Sunday, August 26, 2012

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Flood: Averting a disaster

Interview

P. 13-14

I have always been an advocate of state police – Jemibewon www.nationalmirroronline.net

Vol. 2 No. 37

Cynthia Osokogu’s murder

N150

Sunday, August 26, 2012

A parent’s agonising cry over murder of only daughter

P. 10, 11

I don’t know why they had to kill her –Father THERE WAS NO REASON TO VISIT PEOPLE ALL THE WAY IN LAGOS JUST BECAUSE YOU HAVE BEEN CHATTING WITH THEM

God will avenge for me –Mother

FACEBOOK; PEOPLE YOU DIDN’T KNOW BEFORE. WELL, THAT MISTAKE HAS BEEN DONE. I ONLY HOPE THAT MILLIONS OF

ON

OTHER PEOPLE OUT THERE WILL LEARN THEIR LESSONS FROM THIS INCIDENT.

—CYNTHIA’S FATHER

Mother: Joy Osokogu

Father: General Osokogu

First man on the moon, Armstrong, dies at 82

P. 8

Oyerinde’s death:

L-R: President, American University of Nigeria (AUN), Yola, Dr. Margee Ensign; Chairman, Board of Trustees, AUN, Alhaji Ahmed Joda; former Vice-President, Atiku Abubakar and Operations Manager of AUN Hotel Conference Centre & Spa, Mr. Amine Saad, at the commissioning of the hotel in Yola at the weekend

Why N5,000 note won’t work –ACF P. 7

Says move will encourage corruption, fake note business

Edo still studying Police claim on suspects

P. 7

Akeredolu slams Braithwaite, Babatope, Fasehun over Mimiko’s endorsement

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Sunday, August 26, 2012

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THE

Big Read SUNDAY SPECIAL INVESTIGATION

AUGUST 26, 2012

A blocked canal at Oluyole area of Ibadan and a submerged house at Ajilete in Lagos

Flood: Averting a disaster It is the season of rainfall and the rain is falling with a fury. In several parts of the country, it has wreaked havoc. In Ibadan, Oyo State, many have been rendered homeless, and the story has not been different in Maiduguri; tombs have been opened up with their contents deposited for all to see. But, that is just a tip of what to expect, going by warnings from the environment ministry. The ministry has predicted more rains, especially in the coming days. So, what are the efforts being made to avert this “unnatural” disaster, particularly by the concerned states? Head, Special Investigations, Isioma Madike, writes with reports from Kemi Olaitan (Ibadan), Inusa Ndahi (Maiduguri), Aza Msue (Kaduna), Henry Iyorkase (Markudi), James Danjuma (Katsina) and Pricilla Dennis (Minna).

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t is the season of rainfall when Nigerians are expected to enjoy the cool, soothing balm of the period. But rather, this has not been the case. This is because the season has come not with relief, but heartache. And it is just beginning. This is in spite of governments’ huge yearly budget on the maintenance of waterways. Flood, whenever it rains, take over communities and roads, wreaking havoc across the length and breadth of the country.

Perhaps, this may be the reason for the prompt alert on Friday, August 10, by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) that there was a high prospect of intense rains between August and October this year. The agency did not stop there. It advised governments and residents of flood-prone areas to clear their drains. According to the statement by the agency’s Director-General, Dr. An-

thony Anoforum, the states to be seriously affected include Lagos, Ogun, Delta, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Bauchi and Gombe. Others are Kano, Katsina and Jigawa.

He said that the agency had observed wetter-than-normal soil surface moisture and groundwater conditions in some parts of the country over the past 12 months.

“The rains will leave in its trail devastation and destruction reminiscent of similar incidents recorded in some parts of the country some months ago. As you are aware, the northern sector of the country will experience peak rainfall during the August to October season. The effect of the wetter-than-normal conditions observed signifies prospects of the occurrence of above-normal rainfall, which may lead to surface run-off,” Anoforum said.

NIMET’s pronouncement, however, was in line with the earlier warning by the Federal Ministry of the En-

WE ARE CONSTRUCTING DRAINAGES AND ROAD PROJECTS TO AVOID CALAMITY

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vironment, which stated that the flooding will affect 23 states of the federation. The Deputy Director, Erosion, Flood and Coastal Zone Management of the ministry, Dr Morohunkeji Oyeleke, had gone further to identified areas that could be affected in Kebbi as Arugungu, Bungudu, Bunza, Gwandu, Jega, Kalgo and Birni-Kebbi. Other areas are Keffi and its environs in Nasarawa State, Okigwe in Imo, New-Bussa in Kwara, Sabongida-Ora in Edo, Buruku in Benue and Echara-Onu and its environs in Ebonyi.

Oyeleke also listed Daura, Yelwa, Katsina, Funtua, Jibia, Bakori and Bundawa, all in Katsina State; and Dutse, Gumel, Gwaram, Hadejia, Miga,Mallam Fatori and Ringim, all in Jigawa; as part of the areas. Besides, the flood-prone areas include Bukuru and Shelleng in Plateau, Gombe and Nafida in Gombe, Damasak, Kukawa, Biu and Briyel in Borno. Aside these, Birnin Gwari, Jemaa, Kachia, Kaduna, Kafanchan, Kapa Madaki, Shanga, Zaria, Kauru and Shanga in Kaduna State as well as Bebeji, Gezawa, Gwarzo, Kano, Karaye, Sumaila, TudunWada and Wudi in Kano State, were also listed.

Azare, Bajoga, Darazo, Yelwa, Jamaare, Itas, Katagum, Kirfi and Misau are other areas that could be affected in Bauchi State, while Mutum-Biyu, Lau, Gembu and Beli in Taraba; Bida, Rijau, Sarki Pawa, Jebba and Kotangora in Niger could also be touched too. Kaura-Namoda, Maru, Maradun, Gusau, Bukwium in Zamfara; Damaturu, Machina, Gashua, Dapchi, Putiskum, Kanama in Yobe; Yorro, Yola, Song, Numan, Mubi, Mayo-Belwa, Jimeta, Gainye and Demsa in Adamawa, are the remaining areas mentioned.

The report also said that Gada, Goronyo, Gummi, Isa, CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

‘BORNO GOVERNOR AWARDS N14 BN CONTRACT TO CURTAIL FLOOD’

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The Big Read

Sunday, August 26, 2012

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Residents relocate from flood-prone areas in Oyo State

Construction of a drainage system in Maiduguri metropolis to curb flood

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3 Makira, Kargiwa, Shagari, Silame, Sokoto and Wamakko in Sokoto State would be affected, as well as Eleyele, Challenge, Moniya, Bodija, Odo-ona, all in Ibadan, Oyo State.

In Lagos State, government has, in a bid to forestall looming disaster and avoid a repeat of the kind of flood that ravaged communities in Ajegunle, Ikorodu, Warewa, and River View Estate in 2011, appears to be taking the NIMET warning seriously. It advised residents to prepare for heavy rainfall that will be accompanied by severe windstorms within the next two weeks after twoday heavy rains in some parts of the state and neighbouring Ogun state resulted in the collapse of some residences. The floods left many residents homeless while two persons were reported killed and many others injured.

According to the state Commissioner for Environment, Tunji Bello, “it was necessary for residents to take precaution as the rainy season was envisaged to be in its peak period during the months predicted by NIMET.” The commissioner particularly advised residents living along low line areas of Eti-Osa, Badiya, Amukoko, Makoko, Iwaya, Ajengunle, Owode and Ajilite to vacate the areas without further delay. He assured that the state government would intensify the clearing of drains in the state to reduce flooding. Bello extended the advised to other residents in the state to desist from acts that could lead to flooding, which he listed to include dumping of wastes into canals and erecting of structures on drain channels. He said in case of emergency, the residents should contact the drainage engineers and maintenance officers posted to the 57 local governments to tackle the challenges. In justifying Bello’s assurances, various contractors have been busy trying to meet deadlines in clearing the drainages across the state before the rains come.

The state, in recent past, particularly in 2011, was enveloped in floods, which affected no less than 1, 500 homes in Owode-Ajegunle areas. Similar floods had reoccurred annually since 2007, leading to the loss of properties, farmlands and infrastructure, including houses and schools. It was attributed largely to the effects of global warming and its attendant rise in water levels, as well as intense and prolonged rainfalls in those years.

The occurrence resulted to overflows from the Ogun River and surrounding tributaries. For some years now, flooding, indeed, had remained an annual ritual in Lagos State, such that observers wonder why government has, overtime, not been able to arrest the situation.

Like in Lagos, Niyi Oluwasanmi, a resident of Odo Ona in Apata area of Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, August 26, last year would remain unforgettable in his memory. The Heavens had opened for a heavy down

Minister of Environment, Mrs. Hadiza Ibrahim Mailafa

Katsina State government clearing a block drainage to checkmate flood

pour that lasted close to six hours and brought in its wake a devastating flood, which led to loss of lives and properties. Oluwasanmi said it was the first time in his life that he would be confronted by such flood and that it cannot be easily be erased from his minds. For the people of the area, according to him, the warning that the area could still experienced worst situation has brought a lot of fear to the residents. “Most tenants have been moving out so as not to be caught in the web of another flood disaster. The reason for their action is simple; apart from the material loss that we suffered, the psychological trauma is still there and this in itself is enough to kill someone. I have told my family that the loss of last year will not be our portion this year. Immediately we complete our own site, the family will definitely move out of this area,” Oluwasanmi assured.

For Mrs. Adenike Temowo, a landlady in Eleyele area of Ibadan, the warning of an impending flood disaster cannot make her abandoned the house she built over 15 years ago. She explained that she and other landlords in her area have decided to fortify their buildings to avoid flood washing them away while they had also contributed money to expand the gutters in the area to allow for free flow of water. “When we heard that our area is part of those expected to experienced flood, we were afraid.

But in our area we have prepared ourselves to avoid the kind of disaster of last year. Apart from ensuring that there is free flow in the gutters, we have put in place necessary embankment to divert the water from flooding our buildings,” the landlady said.

However, the Oyo State government is not taking the warning from NIMET slightly. According to the Special Adviser to the governor on Media, Dr. Festus Adedayo, the government of Oyo State has been proactive since last year and would do everything humanly possible to see that the state does not witness such a devastating disaster again. He said since the unfortunate August 26, 2011, flood disaster, the state Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, had taken some steps aimed at preventing a re-occurrence of the incident. Based on the report of the committee constituted shortly after the flood disaster of last year, the state government took a survey of the structures and bridges affected by the flood with a view to taking a decisive action on them. “Already, no less than 50 rivers across the state have been dredged at the cost of over N700 million. Some of the rivers include Odo-Ona-Apata, Olororo, Olode, Ajibode, all in Ibadan, and Odo-Ogba in Iseyin. Several bridges, particularly those affected by the flood, have also been marked for rehabilitation and/or outright reconstruction. The weekly environmental sanitation has also helped in keeping the environment clean, while clearing of blocked drainages are daily being effected by officials of the state Ministry of Environment and Habitat,” Adedayo said.

Adedayo also said that contracts have been awarded for the reconstruction of the major bridges and roads affected during the flood and that works are on-going steadily on them. “These are bridges at Apete, Secretariat-Bodija, Olomi and Ogbere. Works have also begun on CONTINUED ON PAGE 5

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The Big Read

Sunday, August 26, 2012

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We are constructing drainages and road projects to avoid calamity – Tunji Bello Tunji Bello is the Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment. He tells Muritala Ayinla, in this interview that the state has done sufficiently enough to prevent heavy flooding, but advised residents to relate effectively with their respective resident engineers and drainage maintenance officers whenever there is intense rains.

How are your ministry and government reacting to the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) predictions of a high prospect of intense rains and accompanying flooding between August and October this year in the state?

Well, Lagos being a coastal city is prone to perennial flooding at any slightest rainfall, but the state government is not resting on its oars at mitigating the impact of the climate change, which has made the state witnessed unusual whether condition. Since the July 10, 2011 when a 16 hours intense non-stop rain wrecked havoc in the state, the government had embarked on arrays of strategies to fully rid the state of flooding that would result to loss of lives and millions of naira worth properties.

Bello

What has the state done in that area?

We have undertaken desilting of drains across the state and dredging of canals in all the nook and crannies of the state. This was swiftly embarked on while construction of drain and road projects where needed was also awarded. Beyond this, periodic sensitisation of general public on the danger of disposing refuse into the drainage channel is also at every monthly sanitisation exercise while residents are always urged to shun cart pushers, who may dispose refuse in the already dredged canals.

year, the state has not experienced a tsunami-like envisaged by residents in view of the weather forecast.

Although, flood is still witnessed in some areas in the metropolis despite the massive dredging and desilting of drains to deflood the state, but such ‘flash flood’ is inevitable in a coastal city like Lagos. Residents are advised not to panic with such development when it happens. More canals have been dredged and all sedimentation cleaned by the Drainage Maintenance department and Emergency flood Abatement department in readiness for the next rains.

Are you now saying that the state is sufficiently immune to the looming flooding disaster?

Well, in spite of the predicted heavier rainfall this

What further advice for the Lagos residents?

Let me use this medium to alert Lagosians that we are now in the unusual times as indicated by global

events with unusual and intense rainfall ravaging the world, coupled with other natural disasters like tsunamis, cyclone, earth tremours and massive flooding world. The peculiarity of Lagos as a coastal state is flooding, as such all hands must be on deck to assist the state in reducing the incidence of flooding to the barest minimum, by not engaging in acts like dumping into drains and canals, as well as desist from patronising cart pushers. Whenever we experience any intense rains, Lagosians should relate effectively with their respective Resident Engineers and Drainage maintenance officers that have been posted to all the 57 Local Government and Council Development Areas in the state, to tackle flood related matters of each Local Government.

‘Contact lines set up in case of flooding’

A submerged house at Uyo in 2011

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4 the recently damaged bridges and roads like Agbongbon Bridge, Simeon Adebo\ Davies Hotel/Blessed Water Road, Simeon Adebo/Adeyi, Awolowo Road, Orita Aperin/Omowumi/Olorunsogo Bridge, Failed portion opposite Orogun Junc-

tion along U.I/Ojoo Road, Mokola/Cele/ Barrack Junction Road/Bridge, Salami Estate/Bodija Road, and Ona River at Olubadan Avenue as well as Oluyole Estate.

“The Oyo State Environmental Management Agency (OYSEMA) is relentlessly embarking on sensitisation and advo-

cacy programmes, even to all the 33 local government areas of the state. Similarly, the disaster risk reduction effort was flagged off by His Excellency, the Deputy Governor of the state, Chief Moses Adeyemo. Demolition of structures erected on statutory set-backs is being effected.

As at now, over 60 houses on flood plains have been demolished and more are still slated for demolition while enforcement of rules and regulations on compliance with environmental laws is being vigorously pursued,” he said.

Adedayo did not stop there, but added that part of the pro-active measures already taken by government was to work in partnership with the World Bank. “Immediately after last year’s incident and because the task of reconstructing the bridges affected by that flood is so massive and is beyond the state government capability, the governor met with officials of the World Bank. He did a powerpoint presentation on the case of Ibadan flood disaster, upon which the bank sent its representatives to the state for an as-

sessment. The report has culminated in the bank, with the support of the Federal Ministry of Finance, agreeing in principle to grant the state government the sum of N200 million emergency relief, which is almost ready. Part of the fund would be used to channelise the 30 kilometer Ona River road and complete the Upper Ogunpa River road. It will also help to solve the state waste management challenges; from storage, collection, transportation to disposal sites so as to turn them into sanitary landfills and to eventually begin a waste-to-wealth programme,” the media aide, assured.

Elsewhere in the Borno State, a heavy downpour, which ravaged some parts of Maiduguri metropolis, displaced over 10,000 residents. The accompanying flood also destroyed properties worth millions of naira. Dead bodies were not spared as flood forcefully exhumed bodies and washed away graves, particularly at the Jajeri cemetery. Rainfall, which is uncommon in the state before now, has continued unabated. This, expectedly, has heightened fears in the minds of the people of the state. The most affected arCONTINUED ON PAGE 6

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The Big Read

Sunday, August 26, 2012

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

‘Borno governor awards N14bn contract to curtail flood’

Ongoing canal construction work in Borno State

2011 Ogun State flood

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5 eas in the city of Maiduguri and Jere local government areas, include Bullumkutu, Ajillari, Jajeri, London ciki, polo, Bolori, Ummarari, Maduganari, Gomari Airport, Gwange and Mary wards of the metropolis. Most residents in the affected areas have learnt to stay indoors anytime it rains or about to rain.

Lamenting on the Ajillari incident, which has so far displaced over 1,000 residents, Mallam Bukar Maina, a resident of the area said the affected people have met and unanimously endorsed a letter to Governor Shettima to come to their aide. “Although, this is not the first time we took our complaint to the governor on the devastating effect of flooding in the area due to our closeness to River Gadambul, but all our cries had fallen on deaf ears. We hope he will listen to us this time around; we learnt he is a listening governor,” Maina remarked.

However, a victim of the Bullumkutu flood, Mallam Abba, accused the state government of paying lip service to the environment degradation in the state. There is the need for Borno state government, according to him, to embark on massive construction of roads and drainage networks in the flood-prone areas of the state.

Another victim and nine months pregnant woman, Hajiya Asabe Umara, described the situation as very destructive to human lives. “It is by the grace of Almighty Allah that I was able to deliver safely a baby boy in our house. The massive flooding in our area, which was due to lack of road and drainage system, hindered the coming of any vehicle that could have taken me to a nearby hospital. We were trapped at home and myself and my husband are praying for the situation to reduce so that we can look for a possible way of going to the hospital

for other anti-natal treatment,” she stated.

Governor Shettima, has, however been compelled by the NIMET’s report to act to avoid a worst disaster in the coming months. Already, the state government has awarded contract worth N14 billion for the construction of roads and drainages in Bullumkutu, Dala, Abuja Talaka, Bullumkutu Tsalake among others in the city metropolis to check flooding. The governor, in addition, has ordered the planting of over 10 million Arabic trees and seedlings across the 27 council areas of the state to check flood.

Speaking through the state Commissioner for Information, Home Affairs and Culture, Inuwa Bwala, the governor said that flooding, particularly in Maiduguri and Jere council areas has been a perennial problem despite all efforts put in place by the state government, especially the ongoing construction of drainage networks in the notable flood-prone areas of the state. The governor noted that since the commencement of the present administration, the government has embarked on the construction of roads and drainages in Maduganari, Wulari, and Lagos Streets, in addition to the evacuation of refuse dumps from the already constructed drainages across the affected communities in the state. The governor, while calling on residents to desist from dumping unnecessary refuse in the existing drainages, noted that with the effort put in place so far by his administration, the issue of flooding will, in no distant time, become a thing of the past in the state.

Kaduna State government is among those which are taking the recent predictions of devastating flood this year, seriously. It has moved into action by advising residents of flood-prone areas in the state to relocate to other safe communities. Oyeleke had listed in his re-

port Birnin Gwari, Jemaa, Kachia, Kaduna, Kafanchan, Kapa Madaki, Shanga, Zaria, Kauru and Shanga as possible areas to be affected by flood in the state.

The state Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Zakariah Shamaki, announced government directives while speaking with journalists in Kaduna recently. He blamed those whose houses were in areas that government did not give approvals for building. According to the commissioner, his ministry had already embarked on campaign to sensitise residents of the state on measures to adopt to prevent the impending disasters in the areas mentioned. The Governor, Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa, had, in the meantime, re-introduced sanitary inspections and clearing of blocked drainage across the state to avoid the coming disaster. He warned that the sanitary task force would sanction erring residents found blocking drainages.

For Benue State, whose capital is situated in a valley, the predicted rain and accompanying flooding is frightening. The state, which by 2006 census figures has 4,253,641 million people, is unarguably one of the most flood disaster-prone areas in the country. No wonder, the predictions had listed 18 local governments as among the areas to watch out for between August and November.

In view of the warnings, the state director of emergency and management agency (SEMA), Adipko Agbatse, confirmed that the state “is aware of the threat and awareness is already being created, especially for people living on river banks. We’ve asked them to relocate so as to prevent and safeguard lives. We regulate the policies of this agency through the office of secretary to the state government and of course we receive annually about N30 million to run its affairs. When you imagine the rate of calamity occasioned as a result of flood, which occur almost every now and then, one could see that the money allocated to tackle it is grossly inadequate,” Agbatse said.

And in Katsina State, the Environment Commissioner, Aminu Safana, confirmed that the state government had prepared for months before the rain began to fall and the recent warnings of disastrous flooding in some parts of the state. He also said that an emergency response committee on drainages had been established in the 34 council area of the state, with the coordinating committee at the state level. The committee, according to her, consists of security agents, political office holders and traditional rulers and saddled with the responsibility of ensuring that drainages were cleared repeatedly to check flooding. “Contact lines were also set up and given to people so that they call in the case of flooding in their areas. Some committee members had just returned from Maiadua council area where flooding had occurred some two days before; they succeeded in nipping the problem in the bud and are working to ensure there is no repeat of that in the nearest future. People are being constantly sensitised on how to keep their environment neat,” Safana said.

However, shortly after the warning issued by NEMA, some parts of Minna, the Niger State capital, actually submerged. This was as a result of heavy rain that lasted for more than six hours. Checks by Sunday Mirror revealed that the affected parts included Fadipe, kpakungu, Dusten kura gwari and Soje, all within Minna metropolis. Business premises were not spared even as the rain rendered some families homeless and forcing them to forcefully relocate. Other communities affected are wuya kede, wuya kanti, Batati and Muregi, all in Mokwa Local Government Area of the state.

The state Commissioner for Water Resources and Environment, Hajiya Hadiza Abdullahi, confirmed the development, but referred Sunday Mirror to the State Environmental Protection Agency (NISEPA), Niger State Urban Development Board (NUDB) as well as the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NISEMA). Incidentally, those agencies could not be reached for comments. But, the state government had earlier warned those living around the dam areas of Shiroro, Kainji and Jebba to be on the alert on the possibility of heavy flood with the rains at hand.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

NEWS

Sunday August 26, 2012

Why N5000 note introduction won’t work –ACF A ZA MSUE, K ADUNA

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he apex northern socio cultural organisation, Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), yesterday joined the league of stakeholders castigating the planned introduction of the N5,000 bank note by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), and giving reasons why it would not work.

According to the orgaisation, it would encourage corruption, increase inflationary pressures as well as kill the cashless economy

project.

The forum’s national publicity secretary, Mr. Anthony Sani, told Sunday Mirror in Kaduna that such a large denomination would also kill smaller notes.

The central bank had, on Thursday, announced the restructuring of the nation’s currencies with a plan to introduce a N5,000 banknote, while converting the N5, N10 and N20 notes into coins and introducing 50 kobo, N1 and N2 coins.

According to the apex bank governor, Mallam Lamido Sanusi, circulation of the coins and new bank

note will commence gradually from the first quarter of 2013.

Sani said, “I do not think people are questioning the intention of the CBN on the N5000 note - not at all. What people are saying is that the high value currency of N5000 note is against the spirit of the cashless economy project, considering the fact that people can carry large sums of money in the said denomination.

“What is more, such a currency note would kill smaller notes and hype inflationary trends as well as encourage the business of fake

notes and corruption. I tend to share people’s sentiments on this,” he added.

However, the CBN governor had insisted that contrary to undermining the cashless economy project, the new currency regime would actually complement it by reducing the volume of currency in circulation in the long-term.

According o the apex bank, with the planned changes, the naira currency structure will now be 12; including six coins and six banknote denominations.

However, a flurry of mixed reactions trailed the

Thursday announcement with many stakeholders, mainly from opposition parties, criticizing the move while some others declared support for it.

Apart from Sani’s arguments, others that have criticized the plan did so on the ground that it would promote money laundering, encourage currency trafficking and also increase the financing of terrorist activities.

They also argued that the plan would further adversely affect the economy and thereby worsen the living conditions of the common populace.

Oyerinde: Edo studying police claim on suspects SEBASTINE EBHUOMHAN EDO STATE

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he Edo State government has maintained silence over the counter-claim that the Nigeria Police Force and not the State Security Service are the ones in possession of the real killers of Governor Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole’s Principal Private Secretary, the late Comrade Olaitan Oyerinde.

Sunday Mirror could not get the government’s formal reaction to the latest claim by the police that the six suspects the SSS arrested and paraded in connection with the murder and later handed over to the police on Thursday in Abuja were not the real suspects that killed Oyerinde but those in police custody, including the detained human rights activist and Executive Director of the African Network on Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ), Rev David Ugolor.

However, our correspondent gathered that the state government was presently studying and analysing the police claim on the murder in comparison to the report from the SSS. It will be recalled that even after receiving the six suspects from the SSS, the police, speaking through the Police Public Relations

L-R: Minister of National Planning, Dr. Shamsuddeen Usman; Minister of Justice, Mr. Bello Adoke; Vice President Namadi Sambo and Deputy Chief of Staff, Alhaji Mohammed Kachalla, during the National Council on Privatisation meeting at the State House in Abuja on Friday. PHOTO: NAN

Officer, Mr. Frank Mba, still insisted that Ugolor was intricately linked to the murder of Oyerinde, who was murdered in his home on 2nd Ugbor Road on Friday, May 4, 2012.

The police counterclaim, according to legal experts, served as a formal reply to the press statement of the governor last week, absolving Ugolor of the likelihood of complicity in the cold-blooded murder.

When Sunday Mirror visited the Government House on Saturday to ob-

tain the government’s reaction, it was learnt that Governor Oshiomhole was not in the country as he was spending his vacation in far away United States.

Attempts also made to speak with his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Peter Okhiria, showed he was also out of the country.

Other spokesmen of the government said only the governor could issue any statement on the latest police claim as they were not competent to speak on such a case without the permis-

sion of the governor.

A source, who spoke under conditions of anonymity, said that the state government was currently studying the new police claim just and that it would formally react to the drama as soon as the governor returns or alternatively, gives permission for such reaction.

As at the time of filing this report, it was reliably gathered that Ugolor was still under police detention in Abuja even as the security agency opens

plan to formally arraign him in connection with the murder of Oyerinde, who was the substantive Secretary-General of the Nigeria Labour Congress on secondment to the Edo State government.

Meanwhile, an Edo State High Court is set to enter judgment on September 6, 2012, in the N500m suit Ugolor instituted against the police seeking damages for alleged unlawful detention in a rather curious twist to the allegation.

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Katsina: Downpour destroys 1,000 homes, millions lost JAMES DANJUMA KATSINA

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eavy rainfall in GwajoGwajo, Maiadua Council Area of Katsina State has left many families homeless with the downpour having destroyed no less than 1,000 homes while washing away farmlands and ruining crops.

The downpour also led to the death of over 100 domestic animals while properties worth millions of naira were either destroyed or washed away in the process.

Eyewitnesses told Sunday Mirror that the downpour had left seven people severely injured with the rainfall continuing unabated for several hours before stopping and leaving behind tears, sorrow, destruction, and confusion.

It was learnt that, with the extent of destruction, government and other relief agencies are experiencing difficulty trying to reach out to victims with relief materials, as well as determining the extent of damage the downpour had caused in monetary terms.

Sunday Mirror also gathered that several houses were washed away after heavy rainfall at Ilela village in Safana local government of the state.

Although no human casualty was recorded, it was gathered that several domestic animals were lost to the flood, while some homes were washed away in the process.

Confirming the incidence, executive director of the state’s Relief and Emergency Rehabilitation Agency (RERA), Suleiman Rawayau, said the state-owned emergency and relief committee, which was constituted at the wake of the flood, had assessed the situation and discovered that about 780 houses were destroyed at the Maiadua flood incidence.

NIGERIA IN BRIEF LUTH offers free medical services to 1,000 patients The Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) has offered free medical services to more than 1,000 patients as part of activities to commemorate its 50th anniversary, an official has said.

The Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee of the hospital, Prof. Olugbenga Ogunlewe, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that some of the services were also subsidised for the patients.

“We went to some communities and offered free health screening for the residents. We referred those found to be with one ailment or the other to the appropriate departments in the hospital for treatment.

“We conducted free eye, diabetes, hypertension, HIV/AIDS, breast, cervical and prostate cancer screening. People were given tallies to be treated in the appropriate clinics,” she said.

She added that the hospital

also catered for the health needs of indigent patients who were unable to pay for their treatment.

The chairman added that the hospital had also subsidised the cost of treatment for patients with eye cataract.

“This is our way of giving back to the community. We have discovered that a lot of people, due to their everyday busy lives, find it difficult to go to hospitals,” Ogunlewe said.

Be achievers of peaceful, united Nigeria, youths urged Youths in Nigeria have been urged to go beyond limitations and conquer the challenges of the older generations who have not been able to achieve a truly peaceful and united Nigeria.

A clergy, Lady Awele Eucharia Ilobah, gave the advice in a statement she delivered to motivate the participants of a special youth seminar, boot camping and competition held in Benin City, Edo State.

Ilobah, the vice president of

Jesus Deliverance Ministry and founder of a non-governmental organization, Wonder Youth Organization, organisers of the programme, said the youth must not give up to disillusionment, despair and social vices such as it is being witnessed of those that carry out the bombings and killings of fellow citizens.

She urged those engaging in criminal activities to lay down their arms and retrace their steps and thereafter, counseled that

the youth can thrive and achieve any dream if they work at it, unlike their older generations, to ensure a peaceful and united Nigeria.

She said, “The Nigerian youth must dare to dream great dreams because they are achievable in a peaceful and united nation. They must rise beyond violence and bloodletting that have become associated with the older generations of citizens and be achievers of their dreams.

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News

Sunday August 26, 2012

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Fashola: Govt’ll continue to tackle environmental challenges MURITALA AYINLA

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agos State Governor, Mr Babatunde Fashola (SAN), has assured that the state government would continue to address issues of devastation and disasters with innovative and courageous solutions.

The governor disclosed this yesterday during an inspection tour of the Kuramo Beach on Victoria Island, describing the ocean surge, which recently affected it, as part of a global environment challenge.

He noted that it was important to realise that whatever was happening in other parts of the world must have consequences down the line.

The governor, who spoke in an interview with news-

men after the inspection, stated that it had become an undeniable fact that the world is changing and it is only those who want to be caught up and taken away by the change who would continue to pretend.

“Just this morning, if you have been monitoring the news, you will see that Haiti has been hit by a storm, Hurricane Isaacs in the United States. It is the same Atlantic and I think that point must be made that this is the same Atlantic Ocean that is serving Haiti and most of the states and countries of the West African sub-region and Southern Africa to the left of your global map”.

“To your right is the Indian Ocean and right at the bottom around Cape Town is where the Indian Ocean and Atlantic meet. That is

the Cape of Good Hope. So, people must understand this that if it is happening in those places, you must expect that there would be consequences down the line. America is going into hurricane season and we are bounded by the same Atlantic,” the governor pointed out.

He explained further: “It is like when you throw a pebble into a bowl of water, you will see ripples.

We will feel the ripple end maybe in a week or two as each storm hits America, as it hits Cuba and as it hits Haiti. Now in the Pacific Ocean, the South East Asian nation, Taiwan, and all of them are now being buffeted by serious typhoons. Are we going to pretend that we are not part of that world?”

Responding to a ques-

tion on those pointing fingers at the Eko Atlantic City as being responsible for the surge, the governor maintained that the government can beat its chest today that rather than being the cause of the problem, the project had been pivotal to saving the whole of Victoria Island from the ocean surge, adding that people often forget when a problem had been solved.

Governor Fashola explained that before the Eko Atlantic City project started, it was always a front page news that the ocean surge had reached the Nigerian Law School, stressing that the same applied to the Modupe Oshikoya Avenue, right in front of the IMB Plaza, which was already gone.

“Now, you can drive through a road, now peo-

ple’s homes did not flood.

Victoria Island and Ikoyi are saved. Those are the financial heart of Nigeria’s capital markets today: banks, jobs, homes, skyscrapers and hotels.

That is what the Eko Atlantic City has done,”, the governor stated.

He reiterated that since the problem is now manifesting itself in other parts of the state, it means government might have to extend the intensity of its work to the Kuramo parts and protect all of the homes and property across the coastline, up to Alpha Beach and Goshen Estate.

Describing the development as an emergency that must be dealt with if the Federal Government is not going to come to the aid of the state, the governor stat-

ed that the Kuramo erosion challenge was not included in the budgetary plans for the year by the state government and would now necessitate the government going back to the House of Assembly to see how it can get appropriation.

Fashola added: “For those jobless commentators and political jobbers, they have not surprised me. One is very aware of the limitations of their thinking.” “ The only thing that has surprised me is that they showed very poor knowledge of geography and history that ordinary students in our Climate Change Clubs in the schools now know and it is a shame that their history and geography is not only poor, they have demonstrated it publicly.”

Neil Armstrong, 1st man on the moon, dies at 82

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he family of Neil Armstrong, the first man to walk on the moon, says he has died at age 82. A statement from the family and culled from the Associated Press, says he died following complications resulting from cardiovascular procedures. The statement didn’t say where he died.

Armstrong commanded the Apollo 11 spacecraft that landed on the moon on July 20, 1969, capping the most daring of the 20th century’s scientific expeditions. His first words after setting foot on the surface are etched in history books and the memories of those who heard them in a live

Neil Armstrong

NIGERIA IN

broadcast.

“That’s one small step for (a) man, one giant leap for mankind,” Armstrong said.

In those first few moments on the moon, during the climax of heated space race with the then-Soviet Union, Armstrong stopped in what he called “a tender moment” and left a patch commemorate NASA astronauts and Soviet cosmonauts who had died in action.

“It was special and memorable but it was only instantaneous because there was work to do,” Armstrong told an Australian television interviewer this year.

Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin spent nearly three hours walking on the lunar surface, collecting samples, conducting experiments and taking photographs.

“The sights were simply magnificent, beyond any visual experience that I had ever been exposed to,” Armstrong once said.

The moonwalk marked America’s victory in the Cold War space race that began October 4, 1957, with the launch of the Soviet Union’s Sputnik 1, a 184-pound satellite that sent shock waves around the

world.

Although he had been a Navy fighter pilot, a test pilot for NASA’s forerunner and an astronaut, Armstrong never allowed himself to be caught up in the celebrity and glamour of the space program.

“I am, and ever will be, a white socks pocket protector, nerdy engineer,” he said in February 2000 in one of his rare public appearances. “And I take a substantial amount of pride in the accomplishments of my profession.”

A man who kept away from cameras, Armstrong went public in 2010 with his concerns about President Barack Obama’s space policy that shifted attention away from a return to the moon and emphasised private companies developing spaceships. He testified before Congress and in an email to The Associated Press, Armstrong said he had “substantial reservations”, and along with more than two dozen Apollo-era veterans, he signed a letter calling the plan a “misguided proposal that forces NASA out of human space operations for the foreseeable future”.

BRIEF

Speaker seeks law to protect physically challenged Speaker, Abia Children’s Parliament, Miss Peace Ojimadu, at the weekend called for legislation to protect the rights of physically challenged children.

Ojimadu made the call during the second sitting of the 5th Abia Children’s Parliament held at Aguyi Ironsi Conference Centre, Umuahia.

She said the government

and people of Abia were not doing enough to protect the rights of physically challenged persons in the area.

“Government should enact a law clearly stating the rights of physically challenged children and the penalties that follow if such rights are violated,” she said.

Ojimadu told the News Agency of Nigeria that there was a need to integrate the

physically challenged group into the society by establishing structures that would address their special needs.

“In most public infrastructure and facilities in Abia, no provisions were made to accommodate the interest of this class of persons and such does not show that government and the public have them in mind,’’ she said.

L-R: Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, SAN; Commissioner for Waterfront and Infrastructure Development, Prince Adesegun Oniru, and a member, House of Representatives, Eti-Osa Federal Constituency, Hon Jide Akinloye, during the governor’s inspection tour of Kuramo Beach after the removal of illegal shanties by the Lagos State Government in the aftermath of a recent ocean surge at Victoria Island, Lagos, yesterday.

Nigerians urged to rally round Jonathan over security JAMES DANJUMA KATSINA

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igerians have been called upon to rally round President Goodluck Jonathan as the nation grapples with the problem of security, among other challenges.

Senior Special Assistant to the President on Youth and Student Matters, Mr. Jude Imagwe, who stated this yesterday in Katsina State, noted that anything short of support for the President would be coun-

ter-productive.

Imagwe, who was in the state in company of other youth leaders to commiserate with the Executive Secretary of Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF), Mutaqqa Rabe Darma, over the death of his mother, said what the nation needed now was support from all Nigerians.

According to him, “there is no country without challenges. When America was attacked, they never blamed President Bush

but rallied round him to achieve the American dream. We must support government to protect our country.”

The special adviser said the current security challenges facing the countrycalled for unity among the youths who he described as the worst hit, with a call on them to “conduct themselves in a responsible manner.”

He, however, challenged the youths to return to the core values of unity andtogetherness.

DEPOWA stresses need for officers’ wives to imbibe good etiquette President of Defence and Police Officers Wives Association (DEPOWA), Mrs Appolonia Petinrin, has called on wives of senior military personnel to be supportive to their spouses and imbibe good etiquette.

Petinrin made the statement in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria at the end of a training

workshop on protocol, etiquette and administration for the wives of security officers.

The workshop was organised by the association in conjunction with a protocol and image-making training organisation.

She said the workshop was for the women to know what they were supposed to do when

they were out with their spouses.

“The workshop is to help our women to interact socially and administratively in all sectors because the association supports and helps the women in every area.

“Being officers’ wives, there are no provision for them to be trained like their husbands”, she said.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

News

Sunday, August 26, 2012

9

Monarch’s kidnap raises tension in Bayelsa EMMA GBEMUDU YENAGOA

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ast Saturday’s abduction of a traditional ruler and head of Okordia clan in Yenagoa local government, Bayelsa State, King Richard Seiba, at Ikarama by unknown gunmen is generating tension in the locality.

Sunday Mirror investigations revealed that the gunmen had invaded the paramount ruler’s residence at about 2:00 a.m. and placed him and his family under gunpoint before whisking him off to an unknown destination.

No group has claimed responsibility for the kidnap of the 70-year-old

monarch and no contact had been established with his abductors as at press time.

It was further gathered that security agencies and ex-militant leaders in the state have launched a manhunt for the kidnappers whose destination is yet to be ascertained.

A source who pleaded anonymity said the traditional ruler might have been abducted for ransom.

In an interview with our correspondent, a member of the Community Development Committee in Ikarama, Washington Odoyibo, said the gunmen broke into the king’s bedroom window and destroyed the burglary before they pointed a gun at

him to open his door or he would be killed.

His words: “At about 2 a.m., we heard that our clan head, King Richard Seiba had been kidnapped by some gunmen. We went to his residence immediately where we saw his wife and children living with him who confirmed it. The wife and children were placed on gunpoint.

They raised alarm after the gunmen had left with the king.”

Odoyibo said the gunmen broke through the monarch’s bedroom window as they destroyed his burglary proof.

He added, “They now pointed gun at him threatening to kill him if he refuses to open the door

A delegation from Bakassi in Cross River State arriving at the Ministry of Justice for a meeting in Abuja, on PHOTO: NAN Friday.

leading into his apartment. The king immediately came to open the door and they rushed in and whisked him off to an unknown destination.

We don’t know if he is still alive or has been killed.

We don’t know if they are hired killers or kidnappers. We are not suspecting anybody or group for now, but we had a rift with a neighbouring community in Biseni clan recently.”

When contacted, State Commissioner of Police, Kingsley Omir, confirmed the incident, saying that his men and officers from Yenagoa, including the

divisional police officer in Biseni had moved into the area adding that no arrests had been made.

Omire assured that the kidnappers would soon be rounded up to effect the release of the monarch, adding that two suspects, linked with the abduction of a woman in the state two months ago, were arrested by the police a few days ago.

“We are aware of the incident. Our men and a very senior officer are already there. The DPO, Biseni is already on the ground. This incident should not be reflected in

Akinjide assures of permanent hajj camp for 2012 pilgrimage

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here are strong indications that the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) pilgrims for the 2012 Hajj may have the opportunity to use, for the first time, the permanent Hajj Camp located at Airport Road in Abuja. This is as opposed to a secondary school in Gwagwalada that hitherto serves as a temporary Hajj camp.

Minister of State, FCT, Oloye Olajumoke Akinjide’s resolve to make the Hajj camp ready for use for this year’s pilgrimage was contained in a release signed by the Secretary of the Ministerial Committee

on 2012 Hajj, Alhaji Isiaka Kehinde.

Sunday Mirror learnt that the permanent Hajj camp, after completion, would provide accommodation for the FCT pilgrims and those from the neighbouring states such as Benue, Kogi and Nasarawa before their airlifting.

According to the release which was made available to the press, Akinjide has ordered that all hands must be on deck to facilitate development of required facilities to meet up with the Hajj operations in mid September.

“To this effect, the min-

Groups get N160m to promote voter education

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ore than $10 million (about N160 million) was given to 18 civil society organisations to promote voter education in Nigeria, the Democratic Governance for Development Project (DGD) an NGO, said at the weekend.

Coordinator of DGD project 11, Mr Mourtada Beme, made the disclosure while speaking with newsmen in Abuja.

