Vol. 6 No. 02
SATURDAY, JANUARY 9, 2016
NEWS
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National Mirror Online
TOP STORY
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@NationalMirror
NEWS
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P.7
Ex-Senate President’s EFCC invades Southern Shiites demand El-Zakzaky’s son sues Priest over former Customs CG unfulfilled prophecy Dikko’s residence release
Bayelsa Poll:
Bomb attempt at Jonathan’s home ...as Dickson, Sylva P.7
square up in tense re-run
So ni a P.2 1
Lassa fever: 40 dead, 86 hospitalised in 10 states
President Iddris Deby of Chad, President Muhammadu Buhari and President Boni Yayi of Benin Republic in Cotonou, yesterday.
Sealxk T
15 great reasons to do it more
P. 6
P. 34
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JANUARY 9, 2016
Top Stories
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INSIDE
Entervaganza
The Saturday Mirror Magazine
Sex talk
15 great reasons to do it more P.34
Relationships
Police arrest woman for pouring hot water on maid Patience OgbO
Male hang-outs: Do women have anything to fear? P.34
F
Fashion Frenzy Before you step out as a pregnant woman this New Year P.24
May7ven
... rising songstress
divorce
court
‘My husband loves sex too much’
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SOCIETY Mirror
Caroline Adeneye celebrates birthday with mixed feelings
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Mirror
Frozen chicken:
Who is interested?
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People Meet Morning Star of Tiv Kingdom Page 33
Beware! Stress can ruin your health! Page 38
Crime Watch Police in manhunt for mother who sold four-monthold baby Page 44
Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
or nine year old Chiwendu Precious, it is cruel world as she is currently in pains from severe burns after her mistress poured hot water on her. The mistress who happens to be her guardian, Mrs Ifeoma Mbakwe, is said to have douse her in hot water as punishment for undisclosed infraction. Following the severe burn , it was learnt that the incident was reported at the police station at Alagbodo in Lagos State where the Policemen attached to the Alagbado police station subsequently detained Precious’ guardian one Mrs. Ifeoma Mbakwe over the incident. It was learnt that concerned neighbors who claimed they witnessed the incident at Idowu street in the area handed her over to the police. An aggrieved resident who identify herself as Mrs. Joy Sunday described the action of Mrs. Mbakwe as inhuman
Precious
and urged the police authority to ensure Mrs. Mbakwe is prosecuted to serve as a lesson to others. ‘’The action of Mrs. Mbakwe is a disgrace to we women how can a mother do this kind of a thing to another woman’s
child and at the time everyone is celebrating. Mrs. Sunday queried. The victim was rushed to REM-YEMS Hospital Alagbado where she is currently receiving treatment a police source confirmed.
Nigerian makes history in US, breaks 349 years jinx
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Nigerian, Jude O Nkama made history on January 6th as he became the first African to be appointed as a judge in the 349 year history of the city and State of New Jersey, USA. Hon. Ras Baraka, Mayor of the City of Newark, NJ also appointed Hon. Ugochukwu Nwaokoro as Deputy Mayor; and Evans Anyanwu, Esq. as Chief Prosecutor of the city. The city of Newark, NJ in the United States has appointed three Nigerians into high level positions in his administration. Hon. Ras Baraka, Mayor of the City of Newark, NJ appointment Hon. Ugochukwu Nwaokoro as Deputy Mayor; Mr. Jude Obasi Nkama, Esq., as Judge; and Mr. Evans Anyanwu,
Esq. who took over from Jude Nkama as Chief Prosecutor of the City of Newark .
Both Jude Nkama and Evans Anyanwu were sworn in on Wednesday, January 6, 2016 to a great applause from the African community. The African community expressed appreciation for the high level appointments, and continues to pray for Baraka’s greater achievement and higher office. With the appointments, Newark becomes the only city in the U.S. with such high level appointments of Africans. Nkama becomes one of three African-born judges in the whole of the United States, including Judge Oliver Mbamara of New York State. Mayor Baraka, son of the legendary Amiri Baraka, is the 40th Mayor of the City of Newark and took office on July 1, 2014 for a four-year term.
his house in Nnewi, following allegations by one Rev. Fr. Chidozie Chilaka, aka ‘Jesus Network,’ of the Catholic Diocese of the East (Orthodox Catholic) during his weeklong crusade at Nigeria Science and Technical College Nnewi, that Prince Orji Nwafor Orizu was responsible for the misfortunes of his uncle’s wife, Mrs. Elizabeth Orizu and those of her children. The Mbaise-born and Isiala Mbano, Imo State, based evangelist had allegedly called out one Mrs. Orizu,
Prince Nwafor-Orizu’s uncle’s wife, during his crusade in Nnewi and told her that she had been under a spell from Prince Nwafor-Orizu. The priest allegedly told the woman that all her daughters’ broken marriages were caused by the legal luminary, promising that he would nullify curses inflicted on them by the former first Republic Senate President’s son. Orji Orizu subsequently sued the Reverend Father for N5b for defamation of character.
Nkama flanked by his wife and Major Baraka
Ex-Senate President’s son sues priest over unfulfilled prophecy
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econd son of 1st Republic Senate President, Prince Orji Orizu, has challenged any Nigerian, native doctor, any child or agent of a native doctor and anybody connected to any native doctor in or outside Nigeria to come out and speak that he has visited, patronized or been seen in the house of any native doctor anywhere in or outside Nigeria. Prince Nwafor-Orizu gave the challenge while addressing newsmen in
Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
JANUARY 9, 2016
Saturday Starter
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Has Buhari defeated Boko Haram? B After a tour of the conflict zones in the North East of the country by the Minister of Information, the federal government declared that it has defeated Boko Haram, the insurgent group ranked globally as the deadliest terror organisation in 2015. But attacks from the insurgents have not ceased. Regardless of whatever claims government makes on the ongoing war on terror, no victory can be declared until the day the Nigerian government can secure Nigerians who are caught in this mindless debacle from Boko Haram’s deadly reach, writes NICK UWERU.
ut for his quick thinking and decisive action, Ado Bala, a soldier in the Nigerian Army, and three of his senior military colleagues would have been killed by an improvised explosive device, IED. Bala and the three top officers, Col E.Odeh, Major Y M. Isa, and Brig. A. Adegoke, were at a junction in CONTINUED ON PAGE 4
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JANUARY 9, 2016
Saturday Starter
Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
‘Army has reversed gains made by terror group’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3
Gonge 1, Maiduguri, when he noticed an eight year old girl making her way towards him. According to Bala, the young girl carried a rubber bucket that appeared to be filled to the brim with sachets of water commonly referred to as ‘pure water’. Her determined strides towards the army men drew Bala’s attention. From a distance, Bala ordered the young girl to stop and state her mission. Upon the interrogation, the young girl stated that she was asked to deliver the bucket of bagged water to the army men by someone whom she pointed to, many meters away. Knowing he had been spotted by his targets, the suspicious man who sent the girl on the errand bolted. That was all Bala and his colleagues needed to warn them of imminent danger. Instinctively, Bala and the officers swung into action. Shouting at the girl to drop the bucket and run, the soldiers gave chase to the young man whom the girl said gave her the bucket. The action probably saved the girl, the officers and perhaps other innocent bystanders in the vicinity. As luck would have it, the suspect was apprehended. Upon examination of the package he sent to the soldiers, it was discovered that under the bagged waters was a booby trapped IED made from semtax, a highly explosive substance used in demolition work. Apparently, Bala and his other colleagues were targeted for death to be delivered by an eight year old girl who may have been mistaken for a suicide bomber if she had succeeded. Indeed as it turned out, the young girl was out on an errand for her mother only to be intercepted by the suspect now believed to be a Boko Haram operative. “We must all be careful and vigilant,” posted Bala on his facebook wall as post-mortem on the incident. Bala’s encounter barely a week to the end of the December 2015 deadline that federal government set within which to wipe out the insurgent group raises alarm as to the new menace posed by the deadly Islamist sect. In the last week of December, Boko Haram carried out more than three deadly attacks in Borno and Adamawa, two states perennially plagued by insurgency. 50 people were estimated to have died as a result of the attacks that came as both suicide bombings and gun attacks. Since federal government ramped up its military offensives against the insurgents since March last year, Boko Haram has since resorted to this deadlier attack form. Young girls in hijab are now reported to carry IED’s into populated places; detonate them, killing themselves and others in the process. Mosques, public squares, markets and other soft targets have since become principal targets of the insurgents. According to estimates, no less than 2,000
Nigeria attacks raise fears that Boko Haram is using kidnapped schoolgirls as suicide bombers.
...Nigeria has Not defeated Boko haram But simply reversed the gaiNs that the terror group has scored agaiNst it.
While
territory has BeeN recaptured from reBel haNds, iNNoceNt lives have, aNd coNtiNue, to Be takeN
people have been killed in these incidents while properties worth millions of naira lost to the conflict since May last year. The killings pale in scale compared to what Boko Haram has done to the country in the last four years. But coming at a time when government pronouncements was to the effect that insurgency in the North East, to all intent and purposes, has been subdued, raised worries; and criticism for government as well. During his inaugural speech, President Mohammadu Buhari not only vowed to put an end to insurgency and Boko Haram, he also pledged to rescue the Chibok Girls--the 270 secondary school girls abducted by the insurgents in Borno State in 2014. In fact, Buahri stated that victory over the insurgents would not be completed without
the rescue of the girls by any means. Even so, federal government promised that internally displaced persons, IDPs would be returned to their various homes. To wit, Buhari matched words with action, relocating military headquarters to Maiduguri, heart of the insurgency. The military say that they have been winning. On the strength of this, Lai Mohammed, Minister of Information and Culture, took a tour of the conflicts spots in the North East. Based on his findings, Mohammed declared that federal government had ‘technically won’ the war against Boko Haram. But the terror group has continued to mount attacks, despite efforts of the Nigerian military. As 2015 drew to a close, the specter of Boko Haram loomed as large as
Female suicide bomber
ever over the country. Indeed, less than 48 hours after Mohammed announced that federal government had fulfilled its vow of defeating the group, at least 50 people were killed in a wave of violence in Nigeria’s insurgent-embattled Borno and Adamawa states. Those skeptical of Boko Haram’s defeat were vindicated, those residing within the terrorists’ deadly reach continue to live in fear. Nigeria’s information minister, however, downplayed the December 27 attacks and further reaffirmed that Boko Haram was on the precipice of being “wiped out.” Mohammed claimed to local media that all insurgent-held territory had been reclaimed and that Boko Haram no longer possessed the operational capabilities to achieve its objective the creation of a ‘dawlah,’ that is Islamic-state in north-eastern Nigeria. Defense experts say that the problem with Mohammed’s “impending demise” narrative is that it equated loss of territory with defeat. Prior to Boko Haram’s capture in July 2014 of Damboa, the first Nigerian CONTINUED ON PAGE 5
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JANUARY 9, 2016
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‘Corruption, human rights abuses diluting efforts’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4
A market after suicide bomb attack in Maiduguri
town to fall to the extremist sect, its near decade-long insurgency had been characterized by traditional guerilla warfare. The group’s favoured modus operandi had been suicide bombings and hit-and-run raids, not the capture and control of territory. The acts of violence which the Nigerian government has derided as indicative of Boko Haram’s weaknesses are actually the very mechanisms which have made it one of the — if not the — deadliest terrorist organizations in the world. Some also aver that apart from being face-saving exercises, accounts of Boko Haram’s imminent destruction may also be an attempt by the federal government to misdirect attention from the myriad issues which have — and continue to — hamper its counter-insurgency strategy. The foremost of these is the failure of Nigeria and her Lake Chad neighbors to formulate a regionally coordinated response to the insurgency. Although it originated as a grassroots Nigerian organization, Boko Haram’s ambitions and operations have become transnational as it increasingly exported its insurgency across the border to Cameroon, Chad and Niger While these countries agreed to form a joint anti-Boko Haram task force in 2014, rumors of strained diplomatic tensions, disagreements over the direction of op-
erations and a lack of financing have all seen the unit miss several deployment deadlines. Despite an intensification in anti-terrorism initiatives by the Nigerian military, the failure by neighboring countries to respond in kind has afforded Boko Haram space in which to regroup, recruit and re-energize its armed uprising against the Nigerian state. Alleged maladministration within the Nigerian military is another issue diluting the efficacy of the country’s counter-terrorism response. In June 2015, Amnesty International released a damning report detailing alleged war crimes committed by the Nigerian military in its counter-insurgency initiatives. These included arbitrary arrests, enforced disappearances, torture and the extrajudicial killings of thousands of Boko Haram suspects, according to the Amnesty report. Although both the Nigerian presidency and military leadership promised to investigate these claims, it remains unclear as to whether an steps have been made toward the inquiry. If the claims are true, then such actions may see the army not only lose the hearts and minds of local communities, which are essential to any successful counter-insurgency cooperation, but also aid Boko Haram in its radicalization and recruitment process.
The arrest of a former National Security Adviser has also highlighted how corruption has allegedly influenced Nigeria’s response to Boko Haram. Sambo Dasuki has been charged with embezzling military funds earmarked for the fight against Boko Haram at a time when Nigerian soldiers complained about lack of ammunition, fuel and even food while deployed in the field of battle . Dasuki has denied the corruption charges. He remains in custody. Although the arrest of Dasuki and others demonstrates Buhari’s commitment to fighting alleged corruption, its systemic presence in Nigeria suggests that possible malfeasance within the defense sector is unlikely to be remedied overnight. Transparency International, which monitors corruption round the world, reported in 2014 that Nigeria scored only 27 out of 100 on the corruption perception index. Buhari has made fighting Nigeria’s official corruption a key part of his presidency since he came to power in 2015. A final consideration is the impact that Boko Haram’s pledge of allegiance to Islamic State in March has had on the African group’s longevity. While the Nigerian government denounced the oath of fidelity as being nothing more than superficial propaganda, the fact is we know little about the ISIS model for expansion — and even less about Boko Haram’s inner-work-
ings — to know definitively the implications of the pledge. What we do know is that Boko Haram has become the largest ISIS affiliate anywhere and has increased its jihadist credentials within an area of sub-Saharan Africa where the prevailing social, political and economic climate is seen as conducive to radicalization. The inconvenient truth is that Nigeria has not defeated Boko Haram but simply reversed the gains that the terror group has scored against it. While territory has been recaptured from rebel hands, innocent lives have, and continue, to be taken by it. Even more, the kidnapped Chibok girls remains an unresolved issue in the insurgency matter. Before winning the election, Buhari had pledged that he would rescue the abducted girls because, according to him at the time, “We know where they are,” the President had said while making the campaign promise. But so far, no headway has been made in the matter. Even more, narratives from the presidency appear to have deviated from the search and rescue of the Chibok girls. Buhari, at a recent media chat, stated that federal government is not sure of where the girls are or in what conditions they are. Apparently no victory can be declared in this war until the day that the Nigerian government can secure both land and human life from Boko Haram’s deadly reach.
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NATIONAL NEWS
JANUARY 9, 2016
Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
Lassa fever: Death toll hits 40, 86 cases reported
...Minister calls for public sensitisation Patience OgbO and adeOla tukuru, ABUJA
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assa fever has claimed the lives of 40 people with a total number of 86 reported cases, the Federal Government has said. This would be the highest since 2012 when 112 people died of the disease. Minister of Health, Professor Isaac Adewole, told Saturday Mirror that there is likelihood for the toll to rise if feverish cases are not reported on time. He also stated that there is need to interrupt the transmission in the communities
and our health facilities urgently through public sensitization. “People must avoid eating bush rats, cover foods from contact with rodents,” Said the Minister. She also added that people should report cases of the ailment on time. He explained further that health education materials were distributed to all states, particularly the affected areas for effective health promotion to enhance good community hygiene including food hygiene and food protection practices. Adewole urged Nigerians to ensure that they avoid contact with rodent/
rats as well as food/objects contaminated with rats’ secretions/excretions. “Avoid drying food in the open and along the roadside. It is also important to prevent rodent’s contamination, and lastly, all suspected cases should be reported immediately to enable early treatment. Prof. Adewole however noted that his ministry has taken measures to curtail further spread and reduce mortality among those affected which includes the immediate release of adequate quantities of ribavirin, the specific antiviral drug for Lassa fever to all the affected states for
prompt and adequate treatment of cases; deployment of rapid response teams from the ministry to all affected stated to assist in investigating. He explained that verifying the cases as well as tracing of contacts; clinicians and relevant healthcare workers has been sensitized and mobilized in areas of patient management and care in the affected states; and affected states have been advised to intensify awareness creation on the sign and symptoms including preventive measure such as general hygiene. He further stated that reservoir or host of the Las-
sa virus is the multimammate rat called mastomys natalensis which has many breast and lives in the bush and peri residential areas. “The virus is shed in the urine and droppings of the rats can be transmitted through direct contact, touching objects or eating food contaminated with these materials or through cuts or sores. “Nosocomial transmission also occurs in health facilities where infections prevention and control practices are not observed. Person to person transmission also occurs most especially when a person comes in contact with the virus in the blood, tissue, secretions or excrements of an infected individual, he hinted. “Lassa fever is an acute febrile illness, with bleeding and death in severe cases caused by Lassa fever virus with an incubation period of 6-21 days. Lassa fever was first detected in Nigeria in 1969. “The number of record-
ed cases peaked in 2012 with 1,723 cases with 112 fatalities were recorded. It has continued to decline since then. About 80% of human infections are asymptomatic; the remaining cases have severe multi-system disease where the virus affects several organs of the body such as the liver, spleen and kidneys. “The onset of the diseases is usually gradual, starting with fever, general weakness, and malaise followed by headache, sore throat, muscle pain, chest pain, nausea vomiting, diarrhoea, cough, and bleeding from mouth, nose, vagina or gastrointestinal tract, and low blood pressure,” he said. Prof. Adewole said that the outbreak has affected 10 states to include: Bauchi, Nassarawa, Niger, Taraba, Kano, Rivers, Edo, Plateau, Gombe and Oyo states. He therefore urged that all suspected cases should be reported to the following numbers: 08093810105, 08163215251, 08031571667, and 08135050005.
...One dies in Plateau
James abraham, JOS
O L-R: FCT Director, National Orientation Agency, Mr. Moses Aba; Resident Electoral Commissioner for FCT, Prof. Jacob Jatau, and Administrative Secretary of INEC in FCT, Mr. Abdulrazaq Adamu, at a Political Stakeholders meeting on Continuous Voter Registration, in Abuja, yesterday.
...Rivers steps up enlightenment
dennis naku, PORT HARCOURT
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he Rivers State Government has urged residents of the State to always maintain proper hygiene in their homes and environment to stem the spread of Lassa Fever in the state. This is even as Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has approved a series of sensitization programmes across the state to stem the spread of Lassa fever in the state. To this end, medical professionals in health facilities across the state are now enlightening workers and staff on how to protect
residents against the deadly Lassa fever. Speaking during a sensitization programme approved by Governor Nyesom Wike on Friday for Government House, Port Harcourt staff and security details, Chief Medical Director in charge of Government House Clinic, Dr. Mrs Miller Finebone Oruene said regular hygiene, particularly washing of hands can help reduce the risk of getting infected by the viral disease. According to her, “clean your house, clean your environment, avoid contact with sick persons with cases of bleeding and avoid Ra ts”.
Mrs. Oruene while noting that the primary transmission of the Lassa virus from its host to humans can be prevented by avoiding contact with Mastomys Rodents, explained that putting food away in rodent-proof containers and keeping the home clean will help to discourage rodents from entering homes. She further advised Rivers people to be wary of the signs and symptoms of Lassa fever which include back pain, chest pain, conjunctivitis (Redness of the eye), cough, Diarrhea, facial swelling, fever, Mucosal Bleeding, Proteinuria, sore Throat and vomiting. She added that the mode
of Transmission Human to Human occurs when a person comes in contact with the virus in the blood, tissue, secretions or excretions of an individual infected with the Lassa Virus as well as through sexual transmission. The medical professional that the signs and symptoms occur between one to three weeks after the patient comes into contact with the virus. Also speaking, senior medical officer in charge of Government House, Dr. Samuel Wilson advised the people of the state to make personal hygiene and priority.
ne person was, yesterday, confirmed dead following the outbreak of Lassa fever which spread into Jos and other parts of Plateau state. According to the State Commissioner for Health Dr, Kuden Kamshak, the deadly disease has been noticed in five local governments of the state namely; Jos North, Mangu, Langtang South, Pankshin and Shendam LGA respectively. The Commissioner who briefed journalists over the matter in his office in Jos yesterday however said that the state government has established Disease Survellance and Notification Officers (DSNO) in each of the 17 local governments in the state to monitor and manage the health challenge. He said:”We are also working with medical experts from the Who Health Organisation (WHO) who are assisting the state to curb the spread.”
He said, “As you are all aware, the Federal Ministry of Health has confirmed that the country has been experiencing Lassa fever outbreak in the past few weeks in some states including Bauchi, Nassarawa, Niger, Taraba, Kano, Rivers, Edo and Oyo states respectively. “Lassa Fever is a Zoonotic disease, which means that human beigns became infected by contact with infected animals. The animal host of the virus is rodent (Rat) and the animal used to shed the virus through its urine and faeces. “Human beings can become infected with the virus when they get exposed to urine and faeces of the carrier animal. “Person to person transmission occurs both in community people live in clusters and spread faster in such crowded environment especially under poor sanitary conditions. “Health officer could be at risk if they do not employ proper barrier nursing and infection control practices as expected of them”
Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
JANUARY 9, 2016
NATIONAL NEWS
Bayelsa Poll:
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Police foil bomb attempt on ex-president Jonathan’s home ...as Dickson, Sylva square off in tensed re-run
OsahOn Julius, YENAGOA
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midst the growing tension, reports of violence, security build up and counter accusations from the main contenders, PDP and APC, in today’s Bayelsa state supplementary re-run election, five suspected thugs said to be allegedly hired to bomb the home of the Former President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan were arrested by the operative of the State Police Command. The arrest, which was carried out in an unnamed hotel in Swali area of the Yenagoa local Government area of the State, has sparked off security concern in the state, leaving residence in a state of fear and anxiety. The suspects were rounded up by the Police based on a tip off while they were perfecting their strategy on how to attack the Yenagoa home of the former president. While the APC governorship candidate, Chief Timipre Sylva confirmed it during a media interaction and stated that the suspects were hired hands of the ruling PDP, the party is yet to react to the claim. But the Police, through its spokesman, Astim Butswat, failed to mention the political affiliation of the arrested suspects, but insisted that those arrested were plotting to attack a yet to be identified target,”the arrested suspects include Timiere Matthew, 25; Samuel Joe, 27, Emeka Asupha, 34, Ebipre Ebebi, 25, and Okilo Matthew, 25.”
Butswat said “they were arrested based on a tip-off on the 6th of January at about 1500hrs, by the detectives from the Anti-Kidnapping and Anti-Vice unit who stormed a hotel premises in Swali community, Yenagoa.” Bayelsans are expected to turn out once again to decides who rules them for another four years. Already both party candidates, incumbent Governor Seriake Dickson of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and his main rival, Chief Timipreye Sylva, of the All Progressive Congress, APC, have been boasting of victory in today’s epic battle amidst the palpable fear that has grip Bayelsans over the growing incident of reported violence. Preparations was in top gear at the office of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, as its officials were seen making final arrangement with the deploying of sensitive materials to the 101 units in the six local governments earlier cancelled and the contentious Southern Ijaw Local government area. The re-scheduled Bayelsa State Governorship election billed for January 9, 2016 has opened the race, while the results expected from the poll appears dicey, despite the fact that the incumbent Governor is leading his main rival. There are over 100,000 votes that are up for grabs in the seven Local Government Areas, where the exercise will take place and both Governor Seriake Dckson of the
Peoples Democratic Party, PDP and Chief Timipre Sylva of the All Progressives Congress, APC are both in contention. Dickson lead can be obliterated if the seeming popularity of the APC candidate in the six out of the seven LGA is factored into reckoning. The Seven LGAs, with their voting strength are as follows; (1) Sagbama, with 6 polling units rescheduled, has 2005 votes. Others are ; (2) Yenagoa, 16 polling units and 8,383 votes.(3) Brass LGA, with 16 polling units, 2255 votes. 44 polling units were rescheduled in Ekeremor, the home LGA of the Minister Of State for Agriculture and Rural Development, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, and the area total votes for those
units is 13,910 votes. Next is Ogbia LGA, with 27 units, 5816 votes. Nembe, has 13 polling units rescheduled, with 4294 votes, while the contentious Southern Ijaw Local Government, still remain contentious as different figures were recorded for the local Government, with about 58, 000 votes being the conservative figures popularly agreed on. However, the state APC are arguing that the total votes realizable form the area is 120,897 votes and if this turns out to be the right figure, could raise the bar and the total state wide votes for the re-run could rise to 157,00 Though the Bayelsa State Police Command said it has beefed up security ahead of the election in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area as
they have increased its foot, vehicular, and waterways patrols, as well as intensive aerial surveillance in all nooks and crannies of the state, the reported attacks by thugs on party members is threatening an implosion. The Bayelsa Deputy Governor’s brother Beinmopre Jonah escaped death by the whiskers on Thursday, as suspected thugs invaded his residence in Ekeki, Yenagoa local government area of the state, leaving him unconscious. The suspected thugs, as reliably informed, were said to have stormed the area, brandishing dangerous weapons, including machetes, cudgels and headed straight for his residence. Earlier on Thursday the country home of the Speaker of the Bayelsa State House
of Assembly, Hon. Konbowei Benson in Korkosei community of Southern Ijaw Local Government area of the State was reportedly attacked with improvised explosive device, IED, suspected to be made from dynamite by unknown masked men. Just yesterday, attack on the former Speaker of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly and chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Rt. Hon. Boyelayefa Debekem, by suspected thugs was also reported. Eye witness accounts said the Chairman of Ekeremor local government, Hon. Billy Tobiye and the PDP ward agent, Tams Alari as well as other notable members of the PDP and traditional ruler of Ekeremor, HRH Agbodo Gbaseimo escaped the assault.
