduled talks with President Seretse Khama Ian Khama.

While in Botswana, Jonathan would participate in a Nigeria-Botswana Business Seminar, take a tour of the Jwaneng Mine and Diamond Trading Company of Botswana and interact with Nigerians living in the country.

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News

Sunday September 9, 2012

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Jonathan warns terrorist groups to desist from dividing Nigeria K ZA MSUE A ADUNA

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resident Goodluck Jonathan yesterday warned terrorist groups responsible for the nation’s internal security challenges to desist and embrace the government’s move to ensure peace and progress of Nigeria.

Jonathan said his administration would not relent in its efforts at bringing lasting peace to Nigeria for the country to march forward in its quest for

transformation.

President Jonathan gave the warning in Kaduna in his speech to the combined Passing Out Parade (POP) of 59 Regular Course Cadets and members of Short Service Course 40 of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA).

Speaking through VicePresident Mohammed Namadi Sambo,Jonathan said, “We are not relenting in our commitment to creating a peaceful environment and quality aspira-

tion to strive.

“Those who are bent on causing disaffection among the good people of our country under whatever guise must desist from such unprofitable ventures and embrace our shared aspirations for peace and progress.

“Building a peaceful and prosperous Nigeria of our collective dream is a task to which we must all remain committed”, President Jonathan stated.

He, therefore, called on the passing out cadets to

strive to contribute their quota to the nation’s defence needs of the Vision 20:2020 as they were being commissioned into the various services of the Nigerian Armed Forces.

According to him”your career is starting at the time of positive transformation in our country and the Nigerian Armed Forces as well. The nation needs you at this time, as you all have important roles to play in our forward march to a greater Nigeria. I urge

you all to take these roles very seriously, in order to contribute effectively to the defence target in our vision 20:2020 document.

“I believe that the quality training you have received here has prepared you to face the challenges ahead and to make invaluable contributions to your countries through the varies services into which you will be commissioned.

“Ladies and gentlemen, security remains a great component of this

government’s transformation agenda. Our security objectives however cannot be realised without a credible and effective military.

As young officers, full of hopes and zeal to build world class career, your contributions would be invaluable to our efforts to reinvigorate the lower segment of the leadership of the Armed Forces.The Nigerian Armed Forces have a world-class reputation for excellence and loyal service, he stressed.

FG launches gender policy for Nigeria Police IJEOMA EZEIKE ABUJA

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n its unrelenting determination in reforming the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), the Federal Government has launched a gender policy for the force which would help it wear a new look in the public image.

The policy among other things was an effort at bringing about authentic gender mainstreaming in the police and provide guidelines for gender sensitive policing.

Speaking at the launch and dissemination of the policy for NPF in Abuja, the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajia Zainab Maina, said the plan itself was one of the demand outcomes of a workshop on improving a gender sensitive response to the issues of Gender Based Violence (GBV) organised in November, 2009.

The policy document, according to her, has looked at ways of eliminating internal gender biases that could affect the capacity of the police to deal with gender needs in the community. It also provides recommendations for innovatively responding to gender specific security needs to enable the police force achieve its social obligations and still remain responsive to the

diversity of its community members.

The formulation of the plan, she said, was predicated on the prevalence of gender inequalities in the society, perpetuated by the patriarch culture reflected in such phenomena as the treatment of women and girls by law enforcement officers as well as in the low representation of women in the command structure of law enforcement agencies.

“The policy therefore provides a set of internal control mechanisms which if implemented would help the police force wear a new look in the public image,” the minister said.

Zainab noted that the document is a product of a collaboration of NPF, the United Nations Funds for Population Activities (UNFPA), UN Women, and the Ministry of Women Affairs.

Earlier, the Inspector General of Police, Mr Mohammed Abubakar said the NPF common mission was to curb violence within and outside the ministry incharge of the police force, as well as to see a Nigerian society devoid of gender bias and violence that would pave way and showcase talents for sustainable human development.

The IG who was represented by DIG Investigation, Peter Yisa Gana, said

the NPF reached an agreement with the UN to develop gender policy which when implemented would eliminate all forms of gender-based discriminatory policies within the police force. It would also have the capacity to better handle gender-based violence with high level of professionalism and etiquette.

“The Nigeria Police Force appreciates the support of the UN family in Nigeria, which is anchored on the technical process and for making this event a reality and we will ensure that the policy is implemented to the letter”, the IG assured.

The UN Resident Coordinator, Dr Daouda Toure, noted that NPF is the first in Africa to have a gender policy as part of its operational strategies in moving forward the policing of its people.

He urged that the law enforcement agents in the country, especially the police, are provided with opportunities that strengthen their capacities to adequately perform their roles toward women and girls.

Dr Toure reiterated UN’s commitment towards supporting the Federal Government and law enforcement agencies in achieving the set goals of the gender policy.

Don blames poverty for high rate of students’ dropout A don, Prof. Olukayode Amund, yesterday said that poverty was responsible for the high rate of dropouts among students of tertiary institutions in the country.

Amund, who is the Dean of Student Affairs, University of Lagos, recently renamed Moshood Abiola University, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

that poverty was the greatest challenge facing the students.

“The greatest challenge among students in Nigeria, which is very pervasive and which people seem not to be aware of, is that of poverty.

“Our students all over the country could do better if given the right environment and right conditions

as many of the students that you see today cannot afford to eat three-square meals. ``In an institution such as the University of Lagos, the survival of some of these students on campus is usually subsidised because they can barely pay their hostel fees while on campus,” he said.

L-R: Director of Culture, Ministry of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, Mr. George Ufot; Minister of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, Chief Edem Duke, and Republic of Cuba Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Hugo Milanes, during the presentation of Obinni Bata music from Cuba to the minister in Abuja, yesterday.

PHOTO: ROTIMI OSASONA

Lagos traffic law, not meant to generate revenue –Raji MURITALA AYINLA

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he Lagos State Government yesterday said that the much-publicised Lagos Traffic Law 2012 was not meant to generate revenue for the state but to serve as deterrent to traffic rules and regulations defaulters in the state.

Speaking with Sunday Mirror, the Special Adviser to Governor Babatunde Fashola on Information and Strategy, Dr Lateef Raji, said contrary to some cynics who described the law as systematic ways of milking the general public, the law was to bring sanity to transportation which, according to him, is a crucial sector in any progressive society.

His words: “It will be wrong to say the law is meant to generate income for the state. In what way will the law generate income? The highest fine in the law is between N20,000 and N60,000. Is it possible to arrest about 300,000 traffic offenders for the

same offence in a day?

It is laughable to say so.

What revenue can the law generate in the state economy?

“On the accusation that the law is too draconian, law anywhere in the world is to curb excesses and serve as deterrent to offenders. The punishment aspect cannot be attractive. Besides, only those

who violate will bear the consequence of it.”

Raji said no offence is minor in traffic law.

“When they look at the number of lives lost to the reckless drivers, they will realise that nothing is draconian in the law. These lives constitute irreplaceable asset of the society that deserves protection in an ideal society.”

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

News

Sunday, September 9, 2012

Envoy urges European countries to invest in Nigeria T

he Nigerian Ambassador to Sweden, Mr Benedict Amobi, has urged countries in Europe to take advantage of the huge investment opportunities in Nigeria and invest in the country.

Amobi told the International Women Conference in Tampere, Finland on Friday that Nigeria’s solid minerals sector and other mineral resources were yet to be fully exploited.

According to reports from the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the envoy, who covers the Nordic countries of Finland, Sweden, Denmark and Norway, said the count6ry was the next frontier of economic growth.

He then urged companies already operating in Nigeria to expand their businesses, saying less than 30 per cent of Nigeria’s farmlands were being utilised.

According to him, with the growth rate of about seven per cent, Nigeria offers a stable political environment.

“The government has also created a favourable climate for business and industrial ventures. The country has a dynamic

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Fuel scarcity looms in Ibadan

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Former Information Minister, Chief Alex Akinyele (left) and Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State at the Nigerian Telecoms Awards at The Incubator, Victoria Island, Lagos yesterday.

private sector, which has assumed greater responsibilities under the new economic environment.

“There is fast development of physical and industrial infrastructure in such areas as transportation, communications, electricity and water supply. In recent times, focus is being directed to nonoil exports and agriculture,” Amobi said.

The envoy, however, advocated for a more business-friendly environment in Nigeria in order to attract more investment to the country.

He stressed the need to

add value to the country’s products meant for exports in order to expand the markets for the product.

Amobi commended the Empowerment of Africa Women for organising the conference and noted that the conference was as an opportunity to change the negative perceptions about Africa.

According to him, many people believed that Africa is made up of a single region.

“This is not true, because Africa is made up of 54 countries with about one billion people,”

he said.

The envoy commended the Nigerian women who attended the conference and expressed the hope that the conference would serve as a source of inspiration and empowerment.

“In Nigeria, we believe in gender balance, because presently we have 13 women in ministerial positions. The women are not just occupying positions, they are occupying important positions because the nation recognises the importance of women in national development,” he said.

they could not found, saying the directive came from the “above”.

An eyewitness said the policemen attempted to remove some computer sets belonging to the party’s scribe but were resisted by the people around.

Confirming the incident, Adedipe said the policemen eventually left after searching his house and nothing incriminating was found.

Reacting, ACN’s Publicity Secretary, Mr. Roti-

mi Agbede, condemned the invasion, saying it confirmed the suspected alliance between the security operatives and the ruling Labour Party to unleash terror on members of the opposition parties in the state.

He said: “The LP government in Ondo State has taken its level of intimidation to a new height with the invasion of the Ijapo Housing Estate residence of the State Secretary of ACN, Hon Adegboyega

Adedipe, by the men of the Nigerian Police.

“This undue invasion of private residence climaxed the serial attacks and intimidation of ACN party faithful in Akure and across the state in the last few weeks with a view to silencing the party and its supporters.

“While we are not perturbed by the antics of the LP, we are however disturbed by the role of the police as a willing tool in the hands of the oppres-

undreds of vehicles were on queue to buy fuel at filling stations in Ibadan, Oyo State on Saturday, raising fears that another fuel scarcity may hit the state in the days ahead.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that motorists struggled to buy fuel at filling stations at Mokola, Agodi, Olomi, Ring Road and Adeoyo areas of the city.

An attendant at the Total Filling Station at Iyaganku, Mr. Femi Ogundeji, told NAN that the queue was due to panic buying, as there was sufficient fuel at every filling station in the city.

“I am surprised that people are queuing to buy fuel when there is fuel.

We sold petrol yesterday, in spite of the long queue.

We are used to the system.

“People thought that since fuel was scarce in other states, the situation might be the same in Ibadan,” Ogundeji said.

At the Bethel Filling Station at Adeoyo, attendants charged N200 before selling fuel to motorists.

The attendants told NAN that the management of the station instructed them to collect

N200 before they could sell fuel to motorists.

Mr Temitope Olusegun, who was buying fuel at the station, said that it was cruel for the station to collect N200 from motorists before selling fuel to them.

“Corruption is deeprooted in this country.

The first day of queue, N200 is collected. What happens if the scarcity of fuel persists?,” Olusegun asked.

Efforts to speak with the manager of the station proved abortive as he was said not to be available.

Lagos Zonal Vice Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), Mr Olayemi Oluleye, told NAN that the NNPC stock at Ibadan was low, due to vandalised pipelines.

Oluleye said that a pipeline was vandalised recently at Arepo Town, a boundary community between Oyo State and Ogun.

“The pipeline caught fire and it is undergoing repairs. It only affects Ibadan deport,” he said.

Oluleye called on government to send security operatives to the area to rescue the situation.

Police invade residence of Ondo ACN’s scribe OJO OYEWAMIDE AKURE

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he residence of the secretary of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Ondo State, Mr. Adegboyega Adedipe, in Ijapo Estate, Akure, was invaded by a detachment of armed policemen from the State Police Command during the weekend.

The police men were said to be searching for incriminating objects which

NIGERIA IN BRIEF Group gears up for leadership training Insight for Exploits, a Nigeria-based leadership training and human capacity development company, will be holding its second edition of leadership training next Sunday, 16th September, 2012.

The event, whose sole essence is to equip all participants with fresh life, and designed for young people and the young at heart, has as its theme ‘Take the Lead’.

The organisers have promised that, at the end of it, attendants will become better individuals on every aspect of their living from personal life to work, family and

mentorship.

According to the event’s lead facilitator, Mr. Edet Aniekan, “lectures will be provided by leadership experts and seasoned trainers, and shall border on the followinghow to lead with integrity, build a culture of transformation and lead an innovative culture, and yet another area of focus is how to create your leadership brand.”

The event, which will hold at RCCG, Lifted Gates Parish Tastee Lawrell Events Hall, Jakande Estate, Ejigbo, Lagos promises to revolutionize the individual attendee.

sive government in the state.

“We have severally cried out with other groups and individuals on the need for the redeployment of some top shots in the Ondo State Police Command, who are in criminal alliance with the state government and acting the script of incumbent Governor Olusegun Mimiko to help him retain his seat.

“In the interest of peace towards the next month

governorship poll in the state, we are again calling on the Inspector General of Police to redeploy some bad eggs in the state command in order not to dent the image of the Force.”

The State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr Adeniran Aremu, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), could not confirm or deny the report, promising to get back to our correspondent but could not as at press time.

League asks Lagos to defer implementation of new traffic law

The Lagos League of Political Parties (LLPP) on Saturday urged the Lagos State Government to defer the implementation of the new traffic law, so as to create more public awareness on it.

Lagos State Chairman of the LLPP, Chief Udoka Udeogaranya, told newsmen that there was insufficient sensitisation and awareness on the new law.

“The state government should either hold series of Town Hall meetings in all

council areas in the state or a general assembly with stakeholders on a live telecast on all electronic media stations in the state.

“This has become necessary in view of the enormous concern generated by the law. This will create awareness to the public, feedback to the government and possible amendments to the law – there is need for an all-inclusive debate,” Udeogaranya said.

He said that, while the LLPP appreciated government’s good intention

to ease traffic flow in the state, the new law should be given a human face.

“We ponder to question the strength of the law against the backdrop of pot-holes, bad portions of the roads, traffic officers’ detention of commercial buses for ransom, delayed evacuation of road blockades and toll gates in easing traffic flow,” he said.

He said that there was also the need to review the high fines of up to N100,000 for certain traffic offences and jail terms provided for others.

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SM Extra

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

STORIES THAT TOUCH YOU

Kidnap kingpin’s arrest

SEPTEMBER 9, 2012

Community heaves sigh of relief, plans celebration NWABUEZE OKONKWO, ONITSHA; CHARLES OKEKE, AWKA

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hen a combined team of policemen from Inspector General of Police’s Special Task Force on Heinous Crime and Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) arrested Olisa Ifejika, a.k.a. Ofe Akwu (palm-nut soup) on Monday, September 3 the many residents of Anambra communities heaved a sigh of relief.

Akwu is the acclaimed leader of the most dreaded kidnap and robbery gang in Anambra and a cache’ of arms was uncovered in an underground armoury in his house at Ifite village, Oraifite in Ekwusigo Local Government area of the state, both the villagers, Consequent upon this, the entire community is making arrangements to celebrate Akwu’s exit.

The state police command after the arrests displayed the arms and ammunition recovered from the kingpin, but not many people were fully convinced, as they believed

Arms and ammunition recovered from the suspect (Inset: Ofe Akwu)

Arepo pipeline fire

that Akwu was invincible he could not be tracked down by anyone. It was not until two days after his arrest when Governor Peter Obi ordered and supervised the demolition of the buildings belonging to him and his native doctor father, including the underground armoury where the arms were hidden, that reality dawned on all, that it was all over for Ofe Akwu.

The State Commissioner of Police, Ballah Nasarawa had while addressing newsmen a day after the arrest and recoveries said a combined team of the IGP’s Special Task Force on Heinous Crime and SARS operatives in the state, acting on information from a good spirited citizen, arrested Ofe Akwu and one other at Ifite village, Oraifite.

Identifying the Akwu as the most wanted armed robbery/kidnapping king-pin responsible for series of high profile kidnappings, armed robberies and murder, including the kidnap of Igwe Okoli of Ihembosi community in Ekwusigo Local Government area sometime in 2010, and the recent kidnap of Igwe Robert Eze of Ukpo community in Dunukofia Local Government area, Nasarawa, he noted that the suspect’s escapades spanned over a period of years.

Nasarawa noted that the gang was also responsible for the killing of five policemen at Okija on June 22, 2012, the murder of three policemen at Ozubulu on April 2, 2012 and the attack on Amichi and Ukpor Police Divisions on April 4, 2012.

The state police boss disclosed that some arms and ammunition were recovered from an underground armoury in his house, including 27 AK47 riffles, one K2 riffle, two type-06 riffles, one General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG), one rocket launcher, 17 rockets, six pump action guns, three dane guns, one Berretta pistol, 13 rocket grenades, 12,800 rounds of AK47 live ammunition, 530 rounds of LAR ammunition, 95 rounds of GPMG live ammunition, 1,000 rounds of K2 live ammunition and 143 magazines, all totaling 14,425 rounds of live ammunition.

He, therefore, reaffirmed the commitment of the state

command in ridding the state of all forms of criminality and thus implored all members of the public to volunteer useful information that could aid the police in carrying out its duties of protecting lives and property.

A day after the CP’s briefing, Anambra State Governor, Mr. Peter Obi took a centre stage when he ordered and supervised the demolition of Ofe Akwu’s buildings at Ifite, Oraifite, as part of efforts to intensify the fight against the criminals in the state.

The buildings were one-storey building with a paint house and a bungalow. Apart from the underground structure, there was also an extended building with toilet facilities behind the bungalow suspected to be a cell where kidnapped victims were hidden.

In a small building attached to the gate’s wall, there was a shrine allegedly used by the father of the suspect, Mr. Patrick Ifedika, a.k.a Ogbujingidi, (wall breaker) who was said to be a native doctor.

The buildings before their demolition were obviously attacked by suspected angry mob that burnt parts of the building smashed the windows, doors and furniture.

Obi at the demolition exercise, accompanied by some members of the State Executive Council, said the action was in line with the law of the state that any property linked to kidnap and other criminal activities would be confiscated and demolished by the state government.

The governor has also threatened to make moves for the confiscation hotels and other prime properties allegedly owned by the suspect in Abia State, Ghana and Port Harcourt. Speaking during the operation, Obi said,” We can no longer continue this kind of life, people must live purposeful life, we are going to start looking for his businesses and associates also and that is why I am here to supervise the demotion of these buildings”.

First to hail the arrest of Ofe Akwu was the President-General of Oraifite Improvement Union, Sir. Raphael Nwike, who described Governor Obi’s action as a divine intervention.

Nwike, who spoke shortly after the demolition exercise, lamented that the area had been held captive for a long time by activities of criminal elements, adding, “God has really come to the rescue of the people”.

Some other villagers who spoke to Sunday Mirror yesterday to commend the arrest, included Mr. Okeke Okafor, Mr. Mike Nchedo, Mrs. Elizabeth Iwobi and Mr. Godwin Anyalechi who is based in Kano.

In their separate speeches, the villagers who commended the courage and political will of Governor Obi in frontally tackling security challenges in the state said the community must celebrate the crackdown on the hoodlum.

How vandals prevented removal of 93 dead bodies FEMI OYEWESO ABEOKUTA

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Fire Service, NSCDC and newsmen could get to the scene.

This explained why the security and safety departments of the NNPC had to engage the local people as part of the security operatives for the zone.

Although Arepo village is called ‘Journalists’ Estate’ due to the large concentration of journalist landlords in the area, there are also the natives. Notable media practitioners who live in the estate include the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to President Jonathan on Media, Dr. Rueben Abati, and Former Lagos state Chairman of the Nigerian Union of Journalist (NUJ), Mrs. Funke Fadugba.

The natives, who are predominantly farmers and fishermen, still live in some portions close to the waters. They know the terrain very well. It was therefore not difficult for the NNPC to co-opt them into the safety and security arm of Lifestyle in Arepo is generally expensive compared to what is

he collective psyche of Nigerians was again insulted last week, with the news that the petroleum pipeline of Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) which passes through Arepo, an Egba village in Obafemi-Owode Local Government area of Ogun State had been engulfed by fire.

The fire was reportedly as a result of the activities of vandals, who have cultivated the habit of siphoning petroleum products from the pipeline over a period of time. About 93 persons died in the fire incident but latest reports indicate that the decomposing bodies could not be removed, as armed vandals in the locality have prevented health officials.

Also, journalists as well as official of National Emergency Management Authority (NEMA), Ogun and Federal Fire Service and National Security and Civil Defense Corp (NSCDC) who had gone to the scene to monitor the rescue operations and ascertain the level of damage at Arepo village, while in canoes, escaped death by a whisker.

The armed vandals, in their canoes and speedboats barricaded the bush, swamp and water leading to the scene which forced all the officials to disembark from the canoes and scamper for safety when they noticed the d.

A visit to the scene of the fire incident clearly showed that the place was a difficult terrain for government to effectively police. Except the amphibian department of the Nigeria Police or Navy, no security agency can put up any effective security measure at the place.

It took not less than 50 minutes of canoe paddling on the mud, swamp and water before officials of NEMA, Federal Rescue workers hampered by the swampy terrain of Arepo

obtainable in the satellite communities around it, like Wawa, Magboro and even Ojodu-Berger in the Lagos axis.

Sunday Mirror gathered that the fire incident occurred as a result of disrespect and non-adherence to the sharing formula of the proceed from ‘oil bunkering business’, as agreed to by all the parties involved, in addition to several other factors.

It was further gathered that the crime had been going on in the area since 1997. Various native groups in the illegal business were said to have greater respect for the rules at the “depot” as it was a replica of NNPC Mosimi depot. A visit to the scene revealed that 50-litre sizes of kegs that bore names of their owners were piled up in the “shops”, on top of the water.

Vandals, who thronged the place through Majidun water in Ikorodu axis of Lagos were also said to be too sophisti-

Billowing smoke from the pipeline fire

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

SM Extra

Sunday, September 9, 2012

They maintained that with Akwu’s exit, the villagers would now sleep with their two eyes closed, unlike their many years of hostage and living in bondage.

Also in a press statement yesterday in Onitsha, the South East Zonal chairman of Campaign for Democracy (CD), Dede Uzor A. Uzor, said the action of the state governor was commendable, adding that it would go a long way in reducing violent crimes, especially kidnapping and armed robbery in the zone.

Uzor further stated that the demolition of the kidnappers’ home would reduce the incessant kidnapping in different parts of the state and the zone in general, noting, “CD is very happy that the governor has finally acted on our recommendation that any house established to be housing kidnappers and armed robbers should be pulled down”.

He recommended promotion for the leader of the security operatives, Mr. James Nwafor, and the commander of the IGP’s Task Force on Heinous Crime, DSP Ogwuni Edwin whom he said were very competent in handling the security situation in the state and reduced the high incidences of crime in the state.

“CD also recommends that the SARS Commander, Nwafor and Ogwuni be promoted for their gallantry and efforts in giving the police a new face and image in the state which included building a 20-unit house for the operatives within the office and other things he has done for the police”

Akwu’s building being bulldozed at the weekend

Governor Peter Obi (middle) with police chiefs during the demolition of Akwu’s buildings

cated in terms of the weapons they carry than all the security agents put together. Investigations showed that the militants have turned the place to their homes.

The NNPC Site Engineer, Engr. Agbakor O.A.U told newsmen during the visit to evacuate dead bodies at the scene of the fire incident that the corporation had lost no fewer than 10 of its managers to the vandals in Arepo, in the past.

This perhaps, explained why NNPC had to engage the service of the local hunters/watchmen who “have the native insurance against bullets (juju) and can withstand the firing from the vandals.” As expected however, some of these native hunters, predominantly youths, were either members of the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) or the Agbekoya (farmer’s militant group).

It was also gathered that there had been a tripartite agreement between all the security agencies, the native hunters engaged by NNPC as well as the vandals. So, they knew each other.

While the security agents drafted to the area lacked the power to stop the vandals, they however, take pleasure in collecting gratification and allowing them to go. The native hunter/watchmen were not happy about the development and often complain that their efforts over arrests of some vandals were not appreciated as they were allowed to go, hence they resorted to killing vandals on top of water whenever the need arises.

On the day of the incident, Sunday Mirror gathered that sporadic shootouts between the vandals and the native hunters were responsible for the fire outbreak. The vandals were said to have laid in ambush in readiness to engage the native hunters in gun duel while “business” was on-going at their “depot”.

At the outbreak of the fire however, over 93 burnt bodies were counted on the surface of the water with several kegs of petrol fuelling the inferno.

After the fire incident, efforts by officials of NEMA and Federal Fire Service to evacuate the dead bodies were vehemently resisted by the vandals.

The resultant effect was that the entire area stinks.

It took a well-coordinated meeting by the monarch of Arepo, Oba Solomon Atanda Oyebi between the federal officers and the vandals before any rescue team could be allowed entry into the area.

Officials of NEMA on rescue operation were thoroughly screened by vandals at Arepo, where NNPC pipeline was vandalised. The teams, which included fire-fighters, were denied entry into the creeks to recover the dead bodies and extinguish the ranging inferno. Attempts by the team had been frustrated by sporadic shootings from the vandals, it was learnt.

Loss of values: Incest, rape, murder take over society ONUKWUBE OFOELUE

T

he killing of Cynthia Osokogu, a post-graduate student at Nassarawa State University recently by two young men, is just one of the many stories nowadays that tell of gross inhumanity ravaging the Nigerian society. Cynthia was lured by the suspects, her supposed friends, to Lagos, where they drugged, assaulted, raped and murdered her in a bid to rob her. Today, values and the sense of morality and good neighbourliness, which are the hallmark behaviours in the society, have deserted the Nigerian communities.

Only recently, 54-year-old generator repairer, Mr. Tajudeen Sanni from Oyo State, was remanded in jail for allegedly having carnal knowledge of his 16-year-old daughter and getting her pregnant in Lagos. He was first charged to the Family Court, Kakawa, Lagos where he confessed that he had slept with his daughter four times. But he denied impregnating her.

In a similar development, a 45-year-old mechanic, Tiamiyu Ibrahim, was reported to have put his mother-in-law in a family way. According to the victim, whenever she was in the bathroom, the husband would jump in to see her nakedness, pretending to be unaware that she was in the bathroom. Explaining further, the mother said, “each time he came home for lunch, he would play pornographic films, inviting me to join him in the sitting room to watch it.” Mrs Ibrahim added, “According to my mum, while the film was going on, my husband would come to where she was sitting and grab her. Even after she had freed herself and run to the kitchen, my husband would go to meet her and that was how they started having sex.

But there are even worse cases: a 43-year old policeman, Corporal Lanre Ramoni, attached to Agbara Divisional Police Headquarters in Ogun State, is currently being detained for being intimate with his daughter for four years. He also aborted her pregnancy four times. His daughter (name withheld), 19, is an SSS 3 student and the only child.

In March this year, another 40-year-old man, who allegedly impregnated his 12-year-old daughter, promised to father the child if her daughter is delivered safely. Philip Ben, a native of Itam in Akwa Ibom State was interrogated at the State Criminal Investigations Department (SCID), Panti, Yaba, Lagos. The suspect and his daughter (names withheld) accused each other of being the mastermind of the heinous act.

While Philip claimed his daughter initiated the amorous affairs, the daughter claimed her father started it. The suspect shocked detectives quizzing him when he promised to father the child from his daughter because his Christian faith forbids abortion.

Pastor Emmanuel Alex who is in charge of a new generation church in Egan, a Lagos suburb, was arrested in July by the police for impregnating his 15-year-old daughter, not once but two times.

The pastor’s daughter was said to have delivered two babies for him within two years. This happened after the girl’s mother, the pastor’s wife, died.

In another bizarre development, a man in Abuja was reported to have impregnated his

All: Rescued inmates of a ‘baby factory’

11

three daughters.

Another such story is that of Emmanuel Oko Akpan, an incident that also happened in Lagos. He impregnated his father’s wife, Agnes Akpan, claiming he did so because he felt that his father was no longer strong enough to satisfy her sexually.

In yet another such instance, 24 year old Victor Idongesit had in March this year admitted to the police that he impregnated his neighbour’s wife.

His neighbour, 48 year old Stanley Anebor disclosed that Victor confronted him in public and told him he should not brag with his wife because he too has access to her as well.

In March too, Mr. Faseyi Adebayo was arrested for impregnating his 17 year old daughter Bisola Adebayo. Bisola who happened to be the only child said she lost her mother early 2008 when she was 14, and since then her father have been taking advantage of her. The father blamed it on the devil. Unfortunately, these are just a few cases of abominations which by today’s standards, is becoming part of the culture.

But it is not just in the area of sexual perversion that this generation have erred. People now kill a lot, they kill too much. People kill to steal, for rituals in order to get wealthy, and there are those who are hired to murder enemies. Yet others just love to shed blood- it is a sport to them. Just like in the case of Cynthia, most of the perpetrators of this evil are young people. These are some of the cases worth looking at: In early August, Udoka Onwe was arrested by the Ebonyi State Police Command for allegedly killing his own father, Mr. Peter Onwe Elum, 60 and uncle, Mr. James Elum, 52. The suspect, who confessed to his crime, said that he decided to kill his father and uncle because they were wizards and wanted to use witchcraft to kill him, saying he killed them before they could kill him.

In July, two brothers, Omotola and Ajayi were arrested following the discovery of the decomposing body of their younger sibling, Akinbuyi, inside a room in their home at FESTAC Town, Lagos.

When the body was found, the head, hands, breasts, private part and parts of the legs were missing and this led to suspicion that the suspects might have sold them.

Just last week in a related incident, a man caught with a human skull along with a pastor in Ogun State, confessed that he needed it for rituals. The man, Matthew Akiode was arrested on Tuesday, while exhuming a human skull at a cemetery at Sabo, Abeokuta. He alleged that he was sent by one Pastor Michael Oyewole.

Earlier in April, an Ebute Meta Chief Magistrate’s Court on Thursday in Lagos remanded two brothers in Ikoyi prisons for allegedly killing their father, a sexagenarian. The two brothers hit their father with an iron, which resulted in his death.

Three days ago, it was reported that Nwanneka Odah a 16 year-old girl was beheaded by suspected ritual killers in Anambra State. They had called her on the pretext of buying groundnuts, but slashed off her head as soon as she bent to sell. Then they ran into the bush.

In March, a five-month-old girl and her two-yearold sister were found stone dead in Calabar, Cross River State after their mother allegedly smashed their heads on the wall in the belief that they were possessed by demons. The mother was said to have believed that the demons needed such an extreme measure to be forced to vacate the bodies of the children.

12

News

Sunday September 9, 2012

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Convocation: Dame Jonathan, Okonjo-Iweala awarded honorary doctorates D ame Patience Jonathan, Nigerian First Lady, and Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Minister of Finance, were yesterday conferred with honorary doctorate degrees of the Delta State University, Abraka.

Receiving her degree, Jonathan, who was represented

by Hajiya Zainab Maina, the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, thanked the Delta Government and the university authorities for the gesture.

Jonathan said the award was an evidence of friendliness and support for her efforts and pledged to support the state in the task of building the university.

She dedicated the award to Nigerian women and said the award would strengthen

her commitment to Nigerian women through her non-governmental organisation and other services.

She said with the training from the university the graduating students would help to build the country, and reduce the challenges currently facing it. ``Let me assure you that this award has further strengthened my commitment to give the Nigerian women and you the basic knowledge through my NGO, the Women for Change and Development Initiative. ``Let me on behalf of my co-awardees thank the governor and the university authorities for the awards.

I promise to be an ambassador of the university,” Jonathan said.

In her response OkonjoIweala thanked the governor, the university authorities and the students for the honour and donated N1 million and N500,000 for the best students of postgraduate class and undergraduate respectively. ``I like to announce a prize of N1 million for the best graduate Doctoral Thesis in Economics, and N500,000 for the best under graduate from the Department of Economics. ``The doctoral thesis will be in honour of my father, His Royal Majesty, Prof.

Chukwuka Okonjo, the Obi of Ogwashi-Uku and the undergraduate prize in honour of my mother, Prof. Kamnene Okonjo. ``And I will like to start

with the 2012 graduating class,’’ the minister said.

The state Governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan, congratulated the graduating students and thanked the honorary awardees for promising to further strengthen the state scholarship programmes.

He said that the petroleum subsidy funds accruing to the state would be employed in the development of four main sectors, education, agriculture, micro-credit and transportation.

Uduaghan pledged to complete all ongoing projects in the educational sector in the state, and said that human capital development was the state’s focal point. ``As we also know that as part of our human capi-

tal development, we have awarded scholarship to 82 first-class graduates, each receiving N5 million a year and we have approved another 52 first-class graduates for scholarships. ``This will bring the total number to 134 first-class graduates,’’ he said.

He appealed for external support to enable the state build new infrastructure for the university.

The governor thanked labour unions in the university for their understanding and cooperation and released a cheque of N150 million out of the N200 million to the university’s chapter of the Academic Staff Union of the University for car loans.

According to the governor, the remaining part of the loan would be accommodated in the 2013 budget.

Uduaghan enjoined the

Dons condemn planned currency restructuring AYO ESAN & HENRY IYORKASE

A

n Economics teacher, Professor Apiah Okoroafor, has joined the bandwagon of Nigerians who vehemently condemned the planned introduction of N5,000 note.

Prof Okoroafor said the country is not ripe for such denomination and ascribed the moves as retrogressive and aimed at encouraging corruption, just as the Dean, Faculty of Engineering, Federal Polytechnic Ilaro, Ogun State, Professor Sabitu Ariyo Olagoke, said that the Federal Government through the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) lacked the moral right to impose the introduction of 5,000 naira note on Nigerians.

Professor Okoroafor, who lectures at the Department of Economics, Benue State University (BSU), Makurdi, asserted that Nigeria is a non productive economy and with the world financial crisis still raging on, the country did not require any new formula of currency denomination which would

further increase the devaluation of the naira.

He noted that even the British who were our colonial masters had never raised their money above 50 pounds and wondered the rationale, pointing out that the country is not ripe for N5,000 denomination for now.

In a similar development, Prof Adegoke, who is also the founder and Spiritual Head of the Shafaudeen In Islam Worldwide, told Sunday Mirror that the insistence of the Federal Government to go ahead with the currency restructuring despite opposition to it by the majority of Nigerians is undemocratic and it shows that the government is one that has not been following the democratic process in its formulation of policies.

He says the present socioeconomic environment in the country does not support the currency restructuring that the l Government is planning to embark on and warned that changing of smaller currency denominations into coins would bring hyper- inflation. According to him, people would abandon the coins and the lowest

NIGERIA IN BRIEF

L-R: Minister of Women Affiars, Hajia Zainab Maina, who was representative of the First Lady, Patience Jonathan; Delta State Governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan; Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, and Deputy Governor, Delta, State, Prof. Amos Utuama, during the 7th convocation ceremony of Delta State University,

note would be the amount you can use to buy any little thing in the country.

“We must prevail on these people in government; they must try as much as possible to respect the views of the people before any policy can be embarked upon.

It seems that Sanusi is stubborn and the President himself so far so good has not shown that he is in control

Adopt secret ballot in 2015, Lagos ANPP tells INEC The All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) in Lagos yesterday urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to stick to the open-secret ballot system of voting in future elections.

Bishop Gabriel Omoruyi, the state ANPP spokesman, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) after the party’s meeting on its forthcoming state congress in Lagos that the party was not in support

of the use of electronic voting in 2015. ``We are in support of the system we are accustomed to, which is the open-secret ballot system.

“Maybe in future, when the majority of Nigerians understand how to use the electronic voting system, that could be introduced but for now, Nigerians are not mature for that,” he said.

Omoruyi urged INEC to

improve on other areas such as voters’ register that was still a challenge to the electoral body.

“INEC still has a lot of problems with our voters’ register; so unless we have a voters’ register that is credible and formidable, our elections will still not be flawless. `` The location of our polling units and security of elections are also problems to us.

of the socio-economic administration of the country and that is the major problem we are having”.

“This is a country where we are trying to implement the cashless policy. If you now introduce five thousand naira note, and with Nigerians who are yet to be cultured on how to handle notes, it will be very easy for an individual to carry

about millions and abuse such money. Unfortunate Nigeria does not have continuity regarding policy and governance; poverty level will be aggravated again. It is unfortunate that we are not making use of referendum in Nigeria so that the people will be able to vote yes or no on any policy being embarked upon by the government,” he said.

people to help the government and the security agencies in intelligent gathering in order to check kidnapping and other associated crimes in the state.

Earlier, the Vice Chancellor of the institution, Prof.

Eric Arubaye, said the university graduated 15,483 students in the sixth convocation in 2007. ``In this 7th convocation ceremony, we are graduating 30,598 students from the 2006 and 2007 sessions to the 2010 and 2011 sessions,’’ the vice chancellor noted.

He said the university had decided to honour the duo of Jonathan and OkonjoIweala with a honorary Doctor of Political Science and honorary Doctor of Philosophy of the university respectively for their contributions to the country.

NNPC takes delivery of seized petroleum products The Lagos Command of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) yesterday handed over 8,270 litres of petroleum products seized from suspected pipeline vandals to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) officials.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the products were handed over to officials of the NNPC at the NSCDC State Command headquarters at Alausa, Ikeja by the Spokesman of the NSCDC, Mr Sunday Eromosele.

The products were seized at Ikorodu and Ijora Water Front on August 14.

Handing over the products, Eromosele said that 26 big nylons in sack bags were filled with the products, with each bag containing about 120 litres of petroleum products.

He said other contents of the products were stored in 90 (50)-litre jerry cans and 26 (25)-litre jerry cans.