“About 365 youth leaders of political parties are also trained on non-violence,

conflict management and it also provided over 10 million dollars to 18 civil society organisations to support nationwide voter education,” Beme stated.

According to him, the DGD project also supported INEC in order to develop a credible voter register, which he described as very crucial for the conduct of free and fair elections in Nigeria.

DGD project, he added, also supported the National Human Rights Commission to train 750

NIGERIA IN BRIEF Eriyes mourn daughter The Eriye family of Emu-Obedeti, Ndokwa West council Delta State, announces with regret but with joy for a selfless and loving life the passing unto eternal glory of their daughter, mother, grandmother, sister and aunty, Mrs. Edjorverenu Augustina Ajayi (nee Eriye), aged 60.

She passed on August 8, 2012.

A retired banker and former player with the glorious Bendel State female hockey team, she started her banking career with New Nigeria

election security personnel and 370 security monitors who contributed immensely to the peaceful conduct of elections.

The coordinator said the DGD would also concentrate on its efforts to improve democratic functioning of political parties, professionalising their administrations and strengthening inter-party dialogue among them.

Beme explained that the objective of the project was to strengthen the country’s democratic

Bank. She proceeded to the United States for further studies and on return, joined Bank of America, (later Savannah Bank) in Nigeria before retirement. She ventured into private business afterwards. She’s survived by children, grand children and siblings.

Wake-keeping will hold on September 7 at Plot 1722, Festac Town, Lagos. Interment holds at family compound in Kwale, Delta State on September 14.

any way because it will jeopardise what we are doing. Our men have already moved in,” he said.

“By next week, you are going to hear about a major breakthrough that the command has ever witnessed. Two people who kidnapped somebody some months ago have been arrested but, we are keeping it to our chest.

The woman’s blackberry phone was sold to somebody. The person he sold the phone to has been picked. We will round up all of them because we have gotten their identities,” Omire assured.

character and promote outcomes that would advance its governance.

“As a driving force for strengthening accountable and responsive governance and for consolidating democratic governance, the project provides technical and financial support to INEC to carry out its enormous task.

“We also support civil society organisations and institutions such as the judiciary, media, national and states’ assemblies and

the political parties,” he said He urged the Federal Government to embark on projects that would strengthen political parties, improve the electoral process and increase the capacity and performance of civil society groups in the country.

Beme stressed the need for the government to enhance the role of the media in promoting good governance and empowering the women and the youths.

ister has requested for the intervention of the Department of Engineering Services, which in turn has employed the services of Messrs Exsa Nigeria Limited and Setraco Nigeria Ltd to execute its engineering infrastructural facilities aspects of the work.

This includes main estate trunk road, the parking lots, pedestrian walk-ways and provision of stand-by electric power supply at the camp.

“At the moment, in spite of the inclement weather that stalls the pace of work, appreciable progress has been made while the running ground water hitherto obstructing work on the site has been taken care of through the construction of sub-soil drainage. It is the wish of the Hon. minister that FCT records outstanding success in both its onshore and offshore hajj operations this year and integral to this is making the Hajj Camp functional. That is why all the stakeholders are working extra hard to meet the targets,” the statement added.

The project for the construction of hajj camp was first awarded to Messrs Imani lHaq Nigeria Limited in December 2009.

Moringa helps to balance cholesterol level –Nutritionist A Nutritionist, Mr Philip Amiengheme, said that “Moringa’’ helps to balance the cholesterol level in the body as each and every part of the plant has nutritional and medicinal values.

Amiengheme, nutritionist and president of Advocacy for the Prevention of Non-Communicable Diseases Initiative (APNDI), an NGO, said this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja yesterday.

The Wikipedia describes Moringa as the sole genius in the flowering plant

family Moringaceae.

The name is derived from the Tamil word murunggai or the Malayalam word muringa, both of which refer to M. oleifera.

It contains 13 species from tropical and subtropical climates that range in size from tiny herbs to massive trees.

“Moringa is the most nutritious plant discovered on earth. Each and every part of Moringa has nutritional and medicinal values.

“It is widely promoted in poverty-

stricken areas to counter malnutrition for the effects can be seen within a few days of including it in the diet.

He said the general rule was that the nutrients work together best in combination with other minerals and vitamins than taken alone, saying the leaves were the most nutritious part of the tree.

Amiengheme said, “Moringa is rich in Vitamin A; it has four times more Vitamin A or carotene than carrots which is a weapon against blindness.

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SM Extra

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

STORIES THAT TOUCH YOU AUGUST 26, 2012

Agony of slain Cynthia’s parents It’ll be difficult to understand why they killed my daughter -Dad I’ll allow God to avenge her death -Mum

JAMES ABRAHAM JOS

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ife has not been the same for 57year old Major General Frank Osokogu (rtd) and his wife, High Chief (Mrs.) Joy Osokogu since the news of the brutal murder of their daughter Cynthia Osokogu, a postgraduate student of Nasarawa State University was broken to them. Cynthia was lured to Lagos by Facebook and killed in a Lagos hotel.

The parents, who hail from Delta State, said the circumstances that led to the death of their daughter were devastating to the family.

When Sunday Mirror called at their family house located at ECWA Staff quarters in Jos, Plateau State at the weekend, sympathisers were seen trooping in to offer their condolences.

Soldiers were also seen guarding the residence.

Indeed, it was not easy for both parents who were still shocked over the brutal killing of their only daughter and last child by people who ordinarily should be her friends. ‘’We received the news of my daughter’s death with great shock,’’ said the General who retired from the Nigeria

The late Cynthia

ADAEZE AMOS, ANGELA DAVIES

A

& VANESSA OKWARA

mara is the second daughter of her parents. She grew up in Owerri, Imo State where she attended the best of schools. The light skinned beauty had a first class honours in Economics. She would have loved to live her life to the fullest but for the vagaries of life. She would have been an extrovert, because she desired to go out to meet people, attend parties and socialise with friends. But for the paralysis on her right leg.

What paralysed her right leg was an injection she was given when she was a baby. She was taken to a hospital by her mother for an inoculation and somewhere along the line, something went wrong. The student nurse that gave her the injection pierced the needle so deep that Amara’s right leg was affected and walking became a herculean task. When she managed to walk at the age of five, she did so with the aid of a crutch because the leg was becoming thinner and thinner by the day. Despite the challenge, Amara was a beauty to behold but no man was interested in dating her or even asking her out. It was so bad that on campus, she never had a date. Same thing happened when she did her one year compulsory youth service in Ikom, Cross River State. So, for that reason, Amara confined herself to her room in her father’s petrol station where she was the manager. Most often, her laptop was always handy because she loved to browse and chat with her friends on Facebook.

Nobody would see the picture of Amara’s beautiful face without confirming her or adding her as a friend on facebook. It was through the Facebook that she met John whom she was chatting happily with most often.

It wasn’t long, the duo became good friends and their relationship soon turned sizzling. They later exchanged phone numbers and John, an eligible bachelor, was also head-overheels in love with his Facebook sweetheart. There was no

Army in April 2010. ‘‘It was a complete devastation because we have been looking for her for quite some time before we eventually heard from the police that they have a body in Lagos and that we should come for identification. That information on the one hand cleared the dark cloud, wherein we had spent time looking for her when we did not know where she was. But on the other hand, it also increased the tension, the pressure and all the sufferings that the family had gone through because we did not know what had happened to her.

“This was somebody who was in the university where she was doing her Master’s Degree in Keffi, Nasarawa State before she travelled to Lagos. She didn’t come to the House here in Jos before she embarked on the journey. She only told her friends who are in Abuja that she was going to Lagos. It was at a point that the friends did not see her that they started looking for the family members. That was how the friends got in touch with me after about 10 days of her disappearance.

“She came here (Jos) all the time, almost every weekend, whenever she was free because she was into modelling.

She was even in the house about one

week before she travelled.”

The General said it was the police that helped the family to discover her daughter’s dead body. “They asked the family members to come and identify the body. At that time, they did not even tell us that she is dead. They just told us that they have information on a person and that they were inviting the family members to come over to Lagos. So my younger brother and my son went there immediately. It was at that time that they broke the news to them that they have a dead body lying in the mortuary and asked them to check if that is somebody they are looking for. They now confirmed that she is the one.

“The body is still in the mortuary because they are conducting an autopsy on the body. They promised to inform us after they finished the autopsy. We are not in a hurry for the burial. Let the proper thing be done. She is the only girl and the last child in the family. It is baffling to me why her killers did that to her because the whole episode is rather absurd, incomprehensible and illogical. Before, when we hear about people being kidnapped or declared missing, the next thing that will come to people’s mind is that the abductors will demand for ransom. They will get in touch with

Facebook: Our experience, day he wouldn’t call her on the phone just to tell her some sweet things. And Amara, trying to know what it means to fall in love for the first time was also responding with same zeal. She told her mother about her new found love and the poor woman’s hope that her second daughter would quit spinsterhood soon rekindled.

When the time was ripe for John to see Amara, he invited her to Lagos. And she grabbed the idea of coming to Lagos for the first time not minding that she hadn’t been to the city for the first time. Pronto, Amara scribbled down John’s office and home addresses and set off on the fourth day of the week just as John instructed.

She got to Lagos at 4.30 and picked a cab from Ojota and headed for John’s office first. She alighted from the cab when John was seeing a client off from his office and when he saw her, he recognised her at a quick glance.

But when he saw the wooden crutch she was holding, he was shell-shocked. But he managed to hold his peace and took Amara home. And while he was driving, he asked her myriads of questions concerning her leg.

“Why didn’t you tell me about this?” He quipped, pointing at her leg.

“Because you never asked; John and I felt it wasn’t necessary raising it on Facebook,” she answered, stammering.

John paused while Amara looked through the window of his car, avoiding his eyes.

He wasn’t satisfied with her answer, so he prodded on.

“What do you mean it wasn’t necessary? I ought to have been informed about this Amara, don’t you think so?”

When Amara couldn’t respond, they both kept quiet in the traffic which wasn’t helping matters. It was John

that broke the silence at last. “How long are you staying?

Well, you may need to rest tomorrow, so that you leave…”

“Don’t worry, John,” Amara cut in. “There won’t be need to rest tomorrow, I will leave the next morning and I won’t bother you again.”

The next day, Amara set off but she couldn’t hold back tears when John dropped her at the motor park where she boarded a bus home. That was how the once upon a time Facebook romance came to an abrupt end.

What about you? What is that good or ugly Facebook experience you ever had? Afolabi Dele, Computer Analyst/Programmer says “one major use of Facebook which thrills me is that it helps me to promote businesses, selling of goods and services. Also, I enjoy the fact that it helps to connect one to friends.

But connecting with friends should be restricted to only people I know through genuine means. I don’t just add or accept anybody anyhow. Good enough, Facebook is useful in reconnecting one with old (lost) friends. But the bad sides of Facebook include the issue of adding a friend with fake Identity or someone you don’t know. That is why Facebook provides the ‘confirm’ and ‘ignore’ button so that you could either accept or reject a friend request.

As for Raymond Eyo, a postgraduate student, “the good side of Facebook is that it helps me to keep in touch and share with family, friends, colleagues, and other acquaintances. Also, it has become a veritable social media tool for gathering people around for common organizational goals. Many youth groups and non- governmental organisations now own Facebook group accounts through which beneficial information is

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Cynthia’s mother, Joy Osokogu

members of the family and put up a demand.

In this case, there was no such thing. Secondly, after she was confirmed dead and my relations went to identify her, they saw the corpse and confirmed that the body was not tampered with; there was no missing part of the body. So, it was equally not a case of ritual killing because if ritualists kill somebody, it is expected that they make away with some of the victim’s body parts.

“So, that is why it is difficult to understand the new dimension which crime has taken.

You didn’t ask for money; you are not killing her for ritual purposes. You did not even know her at all. From the evidence we have, you only met her on Facebook; from there, she decided to visit and from there she met her death.

“In the past, killers used to isolate themselves from anything that will involve the police. So, if they can get what they are looking for from their victim without killing the person, they will do that because they know that once somebody is dead, police attention on the situation will increase. So, in this case, if they have searched the girl and didn’t find the kind of money they were looking for, why did you have to kill her? So, this is the kind of thing we didn’t understand. Even though we grief as her parents, I believe the youths out there have a lot of lessons to learn from what has happened to my daughter. You do not just start looking for strangers. You don’t just believe everything you see or hear. General Frank said he was grateful to the police for their intervention.”I want to thank the Area Commander in FESTAC (Lagos) because those who went there have told me that he

, by users

circulated to members.

“It is also a major source of information for me on diverse issues of interest.

Through Facebook, I had access to informed debates and discussions on topical issues either in groups or on individuals’ walls.

“However, there are bad sides to Facebook. Firstly, chatting with friends can be very time-consuming. In fact, the lure of Facebook chatting usually distracts one from concentrating on important preoccupations.

“Also, owing to ignorance, some Facebook users don’t utilize their privacy features appropriately and that allows just anyone to access information and pictures about them. This may be risky.

For Samusideen Adebola Quadri, the response is, “I am not a social media freak hence my experience is limited.

But talking about the good side of using Facebook, it helps people including me to hook up with long time relations and friends and also knowing certain things which ordinarily I wouldn’t have known about them.

“For Example, I saw a picture of my exclassmate who we both attended primary and secondary school together and learnt that she was late. Ordinarily, I would not have known unless somebody called to

SM Extra

Sunday, August 26, 2012

11

Cynthia’s father, Gen. Osokogu

did a wonderful job in making the arrests, so far. I also want to thank the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, because of the way they are handling the matter. They wanted to continue until they see that there is justice at the end of the day.”

Cynthia’s mother, Joy, who corroborated her husband’s story, told of her last moment with her daughter before she was killed.

“She called me on phone that she had arrived Lagos. That was on July 22. She told me that they called her to come over to Lagos and collect her goods because she had a boutique shop in Keffi. She was the Chief Executive of Dress Code Boutique in Keffi and she told me that she would be coming back the next day and thereafter visit us in Jos. But the following day, her phone went off. Through the week, her phone did not go through. We then reported the matter to the police and also put it on Facebook. But the following week, when we called her line again, it was successful; only for a voice to tell us that my daughter was in the hospital.

We continued like that because we didn’t know what had happened until eventually, she was identified dead in the mortuary through the help of the police. It was a shock to me but I thank God that I have seen the corpse.

“Even when we declared her missing, people were saying all kinds of things. I don’t have anything to say because perhaps, that was how God wanted it; to use her life to teach so many people so many things. And I will also allow God to avenge the death of my daughter for me,” an unhappy Joy concluded, philosophically.

inform me. Also, it was when I hooked up with my school alumni on facebook that I discovered that Mr. Gboyega Adegbenro, the former Sport Editor at Daily Times of Nigeria was my senior in secondary school.

Likewise Juliet Bomah was my senior in primary school but I didn’t know that before now as I only knew them as my colleagues.

“Well, about the bad side of using Facebook, I believe that one should not get carried away. I have not had any bad experience but owing to some certain unpleasant things that I read or see on Facebook, it sure does have a bad side. It is like encroaching on ones security sometimes; hence your privacy is taken away from you.

Gina Asuquo, a beauty expert, also lends her voice: “The truth is that everything in life has got its good and bad side. However, when it comes to Facebook, I will say the good sides are far much more than the bad sides. First of all, it has helped me to connect with old and long lost friends. It also creates an avenue for people to promote their businesses such as adverts, blogs, job vacancies from which I have also benefited. It has also helped me to get useful and valuable information, especially from my old school’s alumni Facebook page and so much more. I also know people who met and got married through Facebook.

“To me the bad sides are that some people misuse Facebook. Instead of sharing valuable information, they post porn videos and nude pictures, this could be very annoying. And sometimes, you also receive all sorts of irritating in-box messages from people, especially from men.”

Feese, (middle) with hospital staff

One year after, UN bombing victim recalls

I had brain, back, arm and legs injuries

Her name is Feese, for short. She is one of the living victims of last year’s insurgent attack on the United Nations building in Abuja. Feese, who belongs to TeamMember, “a group of young, educated, talented and determined Nigerians,” recalls her horrible experience:

T

oday, the 26th of August 2012, it is exactly one year since the bombing of the United Nations (UN) building in Abuja which claimed several lives and shattered the peace of our country. As I reflect on the last one year I cannot but thank God for many things that happened to me during the period. I woke up to find myself in a London hospital surrounded by love with friends around my bed and their pictures and lovely posters on the walls in the intensive care unit. One of the posters had two puppies squashed in a saucepan and it read “WE ARE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER”. My friends and many Nigerians have been with me ever since and they form the core of TeamMember.

TeamMember is a group of young, educated, talented and determined Nigerians who want to contribute to a new Nigeria where things work. We bring to the table our motivation, zeal, energy and tenacity, hoping to benefit from the skills and experience of some identified committed professionals within our country to guide us in our quest to serve Nigeria as advocates for quality service delivery. But then my story.

Doctors have told me that it is a miracle that I survived the bombing but I find it difficult to understand given that I slept through the worst part. But when I think about what I have been through, and still going through, I see a lot of similarities between my experience and that of Nigeria. I survived and I believe Nigeria will survive as one united strong country. Like Nigeria also, I have a lot of reasons to despair and give up on life but I will not and I believe Nigeria cannot afford to. Here is what I mean: • I was involved in a bomb blast which turned my life upside down. Nigeria has suffered from years of mismanagement which has left her upside down to put it mildly.

• I suffered stroke on my right side leaving me with an arm and a leg that were severely impaired. I still cannot use my right hand. Nigeria has suffered from corruption that has left her nearly paralyzed such that she can hardly deliver any meaningful service.

• I broke my left hand which limits what I can do given that my right hand is slowly recovering from a stroke. Nigeria has broken systems and institutions that can hardly deliver service and given that corruption has diverted resources from their

intended purpose it is difficult to see how Nigeria can function.

• I was unconscious for a long time and due to inactivity my muscles disintegrated and I could not do anything for myself, a very frustrating experience. I needed to rebuild my strength and muscles. Nigeria is suffering from poverty that has left its people unemployed, without food and shelter thus building an army of frustrated young people. Nigeria needs to protect her citizens against poverty, hunger and disease.

• My lungs collapsed making it difficult for me to take in oxygen so I had to be intubated. The insecurity in Nigeria today has left citizens running for dear life. Nigeria needs to protect lives and property of its citizens.

• I had injuries on my back, arm and legs such that doctors had to cut skin from other parts to graft. Nigeria has so many supply side issues that it cuts funding from one sector to fund another sector.

• I had brain injury which left me unconscious and without speech for weeks after I can out of coma. Nigeria has lost her values through many years of mismanagement no wonder the current lawlessness in the land.

• I lost my leg and now I struggle to maintain my balance and very often fall over. Mummy frets when I fall but I have told her several times not to worry because when I fall, I will always get up. Nigeria has lost her morals and ethics and now has no value for human life, barely surviving as a nation. But Nigeria can survive if she adheres to the principles of respect for the fundamental human rights of its citizen, equity and fairness.

I have survived albeit on one leg but with everyone’s help, my inner motivation and with the help of technology I believe that I will regain my balance and live a productive life. With political will and determination and with every Nigerian playing their part our nation will regain her balance and take her rightful place in the world. It is fascinating how I was flown to the UK for life saving treatment and I was treated by a Nigerian doctor. Similarly, in the recently concluded Olympics Nigerians won medals but only for foreign nations. What this tells us is that Nigeria has the human capacity to deliver services, she only needs the right political will and leadership with strong institutions.

– Ms Feese studied Poverty and Development at the University of Sussex, UK

12

Sunday, August 26, 2012

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

13

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Interview ENCOUNTER WITH A NEWS MAKER

I have always been an advocate of state police –Jemibewon AUGUST 26, 2012

old Oyo State and a territory in which you have five states today. And this was between 1976 and 1978. We were redeployed in July 1978 and I think by October or few months after, I launched a book whose title is “A combatant In Government”. If you could research and lay your hands on that book, I did suggest while I was writing on a particular chapter in respect of security organizations -where I treated the police, the Army, and the judiciary as well as other law enforcement agencies -that based on my experience in Ibadan and my knowledge of other Federations all over the world, there was a need for state police.

And I gave my reasons and I went further to say in that book that where people may be worried or politicians may be worried that state police may be misused by the political leadership, then it would appear to me that a compromise of reaching a midway between those who support state police and those who are against state police may be to create Zonal Commands. As at that time, there was a single unified police, no zoning. But few years after that, during General Ibrahim Babangida’s presidency, the Nigeria Police was broken into Zones, That was years after I have suggested it in my book. There were in fact eight zones up to 1999 when Obasanjo became the constitutional president through election and I had the rare opportunity of being appointed Minister responsible for the police. I felt these eight police commands were not fairly distributed. I, therefore, made A recommendation to the President who said I should present a paper to the Federal Executive Council, which I did. And so the Nigeria Police was further enlarged from eight to 10 zonal commands. I remember it was during my time that you have the zonal command in Umuahia, one in maybe Sokoto or so and one in Bauchi.

So I had been an advocate of state police.

General Jemibewon

General David Jemibewon was the governor of the Western State and the old Oyo State between 1976 and 1978. He was also appointed the Minister of Police Affairs at the inception of this democracy in 1999. In this interview with Ayo Esan, he speaks on sundry issues as they affect the country. Excerpts: How can normalcy return in the face of security challenges facing the country?

Anyway, like I have read in most newspapers, the government is trying to be on top of the situation. The National Assembly has expressed the desire to give the executive arm total support in whatever it wants to do to improve the security situation and bring about peace which is a prelude to development in any society. Only today, I read in the newspapers that the former Inspector Generals of Police (IGs) have gone to meet Mr. President to offer their advice and suggestions on how security can be improved upon.

So with all these, it would appear to me that appropriate actions are already in place towards improving the security situation of the country. I think one aspect that needed to be emphasised is that the populace, the citizenry, must be alive to their responsibilities. Everybody has a stake in national security and the wellbeing of citizens of this country. So that is one major area and then of course, even you the media, should try and report the truth, how exactly things are and don’t exaggerate the security problems so as not to create fears in the populace.

Some people believe that the current insurgence espe-

cially in the northern part of the country could be resolved through dialogue. Do you support this view?

If you ask if I support dialogue, what are the other alternatives?

There is also the military option I think in any situation, even under a war situation, dialogue is very important particularly if you know the parties that are involved in disputes or in disagreement.

Dialogue is the best alternative. It ought to be tried and it is when it fails that you look at the other alternatives.

So I am in support of dialogue; where people who are to be involved in dialogue can be identified.

Some people believe that the problem of insecurity in the country can be tackled through the creation of state police. But the Governors Forum could not come to agreement on this issue. Are you in support or against the creation of state police as a former Minister of Police Affairs?

It is a belated question to be put to somebody like me.

The reason is this: I happened to have the opportunity of being entrusted with a political authority in the post of a governor of a state. To be precise, Western State, and later

But the issue has generated much controversy I have followed the controversy in newspapers, in debates as to the desirability and of state police. And like I said much earlier, today, I read in the newspapers where former Inspector Generals have gone to see Mr. President and they have advocated that there is no need for state police. I don’t share that view but that does not mean that my view is superior. I think the people who should decide as to whether there should be state police or not are the Nigerian people.

But having said that, I think a compromise between these two different opinions is that we should now think of zonal commands. Not in the present state that we have police commands but zonal commands to allay the fears of those who are against state police. Also it would be fair for people to debate this new idea, not exactly new but this modification to my suggestion of 1978. And that is to say that since we now have six political zones which seemed to have been accepted even in employment, in sharing of political positions, in competition for political offices, I think we can now go gradually by decentralisation, by having seven police commands in Nigeria. And what do I mean by that? We should have South-West police Command, South-East Police Command, South- South Police Command, North-Central Police Command, North-West Police Command, North – East Police Command and Federal Police, making seven. The recruits into these commands should be citizens located in these zones but the operative word should be ‘domiciles’. And the fear that political leadership at the state level may misuse the police will not arise because there is no zone that has less than five states. They will be citizens from these states and no governor has constitutional authority over other states other than his own.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 14

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Interview

Sunday, August 26, 2012

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

‘It’s time to end states’ creation in Nigeria’

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 13 So I think that could be a compromise approach but of course whichever way it is, I think it will not be right for any person or group of persons to just say ‘oh, there must be state police or there must not be state police.’ What I am saying is that there should be no group of people who would hold this nation to ransom by saying that there should not be state police. Conversely, no group must also say there should be state police. Let the Nigerians decide.

How will Nigerians decide?

By debates, by discussions, by seminars and through their representatives in the National Assembly. To reduce crime in Nigeria, to operate in the same manner that most Federations operate and looking at the size of this country, I think there must be some form of decentralisation of the Nigerian police Two former Presidents of the country, General Ibrahim Babangida and Chief Olusegun Obasanjo have said that they would organise a parley on the issue of insecurity after the Ramadan. Have you been contacted and if contacted, will you be willing to be part of the meeting.

I have not been contacted but I don’t need to be contacted. I mean if they propose it, it is still a proposal. They may probably be working on the list of those they want to invite but I have not been invited by the two people you mentioned. But certainly, some of us have put our heads together.

Some of us, who have had the privilege to be saddled with some responsibility at the national level, noticed that there have been meetings where people are expressing some anxiety as to the situation of this country, security-wise, and developmentwise. So I want to believe that when they come up with their plan, it is most likely they will invite a lot of people. I haven’t read it but if it is so, it is a right action in the right direction.

The founder of the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC), Dr Frederick Fasehun, has expressed concern that the American prediction that Nigeria will break up in 2015 looks like it will come to pass. How did you see Fasehun’s view?

Dr Fasehun is a very great man; he is a man I have very high regards for and I have been in close contact with him at many fora. Like when I was the Minister of Police Affairs, I invited him to Abuja and I assured him of his safety and he came and since then, we have been having great inter-personal relationship. We also functioned together at an organization called Yoruba Education Trust Fund (YETFUND). We are both members of E.K. Clark Foundation. So there is great contact between me and him. He is a great man, a decent man, well educated and a broad minded, civilized person. So when he says anything, it must be something he has thought overtime on and honestly, there is hardly anything he comes up with that I don’t accord regards.

The national assembly said it has received several requests for new states and that it will soon consider the request. Do you think we need more states in the country?

To be honest with you, it is my view that this country has been underdeveloped by state creation. I think that captures the whole thing. I think there must be an end to state creation in this country. Where do

we have the resources to sustain the states?

In fact, some of the states that now exist ought to be dissolved.

I read it in newspapers where some people I have high regards for by their contribution at the National Assembly are also behind the agitation for state creation, giving assurance that states will be created I really thought that is politics. I think to create more states in Nigeria is just an indication that we are not serious.

At the inception of this democracy in 1999, you were a minister; 13 years after, how will you assess our democracy?

I think it is a fairly difficult question and I say ‘difficult’ because democracy is not an entity you can hold. It is not like when you say ‘yam’; you can hold a tuber of yam. I think if I am to answer your question, I will rather assess the operators of democracy. I think the situation today is such that many people didn’t actually find their feet on the ground in time.

But overtime, things are improving. Take for example, in the state assemblies, we have had less of impeachment of speakers. Certainly, that is an improvement. In the House of Representatives, since the present speaker got there, we have not had any threat of impeachment. I know that in 1999, within a period of a year or two, there had been at least a turnover of two or three speakers. The Senate president has been the president since the last senate; so there has been some level of sanity. And I want to believe that in the state assemblies, such as I have mentioned, some of these principal officers in the Senate and House of Representatives there are great minds in these legislative assemblies that are making fantastic contributions. But because of few, bad people, we tend not to appreciate a lot of quality people in politics.

So I want to believe that we are moving; but we are not moving as fast as we ought to move. But I want to believe that we are making progress. Though there are certain areas that no progress is being made at all; there is retardation and so on. And this is rather unfortunate.

What are the areas?

We just talk about security. There ought to be law that should be put in place to control this ill. But it seems we don’t have any solution to the problem. Look, recently we just finished the Olympic games and we all know what ended it, with regards to Nigeria’s performance. And we say we are giants of Africa. A giant should be a giant in all respects. I don’t really know where we are a giant really; except in certain things that are negative.

Then infrastructural facilities have broken down. Travelling today is a nightmare.

A lot of people are afraid to fly and the alternative to flying is to go by road. But a lot of people are also scared of travelling by road. Ibadan to Lagos, for a country like Nigeria, if it has 10 lanes, it won’t be out of place. But the road which has been put in place for about 25 years is still in the old shape and it is scaring driving from Ibadan to Lagos or Lagos to Ibadan. So these are some areas, based on your question, which I can immediately remember.

You have served as an administrator under the military and under the civilian government; which one did you find most interesting?

There is interest in all. I mean I am a

General Jemibewon

citizen of this country. This country was

TO BE HONEST WITH YOU, IT IS MY VIEW THAT THIS

COUNTRY HAS BEEN UNDERDEVELOPED BY STATE CREATION. I

THINK THAT CAPTURES THE WHOLE THING.

in existence when I served under the military and when I served under the civilian government. So I took interest in the well being and development of my country. To say this one is better than this one is not there, because, you are dealing with the same people, the same Nigerians, the same atmosphere. So I took interest in both.

The Western state where you served as a governor was so large, an expanse of land and people. In fact, it comprises five states now. How did you manage to govern effectively then?

I wouldn’t want to say I governed but that I administered. You may be correct in your use of language but I used the word administer. I didn’t govern anybody. Administration involves a lot of things. Your own level of intelligence, your capability and capacity as well as the willingness, the intelligence and the capability of those who worked with you. So, when I was in Ibadan, the people were great, highly educated people, intellectually balanced people, and people with various views. All you just need to do is to give them the opportunity to express their views. You may still do what you want to do but let them make their contribution. And they were willing to make contributions. So I think probably your method of administration is what could create problems. I was reading something today about sports and why we didn’t do well in the last Olympics.

And one example is that merely practising won’t make you win gold. Now by the time you qualified and you are on the track, you are also competing against the best in the world and merely looking at the crowd, a good athlete may get frozen out of fear. So you need those who have taken part in Olympics and who have the experience but are now retired, you need them to advise these young ones that when you get there just close your mind

to the crowd. That is an example. In this country, it seems once government changes, all those in the previous government are forgotten. Not knowing that a lot of them are reservoirs of knowledge, of experience, from whom the present administration can gain.

So if you are still called upon to serve the nation, will you be willing?

It depends in which capacity. But if for example there is a board of enquiry or investigative committee or government recognizes your input, ability and it seems to experience difficulty in certain specific areas, they think you have the quality to make impact for the benefit of the government , of the society and the country . I think it will be unpatriotic to say no. But I can assure you I am not now begging for employment. But where one is recognised, I think it is just proper one gives his time.

What would you say has happened to the Intelligence section of our security agencies? Most of the bombings that took place were not detected before they were carried out.

A layman has once asked me a similar question to this. The point really is this; the government of any country has more sources of information than any individual. But government is not run on the pages of newspapers. So even if the Chief of Army Staff or Chief of Naval Staff made any suggestion, they are not likely to go to the public and say this is the suggestion I have made. And what happened is that some people, who I know, maybe through patriotism, may go out and say the Army is not doing anything about intelligence. If you know the amount of intelligence passed from one authority to the other almost on daily basis, you will be amazed. But it is only the essentials after many things that the public are made to know.

Then, of course, if something happens that bothers on security, the magnitude of what has happened might have been worse if not for some level of intelligence which we don’t know. So it is what happened that we got to know but the intelligence information that might have gone round might have been what reduced the intensity of the incident. So the fact that most of these things happened doesn’t mean that intelligence has totally broken down. But there is no doubt that there is the need to make great effort to reassure the populace that things are working.

15

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Politics PROVIDING FRESH PERSPECTIVES TO ISSUES

P. 40

AUGUST 26, 2012

Suswam: His many battles against the P. 16, 41 opposition

“NIGERIA IS FAST BECOMING ONE OF THE MOST DANGEROUS PLACES ON EARTH. THE STORIES OF MILITIA KILLING, BRUTAL ATTACKS AND BOMBING WE THOUGHT RESTRICTED TO AFGHANISTAN, IRAQ OR SOMALIA ARE NOW DAILY FARE IN NIGERIA.”

– SENATOR BOLA AHMED TINUBU

Disquiet in Ekiti over zoning in 2014 governorship polls

Fayemi

ABIODUN NEJO ADO-EKITI

I

n less than two months, Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, would have spent two years in office, midway into the expiration of his four-year tenure as number one citizen of the state.

Before now, some individuals had been showing interest in occupying the office and readiness to slug it out to ensure they become the state’s number one citizen come October 2014. This is contrary to the fact that the incumbent is being endorsed daily by groups and persons for a second term in office.

Some of the interested individuals, particularly members of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), have said political activities would heighten in the state any moment from now, which is after the government’s second anniversary.

Political watchers in the state are of the opinion that some members of the ruling ACN may as from October express their interest in slugging it out with the governor in the event he indicates interests in re-

Fayose

contesting for the exalted office in the 2014 governorship poll.

The pundits say one of the issues that would shape the 2014 gubernatorial election in the state is the much touted agitation for rotation of the governorship among the three senatorial zones – North, Central and South – which is daily gaining currency in the state.

The proponents of the zoning arrangements are mainly from the south senatorial districts, who alleged marginalisation in the distribution pattern of those who had governed the state since May 1999, when the present democratic dispensation began. They said the area had not produced a governor while others had produced two each.

The distribution of democratically elected governors who have held office since the state was created are Chief Adeniyi Adebayo (Central), Mr. Ayodele Fayose (Central), Chief Olusegun Oni (North) and Dr. Fayemi (North).

The closest the South had come to the governorship seat had been as deputy governors, i.e. Chief Abiodun Aluko and Chief Bisi Omoyeni.

This time round, the question on the

Clinton’s visit will soon yield dividends –Amb Adefuye

lips of many in the state is whether the governorship candidates of the different political parties in the 2014 election will come from any other senatorial district apart from the South, which is yet to produce a governor.

Former Deputy Governor, Chief Aluko, a PDP chieftain from the South Senatorial District, said the 2014 governorship position would naturally go to his district in view of the fact that it was yet to produce a governor and by virtue of an agreement signed in 2004 across political divides in the state that the governorship position should be rotated among the three senatorial zones.

Aluko said: “There is no controversy about that. In 2004, the whole of Ekiti both PDP and the Alliance for Democracy (AD) at that time, came together under the Ekiti Agenda and entered into an agreement.

“There was a communiqué to that effect that the governorship position should be rotated among the three senatorial districts. With the Central having spent two terms, it will now go to the North. The North is spending its second term now, and it is coming down to the South.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 16

Briefly Ex-Speaker accuses Abia govt of persecution

A former Speaker of Abia State House of Assembly, Chief Stanley Ohajuruka, at the weekend, asked the state government not no persecute members of the opposition parties in the state.

Ohajuruka gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), as he stressed that opposition was necessary in a democracy.

The Labour Party governorship candidate in Abia in 2011 described the situation where the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)-led government allegedly intimidated opposition politicians as worrisome.

“The state government annexed to itself some plots that had been properly fenced by their owners at Okpara Square, Umuahia,’’ Ohajuruka said.

Meanwhile, Mr. Henry Atuloma, the immediate past chairman, Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) in Abia, blamed the political situation in the state on the weakness of the opposition parties.

Atuloma said the government’s move was meant to muzzle the opposition in Abia.

“People should not be seen to be taking actions that will hurt them when they leave office because power is transient,” he said.

Atuloma alleged that the Abia Government forcefully took 20 plots belonging to him at Okwuta as an annex to the site of the new Government House.

He said he was not paid any compensation like others, whose property was similarly taken.

‘N5,000 note, a boost for women, democracy’ Special Adviser to the President, National Assembly Matters, Senator Joy Emodi, on Wednesday, said the image of three distinguished women on the newly approved N5,000 note was an honour for women.

The Federal Government had given approval to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to introduce N5,000 notes bearing the pictures of Funmilayo Kuti; Margaret Ekpo and Gambo Sawaba.

Emodi, who made the remark in a statement at the weekend in Abuja, said it was a confirmation of the President’s belief that women had positive contributions to offer to the country.

“The move is historic for Nigerian women as it marks the first time any government will bestow them with this magnitude of recognition and respect.

“The remembrance of these great women long after their death shows that our roles in times of national challenge will eventually fish us out as heroes or villains,” she emphasised.

Emodi said that the representation of the National Assembly on the new currency was a demonstration of the President’s recognition of the parliament as the symbol of the nation’s democracy.

The presidential adviser called on Nigerians to cooperate with the government in its efforts to sustain the nation’s democracy for sustainable development.

16

Politics

Sunday, August 26, 2012

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Suswam: His many battles HENRY IYORKASE MAKURDI

W

hat has dominated the political scene in Benue State for this long is the recent Supreme Court’s ruling and the Federal High Court’s great legal battle between Governor Gabriel Suswam and two other distinguished ‘sons of the soil’, Professors Daniel Iorkegh Saror and Steven Torkuma Sachia Ugba. The two gentlemen went to court for an alleged theft of the people’s mandate given to them. While the former dragged Governor Suswam to the election petition tribunal and subsequently to the appellate courts on charges that he and not the governors scored the majority votes cast in the last election, the latter averred that the governor was enmeshed in certificate forgery scandal.

Interestingly, Mr. Terver Kakih, the only governorship aspirant in the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the state who contested against Suswam during the nomination exercise in 2007 but lost the position gallantly ranked third in the battle against his opponent. Since then, he has launched own onslaughts of party nomination irregularities and certificate forgery, also against the governor.

Besides, there are indications, going by feelers from the state’s political circles, that the defeated ACN gubernatorial candidate in the last April 2011 general election might proceed to the West African Court in Ghana and the International Court in The Hague, respectively, for sundry arbitration.

This step could be in respect of the ruling by the Supreme Court in favour of the incumbent governor on account of the 180 days which, according to the apex court, had lapsed, as the case was heard not within the time frame given to the Election Tribunal that tried all postelection cases.

Significantly had been Governor Suswam’s victory speech at a public square, in Makurdi, the Benue State capital, otherwise known as IBB Square recently, when he promised to rule the state for the remaining three years with “brimstone and thunder”. The interpretation of this victory message by the governor, according to his summation, had been in two folds: To bring more development to the state in fulfillment of his campaign promises; and leave behind a legacy, so that whoever succeeds him as the next civilian governor will have no problem moving the state forward.

Secondly, Governor Suswam had handed down stern warning to opposition parties that since the court had now given him the constitutional right to govern the state, he would no longer entertain any distraction from the said opposition. “It’s no more time to endure intimidation.

I want to make it very clear, that today marks the end of unnecessary threats, propaganda and violence from the opposition parties. Try me now and see how government would handle such situations, using the laws that govern any society”.

However, the victory celebration by the ruling PDP, which was hurriedly organised, was jam-packed with a record crowd while the opposition sneered at the crowd surge, describing it as “a rented crowd.”

But at what cost are the onslaughts against the opposition for Governor Suswam

Suswam?

According to a top PDP member who preferred anonymity, Suswam might have spent more money in the last lap of his electioneering campaigns for his second bid and to

Anxiety in Ekiti over 201 CONTINUED FROM PAGE 15

Ogundipe

“There is no controversy about it both within PDP and ACN, which AD transformed to. It is a generally known fact that it should come to the South in 2014. Oni had done a term and Fayemi is using the second term. In 2014, it is coming to the South. There is a document to that effect subscribed to by the leaders of all the political parties in the state. The rule of the game cannot be changed midway,” the former deputy governor said.

But the position would be up against a brick wall with the ruling ACN in the state, which by virtue of being in government at the moment, believes the governor has a right to a second term and using the first four-year term of the North Senatorial District. The party believes “Oni’s three and half years in office was not known to law, having illegitimately occupied the office”.

State ACN Chairman, Chief Olajide Awe, disagreed with Aluko, saying his party, which was not in existence at that time, was not a party to the arrangement.

“We are not a party to that arrangement. There is no strict zoning in our party. We do not preoccupy ourselves with the quest for 2014, but what we have to offer to Ekiti people.

“No true ACN member will be thinking of 2014 now. The transformation agenda of the ACN government is enough to show the way. The people will decide,” he said.

Although the governor has kept sealed lip on whether he would run for another four-year term, some groups and individuals have been urging him to run again at the expiration of his first term.

Among them is the State House of Assembly, which had at a special session during its one year anniversary, passed a vote of confidence in the governor in view of his programmes and policies.

Other groups include market men and women who urged

the governor to vie in the interest of sustainable development in the state. An Ekiti State-based political body, JKF Total Support Group, last week expressed tacit support for the governor’s continuity in office.

Fayemi had in his response to some legislators’ comments on his achievements in office, said: “By some votes of confidence today, you have placed a big burden on me to do more and ensure that all the facets of the state economy are given a facelift.

“But let us limit the encouragement you are giving at the votes of confidence and forget about second term or 2014 because we have a lot of work to do for our people now,” he said.

Aluko, however, said although Fayemi might argue that constitutionally, he was entitled to two terms, but that the agreement had nullified such argument, saying: “If Fayemi says he wants to run for second term, then he has given PDP the ticket to office on a platter of gold because everybody, either PDP, ACN or even if you are not a politician, everybody knows that it is the turn of the South in 2014.”