The Convoy of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, arriving with relief materials to be presented to Internally Displaced Persons, at Wasa Resettlement Camp in Abuja, yesterday.
EFCC invades, cordons off Dikko, former CG, Customs’ residence nick uweru
WITH AGENCY REPORT
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peratives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Friday raided the residence of the immediate past Comptroller-General of Customs, Abdullahi Dikko, in Abuja. Anti-graft personnel arrived at the house located
at 6, Ahmed Musa Crescent, Jabi, at about 7 a.m., it was gathered. Dikko was not at home at the time of raid. It learnt that the mission of the personnel was not disclosed to any member of the family who were in the house. Armed officials of EFCC were still around the property by Friday noon, NAN said.
The agency quoted an armed police at the house as saying that they were deployed to ensure there was no breakdown of law and order. The report also quoted Mohammed Usman, a relative to the former Customs boss, as saying that the EFCC operatives arrived at the residence at about 7 a.m. According to him, about
seven operatives searched different sections of the property for documents. “A team of about seven operatives of the EFCC in company with some armed policemen arrived at the residence at about 7am and have been in the house for the past five hours. “From the information available to me, no search warrant was presented
before the commencement of the search. “As I speak to you, they are currently in my uncle’s bedroom carrying out the search in his absence,” he said. Mr. Usman faulted the search on the ground that the operation was being carried out in the absence of the former comptroller-general. “The only people in the
house at the commencement of this search and even till now are his children who are below the ages of 18,” he said. When contacted, Wilson Uwujaren, EFCC Spokesman said that he had not been informed of the search on the former comptroller -general’s residence. (NAN)
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NATIONAL NEWS
JANUARY 9, 2016
Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
Continued detention of Metuh, unhealthy for democracy –Ekweremadu
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hief Ike Ekweremadu, the Deputy Senate President, has described the continued detention of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) spokesman, Chief Olisa Metuh, as `unhealthy’ for the country’s democracy. This is contained in a
statement signed by Mr Uche Anichukwu, the Special Adviser (Media) to the Deputy Senate President on Friday in Abuja. Ekweremadu decried what he termed the “trampling of the opposition and total disregard for the rule of law in the guise of anti-corruption war.”
He reaffirmed the PDP’s support for a genuine anti-graft crusade. He, however, decried a situation where such crusade became a calculated attempt to decimate and silence the opposition, while members of the ruling party with serious corruption allegations
went about their businesses. The deputy senate president expressed fear that Nigeria was fast descending into `authoritarianism’. “The continued detention of the PDP mouthpiece was an attempt to gag the opposition and,
therefore, unhealthy for democracy. “An anti-graft trap that catches only members of the opposition and those with axe to grind with the government of the day is compromised,” he said. He called on the citizenry to denounce and resist
the prevailing situation where people were held in custody against the directives of the courts and laws of the land. Ekweremadu pointed out that there would be no justice without the rule of law. (NAN)
Shiites demand release of El-Zakzaky Kemi Olaitan, IBADAN
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Abuja in 2015. The factional NLC President, Mr Joe Ajaero, in a letter addressed to Summonu, expressed disappointment over the uncommitted attitude of some of the congress members to the reconciliation. ``We had believed that all of us were genuinely committed to speedily working through the process to reach acceptable compromise. ``The reconciliation is expected to assist the
aggrieved parties build a new and vibrant movement and not pseudo outcomes that might further undermine Nigerian workers and weaken the NLC,’’ the letter said. It said that it would be unfair to keep with the traditions of the Congress as a protector of the masses to continue with the reconciliation effort if it proceeds beyond the end of this month. The letter noted that the process as presently configured has begun to
work against the interest of Nigerian workers and the Congress. ``We re-emphasis that we may no longer be found available at the table any longer if these meetings continue beyond the end of January 2016,’’ it cautioned. The letter said it was regrettable that the prolonged reconciliation and lack of cohesion by the congress has affected workers in getting their right during privatisation of the electricity sector. (NAN)
he call for the release of the leader of the Shiite group in the country, Mallam Ibrahim Elzakzaky, yesterday gathered more momentum, as hundreds of members of Islamic Movement In Nigeria, demanded the unconditional release of their leader. The leader of the Movement, Mallam Muftau Zakariyah, while addressing a press conference in Ibadan, also demanded compensation for over 2,000 members who were allegedly massacred. He said, “We demand formal apology from the Nigerian Army. We demand payment for all Movement property that has been destroyed”. While answering questions from journalists, he said “we are innocent of all the allegations by the military. COAS is our servant,he has no right to order the killing of our followers.” Zakariyah whose speech was punctuated by “Allahu Akbar”, said his followers
are completely false, mischievous and fabricated to mislead the public and derail the course of proper investigation on issues relating to Chief Metuh,” said a statement by Mr. Metuh’s media aide, Richard
Ihediwa. He said neither Mr. Metuh nor his office received the figures reported in the media. “We therefore challenge the EFCC to substantiate that Chief Metuh received
the said N1.4 billion figure as well as make public any evidence that he ever received N4 million monthly stipend from the Office of the National Security Adviser. “This office is deeply
worried at the turnout of events since Tuesday when Chief Metuh was arrested and detained while fictitious figures continue to be bandied against him in the media. “Chief Metuh, as a well-
The Founder of FCMB Group, Otunba Olasubomi Balogun (middle) with his wife, Olori Abimbola Balogun (right) and his sister, Mrs. Olaronke Atere, during the thanksgiving service organised by Otunba Balogun, at Ijebu-Ode, Ogun state, yesterday.
NLC reconciliation committee fails to resolve leadership crisis
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he Reconciliation Committee of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has failed to resolve the leadership crisis rocking the congress, it was learnt yesterday. It was gathered on Friday in Lagos that the committee, headed by ace labour leader Hassan Summonu, failed to reach an agreeable resolution to end the crisis. It would be recalled that that the NLC was factionalised at the end of its delegates’ conference in
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he office of the National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party has debunked allegations that the spokesman of the party, Olisa Metuh, received N1.4 billion and N4 million monthly stipend from the Office of the former National Security Adviser. “These reports
numbering millions all over the country were not ready for any violence. He queried why the Nigerian Army “become the prosecutor, the jury and the executioner “adding that the composition of the panel set up was faulty.” He was of the view that the likes of Mr. Femi Falana, SAN, Prof. Ishaq Akintola of the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) and other human rights group should have been included in the panel set up by the Kaduna State government, to attract any credibility. He lamented that previous governments have been unfair to the Movement for long, alleging “when Jonathan’s government exhausted all options that will postpone election in 2015, it killed three ElZakzaky’s children in order to destabilize the country”. He said many top politicians in the country had in the past visited and commended Mallam Elzakzaky for his peaceful conduct.
Metuh never received N1.4 billion from Dasuki –PDP
known citizen and a public figure, had always stated his readiness to honor any invitation by the EFCC or any agency of government for that matter on any issue regarding any allegations against him.
“ tha Me the spo obv the
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JANUARY 9, 2016
Surety in court for alleged impersonation, forgery
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47-year-old man, Komolafe Olajide, on Friday appeared in an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court, Lagos, for allegedly impersonating a staff of Conoil Plc. Olajide, who resides at No. 65, NNPC Road, Ejigbo, Lagos, was arraigned on charges bordering on impersonation and forgery. The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge. The Prosecutor, Cpl. Micheal Unah, told the court that the accused committed the offences at 3 p.m. on Dec. 30, at Court 19, Ogba Court. Unah said the surety submitted fake documents before the court. “He presented a confirmation of appoint-
ment letter from Conoil and its staff identity card and evidence of tax payments, all forged. ``It was discovered after he was interrogated by the court,’’ he said. Unah said the offences contravened Sections 327, 363 and 378 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011, which on conviction attracts three years imprisonment. The Magistrate, Mrs A.O. Gbajumo, granted bail to the accused in the sum of N50, 000 with two sureties in like sum. She adjourned the case till Feb. 8, for mention. (NAN)
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DPR seals 6 petrol stations in Ogun for selling above N86.50 T
he Department of Petroleum Resources and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps on Thursday sealed six petrol stations in Ogun State for selling petrol above the official pump price of N86.50 and for hoarding the fuel. The affected fuel stations are Amour Petroleum, Saquad Oil, Rab Engineering, Arolat, SAF petroleum and Muyad Ni-
geria Ltd. The public relations officer of the civil defence corps, Kareem Olanrewaju, told journalists that the exercise was borne out of tip-offs and outcry by members of the public. He said the stations would only be reopened when they revert to the approved price. Mr. Olanrewaju said the team visited at least 15 filling stations, and sealed six
while two stations were compelled to dispense freely to motorists and residents. “It is not only NSCDC that is in it; we are out with the DPR and that gives us the full hammer in accordance with the authority given by the federal government to come out and act together,” he said. The NSCDC spokesman said the exercise would not be restricted to Abeo-
kuta metropolis as “we will storm other parts too” “They should be wary of this exercise and do the needful. It is either they sell at normal price or risk their filling stations being sealed or their product dispensed freely. “We will move to other parts of the state soon but it won’t be made public; we’ll just go there unexpectedly as we did today,” he added.
Expert warns against consumption, unwholesome brewing of bitters
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r Anthony Godspower, a food technologist with the Alpha Research Centre, on Friday cautioned against the unwholesome brewing of bitters, an alcoholic preparation flavoured with botanical matter. Godspower told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that unwholesomely brewed bitters contained substances that could pose health challenges to the consumers. He warned Nigerians to desist from patronising such uncertified products and urged the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to be diligent in preventing such products from flooding the Nigerian market. ``We have so many bitters in the market for people’s consumption, while some are good, others erroneously claim healing properties. “It is time we stopped these damaging products from flooding our markets and save our people from health crisis. ``I bought one of the products some weeks ago and on close
examination, I found out that it contains lead substance which is injurious to the body,’’ Godspower said. He added that if the regulatory authorities were proactive in discharge of their duties, these drinks could be prevented from getting to the market. Godspower appealed to Nigerians to always examine the labels, expiry date, contents and producers of products they intended to buy carefully. According to the food technologist, the belief that bitters cure all manner of illnesses has permeated the average Nigerian’s psyche and they have become so gullible that they buy and drink these substances without verification. He noted that, apart from the conditions and environment under which these bitters were produced being unhygienic, the manufacturers were also quacks. Godspower said that the unscrupulous businessmen touting these unwholesomely brewed bitters usually labeled them as madein-Ghana. (NAN)
L-R: Creative Director, Rhodium Chef Global LLC, Mrs. Idono Gbenro, the three finalists: Mr. Dapo Lambo, Mrs. Edna Ojuma, Miss Tobechi Ogu with the Head of Public Relations & Event, Tolaram Group, Mr. Temitope Ashiwaju, during the unveiling ceremony of three finalists for the Season 2 of the ‘Making of the Chef competition’, held at the company’s head office at Surulere, Lagos, recently.
12 ships arrive Lagos port with petroleum products
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welve ships are waiting to discharge petroleum products at Apapa and TinCan Island Ports in Lagos. The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) stated this in its daily publication - ‘Shipping Position’, a copy of which was made
available to newsmwen on Friday in Lagos. The document indicated that 10 of the ships were waiting to berth with petrol, while others would berth with bulk gas and aviation fuel. It stated that 32 ships laden with petroleum
products, food items and other goods were expected to arrive the ports from Jan. 8 to Jan. 24. NPA stated that the expected ships contained general cargoes, buck wheat, containers, fresh fish, bulk charcoal, bulk sugar, ethanol, empty
containers, diesel, steel products and petrol. NAN reports that 21 other ships are at the ports discharging buck wheat, general cargoes, bulk fertiliser, bulk sugar, bulk rice, bulk gypsum, containers and petrol. (NAN)
Ex-NMA DG makes case for indigenous ship owners
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shipping expert, Mr Patrick Egesi, on Friday said the federal government should accord priority to local production and transportation of cargoes by indigenous ship owners. Egesi, a former Acting Director-General of the defunct National Maritime Authority (NMA), stated this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos. He said Nigeria’s economy could not depend solely
on importation, adding that the economy could stabilise with local production. “What sustains a country is foreign exchange. If you cannot produce things you can sell, then there is cause for worry. “You must find a niche in the trade where you can fit in. “Shipping is relevant because of international trade. You cannot talk of shipping without trade. “You cannot talk about Nigerian shipping without international macroeco-
nomics; it will not develop. “The major thing is to move cargo from point A to B,’’ he said. Egesi advised that Nigerians should take advantage of production and exportation of agricultural products to make shipping more relevant. ``Gone are the period of shipping without production; Nigeria should encourage trade. “The government should work toward developing agriculture and create products from agricultural
produce, which can give Nigeria foreign exchange,’’ Egesi said. He urged Nigeria to go the path of countries like India and Philippines which became manufacturers. ``They have ships of their own that can take their manufactured goods to the world,’’ Egesi told NAN. He said that the Ship Acquisition and Ship Building Programme (SASBF) failed because people treated it as a “gift”. (NAN)
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Sen. Adamu advocates sufficiency in rice production before ban on importation
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en. Abdullahi Adamu, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Agriculture, says sufficiency in rice production by Nigerian farmers must be certain if ban on rice importation is to make any meaning. Adamu told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Friday that Nigeria‘s current level of rice production was not commensurate with its teeming population. The senator said ban on importation of rice would be sustainable if certain factors were properly addressed, including the issue of supply and demand and accurate census of the population. He, however, said that the ban on the importation of food crops would go a long way in stimulating the indigenous farmers to increase their level of production of the banned items for improved earnings. The erstwhile President of All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) further said that rice importation was in a way increasing unemployment and inducing more losses for Nigerian farmers. He gave assurance that the present administration would make good its promises to improve the agricultural sector. Adamu stressed the imperativeness of making food available at affordable rate to all Nigerians to enhance the general wellbeing of the populace. NAN reports that ban on importation of food crops such as rice and wheat has been on the agenda of successive administrations.
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JANUARY 9, 2016
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Bauchi Govt allocates 35 percent to education, health sector ezekIel TITUs, Bauchi
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he Bauchi State Government has allocated 35 percent to education and health sector in the 2016 budget. Out of the N135b budget proposal for 2016 fiscal year presented to State House of Assembly by Governor Mohammed Abubakar, education sector gulp 20 percent which amount to N26.7b and health sector received 15 percent which N19.7b Briefing newsmen in Bauchi on Friday, the Permanent Secretary of the State Planning Commission, Mohammed Aminu Ibrahim also said construction and agriculture
received 11and 7 percent which amount to N14.4b and 9.5b respectively.
He sated further that the sum of N7.3b and N3.4b were allocated to Water supply and rural development which is 5.4 and 2.5percent . He gave the breakdown of the budget based on sectors as N5.7 b for Administrative sector, Economy, N30.4b, Law and Justice sector, N1.9b and Regional sector, N3.3b. He said; “Education being the bedrock of any development, priority has been accorded to this sector on provision of qualitative education. Projects and programs expected
to bring about the attainment of qualitative education include purchase of furniture and fittings, supply of instructional materials, library books and equipments to the existing schools, construction of more public schools as well as rehabilitation of existing ones” Mohammed said his government also made provision for local and foreign scholarships for youth as well as training and retraining of teachers and recruitment of additional teachers. According to him, “allocations made to the health sector will help improve and strengthen functional health services through purchase of health and medical equipments, constructions/provisions of hospital /Health centres
in all senatorial districts, provision of infrastructures and purchase of drugs, medical equipment for hospitals as well as making service delivery effective. The Permanent Secretary expressed the commitment of the present administration to improve all sectors of the economy with specific reference to Health, Education, Water supply, Transport, Agriculture, Human capital development and infrastructures. He noted that the intervention of the state government on all the sectors will improve social development indicators of the state which according to him, are necessary and sufficient conditions for sustainable growth and development.
Deputy Governor of Kebbi State, Alhaji Samaila Yombe (left) and Chief of Dabai, Alhaji Isah Sami, at the Rumu Uhola festival in Zuru L.G.A. of Kebbi State…yesterday.
Youths condemn arrest, detention of monarchs in Nasarawa Igbawase UkUmba Lafia
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igili Youth Association in Nasarawa state have condemned the arrest and detention of the Zhe Migili, Dr. Ayuba Agwadu Audu , and the zhe Duglu, Chief Jonathan Gule Iwala by the police. The association alleged that the royal fathers were arrested and detained by the police following a political violence that erupted in Duglu community on December 26, 2015 over a court of appeal verdict that upturned the election of the Obi II state constituency in favour of All Progressives Congress, APC.
National President of the youth association, Emmanuel Zhebagu, made the condemnation at a press conference in Lafia, the state capital. He equally condemned the arrest of pregnant women, innocent civilians and under aged children by the security operatives, stating that “it is very outrageous and can incur the wrath of humanity. We advised that such arrest of Migili traditional rulers should stop forth-with.” He said: “We also demand for an unreserved apology from the security operatives involved in this discriminate act. “We call on human rights commission, Nige-
ria Legal Aid Council and other well meaning people of Nasarawa state to join us in the fight against these injustices that are against democratic norms.” The Kaduna State government has announced the dissolution of the interim management committees of the 23 local government councils in Kaduna State. The tenure of the management committees expires in December, six months after they were appointed by Governor Nasiru El-Rufai. The dissolution was announced in a statement by the governor’s spokesperson, Samuel Aruwan. “The interim manage-
ment committees of the 23 local government councils were appointed on 3rd July 2015 for a period of six months in the first instance. “The Local Government (Administration) Law No. 12 of 2012 provides that their tenure can be extended by the Kaduna State House of Assembly. “The government has made appropriate submissions for the extension of the tenure of the IMCs, but the House of Assembly is currently on recess. “Therefore, the lawful thing to do is to dissolve the interim management committees with effect from 6 January 2016.
Makeup artist calls for professionalism, improved film quality
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r. Gabriel Okorie, a Nollywood makeup artist, on Friday urged artists to apply professionalism and diligence in film makeup to ensure production of quality films in the country. Okorie, popularly known as ‘Gabazzinni Concept,’ made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja. He said that makeup in film production can either make or mar the film. However, makeup is a substance that people put on any part of their body to change their look or appearances. According to him, a film makeup artist is one whose job is to put makeup on the actors in film production for the purpose of changing their looks and appearance. He explained that makeup in films production was different from the day to day beauty makeup because accuracy, skills and research were required. According to him, makeup plays a vital role in determining the quality of film. He, therefore, called on makeup artist across the industry to get training and be professional in carrying out their duties. Okorie, however, advised film producers and directors to always engage the services of professional makeup artists during production.
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National Assembly’s 120 cars jamboree Lekan adejuwon
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hen Gbenga Ashafa, a senator representing Lagos East came on air last Monday to justify the almost indefensible purchase of controversial 120 new vehicles for the 109 senators of the Federal Republic, it was met with stiff resistance by concerned members of the public as many saw the development as the height of insensitivity by the lawmakers. According to the Chairman, Senate Committee on Land Transport, the 109 Sport Utility Vehicles that the Senate plans to buy would help committee members to carry out ‘oversight functions’ and would also help to curb corruption. He, however, said he did not know if the money allocated for the vehicles was N4.7bn as reported. Ashafa said if the Senate did not have the vehicles, senators would be at the mercy of Ministries, Departments and Agencies which the Senate is supposed to be probing. The senator’s claim came on the heels of President Muhammadu Buhari’s recent condemnation of the move. The President had, in his maiden Presidential Media Chat last week, expressed reservation over the N47.5bn reportedly proposed for National Assembly members’ cars. He had said he would hold a closed-door meeting with the National Assembly members because of the plan. Buhari said if he could reject N400m bill for his personal cars as a President, the lawmakers should do the same thing. His words: “N47.5bn for vehicles for the National Assembly members? I think I will explore the possibility of that power. If I can turn down N400m for vehicles in the Presidency, I think we don’t need new cars; we can manage the old ones because of the economy.” He noted that the lawmakers had collected N100bn as allowances for the purchase of cars. It was not clear whether the President meant N4.7bn when he made reference to N47bn during the media chat. It is on record that members of the two chambers of the national assembly are renown for their taste for exotic vehicles even after receiving monetary pay in lieu of official vehicles based on the provisions of the law. For instance, the Senate had in the last legislative session, bought Toyota Prado Jeeps for each Senator at the cost of over N1.3 billion, coming after both chambers had also bought Toyota Camry, for Senators and Peugeot vehicles for members of the House of Representatives. Also the Nigerian National Assembly is believed to be the highest paid public servants in the whole world, a development which fell in the face of logic in a country where state governors cannot paid the N18,000 minimum wage. The procurement is also happening at a
Saraki
Buhari
time millions of Nigerians are enduring long and humiliating fuel queues across the country because the federal government is too broke to pay importers of petrol several billions in subsidy claims. But whether the economy can sustain the humongous drain on the national lean resources at a time the crude was selling at an all time low of 38US Dollars remains the pertinent question. However, the thinking among the upper legislative arm appears to be at variance with the mood of the nation as Senator Ashafa clearly indicated that there was no going back on the cars’ purchase saying the cars would help committee members in their oversight functions. He said, “If you are looking for a National Assembly that will do a very serious oversight, there are some minor things that must be provided. Let me give you an example. Let us say we are going to a ministry in Abuja and it is not within a walking distance, and we decide to take our vehicles and we find out that there are no vehicles in the pool dedicated for such an assignment, there are two options. “It is either you go with your (personal) vehicle or you call on the ministry, which has been the practice in the past, to provide you with the vehicles. If you use buses provided by the ministries, you will be seen to have compromised.” On the question why the Senate did not expose the allegations of fraud and corruption in the last government during its oversight exercises despite the provision of the vehicles, Ashafa said, it was not enough to prevent the Senate from getting new vehicles. “A situation whereby you are in a position that you can be compromised should not be tolerated. The oversight function still has to be worked on but we must operate within an environment that will not make room for
excuses,” he added. He however admitted that the Senate had a bad reputation, but the 8th Senate would do everything to impress Nigerians. The Senator did not hide the profligacy in government in reaction to a question why the senators could not use their old vehicles to carry out oversight functions, He said most of the vehicles had been sold off, adding that every inaugurated Senate is seen as a new entity in the eyes of the law, noting that the perks of the 8th Senate cannot be tied to the 7th Senate. When asked why the Senate could not make sacrifices for Nigerians in light of the economic crunch facing the country, Ashafa said other arms of government should also be able to make sacrifices, adding that the Senate had even cut down its budget. Already, the management of the National Assembly has invited bids from contractors interested in supplying the vehicles. In an advertisement published in some newspapers, of November 20, 2015, the authorities asked the companies to tender for “Lot 1S, Supply of Utility Vehicles”. In what appears a deliberate ploy to conceal details, the adverts failed to indicate the number, type and specification of vehicles being bought. However, a popular online media, Premium Times, has obtained detailed copies of tender documents being discreetly issued to prospective contractors. In one of the documents, the Senate indicated it was buying 120 units of Toyota Land Cruiser, 2016 model. Other details of the vehicles included that they must be “American Brand, V8, VXR, 5.7, Auto Engine WITH INTELLIGENCE”. The senators also want the vehicles to come with integrated navigator cruise control, QICompatible wireless charging and Kinetic dynamic suspension system, as well as being
“full option”. Also on November 21, the Senate also put up another advert it labelled “addendum”. The latest advert under Lot 2S, which was phrased to look like an oversight in the first advert, was for the purchase of vehicles for the use of the senate president’s convoy. Under Lot 2S and based on the tender document, the national assembly is seeking to purchase a 2016 model Mercedes Benz S550 for the Senate President, Bukola Saraki. Other vehicles being procured for Saraki include four 2016 Toyota Prado jeeps, four 2016 Toyota Hilux SS (Auto) as well as a 2016 model Toyota Hiace Bus. However, from all indications, it appears the president may be on a collision course with the National Assembly as Buhari had declared during the media chat that he was having problems with the National Assembly because they were refusing to subject themselves to the new policy of a Treasury Single Account, TSA, and were planning plan to buy new vehicles. Buhari was quoted to have said, “As for the National Assembly, we are having problems with them. I think everybody has to subject themselves to TSA as far as federal money is involved,” When reminded that as the president, he might have the power to try to stop the purchase, Mr. Buhari said “I will explore that power to stop the expenditure of N50 billion for cars by the National Assembly. But in a swift reaction, the Senate President last Thursday, stated that the National Assembly will not spend what he called an ‘outrageous’ amount of money on the purchase of new cars for federal lawmakers. “Please wait for the breakdown of the 2016 budget. Not in my time will NASS spend such outrageous amount on vehicles. “I still maintain we will provide breakdown of NASS Budget and the one submitted by executive. You will be carried along. “Will follow due process all the time and ensure things are done according to the law and will carry Nigerians along,” Saraki said on his official Twitter handle. While Buhari has said he would hold a meeting with the leadership of the National Assembly on the matter, the Senate had already undertaken a bid opening exercise for the purchase of the cars on December 17, a day before it adjourned for the Christmas and New Year break to resume on January 16. It is expected that the cars would have been delivered by the time the National Assembly resume from their break. But can the President stop the purchase of the cars without necessarily impinge on the fundamental principle of separation of powers? Senator Ashafa gave hint that the move may be revised. He said, “We are waiting for the closeddoor session with the President and it will be transparent. If the consensus is that these vehicles should be jettisoned, so be it. We are willing to make sacrifices for the sake of moving this country ahead.”