The spokesman said the suspects were still under investigation.

VC advocates roundtable on Nigeria’s political ills Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Prof.

Isaaac Adewale, says Nigeria’s political problems can never be resolved using force but through dialogue at a roundtable.

Adewale made the statement yesterday while speaking at a lecture entitled, “Nigeria, an Entity in Search of Nationhood,” delivered at the Igbinedion University in Okada, near Benin.

The don delivered the lecture as part of activities to commemorate the 78th birthday anniversary of Chief Gabriel Igbinedion, the Chancellor of the university.

Adewale explained that Nigeria’s seeming intractable political problems could only be resolved by Nigerians through a free interpretation of laws and interaction that ``can produce negotiated protocol of national co-exis-

tence. ``It is in the light of the foregoing that the communities, the primary components of this nation need to meet in total freedom to decide those fundamental protocols,‘’ he said.

Adewale warned that it was high time the people decided on this suggested pattern, saying that ``it will be tragic if Nigeria is allowed to remain a putative nation”.

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Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Interview ENCOUNTER WITH A NEWS MAKER SEPTEMBER 9,, 20 2012 12 1 2

Homosexuality has divided the Anglican Church –Okoh His Grace, the Most Rev. Nicholas Dikeriehi Okoh, is the Archbishop, Metropolitan and Primate of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion.

Okoh, who superintends 14 Provinces and 164 Dioceses of the communion, bares his mind to Omeiza Ajayi on the issue of state police, terrorism, homosexuality and inclusion of women in the priesthood.

Excerpts: What are you doing to curb the growing influence of homosexuals in the communion, especially in the United States of America?

The issue of homosexuality is not an Anglican affair. It is a social ill that is growing and it has been well accepted by the western society, not only by their ordinary people but by their church and by their governments. So, it is not an Anglican Church affair. The special thing about the Anglican Church and homosexuality is that we dared to raise the issue and since we raised it, it has divided our church in the sense that some are able to be categorical in their rejection of it as non-biblical, as ungodly, as a deadend to the society-that if people follow that kind of lifestyle, the society will be worse for it. And the Church of Nigeria and some African churches and also other parts of the world, including the United States, are resolute in the rejection of same-sex marriage and the homosexual lifestyle as a way for a Christian to live. We reject it because we believe that God has made adequate provision for man’s sexual needs and that the other type of arrangement is not in the interest of humanity. So, whatever the governments of the West may be teaching and advancing, and no matter how much they try to castigate others as ignorant, illiterate and whatever derogatory terms they

use, we are not bothered as a church. We believe that God has done what he should do in the best interest of man.

At the moment, we are very grateful that the Pope and the Roman Catholic Church not only in Nigeria but elsewhere in America and the United Kingdom are standing firm that the biblical and historical knowledge of marriage and family is ‘male and female’, not ‘man to man’ or ‘woman to woman.’ So, we are standing firm where we have always been on the issue of homosexuality.

Are there current efforts to bring back those that may be considered as deviants?

In the Anglican Church worldwide, that is, in the Communion, a lot of efforts have been made to try to come to agreement to get these people to change their minds. Instead, they are going further and not only that, they continue to say that those of us who believe in man-woman marriage as the norm and standard are ignorant people, while they are the wise and knowledgeable people; and they even say that they are going to use their money to make sure that we too adopt that lifestyle. I think they intend to buy loyalty, but we do not know how they intend to do it. It might be by dishing out money to churches or through another means, that those who are hungry in Af-

rica will definitely take money and follow their teaching.

But God has been very wonderful and providing for our church. We are not taking anybody’s money and we can say that like the Senate President said, we cannot take anybody’s money in order to queue behind him in what we consider as unhealthy for our society.

The late Bishop Herbert Haruna of the old Kwara Diocese was famous to have ordained some three women to the Order of Priesthood in the Communion. Are we likely to have women priests again in the future or there is still an embargo?

Foremost, the people ordained by Haruna have been de-ordained. They have been stripped of that title because it was not recognised by the Church because; the process through which he went into it was not a decision of the Church of Nigeria. It was a unilateral action and so, to that extent, the Church of Nigeria decided to reverse it and it was indeed reversed.

In 2006 in Kaduna at St. Christopher’s, we had our Standing Committee and the issue of women ordination before them was thoroughly discussed. A one-day synod was held to enlighten people about it; and many of the dioceses, women inclusive, said that they were not ready and so the motion was defeated. There and then, it was agreed that time should be given for more discussion and that the issue should be given to the dioceses to be discussed at the grassroots, to examine thoroughly the economic, social and cultural implications, theological and all-round implications of having a woman in the Anglican Priesthood. The idea is that if we are going to have a woman as a priest, we do not want to have the type of effects it has created in other places where they have had women priests. It has succeeded in dividing their church so that people will come to church and decide whether they will go to the woman priest or a man priest. We do not want that kind of effect. What we want is that if we agree that we are going to do it, then the woman priest should be recognised by everybody as having a legitimate authority to do what she is doing. There is no question CONTINUED ON PAGE 14

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Interview

Sunday, September 9, 2012

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

‘Why we halted ordination of women priests’ social contract with the government. That the government asks for power and it is given power and because it has the police, army, air force, navy and other security agencies, it should apply all these people to achieve security for Nigerians, because if it does not do so, then the government itself is called to question. If it wants the individuals to start responding, then the country will come to an end. It is better to allow the government which has the responsibility to maintain security to do it and the position of the church is that the government has the constitutional role to maintain security. The church and everybody indeed should give the government the support to achieve that. That is our position!

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 13 of queuing behind priests on the basis of sex. We want to be sure that when we do it, everybody will be carried along and a consensus is built and it will be accepted by the generality of our church people. That is where we are going and I cannot put a date on it because it is an on-going discussion and we believe that people are getting more enlightened about it and some women too are making input into the issue. Let us hope that when we do another gauge, a kind of checking, we will be able to have a consensus. If they do not accept it again, we move the goalpost further. That is where it is today.

You have so many dioceses. How do you control and sustain them?

Let me say that with our number, we have actually not over-created dioceses.

And again, it is important for the administration of the church to come to the people at the grassroots. It provides strength and helps them to mobilise for evangelism.

However, we are aware that any speed without break can lead to some danger, as a result of which the Church of Nigeria adopted a five-year moratorium on creation of new dioceses. So, since 2010, to the next five years, a moratorium is in place, which means that for the next five years, no new dioceses will be created and the purpose is not out of fear of what has been done but that those that have been created should be given opportunity to mature; to be consolidated and those that are not viable should be assisted to be viable before we think of any other steps and that is why at the moment, we try to provide funds to support weaker dioceses so that people could go and fulfil their mandate.

What is your relationship with other churches, especially the Roman Catholic Church in Nigeria?

We are very friendly. We have a Standing Commission -the Anglican/Roman Catholic Commission and very soon, we are going to meet again and we are going to be the hosts. We will meet and discuss and identify our areas of difficulty, areas of strength and also continue to discuss areas where we have difficulties and see how much understanding we can promote in that area. So, we are very friendly.

There are certain things that are taking place which one might say have actually constituted some obstacles to helping matters. This homosexual episcopacy that has been approved in some parts of the United States and other places, I think is an issue which has not been well received by the Roman Catholics. The other aspect is the issue of women bishops which is another problem that has not been ironed out. There are other issues like that but in terms of relationship, we are very friendly and they understand our difficulties as we do theirs too.

What is the position of the church on the current security challenges in the country?

Thankfully, it looks like we are beginning to receive answers from the government and from God. Our position has always been that for two considerations, the church must remain a church. One, we have not been brought up to cut people’s necks. We have not been brought up to kill people as a Christian church. Therefore, provocation or no provocation, it should not be our way of response to go out to butcher people. We have not been brought up to do that and our scripture does not authorise us to do that. And because we want to minister to people and invite them to be part of our faith, for the purpose of the Great Commission of ‘Go yea and make

Rev Okoh

IF WE NOW ASK OUR PEOPLE TO FIGHT BACK,…AND SAY, ‘IF SOMEBODY THROWS BOMBS AT YOU, DO THE SAME; IF SOMEBODY CUTS YOUR NECK, CUT HIS OWN TOO,’ THAT WOULD MEAN THAT NIGERIA HAS COME TO AN END. THERE WILL BE NO SOCIETY. THERE WILL BE A COMPLETE STOP OF LIFE AND SOCIAL ACTIVITIES disciples’, we cannot afford to take our guns, bombs or cutlasses and start slaughtering the same people that God has asked us to go and win over to be part of the church. So, that has been a very big moral hurdle for us to overcome. We have not been able to overcome it and it does not seem desirable for us to overcome it because we think it is a provocation that we have to try to endure and see how we can get over with it. The second thing is this: the consideration of the Nigerian nation.

The Christian church took active part in the political development that brought Nigeria to independence. We took active part in developing the civil service, the education sector, the health sector and so on. For us to now take our hands and start destroying the same nation that we have made immense contribution in building is something we do not want to do. It is not because we are weak or we are cowards.

Because, if we now ask our people to fight back really, and say ‘if somebody throws bombs at you, do the same; if somebody cuts your neck, cut his own too,’ that would mean that Nigeria has come to an end. There will be no society. There will be a complete stop of life and social activities. Nigeria will come to a standstill.

So, for that consideration, we feel that we should not destroy the country we have given so much and therefore, we should find other solutions. Furthermore, that if Nigeria should degenerate to that level of crisis, there is no country in the West Africa sub-region that will be able to accommodate our refugees. If you look at it, Togo or Ghana cannot. Already, we have over 2.5 million Nigerians in Ivory Coast.

So, where do we go to in the event of such a crisis? So, it is in our own interest to find a way to make peace. In fact, if any sec-

tion of the country feels that it is unable to cope with the present arrangement, we should discuss it peacefully rather than go to war to achieve that. It is not desirable for us to go to war to achieve that kind of arrangement if we want to have a different arrangement from the present, one Nigeria. So, we feel that nobody should fight anybody. Dialogue can solve the problem.

Midwest region was created through politics and today, some groups are even asking for the creation of more states. So, if any section of the country feels so aggrieved that it cannot belong to this kind of thing, it should set in motion, a normal process that will make people to say they have a very strong reason. They should present a superior argument. If they have a superior argument, then they should be given what they want. But to go to war is ill-advised.

We will hesitate to say do away with Nigeria as it is today. If Nigeria fails, Boko Haram itself will regret it. The sect is able to operate because it has a national platform. If there is no nation, a fugitive in another country cannot do what they are doing. It is more or less biting the finger that is feeding it. We do not want to destroy Nigeria and we do not want to encourage any section to destroy Nigeria because if you do not know the value of a country, think of other people who have no country of their own, then you will know that it is a great asset to have a country where you have an identity card and where you are free to engage in business without feeling threatened. For the sake of that, we are not encouraging anybody to take up arms.

What we are encouraging people to do and what we insist on is that security is a constitutional issue. A very important aspect of the constitution and an element of the

Do you see the establishment of a state police as a way out of the conundrum?

Policing is a local affair. It is not as if the people who are opposed to it do not know that. What they are saying is that we tried it before and it was abused and that because of that abuse, it would appear as if we have not grown enough to practise it. I do not have the facts and figures to be able to say we have not arrived at that level but I know that we have tried our democracy severally and if we keep trying, some of these excesses would become a thing of the past. If we have had up to five times of democratic change-over(as we already have three now), I believe that we will be growing more mature and these fears that we are entertaining should give way because you do not know how to do until you start doing. Since practice makes perfect, you have to continue to practise to see the areas of differences. I believe that some of these weaknesses can be taken care of by constitutional amendment. In fact, in some countries, you have not only the federal police, you have state and local police and even city police. These are as effective as the federal police and in a way, it can help the country and also lessen the stress for the Federal Government. At the moment, it is a lot of task for the president attending to what is happening in Lagos, Maiduguri, Calabar and so on. No matter the intelligence and the super-structure put in place to help him, I believe that it could be done if there is a serious decentralisation. The regions of old function very well and I believe that if we grow and we are able to reassure ourselves, some of these fears, not only in the area of state police, will be ended. When you talk of thorough federalism, everybody is on the edge. But a system that gathers every month to divide money cannot make progress because it encourages a lot of laziness and that is why people are demanding for states not because of what they intend to bring to develop the country but what they intend to share. If we do not change this system of sharing and sharing always, in the next 50 years, development will be very difficult because people will go to sleep and wait for allocation.

By the time you will be retiring, what would you like to be remembered for?

First, I will be grateful to God for giving me the privilege to finish my term in good health. I will like to be remembered as one who has followed in the footsteps of our former Christian leaders; who has contributed to the spiritual development of the Anglican Church and who has contributed to maintaining the stand on what is biblically, accepted and for helping to spread the gospel beyond where we are now, to reach every nook and cranny of the church. I will like to be remembered as a servant of God. My joy will be to be referred to as a man of God.

15

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Politics PROVIDING FRESH PERSPECTIVES TO ISSUES

P. 40

SEPTEMBER 9, 2012

“AWOLOWO IS THE ONLY FORMER NIGERIAN LEADER WHOSE NAME HAS REPEATEDLY OPENED AND CLOSED

Kwara ACN, PDP in war of words P. 16

DOORS IN THE POLITICAL FIRMAMENT, EVEN AFTER A QUARTER OF A CENTURY OF HIS TRANSITION TO THE GREAT BEYOND”

–AYO OPADOKUN

2015

Can PDM make the difference?

The late Shehu Musa Yar’Adua

Alhaji Atiku Abubakar

The People’s Democratic Movement (PDM), a political platform formed by the late Shehu Musa Yar’Adua had before this dispensation dominated the nation’s political landscape. Even after the death of its founder, the group’s influence still cuts across political divides.

However, its influence over time waned, until recently when some remnants of the PDM regrouped in an attempt to resuscitate it, particularly as the 2015 general election approaches. Obiora Ifoh takes a look at the current moves and its implications.

The formation of the PDM The Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM) is the political machinery set up by the late General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua to realise his presidential ambition, when the People’s Front (PF), a party he floated was not registered by the then National Electoral Commission (NEC) under the chairmanship of Professor Humphrey Nwosu. PF died a natural death with the coming to being of the National Republican Convention (NRC) and the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

It was eventually on the platform of the SDP that Yar’Adua contested and won the ticket of the SDP as its presidential standard-bearer before it was annulled along with that of NRC, where Alhaji Adamu Ciroma defeated Umaru Shinkafi. The two presidential flag-bearers of the parties never participated in the 1992 general election as the electoral body disqualified them, which later led to the emergence of

Chief MKO Abiola and Othman Bashir Tofa of SDP and NRC respectively.

However, after the death of Musa Yar’Adua when he was later incarcerated by the military regime of the late General Sani Abacha, the PDM continued to dictate the pace in political alignment and had remained the seen-hand in the emergence of most governments in Nigeria until recently.

PDM after the death of Yar’Adua In 1993, Alhaji Atiku Abubarkar assumed the leadership of the PDM with the assistance of Chief Tony Anenih. Atiku’s emergence brought the necessary tonic needed to expand the scope of the power bloc. Prominent among the members include Chief Sunday Afolabi, Alhaji Lawal Kaita, Alhaji Ango Abdullahi, Mrs. Titi Ajanaku, Dubem Onyia, and Chief Yomi Edu, among others.

At the formation of the Abacha’s ‘five

We asked teachers to sit for exams to raise standards –Ekiti Speaker

leprous parties’, majority of the members of the PDM aligned themselves with the United Nigeria Congress Party, UNCP which was the foremost political party at that time. Though, most other parties have endorsed General Abacha as the consensus presidential candidate for the proposed election, most members of the PDM stayed out of the arrangement.

On the midnight of January 20, 1998 at the Kaduna residence of Alhaji Abubakar Rimi, seven men of like mind came together to ponder on the political situation of Nigeria. This was because of the increasing grip of the political space by the military junta led by General Sani Abacha who was on the verge of transmuting to a civilian president through every other means. But in spite of the threat by the State Security Service, this group of seven men, G7, met and resolved that dictatorship of any kind should not be given a chance in Nigeria again. One of these men was Alhaji Lawal Kaita, who represented the PDM. After the formation of G34, the passing on of General Abacha and the enthronement of General Abdulsalam Abubarkar, the reality of democracy was very imminent as the new government then demonstrated its desire to re-launch civil authority through various steps, aimed at restoring democratic tissues.

However, the first major step towards a transformation of the G.34 into a political party started on July 28, 1998 when the group met and decided to form a broadbased, all-inclusive and national party.

Some of the groups present at that historic meeting were the PDM, All Nigerians ConCONTINUED ON PAGE 41

Briefly Fashola appoints two new permsecs, others Lagos State Governor, Mr Babatunde Fashola, has approved the appointment of Mrs Ganiyat Afun and Dr Francis Williams, as Acting Permanent Secretaries in the Lagos State Public Service.

The appointment of the two secretaries took effect from July 2, and September 3, respectively.

Afun, until her appointment, was the Director, Conservation and Ecology and she is to oversee the Office of the Environmental Services in the Ministry of the Environment.

Williams was the Chief Medical Director, Ebute Metta Health Centre and has not been assigned any portfolio.

The appointments were contained in a circular issued on Friday by Mr Adesegun Ogunlewe, Head of Service of the state Also approved is the appointment of Mr Olorunjuwon Agbenla, as acting SurveyorGeneral of the state with effect from June.

Other heads whose appointment had been approved include Mr Akinkunmi Onimole, General Manager, Lagos State Public Procurement Agency; Mrs Tanwa Koya, Executive Secretary, Lagos State Water Regulatory Commission and Mr Olukunle David-Sotade, General Manager, Lagos State Parks and Gardens Agency.

Others are Mr Aderoju Adepoju, Acting General Manager, Lagos State Radio Service; and Mr Babatunde Williams, Managing Director, Lagos State Ferry Services Company.

Dr Tijani Awelenje is confirmed General Manager, Lagos State Office of Disability Affairs, while Mrs Kafayat Animashaun-Odunayo becomes General Manger, Lagos State Building Control Agency.

Similarly, Ms Adenike Akanbi has been confirmed as Acting General Manager, Lagos Infrastructure Asset Management Agency with effect from July 30.

PDP lauds ruling on Oguta constituency seat tussle

Chief Austin Akobundu, the vice chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), South-East zone, said the party was happy with the Orlu High Court ruling on Oguta constituency seat tussle.

He said the decision of the court to strike out the case restraining the Speaker of Imo House of Assembly, Mr Ben Uwajidgmogu, from swearing in the member-elect, Chief Eugene Dibiagwu, of the PDP, was apt.

Akobundu in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Umuahia yesterday, said the ruling had vindicated the party and affirmed the belief of Nigerians in the judiciary.

He also commended the maturity exhibited by the Oguta people during the crisis, describing them as peace-loving and worthy of emulation.

“I want to thank the judiciary for standing up for the truth,”’, he stated.

Akobundu urged the party’s supporters in Imo to be steadfast, responsible and law abiding.

According to him, the party is making strategies to win the 2015 governorship election in the state.

He called on the Speaker of the state assembly to respect the ruling of the court by swearing-in Dibiagwu.

16

Politics

Sunday, September 9, 2012

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

WOLE ADEDEJI ILORIN

T

he eight-year rule of Dr. Bukola Saraki, son of the strongman of politics in Kwara State as governor, no doubt leaves an indelible mark of physical developments. Starting from the renovation of the state stadium to an international standard to the founding of Aviation College, the building of Ilorin international Airport Terminal House, the Cargo Building, Zimbabwean Commercial Farms in Shonga and many more, the medical doctor, who is never known to have ever practised, can boldly show these as legacies to dwarf his predecessors in office. But of late, the accolade that he got barely a year ago after leaving office has evaporated as the people are now singing a different tune. The people that sang hosanna at the time are now shouting, crucify him.

If anything, the senator now representing the Kwara Central District, strangely, did not attend this year’s Eid-el-fitri prayers in Ilorin, likewise his father who understandably is old and weak for the stress of long journeys and rigours. It was said that the people are simply angry with Bukola over his alleged meddling in the affairs of the state and particularly the finances of the incumbent government. He is being accused of being the brain behind the plight of the state workers who of late are not paid their salaries and denied promotions since his tenure.

Besides, the former governor is widely believed to be the one that instigated some policies that the people consider unpopular. In particular are the land acquisition, otherwise called urbanization policy; his use of government apparatus, even when he is no longer in office and alleged making policy statements of the present regime, including his wife.

The people in the Southern District of the state are unhappy with the senator who is the ‘leader’ and kingmaker in place of his father. Their grouse, according to findings by Sunday Mirror, is that Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed from Share in Ifelodun council of the state is spending the slot of the Kwara South Senatorial District while Saraki who had spent eight years, in addition to the earlier four spent by the late governor, Mohammed Lawal, had used the slot of the Central District. The aggrieved Kwarans believe that the credit or otherwise of the present regime should therefore be left to Ahmed alone who in the end would account for what he did with their slot.

The cold feeling and build-up anger is however engaging the close aides and protege of the senator, each employing strategies and programmes in their kitty to do an image laundering for their master.

In the few weeks after the Ramadan, this class of loyalists has been involved in initiating and sponsoring programmes on radio and television to highlight achievements of the ‘leader’ in a manner that makes observers to wonder the purpose these are meant o serve. Is it to possibly prepare a friendly atmosphere to make Saraki junior arrive home any time he chooses to do so into the welcome hands of the people, they wonder.

An opinion analyst who asked for anonymity told Sunday Mirror that it would be better Senator Saraki learnt from history of what became the fate of godfather and godsons in the political history of the state. He cited what he called sad instances of Adamu Atta and his father (Bukola’s father) as well as the one between his father as well and the late Governor Mohammed Lawal. The two ‘war’ episodes were indeed bloody.

“It is strange that the ngovernor is saying as we read in the press that there is fight between him and Bukola Saraki when we were not told in the first place that there was one. At any rate, the way Bukola carries himself as if he is still in power portends a possible feud later. How soon that will be depends on the endurance of the present governor but that is to say that Dr. Bukola Saraki should let the poor man be fully in charge. It is only fair that way. After all, Bukola himself defied the dictation of his own father; it is only fair that he should steer clear as much as possible. He is doing it too glaringly and it is unfair”.

Meanwhile, the opposition posture of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and the ruling party, the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) reactions to it took an interesting turn during the current long break by school children. While the ACN looks like wanting to position itself as the alternative party to the PDP in the state, to form a government by organising programmes that can entice the people, the ruling PDP also is trying to suppress the idea by the use of the machinery at its disposal, including government. That was what happened last June when a free coaching class programme for secondary school students across the state that was sponsored by Mr. Dele Belgore (SAN), the ACN governorship candidate in April last year, was allegedly halted by the Ministry of Education. The state chairman of the party, Mr, Kayode Olawepo, was the first to condemn the action of the ministry. According to him, the action was “repressive, anti-people and short-sighted, the decision of the PDP-led state government to stop the free holiday classes”. The state government was not to be outdone. It countered, saying: “The promoters of the exercise” did not adhere to laid down rules”. Olawepo had said the action of the government “has further plunged its rating to a record low among the masses who are the beneficiaries of the gesture. What this disgraceful,

Mohammed Dele Belgore

Bukola Saraki

Kwara ACN, PDP in war of words

•Over Saraki’s factor, and holiday coaching for short-sighted and repressive act shows is that the government is not interested in the empowerment or development of its youth, but only interested in saving its own skin.”

He added: “We have read the lame excuse the PDP government gave to justify what public reactions have shown to be reactionary behaviour of this government. How low is this government prepared to go in the name of politics by attacking MDB volunteers and threatening schools that provide their facilities? The effort by MDB, Belgore said, is not intended and cannot replace the educational facilities provided by the state. What he is doing is granting additional support through extra lessons for JAMB, etc and in the areas of IT. As a matter of fact, the government should encourage private individuals and institutions who help in doing this. Nothing, and we repeat, nothing should get in the way of uplifting our youths educationally. No right-thinking government that is concerned about the future of its youths would seek to hinder an educational opportunity for its youths. This should be number one priority for any right-thinking government, unless you are the Kwara State Government which has clearly shown that the future of its youths should be compromised in the name of politics,” he had fired back.

However, the state government in a reaction by the Senior Special Assistant to Governor AbulFatah Ahmed, Dr Femi Akorede, stated that the “permission to hold the free lessons should have been sought from the Ministry of Education and Human Capital Development rather than from school principals. “This is because government’s laudable education reforms are based on ensuring high standards of teaching for pupils and students. The ministry screens such initiatives to ensure compliance with set standards. Sadly, the ACN candidate failed to follow procedure, hence government’s cancellation of the scheme.”

An ACN member in the House of Assembly, Alhaji Hassan Oyeleke, representing Essa/Shawo/Igbodun Constituency of Offa, Hassan Oyeleke, in his own reaction, said the decision of the state government to stop the free holiday classes for secondary school students was “myopic or parochial”. He had said: “The governorship candidate of the ACN in the 2011 election, Mohammed Dele Belgore is sponsoring the free holiday classes and state government instructed its secondary school principals not to allow their premises to be used for the programme”. The ACN legislator, who is the House Committee Chairman, Public Accounts had said that the Kwara government’s reason for stopping Belgore’s holiday coaching for secondary school students in the state was political.

“If so, my view is that the step is myopic or parochial. If anybody is making an effort to improve on the dismal performance of secondary school students at both WAEC and NECO exams,

that person should be encouraged and suppo to produce well grounded students to enabl sion to higher institutions.

“If the reason for stopping him is to s points, I want to say that the state governm It will bounce back because the students wh facility will not be happy with that type of go All hands, he advised, should be on deck to mances of these students, and helping hand aged.

“Notwithstanding, I urge MDB not to b shows his concern to the educational syst The action does not show it emanated from a broad mind to issues. All right-thinking pe ways of improving students’ performances tions. I abhor that kind of policy. That is no the state government should practise. I appe for alternative venues for the coaching to c the action is myopic is that the students are become the Action Congress of Nigeria mem will not even vote for the party, but in rende community, politics should be out of it. I di sion process does not consider students’ pa non discriminatory.

“I am sure by my training as a teacher, tha tional tutorial will have a spiral effect on the of the students. So anything that will bring tion, any right-thinking person should oppos if by tomorrow, I as an ACN member wants cal government, that means the same action me. I want to ask too that, if Belgore decides to students, are they going to stop him? Wh are not giving scholarships? Whatever reaso in stopping this is parochial, counter-produc in futility by implications,” he said However, Belgore, had said that the state g apologise to the thousands of potential benef cated free holiday coaching rather than con and contradictory excuses”.

He insisted that permission was sought an concerned head teachers before the scheme to what he said was a “contradictory and la the state government. He said the governme only giving face-saving, yet contradictory ex promised that since government had refus used, he would make use of private facilitie the people who had seen the initiative as a w

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

17

Sunday, September 9, 2012

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

LANRE OYETADE

GENERAL EDITOR

DOZIE OKEBALAMA

COORDINATOR, EDITORIAL BOARD

ADESOYE ADEKOYA

CONTROLLER, PRODUCTION

ISE-OLUWA IGE

ABUJA BUREAU CHIEF

KAYODE BALOGUN JNR

SM, STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT

CALLISTUS OKE

EDITORIAL PAGE EDITOR

FRANK OBOH

HEAD, GRAPHICS

The abuse and killing of Cynthia Osokogu

T

he ripples of the ugly incident of Tuesday August 21, 2012 in which Cynthia Osokogu was coned, raped and brutally murdered by a gang of fraudsters are still ruling social discourse across the country. Cynthia, 23 years of age and daughter of Major-General Frank Osokogu (rtd), was a postgraduate student of Nasarawa State University, model and business woman who dealt in boutique materials. She had met her assailants on the Facebook, a social network platform where people of all sexes and backgrounds meet and bond, buy, sell and related transactions.

The purported friends, unknown to her, were heartless fraudsters who con women, strip them of cash, rape and even kill as was witnessed in the case of Cynthia who happened to be their 5th victim. The beauty products dealer had left her school and parents in the North and had visited her Lagosbased Facebook ‘business partners’ who probably promised her mouthwatering consignments. Cynthia innocently walked into their booby trap in a Lagos hotel and by the time the deal was over, it was her abused, abandoned dead body that was left in the hotel room.

Evidence gathered from the scene by the police indicated that Cynthia was not only lured from her base to Lagos to be dispossessed of her money and other valuables; but that she was, in addition, viciously brutalised and forced to submit to the bestial sexual desires of her captors before they eventually clubbed her to death. Why she was murdered is still being debated, and at best, remains intriguing as the exceptionally cruel act would require high level police inquest, which may be underway with the recent arrest of the two principal suspects and two other accomplices; and their arraignment in court.

The identities of the four suspects who recently appeared before a Yaba

magistrate’s court were given as Okwumo Echezona (33), Ezike Olisaeloka (23), Orji Osita (32), and Maduakor Chukwunonso (25). They were arraigned on an eight-count charge of conspiracy, administration of obnoxious substance, robbery and murder.

In the evidence given by the prosecutor, Chukwu Agwu, a Police Superintendent and Head of the Legal Department of the State Criminal Investigation Department in Panti, Lagos, the accused administered on their victim a deadly sedative drug called Rohypnol Flunitrozepam purchased from their pharmacist accomplices in FESTAC. Not surprisingly, the murder of Cynthia has triggered a flurry of reactions on the good sides as well as the inherent risks in being glued to the social media. Some have called for its regulation locally and internationally while some dozens of extremists canvass its total ban. Yet, it can hardly be disputed that notwithstanding the escapades of the criminally minded and internet fraudsters, the social media has come to stay as a veritable means of cheap information and knowledge worldwide. Therefore, totally or even partially restraining its use seems a weird dream. Like a supermarket, those who make use of the social media have a wide range of wares to choose from - the good, the bad or the ugly. Those who often emerge as victims of criminals and crooks on the internet become prey mostly out of desperation, curiosity and unrestrained excitement manifestly reflected in the belief that everything that glitters is gold, naivety and senseless trust, as well as the get-rich-quick syndrome, just to mention a few. For these reasons, many in search of life partners, especially desperate ladies in search of husbands, have been duped. Like-

wise those in search of quick wealth.

Perhaps, what seems most worrisome is the fact that the nation’s youths devote more quality time in search of frivolities, especially pornography and sex-related adventures on the internet to the detriment of their academic or other activities. This has been fingered by experts as one of the major reasons students register mass failures, especially at the secondary and tertiary levels of the educational system. Even some young parents may be linked with irresponsible attachment to the social media.

The loss of Cynthia is really tragic, but perhaps more fatal are the roles played by the family and the nation in breeding conscienceless criminals and deviants. The worship for money and wealth even if extracted from the devil’s mouth now outshines good morals, love for one another and, most importantly, the fear of God; and redressing the moral and spiritual decay in the land seems the foremost challenge that parents, families and the nation at large must face to make respite possible.

The good and bad potentials of the social media are unquantifiable.

Parents especially should warn their children on the inherent dangers. For, curiosity, when taken to the extreme, kills the cat. What one sows into the social media – the nature and quality of links and transactions, for example – is what one reaps. Cynthia has gone in a manner most painful. This is no time for buck passing or apportioning blame. Like Cynthia’ father has said, let her death serve as a lesson for other people, especially students and youths who have been enslaved by the social media. Besides, public expectation seems high that the judiciary would hastily bring the culprits to justice and not fail the nation as usual.

Reminiscences SEPTEMBER 9 IN HISTORY 1945: Harvard faculty discovers computer bug First bug was discovered in computer software program when operators at the Harvard Faculty at the Computation Laboratory traced an error in the Mark II Computer to a moth trapped in a relay, coining the term bug. This bug was carefully removed and taped to the log book.

1954: Earthquake strikes Algeria A powerful 6.8 magnitude earthquake struck Orleansville, Algeria killing 1,600 people.

1960: Hurricane Donna approaches Florida Hurricane Donna approached Miami and Fort Lauderdale in Florida. The hurricane was over 200 miles wide and was believed to be one of the strongest and most destructive hurricanes at the time.

1976: China’s Mao Zedong dies Chairman Mao Zedong, the Chinese revolutionary and statesman, died in Beijing at the age of 82.

1985: Reagan reverses sanction on South Africa American President, Ronald Reagan, reversed his earlier stance on South Africa and agreed to limited sanctions.

1990: Samuel Doe beaten to death President of Liberia since July 25, 1984, Samuel Kanyon Doe, was beaten to death.

2007: Federer wins fourth US Open Swiss tennis star, Roger Federer, won his fourth consecutive title in the US Open as he beat Novak Djokovic, 6-4.

2010: Boko Haram frees 721 inmates In Bauchi, northern Nigeria, an Islamist militant group named Boko Haram raided a prison and freed 721 inmates.

2011: Australopithecus sediba skeletons found in South Africa In South Africa, scientists found Australopithecus sediba skeletons which were two million years old, suggesting that the hominid species could be a transitional fossil between apes and humans.

18

Opinion

Sunday September 9, 2012

Uncensored U nc

Sheriff S Folarin

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

H

istory will be made this week at Covenant University (CU) as it becomes the first private institution in the country to host the Fulbright Alumni Association of Nigeria (FAAN) Conference. The 11th Annual Conference (September 10-13), which will be exploring the theme, Multiculturalism, Citizenship and National Integration in Nigeria: Challenges and Prospects will commence with a Roundtable on National Security and the Future of Democracy in Nigeria, which will be chaired by the Executive Governor of Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun. Professor Kayode Soremekun, the Dean of the College of Development Studies at Covenant University will moderate the session, which will be graced by the United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Terrence McCulley, a former National Economic Society of Nigeria and Professor at Covenant University, S.K. Adeyemi, one of the oldest Fulbright scholars in Nigeria who is also a Professor at Covenant University, A. Ogundipe, as well as the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Professor Charles Ogbulogo and the Registrar of the institution, Dr. J.N. Taiwo, in attendance. Other intellectuals for the Roundtable are Professor Habu Mohammed of Bayero University, Kano, Professor Sati Fawshak of the University of Jos, Pro-

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Nigerian Fulbright scholars and their quest for national security

fessor Eucharia Nwagbara and Professor Eddie Iragbe.

FAAN is a professional association of all Nigerian academics and other professionals sponsored at different times, to the United States by the Public Affairs Section of the United States Embassy for on Fellowships in different fields of human endeavour. The scholars or fellows have, at one time or the other, since the inception of the Fulbright Fellowship Grants in 1946, been sponsored to embark on academic and professional training in the US for a specified period of time.

The Fulbright Programme itself was established under legislation introduced by the late Senator J. William Fulbright of Arkansas, US. According to the Council for International Exchange of Scholars, the programme is the flagship international educational exchange program sponsored by the U.S. Government and is designed to “increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries.”

The programme is today overseen and sponsored by the US Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. So far, there are over 300, 000 Fulbright scholars all over the world, with Nigeria contributing over 3,000 of that number. This is aside other Fulbright-related programmes and fellowships not directly under the Fulbright Commission. Such scholars worldwide come under the broad banner of State Alumni, from which the Fulbright Alumni Association, a most formidable association, sprang up. The Nigerian State and Fulbright alumni are all over the country and in all sectors of the economy.

They, under the aegis of the FAAN, will be in Covenant University for four (4) days to brainstorm and propose new courses for national development.

The issue of national security has been a turbulent one. It has in the last two years manifested in uncontrolled ritual murders, abductions of expatriates and highly placed Nigerians, increased rates of violent robberies, and domestic terrorism, with the rampaging Northern Islamist group, Boko Haram, creating the worst security issue in history of the country. There can therefore be no better time for the US-trained eggheads to chart a new course than now, after all, Martin Luther King (Jr.) once charged, “the ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands in times of conflict and controversy”. FAAN can join issues with forward-looking groups and individuals in the country to find ways of taking Nigeria out of this social sludge.

The choice of Covenant University for such a theme and pattern of debate blends with the vision and mandate of the 10-year old institution. The university was founded to raise a new generation of leaders who will begin to think and act differently with the view to providing solutions to the plethora of human and societal problems. The mandate was berthed on the deep philosophical platform of raising the dignity of the black man in particular. It is part of the Liberation Mandate handed down in 1981, to the founder and Chancellor, Dr. David Oyedepo.

It is no surprise therefore that the

institution is at the very centre of seeking solutions and has become the numero uno in a number of developments in our land. Aside being rated on a number of occasions among the best five universities in Nigeria, it is the most subscribed by university applicants as well as the foremost ICT-driven university in the country.

It is the second institution and the first in Africa to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the United Nations Habitat on global environmental sustainability, and became the first private institution to host the Conference of the Association of Vice Chancellors in Nigeria (AVCNU) under the able supervision of its female Vice Chancellor, Professor Aize Obayan, who is also the first female VC in private universities and the third female VC ever in Nigerian universities.

The 11th FAAN Conference will be a most challenging endeavour for the Fulbrighters, from whom there are huge expectations from the Nigerian and United States governments, especially at times like this when the chips are down for the nation. What have these scholars got to offer given their experience in the US? Are they coming up with something different from the norm in the land? Or are they going to simply repackage what has become the norm? Fulbright and State Alumni are expected to return home from the US and develop their native land. So, are we set for this? FAAN and CU will determine this in four days.

•Dr. Folarin is the Chairman, Local Organising Committee of the 11th Fulbright Alumni Conference.

Nigeria and the future of the minorities LEONARD SHILGBA

A

ccording to Wikipedia, “Southern Nigeria was a British protectorate in the coastal areas of modern-day Nigeria, formed in 1900 from union of the Niger Coast Protectorate with territories chartered by the Royal Niger Company below Lokoja on the Niger River. The Lagos colony was added in 1906, and the territory was officially renamed the Colony and Protectorate of Southern Nigeria. In 1914, Southern Nigeria was joined with Northern Nigeria Protectorate to form the single colony of Nigeria. The unification was done for economic reasons rather than political — Northern Nigeria Protectorate had a budget deficit; and the colonial administration sought to use the budget surpluses in Southern Nigeria to offset this deficit.”