But to the Speaker, Ekiti State House of Assembly, Dr Adewale Omirin, “if this is a place where we appreciate hard work, integrity and people-oriented services, Fayemi would not need to campaign before he would be reelected for another term in office”.

Omirin, an ACN chieftain, said the continuity in office of the governor was necessary in view of the developmental and transformational projects and programmes that he has embarked on to make the state stand tall among its peers.

However, the PDP in the state is making no pretences about its sights on the Government House in 2014.

Its State Chairman, Mr Makanjuola Ogundipe, minces no words at any forum that the opposition party would reclaim the state in the next gubernatorial election, hinging his assurance on the ongoing fence-mending, rebuilding

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Sunday, August 26, 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

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GENERAL EDITOR

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COORDINATOR, EDITORIAL BOARD

ADESOYE ADEKOYA

CONTROLLER, PRODUCTION

ISE-OLUWA IGE

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SM, STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT

CALLISTUS OKE

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FRANK OBOH

HEAD, GRAPHICS

The 400 posh cars and property seized by EFCC

I

t was recently reported that about 400 posh cars seized from a former Inspector General of Police (IGP) and some

discredited ex-governors and prominent businessmen by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have been rotting away and fast depreciating in value owing largely to stalled litigations arising from undue delays by the judiciary and poor court room governance. The cars said to be part of the assets confiscated from corrupt suspects following the “assets forfeiture order” obtained from the court by the EFCC were originally intended to generate revenue for the Federal Government.

The asset forfeiture unit put in place by the EFCC in 2008 had the mandate to ensure that all assets forfeited to the government through the platform of EFCC were properly identified and verified.

In addition to the exotic cars, it was also reported that other class of assets were recovered or seized from politicians, bankers and businessmen, perhaps through plea bargaining or other means. These include landed property, hotels, filling stations, warehouses, shopping complexes, schools and bakeries.

The aforementioned were believed to be in the custody of the EFCC. In a recent interview with newsmen, however, spokesman for the EFCC, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, was quoted as saying that the property were yet to be sold because they would still be used as exhibits in the ongoing trials of the suspects. “The cars are still exhibits; most of the accused persons linked with the vehicles and property are still on trial,” Uwujaren reportedly said. According to him, there is no way the cars, for instance, can be auctioned for as long as the accused persons are still being prosecuted. The said posh

cars and property, at the point of seizure, were valued at trillions of naira.

Instead paying off handsomely by adding to the nation’s coffers, it does seem the seized items have turned yet another sore point in the nation’s mismanagement of its anti-graft campaign. For, it has been one step forward in identifying alleged corrupt officials and several steps backward in diligently prosecuting and bringing them to justice.

Worse still, there seems to be no end in sight to the lackluster prosecution of suspects linked with corrupt practices. Indeed, some former governors docked at the end of their tenures in 2007 for alleged money laundering and stealing are among those currently jostling for higher offices. If wishes were horses, some of them could emerge as president or vice president in 2015. Some of them have served as senators while the EFCC and the judiciary watched helplessly and felt contented with buck-passing. What have been on display are allegations and attempts at prosecution of the suspects. Once they file bail applications and have their prayers granted, the cases are adjourned sine die, and the judiciary retires to sleep. Of all the graft cases against former governors, for example, only that of James Ibori of Delta State was successfully prosecuted and the punishment he deserved meted out to him in a foreign land, long after he was ‘discharged and acquitted’ by a Nigerian Federal High Court as innocent. Ibori is currently serving a 13-year jail term in the United Kingdom. His accomplices also got various jail terms, all to the utter discredit of the nation’s official anti-corruption fighters and

a seeming complicit judiciary.

Since the prosecution seems bent on helping corrupt suspects escape justice, must the nation also lose out on the seized vehicles and property? Put differently, what happens to the property acquired with the looted funds? From all indications, most of them are confiscated and put in the custody of the EFFCC and are, thereafter, forgotten. Some rot while others risk disappearance into ‘thin air’. If the EFCC and the judiciary cannot diligently prosecute corruption cases, the FG should explore other administrative channels to convert seized property into funds for the government before they become worthless or develop wings. Alternatively, there should be a sound inventory of all the loot recovered and how such items, especially perishable ones, should be properly preserved from destruction and waste. The general lethargy, sabotage and scant commitment in the system seem the major reasons many Nigerians believe the anti-graft war is deceptive and not working at all.

Despite incessant calls for the establishment of special courts to handle high profile graft cases to serve as a strong signal that the government is serious about its crusade against corruption and sharp practices, the new Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Aloma Mukhtar, seems not persuaded by the calls as was evident by her remarks during her recent swearing-in. Perhaps her regime has a better alternative blue print on how to make the judiciary relevant and committed to the campaign against corruption and sharp practices. The nation is watching and waiting.

Reminiscences AUGUST 26 IN HISTORY 1920: Women guaranteed voting right in US The 19th Amendment, guaranteeing women the right to vote was formally adopted into the U.S. Constitution.

1936: Britain grants Egypt independence Egypt once again became an independent state after 50 years of occupation, first by the French and then by the British. The Anglo-Egyptian treaty was signed by Egyptian and British Prime Ministers (Nahas Pasha and Anthony Eden) which ended the British Protectorate over Egypt.

Britain, however, retained control over the Suez Canal for another 20 years.

1956: Archbishop Makarios accused of inciting terrorist acts Britain accused exiled Archbishop Makarios of inciting and orchestrating the bombing and terrorist acts by Greek Cypriots on Cyprus.

1979: Rhodesia renamed Zimbabwe Abel Tendekayi Muzorewa, who has been Prime Minister of the Republic of Rhodesia since June 1, announced that the country would be renamed Zimbabwe.

2002: Earth Summit holds in South Africa 60,000 delegates and politicians from 174 countries around the world gathered for the latest Earth Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa. The last one held 10 years ago in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

2006: China frees jailed Catholic Bishop after 10 years An underground Catholic Bishop in China was released from prison after 10 years. The Bishop was arrested for being loyal to the Vatican above all and jailed with other underground Catholics. This was because China only recognised the authority of its state-run churches.

2008: Democrats nominate Obama as presidential candidate Democrats gathered at the Democratic National Convention in Denver, Colorado to officially nominate Barack Obama as their presidential candidate. Obama became the first African-American presidential candidate.

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Opinion

Sunday August 26, 2012

Uncensored U nc

Sheriff S Folarin

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

I

s the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) jobless? Or does it just seem so? Aside seeking relevance and visibility in the narrow and delicate political space, which appears to be the case; the institution also acts like an empty knowledge-bank incapable of moving the Nigerian economy forward. This is probably why the apex bank lands itself in the middle of controversies most of the time. A reasonable man will naturally wonder, for instance, what has warranted the recent decision by the management of the seemingly confused bank to change (restructure, as it says) the country’s currencies. According to reports, the bank announced last Thursday that N5, 000 bill would, from early 2013, be introduced, while N1, N2, N5, N10 and N20 notes would change from its current bill state to coins. This will imply that those notes will join the legendary 1 kobo, 2 kobo, 5 kobo, 10 kobo, 20 kobo and 50 kobo in the coin category.

We will recall that those kobo coins have long been out of circulation as they are being rejected in the formal and informal sectors of the economy, even including the supervising Central Bank as well as its commercial bank coordinates. As it is, we may therefore begin to prepare to say our goodbyes to those notes as they will, like the older coins, join the legion of the extinct. And by implication also, we should bear in mind that these re-denominations would have inflationary effect on market prices

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“Project Cure”: Jobless CBN? as well as have a corrupting influence in the public sphere, which have always accompanied any introduction of higher naira notes in the country.

The bank governor though has provided the reasons for this “restructuring”, which he code-named “Project Cure”. He surmised that the N5, 000 denomination would complement the bank’s cashless policy by reducing the volume of currency in circulation in the long term; while the redenomination of others into coins would enhance their security and other transactional features.

CBN however got us excited in our ethnic, gender and geo-regional sub-state by even reeling out the names of the historical figures that will adorn the new N5, 000 banknote to be introduced. We heard the faces that will be sharing space in the new note are those of Mrs. Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, 1900-1978 (popularly called “Lioness of Lisabi” and “Mother of Africa”, and pioneered women’s rights movement in Nigeria, was of a Sierra Leonean father and Nigerian mother, and was the mother of the legendary, iconic and phenomenal African musician, Fela as well as late rights activist, Beko and former Health Minister, Professor Olikoye Ransome-Kuti of blessed memory); Margaret Ekpo, 1914-2006 (a popular women’s rights activist and pioneer Nigerian female politician from Calabar; and Sawaba Gambo, 1933-2001, (a political activist of a Ghanaian father and whose mother hailed from Nupeland in Northern Nigeria). They represent the Western, Eastern and Northern regions respectively. Call it ethnic or regional balancing. But they are also women, a kind of deft socio-political strategy at gender balancing in the Nigerian bank denominations, which would obviously be appealing to and supported by Nigerian women.

The ethnic/regional and gender con-

notations in this Project Cure portray the CBN as a jobless organization that enjoys touching the delicate primordial sense of the Nigerian people, creating room for baseless controversies and by extension, fanning the embers of discord. The bank has in recent times, exhibited a knack for deviating and completely losing focus from its original vision and mission, which is to regulate the banking sector with the overall objective of stabilizing and growing the economy.

The CBN has in the news for the very wrong reasons. Not too long ago, the Kano State-born CBN Governor was reported to have stubbornly introduced and imposed Islamic banking and further exacerbating the already broken-down and fragile religious atmosphere. He would prefer to call it “Islamic banking”, when in actual fact there are other secular, less religious acronyms for such banking, just to rub it on us that the banking system of his own faith is what is available in the plate to push down the throat.

If the CBN Governor is not doing that, the “Holy Mallam” would reportedly be engaging the CBN in charity, such as doling out hundreds of millions of naira to victims of Boko Haram killings in his home state of Kano, and elsewhere when he is criticized for selective albeit unnecessary and unconstitutional task of charity. And when that is not the case, the CBN helmsman would be in the news as a newly turbaned Kano chief who dresses to work in the full regalia of a Hausa lord right in the middle of mourning of the loss of CBN staff in an ill-fated plane crash. And yet when that is not the case, the CBN will be reported to be putting together plagiarized public lecture papers for their “oga pata pata” to present. And yet when this is not the case, we hear the apex bank delights in witch-hunting and ridding the banks of some unwanted bank chiefs and clearing

the way in the process for the “anointed” ones to take charge. If all these are true, then it means the bank is no longer in tune with its founding objectives.

With all these unfortunate twists and turns in the annals of the bank, one can comfortably say, as a Historian, that the days of CBN’s proactive reforms and positive contribution to the nation’s development are gone. Gone are the days when currency changes were desirable: before the Civil War to weaken the enemy (Biafra) and after the fall of the Second Republic, to weaken the financial base of the corrupt politicians who had primitively accumulated wealth in the Second Republic. Gone are those days in the 1980s when the Central Bank would introduce a note or coin and ensure that such were backed as legal tender in the commercial space. And gone seem to be those days when the bank liquidations and mergers were purely for the professional purposes of recapitalization to stabilize and grow the sector; and not to disempower an ethnic or religious group in order to empower another.

The CBN must come back to its traditional and constitutional role as a player in the real economics of national development. It must leave ethnic and religious politics alone. An Economist or Accountant is trained and called to handle the business of economic administration. He is a technocrat to fix the economy. If he is bored or can no longer chart the way forward in his calling, but prefers instead politics or faith matters, let him quit and go to his ward to contest or ask for a change of port folio, or better still, let him join the Council of Mullahs in his core North, with which he so much loves to identify. He could also wait for his turn to become the king of his town.

•Dr. Folarin teaches Politics at Covenant University, Ota, Nigeria

Reviewing commercial bank charges OLADIMEJI OLAWUYI

T

he Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) recently announced its intention to review the 2004 Guide to Bank Charges.

The purpose of this write up is to call the attention of CBN to some specifics thatshould be considered for review to avoid the loopholes and ambiguities in the 2004 Guide to Bank Charges.The real development of the economy can only be attained when the banks and other financial institutions decide to follow the right path to grow the Nigerian economy and avoid sharp practices.

Life, to an extent, is more difficult in this nation through the activities of our banks.

When people produce with very expensive bank loans, the products/services can only become untouchable for many. This leads to production of goods that are not competitive with imported similar or alternative products and therefore not purchased, then to eventual job losses, loss of revenue by governments from taxes. All these haveits attendant unwholesome implications for all as Nigerians.

First and foremost, the CBN document should not be a ‘Guide’ but an Instructional Manual that gives directive, whereby to go outside it, will need firm permission of the controlling authorities. The present Guide is seen as an ‘Appeal’ that the Banks may not take to. Agreed that too much control may stifle investment in that sector but all the other

sectors depend largely on the banking sector and must be adequately controlled if the interest of the very few will not stifle that of the larger society.

Let us look at some areas of the 2004 Guide to Bank Charges that must get CBN attention in the forthcoming review.

The 2004 Guide to Bank Charges did not define what a turnover is. This creates room for some banks to charge commission on turnover, COT, on internally generated debits. A simple example is when a customer is debited, say N2,000, for cheque book, some banks will still go ahead to charge N10 as COT and N0.50 as value added tax (VAT). Other examplesare fees paid in respect of transactions as a result of transaction between the customer and the bank like creation of legal mortgage.

These are internally generated debits with a charge that is stated in sum and certain. Anything outside this specified amount that was not agreed to or known to the customer is a hidden charge. A turnover should be a transaction that involves moving money from one customer’s account to another in another bank or to another account with a different name and signatory in the same bank. Turnover should involve an account holder’s given instruction to pay another party through the use of his cheque or letter of instruction for a movement of an amount certainin sum.

CBN should consider stopping the use of the word ‘NEGOTIABLE’ as to amount chargeable. There is no such relationship that gives room for negotiation between a bank and its customers as no bank consults users

of banking products / services on charges.

The truth is that when a loan is being sought the borrower has no say in Nigeria. It is take it or you leave it. CBN should regulate fairly in the interest of the economy, realising that at the end of the day the cost will be passed to the final consumers. For example, ‘Management Fee’ is said to be negotiable and this is where the banks make a kill. You will see a bank charging as much as 5%! Though CBN did not, in that Guide, place a maximum rate chargeable and still silent on the frequency of charging the fee. Therefore you see situations where a bank charges Management Fee of 2% every quarter or half-yearly. To create ambiguity they will be silent on which balance to which the percentage is applicable – initial principal or amount of the loan outstanding at the end of the quarter? So it becomes an argument of whether the basis of the charge was right or wrong. Important question again here is what justifies the constancy of the rate of management fee? Why not even once, since other charges will still be made during the course of the running of the facility?

Section 2: 9 on penalty on late Repayment of Loan Facility is not adhered to as 1% flat per month. One has come across an instance where penalty is charged at 5% flat without the ‘per month’ of amount outstanding!!

When a borrower, in most cases, as a result of unbearable and unreasonable interest rates and unpredictable economic climate could not service the loan and you are now applying over 60% per annum as penalty, how would the business not collapse and the workers

sent home to increase unemployment, breed fraudsters and enthrone armed robbers?

Under Section 9 of the 2004 Guide to Bank Charges, bank draft issuance should attract ‘N200 flat’ but we all know this is not so and this is difficult to query because the word ‘’flat’’ was not defined or explained. It can mean one of two things we see in practice among our banks. Is it N200 flat as to whatever the amount (that is, the face value) of the bank draft or N200 flat as to all charges payable for taken a draft? In that case it will not attract commission on turnover (COT) and VAT on the N200. Where this second scenario subsists it is no longer ‘N200 flat’ but this is what we see in practice with many of the banks! The proposed review must clear this.

VAT may even be understandable as tax for consuming banking product.

Another area of excessive charges is when the computation is difficult to categorize as a deliberate mathematical fraud, fallacy or pure genuine mistakes where a bank will charge 0.25% as 0.025 of a certain sum. 0.25% of N1000 is N2.5 as against N25 you will see a bank charging. Many customers, out of ignorance, do not realize this and when they know, because N25 in a thousand Naira is small, they do not bother. However, this is still 10 times of the amount recommended as ‘’not more than‘’ by CBN. CBN must find solutions to this kind of excess charges.

•Mr. Olawuyi, a lawyer and an ex- banker, is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria.

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Applause LIFESTYLE, FASHION & ENTERTAINMENT AUGUST 26, 2012

‘I am the luckiest vice chancellor ever’ Professor Sidi Osho is the pioneer Vice Chancellor of Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti (ABUAD) in Ekiti State. She is a woman who has distinguished herself in a field dominated by men. In this interview with Vanessa Okwara, she speaks on her vision for the young institution and why women should not shy away from leadership positions in the country.

As a professor of Agriculture, kindly tell us about how you got to your present position.

I am a professor of Agriculture and Food Science. I was trained in the USA. I went to Michigan State Wisconsin University. I went to Ohio State University, in Columbus. I also finished at the University of Ibadan. I worked with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), which is now a research institution. I worked there for close to 10 years. I then joined Olabisi Olabanjo University before I came here. The research work I have done in the area of Agriculture is research that touches lives, has impact on the environment and the community. I have developed a lot of household small scale and industrial processing technology for soy beans and legumes. I have also worked on complementary foods and improving the quality of the protein content in cassava and yam, using soy bean as blend. I have really enjoyed doing research. While I am here as Vice Chancellor, I have continued my research. I like community and rural development.

When you applied for this job, what made you stand out to get this position?

First of all I didn’t apply for this job. I didn’t even want to be one at first.

What was your reason?

My reason then was because I had never been a vice chancellor before. Secondly, I was only a dean in my college in Olabisi Olabanjo University. I just felt that there are more experienced hands, people who have been VCs before that the founder, Afe Babalola, could choose from, but he said he wanted me to be the pioneer VC and I had to accept. When somebody selects you for a leadership position, he must have seen some qualities. So I appreciate what he has done and I thank God for it. When somebody has confidence in you and feels that you can be in the driving seat to drive the vision and the mission, you just have to accept it.

Cultism is one of the fears parents have when sending their children into the Universities. How have you been able to curb cultism here?

First and foremost we don’t have cultism here in ABUAD. We do a lot of screening before you are taken in and when you are

eventually given an admission, the style of accommodation and structures we have here do not allow a student to practise cultism. There are securities on every floor; you know cults always have to have a way of gathering together for a meeting. They hardly have that opportunity because by 10.30-11 p.m., hostels doors are locked and students are supposed to be in. When we notice tendencies, they go for counselling.

Those that refuse to accept the level of discipline we have, have to leave. It is a structured, very well, closely monitored place.

And it is for their good to improve their lives.

Are they not being controlled; what of cases where they want to be free to express themselves?

This is not a regimented camp. We allow students to be free. They have socials. They bring in musicians to entertain them.

They do fashion shows, they are just like normal students. It’s only we do not allow for excesses. Students here cannot drink.

We do not serve alcohol in the cafeteria or the shops around the campus. They might take exit and go to town and find a way of drinking, but it is not allowed here. It is totally a distraction to their concentration to being good students.

Being a woman, in a field mainly dominated by men, have you had occasion where your male colleagues looked down on you even subtly because of your gender?

Well, I must say that I think I am the luckiest vice chancellor. First and foremost, I always see myself as a team leader.

In fact I have always been a team leader.

When I was in International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), I was the head of a team on a project that had funding from International Development Research Centre (IDRC). For me, a team player is someone who listens a lot to other team members and then you lead aright because you carry them along. I continue to tell people that I am very lucky. I have past vice chancellors from different universities like Ekiti, Ibadan, Babcock University and University of Benin. I have retired professors from other universities. So you cannot miss your road when you have a lot of advisers. For me as a person, I am not threatened by anybody because I have my goals, and they must be accomplished.

‘I STARTED WEARING HIGH HEELS WHEN I WAS FIVE’

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A lot of women in this country still do not like to take up leadership positions in the academia or in politics; what do you advise women in such matters?

I believe women are better leaders, because they have the maternal instincts of caring, listening and they have more patience. Their ego is less. So they don’t care if anybody tramples with their ego. Men have a lot of ego problems. They want to be recognised. They want people to know that they are at the head of affairs. But women don’t have those issues. Women concentrate more on their duties and they are more transparent and accountable. They prefer the success of their responsibility to tell people who they are. That is why I think women should accept more leadership positions. Also, when you look at the UN affirmative action for women, I think the Federal Government should do more.

They should put more women in leadership positions to help bring more development to this country. Overall, my advice to women is that they should never shy away from leadership positions. They should see it as a call to service and a test of their ability to lead, to communicate and to dissemi-

nate knowledge.

How do you manage the home front with the huge responsibility of taking care of a University like this?

For me it was never a problem. I married somebody in the academic field. My husband is also a professor who also works in the university setting. He understands my responsibility as a vice chancellor. I think the home front should never be a problem. Your spouse should give you all the support you need because you are not carrying your name but the name of the family. So you should get enough support to be successful in that responsibility that you find yourself. I think a lot of people misinterpret the role of women in the home and their role at work. They are two distinct things. Accepting to play a role at work is a responsibility that puts food on your table as well as gives you a pay check.

Why should I receive the pay check as a vice chancellor and then watch the university go bad? No! I should strive to make a success of it.

‘I CAN FLAUNT ANY PART OF MY BODY’

CONTINUED ON PAGE 20

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20

Applause

Sunday, August 26, 2012

‘I started wearing high heels when I was five’

I don’t, because I don’t like it. But if you are flaunting it and it looks good on you, that is okay. As long as you are not being indecent and not being vulgar, that is fine! Flaunt a little bit of cleavage well, maybe, why not? I mean, coming out and looking like a prostitute is not acceptable.

Is there anything you can’t wear?

I don’t think there is anything I can’t wear. It depends on where I’m sporting it to. I would wear my shorts and minis at home. I would wear a long dress on the red carpet and a bou-bou to church.

What’s your opinion on Nigerian models?

They are good but they need to be more serious with their career. People earn six-figure salaries by walking on the catwalk. So, it’s a career, it’s not a job to get by. They need to be more professional. All the same, our models are beautiful, fantastic and they are doing very well.

Would you allow your daughter to model?

That’s a difficult one. No I wouldn’t, actually. I won’t want her to take it as a career, but she can model at a teenage age, why not? Career-wise, no. I’m not saying there is anything wrong with modelling. She should go to school, maybe, after schooling. I have a Master’s degree and I’m into fashion now. I want her to go to school, education is power. If she is doing it while she is in school, there is nothing wrong. But I want to see that certificate; I want her to do better than I have done. I want her to get a PhD.

Funlola Adewale is a fashion designer who blends glamour with grace. She studied Psychology and later bagged a Master’s degree in Business Administration. Funlola grew up in a house full of clothes and started wearing high-heeled shoes at the tender age of five. Her mother, she said, was also a fashionista. She told Adaeze Amos about her childhood and her burning passion for fashion.

Can you reflect on your childhood; what’s your was growing up like?

My mum loves fashion. I grew up in a house full of clothes. I was wearing four-inch high-heels at the age of five. I started so early, walking down for Holy Communion.

My shoes were so high that I actually tripped one day. My mum has always been a fashionista. She was always making clothes for herself and her children in her spare time.

You graduated in Philosophy, with a Master’s in Business Administration, why did you choose fashion as a vocation?

Fashion is my first love. Though, I may not sketch well on the paper unlike most fashion designers would do, I express myself through my designs. I’m not an artist, I don’t draw, I don’t sing, it’s only in fabrics that I can express my creativity. I have always liked to dress well. So, while I make my clothes, I make for others.

The fashion trade in Nigeria is booming, yet some women commit fashion blunders. Which of these blunders get on your nerves?

Yes, it’s true that Nigerian fashion industry is booming.

It is an emerging market. So far, it is fantastic. But that has not curbed some style mistakes in this part of the world.

In fact, following trends stupidly is a fashion blunder. As a woman, you should know what fits you. Don’t copy foolishly just because it is the latest trend on the runway. You

have to look at yourself and ask yourself whether it fits.

I think women should go classic. There is nothing wrong with going trendy but you have to know if it suits you. You can never go wrong if you are wearing something classic.

Following trend without doing it properly, not knowing whether it fits you is one of the blunders.

Can you compare the Nigerian fashion industry with the western world?

Both are different. Here in Africa, we have something indigenous, which you may not find in Europe and Asia.

Our fashion has a soul; it has life. I mean, our clothes - the kaftans, ‘Bou-bou’, ‘Aso-oke’, ‘Akwaete’, ‘Kente’, ‘KenteOke’ (combination of Akwaete and Kente), ‘Adire’ from Abeokuta, all have life. They have a history, a story. You know some of the ‘Adire’ stay for two weeks or three to make them, but the chiffons from England or Europe just go through the machines quickly. But our ‘Kente’, our ‘Asooke’ stay up to two weeks or three. You would see somebody sitting at the back of the house weaving them, and that is why they last forever. A lot has been put into it. You cannot compare our fashion industry with the western world because they are totally different. Ours is beautiful, lovely and indigenous to Africa.

Our ladies now flaunt flesh through tubes, minis, mid-rib tops, to mention but a few. How come you aren’t flaunting any part of you?

What do you do to unwind?

I love to sit in front of the television. I like watching DSTV, movies; I love to travel, it gives me inspiration. I also like to go to the gym, but I’m an indoor person.

Who is your role model?

The late Alexander McQueen! We lost a fantastic man, a great fashion designer. He was not only fantastic, he was also big. There was so much soul in his creations. He was like an African because all his outfits. Coco Channel is fantastic; she is an epitome of fashion. I love Deolo Segoe; she is doing well as well. Those are my role models in the fashion world.

What is that particular thing you dislike in women?

Well, all over the world there is women liberation. Women are getting more empowered and all that. What I would want us to change is not being in support of one another.

We are powerful, so we need to speak with one voice, we need to support one another and not looking for the downfall of the other person. We should desist from the pullher-down syndrome: ‘what does she think she is wearing?

Where does she think she is coming from?’ People meet me and they say, ‘Funlola you are so nice, you don’t look like you are nice, you look like one snobbish person’. I mean, there is nothing wrong with putting on a smile on my face, to say hello, how are you? How are you doing, you look lovely; you don’t intimidate me if I appreciate you. I want us to support one another the more.

A lot of people actually think you are snobbish, just by a quick glance at you.

Well, it’s probably because of the society. I mean, when they see me, they think being a big fashion designer, and having toured almost round the globe, I’m probably intimidating. It’s a misconception, it’s already in their heads.

‘Why we don’t have cultism in ABUAD’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 19 How do you unwind when you are not working?

I enjoy listening to music. I love going to the farm.

When I came in I had this impression I was going to meet an elderly woman who was not looking fashionable like you do now.

What’s your secret for looking this young and beautiful?

I must tell you it’s more of grace than any beauty tips. I thank God for his grace. A lot

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of people don’t know that I’m over 50 years.

It just comes with the way God created me.

when students are not around. During the weekends, I also dress casually.

What’s your fashion style, what do you like wearing on daily basis?

Well, the office of the vice chancellor is formal. So you must be decent. Appearance tells a lot about you. Even before anybody says anything to you, they have an impression of you because of the way you are dressed. In ABUAD, we are corporately dressed. We are currently on university vacation so I like to dress in my casuals

What values are you bringing to the university as a person that you will like to be remembered for?

Personally, I think my position here is a call to service and when you are in service, you do everything. You are the cleaner, the security man, the teacher, the counsellor and you are the vice chancellor. That is a lot of responsibility. What I will love to see is that the vision of this university is ac-

complished in the lifetime of the founder, Afe Babalola and in mine as well. Our philosophy is to raise global leaders that will be academically sound and have entrepreneurial skills. They will be employers of labour and can fit into any leadership position anywhere in the world.

I’ll also like to see that the graduates of ABUAD stand out among their peers anywhere they find themselves. To tell you the truth, we will be almost three years and we will be graduating the first set next year. I look forward to that set of graduates. We will be throwing to the world the character and the brilliant students of ABUAD.

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Cocktail Whispers

Stories by Olumide Segun-Oduntan

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

AUGUST 26, 2012

OC Ukeje denies sexual feelings for Bimbo Akintola

T

hose who have followed the Nigerian movie scene lately would have heard about the speculations making the rounds about him having a ‘sexual thing’ for his fellow act when they came very close on set recently.

But celebrated actor, OC Ukeje has denied that he felt anything sexual while filming a love scene with celebrated actress, Bimbo Akintola, on the set of the anticipated musical flick, ‘Hoodrush’.

Speculations had been rife on the social media that the AMBO winner, OC Ukeje, must have felt ‘something sexual’ while acting the love scene with the talented actress, Bimbo, in the new movie. The speculation came about as a result of the suggestive location pictures released weeks ago.

In his defence, Ukeje said, “Acting alongside Bimbo Akintola was not a mean feat. She delivered her role perfectly, we had to act out some love scenes and I must confess many thoughts ran through my mind.

“I would say there was chemistry between us on that set but it was purely professional. The speculation was as a result of the position of the picture. We had many people on set; the only thing on my mind was how to match her acting-for-acting.”

But the fast-rising actor confessed that the moments he spent on set with gorgeous Bimbo were times he would like to repeat. “I enjoyed all the moments on the set and if asked to do another movie with her again, I will not object. She is such a lovable person aside being a fantastic actress,” he added.

OC Ukeje and Bimbo Akintola

KCee acquires another wonder-on-wheel

Omotola

Here comes ‘The Real Omotola’ There have been several things said and written about her over the years that she has been ruling the make-believe world. While some of those things may have been true, the screen goddess has always maintained that several things said and written about her are not ‘real’.

But if the gist at Cocktail Whispers’ disposal is to be believed, fans of celebrated entertainer, Omotola JaladeEkeinde, are about to witness an undiluted version of the lifestyle of the celebrity right on their television screen.

Yes, according to latest information reaching Cocktail Whispers, Omo-Sexy is about to feature her private life in a reality show which she has dubbed ‘The Real Omotola’.

Cocktail Whispers learnt that Omotola’s forthcoming reality television show will let viewers see what they would normally not see in her movies. Perhaps, by watching her real lifestyle on television, her fans would correct whatever wrong impressions they may have had about her.

Interestingly, it was also gathered that Mrs. JaladeEkeide may have been paid a mouth-watering sum of money to do the show.

If the gist made available to Cocktail Whispers is anything to go by, then celebrated Afro hip-hop star, KCee, may have recently taken delivery of another wonder-on-wheel. And if you already guessed that it is a Mercedes Benz, then you are right on the mark.

According to latest information, the singer may have made an addition to his fleet of rides. And this time around, KCee has decided to pamper himself with a black Mercedes Benz R350.

Cocktail Whispers gathered that the ‘Segemenge’ singer was spotted in his new ride at Eko Hotel and Suites a few days ago.

Just for you to know, KCee already has a collection of exotic rides in his garage. But he now has an addition to cruise around town with. So watch out, the next time you see the popular entertainer, he might just be in his new Benz.

KCee

Cossy

Day Cossy Orjiakor turned goalkeeper Have you ever imagined how busty Nollywood actress and businesswoman, Cossy Orjiakor, would look like at the goal post? Do you think she would be a good goalkeeper or a distraction to the opponent?

Well, Cossy dazzled all when she was the goalkeeper for Team Green in a celebrity football match in honour of the late Ambassador Segun Olusola, which held at the Yaba College of Technology, Lagos pitch.

Everyone present was eager to see how Cossy would defend her post. Whenever the ball gets closer to her post, people, especially the men eagerly stood up to get a clear view of how she jumped and got set to defend her post, though they knew where they were focused.

Wearing the jersey No. 10, she defended the goal post well by shaking her bosom to confuse, distract and prevent her opponents from scoring whenever they approached her post. At the end of the match, she revealed that she had to shake her boobs so that any player with the aim of scoring will be confused and distracted.

Did this trick really work? Of course it did as the match ended with her team winning. Male fans of the diva were, however, not too happy that the jersey covered up all they wanted to see because of the way she is known to dress - revealing her breasts. Interestingly, before the commencement of the game, Cossy was seen drinking a can of energy drink in her car, with registration number “COSSY”.

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Movies & Music

Stories by Olumide Segun-Oduntan

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sunday, August 26, 2012

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

Dancers are not really celebrated in Nigeria – Hilary Jackson Delta State-born Hilary Chinoso Uzorka, popularly known as Hilary Jackson, is the winner of the Lucozade Boost Freestyle Season 2. The Business Administration undergraduate of the Lagos State University spoke with Angela Davies on why he wants to create a dance industry in Nigeria.

How did you feel when you were announced the winner?

I felt on top of the world. I was really excited. That day was really awesome. There were tears of joy and I give thanks to God for announcing me because it was not easy. The Lucozade Boost Freestyle television show helped me to be a better dancer and entertainer.

There were other guys in the competition who were also good at what they did. Did you ever imagine you were going to win?

Actually, I was not expecting to win but I was expecting to be among the best three. But to God be the glory, I was announced as this year’s winner. It is really a great thing for me.

You had some unique dance steps and moves. What was your inspiration?

First of all my inspiration comes from God Almighty. Secondly, it was all about rehearsals. I rehearsed a lot. I listened to old school music and also danced to them to get my groove. Then I brought those dance steps into the modern style, so it made me different. The truth is that old school music inspires me a lot.

Aside from dancing, what else do you do?

I am a 300 level Business Administration undergraduate of the Lagos State University. I also model.

What motivated you to go into dancing?

What really inspired me was that I discovered that I have that gift in me. I started dancing at the age of 12, and ever since, dance has been a profession to me and not a hobby anymore because I find pleasure in dancing. Most times, I represent my schools. When I was in secondary school and also in the polytechnic, I represented my schools in dance competitions. Right now that I am in LASU, I still represent my school in dance. Dancing encourages and motivates me to do more.

How do you manage schooling and dancing?

Well, it is not too difficult. I have my schedules: when to read and when to go for my dance rehearsal. However, once my examination is approaching, I suspend dance for two weeks because my education comes first. After my exams, I go back to my dance.

Do you have the intention of starting a dance school or club?

What is on my mind right now is creating a dance industry in Nigeria. All we have right now is Nollywood, music and comedy industry in Nigeria. We don’t really have a dance industry. Dancers are not really celebrated in Nigeria. But by God’s grace I am planning on my dance video, which will feature unique and better dance steps and moves to promote dance and to motivate young dancers to become good entertainers in the future. Right now, I am not only planning a dance group alone but also creating a dance industry, a platform for dancers to be celebrated.

You have this unique hairstyle you carry. What brought it about?

I fix weave-on most times because it is all about entertainment. Entertainment is all about freestyle; it is about doing your own style. You have to create a brand and not look common. As long as you are into entertainment, you have to look different. I like the dress style of stars like Denrele and Terry because they have a brand. My role model, the late Michael Jackson, too had a unique brand which cannot be compared with anyone else.

I also like Nkem Owoh and Emeka Ike. I like all these men I have mentioned because they are different in their own styles. They put creativity in what they do. It is not just about dancing but creativity and style. That is what entertainment is all about.

Hilary Jackson

As a Lucozade Boost ambassador, what have you done so far?

I have been travelling within and outside the country representing Lucozade Boost in the world of dance and also projecting on my dance project entitled ‘Dance Boost with Hilary Jackson’. It is going to be shown on different television stations very soon.

Is there any woman somewhere or somebody you are eyeing?

No, I am single. But I know there are admirers.

What final words do you have for your fans?

I love them and by God’s grace I am going to give them the best in the world of dance. They need to be prayerful, hardworking, focused, determined and believe in themselves. Lastly, they need to trust in God.

Ayo Bankole Cen

Every last Sunday of the mont tre for Arts and Cultural Express mances of Jazz and Old Skool Cla ternational acts. Situated at 32, Ye Ogunsanya), Surulere, Lagos, the enthusiast and pianist.

Ayo Bankole Jnr, the son of the composer and organist whose com traditional Nigerian music and W In addition to other notables lik kun and Iroko, will today feature s Internationally acclaimed Jazz/A Music by Pianist Composer, ‘Funs This is ahead of the official laun ‘Asoju Oba’ on September 8 at Emb

Mr. & Mrs. hits DVD shelves in Ghana, Nigeria

Joseph Benjamin

Nse Ikpe Etim

Movie fans that have been waiting anxiously to treat themselves to the feelgood scenes and suspense in award-winning and critically acclaimed flick, ‘Mr. & Mrs.’, would be delighted to know that the captivating movie has now been released on DVD for home entertainment.

According to the producer, Chinwe Egwuago, the film, which enjoyed favourable appraisals while in the cinemas, has already hit the DVD shelves in Ghana and would hit DVD shelves in Nigeria tomorrow.

Revealing the reason behind her decision to release the movie on DVD, Chinwe, a graduate of Mass Communication from the Institute of Management and Technology (IMT) Enugu said, “The success of ‘Mr. & Mrs.’ at the cinemas was tremendous and I have been getting requests from people asking that they will like to see the movie again. I actually think the time is right for a DVD release.

‘Mr. & Mrs.’ is a story of couples whose marriages are threatened by age old economic and social divisions in the society.

It tells the story of Susan Abbiah (Nse Ikpe-Etim), a lawyer who is holed up in a

marriage that has been engulfed with issues from differences in the social strata.

Her husband, Kenneth Abbiah (Joseph Benjamin), a rich son of a senator, is bent on not letting the world know of his wife’s background and decides to keep her in the kitchen where he believes she belongs.

On the other hand, is another couple Linda and Charles, played by the duo of Thelma Ojiji and Paul Apel, who seemingly have a perfect marriage until Linda begins to take her husband for granted because she takes care of all the bills in the home.

‘Mr. & Mrs.’ was released to the cinemas in 2011 and was well received by the audience. It features notable stars like Actor Joseph Benjamin whose profile has skyrocketed since his role as Uzor Dike in ‘Tango With Me’, award-winning actress Nse Ikpe Etim, Barabara Soky, Thelma Okoduwa, Paul Apel, and Mpei Mapatla.

‘Mr. & Mrs.’ was produced by Chinwe Egwuaguand, directed by Ikechuwku Onyeka and shot on the Canon 5D by DOP Tom Robson.

Dime

Bimb

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‘Come up higher’, says Adeboye

Praise Worship E-mail:richardeghaghe@yahoo.com

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EDIFYING GOD

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August 26, 2012

I’ll sustain fight against same sex marriage –Primate Okoh TAI ANYANWU

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he Primate of Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Most Reverend Nicholas Okoh, has vowed to sustain the fight against same sex marriage, describing it as sinful and alien to Nigerian culture.

Okoh made the vow in the latest edition of SOWER, a news publication of the Bible Society of Nigeria, BSN. The Nigeria Anglican communion had always stood its grounds against same sex marriage, regardless of the views held in the west and its international headquarters; and to the admiration of many Nigerians.

When gay union was legalised in some parts of the advanced world, the British and American governments threatened to withdraw all financial aids to Nigeria if the country refused to comply with the marital union considered unnatural and abominable.

Backing up the position of the Church in Nigeria, the Senate declared in April 2011, that Nigeria would not bow to international pressure on any legislation that tends to diminish its values and cultures.

Senate President, David Mark, had noted, “Anybody can write to us, but our values are our values. If there is any country that does not want to give us aid or assistance, just because we hold on very firmly to our values, that country can keep their assistance. No country has a right to interfere in the way we make our own laws.”

Speaking to newsmen in Abuja recently, Primate Okoh reiterated that same sex marriage is not suitable for Nigerians.

His words: “It is incumbent on any government to moderate the morality of its people. The whites are doing it in their own country; they decide what happens over there. The Nigerian government also has the right to say, this is acceptable to us and this is not.

“We are a people from a background.

We say that this type of lifestyle is not acceptable to us. If same sex marriage is suitable for them, it is not suitable for us.

For me, the Senate has done what is right on behalf of Nigerians.”

But how does the Primate receive threats by Britain to cut off aids to Nigeria and America’s resolve to fight anti-gay laws in Nigeria and other countries?

Okoh said that he was happy with the way the Senate President reacted, “that we cannot exchange our morality for money.

“If they want to withdraw their aids,

Briefly Church celebrates 17th anniversary Activities are in top gear at Ever Increasing Anointing Ministries, Igando, Lagos, as the church prepares to celebrate its 17th anniversary with the theme, ‘Manifestation of Mercy and Grace’.

A statement from the church says the celebration will start with special evening sessions from September 3, with the theme, ‘Manifestation of Ultimate Mercy and Grace.’

The morning session is a prophetic ‘Eagle Ministers’ gathering with the theme, ‘Ultimate Mercy for Rekindling the Fire’ and would commence from September 4. The celebration, which will end with a thanksgiving service on Sunday, September 9, will have Pastor Taiye Olayemi, the senior pastor of the church and other guest ministers – Pastor Owolabi, UK; Prophet Kobi Emmanuel, Ghana, and Dr. Livinus Emeka Njoku, Lagos, ministering.

...another marks first anniversary All is now set for the first anniversary ceremony of First Light Christian Centre, a church in Lagos.

The event, scheduled for September 9 will feature activities such as visitation to motherless babies’ homes, convening of an international women conference, free medical outreach test and a vigil at No. 1 Akilo Road, off Oba-Akran Road, Ikeja, Lagos. The programme is tagged, ‘ShineIsaiah 6:1.