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Buhari has done well so far –Gbonigi The Retired Bishop of Anglican Communion Bishop Emmanuel Bolanle Gbonigi, is a prominent Afenifere leader. In this interview, the octogenarian clergy speaks on President Muhammadu Buhari’s six months in office, the newly appointed ministers and the Yoruba nation, among other issues. LEKAN ADEJUWON brings the excerpts:
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ow will you assess President Buhari’s administration in the last six months? My assessment of President Buhari administration since he was sworn in May 29, 2015, is that, as a human being, he has been doing well. I know that because of suffering and poverty of the large majority of Nigerian, many people had expected him to perform miracles as if he will use some kind of magic wands to perform miracles and bring about changes especially because of his political party policy to bring change. In fact, change is not so easy to bring like that, you have to plan it, you have to work for it and it has to come gradually and it cannot come just like that, like a miracle. So, he has been trying and I have tried to watch carefully as I pray for him and this country. I have been praying before he was elected asking God to please be with whoever is elected as the president of Nigeria at this time because this period in the history of Nigeria is a very critical time. Economically, it is extremely critical; because there’s so much poverty, so much suffering in this country. Large majority of Nigerians are living in abject poverty. I’ve been watching and listening to what he has been doing within the country and outside the country and I feel strongly and very honestly that he has been trying. Firstly, his war against terrorism and violence in this country: As soon as he was sworn in, he went to visit our neighbouring countries like Chad, Niger Republic, Cameroon, Benin Republic to discuss with leaders of these country asking them for cooperation in order to fight terrorism and stamp out and also to stop them from killing people and destroying houses for no just cause. Also we come to administration. I have noticed that he’s been trying to lead with examples. Firstly, he decided to sacrifice his salary and allowances by half and his Vice, Prof. Osibajo followed his examples, that’s leading by examples and I hope and praying that others will emulate the two of them. I am looking forward to see the ministers, members of the Senate, House of Representatives and other political office holders to follow his examples, by saying because of the economic crunch in the
Gbonigi
country and in the light of the dwindling income of the country’s resources particularly from oil that we have depended upon so much we have decided to cut our salaries too. He has also shown self discipline. He demonstrated this by saying I will be the Petroleum Minister, I know he wanted to use his past experience to bring discipline and sanity into that ministry and to ensure that money that comes in through oil paid into our treasury and not to some private pockets and connected with that is what he called Treasury Single Account.TSA In the past the federal government money were being deposited into different accounts and that gave room for terrible fraud and individuals were making billion of Naira into their pockets and enriching themselves and they were improvising our country. The money that ought to come in to federal account, so that they can use it to take care of the need of the people, individual now put it into their pocket, when Buhari came into office he said my administration is going to operate one Single Treasury Account, this is to put a stop to indiscipline and also to stop people from stealing our money.. I think I’ve said enough to show that he is trying but I’m not saying he cannot do better than that. But some of the appointments made recently negate his crusade against corruption, because some of the ministers appointed were perceived to be corrupt and contributed to our present predicament in the country. Well, you said some people who are seen to be corrupt. Even people have been crying out over the Senate President who was
dragged to the Code of Conduct Bureau and they are trying to try him. If there is enough evidence against any of the men Buhari appointed as minister, I am very sure that the President will not say that they should not be arrested or investigated. This was one of the reasons people are saying that the President should not limit his investigation to the immediate administration but should go back to administration before Obasanjo in 1999 and anybody found to have been corrupt should be investigated. The division and disunity within the Yoruba nation has taken its toll on the leadership role of the Yoruba people in the country. What do you suggest as way out to reposition the Yoruba nation to take its rightful place in the affairs of the country. Well one of our leaders, Chief Ruben Fasoranti recently wrote to resign as leader and chairman of Afenifere, one of the leading voices of Yoruba because there is so much in-fighting and disunity and we thank God he had the courage to say that. But later, they went to appeal to him, I understand that even our governor, Dr Mimiko, was there with some leaders to appeal with Chief Fasoranti. He then withdrew his letter and made them to realise that there’s strength in unity. There has been so much disunity in Yoruba nation because of self interest. We have been self- centred instead of peoples centred. Chief Awolowo, Micheal Ajasin, were people centred Their primary concerns was what can we they do to help these people to alleviate poverty and suffering. That was one of the reasons they established farm settlements
at that time. The idea was brought by Adekumle Akasin and sold to his friend, Chief Awolowo and they developed it and we have farm settlements all over South West. For instance now, Chief Fasoranti said what can he get through individuality but believe what they can do together as a group to help the good people of the Yoruba race and cater for the basic needs of the people and make the people comfortable and save them from poverty and suffering. That’s why we have been where we are, but we thank God that it is not altogether passed, there are two or more organisations within the Yoruba nation in the South west who have been working hard for the unity of the country. We had a group called Yoruba Parapo in the early 90s and I happened to have served as chairman of that group for many years and again, it was selfishness that stopped it or even killed it. ‘I want to be Yoruba leader’ and they are still fighting for that now. Well, Chief Awolowo did not ask to be made Yoruba leader. He just lived naturally, using his natural gift, his charisma, his zeal and active concern for the welfare of the people: working hard for the people and so he emerged as leader because of his efforts, hard work. He did not say make me leader. So also was Chief Ajasin. So, anybody that wants to be Yoruba leader should work hard, faithfully, diligently, honestly and “Please take note of this word that I want to use,” and “sacrificially.” (He/she must be ready to make sacrifices. Quite a number of those who are struggling to be Yoruba leaders are not ready to make sacrifices for the welfare of the common people. They are doing this because of their personal gains. They don’t want to make sacrifices in other to help common people rather they even want to get from the common people. And we Yorubas have a term, we call it “Agbalowomeri,” (Cheating the needy instead of helping the common man and thinking of taking away the little they have from them) So, that is the reason Yoruba people are now being sidelined and we are no longer holding the position we used to hold before. We should make self-sacrifice for the sake of all. If you make self-sacrifice for the sake of all, it will be well for all. When the blessings come, you will be one of those who will be enjoying the blessings. I, Emmanuel Gbonigi, if I am looking for blessings for myself alone, and I am selfish and greedy or self-centred and I don’t care for the needs of people around me; even if, it had been possible for me to achieve much for myself: blessings, money wealth and so on, the sufferings of people around me will not allow me to enjoy it and I won’t be able to enjoy it because it is contrary to the will of God. God says: “Love others as you love yourself !” So, I should work for the needs of others as I work for my own needs. That is important.
JANUARY 9, 2016
Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
TALKING POLITICS ‘Spending N47billion to buy cars unjustifiable’ — President Muhammadu Buhari
“I
f I can turn down N400 million for the presidency that I do not need any new car because of the economy, I can’t see the National Assembly spending more than N47 billion to buy cars, on top of transport allowance they collect. “I have to revisit that story. The budget for their transport allowance comes up to N100bn. With the kind of money that goes into the National Assembly, we have to look at it conscientiously and see how we can live within our means.”
‘Not in my time will NASS spend such outrageous amount on vehicles’ — Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki
“P
lease wait for the breakdown of the 2016 budget. Not in my time will NASS spend such outrageous amount on vehicles. “I still maintain we will provide breakdown of NASS Budget and the one submitted by executive. You will be carried along. “We will follow due process all the time and ensure things are done according to the law and will carry Nigerians along.”
—President of the Nigerian Labour Congress, Bobboi Kaigama
‘Do Nigeria lawmakers have conscience?’ — President of the Nigerian Labour Congress, Bobboi Kaigama
“L
awmakers in most developed countries ride in public transportation to attend to state matters, despite the affluence of their country. “For over two months running, the country has been experiencing chronic fuel scarcity such that has never been heard of before. The free-fall of the naira, poor health facilities, glorified primary schools as universities, closure of manufacturing companies, insecurity of lives and properties, which essentially is caused by unemployment, etc. “Our case has become so deplorable that we have now become a laughing
stock among the comity of nations. Where is the conscience of the so-called lawmakers?”
‘Buhari, trying to infringe on principle of separation of powers’
—Olisa Metuh, National Publicity Secretary of the PDP
“T
he scorn for the principle of separation of powers, especially the independence of the legislature, is further manifested in the declared craving to regulate the funding and running of the National Assembly, a matter constitutionally vested outside the jurisdiction of the executive. “We are most uncomfortable about his attempt at trying to whip up public
sentiments against an independent arm of government, especially the one vested with the constitutional power of appropriation. “Following from the foregoing, therefore, it may be necessary to suspend the application of our Constitution and allow the President to operate as maximum ruler for four years after which the nation can return to a democracy.”
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‘We’ve been very frugal in our spending’ —Senate spokesperson, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi
“F
or those who may want to find out what happened to the ones bought in the past, we cannot expect that after four years, the vehicles will still be in the condition to effectively serve the present committees. The best practice in government institutions and even private organisations is for official vehicles allocated to top officials after four years of use to be sold at the depreciated value”, Abdullahi stated.
“We have been very frugal, responsive and responsible in our spending. We have also cut down on several expenses. However, there are certain expenses and purchases that are normal in government and any organisation generally. The legislature is not an exception. “With respect to the official vehicles of the Senate President, it should be noted that majority of the vehicles in his convoy are his personal vehicles while some of the vehicles that he inherited, including his official vehicles and the back up car, are so old that they are already developing faults and not fit for long journey. We can recall that on several occasions, his official car broke down. Three instances will suffice here. I remember on a visit to Nasarawa state for a wedding of the daughter of a colleague. Other occasions were at the National Mosque three weeks ago and at the Abuja airport.”
Buhari took wrong step by starting media war with NASS’
—House Minority Leader, Mr. Leo Ogor
“B
ut, as a House, we welcome discussions with Mr. President to avoid unnecessary frictions. We advise that, in keeping with the principle of separation of powers, he should read sections 4,5,6 and 80 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) jointly for clearer understanding of which arm of government has the power of appropriation.
“All that is contained in the entire budget remains a mere proposal until approved by the National Assembly the way it deems fit,”. “The Presidency proposed to buy cars for almost N3.5bn, there is electrical wiring of almost N300m. There are so many proposals in the Presidency’s budget that we think should be subjected to thorough discussions. Some of the proposals in the Presidency’s budget may not even stand. “Where we are not convinced, we will remove and take some sub-heads to areas we think they are needed. President Buhari took the wrong step by starting a media war with the National Assembly in his first media chat. “The option of opening discussions with the National Assembly on issues he might not have been adequately briefed on should have preceded the media war.”
‘It’s morally wrong for NASS to purchase vehicles for members’
—A former member of the House, Dr Haruna Yerima
“T
he lawmakers must be checkmated while their finances too should be subjected to the Treasury Single Account (TSA). “It is morally wrong for the National Assembly to purchase vehicles for the lawmakers after collecting their constitutionally approved car loans. “In 2006 when the car purchase issue
came up, we stood against it. We succeeded in stopping the House leadership under Speaker Bello Masari from buying the cars. “Nigerians have the right to know how much of their tax payers’ money the lawmakers are spending and on what. They should make public the breakdown of the budget estimates. It should not be a secret.”
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January 9, 2016
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JANUARY 9, 2016
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Back to the stone age!
• Residents of Kobena community cry for the most basic of infrastructure
Not only does Kobena community have no hospital, life is hellish for his residents because there is no good school, no market, no access to clean water and ante natal clinic to provide medical care to expectant mothers. While male members of the community are calling on government to come to their aid, the women are crying because they are the main victims of the poor health facility in the village, reports JULIET UMEH
T
he conversation between Iyabo Jimoh, a 20-year-old mother of one, definitely told the story and the lifestyle of people of Kobena, Ilashe under Ori-Ade Local Community Development Area (L.C.D.A) Lagos State. Her baby boy, Israel is more than one year old, yet he has only taken immunisation against killer disease only once. When Saturday
Mirror asked her why she did not take her baby to hospital for immunisation, she responded: “Me I no de go because the place dey far.” Mrs. Jimoh was referring to Ibeshe, the closest hospital where they in the community sometimes receive medical care. Speaking to some people in that community gave them the opportunity
to open up about their sufferings and the boldness to lay the facts bare. When Saturday Mirror visited the community, the people it met on ground cried about lack of government presence in the community, effect of which is maternal mortality in the area which whose population is not fewer than 2000, surrounded by water, has no hospital where men and women can consult a doctor. Hence, life there is all about water and boats, fishing and may be farming. According to one of the women, who identified herself as Patience Joseph, she told our correspondent that she had been married for four years. “We go to Ibeshe clinic whenever we have access to boat to convey us, but when no boat is available, we resort to private individuals for our health care,” she said. “When I was pregnant, I was going to
Ibeshe. In the night, we had a nurse who helped people in case of emergency. We are suffering in this community. We don’t have a market; we go to Ojo or Badagry for our market. Speaking in the same vein, Mrs. Taye Tetede, one of the women lamented: “What we are facing here is majorly transportation problem. When pregnant women go into labour, there’s no boat to take them to hospital. We don’t have a clinic here and our children don’t go for immunisation because of lack of access to clinic. So we need boat and clinic here so that our sick ones or pregnant women will be attended to,” she said. While explaining how members of the community cope without equipment for healthcare till date, Mrs. Tetede said: CONTINUED ON PAGE 16
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JANUARY 9, 2016
‘Politicians promised heaven and earth’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 15 “Sometimes they trek down to waterside before they can enter boat to Ibeshe town. In the case where the labour starts at night, they may charter a boat to Ibeshe.” Her husband, Mr. Jimoh, confirmed her revelation by saying that “the people are suffering in order to access medical care in their community.” However, unavailability of healthcare service has resulted in a lot of women falling back on knowledge and experience of old men and women as well as herbalists for child deliveries, especially those that do not have wherewithal to ferry them to the nearest community where there is primary healthcare. Easily offering health care, the traditional type popular in primitive time, is Kosoko Dumeda, a 64-year-old traditionalist, who doubles as a fisherman. He takes joy telling everybody that he has expertise in traditional medical practice. “I always assist women if I am invited especially when they are having protracted or painful labour. I give them some concoction which can aid them to have a quick labour by making the baby to be easily delivered like slippery okra soup delivers bolus into the digestive system.” The father of four also revealed that he was the one who delivered his wife of her four children said: “For women finding it difficult to labour, there are leaves that I do give them to drink that can boost quick delivery. The baby will be slippery like okra soup and come out easily. I do assist in the delivery process, immediately the baby comes out, I will tie the womb with tread to avoid bleeding. After the whole process, the woman needs not to go to hospital again.” The man, also called Baba also said that he has solution to some other problems especially for babies that refuse to cry at birth. “There’s a leaf which I will give to the child in his or her mouth and he will cry immediately. The work of the leave is to break the barrier in the baby’s mouth and immediately the baby will start talking,” Baba Dumeda said. Mr. Tetede also spoke to confirm Baba Dumeda and other herbalists of his ilk of the ability to help women during travails, saying, “Most of women are attended to by herbalists. If it is in the night, we used to call a nurse to help us. Then, some of the women used to be delivered of their babies at night and some of such delivery are done by herbalists especially in the night,” he said. However, story of an average Kobena woman is not so pleasant but punctuated with pains and agony, because even Ibeshe, where they go to access medical care, is poorly equipped and as a result fails to care or cure, but record deaths. Recently the whole community was thrown into sadness and grief when a pregnant woman died. Her untimely and painful death inspired a graduate of banking and finance of Valley View University, Ghana, Titilayo Emmanuel,
Some of the women of the community.
daughter of Balogun of Kobena, Chief Julius Emmanuel, to solemnly vow to make her people proud as soon as she concludes her master’s degree, by embarking on a discussion with the government and relevant non-governmental organisations on improvement of health facilities in the area and by extension put an end to needless deaths of women with babies. As the aforementioned death was not enough loss to the Awori community, “The death toll knell also sounded again last month in Ibeshe when a lady wanted to give birth but unfortunately died because facilities for childbirth were inadequate. There is a clinic in Ibeshe, but there are no enough facilities that will help them. In the case of the last lady, it was an emergency,
Kobena houses
We are pleading with government to put workers there for us,” he prayed. However no fewer than three quarters of villagers Saturday Mirror interviewed gave the elected representatives of the area the rough side of their tongues, strongly blaming their insensitivity to plight of the masses, as the main cause of their pains. “Politicians made promises to facilitate ‘change’ and make life better before we elected them; now they have forgotten us,” a villager said. Some of the community members said that even top politicians have comfortable houses where they come to relax during weekends, “yet they turn blind and deaf to our plights,” another villager uttered. But Baba Dumeda also holds grouse
When pregnant Women go into labour, there’s no boat to take them to hospital. We don’t have a clinic here and our children don’t go for immunisation because of lack of access to clinic because a Caesarean Section, CS, was supposed to be performed on her, but before she could travel from the village to the hospital she was referred in Lagos, she had given up the ghost. The baby also died. It is so painful,” Titilayo recounted looking mournful. Also speaking about poor medical facilities, one of the indigenes of Kobena who is also the ward health community chairman in Ibeshe, Alhaji Sharifat Amodu, said even though they have health facility in Ibeshe where the people from Kobena come to access medical care, but it is under-equipped. He also revealed that there are some other hospitals in the other communities that made up Ori-Ade but some of them had been abandoned. “We have about eight communities under Ibeshe center. There are many hospitals there, but they are abandoned and we are pleading with government to assist us.
against politicians but thinks, “We need government to come to help us. We need hospital. During campaign they will come and promise us heaven and earth but after they have won they would not remember us again. We have not seen anything. They promised to give us flying boat and hospital till now, we have not seen anything.” The voice of complaint is not only that of the elderly but the youth, if the sentiment of Tope is considered. “I fetch water nine times every day before I go to school. By the time I am done every morning, I will be so tired,” the nine-year-old boy said which later discovered the water in the well looked so dirty and unhealthy, yet that is what they drink and for domestic use . “There’s no market in the community, we used to go to Ojo and Badagry. We go down to waterside to board boat down to market. And going and coming in is about
N2, 000. But we cannot afford the cost, “Mr. Tetede said. However, responding on how they cope with the market, he explained: “We do plan it and you know we used to go fishing and our women will smoke the fish and take it to market to sell and after sales they will buy food there, that’s how we have been living. According to a programme officer at DevComs, a concerned non-governmental organisation that sensitised the world about the shambolic primary health care condition in the community and later organised a visit by a press team, Ayodele Adesaumi, he lamented on the fate and challenges of the people of Kobena community and other communities in the coastal areas. He said the people are in dire need of basic amenities especially medical healthcare. “Suppose there are complications during labour, it’s a matter of sailing to town. And then even the road from Jetty where the boat will drop her to Ori-Ade L.C.D.A, secretariat where you find health facility, is also bad. Everything is just bad for people around this area. And this same situation is what you find in eight other communities surrounded by water, that you find here,” he said. He therefore advised the government to reduce the delay that may occur at the second level and the third level. “That is the distance between home and the facility and also the delay at the facility level. What the policy makers would be doing at this time is to try to bring health facility close to the people and not just health facility but a quality health facility where a qualitative health services are rendered,” he advised. He insisted that Ibeshe Primary Health Care (PHC) should be upgraded to a stage whereby more health workers will man the place so that pregnant women won’t get frustrated when they get there. “Even the same thing happens at Ibeshe community where they even have the socalled. Women there don’t even access the health facility because they do not really offer quality services there. So they have to still depend on traditional birth services. That is the only alternative they have,” he averred.
Entervaganza
The Saturday Mirror Magazine
Sex talk
15 great reasons to do it more P.34
Relationships Male hang-outs: Do women have anything to fear? P.34
Fashion Frenzy Before you step out as a pregnant woman this New Year P.24
May7ven
... rising songstress
c Why I can’t PAGE
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ELEBRITY ELEBRIT ELEBRI TY
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Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
JANUARY 9, 2016
e
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disclose details of my endorsement deal —Bez There’s A Fire singer, Bez Idakula, is one of Nigeria’s top celebrities who has achieved many things that some other musicians are hoping for. These include an endorsement deal with Globacom and a record deal with Cobhams Asuquo’s CAMP. He told OSEYIZA OOGBODO how he got these two deals that have changed his life forever.
How does it feel to be a Glo ambassador? It’s amazing. It’s an opportunity to represent a brand that is African and is going global as well, you know, which is sort of like my brand. So it’s a great thing for me, and definitely, I know they have accomplished a lot of strives and processes so it’s a brand that I’m happy to associate with as well, you know, because I’m trying to go that route, you know, increase my process, go global, so it’s just amazing being on the same platform with that brand. What did you do to be chosen out of the numerous celebrities in town? I got called. I actually got called and we had a couple of meetings and the negotiation process started, so I didn’t do anything. I think I was just being me, you know, we are doing music and they paid attention and they called us. Seriously. Are you saying categorically that your management didn’t go and lobby for it? No. It was a surprise when they called us actually. It was like wow! And then we went to them and had a few meetings, and that was it, so my management didn’t approach them. We don’t actually get to know the details of Nigerian endorsements, unlike in America and Europe where they tell you everything about theirs. Can you tell us
the details of yours, how much it’s worth, and so on? It’s because it’s a contract. When you sign a contract, you are actually bound to, you know, secrecy. So there’s no way you can share out the details. The only details you see online are speculations. They can never know the main details. Why is it a secret? Why can’t you tell us about it? What’s the big deal there? It’s because when you sign a contract, will you tell me how much your salary package is? You likely wouldn’t tell me because you signed a contract. It’s a job, you know, I’m employed by Glo to do a job, so it’s sort of like saying, what is your salary package, how much are they giving you for allowance, most likely I will not tell you that. How did you get signed on by Cobhams to his record label? I met him in 2008, and he was looking for somebody to open up for Asa because she was having a concert, and somebody recommended me to him, and we hit it off, you know, he liked my music and we became friends, started working together that same year, and it was a smooth transition to ‘OK, let’s do this for real. Let’s sign a contract, not because you’ll run away, we are friends, but this needs to be done properly.’ And that was when we made it official in 2011, but before that, we had a gentlemen’s agreement.
How do you feel about many of your colleagues just walking out of their record contracts? I think there must be an issue or a problem, an internal problem, and I do not know what the problem is so I cannot advice or give my opinion. But in my case, if there’s an internal problem I try to sort
it out amicably. And if it can’t be settled amicably, we’ll have to find a way of sorting it the right way because we signed a contract, it has to be done the right way through the courts or you bring your lawyers or something. Don’t just walk away. That’s what I’ll do. But right now, I’m pretty happy with my label.
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Oseyiza Oogbodo 08036961187 kingseiza@gmail.com
Bobby Benson’s granddaughter tries to fill his boots
I
t’s never easy to fill a great man’s shoes. Many people have tried to do so and failed. No matter whom the great man is, no matter his field of endeavour, people find it downright impossible to fill their shoes. One such great man is the late Bobby Benson. In his lifetime, he was a very successful musician, and one of his songs, Taxi Driver, remains a classic evergreen. And as daunting as trying to live up to his legacy is, a lady, Coco Benson, who happens to be Benson’s granddaughter, has taken it upon herself the task of filling his
boots by taking on a music career. She released her debut song and video, They Call Me Coco, last year, and made a bit of an impact. She followed it with other releases and now she’s back with her latest video for her own version of Taxi Driver. One thing is obvious. She’s really trying her best to make a name for herself in music just like her grandfather. And it’s also obvious that she’s not just relying on her grandfather’s name, but really working hard and investing money, time and energy. Good luck, girl.