Nigeria was not designed to become a nation; she was designed for mundane materialism. Although some efforts were made in 1963 by Nigerian nationalists to build a nation, this attempt was frustrated just three years after. Since then, Nigeria has only known persistent invasion by greedy people and corporate bodies that only exploit Nigeria for their gain. How many of the people that hold political power in Nigeria truly care about good governance?

The sustained policy to corruptly appropriate and sabotage what is for public benefit is a deliberate one that cannot be overcome except through a sovereign national conference whose outcome shall be owned by all Nigerians, whose benefit shall be shared by all Nigerians, and whose liabilities shall be

offset by public will.

The British defined the Northern Protectorate as consisting of the “pagans and Mohamedan states”. The Mohamedan states in reference were the Sokoto and Borno Empires. The British referred to non-Muslims in the Northern Protectorate as “Pagans”, whom they subjugated to the Mohamedans (Muslims). According to OmoOmoniyi, the British never conceived of a situation whereby the “beautiful dancers of the pagans” (mainly, the Middle Belt people) would aspire to equal social status with the Mohamedan states. The amalgamation of 1914 was a forced marriage between the “well behaved youth of the North and the Southern lady of means.” The marriage was for the economic benefit and survival of the North (Original Nigerians) Those facts of history reveal that the unilateral amalgamation of Northern Protectorate (Nigeria) and the Southern Protectorate, which Northern emirs had foreknowledge of, was subjugation of the people of the south to Nigeria. The southerners are adopted Nigerians whose livelihood should be at the mercy and generosity of the true Nigerians. Since the amalgamation was for economic reasons, in favour of the Northern Protectorate, any economic arrangement that seeks to place the resources of the southern Nigerians under their control is and shall be vehemently resisted by the Northerners. To them, whether openly confessed or not, the basis of oneness of Nigeria is vitiated by such arrangements. Accordingly, the unity of Nigeria to a northerner means continued injustice through control of other people’s

resources. This attitude frustrates Nigeria’s evolvement into a nation.

The Middle Belt people were supposed to be the slaves of the Mohamedan states (the British-created custodians of political power; and when you have political power, you also wrest economic power).

So, although Middle Belters are original Nigerians, in the view of the British, we are nonetheless second-class Nigerians. And the Southern lady of means must service the greed and pleasure of the Master of Nigeria (The princes and princesses of Sokoto and Borno empires). The princes and princesses of the North can settle and claim any place they choose in the presently recognized Nigeria (their gift from the British), and can even create their emirates in those places; neither the Middle Belters nor the Southerners can afford to do same.

The matter becomes a bit confusing to those who do not understand the four major divisions in the North—The Royal North (princes and princesses of the Sokoto Caliphate and Bornu empire, their adopted inlaws, and some who have migrated widely.

My father, a historian, wrote his college thesis on Katsina-Ala in Benue state, which was founded by a prince who left Katsina in the North to settle on the banks of River Katsina-Ala); the Talakawas (commoners), who were direct subjects of the princes of the North in their Mohamedan states before the British came (and the British did not tamper with this arrangement); the “beautiful dancers of the pagans” (The Middle Belt people who had successfully resisted the Islamic jihadists); and the present MuslimChristian divide.

Those opposed to convocation of a sovereign national conference to resolve issues about Nigeria shall avoidably bring doom on the country. Probably, this will be a blessing for the Southern lady of means, who shall then take back control of her resources. But the Royal North shall come out in a terribly bad shape. We must talk; we must discuss Nigeria at a sovereign national conference. Those who claim that the national assembly can resolve contradictions about Nigeria, some of which have been revealed so far, are either unaware of the dangerous situation about Nigeria or are simply disingenuous. The national assembly has not been able to resolve the injustice in local government creation with its attendant fiscal implication for states in Nigeria, talk less of more fundamental issues such as fiscal federalism and elimination of wastes in our finances. Can the national assembly scrap the senate, for instance? Can the national assembly reduce the number of states and make legislation that shall remove all the clogs imposed by the exclusive legislative list in the constitution in order to encourage financial autonomy for the states? Sovereign national conference in a democracy is not a strange phenomenon as some have alleged. Those who are making strange noises against it and calling advocates of the conference mischief makers are only jittery, knowing that the unjust oppression of the majority shall come to an end thereby.

•Professor Shilgba is Chair, Curriculum Committee, School of Arts and Sciences, American University of Nigeria, Yola, Adamawa State.

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Applause LIFESTYLE, FASHION & ENTERTAINMENT

My marriage will be a success, I have no fears –Uduak Akrah SEPTEMBER 9, 2012

Uduak Akrah is one Nollywood star who is doing well in the industry. This Creative Arts graduate of the University of Lagos is also an event planner. In this interview with Adaeze Amos, she states unambiguously that she nurses no fears about what marriage would have in store for her when she eventually gets married, among other issues.

What motivated you into acting?

Watching movies, seeing other actors and actresses doing different things excited me. I was always looking forward to it. I wanted to be like one of those people someday.

From secondary school, I noticed that I liked acting and everything that had to do with it.

Were you acting in secondary school?

Not really, because I was a bit shy. But I was singing when I was in school. Till date I love to sing. I’m in my church choir.

Are you thinking of releasing an album as most of your colleagues are doing?

Not really! That’s not in my mind right now.

Haven’t some roles you’ve interpreted run contrary to your faith?

Acting is all about make-believe and it is my job. If I’m given a role, it’s my duty to bring it out perfectly and convince the audience. It’s just the way a banker or a lawyer is doing his job that I’m also doing mine. It doesn’t have anything to do with the real me or my faith.

Can you take up roles that would do with nudity?

Never! Because I think if I want to pass any message across, I can do that without necessarily going nude. When you expose your body, what message are you passing across?

Even if the person is a prostitute, does it mean you have to see the person naked before you can pass the message that the fellow is a prostitute? I don’t need to go nude to pass the message.

Our society doesn’t permit that. So, it’s not fashionable to act nude. You only make fool of yourself if you do that.

Some have said if the pay is good, why not?

I won’t do that o! I’m an actress with a difference. I have reservations and for the fact that I’m acting doesn’t mean I should go crazy. For me, I cannot. Well, people have guts. They can do some things. ‘My own guts never ‘reach that level o!’

I’m not that kind of a person and, again, my faith wouldn’t permit me to do it. In fact, I won’t even think of it because my body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. So, why would I expose it to the world? My body is meant for my husband.

How about romance roles?

Well, to an extent. I can’t go all the way. As I said I have reservations.

Don’t you think that is why you don’t get so many roles?

Yeah, you are right because I’m not crazy about stardom. I just love what I’m doing. I even prefer to act on stage. I love being on stage a lot because that was how I started. Stage acting is even more difficult. That is when you know the real professional.

What makes your day?

‘I LOVE LOOKING HOT AND CLASSY’

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Listening to music, worshipping God make me happy.

When you want to unwind, what do you do?

I go out, watch movies, hang out with friends and catch a drink somewhere.

Do you take alcohol?

No, but I could take red wine. It shouldn’t be too alcoholic because I don’t like anything that makes me tipsy. I just stick to what I can stand.

What about smoking?

No, I don’t. I tried it once in one role I took up but it wasn’t working so, they yanked it off. That was some years back. The director didn’t insist; if he had, I would have done it better. I don’t think it was necessary for that particular role, if it was, I would have tried to bring it out well.

What is that habit you have been praying in your closet to change?

I don’t have any habit at all.

You mean you don’t just have one?

Well, since you insist, the only habit I used to have was shouting whenever I was upset. I would shout loud because I believed that was the only way I could express myself. Even when people reminded me to calm down, I would say no, leave me alone so as to show the person how upset I CONTINUED ON PAGE 20

MY HEIGHT HAS REALLY BEEN A CHALLENGE TO ME –MISS OODUA

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Applause

Sunday, September 9, 2012

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

‘I love looking hot and classy’ Although stunning Nsa Ntuk was born and raised in California, United States of America, she proudly claims her Akwa Ibom roots. In this interview with Angela Davies, this Nigerian-American actress and MTN Ambassador, reveals that her pride for being Nigerian and her interest in Nollywood guided her back home.

Could you tell us briefly about yourself?

I grew up in California but I am proud to be a Nigerian. I am very proud of Akwa Ibom my state and I represent it everywhere I go. I am an actress based in Hollywood, California. Behind the scene, I am a writer and producer and I am a graduate of the University of California.

What movie(s) have you written and produced?

Well, I wrote and produced the web series Afro-Arabian Nights in 2010. But I have featured in movies like Beautiful Soul, She’s Got It Like That, Last Dance, and others.

How was growing up like?

Wow! Growing up was wonderful. I am the youngest of five children so I got to see all my brothers and sisters living life, making mistakes and making success.

I learnt from them. I learnt how to fight to survive even from my big brothers.

If I do not act fast, they will eat my food (laughs). I have to defend my territory being the youngest.

Why did you return to the country?

I told myself it is time to come home. I see myself as being a bridge between Hollywood and Nollywood. As my career entered new heights in Hollywood, it’s a perfect time to make a statement that I am proudly Nigerian. Summarily, I will say my pride for being Nigerian and my interest in Nollywood has guided me back home.

Your parents must have told you how they met. Can you share it with us?

My parents met while my mother was in the Peace Corps in Calabar, at the time my father was teaching alongside her at a Catholic secondary school. One of the nuns at the school noticed the interest between them and insisted that they share a desk to subtly encourage their relationship. After a visit to meet the family in Akwa Ibom, they got the family’s blessings. Later my father went to the United States to attend college and extended the Ntuk’s family there.

You look hot in your outfit. Can you define your style?

I love looking hot and classy. I wear whatever I feel good and comfortable in. Sometimes, I love to experiment with outfits in different colours which I call my power colours; it changes from time to time. For example, if I try on a blue dress today and it looks good on me, that will be my power. It could be orange colour tomorrow.

What kind of outfits do you love to wear?

I love to wear combinations to surprise people because when I show up at an event in my traditional outfits, I want people to ask, where did you CONTINUED FROM PAGE 19 was. A lot of my friends were complaining because of the way I used to shout whenever I was upset. But after a while, I had to start working on it. I think now, I’m getting better.

What was childhood like? Were you born with a silver spoon?

I was born into a normal average home but I had the best in terms of schools and toys. I attended a federal school in Gboko and you know federal schools were really the best then. I lost my mum while I was in secondary school. That motivated me to give my life to Christ. Having a relationship with God made it easier for me to get over that shocking experience. It made me a better person too.

What was your dad’s reaction when you started acting?

He didn’t have a problem with it at all. My dad is the kind of man that allows you to do whatever you want. Anything that makes you happy, he encourages you to go ahead as long

get that outfit from? I love to represent where I am from. Although, I love to surprise people with my dressing, I always like to keep it classy and hot.

I am a lady so I have to carry myself well.

If you have to flaunt, what part of your body can you show off?

Well, I have been complimented on my waistline. The proportion from my waistline to other parts makes me feel good to flatter.

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

I think there is something about the belt that really accentuates your waist, like a thick belt which you can use with maybe a pant, dress or nice blouse. A thick, black or gold belt is an important fashion item for me.

What puts you off people?

To be honest, the most irritating thing about people is when they are not happy with themselves and they are taking it out on other people.

They become full of tension, anger and frustration when dealing with other people. It is advisable at this time to take sometime to love yourself. Then go talk to God, come back, start afresh and be happy.

How do you love to carry your hair?

Today I have my hair natural and curly. Yes, this is my natural hair and that is the nice thing about being mixed. But sometimes, I go on straight hair and sometimes I wear braids because it is African and it is good to embrace who we are.

What kind of shoes do you love to wear?

The shoes I have on are my favourites; they are red pumps. They are bright, fun and bold. When I put my red shoes on, I know I am being bold.

Sometimes as a lady, I wear really good sandals.

How do you keep fit?

I am really big on fitness. I love yoga. I wish I could bring more yoga to Lagos because everyone is so stressed out here from the traffic and your body is so tensed up sitting in that car. When you do yoga, you are getting oxygen into your muscles.

It may seem like a soft exercise but you are actually exercising and working your whole body. Everybody needs to exercise a little bit more even the skinniest people; it is not about being fat. You should exercise to appreciate your body.

How would you describe yourself?

I am an exuberant, excited, interested, very curious, engaging and open-minded person.

‘I’m not crazy about stardom’ as it doesn’t tarnish the image of the family.

My father is in support of my acting career.

Cleavage-flaunting tops are in vogue, do you wear them?

No. I may wear them unintentionally.

There are some things you buy and by the time you put it on, you discover some parts of your cleavages are showing. For me, I try my best to adjust such wears because I don’t want to flaunt much. I could flaunt cleavages but I don’t overdo it.

Are you single?

Yes, I am.

How do you feel about the high divorce rate in Nollywood?

It’s touching, really. I think what is causing it is because a lot of them don’t know what marriage is all about. They think marriage is all about name and status. Some feel ‘oh let’s be among the married women and feel like them or feel like married men’.

That is why after a while, it parks up. That’s

not God’s plan for marriage. If an individual would understand what marriage is, he/ she would do everything for the marriage to work. You would not rush into it because if you do, you would rush out of it. You need to know what you want and let your man know what you want. The foundation and reason for getting married should be right.

A lot of people go into marriage because of beauty.

When you are set to marry, what kind of man would you go for?

I would marry a man with a vision. He may not be rich but he should have potentials. Even if the person is rich, I need to know what he does for a living.

Are you scared of getting married because it could crash?

I see my marriage as a success already, so I don’t need to nurse any fear. Whatever it is, I know God would give me the best and I’m going to work it out. You could have the best and use your own hand to spoil it: with your

attitude. I will pray to get the best man. I have started working on myself to be a good wife.

I have started working on my temper. I no longer rave when I’m angry, I now try to be quiet.

What if you end up marrying a man that will punch you, a bully?

No, I would run for my life. That is why courtship is good. If I notice it while courting him, I won’t marry him. I would come out of it. I had a friend at a time; he was asking me out, and I went to see him once and I came late. Something happened. He was really upset. He shouted at me that I kept him waiting. And because I didn’t like anybody shouting at me, I turned my back and I was about walking out, he pulled me back and said what rubbish, why should I walk out on him. That was a good sign to call it off and I did. But the guy I’m dating now is always patient to wait. I left the other one because that was a good sign that in future such a guy can beat me, so I ran. Some ladies would remain in such a relationship hoping to change him. No adult can change

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Cocktail Whispers

Stories by Olumide Segun-Oduntan

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

SEPTEMBER 9, 2012

Nigeria’s striker having a ball with two hot Nollywood actresses With Nigerian football not doing so well lately, one may think its players are having a rough time. Not so for this striker playing for a club in Russia and the Super Eagles.

Cocktail Whispers gathered that two very hot, sexy actresses of Nollywood are head-on-heels for this guy, with each hoping he would take her to the altar.

One of them is said to be currently in Russia to see the 25-year-old “player” whom she met a few months ago through a friend. This same friend was said to have also introduced the footballer to another Nollywood actress who got a promise ring from him and an invitation to Russia. So, this actress, is also packing her bags to go visit the “striker” in Russia in the coming weeks. Go for it boy, you can make it a hat-trick!

Tuface, Blackface from the Plantashun past These are shots from the past, of two of Plantashun Boyz’ stars, Tuface (Innocent Idibia Ujah) and Blackface Naija (Augustine Ahmedu) Obiabo. The third, Faze (Chibuzor Oji) is not here. The group then was a very successful Nigerian hip hop band and as a team, they released two albums together. Following the split of the band in 2004, they all launched solo careers to varying success. Among 2face Idibia’s achievements is an MTV music award in 2005, while Faze sold six million copies of his three consecutive albums as of October 15, 2008.

BlackFace Naija, though has not been as successful as the other two, was the lead singer of the band “D Tribunal” with whom he has released an album.

If you look closely at this photo,

Will Obi’s war end the kidnapping?

A report reaching us is that Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State has demolished a building in Oraifite, Ekwusigo LGA of the state, where the most wanted kidnapper and robber in the state resides, after apprehending Olisa Ifejika, alleged to be the most notorious criminal in the state.

Sources close the Govt House in Awka said that, in the Israeli style of demolishing homes of suicide bombers, the government has decided to apply the same shock treatment in the state. Last month the state government sealed a hotel in Nkpor being used by a kidnap syndicate to keep hostages, and has vowed to rid the state of violent criminals and make it safe for investors and Anambrarians to come home and spend the Christmas this year.

But this is not the first war against kidnapping and armed robbery in the South East. For several years now, South Easterners have been the hungry look on Blackface’s face, or the determinaliving in fear of return to their home states. The reason is that they tion on that of Tuface, you will be able to appreciate how may get kidnapped and have to pay through their noses in order to be free. Efforts in the past, though worked partially, patient these singers have been on the road to success. they failed to solve the problem as it is on the rise once again. While Obi hopes indigenes could return for Christmas this year without fear, Cocktail Whispers advises Ndigbo to keep their eyes open before While the President’s wife was responding to treatment after underventuring home for Christmas. going a major surgery for a ruptured appendix to remove the poisons

Season of illness for our Amazons?

in her intestine in Germany, the petroleum minister was rushed off to London for a condition which was described as “abnormal cell development” which is “potentially serious” and “assumed a dire dimension recently,” which necessitated the decision to admit her in the hospital.

It seems this is a season of failing health for our female government functionaries, who have been working tirelessly to chart a way for our country. But then the question arises, if they are truly dong the best for this country, why do they need foreign hospitals? Why does the leaders of this great country encourage Nigerians to patronise local goods and institutions, when they do just the opposite? Someone made this analysis, and the question at the end is one that one should really give a thought to: When Nigerians steal money, they keep it in Swiss Banks.

When they’re sick they go to India or Germany. When they want to invest they go to America. When they want to buy mansions they buy in London and Canada.

They go to Dubai for shopping, and Paris for holidays. When they want to repent-Israel or Saudi Arabia. But when they die, they all want to be buried in Nigeria. Is Nigeria a cemetery?

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Movies & Music

Stories by Olumide Segun-Oduntan

Sunday, September 9, 2012

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

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Classical music workshop to kick off in Port Harcourt

T

he Centre for Church Music, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, has announced her 2nd annual workshop on church music billed to kick off tomorrow, 10th September. According to a press release signed by the director of the Institute, Reverend Nkem Ofoelue, the event will feature prominent Christian musicians, instrumentalists, music lecturers, classicists as well as hymn makers from around the country.

Titled ‘Church Music Workshop 2012’, the event will hold at The Methodist Comprehensive High School, 1, Mbonu Ojike Street, Port Harcourt. The seven-day event will hold from 10th to 16th September, 2012.

According to the release, lectures will focus on rudiments of music, sight reading/singing, applied music study, principal instruments, keyboard and organ techniques. Others will include choral conducting, choir management, ensemble studies and worship.

The release enjoined musicians, musical societies, hymn makers and others who are interested in the event to register with the school for the event, stating that participants will learn what it means to worship God in spirit and in truth, have their worship lives reformed into what the Father really wants and be enabled to affect the worship life of their church.

The workshop is expected to end in grand style with a groundbreaking church/classical music concert on Sunday 16th September at Methodist Church Nigeria, same address by 4pm and feature the graduation of the first set of students passing out of the workshop. They also stand a chance to win scholarships to study church music at the Centre for Church Music, Port Harcourt.

The event is powered by Golden Hymns, a church music programme that features on Treasure FM, 98.5 FRCN, Port Harcourt every Sunday.

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Wizkid bags two awards

Wizkid

Nigeria’s singing sensation Wizkid, whose real name is Ayodele Balogun, has continued striking gold as the 24-year-old singer clinched two awards at the annual Nigerian Entertainment Awards in New York City on Sunday, September 2, 2012.

Wizkid, who toured the United States of America with his EME crew, including Banky W, Young Skales and others ended the tour on a high note when he took home ‘Artist Of The Year’ and ‘Best Album Of The Year’ awards.

The event which held at the Skirball Centre for Performing Arts, New York City was hosted by Nollywood actress, Funke Akindele and ace comedian, Ayodele Makoun, popularly known as AY. The award, which is the 7th edition, is a brainchild of Iman Entertainment.

The awards would be the third in the coffers of the ‘Pakurumo’ crooner in less than one month after he took the ‘Musician of the Year’ award at the Future Awards which held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State on 26, August 2012.

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EeDris Abdulkareem in another controversy

Abdulkareem

He’s not only the father of modern-day Nigerian hiphop; he’s the father of controversy. Few days after he took a swipe at ex-president Olusegun Obasanjo, rapper, Eedris Abdul Abdulkareem is in a new mess of controversy.

This time, La Kreem/Kennis Music act declared to his followers he’s the reason big singers like Psquare and D’banj are getting paid today.

He attributed the freedom in the music industry to his December 4, 2004 face-off with the American rapper, 50 Cent and also mentioned that his song ‘Jaga Jaga’ paved way for music freedom.

Once a beloved entertainer, Abdulkareem has seen his star dim, since his infamous 2004 clash with the G-Unit crew aboard an aircraft at the domestic wing of Muritala Mohammed Airport, Lagos.

Hear him: “I put it to you that I am one of the elder statesmen that created employment for today’s generation of musicians. Don’t also forget that I am the reason why the new generation of musicians are getting paid.

I am the reason why the Psquare and D’banj are getting paid. Multinationals can’t sell their products without music’, Abdulkareem, who first achieved national fame as a member of ‘Remedies’ wrote.

Tuface

Terry G, fiancée expecting baby boy

Singer, producer, performer, Mimi Omoregbe are expecting scans showed it was a boy child shared by friends who say she c she’s almost nine months pregn Thoughts of the ‘ginjah’ mas fans hoping he wouldn’t stop th him to them in the first place.

Terry and Mimi are already ship in holy matrimony after th

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Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

‘Expect three break-throughs, not one’

Praise Worship E-mail:richardeghaghe@yahoo.com

E-mail:titusanyanwu.2012@gmail.com

EDIFYING GOD

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September 9, 2012

At Bishop Okonkwo’s birthday lecture:

RICHARD EGHAGHE

T

he Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN), has demonstrated the seriousness of his administration about the newly introduced traffic laws in the state, as he takes time to enlighten on the new laws at various fora, including religious ones.

On the occasion of the 67th birthday anniversary lecture of the General Overseer of The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM), Bishop Mike Okonkwo, during the week at the Muson Centre in Lagos, the governor took to the dais to campaign to the people, mostly church members, for strict adherence.

“It is very compelling for the government and the governed to cooperate by subscribing to the rule of law in their dayto-day use of the road,” he said, insisting that it was also expedient for everyone to recognise that the roads are shared asset which can only benefit the society when each person plays by the rule.

“If we build our roads, we can as well build ourselves out of traffic congestions,” said the governor, while passing remarks on Bishop Okonkwo at 67 and the topic for the lecture: “Dependence, Resource Curse and the Challenge of Building a Prosperous Economy in A Global World - Nigeria’s Options”.

He commended Bishop Okonkwo for investing his ‘privileges’ in the future of the country, especially through the children, by organising essay competitions for them and rewarding them accordingly. “Bishop Okonkwo is investing in what should ordinarily be the responsibility of the state government; which is the welfare of school children.

“The children are my responsibility.

They are the future of this country and what they become depends on how well I do my job. So, if somebody is helping me to do my job, the best thing I can do for the person is to honour him with my presence.

“All of us too should know that we have

Fashola takes new traffic law to Church

L-R: Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN), Presiding Pastor, The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM), Bishop, Mike Okonkwo; his wife, Peace; Guest Speaker, Prof. Anya O. Anya and wife, during the 13th Mike Okonkwo Annual Lecture in Lagos.

a role to play in bringing up these children, whether we are public officers or not,” he said, praying that “the Bishop Okonkwo in every one of us will begin to unfold”.

Founding Director-General, Nigeria Economic Summit Group, Prof. Anya O. Anya, who was guest lecturer at the event, also commended Bishop Okonkwo’s strong desire to influence the future by making positive impact on the lives of young people, generally agreed to be ‘the leaders of tomorrow’.

He called for a change in the way things are being done in Nigeria while exploring four major highways within which Nigeria’s realistic options could emerge in the first half of the 21st centu-

ry. He, therefore, postulated that any programme for Nigeria’s development and economic progress must take account of the changes in the global environment and the new rules for economic progress arising from the paradigm shift in the factors that drive development.

Chairman of the occasion, Chief Asiodu, earlier took the audience down memory lane on the tremendous progress recorded by Nigeria through agriculture before and immediately after independence on October 1, 1960. “People under 50 may not know that in those years and up to the middle 1970s, this country was practically wholly dependent on agriculture,” he said.

Nigeria prospers only bad citizens –Rev. Okafor T

he Lagos District Superintendent of the Assemblies of God Church, Reverend Joseph Okafor, has observed with regret that good citizens of this nation are suffering and languishing in abject poverty while the “wicked ones are rejoicing and celebrating their wicked deeds with ease”.

The cleric equally raised the alarm over the level of “groaning in the land for the fear of the known and the unknown, because many things have gone wrong in the country, so much so that no one is sure of the next moment”.

Okafor made these observations while speaking with journalists at the end of activities marking this year’s edition of the annual Bethel programme by the church, with the theme, ‘Divine Restoration’. The event came to an end during the week at the Bethel Camp, Mowe, Ogun State.

According to the clergyman, terrible

Briefly Church holds extra-mural class for students As pupils anxiously await the resumption of schools after the long holiday, over 60 beneficiaries of the one month free extramural classes, organised by the Shalom International Christian Church, Gbagada Estate, Lagos, were last Sunday awarded prizes and gifts at a church ceremony.

Pastor Ronke Adekoya, wife of the General Overseer of the church, Pastor Wale Adekoya, who took charge of the event, appealed to parents to partner with the church for the proper upbringing of their children and wards in the ways of God. According to Pastor Ronke, fondly called Mother-In-Israel, God is a lover of children, and any church, “truly founded in His Mighty Name must have the love and interest of the children.”

The Shalom Ministries, she added, is fully out to build great and quality disciples and prepare leaders who will change their world.

Various skills and crafts, developed by the students during the vocational training, were also put on display while prizes and various gift items were later presented to the participating students to the admiration of their parents who were in attendance.

Alleged defamation: Christian girl granted bail A Christian girl arrested in Pakistan for defaming Islam was granted bail at the weekend, a judge said.

The development is coming days after police detained a Muslim cleric on suspicion of planting evidence to frame her in a case that caused an international outcry.

Masih, believed to be 14, may be in danger if she is set free and stays in Pakistan.

Her arrest last month angered religious and secular groups worldwide but protests in Pakistan attracted only a handful of supporters.

Sunday Mirror/Babcock University Bible Quiz:

To our readers

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 A bad marriage is the immediate younger brother of hell fire, unending wilderness journey.

L-R: Lagos District Superintendent, Assemblies of God Nigeria, Rev Joseph Okafor; District Secretary, Rev Uche Ukasoanya; General Overseer, Word Base Assembly and guest speaker, Bishop Humphrey Erumaka; District Media Communications Manager, Rev Godson Iroatu, and District Corporate Minister, Rev Paul Ogbuefi Ekpudo, at a conference at the weekend.

happenings, such as terrorism, kidnapping, assassination, robbery, human trafficking, robbery and bombing, which have become the hallmarks of daily hap-

‘ MARRIAGE IS A THING OF THE HEART’

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penings across the nation, prompted the church to come up with the all-important programme, aimed at addressing the ills of the Nigerian society.

IS HE OR SHE IN LOVE WITH YOU?

–Apostle James Akinadewo

31

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Praise & Worship

Sunday September 9, 2012,

Modern Christians and immoralities, by Rev Chidi As a Christian, when the King of Glory comes, will you be found wanting? Rev. (Dr.) Chidi Anthony of Kings in Christ Church asks in these excerpts presented by Tai Anyanwu:

H

ave you found yourself in a poorly ventilated house in the peak of the hot season? Have experienced the discomfort in such enclosure when there is power cut from PHCN? Or have come close to a blast furnace? Then you can imagine how miserable life can be within a blazing environment.

The misery of hail fire is far much unbearable. The Bible says that hell’s blazing heat is from eternity to eternity. What preparation have you made so that you will not find yourself in hellfire? Have you carefully considered and decided where will fall in, if Jesus the King of glory comes now and takes his faithful servants?

The world is full of evil. People are killing, maiming and robbing others here and there. Kidnapping, abuse of authority, betrayal and desecrating the temple of God have become rampant.

Am I talking to somebody?

In the days past, if robbers in operation notice that the owner of the house being robbed is awake, the thieves will scream and run. But these days, it is the house’s owner that scampers when robbers come calling. Then young and unmarried lovers do not have the boldness to walk openly on the street. If they are caught by their parents, guardians or elderly relations, the young people would run, dashing into the nearest hiding place.

But today, such virtue is non- existent. Boys and girls who are still under their parents boldly bring their lovers into the family living room and say, “Hi Daddy, Hi Mummy. Daddy and Mummy, this is Susan my girl friend and Susan, these are my Dad and Mum.” That is immoral character and everything is wrong with such immoral relationship. Immorality is reigning in this age and time. In my growing up years back in the village, if someone’s daughter got pregnant while she is yet not married, the girl’s parent would be so ashamed that to walk around the village becomes an uphill task.

But in this generation, things have turned upside down. What is happening? Remember the Bible says, “When you see these signs, know you that the arrival of the son of man is at hand.”

The devil has introduced some crazy modes of dressing into the world. I used to think that women in those days wear pants as an added covering for their nakedness. Today, we hear ‘G-string’, or is it ‘Q-string’ pants? What an abomination, messing up the moral sanctity and destroying people of this generation.

Children of God, open your eyes to understand what is happening. It is high time we went on our knees and ask God to have mercy on our generation.

The rapture can happen anytime.

Rev. Chidi

Where will you be? What kind of life have you been living? What preparations have you made to secure for yourself a place in heaven? Who are you, a true child of God or one of the crowds? Only you can answer these questions. Today, I come to sound a warning because the trumpet can sound the next minute. I have seen a man retire to the comfort of his tastefully furnished house only to die in his sleep. We should not be afraid to die because death is ordained; but we should rather beware not to spend eternity in hail fire.

Regrettably, people can do anything to make money these days. People kill and dupe to make money. It is common even to see children of God dupe brethren in church and take lives for selfish motives.

No one cares to give assistance to the widow; rather, people intimidate them be-

cause no one speaks for her. Majority of those that do these evil, in our villages, are those who go by the name ‘Christian Fathers and Christian Mothers.’ Watch them, their finger nails are stuffed with deadly poison, ready to take an innocent life. They speak evil to create discomfort for others and their tongues wag with words that consume the entire body with fire.

Our young men who have made it in the city are terrified to travel back to the village; because if they do their business would be into disarray upon their return. When the bold ones do, they dare not spend stay longer few minutes to reunite with family members and relative because household wickedness would compel them to start life all over have also seen cases of pretty, and well endowed

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

young ladies who have been barred from getting married owing to oppression of house-hold wickedness. Others have their wombs tied through spiritual wickedness, just plunging them into painful life childlessness; but woe unto you that is filled with evil.

In times past, it used to be a thing of joy to go visiting relations in the villages. During such occasions, people gladly break and share kola nut which is seen in some part of Nigeria as a covenant of peace. Today, when people go on such visits, they avoid eating of the symbolic kola nut will carry bitter kola in their pockets. The ignorant may eat the kolanut, contact tuberculosis and die. What an evil generation.

The question is; when will all these things come to an end? If only we can come together as Christians, leave holy lives and join hands to pray for our generation, God in heaven will have mercy on our nation. He says, “If the people that are called by my name shall gather themselves together and forget their evil doing and call upon my name, I shall answer them and I will heal their land.

Remember that when the angels of the Lord were yet on their way to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah and Gomorrah because of the wickedness of those cities, Abraham interceded. He pleaded with God to save the righteous in the cities; but not a single man was found righteous. This reminds me of a sorry situation some God’s people found themselves in, which I was opportune to witness while I was ministering in a church in Aba, Abia State.

The church is situated opposite a hotel many prostitutes swarm. Among the women of easy virtue was this notorious harlot. She would get drunk and fight naked, on an open street shamelessly. On that fateful day, the church was in session and I was ministering.

Praise worship went to a crescendo and the notorious harlot entered the church.

She found a seat at the rear and she sang along as worshippers rendered high praise unto God. My eyes were opened to see God leave heaven and come into the church. God searched for the person through whom He would speak to the church. God moved to the pastor’s row, he could not find a man among the pastor to speak through. He was disappointed. God moved on to the prayer warriors to search for a human vehicle. Again, God could not find any worthy vessel. Getting to the ushering department, he was disappointed also.

God searched among the choir there was none found worthy. In the entire congregation there was not a single worthy human vessel for God to use as His oracle at that point in time. When there was not a single worthy person in the regular congregation to be used, God entered the prostitute and used her to speak to the church. After that God went back to heaven.

What does that signify? God simply showed them that even the prostitute better than the regular church crowds.

I want to ask you a question: if Christ comes to this church now, will He find you worthy?

•For counseling: contact Rev Dr. Chidi at kingsinchrist church@yahoo.com or phone 08124284979.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

How have you been able to carry along all the women in the church to this extent?

One has been able to come this far by the grace of God. I also believe it is my calling to educate fellow women on how best they can fulfil their God-given roles in the family setting and the society in general.

What would you say is the unique point of this year’s women convention?

Ever since we started Women’s Day celebration, we have never had a marriage seminar. This was actualised this year. The women were immensely imparted on in this area. There is no perfect marriage.

You discover that many marriages are in problem because the devil is still determined to ruin homes.

He takes advantage of the imperfection of couples to wage war against marriages.

The man of God who gave the lecture did a good job. Incidentally, our husbands were present in large numbers. I know that resounding testimonies would follow because the couples appreciated the opportunity to learn. They said to me, ‘Mummy let’s do this every month and we will support you.’

They were tremendously blessed, because many of them don’t know how to present themselves, some cannot cook. There was a particular brother who told me that he was interested in one of the ladies in the church. I told him to go talk to the girl and if she agrees to marry him, then it is the will of God. He came back later, and told me, “Mummy I invited the girl just to test her ability to cook good food. I was surprised that she could not cook even Indomie noodles. Mummy I love her so much but I don’t think that I should marry a woman who cannot cook.”

To me it was taboo. I felt great pain in my heart. The seminar addressed such shortcomings. We thought the growing girls that young women need to learn how to cook and how to present themselves. They do not know that the man who just walked into the scene could be taking note of that. If such a man has interest in them, bad manner of speech could easily make him lose interest in the young woman. I believe many will amend their ways and there will be a dawn of new marriage lives in the homes.

How should women handle things so that the home front would become peaceful and successful?

I believe that when two people come to live together as husband and wife, they should be able to bear each other’s burden.

If they can’t tolerate or absorb each other’s

Praise & Worship

Sunday September 9, 2012

Marriage is a thing of the heart –Pastor Rosemary Wife of the General Overseer of Olive Mountain of Prayer and Praise Ministries, Pastor Rosemary Collins Timothy, is no doubt a gifted marriage counsellor. In this no-holds-barred interview, she speaks on how couples can keep their home peaceful and progressive. Excerpts presented by Tai Anyanwu

Pastor Rosemary

weakness, that marriage will definitely not work. The women should understand that the Bible expects her to be submissive to their husbands. Submitting to our husbands does not mean that men should turn us to slaves. Some men misinterpret this portion of the Bible and want to make us slaves. They are supposed to be a covering;

but they expect us to go under the bed and hide when they talk.

On the other hand, a woman should be able to give her body to her husband. But some of them complain. A woman who knows that her husband loves sex should not use it as a weapon to starve the man.

That is a sin. That man paid her dowry.

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So, she has no right to starve him of sex. I have also come to understand that some men come to their wives only when they need them. When the woman needs sex, they say they are tired. There is a case that really broke my heart. One of my women told me that she tried to express her love to her husband. I usually teach them to make their marriages work and I buy books concerning marriages and I read them so that I can always give them nice stuff to make their marriages sweet. So, this lady tried to practise what she had been taught. She said, “Mummy do you know what happened. I tried to express my love to my husband and he said to me, ‘E be like say you don’t too spoil. What is it? This means that you cannot endure even if I am not around. It is getting too much.” The man never knew that by so doing he had killed the woman.

Many people do not know that marriage is a thing of the heart. Some men just believe, “Oh! She is my wife; if I need you, just lie down well; release all yourself and remove the entire wrapper.” Men just treat women anyhow. That is not marriage. Marriage is a thing of the heart and you should show your wife that you love her. You should love the woman and she should return the love. When women play their role to make the home romantic, some men see it as the woman is spoilt. This man killed the urge of his wife and the woman changed totally.

The man became uncomfortable and had to run to me to intervene. He did not realise that that single statement he made brought trouble in their matrimonial home.

You are good-looking and a Pastor; do men make passes at you? If they do, how do you react?

God has created women to be beautiful.

No matter how beautiful you may be, you should respect yourself if men make passes at you, because you are married. The way you present yourself will keep a man away from coming to say to you, “I love you, can I...?” It is the step you take that will encourage them to make passes. By the grace of God I don’t present myself in such compromising manner.

So, men don’t admire you outside?

Maybe they do, but I don’t give them any chance to go further than that. Like a day I went out to buy some items and there was this man. He kept greeting and greeting. So, I turned and said to him, “Yes? God bless you; can I help you?”