Speaking on the programme, the host pastor, Mike Ethapemi, described ‘Shine’ as a command from God. “God does not want you to covered by darkness as he’s set to use this annual conference to make you a light.

Winners of August 19, 2012 Sunday Mirror/Babcock University Bible Quiz: •Feyisayo Olaoluwa (08187390459) •Labake Akinola (08023270121)

Primate Okoh

they are free to do so, but we have the right to make laws that we feel are good for us.”

The primate recalled that a long time ago, when Ahmed Sekou Toure, the first President of Republic of Guinea was reacting to the French Policy of Assimilation, he had said, “Poverty in freedom is better than riches in slavery”.

Okoh stressed that the Bible used by proponents of gay marriage was not different from the Holy Bible and wondered why they still pretend not to see where the evil practice was condemned in the scriptures.

“They are only doing what I call a violent interpretation to it. They regard it as a modern way of looking at things.

Those of us who take the scriptures the way it is are called fundamentalists and all sorts of names.

“For us to get the blessing of God in

‘ WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU HAVE A WAYWARD CHILD’

reading the Bible, we should not bother about the name they call us,” he averred.

The primate explained that even in societies considered as civilised, “they are already reaping the fruits of this kind of violent interpretation of the Bible”.

The cleric pointed out that the fight against same sex marriage is not about his person.

“Right from the beginning, my predecessor, Most Reverend Peter Jasper Akinola, spoke the mind of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion).

It was not his personal opinion. The Church of Nigeria had taken a position against the practice. The Bible’s view on sexuality is our view. There is going to be continuity.

“I will carry on from where he stopped.

There is nobody in our church who will deviate from this position and not have problems,” the primate said.

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•Stephen Nweke (07068499851) •Femi Ojetunji (08186353527) •Olumide Oladeinde (07033594295) •Mercy Abdullahi (08060746319) •Winner C. Abraham (08136392000) • 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 There are all manner of levels.

For example, there is the level of the poor, the level of the comfortable, of the rich, the wealthy, of the prosperous, and the level of the flourishing.

‘IS THERE LIFE AFTER DEATH?’

–Pastor Adeboye

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Praise & Worship

Sunday August 26, 2012

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Some root battles are hard to break, says Pastor Olukoya There are many root battles one must fight to do well in life. Some are easy to resolve but some are difficult to restitute and hard to break. Dr. Daniel Olukoya of Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries says if your root falls within the category of the underlisted, you have prayers to pray and work to do.

Excerpts by Tai Anyanwu

V

irgin bondage: Many people lose their virginity at a very young age. There are some families where technically, nobody marries as a virgin. It is a tragedy for you to sell your virginity cheaply to one unknown visionless boyfriend or girlfriend somewhere. If you are from such foundation where women lose their virginity before marriage, you have a battle to fight because you may notice that as you are sleeping with some men, they are running away and don’t want to marry. This is because of the virginity bondage. But if you retain your virginity, you will get married quickly. If you allow someone to sleep with you before marriage and you come from such kind of foundation, he gets a message from your womb through his sexual organ that says, “Don’t come back here again, run away”, and he flees; virgin bondage.

Also, if you come from a foundation where your forefather used to sacrifice virgins, then keeping virginity will be so difficult. Sometimes, those that come from this type of foundation cannot even get a man to deflower them, they will use sticker or candle to deflower themselves or they go to one demonic boyfriend who will use his finger nails to do it. People who fall under this category need to pray very well.

Blood pollution: When the enemy already has access to the

Worshippers during the church event

SEX IS ONLY ALLOWED WITHIN THE CONFINES OF MARRIAGE.

ANY

SEX OUTSIDE MARRIAGE IS JUST AN AGENDA TO BURY YOUR DESTINY

Pastor Olukoya

blood of your family; it means that your blood is in their blood bank. This can cause trouble.

If after that you cut incision in your body, there is blood pollution already. A 52-year-old man

whose blood was collected when he was a child of six would have problems and the blood pollution will be difficult to restitute and hard to break. When a man and a woman think that

they love each other very much and the best way to ensure that they do not leave each other is to form a blood covenant by drinking each other’s blood, they are looking for trouble. If they end up not marrying each other, it will be very difficult to break free because one of the hardest bondage to break is the bondage of blood covenant.

Satanic sexual friends or prostitutes: Your sexual partner whether past or present is important. Sex is only allowed within the confines of marriage.

Any sex outside marriage is just an agenda to bury your destiny.

Many young men will never make it except there is divine intervention because they have fragmented their lives all over the place. A 21-year-old boy gave

me a list of 230 girls with whom he has slept. I said, “Okay, sit down and begin to break the bondage. Say father, every soul tie I have with so-and-so, let it break, in Jesus’ name.” As he mentioned the first name he somersaulted from his seat. I put him back there. Each time he got to a name, he would somersault. By the time he got to number seven out of 230, he had started grunting like a pig. I had to stop him because he would wound himself. I told him to open his eyes and I ask, “What is happening to you?” He said, I don’t know, sir.” He began to regret but it was too late. Every sexual act is a spiritual transaction. When preachers talk about sexual immorality, many people think that they don’t want them to have fun or enjoy themselves. But they soon discover that it is not enjoyment and that those partners are not friends but enemies in disguise.

Idolatry: Once you have any idolatrous connotation to your name, you need to deal with something. All Nigerians need to go for deliverance without asking questions. As you go from place to place, you discover that every area has its own characteristic strongman controlling it.

Witchcraft parents: Once your mother is a witch, don’t deceive yourself; you are also a witch because you stayed in her womb for nine months. If she was drinking blood, you were drinking part of it too but you will be an unconscious witch.

Occult father: Anyone whose father is a member of a secret society is in trouble.

Rape: Rape has a heavy judgment from heaven and it is generational. If anyone in your family has ever raped a woman, it will have a repercussion on the present and the future generations. It will affect the women in that family line from generation to generation. That is why you hear some women say. “I have been raped three times, six times and on and on.

Sometimes ago, in South Africa, a young girl was brought for prayer. I was surprised to see her with veil covering her face as if she was a Moslem but when she got to me, she removed it. I asked why she was wearing a veil and her mother said, “This girl has a strange problem. Anywhere she goes, men will always want to rape her.” According to her, there was a time some men pulled her out of her house into the street and started raping her.

That was why she had to walk around with a veil. Something was wrong somewhere. There was a generational curse in place, which was pronounced by a rape victim of her family line.

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Praise & Worship

Sunday August 26, 2012

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Book review: Title: Too much of a good thing Author: Pastor Taiwo Iredele Odubiyi

Reviewer: Tai Anyanwu

Musical notation

Rev. Ofoelue

Story behind the hymn

Violin

‘A Charge to Keep I Have’ by Charles Wesley (1707-1788) A Charge to Keep I Have is a hymn that will help you reflect on the responsibility of being a Christian so that you will develop a better relationship with God. Originally written by Charles Wesley, brother of John Wesley, both of who were behind Methodist Church, it will interest you to learn more about how this great hymn came about.

T

o serve God during the period of the mid-eighteenth century in England required strong and deep commitment. It involved the sacrifice of a life upon the altar of sacred duty. All these were as a result of the spiritual degeneration of man then that led to a gross decay in morality in the society.

The duo of John and Charles Wesley who were prophets, raised

by God then to deliver England from socio-spiritual collapse, faced severe threat to their lives as they delivered fiery sermons denouncing the authorities and the rich for their hypocrisy. They “took up their cross daily” to “follow” the Master having “denied themselves”, and “hated” even their own close allies who would side with the oppressors. They parted company with such people. They were outrageously treated – stoned, mauled, ducked (in water until they nearly drowned), hounded by bulldogs, threatened with death, had their homes looted and their businesses ruined. It was a very costly thing to identify oneself as a follower of Christ in those days and too dangerous to be called a Methodist (for that was the name by which the Wesleyan movement was known.

It was reported that one day in 1762, while Charles Wesley read the Scriptures, he meditated upon the truth of the grave responsibility assigned to the Levites in Israel, namely, to guard the door of the tabernacle. God’s command

in Lev. 8:35 was, “…you shall stay at the door of the tabernacle of meeting day and night for seven days, and the charge of the Lord so that you may not die; for so I have been commanded” (NKJV). They were to serve as watchmen to see that no unauthorized person entered, and that nothing offensive or unholy to a holy God was done there. Later in Num. 1:53, God said, he Levites shall camp around the tabernacle…that there may be no wrath on the congregation…and the Levites shall keep charge of the tabernacle.”

Continuing his meditation, Wesley consulted the Matthew Henry’s Commentary and read where the author said, “We shall every one of us have a charge to keep, an eternal God to glorify, an immortal soul to provide for, one generation to serve.” As was his custom, Charles immortalized these phrases as he penned the wonderful hymn that has come to become for Christians a most piercingly profound consecration hymn for the Lord’s servants.

Methodist ordinations cannot be complete without this hymn which Charles titled, “A Charge to Keep I Have.” It reads: “A charge to keep I have-- A God to glorify, A never dying soul to save, And fit it for the sky.” And also, “To serve the present age, My calling to fulfill; O may it all my powers engage, To do my Master’s will.”

As you sing this hymn, think of what it means to keep the Lord’s

charge. It could be in your place of work, in the school, in the market place, in the Church – indeed anywhere. Like the Levites and Rev. Charles Wesley, the charge of the Lord for you may not be far from “a never dying soul to save and fit it for the sky.” May your desire to do the will of the Master and the zeal to accomplish this engage all your powers so that He can say of you as He said of King David, “He...served his own generation by the will of God” (Acts 13:36). There can be no greater charge or challenge for us in this life than this.

A charge to keep I have, A God to glorify, A never-dying soul to save, And fit it for the sky.

To serve the present age, My calling to fulfill: O may it all my powers engage To do my Master’s will!

Arm me with jealous care, As in Thy sight to live; And O Thy servant, Lord, prepare A strict account to give!

Help me to watch and pray, And on Thyself rely, Assured, if I my trust betray, I shall for ever die.

• Reverend Nkem Ofoelue is the Director, Centre for Church Music Port Harctourt Email-nkemofoelue@yahoo.com; 08023241451

Whenever it seems convenient to cover up wrong doings, supposedly children of God frequently hide under the phrases: ‘No one is perfect and, God understands.’

Like vile offenders, they come up with alibis to justify why they failed to observe God’s words strictly.

But like the proverbial character in James Hadley Chase’s thriller, “When they least expect it, they are down on the ground with nothing less than a busted jaw.”

In the land of Judah, an obscure shepherd boy named David found favour in the eyes of the God of his ancestors. This was so, apparently because he had demonstrated that he hallowed the name of the God of heaven both in belief, actions and with his skillful playing the harp and in singing psalms to God. When God’s grace located him on account of these qualities, his progress from obscurity was eventually fast-tracked.

David was anointed to become the second King of Israel in preference to his elder brothers.

From the scotching heat of the field where shepherds labour daily, he was catapulted to the palace.

His initial task was to provide needed entertainment from his harp strings, for the pleasure of King Saul.

Having made a huge success out of that, David also won the hand of the King’s pretty second daughter in marriage.

Still flourishing under God’s favour, he accomplished different military campaigns against the enemies of his people.

Against all odds, he chose to fight the dreaded Philistine giant man of war who defiled the name of the God of Israel; and after he hacked off the head of Goliath, David became the undisputed deliverer of the young nation of Israel.

His kingship was established despite vicious obstacles posed by King Saul, his erstwhile master.

Because he loved and humbled himself before the Most High God, David became the most powerful king around.

However, his weakness for beautiful women brought David into disrepute with some of his closest pals and into disfavour with his God. Though he had many beautiful wives, he finds it difficult to resist pretty ladies.

Too many perks of his throne led the randy, middle-aged King to let down his guards on the area

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of strict observance of the law of his God. One day, the weather was too hot for David to remain indoors that summer evening.

And while his men were engaging an enemy nation in a military campaign, the king elected to take a walk on his palace’s rooftop.

There he saw a pretty lady take her bath outside. Unable to control his lust, the randy king decided that he must have her.

Against sound judgment, David ordered his servants to bring Bathsheba into the king’s bedroom; and he committed adultery with Bathsheba, wife of Uriah who happened to be one of his brave soldiers.

To cover up his tracks, David decided that Uriah, husband of the woman that the King had taken, must die on the battle front.

“Too Much Of A Good Thing,” is a compelling account of David’s descent from being the deliverer and protector of the people to an oppressor of the helpless.

Its prolific author, Pastor Taiwo Iredele Odubiyi, powerfully communicates the backslidden state of David when he stopped feasting on the word of God and allowed the craving of flesh to lure him into the sin of adultery.

See the last paragraph of page 51, ‘Then a thought occurred to him. He might have to eliminate Uriah if he did not go to sleep in his house this night. The man was proving more difficult than he expected.

If he did not do something and Uriah discovers that his wife had been impregnated by him, he would cause trouble for him. It was either Uriah slept with his wife or died, David decided.”

With that, Uriah was made to convey his own death warrant to Joab, his commanding officer, who made sure that Uriah was posted to the hottest battle field where he was killed.

Before the booties of office took over his senses, David fought Goliath because he defiled the name of God. But having compromised the word of God by committing adultery against God, the King once described as a man after God’s heart became wide open to calamities that consumed him from the day he slept with Uriah’s wife till his death.

Get the full gist in Pastor Odubiyi’s latest work, “Too Much of A Good thing.” You can’t afford to drop the handy novel until you have devoured every line.

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Praise & Worship

You are the next to be celebrated –Pastor Okereke General Overseer of Global Success Ministry, Pastor Chima Okereke, in this exhortation, delivered at the just-concluded international convention of the church in Lagos, admonished all to trust in God and not man, to enjoy the benefit of His goodness. He prayed that the next person to be celebrated should be you. Excerpts, by Richard Eghaghe:

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ohn 5: 6 state, “When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith onto him, wilt thou be made whole?’’.

The answer of the impotent man is not far from what is obtainable these days. In the same John 5: 7, “The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me’’. This was to prove to him (the impotent man) that when Jesus comes, the tempter’s power is broken and that you need not to put your trust on any man. In verse 8, “Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk”. And the Bible recorded it that in verse 9, “…Immediately, the man was made whole, and took up his bed and walked: and on the same day was the Sabbath”. Glory be to God. I have good news for you brethren all over this nation; for as many of you that believe that your time has come to celebrate, shall be celebrated before the end of this year in Jesus’ name. Do you know that the impotent man had suffered for 38 years, yet he refused to give up? What really attracted Jesus to him was that he had spent many years and yet refused to give up? The impotent man was waiting for man’s help and that was why it took him so long to get result. In Jeremiah 17: 5, it is stated, “Thus saith the Lord; cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the Lord”. If you trust in man, the problems might be increasing by the day but if you trust God to use man and bless you, then you are the next to be celebrated. When you trust God as your helper, even though He will use man to attend to you, miracles and blessings will be coming to you easily.

This is because God wants His name to be glorified. Whoever that is trusting God will not put his or her hands into sin.

It is only when you are trusting man that you can tell lies, cheat and do all kinds of things to please him and get his favour.

This had been the reason for the high level of corruption in the society. The trust in man is highly risky. The man you are trusting to give you contract for example, might change his mind even after collecting bribe from you; he might be out of office before the time; he might die before the time that you people have arranged.

So, for you to have absolute freedom and achieve great results, you must trust

Pastor Okereke

in God. When God steps into your matter, you can go home and celebrate. Many examples abound in the Bible. In Genesis 26:1-14; we were told about Isaac who encountered a great famine in the land. The country he was living in suddenly began to experience very strong famine, poverty and starvation like we are experiencing in our own country. At a point, people started running abroad, to escape from the famine but God said to Isaac that no matter how this country is corrupt, you can still be honourable. No matter how people are poor, you will be rich. So stay in Nigeria, do not run to anywhere. God will put things in order. Then the outside world where you had wanted to travel to as a servantboy will now welcome you as a hero to their nation, should you choose to travel to any of those great Nations like America or any part of Europe. Isaac obeyed and trusted God and in the same Genesis 26:1214 “Then Isaac sowed in that land, and received in the same year an hundredfold: and the Lord blessed him. And the man waxed great, and went forward, and grew until he became very great: For he had pos-

session of flocks, and possession of herds, and great store of servants: and the Philistines envied him”.

In the name above every name, before the end of this year, great men and women, Politicians, Elites of this country shall suddenly hear of you and shall envy you in Jesus’ name. The situation was bad but Isaac looked unto God because something on the inside told him that no matter how terrible things may appear that he is a different person. Trust God and believe my words for surely you will celebrate. Why don’t you just accept the truth that you are the next to celebrate, if only you trust God and your attitude will change because you are trusting God; unlike when you are trusting man or even in your own human effort. You need to work hard but ensure divine presence in your hard work. I rejoice with you because you are the next to celebrate in Jesus’ name.

•For enquiries and counseling, please send text messages only through the following numbers: 08067802407, 07038638984, for prompt attention.

Prevail on insurgents, Oritsejafor urges Muslims RICHARD EGHAGHE

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ational President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, has felicitated with the Muslim community for the successful completion of another Ramadan fasting.

He, however, enjoined them to also in the aftermath of the Eid el Fitri celebration, pray for religious tolerance, love, peace, unity and progress of the nation.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sunday August 26, 2012

In a goodwill message to the nation’s Muslims, the CAN president said Nigerian Muslims should use this year’s celebration of the Ramadan as a turning point to join hands with other well-meaning Nigerians to pray for the progress of the nation, particularly in putting an end to the security challenges that have left thousands dead and several others wounded or displaced.

He urged them to draw from the lessons of the 30-day fasting period and the teach-

ing of the Holy Quran to prevail on the Boko Haram sect to have a change of heart and see Nigeria as a nation created by God for a purpose and allow peace to reign in every part of the country.

According to Pastor Oritsejafor, Nigeria belongs to Christians, Muslims and traditionalists “and every one of us has an inalienable right to practise our religion in any part of the country without any form of inhibition by any person or group.

Redeemer’s University enjoys high autonomy –VC The Vice-Chancellor of the Redeemer’s University, Prof. Debo Adeyewa, has said that the management of the institution enjoys high degree of autonomy from the proprietors of the university.

He made this disclosure while welcoming the panel members of the National Universities Commission (NUC), who came for resource verification for the commencement of Post Graduate Programmes.

He noted that the Visitor to the University, Pastor E. A. Adeboye, distanced himself from interfering in the day-to-day running of the University and that at no time was he, as V-C, compelled to bend the rules on the orders of the Visitor.

Prof. Adeyewa attributed the attitude of the Visitor to the fact that he (Pastor Adeboye) was an erudite scholar in the University system before he became a fulltime Pastor. He also informed the NUC officials that the University was blessed with quality and experienced senior staff members, disclosing that among its teaching staff were former Vice-Chancellors and Chairmen of Council of public universities.

He equally noted that the rate of staff turnover was very low when compared with other private universities. He attributed this to the University’s good remuneration package which is comparable to and above that of federal universities and other welfare package for staff.

He noted that the university provides accommodation for all the students, senior staff and most of the junior staff members.

In his response, representatives on the Panel, Mr. A. M. Girei, said that the main reason for the visit was to verify if the University meets the minimum standard of starting post-graduate programmes or not. He promised that the various teams would work with the laid down requirements of the NUC. He thanked the university for the hospitality shown to them since their arrival in the institution.

Methodist Church holds youth convention RICHARD EGHAGHE

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ouths of Methodist Church, Nigeria, will be moving to the coal city of Enugu, Enugu State, as from August 30, 2012, for their 3rd biennial youth convention tagged, ‘Enugu 2012: Behold I Will Do A New Thing’.

Authorities of the church said the event was organised for the purpose of raising divine consciousness in the wake of the August break and long vacation for students.

The four-day youth convention which holds at Federal Government College, Independent Layout, Enugu, will serve as an avenue to bring youths of the Methodist Church in Nigeria together, under God’s mighty umbrella.

It will feature prayers, praise and worship, seminars, talk shows, ministrations from notable men of God within and outside the Methodist denomination, drama, songs and others.

A statement by Sister Chinonye Onwuegbu, who doubles as the National Secretary of the fellowship, hinted that there will be a plenary session on Saturday, September 1, 2012, where notable members of the church as well as those who have supported the youth fellowship and God’s work will be honoured.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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t is imperative for me to tell people spiritual matters and what happen in the spiritual realm. How God created this world and how some people recreated the creatures of God in this world. In the beginning, there was heaven and earth.

The Bible says the world was formless, unsettled and empty, that darkness was over the surface of the deep and the spirit of God was hovering over the water (Genesis 1 verse 1-2). The Lord said let there be light and there was light.

God separated water and dry land and restructured the earth that was formless and unsettled in a manner that everything was in order.

Then God planted some fruits in a garden. These fruits are the knowledge of man. Emphatically they are human knowledge that God placed in the earth.

Then God created man and called Adam who was the only person living in the garden with other creatures that God created before the creation of man.

Adam named all the creatures and had dominion over them.

Imagine the tremendous knowledge he had, to have given names to all the creatures. Adam and the animals were living together peacefully without any problem.

Later on, God realised that Adam should not be alone and he needed a helper.

Hence, God created a woman named Eve, using one of the ribs of Adam. Both were living happily and the time for them to make a choice came, when Satan, through the serpent, pleaded and convinced them to eat a particular fruit that God had forbidden them to eat, out of the whole fruits available.

In fact, Satan convinced Eve who in turn convinced Adam that if both of them ate the fruit, their eyes would be opened and they would be like God. Eventually, Satan made them to make a wrong choice in their first opportunity to make a choice. Thereafter, Adam and Eve had two sons-Cain and Abel. Because they made a wrong choice, their two sons perished. Cain killed Abel and Cain lost out of God’s presence. Genesis 4 verse 8 states,

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f your spiritual eye of understanding is open to see what God has in stock for this minister, you will give glory for your life. Listen to me today; if you are under this grace or ministry and nothing is happening in your life, you better go back and check yourself.

No one can serve God in deceit; you cannot play ‘hank-panky’ game with God. God is not a magician; The Bible is the mirror of the past, the explanation of the present and the revelation of the future. Listen to me; faith sees beyond the invisible. It sees the intangible and achieves the impossible.

There is someone here today; every impossibility of your life, every impossibility in your future, whatever seems not possible, whatever seems not workable, by your faith today, God will make it happen for you. I like us to see a man and a woman of faith in the book of Genesis 21: 6: “And Sarah said, God has made me to laugh so that everybody that hears it will laugh with me.”

There is someone who is reading this message today. After today, whatever has brought sorrow to your life, whatever has brought mockery to your destiny, today, God will turn it to laughter. For complete 25 years, Abraham and Sarah were still waiting on God based on the promises of God. When we are talking of faith, Abraham is a man of faith. That is why I said faith sees the invisible. What you cannot see with you physical eyes, your inner eye which is your spiritual eye needs to catch

Praise & Worship

Sunday August 26, 2012

Your first choice matters, says Pastor Oloruntimilehin Pastor Oloruntimilehin Daramola of Omnipotence Mission of God teaches that your first choice goes a long way to determine your future success. However, if you discover that you have made a wrong choice, the cleric advises that you should commit that issue to God in prayers. Excerpts by Tai Anyanwu.

Pastor Oloruntimilehin

“Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him” and verse 16: …So Cain went out of God’s presence…

Men and women always come to me for spiritual counselling and special advice.

There was a particular woman that had an unsettled and troubled life that I counselled long ago.

This woman had so much believed in me and was confident that God would solve her problem through me. She had introduced many people to me and through me God proffered solutions to their problems.

Her conviction was based on one of her friends she introduced to me that wanted a husband. I told her friend that the Lord revealed to me that her late father had children from another woman, which she confirmed.

That the Lord said she should look for these people and reunite, establish relationship with them and start taking care of the children.

Again, that it was the desire of her late father for her to take care of the children.

Eventually, she found her siblings and started caring for them. A week after, a female colleague in her office was introduced to me. She strongly believed that her problem would be solved through my ministry. Several times I fasted for her to no avail. Yet she accorded me great honour and respect.

One day, I decided to cry and pray to God for her problem to vanish. God then revealed to me that the source of her problem was the first choice of man she had sexual relationship with.

I advised her to invite the man so that both of them can see me but the man had died 15 years ago. It was the revelation that made me to see spiritually the importance of making first choice. Like the first choice of fruit Adam and Eve made adversely af-

Faith sees the invisible,

by Pastor Bamidele Faith, says Pastor Lai Bamidele of Christ Glorious End-Time Evangelical Ministry, sees beyond the visible. He reinforces the Biblical words that ‘with God, nothing is impossible,’ in this message. Tai Anyanwu presents excerpts: that thing. If you die as nobody, then you are a disappointment to your generation.

I told God in the course of the journey of my life: I will live this world empty; everything you have deposited in me, I will dispense it all so that generations that will come after will partake of the thing I will live behind.

I am not talking of the physical thing; I am not talking of wealth. There are people God has sent to you There are lives that God has prepared you to impact.

Your destiny goes beyond now; it goes beyond your yesterday. If God will look at my yesterday, I will not be where I am today. If God will look at my past, I will not stand where I stand today, but because God can see beyond today, because God is a God that believes so much in faith, then there is nothing to worry about. The Bible says without faith, it is impossible to please Him. What is that situation you are going

Pastor Bamidele

through? If only you have faith…the Bible says ‘with men it is impossible but with God all things are possible.’ What is that circumstances? What is that thing

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fected the lives of their sons and brought curses on everybody till today.

I started working spiritually on the issue of first choice in life. It was revealed that the same thing happens to men i.e. the first choice of a woman could kill the star of a man. It is possible to make the right choice but it depends on luck. For a person that made the right choice, things will be working well for him or her till the end of their life. I am saying what is spiritual. A lot of glories people brought from heaven but their first choice killed the glories. It is difficult to believe but I researched spiritually to the extent of knowing the truth.

Another choice is the hand that carries a person at birth. There are three types of hands: the white, the red and the black.

These hands are with the people that carry baby at birth. If the black carries the baby, the life of that baby will be in disarray and find it difficult to succeed in life; if it is with a red hand, the person will also struggle much and achieve little in life but with white hand, the person can become the President or Governor.

These hands are with the nurses and women that carry babies at birth. Secondly, the person that touches the head in order to adjust the head to a normal shape and the person that cuts the umbilical cord or navel, matters in the life of person. These people are not wizards or witches but what matter is the type of hands they have.

Thirdly, the person the baby sees first when he or she opens the eyes first, also counts. It may not be the father or mother; it depends on when the baby opens the eyes. All these determine and influence the kind of life people live and what become of them. My candid advice to people that made wrong choices that have made their lives miserable, is that they should commit their problems onto God who does whatever He likes at anytime and cry onto Him daily.

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

you are afraid of ? What is that thing you are crying about? The whole thing may look impossible today. There is someone reading me now; you started this year with tears, groaning in pain because of unpleasant situation. But after today, everything that has brought tears in your face, everything that has brought disgrace to your destiny, if I be a prophet of God, after today’s message, God will turn to laughter for you, in the name of Jesus.

I like to encourage all of you; this coming Friday is going to be a night with a difference. I will not tell you why today, because if I do, many of you will not know the value of God. The night of Friday, there is going to be a vigil in this church and I will personally be ministering.

I crave your indulgence; let nothing make you to miss that programme. It is going to be a night with a great difference. A night that you are going to see God in His true colour. I beg you in the name of God, there is an instruction God gave me, there is where He sent me, and I will be going for that assignment in the course of the week.

And by the grace of God, whatever he has sent me to go and catch, I will dispense to all of you but that is if only you will be around. If you are not, it is your own coup of tea. It shall be well with you.

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

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Praise & Worship

Sunday August 26, 2012

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

R-L: Anambra State Governor, Mr Peter Obi, and Mrs Joy Muoka, wife of the General Overseer, at the Onitsha 2012 crusade.

A cross section of the faithful during the Onitsha 2012 crusade

Pastor Muoka

Day Onitsha stood still for Pastor Muoka RICHARD EGHAGHE

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t all started with thick cloud gathering in the sky, followed by little droplets of water which later snowballed into a downpour. That, however, did not deter the multitude of crowd that thronged the twokilometre square playground of the Metallurgical Institute, Onitsha where The Lord’s Chosen Charismatic Revival Ministries held a two-day power packed crusade entitled, ‘The God of miracle’, on Saturday, August 4 and Sunday 5, 2012.

The more the rain threatened, the more the influx of participants into the venue of the crusade. They were all coming with great expectation for their blessing. In no time, the arena was filled to the brim and it overflowed far away to the expressway axis of the venue. Also at the crusade ground to receive divine impartation from the God of the Chosen were the governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi, and members of his cabinets, the traditional ruler of Nkpo, HRH Igwe C. A. Iloegbulam, Chief Uzor Anoliefo and Hon. Charles Udengwu, to mention but a few. None of these personages ran for cover from the rain; they were all ears, listening to the wonderful, instant testimonies by people who have benefited from the goodness of God and many more, from previous crusades presided over by Pastor Lazarus Muoka.

Beside the pulpit was the intercessory prayer group made up of young, aggressive prayer warriors praying fervently and each clutching the Bible as if he would not let go until the rain stopped. This group is called the engine house of the ministry.

They were in that violent prayer mood for more than five hours probably wrestling against the rain when the man of God came on the pulpit. Looking sympathetically at the condition of the participants who were drenched by rain the General Overseer prophetically declared, “Brethren, God allows this rain to fall today, at this particular time when the crusade is at its peak. I want to tell you it is a sign of a divine visitation. God Almighty has come

in His glory. If you can count the number of the droplets of water on this crusade ground today, then you can count your blessing, but if you can’t count it then you cannot count the blessing of God upon your life today, in Jesus name”. This is the exact word of Pastor Lazarus Muoka on the first day of the power-packed crusade at the prestigious Metallurgical Institute, Onitsha.

The assuring statement was followed by thunderous Amen that echoed and reverberated across the length and breadth of the institute which was filled by participants. And this spurred those sitting inside their cars to come out and receive their own showers of blessing. It was a magnificent sight as able men and women on suites were soaked by rain and yet happily giving praises to God. Indeed, it was a day that God determined to rain miracle upon His Children to demonstrate the potency of His power. It was no surprise that mammoth crowd who know what God of Chosen could do were there to receive their miracles. Ps 110:3 says, “Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power, in the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning...”

At the declaration of freedom by the man of God, those that were physically impaired by various ailments ranging from waist pain to broken bones, spinal cord injuries, stroke, and paralyses that were wheeled into the arena surprisingly lifted up their wheel chairs to celebrate and glorify God for making them walk again. On hearing the declaration by the pastor, a partially paralysed middle aged man threw away his walking stick to begin a new dance as he celebrates his miraculous healing. There was another case of an 11 years paralysis that was brought to the crusade ground bedridden; but on hearing the declaration of the pastor, he stood up unaided and started walking. A man with a hunch back saw his reproach removed as he became free from years of bending.

The blind, the deaf and dumb were not left out from the miracle largesse. What a new beginning for them? They all started

doing what they could not do before. Almost everyone that came with eye problem ranging from partial blindness, glaucoma and total blackout received total healing.

The deaf and dumb speak and even recited 1, 2, 3 and names. It was a miracle extravaganza. The mother of an eight year old girl openly testified that her daughter who has been deaf and dumb from birth can now hear and speak. She jumped for joy as she listened to her daughter recites 1, 2, and 3. The joy of a man whose three Children were healed of deaf and dumb knew no bound as he rolled on the ground and praises God. Another man who claimed he came from Enugu State, deaf and dumb for 25 years also testified to have been healed and was tested to recite the 1, 2, and 3 which he did. In fact there were instant miracles and testimonies from every corner as the arena became fully charged with anointing.

Bro Sunday Okonkwo who was brought to the crusade ground on chain by his relation had his 28yrs insanity cured instantly after Pastor’s prayer. Sis Ogechi Iwunze had her 25 yrs deaf and dumb healed instantly. Bro. Simon Okeke testified how the leg poison that afflicted him since five years disappeared miraculously after Pastor’s prayer. No sickness or affliction survived the yoke breaking anointing of Pastor Muoka.

Meanwhile, as the people kept thronging out to give testimony, the pastor also kept making declaration of freedom for the people. “Today, every problem you brought here will never follow you home. As many of you that are using clutches to walk all these years or are sitting on a wheel chair, or are paralysed or lamed and have never walked at all, should get ready for freedom.

Those under the yoke of stroke get ready because you are going to walk now. Now wherever you are, rise up and walk in Jesus Name! Let your body system be healed.

I command every damaged organ to begin to function now in Jesus’ name. Spirit of stroke, paralysis, I command you to come out now in Jesus Name. Every affliction in your body I caused them to be healed now

in Jesus name. I command the blind, deaf and dumb, the mad people to be healed in Jesus name. Spirit of madness, I curse you; I command total sanity upon my people in Jesus name. You spirit of kidney, heart failures, ulcer and stomach problems I cast you out in Jesus name. Those that cannot see their menstrual period receive your deliverance and be free. Every plant my heavenly father did not plant, authoritatively I caused those plants and command them to be uprooted in Jesus name”.

The fact of the declaration is that as the pastor issued the commands there would be a simultaneous response of healing and freedom from captives as the evil spirits holding the victims in bondage seem to hear the instruction and subsequently freed their victims. The Pastor never touched anybody or went close to any, but he only issues a command and it is done. The pronouncement of freedom did not stop at the people present at the crusade but also extended to their families and whoever they represented. Pastor told them, “Whether you like it or not, you must go home with a miracle. Whether you believe or not is immaterial, the assurance is that your problem will not follow you home”.

In his sermon Pastor Muoka explained that miracles are Children bread. It is the supernatural deliverance intervention of the power of God in a man’s situation. According to him, some people go through terrible experience which defies all human solution until God intervenes to provide succour to the victim. God is still in the business of doing miracles. He never changes and will never change. The Scripture says, “He is the same yesterday, today and forever”.

Quoting from the Scripture to buttress his point, he made reference to Genesis 1:13 says, “In the beginning God created the Heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.

And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.”

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Praise & Worship

Sunday August 26, 2012

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What happens when the Most High tells us to come up higher –Adeboye General Overseer of The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, at the just concluded 60th Convention of the church at the Redemption Camp ground, Mowe, in Ogun State, beckons on all to ‘Come up Higher’. Excerpts of his sermon recorded by Richard Eghaghe who attended the event.

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ohn 5: 2 -9, “Now there is in Jerusalem by the sheep gate a pool, which is called in Hebrew, Bethesda, having five porches. In this lay a great multitude of those who were sick, blind, lame and withered waiting for the move of the waters; for an angel of the Lord went down at certain seasons into the pool and stirred up the water and whoever then first after stirring up the water, stepped in was made well from whatever disease with which he was afflicted.

A man was there who had been ill for thirty eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he had already been a long time in that condition, he said to him, do you wish to get well? The sick man answered Him, “Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, but while I am coming, another steps down before me”. Jesus said to him “get up, pick up your pallet and walk.” Immediately the man became well and picked up his pallet and began to walk. Now it was the Sabbath on that day.”

The Lord says there is someone here tonight, he said in order to prove to you that he is the Lord of host; he will use your enemies to promote you.

The Lord says there is someone here tonight, you have many ambitions, very great ambitions but because of the way things have gone, it looks as if they will never be fulfilled. The Lord asked me to tell you, leave that to me.

The Lord asked me to tell you, today will mark the beginning of days to you.

There was this man who was lying down helpless, waiting for the angel to come. The angel has come 38 times and this man has got nothing out of it because somebody smarter, quicker had robbed him of his success.

But one day unexpectedly, his jubilee came because Jesus walked to him, looked at him where he was on the ground and said “Come up Higher” and immediately the man who had been lying down helpless, jumped up completely whole.

Somebody is going higher today in Jesus’ name.

One of the preachers who had preached before me, he made some very important points that I thought maybe he spied my notes; only I know there is no way he could have done that.

He said come up higher could be either of two things, it could be an invitation; like Jesus said come ye to me all ye that laboured and are heavily laden. And I will give you rest, or it could be a command. Come up higher, just like God said, let there be light and there was light. He went further to say that the one who is going to ask you to come up higher, must be somewhere at least higher than you and today God is the one who is calling us to come higher and we all know that according to Psalm 91: 1 , the one who is calling us to come higher is called the most high.

Ecclesiastes 5: 8 calls him the one who is higher than the highest, so the one who is inviting us to come up higher surely is higher than all of us.

Not only that the one who is inviting you to come up higher must have the abil-

Pastor Adeboye

ity to help you climb. If you want to come higher but you cannot do so, he must have the ability to help you come.

Because when Jesus said to this man,

get up, take your bed and walk, the Biblesays immediately he was made whole.

The fellow who is asking you to come up higher must have the power to deal with

Briefly Adeboye warns against match-making “Those of you who go to your pastor to pray for you and tell you who to marry, if care is not taken, you will become a victim of lies. You are simply lazy. No pastor or prophet should tell you who to marry. They are to pray along with you, counsel and guide you, using the Word of God. If you fail to pay the price to hear from God on that matter, you may be deceived. God can use your pastor or a genuine prophet of

God to confirm what He had already told you. Many homes have been established on falsehood and that is why things are falling apart and the centre can no longer hold. Some pastors are seriously into match-making. They have taken over from the Holy Spirit. Match-making remains God’s prerogative and He has not delegated it to any pastor.”

Special Holy Ghost Service: Expect a ‘Glorious Generation’ Pastor Enoch Adeboye has said that a special Holy Ghost Service would be held on the first Friday of September for those who are ‘trusting God for the fruit of the womb’, at the Redemption Camp, Mowe, in Ogun State.

The theme of the special service, according to him, is A Glorious Generation.

“That means the children God will

release next month are going to form a glorious generation. If you have any relative or friend, tell them about the special Holy Ghost service coming up next month for those who are believing God for children,” Pastor Adeboye urged.

He added that there would be no Shiloh hour for the month.

those forces trying to hold you down.

I want to thank God for all the testimonies we have heard tonight, I have heard testimonies in my life, I heard some tonight, I heard some yesterday. I heard of a pregnancy that came after six months and the baby is 100 per cent normal as if not premature. I have heard of a testimony now of a couple that the husband said you ask how many baby do you want, and she said let’s ask for three and the husband said, I agree, and they brought the triplet to show us. I have heard the testimony now of bullet passing through the front of the dress and coming out of the back of the dress and leaving the body alone. I have seen that one.

I’m saying that the God who is calling you to come up higher, is the one who said in Jeremiah 32: 27, “Behold I am the God of all flesh, is anything too hard for me?” I am believing that God who has called you to come up higher will help you to reach the top in Jesus’ name. Of course, if Jesus said to that man, come up higher and the man says, ‘I am not interested’, that he wants to remain on the ground, he would have remained on the ground. If you are going to come up higher, you must be willing to come up higher. You must obey the one who commands you to come up higher because the word of God says in Isaiah 1: 19, ‘If you are willing and obedient then you shall eat the good of the land’.

When God calls you to come up higher, you must have faith in the God who is calling you to come up higher because Heb 11: 6 says without faith it is impossible to please God. And Mark 9: 23 says if you can only believe, all things are possible to him that believes. When God calls you to come up higher, you must make the necessary efforts to go higher.

Even if all the efforts you are going to make are prayers, you must pray a determined prayer, until you find yourself on top. I’m believing God for all of you who are listening to me; before the sun rises you will be higher.

Everybody knows that life is in levels.

There are all manner of levels. For example, there is the level of the poor, the level of the comfortable, of the rich, the wealthy, of the prosperous, and the level of the flourishing. I don’t know which level you are today but in the name that is above every other name, levels will change tonight. Let’s look at the story of this man; Jesus stood by him. The Great physician, the One who has never been sick, the One who does not know sickness said to this man: “come up higher”, come out of sickness! I want to appeal to you tonight, that you put yourself in the same position as this man, because if you listen to me carefully when I was reading the story to you, the name of the man was not mentioned. In other words, the man could be you, so God is saying to you tonight, come out of sickness. Is there anyone here that is sick tonight; in the name that is above every other name, you will come out of sickness in Jesus’ name.

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TAI ANYANWU

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efore his dramatic call to minister in God’s vineyard, Rev. (Dr.) Chidi Anthony, Founder of Kings in Christ Ministries International, was still in the Nigerian Military School, Kano. Eventually, he had to abandon the military course.

He had led a life without God until riotous lifestyle landed him in police cell in Benue State.

“While awaiting trial, I dreamt and saw myself preaching to a huge crowd of listeners at the National Stadium, Lagos.

The next day, a strange man walked up to my cell and secured my release from police net; and I never knew him before, never saw him again,” he further related.

Getting back to his kinsmen in Aba, Abia State, and yet not certain about God’s purpose for his life, Chidi came in contact with Reverend Magnus Otutu, then Senior Pastor of Royal Power Ministries.

“This man of God prophesied that I will be the Moses of this generation. I thought it a mere joke because I had not believed fully.

“But the word kept reverberating in my head; I was restless. Then a voice said to me, ‘why not go and meet him; he has a message for you.’