Saeon kicks off 2016 positively Coco
I
s this the year extremely talented singer Saeon will finally attain the heights she’s been seeking in music for years? Even as that remains the question, the beautiful but struggling singer has kicked off the year on a very positive note with the release of the video of her song, De Be, the cypher version on which she features Eva, Poe, Ycee, AT, Tesh Carter and
Saeon
… Segun Odegbami’s daughter, May7ven, also
A
nother lady who has also set her sights on 2016 as a year in which she can really become a genuine music force is May7ven, the singer daughter of football legend, Segun Odegbami. She ushered in the year with her latest single, Made Up My Mind, and she will definitely be hoping that it’ll keep growing on people as the year continues to grow. Already, it’s getting heavy rotation on many radio stations worldwide, and its success will determine how she will plot her career moves for the rest of the year. A few years ago, May7ven, who’s based
in London, was all over Nigeria courtesy of a Globacom-organised tour which she was part of. Then, many people felt that it was her father’s clout that helped her get on the tour. No matter how she got it, she became known in the country as a singer thereby, and she’s been trying valiantly to become a genuine force like some names we know but can’t be said to have been really successful thus far. Made Up My Mind may just change her story, though, and if it does, we’ll all know and celebrate with her.
May7ven
Ozone. Her most successful song to date is Boogie Down on which she featured Wizkid. She has released quite a number of songs after it, but they haven’t really spread. De Be Cypher, however, with its stellar cast of artists, might just live up to Boogie Down, especially as its video, which is simple but classic, is sure to become a fan favourite.
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CLASSICAL LYRICS
Jimmy Jatt blasts Ayo Animashaun, Don Jazzy
Animashaun
Jazzy
To AnimAshAun:
And To JAzzy:
‘Your Headies is nonsense You still Have a lot to learn You are creating enmitY among artists’
A
ccording to Ayo Animashaun, founder of The Headies, it’s Nigeria’s most prestigious music awards. And going by all the reactions that have trailed the latter edition which held on January 1st, 2016, it’s safe to agree with Animashaun that The Headies are indeed Nigeria’s most desired music awards. And when a man who is recognized as a legend in the music industry, and should be supporting events that are trying to make the industry better, comes out to attack the awards using terms that might be best described as gutter language, it only drives home the point that the awards are so desirable that anyone who loses out on them feels humiliated. The man in question is DJ Jimmy Jatt, and reacting to the latter Hadies, he didn’t mince words in his tirade below that makes him seem bitter instead of making him seem as if he’s trying to correct the mistakes The Headies has. “When I wrote my first open letter to Headies on December 29, 2013, the majority of opinions I got was that I was correct while others felt I was just an ‘attention seeker.’ Headies as an award should be credible and not just over-hyped. We have hundreds of award shows every year in
‘lil KesH is better tHan reeKado banKs reeKado Has no Hit tracK tHe older generation doesn’t Know Him’
Nigeria and they are not as controversial as this one. Headies as an award are still not appreciating certain artists, producers, entertainers and DJs who work 24/7 to make sure they bring out the best. They give us the impression that once you are not nominated or you do not win, you have not started your career. This is a BIG LIE. Over the years, all Ayo Animashaun and HipTv family have proven is that it is Money over Integrity and that is why he always ignores the choices of majority of Nigerians, or could it be that they innocently don’t even know what they are doing? “I am not here to analyse the faults of Headies in full but you can read the other complains on twitter with the hashtag #TheHeadies2015.” Hitting Animashaun below the belt, he continued with very vitriolic observations “Firstly, I noticed your hall was half empty. Your live broadcast that you always brag about had the picture quality of NTA Channel 10 and your technical crew was going offline every time things became awkward and they immediately have to switch to Lyrics To Go to cover up your shame. I watched BET awards live and MTV and I can see a very huge difference in all aspects. You still have a lot to learn.
Jatt
Another disturbing fact is that Headies as an award is creating bad blood among colleagues in the Nigerian music scene. Headies is the reason why we have not seen collaborations among certain musicians. Tell me why Phyno, Davido, Falz, Solid Star and many other music producers and artists who have been topping charts this year where not recognized?” Going on to The Headies Next Rated category which is highly desired because it gives a brand new SUV to the winner, he became even more vehement. “Now of all the categories, this is the only one worth arguing over. Even though this is not a voting category, I stand by millions of Nigerians to say that Lil Kesh or Kiss Daniel deserved it. What are the reasons? Lil Kesh has more hit tracks, swag, stage performance, composure, and in the long run, Lil Kesh may last longer for years to come. In fact, I will rather invest N10m on Kesh than Reekado’s. That is not to say Reekado is not hardworking or he does not have the talent but Kesh has that special something. In fact, Reekado still does not have any hit track to date. Yes!!!!! I say that with all sense of authority. Songs like Corner, Sugar Baby, Katapot are NOT hit tracks, they are just popular and they could have gone National but they are NOT hit tracks. Don’t confuse a popular song with a hit track. Let
me explain. As a DJ, if I don’t play Gbese, Efejoku, Shoki, Reggae Blues, Woju, Laye, God Win at any party, I’ll have loads of people coming to request for them. But people don’t disturb me if I don’t play Reekado’s songs. Do you get the point? In fact, another proof Reekado still does not own a hit track is that an average Nigerian parent who does not follow music still knows songs like Woju, Bobo, Ojuelegba and Efejoku. While I was writing this, I played Reekado’s songs to the older generation and they claimed never to have heard them.” And concluding, he said: “All Nigerian artists and producers, don’t place your hope on The Headies which should now be referred to as The Leggings. Don’t say because you were not recognised, it means you are not trying. Keep doing what you are doing and let The Headies keep on doing what they are known for - NONSENSE!!! Don’t forget to send your insults and blessings to the writer @Baddestdjtimmy and tell me exactly how you feel. “I also need someone to clear this please. Don Jazzy said the organizers told him to call Reekado to come. So he left Ali Baba’s show. Does that mean he knew Reeky was going to win that category? Cynthia Morgan was absent and I’m sure the organisers did not tell Jude Okoye to tell Cynthia Morgann to rush down there.”
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I thank God Juliet Ibrahim left IK Ogbonna —Sonia
W
ife of popular Nollywood actor, IK Ogbonna, Sonia Morales, in an exclusive interview with www.broadwayafrica.com, has said she is grateful to God popular Ghanaian actress, Juliet Ibrahim, eventually broke up with IK Ogbonna when they (Juliet and IK) dated, otherwise she wouldn’t have gotten the chance to marry him. Reacting to if she was embarrassed IK compiled and posted a pictorial video to win back the heart of Juliet after they broke up, Sonia said there is nothing to be embarrassed about. “She is in the past,” she stated, and added that she is quite happy and grateful to God the relationship did not work because if it had, she wouldn’t be with IK. “Juliet is in his past. I also have a past. When I think of our experiences, I am very grateful to God and her for leaving him (for me). I am grateful. If she didn’t, I wouldn’t have IK now,” she declared. IK and Juliet had a whirlwind romance that crisscrossed the two West African countries, Nigeria and Ghana, and took them to different vacation spots. But it didn’t work out as Juliet was said to have called it quits. IK wanted her back but Juliet would have none of it especially when she
IK and Sonia
already had a bad marriage. Juliet’s loss however became Sonia’s gain as the pretty lady of Colombian descent said marrying IK has made her life better. “When a woman meets a man, she tries to impress him but I didn’t do that when I met IK. He is comfortable with my worse and sees the best I am not aware exists in me. My life wasn’t like this before. IK has made my life better. He is like my parent, seeing that I turn out better. I have travelled to different parts of the world and met different
Ibrahim
types of people but somehow we ended up together. It’s something that’s meant to be by God. He has made me a better person.” Before IK’s dalliance with women came to the fore, rumours persisted that he was gay with a legion of male bed companions. The Colombian beauty, Sonia, however dismissed the rumour with indifferent laughter. “Fine boys always get attacked with this kind of talk. It is not just in Nigeria. I lived in Paris for long, I know
gay people when I see them. I knew he was not a gay because I can smell gay afar. That talk doesn’t make sense,” she said. Sonia, a mother of one who has a degree in Social Politics (Political Science) from the University of Belgrade (the oldest and largest university from Serbia, Europe) is a life and relationship coach and has a blog. She speaks thirteen languages and has started picking Yoruba words from African Magic Yoruba.
Much ado about phantom Headies ... and its cheap publicity stunt
T
he first inkling that something out of the ordinary was going to happen at the last edition of The Headies was its sudden postponement by two days from Wednesday December 30th, 2015 to January 1st, 2016. The basic reason given, that the postponement was to make it a better occasion, was vague and definitely superficial. And by that postponement, it has become fact that the The Headies which prides itself as Nigeria’s most prestigious music awards, didn’t hold in the year 2015 and so it’s not even right to keep addressing the latter edition as 2015 but 2016.
Olamide
Jazzy
Anyway, it’s no longer news that Olamide and Don Jazzy had words over Reekado Banks as The Headies Next
Rated category winner. What’s news is that the two made up three days after their fight start-
ed, and the quick and easy manner they made up has made it obvious that their fight was contrived just to make sure The Headies would really trend. Analysing all the factors associated with the quarrel and its settlement, it’s obvious that if the fight was indeed genuine, it wouldn’t be settled so easily because Jazzy is older and more successful than Olamide and so any attack of his person by Olamide for any reason whatsoever wouldn’t be treated lightly. So, the Olamide, Jazzy, Headies saga is another publicity stunt gone awry like D’Banj and Genevieve’s supposed dating, Jim Iyke and Nadia Buari’s fake relationship and Obesere’s rape drama.
EVENTS
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Celebrities start 2016 with fun event
Ali Baba held his annual January 1st Concert and Awards last week on the first day of 2016 at the Eko Hotel and Suites and it was fun all the way as usual. With comedians yabbing each other and musicians trying their best to make their performance better than those of their colleagues, it was just fun galore. Rita Dominic, D1, Kate Henshaw and Kemi Lala were some of the celebrities who had a fun time at the high octane occasion.
AY
Cobhams Asuquo
Chigurl
Bolanle Olukanni
Kate Henshaw D1
Rita Dominic
Richard Mofe-Damijo
Kemi Lala
Teju Babyface
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Style & Glam
JANUARY 9, 2016
le StyGlam
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and
with Yemisi Adeniran
(08037801158) ydiran@yahoo.com
k c i r t n a r A i d a b I e h T I
f you are one of those who fancy the traditional iro and buba but just don’t know how to go about tying it, you need not feel bad, just learn a trick from this collection called ibadiaran. The Ibadi–Aran collection from Nigerian fashion label Hallero, focuses on the new style of tying or coming out in an iro and buba outfit. Currently taking over the Nigerian fashion scene, the Ibadi–aran which simply means a nice or richly-adorned waist is tagged this collection for its trendy mix of western and traditional influences, with special emphasis on creating a crisp and well-defined illusion of a finely sculptured waist line. According to the designer,Alero Fafowora, “Nigerian women hardly stray far from their roots. So, they are stucked with the ancient iro and buba. However, this particular collection is simply designed in a perculiar way to cater for your convenience, irrespective of who you are, what you do and where you are going.” Its folded sleeves and off-shoulder blouses are endearing, we also love the bright colours and the African-inspired hairstyles.
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Style & Glam
JANUARY 9, 2016
Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
Fashion
e r p a s a t u o p e t s u o y Before
Fashion
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n frenzy
JANUARY 9, 2016
Style & Glam
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r a e Y w e N s i h t n a m o w t n a n g e
ying, you ight you are carr we a tr ex e th r for you to ed fo an enough reason you constantly tir t e no ar is ly it on , ot er N ev able as rities. . How and make it desir y some odd peculia and all the rest , tr th in t wi sk us e m ty m u ot co yo sp , t, , , no doub t while, this year , mouth and face regnancy periods s to be in a shor ollen ankles, nose an pl sw or th wi nt esses that na ed ni eg pa pr at you choose dr are already th can be accom u t yo an rt If po . im le is ab sy and , it undesir u will appear clum of being pregnant e you: yo s id become ugly and gu om ise ll pt rw m wi he s sy ot r tip y, he ng bb . The followi ollen face and ot t too long or fla a tent. much as possible en you have a sw e dresses are no on to appear as wh es as th re en Ev re no su e. ve e in ha in ak u m M nd. rs around you. ea. Yo Be creatively fe from people arou the abdomen ar and that of othe ts in t en iri ly im sp on pl g and one’s ur m bi yo co t be e m lif . Let them definitely becoming bigger ll ed is wi st lly s ai will accord you so ur be -w lo s gh e’ co hi on d od l, sy and ter al e of go them short an st be simple, clas ess modestly. Af and more than on Ju dr ld g. to bo pitiable. Make sin , is es e ht ig dr tim t br is modes nces your at th The use of iloring that enha d any weird or im look one desires ta oi e av th th Play on colours. t wi at us p m th to r e or on be s , es man te. Remem ead, choose a dr be an elegant wo Be very appropria of cleavage. Inst if one wants to h t uc Bu m g. ow in sh ow gr to cleavage is also is really no time ce of outfits. It oi ch ur oducts instead. yo in nt dece nder. Use mild pr te . in ry sk ve mfortable heels. g in have on your is e ow sh tim ly shoes with co in at this e effect it can on sk r th ea ur at cleavage without W yo . ed as by ris s rp ba m su ur s and crea rt for you and yo ar and you will be Avoid strong soap ncy term this ye ly bring discomfo na on n eg ca pr is xt Th ne o. ur yo Avoid heels to much envy with ind to create so m ur yo up e ak M counterparts.
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n frenzy
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JANUARY 9, 2016
SOCIETY Mirror
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with Deola Adeoti. Tel: 07055695565, mofat07@yahoo.com
Caroline Adeneye celebrates Seni Saraki to step birthday with mixed feelings into father’s shoes O C aroline Adeneye, the beautiful wife of famous On-Air-Personality cum Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Dayo Adeneye, was a year older on January 5, 2016. But to the utter dismay of many, the convivial woman resolved not to make it a public affair. Unlike her past birthday balls that were always one in town, this came as a shock to some of her admirers. But those close to the aplomb woman weren’t surprised at this. Unknown to many, Caro has been downhearted for a while owing to the kidnapping of her father, Mr. Michael Negbenebor. The unsung billionaire was kidnapped over a year ago at his Benin abode in Edo State. All efforts made by the family to locate him and bring him back home had been fruitless while police
are still searching for him. This was said to have hovered over her birthday. But in the other hand, Caro is said to be happy over her husband steady rise in politics. It would be recalled that the ever-stylish D1 was recently appointed by Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun as the commissioner for information and strategy and Caro is said to be more thankful for this grace. However, Caro is also doing well in her area of specialization. In case you don’t know, she’s the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Sierra Global Concepts Ltd and a board member of Kalneg Nigeria Ltd. She is also into Corporate Events, Gifts, Interior and Exterior Decoration and Public Relations services. And together, they have three lovely kids namely Nicole, Bryan and Ashley.
Secret behind Ada Akpunonu’s rise F
ew years ago when Lagos celebrity woman, Barrister Ada Akpunonu abandoned her law career to pursue a fresh ca-
reer in the maritime industry, many felt she had missed it. But today, her soaring career in that field is quite impressive. Though she plies
her trade in a male dominated industry, the soft-spoken Ada has carved a niche for herself through innovative ideas, effectiveness, credibility and accomplishments. As the Vice-President of the Association of Nigeria Customs Licensed Agents (ANLCA), Tincan Ports, she’s described by many as a formidable force to reckon with. Beautiful Ada and her team are currently said to be working hard in order to better the lots of all Licensed Customs Agents and support the government and all government agencies in bringing sanity and normalcy to Nigerian seaports. While Ada’s meteoric rise in the maritime industry has continued to draw applause from every corner, it’s also important to note that Ada has found favour in her career and in her love life too. She is currently married to a very quiet businessman and their union is blessed with lovely children. The couple lives happily together at the salubrious area of Lagos, Festac town.
luwaseni Saraki, the son of Senate President, Oluwabukola Saraki is gradually becoming a full grown man and very soon, he would be stepping into his father’s shoes. Seni as many prefer to call him is the first son of Senator Saraki, the two term governor of Kwara state. He’s also a lawyer by profession and also a budding rapper who has flair for music despite being a trained lawyer. In his early twenties, Seni recently finished from the Nigerian Law School, Lagos Campus, and was recently named the Chairman of the Abubakar Bukola Saraki Football Club (ABS FC). The team, which is owned by his influential father, is based in Ilorin, the capital of Kwara State, is part of the Nigeria National League (NNL). And away from his aforementioned status, the gist flying around in town is that Seni has decided to walk in his father’s footsteps after so much persuasion from his father. Last year, it was alleged that his dad presented him to run for the seat of House of Reps in Kwara Sate, but
he was rejected by the ruling party, APC, because he was too young for the role. However, the latest news is that Seni who was based in the UK, has recently relocated to the country so as to enable him learn the act of politics. He was recently spotted at one of the biggest malls in Kwara state doing charity work by paying for other people’s purchase which a lot of people believed to be a publicity stunt pulled by his father to create awareness for the young lad.
Buga crooner, Jesse King, denies owing any bank
P
opular singer Jesse King has denied being indebted to any bank, saying he did not take any loan from First City Monument Bank (FCMB) nor does he have an account with the bank. Late last year, the name Jesse King was among the names published by the bank as one of its debtors and many were quick to relate it to the music star. Reacting to the debt rumour, the Buga crooner told Society Mirror that the story is untrue and should be disregarded. “That I owe a bank? Me? That’s untrue. I don’t even have an account with them. I guess it’s not my own Jesse King.,” he reacted. According to the report, the said Jesse King owes the bank a total sum of N13m and the artiste jocularly put it this way on hearing the sum; “if I’ve such money in my account that means I’m rich. And if it’s true the bank had published my name as its debtor that means I may sue them for
libel.” Meanwhile, far away from the bank issue, Buga is presently promoting tourism and culture across the country. He’s said to be so engrossed with this to the extent that he’s brought many foreigners into the country to explore her fine cultural values and heritage. More so, Jesse King is currently preparing for his next album which is yet to be titled. So far, he’s released three albums namely Buga, Rooted and Mr Jeje.
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Fashion
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Guest G
‘Nigerian women Top tips for cherish good looks’ exercise beginners Tolulope Apara Uwhubetine, the brain behind Tolu makeovers, a thriving makeup outfit in Lagos is excited about a development in the beauty industry. “ It gladdens my heart to see that more women in Nigeria are now taking extra steps towards having their faces well made up,” she told YEMISI ADENIRAN.
What would you say about Nigerian women and their disposition towards make-up these days? Honestly, I will say that Nigerian women have improved very well in this regard. Unlike before when they are majorly concerned about the attire they put on and may be their hair, many are now disposed very well towards having their faces well made up. If you look around, you will see that everyone, both young and old now crave for a particular way of shaping their eyebrows and their faces generally, this is a commendable development. Honestly, I am happy. It gladdens my heart to see that more women in Nigeria are now taking extra steps towards having their faces well made up. Many now keep special bags for their makeup and even employ make-up artists to their special occasions for their faces and headties. What influence would you say this has brought to the make-up business?
Predictably, it has rubbed on well on the industry. We are gradually being appreciated, no longer are we seen as idle human beings. People now see us as professionals and are treating us better. It has also attracted more youths into our group. We are glad about this. What are the challenges of the job? Number one challenge is the fact that it is a competitive industry despite the way some people view it. And this has made it compulsory for any artist who wants to succeed to carve an outstanding niche for oneself. This is not a challenge that is peculiar to us alone anyway. The other one is what I have mentioned before, we are not very appreciated. More painful is the face that most women don’t give good attention to the way they look; they don’t want to pay much to look good. This is not good enough. If we are to lead the world in the world of fashion as we often claim, we need to step up in this regard.
Start With Small Goals You might have a big goal you want to reach one day, like a marathon. The best way to get there is to set a series of smaller goals that lead to your big goal. For example, before you sign up for a marathon, set goals to do a few 5K races first. And before that, work up to running a mile. Fitness apps can help you keep track of each great thing you do on your way to your big goal. Mix Things Up You may get bored doing the same workout every day. And after you do the same activity all the time for 6 to 8 weeks, your muscles adapt to it. You burn fewer calories and build less muscle. Try interval training: Step up your pace for a minute, then slow down, and repeat. Try strength training and cardio activities like swimming, indoor cycling, and kickboxing. Get Your Doctor’s OK If you’re not active now, talk to your doctor before you start exercising if you’re over 45 (men) or 55 (women). It’s also a good idea to get a doctor’s OK if you have a health problem or take regular medication. To avoid injuries and burnout, start working out slowly: 3 days a week for 10-15 minutes. Then gradually add time and intensity. Eat and Drink for Fuel Exercise burns extra calories and raises your metabolism. So eat every couple of hours -- three meals plus healthy snacks. Before a workout, snack on carbs (juice, fruit, or yogurt) for fast energy. After a long, tough workout, replenish with a carb/protein mix, like a peanut butter sandwich or a smoothie. Otherwise, keep your meals and snacks light: Try an apple and peanut butter, yogurt and nuts, or an egg on whole wheat toast. Drink Enough Water Unless your workout is really long
or tough, you don’t need a special sports drink with electrolytes. Water works just fine. Drink plenty: If you’re dehydrated, your muscles may cramp, and you raise your risk of heat exhaustion and heatstroke. Two hours before you exercise, drink about 2 to 3 cups of water. During your routine, drink about 1 cup every 1020 minutes. Keep drinking after you’re done exercising, too. Do Strength Training Even if your goal -- a marathon, for example -- might center on cardio, you should practice strength or resistance training, too. Strong muscles burn more calories, help prevent injuries, and build stronger bones. Work muscles on weight machines, with hand-held equipment like free weights, kettlebells, or resistance bands, or by doing exercises like push-ups. Rest each muscle group, such as biceps and triceps, at least 2 days between strength workouts. Dress for Comfort You need the right clothes and shoes when you work out. It’s not about looking good (although that can’t hurt) -- it’s about feeling comfortable. It’s no fun to walk, run, or bike if you have flapping sleeves or flimsy shoes. Ask the experts at a sporting goods store for help. Look for fabrics that draw moisture away from your body -- not sweat-absorbing cotton. In cool temperatures, wear layers that you can peel off as you warm up. Learn Proper Form Whether you’re running or weightlifting, it’s easy to get hurt if your form or technique is wrong. Don’t assume you’re exercising the right way. If your gym has trainers or fitness staff, they may be able to watch you exercise and give you advice on improving your technique. Or you can read fitness magazines or find online videos that show correct techniques.