Immediately I said so, he could not go further. The only thing he said was, “madam you are beautiful. God bless your husband.”

Do not overburden your wives, says Prophet Collins TAI ANYANWU

G

eneral Overseer of Olive Mountain of Prayer and Praise ministries, Prophet Collins Timothy, has urged men not to allow their wives to take the place of the man in the home by shouldering major family responsibilities.

The headship of the man in family setting, he contended, must be demonstrated not only through his quality leadership but also in the man’s ability to provide food, shelter and education of the children.

Prophet Collins was speaking at the fourth convention of the church’s annual Women’s Day held at Ijegun, Lagos last Sunday.

He added that in a situation where both the husband and wife work, the husband must not expect her to carry the family responsibility just because she works.

“Every month, he should provide for the family’s food and pay the children’s school

fees when due. The man should understand what the Bible says, that the man is the head of the home.

“This must be understood within the right context that a woman is only a helpmate, and that the man should carry the responsibility of the home and put things in shape.

According to the man of God, provision for the home must not come from the wife; it makes the wife to control the husband.

“If a man takes up his responsibility in the home seriously, there will be peace. A woman should only assist when the man is down.

If a man does not earn enough to shoulder the responsibilities, he should approach his working-class wife with a good heart and the children must not know that mummy is carrying the weight of family responsibility, it must be seen as joint effort,” Prophet Collins asserted.

He noted that ordinarily, many women are disposed to obeying their husbands but

A cross section of Victorious Women of Olive Mountain of Prayer and Praise Ministry ljegun, during their 5th annual convention held at the church premises in Lagos recently.

would rather follow their own mind.

Hence, he advised the womenfolk to cultivate the habit of contentment in what was within the reach of their families.

The annual event was celebrated on the

theme, “Virtuous season for a good mother”.

According the General Overseer, it was devoted to teaching the women of Olive Mountain of prayer and Praise Ministries how to keep their homes peaceful and progressive.

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Praise & Worship

Sunday September 9, 2012,

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Pastor Okereke’s milk of human kindness

Florence

Pastor Okereke

RICHARD EGHAGHE

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n the 19th August, 2012, edition of Sunday Mirror of Sunday Mirror, under this column, Dr. Emmanuel Chima Okereke, General Overseer, Global Success Ministries, wrote that ‘what he enjoys most is when he sees himself being used by God to help the poor, widows and orphans by giving out food items, clothes, scholarship, paying house rents and so on’.

This act of Charity works or alms giving have indeed become part of Dr. Okereke’s calling as an anointed man of God. Many people from different ethnic groups and backgrounds across the length and breadth of this country have benefited from the GO’s generosity, which to a very large extent, added values and meaning to the lives of many.

Stories and testimonies abound of how God is using this great man of God to create empowerment and impact on people for the purpose of drastically improving their wellbeing or miraculously changing their lifestyle completely for good. It is just as the Bible says, “Old things shall pass away and everything shall become new.” There are those he had raised from grass to grace, from a zero level to the zenith, from nothing to something and from emptiness to plenty.

Take the case of Florence Uchenna, a widow with five children who was chased out of her husband’s house with her children. She was abandoned with no food to eat and no money to take care of the children. When her matter was brought to the notice of this powerful minister of God, he took pity, prayed with her and presented her with a sum of N55, 000 and a bag of rice to support her family and business. Here is her narration in an interview with Sunday Mirror during the week: “I was in the church to sow a thanksgiving

Chinyere

seed at the ‘Altar of Resurrection’ of Global Success Ministries in appreciation of all that God has done in my life and the life of my children since I lost my husband. Even the family had kicked me and the children out of my late husband’s house and abandoned us to our faith. The man of God earlier instructed that no matter the situation you are passing through, we should not fail to sow a seed at the altar. That day, I was left with N50 only; but I decided to offer it to God. After I offered the N50 and prayed to God, I decided to sit a while and study my Bible.

“While studying my Bible, the man of God drove into the church premises and entered the church. Immediately he entered the church, the spirit of God ministered to him and he asked someone to call me where I was sitting. When I came close to him, he started prophesying to me; he said, ‘your husband is dead and you are left alone with five children and right now things are very difficult for you and the children’. In tears, I said ‘yes sir, it’s true.’ Then I told him that I only came to sow the last N50 I have in my house and as it is right now, no food in the house for my children to eat. I told him that even the food business I was into before, stopped because there was no money to support it and that I now work as a housemaid, just to get something to take care of my children, which does not take us anywhere. Without knowing it, I burst out crying, telling the G.O that I don’t have transport money to go back to where I live and that I just have to sow the seed in strict obedience to the will of God through His minister. The man of God looked fixedly into my eyes and showed sympathy. That day, he gave me N5, 000 to go and take care of my children and then come with them to the Wednesday service in the church the same week. ”During the Wednesday service, titled: ‘Rain of Favour’, the man of God called us

out and to my greatest surprise, he blessed us with a cash gift of N50, 000 and a big bag of rice.”

Chidimma Ike, a nursing mother whose husband has been thrown out of job, and has no food in the house to eat, is another instance worth mentioning. She said her poverty level affected her ability and strength to feed the baby as her stomach was empty.

The man of God also took special interest in her case and she was given a sum of N55, 000 and a bag of rice. She testified on how she had her encounter with the man of God. “The situation was so critical for me that I had to text Global success Ministry Church’s line. I explained that I am a nursing mother (still breast-feeding a baby) and my husband has no job; he has searched for job everywhere but has not been able to secure any.

There was no food in the house to eat and no means or money to buy any to eat as a nursing mother. We tried to borrow money to eat but no one was ready to lend us. It got to an extent that my breast could no longer produce milk to feed my baby because I was carrying an empty stomach. Luckily for me, the man of God quickly sent a ‘sister’ with N5, 000 to my home where I reside. She gave me the money and told me to be present in the Wednesday service with my husband.

Immediately I collected the money from the sister, I handed my baby to someone else and ran to the market to buy some food-stuff to prepare good meal for the family.

“During the Wednesday service, the man of God called us out and we narrated what we were passing through. Then he surprised us with a cash gift of N50, 000 and a big bag of rice.

These families showered gratitude to God for using his servant Dr, Emmanuel Chima Okereke, to give them reasons to live again. They prayed that God Almighty would shower more anointing on him and

grant him all the desires of his heart in Jesus’ name and the congregation in wild jubilation of what God has done shouted, ‘Amen. Praise God!’ Onyeoka Emmanuel received a grand gift of N100, 000 from the man of God to support himself and family in paying their house rent. He thanked God for supplying his needs according to His riches in glory through his servant Dr. Okereke. Twentyfour widows were also given N10, 000 each to support their business.

Felicia Chima was given a sum of N120, 000 to start up her own business, as the family was going through a difficult time.

She thanked God whose mercy endures forever for using His Servant to bless her with such amount of money.

One of the widows gave a brief talk in appreciation of what God had been using Dr. Okereke to do in the lives of widows.

“Some people out there used to see look down on widows, they despise us and don’t even want to render help to us but since we stepped our feet on this great ministry, our lives have changed. The man of God blessed us with food Items, clothes and school fees for our children. In fact, through him, we have got a new life and a reason to live again. We pray that God will grant him long life, protection and more grace and anointing to continue his good work to all mankind. If only pastors and other Christians all over the world can emulate the footsteps of this servant of God, the world will be a better place for all. We also pray that as he continues in his Ministries and this calling, he shall make Heaven at last in Jesus’ name.”

August 28 2012 was a memorable day in the lives of all present in Global Success Ministry auditorium. Apart from the anointing power of the Almighty God that flows through the man of God and left many with testimonies, we were also blessed with food items, e.g., bags of rice, cartons’ of Indomie noodles and clothes.

The August 28 event was to commemorate the ‘solidarity march against poverty in Africa’ which first held same day last year by the African Development Movement (ADM) group, pioneered by Okereke.

The march took place from the church premises at Global Success Street to Apple Junction, after FESTAC Link Bridge, Amuwo –Odofin, Lagos, and patriotic Nigerians and dignitaries participated in the march. It was also an avenue to reach out to the poor and the needy of this nation, to carry them along, put smiles on their faces and make their lives what living, irrespective of the economic situation in the nation. After the first solidarity march, some items were distributed to the lessprivileged-the orphans and the widows, especially. Most of them present in that programme were surprised at the packages given to them by the servant of God Dr. Okereke.

The book of Matthew 25: 31-40 states, “When the son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: And above him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: And he shall set the sheep on the right hand, but the goats on the left.. Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was an hungered, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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here are similarities in what is done on earth and what is done in heaven.

The difference between earth and heaven is that there are sinners on the earth and there are no sinners in heaven. The people in heaven are with God and they do not commit sin.

In heaven, there are no works, no struggling and no stress. The lifestyle in heaven is the life Adam and Eve were living before they sinned. Whatever a person does is what he or she will reap.

Many people do not realise that people do not go to God. But it is God that goes to or visits people.

God visited Adam and Eve; he walked in the Garden of Eden in the cool of the day and asked for their whereabouts. He also visited Moses through his angel. According to the book of Exodus 3 verse 2, “There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in flames of fire within a bush. Moses saw that though the bush was on fire it did not burn up.”

God can visit people anywhere and anytime. How does God visit people? He visits only people who invite God into their lives. Someone can invite God by showing reverential fear for God. For instance, if a person is privileged to become a servant of God, that person should always do His will. Then God can take cognizance of the person’s faithful record and visit his or her situations in life.

God could choose to send someone to visit a person and deliver His message to the person. Sometime ago, the spirit of God directed me to visit and deliver a message to a lady. The spirit of the Lord told me to inform her that she will become pregnant that same month. The lady was surprised to see me because earlier in the day, she was in my house and I did not give her any message.

God can also send a friend to assist you solve a problem that confronts you.

So God visits people in different ways and He knows what to do when He visits.

People who are troubled should not lose

Praise & Worship

Sunday September 9, 2012,

Learn to reverence God, says Pastor Oloruntimilehin Pastor Oloruntimilehin Daramola of Omnipotence Mission of God, in this message, teaches that all you need to do to make God visit your situation is to fear the Almighty. Excerpts from the exhortation are presented by Tai Anyanwu: hope and think their problems are prolonged. God may be watching or observing their faithfulness.

If God is observing your loyalty, it is better to be patient, careful and gentle not to hastily complain about your delayed problem or think that as a child of God you are immune against suffering. What is expected of you is to pray fervently to God for his mercy and forgiveness of your sins. Nobody is actually clean or holy before God. Then decide to exhibit the spirit of fear for God; show reverence for God as Creator and Judge and be patient so that God will bring His plan for your life to realty. Few years back, the spirit of God told me that a certain lady of 35years old should be patient in choosing a husband.

In fact, she had already introduced about 10 men as her prospective husbands; but God did not approve of any of them. Recently, God told me about a man based in the US who has proposed to marry her.

She was not ready to accept the man because she did not believe in the workability of keeping a relationship with a distant spouse. I told her to accept the man and establish relationship with him.

This eventually led to their marriage; both families are now enjoying a good relationship. The couple has since settled in US. God had visited her and proffered solution to her problem. Brethren, let God

Pastor Oloruntimilehin

visit you so that your life can change for better. What you need to do for God to visit your situation is to have the fear of God. If you do so, his prophets or servants will be bringing you messages as if they are living in the same house with God. He will reveal you to them all the time.

It is not good enough if people do not have the fear of God. Fear God in the work of

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God you do. In the manner you conduct yourself in the house of God, fear and love Him with your entire hearth. If you fear God, you’ll become a great person.

God visited Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in a blazing furnace and became the fourth person inside the furnace.

The three men were thrown into the furnace for refusing to serve King Nebuchadnezzar’s god made of gold. They took the decision because they feared God. In the manner God can visit anybody that does evil or bad thing and punish and judge him or her.

Adam and Eve were visited and God cursed them for disobedience. At time God visits people to punish them for doing what is offensive in the presence of God. For instance a woman slandered a servant of God in my presence. In fact God visited the woman before the end of the day. She was killed by a vehicle that ran over her where she was selling her wares.

There are great servants of God that cannot be slandered without the slanderer being punished. They are to be honoured, respected and feared. Who are those you are not to fear? They are those that can only kill the body and nothing more; e.g., armed robbers, hired assassins, witches and wizards. The Bible says in Luke 12 verse 4 “ I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who will kill the body and after that can do no more.” Then who are the people to be feared? Luke 12 verse 5 indicates: “But I will show you whom you should fear. Fear him who, after the killing of the body, has power to throw you into hell. Yes I tell you fear him.” Who is the person? It is God. Brethren, do not fear that you are hungry, suffering, sick or jobless. Definitely, God will visit you, and you will not be forgotten, provided the fear of God is in you and in all you do.

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

Provoking God for your supernatural release –Pastor Bamidele Pastor Lai Bamidele of Christ Glorious End-Time Evangelical Ministries, in this message, says to be successful in life like King Solomon, one should learn the secret key that opened Solomon up to supernatural release. Excerpts by Tai Anyanwu

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eaven’s treasures are not free. They are available for all but there is a price to pay for them. For your heaven to release, there is always a price to pay. If a man wants to be great in life, that man must be prepared to pay a price.

Even in the natural, nothing of value is without a price. Take for instance, if you have a cup of tea before you and you put some sugar inside it, you need your tea spoon to steer it for that cup of tea to bring out its taste.

For you to enjoy supernatural release, there are certain steps that you need to take. There is no rise in life without a price. There are wisdom keys to be applied for a man to enjoy supernatural release; and those are some of the issues that I will be showing us as the message progresses.

In the natural, no object changes place without the engagement of certain forces. If you look at the car we drive, if you kick-start a car the car cannot move itself.

There is a force to be applied before it can move. Until you engage your gear system and follow with application of the throttle, the car cannot move. It is the force in the throttle that will move the car. Without the application of those things, the car will remain static.

Every object assumes a state of rest un-

til a relevant force is applied to it. That is one of the secrets that made Solomon to be a great king. That he paid a price to get to where he found himself.

Heaven’s treasures remain closed until you pay the price you need to pay. For a poor man to become a wealthy man tomorrow some forces have to be in operation mentally, physically, financially and etc.

Take for instance, in the book of Deuteronomy 8: 18, the Bible emphasises, “Thou shall remember the Lord thy God for it is he that giveth thee power to make wealth.

That He may establish the covenant which He swore unto thy fathers as it is in the days of old.”

You can also see it in the book of Proverbs in chapter 10: 22. For you to enjoy God’s supernatural release, you must provoke God with something. God is a covenant practising God. If you keep His covenant, he releases your supernatural blessings.

In the book of 1st Kings 3: 4 the Bible says “Solomon’s love for Him made him to release what he has for Him to get what he want. For the love of God, Solomon gave the best and he enjoyed the best. So, for you to enjoy the best you must also put in the best.

Many Christians want to become

wealthy, so many want to become great but they are not ready to pay the price of greatness. They are not ready to pay the price to become wealthy. You cannot be in church and you are crying to God because you want to become wealthy when you are not a thither.

You cannot enjoy a supernatural release when you are not paying your tithe complete; and you cannot be faithful to God in big when you are not faithful in big blessing; for instance if after your business transactions you make a profit of hundred thousand naira and your tithe is supposed to be ten thousand naira.

If you cannot give God ten thousand naira how will you be able to give God hundred thousand out of a million profit? It is your faithfulness in small that will determine your faithfulness in big blessings. If you can’t release to God in a small thing, you can’t release to Him in a big thing.

That is the bane of most people’s life today. There is no tithing company that closes down. There is no tithing business that closes down. When you are claiming to be wiser than God, God will turn your wisdom to foolishness for you. And that is why most people spend their money on hospital bed.

Why? because, go and check, they do not

Pastor Bamidele

pay their tithes. That is why calamities begin to hit from all sides. If you want to enjoy supernatural release from God, then you must be faithful to God. You must be a covenant practitioner. Be in church as at when •For counselling contact: pst_lai@yahoo.com, phone08074484415, 08027502864 and 08161285586

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Praise & Worship

Sunday September 9, 2012,

Dangers of serving two masters, by Pastor Muoka Founder and General Overseer of the Lord’s Chosen Charismatic Revival Ministry, Pastor Lazarus Muoka, continues his sermon this week on the topic, “No man can serve two masters”, with a warning to the children of God: anyone wishing to make heaven at the end of this life should not joke with the word of our master, Jesus Christ, because He is the greatest teacher and the only route to God Almighty. Excerpts:

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ohn 14:6 states, “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me”

Jesus is the way to God’s presence, the author and revealer of truth. He is the author and giver of life, natural and spiritual. There is no access way to the Father but through His son, Jesus Christ. Not only can no one enter the Father’s house without Him, no man can also come to the Father on earth so as to enjoy His favour.

There is no other name given under heaven among men whereby we must be saved.

So, no man comes unto the Father by any other doctrine, by any other merit, or by any other intercession than through Him. Those, therefore, who willfully take Him as a second-class personality in their lives, or share His glory with another, have no scriptural communion with God. Isaiah 42: 8 says, “I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images”.

God is saying here that He will not permit His glory to be diminished. He cannot allow the cause of idolatry to triumph. The glory of this world passes away but God is infinite and eternal. Thus, He pledges His own glory for the success of His kingdom. You cannot serve God and the things of the world.

Mt 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”.

You cannot serve the flesh and the Spirit at the same time. The pleasures of the flesh and its unrighteous tendencies will only lead one to hell while spiritual exercise and benefits lead to heaven.

The spirit of the flesh makes us to be subject to sin and unrighteousness; that is the reason we cannot please God in this state of ungodliness. While the two struggle to dominate man, the spirit of the flesh gains the upper hand because of our exposure to the worldliness that is everywhere; in what we hear, say, see and feel. The flesh is always ready opposing the spirit which enables us to do the will of God. Romans 8:5-8 says, “For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.” Here comes the great distinction between those that are under the fleshly principle and those under the divine principle of God. Those that are after the flesh are under the power of the carnal, rebellious principle and consequently mind and relish the things of the flesh-the things which appertain merely to the present life which have no relish for spiritual and eternal things. But they that are after the Spirit are regenerated, born of the Spirit and are redeemed from the influence and law of the carnal mind. They relish the things of

Pastor Muoka

the Spirit-they are spiritually minded, and pass through things temporal, so as not to lose the things which are eternal.

This is the grand mark of division between the nominal and non-Christians on one hand and the real Christians on the other hand. The former is earthly minded, and lives for this world while the latter is spiritually minded, and lives for the world to come. To live under the influence of the carnal mind is to live in the state of condemnation, and consequently, be liable to eternal death. Whereas, on the contrary, he who is spiritually minded has the life and peace of God in his soul and is in full prospect of life eternal. The end and condition of all carnally-minded persons is death.

And this is the danger. But of what benefit is that to a man? What shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

Mark 8:36 says, “For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?

Our Lord Jesus Christ in the above verse shows the worthlessness of the whole world in comparison with the rewards of the true kingdom. He made us to understand that there is a great danger of seeking to save our temporal life, by exposing our eternal life to hazards. External losses may be repaired, but a lost life can never be regained, for with what shall a man buy it back? The gain of the whole world is not comparable with the loss of one precious soul. The loss of a soul is an inconceivable and irrecoverable loss.

Too great is the price that it cannot be repurchased? The attempt to redeem a soul with money remains a failure. When you love and serve the things of the world and death comes, your wealth or other things of the world you acquired cannot bribe it.

The soul must surely die and the destina-

tion is hell-fire and no golden key can unlock its gate. For what purpose are the possessors of worldly riches bragging when eternal death awaits them; when they know that in the judgment tears will not prevail, prayers will not be heard, promises will not be admitted, repentance will be too late, and as for those their riches, honourable titles and crowns, these will profit much less.

There is no history of a man who was saved by his wealth. Wealth has always been insufficient and it always will be. There is no hope that it will ever be sufficient to save a man, by any increase in the amount. The whole matter is perfectly hopeless as to the power of wealth in saving one human being from the grave. It must always fail in saving a man from death.

Psalm 49: 6- 8 says, “They that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches, none of them can by any means redeem his brother; nor give to God a ransom for him: (For the redemption of their soul is precious, and it ceaseth for ever :)”

Our response

Having seen the danger of trying to gain the world and heaven at same time, and its immediate implication of losing heaven at last, what then shall be our response?

1 Jn 2: 15 says, “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” The things of the world may be desired and possessed for the uses and purposes which God intended, and they are to be used by His grace, and to His glory, but believers must not seek or value them for those purposes to which sin abuses them.

The world draws the heart from God; and

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the more the love of the world prevails, the more the love of God decays. The things of the world quickly fade and die away, the desire itself will fail and cease, but holy affection is not like the lust that passes away.

The love of God shall never fail. Many have tried to show how far we may be carnallyminded, and love the world, but the plain meaning cannot easily be mistaken. Unless this victory over the world is begun in the heart, a man has no root in himself, but will fall away, or at most remain unfruitful to his creator. Yet these vanities are so alluring to the corruption in our hearts, that without constant watching and prayer, we cannot escape the world, or obtain victory over the world and prince of it.

1 Jn 2: 12- 15 says, “I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name’s sake. 13 I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father. 14 I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one. 15 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” The admonition of God not to serve the world and God at same time must abide in the little children, fathers, young men and all adult disciples; it is the nutriment and supply of strength to them. It is the guiding principle by which they overcome the wicked one. We must be crucified to the world, be mortified to the things, to the affairs and enticements of it. We must be dead to the world. Our love should be reserved for God and not to be thrown away into the world. If any man loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. This is because the heart of man is narrow, and cannot contain both loves. The world draws down the heart from God; and so the more the love of the world prevails, the more the love of God dwindles and decays.

This love or lust of the world is not appointed of God but it intrudes itself from the world. The world is a usurper of our affection. The world, physically considered, is good, and is to be admired as the work of God and a glass in which His perfections shine, but it is to be considered in its relation to us now in our corrupted state, and as it works upon our weakness and instigates and inflames our vile affections. There is great affinity and alliance between this world and the flesh, and this world intrudes and encroaches upon the flesh, and thereby makes a party against God. The whole argument is that we should observe the purity and spirituality of the divine doctrine. The animal life must be subjected to the divine instruction and the body with its affections should be subjugated to the soul while the soul should be swayed by the victorious love of God. Remember once again, that anyone after God and the world will not inherit the kingdom of God. Beloved, why not make up your mind to seek God alone knowing it is the only way? Perhaps, you are one of those building more warehouses to accommodate your goods, or those acquiring more academic knowledge without dwelling much thought on God. Do not be like the rich fool who lost his soul to the world. Ensure that your soul is saved at the end, by disregarding all worldly distractions, and make heaven at last. That rich man’s soul is still in torment after his flesh perished at his death. Be warned and amend your ways.

Tomorrow may be too late for the rich man had no time for God, but for earthly riches.

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Praise & Worship

Sunday September 9, 2012,

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‘Expect three breakthroughs, not one’ General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, drew the curtain on his monumental sermon at the 60th Convention of the church recently with story-telling, prophesies, prayer-points and many more.

Excerpts from the messages are produced by Richard Eghaghe:

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he Lord asked me to tell you a story because there is something He wants to say; when we were in the very first auditorium, several years ago, and I was preaching like this, God said that there was someone in the crowd, that the fellow was going to have three financial breakthroughs. God said the first one, 100 percent of it belongs to God, that the second one is to be divided 5050 between God and the fellow and that the third one will wipe out all the debts that the fellow owes. I announced it.

Some days later, a widow came, she is a widow I know very well, she had 17 mouths to feed and she was heavily in debt, not only in Nigeria, but also to a bank in London which had been threatening her because of the debt they said her late husband owed. So she came, saying “Daddy, I have got the first financial miracle and I have brought it. I said, “Sister please! I know you, I know your problem, if I have money, I will give you; not to take from you.”

She looked at me and said, “I thought you are my friend? God said there will be three breakthroughs, I have got the first one, you don’t want the second and third to come? I said alright, I took the money from her, I kept it. (God bless the preacher who has no faith!) I said I will wait until the second and third breakthroughs come.

Very soon, she came, saying the second one has come, this is 50 percent for Jesus, I kept it.

I didn’t touch either of the two; then the third one came-a let-

ter came from the bank in London, saying, ‘We are sorry, we made a mistake, your husband didn’t owe us’. We are the one owing your husband. God went and changed the books and they paid what they say they owe the husband and she cleared all her debts.

Now listen to me carefully, God said there is someone here tonight; he said you are going to have three financial breakthroughs. He said the first one; you can keep it. He said the second one, 50 percent is yours, 50 percent belongs to Him, He said the third one is 100 percent for God but after that, get ready to flourish.

The Lord Jesus Christ stood above this man, the lame man at the pool of Bethesda (John 5: 2-9), the source of all joy stood above this man, who has been sad for 38 years, he said ‘come up higher, come out of sorrow.’ Do you know God is speaking to someone here tonight and he is saying to you, ‘you shall weep no more.’

There are levels of joy; you can move from ‘sad’ to ‘happy’, you can move from ‘Joy’ to ‘great joy’ and there is something the Bible calls ‘exceeding great Joy’, like you read about in Matthew 2, verse 10, and then, there is what the Bible calls ‘Joy unspeakable.’

Joy so great you can’t even say it out; you know somebody can be so glad that he will be crying.

Those of you who have not known joy for a long time, beginning from now, you will move from sorrow to joy, from joy to great joy, from great joy to exceeding joy, from exceeding great joy, to joy unspeakable.

Daddy says there is someone here tonight; He said some people will sing of wealth, some people will sing of popularity, he said but I will be your song. When God gives you an invitation, you have a choice, you can refuse an invitation, He can say ‘come’, you can say ‘I am not coming.’ Even when he commands you, you have a choice to obey or to disobey. But tonight, since you have taken all the trouble to come, don’t refuse the invitation of God. How will I know that I will go higher if I say I am willing?

The Bible says the just shall live by faith, you believe it? You will have it. It’s just a matter of faith.

So you are going to pray by faith tonight, I am going to take it that by the grace of God, those God wants to save, He has saved.

But we are going to pray some prayers and we are going to pray this prayer by faith and I will remind you of the story of a coupleThe husband and wife came and said, ‘Daddy, we have been barren for years, pray for us so that we can have our own children’. I said fine: ‘what kind of baby do you want’? The husband said: boy, the wife said: girl, and they said it simultaneously. So I smiled and said well in that case we better make it a set of twins, one boy, one girl and they said Amen.

They received it.

Nine month later, a set of twins came; one boy, one girl. If I say to you tonight, that from this moment onward, your journey will be constantly upward, will you receive it? Now lift your voice to the Almighty God, loud and clear and say the following:

Pastor Adeboye

•Father change my level tonight...

•Father, pull me out of the miry clay; of failure, of poverty, of sickness.

•Lift your voices to the Almighty God and say: all the forces that have been holding me down all these years in the level

of poverty, of failure, father, scatter them.

•Say, father, all those who have been asking where my God is, show them today, show them right now...

•Father, everything that pertains to me, Lord, perfect it tonight... in Jesus’ mighty name.

Adeboye to Nigerians: Your dreams must not die

•Holds special prayer today RICHARD EGHAGHE

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he General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, will today, at the National Headquarters’ Church in Ebute-Metta, Lagos, mount the pulpit to specially pray for Nigeria and the citizens on the programme, ‘Your dream must not die.’

Speaking through his aide, Pastor Goke Aniyeloye at the Headquarters Church which is also known as ‘The Throne of Grace’ (TOG) Parish, the cleric maintained that Nigeria would surely fulfill its destiny and assume its rightful position in the comity of nations if the citizens could cast their burdens upon God and work according to His dictates.

“Nigeria can still be one of the pillars of the world despite the prevailing

security challenges facing the nation.

God can still reverse the irreversible if the indigenes can intensify their prayers and not relent.

“It is God’s desire that all men and women live to fulfill their dreams. But many people are frustrated in life.

They are unable to keep their dreams alive, while some have failed because they believe that it is their destiny to fail,” Adeboye explained.

The special service today, he revealed further, was aimed at restoring failed dreams, while anointed ministers of the RCCG faith would also lay hands on those whose dreams were being truncated. He quoted from 2 Chronicles 7, verse 14: “If my people, who are called by my name will humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and forgive them and heal their land.”

Worshippers at the overflow of RCCG church

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Praise & Worship

Sunday September 9, 2012,

ABC of marriage proposal

Text Only: 08037188392

Divine Message with Special Apostle James

Akinadewo E-mail: molailatugrow@hotmail.com

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hat a glorious week. An exciting time with the Lord. We appreciate feedbacks on our teachings and we are praying for you. Devil will fail on your own case in Jesus’ mighty name.

Amen.

Wedding and marriage are not the same. Though related but they are two different worlds.

Weddings are celebrated, big time, in the world today. Carnival-like and full of razzmatazz, colourful dresses of various types dot the venues, as guests grin from ear to ear with the celebrants, to the envy of their peers.

But before you go into that wedding, pause and think – that informed our teaching today – Marriage proposal.

Your destiny Ignorance has pushed millions into weddings today, making them to sell their destinies into slavery. Wedding is for a day but marriage lasts forever.

The one-day programme called wedding is the ticket to the lifetime engagement called marriage.

Marriage is the only institution where you get your certificate before examination – it is to be enjoyed, not to be per-

manently endured. Though, everything cannot be smooth daily in the marriage, it is not like living in hell on earth all in the name of marriage – a bad marriage is the immediate younger brother of hell fire.

Thinking cap “If the foundation be destroyed, what can the righteous do?” (Psalm 11, verse 3) Friendship-relationship-courtshipmarriage is a chain that binds itself together for couples to have a good companionship. It must be a time for research but sadly, today, many are regretting ever going into it, owing to their ignorance.

Before you marry that fellow, did you check his/her background? A ‘demonic’ and ‘crazy’ curse, if not broken, is transgenerational. Don’t be blinded by love, infatuation or whatever it is called, to consign your future into perpetual slavery, all in the name of marriage.

Evil traits abound in many homes today. Note that this family problem differs. Think deeply before you marry that brother; he may be suffering from ‘compound problems’ affecting them in his family. Anyone who marries such in the family will also be ‘caged’ by the evil curse.

Marriage is a lifetime covenant: Look before you leap. As rightly mentioned in the Bible, if the foundation of that house is wrong and evil, it will weaken, nullify and destroy every good aura and ‘virtues’ you carry as soon as you enter the place.

Check yourself : How problem came

into your life, against every good reason, you went ahead and marry that girl, and the result now – unending wilderness journey. May God have mercy on your soul.

What you are carrying is too positively enormous than to be entangled and stuck in the murky waters of a strange family problem. You are too terrific to be terrified and truncated by any evil foundation – Think and act now.

Before going into that marriage, get these facts viz – •Inner peace – You must be at peace with yourself and your life before venturing in – it is a long journey and lifetime assignment. God speaks to our mind and give us insights. The moment you have inkling that something is wrong with the relationship, better apply the brakes and stop the engine – it might stop your life later if you don’t act now. Wrong marriages have led to the death of one of the partners. Save your life and future now.

Ask him/her questions and find out the truth. Anything outside the truth is built on lies. Make inquiries about his/ her background and family, don’t rush, take time to make your findings, don’t be swayed by money, it cannot buy you joy.

Once you discover some hidden things that are negative about him/her and the family and he/she is the deceptive type – you have seen the red light of deceptionfrom the relationship, run now or your destiny is run aground.

Stop deceiving yourself. Come down from your ‘fantasyland’. Thinking you

Rasaq Okulaja out with Believers’ Game A

new game, simply known as the ‘Believer’s Delight’, will soon hit the stands across the nation, to the delight of game lovers, especially Christians.

Deacon Rasaq

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Inventor of the game, Deacon Rasaq Okulaja, is currently touring major Christian establishments with the aim of introducing the game to leadership of

some of Nigeria’s major churches.

Rasaq is the Creative Director of Corart Ventures Limited, a company he floated after several years of experience gathered from several media outfits in and around the country. His aversion for mediocrity and the desire to leave professional imprints on any and all jobs undertaken by

will deliver him after your wedding is the mentality of a fool. Let him change positively first before marrying him – mental torture and slavery are not your portions – they are not God’s plans for you. God’s word cannot be broken. ‘Don’t be equally yoked with infidels, unbelievers and demonic strangers.

Flow with someone who knows your God, purpose, vision and aspirations.

•Parental consent: Our parents know and understand the journey of life and marriage better. Listen to them as they give you candid advice on that relationship. By instincts, they understand a lady who is a home builder and easily know a life waster.

Before accepting that marriage proposal, heed parental advice – words of elders are words of wisdom.

•Divine approval: Prayer is the key.

Talk to God about that man or woman you want to marry. Some hidden things will be revealed to you in prayer.

Our life is an open copy in the sight of God; don’t underestimate the power of prayer in your choice of a future partner.

Divine approval is paramount to have a secured future and a blissful marriage.

Marry a Rose and your life will become a bed of Roses, move with a Nabal and you become a Nonentity, while engaging a Delilah leads you into Destruction.

Run from sin. Jesus loves you. God bless Nigeria. It is well.

•For enquires, text 08037188392 or send e-mail to Motailatugrow@hotmail.com. his outfit are his key drivers.

A BSc degree holder in Fisheries from Lagos State University, Okulaja has not only remained focused but has continued to prove his mettle as a first rate studio technician, Producer/Director, Copy-writer, Narrator, Inventor and Administrator with experience spanning over a decade.

He is a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Administrators, an associate, registered practitioner in advertising, an Ambassador of Peace, a distinguished Ambassador of Art and a Jerusalem Pilgrim.

His new creation, ‘The Believers’ Delight’ is a unique board game based on the scriptures, designed to rekindle interest in the study of the scriptures, simplify the learning of the scriptures and elicit greater family bonding.

“I observed that not many people made out time to study the scriptures as they should and where attempts were made, the attention span was always very short.

People would rather spend hours on ‘interesting games.’ Then I said to myself, so, why not an interesting game on the Bible.

Hence, the game that is today known as ‘The Believers’ Delight’,” He explained.

The game which was inspired and first produced in 1996, has now been improved, better packaged and reintroduced into the market. It is the first in the series of Corart learning aids.

Playing the game is quite simple as the playing rules are found on the board. It can be played by one to four players and can be timed to make it more challenging.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sunday September 9, 2012,

Praise & Worship

31

Is he or she in love with you?

Christian Relationship with Taiwo

Odubiyi

E-mail: info@pastortaiwoodubiyi.org.uk

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ow can you tell if the one you love loves you back? You can identify them by their fruit, that is, by the way they act. (Matthew 7:16 NLT) Actions speak volumes. One can easily tell what love wants and where it’s going. Just as faith without works is dead, love knows that without works, it is dead so it works and speaks, and the works and words can be clearly seen. Love is not complicated.

In one of my novels, ‘My First Love’, Ayo knew that Lisa had not really fallen in love with him because the signs of being in love were not there. She would not call or send text messages and when she eventually did, it was to express her anger at him. He could tell that she did not love him as much as he loved her. Just as a person cannot pick grapes from thorn bushes or figs from thistles, and a good tree produces good fruit while a bad tree produces bad fruit, there are things that a person in love will do, and things that the person will never do.

You can identify them by their fruit, that is, by the way they act. Can you pick grapes from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles? A good tree produces good fruit, and a bad tree produces bad fruit. A good tree can’t produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can’t produce good fruit. So every tree that does not produce good fruit is chopped down and thrown into the fire. Yes, just as you can identify a tree by

its fruit, so you can identify people by their actions. (Matthew 7:16-20) Without mincing words, Ayo told Lisa, “I love you and I want us to get married as soon as possible … but I don’t want to marry a woman who is turning to me on the rebound. I don’t want to be the second best.”

“No, Ayo,” “Hold on.”

She kept quiet.

He went on. “I don’t want to be managed. I prayed before I eventually came to you. I want a wife in every sense of the word, a wife who loves me with all her heart.”

“I care about you, Ayo. I -” He shook his head slowly. “It’s not enough for me. I want more than that.

I want the whole of your heart with no room for another man.”

She knew he must be referring to Mofe.

He spoke again. “This is what I want you to do. I want you to take time to pray and ask God to fill your heart with love for me.”

Looking at him, she saw what seemed like sadness in his eyes. “Ayo, I -” He stopped her. “I will know when you have fallen in love with me because there are things love will do. There are also things love will never do. It has its own language. You don’t need to give an answer now. Take your time and when you know you are there, let me know.”

Lisa knew he was right. Sometime later, when she began to call him and send text messages every day, doing different things for him, he knew she had fallen in love

with him at last.

In the same novel, when Tofe told Lisa that her boyfriend, Jude who had physically abused her several times loved her, Lisa was forced to ask her, “What’s your definition of love?... It seems you’ve lost sight of what true love is and what the Bible says about it.” She quickly read some verses of First Corinthians chapter thirteen from a Bible.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.

Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

(1Corinthians 13:4-7 NIV)

10 signs that he or she is in love with you 1) The person puts in the effort or goes out of his or her way to do things and provide for you, just to please and make you happy. As I usually point out to singles, there can be giving of gifts without love but there is no true love without giving of gifts. Doing things and trying to provide for the comfort of the intended partner are what a person in love will do.

2) The person creates time out of no time to visit you to know how you are faring or what’s happening in your life. He or she also calls on phone to hear your voice and talk about everything or nothing in particular. If a person is in love, the person will call but if you are ignored or the person does not look for you unless your help is needed, he or she probably doesn’t

care enough.

3) He or she confesses the love. A person in love wants to talk about it. Love is not silent and it cannot be silenced. It speaks, and when it does, you hear it clearly because it is loud enough. There’s no ambiguity.