Having received full revelation, he became born-again and joined the pastoral team of Royal Power Ministry as a minister; and there, the vision of Kings in Christ Church was shown to the young minister.

“In that revelation, I saw people suffering. I saw also, crowns kept by the side and thrones that are meant for them; and my eyes were opened in the realm of the spirit to see the Lord saying, ‘They are meant to occupy those seats. They are kings but they are into slavery. He said ‘go, liberate them, make them kings in me,’ Rev Chidi explained.

Like a Saul converted to Paul, the Senior Pastor of the flourishing Kings in Christ Ministries with headquarters in Ajao Estate, Lagos, commenced his prophetic ministry from this humble beginning.

Last Sunday, the church celebrated its second annual cultural day colours.

Dressed like an Igbo Chief, Rev. (Dr.) Chidi said, “Today, we are worshipping God in a cultural way; we want to carry all the states of Nigeria along.”

He regretted that some churches are either portrayed as Igbo, Yoruba, Hausa or Calabar.

God, he said, told him in a vision that that is not how the church of God should be handled.

“The Lord said to me, ‘My people are scattering. They are scattered here and there. They are serving me according to their own ethic stocks. Once in a while, gather my people together. Teach them; let them know that all are one before me.’

“That is why, every year, we organise this programme where all the ethnic groups can come before God with cultural displays from different ethnic groups in Nigeria. We have all stocks in our congregation.

The body of Christ is one. And we want people to know that we are still one; whether you are Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo or any other ethnic group, we are one before God,” Rev Chidi asserted.

Various ethnic indigenes in the congregation appeared in their peculiar native attires. High praises were rendered unto the Almighty God in various Nigerian tongues; drama, recitation; even testimonies were given in Nigeria languages with competent interpreters on hand to demystify each language to the understanding of other ethnic groups.

Commenting on security challenges in the country, he foresaw Nigeria breaking up if the spate of insurgency was not prop-

Sunday August 26, 2012

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Ethnicity should not enter the church, says Rev. Chidi

…as cleric clocks seven in the vineyard

Benue State members at the cultural event.

erly managed.

His words: “I don’t n’t need to tell you that there is problem in n this nation. And it is not my prayer thatt Nigeria should split. I love this country so o much, I prayer for this nation day and night. ht. I pray for the people that are ruling, thatt God should give them wisdom. If you check eck what is happening now, I am afraid that hat if churches fail to gather together I see ee Nigeria splitting.”

The Reverend, however, owever, wants vigorous prayers to be offered ed frequently for peace to reign in the land..

The Bible, he said, provides a glimmer er of hope in the book ok of Chronicle: “If my people who are called by my name shall gather together and ask k for forgiveness of sins and seek my face, I will answer them and heal their land.”

But he is very concerned that lack of unity among Christians today might hinder the fervency such prayers.

“You see Pastor fighting one another; you see Bishops quarrelling. The Bible tells us that only three people changed the entire Babylon, Meshack, Shedrack and Abednego.

“They sought the face of God and God hearkened to their voice. Today our so called Bishops, the people we are following are running after the politicians.

“They are after what they will grab; they are after what they will eat and have forsaking what God called them to do. That is the problem we are facing, he lamented.

Though Rev. Chidi is a ‘bonafide’ member of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and the Pentecostal Fellowship (PFN); he believes that those platforms

have not really done enough to foster unity among Nigerian Christians.

Would he handle things differently if he is made Chairman of CAN? He said, ‘The first thing I will do is to gather the body of Christ together and organise vigorous prayers for the nation frequently.

Also, I will or-

Rev. Chidi

ganise prayers for our leaders.

“These bodies can put more efforts to unite Christians. The PFN chairman is a voice in Nigeria. Look at what is happening to Christians in the North; they are continually being killed by fundamentalist, Moslem terrorist group.

“Good enough these days, we receive text messages asking us to pray for the nation. But I wish that chapters of CAN, PFN would organise prayers once a month, concerning Boko Haram and other national issues for God’s will intervention.

“If nothing is done within one year, Boko Haram will spread to other parts of Nigeria; already, it has its members as serving top government functionaries.

“Vigorous and consistent prayer is needed to put them out of action. When

we pray we seek the face of God and if we seek His face, He will give us direction.

What we need is God’s direction to tackle the issues on ground effectively. We have great prophets of God in Nigeria today.

Gather them together, let them seek the face of God and God will give direction on how to put this rubbish to an end,” he emphasised.

He stressed that God’s servants in the country should also preach more messages dwelling on salvation and righteousness in the land. He added that revivals, other than pursuit of miracles and wealth would heal the land.

“The greatest miracle in life is the miracle of salvation. The Bible says ‘seek ye first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness, and other things shall be added.

Here we believe strongly in salvation, that is our target,” he pointed out.

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Sunday August 26, 2012

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Participants on the occasion.

Pastor Aleke

How to get to the top –Aleke

L- R: Mrs. Shade Ogunsuyi, Director of Studies, Regency Schools, Lekki, Lagos; Mr. Yinka Ogunsuyi, CEO, Century Technologies, and Mr. Joel Ezeugo, a banker, at the breakfast fellowship.

TAI ANYANWU

T

he scripture is vast with God’s promises that Christians are created to occupy the top and not to be relegated among the crowd.

From the Book of Jeremiah 26:11, we learn of his purpose to give his people an expected end; Deuteronomy 28; 37 expressly states that Christians are meant to be heads and not the tail and in the book of John 18: 37, the Lord Jesus Christ confirms that he came into the world to testify the truth.

However, many Christians today are languishing at the bottom rung of the ladder of life.

Without focus, doggedness, consistent pursuit of the goal, the good life God had planned for his people would remain an illusion.

This concern dominated the discourse at the second edition of Roof Top Gospel Fellowship, held last Monday at He’s Alive Chapel Berachah Centre, Badore, Lagos.

Pastor Fabian Aleke, convener of the fellowship, unassumingly took the podium to commence the lecture.

The first step of towards hitting the roof top in life, he pointed out, starts with a clear grasp of what constitutes the summit or one’s goal.

In defining the top, he said Christians should take cognisance of the fact that former President of the United States of America (USA), Jimmy Carter, recoded a high level of relevance worldwide.

It would be recalled that Carter left office as one of the U.S. presidents that had no chance to seek a second term. His dream of what the apex of attainment is, Pastor Aleke explained, made the difference.

So, a Christian that must hit the top in life must have clear vision, he emphasised.

Early preparation for the desired future is the next action that must be commenced after the goal is clearly defined.

Emphasis on predicting the future as many do these days

Pastor Aleke speaking, while Mr. John Oluwagbemiga, CEO, Patrix Consulting Limited looks on.

should be left out while efforts should be concentrated at making the desired goal happen.

This, he added, entailed a continuous process, doggedly followed until one attains his or her goal.

Three vital indices would be encountered during the process of preparation. The height one attains and the time of attainment, he noted, would all depend on how one handles the indices.

The first is obstacles or challenges, which he said must be encountered by everyone who has a pursuit to attain.

Aleke explained that obstacles are not necessarily negative indices; they are actually a test of one’s ability, resolve, direction or vision.

“Such challenges could be put in positive perspective, and practical experiences have shown that challenges have become a turning point in some people’s life achievements,” he related.

He however warned that distractions and temptations, another set of indices, must be closely

watched and carefully handled, otherwise, they offer alternative summits or goals for people who are not skillful in managing challenges.

They must not be allowed to derail anyone from the real focus because all roads are not roads.

The fourth indices offered the participant a lesson on how to utilise opportunities available wisely and how not to allow mistakes of the past to detract them He said: “Yesterday is a cancelled cheque, tomorrow is promissory note but today is cash in hand.

Spend it wisely.

Critical factors to attaining any expected end or one’s life ambition that must be noted, Aleke emphasised, are power of focus, dogged resolve, consistency and ability to refuse to be distracted and stopped.

It is not as simple as what will be will be; rather in the words of Moshe Dayan, “To aim and hit, you need a single eye only, and one good finger”.

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Text Only: 08037188392

Divine Message with Special Apostle James

Akinadewo E-mail: molailatugrow@hotmail.com

W

elcome aboard. What a mighty manifestation of His power in our lives. Appreciating God for His blessings. Praying for more divine showers.

Messages received are soul inspiring and for the prayer requests sent, Heaven will answer speedily and the testimonies shall be astounding.

During creation, divine uniqueness was poured on each and everyone born of God for greater impact in their world. This showed that our God gave you a mission to the world, charged you to have a vision for yourself, fulfil them and ultimately submit the report of your assignment back to His office on the day of reckoning. This informed our teaching today – GRAB YOUR SPACE. His Almightiness But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people, that ye should show forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. [1 Peter 2 verse 9] Why the teaching • Millions walk aimlessly today •Many are at crossroads •Jerk you up to search who you are •Discover your purpose • Know your manual from the manufacturer • Check and remove inhibitions • Indecision must be an anathema • Pity party not your portion •Heaven’s battle cry – Don’t waste your destiny.

Uniqueness Amazing grace. Amazing uniqueness.

Amazing wonders. Amazing beauty. Amazing masterpiece. Amazing mentality.

Sunday August 26, 2012

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Grab your space Amazing miracle. Infact, you are an amazing package going somewhere to happen and explode, if properly detonated will alter the course of history positively for there is none like you on the planet earth.

Since God created the firmament, it has not decayed for one day. Yours was unique – God took special time out of His tight schedule to create a wonderful and blossoming you with a divine charger – Go into the world and grab your space for a great and positive exploits.

It is a statement that should ring daily, charging you to manifest positively in your world for the space is too wide for birds to move at their pace.

You can’t settle for less, a space grabber never relent until he make history. He is a record breaker who is not afraid to thread where others dread.

To him, every minute must be maximized for greatness, utilized for groundbreaking and moved for historical stardom – Impossibility is never in his dictionary.

Tell him it is not possible and you have made his day for he will make it possible and his giant strides and positive results will make you to stand in awe of his exploits.

The real you Twins born same day, same hour, from the same womb are not the same. Though they may look alike but they were divinely created for different purposes on earth.

•Mungo Park, the Lander brothers[Richard and John], Mary Slessor and David Livingstone were missionaries but God gave them different clear cut assignments and they fulfilled their mandates.

•Pastor Enoch Adeboye and Bishop David Oyedepo are men of God but their utterances will show you their assignments differ.

•Saint Moses Orimolade Tunolase, Saint Joseph Ayodele Babalola, Saint Josiah Olunowo Oshitelu, Saint Samuel Bilewu Joseph Oschoffa and Saint Benjamen Adekahunsi were divinely sent to their generations but records showed the uniqueness of their different visions.

•Bill Gates and Phillip Emeka Emeag-

wali, both computer genius with different inputs proved their mettle and had large followership.

•Engine manufacturer and tyre maker both contributed to the making of a complete car but with different boundaries.

• Hand fans and ceiling fans do almost the same job but their manufacturers differ for they both grab their spaces.

• Nokia, Samsung and Blackberry are cell phones from different makers. Their ingenuity make buyers to choose their choice.

Thinking you are a misfit. Come off it.

Those examples should blow your mind positively. God packaged your uniqueness different from others. Discover who you are, your being and your purpose on earth, have a vision, give it a flight with total packaging, grab your space and make headlines.

End the time you have wasted with the locusts and charge yourself up now. Don’t come into the world unheralded and go unnoticed. Those who fail to have understanding will continue to stand under.

Divine Touch One God’s servant with Holiness par excellence, Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi took the nation by storm in the 70s when he started Deeper Christian Life Ministry on the campus of the University of Lagos.

This soft spoken university lecturer quickly moved students with his teachings, the gathering grew astronomically and within few years got a permanent place in the sprawling Gbagada estate in Lagos.

His fame shot beyond borders as foreigners trooped to the ministry later known as Deeper Life Bible Church with vibrant assemblies the world over. Books were written on him and his success spoke volumes.

Divine Touch Two Talking of divine touch with a rare case, you got it right. This aptly describe the urbane and enigmatic Paul Adefarasin, the Senior Pastor of House on the Rock Ministries.

This son of a former Chief Judge of Lagos State has given flight to his vision with

his weekly programme attracting thousands of souls.

His Petra Coalition interdenominational summit also attest to the fact that he grabbed his space and Heaven is daily honoured.

Divine Touch Three Talk of leadership among Christian youths today and his name rings bell. Take your scroll, Rev. Sam Adeyemi. This pencil built Senior Pastor of Daystar Christian Centre with passion for leadership believed the church should be the role models to positively transform the world.

A sought out speaker in conferences, his Success Power teachings has blessed lives with his coast being enlarged daily.

Divine Touch Four Teacher, writer and orator par excellence, Dr. Reuben Abati is a gift to his generation. Recently appointed Media Adviser to Nigeria’s President Goodluck Jonathan, he was the Chairman, Editorial Board of Guardian Newspapers for many years where followership to his twice weekly articles shore up his rating.

Abati, who got his doctorate degree at 24 is a rare breed in the media with students learning at his table.

Divine Touch Five Charismatic American preacher with signs following, Bishop T.D. Jakes is a positive case study any day. Jakes, founder of Potters House Ministries, a powerful evangelist with prophetic insights has positively changed many drug addicts in American cities and also bless the downtrodden with the living word.

You can’t but be blessed listening to him for he has grabbed his space.

Divine Touch Six Speed machine and record breaker, American Carl Lewis entered the Guinness book of world records by winning four Olympic Gold Medals in athletics which has remained unsurpassed till date.

Lewis, energetic sprinter, trained to his bones to achieve this feat, grabbed his space and the world bowed at his feet.

It is your turn to make your mark. Grab your space now, the world will stand in awe of your exploits.

Divine Helper...in times of trouble Moment of Blessing with Pastor Taiye

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

T

he lead Bible passage for this message is 2Chronicle 20:1-20. It affirms to us that there are challenges of life that no level of human connection can attend to; whether it is military might, political or personality.

As a King, the King of Judah had great human connection. He also had military and political might, yet these hopes could not boost courage in him to face the enemies; rather, he sought help from God (2Chro. 20:13).

Many of us are limited in life because we cannot see beyond the physical realm.

That is why every mountain before us seems to be very great. Zerubbabel had a similar case, but he clearly understood by God’s word that whatever strength he is trusting on cannot help him but the Holy Spirit (Zech. 4:6-7). No battle of life that confronts any man for no reason. Every battle that rages against you is because

of your glory and because of these battles, many have resorted to conclude that it is their lot. Only lazy people think this way.

You must take time to seek spiritual meaning for any case that defies all possible answers to it, because there are lots of devices the enemy can use to fight us. That is why you must not analyse everything from the physical, for every physical happening has its roots in the spiritual.

Many of us have what it takes to become what God has designed us for, but for some reasons we cannot actually point at, we are stuck in a particular spot. You cannot fight such battles by human help, but by the power of the Holy Spirit. This is why the prophecies surrounding many of us are yet to manifest. These life challenges have made some prophets who have spoken concerning us to become as liars.

There are promises and prophecies that cannot manifest except by the help of the Holy Spirit (Luke 1:30-31, 34-35). God is much more willing to do whatever He has promised He’ll do. That is why you must not be lazy towards receiving what belongs to you. More so, there are some assignments that must be backed up with finance. For this to happen, you must have financial breakthrough and such breakthroughs are not common. There

are also battles of choices that come to us.

(1). Choices of whom to do business with.

(2) Marriage. (3) Partnership in ministry.

It is only by the power of the Holy Spirit we can make right choices. Every mistake you make in making a choice will delay your destiny. Abraham, for example, was asked to leave his kindred and his father’s house to where God would show him, but he took Lot along. Do you know he never heard from God until Lot was separated from him? (Gen. 12:14-15, 13:7-15). Many of us have made mistakes in these areas and the pain is so great on us today. Any man that relies on the help of the Holy Spirit shall not make mistakes, though people will call him names; that, should not border him as long as he is working by the direction of the Holy Spirit. No matter what is failing that you have put in place, if you rely on the Holy Spirit, you will succeed in the midst of those failures because He will be telling you what to do.

One of the roles of the Holy Spirit is, He gives direction (2Chro. 20:14-17). When you allow the Holy Spirit to help, He directs you to achieve positive results in what you are doing, because when the Holy Spirit gives a direction, there is something He wants to do which will eventually give you victory and your glory shall manifest (Acts 8:29-

30, 2King 3:15-20). (2) The Holy Spirit will show you God’s choice for companionship (Acts 3:2). The Holy Spirit helps us to know the state of the hearts of those dealing with us because the heart, according to the word of God, is desperately wicked and deceitful; the Bible says “and who can know it” (Jer. 17:19).

Three things make up the heart (1) Desire (2) Emotion (3) Thought. When these are not guided by the Holy Spirit, it could be perverted by the devil. See Acts. 8:20-23.

Prayer: 1) Father, by the blood of Jesus, cleanse my heart from every corruption in Jesus’ name.

2) Father, help me to overcome every influence in me or outside of me that is making the Holy Spirit to be silent in me in Jesus Name.

3) Father in your mercy; help me to overcome every mind set, opinions and traditions that is against your word in my life in Jesus Name.

4) Holy Spirit, come and take your place in me again in Jesus’ name.

•For prayer/counselling, please call: 08037229730 email:snrpastortaiyeolayemi@ gmail.com taiye_olayemi@yahoo.co.uk

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Sunday August 26, 2012

Prayer and your destiny

Shepherd Life with Bishop Kingsley

E

Enakirerhi

very human being on planet earth did not just appear by accident. Everyone was created for a purpose. This purpose is what is referred to as destiny. It is a predetermined course which a person is to fulfil. In Romans 9:17, the Bible states, “For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might show my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth”.

Also in Jeremiah 1:5, the scripture states concerning Jeremiah, “Before I formed thee in the belly, I knew thee, and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a Prophet unto the nations. In this scripture, we see God telling the prophet that before the mother even conceived him, God already knew him and ordained him to be a prophet.

In Jeremiah 29:11, God’s word declares that He has good thoughts of peace towards us; to give us an expected end. God’s plan for us is always for good. But many of us may never live to fulfill such purpose.

God ordained that Joseph would be a great leader and despite what his brothers, and Potiphar did, he eventually became a lead-

er in the land of Egypt.

The reason many are depressed and feeling worthless in life is because they have not been able to discover God’s purpose for their lives. Until you discover God’s purpose for your life, you will waste your life and life will be uninteresting and boring. Fulfilling destiny is what makes life meaningful.

Since I discovered that God called me into the ministry, I have been living a fulfilled life. Before now when I was engaged into private business. I realised that I was not having joy. Moreover, what my contemporary did and succeeded, when I attempted same, I met with failure and disappointment. But thank God; I discovered my destiny and since then, the Lord has greatly blessed me and I am living a joyful life.

Someone reading this piece may be asking; how then do I discover my destiny? I want to state clearly that for you to really discover your destiny, you need to go back to the one who created you. The destiny of a product is determined by the manufacturer. Every manufacturer of a product determines the destiny or purpose of the product. Every other use you put that product to is an abuse of the purpose of the product.

God has already prescribed for us how we can discover our destiny. In Jeremiah 29:12-13, the scripture states, “then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek me, and find me,

when ye shall search for me with all your heart”.

From this scripture, we can see that the way to discover destiny is to seek the face of God in prayers. You must go to your maker in prayer to ask Him why He has created you and why you are where you are today. Until you seek Him in prayers, you will go round in circles and be frustrated in life.

In Acts 9, Saul before he became Paul was on his way to Damascus in order to persecute believers. But he had an encounter with God, which changed his entire lifestyle. In the course of the encounter, Paul asked the Lord in verse 6 “what wilt thou have me to do? In order words, Paul was asking his maker “what is my destiny?” God directed him to someone and that was how Paul started fulfilling his destiny.

The place of prayer cannot be overemphasised in the discovering and pursuit of destiny. Hence every believer must learn to pray for himself. Many often want their pastors and others to pray for them. This is not right. Your pastor is only meant to guide you and pray along with you.

When Christ died on the cross and rose again, He opened for us the door into God’s presence. Every child of God now has unfettered access to God’s presence as the wall of partition has been broken down. We cannot allow others to do our praying for us. God desires to fellowship with each and every one of us and not a

selected few.

Seeking the face of God to know His will for your life requires that you seek Him with fasting as fasting enables your flesh or carnal nature to be subdued and your spirit to be alive unto God. In Acts 9:9, the Bible records that Paul did not eat or drink for three days as he was seeking the face of God for what he is to do.

In Acts 13:2, it is recorded also that as the disciples ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit directed them on what they are to do. Fasting and prayer are very important in the discovery of our destiny.

I also want to say that even after discovering your destiny, you still need to continue in prayer in order to fulfill it. To discover is one thing and to fulfill is another. Jesus, when He came to the earth, already knew His destiny; yet He had to pray continuously in order to fulfill it.

A young man travelled overseas hoping to make it there. He was repatriated to Nigeria after a while. It was only recently that he has known Christ that it was revealed in the place of prayers that his mother did charms in order to bring him back to the country. If he had known God then and be a person of prayer, he would have countered such negative demonic manipulation of his destiny.

Prayer is very important in discovering and fulfilling your destiny. Make up your mind to engage in fervent prayers as the effectual, fervent prayer of the righteous avails much.

What to do when you have a wayward child Christian Relationship with Taiwo

Odubiyi

E-mail: info@pastortaiwoodubiyi.org.uk

I

n ‘Shadows from the past’ (one of my novels), Mary began to engage in sex while in high school and in the University, she became one of the campus prostitutes, dating ‘Aristos’: rich married men who were old enough to be her father. She slept with more than 17 men and had several abortions. When she told her mother that she was HIV positive, her poor mother lost all hope.

Like Mary’s mother, do you have a grown or teenage child who is wayward and living in sin? Does he or she keep bad company, smoke, drink, come home very late and sometimes does not bother to come home at all? Does he or she steal? Does he or she leave the house for school but does not get there? Is the person involved in drugs, sex and homosexuality?

And maybe like Mary’s mother, you are distressed. You’re feeling helpless and hopeless. Your child was probably wellraised, to make good decisions but has turned in the wrong direction, living a godless life.

If this is so, be encouraged. I want you to know that there is hope for your son or daughter, for where there is life there is hope. No matter how bad the situation is or how far your child has gone or where he or she has been, God can and wants to save your child and bring a positive change.

After all, ‘There is hope for a tree, if it is cut down, that it will sprout again and that its tender shoots will not cease.

Though its root may grow old in the earth,

and its stump may die in the ground, yet at the scent of water it will bud, and bring forth branches like a plant.’ (Job 14:7-9 NKJV) Parents who have wayward children feel really bad. Troubled and perplexed, they don’t know what to do, the way out or who to turn to. They weep often especially the mothers as they see their children going in the path of destruction. They can’t believe what is happening to their dear children.

Angry and disappointed, some parents say terrible things to their children. Some want to give up, not seeing how the child could ever change. And there are those who reject and denounce their children, sending them away to the streets. They don’t want to see them again. Some other parents give ultimatums and say – “Until you change, I don’t want to see you again!”

These ways don’t help such a child though as I pointed out in the children’s book ‘The Boy Who Stole.’

Excerpt: Uncle James told Mrs. Achebe, “I know you are angry and disappointed.

You have good reasons to feel that way but you need to be careful about what you say to him and how you handle him. Telling him to consider himself dead, and calling him a thief and a bad boy will not help; it could make him not to open up again, or get angry and continue in the same direction. Besides, by saying those things to him, you were speaking negative words into his life. You should stop doing that because you don’t want him to become those things you called him eventually.”

With God all things are possible. Just as the king’s heart is in His hands, your child is in His hands. God wants to help.

He loves your child and does not want

him or her to perish. And in the novel ‘Shadows from the past’, in spite of all that Mary had done, God saved and turned her life around.

What should you do?

There are things that only God can do.

He’s the only One who can save but while trusting Him to change your child, you must know and do your part. The first and most important thing you need to know is the will of God for your child.

What is the will of God for him or her? It is that they may prosper and be in health even as their souls prosper. (3John 2) Be convinced about this. Once this is settled in your heart, then you must be ready to fight for your child. To fight and win, the three main things you need are: Wisdom, Strength and Prayers.

Wisdom

Ask God for wisdom because it is profitable to direct. Wisdom will make you know how to handle your child, what to do and say, when to talk and when to be silent. As earlier said, don’t speak negative words into your child’s life. You also need to know how to reach out to him or her in a loving yet firm way. If she’s pregnant, don’t reject her or when he wants to return home, welcome him even though your heart is breaking and you’re greatly disappointed. What is happening is the work of Satan, and that child is living in sin because he or she doesn’t know God. And so, whenever you have the opportunity, tell your child about God’s love and yours, and trust God to save him or her so that your child is not lost forever.

Strength

You need strength of heart to be able to stand in the gap and pray for that child

until there is a positive change. You must continue to believe God, and be there for your child, praying and loving him or her, in spite of everything. Don’t give up, no matter how long it will take. God is faithful and there is nothing He cannot do. If there is hope for a tree according to Job 14, then there is hope for your child. The positive change may not be immediate, but as you hold on, you will see it begin to happen as God works in his or her life.

Prayers

Above all, you must be prayerful. The Bible tells us to pray without ceasing.

(1Thess 5:17) Therefore you must pray, intercede on behalf of your child, and continue praying until something happens about the situation.

How should you pray in order to get results?

Speak the words of God, and quote relevant Scriptures, have faith in God, and prophesy the words of God into the life of the child.

Here are some Scriptures you can use to pray • But thus says the Lord: “Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away, and the prey of the terrible be delivered; For I will contend with him who contends with you, and I will save your children. (Isaiah 49:25) • And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony … (Rev 12:11) • That my child may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; (Col 1:10)

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Praise & Worship

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sunday August 26, 2012

Broken, not destroyed! Down but not out! (III) Footprints with Dr. Tunde

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

In Corinthians 4:8-9, Paul makes these powerful and significant statements: “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.” We have admonished from this timeless testimony that: “pressure will not defeat us.” “Confusion will not discourage us.” “Opposition will not deter us” and “hard hits will not destroy us.” God is on our side, fighting the battles of life for us. Consider what William Barclay said: “No man need fear the years, for they bring him nearer, not to death, but to God.” Commenting on these verses above, Michael Andrus in Treasure in Clay Pots, said: “Paul was a hard headed realist with no romantic illusions about his service for God. Far from depicting himself as a spiritual super hero blazing a trail of success like a comet across the first century sky; Paul portrayed himself as a groggy fighter reeling from a succession of near lethal blows, surprised to find himself still on his feet and sure that if he was still standing, it was only by the grace of God.” What does that hold for us today?

We talk a lot today about the “Victorious Christian Life,” but not from Paul’s perspective. Sometimes when I hear Christians talk about “victory” these days; it sounds like they want some sort of experience that will inoculate or prevent them from the trials and struggles of life. They want to be lifted to a higher plane and a higher life that will eliminate all of life’s challenges or struggles. It doesn’t work that way! Too many Christians want life to be like the dream world, where they cruise in a plane with the rocket bombs thrown at

Holy Inquiry with Pastor Paul

Nkirukah E-mail: pstpaul11@yahoo.com

Dear man of God, Is it true that there is another life after death? How would you prove this with the Holy Bible?

Franca, Edo State.

Dear reader, What you are supposes to be thinking and worried about now is where you will spend your eternity, not whether there is life after death; because, there is no doubt about that. There is life after death.

After your life here on earth, there will still be life everlasting. But your lifestyle will determine where you will spend the rest of your life, after death. Thus: some will spend the rest of their lives in hell, while others that lived a righteous life will spend theirs in heaven with our Lord Jesus. Let’s take a look at some few scriptures that touch on this very fundamental issue to Christians.

1Thessalonians 4: 14 -17, reads, “For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again,

their plane, but it really never gets near it nor are they ever in danger. Life is never like that. God uses our problems, challenges and failures of life to draw us closer to Him. Paul’s view of “victory” means: “yes, I face challenges daily and sometimes I despair of my own life. I am under pressure all the time. I get confused. People attack me. Sometimes I am broken down by life, but that is when the power of Christ shows up to help me. If I have victory, it is not without challenges.” That is the message we need to hear today.

The Christian life, with its challenges, is not like a cafeteria. We don’t get to choose our challenges. We can’t say, “I will take some light tribulation, but back down on the persecution. I really feel like skipping that part about being bitten.” Life is not a cafeteria where we can pick what happens to us. We take whatever God sends our way with a positive attitude. By His grace, though we are bitten, we are not battered.

John Newton’s song captures it well: Through many dangers, toils and snares, I have already come.

‘Tis grace has brought me safe thus far, And grace will lead me home.

Jesus forewarned us: “these things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). Paul

concurs that “we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God” (Acts 14:22). If you follow Jesus, you will face challenges, problems, struggles, troubles, distress, tribulations and perplexities. Sometimes you will be boxed into a corner. Sometimes you may think God has forgotten you, but hang on and you will see God’s power at work. Though you are bitten by life, out of your brokenness will come the fragrance of Christ Himself. God will perfect you in the process!

You will smell beautiful! (2 Cor 2 14).

Don’t be shocked if I submit that God prefers surrender. That is an unpopular talk in this age when people want to win at all costs! God prefers people who know their weaknesses, see their flaws, admit their mistakes and cry out to Him for help. God specializes in taking the surrendered, and displaying His power through them. Paul understood that from his personal experience and wrote: “And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation works patience” (Rom 5:3); “Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer” (Rom 12:12). May the Lord Jesus be glorified by the way you respond to your trials.

Let nothing separate you from the love of Christ (Rom 8:35).

In conclusion, note five of the many steps to recover from life’s challenges or failures:

Answer these questions and win a prize 1.

Who said “the Lord watch between me and you while we are away from each other” and to whom? Provide the scripture.

2.

How did John describe the seven churches located in the Roman province?

Locate the passage.

3.

Who said: “for what I want to do I do not, but what I hate I do” where in the Bible?

•Please, be informed that the first correct entry via text message wins the prize.

See next week’s column for answers to the quiz. Send your answers with your names to 08054238905. Gifts: courtesy Babcock University.

Admit: Be honest with yourself and others who need to know. Quit hiding from the truth and stop making excuses.

Own up to what you did and take responsibility for your actions. It is a sign of maturity and few make it past this stage.

You might have consequences to deal with, but resolve not to run from them.

Repent: Ask God for forgiveness. If you are a believer, He is already paid your penalty on the cross, but you need to acknowledge your sin to keep the relationship pure and aglow. Ask any injured parties for forgiveness. You are not responsible for their granting of grace, but only for your attempt to live at peace with them.

Plan: Create a new path. Consider the right way to do things next time, so you won’t make the same mistake again. Do you need new friends, or a new environment? Should you step away from a position for a time? How can you ensure those around trust you enough?

Commit to your plan: Commit to new accountability. Commit to the people you love. Commit to yourself, and commit to working a new path and writing a new story of your life.

Grow: Learn from every failure, challenge or problem. You do not have to be defined by this season of your life. Move forward, looking back not to feel bad about yourself, but only enough to remind you never to go there again. You can make it! Run to the cross for refuge!

Lay hold on Jesus Christ who loves you dearly. Trust Him completely as your Lord and Saviour.

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

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

Answers to August 19, 2012 Quiz 1.

2.

3.

Eight- 2 Kings 22:1 Solomon- Prov 1:1 Salvation- Heb 2:3

Is there life after death? even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him; for this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trump of God, and the dead in Christ shall rise first. 17: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

Moreover, let’s also take a look at the book of Daniel 12: 1- 2, which reads: And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since

there was a nation even to that same time, and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found in the book. 2, And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life and some to shame and everlasting contempt.

You see from the look of things in verse 2 of Daniel 12, where one will spend his or her eternity is what matters and not whether there is life after death. Because beyond every reasonable doubt, there is life after death.

Furthermore, let’s also examine the book of John 5: 28 -29 reads: Marvel not at this, for the hour is coming in which all that are in the grave shall hear his voice.

29 And come forth, they that have done well, unto the resurrection of life, and they that have done evil, unto the resur-

WHAT YOU SUPPOSE TO BE THINKING AND WORRIED ABOUT IS WHERE YOU WILL BE SPENDING

YOUR ETERNITY. IS YOUR NAME WRITTEN IN THE BOOK OF LIFE? IF NOT, MY DEAR, HURRY AND REGISTER YOUR NAME IN THE BOOK OF LIFE

rection of damnation.

Again, John 11: 25 states, “Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection and the life, he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live.

Furthermore, talking about how God will raise the dead to life, let’s carefully and meditatively examine 1 Corinthians15: 33 - 38 which reads; Be not deceived evil communications corrupt good manners, 34; Awake to righteousness, and sin not, for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak to your shame, 35; But some man will say, how are the dead raised up? And with what body do they come?

36 Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die, 37 And that which thou sowest, thou sowest not that body that shall be, but bare grain, it may chance of wheat, or of some other grain, 38 But God giveth it a body as it hath pleased him, and to every seed his own body.

Like as I said earlier, what you suppose to be thinking and worried about is where you will be spending your eternity. Is your name written in the book of life? If not, my dear, hurry and register your name in the book of life by confessing and accepting Jesus as your Lord and personal savior now, because tomorrow might just be too late.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

ntre comes alive

th, the historic Ayo Bankole Cension comes alive with live perforassics by various Nigerian and inesufu Sanusi Street (off Adeniran evening is organised by the Jazz

e late Ayo Bankole, is a renowned mpositions show elements of both Western classical music. ke Ayo Bankole Jr, Wole Adamolespecial guest AYETORO, Nigeria’s Afrobeat band, with Directions in sho Ogundipe. nch of Ayetoro’s 6th studio album ber Creek, Ikoyi, Lagos.

eji Ajibola

bo Akintola

Movies & Music

Sunday, August 26, 2012

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Why KOGA Entertainment invested in Heroes and Zeros Showbiz company, KOGA Entertainment, has revealed reasons for throwing its weight behind one of the most anticipated movies of 2012, ‘Heroes and Zeros’.

A source at KOGA Entertainment disclosed that the company decided to support the movie because of its rich content, good storyline and directorial brilliance.

The source told M&M that, “we believe in harnessing the full potentials and helping to promote the development of the local industry, while utilising our excellent team of innovative and creative professionals to provide excellent results. This is the hallmark of our company and that is the number one reason why we decided to be the executive producers of ‘Heroes and Zeros’.

He added, “Heroes and Zeros has an unusual plot. The storyline is also built around real life events. Personally, I think I love the philosophy behind the movie and that’s the reason KOGA Entertainment went all out to produce the movie.”

Meanwhile, as part of its commitment to

helping build the entertainment industry, KOGA Entertainment just took delivery of a premium quality camera on which movies like ‘Avengers’ and ‘Dracula’ were shot.

‘Heroes and Zeros’ is the story of destructive pursuance of Tonia (Nadia Buari) by Amos Fele (Bimbo Manuel). Ten years ago, Amos Fele was a wealthy celebrity director in the Nigerian film industry. Now he lives in a ramshackle flat, doing occasional low-paying TV commercials for nameless products.

He is a daily comic relief on the local soccer practice pitch: because though he’s already 45 years old, he nurses a new, insane dream of making it into the dollar-soaked world of international soccer. His joyless marriage to Tinuke (Tina Mba), a junior bank worker, is crumbling fast, especially after the death of their only child.

A boost to his sagging spirit comes when a big-budget French-Nigerian film project appoints him as director. Suddenly, the press begins to (re)celebrate him. Top actors and producers begin to call him up. To his wife’s dis-

tress, Fele also quickly reestablishes his wane reputation as a first-class womaniser.

Fele’s new rise coincides with that of Dibu Ijele (Gabriel Afolayan) as yellow journalism’s new enfant terrible. Dibu is a reporter with ‘Naija Scene’, a weekly tabloid.

The paper’s new board of directors (led by Olu Jacobs), with its eyes on profit, supports Dibu’s theory that the only way to beat the competition is to scoop and sell dirt about anyone with a famous face or name. Dibu’s editor, Mr. Ayodele Alisa (Akin Lewis), an urbane fellow, tries to fight him and the board.

Fele becomes obsessed with Tonia, a ravishing beauty and lead actress of the NigerianFrench film project. Ignoring the warnings of his best friend, Nnamdi (Norbert Young), a Psychology professor, Fele pursues his obsession with Tonia to its tragic conclusion; losing his new job, ending his marriage and ending up in a mental hospital. Unknown to him, Tonia and her sister, Bisola, have something up their sleeves.

MACA honours Olowu of Owu, others at its maiden edition Last week Saturday, the Ogun/Ondo hall of the Lagos Airport Hotel was a beehive of activities as people from both the entertainment and corporate spheres converged for the maiden edition of Movietainment Achievement and Corporate Awards (MACA). The event was organised by The Movietainment Magazine.

The award which aimed at adding value to the industry was one of the quotas being contributed by the magazine.

It covered three major areas: the corporate industry that has added one or two values to the growth of the industry, individuals as well as the industry gurus.

In a colourful celebration, people from different walks of life were honoured with these awards. Notable among the awardees were his Royal Highness, Oba Olusanya Adegboyega Dosumu; Oba (Dr) Adetoye Mojeed Alatise of Ososa Kingdom; Professor Olatunde Babawale, DG, CBAAC; Wale Adenuga; Almaroof Afolayan; Hon Ganiyu Olusegun Olulade, and Rotimi Aina Kusoro, popularly known as Kush, among others.

According to Wale Idowu Shedrack, the publisher of the magazine and the initiator

Olowu of Owu Kingdom, Oba Adegboyega Dosunmu (left), receiving an award from Hon. Olulade, member, Lagos State House of Reps, at the Movietainment Achievement and Corporate Awards (MACA), held at the Lagos Airport Hotel.

ofthe award, “MACA is not just about presentation of awards, it is an avenue to interact. The presence and participation of his Royal Highness, Oba Olusanya Adegboyega Dosumu, who was the producer/director of the long-rested popular series, ‘The Village Headmaster’ was remarkable”.

According to Shedrack, “entertainment in-

dustry is a money-spinning one if the industry is properly funded both by individuals, corporate organisations and the government; it could generate great revenue for the entire nation.”

The occasion which was well attended also had Remi Ibitola, popularly known as Remdel, Antar Laniyan, Fidelis Duker and others on its list of awardees.

‘Bimbo Akintola’s role in Hoodrush would dazzle many’ The director/producer of soon-to-hit-thecinema movie, Dimeji Ajibola, has come out to say the role delectable actress, Bimbo Akintola, played in ‘Hoodrush’ would take many by surprise.

Speaking on how Bimbo performed on the set of the movie, Dimeji said, “if you compare the roles Bimbo played in ‘Out of Bounds’ with Richard-Mofe Damijo and ‘The Morning After’, you would see that they brought out the different sides to this amiable actress.

“Bimbo did very well on the set of ‘Hoodrush’.

She is undoubtedly one of the best actresses in Nollywood in terms of the quality of her delivery in roles; she showed a lot of class. And she connected well with others. That’s what you get when you bring on board a talented actress. Talented hands make your job as a director easier.”

‘Hoodrush’ tells a story of two brothers closely bonded by their love for music; but deeply separated by their means for success. Shez and Tavier are two of a kind pursuing a Herculean dream of becoming music stars. But all they have is their amazing vocal talents, good looks,

a crib in the ghetto and a menial job that could hardly pay for their clothing and feeding expenses.

They soon realise they need more to achieve their dreams, and participating and hoping to win a credible talent hunt show comes as their only natural option.

Being at the bottom of the societal grid, ghetto life’s ugly fabric begins to wear on them and their eventual vulnerability puts them at the mercy of the high and mighty.

Apart from Bimbo, the musical movie also features other impressive and vibrant acts like O.C Ukeje, Chelsea Eze, Gabriel Afolayan, Bolanle Ninolowo,Ifeoma Agu, Lee Lee Byoma and others. The movie was produced from the stable of Flipsyde Studios, an entertainment company managed by the producer.

Dimeji Ajibola is an entrepreneur with creative and business interests in filmmaking, virtual worlds, animation, cartoons, interactive digital media, and music.

His background is a blend of traditional skills and digital art. The filmmaker is adept in

creative illustrations, visual layout and staging, project planning and execution.

He studied Advance Character animation at a school in San Francisco. He also studied Filmmaking and Cinematography at the New York Film Academy and also at the Universal Studios in California. He has other skills in 3D modelling, character rigging for animation, visual effects and the meticulous art of motion capturing.

Speaking further on the movie, the director said, “This is a passionate project for me as a greenhorn in the full movie business. Every movie has its challenges so ‘Hoodrush’ had its own but we were able to work as a team. I hope the cinema audience like this flick.

Ajibola also spoke on how the cast of the movie were sourced: “Some of them came for casting, a few didn’t. O.C Ukeje and I met earlier in the states. Other established acts in the movie didn’t come through casting as their experience paved way for them.”

Hoodrush will be in cinema from Friday, October 12.

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Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

&

Weddings Engagements CELEBRATING THE JOY IN MARITAL BLISS AUGUST 26, 2012

Nollywood actress, Mary Remmy, marries heartthrob ANGELA DAVIES

S

aturday, August 18 will not be forgotten in a hurry for the families of Remmy and Njoku as the day their children Nollywood actress, Mary Remmy and Jason Njoku tied the nuptial knot in a star-studded ceremony mony.