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WOMAN
‘Marriage is no longer for better for worse’ As far as Mrs Callista Ifeyinwa Akubu is concerned, no woman should be happy to be a full-time housewife. “Any woman that sees herself as a kitchen woman is a total failure,” she tells YEMISI ADENIRAN in this interview What is the union Eluama all about? The union is the Lagos branch of indigenes of Eluama in Orlu Local Government of Imo State. Every year we mark the end of year with a party to appreciate God and ourselves. I am one of the four patrons and matrons recently appointed. The union has been existing for about 10 years but the appointment was just a development that just took place. It is something that has not happened before and it’s really a joyful thing. Since Lagos is not our home, we are using the avenue to recognise ourselves and to come together as a group. Apart from the yearly meeting or celebration that I mentioned earlier, we also come together every month to meet and deliberate on issues that border on us and our community with a view to improving our members’ and community lives. How would you say the association has fared in the last 10 years? So far, I cannot but say God has dealt well with us. It has brought us together, encouraged love and familiarise us with each other’s problems like never before. It has paid everyone well. What’s your view on broken marriages? Broken homes in my own view has become a common place in Nigeria which is very unfortunate. Today’s couples or let me say youths are so impatient and intolerable which is why we have the case on the high side today. Unlike what we have in the past where marriage was for better for worse, couples today love convenience; they won’t endure pain and discomfort. Once this plays up in their relationship or marriage, they simply call their marriages off as if it is a meeting. They are more selfish than the couples of old, they
want things to be seen from their angle only, they are inconsiderate and this is bad. We can only pray that God will intervene in the situation. Parents again must see to a better tutelage of their wards so as to help them understand the institution of marriage and all that it takes to have a successful home. They need have in mind all the time that charity begins at home. A good home train-
ing and healthy exposure will help improve marriage tenureship in Nigeria. Couple should know that challenges are part of life, so when they come, it should not be any big deal because they will go the same way they came. In a man life, there are periods we go through the wilderness of life, but what matters is that while you are going through your wilderness, you must come out victo-
riously. Change, they say is the only thing that is constant, we are bound to go through hard times in life. Is it possible for one to really know his or her spouse before making a permanent choice? There is no criterion for this but I will say it is important that one takes time to understand who he or she is involved with. They must pay good attention to
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Any womAn thAt sees herself As A kitchen womAn is A totAl fAilure becAuse A womAn is not meAnt to end up in the kitchen.
in As much
As you know your duty As A mother And A wife, there is nothing wrong with you being Ambitious in life instincts, they have a way of directing or leading us. Tell us some fond memories of your childhood? I was brought up in a home where my parents believe so much in God. We are made to key into church activities as much as possible. Each of us was made to belong to one department or the other. I was brought up in a Catholic home and was groomed in the charismatic way of faith which saw me till today. The fear of God was instilled in us and it’s just part of us till today. Much time was dedicated to our upbringing and this I have also imbibed and passed down to my children. The mistakes so many homes make today is that parents, mothers especially placed their career above their kids and home. We did not experienced this and we are enjoying it today. There were no issues of rape and defilement like we have today because of adequate and quality attention from mothers. I simply have a wonderful childhood and I glorify God for this. What is the way out of broken home today? I have mentioned some but I will add that families should endeavour to pray together, a family that prays together, stays together. Couples should again find times to talk issues out within themselves. They should give a listening ear to their children. They should not compare their home with other homes; they should know that there is no perfect marriage. How did you meet your husband and what was the attraction? I was attracted to him because I see the fear of God in him because I have always prayed for a man that fears God. When he came, I had several suitors but his disposition to God swept me off my feet. Where did you meet him? I was posted to Lagos for my Youth Service and there was this woman selling roasted plantain. That was where we met. He saw me and winked at me. Unknown to me, he followed me to the office. When I was told that I had a visitor and I saw him, I told the security men to walk him out but he refused. He kept on pestering me so much that I couldn’t but fall for him. What is your take on the role of women in politics so far in Nigeria? Any woman that sees herself as a kitchen woman is a total failure because a woman is not meant to end up in the kitchen. In as much as you know your duty as a mother and a wife, there is nothing wrong with you being ambitious in life, but there is something else
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that is happening, a lot of women today have been influenced by the position given to them; there are so many women that were given good posts, but sincerely, they messed up real good, may be because of the people around them. Generally, I will say, women have fared better in politics lately when compared with what used to be obtainable. How do you combine your work with the duties of a mother and wife in the home? When I was doing my MBA at University of Lagos, there was this professor that lectured us. He was used to saying that planning is most important in whatever one does in life. This is exactly what I employ and it is working for me. I plan my movement everyday to ensure that none of my duties and expectations fails. I give my children quality time, my husband and my business. I am in business because of my children and husband, so, the business must serve them and not the other way round. Everyone is clamoring for change now; do you think this is applicable in Nigeria? Yes, but it’s not that easy with a new regime. Though it appears difficult and impossible, because the system has been messed up so much, it is very achievable and it is on-going. No doubt, a lot of work need to be done for things to get better, but it’s all a matter of time, God helping our leaders, we will get there. What is your greatest regret in life? If there is anything I feel bad for, it is the death of my mum. I regret not stamping my foot to insist on what I should have done. If I am to ask your kids how they rate their mother, what do you think their answer will be? My kids will tell you that their mum is great because she gives them all the time in the world whenever they want it. What is your advice for the singles out there? They should put their eyes down to make the right choice of life partners. It is very important because any wrong step they take now will cause them a pain of a life time. If there is a reincarnation, would you want to marry your husband and have your children all over again? I have a wonderful family and if there is anything like reincarnation, I would gladly marry my husband again and gladly ask God to give me my children again. Like I said, my husband is a Godfearing man, he is a man that respects his woman, he is a father, a husband, he is just the best thing that has happened to me.
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Keeping ABREAST
How much weight do you really need to lose? • Losing just 4kg will make you feel healthier • But you need to double that before you appear more attractive • Women need to shed roughly 6.3kg to look more attractive, while men need to shed 8.2 kg.
I
t is the question on every dieter’s lips... when will people notice the weight dropping off ?
A host of diets promise to help transform the body, while countless studies reinforce the need to combine healthy eating with regular exercise. But now, a new piece of research has taken the weight-loss conundrum one step further. And its conclusion is seemingly simple: You need to shed eight to nine pounds, just over half a stone, before your friends and family will notice it in your face. However, in order to appear more attractive to the opposite sex, it is necessary to double that weight loss, and shed 15 pounds - just over one stone. Researchers at the University of Toronto revealed in order for anyone to look more attractive, it is important they lose weight from their face. For even if our waists appear slimmer, just losing a few pounds is not enough for others to notice. It’s not until the weight loss affects a person’s face that they are likely to be inundated with compliments. Dr Nicholas Rule of the University of Toronto Department of Psychology said: “Women and men of average height need to gain or lose about three and a half and four kilograms, or about eight or nine pounds, respectively, for anyone to see it in their face. “But they need to lose about twice as much for anyone to find them more attractive.” Researchers found that facial adiposity – which is the perception of weight in the face – is an accurate indicator of a person’s body mass index (BMI). It is also a robust indicator of a person’s health, since higher facial adiposity is associated with a variety of health problems, from a compromised immune system to poor cardiovascular health. The study sought to determine at what point a change in the perception of facial adiposity occurs. They created a collection of male and female faces between 20 and 40 years old, in which all of the subjects had neutral expressions, their hair pulled back and no facial adornments. They also altered each image to create a sequence of photos showing a range of weights on a gradually increasing scale. Study participants were asked to compare randomly drawn pairs of faces from each sequence and identify the heavier-looking one. BMI is calculated as a person’s weight in
kilograms divided by the square of the person’s height in meters. Through their trials, researchers determined that a body mass index change of approximately 1.33 kg/m2 is required for a difference in weight to be noticeable. It only takes eight to nine pounds weight loss before family and friends will notice it in a person’s face, but dieters will have to stick with their routine, losing more than a stone, before they’re considered more attractive. The study also looked at the threshold at which a person’s facial adiposity led people to find them more attractive. Researchers concluded that women need to have a BMI of 2.38 kg/m2 to appear more attractive, while men need to lower their body mass index by 2.59 kg/m2. That translates to approximately 14 and 18 pounds (or 6.3 and 8.2 kilograms) respectively for women and men of average height. “The difference between the groups suggest women’s facial attractiveness may be more sensitive to changes in weight,” Dr Rule said. “This just means women attempting to lose weight need to shed slightly fewer pounds than men for people to find them more attractive.”
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Parenting
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Helpful tips for new parents Children are like wet cement. Whatever falls on them makes an impression
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eing the parent of a newborn infant requires large amounts of energy and good humour. Some times this is difficult if you are feeling tired and overwhelmed by your new responsibilities as a parent. The positive aspects of being a new parent are the many rewards and precious moments as you watch your baby grow and develop.
Important points to remember There are several points you need to remember: •Parenting is a learnt skill – most parents learn on the job •Be kind to yourself – remember you are new at being a parent •Start each day afresh even if the day before things had been difficult •There are lots of supports available to help you in your new role – a great place to start is the Child and Family Health Nurse, they will know what is available in your community for new parents •Think positively, be practical and stay in touch with the
outside world •Try to retain your sense of humour.
Caring for yourself •Take time out each day to do something you enjoy – this may be a walk in the park, swimming or reading a book for 30 minutes •Try to make friends with other new parents – share babysitting or cups of tea •Try to limit the amount of housework or home maintenance you need to do (especially in the early weeks of parenthood) •Learn some quick relaxation techniques to use when things get difficult (see below) •Try to sleep or rest when your baby is asleep •Take care of your physical needs by eating well and exercising regularly •Think about the help you need around the house – list this on a piece of paper – so when people ask if they can help you have lots of things you can ask them to do •Join a new parents group – this allows you to meet other new families in your commu-
ParentingUpdate
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irls eating a high-fat diet during puberty, even those who do not become overweight or obese, may be at a greater risk of developing breast cancer later in life, according to a recent study. The implications - that a high-fat diet may have detrimental effects independent of its effect to cause obesity - could drive new cancer prevention efforts, the study affirms.. The findings come from research at MSU’s Breast Cancer and the Environment Research Center and was funded by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and the National Cancer Institute. “The pubertal time period is crucial, as this is when the
basic framework is created for mammary gland development,” observed the lead researcher. “What we are seeing from our preliminary research shows that a high-fat diet during puberty can lead to the production of inflammatory products in the mammary glands of adults, which can promote cancer growth.” The work builds on the team’s previous research that found the hormone progesterone activates genes that trigger inflammation in the mammary gland; that inflammation may be a key factor in increasing the risk of breast cancer. “Understanding what genes were turned on by progesterone led us to look at some of the same
nity •Arrange regular child care by a grandparent, friend or in council operated occasional care •Take care to avoid heavy lifting or placing strain on your back by twisting when lifting your baby or baby equipment •Be efficient when cooking make extra meals that can be frozen for the time when you are feeling too tired to prepare a meal •Talk about your feelings or concerns to a sympathetic listener – this may be a friend, parent or health professional •If you are feeling lonely or isolated ask your Child & Family Health Nurse if they can arrange a volunteer home visitor to come on a regular basis
into action •Find time to have a conversation together about your feelings, relationship and needs.
A quick technique
relaxation
1. This takes only a minute or two and can save you from hours of stress 2. Breathe out with a long sigh,
dropping your shoulders as you do so 3. Relax your face, unclenching your jaw. Become aware of your facial muscles, eyes and forehead, and try to relax them 4. Keep your breathing easy and quiet. Repeat this technique again, and as often as you feel is necessary
Tiny Feet
Caring for your partner •Plan time together •Arrange a night out – but don’t forget to arrange the baby sitting •If a night out isn’t possible – think of activities that you can do as a family e.g. a picnic in the park, a ride on a ferry, a walk around your neighbourhood •Identify and ask your partner about the things you can do about the house or to help with the baby – write a list and put it
NAME: Akomolede Testimony BORN TO: Mr. and Mrs. Akomolede AGE: 3 months BIRTH WEIGHT: 3.7 Kg Have you just had a baby? Send a picture of your bundle of joy to mirrorbabies@gmail.com
High-fat diet during puberty linked to breast cancer risk later in life
suspects with high-fat diets,” he said. “It appears both processes may lead to inflammation in the mammary glands.” Since these inflammatory changes first occur during the crucial time of puberty, a period of intense development and cell division, it can have effects lasting a lifetime.
The initial MSU Breast Cancer and the Environment Research Center brought together researchers from MSU’s colleges of Natural Science, Human Medicine and Veterinary Medicine to perform research into environmental impacts during puberty that affect breast cancer risk, as well as researchers in
the College of Communication Arts and Sciences to study how to best communicate breast cancer health messages to the public. The next phase of the studies will be through the expanded national Breast Cancer and the Environment Research Program. Besides performing biomedical research, the new project also will strive to communicate findings that can lessen the risk of breast cancer via awareness and avoidance of environmental risk factors. To that end, the Michigan Breast Cancer Coalition and colleagues in MSU’s College of Communication Arts and Sciences are helping bring research findings to the public. Culled from phys.org.com
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JANUARY 9, 2016
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Frozen chicken: Who is interested?
Residents digging up buried frozen chicken
Recently, the alarm was raised following the health hazards involved in the consumption of frozen chicken which has replaced the traditional slaughtering of live chicken in most families. It was observed that most frozen food, especially chicken has been sold to consumers after it has deteriorated in quality and taste as a result of the time lapse between its production and arrival to the market. Again, the recent release of a video showing residents digging up frozen chicken buried by the Customs Service lends credence to the catastrophe involved in the consumption of frozen chicken. ERIC ELEZUO x-rays the market of frozen chicken and the consumer attitude as the saga unfolds.
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any years ago, the presence of chicken and their blaring sounds characterized most homes, and is a testimony that Christmas or other festival is around the corner. In this guise therefore, it is unheard of that any family is unable to boast of a live chicken during any of the festivals, especially Christmas and Easter celebrations. Chicken has therefore become the hallmark of festivities. However as times ran into space, things began to change owing to the continuous economic downturn. Most families could hardly boast of a decent pot of stew, not to talk of the religious live chicken. As a result, chicken began to conspicuously miss in menu in most Nigerian kitchens during Christmas. This trend led to the discovery of imported frozen chicken which comes at
a price much lower than the live chicken. Consequently, most families heaved a sigh of relief, knowing that once again, chicken, the favourite of festivities will grace the stew pots. However, all that is changing now as a new wave of corruption has infiltrated the sales and consumption of frozen chicken, which is supposedly banned by
the Federal Government and smuggled in from neighbouring countries. It is believed that the product is not good for consumption because it takes days or even months before it gets to the pots of final consumers. As a result, importers or rather cross border smugglers lace the product with chemical preservatives such as formalin, which medical experts say is harmful to human health. According to a customs officer at the Agbara Customs check point, whose names are withheld because he is not authorized to speak for the service, frozen chicken, though a cheap source of white meat for most Nigerian homes, is banned by the Federal Government, but still find its way into the country because of the activities of smugglers, porous borders and dubious customs officers. “We are aware that the product is banned from entering our borders. We are also aware that the product is everywhere in most metropolis. The reason is not farfetched. It is as a result of the activities of die hard smugglers,
At Ebubu in ElEmE locAl GovErnmEnt ArEA of rivErs stAtE, thousAnds of youths, womEn And childrEn rEportEdly dEscEndEd on A burrow pit; duG out And took homE sEvErAl tons of chickEn condEmnEd And buriEd by mEn of thE niGEriAn customs
and also porous borders occasioned by the compromise of dubious officials,� he said. The officer noted that the service has never relented in its effort to curb their activities as any seized item is not only confiscated but buried. But sometime, somewhere near the Trailer Park at Ebubu in Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State, thousands of youths, women and children reportedly descended on a burrow pit; dug out and took home several tons of chicken condemned and buried, by men of the Nigerian Customs. The report said that scavengers came with shovels, pans, basins and buckets to cart away their loot. Earlier, the Customs had dug out a canal and buried thousands of cartons of frozen poultry they seized at the Onne Ports. Witnesses said the chicken were brought in six containers, emptied and buried before the customs party left. But news soon spread abroad about the development and very early the next day, human carrions came calling, and with no security at the site, they dug and dug and opened up the pit. The development sent an alarm across Eleme and neighbouring communities about the danger of eating the condemned chicken, even as the Archbishop of a popular church, the Most Rev. Moses Kattey, put out a message to people on warning them of eating chicken for the CONTINUED ON PAGE 32
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Mirror
JANUARY 9, 2016
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‘Some people want to kill frozen foods business’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 31
time being. Mr. Friday Lewa Goya, a local resident confirmed the incident saying, “We saw scores of people in Eleme/Onne axis (just before trailer Park) carrying raffia bags full of exhumed ‘frozen’ chickens and turkey. The Nigerian Customs buried them yesterday after seizing them from the importers. “Please if you live in Rivers state, especially in Onne area, you might also want to stay off frozen poultry for a while.” A few other residents however said there was no health hazard with the poultry. A certain Mr. Lasbrey Iriaka said the poultry was confiscated not because it had expired or because it posed health hazard. “It was seized from importers because it is contraband. The customs men even diverted one container themselves. So who is fooling who?” Again, the Lagos State Commissioner for Agriculture, Toyin Suarau, disclosed that some imported contaminated poultry products which were seized and buried by the Nigeria Customs Service in Badagry area of the state, were also exhumed by some people with the aim of selling them. The commissioner therefore, warned residents of the state against the consumption of poultry produce that are in circulation then as they pose serious health risks. The Commissioner made this disclosure when officials of the National Orientation Agency, on the directive of the Federal Government, visited him as part of the sensitisation of Lagosians on the dangers of consuming the contaminated food, and to draw the attention of the public to the dangers inherent in buying and consuming these poultry produce. He added that among the contaminated produce were chicken and turkey, adding that the products had been laced with chemicals such as formalin, which is poisonous and could lead to slow death. He added that the poisonous ones are not as nutritious as freshly processed poultry meat because imported poultry meat had been preserved for months and years with dangerous chemicals. The video of the act, which went viral, created the much needed awareness, thereby giving the consumers a second thought as regards whether it is advisable to continue to consume frozen chicken or not. According to Ruth Omego, a frozen chicken dealer at Ijanikin area of Lagos, customers have taken a break from the purchase of frozen chicken, as the Yuletide season lasted. She lamented the lack of sales in comparison to what it was just before the great revelation. “Customers are no longer coming. We hear that people dug up buried frozen
Customs officers burying frozen chicken
chicken, and that it is possible that such products may still be in the market. I know my own is not from there, but no one wants to listen. This is bad business,” she lamented. A consumer, Madam Nkechi
sight and taste. He said he stooped much earlier when it was discovered that chemicals, harmful to human beings are used in preserving them. “I didn’t have to wait for any practical reason to dissuade me from consuming
Customers are no longer Coming. We hear that people dug up buried frozen ChiCken, and that it is possible that suCh produCts may still be in the market. i
knoW my oWn is not from there, but no one Wants to listen Onyechere, who resides in FESTAC Town, vowed never to have anything to do with frozen chicken again, and opts for the its live equivalent at whatever cost, if it is necessary that chicken must be consumed. She cited constant rumours of sharp practices perpetrated in the production, preservation and distribution of frozen chicken. “For me, frozen chicken is a no go area. I can’t and won’t go for it. I would rather go for live chicken at whatever cost. And if for any reason, I can’t afford it, I will eat my stew naked, that is, without meat. This rumour of what they do with chicken can no longer be overlooked. It is about time we took them seriously,” she said. Another resident maintained that had ceased to consume frozen chicken, owing to the fact that the meat hardly stays longer than a day in the pot before it gets marshed, and unattractive to both
the item. I advised myself a long time ago when I first got wind of its hazard to human health. I have now opted for beef if I cannot afford live chicken. It is better to take precaution than cure,” the resident, who gave his name as Jide said. But, Mr. Ibara Omokhai, a resident of Benin City, said that it doesn’t really matter what people say about frozen chicken since he had been eating the food for a long time now, and no hazards of any type has been recorded. He attributed ‘all these rumours’ to ‘enemies who wish to see the death of frozen business’. As the boom in the business of frozen chicken and other foods heightens, much people got into it, albeit unlawfully. These are smugglers, who are not only the rubber stamped law breakers or criminals, better known as ‘Fayawo’, but includes law enforcement agencies notably members of the Police, army
Customs among others. While the smugglers use every form of unlawful means, including coercing, bribery, and in worst case scenario, exchange of gun fire, the security agencies perpetrate theirs through the popular ‘espirit d’corps’. It is not uncommon to see uniformed officers escorting a truckload of banned or prohibited items into the country without a check. They are waved on with a nod of the head in the spirit of ‘dog no dey chop dog’. A resident of Seme, who gave his name as Ege narrated that these security operatives do not in any way attempt to hide their intention as most of them appear full clad with their service trucks. “These officers have no shame. They parade themselves as though they are performing a legitimate duty in full uniform with their trucks in full colours,” Ege said. He added that the business is lucrative to the smugglers, and even more lucrative to the policemen and soldiers into it as they don’t settle anyone on the way. He stressed that ferrying a carton of frozen chicken and the likes could attract as much as N1500 or N 2000, and most trips can take as much as 40 cartons. “This is big business for these people. They can carry a carton of chicken for as much as between N1500 and N2000, and each trip can accommodate as much as 40 cartons, which means raking in as much as N40,000, excluding rice in most cases. Remember they spent nothing on the other than fueling the truck. These people can bring in anything, good or spoilt so long as it pays money,” he said. Though the business still booms, the people are becoming wiser as the demand for frozen food has hit all time low for fear of consuming excavated or chemicalised food. The question still remains; who is interested in frozen chicken?
Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
JANUARY 9, 2016
What motivated you to go into traditional beauty pageantry rather than the contemporary western pageantry, especially as a graduate of Mass communication? My aim of going into cultural contest was to use it as a platform to showcase the Tiv culture; the Tiv values and norms. A Tiv girl is known as a lady that knows how to dress so I am using my office as the Ishan Pepe I Tiv as a platform to show case the way and manner which a Tiv girl should dress. That is why you find me even at public functions dressed in our traditional fabric; the Anger (black and white fabric) which is so, so beautiful. Our young girls don’t know this and that is why you find them at times in even churches wearing what is not really presentable. The Tiv have a whole lot of beautiful fabrics that you can use them, even add some materials to play with them and would come up very fine like the Ivav Tyô, the Agbende a Kurugh, the Asa a Tor, Kasev Ikyundu among others. So I am using my office too, to promote the Tiv fabrics by way of dressing and hair style. A Tiv lady is known to make her hair properly but these days, our young girls prefer putting on things that are strange. It is not like I don’t use them. I do but it is important to once in a while try to bring out the real culture in you.
People
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Meet Morning Star of Tiv Kingdom
Elizabeth Ngunan Andza recently emerged the Ishan Pepe I Tiv (Morning Star of Tiv Kingdom) at the Tiv Cultural Beauty contest. In this interview with HENRY IYORKASE, the Queen says she will work round the clock towards ensuring the teaching of Tiv Language from primary to tertiary institutions in Benue state and beyond. Excerpts What is the level of response from the Tiv people, especially, the prominent ones? Though so far so good most influential people rendering series of assistance by one way or the other and it has been quite encouraging and more have also indicated their desire assist in sponsoring some of my pet projects.
Having been on the stool what can you say are the challenges and are there any regrets so far?
Can you give an insight into your pet project since coming into office as the Ishan Pepe I Tiv?
I wouldn’t say I regret. It is a thing of joy because it is not easy for one to go into a contest and emerge as the winner. Life generally, is not all about bed of roses. I believe that with time, things will get better. I don’t have any regret at all.
I have been able to organise story telling events in Tiv language. My aim and target is to promote our mother tongue which many of our youth cannot speak or motivated to learn, preferring the English language. So I am using my office to promote the Tiv language and to show that culture is a way of life and is one’s identity. You can speak English language but it is also good to speak your mother tongue because that is your identity. I also wrote a book in Tiv language titled Mimi Hemba, which I will be launching very soon. A number of individuals in the state have been useful to the project including Chief John Akperashi, Mike Kusa, Hange Or and my director, Mr. Akpen Godwin.
Are you thinking of other projects? I intend to organize a Tiv language reading session across the 14 Tiv speaking Local Government Areas of Benue State. I hope to give out prizes to deserving contestants.
Do you have a word of advice to those wishing to participate in the Tiv beauty pageant?
How did you come to contest for the Ishan Pepe I Tiv? In 2014, I saw the advert for Ishan Pepe I Tiv contest and because of my desire and passion for modeling; I picked the form for the contest. We were five and by the Grace of God, I Elizabeth Ngunan Andza, hail from Ukum local government area emerged the winner. It was quite challenging but God in heaven saw me through. As the Ishan Pepe I Tiv, the challenges are alarming. It is not easy to contest and win and when you emerged as the Queen, we normally carry out a pet project to contribute our own quota to the society. The reigning Ishan Pepe I Tiv is an ambassador of Tiv and I am to promote my culture in my office. So I try as much as possible to do a project in line with my office. This is one of the reasons why I did the book, Mimi Hemba, which will impact directly on the Tiv nation by encouraging the mother tongue. These days, our youth are finding it difficult to speak their mother tongue not even to talk of reading. So I try to encourage them by way of reading. I also organise story telling in Tiv
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language to encourage the young people and to remind them of their origin. We did story telling in Tiv, which we also gave out prizes to deserving students that were able to participate in the contest. I also did the unveiling of my book, which is yet to be launched properly because of sponsorship.
Who is your role model? My role model is Engr. (Mrs.) Ada Chenge, former Managing Director of Lower Benue River Basin Development Authority and two times Governorship aspirant of the People’s Democratic Party. She is not a Tiv lady but is married to a Tiv man and anywhere she goes, she is proud to say she is a Tiv woman. She loves Tiv so much and has done so many things for the society. She really inspires me.
What is the meaning of Ishan Pepe I Tiv and who is behind the Ishan Pepe I Tiv
project? Literally meaning ‘Morning Star of Tiv’ in English and the brain behind the Ishan Pepe I Tiv contest is an NGO called Passion for Culture Preservation and Humanitarian Initiative.
Since you have been crowned, would you say you are fairly well treated in terms of welfare and the benefits that are supposed to come with your status? Initially some promises were fulfilled while some are still being awaited The challenges confronting the office have been quite daunting, though God is helping us. But we all know the economic challenges facing the country so it is needless or insensitive to say all promises earlier made including monthly allowances should be met 100% we thank God.