4) You are treated with respect. The person takes genuine interest in you and will not treat you or talk to you anyhow.

5) The person does what you want, and what he would not normally do like watching some TV programmes because of you.

Your opinions about matters are also valued.

6) He or she invests time, money, emotions and energy in the relationship.

7) The person wants you to meet the people who matter to him or her, and equally wants to meet your family and friends too.

8) The person protects you and your interests.

9) He or she is patient with you 10) In spite of knowing about your challenges or past, he or she still appreciates you and is kind to you. In my novel ‘Shadows From The Past’ Mike still loved Mary and stood by her even though he knew she had been a campus prostitute.

Relationship Tips 1) Love is active, not passive.

2) Don’t waste your time on a person who is not willing to waste his or her time on you.

3) And for my ladies: If a man doesn’t pursue you now or think you are worth some of his time, marriage won’t change him.

Experiencing breakthrough Shepherd Life with Bishop Kingsley

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Enakirerhi

very breakthrough in life has its own challenges. It is the end product of a process which begins gradually. This gradual process, if it must be a breakthrough, must be accompanied by commitment and consecration.

Consecration, which means sanctification, is the process whereby the Holy Spirit performs a surgical operation in the heart of a man. This operation will cause the man to be called out of the world and be set apart for the Lord. Commitment on the other hand, is the total responsibility, your loyalty, to a system of thought, action and job. It is a total sell out to the work which your hands have found to do.

In the book of Matthew 19:27 Peter, one of the disciples of Jesus Christ, known for his inquisitiveness asked Jesus: “Then answered Peter and said unto Him, behold we have forsaken all, and followed thee, what then shall we have thereafter?”

It is normal for every man who is not

under the anointing of pretence to ask similar questions if not the same question. The disciples, having separated themselves and wholly given up for the gospel toiled day and night with the Lord, thus they ask “…….. Master what will be our gain, the end product of this consecration and commitment?”

Every genuine service rendered unto God attracts a corresponding blessing.

The scripture says; “Seek ye first the kingdom of God and its righteousness, and the other things shall be added to you” Matthew 6:33.

You see, the confusion in the church today is, majority of Christians want “the other things” first, before seeking for the kingdom of God. “Seek ye first ...”. That is a conditional statement! Every system of organization has its own modus operandi. Breakthrough in life is the right of everyone worshipping God, but there are strings attached: “seek ye first” that is, consecrate your self, after that, be committed, then shall the other things (breakthrough) be added to you.

Moses asked the people of Israel saying “Consecrate yourself today to the Lord, ……… that he may bring upon you this day a blessing” Exodus 32:29. Consecration brings concentration. When you separate yourself from the world, when you set yourself apart wholly for the

work and activities of the Lord, heaven will concentrate on you. The level of your commitment defines the measure of heavenly attention and allocation to you. When you get to some certain level of commitment, every other breakthrough will just follow.

“I have now concentrated all my prayers into one, - that I may die to self and live wholly unto him” – Spurgeon.

This is the voice of commitment.

In Mark 10:31 Jesus Christ told Peter: “But many that are first shall be last, and the last first” Why this exchange of right? Aneurin Bevan has the verdict, she said; “we know what happens to those who stay in the middle of the road. They get run down”.

You can rent a brain, but you can’t rent a heart. God can never force you to be committed to Him neither will He cover up for you when you become too familiar with Him as to neglecting His duties on earth.

The fervency of our commitment towards His duties should be hot always.

The setting apart of our heart towards His works should be continuous. Once consecrated, we should strive never to go back to those mundane things that will set us backward.

Consecration and commitment, the

pathway to breakthrough unlimited. Is there any breakthrough without commitment and consecration? No way!

Even the idol worshippers know this, the heathen, the ungodly they all are aware of this principle. They know that to succeed in your business, pleasure can never come in between it. The scripture says; “any man that put his hand on the plough and looks back is not fit for the kingdom”. We all are in the business of our father to expand His work on earth through our resources, time and talent.

This will certainly attract a lot of breakthrough to us if we give wholly our self to his service.

Commitment and consecration is the prize for breakthrough. If you are not committed to a cause, you can never reap the benefit therein. All successful businessmen are committed to their business. Proverbs 22:29 says “seest thou a man diligent in his business? He shall not stand before mean men.” Diligence is a product of commitment and consecration.

I challenge you today to give your all to God and watch Him cause you to experience breakthrough. You are destined for the top, don’t remain at the bottom. I am a living testimony of God’s faithful to those who give Him their all. Remain blessed.

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Praise & Worship

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sunday September 9, 2012

How to live in favour (2)

Footprints with Dr. Tunde

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

O

ne day of favour is worth more than a lifetime of labour! Favour can restore in just one day; what has eluded you in a lifetime! That was demonstrated in the story of the children of Israel when they were delivered one night from 400 years of slavery. That is the power of God’s favour! In God’s favor is life (Psalm 30:5).

Favour with God attracts favour with human beings (Luke 2:52; 1 Sam 2:26). You cannot neutralize the effects of the favour of God in a person’s life. No hand is big and wide enough to prevent the sun from shining. No one is powerful enough to prevent the day from dawning. No one shall prevent the favour of God in your life!

Joseph was sold to slavery by his own blood brothers, but favour went ahead of him. Have you felt betrayed by your loved and trusted allies? Have you been sold by those you lean on? Do you feel enslaved by those who pride themselves in trying to help you? What you need is favour! Joseph found favour with his slave-owner who sold him to a high-brow buyer in Egypt. “Now the Midianites had sold him in Egypt to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh and captain of the guard” (Gen 37:36). Potiphar entrusted all his belongings and businesses to Joseph (Gen 39:6). That is favour from unlikely person in surprising circumstances! That will be your portion in Jesus’ name! Even when Joseph’s ethics landed him in jail, favour followed him there. The jailer left all prison affairs to his charge. Favour eventually brought Joseph face to face with Pharaoh who installed him Prime Minister of the thenknown world (Acts 7:9-10).

Favour promoted Esther from obscurity to limelight in the kingdom of Persia. If you learn what the king favours, you can become a favorite. God is not a respecter of persons, but God has favorites. He will do

for some people things He won’t do for others. Learn what God favours. Esther did what the king wanted and got in when others got out. Esther listened to those who could teach her what would give her the critical edge over her competition. “She requested nothing but what the king’s eunuch (Hegai); who is the custodian of the women advised. And Esther obtained favor in the sight of all who saw her” (Esther 2:15). I know enough people who appear to be allergic to good advice! They run from those who would help them and pursue those who would hurt them. Esther was no such person. What about you? Are you headed in the wrong direction? Never stop to take advice from people who are headed nowhere. You might end up like them. Do not ask for direction from one who is lost! Listen to wisdom from those who have been with God. Seek out people who can better your life. Success comes from learning to listen. Listen to the right voices, and not the popular voices.

Favour is what happens when preparation meets opportunity. Success is what happens when preparation meets potential. No matter how good or beautiful Esther must have been naturally, it was not an excuse for lack of preparation or under-preparation. It takes much discipline to prepare, to get up early when others are sleeping and snoring. Too many naturally- talented people are losers because they are too lazy to prepare.

The future spits out those who do not prepare for it. Are you preparing for what God is preparing for you? Esther spared no preparation so that she would prosper in her purpose.

Not one is fit to stand before the king who is not prepared. The wise man wrote: “Do you see a man who excels in his work?

He will stand before kings; He will not stand before unknown men” (Prov 22:29).

Proper Preparation Prevents Poor Performance (PPPPP). Proper Preparation Produces Perfect Production (PPPPP). May I therefore counsel that you run the race of life with these five acronyms apiece so you may curry favour in the journey of life. Nothing procures favour like a proper preparation. Prepare physically, prepare spiritually, prepare mentally, prepare emotionally, and watch favour catapult you into high esteem and higher grounds. Esther followed the protocol of the king and obtained favour of the king.

God is a God of protocol.

Favour is a refueling point on the journey to destiny. It is a part of God’s means to a far greater and more important end.

Favour leads to purpose. Favour of God is given to fulfill the purposes of God in your life. Esther is described six (6) times as finding favor (Esther 2:15, 17; 5:2, 8; 7:3; 8:5). “The king loved Esther more than all the other women, and she obtained grace and favor in his sight more than all the virgins; so he set the royal crown upon her head and made her queen instead of Vashti” (Esther 2:17). Pray that favour would be stationed at every critical junction in your life, the life of your spouse and in the lives of your children and grandchildren and their families. Favour will give you what muscles, brute force, or physique cannot earn you.

David found favour in the sight of King Saul and his heir-apparent, Jonathan

Answer these questions and win a prize 1.

“I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day.” Where is this verse in the Bible?

2.

Jacob has how many children?

3.

Paul wrote how many Bible books?

(1Sam 16:22; 20). Even when Saul was hell-bent on eliminating David because of jealous rage, favour protected David.

Favour was so overwhelming in David’s life that Jonathan easily gave up his inherited right to the throne of Israel when he saw how God’s favour operated in David’s life. It makes no sense to argue with a favoured man! Jonathan linked his life, destiny, and the future of his posterity on the favour of God in David’s life and favour with David. He made a covenant of favour with David which Mephibosheth, his only surviving son enjoyed until his death (2 Sam 9:13; 21:7). Favour shown and sown today, continues to yield dividend beyond your years! Have you not seen or heard of people who continue to return a little favour shown them years ago, with multiple and exponential effects? It is nice to be nice! You will reap bountifully and your unborn children will reap even more and longer!

Daniel found favor with the chief eunuch in Babylon (Dan 1:9). Favour compelled the chief eunuch to risk his life to accommodate Daniel’s request. Favour will make people get up and run errands for you. Kings will serve you. They will not sleep until they find a way out of a situation for you. Favour makes for an easier life with fewer uncomfortable bumps along the way. Favour would make you to be liked by the authorities above you and peers around you. Favour is what you need, not sycophancy! You do not have to cringe or do eye-service. Seek favour with God and you will definitely find favour with human beings. Receive God’s favour for your blessing beyond human limitations now in Jesus’ name!

•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 September 2, 2012 •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 08066011075. Gifts: courtesy Babcock University.

1.

2.

3.

Salem- Gen 14:18 40- Acts 7:29, 30 1 Sam 16:7

Any bailout prayer-point for a debtor?

Holy Inquiry with Pastor Paul

Nkirukah E-mail: pstpaul11@yahoo.com

Dear Pastor.

Is there any prayer-point that can stop legal action against me, a debtor?

-Ifeanyi C. Onitsha Dear reader, First of all, you must know and understand what you mean by legal action, because anything that is legal is right before man and God. But why must you do what is illegal? I don’t get it; are you trying not to pay the debt or what are you insinuating? My dear, God will not be in support of you not settling your debt, but you can pray for God to help you to be able to pay.

However, you can pray for God’s mercy to help you calm the person down un-

til you can be able to settle the debt. You can also pray and go and meet who you owe, plead to him or her to give you more time to pay. The worse you will do is to begin to run away from whom you owe, as this will make the person to begin to think you don’t want to pay him. But if you are always visiting him or her, the person may not even remember to ask you for the money.

For you to be convinced that you must settle your debt, let’s quickly examine the scriptures below: 2 Kings 4: 1 – 7; “Now, there cried a certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets unto Elisha, saying, thy servant my husband is dead, and thou knowest that thy servant did fear the LORD: and the creditor is come to take unto him my two sons to be bondmen; And Elisha said unto her, what shall I do for thee? Tell me, what hast thou in the house? And she said, thine hand maid hath not anything in the house, save a pot of oil. Then he said, go, borrow thee vessels abroad of all thy neighbours, even empty vessels; borrow not a few;

And when thou art come in, thou shalt shut the door upon thee and upon thy sons, and shalt pour out into all those vessels, and thou shalt set aside that which is full. So she went from him, and shut the door upon her and upon her sons, who brought the vessels to her, and she poured out; And it came to pass, when the vessels were full, that she said unto her son, bring me yet a vessel. And he said unto her, there is not a vessel more. And the oil stayed, Verse 7 of that passage; “Then she came and told the man of God. And he said, go, sell the oil, and pay thy dept, and live thou and thy children of the rest.

If you can examine the statement or scriptures above, you will understand that when the woman came to Elisha, she wanted either for him to give her the money to settle the debt or may be possibly for him to pray so that the people will forget about the debt. But Elisha knows that the people’s action was legal, thus he told her what to do to be able to pay instead of thinking on how to escape the

debt.

Let’s also see Matthew18 : 23 – 27, which read, “Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants; And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him 10,000 talents; But for as much as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment be made; The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all; Then the Lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the dept.”

Here is my advice, go and meet your pastor to pray for you so that God can bless you in other to be able to settle your dept. Also, you can still go and plead to the people you are owing, to give you more time, that you will pay. Who knows? God is faithful and merciful. He may touch their hearts to forgive you as you see in the scriptures above. But the best is to work harder and pay your debt.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sunday, September 9, 2012

Chuckles

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Sunday, September 9, 2012

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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Movies & Music

Sunday, September 9, 2012

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P-Square mesmerises UK fans at afro beats concert • Ace footballer, Emmanuel Adebayo, thrilled

Multiple award-winning entertainers, Peter and Paul Okoye, famously known as PSquare, mesmerised their United Kingdom fans during this year’s Afro Beats Festival held at HMV Apollo, recently.

The Okoye twin brothers, who stormed the concert venue with their 14-man band, performed on stage for two hours, dishing out songs from their repertoire monster cuts, yet left their fans at the capacity-filled venue yearning for more.

P-Square’s energetic dance routine and collection of monster hit songs rendered at the concert was described as the best put up by any Nigerian artiste in the UK so far.

Tottenham Hotspur star, Emmanuel Adebayor, who was a special guest at the event, could not help but join the Nigerian ambassadors on stage. Nollywood actor, Mike Ezuronye, also joined them on stage.

Adebayor in his remarks described P-Square as the best music export from Nigeria and Africa as a whole, claiming that their stage presence and coordination is second to none.

The high point of the lively performance was when P-Square performed their new single titled Alingo. Though the song was released few weeks ago, it was a sing-along affair among the UK fans. Shortly after this, P-Square dedicated one of their hit songs, Beautiful Onyinye, to their late mother, Mrs. Josephine Okoye.

P-Square’s concert was organised by Coko Bar. They had a tour of major w’ radio and television stations, including BBC. o l o l ‘G versia cts the o r t n o i c str Coal’s nly re ever o w o h an Saint Kenny , e t s i t ow ar m fell me of and so , y r t n u the co lly ase in officia ’ was w o L o deo, ‘G the vi Sound Base, V T M e, , Trac nnel O e video. g th face playin n’. Tu a s o T mo er in ong, ‘O ndon. Earli s s i h and Lo ot of ‘Away oot in , h m s u e b ted th his al g from n o who s r he n, W4 a i c i s u and m friend s i Clarh res tween e b . h n c o ti at Cobham 11. abora a to m s of 20 st coll o a l e d e i h v t s d. T e b of the as one

al’s

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, Terry G and his UK based fiancée their first child together. Reports say . Edo State-born Mimi’s excitement is could give birth any time from now as nant. ster becoming a father soon keep his he craziness and energy that endeared

planning to solemnize their relationhe birth of their baby.

P-Square

Lynxxx drops Fine Lady video Utunu rapper Lynxxx has dropped the video of Fine lady, the song which also featured Wizkid.

Cameo appearances in the video were by Basketmouth, Ikon, Blackmagic, Dr. SID, Waje, Sasha, Oreka Godis, Jumai Shaba, Efya, SDC, Nedu, Ms. Jaie, and Illrymz.

How Cobhams’ mum won N2m

Mrs Gladys Asuquo, the mother of celebrated singer-song writerproducer, Cobhams, has won the Supermom celebrity edition. The former clerical officer in the Nigerian Army was adjudged winner of the hugely popular show after amassing the highest votes by fans and followers among the ten finalists. Thus, Mrs Gladys Asuquo would be presented N2m cash prize at an elaborate ceremony later in the year, which she is expected to donate to a charity of her choice.

She would also be treated to an all-expense paid trip to Dubai. Fuji music star, Abass Akande Obesere’s mother, Taibat Omobonike, emerged first runner up while Banky W’s Empire Mates Entertainment debutante, rapper, Skales’ mother, was second runner up. They are expected to be on the all-expense paid trip to Dubai while also getting N1m and N500, 000 cash respectively which would also be donated to a charity of choice. Other runners up are Julius Agwu and Tony Tetuila’s mothers, who would get an appreciable cash prize too, the organisers, Digital Interactive Media, have announced.

A recap of Cobhams’ story was broadcast during the announcement last weekend. Cobhams isn’t just one of the most talented young men in the Nigerian music industry with a remarkable record of success in his chosen career, he is also a conqueror; having won several battles including that against congenital blindness.

Viewers would recall the tear-filled and intriguing story of how a blind kid turned his disability to a success story. Born like other normal children, Cobhams seemed perfectly normal until about three months after when his very observant mother began noticing his awkwardness. She took him to the University Teaching Hospital in Ibadan from where they were referred to a hospital in Kano.

There, her worst fears were confirmed; her son had been blind from the womb and nothing could be done to restore his sight.

“It wasn’t easy watching Cobhams do chores around the house

and run errands like my other children but I resolved to make him as independent and capable of achieving anything he sets his mind to do. I showed him where his box of clothes was and would ask him to go get his clothes after bathing him,” Mrs Asuquo says. These trainings came in handy when he had to move into the boarding school for his secondary education. As he grew up, his predilection for music started coming to the fore. She recalled, “He would beat on anything he could lay his hands on so I encouraged him by buying him musical toys. Cobhams never went to school to learn to play any music instrument; I think it was just an escape route for him.”

Since it began airing on May 26th, viewers had keenly followed the sacrifices of 20 Nigerian celebrities namely Cobhams, Skales, Obesere, Foluke Daramola, Flavour Nabania, Mr. Olu of the Yahooze fame, Ice K, one half of the enduring duo, Artquake, Kennis Music act, Jaywon, Tony Tetuila and acclaimed female drummer, Ara. Other celebrities were On-Air-personality and consummate theatre artist, Yaw; actors, Femi Adebayo, Binta Ayo Mogaji, Kunle Afolayan; and comedians, Seyi Law and Julius Agwu. Like contemporary gospel artiste, Kenny Saint Best and bulky DJ Humility, the Nollywood producer popularly known as Mr. Prolific also shared the story of his mother’s sacrifices while nurturing him to adulthood.

The 13-week show, which was aired on the AIT network and primetime belts of many terrestrial television stations, came to an exciting denouement last weekend. While it lasted, the Supermom Celebrity Show emerged one of the most exciting and engaging experiences in the history of reality television shows in Nigeria.

Explaining the rationale behind the show, the executive producer, Sola Fajobi, says, “Our Superstars are human beings; they eat, they drink and do the things that we do. They did not fall from the sky.

They were raised, groomed, trained and nurtured by mothers.

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Sunday, September 9, 2012

Connecting

Vanessa with

Vanessaonsunday@yahoo.com

Making your relationship fantasies come true

E

veryone is created with the innate ability do not just stop there. Many make a mistake in believing that once they found someone they to dream. Vivid imaginations of the kind of tomorrow we desire constantly play out as a make a great connection with, everything else movie in the invisible screen of our minds. These will fall into place perfectly and all of their rodreams are usually very colourful and rosy; with mantic fantasies will come true automatically. us materialising as heroes and victors without That is a very wrong notion.

If you want your fantasies to become a reality, actually lifting a finger to make it happen.

All of a sudden, reality wakes us up harshly then you must introduce them to real life situafrom our sweet dream and we come to realise tions. Your partner is not a mind reader, yet you that we still live in the doldrums we created. How expect him/her to know exactly how you want to ironic can life actually be: you live like a king in be treated. You expect them to act out the things your dreams yet reality showcases you as a pau- you pictured them doing in your imaginations. per? So sad isn’t it? This is the difference between How is that possible? They can only know what’s the rich and the poor in the society. The rich live on your mind when you communicate your detheir dreams while the poor die with theirs. A sires to them.

The best way you can introduce your romantic rich man creates and maximises opportunities that come his way to become richer while the ideas is to act them out yourself. This will paint a poor sits down in the corner of his room to point clear picture for your partner, helping him or her fingers at the rich man without making any ef- see what kind of romantic personality you have and what you fort to see how enjoy.

Take to make his for instance, own dreams if you are the come true. type that likes The same lovely romanthing goes in tic text mesthe way we sages sent to handle our rewake you up lationship fanevery morntasies. In our ing; be the d ayd re a m s, first to send we come up it out to him/ with the most her. If you are amazing and the type that unbelievable loves hugs ideas and and kisses, we play out Models and saying “I scenes that love you’’ at will make the best romantic movie look like child’s play. The every given opportunity, then don’t wait for your only catch to all this, however, is that they are de- partner to say it before you reciprocate. Be the veloped in our fantasies and stay there, without first to start expressing your fantasies to your ever actually taking place in our real lives. Why partner. By so doing, you will also learn more is it like that? Why is it so easy for us to fantasize about your partner, because you will see their about the most amazing romances, but never see response to your romantic suggestions, which is them come true in our life? Does it not happen? why, it is extremely important that you do this at the beginning of your dating process, or in the Is there no such thing?

Well, sorry to burst your bubble, but there is beginning of your relationship. If you do not, no such thing as a romantic dream come true you could very well be setting yourself up for until you create its existence. That’s right; you deep disappointment.

It is important that you are also open and honcarry the key that will open the magical door to making all of your romantic dreams come true. est about your hobbies; lifestyle and romantic What were you expecting me to tell you? That qualities so that your date also starts to learn someday, an invisible wand will be waved over who you really are as a person and can also deyou, miraculously fulfilling all your fantasies cide whether or not they feel you are someone with your partner? Well, I never said I was the they wish to continue dating. If you do not wish fairy godmother that helped Cinderella to be the to be misled, then do not mislead others either!

Accomplishing true romance can only hapbelle of the party, win the heart of the Prince and live happily ever after with him. So I’m only pen when you express your fantasies freely and confidently to your partner. Like someone once going to tell you the gospel truth here.

You are the one that will have to create the said to me “there’s no one you put sugar in their kind of fantasy you have always wanted in your mouth that spits it out”. If you begin to act out relationship or else kiss your romantic dreams your romantic fantasies on your partner today, I bet you that in no distant future, you will begin goodbye forever. Do not get me wrong here. Of course there are situations where two people to see them reciprocate in an amazing manner meet and have an instant connection, but things that will exceed even your fantasies!

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NOTICE: Please note that we don’t do personal connections outside this column. Calls to connect privately are not allowed. Just send an SMS or email and we’ll get your request published. The request is published on first come first served basis. Thank you!

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37

&

Weddings Engagements CELEBRATING THE JOY IN MARITAL BLISS

Young Shall Grow CEO’s son, Obiora, weds heartthrob S SEPTEMBER 9, 2012

aturday, August 11, was a gathering of top Igbo businessmen n and prominent personalities as Obiora Obianodo performed the traditionall marriage with his heartthrob, Chidinma a Chidolue.

The classy traditional wedding took ok place at the bride father’s house in n Umudioka, Nneni, Anaocha council, Anambra State. Chidinma, the beautiful bride, was simply magnificent in her colourful traditional attire. Obiora also complemented his wife in his attire.

The varied colours of aso ebi added glamour to the ceremony.

The colours displayed by families and friends of the couple ranged d from gold, orange to blue. While the he bride’s mother and her friends adorned rned the orange and blue aso ebi, the bride’s friends made their first outing with the bride to greet her in-laws in orange George rge wrapper, tied round their chest with corall beads, adorned around their neck and waist as the tradition tradition.

For the second appearance, they all came out wearing well designed gold blouses which they sported with beautiful wrap-

pers in a mix of green and blue. They harmonised their outfit with a gold headgear. Both families lavishly entertained their guests with en food, wine and drink. assorted foo Obiora is a graduate of Economics from the University of Abuja he is presently the Managand h ing Director of Young Shall Grow Ltd. He is the first son of Gro foremost transporter, Chief for Vincent Obianodo, CEO of Vi Young Shall Grow Motors.

Yo The Th delectable bride, Chidinma, m is a graduate of Biology from fro the University of York.

She Sh is the second daughter of Patrick Chidolue, the CEO of Patr Chelsea Group of companies, Chel owners of Chelsea Hotel, Abuja owner and Lagos.

Lag It was indeed a gathering of the movers and shakers as both families exert a lot of influence in the town. In atin tendance were Gove Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State; Cletus Ibeto Ibeto, CEO Ib Ibeto Group of Companies; Dan Okafor, CEO Dan Dollars Motors; Ejike Okoli; Andy Ubah; Mike Ajebo and Dame Virgy Etiaba, among others.

You have a story to tell us about your wedding/engagement, or your new born baby.

Please call this line: 08051980588

BABIES OF THE WEEK

Aisha Aderonke Olamide Oluwasemilore was born at Lifegate hospital, Ogba to Abdul Ganiu and Fareedat. She was delivered at 8:39 p.m. and weighed 3 kg.

According to Fareedat, during the pregnancy, “I craved for spicy food. I also drank a lot of water.”

Did she experience any physical body changes? Fareedat revealed that, “I had swollen feet, nose and also puffy eyes.”

What irritated Fareedat during pregnancy?

“I was irritated by her mood swing,” she said.

What do they love about Aisha? “We love her uniqueness and she is beautiful.”

What do they want her to become in future? Fareedat stressed that, “She should walk whatever good path she chooses in future and we will support her.”

What is the meaning of her name? “Aisha means living, prosperous wife of Prophet Muhammad,” she added.

I fell in love with my soul mate –Oyebolami Beatrice OLUWASEGUN IJABIKEN

T

he families of Fashakin and Abidogun on Saturday, August 18 celebrated the holy matrimony of their children, Aduragbemi Michael and Oyebolami Beatrice, in style.

The wedding took place at Triumphant Baptist Church, Shasha-Akowonjo, Lagos. After the conjugal blessings,

Mr. and Mrs. Fashakin

family members, friends and guests moved to Ronik Comprehensive College, Ejigbo the venue of the reception.

The groom decked a black suit which he paired with a lemon-green shirt and olive-green bow. The bride wore a sequined ivory off-shoulder satin gown, tiara and floral hair piece. She harmonised her bridal look with a lovely set of necklace and earrings.

Aduragbemi and Oyebolami met nine

years ago when they were both Art students of the Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH). They started off as friends on a platonic level. However, four years down the line the relationship blossomed into an intimate one. At this point, Oyebola who was already aware of the new chemistry evolving between them pretended about it, while earnestly waiting for Aduragbemi to be the man that he is by taking the bold step to profess his love also and propose to her. At last her prayers were answered and he eventually did.

Excited Oyebola said she fell in love with her soul mate, Aduragbemi, “because he is ever sacrificing, ready to listen and help, and he also advises singles to get married to their friends, someone they truly know.”

Speaking on the qualities he adores in Oyebolami, Aduragbemi revealed that, “she is kind, straight, simple, and transparent. Also she does not pretend or get angry for too long.” He is convinced he made the right choice and advises bachelors and spinsters thus: “Hope in God, pray and watch”.

The happiness of the couple knew no bounds as they danced dexterously to the admiration of everyone, amid mellifluous tunes rendered to them.

Alumni members of the Arts and Design Students’ Association, YABATECH, were there to celebrate with two of their own.

Godsgift Chidera Iwuagwu was born at Madonna hospital, Awka to Ogbonna and Faith Iwuagwu. She was delivered at 1:23 a.m. and weighed 3:25 kg.

What did Faith crave for during the pregnancy? “I craved for moi-moi and draw soup with eba. And for fruits, I desired watermelon, pineapple and oranges,” she said.

For obvious physical body changes, Faith revealed that she looked more beautiful and did not put on much weight. However, she had swollen legs.

What irritated her during the pregnancy?

“I was irritated by the smell of the anti-natal drugs and nothing else,” she said.

What do Godsgift parents love most about her? “We love her smiles, eating and sleeping habits,” revealed Ogbonna.

What do the parents want her to become in future? “We will love her to become God`s representative and an instrument in her generation. Also, we would love her to become a medical doctor,” emphasised Ogbonna What is the meaning of her names?

“Chidera means what is written by God stands,” Ogbonna explained.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

38

A Fashionista’s

World SEPTEMBER 9, 2012

My height has really been a challenge to me –Miss Oodua Roseline Ogunyale, an accountant by profession, is the current Miss Oodua 2012. She relives with joy the night of the pageant and how she won the beauty crown at the end of the event which took place in Ile Ife. She says since she emerged Miss Oodua, she had been saddled with the responsibility of promoting Nigerian and African cultures among the youths. She also told Adaeze Amos how her height had hindered her each time she went for auditioning for modelling.

As the Miss Oodua, what are your responsibilities?

My duty as Miss Oodua is to promote the African cultures to our youths that are both here in Nigeria and outside the country. That means that wherever I go, I would have to promote our cultures because so many youths out there, including some elderly ones, have forgotten our culture.

Could you tell us about the pageant?

The pageant took place in Ile Ife and there were other contestants who contested with me. That night, nobody knew who was going to win. I didn’t know I was going to win because I told myself that whoever won, good luck. I also said that I would really like to win, but I was interested in just enjoying myself. It was my first time of visiting Ife. I felt like having fun. When it eventually got to the final lap, I was called. I didn’t hear when they called my number that I was the winner. There was a girl there whom I actually thought was going to win.

It was just myself and her that were on the stage, thus I thought they were going to call her. When they called me, I didn’t believe it was real.

I was indeed happy, and most of the contestants there liked me and they were really happy for me.

How long will your tenure last?

One year.

What are your future aspirations?

I am still working on my pet project. I have about four phases in the project. What I want to do is that I would like to organise a competition among secondary schools, and even the primary. It’s more like teaching them our culture. It would come in the format of a quiz competition and I would award prizes to them. I would also do something like a mini pageant that would be based on our culture and give the winner a prize. The other two parts would come up later.

In the beauty world, who do you really admire?

I haven’t really followed up much from them but there is only one beauty queen that I have always respected and loved. She is Agbani Darego. She is still slim and the way she came from nowhere to be who she is today still amazes me. I’m sure that amazes so many other people. She is the one beauty queen I’m really looking up to in Nigeria and Africa.

Do you have the hope of going for higher beauty pageants?

Yes! I want to contest for Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria pageant next year after my tenure would have been over and hopefully Miss universe or Miss World.

Had there been a time your height hindered you from getting some modelling jobs?

Yes, my height has really been a big challenge for me. Sometimes I wish I were taller than I am? Before I became Miss Oodua, I went for auditioning for modelling jobs but I was always told that my height was a hindrance. I feel bad about that. But sometimes, they don’t really look at height. Maybe because I usually tell them that I can put on high-heeled shoes. No matter how high shoes are, I can wear them, I can walk well in them.

Before going to bed at night, are there beauty rituals you observe to look good?

My friends and course mates usually ask me what I use to maintain my beauty. I’m not a facial cleanser kind of person. I don’t use facial cleanser and I have never used one before. At night, I take my bath and if I’m not too tired, I apply cream on my body and sleep. Sometimes, I don’t apply cream before sleeping.

Do people actually recognise you as Miss Oodua?

A lot of people recognise me. Whenever I’m in the midst of my friends and we are expected to pay some money, they would say Miss Oodua should have to pay double because she is Miss Oodua.

How do you cope with fame?

I’m naturally a friendly person. I make a lot of friends. We might not be so close but I try as much as possible to make friends with people that want me to be their friends. It’s just like a normal thing for me, although some things have changed about me because of the crown.

What are those things that have changed about you?

I can’t talk the way I used to. I mean just talk anyhow. I won’t be seen eating in places that are not befitting. I’m not expected to go to the nightclub or night parties without taking permission from those that crowned me. If I should be allowed to go, someone would go with me and I would have a limited time I to stay.

How did your mum feel when you won the crown?

She was happy that I won and still is.

She wasn’t there with me on the night of the pageant. For my friends, I didn’t tell any of them about the pageant for the fear of not winning at the end. It was when I won that they got know.

Now that you are a queen, how is the relationship with your boyfriend?

A queen is not supposed to have a boyfriend. For now and throughout my reign, there is no boyfriend.

Was there no one in your life before you were crowned?

There was.

Did you then abandon him immediately you were crowned?

No, he had to understand that this is what I’m into now. He has his own job and he has his own career.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

A

Opinion

Sunday September 9, , 2012

39

Pray, what ails the First Lady?

t press time yesterday, the entire Nigerian public was in quandary as to the wellbeing of the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, as rumours festered, whirled and even rudely hit as twister, as to the state of her health. The first information from the rumour mill that whiffed past ears was that she, along with her personal physician, suffered food poisoning, necessitating them to be flown abroad for medical attention.

As that splash of hint was about attracting the unavoidable buzz of reactions, came also a fresh feeler to counter the first information. This time round, it was another loud whisper, that ‘Mummy’ or Madam as Nigerians are wont to call a woman of class, was actually out of the country to add to her beauty, to wit, to conduct maybe a tummy tuck, being a beauty surgery known as abdominoplasty, which in the homeland, is a sore reminder of an event of common grief. We all can recall First Lady Stella Obasanjo’s passage in 2005, how it was assailed by same rumour.

The canon of speculations eventually reached what seemed a crescendo when on Friday, another of the Aso Rock parrots chirpily mumbled that tut, our dear Dame was wrongly diagnosed in Nigeria for food poisoning, whereas in abroad, it was found that she actually suffered a ruptured appendix, which was grave enough it could result in septic shock, and in the unthinkable.

But what appears plausible in the haystack of speculations regarding the wellbeing of the President’s wife is that, she is in Wiesbaden, Germany, at a hospital described as Horst Schmidst Klinik,

receiving medical attention. Whether she is being treated for food poisoning or she underwent a cleavage tuck whereas she is getting further treatment for a backlash of it, or that she is being nursed over a ruptured appendix, is what continues to blow in the wind, before a censorious public.

However, amid the mishmash of all that have bopped to the surface as fantastic reports on the health of the First Lady, is also the unhelpful disposition of the Presidency, which numbly reacted, through Madam’s seemingly frigid aides.

The aides said she went abroad to take a deserving rest; a defence which rendition was so preposterously classy, that Joseph Goebbels, Adolf Hitler’s propagandist, would twist with envy, in his grave.

Though in the conundrum of power, secrecy is often seen as a guiding principle, to the extent that government functionaries are not expected to spill the beans on issues their principal would prefer as top secrets. But in the Nigerian case, aides have been so groomed to fit in the tradition of being more Catholic than the Pope or having to weep more than the bereaved.

The First Lady, though occupying the enviable position of matriarch of the first family in the country, is nonetheless a human being, who is liable to ail like any other. For being the wife of the President, a poke into her state of health cannot be classified as intruding into the privacy of the Jonathan family. So, the public deserve to know if in truth she was poisoned, what investigations have gone into the issue, and how many arrests have been made. Again, in the event that

she went to do body upgrade so as to look more appealing, the detail ought to be provided. If it is about an organ dysfunction also, there is no reason a synopsis of it should not be officially released. This is even so desirable as we are in a country filled with prayer ‘warriors’ and ‘warrioresses’, who can organise national prayers for the quick recovery of ‘our Mummy’.

To be more serious is to state the fact that hiding the indisposed state of the First Lady, thus allowing the President and his immediate family to bear the burden alone, is to do incalculable damage to the psyche of a nation that is already bleeding from various setbacks.

Giving vent to psycho-analysis, for instance, a President assessing the scene of a Boko Haram bomb blast would not gaze into ‘open heaven’ in deep contemplation of the ill health of his wife, when he is aware that we are all aware. Rather, he would address the issue on hand smartly and with dispatch.

After all, when former military President Ibrahim Babangida suffered a relapsed leg radiculopathy, being the boomerang of gunshots he received during the civil war, it was announced to the whole nation that he was jetting out to France for intensive treatment.

Again, in advanced countries, if a President or a Prime Minister is ill, it is promptly announced to the public.

The authorities will even proceed to tell whether the ailment is life-threatening or not. Last year, when Israel’s Prime Minister, Ariel Sharon’s health condition deteriorated, it was made public. When eventually he went into coma and would

Kayode Fasua

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

not recover to be able to rule again, an official statement also indicated.

This hide-me attitude concomitant with modern politicians in Nigeria was first displayed in 2010 when President Umaru Yar’Adua’s health condition deteriorated. It was not until it became an inescapable reality that he had to be confined to a hospital bed for a period not specified, that the Presidency buckled.

His media aide, Segun Adeniyi, had to own up, saying the President was down with pericarditis.

Is it also not a shame that as a nation of 150 million people, health facilities in the various hospitals are still at the bravura level, or in most cases, largely nonexistent? Granted that advanced medical knowledge gives the foreign hospitals an edge in pulling patients overseas on referral, it is not also untrue that many of Nigeria’s brainy medics, who sought and got greener pastures outside the country, are now making waves.

If the First Lady had had access to good medical facilities and personnel here, in the event that she was truly ill, would she have had cause to take the expensive lane of travelling abroad? This is food for thought, as is also wishing Patience Jonathan good health.

The gains of Jonathan’s diplomacy REUBEN ABATI

T

he gains of President Jonathan’s diplomacy are often overshadowed by misrepresentations of the size of his delegation, ignorance about the value of his foreign travels, and the positives of his constant engagement with the international community. I have had cause on more than one occasion to expose the lie about published figures about the size of his delegations. I intend to deal here with what is overlooked.