The lovebirds had a trendy wedding at the Golden Tulip Hotel in FESTAC town, Lagos. agos.

Beautiful Mary dazzled guests in her elegantly sequined tube wedding gown and d clutched a bouquet of ivory and purple ros-es while Jason complemented his bride in a grey suit paired with a white shirt and ivory tie.

Purple was the colour of the day and it was fully present as the reception venue which was lavishly decorated with props in various hues of purple. The bridesmaids also wore purple dresses. Families and friends of the couple also appeared in n purple outfits designed in varied styles, and nd adding glamour to the event. Their four-tier tier wedding cake was equally decorated in cream and purple.

Kokoroko crooner, Kefee, added spice to the ceremony when she performed the song, ‘You are e beautiful’, for the couple to the excitement of everyone present. The couple took to the dance floor to express their happiness.

Jason and i d

Mary met about two years ago, but got engaged six months ago and kept it under wraps until about two weeks to their wedding.

Light-skinned Mary is a fast- rising Nollywood actress and an Iroko tv ambassado ambassador. She also won the Africa Youth S Society Role Model Award. She, however, became a household name after she featured as Keisha in Blackberry Bab Babes. Jason is Iroko Televison’s largest indiTelev vidual vidu shareholder and was recently named by Forbes magazine as Fo one on of the Ten Young African Millionaires Af to watch. Iroko tv is an online distribution platform for Nollypla wood woo movies.

Nollywood stars were N present prese to celebrate with one of their own. The ceremony w which was anchored

by Charles Charle Inojie had the likes of Merc Mercy Johnson, Halima Abubakar, Eniola Badmus, Moyo Lawal, Oge Okoye, Kefee, Kefee Djinee, Mercy Aigbe, Isong, 2Shotz and others in atten attendance. be Emem Isong

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

Abdul Baqii Adeleke was born at Anu Olu Hospital, Illobu, Osun State to Adewale and Morufat Adeleke. He was delivered at 9:25 a.m. and weighed 3.5 kg.

What did Morufat crave for during the pregnancy? She emphasised that, “I craved for tea, rice, amala and ewedu soup. I also ate lots of apple.”

What irritated Morufat during the pregnancy? “I was irritated by the smell of fish and eba,” she revealed.

What do Abdul’s parents love most about him? Morufat said, “Abdul is a peaceful and calm little boy. He smiles a lot too.”

What do they want him to become in future? “We want him to become a medical practitioner,” said Morufat.

What is the meaning of his name? “Abdul Baqii means ‘servant of God’. He will be a servant of God,” Morufat said.

Class, allure as Ibru’s daughter weds

M

akashe, the charming daughter of the Executive Vice-Chairman of Ibru Organisation, Olorogun

Oskar Ibru, penultimate Saturday had the who-is-who in Nigeria grace the historic Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos

The groom, Mr. Kayode Awogboro, and his bride, former Miss Makashe Ibru, during their wedding at the Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos.

for the second leg of her marriage to her heartthrob, Kayode Awogboro.

The spectacular event was a followup to the traditional marriage held at her father’s breath-taking countryhome in Agbara-Otor, Delta State, preparatory to the white wedding ceremony which later held in Paris, France, at Eglise Saint Clotilde, followed by a lavish reception at the Pavillion d’Armenonville, Paris.

The bride, who read French at the Skidmore College, Saratoga Springs, New York, United States, is the Chief Executive Officer of the Atlanta-based Oskart LCC, an entertainment company.

Among the dignitaries who attended the Lagos event are the Deputy Governor of Osun State, Mrs. Titi Laoye-Tomori; Chief Adekunle Ojora, Admiral Allison Madueke, Chief Molade Okoya-Thomas Dr. Ore Falomo, Mr. Olawale Edun, Chief Kunle AlexDuduyemi and Olori Ladun Sijuade.

Others are: Vice Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu, Chief Kola Jamodu, Hajiyah Abbah Folawiyo, Senator Florence Ita-Giwa, Otunba Funsho Lawal, Otunba Niyi Adebayo, Mr. Fola Adeola, Mr. Willy Anumudu and Prof. J.P. Clark.

Temitope Chukwuemeka Daniel was born at Uptown Hospital, Ijaye, Ojokoro Lagos to Daniel and Joy Ikolo. He was delivered at 10:30 p.m. and weighed 3.5kg.

“I ate much fruit during the pregnancy.

I also drank a lot of water,” revealed Joy. Speaking about her physical body changes, she disclosed that her face changed during the pregnancy. “Aside from my protruding tummy, my face also changed.”

What irritated Joy during the pregnancy? She disclosed that she was not irritated by anything.

What do Temitope’s parents love about him? According to Daniel, his father, they love his quietness. “We love his quietness,” he said.

What do they want him to become in future? “We want him to become a pilot in future by God’s grace,” they chorused.

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Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

A Fashionista’s

World AUGUST 26, 2012

‘I can flaunt any part of my body’ Vanessa Diallo is one of the hottest models in town now. She is the current Miss Catwalk. Born of a Senegalese father and a Bayelsa mother, she says Nigerians are warm with rich cultures. In this interview with Adaeze Amos, she talks about her passion for modelling, among others.

What is your impression of Nigeria?

Nigeria is a country to be proud of. It’s made up of diverse tribes with rich cultures and traditions. I like the fact that they are proud of their culture. I’m proud to belong here, to be half Nigerian. But the only thing is that they should just work more on reducing child labour. I loathe seeing kids hawk things on the streets when they should be in school.

How do you see the fashion trend here?

Fashion sense here is hip. It’s okay. Nigerian women know how to dress. They are glamorous and chic. That is why they stand out in the midst of women from neighbouring African countries. I doff my hat for them. Just attend a grade A event and you will be convinced that they are indeed hot in fashion.

How do you compare Nigerian women with their Senegalese counterparts?

This is a bit difficult. I think both are fashionable. But Senegalese women have this French mentality. You know they were colonised by the French, so you don’t blame them for that. Most of the things they do are French-like but they still have their own local culture. In Nigeria, there are different tribes with cultures that are rich and colourful.

Do you speak French?

Yes, I do, fluently. I speak English very well too ... maybe because I schooled partly in Nigeria and finished up in Senegal. I studied Mass Communication.

Why did you opt for Mass Communication and not fashion?

I like fashion too. The two are somehow similar. Fashion is about people, their way of dressing and their way of life. Mass Communication is also about people, their ways of life and then reporting or bringing to notice their ways of life, what happened and where. Both are similar.

Are you a model?

Yes. What motivated you to go for modelling?

Modelling and fashion are in the same world.

I have been modelling since I was young. I love fashion and catwalks. I have a sizzling passion for catwalks.

Who are the models that inspire you?

Naomi Campbell. She is tall and beautiful. I’m

aspiring to be like her.

What challenges are you confronted with in ypur modeling career?

My height, I would say, posed a great challenge to me, especially in the midst of tall models. There are lots of jobs that tall models who are up to six feet and above would be needed for. For instance, runway jobs, you know I have passion for runway jobs and tall models are highly needed for such jobs. My height is five feet seven inches. That was a challenge I had. That notwithstanding, I still do runway jobs. Sensational Bliss Modelling Agency helped me tremendously not to be intimidated by tall models. That agency helped me to get back my groove and swag. I was thoroughly groomed to do catwalks and was tutored on how not to allow my height hinder me from doing well as a model. I’m now good in runway jobs. I took part in the Face of Toosh Me and I came first in catwalk. I bagged the beauty crown for Miss Catwalk. I was the first runner-up.

What was the beauty pageant like?

It was my first time but it wasn’t a big deal because I had been thoroughly groomed on how to walk. It wasn’t really a big deal. I did it willingly and I think I did my best, that was why I got the crown.

What are some general challenges confronting models?

I think it still boils down to poor payment. Our models need all the financial encouragement one can think of so as to give confidence to the up-and-coming ones who want to have a full-time career in modelling. They should just try and raise their hands up monetarily.

Are you a couture kind of dresser or a simple dresser?

I’m a simple dresser, but I have to be sexy as well and being sexy does not have to do with exposing my body.

It’s just being beautiful, and the major beauty comes from the inside. I love being simple and beautiful.

What part of your body can you show off?

I can show off any part of my body, but I don’t like exposing my boobs.

But you are already exposing cleavages; your V-neck is showing more than three inches that fashion pundits say is the ideal?

Well, I flaunt them a little bit when necessary and still keep my shoulders high. I try to be myself and ensure that my poise is intact always. In other words, I carry myself well in whatever I wear.

Are you trendy or classic?

I’m classic because I don’t always go for things that are in vogue without considering my body frame.

Define your style?

I’m classy and intelligent.

38

Sunday, August 26, 2012

Connecting

Vanessa with

Vanessaonsunday@yahoo.com

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Heart-throb Send text only to 08025253996 96 6

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Love indeed is as strong as death

I

t was King Solomon who wrote in his love songs, “Love is as strong as death”. People who have loved and lost a loved one say the two feelings are pretty much the same. Nobody can categorically say how death feels, but a man who loved and lost his wife two years ago shared his experiences with me and maintains that love is such a powerful force that can last in spite of death.

That is why marriage should only be between people who truly love each other, based on who they are and not what they have. Marriage is a seal on the unyielding nature of love between a man and a woman, who made a commitment to enter into something that will stand the test of time, and will not fizzle out in four or five years.

When you say, “With this ring I thee wed, till death do us part”, on that wedding day, no one has an inkling what particular day death will come calling. That is the more reason you should make every day count in your marriage instead of the bickering, unnecessary fights and name calling. Make up your mind to forgive and love your spouse and show love to them on each passing day because you don’t know whether the last “I love you” you said two years ago will be the only one your spouse will ever hear before he/she breathes his/her last.

Put a seal of your love on the heart of your partner on daily basis and watch him or her smile even in the face of death like what happened in the case of Godwin and Esther. Here is a letter Esther wrote to him (Godwin) a few days before she passed on.

My darling and the love of my life, I had the urge to write to you this morning from this hospital bed when I woke up and realised I was not sleeping by your side. It does feel strange sleeping alone since I have always snuggled up to you on our bed, lying on your chest to sleep for the past 15 years of our marriage.

You expressed the same lonely ache to me when you came to visit me. You kissed me so passionately when you were leaving in spite of the fact that you knew I have not brushed my teeth in a long while because of the sore gums. Thank you for proving to me that you absolutely love me both in sickness and in health.

My darling, today I feel like reminiscing a little on the wonderful times you have given me since I became your wife. These are the memories I hold on to

when I lie alone on this sick bed. It is what gives me hope and makes me want to get well soon so that I can come back into your arms. I don’t want to ever be without you my love. The love we express towards each other is so tangible that even our friends usually say ‘if you want to know how love feels, go and watch Esther and Godwin at home’’ (laughs).

You have indeed made me feel like a queen to all and sundry even when I don’t have a drop of royal blood in my body. Everyone now calls me “Queen Esther’’ because you call me “my queen” for the world to hear. You also treat me like one and I am so grateful to God for giving me the opportunity to be loved by you. If this world was to be recreated again, I will surely tell God I want to be your wife all over again.

You showed me how to love, demonstrated it in the little things you do for me and the children God has given us. You are my king, my hero and my treasure of inestimable value. I will never exchange your love for all the gold found in Ghana! I want to get well soon so that I can be by your side again and watch you succeed and fulfil your dreams of building a successful business empire. I want to grow old by your side; watch you cuddle the grandchildren our children will give us, (if this sickness permits it).

I know you have always warned me not to be pessimistic about this sickness, but at times the pain will be so excruciating that I fear I may not survive it. But because I love you so much, I hate showing you that I am in great pain when you come to visit me. I’ll rather grin and bear this pain than to see you also suffer because of my pain. I love you so much! If death comes calling I’ll surely show him that old woman in the next ward because I don’t want to be away from you at all (laughs).

All the same, please know that you are the best thing that has ever happened to me. You are a gift from heaven packaged to add value to my life. God bless you my darling.

Your loving wife, Queen Esther Love indeed is as strong as death! The strength of every building is in its foundation and love is the cement that builds a relationship into one that will stand the test of time. Show love to your spouse today. It may be the last time they will EVER feel your loving embrace.

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Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Opinion

Sunday August 26, 2012

39

Jonathan’s contract with ministers YAHAYA IDRIS

“N

igerians expect a better deal from government and that is what they shall get, under my watch. And that is what each and every one of you must see as your primary goal”. This statement resonated with a sober theme in members of the federal executive council, on Wednesday, August 22, as it came from the President, while compelling all the ministers to sign a performance contract with him. The President innovated this to drive it home to every member of his cabinet that his government would not be prepared to make excuses to the Nigerian people for any failure.

The thrill in this new path of governance is in its novelty, much as it is the spirit behind it. While it is an unexplored path of keeping the ministers on their toes as well as a swirling Sword of Damocles over the head of any indolent minister, it speaks strongly of the president’s determination to make the desired difference in the area of quality governance and service delivery to the citizens.

It underscores the president’s realization that he, as well as all members of his government are obligated and subordinated to the ruled.

The newly introduced Performance Contracting System is all about improving performance and timely quality service delivery to the citizenry; improving productivity and instilling a greater sense of accountability by government and its

officials. According to the president, his administration “is determined to ensure enhanced performance, transparency and accountability in governance”, because Nigerians “expect to be provided with the basic necessities of life to function more effectively in a competitive environment”.

The new era Jonathan has just enthroned involves management teams in the ministries, departments and agencies, getting involved in determining the key performance indicators and the various targets they set in their areas of operation. This would open the ministers to a clearer understanding of the mandate of their respective ministries, strategic and operational planning and in focusing on results delivery. It would also make the importance and process of monitoring and evaluation system of tracking performance clearer to all parties involved.

As it is, the Performance Contract will also provide the missing link between planning and budgetary allocations to MDAs by providing a basis for performance–based budgeting that will tie allocation to MDAs to their capacity to deliver on the agreed mandate, based on clear, concrete and objective results. It will support evidence-based decision making, by policy makers and implementers.

To further underline the seriousness of the government to ensure that this new face of doing things permeates every facet of the system, the Performance Contract agreement will trickle down to permanent secretaries and heads of agencies and parastatals, signing similar agreements with their ministers, and bringing it into operation throughout the system,

with an intent to carving some modalities for individual staff performance evaluation process within the government workforce out of it.

Despite the huge internal security problems President Jonathan has faced since he was elected into office last year, and the deliberate efforts in some quarters to strewn the path of his government with thorns, it is remarkable that the present government stands out with imaginative and productive policies and measures, which today are gradually taking us away from our horrible past. It is remarkable that three of the four Nigerian refineries are currently working at no less than 60 per cent installed capacity under the current administration. This is a feat that has not been achieved by any government since the restoration of democratic governance in the country.

The efforts of the Jonathan government to make the refineries work fit well into his promise to boost availability and supply of locally refined petroleum products. The Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Company (KRPC), for instance was brought to 70 per cent production capacity this year, after 13 years of redundancy. It is also instructive that the present administration stands out in paying unprecedented attention to the entire gamut of upstream activities in the petroleum industry. The Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) of this government is remarkable on this score. The PIB which the Jonathan government has tenaciously battled many odds to bring to life is designed to overhaul operations and activities in the oil industry, towards

making the industry more friendly and beneficial to indigenous operators and the oil producing communities.

Also worthy of note is that for the first time since its establishment 34 years ago, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation NNPC and its subsidiaries were subjected to a probe by the Jonathan government, spear-headed by the special task force, headed by Dotun Sulaiman.

The probe in the interim has claimed the board and management of the corporation. Even when it seemed impossible that fuel subsidy thieves would be exposed and prosecuted in the country, the Jonathan government in a bid to get to the root of the fraud that infested fuel subsidy administration in the country, instituted an unimpeachable probe panel, headed

by Aig-Imoukhede, which at the moment has led to criminal prosecution of dozens of questionable fuel marketers in the country.

What by far seems to take the cake among the remarkably insightful measures of the Jonathan government is the will of the president to fully privatize the national power utility, the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN). The determination of the government to run the gauntlet against all odds in privatizing PHCN is expected to be crowned latest in October when private sector operators would finally takeover generation and distribution in the power sector towards bringing about the government’s drive for uninterrupted power supply in the country.

•Yahaya Idris wrote from Kano

Lessons from Osun Osogbo festival OYINTILOYE OLATUNBOSUN

T

he Osun Osogbo annual international festival is a celebration of culture and fulfillment of pledge between a people and a goddess. It underscores a long history that revolves around early settlers of the town, Osogbo, who came very close to a river as a result of drought from their initial place of dwelling; hence they decided to settle in the thick forest.

The water goddess, Osun, appeared to the great hunter, Olutimehin who was the leader of the team. Olutimehin explained their reasons for settling at the river bank. However, the goddess asked them to move to a new ground. She also pledged to protect them, provide water for them and make their women fertile in return for an offer of sacrifice annually.

Osun Osogbo stands tall of all the internationally celebrated festivals in the world. It is highly venerated and most attended. It is always swarmed with visitors from the length and breadth of the country. One interesting attribute of the festival is that it brings devotees of the deity from all over the world together annually, from Cuba to Brazil, United States of America to Jamaica, Canada to Spain, they come together to pay homage to the goddess, who they believe is the source of life. It is indeed not only about merry making, but about social bond, culture and history.

It also gladdens ones heart that the government of the state of Osun has shown commitment to add needful value to the celebration, first by disabusing the minds of the people that the state culture and tradition is not fetish. It has also estab-

lished the fact that this event if properly managed and developed is a big source of revenue for the state.

In concrete terms, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola administration has improved the facilities surrounding the celebration premises within the last one year.

The groove now has a befitting pavilion, which is currently at an advanced stage of completion. Also the road linking the sacred groove has been expanded to accommodate more vehicles and pave way for easy traffic for the use of pedestrian and motorists.

The government has also made good its promise of creating more access roads to the groove through opening up of a new road that links it from Ogo-Oluwa section so that travellers from Ibadan can secure access to the groove without passing through Ola-Iya area, thereby reducing pressure on that axis of the road.

Governance demands thoughtfulness and innovations. This is the reason this year’s festival is pitched to leverage on the crowd pulling feature of the annual event to promote healthy living, especially awareness on the prevention of HIV-AIDS. It would be recalled that just last month, the nineteen international conference on HIV/AIDs took place at Washington D.C.,United States of America with a nine - point declaration to turn the tide of the disease together.

It sought to build broad support for steps to end the AIDS epidemic.

The declaration at the global conference include an increase in targeted new investments, evidence-based HIV prevention, treatment and care in line with the human rights of those at greatest risk and in greatest need, an end to stigma, discrimination, legal sanctions and human

rights abuses against those living with and at risk for HIV. It, among other things, highlighted marked increases in HIV testing, counseling and linkages to services, treatment for all pregnant and nursing women living with HIV and an end to peri-natal transmission, and expanded access to antiretroviral treatment for all in need.

Other points included in the document is the accelerated research on new tools for HIV prevention, treatment, vaccines and a cure; and Mobilization and meaningful involvement of affected communities and Identification, diagnosis and treatment of tuberculosis can be actualized.

The festival, therefore, is seen as a critical platform to pursue that declaration, especially the sensitization and enlightenment programme on the HIV/AIDS virus.

Osun Osogbo festival is, therefore, being rebranded as a focal point for many activities and between different categories of people, ranging from students, culture adherents, tourists and admirers to music lovers and various reality shows competitors.

According to the state Commissioner for Health, Dr Temitope Ilori, the sensitization is aimed at capturing the youths population during the festival, with a view to reaching out to them on the need to be cautious during the festival and embrace healthy and responsible life throughout the celebration.

Also, leveraging on the festival, the goverment is working assiduously on moving the state tourism sector from its present cottage level to an industrial one by exploiting the rate in which the blacks all over the world feel connected to the state, which is the cradle of the Yoruba nation, this serves as a springboard for the state and its people.

The government’s initiatives also include involving the public by capturing their interest through various activities, such as marketing and branding of different items i.e, cars, couches, clothing etc.

To add local content, food vendors are also to be involved through capacity towards standardizing their services to meet the international standards. This will not only stimulate their interest, but their financial base in line with the vision of Mr Rauf Aregbesola to connect the younger generation to the dynamics of culture thereby revitalizes the tourism sector.

Osun Osogbo festival is no doubt, a key selling point in this direction, and it will continue to open up diverse opportunities for the state and its people in the years to come.

One of the participants, in this year’s festival from United Kingdom, Jerome who described the event as splendid maintained that “ it is awesome to see many people around taking the festival serious and participating in the celebration despite the fact that some people say it is fetish. I think this is one good thing that could attract foreigners into the country, considering what people say outside the country that Nigeria is not safe, Osun Osogbo is one of the good things that still happen in the country” With the huge success of this year’s festival via new initiative, creativity and especially campaign on prevention on HIV/AIDs tourism stimulation, there is no doubt that this has opened a new paradigm which can be emulated to drive culture and tourism nationwide.

•Olatunbosun is Assistant Director (Community Forum), Bureau of Communication and Strategy, Governor’s Office, Osun State.

40

Politics

Sunday, August 26, 2012

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Clinton visit will soon yield dividends –Amb Adefuye Impressed by the recent visit of the United States Secretary of State, Mrs. Hillary Clinton, to Nigeria, the country’s Ambassador to the US, Professor Ade Adefuye, is ever willing to list the gains of that visit. In this interview in Lagos with Deputy Editor, KAYODE FASUA, the envoy contended that Nigeria is too strategic to be ignored by America, apparently to contradict what is being touted in other quarters. He also spoke on how the US intends to assist in tackling security challenges Nigeria is facing.

Excerpts: What have been your achievements as Nigeria’s Ambassador to the US? Well, we’ve successfully implemented the Bi-national Commission Agreement, which is in four broad areas- Transparency in governance and national integrity; Niger-Delta and regional security; energy and investment, and food security and agriculture. On all these four components, there have been series of meetings with tangible and concrete results. On transparency and integrity, we cooperated with the US to conduct a very credible election and from there, we have pursued our fight against corruption. They (American government organs) have all been assisting us in seeking judicial reforms. Right now, they are assisting us in strengthening the INEC, so that the election we conducted in 2011 would become a permanent feature in our political landscape.

Two, on Niger-Delta and regional security, we ‘ve evolved the implementation of the amnesty programme, whereby former militants are being retrained, to fit back into the professions they were in, before they took up arms. On regional security, the United States Government gave us a bigger warship, NNS Sanda, which is bigger than our flagship, NNS Aradu, which we use to police the waters along the western flank coasts and check the activities of smugglers. On food security and agriculture, we have been making efforts to mechanise and commercialise agriculture.

We had a very successful investors’ forum on agric. whereby we brought in many American investors who had decided to invest here on agriculture. USA is giving us so much fund to support agricultural programmes. I was very happy to be here two months ago, to see how a company in the US, after we did the agric forum in Agbaara, came to bring two tractor-manufacturing industries to the country; one in the South and one in the North.

On energy and investment, when we did the investors’ forum on power, we attracted a $1.5 billion guarantee from a US bank to support American investors coming to invest in Nigeria. And the GE Company signed an MoU with our Ministry of Power to generate so many megawatts of electricity into our power programme.

Many American companies have also been involved in our privatized power programme.

Can you expatiate on why Nigeria does not want the Boko Haram group classified as a Foreign Terrorist Organisation (FTO)?

To declare Boko Haram an FTO would mean Nigeria is not able to deal with it and that argument is not sustainable. We were able to deal successfully with Niger-Delta militants; it was a better organised, better

focused and more reasonable group that has a lot of history; these are people who were better coordinated; and the perpetrators were well known. And we were able to deal with them, whether by arbitration or whatever it is. So, Boko Haram is a less well-organised entity; we don’t know who they are and we don’t know what they want, and I’m sure, within a short while, we’ll be able to deal with it. Two, declaring Boko Haram an FTO has the tendency to raise prestige among fellow terrorist organisations, like Al-Qaeda, who might be inclined to give them (Boko Haram) more training and support, thinking that they are much bigger than what they are.

Three, to declare Boko Haram an FTO would make nonsense of our drive for investment. Investors will not be willing to come to a country that habours an FTO. Four, when an object is taken as an FTO in a country, it means the object is subject to ‘American search and destroy’. They can send American drones or other objects of destruction to that place. And that will be serious for the country. See what is happening in Somalia, Afghanistan and Yemen.

We don’t want that to happen in Nigeria.

Because, if it happens, there will be civilian casualties one way or the other.

Finally, for the travelling Nigerians, if the group is declared an FTO, when you arrive at the US entre port, you are seen as a possible member of Boko Haram. You have to go through rigorous security checks. I was there in the immediate aftermath of the Abdulmutallab case (23 years old Nigerian who was found with explosives in a Detroit-bound plane). You could see what happened to Nigerians at the US ports. We don’t want that to repeat itself with Boko Haram.

There was a report conducted in the US which predicted that Nigeria would break up in 2015. Now, what is the mood over there concerning Nigeria’s future?

Let me tell you this; concerning those who say Nigeria will break up, I have always made that allegory. They are like a foolish man who goes to the bank of the river, waiting for the time the crab would go to sleep. Of course, the crab never goes to sleep. The man will be there for the rest of his life. Those who were said to have made that analysis are now running away from it; they are denying they ever said this. Nigeria will not break up. We have problems as every country has. But if you see the state of our unity, the state of our commitment to the project Nigeria, it’s better than what the US was, 50 years after their independence. But I know we should improve. Every Nigerian now knows that his future lies in a united, prosperous Nigeria. The mood now is for greater region-

Amb Adefuye

al integration. And after the experience of the civil war, it is quite clear that no part of the country can survive the splitting of the country. So, we just have to make it work.

It was widely speculated that Nigeria is not important to America, that so many pleadings foreshadowed the visit of the US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, especially as Nigeria was not included in her first itinerary. Was this the case?

I was stunned when the list of places to be visited by Hillary Clinton came out and Nigeria was not there. And I will tell you why. Nigeria was to be the first place of tour; and it was a whole day, which was to include a dinner and a ball for Hillary.

But then, owing to our own fault and owing to the fault of the American State Department, they (the Americans) did not inform the Nigerian Embassy in Washington when they were planning that. They just told us…’it’s going to be August 2nd…

Hillary is coming to Nigeria.’ And I was so happy. I called Abuja. Then they told me… ’First of all, let’s go and check with the President.’ And they got to know that the President had accepted a joint invitation by the governments of Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago, to be the Special Guest of Honour at the 50th anniversary of their emancipation. Now, here we are in Nigeria, we pride ourselves as the leading black nation in the world. We say it’s our manifest destiny to lead the black world, and we are doing it. And we are really a Big Brother. And I know how emotional Jamaicans and people of Trinidad and Tobago are about us. They said they were going to bring in the leader of the largest black country in the world, to be the Special Guest of Honour. And Mr. President had accepted the invitation.

We even tried to tell the Jamaican, Trinidad and Tobago maybe the President would not be able to come. Their reaction was… ‘Ah, having accepted to come six months ago? Invitations printed? Bold billboards all over the place and then you said he is not coming?’ And in any case, what good reason would you

give? That Hillary Clinton is coming? So, we had to live by what we profess.

So, Mr. President told me, ‘You are an ambassador, explain to the Americans why the August 2 date would not work.’

So, it was in the interim that they brought out a list of countries Hillary was going to visit which did not include Nigeria. I was so depressed when I read the comments in the Nigerian media that, ‘Oh, Nigeria is no longer important to the US foreign policy.’

So, the first thing I want to clear is, Nigeria was to be the first place of call.

Nigeria is the only country with which the Obama administration signed a binational commission agreement. It is the highest level of strategic relationship that can exist between two countries.

Nigeria is the fourth largest supplier of crude oil to the US. Recently, when VicePresident Namadi Sambo visited the US, the US V-P, Joe Biden, described Nigeria as America’s anchor in Africa. Nigeria is a country through which America intends to implement its policy of creating a world that is nuclear free, a world where the tenets of democracy, human rights and rule of law thrive. There is this feeling in the American establishment that, for there to be peace, prosperity and stability in the world, there have to be peace, prosperity and stability in Africa. And for that peace and prosperity to thrive in Africa, it has to start from Nigeria.

So what gains does Nigeria stand to derive from the Clinton visit?

There is more commitment to helping us to meet our security challenges.

There is serious commitment to making the bi-national commission work well, faithfully. Even though it was a short time visit, Hillary Clinton told me that it was the most productive visit she has had, arising from the briefings she got from our ministers. During her visit to the country, Clinton received briefings from the Finance, Petroleum, Defence and Trade and Investment Ministers, and I’m sure Nigeria will begin to reap the gains of the visit in due course.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Politics

Sunday, August 26, 2012

against the opposition prosecute court cases, than what his predecessor spent on same.

According to the analyst, the desired reconciliation in the state presently should have to do with the healing of

Terver Kakih

wounds afflicted on each side of both the ruling and the opposition parties. And the analyst expressed misgivings on the possibility of achieving reconciliation between the ruling party and the opposition, as attempting to co-opt the latter into the government may backfire in view of the race for the 2015 governorship election. The strategic moves ahead of 2015 are likely to begin with the November 12, 2012 local government election, where the opposition hopes to make impact.

From every indication, the political atmosphere in the state seems to be calm with the recent Supreme Court judgment and other, delivered between the governor and Mr. Kakih which was presided over by Justice Marcel Awokulehin.

During cross examination, according to Justice Awokulehim, it was realised that the evidence before the court was only based on opinion and could not be substantiated. Thus making the claim of certificate forgery against the governor null and void. Like the case of Professor Saror against Governor Suswam, Kakih based his claims on publications from some national dailies or magazines.

The bottom-line now is the next line of action for the ACN gubernatorial candidate in the state, Professor Ugbah, who returned recently from his former place of abode in America, telling his teeming supporters that they should remain calm and that his case had not been closed. According to him, the struggle continues and that precisely in the month of October, the Supreme Court would open up the case for “fair” hearing based on its merit.

Professor Ugbah alongside other party chieftains, Senator George Akume who is also the minority leader at the Senate; Senator J.K.N Waku, Justice A.B. Utsaha, Minister in the Second Republic; elder statesman, Hon. Isaac Shaahu; Ambassador Gbasha, among others, gathered thousands of ACN faithful that came

all over the state to Gboko, the traditional headquarters of the Tiv, a stock that constitutes the majority ethnic groups in the state, and told them plainly that he was very much hopeful of entering Government House in the near future “I have not lost sight to the fact that God will still provide justice for us and it’s only matter of time,” said the acclaimed winner of the last gubernatorial polls in the state.

A couple of days after, at the outskirts of Makurdi metropolis, in the Ugondu community in Makurdi, the governorship candidate went to the house of Hon. Akange Audu who is being touted as the likely successor to Ugbah in the race for the governorship seat in 2015 should Ugbah fail to assume power at Government House now. Ugbah affirmed his statement to party men and women who received 22 members of the ruling PDP that defected to the ACN that he was the governor in the making.

Meanwhile, reactions have continued to pour in on behalf of both Governor Suswam and Ugbah regarding the court judgment in favour of Governor Suswam.

According to the governor’s Adviser on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Prince Solomon Womboh, who was Suswam’s classmate at the School of Basic Studies, Makurdi, “one wonders why individuals or groups of people would want to testify against the governor’s academic qualifications overnight, for reasons that are either personal or political. His credentials are not in doubt; right from his secondary school days to his highest educational attainment at Jos where he bagged a PhD in his chosen law field, everything has been genuine” said the Adviser.

However, different views came from the opposition. Onetime lawmaker at the Benue State House of Assembly and three-time aspirant for the Federal House of Representatives on the ACN platform, Hon. Nanev Wua Uhondo, had this to say: “We will get justice; we have not lost hope; we are still optimistic that God will, in His infinite mercy, intervene in the matter and justice will in the long run triumph in our case”.

4 governorship election and repositioning going on in the party coupled with “the ACN government’s dismal performance in office in the last 22 months”.

Nonetheless, the issue of which zone to produce the next governorship candidate has continued to dog the party as opinions of party members are divided on the issue of zoning.

While some say the governorship candidate should come from the South because of the seeming marginalisation, others believe zoning should be jettisoned so that a formidable candidate who can win election would be presented for the poll.

Leaders of the PDP in the South Senatorial District, at a meeting in Ikere Ekiti last week, insisted that it was the turn of the district to produce the next governor, having supported the two other zones to produce the governors since 1999, insisting that “it is fair, equitable and just for the South to take its turn”.

The leaders, under the aegis of the Ekiti South Emancipation Agenda (ESEMA), said their demand was an advocacy for justice, equity and fairness.

ESEMA Coordinator, Hon Bunmi Olugbade, argued that since the Office of Governor had been enjoyed by the North and Central senatorial districts, it was naturally fair that the South should take its turn, adding that “denying the zone would amount to changing the goal post at the middle of the same.”

PDP Publicity Secretary in the South West zone, Hon. Kayode Babade, explained that the meeting became imperative to remind leaders of Ekiti North and Central senatorial districts that it was the turn of the South to produce the next governor.

However, other PDP chieftains, including Fayose (Central), and former National Assembly member, Senator Ayo Arise (North), believe the governorship ticket should be

thrown open so that popular and acceptable candidates could emerge, more so now that the party is in the opposition.

Arise had during an interview with journalists at his country home in Oye Ekiti last week said “what the PDP needs to unseat the ACN government in Ekiti State is a formidable candidate, acceptable to the three senatorial districts”. He said proponents of zoning of the governorship were unknowingly preparing the party for defeat in the state’s forthcoming gubernatorial election.

Arise, who represented Ekiti North Senatorial District between 2007 and 2011, said for the PDP to occupy the Government House in 2014, its preoccupation should be strengthening the party and uniting its members for the task ahead rather than agitation for zoning, which could bring it down.

“In Ekiti, zoning is not a straightforward thing, but if that is the position my party is ready to take to field a candidate for 2014 governorship election, I am going to abide by it.

But I want to believe that allowing all interested aspirants to vie and the candidate emerge through primary remains the best option.

Speaking on the development at the weekend, Ogundipe, who said the PDP was strongly determined to reposition and enhance internal democracy, said: “2014 is still two years away, so we should not play God. “At the party level, we are strategising, mobilising, sensitising and getting our bearing right. We want to make sure we follow the trend and we will continue to relate to the grassroots through our local government chairmen that we are about to put in place,” the state PDP chairman said.

Earlier in the week, he had said, in a statement by his media aide, Mr Femi Omolusi, that “when the time comes for the emergence of governorship candidate, ours shall be determined through the ballot”.

41

Jide Awe

422

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sunday, August 26, 2012

GROWING UP with

Aunty Angela growingup5@yahoo.com

Hello children, How are you enjoying your holidays? Please do not stay glued to your television sets watching cartoons all day.

Remember to do your homework as the holidays will soon be over. I wish you a fantastic week.

Parrots

JOKES The way to heaven A preacher just arrived in a small town and had to post a letter. But since he was new in that town, he saw a 10-yearold and decided to ask him the way to the post office, and the following conversation took place.

Preacher: “Hello boy, please can you show me the way to the post office?”

Boy: “Just turn right at the junction and you will see the post office.”

Preacher: “Thank you.”

Boy: “You are welcome, sir.”

Preacher: “I am a preacher as I said earlier and I am here to show everyone the way to heaven. There will be an evening service tonight. I am inviting you to be there.”

Boy: “I am sorry sir, I will not come.”

Preacher: “But why if I may ask?”

Boy: “If you do not know the way to the post office, how can you know how to get to heaven?”

Lizzy baby A class teacher was teaching her pupils names of animals and their babies.

She said a baby lion is called a cub and a baby dog is called a puppy. At the end of the class, she pointed to Akpos and asked, “Akpos, what is a baby lizard called?” He looked at her, smiled and answered, “A baby lizard is called Lizzy baby.”

• Parrots are usually brightly coloured tropical birds with short hooked beaks and the ability to mimic sounds. There are about 250 different species.

• Parrots are described as zygodactylous. A zygodactyl bird has the first and fourth toes directed backward while the second and third points forward.

• They have a short rounded or even tail, and some have a naked space on the cheeks such as the gray parrot.

• Many species of parrots, as cage birds, learn to imitate sounds, and to repeat words and phrases • Parrots eat seeds, nuts, fruits, buds and other plant materials.

• They are highly intelligent birds.

• Parrots are found on all tropical and subtropical continents.

• Pet parrots are popular due to their sociable and affectionate nature, their intelligence, bright colours and their ability to imitate human voices.

• They have a lifespan of 80 years.

• Parrots are omnivorous, this means they eat both vegetables and meat.

• They weigh between 65 g and 1.6 kg • They use their bills and toes for climbing • African gray parrots are the best mimics.

• Parrots are the only birds that can bring food to their mouths with their feet.

• Their eggs are always white.

DID YOU KNOW? Solid gold was awarded last in the 1912 Stockholm Olympics

Solid gold was awarded last in the 1912 Stockholm Olympics. The last time a solid gold medal was awarded was at the 1912 Stockholm Olympics. Modern Olympic gold medals are sterling silver that has been plated with real solid gold. It consists of composed silver which must be at least .925 grade (sterling silver) and is covered with at least 6 grams of pure genuine gold.

BRAIN TEASERS In a year there are 12 months and seven months have 31 days. How many months have 28 days?

Answer: They all do.

Sport Quiz

WHO INVENTED WHAT

Mark Zuckerberg cr

F

acebook, the popular social networking website on the internet, was created by Mark Elliot Zuckerberg in 2004. He was a Harvard Computer Science student when he invented facebook. The website was originally and briefly called Facemash.

Mark Zuckerberg was a second-year student, when he wrote the software for the Facemash website. Perhaps, it was Zuckerberg’s immature sense of humour that led him to create the site as a type of “hot or not” game for Harvard students, where website visitors could compare two students photos side-byside and let viewers decide who was “hot” and who was “not”.

He put his computer science skills to good use by hacking into Harvard’s security network where he copied the student ID images used by the dormitories and used them to populate his Facemash website.

Facemash opened on October 28, 2003 and closed a few days later. It was shut down by

H

e is a Jamaican ever. He was bo both the 100 me His achievements “Lightning Bolt”. Hi Year, Track & Field A Year, which he has w track and field. He ha and the greatest athle Performing for Ja clocked a personal b CARIFTA Games, wi silver as he finished He made his first World Youth Champi metres event, althoug a new personal best 2008 Beijing Olympic At the 2012 Olymp of 9.63 seconds, settin fending his gold med also had an impressi 200 metres gold meda After winning his declared, “I’m now a

Question What is the name o

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

Her name is Merc She wore jersey n

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

n sprinter widely regarded as the fastest person orn on August 21, 1986 and is the first man to hold etres and 200 metres world records. in sprinting have earned him the media nickname is awards include the IAAF World Athlete of the Athlete of the Year, and Laureus Sportsman of the won twice. He is the highest paid athlete ever in as been called the world’s most marketable athlete ete ever. amaica in his first Caribbean regional event, he est of 48.28 seconds in the 400 metres in the 2001 inning a silver medal. The 200 metres also yielded in 21.81 seconds. appearance on the world stage at the 2001 IAAF ionships in Debrecen, Hungary. Running in the 200 gh he failed to qualify for the finals, but he still set of 21.73 second. He won three gold medals at the cs. pics, he won the 100 metres gold medal with a time ng a new Olympic record for that distance and dedal from the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics. He ive performance with a successful defence of his al with a time of 19.32 seconds. seventh straight title in the 100 and 200 metres, he legend. I’m also the greatest athlete to live.”

to last week’s sport quiz

cy Akide. no. 4.

Help the little girl find her way to the get her toys at the beach.

Parker (founder of Napster), became the company’s president. The company changed the name from ‘The Facebook’ to just ‘Facebook’ after purchasing the domain name facebook.com in 2005 for $200,000. With the help of friends, he took Facebook to other campuses nationwide and soon after moved to Palo Alto, California. By 2010, the site had an estimated 500 million users worldwide.

He was born on May 14, 1984 and raised in New York State. His profits from Facebook made him the world’s youngest multi-billionaire.

Harvard executives. Mark faced charges of breach of security, violating copyrights, and violating individual privacy for stealing the student photos he used to populate the site. He also faced expulsion from Harvard University for his actions.

However, all charges were eventually dropped.

On February 4, 2004, Mark Zuckerberg launched “The facebook” from his dormitory room. However, six days later, he again faced trouble when three Harvard seniors, Cameron Winklevoss, Tyler Winklevoss, and Divya Narendra accused him of stealing their ideas for an intended social network website called Harvard Connection, and of using their ideas for ‘The Facebook’. Winklevoss, Winklevoss, and Narendra later filed a lawsuit against Zuckerberg. However, the matter was settled out of court.

Also in 2004, an angel investor, Sean

of this sprinter?

43

MAZE

AT…?

reated Facebook

Growing Up

Sunday, August 26, 2012

RIDDLES

What can run but never walks, has a mouth but never speaks, has a head but never weeps, and has a bed but never sleeps?