My advice to those that might aspire to become Queen some day is that being a Queen is not just about wearing the crown or driving a car. A Queen has to have the beauty from inside out. And so, they should always have it on the back of their mind that they need to work on themselves both inside and on the outside. They have to be well mannered, they have to be intelligent, they should always be focused in whatever thing that they find themselves doing because there is a saying that what is worth doing is worth doing best. So they should put in their best and I believe that God will see them through.
Some observers see the pageantry as a wayward sort of life. What is your take on this? Frankly, to me, being a Queen is not a platform for misbehavior. Yes, many a times, people see us as wayward but it depends on you; I mean the individual. Nobody is there to force you to misbehave or do things that are not really supposed to be done; you own yourself. Wearing the crown is power; you have authority over so many things. So it is not a way or platform for misbehavior at all.
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Male
Jide animashaun 08034710902 jidemashaun@yahoo.com
Male hang-outs: Do wome I
We are cool!
quite understand the fear that a lot of women nurse when their partners tell them they want to hang out with the boys. It is quite understanding too for some reason for girls to tend to baffle over the idea of guys hanging out and conversing. I think the reason for this is that most guys tend to keep these interactions private though there is really nothing to it. It is just the way we are. You will hardly ever find a photo album anywhere, especially on social media to show what happened the whole night. You won’t hear gossip for the next few weeks about who said what, and you won’t be invited to tag along if you’re a babe. A typical day when guys hang out together is usually like this. During the day we might go outside and play some hoops with a basketball or watch a football game together. We may go to the pool, or just do something dumb like sitting somewhere and watching the day roll by while saying nothing but just basking in the euphoria of people passing by. If it’s later in the day we may get hungry and go in to microwave some frozen left-over foods or pick up some snacks to chew. After ‘dinner’ we may watch some dumb macho films on the television, play some video games, or go hang out at a bar somewhere down the street or a club. The night typically ends sometime in the ‘AM’ with someone falling asleep. At this point we turn off what we’re doing, go home and hit the sack. In all these, there’s really nothing all that interesting or deep. I think the main point of guys hanging out is to just be doing something with someone. Guys tend to get satisfaction through doing something, not talking and letting out some hidden emotion. Sure, there are those times that guys may get really close and talk about something that’s been on their mind or bugging them. There’s really nothing wrong with talking to a friend about something important. We have feelings too. The difference is that it comes off in a different manner. Honestly speaking, you’ll hardly ever catch two guys looking at each other eye to eye and discuss-
ing a hard breakup with a box of tissues or talking about the different wifey problems they may be having. That is really not the stuff with which we are made off. It really is not that macho for us and one can’t be swaggering about with that kind of chip on our shoulders. Instead you’ll find two guys playing video games talking about something they’re going through and letting it out in a different manner. I don’t want to say guys’ friendships are less important to them. It’s just that everything comes across in a different manner. Guys throw hints to each other and that’s all it takes. We understand each other and we support each other no matter what happens. We know each other inside out and if there’s a problem between you and your partner, then chances are we know without being told but we really feel it’s something that the hang out really doesn’t need because you can solve it all on your own. I guess this leads us to the question of what guys talk about at these hang outs that makes it so special to us for us to want to spend precious time we should be spending with our partners with our male friends. Time spent with a dude is usually free of the judgments women sometimes pass on each other or on us and that can be liberating when it comes to guy on guy conversations. It’s a drama free relationship that’s low on expectations and high on fun. What’s not to love about that? Most of the time, it’s a spontaneous fun filled getaway for us and we can discuss everything and anything that comes to mind without becoming too sensitive about the backlash from talking too much. Guys just connect by being there and doing things together. In fact, most of the times, few words are necessary to communicate. We really don’t have the time to gossip or discuss much of our personal life or our partner. We just want to spend time together bonding and creating that childlike atmosphere we used to have as kids in a somewhat grown-up way. And because of these, women don’t really have anything to fear about us hanging out.
SEX TALK
This column is x-rated
15 great reasons to do it more 1. Sex helps relieve pain.
Sex releases the fun-time hormone, oxytocin. According to researchers, as the hormone oxytocin surges, endorphins increase, and pain declines. So if your headache, arthritis pain, or PMS symptoms seem to improve after sex, you can thank those higher oxytocin levels.” Better than taking a double dose of pain killers any time!
2. For ladies! Semen may be an anti-depressant.
Sex produces phenylethylamine, a love chemical that ups your mood. Also, a study from the State University of New York shows that women who were directly exposed to semen were less depressed.
3. Sex regulates menstrual cycle – and possibly increases fertility Another one for ladies! US endocrinologists at Columbia University found that women who have sex at least once a week have more regular menstrual cycles than those who have less sex Physicians prescribe the birth control pill left and right to women who have irregular menstrual cycles. Regular sex might present a more enjoyable alternative for that particular purpose. Women who have sex with male partners once a week or more, research has shown,
are more likely to experience consistent menstrual cycles and (as a result) have fewer fertility problems than women who had sex less often or abstained entirely. Frequent sex with the same partner over several months or more can also “prime” a woman’s body for a healthy, full term pregnancy. Research at the University of Adelaide in South Australia showed that women who engaged in frequent sexual activity with their committed partners had higher rates of conception and fewer incidences of miscarriage, preeclampsia, and high blood pressure. Women’s bodies, the researchers suggest, literally learn and come to accept the particular proteins of their partners’ semen in a process called immune modulation. Having become accustomed to the familiar semen profile, the woman’s body is less likely to reject the fetus and placenta that result from conception with that partner.
4. For the gents! Sex may reduce the risk of prostate cancer.
Researchers report that frequent ejaculations among 20-something men downs the risk for prostate cancer in later years by as much as a third. Get busy, get healthy! According to a study reported in The British Journal of Urology International, researchers
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Female
Angle
YEMISI ADENIRAN 08029894772 email: ydiran@yahoo.com
en have anything to fear?
Dubious intentions
T
This column is x-rated followed men diagnosed with prostate cancer and those without, they found no association of prostate cancer with the number of sexual partners as the men reached their 30s, 40s, and 50s. But they found men who had five or more ejaculations weekly while in their 20s reduced their risk of getting prostate cancer later by a third. Another study, reported in the Journal of the American Medical Association, found that frequent ejaculations, 21 or more a month, were linked to lower prostate cancer risk in older men, as well, compared with less frequent ejaculations of four to seven monthly.
5. Sex is a good workout.
This column is x-rated zinc supplements. Now try sex. Researchers have shown that people who have sex more than twice a week get a kick to their immune system. Having sex once or twice a week has been linked with higher levels of an antibody called immunoglobulin A or IgA, which can protect you from getting colds and other infections. Scientists at Wilkes University in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., took samples of saliva, which contain IgA, from 112 college students who reported the frequency of sex they had. Those in the “frequent” group -- once or twice a week -- had higher levels of IgA than those in the other three groups -- who reported being abstinent, having sex less than once a week, or having it very often, three or more times weekly.
Think about having your workout in bed. Some experts claim that an hour of sex can lead to almost 400 calories burned. More modest reports say thirty minutes of sex burns 85 calories or more. It may not sound like much, but it adds up: 42 halfhour sessions will burn 3,570 calories, more than enough to lose a pound. Doubling up, you could drop that pound in 21 hour-long sessions. “Sex is a great mode of exercise,” says Patti Britton, PhD, a Los Angeles sexologist and president of the American Association of Sexuality Educators and Therapists. It takes work, from both a physical and psychological perspective, to do it well, she says.
After you’ve made use of the bed for more than sleeping, you’re going to want to sleep. Why? It’s that oxytocin again. The oxytocin released during an orgasm is going to help your brain and body wind down for a good night’s sleep. So considering turning down the sleeping tablet and turning towards your loved one. And getting enough sleep has been linked with a host of other good things, such as maintaining a healthy weight and blood pressure. Something to think about, especially if you’ve been wondering why your guy can be active one minute and snoring the next.
You’ve tried Vitamin C, Echinacea, and
To be continued next week.
6. Sex improves your immunity.
7. Sex helps you sleep.
o hang out is to be with friends whether male or female to catch some fun. Hangouts are times away from the regular official environments. As implied, it is not a place where serious work is done; it is a place where fun takes place in all kinds of forms. Where do people hangout? Most of the time, people hang out at clubs or hotels because these are places where relaxation takes place. A place where there is fun music of different types, a place where all kinds of dance that range from normal to nude types take place. Besides, whenever anyone goes out with friends, he or she does not only make new friends on his own but gets introduced to new friends as well. Peer group risk. While there is nothing to fear when men go out to catch fun with their counterparts, the risk of a bad peer on an innocent one is quite high. For women, they just gist about our relationships and gossip about our friends. The story, however, is not the same with men. When they go hanging out with their male friends, your guess is just as good as mine. Unlike their female counterparts, who may not necessarily be interested in making new acquaintances, men make new friends. These friends, most times are female because they believe no fun is complete without the presence of women.
It’s
a place of
reconnectIng wIth old habIts .
the
man Is
connected wIth old habIts that he once abandoned .
It’s
a place where bad habIts are reawakened and rekIndled
Meanwhile, because it is an allmale outing, it is definitely their comfort zone. They are free to talk and even touch without caution. Even if a man is born-again or just a reserved person, he is likely to fall prey to he pitfall of a ready-made woman who is simply brought on-board by one of his adventurous friends. So, you see, it is simply risky and not advisable that men go hanging outs alone with their friends. When men are not with their spouses, they are easily influenced and throw cautions into the wind after all, “if other friends are doing it, why not,” they will easily conclude. It’s a booze free time. Male hand outs, whether you like it or not will feature beer or wine. If a man does not take beer, he will take wine and this will contain a measure of alcohol. Before long, they will get tipsy and get careless with any woman or even a dangerous man around. But if he were to be with his spouse or partner, he is likely to be well managed and if there is a need to throw any caution into the winds, why not? After all he is safe. It’s trap time. Men fall into traps of their dubious friends unknowingly. Many have fallen prey to poisons from an envious friend or like earlier on mentioned, a female trap by the same kind of friend. When men hang out alone without their spouses, they are again open to dubious businesses that can land them in serious troubles. It’s a place of reconnecting to old habits. The man is connected with old habits that he has once abandoned. It’s a place where bad habits are reawakened and rekindled. It is a place where one easily lose guards. There are cases of men who on such dates have been involved in two-some three-some sex which he ordinarily wouldn’t have been part of. Overall, it is safer for men to hang out with their female friends than male ones. Besides, It is more responsible and healthier. If you call male hangouts a scare on women, you may not be far away from the truth because women most times, want to protect their men from danger all the time. They see more and smell danger from afar.
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JANUARY 9, 2016
Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
divorce court
‘He subjects me to vaginal test’
• He inspects my private part to see if I have gone to sleep with other men —Wife • My wife comes home late —Husband
A
n Ikorodu Customary Court in Lagos State has dissolved a four-year marriage between Sidikat Oseni and her husband, Waheed Oseni, over maltreatment and lack of trust. The 28-year-old petitioner and mother of two resides at Ajose Road in Agric Area of Ikorodu. Sidikat had earlier told the court that her husband was in the habit of subjecting her to vaginal test whenever she returned home late. The President of the court, Mr Olu Adebiyi, who dissolved the marriage, held that all efforts
‘He started beating me four days after paying my dowry’
• We married after courting for less than two months. Before I married him, I started noticing his bad behaviour. But when I told my father, he said I should not leave him, that he would change after our marriage —Wife StorieS by Muda oyeniran
2
9 year old Perpetual Ezenwa, has asked the customary court in Igando Lagos State to dissolve her four months old marriage to Charles Ezenwa, claiming the man started beating her less than 4 days after paying her dowry. Perpetual said she married Charles after dating him for less than two months and now seeks divorce over what the she tagged domestic violence. She said, “We married after
courting for less than two months. Before I married him, I’ve started noticing his behaviors but when I told my father he said I should not leave him that he would change after our marriage. “I believed he said that because they are from the same village in Imo and being the first daughter of my parents, they want me to marry on time. But, he kept becoming worse and I’ve decided to leave after four months of our marriage. Four days after the payment of my dowry and our traditional marriage, he started beating me on flimsy excuses. He beats
me with turning sticks in one of those days all because I received a text message from a friend and the message only reads “good day madam, how’s your weekend “. This was what Charles saw that day and he nearly killed me. Come to think of it, this same man that was beating me is having an affair with a fiancée of one of our neighbours. He did was caught on one of those days and I got to know about it. I told my father of all the happenstance but he would only say I should endure it. When I couldn’t bear it again, I’ve moved to my parent’s house and I’ve
asked Charles to come and get his dowry back according to our tradition so that I can marry another man but, he has refused to collect it saying he would allow me to suffer because he knew I can’t marry another man unless he collect the dowry and that I would grow old in my father’s house.” She wants the court to force him to collect back his dowry. Charles was not in court to say his side of the story, so the Court’s president, Adegboyega Omilola who sat over the case sent a court order to him and the case was adjourned till February 8, 2016.
made by the court to reconcile the couple failed as both insisted on divorce. Adebiyi ordered that the respondent should be allowed free access to his children at any reasonable time of the day and in a peaceful manner. The court president also held that the childrenwould be living with the petitioner, saying she was in a better position to nurture them as it were. He ordered the respondent to be paying N10,000 monthly for their feeding and settled their school bills. The housewife had urged the court to dissolve her marriage to her husband , citing lack of trust and beatings at the slightest provocation. “ Anytime I come back home late, my husbandaccuses me of infidelity, he beats me and tears my cloth, it is our neighbours that usually cover my unclothedness. “He also inspects my private part, he usually asks me to open my vagina to see if I have goneto sleep with other men. “I have reported him to his family but he refused to desist from this maltreatment, for this reasons I don’t want to continue with the marriage again,’’ Sidikat said. However, the 50-year-old husband and a businessman did not object to his wife’s claims but begged the court to grant him thecustody of his children. “ My wife is disrespectful, she does not listen to my words, she also comes home late and was preparing my meals late. I am fed up with the marriage too, separate us ,’’ he told the court. (NAN)
‘My husband does nothing for a living’
• He goes to his village three times a week and I don’t know the reason for this since his parents are dead —Wife · I want to perform my obligations as a father and husband, but I am handicapped —Husband
A
43-year-old woman, Omolara Acchoyame, recently dazed her husband before the Igando Customary Court in Lagos State Nigeria, when she alleged that sex with her husband was torture. Omolara, who had filed for divorce proceedings against her husband, Solomon Acchoyame, alleged that he exhibited strange behaviours while ma*king love to her.
She alleged that he waited for her to sleep, then without waking her up, just opens her clothes and had sex with her, adding that she never enjoyed this Omolara further told the court that her husband had three things which he used during sex for lubrication, listing them as aboniki hot balm, mentholatum and dusting powder, adding that these things made her hate having sex with
him. She testified that she met her husband 14 years ago and bore him three children, adding that their major quarrel was based on the fact that he didn’t know what he’s doing for a living. “We fought most times before I left home because I don’t know what he does for a living. He goes to his village three times a week and I don’t know the reason for this since his parents are dead and when
he comes back, he would say he does not have any money. “ I would go to my sister to borrow money for him for his next trip. Yet, he will come back and curse me and my family and he doesn’t come home until midnight. “My husband does nothing for a living. Please dissolve the marriage so that I can start my life all over again,” she said. In his defence, the 44 year-old husband stated that when he
met his wife at the University College Hospital (UCH) in Ibadan, Oyo State, things were going on well for him and it was with his money that he trained her in the university. Solomon said that after a while, he started experiencing financial difficulties and he couldn’t complete his education. “I want to perform my obligations as a father and husband, but I am handicapped,” he said.
Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
JANUARY 9, 2016
‘He forced me to marry him’ A
20-year old housewife, Mercy Ekeh, has narrated how her husband, Kelechi Ekeh, 30, forced her to marry him at the age of 17 and kept her in captivity by locking her inside their room apartment for seven months in Egbe, Lagos State, western Nigeria. She said she was inside the room until he impregnated her and thereafter forced her parents to collect N300 as her bride price. But her husband said his decision to keep her in the room was not intended to punish her, saying he was showing her love and caring because he did not want her to suffer in his home. Anambra State-born Mercy narrated her plight at Eiigbo Customary Court, Lagos, where she filed a suit for the dissolution of the marriage. She also told the court that during her captivity she was not allowed to see anybody or her parents. She said whenever Ekeh went to work, he would lock her inside and provide a small bucket for her to ease herself inside the room. She said she was only allowed to come out in the night briefly when he returned from work and opened the door and did not allow her do anything else. The embittered woman said her ordeal started in 2012 when she went to sit for Joint Admission and Matriculation Examination, JAMB. She said on that Saturday, Ekeh accosted her along Liasu road in Egbe.
Mercy alleged that Ekeh cast a spell on her after he touched her and commanded her to go to her parents’ house and bring her property and come and to live with him. She said she obeyed without knowing what had come over her. She said while she was in Ekeh’s home, her parents searched everywhere for her and went to the police and reported that she was missing until one of Ekeh’s neighbours who observed what was happening told her mom about where she was. It was then Ekeh was arrested and she regained her freedom after he impregnated her. Mercy said Ekeh later went to her parents and pleaded for forgiveness and it was then, he brought N300 and paid as her bride price. She said the incident has traumatized her as Ekeh has ruined her life, while her mates are in school pursuing their education. She asked the court to dissolve the marriage and compel Ekeh to take care of the baby. In his response, Ekeh denied all the allegations and told the court that he does not want the marriage dissolved because he loves Mercy. On packing to his house, he said it was a choice Mercy made before she got pregnant and he had to marry her by paying her dowry. The president of the court, Mr A.K. Akanni adjourned the matter for continuation of tria. (NAN)
divorce court
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‘My husband is stingy’ • He has never given me money to go to the market to buy foodstuff. He will rather go himself and give me the foodstuff to cook —Wife
M
y husband is stingy, he does not give me money for food, he goes to market to buy foodstuff himself, a 32-year-old woman, Mrs Cythian Igwe told an Igando Customary Court in Lagos. The petitioner urged the court to dissolve her six-year-old marriage to Emmanuel Igwe, whom she described as tight-fisted. “My husband is stingy and selfish, he has never given me money to go to the market to buy foodstuff; he will rather go himself and give me the foodstuff to cook,’’ she alleged. Cynthia accused her husband of excessive drinking which she said made him to behave abnormally. “Emmanuel drinks a lot and after getting drunk, he will start to destroy our property or beat the children for no just cause, there was a time he used my son to play football. “There was also a day he
came home drunk with one of his girlfriend’s, immediately I opened the door, he grabbed my clothes and tore it into pieces, he and his girlfriend started beating me. “I shouted for help and if not for the quick intervention of our neighbours, I would have been dead by now,’’ the applicant told the court. The mother of three said she was often embarrassed in public because of his drinking habits. She said he once appeared in her church half Unclad with a bottle of beer and a cigarette. According to her, Emmanuel forcefully sent her packing out of their matrimonial home by hiring a truck to convey all her belongings to her sister’s house. She begged the court to dissolve the union because she did not love him again and could no longer cope and that her life was in danger. However, Emmanuel, 34, a
maritime worker, denied all the allegations. He said that it was his wife’s prophetess that gave him beer to drink that he did not come to his wife’s church to embarrass her. “It was my wife’s prophetess that `sow’ a bottle of beer into my life and I drank it and gave thanks to God,’’ he said. The respondent said that Cynthia was a nagging woman and that she always disobey his orders. Emmaunel also denied being a drunk and a wife-beater, saying he was a moderate drinker. He said that his wife packed out of the house herself that he was not the one that sent her packing. He, however, said he was fed up with the marriage and told the court to grant his wife’s request. Mr Hakeem Oyekan, the President of the court adjourned the case for judgment.
‘My husband loves sex too much’ • Most times, he would have sex with me from midnight till early hours of the morning. Even when I am crying, he will not stop —Wife • I still love her with the whole of my heart. I, therefore, urge the court to give me time to reconcile with my wife. I believe we can settle the matter amicably —Husband
A
38-year-old housewife, Lami Shaibu has urged a Grade 1 Area Court, Aso Pada, Mararaba, Nasarawa State, to dissolve her marriage to her blind husband, Ibrahim, for alleged excessive sexual urge. Lami of Aso Pada told the court that she was no longer interested in the 15-month marriage. She said: “I urge the court to dissolve this marriage because I can’t stand his excessive sexual urge. He likes sex too much, I
can’t bear it. “Since I got married to him, there is no peace in the house, he always beats me, he doesn’t forgive and does not provide food for the house. “Most times, he would have sex with me from midnight till early hours of the morning, even when I am crying, he will not stop.” Lami said: “It is because of his too much sexual demands that made me to move away from him. I now stay at my mar-
riage guardian’s house at Aso Pada, Mararaba.” 56-year-old Ibrahim denied the allegation made against him saying “I still love her with the whole of my heart. “I, therefore, urge the court to give me time to reconcile with my wife. I believe she and I can settle the matter amicably.” judge, Malam Danladi Musa, adjourned the case for settlement or continuation of hearing. (NAN)
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JANUARY 9, 2016
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Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
Beware! Stress can ruin your health! H
appy New Year to you our numerous readers and thank God we all made it to year 2016. There is this freshness that comes with the beginning of the year. It offers fresh opportunities packed in a bundle of 365 or as in this leap year, 366 promising days. As such, it gives a feeling that those things we were unable to achieve the previous years will all be done in the New Year. We make resolutions; we set new goals and begin the race on the first of January, hoping to get to the finishing line immediately. Sometimes, nature cuts us a break and things go the way we planned. Sometimes, however, things don’t work out exactly as we planned it and this puts us under pressure. For year 2016 particularly, the forecast by economists have not been too encouraging. With the prediction that the price of crude oilNigeria’s main foreign exchange earner- will crash further government spending will definitely be affected. Some jobs will be put on the line and the economy of families may not be what it used to be. This may put some pressure on everyone to stay afloat and the stress level will definitely rise. When moderate, stress has been known to spur people to performing far beyond expectations. But when the levels rise to the unbearable and become life threatening, then is the time to watch it, so as to prevent productivity and income from falling and medical bills from rising.
Stress is what results when you are under so much mental, emotional or even physical pressure that you are unable to cope. Ordinarily, stress is the body’s way of responding to challenging situations. It is a way the body prepares for and responds to pressures of work place, family life and day to day living. So it actually helps in preparing the heart, the muscles and the mind to cope with those occasional breathtaking situations that requires every of our personal resources. It only becomes a problem when the body fails to relax after such encounters or when such situations become persistent. In other words, when we have failed to apply the necessary coping mechanism.
Causes:
The causes of stress could simply be referred to as Stressors and stressors could be positive or negative. If you just got promoted or built your own house it could be as demanding as you having issues in your marriage or facing financial hardships. Sometimes, the stressor is more internal and a function of individual’s outlook to life; hence being pessimistic and filling your mind with negative thoughts may stress you ,much unlike people with a more positive outlook to life who are more ready to weather the storm believing more in themselves. Causes of stress then could be –financial hardships –relationship problems –major life events
–children, family, or work related negative situations –too loaded work schedule –being negative and pessimistic –setting unrealistic goals and having unrealistic expectations –Being rigid about self (as they say, don’t take yourself too seriously, no one else does!)•
Symptoms:
At the onset of symptomatic stress, the signs are no more than a handful of involuntary actions. You may notice that: –You unconsciously grind your teeth –you tense your jaw and other muscles –you bite your nails –you hold your breath and rarely breathe deeply –you become short tempered When you don’t apply the brakes at this point, it only gets worse and systemic symptoms surface, such include: High blood pressure or heart conditions Weight problems: you may eat too much and gain weight or not eat enough and lose weight Problems with digestions: you may get more constipated or have occasional diarrhea Poor libido: you may lose your sex drive Sleep problems: as in lack of sleep or excessive sleep Dental problems: you ground the teeth! remember? Skin conditions: like eczema may develop and persist Menstruation: may become altered in
women Mood problems: you also risk depression, procrastination, nervousness etc Substance abuse: you may resort to alcohol abuse and smoking excessively (this is DISASTROUS!)
Treatment:
The treatment of stress ‘’begins with you!’’. You actually have more control over it than you think, and there are several coping mechanisms that stand everyone in good stead without having to resort to harmful practices such as excessive alcohol consumption or indulgence in unhealthy food intake. Importantly, the following are steps you can take to manage your stress 1) Get talking: A problem shared is half solved; goes the saying. Even if the individual you are expressing yourself to cannot really help, the act of engaging in conversation with another individual releases some stress reducing hormones. So if you notice you are stressed just engage yourself socially. 2) Get moving: When stressed, it helps to move your arms and legs. Walk, run, dance or swim Just exercise! You may do this alone or as part of a group. Physical activity has been known to defuse stress and help you up. 3) Get more relaxation: Set aside time for relaxation. Meditate, and take deep breaths. Plan a relaxing activity that you can eagerly look forward to each day such as reading a book, listening to music or tending a garden. 4) Get more sleep: To bust stress, you need a balance. Getting adequate night sleep helps with this. It gives you a clear head and helps you to cope. 5) Get help: Sometimes you cannot handle the effect of stress on your own or you have delved into unhealthy coping
mechanisms. At this stage, you are advised to get help from medical experts. Cooperating with such experts in taking prescribed medications and undergoing necessary rehabilitative measures will get you back quickly on your feet.