Given the damage that the Nigerian interest suffered a few years ago, the same interest needed to be clarified and strengthened. We are living witnesses to that short, critical, phase in Nigeria’s foreign relations when the country failed to show up at important international meetings, lost many positions in multilateral associations, forsook obligations, and found itself in a situation where many of our allies started wondering what had gone wrong with Nigeria. President Jonathan has brought the much-needed change in this arena, and has launched an operational framework for Nigerian diplomacy, which continues to strengthen the place of Nigeria in the world.

In 2010, as Acting President, he embarked on a number of diplomatic shuttles, as part of a deliberate attempt to reassure the world that Nigeria was well and secure despite the trauma of succession that it had just experienced and the divisive politics of zoning that threatened to scuttle the country’s political transition. Many may have forgotten, selective amnesia being a dangerous national malaise, that President Jonathan’s statesmanship, his humility, and

the maturity that he displayed during that momentous season proved to be a strong stabilizing influence on a nervous Nigerian community. He had promised that Nigeria’s next general elections to be conducted under his watch, in 2011, even with him as a contestant, will be free and fair, and that nobody’s blood was worth being shed for him to win an election.

That promise was kept. The elections were not only free and fair, they were adjudged the best ever in Nigeria’s modern history. The achievement was not merely one of legitimacy; the applause from the international community was redemptive. Nigeria, at that point, almost a typical case study of the challenges of democratic consolidation, became yet another success story. President Jonathan has since taken many steps further to build on this.

One of the very early steps was a four-day, August 2011, seminar on Nigeria’s Foreign Policy Process, with inputs from the Presidential Advisory Committee on Foreign Affairs led by Chief Emeka Anyaoku. The seminar and the foreign policy experts, recommended, inter alia, a robust diplomacy, driven by Nigeria’s economic interests. This accent on self-interest had shown up during the Obasanjo years. It reflected an increasing awareness that Nigeria’s foreign policy should not be driven by the vainglory of being a certain brother’s keeper, or the Father Christmas pretensions that dominated it for years, rather, hard-headed pragmatism. The world had changed a lot since Nigeria distributed its oil wealth to other countries and asked for nothing in return. The new strategy called for partnership, mutual respect, enhanced and innovative diplomacy, and constructive

exchange. In this context, President Jonathan leads a foreign policy process that has been fruitful and meaningful, and properly linked to domestic policy.

His foreign travels fall into three categories: state visits (formal state to state activity), courtesy visits (attendance at ceremonies, burials, inaugurations) and working visits (trips to attend multilateral, bilateral and regional meetings). Each of these visits is official, the ultimate gainer is Nigeria, and it is well worth noting that since his assumption of office, President Jonathan has not gone on any unofficial or private trip abroad. It is a trite point that a strong foreign policy process, one which involves constant interaction and openness brings a country much goodwill, promotes understanding and strengthens the country’s friendship with other countries.

Closed countries are often treated with suspicion; their leaders are subjects of mystery. President Jonathan has worked very actively in the last two years to promote Brand Nigeria.

His foreign travels are usually, carefully chosen. He has equally played host to Heads of State and Governments and delegations from around the world including high profile visits by Britain’s David Cameron, Germany’s Angela Merkel, and US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton.

On all of these occasions, Nigeria’s interest is strategically promoted. The President is accompanied on each of his trips by members of the National Assembly and Ministers who attend the relevant meetings and make necessary inputs for follow up action. Trade and investment always tops the agenda. The President personally leads the campaign of inviting investors to set up

industries in Nigeria, and produce locally if they wish to take advantage of Nigeria’s huge market potential. Interestingly, Nigeria’s domestic security challenges have not proved to be a disincentive.

Foreign Direct Investment generated in the last year alone according to UNCTAD’s 2012 Investment Report was $8.9 billion making Nigeria No 1 in Africa and a top quartile investment destination in the world. During a recent trip to Rio, Brazil, Nigeria signed an MOU with Electrobras to invest in the generation of 10, 000 MW; since then, there have been subsequent visits to Nigeria by Brazilian investors interested in infrastructure, food and beverages and consumer items. In October 2011, when President Jonathan met with the Australian investment community in Perth, on the sidelines of CHOGM, the Australia-Nigeria Trade and Investment Council (ANTIC) was established to facilitate the flow of investments into agriculture, mining and the petrochemicals sector. Australian Council members have since visited Nigeria, and there is an agreement in place to provide technical support for the local mining sector. In April 2012, the President, in the course of an official visit to Germany, got Siemens to commit to investment in power generation, and turbine maintenance and repair in Nigeria. Generally, there has been massive support from governments and investors for the President’s policies and strong interest to invest in the country.

The corollary to this is the search for opportunities for Nigerian investors in foreign markets. The President often times travels with Nigerian businessmen who are looking for in-roads into foreign markets: CONTINUED ON PAGE 40

40

Politics

Sunday, September 9, 2012

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

We asked teachers to sit for exams to raise standards –Ekiti Speaker Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Dr. Albert Omirin, rose to the corridors of power in the state in unprecedented speed. He is a first time legislator who became speaker of the House.

The 56-year-old medical doctor who represents Gbonyin Constituency 2 in Ekiti State, spoke to Vanessa Okwara about his early childhood and the challenges he had encountered so far in ofYou are a medical doctor by profession. What made you to study Medicine? Was it something you wanted to do or did your parents choose it for you?

I was very good in science. I led my class in the science subjects. Also, there was a time I did high jump in my grammar school and broke my leg. I was taken to the hospital. I was there from 7.30 a.m. until 11 a.m. And when the doctor came, the entire hospital changed. Everybody was running around. I got so impressed that a single man came to the hospital and commanded such attention. So I made up my mind that I was going to be a doctor. That was the major thing that inspired me.

During your childhood, did you have any challenge over a particular subject and how were you able to overcome it?

The major challenge I had academically was English.

Throughout my secondary school, I never passed English.

Even in my WAEC I was supposed to have grade 1 but because I had F9 in English, I had grade 3. That was because there was no good English teacher in my secondary school days. When I got to Federal School of Arts and Science, that was where I actually started learning English. In Federal School I was able to make a credit and pass my A levels too. I may not have been good in arts subjects, but I was a master of science.

Now that you are a leader, can you point out any particular event in your growing up years that actually prepared you for this?

My mentor as I will call it is the late sage, Obafemi Awolowo. I look at him as a good leader, the provision of free primary education in the South-West, the provision of the best stadium and the first television station in the whole of Africa. When I looked at his children, I wanted my own kids to be in that shoe. Along the line, I noticed that it is the children of politicians that were having the best positions in the government and even employment. So I made up my mind that I will venture into politics, because I want to be great like this people. That was what actually inspired me to join politics after my educational career.

What is the working relationship between the House of Assembly and that of the executive?

It is very harmonious and cordial. In a state where you have rancour between the state assembly and the executive there won’t be any progress. When the executive creates a bill and the house sits on it, it will not see the light of the day; but if there is a harmonious relationship, everything will work fine, just like we have in Ekiti State.

The government is doing wonderfully well to support the house because of this harmonious relationship.

You are a first-time legislator and also lucky to be the speaker of the house at the same time. What are the challenges you have encountered?

As a medical doctor, coming to make law, I had to learn some steps. Initially it was difficult but I have come to understand the ethics of legislating. Secondly, even when you have three children of the same parents living in the same room, they will have misunderstanding, one time or the other, much less 26 of us coming from different backgrounds meeting and working together, we really needed to study ourselves and get to know each other well. That is what we have been doing in the past one year. Along the line, we have had cause to disagree but we have gotten to know one another more.

What kind of bills have you passed since you became a speaker that has helped the rural people?

Virtually all the bills we have passed are meant to have influence on the rural people. The first one was the social security bill. This is a bill that is the first in Nigeria and probably the first in West Africa. In this bill our aged are given some stipends every month for their upkeep.

How much?

We give them N5,000 per month.

What is the age range of the old people who receive this money?

It is given to those who are above 60 years.

Do you have a list of such aged people in every community and local governments?

Yes, we went to do the registration before we started and the government does not discriminate which party you must have voted for, as long as you are an elderly citizen of this state. The condition is that if you are a pensioner, you will not be allowed to take it. Also if you have children that can look after you, you will not be given. We have some among them who have never counted N5, 000 in their life before. These are the kind of people we give that money to.

Is it only given specifically to Ekiti State indigenes?

No! Whether you are an indigene or not, once you are resident here, you will get it. I am also expected to look after my own parents. If my father and mother are alive today, they will not be entitled to take that money. I am also expected to take care of the aged from my own ward where I come from. The number of the aged that needed such assistance from my ward came up to be 48. I am expected to take care of these ones. So these are the conditions we attached to disbursing out such money.

We have also filed the gender violence prohibition law.

This is a law that prevents our male from beating their wives. We have seen cases of women losing their pregnancies because of violence. It is gender-oriented because we also have women that beat their husbands as well. We have women who are powerful enough to beat their husbands.

We have also passed the freedom of information bill. We are the first to domesticate it in Nigeria. So you are free to go to any office of the government of Ekiti State to ask for any information. This helps to bring about acceptability, accountability and transparency on the part of government. If you know that this document can go out, then you will be careful not to soil your name. In the olden days there was what is called Oath of Secrecy; there is nothing like that any longer. You are free to go to any government office and ask for any document and you will be given, without the person giving it to you being punished.

Have you had bottlenecks when trying to pass any bill from the opposition parties in the house?

We have had opposition not only from opposing parties but also from the members of our party as well. The house of assembly is made up of men and women of integrity, professionals in their own right, so they have their own minds. When a bill comes in and we don’t agree, we trash it out because everybody has a view. Like the day we were having the lottery bill, some believe it is against their doctrine, so they argued against it; we had to convince them.

Like the time we were trying to do the consolidation of the three universities in Ekiti State. Since we cannot marry three universities, we felt it was better to consolidate them, but the people who had these universities in their constituency and communities believed we were playing politics.

They are members of my party and they stood against it.

When they saw a superior argument, we all agreed. Bottlenecks are not only from opposition alone but even from members of your own party.

You have been a medical doctor before becoming a lawmaker. What is the place of health in politics; is there a common ground?

We have a common ground. Medicine is service to humanity. Apart from being a medical doctor, I am a member of the lion’s club where we serve humanity. Politics is serving at a wider level of humanity and service to the community. All my life, that has been my goal that I want to serve my people. You find out that it is service everywhere.

Recently teachers in your state were asked to write aptitude test, and they protested. What is the house doing to resolve this issue?

You know Ekiti State is called fountain of knowledge.

Our main job here is education and farming. We don’t have industries and for every community and family in the state, you must find one or two graduates there. Also, if you look at the number of professors in Nigeria today, Ekiti State has the bulk of it. When you look at that, and the level of education we have today, you feel sorry for the kids.

In a state where we say we are the fountain of knowledge and we are not even within the second unit in the coun-

Hon. Adewale Omirin Ekiti House Speaker

try, you can see the level of decay. This is what the government is trying to look into. Some of these teachers are not even competent to teach students. What the government said is not meant as an avenue to drive away teachers or retrench any of them. We said, ‘do these tests, let us know your weakness and know which area we are going to train you’. This is what the government wants to achieve with that test. I believe a teacher that is testing students should be tested too. The person should not be afraid to be tested.

They hold the future of our children and the future of this state. It is in their hands. That is why I strongly believe that the test is very essential. Let us know your weaknesses and know where we start your training from. They were comparing the kind of test we wanted to do for them with the type we did for the principals that saw some of them going home. From that test, the governor did not retrench a single one of them, but some people decided to retire voluntarily. We realised that in the secondary schools, we had senior and junior secondarys, being headed by two principals in the same school. The governor said there should not be anything like that. He wanted to merge them, which he did. In a situation where you had two principals in a school, the junior ones had to go back as vice principals. In the test we gave them, they were asked to enumerate their five-year plan for the school they are heading and that they should mention five schools where they will like their own children to go to. Some of them did not even mention their own school. Which means their own schools are not good.

At the end of the day, the first set that passed the exams were made principals and the others were made teachers.

In a situation where a person who had been principal for 10 years and did not pass the exam, is asked to go and teach, they decided to retire voluntarily. The primary school teachers are now comparing the exam they are asked to do with that of the principals, which is quite a different thing.

The government has good intention. I believe they should key into it. Nobody is going to use it to retrench anybody. It is not punitive in any way but used to assess their strength and how to assist them.

When the Federal University Oye was created, there were community clashes between two areas - Ikolie and Oye. What is the state house of assembly doing to reconcile the two ruling monarchs?

I thought the issue has been solved. When the state panel came to see where the university will be sited, they went to the governor who showed them where it will be sited. The senator who came from Oye used his influence in Abuja and changed the location to Oye. The president made the pronouncement on television. This now caused a problem and some people died because of it. But the governor and the president were mature enough and they were able to resolve it and proffer a solution by dividing the university into two campuses. The president said he had made a pronouncement and there’s no way he could go back on it. The governor said he had made a pronouncement and there’s no way he will go back on it. The solution was to divide it into two, which I think is reasonable. I think this should have settled the problem between the two paramount rulers, apparently the two of them are going to benefit from it. The campus is being developed in Ikolie and in Oye. Well this is what happens in a country where influence and lobbying work. For example in my local government, the headquarters was in my town village before but by the time Professor Aluko was the special adviser to Abacha, the capital was moved from my town to his own. We protested and nothing happened. Now we are accustomed to the system. I have not had time to sit down with the two Kabiyesi. I think the governor had sat down with them and urged them to resolve their differences.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Politics

Sunday, September 9, 2012

Can PDM make the difference?

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 15

gress, People’s National Front and People’s Consultative Forum.

On August 13, however, a memorandum of understanding to form a political party was signed with Dr. Ekwueme as head. A week later, the five associations led by the PDM joined in setting up a steering committee and Ekwueme was retained as the chairman while Prof. Jerry Gana was named as the Secretary. Other 125 associations joined and endorsed the formation of a political party that shall be known as the Peoples Democratic Party in the famous Abuja Declaration. The party was finally launched on August 31, 1998 at a colourful ceremony at the International Conference Centre, Abuja.

pupils

orted. The essence is le them gain admis-

score some political ment was ill-advised. ho are enjoying this overnment.” o improve the perfords should be encour-

be discouraged as it tem of the country. m somebody who has eople are looking for s in these examinaot the kind of policy eal to Belgore to look continue. Why I said not being trained to mbers. Many of them ering services to the iscovered the admisarty affiliation. It is

at the type of educaoverall performance g bad to worse situase it. What it implies to do that in Offa lowill be meted out to s to give scholarship hen they themselves on that was adduced ctive and an exercise

government ought to ficiaries of his trunntinue to “give lame

nd received from the kicked off, contrary aughable” excuse by ent had lied and was xcuses. He therefore ed to let schools be s in order not to fail worthwhile one.

PDM and the formation of government.

It is no longer news that members of PDM were instrumental to the Obasanjo presidency. It is also a fact that the ambush on Obasanjo to become the president was planned by members of the Yar’Adua Political family.

It would be recalled that the influence of Atiku, who is Turaki Adamawa, particularly in the North had become so strong and overwhelming that most northern politicians, particularly the younger generation, saw in him the rallying point since the demise of Yar’Adua. It was not too difficult for him to galvanise massive support, particularly from the northern governors who had to urge him to abandon the Adamawa governorship already won to lead the nation at a high level.

It was on this ground that the North chose him to shop for a presidential candidate from the South who he will pair with for the presidential race.

Against all odds, Atiku pulled the machinery of the PDM behind Obasanjo to win the party’s ticket against the favourite and former Vice-President, Alex Ekwueme. They won the election and were sworn in, in June 28, 1999. It was not surprising, therefore, that because of their efforts PDM members were rewarded with key political offices. But with Obasanjo as president, the centre gradually began to shake as he, through political maneouvering, decimated the ranks of PDM which soon went underground.

Although, Atiku being the new arrowhead refused to allow the group die.

When he moved to the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) where he became the presidential candidate of the party in 2007, Atiku went with the PDM political machinery, except for a few people like Anenih, Shuaibu Oyedokun and others. For the two tenures of Obasanjo as president, the PDM played a crucial role. It is really not known the extent of the influence of the PDM in the emergence of Umar Yar’Adua, younger brother to PDM founder in his ascension into the presidency in 2007.

During his campaign to become the president in 2007, the then Katsina state governor, Umaru Musa Yar’Adua dissociated himself from the political machinery of his late brother, saying his aspiration to contest the presidency of Nigeria was not a ploy to destabilise the political machinery and has nothing to do with the PDM. This assertion played out as Atiku was supported by a section of YarAdua’s family members against Umaru’s presidential bid In 2007.

The disunited PDM In the run up to the 2011 presidential primary of the PDP, the PDM deployed to work and played significant roles but this time, as a divided group. Atiku who has remained the arrow head

Chief Anenih

The late MKO Abiola

found himself in opposition to the group he nurtured. The powers that be in the PDM led by Anenih adopted President Jonathan and supported his presidential aspiration against Atiku.

This brought about disunity in the once united and formidable political union.

In the political maneuvering that played out, then leader of the group, Farouk Abdullazzi, moved the group against Atiku and this disunited them and since then, the affairs of the PDM had remained moribund. But as part of strategy ahead of 2015, the PDM has commenced meeting with its principal stakeholders. The basic reason for this could not be farfetched. This is because Nigerians are on the match again. The journey for 2015 has commenced in earnest and the need to start forming alliances is imperative.

PDM reunion and the 2015 It is believed that nocturnal meeting of the group has intensified with the second to the last meeting which took place in Asokoro, Abuja at the residence of a prominent politician from the north in June. Though, prominent members like Atiku and Anenih were allegedly absent at the meeting, it was learnt that their ‘foot soldiers’ actively participated.

According to insiders at the meeting, the PDM members were planning to launch a comeback to limelight through a seminar to discuss the security situation in the country and how to proffer solutions and other matters of interest.

A member of the group and an associate of Atiku, Prince TonyePrincewell, confirmed that the PDM has been meeting, but refused to give details of the meeting.

According to the Niger Delta Prince, “Recently, an old political movement has started to resurface, the Peoples Democratic Movement, the foundation structure of PDP. Now, PDM the foundation structure of PDP will ultimately meet to think on how to address the national questions.”

The PDM, it was gathered, plans to use the seminar to launch itself into limelight to discuss the security situation in the country basically as strat-

Alhaji Shinkafi

Alhaji Ciroma

egy for 2015 presidential election.

Another source who also confirmed the development but pleaded anonymity said it would be doubtful to know the role two prominent members; Atiku and Anenih would play now because of the different political interests they have at the moment.

Atiku is said to be interested in contesting the 2015 presidential primary of the PDP, whereas Anenih is also one of those allegedly supporting the second term presidential ambition of the President.

The understanding within the PDP stakeholders from the North is not to challenge President Jonathan picking the party’s presidential ticket, but to float a new party that could promote a march to wrest the presidency from the South. However, sources at the weekend said the Pro-Jonathan group in the PDM using Anenih as their guide is working frantically to check Atiku and his 2015 presidential ambition.

Unfortunately, Atiku is said to have suddenly developed cold feet in the plan to bring the PDM alive. Inside sources said this twist is forestalling a situation where the Yar’Adua political machinery will be used against him for the second time. It was gathered that several attempts to bring the group back to life has always met a big opposition because Atiku has remain “nonreceptive”.

Thus, it was in line with plans to call Atiku’s bluff that Anenih, Ajanaku and Kaita met last Wednesday where they played prominent roles. Ambassador Yahaya Kwande was also at the meeting. Though, Atiku was said to be in town, but merely sent in words that he would not attend.

It was gathered that Atiku was still not happy over the role members of the PDM played in the 2011 during the PDP presidential primary election where the Yar’Adua Political Associates supported Jonathan against him.

His grouse was that Abdulazzi led the PDM members to support Jonathan’s ambition.

However, at the Wednesday meeting which took place at the Yar’Adua centre, a new leadership was enthroned. A protem National Steering committee was put in place with Chief Bode Ajew-

41

ole as chairman, while Engr. Godie Ikechi is the secretary. Other members of the committee include Senator Abubakar Mhadi, Yar’Adua’s son, Muritala, Dr. EtimAmba, Bashiru Yusuf Ibrahim, Tonye Princewill and Olupunle Ebo as members.

The meeting tagged ‘A Reunion/Rejuvenation Meeting’ of the PDM was to provide a forum for the reunion of old members of the Movement and also bring on-board new members.

The group also presented a road map for its immediate future activities, among which is a proposed National Summit on “The State of the Nation” scheduled to hold in the last quarter of 2012. The Movement resolved to rekindle among its members the spirit of national unity, promotion of peace and good governance.

A communiqué issued at the end of the meeting stated that delegates from all the 36 States of the Federation and FCT were in attendance. Also present at the meeting were key leaders including Anenih, Kaita, Kwande, Hon. (Chief) Bode Ajewole, Engr. Godie Ikechi, Sen. Abubakar Mahdi, Murtala Shehu Yar’adua, Dr. Etim Amba, Alhaji A. A. Matawallen Hadeija, Chief Ejiofor Onyia, Hon. Dubem Onyia, Dame Titi Ajanoku, Alhaji Bashiru Yusuf Ibrahim, Prince Tonye Princewill and Otumba Olupounle Ebo. According to the statement, the PDM is a national “consciousness movement”,pioneered by Late General Shehu Musa Yar’adua for the promotion of core ideals of democracy; sustenance of and support for peaceful co-existence among the diverse groups in the country; bridge building among the diverse segments of the country; promotion of good governance and sustainable development of Nigeria.

Goodwill messages were presented by eminent members of the Movement from all the Geo-political zones.

Representatives of Women and Youths also delivered goodwill messages at the meeting. Contributions from the floor were also received on the way to strengthen the Movement.

Tributes were paid to the Late Shehu Musa Yar’Adua, the founder of the movement, for the supreme sacrifice he made in furtherance of unity and democracy in Nigeria as well as to other departed leaders of the movement.

The meeting was given a tour of the uncompleted bridge which adorns the lawn of Yar’adua Centre as a testimony to the work that must be done to complete the hanging bridge by reuniting Nigeria and bringing democracy and good governance back to the country.

But a source told Sunday Mirror that the meeting was convened to resuscitate the once vibrant and revered political machinery of the late Shehu Musa Yar’Adua ahead of the coming general election.

According to the Sources, the new PDM is being anchored on the vibrancy and resourcefulness of younger Turks within the group to enhance the movement’s reinvigoration, complete re-engineering and to make the movement more acceptable to Nigerians.

PDM leaders including Chief Dubem Onyia, one-time Foreign Affairs Minister of State and a PDP chieftain from Enugu State, Alhaji Murtala Yar’Adua, first son of the late Shehu Musa Yar’Adua and PDM founder, Mrs Zainab Boni Haruna, former first Lady of Adamawa State, Alhaji Bashir Yusuf, Prince Tonye Princewill according to our sources may be appointed to assist Chief Bode Ajewole and Godie Ikechi, the groups’ new chairman and secretary in the task of repositioning.

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Sunday, September 9, 2012

GROWING UP with

Aunty Angela growingup5@yahoo.com

Hello children, How are you enjoying your holidays? As the vacation is almost coming to an end, ensure that you complete your homework or projects before your resumption. Remember, you have less than two weeks to be back. I wish you a happy week ahead.

Did you know?

A sheep, a duck, and a rooster were the first passengers on a hot air balloon

O

n September 19, 1783, a hot air balloon took off from Versailles carrying a sheep, a duck and a rooster. The flight lasted a total of eight minutes and was witnessed by Louis XVI, Marie Antoinette, and the rest of the French royal court of the time.

They were surely attempting to ascertain whether this mode of transportation would be safe for human passengers.

EYES ON THE FUTURE

JOKES Advertisement for a good cook

A hotel management placed an advert in one of the newspapers for the post of a good cook to recruit. One man, who only worked as a cook in a hotel for only two weeks, then sent in this application. It reads as follows: “Dear Sir, I am a good cooker. If you appoint me, I am sure I will be able to cook you.

When I was working earlier in a hotel I cooked e v e r y b o d y.

Please, give me a chance to prove myself.”

A father beats his seven-year-old son for being rude to a visitor. About an hour later, the following conversation took place between father and son.

Dad: “When I beat you how do you control your anger?

Son: “I control my anger by cleaning the toilet.”

Dad: “But how does that satisfy you, son?”

Son: “That is because I clean it with your toothbrush.”

• • • •

ED

Satoshi Tajiri:

TONGUE TWISTER

These sheep shouldn’t sleep in a shack; Sheep should sleep in a shed.

A noisy noise annoys an oyster.

RIDDLES What did the spider do on the computer?

Answer: Made a website.

What did the computer do at lunchtime?

Answer: Had a byte.

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

Pigs

I clean it with your WHO INVENTtoothbrush

Silly Sally swiftly shooed seven silly sheep.

The seven silly sheep Silly Sally shooed shilly-shallied south.

Little Munachi-Future Super Eagles player

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

What animals are on legal documents?

Answer: Seals.

How can you tell the ocean is friendly?

Answer: It waves.

S

atoshi Tajiri, born August 28, 1965 in Machida, Tokyo, is the creator of the video game series Pokémon, as well as the entire idea of the Pokémon (Franchise).

During his childhood, he was very interested in video and arcade games. As his interest for video games grew, he decided to create the video game magazine Game Freak in 1978, as there wasn’t any other media covering video games at the time. Game Freak magazine was a guide to current popular video games that he and his friends put together themselves. With Satoshi’s newfound success in video games, he decided to get into developing them, and turned Game Freak’s focus into developing video games.

On February 27, 1996, Nintendo launched Satoshi Tajiri’s portable video gaming system named ‘Game Boy’. The game was originally released in Japan and consisted of little creatures with special abili-

ties huma game ers to them ning mum to one The name mon ketto a word Pocke ster. desig game his m e m about ing keepi and ing a ing t tle-lik

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Growing Up

Sunday, September 9, 2012

MAZE Pigs are the fourth most intelligent animal in the world.

Pig’s tongue contains 15,000 taste buds.

Pigs are omnivores, meaning they eat both plants and other animals.

A pig’s snout is an important tool for finding food in the ground and sensing the world around them.

• They have a thick body and short legs.

There are four toes on each foot, with the • The middle toes used for walking. two large, m • Pigs have an excellent sense of smell.

• They The are also fantastic swimmers, which is quite surprising considering the structure of su their bodies. bodi • A p pig’s tail can come in three different varieties: kinky, straight, or curly. variet • Wild pigs (boar) are often hunted in the wild.

• Pigs can pass on a variety of diseases to humans.

• Relative to their body size, they have small lungs. t • Other common names nam for pigs are: hog, swine or boar (a male pig), gilt (if she has not given birth to piglets) and sow (if she has had babies). Sows can have up to 12 piglets at a time. h

43

Mike has to finish his race in time.

Help him to show the correct way.

D WHAT…?

: Invented Pokemon

which are manipulated by an trainers. In the Pokemon es, the players could be traino these little creatures turning against each other and winthe maxinumber e’s side. e original e of Pokewas ‘PoMonstaa’, Japanese meaning et MonSatoshi gned this e from childhood m o r i e s t collectbugs and ing in jars fantasizabout makthem batke from

some science fiction movies he had watched. This inspired him to create a video game inhabited by 150 animated creatures with unique personalities and distinctive powers.

On April 1, 1997, the first animated show, “Pocket Monster” was aired on ‘Television Tokyo’. By June, Pokemon Blue was released into the Japanese market and by August, the combined sales of Pokemon Green, Red, and Blue exceeded the total amount sold of the game series “Super Mario Brothers”. On April 25, 1998, the first Pokemon Centre opened in Tokyo and in July the first Pokemon movie, “The Revenge of the Pocket Monster Mewtwo” and “Pikachu’s Vacation” was released in Japan.

The Pokemon game has been very successful internationally and continues to be a favourite entertainer among children. The Pokemon characters have now spread outside of video games to toys, television series and even comic books.

QUOTE

POEM

The deeds of the children are a testament to the upbringing they received from their parents.

TEACHERS Some are nice, and some are mean But most are somewhere in-between.

–Christopher Paolini

POP

News

44

Sunday September 9, 2012

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

PHCN: Workers vow to resist privatisation, unless...

L-R: Deputy Corps Public Educations Officer, Federal Road Safety Commission, Mr. Bisi Kazeem; Corps Public Education Officer, Mr. Jonas Agwu, and Head Programmes, Public Education Office, Mrs. Joyce Alexander, during a press conference on monthly nationwide awareness campaign strategy in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: ROTIMI OSASONA

DENNIS AGBO ENUGU

E

xecutives and members of the workers union of Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) operating under the

Opinion

aegis of National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) have restated their stand that the gratuity of every worker under the union must be paid before they would submit to the planned privatisation exercise of government.

This resolution was reached at a solidarity rally for the Enugu branch of the union at PHCN zonal headquarters, along Okpara Avenue Enugu.

The union commended the spirit of solidarity of every worker of PHCN in insisting that their gratuities must be fully paid, stating that the purpose of their visit was to reassure the workers that they are bound in protecting their interest.

It said no amount of pressure from the Federal Government representatives would make them to shift ground.

The body added that gratuity is a legal right of every worker to be paid instantly while pension is a monthly affair for life.

He said hat it beats their imagination that the Federal Government through its representatives in the negotiation are dilly dallying over it.

Elaborating on this stand to newsmen, the General Secretary of the union, Comrade Joe Ajaero, said that the argument of the former Minister, Professor Barth Nnaji, that the PHCN staff were not paying their supposed pension funds did not hold water because the 25 per cent basic of every worker’s salary meant for it, had

always been deducted on source, thus making PHCN staff to be entitled to 75 per cent of their supposed salary every month.

He cautioned that the new task force set up to represent the Federal Government in the negotiation for privatisation must not repeat the mistake of the former task force, adding that the government’s position for the workers to leave their money and retire empty-handed was not possible.

He explained: “The issue of gratuity, severance, three months in lieu and reparation as contained in our condition of service, you have to give it to the workers for them to see how they can change to search for another source of living. Then the other ones can be collected as pension since there is a new pension policy”.

He described the government’s stand for them to leave their money and go as the ‘devil’s advocate’.

Ajaero questioned,“how can you decide to retrench about 50,000 people and the members of their family, without money, stating that it is highly impossible because we are living in a society where everything boils down to money”.

The gains of Jonathan’s diplomacy

CONTINUED FROM Page 39 the Nigerian private sector is involved in banking and insurance in Rwanda and other parts of Africa (Access Bank, IGI, GTBank), in manufacturing in Ethiopia, and Southern Africa (the Dangote Group, LUBCON) and so on. Such investors often require the support of the Nigerian government, which has been readily and consistently provided by the Jonathan administration.

The class of Nigerians who have probably benefitted most or who stand to do so, would be the Nigerians in Diaspora.

Wherever President Jonathan goes in the world, he insists on the local embassy organizing a meeting with the Nigerians in the country. He likes to exchange views with them, find out how they are faring and even ask them to raise issues they may want him to take up with the host country. Such issues usually range from immigration to Nigerian issues, particularly absentee voting, and in one instance, request for the airlifting at Government expense of Nigerians who are willing to return to home, but cannot afford to do so.

President Jonathan never fails to acknowledge the importance of Nigerians abroad and the invaluable resource that they represent. To prove the point, many members of his government were sourced from the Diaspora. The Jonathan administration has always had cause to defend the interest of distressed Nigerians in diaspora in pursuit of citizen diplomacy, famously the evacuation of distressed Nigerians from Libya (more than 2,000 between March and November 2011) and Egypt (more than 1, 000 in January 2012).

It continues to engage with several development partners to ensure managed migration in the overall interests of all sides, including Nigerians. The fifth Nigeria/EU dialogue on Migration and Development was held in Abuja in January 2012. Thus, the welfare of Nigerians in their relations

with other countries has also been given the top most priority. Government has stood up to all countries in upholding the principle of reciprocity and by insisting that Nigerians be treated fairly.

Multilateral institutions usually have vacancies to be filled by nationals from all over the world. Even when the positions are rotated on a regional basis, the relevant countries still have to compete for such positions. It is not always an easy struggle as each country jostles for the positions with the highest possible visibility or influence. It requires sharp diplomacy to secure the support of other countries and to get the required number of votes for your candidate. When your country is not eligible for the post, you become one of the brides to be wooed to deliver the vote in favour of a particular country’s candidate. It sounds like routine diplomacy, but it is high-wire politics. In the past one year, President Jonathan has devoted considerable energy to lobbying and campaigning for Nigerian candidates to get into positions in international organizations. The achievement in this regard has been remarkable: Dr. Bernard O. Aliu, President of the Executive Council of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) based in Montreal, Canada; Mrs. Theodora Oby Nwankwo, member, UN Committee on the Elimination of All forms Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW); Dr. Aisha Laraba Abdullahi, AU Commissioner for Political Affairs.

After three unsuccessful attempts, Nigeria finally broke the electoral jinx at the AU for the first time in ten years. Mrs. Salamatu Sulaiman, Commissioner Political, Peace and Security at the ECOWAS Commission; Nigeria’s election to the Executive Board of UNESCO for a term of four years in November 2011; Nigeria’s election to the Governing Board of the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP); Nigeria was also elected to the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) on October

24, 2011; Election of Mr. Adamu Mohammed, a Deputy Commissioner of Police, as the Vice President of INTERPOL representing Africa at a meeting held in Hanoi, Vietnam in October, 2011; Re-election of the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Hon. Mohammed Bello Adoke, SAN to the International Law Commission on November 17, 2011. The election of Dr. Chile Eboe-Osuji as one of the six judges of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in a tightly contested election in New York in November, 2011 and the election last year, of Nigeria as the first President of the Executive Board of the United Nations Entry for Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment (UN Women).

Our embassies abroad are also better organized. Ambassador Gbenga Ashiru, Jonathan’s appointee as Minister of Foreign Affairs is a career diplomat who has been doing a good job of actualizing the new framework for Nigerian diplomacy.

He is collegial in approach, and supportive of Mr. President’s vision. Career diplomats used to complain about their jobs being taken over and messed up by politicians. This year, President Jonathan handed over letters of commission to the country’s new set of ambassadors, mostly career diplomats, and because he has thus encouraged the professionalization of the diplomatic service, career diplomats are no longer complaining. Many who have no foreign postings have achieved their career dreams as ambassadors-insitu; our diplomats are reciprocating by showing higher levels of enthusiasm for the job. Nothing can be more damaging to a country’s foreign policy process than a distracted professional foreign affairs cadre.

We have a leader who is respected by the international community. When TIME international magazine named President Jonathan one of the 100 Most Influential leaders of the world in 2012, a fitting acknowledgement of his achievements,

and the only African leader to be so recognized, the warm citation was written by the Liberian President. Our President also holds one of the highest national honours in Liberia. In the last year, he has also been honoured by people, governments and institutions in Nigeria, Ghana, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago.

At the regional level, Nigeria’s voice now rings loud and clear; its interventions are taken more seriously. President Jonathan served as ECOWAS Chairman for two years, and received great applause at the end of his tenure in February 2012.

Under his watch, he led both Nigeria and ECOWAS to put an end to the threatened mayhem in Cote D’Ivoire when Laurent Gbagbo refused to hand over power, after the 2010 Presidential elections in that country. He helped to check a similar crisis of self-perpetuation in office in Niger, and has provided support for democratic efforts in Liberia, Sierra Leone, Senegal, Mali, Ghana and Guinea Bissau. He was one of the first African leaders to recognize the National Transitional Council of Libya and ask Muammar Gaddaffi to quit.

Since handing over as ECOWAS chair, President Jonathan has remained a respected voice among his brother Heads of State. At the moment, he is a co-mediator in the crisis in Mali. The relationship between Nigeria and other countries in the region, particularly Ghana, Chad, Cote d’Ivoire, Republic of Benin, Niger, Senegal and Liberia has never been stronger.

Commentators often insist that greater emphasis should be placed on domestic policy, not foreign policy. Our new framework links both strategically. The investments that are flowing into Nigeria create jobs, deepen competition within the market, push the drive for necessary infrastructure further, and on all fronts, Brand Nigeria is strengthened.

•Dr. Abati is Special Adviser (Media and Publicity) to President Jonathan.

45

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Wellness YOUR HEALTH AND HEALTH RELATED ISSUES SEPTEMBER 9, 2012

Unhygienic food vendors can spread typhoid fever bacteria –Expert Facts Wash your hands. Frequent hand washing is the best way to control infection. Wash your hands thoroughly with hot, soapy water, especially before eating or preparing food and after using the toilet.

Carry an alcohol-based hand sanitiser when water isn’t available.

Avoid drinking untreated water. Drink only bottled or boiled water or canned or bottled carbonated beverages, wine and beer. Wipe the outside of all bottles and cans before you open them. Ask for drinks without ice. Use bottled water to brush your teeth, and try not to swallow water in the shower.

Food handlers’ test is very important and should be made mandatory, especially for those who are in the food business. Some of the workers are healthy carriers who can pass on this organism through faeces and then on to the food they are giving to their customers.

VANESSA OKWARA

Cooks and food vendors learning basic personal hygiene to avoid transmitting typhoid fever bacteria

M

ary Mallon (September 23, 1869 – November 11, 1938), also known as ‘Typhoid Mary’, was the first person in the United States identified as a healthy carrier of the pathogen associated with typhoid fever. She was presumed to have infected some 53 people, three of whom died, over the course of her career as a cook. She was forcibly quarantined twice by public health authorities, and died after nearly three decades altogether in quarantine.

It is believed that individuals can develop typhoid fever after ingesting food or water contaminated during handling by a human carrier. The human carrier is usually a healthy person who has survived a previous episode of typhoid fever yet who continues to shed the associated bacteria, Salmonella typhi, in faeces and urine. It takes vigorous scrubbing and thorough disinfection with soap and hot water to remove the bacteria from the hands. Mallon spent the rest of her life in quarantine.