Answer: A river Poke your fingers in my eyes and I will open wide my jaws. Linen cloth, quills, or paper, my greedy lust devours them all. What am I? Answer: A scissors

TONGUE TWISTER

Little Seeds

POEM

Little seeds we sow in spring Growing while the robins sing, Give us carrots, peas and beans, Tomatoes, pumpkins, squash and greens.

And we pick them, One and all, Through the summer, Through the fall, Winter comes, then spring, and then Little seeds we sow again.

–Else Holmelund Minarik

QUOTE

Never lend your car to anyone to whom you have given birth. –-Erma Bombeck

POP

Mr. See owned a saw.

And Mr. Soar owned a seesaw.

Now See’s saw sawed Soar’s seesaw Before Soar saw See, Which made Soar sore.

Had Soar seen See’s saw Before See sawed Soar’s seesaw, See’s saw would not have sawed Soar’s seesaw.

So See’s saw sawed Soar’s seesaw.

But it was sad to see Soar so sore Just because See’s saw sawed Soar’s seesaw!

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

44

Lessons of Life

ANGELA DAVIES lessonsoflife2@yahoo.com 08023342083

TRUE LIFE STORY ON MATTERS OF THE HEART AUGUST 26, 2012

‘Eric’s parents reject me because I grew up in an orphanage’

I

was in my final year at the University of Lagos when I met Eric one wet and cold afternoon three years ago. I was on my way to see my friend in Moremi Hall.

As I walked along, a car on speed splashed water on my dress. Conscious of what he had just done, the driver immediately parked and apologised when he saw me standing and looking all wet and messed up from the head to the toe. “O my God, doesn’t this driver know that everywhere is wet?” I screamed.

I am so sorry I didn’t see the muddy water in time,” he emphasised. Calmly I said, “That’s alright, please stop apologising. I just have to go back to my hostel and change my clothes.” “Please can I drive you down to your hostel and take you to wherever you are going?” He asked.

“Don’t worry I’ll walk back,” I replied.

“Please oblige me,” he begged.

He took me to my hostel, waited for me to get changed and dropped me in front of Moremi Hall. “Thank you so much,” I said. “You don’t have to thank me. After all I accidentally splashed water on you,” he stressed. “By the way my name is Eric. What is yours?” He enquired. “My name is Cleopatra but everybody calls me Cleo. Are you a student of this school?” I questioned. “No, I come here to visit my younger brother. I graduated two years ago,” Eric revealed. We exchanged phone numbers and I also gave him my room number and he left.

Well, I did not hear from Eric neither did I bother to call him until a month when I received a surprise phone call from him. He kept apologising for neither calling nor coming to see me in school as he had promised because he travelled that same night out of the country. “I’m sorry I did not call you, Cleo, all this time.

I travelled to London that same night we met and I just returned to the country this morning. Please we can have dinner tonight if you will not be too busy? I will pick you up at 7 p.m.,” he said. I told him it was alright by me. At exactly 7 p.m., he was in front of my hostel and we actually went out to have dinner. We talked about a number of issues and at the end of the day, we agreed to start dating.

Eric was the best thing that happened to me. He was my first love and I loved him so much. He visited me every weekend so that we could spend time together and also know each other well. When I saw how serious he was about our relationship and was insisting that he wanted to meet with my family to tell me how much he loved me and to show me how much he wanted to be with me, I decided to open up to him. “Eric, don’t worry, you will soon meet my family,” I promised. He had come to visit me as usual one Saturday morning and I suggested that we visit an orphanage home for a change. He agreed.

Immediately we got there, I held his hands and asked, “Eric, do you truly love me?” “Of course I do. I love you very much,” he said. “I brought you here because you said you wanted to meet my family. Everyone in this compound is my

family,” I said. “Cleo, I don’t understand you,” Eric said. “Well by the time I tell you my story, you will understand why I brought you here and it is up to you to decide if you still wanted us to be together or if you will quietly walk away,” I stressed.

“Eric, I don’t know my family. I don’t know where I come from. I have lived in this orphanage for almost 25 years. I was reliably informed that they found me at the gate of the orphanage one night when I was a baby with a written note left by my mother. Well, the summary of the note was that my mother said she didn’t want to abort me because it was a sin before God; that was why she decided to keep the pregnancy despite all the shame, rejection and humiliation, especially from my father and his family. She revealed that she decided to abandon me because she was incapable of taking good care of me. She however pleaded that I should be well taken care of and God will bless them. She however warned that I should not be given up for adoption because I was a special child whose destiny was bright and full of promises. I would have been given up for adoption many years ago but the matron decided to fulfil my mother’s wish. So Eric, I and some other children who were identified early as brilliant were given scholarships right from our nursery down to the university level by some group of people who do not want their identity known. While some others who were gifted with handy work learnt crafts and trade. They are all my brothers and sisters and the only family I have ever known. You said you wanted to meet my family and here you are,” I narrated.

Eric looked straight into my eyes and said, “Cleo, I love you and nothing is going to change that. I don’t care if you grew up in the orphanage or not. What matters to me is that I love you and will love to spend the rest of my life with you. Growing up in an orphanage does not make you less human, I love you.” “Do you think your family will accept me?” I asked. “Cleo, my family will not choose a wife for me. They have no choice but to accept you because you are the woman I truly love,” he assured.

Later, we went to see the matron and I introduced Eric to her as my boyfriend.

She advised us and told him he was welcome any day. I took him round the orphanage and I was surprised to see how he played with everyone. In the afternoon, we all had lunch there before leaving.

It was amazing to note that after that day, Eric made sure he visited the orphanage at least once a month with or without me taking along foodstuffs, beverages, toiletries and money. He made sure that the whole day was devoted to the children.

Eric took our relationship to the next level the day he proposed to me after my National Youth Service programme.

“Eric, I love you and want to be yours forever but have you told your family about my background?” I asked. “I have told you that does not matter to me. My family has

to accept you because you are my choice,” he assured. I accepted his proposal because I loved him so much. He invited me to have dinner with his family so that he would officially introduce me to them. I accepted. Agreeing to this turned out the biggest mistake of my life.

After the dinner, his mother said, “Cleo, my dear, who are your parents? What do they do for a living? In fact, tell us about yourself and your family.” I cleared my throat and in fright, I said, “Ma, I don’t know where I come from neither do I know my parents.” “Are they dead?” Eric’s father asked. “The truth is that I grew up in an orphanage,” I revealed. “What? Eric didn’t know about this?” retorted the mother. “Mum, I knew and it does not matter to me. The only thing that matters to me is that I love her.

The fact that she grew up in an orphanage does not make her less human. Aside from the fact that she is a graduate of Economics with a good job, she is a true embodiment of a woman. Mum, dad Cleo is my choice,” he maintained.

Eric’s mother stood up and affirmed, “Eric you will not bring disgrace to this family. You want to marry a woman who does not know anything about herself or family? A woman who grew up in an orphanage? Don’t you have dignity? I am sorry to announce to you that you cannot marry her. Even if we accept her, who will collect her bride price from us? How do we tell people that our son is getting married to a woman who grew up at an orphanage, a woman who cannot trace her root or knows her custom and tradition?”

“Son, you are a disgrace. When you bring a real woman home, then we will receive and welcome her. But for Cleo or

whatever you call her name, she is not welcomed in this house,” the father restated.

Eric told his parents that his mind was made up and nothing would change it.

He took me back to the orphanage and we reminisced on all that was said at his house. “Cleo, I love you. I will convince my parents to accept you. Please do not lose hope on us because I am nothing without you. I love you,” he repeated.

When I told the matron all that transpired at Eric’s house, she told me to remain calm and pray that the will of God alone will be done in my life. About a week later, I was shocked when the matron called and informed me that Eric’s mother paid her a visit. She advised her to warn me to stay away from Eric because we do not belong to the same class and he would never marry me. I knew Eric loved me dearly but I guessed I had to let him go. So, I decided to be hostile to him whenever he came to see me just to make him leave me alone. It has been futile. No matter what I do or react to him, he keeps coming back and hoping that we will get married some day.

I was humiliated and rejected by the family of the man I love just because I grew up in an orphanage. Is it written on my forehead that I grew up there? What has love got to do with where I grew up, anyway? Would growing up there not make me a good wife and mother? I love Eric dearly and will not want to lose him because he gave my life a new meaning.

But really, should I be rejected because I grew up in an orphanage?

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

45

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Wellness YOUR HEALTH AND HEALTH RELATED ISSUES AUGUST 26, 2012

‘Tetracycline use during pregnancy can affect your child’s teeth’ VANESSA OKWARA

T

here is this innate beauty in a child’s smile. When a child smiles back at you, it can easily brighten anyone’s day, but tooth discoloration can diminish the beauty of that smile. While tooth discoloration is not usually a serious health threat, badly coloured teeth can make your child uncomfortable among his peers.

There is this proverb that says a smile is the light in the window of your face that tells people you are at home.

When we smile we tend to bare our teeth to the world.

Yet there are various defects that tend to mar that beautiful smile. One of them is tooth discoloration.

Dr Ifeanyi Azuara, proprietor of Ave Dental Clinic, in Lagos State, x-rayed the different causes of tooth discoloration. “Your tooth can become discoloured by stains on the surface or by changes in the tooth material. This occurs when the outer layer of the tooth (the enamel) is stained by coffee, wine, cola or other drinks or foods.

Smoking also causes stains on the teeth. In addition to stains caused by foods or smoking, the outer surface of the teeth naturally gets yellow over time. The enamel that covers the teeth gets thinner with age, which allows the dentin to show through. Chips or other injuries to a tooth can also cause discoloration, especially when the pulp is damaged,” he said.

Medical studies reveal that there are certain things that can make a tooth get discoloured. Dentists divided teeth discoloration into three main categories: • Extrinsic discoloration — this occurs when the outer layer of the tooth (the enamel) is stained by coffee, wine, cola or other drinks or foods. Smoking also causes extrinsic stains.

• Intrinsic discoloration — this is when the inner structure of the tooth (the dentin) darkens or gets a yellow tint. Causes include excessive exposure to fluoride during early childhood, Weak enamel, which is inherited, and genetic in nature can lead to discoloured teeth; the maternal use of Tetracycline antibiotics during the second half of pregnancy and the use of Tetracycline antibiotics in children eight years old or younger.

• Age-related discoloration — this is a combination of extrinsic and intrinsic factors. In addition to stains caused by foods or smoking, the dentin naturally yellows over time. The enamel that covers the teeth gets thinner with age, which allows the dentin to show through. Chips or other injuries to a tooth can also cause discoloration, especially when the pulp has been damaged.

Dr Azuara who is also the Publicity Secretary of the Nigerian Dental Association, Lagos Chapter, lamented

Brushing your teeth twice a day prevents stains

Healthy teeth give a good smile

Dr. Azuara

TIPS TO PREVENT TEETH DISCOLORATION Brush and floss your teeth at least twice a day. If possible, after every meal is preferred.

Avoid foods and beverages that cause stains.

Use a straw to prevent your teeth from being exposed to beverages that can stain.

Rinse your mouth with water after each meal.

Stop smoking and chewing on tobacco.

Avoid taking medications that contain Tetracycline when pregnant.

Do not administer Tetracycline to children before the age of eight.

Use over-the-counter whitening products such as whitening toothpaste.

Running a damp washcloth over your baby’s gums after every feed can prevent discoloration in future. Putting a baby to sleep with a bottle in his or her mouth may be convenient in the short term but it can harm the baby’s teeth later in life Visit the dentist every six months for checkups and cleaning. that the abuse of drugs mainly Tetracycline is one of the underlying agents causing tooth discoloration, especially during the developmental stages of a child.

“Tooth discoloration is one of those abnormalities that are caused by ignorance. Often times the common woman, who has diarrhoea will have Tetracycline in her mind. They buy it and administer it to themselves over a long period of time. This is clearly a form of drug abuse,” Dr Azuara said.

He warns that a pregnant woman should stay away from taking Tetracycline or administering it to a child who is yet to develop the permanent teeth. “During development, the drug becomes solidified in the tooth, generating tetracycline tooth stains. Children are susceptible to Tetracycline tooth stains from the time they

are in uterus until the age of eight. Since teeth start to develop before we’re even born, pregnant women should not take tetracycline to prevent the possibility of the drug affecting the unborn baby’s oral health.

The administration of Tetracycline mixes with a malformation of the tooth leading to permanent tooth discoloration. Most times, it does not show in the primary or milk teeth of a child. It starts manifesting in the secondary dentition. That is the problem with tetracycline administration. That is why there should be a lot of information concerning it. Tetracycline is one of the widely abused drugs in this country,” he explained.

As reported in the Journal of Medicine and Biomedical Research in University of Benin, a study was conCONTINUED ON PAGE 46

HEALTH NEWS Seat belt not injurious to pregnancy –Expert ‘300,000 new cases of cancer diagnosed annually’ A medical practitioner, Dr Sopuru Chineke, of St Mary’s Catholic Hospital, Gwagwalada, has said that seat belts are not injurious to pregnancy.

Chineke told reporters recently in Gwagwalada, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), that wearing of seat belt was a safe means of

preventing fatal accidents.

He said it was safe to wear seat belts at every stage of pregnancy He, however, advised them to discard the notion that wearing seat belts would cause injuries to the foetus.

“Nature has provided the perfect protective devices for the foetus, like the skin over

the pregnancy, muscles; tissues under the skin and the womb are there to protect the unborn baby.

“The air-bag, as an automatic device, helps to prevent one against hitting the head or the belly on the steering or the dash board if an accident occurs,” he said.

Consultant Radiotherapist, University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, Prof. Oladapo Campbell, said that more than 300,000 new cases of cancer were diagnosed in Nigeria annually.

He said in an interview

with newsmen that of the 300,000 cases of cancer diagnosed yearly, only 10,000 cases could be managed, while the remaining 290,000 cases were untreated.

Campbell, however, noted that breast and cervical cancer in women; prostate

cancer in men and head and neck cancer were predominant of the cancer cases in Nigeria.

The consultant said that some of the cancer cases, such as cervical, prostrate and breast were preventable if detected at an early stage.

46

Wellness

Sunday, August 26, 2012

Know your organs

The Eye

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Your

BONE Health

with Dr. Olatunji Idowu

Fractures of the Pelvis (2)

A

n eye is a round-shaped organ that works with the brain to provide us with vision.

The eye is about 2.5 cm in length, weighs about seven grams and is shaped roughly like a ball. It sits in a special place in your skull called the eye socket.

When you look in the mirror you can see several parts of your eye. The white part is called the sclera. The sclera is very tough and covers most of your eye.

The first thing light touches when entering the eye is a thin veil of tears that coats the front of the eye. Behind this lubricating moisture is the front window of the eye, called the cornea. This clear covering helps to focus the light.

On the other side of the cornea is more moisture. This clear, watery fluid is the aqueous humor. It circulates throughout the front part of the eye and keeps a constant pressure within the eye.

After light passes through the aqueous humor, it passes through the pupil. This is the central circular opening in the colored part of the eye, also called the iris. Depending on how much light there is, the iris may contract or dilate, limiting or increasing the amount of light that gets deeper into the eye. This focused light now beams through the center of the eye. Again the light is bathed in moisture, this time in a clear jelly known as the vitreous. Surrounding the vitreous is the retina.

The retina is the inner lining of the back of the eye. It’s like a movie screen or the film of a camera. The focused light is projected onto its flat, smooth surface. The retina has many working parts such as the blood vessels which bring nutrients to the retina’s nerve cells. The macula is the bull’s-eye at the center of the retina. The

dead center of this bull’s eye is called the fovea.

Because it’s at the focal point of the eye, it has more specialized, light sensitive nerve endings, called photoreceptors, than any other part of the retina. There are two kinds of photoreceptors: rods and cones. These specialized nerve endings convert the light into electro-chemical signals.

There are about 120 million rods and about 7 million cones in each eye! The rods and cones send all the information they gather through the optic nerve at the back of the eye. The brain then uses the nerve signals to put together a picture of the outside world. The place in the retina where the optic nerve exits is called the blind spot. This is because there are no rods or cones in this area, and if an image is projected onto this part of the retina, you cannot see it. The optic nerve sends the visual signals to the visual center in the back of the brain where the experience of vision occurs.

Now light, reflected from an object, has entered the eye, been focused, converted into electro-chemical signals, delivered to the brain and interpreted or “seen” as an image.

The eye also has a couple of ways to protect itself. The biggest protection for the eye is the eyelid. The eyelid helps to keep the eye clean and moist. Some common conditions that afflict the eye are Glaucoma; Farsightedness Nearsightedness; Pink Eye; Blindness; Astigmatism; Cataracts and Dry Eye Syndrome.

Here are some Warning Signs of Eye Problems: Difficulty adjusting to darkness; Double vision; Red eyes; Crusty or swollen eyes; Recurring pain in or around the eyes; Excessive tearing or watering; Very dry, itchy or burning eyes and Loss of peripheral vision.

Causes Growing teens, especially those involved in sports, are one group of people at risk for a particular type of pelvic fracture.

Many “pulled muscles” may actually be undetected avulsion fractures of the pelvis. These fractures usually occur with sudden muscle contractions.

A small piece of bone from the ischium where the hamstring muscles attach is torn away by these muscles. This type of fracture does not make the pelvis unstable or injure internal organs.

Also at risk for pelvic fractures are elderly people with osteoporosis. An individual may fracture the pelvis during a fall from standing, such as when getting out of the bathtub or descending stairs. These injuries usually do not damage the structural integrity of the pelvic ring, but may fracture an individual bone.

However, most pelvic fractures involve high-energy forces, such as those generated in a motor vehicle accident, crush accident or fall. Depending on the direction and degree of the force, these injuries can be lifethreatening and require surgical treatment.

Symptoms A broken pelvis is painful, of-

ten swollen and bruised. The individual may try to keep the hip or knee bent in a specific position to avoid aggravating the pain. If the fracture is due to a high-energy injury, there may also be injuries to the head, chest, abdomen, or legs. There is usually considerable bleeding, which can lead to circulatory shock. Emergency services should be called. These injuries must be stabilized and the individual taken to a trauma center orthopaedic or specialist hospital for definitive care.

Classification.

Pelvic fractures are most commonly described using the Tile classification system is based on the integrity of the posterior sacroiliac complex.

• In type A injuries, the sacroiliac complex is intact. The pelvic ring has a stable fracture that can be managed non-operatively.

• Type B injuries are caused by either external or internal rotational forces resulting in partial disruption of the posterior sacroiliac complex. These are often unstable.

• Type C injuries are characterized by complete disruption of the posterior sacroiliac complex and are both rotationally and vertically unstable.

These injuries are the result of great force, usually from a motor vehicle crash, fall from a height, or severe compression.

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.

‘Tetracycline, cause of children’s teeth discoloration’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 45 ducted by Dr Matthew Sede to examine the incidence and pattern of Tetracycline-related tooth discoloration in patients.

It revealed that “prenatal or childhood administration of tetracycline antibiotic was the established cause of discoloration, a trend that may be linked to the prevalence of childhood illnesses and a high incidence of selfmedication among the local populace. This pattern of family history may indicate the level of ignorance about tooth discoloration as a possible side effect of Tetracycline usage in pregnancy and early childhood”.

According to the study, Tetracycline teeth stains only affect children whose teeth are still developing. Once teeth mature, Tetracycline can safely be used as an antibiotic. Tetracycline is an antibiotic that is used by doctors for killing bacteria and treating travellers’ diarrhoea. We see it sold virtually everywhere on our streets and commonly used in the treatment of running tummy both in adults and children as young as three years old.

Unfortunately, many medications aren’t without side effects. Although drugs are meant to help us get better, some may produce unwanted dental problems and as such care should be taken in its ingestion.

Gray or brown in colour, these deep, dark stains either cover the entire tooth or appear as a pattern of horizontal stripes. Since they form during tooth development, Tetracycline teeth stains are embedded in the tooth’s enamel and inner layers. Although harmless, Tetracycline stains are obvious and permanent, often causing embarrassment and low self-esteem in those who suffer from them.

Although Tetracycline stains are permanent, Dr Azuara says they can be corrected to an extent with the help of cosmetic dentistry. Advances in dentistry in recent years means that discoloration can be remedied.

Since they’re formed within the teeth, removing Tetracycline tooth stains or discoloration caused by drugs is not easy. Cosmetic treatments, such as veneers or professional tooth-whitening products are among the common solutions. “Tooth whitening is part of cosmetic dentistry.

Older children who have discoloured permanent teeth can benefit from dental practices such as bleaching or veneers. We use this kind of treatment for patients who have massive tooth discoloration that had to do with drug intake from childhood or the fact that they were sick for a long time and such certain drugs had discoloured their teeth. We also use cosmetic surgery for people who were involved in an accident or those with wrong teeth positioning,” he explained.

Prevention is always better than looking for remedies in any health issue. So what is the best way of avoiding tooth discoloration? Dr. Ifeanyi advises, “Brushing your teeth after every meal will help to prevent some stains.

Dentists recommend that you rinse your mouth with water after having wine, coffee or other drinks or foods that can stain your teeth. Regular cleaning by a dental hygienist also will help to prevent surface stains. To prevent intrinsic stains in children, avoid the use of Tetracycline antibiotic for those still developing teeth precisely between the ages of three-12 years old.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

47

Business FRESH BUSINESS NEWS AT YOUR FINGERTIPS August 26, 2012

‘Nigeria needs investment intervention in transport sector’ Chief Olabintan Famutimi is the Chairman of Tricontinental Group, promoters of the Nigerian-American Business and Investment Summit, which took place in the United States recently. In this interview with Kunle Azeez, he explains why attracting foreign direct investment into Nigeria’s transportation sector formed the crux of discussions for the group during the summit. Excerpts: You are one of the key promoters of the investment summit, which recently took place in Atlanta Georgia. What were the key issues deliberated upon at the summit?

Were the stakeholders at the summit exclusively from the transport sector or you involved other players from outside the transport sector?

The objective of the summit was actually to help businesses in Nigeria. We all know that the country cannot grow without foreign investment, and despite the fact that we have many comparative advantages, we still have challenges in getting investors to come and invest here in Nigeria. One of our greatest challenges is that we lack information on how to sell the brand, Nigeria.

We have the full potential of becoming the hub of business in the West and Central African sub regions. Name what makes business thrive in the world apart from energy, you will find it in Nigeria, but how proper and realistic is our information dissemination on these things? We have the human and material resources and our people are doing extremely well in the entire continent. The question that is apt at this point is: what then is wrong with us as a people?

There is information gap and people are not just looking inward to tap from the enormous opportunities in the country.

There is also the negative information that is widespread abroad about the dangers of doing business in Nigeria. This is what the summit was meant to address. We were at the summit to refute these insinuations and chart a new course to doing business in Nigeria. We used the summit to showcase the different advantages, the different potentials, the different possibilities that exist in Nigeria that should also attract investors to Nigeria.

As I said earlier, there are so many areas that need immediate intervention in Nigeria when you talk about transport. We looked at a diverse interest in the transportation section and brought all of them into the programme, so it was not just a one-off thing of bringing Nigerians to the summit. If it was just about getting Nigerians to come, then the whole objective would have been defeated. So, what we are talking about is the critical factors that can shape the transportation sector. We are working in conjunction with key players and international bodies because we need such experience and expertise to give meaning and add value to whatever we intend to achieve in the long run.

In view of the security challenge that we have in Nigeria, what did you observe as the disposition of prospective investors in Nigeria during the summit?

What particular sector did the discussion center on at the summit?

We chose the area of transport, knowing full well that one of the areas that require urgent need for intervention in the Nigerian economy is transportation.

Furthermore, we are aware of the current trend whereby government has the monopoly of most infrastructures and this has not helped Nigeria. We can bear witness that all the areas of infrastructural engagement where government has liberalised ownership are doing very well. We think we can assist the government in its transformation agenda by highlighting transportation as a major area because there is no aspect of transportation you look at in Nigeria that is not crying for need.

In the aviation sector, for instance, there are urgent needs in the area of direct airline

because of government ownership, if we get it right; we can reduce the level of carnage and waste of human lives that occurs here on a regular basis. In the area of agriculture, all the tractors and earth equipment that are used are all part of transportation and even logistics. So, if we get logistics right in Nigeria, a lot of things would improve.

The efficient economies that we are trying to copy all over the world have all these things working. Good logistics will be able to bring together all activities from air, to land, to sea, to rail tracks, to other things including managers from ports and terminals, and other things like that. These are all areas of transportation and the thing is so big and wide, that we wanted to help government to open up information to all the stakeholders all over the world, both private investors, donor agencies all over the world.

Famutimi

management, infrastructure, the regulatory environment, and so many other areas. What about our rail system? We have a situation where a population of over 160 million people does not have access to a good rail system. If we are able to get our rail system in cities like Lagos, Ibadan, Kano and other areas working optimally, then, you can imagine the development that would be witnessed in a very short while. What about our waterways? How can we ensure safety and develop the ferries

QUEUES DISAPPEAR FROM FILLING STATIONS IN FCT

and others to compete favourably with other forms of transportation? You can only imagine what a good transportation system would do to the economy of Lagos, which would be the focus of our August meeting. It’s as important as getting electricity working in Nigeria.

So, if you have a very developed transportation system in Nigeria, a lot of coastal cities like Lagos can develop tremendously.

Is it the road? Our roads are not functioning

48

7 KEYS OF WISDOM (1)

49

Ironically, there is no country that is really safe in the whole world. There are challenges of security all over the world. One of the most booming economies in the world today is Mexico’s. Mexico is in the middle of an unbelievable and unprecedented war by drug barons. And if you are abreast with the on goings in the world, you would have heard of the huge security challenge in Mexico, but Mexico harbours a large concentration of investors in the world, and it is one the economies that are growing very fast, not because of oil but because of real investment in production.

If you read the news now, you would have heard that this year, the rate of illegal immigrants from Mexico to the US has dropped considerably because they have things to do back home. The economy is booming, it’s employing, so there’s less pressure to make people want to go to the US, and US companies are investing in Mexico, so, ours is not the only country with such a challenge.

Even when you are talking about insecurity, Boko Haram, and all of that, do you know that if the economy is doing well and growing, there would be less crime, because a lot of the criminals or people who take to crime do that because of lack of jobs? So these are the challenges that we examined at the summit and because there are investment opportunities to tap in Nigeria, willing investors would be willing to tap into them.

48

Business

Sunday August 26, 2012

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Queues disappear from filling stations in FCT

Property Watch •For Lagos area as at Friday August 24, 2012 A. Building materials Cement: Dangote Cement per bag of 50 kg.......N1,900 Burham Cement per bag of 50kg.......N1,900 Elephant Cement…………………N1,850 Sandcrete blocks 6 inches sandcrete block ..........N120 9 inches sandcrete block ..........N140

L

ong queues have disappeared from filling stations in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) following the suspension of strike by NUPENG late on Thursday.

A correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), who went round the city on Saturday, reports that all filling the stations visited were found selling petrol to motorists.

At the NNPC mega station in Abuja, vehicles were moving in and out of the filing sta-

tion with ease as against the long queues experienced a few days ago.

Operation Supervisor of the NNPC mega station, Mr. Yohanna Stephen, said he was happy with the new development. Stephen described the strike period as tense, especially for staff of the mega station that operated throughout the period.

A motorist, Mr. Funsho Aguonbole, told NAN that he was happy with the improvement in supply, saying that the peri-

od of the strike was hectic.

Another motorist, Mr. Alex Okoye, described the strike

by NUPENG as a sabotage of President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration, saying there was no reason for the strike. “Thank God that they have resolved the issue and the product is now everywhere,” he said.

NAN also reports that 10 litres of petrol, which sold for as much as N3,500 in the black market during the strike now sells for N1,800, while 20 litres

Park manager urges FG to build more tourist centres

Sand Sand per tipper load .......... N12,000 Sharp sand (double) ..........N22,000 Gravel (single) ...................N18,000 Gravel (double) ..................N22,000 Granite ...............................N165,000 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

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he Facility Manager, Freedom Park, Lagos. Mr. Oma Imishue, has called on the Federal Government to identify the tourism potential of every state and build more tourist centres.

Imishue made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday and described Gov. Babatunde Fashola’s effort in the development of the tourism sector in Lagos State as commendable.

He said some the facilities rehabilitated by Lagos State included former Prison, now Freedom Park, Waterparks and Motor Parks.

“The state government has contributed immensely in boosting tourism,” Imishue said. He added that Nigeria had enormous

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

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, 08033312578.

tourism potential, which could be harnessed to boost its image.

“We need to market our relaxation centres for tourism to grow and for global recognition,’’ he said.

Imishue also called for a face-lift of relaxation centres in the country, such as Idanre hills, Olumo rock, Yankari Games Reserve, Museum Centres and others.

“The need for proper maintenance and improvement of all these centres is of paramount importance to the development of the sector. All these are great tourism and relaxation centres from which the Federal Government could obtain huge revenue,” he said.

AFARN boss promises transformation in cargo business sector FUNMI SALOME JOHNSON

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

now sells for N3,800 as against N7,000.

One of the operators, who gave his name as Imam Abubakar, told NAN that he was now running at a loss following the re-opening of most filling stations in the city.

“We bought the fuel at an exorbitant price before the strike was called off; now that they have resumed services we are running at a loss,’’ he said.

Also, transport fares, which went up during the scarcity, are now back to normal.

T

Product Manager, Mouka Limited, Mr. Stephen Uwazota (left) and winner of Mouka Foldy in the ILOVEMYMOUKA online competition, Mr. Morakinyo Tobi, during the prize presentation ceremony in Lagos, recently.

MDGs Office warns contractors against poor jobs

T

he coordinator, MDGs project support unit in Plateau, Mr. Francis Bot, has warned that contractors who fail to execute contracts according to specifications would be blacklisted.

Bot, who gave the warning in Jos on Friday at the opening of bids for the 2012 local governments track projects, said that such contractors would not be awarded contracts in the future.

He said, “Those who execute excellent jobs stand a chance of getting more jobs from MDGs. In fact, we would find more ways to reward them.”

The coordinator explained that the emphasis on quality and time in project execution was aimed at ensuring that benefiting communities got what was meant for them. He said that a total of 168 contractors bided for the 120 con-

tracts in the local government track projects, which cut across health, education and rural water supply.

Bot said that some of the contractors would construct comprehensive primary health centres and classroom blocks, while others would supply textbooks in core subject areas.

According to him, some of the contractors would sink hand pump boreholes.

A representative of the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on MDGs Projects, Mrs. Kadijah Momoh, described Plateau as a focal state because of quality and timely execution of projects.

Momoh said the projects to be executed in three local government areas of the state would soon be extended to other areas.

he newly elected president of the Association of Foreign Airline Representatives in Nigeria (AFARN), Kingsley Nwokoma, has promised to work assiduously to ensure a face-lift in the cargo industry.

Nwokoma disclosed this to Sunday Mirror at the recently-concluded election of the association, which saw him emerge as the new president of the association.

Nwokoma further disclosed that the present situation of the country especially in the area of industrialization is not impressive while noting that, with all the natural resources the country is endowed with, it should be industrialized instead of being an importing country that it is at the moment.

According to him, cargo business generates about N45 billion for the Nigeria Customs every month, adding that this shows the level of importation in the

country.

“We feel the welfare of the people in this sector is important, and the people that are involved in this lucrative business also need some level of respect and reward from all relevant agencies, and this we promise we would do during our tenure,” he said.

He further noted that the association would do its best to liaise with government agencies to review the charges at the port and make them affordable so as to decongest cargo at the ports. He commended the government for the expansion work on at the cargo landing section of the port.

Nwokoma

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Business

Sunday August 26, 2012

49

7 keys of wisdom (1) Inspirati with Lanre

Oyetade

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

J

ust as the name of this column suggests, we endeavour to inspire ourselves in the things that really matter in life; and as would be expected, many of the articles that appear in this column were inspired by various people and oftentimes, by nature itself.

Today’s article was inspired when I watched Mike Murdock on ‘Inspiration TV’ a few weeks back.

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 (despite his humility), Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye of the RCCG, as the correct application of knowledge, so then the 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 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 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

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

About PFA returns

Dear Lanre, I am member of the NURTW. Somebody came to our meeting recently from one of the pension fund administrators and he said that, under a new voluntary contribution scheme, any money deposited would attract a monthly interest of twenty per cent. Please we want your professional advice on this to know how realistic it is before we commit our hard-earned resources to such.

Sunday D., Ile-Ife, Osun State, 08069845455.

Dear Sunday, What the said person is allegedly promising is equivalent to 240 per cent return per annum. The information I have, however, does not support this. What I learn is that the deposits should be invested in vehicles that will not return less than 13 per cent PER ANNUM. So the purported promise is far higher than what obtains with the rules governing PFA operations.

Still on forex trading

Good day to you sir, what do I do to invest in forex trading? I will appreciate

WISDOM IS THE PRINCIPAL THING; THEREFORE GET WISDOM. AND IN ALL YOUR GETTING, GET UNDERSTANDING –KING SOLOMON

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

And so it was a great delight to watch Mike Murdock being interviewed by David Cerrullo, son of that great man of God, Morris Cerullo, on the seven keys of wisdom. What follows here is what I make of Murdock’s submission on wisdom.

Mike maintained that little changes will always create big rewards and that our decisions, wise or foolish, will always create our circumstances.

Key 1: What you can tolerate, you cannot change

You can only change a circumstance when you hate it, when you abhor it and not when you can still tolerate it. Whether the situation is failure, poverty or sickness, you can only change it when you detest it enough to take requisite action for its change, not when you resign yourself to it or tolerate it.

Key 2: What you respect, you will attract

What you respect will gradually but surely gravitate towards you – be it knowledge, money, integrity or good health. What you respect is what you value enough to your assistance.

Thanks James Oyeniyi Dear James, A similar inquiry was made last week, and I feel certain you did not see my response to the question, which I repeat as follows: ‘The fact is that I am not really into forex trading and therefore have limited knowledge about it. However, there are quite a number of firms that undertake training in forex trading all over the country. What I will advise is that you locate any good one with good referrals from some of their past students, and then start a training session with them.

It is usually not for too long a period and also not so expensive. It is my opinion that a good training will stand you in good stead in undertaking a successful forex trading business. Best wishes.’

Concerning FGN bonds

Dear Lanre, Sir, I read in the paper sometime ago that FGN bonds are now liquid assets. Please how can I buy into them and do you know the cost?

Nosa, Sokoto, 08034993021.

Dear Nosa, You can buy into FGN bonds through discount houses, banks or stockbrokers.

The cost will depend on which window you are buying through but I am aware that discount houses do retail sales of bonds in

take positive action towards its realization and fruition. Mike emphasized that everything we see was created by things we don’t see, and that what we can’t see is greater than that which we can see. This statement reminded me of a postulation by one of my mentors, Ayo Arowolo. Ayo taught me that many men struggle with the physical things that can be touched and felt; they struggle in the physical realm. However, according to him, the physical and seen realm only represents three per cent of what really matters, and the other 97 per cent is settled in the unseen realm. In other words, 97 per cent of what matters is in the unseen, spiritual realm, which most people don’t cater to concern themselves about. “Settle the unseen 97 per cent and the other three per cent, which is seen, is easily taken care of,” Ayo said profoundly.

Now back to Mike. Mike stated that God is complete but everything he made needs a connection, a completion. For instance, a man needs a wife to be complete, etc.

“Whatever is missing in your life is something you have not truly valued or respected enough and which thus you could not have attracted to yourself.

Thus, the habit of saving, for instance, is more important than what you save because it simply shows that you respect and treat money well; thus it will be attracted to you. I have also always said that many people are poor for the simple reason that they resent the rich. It thus follows that they have little they can learn from them, since you cannot learn from someone you resent or envy. This is the main reason most employees remain poor.

•Till next week when we take other keys, I urge you to stay inspired in His presence.

multiple units of about N10,000 each.

Can I have savings?

Dear Lanre, How possible is it for one to be working under a private set up and have a savings at the same time?

Esther, 08088204692.

Dear Esther, My take on this matter is that anyone can have a savings as long as he or she is earning some money. You do not have to save fantastic amounts if you can’t; just ensure that you put aside at least 10 per cent of your total earning into savings, regardless of whether you work for a private or public organisation. Savings, it has been proved, is more a matter of habit than of ability. So get to it girl! Here’s wishing you the best because I know you can do it, for anyone can.

Your articles are an inspiration

Dear Lanre, I read your articles in the Sunday Mirror and I must confess that they’re inspiring and highly educative. More power to your elbow. I missed your article on Warren Buffet. Please, would you send it to my box? I am awaiting you earnest reply.

“Nike Olasiyan” nikeolasiyan@yahoo. com.

Dear Nike, Thank you for your kind comments.

Please find the required article in your box.

Wealth Nuggets ‘Top 10’ After black clouds, clear weather –English proverb Little minds are tamed and subdued by misfortunes; but great minds rise above them –Washington Irving For your life to be wonderful, assess wonderful information – Mercy Igbafen Until you start thinking right, your life cannot be right, and you cannot think right without the right information – Gbenga Igbafen Knowledge and understanding will stabilize you (in a constantly changing world) –Is. 33:6 Words and action… these are the only two manifestations; the only two ways of releasing your faith –Chris Oyakhilome You never will be the person you can be if pressure, tension and discipline are taken out of your life –James G. Bilkey Without a struggle, there can be no progress – Frederick Douglass Everything in life is hard before it becomes easy - Anonymous Nature, when she adds difficulties, adds brains –Emerson

50

Zonal News

Sunday August 26, 2012

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

NORTH EAST

NORTH WEST

Police praise flood victims for arresting gunmen INUSA NDAHI DAMATURU

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he Yobe State Police Commissioner, Patrick Egbuniwe, and the military Joint Task Force (JTF) in the state yesterday commended victims of the Gashua floods, for arresting two suspected gunmen and killing one of them.

The gunmen had attacked the Nigerian Agricultural and Cooperative Bank, in which a policeman was shot.

Briefing newsmen yesterday in Damaturu, on the locals’ bravery that followed the Friday attack on the bank, Egbuniwe said that the Gashua flood victims had exhibited their spirits of gallantry and security consciousness.

Egbuniwe said: “This

is the type of cooperation and assistance we solicited from every citizen living in the state; to fight criminal activities and other terrorist acts that continue to destroy many lives and properties in Yobe State.”

He added that the intervention of Gashua residents by chasing the suspects from a pub to disarm them and kill one of them, was one of the responsibilities of community policing introduced by the Nigeria Police Force.

“The reports we have just received from the Gashua Divisional Police Officer (DPO), indicated that the two gunmen shot sporadically to scare people away but when the residents realised that they had run out of ammunition, they

descended on the suspected gunmen, killed one and left the other in a critical condition, before the JTF took them in their patrol vehicles to the emir’s palace for identification and claim of the body,” the police boss recounted.

He, however, regretted that the injured policeman that was shot in the leg at the bank, died Friday night, owing to excessive bleeding.

Speaking on the roles of residents “to check and fight terrorism” in the state, he said that the JTF and the police, alone could not fight crime without the involvement of residents and community leaders who are expected to provide information on the hoodlums’ hideouts.

Police anti-terrorism squad patrolling on Adamu Bello Road in Bauchi on Friday.

Indian hemp: NDLEA arrests four in Gombe

O

peratives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Gombe State have arrested four persons, suspected to have cultivated cannabis plantation in the state.

Mr. Aliyu Adole, Commander of the NDLEA in the state, made the disclosure in Gombe at the weekend in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

He said that two of the

suspects, Haruna Manu and Ike Audu, were arrested in Kumo town, in Akko LGA, while Ishaya Hamza and Paul Maishanu were arrested in Maishanu town in Billiri LGA. He said the suspects were arrested in a `mini’ cannabis plantation also known as `trial’ plantation with the aim of expanding the plantation. ``The suspects decided to cultivate the plantation

PHOTO: NAN

at home because it is not easy to transport cannabis to Gombe from Kano and Lagos because of the tight security,” he said.

Adole said the suspects were arrested three weeks ago and that investigation had been concluded. ``If not because the High Courts are on recess, the suspects would have known their fate by now,” he said.

Kaduna, German coy partner on solar plant A ZA MSUE KADUNA

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overnor Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa of Kaduna State yesterday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with a German company, (Helios Energy) to generate 30 megawatts of solar power estimated at 50 million Euros.

The MOU was signed under the Nigerian – German Energy Partnership as the German company would spend about 50 million Euros to construct the facility, under a Build, Operate and Transfer (BOT) scheme that will last for 25 years.

Kaduna State Government would provide about 60 hectares of land needed for the facility, while the German company would train Kaduna indigenes in Germany who will subsequently operate the facility upon its completion.

Governor Yakowa who supervised the signing in Abuja, noted that the expected addition of 30 megawatts into the state would boost socio-economic activities, while strengthening his administration’s tripartite focus on Security, Unity and Development.

He added that his administration would con-

tinue to explore more ways of complementing the current source of power supply so that the industrial sector of the state will bounce back to life.

Earlier, Dr. Jeremy Gaines, the coordinator of the Nigerian-German Energy Partnership, who signed for the German company said the partnership is meant to boost economic activities of Kaduna State and further attract foreign investment to the state.

Meanwhile, a delegation from the German company is coming back to Kaduna State in October, this year to identify the site for the facility.