Prevention:
Sometimes you may just choose not to get stressed. That is, you see it coming and you duck! To achieve this, there are preventive steps you can take; some of which are also ways of coping in an already established stress; 1) Maintain good relationship with friends and families 2) Eat healthy diets and avoid artery clogging foods 3) Exercise regularly 4) Be optimistic 5) Learn to calm down and control your emotions And 6) Be confident in your ability to overcome every difficult situations
Conclusion:
Let me conclude by wishing us a stress free, fulfilling and prosperous New Year Tips on avoiding Stress: Watch out for early signs of stress such as teeth grinding, jaw clenching etc Make eating a healthy diet a habit. Exercise regularly Engage yourself socially Relax, sleep and play Never indulge in alcohol or smoking to reduce stress Get help immediately if you feel you need it. You can chat with a doctor FREE at www.prettyhealthcare.com.ng. Every Wednesdays and Fridays (4-8pm)
Sport
Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
JANUARY 9, 2016
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Home based Super Eagles in training session ahead of the 2016 CHAN in Rwanda
CHAN 2016
What hope for home-based Super Eagles?
IfeanyI eduzor
N
igeria’s Home-based Eagles will next week join their counterparts from other parts of Africa to seek for honours in the 4th edition of the African Nations Championship (CHAN) scheduled to kick off in Rwanda from January 16- February 7, 2016. The biennial football championship is organised by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) for the men’s national teams of Africa featuring exclusively players from their respective national leagues and will feature a total of 16 teams. Super Eagles B Team qualified for the 2016 edition after holding Burkina Faso to a goalless draw in Ouagadougou to go through courtesy of a 2-0 aggregate score and join hosts Rwanda, Morocco, Tunisia, Mali, Guinea, Niger, Gabon, DR Congo, Uganda, Ethiopia, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Angola to book
a ticket for the first major continental tournament this year. Nigeria, who won bronze in their CHAN debut two years ago in South Africa under Coach Stephen Keshi is in Group C with Tunisia, Niger Republic and Guinea and is expected to surpass the records set by Keshi when they finished third behind Ghana and Libya in 2014. The championship will be the first major test for Coach Sunday Oliseh who has posted some not too impressive results since taking over the mantle of leadership from Keshi last year. But despite the uncertainties of recent days which saw Oliseh flown abroad for medical treatment, it is expected that he will put his coaching experience on play to ensure that Nigeria win its first silverware in 2016. The CHAN coming some few months after Nigeria won the FIFA U-17 World Cup a record 5th time as well as the last U-23 African championship that qualified the country for the Rio 2016
Olympics, is a veritable avenue to assess the senior national team ahead of the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers and the 2018 Russia World Cup qualifiers respectively. It is true that apart from Egypt, South Africa, Cote d’Ivoire and Tunisia whose local leagues are rated above Nigeria, no other country in the continent boasts of having a more organised league than Nigeria, but posting of poor results by the country’s clubs at the continental levels has often put a question mark on the country’s championship. However, Nigeria not minding the series of problems confronting its local league has exported more professional players to Europe, Asia and America more than any other African country; an indication of the quality of its players but this will amount to nothing if they fail to win a championship like CHAN that is exclusively meant for players plying their trade on the continent. As has always been the case in
any continental championship, Nigeria participates; the country has already been tipped as one of the favourites to lift the trophy. But this could only be possible if the technical crew correct some of the loopholes discovered in the team’s friendly game against Angola who last Wednesday held them to a 1-1 draw in a warm-up game played in Pretoria ahead of the championship. Winning the championship for the first time by the Eagles will not only confirm Nigeria as one of the few countries that have won all the major national competitions in the continent, but will also be a good beginning for a team that has struggled in recent times to win big matches as well as build up confidence in the players as they prepare for bigger tournaments this year, which is a very busy one considering the number of qualifying matches to be played in 2016. In order to post a good performance in Rwanda, it is important that the coaching crew and the
players understand that most of the countries participating in the championship are forces to be reckoned with in African football and as such must up their game to have any chance of winning the elusive trophy. Although Nigerians are worried by the statement credited to Oliseh shortly after the Angolan match; that his players are not yet ready for the competition, it is hoped that he will take the statement by ex-international, Austin Jay Jay Okocha, that he has no reason not to surpass the bronze won by Keshi two years ago serious and go for the gold this time around. However not minding this scenario, football fans in the country are still optimistic that the home-based Super Eagles which comprises some of the best players in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) will put smiles on the faces of Nigerians when the tournament rounds off in Kigali, the Rwandan capital on February, 7.
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MIRROR SPORT
MirrorGolf Mirror With Pius Anakali
JANUARY 9, 2016
Tel: 08023367071
Golfers pay tribute to O’Connor
G
olf champions from all over the World has paid tribute to former European Ryder Cup hero, Christy O’Connor who died last Wednesday at the age of 67 while on holiday in Spain. The Irishman helped Europe retain the Ryder Cup at the Belfry in 1989 when his two-iron approach at the last sealed a singles win over Fred Couples. O’Connor won four European Tour titles including his Irish Open triumph at Woodbrook in 1975. That victory helped secure a Ryder Cup spot that year and he played in the competition again 14 years later. Speaking on his death, Europe’s Ryder Cup Captain, Darren Clarke noted that with his death, the golf family has lost one of its greatest characters. “O’Connor won four times on the European Tour but he will be forever remembered as the man who produced the iconic two iron at the 18th to defeat World No 1
M Late O’Connor
Els, Immelman in dream South African open pairing
F
ormer champions Ernie Els and Trevor Immelman have been drawn together alongside England’s David Howell for the first two rounds of the South African Open at Glendower Golf Club. “Being paired with Ernie is always special,” said Immelman, the last player to win back-toback South African Opens in 2003 and 2004, which he followed with a coveted Green Jacket at the 2008 Masters. “As a kid, he was one of the guys I watched and idolised. Later, when I got onto the European Tour and then the PGA Tour, he was the guy who took me under his wing and showed me the
ropes. “Our lives have run separate courses with kids and stuff like that, but I still run into him regularly. We had a good chat and it’s going to be a lot of fun to play with him.” Based in the United States, Immelman has not competed on home soil since his Nedbank Golf Challenge victory in 2007. However, his game has not been at the high level it once was over the last couple of years and he lost his PGA Tour card. A good performance this week could be the just what Immelman needs to spark a return to form and some momentum at the start of the season.
English golfers set to dominate Ryder Cup team
E
nglish golfers are poised to dominate Europe’s 2016 Ryder Cup team, despite Ian Poulter, Lee Westwood and Luke Donald’s fall from grace. None of that trio has made any sort of impact on the qualifying lists for the September 26-28 shoot-out at Hazeltine. And fellow veteran Paul Casey has ruled himself out by refusing to take up European Tour membership.
IfeanyI eduzor
O
ne of the leading private secondary school in the country, Landmark College, Ikorodu, Lagos State has commenced the construction of a sports complex in the school. Chief Executive Officer of the college, Isiaka Oyebanji told Saturday Mirror that the sports complex will not only
Dalung commends NIS management IfeanyI eduzor
Fred Couples in the singles and help Europe square the match to retain the Ryder Cup. Former European Tour chief executive Ken Schofield said the O’Connor was “every amateur’s dream as the perfect pro-am partner, on and off the golf course”. In his own tribute, Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny said that O’Connor’s death would be a “source of great sadness to all golfing fans in Ireland and across Europe”. While the country’s President, Michael Higgins described him as an “iconic figure in golf.”
But the new waves are well placed to fill the gaps. Englishmen fill five of the nine automatic spots, including rookies Danny Willett, Andy Sullivan, Chris Wood, and Matthew Fitzpatrick. World No 7 Justin Rose is the only English player with Ryder Cup experience in serious contention this time. But with eight more months of qualifying events to come the picture could change dramatically.
Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
inister of Youth and Sports, Solomon Dalung has commended management and staff of National Institute For Sports for the good work they are doing to ensure the institute produce quality coaches and sports managers for the country. He made the commendation during his official visit to the Lagos to inspect facilities under his ministry. According to him among all the facilities he visited in Lagos, the NIS stood out as the best even as he commended the Director/ Chief Executive Officer of the school Dr. Eke Kingdom Chukwudi for his foresight in not only maintaining industrial harmony and cleanliness of the school premises but also ensuring that the institute boosts of excellent and functional facilities. “I am highly impressed with what I saw at the NIS. Kudos must go to the management for maintaining a clean environment and functional facilities in the institute. During the course of my visit, I discovered that the whole institute is wearing a new look and all the departments I visited are in excellent condition and I want to announce that the NIS is the best place I visited”, he emphasised. Speaking to Saturday Mirror
on how he was able to achieve those successes within a few months since assumption of office as the Director/ Chief Executive of the Institution, Dr. Eke Kingdom Chukwudi attributed it to industrial harmony that has been existing since he came on board. “Immediately I assumed office, I brokered peace between the management and Academic Staff Union who have been in industrial dispute for more than 18 months over lack of transparency and accountability which helped in creating industrial harmony in the school. “We also ensured that all outstanding allowances owed both academic and non- academic staff were settled which changed staff attitude to work. Apart from
Director/ CEO of NIS, Dr. Eke Kingdom Chukwudi in a handshake with the Minister of Youths and Sports, Solomon Dalung while the Liaison Officer, National Sports Commission, Lagos office Mrs. Tayo Oreweme and Director General, National Sports Commission, Al- Hassan Yakmut watches.
Lafit Gym fitness challenge ends today IfeanyI eduzor
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he final of the on-going Lafit Gym Fitness challenge which kicked off on Saturday, December, 19, 2015 will be rounded up today at the Gbagada General Hospital play ground. Tagged “Gbagada Fitness Challenge”, the championship which held on alternative Saturdays of December 19 and 26, 2015 as well as January 2, 2016 saw participants awarded marks in
such events as 6km Run, Burpees, Jumping Jacks and Tire Pull amongst others with those with the highest points competing in today’s grande finale. Organiser of the competition, Eric Brown told Saturday Mirror that the championship which was open to both male and female athletes including those who are not regular sports men is not about winning but about competitiveness aimed at improving the fitness level of the participants just as he expressed happiness on the large turnout
Action recorded at the on-going Lafit gym challenge
Landmark College roles out plans for sports complex provide students the platform to exhibit their talents but can be used by the National Sports Commission to prepare athletes ahead of major tournament as well as serve as venue to host major sporting events.. According to him, the sports complex which is expected to be completed in 2017 will house an Olympic size swimming
this, student’s welfare has been attended to which led to the provision of social amenities such as regular water supply and procurement of a new generator for the library to enable them have easy access to photo-copy materials at subsidized rate. The Director while promising not to relent in his efforts at ensuring that the institute takes its rightful position appealed to the Federal Government to make funds available to the school to enable it achieve its objective of producing World class coaches for the country. “NIS as a research institute requires a lot of fund to enable it achieve its objectives and my appeal is that government should make more funds available to the school “, he concluded.
pool, basketball, volleyball and badminton courts as well as tartan tracks for athletics events even as he announced that the school’s 2016 Inter House Sports competition will be held at the sports complex. “At Landmark College, we take the issue of sports serious and that is why we are embarking on the construction of a
sports complex that will boost of the most modern sporting facilities. “When we finish the construction in 2017, it is expected that it will serve as a platform for discovering talents and also enable the National Sports Commission have a conducive environment to prepare athletes ahead of international
of participants at the event. “I am happy that the competition which commenced on December 19, 2015 witnessed a large turnout of participants who have improved their fitness level through the competition. “We are looking forward to a grande finale and with the arrangements put in place, it will be the biggest fitness challenge final ever organized in the country. Brown while advising Nigerians to be part of the epoch making final noted that it is important that Nigerians take the issue of fitness exercise serious as it is capable of preventing them from getting such sicknesses as obesity, high blood pressure and reducing stress amongst others. Winner of the championship will go home with N50, 000 while the first and second runners- up will receive N25, 000 and N15, 000 respectively.
competitions. On the performance of Nigeria in globally sports in 2015, he posited that the winning of the U-17 tournament in Chile, D’Tigers victory at the Afro basket ball championship and the winning of CHAN by the U-23 team in Senegal made 2015 a remarkable year for Nigeria just as he noted that Nigeria could have done better if the NSC had prepared athletes well ahead of major competitions.
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Jordon joins Liverpool’s injury list
J
ordon Ibe has become the 13th victim of Liverpool’s current injury crisis after suffering a hamstring strain. The injury which ruled him out of Liverpool’s FA Cup clash
Jordon
at Exeter yesterday evening was gotten in the Reds’ 1-0 Capital One Cup win over Stoke on Tuesday, in which he scored the only goal. Seven of Jurgen Klopp’s squad are now out of action with hamstring injuries, with Ibe joining Philippe Coutinho, Dejan Lovren, Daniel Sturridge, Divock Origi, Jordan Rossiter and Martin Skrtel currently receiving treatment. Also out for Liverpool are Danny Ings and Joe Gomez (knee ligament), Kolo Toure (cramp), Jordan Henderson (heel) and Mamadou Sakho (knee) while Jon Flanagan has recovered from a long-term knee injury but is not yet match fit.
Arsenal set to sign Elneny
Arsene Wenger says Arsenal will complete the purchase of Mohamed Elneny from Basel in “a few days”. Wenger also confirmed right-back Mathieu Debuchy could leave the club during the transfer window but insisted there is no truth in the national newspaper reports linking him with Watford striker Troy Deeney. Egypt international Elneny, who plays as a defensive midfielder, will cost Arsenal £7m but he still needs to complete a medical and gain international clearance before a transfer can go through. “It’s complicated a little bit but we will work hard on it,”
Elneny
said the Frenchman. “I hope in the next two or three days we get to the end of it. Wenger went on to dismiss speculation linking him with a move for Deeney, a player who Watford manager Quique Sanchez Flores also said he has no intention of selling.
All stars championship excites Ayoka in the tournament even as he exifeAnyi eduzor pressed hope that more players will join before the end of the competition. op officials of Amalgama“The All Stars tourney starttion of Nigeria Women ed as a child’s play some 20 years Football Club Coaches are confident that the annual All stars ago but today it has grown to an football carnival currently going enviable height. We the coaches on at the Hockey Pitch of the Na- are encouraged by the interest shown by promising players over tional Stadium, Surulere, Lagos the years, and we are further would grow bigger and better in inspired to do more for them in the next couple of years. the interest of Nigerian Football, Public Relation Officer of the said Ayoka who commended the association, Mike Ayoka told Saturday Mirror that they are im- Chief Goddy Ezezobor led body and the Local Organizing Compressed with the influx of young mittee headed by a Swiss , Hans and talented women footballers for the pre- season championship Kramer for doing a good job. With the final of the 14 team tagged “All Stars Tournament.” Ayoka said the entire Amalga- event slated for the legacy pitch of the National Stadium, Surulmation of Nigeria Women Club Coaches are excited that over two ere, Lagos on January 16, Ayoka hundred Players are participating stated that there is the need for the Nigeria Football Federation and Corporate Nigeria to compliment efforts of the coaches whose objective is to prepare players for the next football season besides affording scouts a rare opportunity to get quality players for Local and foreign teams. Meanwhile in some of the matches decided yesterday at the tournament, Japan defeated China 1-0 while Romania beat Switzerland 2-0. Also Belgium recorded a 1-0 victory over USA while the match between RomaAyoka nia and France ended goalless.
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Aubameyang vows to retain Footballer of the Year title Joel AJAyi AbujA
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inner of the 2015 African Footballer of the Year award, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has vowed to continue working hard to retain the title next year. On Thursday night, the 26-year-old Borussia Dortmund striker dethroned fourtime winner Yaya Toure to be crowned CAF African Player for 2015. It was the first such
honour for a player from the German league and oil-rich Gabon with a population of less than two million. Speaking shortly after he was announced winner of the award, he said “I want to make it again next year, but it will take hard work, to be able to remain the best African football player of the year. We have many tough African players around the world and it’s such a big challenge but I hope to be back in 2016.”
In a vote of coaches and technical directors of Confederation of African Football (CAF) member-nations, Aubameyang tallied 143 points ahead of Manchester City and Ivory Coast star Toure, who scored 136 points with Swansea City and Ghana striker Andre Ayew coming third with 112 points. It was sweet revenge for Aubameyang after he lost the 2014 prize to Toure who scooped the prestigious individual accolade in 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014.
Full list of 2015 GLO/CAF award winners African Player of the Year • Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Gabon) African Player of the Year — Based in Africa • Mbwana Aly Samatta (Tanzania) Women’s Player of the Year • Gaelle Enganamouit (Cameroon) Youth Player of the Year • Victor Osimhen (Nigeria) Most Promising Talent of the Year • Etebo Peter Oghenekaro (Nigeria) Coach of the Year • Herve Renard (France) • Former Coach of Cote d’Ivoire Referee of the Year • Bakary Papa Gassama (Gambia) National team of the Year • Cote d’Ivoire Women’s national team of the Year • Cameroon Club of the Year • TP Mazembe (DR Congo)
Aubameyang (L) with CAF President, Isa Hayatou shortly after receiving his award. Leader of the Year • Abdiqani Said Arab (Somalia) Fair Play Award • Allez Casa Supporters Group (Senegal) African Legend • Charles Kumi Gyamfi (Ghana and Samuel Mbappe Leppe (Cameroon)
Heartland FC ask staff to ignore sack letters
“The General Manager, Prince Okechukwu Ibeh has therefore directed all the affected staff to regard their purported sack as null and void. He equally asked the public not to recognize anyone acting on the instruction of the task force committee chair-
man. These letters were written and issued on January 6, 2016 but back-dated to take effect from December 1, 2015. The management is aware that the tenure of the task force ended on November 29, 2015,” he stated. “We ‘re equally aware that though, the task force chairman has been going round dropping the Governor’s name in the things he is doing. The Governor Rochas Okorocha did not give any directive to sack people in Heartland or for someone to victimize its workers,” Nkwopara added. The Heartland spokesman said since the task force committee tenure ended, its chairman has continued to act like a sole administrator of the club in a manner that calls for probing.
award held at the Abuja international Conference centre. The minister noted that apart from the approved date, the Federal Government has also approved a comprehensive package for all the athletes who excelled I all sports such as football, scrabble, basketball and others. It would be recalled that among those yet to be rewarded are the World conquering 1985 Golden Eaglets team that were
promised houses for winning the maiden edition of the FIFA U-17 World Cup in China and their counterparts that won the last U-17 edition in Chile last year. Others are the victorious national men’s basketball team who won the 2015 FIBA Africa Basketball Championship in Tunisia, Team Nigeria at the Commonwealth Youth Games in Samoa, and World Scrabble Champion, Wellington Jighere.
ifeAnyi eduzor
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eartland Football Club of Owerri on Thursday asked their players and officials to ignore the sack letters being issued to them by the Chairman of the defunct task force committee on sports facilities in Imo State, Goddy Ugonna Ozuruigbo because he lacked legal right to issue such letters. Club’s Media Officer, Cajetan Nkwopara in a press statement issued in Owerri said the management was embarrassed at the termination letters being issued to members of staff by the former task force chairman more than one month after his committee wound up.
Okorocha
FG to honour Eaglets, others January 21 Joel AJAyi AbujA
M
inister of Youth and Sports Solomon Dalung has revealed that President Muhammadu Buhari has approved January 21st as the day to honour sports men and women who excelled in various sporting events in 2015. He stated this on Thursday in Abuja shortly after the GLO/CAF
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LEISURE
JANUARY 9, 2016
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JANUARY 9, 2016
Crime Watch Police in manhunt for mother who sold four-month-old baby Patience OgbO
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olicemen attached to the Lagos State Police Command are on the trail of a house wife who allegedly sold her four months old baby. It was gathered that the house wife, Mrs. Ibekwe, allegedly connived with her husband and to sell their son for N400, 000 to boost their family business. While the policemen attached to the Lagos State Police Command have arrested the father identified as Okwuchukwu Ibekwe, for allegedly selling the son to a syndicate in Anambra State , the wife who allegedly masterminded the selling of the child took to her heels and has been in hiding after her husband was arrested. Narrating how the baby was sold, Ibekwe said “I live on Shinaba Street, in the Iyana Iba area of Lagos, I had difficulties in my trade and my wife advised me to raise some money by selling the baby so that we can use what we have to get what we want. I contacted a certain Chinelo who is still on the run, on December 17, 2015, for the transaction. I met Chinelo, in Ihiala, Anambra State, and we discussed the selling of my child. After much argument, he agreed and paid me N400, 000. My wife asked for her share of N150, 000 while the rest N250,000 was for me. Trouble started when I had a quarrel with my wife after returning from my trip to Anambra. My wife wanted her share but I told her I need the money for our family business. She got angry and unknown to me, she reported the matter to the police and she fled the house after making the re-
Patience OgbO
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olicemen attached to the XSquad Unit , Lagos state police command are investigating a grandfather and fake retired Major General for allegedly defrauding unsuspecting members of the public. The police said the suspect Imoh Bassey, 65, allegedly impersonated one retired Major- General Morgan but luck ran out on him when one of his victims, a trader whom he had fleeced of money and bags of rice apprehended him at the Fola Agoro area in Shomolu. According to police sources, Bassey, who hails from Akwa Ibom state, is an alleged serial fraudster adding that he allegedly made a fake identity card with which he portrayed himself to be attached to the Presidency, as a National security co-coordinator south Zone.
Owoseni
Ibekwe
port. I don’t know that it will turn out this way. I resorted to selling my child to make ends meet after all my efforts proved abortive to get money from other sources”. The Lagos State commissioner of police, Mr. Fatia Owoseni while parading the suspect said the police also arrested the husband of the buyer, and they are being detained at the Police Gender Unit, Ikeja. The CP however said the police are yet to recover the baby from Chinelo who is also
on the run. While blaming the devil for his alleged role in selling his child, Ibekwe maintained that his wife is his accomplice and the one who allegedly masterminded the selling of the baby. He said, “I sell vehicle spare parts in Ladipo market but my business has not been doing well.” My wife was the one who suggested that I sell our child. She masterminded the sale of the baby to meet our
business needs. “It was a lawyer who called me that my wife had reported me to the police, and that I should come and see her. When I went there, I was arrested.” CP Owoseni, while commenting on efforts by the police to recover the baby, said, “ the case is undergoing “intense investigation to recover the baby. The suspect is assisting the police with information to recover the baby.”
The case which was initially reported at Sabo Divisional Police Station was transferred to theXsquad Unit for further investigation. It was revealed in the course of the findings that the suspect had been paraded as a criminal receiver by the Akwa Ibom police command and at different divisional police stations including Force Criminal Investigation department Alagbon for allegedly using fake bank alerts in his phone for fraud. Narrating how he was defrauded, Nkpo kanayochukwu Ogbonna one of the victims said “I met this man (Bassey) for the first time when he came to my shop to buy a goods on December 12th. He came back on the 16th again and said he had an accident, and he needed help from me. He said he needed N35, 000, later he
said he needed N45, 000. That was after he presented himself as a Major General. He showed me an identity card and I believed him because I do not expect a man of his age to be lying. So I don’t have that money but I collected N40, 000 from my neighbour and gave to him. He later told me he had a business proposal for me to supply 130 bags of rice at Myhoung Barracks, Yaba. He collected four bags of rice stating that if the officers are okay with the rice, I will supply them in December 23rd. So he took four bags of rice that day and promised to pay money into my account the next day to enable me supply the rice. I called him to ask for my money and he said he went to the bank the next day but he could not send the money
into my account because my account is savings account. When he came back in the night he said I had to buy drink for some top officers in the barracks whom he got the contract from .He said he needed three bottles of America honey to give them. He said each bottle of the drink cost 7,800 but he collected N30, 000 from me to purchase the drinks. I took him to my neighbour’s shop to buy the drinks but he said the brands in the shop are fake and that he knew where to get original ones. Before he left that day, he said the money will be transferred to my account for the supply of the rice. He said he would transfer N2.8million but that I must have eight percent of that amount
Police nab fake army general
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Crime Watch
Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
JANUARY 9, 2016
Nigerian faces 30 year jail term over email fraud
We’ve killed 50 people so far — Armed Robbery suspects I
Commission (SEC) in 2010, where it was alleged that he fraudulently sold the shares of Adesoye Holdings Limited in IPWA Plc . Handing down the judgment was Justice Kudirat Jose. The court also fined Folaji’s company, First Alstate Securities Limited that was charged with managing the investment for the client N20m. According to the Head, Media and Publicity of EFCC, Wilson
Uwujaren, after diligent investigation by the commission, it was discovered that the convict fraudulently sold 31,886,200 units of Adesoye Holdings Limited shares in IPWA Plc worth millions of naira. Aside the seven years imprisonment, the court also made an order that the EFCC should trace the property of Folaji and cause same to be sold with the proceeds forfeited to Adesoye Holdings Limited.