It is no wonder then there is high prevalence of typhoid fever in Nigeria. We do not have a well structured public health system that could quarantine a person with such illness and because of that we have a lot ‘Typhoid Mary’s’ parading as cooks and food vendors in the country today

Proper washing of hands after using the toilet prevents typhoid fever

Salmonella typhi, bacteria causing typhoid fever

and infecting thousands with this deadly bacteria.

A visit to various local medical laboratories by Sunday Mirror correspondents revealed that a large percentage of Nigerians come down with this illness on daily basis. A medical lab scientist working in the suburbs of Lagos said the rate of people coming down with this disease is almost at par with malaria.

Medical research states that typhoid fever is a bacterial disease, caused by an organism known as Salmonella ty-

phi. It is also known as enteric fever and is transmitted through the ingestion of food or drink contaminated by the faeces or urine of infected people. Each year the disease affects at least 16 million persons worldwide, most of who reside in the developing countries of Southeast Asia and Africa.

According to the experts, this disease differs from malaria in so many ways. Unlike malaria which is caused by CONTINUED ON PAGE 46

Dr. Obajinmi

HEALTH NEWS

Lack of awareness blamed for wide polio virus Some health experts in Lagos at the weekend attributed the outbreak of Wide Polio Virus-- Type-3 (WPV3) in some northern states to lack of awareness.

They told journalists that the disease had not yielded to efforts of the

federal and state governments to eradicate it.

The August 26 edition of the Weekly Polio Update, published by the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), said “Northern Nigeria is now the global epicentre of Type-3 WPV transmission”.

“Of the 17 WPV3 cases reported this year, 15 are from northern Nigeria.

“Nigeria is the only country in the world to report any case of wild poliovirus (WPV) in the last 10 days and a Type-3 (WPV3) in the past four months,” it said.

Over 15, 000 cases of cholera reported in Sierra Leone –UN The UN humanitarian agency (OCHA) has said that more than 15,000 cases of cholera have been reported across Sierra Leone since the beginning of this year.

Last month, the country’s president had declared a national emer-

gency after the disease claimed the lives of over 200 people.

Speaking with reporters at the UN Headquarters in New York recently, the UN spokesperson, Martin Nersiky, said that agencies of the world body, including the WHO and

the UNICEF were supporting government efforts to combat cholera in Sierra Leone.

According to him, the outbreak of cholera happens in areas that lack clean water and sanitation facilities such as slums or refugee camps.

46

Wellness

Sunday, September 9, 2012

Know your organs

T

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Your

The Penis

he penis is the male sex organ, reaching its full size during puberty. In addition to its sexual function, the penis acts as a conduit for urine to leave the body.

The skin of the penis is hairless, thin, elastic and very sensitive, particularly so on the upper- and undersides. In uncircumcised men it fits loosely over the shaft and slips back and forth during sexual activity. When it is pulled back it reveals the glans or tip of the penis, which is generally cone-shaped, at the base of which there is a ridge known as the corona. The glans is the most sensitive part of the phallus, richly endowed with nerve-endings, and it is highly responsive to stimulation during sexual foreplay.

Its parts The penis is the male organ for sexual intercourse. It has three parts: the root, which attaches to the wall of the abdomen; the body, or shaft; and the glans, which is the cone-shaped end of the penis.

The glans, which also is called the head of the penis, is covered with a loose layer of skin called foreskin.

(This skin is sometimes removed in a procedure called circumcision.) The opening of the urethra, the tube that transports semen and urine, is at the tip of the glans penis. The penis also contains a number of sensitive nerve endings.

The body of the penis is cylindrical in shape and consists of three internal chambers. These chambers are made up of special, sponge-like erectile tissue. This tissue contains thousands of large spaces that fill with blood when the man is sexually aroused.

As the penis fills with blood, it becomes rigid and erect, which allows for penetration during sexual intercourse. The skin of the penis is loose and elastic to accommodate changes in penis size during an erection.

Semen, which contains sperm, is expelled (ejaculated) through the end of the penis when the man reaches sexual climax (orgasm). When the penis is erect, the flow of urine is blocked from the urethra, allowing only semen to be ejaculated at orgasm.

How erection occurs An erection results from changes in blood flow in the penis. When a man becomes sexually aroused, nerves cause penis blood vessels to expand. More blood flows in and less flows out of the penis, hardening the tissue in the corpus cavernosum.

The entire male reproductive system is dependent on hormones, which are chemicals that stimulate or regulate the activity of cells or organs. The primary hormones involved in the functioning of the male reproductive system are follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH) and testosterone.

FSH and LH are produced by the pituitary gland located at the base of the brain. FSH is necessary for sperm production (spermatogenesis), and LH stimulates the production of testosterone, which is necessary to continue the process of spermatogenesis. Testosterone also is important in the development of male characteristics, including muscle mass and strength, fat distribution, bone mass and sex drive.

If testosterone levels are low, hormone replacement therapy may help relieve symptoms, such as the loss of interest in sex, depression and fatigue.

However, replacing male hormones can worsen prostate cancer and, perhaps, atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries).

Making of sperm The testes, unlike the ovaries, do not lose the ability to make hormones. If a man is healthy, he may be able to make sperm well into his 80s or longer. The testes are oval organs about the size of large olives that lie in the scrotum, secured at either end by a structure called the spermatic cord. Most men have two testes.

The testes are responsible for making testosterone, the primary male sex hormone, and for generating sperm.

On the other hand, subtle changes in the function of the testes may occur as early as 45 to 50 years of age, and more dramatically after the age of 70. For many men, hormone production may remain normal into old age, while others may have declining hormone production earlier on, sometimes as a result of an illness, such as diabetes.

BONE Health

with Dr. Olatunji Idowu

Fractures of the Pelvis (3) • Plate and Screws What happens next depends on the type of fracture and the patient’s condition. Each case must be assessed individually, particularly with unstable fractures. Some pelvic fractures may require traction. In other cases, an external fixator may be sufficient. Unstable fractures may require surgical insertion of plates or screws.

Outcome Stable pelvic fractures heal well. Pelvic fractures sustained during a high-energy incident, such as an automobile accident, may have significant complications, including severe bleeding, internal organ damage, and infection. However, these are due more to the associated injuries than to the fracture.

If these injuries are addressed, the fracture usually heals well. People may walk with a limp for several months because of damage to the muscles around the pelvis. These muscles take a long time to become strong again. Subsequent problems, such as pain, impaired mobility, and sexual dysfunction, are usually the result of damage to nerves and organs that is associated with the pelvic fracture.

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.

‘Human vendors transmit typhoid fever bacteria through food, water’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 45 an organism called plasmodium transmitted by mosquitoes, salmonella typhi is transmitted by human vendors through oral transmission via food or beverages handled by an individual who chronically sheds the bacteria through stool or less commonly, urine; hand-to-mouth transmission after using a contaminated toilet and neglecting hand hygiene and oral transmission via sewage-contaminated water or drinking water that did not go through proper purification process.

Dr Tunde Obajinmi, a public health physician, and Medical Director of Queen of the Rosary Hospital in Lagos State said, “Typhoid fever is a systemic infection that affects the lymph nodes. It is endemic in our country where sanitation and personal hygiene are very low. It is water-borne disease that affects people of all ages and sex.

The reservoir for this organism is man or human beings.

Salmonella typhi is a gram negative, aerobic, non-spurring, rod-like organism when seen under the microscope.

It can survive in water for seven days, in sewage for 14 days and also in ice cream for one month. S. typhi must be ingested to cause the disease. Transmission often occurs when a person in the carrier state does not wash hands thoroughly (or not at all) after defecation and serves food to others. This pathway is sometimes called the fecal-oral route of disease transmission.

In our country where open sewage is accessible to flies, the insects land on the sewage, pick up the bacteria, and then contaminate food to be eaten by humans. When food vendors go to toilet and use their hands to clean their anus without properly washing them after using the toilet, and go ahead to prepare food, they tend to contaminate the water or food because they handle foods raw or cooked and

now transmit it through what we put in our mouth.”

Dr Obajinmi warns that Typhoid fever is a deadly disease that affects all organs in the body. “It systematically impinges on the brain. Typhoid psychosis which manifests as an irrational behaviour, talking excessively and lack of insights could occur within one month of the disease. Everything that has to do with typhoid depends on the violence of the organism.”

According to him, “this organism attacks the lymph nodes which contain the white blood cells that fight diseases in our body. These white blood cells in their battle against the attack of this organism could perforate in its combat. The disease that results is called typhoid perforation. We have chronic carriers and healthy carriers of this organism. There are some that have typhoid, but it does not manifest. These ones are called healthy carriers.

It takes time before a person can be rid of the organism.

Patients with acute illness can contaminate the surrounding water supply through stool, which contains a high concentration of the bacteria. Contamination of the water supply can, in turn, taint the food supply,” he said.

Medical experts declare that about three to five per cent of patients become carriers of the bacteria after the acute illness. Some patients suffer a very mild illness that goes unrecognised or not properly treated. These patients can become long-term carriers of the bacteria. The bacterium multiplies in the gallbladder, bile ducts, or liver and passes into the bowel. The bacteria can survive for weeks in water or dried sewage. These chronic carriers may have no symptoms and can be the source of new outbreaks of typhoid fever for many years.

Dr Obajinmi said that typhoid fever and malaria have their differences in their symptoms. “Typhoid fever is

characterised by a sustained fever as high as 40 °C (104 °F), profuse sweating, gastroenteritis, and non-bloody diarrhoea or constipation. Others include poor appetite, malaise, general weakness, headache, joint pains. The fever is more prolonged and by the second week, the patient will start having pain in the abdomen. This pain causes severe irritation and inflammation of the lining of the abdominal cavity, which is called peritonitis. Peritonitis is a frequent cause of death from typhoid fever,” he told Sunday Mirror.

Dr Obajinmi cautioned that if you notice you have prolonged case of fever and abdominal pains after treating yourself of malaria, it is necessary you submit yourself to your medical doctor for proper treatment with antibiotics which your doctor will recommend for you.

The diagnosis, however, is confirmed by a blood or stool culture.

He counsels that the best way to prevent the outbreak of typhoid fever is through hygienic sewage disposal systems in a community, proper personal hygiene as well as access to clean drinking water. “I want people to avoid the rate at which they take pure water in this country.

This has added to the prevalence of typhoid fever in our society. Even those that are certified by NAFDAC are not so pure. This is because the process of preparation could break and the water gets contaminated. Another thing is the habit people have of eating outside their homes.

Buka and fast foods outlets are places people can contract this illness from. Food vendors are usually healthy carriers of the typhoid bacteria if they don’t observe proper personal hygiene when cooking food meant for the public. So people should be very careful where they go to eat their meals,” Dr Obajinmi advised.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

47

Business FRESH BUSINESS NEWS AT YOUR FINGERTIPS September 9, 2012

‘Power sector privatisation, move in right direction’

Chairman of Association of Anambra State Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, Prince Emeka Ayabazu, is a household name in the South East Organized Private Sector (OPS) and a man of many parts. In this Interview with Stanley Ihedigbo, Ayabazu, who is the immediate past President of Nnewi Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, speaks on various issues concerning challenges facing the OPS, among sundry issues. Excerpts:

ing power shortage on the manufacturing sector?

If power supply is available in this country, all the companies and factories will improve in production, even Boko Haran and the jobless people will have work to do because most of them have hand work. Again, the cost of production will be reduced, which will result in the price of commodities coming down. The power shortage in the manufacturing sector has affected it a lot, as they spend much in providing power for themselves even before now, the South East region had been the worst hit in terms of the power problem. And I pray that with the power reforms process, things will get better in Nigeria.

The average interest rate benefitted from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and Bank of Industry (BOI) intervention scheme was seven per cent in 2011.

Would you say this low rate has contributed remarkably to the growth of industries compared to the rate at which commercial banks lend customers?

Well, we have a lot to do in Nigeria. Although the Federal Government, through the CBN and the BOI, is trying concerning the low interest rate, we Nigerians are too greedy; that is why some of these interventions have not been felt in the environment as they’re supposed to be, because the low rate of interest is to assist production that will benefit the citizens by bringing down the cost of commodities. But the reverse has been the case, as the people have not benefited from the concessionary rates.

For several years, the Organized Private Sector (OPS) has been complaining of multiplicity of taxation by various arms of government. Has the government heeded the cries of manufacturers?

The issues has been lingering without any step taken about it from anywhere, the multiplicity of taxation is there with us, and is some of the things that have contributed to the high the cost of doing business in the country.

Ayabazu

What is your assessment of the ongoing privatization of the power sector by the Federal Government?

It is a very good move compared to what is happening in the telecommunication industry right now; there is a great improvement in that sector. So privatizing the power sector will surely bring a positive result, as the country has suffered a lot and spent much on the issues of power.

Also recently, we have been witnessing an

improved power supply in the South East region. I believe this is because of the process to privatize the sector, which will affect the whole country greatly if they harmonise everything that has to do with the privatization of the power sector. And if that is really achieved, it will be kudos to the Federal Government and a great benefit to the people.

What has been the impact of the linger-

Recently, there were reports that the South South and South East regions have not benefitted from the Federal Government’s intervention funds. How true is this?

Many real sector operators in the region are not aware of the intervention funds, and some that have heard of the development don’t know how to go about it. Again the lack of coming together of the real sector operators in the zone is a problem and challenge that has caused a hitch in the dissemination of information to real sector operators that are in need of the funds.

I want to share one experience with you in the accessing of the fund through banks.

I personally assisted a member of this association for the fund, and everything was through and all that was left was just for him to receive the fund through his commercial bank. But the Central Bank of Nigeria called to tell the man that there was no money for the agricultural fund he applied for after passing all the processes that were involved in assessing the funds. These are the things that discourage these busi-

CHEVRON, PHIOG PARLEY OVER OIL AND GAS CONFAB

48

ness men and women in the region, and cause them not to believe that the Federal Government’s intervention funds are for them.

There is also the concern about the inability of local manufacturers to compete with offshore entities sending goods to Nigeria. What steps do you think can reverse this among your members?

To produce standard goods, the government needs to support the industry. Another thing is the individual’s perception because as a manufacturer it will please me to produce a good quality product that can compete favourably in the national and international markets. We, as an association, has been working with relevant government agencies to sensitise our members in the region on the importance of producing standard goods that will be acceptable at the international level. And don’t forget that we have bad eggs, which have decided to do their things the way they want and don’t care about the implications as far as they are making their money. That is the situation in the region too.

As the head of affairs of the OPS responsible for coordinating the activities of manufactures in major commercial cities of the South East region, what are some of the achievements you have recorded so far?

The achievement is there to talk for itself; I have invested my resources to see that everything is put in place in the area.

Bringing people together in the state is very difficult but I was able to do that and we are moving forward.

The National Bureau of Statistics has said that inflation dropped to 12.8% from 12.9%, whereas there is continuous increase in commodity prices.....

Actually, that is their view that inflation has dropped. In the real sense, how does it affect the common man? Has it dropped?

The answer is no! If really the inflation rate has dropped and it doesn’t affect the common man, then the agency should let Nigerians know what they are using to measure inflation in this country.

When you were the president of the Nnewi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, there was a kind of fighting among the big industrialists in the area.

There were rampant cases of sponsored kidnapping of business people in the area. What did you do as the head of the affairs of the organized private sector then?

We tried as the OPS to see that there was peace in the town both through praying to God for intervention because it was a very big disturbance in the area. We also thank the state and federal governments for their interventions too. Before then, Nnewi was a very peaceful city where any business person comes and does his or her business. Again, I want to really advise Nigerian business people to avoid envying their follow business people, to do away with greed and avoid trying to be what they are not.

SEVEN KEYS OF WISDOM (3)

49

48

Business

Sunday September 9, 2012

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Chevron, PHIOG parley over oil and gas confab

Property Watch •For Lagos area as at Friday Sept. 7, 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

STANLEY IHEDIGBO

A

delegation of the Port Harcourt International Oil and Gas Conference and Exhibition Organizing Committee (PHIOG) has paid a courtesy call on the management of Chevron Nigeria Limited to solicit for support over the proposed oil and gas conference.

Chairman of the committee, Hon. Evans Bapakaye Bipi, while speaking to journalists, said it was imperative to embark on the visit in furtherance of the synergy between the committee and the oil majors operating in the state.

Bipi, who is also Chairman, Rivers State House of Assembly Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, said the need for such synergy could not be overemphasized, as it provided the needed ambience to work together towards the successful

conduct of the Port Harcourt International Oil and Gas Conference and Exhibition.

Also in the delegation was the vice chairman of the conference organizing committee and Chairman of Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, PHCCIMA Oil and Gas Trade Group, Chief Dandison Gbupo, who in his remark said, it had become expedient to put together relevant oil and gas programmes of this nature to attract both local and international audience in the industry to open up new vistas of opportunity considering that Port Harcourt is the hub of oil and gas in the country.

He noted that this is the third edition, while assuring that the committee would do all within its resources to fashion out sustainable modalities to ensure that the conference attains a more international outlook.

“I want to say the essence of our visit here today is to solicit

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

for support from Chevron management and get them to cooperate with us not only in the area of the conference but also on the 1st Nigeria Oil and Gas Golf Tournament expected to follow suit,” he said.

He added that in spite of boosting tourism, the conference and golf tourney would also increase the relationship between government, PHCCIMA and the various oil and gas companies operating in the state.

In his response, the Managing Director of Chevron Nigeria, Mr. Andrew Fawthrop, commended the delegation for the visit and assured the committee that Chevron would not only identify with the event but would also participate in both the conference and the golf tournament.

Represented by the company’s Coordinator and Acting Public Affairs Manager, Mr. Tom Akagbosu, the CEO said he

was happy that a sporting event like golf was included and packaged to spice up the conference and expressed confidence it would be a success.

On the Port Harcourt Chamber, he said, “We are happy to see PHCCIMA still going stronger. As a matter of fact, Chevron is a member of PHCCIMA and we are delighted at the progress made by the group. “We are making efforts to reinvigorate our membership, which lately has been on the low side; however, on behalf of the management of Chevron, I want to assure you that we will be back with full force.”

Akagbosu noted that the company’s general Memorandum of Understanding policy, which was basically cantered on community development, explained that the new global trend was driving Chevron to now refocus on promoting business and entrepreneurship to enhance capacity.

Book Review Personal Effectiveness BODMAS is a self-development literature that seeks to assist the reader achieve effectiveness in the area of personal effectiveness in all things and situations.

Despite the BODMAS mathematical formula of the title, the book has nothing to do with Mathematics but employs the BODMAS formula to teach the reader how to be effective.

Succinctly put, the blurb describes personal effectiveness as a vast field of study. It states that the way a sailor needs his compass as a navigation tool, so does every human need the prescriptive recipe for applying the standard ingredient of personal effectiveness in order to actualize his goals.

It described the formula thusstarting with B in BODMAS, it statedBracket- symbolizes the openings/ options in your situation that you must be able to see and exploit as opportunities.

‘Of ’ stands for the need to leverage an aspect of oneself; ‘Division’ underlines how one must dominate in every situation to avoid been numerated, in order words, reduced, dismembered and weakened; Multiplication states that one’s skills are his multipliers and therefore, one needs to amass and possess variant skill sets for his or her advantage and to multitask; and Addition and Subtraction are the imperative for one to demonstrate selfleadership at all times in all things.

Divided into three parts of 11 chapters, the book begins with an introductory chapter on human beings and the essence of the word ‘be’ in the compound word.

Part one is an introduction of the concepts behind the BODMAS formula for personal effectiveness, which, when outlined include self expression, things and situations, competitive knowledge, head count and head start. Chapter two deals with the dimensions of personal effectiveness, while chapter three attempts to apply the BODMAS concept to the composi-

tion of the human body.

Chapter two forms the first chapters of part two, and is a continuation of the concept of the human body and BODMAS. Describing the elements of BODMAS as it applies to the body, the author explains that his concept of BODMAS goes beyond arithmetic.

Chapter five explains more on the brackets, with the concept of the ‘bracket mind’, where it describes a bracket mind as one that is not completely closed like a circle but with an opening, which you are to find and utilize no matter what.

Personal Effectiveness BODMAS, as a book, encapsulates the leadership principles of the great ancient Chinese war general, Sun Tzu, who wrote ‘The Art of War’. Therefore, apart from the BODMAS principles, Ajayi applies the teachings of Sun Tzu in his own lessons, creating an enhanced understanding of personal effectiveness for all users of the book.

For instance, Chapter six opens with a line from The Art of War, with the now-popular phrase, ‘Sun Tzu said’.

“Outmaneuver the enemy before the first battle and then fight to win”.

He also makes references to other power literatures like The 48 Laws of Power, and aptly subtitles the book, ‘Sun Tzu Attributes series’. The chapter ends with a title that teaches the reader how to unleash the power of the mind.

Another very important tool applied in the book is the use of illustrations, symbols, diagrams and very simple mathematical formulae. With these tools, reading and comprehending this very useful book is actually a thing every reader would look up to once he or she lays hands on it.

Chapter seven is a lesson on the use of the Division signs to denominate with the mind. He illustrates with a statement from Ben Murray-Buce, where he explained why he does never worry about anything in life: “Everything I have done in my life, I have never worried about the challenges ahead of me. I do the best I can

Title:

Personal Effectiveness BODMAS

Author:

Tope Ajayi

Reviewer:

Onukwube Ofoelue

No of pages:

164

Date of publication:

2012

Publisher:

Stadic Publishing

with what I have and hopefully I succeed. People ask me, why are you running?

Are you crazy running for this governorship election?’I tell them if I run, I may win, if I don’t run, I will always lose”.

He also cites Pat Utomi, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, and other notable Nigerians , as well as notable events in the history of our nation in order to drive home key points that make the book reader-friendly, relate to our environment

as well as drive home the message and lessons it sets out to do.

The book ends with a summary of the meaning of BODMAS. One who applies it must know how to adapt; know the shape of the terrain and still be able to find an advantageous position; be able to adjust methods; and must be able to go on with ease.

At the end, there are two appendices, one to further illustrate the principles of BODMAS, and the other, a definition of terms.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Business

Sunday September 9, 2012

49

Seven keys of wisdom (3) Inspirati with Lanre

Oyetade

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

I

n the past two weeks, we have taken five of the ‘Seven keys of wisdom’ as inspired by an interview that was conducted by David Cerullo on Mike Murdock on Inspiration TV.

A little recap

Before we take the remaining two keys, I think it proper that we just take a little recap of the matter at hand; a little of what we discussed in the first two parts of the write-up.

Wisdom, the principal thing Just like King Solomon, the beloved of God, said in the Book of Proverbs (Chapter 4 vs. 7), wisdom is the principal thing and we should therefore endeavour to get it alongside understanding or insight.

Wisdom has been defined by that man of God who has a larger than life posture, Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye of the RCCG, as the correct application of knowledge so then, the obvious starting point of all wisdom is God-given knowledge. You cannot be said to be wise if you are ignorant on the issues of life. In other words, you cannot take a wise decision on an issue if you lack knowledge and information on that particular matter.

Your assignment on earth

However, you do not need to be knowledgeable in every field in life; you only need to garner knowledge in a few specialties

WISDOM IS THE PRINCIPAL THING; THEREFORE GET WISDOM. AND IN ALL YOUR GETTING, GET UNDERSTANDING –KING SOLOMON to be a person of impact on Mother Earth else you become a ‘Jack of all trades and master of none’. However, when you garner such knowledge, ensure it is relevant, complete and up-to-date and the world will beat a path to your doorstep in search of what you have to offer. Ensure you do not offer mediocre but excellent service and you will never beg bread.

Your assignment on earth is connected with the problems you can solve, and where you can solve them. The eye was created to see; the ear to hear and the mouth to speak. So these organs will never go out of relevance as long as they perform their functions satisfactorily.

The wisdom doctrine

So far, we have taken the first five keys, including Key 1: What you can tolerate, you cannot change; Key 2: What you respect, you will attract; Key 3: What you make happen for others, God will make happen for you; Key 4: The secret of your future is hidden in your daily routine and Key 5: Your rewards in life are decided by the kinds of problems you are willing and able to solve for others. Today, we take the other two keys, marking the concluding part of our treatise.

Key 6: If you insist in taking something God did not give you, He will take back something He gave you

God gave King David rulership over the 12 tribes of Israel, but not the pleasures of Bathsheba. Well, David wanted and insisted on the pleasures of Bathsheba so James Ogata, 08130933240.

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

Any info on wonder banks?

Dear Lanre, Complements of the season to you. Hope you are okay. How are the work and the family? Please, I am in serious need of your assistance. Please help get in touch with your Abuja people if they have any useful information from SEC/NDIC about the refund of payments to depositors of defunct wonder banks of year 2007.Kindly help as I would like to have your feedback soonest. Thanks in advance and have a nice day.

Reader, Saki, Oyo State, 08038066966.

Dear James, Thank you for your comments. Like any other commodity, shares are traded simply by buying and selling them, and you generally do this through licensed agents called stockbrokers. You will only need to locate any stockbroker (or better still, stock broking firm) close to you and discuss the matter with them. I am sure they will be glad to assist you. To make gains in shares trading comes by buying low and selling high, which requires some knowledge and monitoring of the (stock) market. You can learn how to do this best by studying materials on the market e.g. books, newspapers and by attending good seminars. Most stocks with good fundamentals will make a good buy now because most of them are currently low priced following the near-crash of the stock market since 2008. So with some advice from the stockbroker you contact, you should not find it difficult to pick a good stock, which will do well with time.

Dear Reader, The following is the reply I got concerning your request, and I quote, “CBN and NDIC do not recognise wonder banks. NDIC’s insurance does not cover depositors in these Millionaire wannabe!

Dear Lanre, ‘banks’ so the issue of payment in case of Good morning sir. As an undergraduate their liquidation does not arise. (At best), it’s a police case between the depositors and who wants to become a successful businessman, what type of business can I start from, owners of such ‘wonder banks’.” so that within two years, I will become a millionaire? Thanks.

On the trading of shares Kolawole, 07063288649.

Dear Lanre, Good afternoon, sir. I work with a newspaDear Kolawole, per house. I am an ardent follower of your colIt is good to aim at becoming wealthy umn in the Sunday Mirror. Sir, more grease to your elbow. Please I need you to advise me and it is also a fact that business ownership on how shares are traded and the best shares is one of the most common ways through to invest on. I currently have N15,000 with which good wealth is made. So your desire to become a businessman is in consonance me. Thanks as I await your wise counsel.

God took back 10 tribes from his descendants. God gave grandparents Adam and Eve the garden but they wanted the tree of knowledge, which He had not given them; so they had the tree and lost the garden. As believers, it is instructive to note that God has given us the income but not the tithe and offerings part of it. We must not insist on ‘eating’ the tithe (or zakat, for Muslims) alongside the income lest we lose the income and things become ‘tight’ for us. Get the pun?

Key 7: An uncommon seed will always create an uncommon harvest

A seed is anything that has value to its owner and has the capacity to grow into more of its type. God wanted a family so He planted Jesus at Calvary so as to enable Him harvest a world of little ‘christs’. You will hardly come across any truly wealthy person who does not undertake philanthropy and other works of charity. This is not because they love ‘wasting’ their essence but rather because they are well aware of the Law of Seed and Harvest. It has worked for them - regardless of their colour, creed or sex - and they need no further prodding to do works of charity. Take a cue from this knowledgeable lot and see the principle of seed and harvest come to work for you when you truly and sacrificially give, especially to causes that would normally not be able to repay you.

Until next week, when we consider another matter fit to lift the soul, please stay inspired in His presence.

•Concluded. with your millionaire dream. And there are a whole lot of businesses you can choose from. Your choice, of course, should depend on your affinity, strengths and the opportunities available to you. You may wish to get a copy of the book, ‘66 businesses you can start and run on your own’ by Ladi Olatunji to assist you in making a choice. However, I must sound a caveat here; you should not be in a hurry to become a millionaire, especially as a start-up. Your focus at this point should be to concern yourself with what you can offer to add value to the lives of your clients in whatever business venture you eventually choose, and I assure you that if you serve well and surmount the inevitable challenges that are bound to crop up, it is just a matter of time – and not too long too – that the money will start rolling in. Take my word for it.

Thank you so much!

Dear Lanre, Thanks so much for your voice of inspiration this week. You touched my heart indeed.

Patrick, Onitsha, 08066001104.

An ‘informal’ stockbroker please

Dear Lanre, Greetings. I came across your columnMoney Consult - and was greatly impressed. I came in contact with it through my colleague today. Kindly advise me on an active stockbroker (phone number inclusive) who can be informal in our dealings i.e. can come to my office to collect money for investment purposes. Currently, I work in Apapa, Lagos but live in Ojota. Thank you in advance. Best regards, Sojobi, Adebayo “ adebayo.sojobi@citi. com, 08028326364.

Wealth Nuggets ‘Top 10’ To reach one’s goal, one must at times run with the wind, other times against it.

But one must certainly run, not walk, nor stand still –Marteeka The road to success is lined with many parking spaces.

My candid advice is that you shouldn’t park in any of those spaces –Anonymous Thinking is thinking. It requires the same amount of energy for you to think small dreams or big exciting ones –Andres Lara Thoughts, positive or negative, grow stronger when fertilized with constant repetition – David. J. Schwartz Stickability is 95 per cent of ability –David J. Schwartz Einstein taught us a big lesson. He felt it was more important we use our mind to think than to use is as a warehouse for facts – Anonymous All confidence is acquired, developed –Anonymous Hope is a start; but hope needs action to win victories – Anonymous To think big, we must use words and phrases which produce big positive mental images –Vincent Norman Peale Promise victory and win support. Build castles, don’t dig graves – David J. Schwartzer

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Sunday September 9, 2012

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

NORTH EAST

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NORTH CENTRAL

Police read riot act to Wada ties success of Vision motorcyclists in Bauchi 20:2020 to merit, justice

he Bauchi State Police Command has banned motorcyclists from carrying more than one person at a time.

A statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), ASP Hassan Mohammed, stated that the command had observed an increase in the activities of hoodlums in the metropolis.

The statement, made

available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday, explained that cases of recent attacks on communication masts and armed robberies in the metropolis had been related to motorcyclists carrying more than a passenger. ``Some witnesses have confirmed that people who carried out armed robberies and the destruction of the communication masts

through the use of IEDs have been using motorcycles,” the statement added.

It said the police had stepped up activities to stem the trend, adding that anybody found in contravention of the Road Traffic Regulation would be apprehended.

It called on the public to be vigilant and report any suspected persons to the nearest police station.

L-R: Aku-Uka of Wukari, Malam Shekarau Angyu; former Information minister, Prof. Jerry Gana; Mrs Esther Kente and Mr David Sabo Kente, at the commissioning of DSK Foundation in Wukari, Taraba State, yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

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overnor Idris Wada of Kogi said yesterday in Kabba that Nigeria could achieve the goals of Vision 20:2020 if leaders adhered to the core values of merit and justice.

Vision 20:2020 aims at making Nigeria to be one of the 20 largest economies in the world, able to consolidate its leadership role in Africa and establish itself as a significant player in the global economic and political arena, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

The governor made the remarks at the presentation of scholarship to 50 indigent secondary school students selected from across the Kabba/Bunu/ Ijumu federal constituency.

He said the country had for long abandoned the cherished core values of its founding fathers, hence the myriad of problems confronting it.

He urged the leaders both in private and public sectors to recognise merit and justice as it was in the

past, to enable the country overcome numerous challenges confronting it.

The governor expressed belief in education, saying that the state was in need of well educated citizenry to sustain and improve upon the current gains being recorded in all the sectors.

Wada commended Mr. Yusuff Tajudeen, the initiator of the scholarship scheme, and described him as a credible and intelligent representative of his people.

The governor described Kabba as the cradle of education in the old Northern region, saying that his decision to grace the occasion was to join Tajudeen and other well-meaning indigenes in restoring the lost glory of education in the area.

Wada, who later donated N500, 000 to the scholarship trust fund, urged beneficiaries to see the scholarship as an opportunity to chart a better future.

According to him, crime does not pay; what pays in

today’s world is good education.

The beneficiaries were the students who participated in the ``Back to School, a summer study initiative for senior secondary school students in Kabba/Bunu/Ijumu Federal Constituency of the state.

Tajudeen said the summer class and the scholarship scheme were introduced in response to the high rate of secondary school drop-outs in the constituency, He traced the development to the abject poverty of parents.

Tajudeen said the gesture was his contribution to the development of education in the area, and a way to assure the youth that the future would be better.

Two of the beneficiaries, Mr. Bamidele Oluwapelumi and Miss Oluwatosin Kolawole, said they were excited to be selected and described the gesture as a relief to their parents.

Telcos’ base vandals, thieves arrested V andals and thieves stealing armoured cable wires and siphoning diesel from a telecommunications base station have been apprehended

by Police patrol teams in Bauchi State.

A statement from the Bauchi State Police Command said that members of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), on Friday arrested two persons who vandalised armoured cable near Zaandam Hotel in Bauchi.

It said that the suspects, Adamu Haruna and Salisu

Samaila of Bakin Kasuwa Quarters in Bukuru, Plateau were caught in the act with a jack, saw and cable wires were recovered from them.

The police said that the patrol also arrested four suspects siphoning diesel from Starcoms base station at Tambari Housing Estate along Jos road.

The statement said that six jerry cans filled with diesel, six empty jerry cans and a car with registration XA 610 JMA were also recovered.

The arrested suspects are Mohammed Isa, Falsar

Umar, Mohammed Mamman and Abdullahi Adamu all residing in Bauchi.

It said the SARS also arrested Chimaobi Michael at Yandoka road in the Bauchi metropolis during stop and search operation and he was found to be in possession of some Nokia batteries.

Michae,l on interrogation, said that he had eight other accomplices who belonged to a gang of thieves.

He gave their names as Cochis Alegu, (22), Ifeanyi Mgbedu, (20), Prince Eworo (21), Chibiule Nwati (26), and Valentine Ugwu (21).

Gombe court remands man, 25, for allegedly raping minor A Gombe Chief Magistrate’s Court at the weekend remanded a 25-year-old labourer, Gideon Kiliyobas, in prison custody for allegedly raping a 10-year-old girl.

Kiliyobas, who lives at Wili-Folakata village in Kaltungo Local Government Area, is facing a two-count charge of assault and rape.

When the accused was asked if he understood the

charges, he simply said ``I did’’.

The Chief Magistrate, Mrs Becky Samuel, who gave the order, said the accused should be kept behind bars till the next date of adjournment on Sept. 25.

Earlier, the prosecutor, Insp. Bambadiya Jabtoni, told the court that the accused had entered into the house of one Garba Musa of Lasace village in Billiri

Local Government Area of the state and forcefully had sexual intercourse with the girl. ``The accused raped the girl in the bathroom without her consent’’, he alleged.

The offence, Jabtoni said, contravened Sections 282 and 343 of the Penal Code.

He urged the court to adjourn the case to enable the police to complete investigations on the matter.

Governor Gabriel Suswam of Benue State (left), and the Minister of Water Resources, Mrs Sarah Ochekpe, drinking from the Anyiin water supply scheme after commissioning the project...at the weekend.

Wash-Pam to contest Plateau senatorial seat

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second republic senator, John Wash-Pam, has indicated his intention to run as the PDP candidate for the vacant Plateau North senatorial seat.

The election has been tentatively fixed for October 6 by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Wash-Pam told reporters in Jos yesterday that he had indicated his interest by picking and submitting his nomination and expression of interest forms at the party’s headquarters in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) reports that the Plateau North Senatorial and Barking Ladi State Assembly seats were made vacant on July 8 following the deaths of Sen. Gyang Dantong and Gyang Fulani the former occupants who died during a stampede in Maseh Village in Riyom LGA. Wash-Pam said that as the first ever senator from Jos Central, he was deeply concerned about the hate and killings going on in the state.

“I am concerned about the killings, we are no lon-

ger our brothers’ keepers, the hate, animosity and discrimination have become too much to condone.

“There are areas now that are no-go areas for Christians and Muslims, that is why I want to go back to the senate to restore the status quo ante in Plateau State.

“All the problems of Plateau State started here in Jos Central District where I was born and where I became the first senator and where my father became the first Christian and was baptized on Dec. 17, 1916.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

SOUTH WEST

12 burnt to death in Ogun auto crash FEMI OYEWESO ABEOKUTA

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o fewer than 12 persons were burnt beyond recognition in an auto crash which occurred between Odogbolu and Ososa along the Lagos-Benin expressway yesterday.

Sunday Mirror gathered that the accident involved a white Toyota hiace bus bearing an inscription “Ajetunmobi Ex-

press” with registration number XA 659 DBC and a white truck with number LG 35 BBG. The truck was carrying a container. However, three persons were wounded.

The Ogun State Public Relation Officer of the Traffic and Road Compliance Agency, Mr. Babatunde Akinbiyi, who confirmed the accident, said that it was caused by overspeeding.

Akinbiyi also said that the accident happened in the afternoon, adding that three additional persons escaped death by a whisker He further said that the corpses of those that were burnt beyond recognition had been deposited at the mortuary of the General Hospital, Ijebu-Ode. Adebiyi, however, warned motorists to desist from over-speeding.

L-R: Chairman, Board of Trustees of Eko Club, Chief Rasheed Alaba Williams; Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN); President, Eko Club, Engr. Sulikifilu Owolabi Lawal and a past president of the club, Alhaji Abdulfatai Dawodu, during an interactive session with the members of the club on the newly enacted Lagos State Road Traffic Law in Lagos at the weekend.