Union kicks against proposed sale of Aviation College T he Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN) on Friday called on the National Assembly to wade into the proposed sale of the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT) in Zaria, Kaduna State.

The Deputy National Secretary of the union, Mr. Abioye Olayinka-Olusanya, made the call at a news conference in Zaria shortly after the union’s congress at NCAT. He observed that the campaign against the planned sale of the college became necessary because of the negative consequences of the sell, not only to the aviation

industry but the country’s economy.

Olayinka-Olusanya alleged that the Aviation Minister, Princess Stella Oduah, had announced government’s intention to sell the institute to three Lagosbased companies.

Describing the three companies as ``a one-manshow’’, he said that the three companies had the same address, naming them as Espardate Equipment Company Ltd., Africa-Nordkenergy Resources Ltd. and Scandic Construct Ltd. O l ay i n k a - O l u s a n y a stressed the need for indepth investigation into the ownership of the companies with a view to saving

NCAT from total collapse.

He alleged that the college would sign an agreement with the three companies in next 2013, saying: ``If the proposed agreement is signed, NCAT will only get 50 per cent of its internally-generated revenue while the collaborating partners will enjoy the remaining 50 per cent. ``This will definitely affect the college negatively because the fund will be inadequate for the college to maintain its programmes,” he said.

The Rector of the college, Capt. Chinyere Kalu, declined comments, saying: ``I am out of the country for an official assignment. ”

Three friends found dead in Jigawa T ragedy struck in the Ringim Local government area of Jigawa over the weekend when three friends were found dead in a room, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

The dead friends were identified as Ali Tajo, Mustapha Murtala and Nasiru Shehu .

It was learnt that the three lived and died in a house, belonging to one of the sons of the Emir of Ringim, Alhaji Mahmoud Sayyadi.

Malam Magaji Tambura, a bricklayer working at the house, told

NAN that he came to the scene at about 7 a.m. to pick tools that he had used to work the previous day.

He said that when he knocked on the door, there was no response, making neighbours to force the door open to see the dead bodies of the three friends.

“My friend and I were at Syadi’s house to take our working tools but on getting there, we met the door locked which is unusual at that hour.

“We met three of them lying down with their faces down and their mouth foaming and I immediate-

ly called their names but none of them responded,” he said.

A resident of the area who gave his name as Ahmed Danlami, expressed shock over the tragedy that had befallen the town.

Danlami said the three friends must have inhaled generator fumes in the course of the night.

But another resident, Adamu Saleh, speculated that the dead young men must have abused drugs before they went to bed, saying that they were suspected to be drug addicts.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Zonal News

Sunday August 26, 2012

SOUTH WEST

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SOUTH EAST

‘905 killed in truck accidents in 2011’

he Oyo State Command of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) has said that 905 persons were killed in road traffic accidents involving trucks in 2011.

The Sector Commander of the commission the state, Mr. Godwin Ogagaoghene, stated this in Ibadan over the weekend, at the presentation of 500 helmets, 500 snooze alerts and 6,000 reflector tapes to truck drivers and motorcycle riders.

The items were jointly donated by the FRSC and

the Arrive Alive Road Safety Initiative (AARSI), an NGO based in Oyo State.

He said that there were 62 cases of accidents, involving trucks in the state in the past seven months, noting that the figure showed an increase in crashes involving trucks. ``A crash involving these classes of vehicles usually involve large number of casualties, which is felt not only in number of lives lost but also in economic terms,’’ he said.

The FRSC boss advised the truck drivers to fix the reflective tapes given to them to

make their vehicles visible at night to other road users.

He also advised other motorists to always make use of the items to reduce road traffic accidents.

Also speaking, the Executive Secretary of AARSI, Mr. Ike Okonkwo, said it was the collective responsibility of motorcyclists to reduce crash fatalities by making use of the helmets. ``Helmets don’t prevent accidents. Rather they reduce chances of head, brain or facial injuries in eventuality of any crash, so use them always,’’ Okonkwo said.

Why Jonathan is visiting Anambra –Obi

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nambra State Governor, Mr. Peter Obi, has said that President Goodluck Jonathan’s planned visit to Anambra is aimed at commissioning projects carried out by the private sector and others executed by his administration.

He disclosed this yesterday during a radio programme on Silverbird Radio, monitored in Awka.

The governor said that in line with the Transformation Agenda of Mr. President, he would be in the state to commission the facilities built by Orange Drugs, the SABmiller Brewery and Krisoral Company, all of which are private-sector initiatives.

He said there were other facilities that were ready

for commissioning as well as some that were ready for their foundations to be laid, but could not be accommodated because of time constraint. According to him, the President would also commission the Onitsha Ports, Orient Petroleum facility, the new Governor’s Lodge at Onitsha, over 10 roads constructed within the Habour Industrial Estate, 500 buses for security in the state.

Obi, who commended the President for the attention he has paid to the private sector, said it would go a long way in encouraging entrepreneurial spirit among Nigerians.

On the naming of Bridge-Head to the Upper Iweka as Odumegwu-Ojuk-

wu Way, the governor said that the road was being named for the first time.

He described it as one of the series of steps the state government planned to take in the immortalisation of Ojukwu.

Obi called on investors to take advantage of the enabling environment in the state and the presence of a large market for their investment.

He disclosed that part of the state’s industrial/investment policy, which was drafted under his government to the effect that the state government should provide road to industrial sites and name streets after the owners of industries where they are located, would be observed.

2015 Presidency: Group shops for Igbo candidate OLAJIDE OMOJOLOMOJU L-R: Chief (Mrs.) Olabisi Salis; Chief Owolabi Salis, Lagos politician (the awardee); Prof. Olu Ashiru, Dr. Sunny Kuku of Eko Hospital, and former UNILAG Vice Chancellor, Prof. Oye Ibidapo-Obe, when Salis was conferred with Distinguished Alumnus Award by UNILAG recently.

Akeredolu slams Braithwaite, Babatope for endorsing Mimiko T he Akeredolu Campaign Organisation (ACO) has described as fruitless and of no effect, the purported endorsement of Governor Olusegun Mimiko for second term by Dr. Tunji Braithwate, Chief Ebenezer Babatope and Dr. Fredrick Fasehun.

The statement signed by its Director of Media, Publicity and Strategy, Idowu Ajanaku, said, “These we believe are spent forces, politicians who have lost relevance in the South-West.”

The ACO recalled that the defunct National Party of Nigeria (NPN), regis-

tered the then National Advance Party(NAP) to scuttle the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) transformation of western states under the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo but did not work as the party could not win a councillor seat in the entire Western states .

“We know that Braithwaite is back in his familiar turf. But just as he failed in the Second Republic he will fail again.

“For us in the ACN, the case of Ebenezer Babatope is like that of Saul, who started with God but ended up with sorcerers.

Babatope started with the progressive, under the late sage but ended in the belly of the reactionary, People Democratic Party (PDP),” the governorship candidate’s group averred.

It added: “His endorsement of Mimiko has further confirmed that he has lost totally in the politics of Yorubaland. How did his support help Olagunsoye Oyinlola, Segun Oni, AlaoAkala among others? It is instructive to note that this same man endorsed the late General Sanni Abacha at the notorious UNCP convention for Abacha”.

20,000 for Assemblies of God’s programme RICHARD EGHAGHE

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t least, 20,000 members of the Assemblies of God Church, Nigeria (AGN), have been mobilised by the Lagos District for this year’s edition of annual Bethel Conference, tagged, ‘Divine Restora-

tion.’

The grand event, which comes up between Wednesday, August 29 and Saturday, September 1, 2012, at the Bethel Camp, on Kilometre 48, Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, near Mowe, Ogun state, is also expected to attract equal number of believers from other church

denominations as well as non-believers.

Among ministers of God expected at the four-day spiritual fiesta are Bishop Humphrey Erumaka of Word Base Assembly, Rev Ugwu Friday, Evang. Elisha Anyanwu, Rev Isaac Mpamugo, and the host, Rev Joseph N.G. Okafor.

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South-East socio-political group, the Committee 21 (C21), has given impetus to its search for a presidential candidate of Igbo origin come 2015, by inaugurating a search committee for credible candidates for consideration.

The C21, after a consultative meeting in Abuja, inaugurated the search committee, headed by its director of legal services, Chief Ziggy Azike.

Giving insight to the terms and scope of his assignment, Chief Azike said that the responsibility placed on his shoulders was challenging in

every respect, adding that to sieve and isolate candidates for the presidency in Nigeria is like the sauce before the meal.

His words: “Our candidate, once identified and weaned, would be electorally acceptable across board and must be one of the best competitive presidential materials around town, he assured.”

Chief Azike added that since the sauce is the foretaste of a good meal, and since Nigerians are on the same page with the C21 for a comprehensively decisive and inspirationally turn around president come 2015,saying: “I and my committee have no intention to disappoint them.”

He explained that the presidency of a country as complex as Nigeria is not a tea party, neither is it a prize gift to the uninitiated, advising that adolescent politicians would do well to support and gain more experience than gamble for the coveted office because it’s no sport for fun seekers.

The politician however gave an insight to those whom his committee has set its sight upon to include a former number two citizen of the country who retired with dignity from the armed forces, a serving senator, who was also a former governor, a two-time minister from Enugu State, a serving governor among others.

Nigerian woman set to contest in US poll A Nigerian woman, Honourable Gloria Bromell Tinubu is set to contest in the forthcoming election in the United States.

The politician is a 2012 Democratic candidate seeking election to the U.S. House representing the 7th Congressional District of South Carolina.

Already, preparations are in top gear for a Teleconference with her on

“the advancement of our people in the States and in Nigeria”, organised by some Nigerians in the US. The event which is billed for September 8, according to a statement by the Ekiti Focus Group, USA is to enable her share her vision with the stakeholders.

She was first elected October 1993 to the Atlanta City Council. Her next election was November 2,

2010.

Her prior offices included Georgia House of Representatives District 60, January 2011 December 2011. Atlanta City Council, District 12, January 1994 to January 1998.

The politician holds a Bachelor’s degree from Howard University, and a Master’s Clemson University.

She has a Ph.D from Clemson University.

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SOUTH SOUTH

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Sunday August 26, 2012

US pledges to support Akwa Ibom

nited States of America has pledged economic, cultural and educational cooperation with Akwa Ibom.

The US Ambassador to Nigeria, Terrence P. Mcculey, accompanied by the ConsulGeneral in Lagos, Jeffrey J. Hawinks, stated this at the weekend, when he paid a courtesy visit on Governor Godswill Akpabio at Governor’s Lodge, Uyo. He stressed the need for partnership between US and Akwa Ibom.

Mcculey also acknowledged that the state has enormous potentials for investment in the educational, economic to cultural sectors,

noting that that the US “is a partner of Nigerians and Nigerian Government and has extended that partnership to Akwa Ibom government. ‘’I have seen the future of Nigeria in Akwa Ibom.

The infrastructure - roads, schools and power supply are impressive. Indeed, Nigeria has impacted the geographical map of Africa.

As a government, we consider Nigeria as a partner because of the bilateral relationship we have with the country’’, he stated.

The Ambassador, who attributed the impressive improvements in the infrastructural development

to the inspiration and dynamism of the Governor Akpabio’s administration, added, “We want to be active here because the government is indeed active’’.

Akpabio in welcoming the Ambassador, the new Consul-General and their entourage to the state, said that the visit would bring a lot of business investments to Nigeria and the state.

The governor pointed out that the state had an excellent relationship with the US Government and noted that there were a lot of links between America and Akwa Ibom, in terms of social and economic ties.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

NORTH CENTRAL

Niger: FG acquires 2000 hectares for irrigation PRISCILLA DENNIS MINNA

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s part of effort to ensure food security in the country, the Federal Government has set aside 2000 hectares of land to commence irrigation farming next year in Niger State.

The Minister of Water Resources, Mrs. Sarah Ochekpe, who made the disclosure shortly after inspecting the new multimillion naira AgaieLapai Dam project in Niger State, explained that the 2000 hectares of land would be developed alongside the new dam to boost food production, particularly rice, in order to put a total stop to rice importation into the country.

She stated that the

country has enough arable land and water and therefore has no reason to neither import food nor lack potable water.

According to her, the challenges facing these two essential areas would soon be addressed, particularly in view of the concerted efforts made by the President Jonathan Goodluck administration in transforming the agricultural sector.

The minister also noted that besides boosting food production, the dam, now at 98% completion stage, would assist in improving water supply to people of Niger. She thus urged the state government to avail itself of the opportunity provided with the dam and process the water for

its people.

Asked on the Kagara Dam started over 30 years ago, Ochekpe revealed that soon, work would commence on it; including other projects sited in various locations across the nation.

According to her, inventory has been taken to fashion the best way the tackle it between the federal and state governments, where the projects are sited.

Earlier, the managing director, Upper Niger River Basin Development Authority, Professor Paul Marley, conducting the minister round the Dam site, had explained that farmers and fishermen around the area had started small scale farming as well as fishing as a pilot scheme.

Plateau gets tough with errant contractors

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The Prelate of Methodist Church of Nigeria, Ola Sunday Makinde, (second left) receiving Governor Godswill Akpabio of AkwaIbom State (first right) in his office in Lagos, while Dr. Iniobong Essien (first left) watches.

Group lauds Edo monarch on crime reduction RICHARD EGHAGHE

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he youth wing of Achievers Support and Empowerment Initiative, a group in Edo State, has commended the Benin monarch, Omo N’oba Erediawu, for his exemplary leadership and cautious efforts at curtailing youth restiveness, militancy and kidnappings.

Led by its president, Comrade Valentine Osaigbovo Egharevba, who described the reign of Oba Erediauwa in Edo land as having witnessed peace and landmark development, commended the royal father for partnering with the Edo State Government to fight crime and create enabling atmosphere for the youths to excel.

You have expressed determination in eradicating criminalities and are fight-

ing against injustice in our society. The Anini saga was an event that posed a source of worry to the entire nation, but for your intervention. Today, no one or group engages in kidnapping that will not be caught, even if not immediately but later, because the palace of Benin kingdom has spoken mystical words against it via the medium. Your majesty, it is widely spread to a nook and cranny of the nation, concerning the enjoyable peace and tranquility that now exist in Edo State as a result of your fatherly disposition,” he told the monarch.

Comrade Egharevba assured the Oba that his group was prepared to work with the palace in the promotion of democracy, good governance, equal right and a crime free society.

Recounting some of the achievements of the group,

Egharevba disclosed that since inception, “the organisation has been building on her physical and mental capacity through education, seminars, training, and retraining of youths.

“We advocate social justice and we are committed to promoting youth welfare, empowerment and development. We have also set up a monitoring group that monitors government projects since 2009 with record of numerous achievements.

Most of the roads already commissioned by the Comrade governor, Adams Oshiomhole, in Edo state was relentlessly monitored and supervised by this team, voluntarily and our findings as to the use of sub-standard materials by some contractors resulting to poor execution of the contracts, were promptly reported to the appropriate quarters.”

he coordinator, Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), project support unit in Plateau State, Mr. Francis Bot, has warned that contractors who fail to execute contracts according to specifications would be blacklisted.

Bot, who gave the warning in Jos over the weekend, at the opening of bids for the 2012 local governments’ track projects, said that such contractors would not be awarded contracts in the future.

He said, ``those who execute excellent jobs stand a chance of getting more jobs from MDGs. In fact,

we would find more ways to reward them. ’’ The coordinator explained that the emphasis on quality and time in project execution was aimed at ensuring that benefiting communities got what was meant for them.

He said that a total of 168 contractors bided for the 120 contracts in the local government track projects, which cut across health, education and rural water supply.

Bot said that some of the contractors would construct comprehensive primary health centres and classroom blocks, while others would supply text-

books in core subject areas.

According to him, some of the contractors would sink hand pump boreholes.

Mrs. Kadijah Momoh, a representative of the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on MDGs Projects, described Plateau as a focal state because of quality and timely execution of projects.

Momoh said the projects to be executed in three local government areas of the state would soon be extended to other areas.

The sealed bids were opened in the presence of all contractors.

Benue Assembly appeals on beach project

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he Benue House of Assembly Committee on Water Resources and Environment has appealed to residents of New Garage, Makurdi, to relocate to Agbough to enable quick completion of the Beach Park project.

The Chairman of the committee, Mr. Godwin Akaan, made the plea on Friday during the committee’s oversight assignment on ecological projects in Makurdi Local Government Area.

Akaan said that the relocation would enable government to complete

the Lobi Stream concrete drainage and River Benue Beach Park, aimed at attracting tourists to the state.

He said that the beach, when completed, would be the first of its kind in Nigeria and would also generate revenue for the state government.

Akaan said that N22 million compensation had been paid persons to be displaced by the project in addition to a new space provided them at Agbough in Makurdi.

He appealed that both the ministries of Water

Resources and Lands and Survey should jointly render the residents of New Garage all the necessary assistance to enable them to relocate on time.

However, Mr. Ali Bello, a resident of New Garage, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the compensation was not enough for them to build new houses on the new space made available to them.

NAN reports the beach project had been delayed for two years because of the residents’ resistance to relocate.

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Rufai signs MoU with NSSF P. 54

Sport

KEEPING YOU ABREAST OF SPORTING NEWS August 26, 2012

Paralympics: Expect a surprise in London, says P. 54 Yusuf FEDERATION CUP PAST WINNERS 1954: Calabar 3-0 Kano Pillars 1955: Port Harcourt FC 4-1 Warri 1956: Lagos Railways 3-1 Warri 1957: Lagos Railways 5-1 Zaria 1958: Port Harcourt FC 6-0 Federal United 1959: Ibadan Lions 1-0 Police 1960: Lagos ECN 5-2 Ibadan Lions 1961: Ibadan Lions 1-0 Lagos UAC 1962: Police 1-0 Mighty Jets 1963: Port Harcourt FC 1-0 Mighty Jets 1964: Lagos Railways 3-1 Mighty Jets 1965: Lagos ECN 3-1 Mighty Jets 1966: Ibadan Lions beat Mighty Jets 1967: Stationery Stores (Lagos)3-1 Mighty Jets 1968: Stationery Stores (Lagos) 3-1 Warri 1969: Ibadan Lions 5-1 Warri 1970: Lagos ECN 3-1 Mighty Jets 1971: WNDC Ibadan 2-1 Rangers 1972: Bendel Insurance 3-2 Mighty Jets 1973: -1974: Enugu Rangers 2-0 Mighty Jets 1975: Enugu Rangers 1-0 Shooting Stars FC

Heartland FC of Owerri celebrates their 1-0 win over Enyimba of Aba at the final of last year’s Federation Cup at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos.

1976: Enugu Rangers 2-0 Alyufsalam Rocks

Fed Cup: History beckons as Lobi, Heartland clash in final

1977: Shooting Stars 2-0 Racca Rovers

ANDREW EKEJIUBA

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istory beckons today as Nigeria Premier League giants, Heartland FC of Owerri and Lobi Stars of Makurdi clash at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos for the final of this year’s Federation Cup, formerly known as the Challenge Cup. The encounter, which is primed to be one of the most memorable finals ever staged, saw the two clubs make it to the final of the oldest football cup competition by beating their semi final opponents on penalties respectively after the regulation and added times ended goalless.

Defending champions, Heartland FC, defeated hitherto giant killers Prime FC 3-0 on penalty shoot-out in Ilorin, Kwara State on Wednesday, while Lobi Stars, who are in the hunt for the Nigeria Pre-

mier League title same day, outflanked Kano Pillars 5-4 on penalties in Calabar to book a final ticket.

Preparations for the final match intensified yesterday as the Lagos State Government made adequate arrangements to have 10,000 secondary school students fill up a part of the 23,000 – capacity venue, with other spectators occupying the rest to make for a full house today.

Activities at the venue will commence at 12 noon today, with musical entertainment and comedy shows for the crowd, before the arrival of special guests and dignitaries, as well as Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN) of Lagos State, who has donated a giant new trophy for the competition.

Governors Gabriel Suswan and Rochas Okorocha, whose teams are involved in the final match, are also expected to grace the final match.

Fergie delighted with RVP P. 55

Chairman of the ruling People’s Democratic Party, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur; Deputy Chairman, Dr. Sam Sam Jaja; Sports Minister, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, Inspector General of Police, M. D. Abubakar; Chairman of Senate Committee on Sports, Adamu Gumba and Chairman of House of Reps’ Committee on Sports Godfrey Ali Gaiya have also been invited to grace the occasion.

Lobi Stars won the Federation Cup, then known as Challenge Cup, in 2003 after a 2-0 whiplash of Sharks FC of Port Harcourt. The club then lost the 2005 final to then African champions Enyimba FC of Aba on penalties, after both teams battled to a 1-1 draw.

Heartland FC, then known as Iwuanyanwu Nationale, humiliated Flash Flamingoes of Benin 3-0 in the 1988 final and then pipped oriental rivals, Enyimba FC, 1-0 at the Teslim Balogun

Stadium last year to lift the trophy on those occasions.

Today’s final, like last year’s edition between Heartland and Enyimba, promises to be explosive as both teams will not miss the massive support of their fans, who have stormed Lagos ahead of the encounter.

Former NFF board member, Dominic Iorfa, now Lobi Stars technical adviser and vice chairman of the club, has succeeded in transforming the Makurdi outfit to title contenders at the Nigeria Premier League.

Therefore, despite having a continental ticket for his effort already, Iorfa will definitely want to win the Federation Cup trophy to justify the huge confidence the sports-loving Benue State governor, Gabriel Suswan, has in him. And that will depend on the quality of resistance the Naze Millionaires will put up in the epic final.

Milan hopeful over Kaka return P. 55

1978: Bendel Insurance 3-0 Rangers 1979: Shooting Stars 2-0 Sharks FC 1980: Bendel Insurance 1-0 Stationery Stores 1981: Rangers 2-0 Bendel Insurance 1982: Stationery Stores 4-1 Niger Tornadoes 1983: Rangers 5- 4 DIC Bees 1984: Leventis United 1-0 Abiola Babes 1985: Abiola Babes 6 -5 BCC Lions 1986: Leventis United 1-0 Abiola Babes 1987: Abiola Babes 1-1(7-6pen)Ranchers Bees 1988: Nationale 3-0 Flash Flamingoes 1989: BCC Lions 1-0 Iwuanyanwu Nationale 1990: Stationery Stores 0-0 (5-4 pen.) Rangers 1991: El-Kanemi Warriors 3-2 Kano Pillars 1992: El-Kanemi Warriors 1-0 Stationery Stores 1993: BCC Lions 1-0 Plateau United 1994: BCC Lions 1-0 Julius Berger FC 1995: Shooting Stars 2-0 Katsina United 1996 : Julius Berger 1-0 Katsina United 1997: BCC Lions 1-0 Katsina United 1998: Wikki Tourists 0-0(3-2pen)Plateau United 1999: Plateau United 1-0 Iwuanyanwu Nationale 2000: Niger Tornadoes 1-0 Rangers 2001: Dolphin 2-0 El-Kanemi Warriors 2002: Julius Berger 3-0 Yobe Stars 2003: Lobi Stars 2-0 Sharks 2004: Dolphin 1-0 Rangers 2005: Enyimba FC 1-1 (6-5pen.)Lobi Stars 2006: Dolphin 2-2 (5-3pen)Bendel Insurance 2007: Dolphin 1-1 (3-2pen.) Rangers 2008: Ocean Boys 2-2 (7-6pen) Gombe United 2009: Enyimba FC 1-0 Sharks 2010: Kaduna United 3-3 (3-2pen.)Enyimba 2011: Heartland 1-0 Enyimba 2012: Heartland ?-? Lobi Stars

Suarez eyes fresh start P. 55

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Sunday August 26, 2012

Rufai signs MoU with NSSF ANDREW EKEJIUBA

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he Ogun State Governor, Senotor Ibikunle Amosun has ordered officials of Team Ogun to begin intensive close camping exercise for the forthcoming National Sports Festival, tagged ‘Eko 2012’.

The Governor gave the directive when he visited the athletes who have been in open camp for months at the Alake Sports Centre, Ijeja, Abeokuta.

With the directive, a total of

L-R: West Africa Coordinator of Starfuf Sports Development Limited, Sherrifat Rufai, Peter Rufai, President of NSSF, Mallam Ibrahim Muhammed and secretary of NSSF, Mrs. Bisi Joseph during the signing of MoU in Lagos.

can share ideas/developmental concepts to help youth sports in the country,” Rufai said.

Responding, the President of NSSF, Mallam Ibrahim Muhammed said the event was historical and timely because the initiative was what Nigerians need now as the country’s sports prowess is on a free fall.

“I want to thank Peter Rufai for identifying with school sports and also remembering his roots.

eight hundred and ninety-one athletes that include technical officials and other backroom staff spread across 33 sports are to report to their three different camp venues from today.

The Governor who was excited with the level of preparation of the athletes said everything will be done to make their close-camping exercise worthwhile; saying that as a former athlete, he will spare no effort at making sure that Team Ogun does the state proud at the sports festival.

Izonritei makes case for grassroots sports development ANDREW EKEJIUBA

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s Nigerians continue to lament the poor outing of Team Nigeria at the just concluded London 2012 Olympic Games, former Nigerian international boxing sensation and ex-Olympian, Emmanuel Izonritei said the only way forward for Nigerian sports is by reviving the grassroots sports just as it was in the late seventies and eighties.

To this end, Izonritei who won a bronze medal in the heavyweight class of the Imo ‘98

ANDREW EKEJIUBA elecommunications giant, Globacom, has expressed its expectation for a memorable final in this year’s Federation Cup as Lobi Stars of Makurdi slugs it out with Heartland of Owerri at Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos today.

A statement by Globacom on Saturday called on fans to troop en masse to the cup final venue, saying such massive support is key to re-igniting the old glory associated with the competition.

EKO 2012: Team Ogun begins close camping ANDREW EKEJIUBA

Glo looks forward to memorable final

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x-Nigerian international and former Super Eagles captain, Peter Rufai, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Nigeria Schools Sports Federation (NSSF) in a bid to assist the body in the development of school sports.

The signing ceremony took place in Lagos on Friday, as Rufai who incidentally was a product of school sports, told Sunday Mirror that it was a way to pay back and say thank you to numerous Nigerians who assisted him in his soccer career.

“I’m here today to sign an MoU on behalf of my company, Staruf Sports Development Limited with the NSSF to see how we can work together to promote sports in schools.

“As a product of school sports, this is my own way to say thank you to all who assisted my soccer career in Nigeria. And my collaboration with the NSSF will see my company see how we

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

National Sports Festival before going ahead to win gold medal at the Edo 2000 National Sports Festival, said he has concluded plans to come and stage a boxing tournament in Nigeria before the forthcoming 18th National Sports Festival, tagged ‘Eko 2012’ to be held in Lagos.

Revealing this in an interview with our correspondent, the exOlympian who is currently plying his trade in London as the coach of the British Army boxing team, said it is high time for Nigerians and all sports stakeholders to come together and rescue Nigerian sports.

And it is our hope that our partnership will help our sports development and equally assist in discovering more sport men and women who will make the nation proud in future through this initiative,” he said.

The event which coincided with the ex-goal tender’s birthday saw the NSSF presenting a surprise birthday cake with choice wines to make the day memorable for Rufai.

Clubs to submit autographed jerseys to NPL

“We are aware that in the past, the cup final use to be talkof-the-town and we look forward to regenerating that era with a view to bringing back the lost glory of the old FA or Challenge Cup,” the statement read.

The Federation Cup, then known as Governors Cup started in1945 and is the oldest competition in the history of football in Nigeria.

Globacom is the major partner of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and official sponsor of the national teams.

Paralympics: Expect a surprise in London, says Yusuf YEMI OLUS

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igeria’s Wasiu Yusuf says the wheelchair tennis team is set to make the country proud when the Paralympics get underway in London next week.

Yusuf was the country’s sole representative in Beijing four years ago, but this time around he will accompanied by Alex Adewale and the duo will take part in both the singles and doubles event.

While speaking to Sunday Mirror before his departure to London on Friday, Yusuf said, “We were comfortable at the camp in Abuja and training went well so I believe we are prepared for the Paralym-

pics. This is my second time, having featured in Beijing four years ago. I am glad to have another opportunity because my experience will definitely count.

“I only took part in the singles in 2008 because I was the only one who made it but this time around I also have my partner, Alex Adewale with me. We featured in a number of tournaments prior to the games so I believe that we are ready to spring a surprise in London,” he said.

National wheelchair tennis coach, Francis Tarmena says the level of preparation was high but called on administrators to play their part in ensuring that the players succeed.

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he management of the Nigeria Premier League (NPL) has requested all the clubs in the Premier League to, as a matter of urgency, submit a jersey each, with the autograph of all their registered players on the jersey.

Head, IT Unit of the league management board, Abubakar Abdulaziz, who signed the letter dated August 23, 2012, on behalf of the Executive Secretary, Tunji Babalola, and sent to all the club chairmen, stated that the request was at the instance of Supersport, the official Television Rights holder of the league.

He explained that the jerseys would be used by Supersport to boost and project the image of the various clubs and the Nigerian league at large.

Yusuf in action

APFON’s AGM, captains seminar holds in Ibadan ANDREW EKEJIUBA

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NPL boss, Victor Rumson Baribote

he Association of Professional Footballers of Nigeria (APFON) will hold its 4th Annual General Meeting (AGM) and the 3rd Football Captains’ Seminar in Ibadan on September 4.

The event, scheduled to take place at Kankafo Guest Inn in Africa’s largest city, will start by

11am.

Head of Competitions of the Nigeria Premier League (NPL), Auwalu Jada, who communicated all the Premier League clubs about the event through a letter he signed on behalf of the Executive Secretary of the NPL, Tunji Babalola, directed the clubs to sponsor their captains and secretaries to the seminar and AGM, respectively.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sport

Sunday August 26, 2012

55

Fergie delighted with RVP S ir Alex Ferguson has saluted Robin van Persie for making a move to Manchester United and putting personal ambition before personal gain.

The Red Devils will ensure that their new £24million striker is handsomely rewarded throughout his time at Old Trafford, but there were greater riches on offer elsewhere.

United will not be held to ransom in their pursuit of fresh faces and have missed out on a number of transfer targets as a result, with rivals such as Manchester City prepared to splash the cash.

The Blues had hoped to lure Van Persie to the Etihad Stadium from Arsenal, but saw the Dutchman opt for the Red Dev-

ils.

Van Persie admitted to having followed his heart upon signing for United, rather than looking to line his pockets.

Ferguson has welcomed that decision, with it important for United to have players on their books who are fully committed to the club and are driven to be successful.

Wenger: We have no need for Sahin A

rsene Wenger claims the impending return of Jack Wilshere dissuaded him from signing Real Madrid midfielder Nuri Sahin.

Liverpool confirmed they had reached a deal to sign the Turkey international on a season-long loan, appearing to have beaten their Premier League rivals in the race to sign the playmaker.

However, while Wenger will not be tempted to bring Wilshere back before he is ready, he believes Sahin would be surplus to requirements at Emirates Stadium as soon as Wilshere returns.

“He wouldn’t necessarily be a replacement for Alex Song because Sahin isn’t a defensive midfielder. I see Sahin as not a deep, deep midfielder, but a little bit higher.

“We have Wilshere coming back quicker and he is a similar type of player. But of course Sahin wants to join a club where he will play. We have nine midfielders and they all need a chance to play,” Wenger said.

Wilshere has not played in over a year, missing the whole of last season with an ankle injury which saw him miss Euro 2012 and the London Olympics.

Milan hopeful over Kaka return

A

Sahin

Suarez eyes fresh start L

Suarez

iverpool forward Luis Suarez insists he has drawn a line under last season’s controversies and is looking for a fresh start in the 2012/13 campaign.

The Uruguay international has had his fair share of problems since moving to Anfield in January 2011, most notably the alleged racial abuse of Manchester United defender Patrice Evra which resulted in an eight-match ban for the 25 year old.

However, he recently signed a new long-term contract at Anfield and is now looking to focus on his football as the Reds look to rebuild under new manager Brendan Rodgers.

“We are professional footballers,” said Suarez. “We play football on the pitch.

“Like any other problem someone has, you put it behind you and move on.

“Carlos Tevez had some problems as well. But he is a mature person and has sorted out those problems. He is an excellent player and everyone in England is enjoying watching him play at this moment.

“There were clubs who wanted to sign me but my priority was always to stay and sign for Liverpool. I am very happy here and the manager said he wanted me to stay because he was happy with me as a player.

“That gave me confidence. The club have trust in me because of the work I do on the football pitch and what happened in the past is in the past. It is over.”

Chelsea clash holds no fear for Simeone

A

tletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone believes his team can trouble Champions League holders Chelsea in the UEFA Super Cup on Friday.

Chelsea have strengthened their squad by signing Oscar, Eden Hazard, Cesar Azpilicueta and Victor Moses in the close season, but Simeone feels they are by no means better than Atletico.

“People may think Chelsea are superior because they won the Champions League, but when there is only one match to

play we all know that everything becomes more difficult.

“We don’t have anything to prove. It is a match between two teams that have won two different cups - and we are very proud of the cup we won.

“We know the Super Cup match is beautiful, but we focus on every single match. We know how important it is.

“After having won the Europa League, and now facing the Champions League winners, we are in a nice place. I hope we can enjoy it,” Simeone said.

Bright start! Robin van Persie (left) scores against Fulham with his first ever shot for United at Old Trafford.

C Milan remain hopeful of securing the services of Kaka, with chief Adriano Galliani set to travel to Madrid to discuss a potential move.

The Real Madrid playmaker has long been linked with a return to Milan, but the Serie A outfit’s dire financial situation has made a potential transfer complicated.

Nevertheless, Milan have not given up hope of re-signing Kaka just yet, and will re-open talks in the coming days.

“I will travel to Madrid in the next few days. We will have to wait and see what is possible,” Galliani said.

Milan are reportedly looking to sign the 30-year-old on a free oneyear loan deal, and are willing to pay 50 percent of the Brazil international’s annual salary of 10 million euros.

EURO BRIEFS Messi happy with Supercopa first-leg lead

L

ionel Messi has declared himself ‘very happy’ with Barcelona’s win over Real Madrid in the first leg of the Supercopa on Thursday. The record-breaking forward scored a 70th-minute penalty to help Barca secure a 3-2 win over Jose Mourinho’s side at Camp Nou, and he was in high spirits when addressing the result.

Messi

Ox ready to fill Song role

A

lex Oxlade-Chamberlain is confident he can become the lynchpin of the Arsenal midfield following the departure of Alex Song. The Cameroonian made a shock exit from the Emirates Stadium in a £15million switch to Barcelona earlier this week.

Kaka

Mancini denies Maicon link

M

anchester City boss Roberto Mancini claims to hold no interest in Maicon, a man he knows well from his time at Inter Milan. The buccaneering Brazilian full-back often finds himself at the centre of transfer speculation as each window passes.

Simeone

Mancini

Oxlade-Chamberlin

Hazard will get better, says Cabaye

N

ewcastle midfielder Yohan Cabaye believes Chelsea’s Eden Hazard will only get better after his move to the English Premier League. The two players were close friends as part of the Lille side which won the Ligue 1 title in 2010, and Cabaye advised Hazard to come to England after enjoying a successful first season himself at Newcastle.

N I G E R I A

$39.5 Vol. 2 No. 37

Sunday, August 26, 2012

www.nationalmirroronline.net

N150

I N

m, amount the American Wall Street Journal report, said the Federal Government pays to Niger-Delta ex-militants annually.

F I G U R E S

N400

bn, sum Anambra State Governor and Chairman of South-East Governor’s Forum, Peter Obi, said FG recovered from oil subsidy fraud.

The Fashola idea of a mega city

Back Page

Comment

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

with Jim Unah

T

he Lagos Road Traffic bill signed into law recently by Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola (BRF) appears to complement, as he clearly stated, his concept of a mega city; which envisages an orderly and unobstructed flow of traffic. A no-nonsense piece of legislation, the law provides for severe sanctions in the event of infraction by motorists.

For instance, the law, with several aspects and provisions, makes driving against the traffic a serious offence punishable by a jail term ranging from one year to three years depending on whether the culprit was a first time offender or a repeated offender; and stipulates that driving unregistered vehicle is offensive to the law, and would attract fines ranging from N20,000 to N30,000 for first offender and repeated offender, respectively. Likewise, motorcycle riders popularly called “Okada riders”, are prohibited by the law from plying the expressways both in the metropolis and those linking the neighbouring towns; and are further forbidden from carrying pregnant wom-

en and under-age children.

Of interest is the aspect of the new road traffic law which restricts heavy duty trailers from plying in the day within Lagos metropolis. It is this aspect of the law and the equivocal stipulation of jail terms in the case of driving against the traffic, without explicit provision of option of fine, that appear to provoke the greatest anger from members of the public; even though it is not entirely bereft of every iota of merit. How could a traffic offence of driving against the traffic which, though condemnable, carry jail terms without option of fine – if indeed there is really no option of fine – when more recently documented high profile graft cases involving the former Oceanic and Intercontinental Bank chiefs attracted almost the same number of years of incarceration; offences of the latter sort that plunged millions of investors and members of the unsuspecting public into needless financial woes? In my view, the Lagos State Government needs to clarify this aspect of the law, and explicitly provide for option of fine to such offences. Otherwise, the habit of driving against the traffic by Lagos motorists is a serious offence that not only impedes the flow of traffic, but also potentially dangerous for causing road accidents, that some times result in the death of innocent road users and passengers; and should not go unpunished by the law.

In like manner, the menace of heavy duty trailer drivers on Lagos roads has been a source of concern to many people who use the roads; and are particularly notorious for causing traffic gridlocks that makes working in Lagos metropolis a nightmare. Their prohibition from plying in Lagos metropolis during the day, if it can be scrupulously enforced, will go a long way in reducing traffic chaos and logjam, especially during the working hours. This aspect of the law will aid orderly and free flow of traffic in the metropolis. Unfortunately, members of the Association of Maritime Truck Owners (AMATO) have come down heavily against the provision of the law; arguing that it will rubbish the gains and advance made so far from the port reforms by the federal maritime authorities about seven years ago, which has brought about an appreciable level of efficiency in the transportation of goods to and from the Lagos seaports. With the new law prohibiting the movement of heavy duty trucks in Lagos in the day, AMATO members are apprehensive that obedience to such a traffic law would result in a huge loss of revenue from port activities.

The fear of the seaport workers is genuine; but only because they have been taken literally unawares by the state government’s arbitrary ways of doing things. A stakeholders’ meeting and wide consultations with Lagosians, as

Japan 2012: Mbachu tips Falconets for glory YEMI OLUS

S

uper Falcons striker, Stella Mbachu, has expressed confidence in the ability of the Falconets to scale through to the next round of the ongoing women’s U-20 World Cup holding in Japan from August 19 to September 8.

The Edwin Okon-led side won their first group match against Korea Republic by a 2-0 margin while they were held to 1-1 draw

by Brazil last weekend.

The squad is set to meet Italy today in their final Group B game and the Rivers Angels of Port Harcourt player believes that the Falconets have what it takes to scale that hurdle.

“The team has done well so far and they improve after each game, so I believe they can go all out to win the trophy. I’m sure

they can do much more,” she said.

Ngozi Okobi and Desire Oparanozie hit target in the first game while Francisca Ordega gave the Falconets the lead just before half time in their second game. However Brazil’s Giovanna Oliveira’s 87th minute header denied Nigeria early passage to the knockout stage.

Mbachu, who had earlier announced her retirement from international duty after last year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup in Germany, declined to comment on her participation in the forthcoming African Women’s Championship (AWC) scheduled to hold in Equatorial Guinea in October.

The Falcons, who are seven times champions and current holders of the AWC trophy, will

kick off the competition against Cameroon in Bata on October 29.

Nigeria has been grouped alongside Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire and Ethiopia in Group B.

well as sustained public education and enlightenment on the intendment of the new traffic law could have smoothed out the rough edges of the law and make it easier to accept and obey. That is why we insist in philosophical jurisprudence that the making of laws should take into cognisance the opinion of those who are expected to comply with the law. That is the best way to get the law to elicit obedience from the people it intends to regulate their conduct.

Where there is sufficient goodwill and adequate consultations with the people, laws are easier to obey. A stakeholders’ meeting to take in the fears of the people and alley them, could have convinced the AMATO members to re-strategise and key into the envisaged mega city concept of the new Lagos; especially with the Fashola government giving a helping hand to stakeholders to surmount the possible, initial difficulties that the new law might impose.

There is a compelling need to support any piece of legislation intended to forge order and civilised progress or to modernise the cities and make them less stressful and happier to live in. However, such laws must carry the people along.

And where offenders of the law have to be punished as a corrective against further misbehaviour, such a punishment should be even-handed and commensurate with transgressions.

Fed Cup: History beckons as Lobi, Heartland clash in final P. 53

PREMIERSHIP RESULTS Swansea 3-0 West Ham Aston Villa 1-3 Everton Manchester Utd 3-2 Fulham Norwich 1-1 QPR Southampton 0-2 Wigan Tottenham 1-1 West Brom Chelsea 2-0 Newcastle 17:30 PREMIERSHIP FIXTURES Today’s Matches Stoke v Arsenal 13:30 Mbachu

Liverpool v Manchester City 16:00

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