Taju
f found guilty, a Nigerian living in the US, on a student visa, Amechi Colvis Amuegbunam, could end up behind bars for 30 years with a fine of up to $1 million. The 28-year-old was arrested in August 2015 in connection with a sophisticated email phishing scam targeting businesses, and charged with scamming 17 North Texas companies out of more than $600,000 using the technique. FBI alleged that from November 2013 through August 2015, Amuegbunam and other individuals, sent, and caused to be sent, fraudulent e-mails to companies in the Northern District of Texas and elsewhere, containing material misrepresentations that caused the companies to wire transfer funds as instructed on a pdf document that was attached to the e-mail. According to the complaint, Amuegbunam is responsible for more than a $1.3 million attempted loss, and a $615,550(N122.6m) actual loss, to U.S. companies, including Wells Fargo and JP Morgan Chase. The FBI issued an alert earlier last year about the new cyberattack it called the “Business Email Compromise.” The FBI said it is a “growing fraud that is more sophisticated than any similar scam the FBI has seen before.” Federal officials say more than 7,000 U.S. businesses have been scammed out of a total of about $740 million. “It’s a prime example of organized crime groups engaging in large-scale, computer-enabled fraud, and the losses are staggering,” said Maxwell Marker, an FBI agent who oversees an organized crime section.
borrow the N54, 000 from Daniel and I took it to him. He brought out an account opening form and filled it. He also brought out deposit slip and filled it as well and collected the N54,000 from me. He said I need to have an identity card but after that day, I did not see him or could reach him again but as fate would have it, on December 21st I was sitting in my shop at Fola Agoro area of Sabo when a Mercedes Benz was conveying him past. I
saw him and raised alarm, people around asked them to park but they refused. Thank God for traffic they couldn’t escape and with the help of the soldiers he was arrested. The soldiers took him to the barracks and discovered that he is not a retired Major-General. He was hiding the ID card from the soldiers but they took it from him” The suspect however denied the allegations. He said “I don’t have anything to say to you
people. Are we judging the case here? if we are not then there is nothing to say. There is no point giving my own side of the story because there is no Judge here, there is no magistrate. I have been here for three weeks; all I know is that I owe this boy,( referring to the victim)I loaned money from him, I wanted to use the money to put my car in order, because I had an accident. He is not my friend, he is my customer. That is all.”
Amechi
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32-year-old robbery suspect, Fashola Adewunmi, has told policemen in Lagos that he and his gang members had killed about 50 victims during various operations. Adewunmi said they had to kill because the victims refused to cooperate. He added that the gang had also stolen 34 vehicles. The suspect and two of his accomplices, Daniel Kuye (22) and Balogun Mutiu (32) were arrested, at Surulere area of the Lagos metropolis. He said: “My members and I have killed about 50 people in the course of our robbery operations. Some of these people we killed were those who did not cooperate with us. Rather than allowed them to stand as barrier to our operations and escape, we killed them.” They were arrested by the operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) while they were attempting to rob at Randle Avenue in Surulere. The suspects were said to have robbed a hotel at Iju-Ishaga and disposed the guests of their valuables before proceeding to Coker, Mile 12, Ijesha,
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Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikeja on Monday sentenced a stockbroker, Tajudeen Folaji, to seven years imprisonment after it found him guilty on one-count charge of unauthorised sale of shares and stealing contrary to Section 390(8) (b) of the Criminal Code Law, Cap C17, Vol. 2 Laws of Laws of Lagos State 2003. Folaji(pictured) was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), following a petition from the Security and Exchange CONTINUED FROM PAGE 43 (which is N224, 000) in my account before I can get the contract to supply the rice. I told him I don’t have such amount and he said he will provide the money the following day and would help me to open the account. On Friday, December 18, he called and said he was had gotten N170, 000 and I should run around and get the balance of N54, 000. Later that day, he told me to come and meet him at First bank branch at Alausa, Ikeja. Luckily, I was able to
Suspects
Aguda, Masha and Randle Avenue. They were arrested about 3:40a.m. on Wednesday by the policemen who were on patrol. The suspects were said to have first started their operation at the hotel, where they
collected N450,000 from a guest, identified as Banjo. They also took laptops and phones of the hotel guest. They disappeared with Banjo’s car. Police have since recovered the car and money.
Adewunmi added: “I have been arrested. I don’t need to hide anything from the police. All I’m asking for now, is forgiveness. My parents should not see me on television screen because of my crime.”
Stock broker jailed for fraud
Police nab fake army general
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JANUARY 9, 2016
Ngige visits Nnewi gas factory, insists on employee safety regulation Eric ElEzuo
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he Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, has sent warning signals to the employers of labour in the country, who do not have standardised welfare programme fo their workers to sit up as his Ministry from the second quarter of this year will engage in aggressive enforcement of regulation of labour laws in the country. The Minister spoke in Nnewi, yesterday when he led a team of the officials of the Ministry to inspect the Gas Factory at Nnewi, Anambra State, razed down, late December last year, in which eight persons were confirmed dead and several others injured. Ngige frowned at non-compliance to labour laws by many employers of labour on safety regulations as enshrined in the Factory Act of 2004 to ensure adequate safety for workers at work places as well as draw up effective emergency plan and response programme. He vowed that from the second quarter of this year, his Ministry will embark on aggressive regulatory activity CHANGE OF NAME
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in all the factories nationwide to ensure safety and registration of employees with the National Insurance Trust Fund by companies which have more than three workers. The Minister said that a situation where filling stations spring up every in nooks and crannies in the country with only Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR)’s approval cannot happen again except his Ministry sanctions that they complied with the employees’ minimum safety requirement. Senator Ngige said that these measures were not against the employers or employees, but for the interest of both, saying there are enough Labour Laws to protect both employers and employees, but failure to invoke them has been the problem, promising that this time around, all those relevant labour laws will take its full course. “The Department of Factory and Safety in my Ministry will implement this. We must make sure employers provide safety measures in the work place before takeoff. I will institutionalize it, so that even if I leave, there will be ready machinery for its enforcement,” he said. He reminded the management of Chikason Group and other companies in the country of the need to register their employees with National Trust Insurance Fund to ensure employee compensation against hazard or death.
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Reps exchange accusations over murder, arson in Nkpor Eric ElEzuo
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ccusations and counter accusations have allegedly trailed the purported murder of one Somtochukwu Enekebe Joseph at Mgbachu village Nkpor, Idemili North Local Government Area, Anambra State, as police intensify manhunt for suspects. According to the owner of the house set ablaze, Hon. Innocent Ilechukwu, “some of the suspects that perpetrated the act are cultists, and have been arrested by the Anti Cult Squad in the State while some are still at large. He pointed accusing finger at a former member of House of Representative, Hon Christian Okeke, his younger brother, Chibuzo Okeke and
Ikenna Anikpe as those behind the setting ablaze of the house. He said that property worth N25 million was destroyed and that the suspected cultists warned earlier that they would raze the house, and did as they promised. But in a swift reaction, Hon (Dr.) Okeke, who is the elder brother to Chibuzo Okeke, revealed that Ilechukwu burnt his house by himself and urged the Police and the Anti-Cult Squad to investigate him and avoid arresting innocent people over the burnt house. Hon Ilechukwu denied the allegation leveled against him by Hon Okeke, that he (Ilechukwu) set his house ablaze by himself pointing out that the trio were behind the arson and called for their immediate arrest
and prosecution. He added further that he is not facing any charge against the murder of Somtochukwu Enekebe Joseph rather it is the trio that are facing the murder charge, stating that he (Ilechukwu) and others were merely being accused by the suspected arsonists because they stand as principal witnesses against the three and that is why they set his house ablaze. In a swift reaction, Hon Okeke reiterated that Ilechukwu personally burnt his house. He said, “His anger is that he is facing a murder charge in the court and he resolved to tarnish our image as the principal witnesses to the charge against him”. Also reacting, Ikenna Anikpe said “Ilechukwu set his house ablaze by himself and accused us
of perpetuating the act because he feels that we will implicate him in the court as principal witnesses to a case of murder he is facing currently.” “They wanted to kill me, but I have always escaped. They set ablaze two of my cars. I cannot set anybody’s house on fire, and as the chairman of Mgbachu village I sympathize for the family of Ilechukwu that their son set his house ablaze.” Meanwhile, the State Police Command, through its Police Public Relations Officer, (PPRO), Okechukwu Ali, said eight persons have been arrested in connection with the arson that occurred in the wee hours of January 1, this year as it continues the manhunt for suspected arsonists.
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Commandant, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Enugu State, Mr. Stephen Lar (middle), addressing a news conference on activities of the command’s in Enugu on Wednesday.
Kanu responsible for his incarceration – Traditional ruler
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s Nigerians continue to react to the non-release of the Director of Radio Biafra based in London, Nnamdi Kanu, despite the two-day consecutive protest by Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), in South East and South zones for his release, an Onitsha, Anambra State High Chief and one of the contestants to the throne of Obi of Onitsha, Chief Obi Ubaka Lawrence Godwin Odukwe, hinted that Kanu personally put himself into incarceration. He described Kanu’s
abusive words and speech through Radio Biafra as unnecessary, and uncalled for, adding that it amounts to fanning the embers of war. Speaking during the occasion of celebration of his golden jubilee wedding in Onitsha, Odukwe reiterated that, “I feel very bad on this their (sic) agitation for a sovereign state of Biafra. “Igbo suffered during the war; younger men who never knew what war looks like started talking war,” he said. He however, admitted
that the South East zone is marginalized, but advised a round table discussion instead of being confrontational. “We don’t have the right to breach the norms, the unity of Nigeria,” he warned. Chief Odukwe stressed the need for the Igbo to be at the same level with other ethnic groups and states, adding that the infrastructural decay is a source of worry that prompted the agitation. “We have to be at equal level, and contest with others. Look at the South East
roads; the money belongs to us all. Kanu put himself in this incarceration mess,” Odukwe stated. On his wedding, he thanked God to have attained the height, adding that it was achieved through prayer, perseverance, love and hard work. “We have one philosophy in life, ‘prayer’. “There is no golden rule about life, if you want a broken home it is very easy, but hard to resolve or amend. You owe your children the greatest obligation, the good and bad side of life,” he hinted.
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Educationist advocates support for child education
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n educationist, Mrs Gloria Asiodu, has called on parents to support the education of their children to curtail the fallen standard of education in Nigeria. Asiodu, who is a retired Vice Principal, made the call on Friday in Asaba in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN). She said that lack of support by most parents had contributed to the fallen standard of education in the country. She appealed to parents and guardians to support the education of their children and wards to enable them grow into responsible and educated citizens. ``As parents and guardians, one thing you can do for your children and wards is to help them develop their reading skills. ``As parents and guardians, you can also support the education of your children and wards by putting them through with their homework. ``Homework can help children develop positive study skills and habits as well as improve their thinking and memory abilities. ``Homework can also encourage them to use time well, learn independently and take responsibility for their work,’’ she said. Asiodu also advised parents and guardians to ensure that they prepare their children to become responsible adults and leaders of tomorrow. She identified lack of teaching materials and infrastructure as some of the major factors contributing to the fallen standard in education in Nigeria. The educationist appealed to the government and stakeholders to assist in addressing the challenges.
SOUTH SOUTH
JANUARY 9, 2016
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Rivers PDP accuses APC of visionless economic policies
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hairman, Rivers State Chapter of the Peoples’ Democratic Party, (PDP), Felix Obuah, has called on the citizens of the state to resist the seemingly visionless economic policies of the ruling All Progressives Congress, (APC). According to him, Rivers citizens must be prepared to resist a visionless APC that has improvished them and destroyed the economy. Besides, he also criticized the increase in electricity tariffs as announced by the APC Federal Government through the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, describing the new power tariff regime as a further means of bringing hardship and suffering on Rivers electricity consumers and indeed all Nigerians,
in the absence of affordable and available petroleum products. In the statement signed by Jerry Needam, his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity condemned the decision of the Commission and by extension the federal government for the wrong timing and the excruciating pains on Nigerians who voted in anticipation of positive change but are now struggling to survive the effects of bad economic policies and actions of the APC administration at the centre. Considering the plight of innocent Rivers consumers in this circumstance, the PDP is of the view that the Federal government should take urgent and effective steps in addressing the dwindling economic situation and poverty that
is growing across the country so as to cushion the resultant effects of such increment in electricity power tariffs. While sympathizing with Rivers people, he called on them to resist bad economic policies of the APC)by speaking out and be prepared to resist a visionless APC that has improvished them and destroyed the economy. He urged the NERC to reconsider its decision, particularly its implementation at this period when the economy appears to have collapsed under the current APC government at the centre, and when good governance has become an illusion in the country. According to him, within a few months of the live of Buhari administration,
petroleum products have been consistently scarce while the available one is sold exorbitantly, prices of food items and other consumables rising astronomically, transport fare becoming unbearable, while essential service now a mirage in the country. This, the PDP is unacceptable as it negates the very essence of government. He also condemned the inability of the APC led Federal Government to release money meant for states from the Federation Account in December, which affected the payment of workers salaries before Christmas and New Year. He claimed that the APC lacked vision and sound economic policies to drive Nigeria successfully, and urged Rivers People to shun the APC and all its candidates.
An accident scene along the Airport road in Benin-City, Edo State, yesterday.
Edo commences recruitment of 5,000 teachers T he Edo Government has commenced the process of recruiting 5,000 teachers for its public primary and secondary schools, Mr Gideon Obakhan, the state’s Commissioner for Education, has said. Obakhan, who made this known while speaking with newsmen, said 50 science and special teachers had already been recruited for those with special needs. According to him, induction and orientation programmes have been
organised for the teachers. ``They have concluded this and they are being posted out to different schools in the state. ``We are also going to start the process of the employment of 3,000 teachers within a short while. We have carried out an analysis to that effect. ``Our long term plan is to have about 5,000 teachers before the end of 2016. ``We are still doing an analysis to be sure we are getting efficiency.
`` Because of the separation of senior secondary and junior secondary schools, there have been some requests for teachers. ``We need to do some analysis to know the exact number that we need now but we know that there have been some complaints about teachers in some schools,’’ he said. The commissioner said the state would get the required number of teachers to run its schools, adding that many of them
would be posted to rural areas. ``We are also taking a firm stand on redistribution of teachers across schools in the state. ``We have made it clear that there will be no preference in teachers’ redistribution, including those already in the system because lot of people lobby to remain in the urban centres. ``So, if you are ready to take up appointment, you should be ready to go anywhere,” he stated. (NAN)
Success of Bayelsa poll depends on INEC, security agencies, Says PDP
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he Bayelsa State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said the success of today’s supplementary polls in the state will be determined by the federal government, security agencies and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Even with the deployment of 5,000 policemen, stakeholders are still being skeptical as to the preparedness of the relevant agencies of the government for the election. The Director of Publicity of the PDP Restoration Campaign Organisation, Hon. Jonathan Obuebite, said the governorship polls would be a pointer to what people should expect from INEC, the federal government and the security agencies in 2019. According to him, the people of Southern Ijaw Local Government Area are ready for the crucial supplementary election and needed the assurance of the relevant agencies, especially the security operatives that the election would not be marred by violence, as experienced last year. He said: “If it takes INEC and other relevant agencies close to two months to conduct elections in eight local government areas, one wonders what will happen in 2019, when the nation will be having its general elections. He said election should not be a do or die affair, adding that citizens should be allowed to elect candidates of their choice through the ballot and not crooked means. Obuebite said global focus will be on the state, hence the reason the agencies concerned should step up their game.
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Knife attacks: 4 Palestinians shot dead
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our Palestinians were shot dead by Israeli forces in the West Bank overnight after two separate attempted knife attacks, Israel said. In the first deadly incident, three Palestinians attempting to attack with knives were shot and killed by Israeli forces at the Gush Etzion settlement junction in the West Bank, the Israeli military said Friday. “The force thwarted the attack, responding to the imminent threat danger and shooting the perpetrators resulting in death of two,” the Israeli military told CNN. “The third was receiving medical treatment at the scene but later died of injuries.” No Israeli soldiers or civilians have been reported injured. The Palestinian health ministry said that the three Palestinians were cousins from the town of Sa’eer near Hebron. The ministry identified them as Ziyad Kawazbeh, 18, Ahmad Kawazbeh, 19, and A’laa Kawazbeh, 19. In the second incident, “a Palestinian armed with a knife attempted to stab soldiers northeast of Hebron,” the Israeli military said. “The forces thwarted the attack and shot the assailant resulting in his death.” No soldiers were injured. The Palestinian health ministry identified him as Khalil Mohamad Shalaldeh, 16, from the town of Beit Eynoun in the West Bank. Shalaledeh’s brother, Mohammad Shalaldeh, died after clashes with Israeli forces in November. The Palestinian health ministry said in a statement that the number of Palestinians killed by Israeli forces since October has risen to 149. Israeli medical and disaster organization Magen David Adom has recorded at least 27 Israeli deaths at the hands of Palestinian attackers since mid September.
JANUARY 9, 2016
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
ISIS fighter executes own mother
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n ISIS fighter has executed his own mother before a public audience, an expat Syrian rights group said. The 20-year-old killed his mother in the Syrian city of Raqqa, ISIS’ de facto capital, as hundreds looked on near the post
office where she worked, said the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. ISIS had accused her of apostasy after her son turned her in, the activists said. She allegedly had been “inciting her son to leave the Islamic State.” She wanted to escape with
him and told him “that the coalition will kill all members of the organization.” The observatory reported that the victim was in her 40s. The activist group Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently reported that she was 35. CNN has not been able
to independently confirm the reports of the rights groups. ISIS has fostered a reputation of extremism by carrying out staged killings such as beheadings, mass shootings and burnings on camera and posting video of them to social media.
David Cameron, UK Prime Minister
UK issues tough new drinking limits
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f you feel like you had one too many drinks over the winter holiday season -- you probably did. At least, if tough new guidelines on drinking just announced by the UK’s chief medical officers are anything to go by. Perhaps timing the announcement to coincide with many Britons’ January health kick, the new guidelines suggest that both men and women should regularly drink no more than 14 units of alcohol per week. That’s the equivalent of six small glasses of wine or five pints of beer at 5% ABV strength. Pregnant women should not drink at all. Guidelines in the U.S. recommend that women
should not exceed one standard drink per day and men should no more than two. That equates to 12 units a week for women and just over 24 for men. Most worryingly, perhaps, the new UK advice suggests that there is no safe level of drinking -and any amount of alcohol can increase the risk of cancer, according to new research. The new health rules also say that you shouldn’t save up your weekly units and indulge in heavy drinking sessions; instead distribute them evenly throughout the week and aim for a few alcohol-free days a week. Bad news too for those who imbibe a few glasses
of red to keep their hearts healthy. The benefits are fewer and apply to a smaller group of people than previously thought -- in the UK, women over the age of 55 are the only group in which it has the potential to significantly reduce risk of death. This is the first full update of UK advice on drinking since 1995 -- and medical chiefs say they looked at evidence from all over the world to come up with them. One major difference is the change from daily to weekly recommended units -- which they say is to make the guidelines easier to follow for the majority of the population who do not drink reg-
ularly. But it is men who will likely notice the biggest changes. Previously, daily drinking limits for men were three to four units -- between 21 and 24 units per week. The new guidelines bring men’s upper limit down to 14 units per week, in response to the latest research, which suggests that the overall health risks for men and women are the same. Imposing this new guideline means the UK now has one of the lowest suggested upper limits for men in the world. It also joins Australia in being one of the few countries to suggest the same limit for both men and women.
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Paris attacks: Explosive traces found
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aterial that could be used to make explosives, traces of the explosive TATP and the fingerprint of a suspect in the November terrorist attacks in Paris were found during a search of an apartment in Brussels in December, a prosecutor in Belgium has confirmed. The discoveries suggest that the third-floor apartment on Rue Bergé in the Brussels district of Schaerbeek might have been for a time the hide-out of Salah Abdeslam, who is wanted in connection with the Paris attacks, in which 130 people were killed. Abdeslam, a Belgian-born French national, remains at large and is one of Europe’s most-wanted men. French authorities have confirmed that he wore an explosive belt found on a Paris street 10 days after the November terror attacks, a source close to the investigation told CNN in December. The source said investigators had analyzed the suicide belt, found on a sidewalk on Rue Frederic Chopin in the Paris suburb of Montrouge, and discovered traces of sweat that matched Abdeslam’s DNA. Investigators are working under the theory that Abdeslam was supposed to blow himself up in Paris’ 18th arrondissement but backed out, the source told CNN. The apartment in Brussels, where he may have hidden out for a time, was searched on December 10. It was rented “under a false identity that might have been used by a person already in custody in this case,” the prosecutor’s statement said Friday. Three handmade belts that might have been intended to transport explosives were also found in the apartment.
Quote of the day The Amnesty office took the decision to pay ex-agitators directly following reports of complicity and short-changing of some of them by the leaders —Chief of Staff to the office of special adviser to the President and Coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, PAP, Col. Dedis Abel (rtd)
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Oil versus Nigeria: A clustering disaster? (II) SATURDAY, JANUARY 09, 2016. www.nationnationalmirroronline.net
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he low percentage of the shortfall in oil production (0.25% bpd) is predicted to be too small to make any difference in the expected price of oil in 2016. But Goldman Sachs has given four reasons why the price of oil may even fall as low as $20. As the stockpile of oil keeps rising and production is not falling enough, there is the ‘sit and look’ approach. The rise in Federal Reserve rate will hit demand, “but if the dollar rises strongly on the back of the rate increase, this will hold prices higher for overseas buyers and could undermine that trend.” This concern can easily be played up by the OPEC strategy of reducing output from member states and also directing a strategic policy of sales of stockpile products. The Nigerian government must have learnt a lesson from the unfolding scenario of the previous month and gotten prepared to ensure adequate check on project cost estimate in the 2016, otherwise the gains of the projected income can derail the benefits. The IEA reports that OPEC supply since June has been running at an average 31.7 mb/d, with Saudi Arabia and Iraq the group’s largest producers - pumping at or near record rates. Riyadh has held supply above 10 mb/d since March to satisfy demand at home and abroad, while Iraq, including the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), is doing its level best to keep production above the
CFR
A s 2016
goes by , the
difficulties of the yeAr will slowly disAppeAr .
t he most significAnt pAins of 2016 Are in the first quArter , when the globAl demAnd for oil could be As low As 4 mb/d mark first breached in June. There is evidence that the Saudi-led strategy is starting to work. Lower prices are clearly taking a toll on non-OPEC supply, with annual growth shrinking below 0.3 mb/d in November from 2.2 mb/d at the start of the year. A decline of 0.6 mb/d is expected in 2016, as US light tight oil - the driver of non-OPEC growth - shifts into contraction. As companies make further spending cuts in reaction to sub-$50/bbl oil, the impact on supplies - both from non-OPEC
94 bpd
and OPEC - will be even more pronounced in the longer term. Shrinking non-OPEC supply and on-trend demand growth should lead to a marked slowdown in the pace of global stock builds in 2016. However, as extra Iranian oil hits the market, inventories are expected to swell by 300 million barrels. Concerns about reaching storage capacity limits appear to be overblown. Oil tank tops should not come under pressure any time soon, due to spare storage capacity in the US and expectations of future storage
capacity additions. Much of the excess oil will be soaked up by 230 mb of new storage capacity additions. While US inventories are only 70% full, IEA posits that storage levels may provide yet another reality check. And as inventories continue to swell into 2016, there will still be a lot of oil weighing on the market. The summary of our studies shows that as 2016 goes by, the difficulties of the year will slowly disappear. The most significant pains of 2016 are in the first quarter, when the global demand for oil could be as low as 94bpd. The meaning of this is that the price of oil could go for as low as $29 per barrel. But it will improve in the second quarter. As the global demand moves up to 95bdp, price may move to between $38 and $45 in the second quarter of 2016. In the third and fourth quarter, a price level of $55 per barrel is expected as global demand moves up to 95.7 bdp. At that point, OPEC may get some respite, as the US inventory is at 70% of full capacity The volume of dollars expected may, however, not be enough to change the fate of the naira, as the Nigerian government cannot meet dollar demand. This may erase the benefit of the global increase in demand for oil as far as Nigeria is concerned!
*Jimoh Ibrahim is a postgraduate student of the University of Oxford Major Programme Management.
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