Policeman arrested over suspect’s death BIYI ADEGOROYE AKURE

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police corporal serving at the Ondo State Command has been arrested over alleged torture and death of a drug dealer and robbery suspect in Ogbese Divisional Police Headquarters, near Akure, the state capital.

The corporal, who is currently detained at the State Criminal Investigations Department, Akure, is said to be helping detectives to unravel how a head injury

he allegedly inflicted on the suspect during interrogation culminated in his death.

Angered by the death of the drug dealer identified as Abela, a couple of days after he was admitted in an hospital due to injuries sustained during an alleged torture by the police, rampaging youths attempted to burn down Ogbese Police Station.

Normalcy was however, restored, after policemen from Akure and some prominent indigenes of the town

intervened.

The state police spokesman, Adeniran Aremu, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, said the incident occurred when the suspect attacked a police corporal.

The suspect, who was said to be a dealer in Indian hemp) was said to have been arrested on Tuesday, when he turned up at the Ogbese Police Station with two rifles snatched from policemen attached to the station, by supposed accomplices of robbery suspects.

NAFDAC arrests Chinese, seals water firm

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he National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has sealed off a water company and arrested its Chinese Managing Director, Ksui Kim, and four others for not observing good manufacturing practices.

It accused Chung Full Nigeria Ltd of gross abuse of business ethics in the production and sale of its Osaki range of table water.

A press statement by Anslem Okonkwor of the Public Relations Unit of the agency stated that NAFDAC officials, reporters and

Zonal News

Sunday September 9, 2012

security operatives who stormed the company’s premises on Adesoye Street in Mende area of Lagos, were denied access to the premises on Kim‘s orders.

But the regulatory officers, determined to do their work, forced their way in with the aid of the security men.

NAFDAC’s Director of Enforcement, Mr. Garba Macdonald, said the action became necessary because the firm was producing in a residential apartment. He said, “As you have seen, this is an unhygienic environ-

ment and the company has been producing table water without a valid registration certificate, which is a clear violation of NAFDAC’s regulations”.

Macdonald added that the company’s staff members were unruly, violent and obstructed his officers from performing their duty.

NAFDAC’s mission, he said, was to ascertain the level of the firm’s compliance with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and investigation of various consumers’ complaints against the company.

Killing of Ndigbo: Why we won’t retaliate –Ezeife, Uwazuruike IJEOMA EZEIKE, ABUJA

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orried by prevailing insecurity in the country, especially the killing of the Igbo in the North, Ndi Eze Igbo in the 19 northern states of the country yesterday at a one-day meeting in Abuja said they would never go for reprisals but rather, asked the Federal Government to provide adequate security to their brothers in that region.

The chairman of the occasion, Chief Ralph Uwazuruike, who spoke on their behalf, told newsmen that Igbo would never go for reprisals because they didn’t believe in killing someone because another person was killed.

“We shall continue to advise our people to refrain from it, and make sure that we do not encourage that, but government should show their responsibility by making sure that our people’s property and lives are secured”.

“We came from Igboland, and we are here to discuss issues bothering

on security and welfare of our people; we want to find out what has been happening to our people, talk with them, know their feelings and know the areas we can be of help to them,” he stated A former governor of Anambra State, Chief Chukwuemeka Ezeife, said that the aim of the meeting was to strategise and exchange views on the current insecurity situation that had affected their kin in the North, as well finding out how to develop a response to it in terms of pleading with Government to provide the necessary security.

“Everybody knows that when you go and bomb a church you are bombing the Igbo, when you go and bomb spare-parts market, it is Ndigbo, including many markets, we are involved; but we know we are not the only target.

But as Christians we are the dominant people”.

He urged the government to provide a public enlightenment and awareness for people to know what it means in taking human lives.

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SOUTH EAST

“The long-term solution is public enlightenment and public education on religious matters.

We want education to make it certain that our brothers who are Muslims and Christians know what the scripture is saying, not going out of it and brainwashing people into committing suicide.

“Let them know that when you commit suicide, you are going to hell; nothing like trial, and the person who brainwashed you will go to hell too”.

Chief Michael Idika, the president of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Kano State chapter said, “We are of the opinion that all these states where Boko Haram is very supreme, that government should deem if fit to send Commissioners of Police who are non-Muslims to those states so as to make sure that issue of compromise is wiped out, And then make sure that every step is be taken to overhaul the security force, it should be reinvigorated and placed in a position to fight terrorism in Nigeria,” he urged.

Ochiobi, late Abia commissioner, buried G overnor Theodore Orji of Abia State at the weekend led members of the State Executive Council to the burial of Chief Matthew Ochiobi, the former Commissioner for Sports.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Ochiobi died of cardiac arrest on July 11 at the Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia.

He was buried at his country home in Amankwo Mbutu-Ngwa in Isiala Ngwa South LGA of the state.

In a brief tribute during a requiem mass at St. Paul Catholic Church, Mbutu-Ngwa, Orji described Ochiobi’s death as ‘’a big tragedy to the state.’’

He said ``Ochiobi was a good man, but we cannot question God. ``We loved him very much and we worked with him since I came to power in 2007 because of his steadfastness, loyalty and

reliability.

“We did our best to save him. Government had already obtained a travel visa to fly him to India before death struck.”

The governor said death was inevitable and awaited everyone, adding that there was the need for people to amend their ways for the better while alive.

In a sermon, Rev. Chidozie Nwala of the church enjoined the living to prepare themselves in readiness for death, saying ``it will come one day and after death comes judgement.’’

He said death was not a punishment but a transformation, adding ``one’s good work on earth will remain a testimonial for him even after his death.’’

The Abia House of Assembly had on Thursday held a valedictory session in honour of the late Ochiobi.

He had represented his constituency in the House

between 2003 and 2004.

At the end of the burial ceremony, the State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Chief Eze Chikamnayo, told NAN that members of the state EXCO were ``emotionally devastated by Ochiobi’s death.’’

He explained that Ochiobi’s demise was ``felt more deeply on Wednesday in Umuahia during the weekly State EXCO meeting, where his seat was conspicuously vacant.’’

Chairman of the state chapter of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Vincent Obike, described Ochiobi as ‘’very friendly and human’’.

He said his death was a big loss to the sports community in Abia.

Ochiobi, who was born on June 22, 1958, obtained a degree in Law at the former Imo State University, now Abia State University,

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Sunday September 9, 2012

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

NORTH WEST

SOUTH SOUTH

Why Bayelsa Assembly refunded N19.4m –Speaker EMMA GBEMUDU YENAGOA

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peaker of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Konbowei Benson, yesterday made some clarifications on the alleged N78 million scam trailing the House and why it refunded unspent N19.4 million to the state treasury on August 3.

Benson, who spoke through his Special Assistant on Media , Piriye Kiriyamo, revealed that the N19.4 million originally meant for the registration fee of all the 24 lawmakers at the 43rd Commonwealth Parliamentary Association conference held in South Africa from June 29 to July 8.

The Speaker who spoke in Yenagoa at a one-day training programme for members of the Federated Correspondents Chapel of the Nigeria Union of

Journalists(NUJ) Bayelsa State Council, said the lawmakers arrived at the closing ceremony of the conference at Johannesburg, occasioned by the lateness in the procurement of Visas.

His words: “The Speaker is a God-fearing man; he is man that does not do anything that is fraudulent.

We arrived at the venue of the conference late and met the closing ceremony. We interacted with other legislators and got the communique. Our arrival was late because of the delay in the Visa. On the 3rd of August, we refunded the sum of 19.5million being sum for the registration that were not expended.”

Governor Seriake Dickson had approved N78 million for the lawmakers for the trip and advised that the funds should be used for

that purpose.

Mohammed Abba, leader of a group, Transparency and Good Governance Coalition had petitioned the Inspector –General of Police, alleging that the Speaker diverted N78 million meant for the conference and prevailed on the Police to investigate the matter.

While admitting that operatives of the Anti-Fraud Department of the Nigerian Police had stormed the Assembly to conduct some investigations on the alleged diversion of the N78 million, the Speaker denied claims that they never attended the conference .

Benson said the claims of the group was not true ,noting that the members of the House had been interrogated by the Anti-Fraud Unit of the Nigerian Police on the allegations.

Protests in BUK over death of student AUGUSTINE MADU-WEST KANO

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tudents of Bayero University Kano (BUK) yesterday protested the killing of one their students on Friday night by a truck driver.

The tragic incident occurred near the main gate of the university campus while the deceased was crossing the road on his way to the school.

The president of the Students Union Government of the institution, Comrade Usman Shuiabu Rano, said the killing of one of their final year Accounting Diploma students, Mariam Bala of the Department of Public Administration, prompted

Tackle poverty now, Bishop advises Akpabio

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he Anglican Bishop of Uyo Diocese, the Rt. Rev. Isaac Orama, has advised Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom to fight unemployment and poverty in the state.

Orama gave the advice yesterday in Uyo, while delivering the Bishop’s Charge 2012 at the first session of the sixth Synod of the Anglican faithful drawn from churches in the Uyo Diocese.

The Uyo Diocese of the Anglican Church was created 20 years ago for all the churches in the Anglican Communion in Akwa Ibom and would celebrate its 20th anniversary in November.

The bishop said that unemployment and poverty

were major issues in Akwa Ibom that needed urgent attention from government.

He further urged the state government to approach the proposed industrialisation of the rural communities with seriousness. ``The government should speed up this industrialisation projects for the provision of employment for the youths, who will be trained by the free and compulsory education programme. ``The news that 1,000 youths are to be sent abroad for entrepreneurial training is commendable,” Orama said.

Speaking on the state of the nation, the bishop assured President Goodluck

Jonathan of prayers from the church. ``We need to advice that he needs to put around him people who can implement his transformation agenda and avoid sycophants and corrupt people.

“We appeal to all to give him the needed support and encouragement,” Orama said.

The clergyman called on the president to tackle security challenges seriously and stop “this endless and senseless killing of innocent people.”

“We welcome the recent news that the Boko Haram leader is now ready for dialogue and we hope for the best,” Orama said.

that they didn’t want a recurrence.

“We trooped to the express-road and will not leave until the relevant authorities take appropriate action. The school authorities should erect speed breakers or Overhead Bridge at the entrance of the University to checkmate reckless driving on BUK road, so as to ensure the safety of our students,” Rano said.

BUK spokesman, Mustapha Zaradeen, said the University authorities had intervened and appealed to the students to stop the action.

He assured that the authorities would take up the matter with the appropriate authorities.

Kano sponsors 25 overseas on marine course

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L-R: Representative of the First Lady, Patience Jonathan, Minister of Women Affiars, Hajia Zainab Maina; Delta State Governor, Emmanuel Uduaghan; Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, and Deputy Governor, Delta State, Prof. Amos Utuama, during the 7th convocation of Delta State University, Abraka, yesterday.

the action.

He said series of compliant letters earlier forwarded to BUK authorities, the state government and officials of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), to checkmate reckless driving on the BUK roads did not yield any positive result.

The placard-carrying students barricaded the Gwarzo-BUK Road and the gate to the campus, disrupting the flow of traffic, Chanting,” We no go gree, we no go gree”, the protesting students lamented the incessant killing of BUK students, owing to reckless driving, especially on the part of the motorists, stressing

ano State Government has sponsored 25 indigenes of the state to study Marine Engineering in India and the United States.

A statement issued in Kano yesterday by Alhaji Baba Dantiye, the Director of Press to Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso, said the four year course would cost the government $80 million annually.

According to the statement, Kwankwaso said this during the graduation of over 1,000 youths under the government’s youth empowerment programme, tagged “Lafiya Jari.”

It said that the governor emphasised on the resolve of the administration to give priority to human capital development.

“We are doing all this because we need to see our youth everywhere in the world and reduce unemployment facing the state’’, the statement quoted the governor as saying.

It added that Kwankwaso further revealed that the government had concluded plans to sponsor 100 students to study avionics and another 100 to study medicine abroad.

The statement said

that the state government, through the Col. Yakubu Bako (Rtd.) Youth Employment Committee had secured over 200 jobs for indigenes of the state in various Federal Government establishments.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that “Lafiya Jari”, is a healthcare based empowerment scheme under the state Entrepreneurship Institute.

The scheme provides drugs and financial support to students who graduated from the Schools of Health Technology to set up their own businesses.

Yakowa commissions chest clinic, computer lab A ZA MSUE KADUNA

Kaduna State governor, Mr. Patrick Yakowa, has commissioned Chest Clinic built by Chevron at the Kafanchan General Hospital.

Yakowa, while commissioning the chest clinic, reiterated that the provision of quality health and education could only be completed within the state with private sector participation, just as he called on other corporate companies to partner with the state in

its quest to transform the state.

Earlier, the Business Relations Manager of Chevron, Alhaji Mansur Aliyu, who handed over the clinic to the state governor, said awareness programmes on HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases were also being sponsored by the company.

He further promised to partner with the state in the area of education.

Yakowa also commissioned a fully equipped computer laboratory with about 100 computers at the

state College of Education, Gidan Waya.

Yakowa, who was on a tour of the College of Education, expressed worry at the extent of dilapidation in the college, directing the Commissioners for Works, the Environment and Education to quickly take steps in seeing that the school received the needed attention.

Yakowa further told the College’s staff members that the construction of internal roads network within the school would start as soon as the rains stopped.

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Sport

Fans describe Falconets’ loss as P. 54 unfortunate KEEPING YOU ABREAST OF SPORTING NEWS September 9, 2012

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akubu Adesokan became a hero when he captured Nigeria’s first gold medal, at the ongoing Paralympic Games in London.

The world record holder in the men’s 48kg category in powerlifting told our correspondent shortly after the feat that he felt great on the achievement and reconfirmed his belief that he was destined for greatness in the sport.

“I was extremely happy; I was so happy and full of thanks to Almighty God for making it possible, but ultimately, what made it more important to me is the fact that I had earlier promised Nigerians that I would set and break record at the games and so when it happened, I became happier that I did not fail my beloved country.

“I believe I’m destined for greatness in powerlifting,” he enthused.

Reacting on how he came into the sport, Adesokan went down memory lane.

“First of all, I was not born a disabled person. I became like this when I was one-and-a-half years old because I was attacked by polio. And we had no money to really treat it then, but I thank God for what I am today because I never thought for a day that I would be what I am today.

“I am a shoe maker and I love football so much that I used to close my shop to watch 3SC play, so one day I went to the stadium where I saw some disabled athletes practising sports and I approached them for assistance.

“The first person I met took me to the hall where they were playing table tennis. Though, I loved the sport, I could not go ahead when I was told to buy a playing bat because I did not have money. So I opted out.

“Before I left that day, I was asked which sport I would want to take part in and I said powerlifting, so they now told me to go to the hall downstairs and when I got there, I met athletes training and Coach Arasi asked me to wait till after the training.

“But before then, the coach asked me to lift for him to see and

Prizefighter Africa debuts in Nigeria P. 54

Yakubu Adesokan of Nigeria shows off his gold medal after setting a new world record and winning the Men’s 48kg powerlifting event at the London 2012 Paralympics.

I’m destined to be great, says Adesokan I lifted 84kg and the whole hall erupted with shout and screams.

It was from that moment, I was nicknamed ‘Agbarapo’. All these happened in 2004 shortly before the Abuja National Sports Festival,” Adesokan said.

He also revealed that he did not make Team Oyo as a result of the incredible lift that day, because the sports festival in Abuja was just two weeks away.

“I did not make the team because it was just two weeks to the festival and the coach already had his athletes that would represent the state, but I was part of the delegates.

“I was taken so that I would have the needed exposure and it really helped me a lot.

“Example, during the 2006 sports festival in Abeokuta, I represented Oyo State and picked a gold medal and repeated the same feat in Kaduna in

Falcao perfect for Real Madrid, says Baia P. 55

2009. From there, I made it into the national team and represented Nigeria at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi, India where I also won gold.

“During the initial London Paralympic Games qualifier in Dubai, I won gold and picked another in the second qualifier also. I even set a new world record of 177kg and then in London Paralympics, I broke the record and set a new one of 180kg,” he stated.

Adesokan also talked about the major challenges that nearly made him contemplate quitting the sport that brought him fame.

“Such thoughts of quitting the sport have crossed my mind before because I developed a serious injury on my shoulder after the Abuja National Sports Festival. It really saddened me because I was abandoned by my family who always accused me

of abandoning my job for powerlifting. And during that period, I had no money to feed talk less of treating myself.

“I borrowed so much money and could not train well to the extent that I never thought that I would be able to train again or survive. I became a bit miserable then, but look at what powerlifting did for me after regaining my health.

“Secondly, after this, when I was thinking it over, I was faced with the problem of joblessness.

I could not go back to my shoe making business because I had no money. I was with the Oyo State Sports Council then, but didn’t have full employment; despite that, I remained committed to the state. During this period, states like Bayelsa, Edo and Delta offered me so much money to lure me to their states but I remained steadfast and committed to Oyo State. At the end of the

Spurs line up January move for Ganso P. 55

day, I was given an employment.

“I advice athletes to be patient in any situation they find themselves because perseverance is key to success; if I had made money my ultimate goal, who knows I would not have been where I am today.

“Any problem one faces is not the end of the world. We should be focused and hopeful; and I am extremely happy and thankful to God for making it in my life,” the paralympian added.

He finally called on government and corporate bodies to assist disabled athletes to achieve their dreams in sports by supporting and sponsoring them to stardom.

He stressed that disability is not a crime or sin because it can happen to anybody, so athletes who fall into such category deserve support and love in that regard.

Malouda offered Lyon P. 55 lifeline

54

Sport

Sunday September 9, 2012

Fans describe Falconets’ loss as unfortunate

F

ootball fans on Saturday in Abuja described the Falconets’ loss to Japan in the third place match of the Under-20 Women’s World Cup as unfortunate.

Some of them, who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in separate interviews ,said the team however had lots of lessons to take away from the tournament.

NAN reports that the U-20 Women national team lost 2-1 to the host in the third place match played on Saturday at the Tokyo stadium, Japan.

Media Officer of the U-15 national men’s team, Bunmi Haruna, described the game as a good one with many things to be learnt.

“The NFA needs to start a pro-

gramme to discover true young talents from the schools like they are doing with the male U-15 national team,” he said.

Olajide Yusuf, a student said their performance was impressive but it was late before the players discovered they had something at stake.

Latifat Ahmed also a student said it was a fair match and gave kudos to some of the players.

“Desire Oparanozie and Esther Sunday tried throughout the game, they were active all through.

“For Ordega, she had a bad day today. It’s like the way she made her hair affected her, because it weighed her down and she lost the ball at the slightest touch.

with

Prizefighter Africa debuts in Nigeria T

Japan’s Yoko Tanaka (left) celebrates after scoring against the Falconets in the 24th minute of the third place match.

“Some of the players made so many inaccurate passes but their game changed towards the end, they were just unfortunate,” she said.

IFEANYI EDUZOR

F

F

ormer South African international, Ricardo Katza, says that the young boys participating at the 2012 COPA Coca-Cola International Football Stars tournament have loads of ability.

The former SuperSport United League champion feels the teenagers need to get proper guidance from mentors in their native countries to continue their progress.

The tournament is currently taking place at St. Alban’s College in Pretoria and Katza is there on official business – scouting players for the SuperSport United and Tottenham Hotspur Academy.

“I am here to have a look at some players we have been told about prior to the tournament,” Katza says. “There are some names we have heard about before and we want to have a proper look at them.

“We want to see the players over a period of three tournament days so that we can have a full understanding and proper view of their skills and technical abilities. There are certain qualities we are looking for in these players. Firstly these players have to be better than the boys we currently have at SuperSport. We are looking for boys who are between the ages of 16 and 17 years of age because they will spend two years in the academy before proceeding to the first team.”

Looking at the tournament itself, the former Bafana Bafana centre-back was full of praise for the Coca-Cola initiative and suggested many more tournaments like these take place to unearth the hidden diamonds through-

Katza

out the African continent.

The Project Manager, Copa Coca-Cola, Olufemi Adelusi, is happy with the progress that his young compatriots are making in the 2012 COPA Coca-Cola International Football Stars tournament taking place in Pretoria, South Africa.

The Zion Boys, as the young Nigerians are known, have illustrated a unique team spirit at the event in East Pretoria that separates them from the rest of their African counterparts.

In the same vein, the Team Nigeria Coach, Waheed Akanni, has said the boys have showed dogged determination and strength of character throughout the training camp.

The Zion Boys have drawn their first two matches of the tournament; the first in a goalless affair with Serengeti Boys from Tanzania followed by a 1-1 draw with the Maasai Warriors from Kenya. Their next opponents are United Stars, a team comprising players from Rwanda, Burundi, Mauritius, Lesotho, and the DRC.

Knockout IFEANYI Eduzor 08055829770 ifeduz24@yahoo.com

Copa Coca-Cola: Katza delighted Igwe wants Paralympians compensated with quality of talents ANDREW EKEJIUBA

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

oremost athletics coach, Tobias Igwe, has appealed to the National Sports Commission (NSC) to ensure that athletes who represented the country at the London 2012 Paralympics Games are adequately compensated in order to encourage them win more laurels for the country in future.

He stated that the Paralympians by winning many medals in London has shown that they are capable of representing the country in international competitions, even as he canvassed support for the disabled athletes to enable them become useful citizens of the country.

“I must have to tell you that I am happy with what these athletes have achieved in London.

“Unlike their able-bodied counterparts, they went to London and put smiles on the faces of Nigerians and I expect them to be adequately compensated when they return home,” Igwe said.

Igwe popularly known as “To Blow” in athletics circles while bemoaning the poor performance of the country’s athletes at the London 2012 Olympics noted that for Nigeria to avoid a repeat performance in Rio de Janerio, in 2016, there is the need to start early preparation for the athletes.

he Prizefighter series, a knockout boxing tournament featuring eight different boxers in form of last man standing competition, will soon debut in Nigeria.

Za Entertainment International in conjunction with Global Sports Promotion, are bringing to Nigeria the London’s version of Prizefighter organized by the Match room Boxing owned by sporting events promoter, Barry Hearn.

Speaking to our correspondent about the new innovation aimed at developing boxing in the country, CEO of Za Entertainment International, Azania Omo-Agege said that the Prizefighter series is a knockout boxing tournament aimed at promoting professional boxers from the heavyweight down to

the lightweight division, where eight boxers are grouped to compete in four quarter- finals of three minutes each; followed by two semi- finals and one final all in the same night.

He said that the prize money for the winner of the tournament would be $25,000 (about N3.6million), while all the other participating boxers would have prizes to take home.

“The maiden edition, which we plan to organize in Lagos and every three months across the federation as well as in other African countries, will be explosive, as boxers from Ghana, South Africa and some other countries in Africa are ready to slug it out with their Nigerian counterparts in the heavyweight category.

L-R: Evander Holyfield, Azania Omo-Agege and the technical adviser of NBF, Idika Nsofor

Flores wants to fight Kayode

W

orld ranked cruiserweight boxer, BJ Flores (25-1- 16 Kos) says he wants to fight undefeated and world rated cruiserweight fighter, Lateef Kayode. (17-0-14 Kos).

Flores who will be fighting in October, noted that he will be willing to have the highly rated Nigerian as his next opponent “Now, I have a fight in

Springfield, Missouri, United States at the end of October and I am looking forward to have Kayode as my next opponent after that fight.

“Kayode is rated higher than me because he is rated Number 1 by the WBA; Number 3 by WBO; Number 4 by WBC and number 5 by the IBF, but I am willing to prove in the ring that I can beat him,” Flores said.

NSF: NSC satisfied with Kebbi’s arrangement to host zonal elimination

T

he North-West Zonal Co-ordinator of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Alhaji Shehu Gusau, has expressed satisfaction with Kebbi’s preparations to host the forthcoming zonal elimination competition of team games.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Kebbi is to host the competition as part of preparations for the 18th National Sports Festival scheduled for Nov. 27 to Dec. 9 in Lagos.

Gusau told the Kebbi Deputy Governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Aliyu, during a courtesy visit on Friday in Birnin Kebbi that the elimination competition would commence on Sept.17.

Lateef Kayode (left) slugging it out with Antonio Tarver.

Ali’s childhood home up for sale

T

he boyhood home of Muhammad Ali, where the future heavyweight champion first dreamed of greatness, is for sale.

In front of the house sits a lonely historical marker stating that the residence was Ali’s boyhood home, when he was known as Cassius Clay. Ali started boxing at

age 12, and a neighbour recalled how a young Ali would run with leg weights to build up his endurance. After winning the heavyweight championship in 1964, Ali came back to the neighborhood in his tour bus.

Many of the neighbors feel the home should become a museum.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Injured Jones out for eight weeks

M

anchester United have confirmed Phil Jones will be out for at least another six weeks after the defender underwent a knee operation.

Jones suffered a meniscus tear in training and the Red Devils expect the 20-year-old to require a rehabilitation period of between six to eight weeks.

The England international has yet to feature for United so far this term after picking up a back injury during the club’s preseason preparations.

His absence, along with several team-mates, had left United boss Sir Alex Ferguson short on defensive options, which saw Antonio Valencia and Michael Carrick start the season at the back.

However, while Jones and Chris Smalling are still on the treatment table, Ferguson’s selection headache has been eased by the return to action of Rio Ferdinand and Jonny Evans.

Jones moved to Old Trafford from Blackburn Rovers last year and he made 41 appearances for United in all competitions during his debut season.

He also scored twice and was included in England’s squad for Euro 2012, but he did not feature during the tournament as Roy Hodgson’s side bowed out at the quarter-final stage.

Sport

Sunday September 9, 2012

Falcao perfect for Real Madrid, says Baia

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ormer Portugal international Vitor Baia believes Atletico Madrid striker Radamel Falcao would fit right in at Real Madrid.

Falcao has been in impressive form in the opening weeks of the 2012/13 campaign with hat-tricks against Athletic Bilbao and Chelsea, and is continually being linked with a move to a bigger club.

The Colombia international’s father revealed earlier in September that the striker dreams of playing for Real Madrid.

Falcao has since dismissed those claims, but Baia feels Jose Mourinho’s Real would be a good option for him.

“Falcao would fit in perfectly at Mourinho’s Madrid, he’d re-

ally suit Jose’s system.

“Barcelona, on the other hand, would have to change their style, although it would be a luxury of a problem for Tito (Vilanova) to find a way to have him in the team together with (Lionel) Messi.

“Falcao is a phenomenon, a monster. He’s an old-fashioned forward who does it all. With Falcao in my team, I’d be a very happy man. He’s a top player who could play for any side.

He’s complete,” the former goalkeeper said.

The 26-year-old, who has a contract with Atletico until 2016, scored the first goal of Colombia’s 4-0 win over Uruguay on Friday.

Diaby

charge after succeeding Laurent Blanc, said: “He is a boy with a lot of qualities, but I knew that. He is a complete midfielder. It was a good return, I was pleased. I hope this will be the real return.”

Phil Jones

T

ottenham are hoping to sign Brazilian attacking midfielder Paulo Henrique Ganso in January as Andre Villas-Boas continues to reshape his squad. Spurs were frantically busy throughout the summer transfer window right up to deadline day - when they missed out on what would have been a club record £22million signing of Joao Moutinho.

Ganso

Malouda offered Lyon lifeline

Falcao

ortugal midfielder Nani says his international team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo is fine, dismissing reports the Real Madrid star is unhappy.

Ronaldo refused to celebrate after scoring twice for Jose Mourinho’s side in their victory over Granada last Sunday, citing a professional dispute within the club following the game as the reason behind his lack of joy at finding the back of the net.

However, the 27-year-old did celebrate his equaliser for Portugal against Luxembourg with slightly more vigour on Friday.

Manchester United midfielder Nani pointed to the celebration when asked what the situation regarding Ronaldo is.

Nani said: “Ronaldo’s fine.

Haven’t you seen him? He’s not sad, he’s fine.”

Jovetic to quit Fiorentina next year Lampard praises young midfielders F F iorentina have told prized asset Stevan Jovetic he will be allowed to leave the club at the end of the 2012/13 campaign.

The Serie A outfit managed to hold on to the Montenegro international during the transfer window despite strong interest from Manchester City and Juventus.

However, Fiorentina have come to an agreement with the forward that he can be sold next year.

Sources have said that senior Fiorentina officials feared a huge backlash from supporters if they sanctioned the sale of Jovetic before the transfer window closed last Friday.

City pursued the 22-year-old as part of a double swoop which also included Serbian defender Matija Nastasic, who they secured on deadline day for 15 mil-

EURO BRIEFS Spurs line up January move for Ganso

Deschamps hails ‘complete’ Diaby Nani: Ronaldo is fine!

F P rance coach Didier Deschamps hailed Abou Diaby as the “complete midfielder” after the Arsenal man marked his international return following a long-term injury with the winning goal against Finland.

Diaby played just five times for Arsenal last season due to a string of injuries, including a calf problem and a broken ankle, but has started the Gunners’ first three games in the new Premier League campaign.

That was enough to persuade Deschamps to pitch him straight into 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying action and the 26-year-old repaid his faith by converting Karim Benzema’s pass as Les Bleus opened their Group I campaign with a 1-0 win in Helsinki on Friday night.

And the coach, for whom it was a first competitive game in

Jovetic

lion euros.

The English Premier League champions also indicated in discussions with Fiorentina that they were willing to meet their 30 million-euro valuation of Jovetic, only for the price tag to be increased to 35 million euros as the Italian club moved the goalposts.

rank Lampard has hailed youngsters Tom Cleverley and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain after England’s 5-0 win against Moldova.

The 34-year-old, who scored the country’s opening two goals, believes the impact and influence from the inexperienced pair was equal to that of a player beyond their years and that they were integral to England’s control over the game.

“Tom played with such intelligence in midfield, he’s a pleasure to play with and at such a young age he’s going to be right in the middle of the team for many years to come.

55

“And Alex was brilliant.

He lit up the first half with his injection of pace and running with the ball. It’s great to see exciting young players like that playing for England,” Lampard said.

He did, however, concede that there is room for enhancement in the squad, which he hopes will be displayed during the second qualifier against Ukraine on Tuesday.

Cleverley made his competitive debut for England after a run-out against Italy in the August friendly - and the Manchester United man was humble with his postmatch thoughts.

L

yon have hinted they are ready to offer Chelsea outcast Florent Malouda a way out of Stamford Bridge. Malouda has been deemed surplus to requirements in Roberto Di Matteo’s plans and has been left out of Chelsea’s Champions League squad.

Malouda

Rijkaard: Spain the best I’ve ever seen

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audi Arabia coach Frank Rijkaard has voiced his admiration for Spain in the wake of his side’s 5-0 loss to the world champions on Friday. Goals from Santi Cazorla and Pedro put the hosts two goals up at half-time, before Xavi, David Villa and a second fine finish from Pedro made it five after the break.

PREMIERSHIP TABLE

TEAM

P

GD

PTS

1. Chelsea

3

6

9

2. Swansea

3

8

7

3. West Brom

3

5

7

4. Man City

3

3

7

5. Man Utd

3

1

6

6. Everton

3

1

6

7. West Ham

3

1

6

8. Arsenal

3

2

5

9. Wigan

3

0

4

10. Newcastle

3

-1

4

11. Fulham

3

1

3

12. Stoke

3

0

3

13. Sunderland

2

0

2

14. Tottenham

3

-1

2

15. Norwich

3

-5

2

16. Reading

2

-2

1

17. Aston Villa

3

-3

1

18. Liverpool

3

-5

1

19. QPR

3

-7

1

20. Southampton

3

-4

0

N1

Vol. 2 No. 39

Sunday, September 9, 2012

www.nationalmirroronline.net

N150

N I G E R I A

I N

06bn, cost of five new airports and cargo terminals the Federal Government plans to build, according to the Aviation Minister, Stella Oduah.

F I G U R E S

N65.2

23bn, amount the Minister of Information, Labaran Maku, said the Federal Government approved for the repairs of Benin-Sagamu Expressway.

Finance Minister’s jobless growth

Back Page

Comment

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

with Jim Unah

T

he Coordinator of the Economic Management Team of the Jonathan Government and the Honorable Minister of Finance of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr. Mrs. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, in a public event recently, disclosed that the nation’s economy is at risk considering the alarming rate of youth unemployment in the country. Listening to the Minister at close quarters one perceives a veneer of candor, sincerity, earnestness, simplicity; as she talks with the confidence of a big sister who means well for all the siblings. Ngozi is a good sales woman of the commodity of her principals any day. She could, in fact, sell snow, as they say, to an Eskimo if she puts her mind to it.

What reason did she give this time for declaring Nigeria’s economy to be at risk; as she sweet-talked her listeners to slumber with her emotive lullaby? Simple. Something that every Nigerian who did not even have the benefit of higher education knows. It is this: that as they that revel in statistics celebrate the putative and doctored world reports that Nigeria is an emerging market hosting

one of the fastest growing economies in the world, the so-called growth does not translate to jobs for the youths, and that the unemployment situation amongst young people is so massive that the dreaded consequences of growth without jobs such as prostitution, armed robbery, kidnapping, youth restiveness and violence are already taking its toll on the Nigerian State.

But people know this already. The Amajiri phenomenon in the northern part of the country which has metamorphosed into the Boko Haram insurgence and terrorism has been blamed on abject poverty and, perhaps, ignorance. Which is to state that successive regimes, whether military or civil, have been deficient in infrastructure provisioning and constructive educational planning and implementation. Cerebral people are tired of blaming the likes of the Finance Minister and even Mr. President for the nation’s woes; except that by some kind of naive optimism, for want of better expression, the state actors seem to believe that they could perform the ninth wonder of the world by trying to fix an ailing constitution and federal structure congenitally flawed since 1914.

The nation’s state actors have a penchant for pretending that the so-called “Nigerian project” , which means nothing other than the sharing of oil blocks amongst politicians in khaki and in mufti, would somehow transform the coun-

try, by some kind of magic wand, into a peaceful, egalitarian, society.

That is the big mistake of people like the Finance Minister. In her first outing as Minister of Finance in General Obasanjo’s regime as civilian Head of State, she made a big issue of the fact that Nigeria needed to pay up its foreign debt to be radically poised to attract all kinds of investments to grow the economy in ways that would be enviable.

After half a decade that the debts had been settled, Nigeria is even in worse economic quagmire to the extent that it is now recording jobless growth. Again, during the subsidy removal crisis in January, Okonjo-Iweala had assured Nigerians that all the money needed for infrastructure development intended to stimulate job creation would come from saved subsidy fund. What many Nigerians now find to their consternation and amazement, is that the subsidy fund is being shared between the three tiers of government, even as people are yet to see evidence of clear cut investment in job creating infrastructure in the country.

If the Minister of Finance who doubles as the Coordinating Minister of the Jonathan cabinet is troubled that the economy of the country is growing negatively, if one may call it that, who should refocus the economy in the direction of positive or job-full growth? Should the Finance Minister be complaining aloud about the potential risk of economic

US pip Germany 1-0 to lift U-20 Women’s World Cup

T

he United States on Saturday defeated Germany 1-0 to emerge winners of the 2012 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, held in Japan.

A lone strike from Kealia Ohai a minute before half-time proved to be the decisive moment of the contest as USA claimed their third crown at the expense of Germany, the 2010 champions.

Germany had comprehensibly overcome their rivals in a Group D encounter just a fortnight ago, and went into Saturday’s contest without conceding a goal during all six matches in Japan 2012.

Earlier in the third place match, Japan beat 2010 final-

United States’ striker Kealia Ohai celebrates with the trophy after her lone strike gave US a 1-0 victory over Germany yesterday.

ists, Nigeria 2-1 in an enthralling encounter at the National Stadium in Tokyo.

Goals in either half from Yoko Tanaka and Asuka Ni-

shikawa set the pace for the young Japanese side.

But Nigeria showed their resilience in the tournament through a Desire Oparanozie’s strike.

Third place is Japan’s best performance, having never previously appeared in the semifinals of the tournament.

USA and Germany’s claim to being the best two teams in the 10-year history of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup has surely been laid to rest at Japan 2012.

The pair have now shared five of the six tournament titles to date, and are also the two most successful teams in terms of matches won and goals scored.

growth without jobs or rather be doing something to correct the embarrassing anomaly? Maybe she is doing something about it. Maybe her efforts are not yielding fruits. Or maybe her effort is being frustrated by the incubuses of Nigerian politics -- the ubiquitous cabals. But excuses will not solve the nation’s economic problems. Only long term, well thought out solutions from all the stakeholders will bring the country out of the woods.

If state actors who are empowered to set issues right and resolve problems , like the Finance Minister, are complaining and expressing desperation and frustration, then it means that the problems bedeviling the nation are of a more fundamental nature; requiring a more radical and profound surgery.

The problems of the economy and, indeed, all other major problems affecting the corporate identity of the Nigerian State are well beyond the Ministers and President Goodluck Jonathan to resolve.

Where the President comes in is where it requires political will of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic to call Nigerians in a referendum to express their wish.

The Nigerian State has come to a point where it requires the world founding acts of a Mikhail Gorbachev to restructure. The country needs Ministers and Presidents of the Gorbachev craftsmanship to re-order.

I’m destined to be P. 53 great, says Adesokan

RESULTS OF NATIONS CUP QUALIFIERS Liberia 2 – 2 Nigeria Zambia 1 – 0 Uganda Central African Rep. 1 – 0 Burkina Faso Gabon 1 - 1 Togo Ghana 2 – 0 Malawi Sierra Leone 2 – 2 Tunisia Cape Verde 2 – 0 Cameroon Ivory Coast 4 - 2 Senegal Mali 3 – 0 Botswana Sudan 5 – 3 Ethiopia NATIONS CUP QUALIFIERS Today’s Matches Mozambique v Morocco 15:00 Zimbabwe v Angola 15:00 Guinea v Niger 19:00

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