Vol. 6 No. 17
Saturday, April 23, 2016
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L—R: Leader, Delegation of retired Permanent Secretaries, Mr Philip Asiodu; President Muhammadu Buhari and Chief of Staff to the President Alhaji Abba kyari after a meeting between the President and some retired Federal Permanent Secretaries at the Presidential Villa Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: ANAYO OPARA
FG allays fear of power transmission disruption by Union Naira devaluation is against common man —Buhari
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14 bedroom mistakes women make
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Delta is under armed robbery siege –Victim
Nosa akeNzua ASABA
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n armed robbery victim, Mr. Innocent Osakwe has raised the alarm over incessant armed robbery attack on residents of Ogwashi-Uku in Aniocha South of Delta State in recent times. The victim who was attacked by suspected armed robbers recently spoke to our correspondent yesterday on the situation in Ogwashi-Uku. He told our correspondent that armed robbers in the town now carry out robbery operations in daylight, particularly on Sunday when people might have gone to church.
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Osakwe said that the situation has become alarming as the robbers robbed four different compounds and families within a week and made away with their money and property worth millions of naira. According to him, “after members of the victims sustained different degrees of injuries and subjected to inhuman treatment”, lamenting the situation recalled how he was attacked at night by heavily armed bandits numbering over five. He said the suspect yet to be arrested carted away all his money, electronics, and handsets of members of his family, jewelries and other household items. Mr. Osakwe said the robbers treated him and other members of his family to inhuman treatments and they sustained injuries all over their bodies. He said the mat-
ter was reported to the police but no arrest has been made yet. Osakwe told our correspondent that this past Sunday, the police arrested one armed robbery suspect after he jumped through the fence into a compound in broad day light when people had gone to church. But nemesis caught up with him as those in the compound saw him and raised the alarm before he was arrested. The victim who was furious over the development, said before the last incident, two other compounds were robbed at night and the victim made to lose money and other household items to the rampaging robbers who were heavily armed. According to him: “We are very worried over this new development called armed robbery attacks in Ogwashi-Uku. I am saying that Ogwashi-Uku is under siege by robbers. The situation now calls for beefing up
suspected serial bank robber, Ibrahim Abudulamdi, arrested by operatives from the Lagos State Police Command, is telling policemen how he has robbed banks without firing a gun. The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Fatai Owoseni, stated that Abudlamdi is a serial bank robber but luck ran out on him when he stole N1.2m from FCMB bank at Ogudu in Lagos and he was subsequently arrested. The Lagos Police boss said “we have observed new antics in Lagos where criminals pretend and go to banks but their aim is to steal. This trend has been on the rise and we advise members of the public to be vigilant when they are using ATM and when they are withdrawing money from bank. One of such was the arrest of a man, Abdulamdi Ibrahim, at Ogudu area in Lagos who goes to banks with a Ghana Must Go bag but pulled out a gun at the cashier and carted away money.” Mr. Owoseni added that the suspect is a drug addict and he had spent part of the money he stole to buy hard drugs. “From our investigation, the suspect has done it
in Plateau and Kaduna states.” The suspect, while describing his modus operandi, however said he successfully carted the money away from the bank without threatening the cashier with a gun as the police claimed. He said: “I am not a robber. I go into banks to steal, not to rob. When I get there, I pretend that I want to lodge some money. For instance, when I went into FCMB bank at Ogudu, I went straight to the bulk room. After monitoring the environment carefully, I saw some money and I collected it. I collected N1.2 million. I didn’t go there with a pistol. I succeeded in stealing from the bank because the bank operatives were careless. I went into the bulk room and picked the money. I have used different antics to steal from banks. Sometimes, I went to the bank with a Ghana-must-go bag pretending to deposit money but the bag was filled with cut to size paper and I swapped my bag containing cut-to-size papers with a bag containing money while I pretended to be asking the cashier questions. I succeeded in my operations because after monitoring the
Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa
of security by the Police, the local vigilante and other security agencies. I am calling on the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Alkali Baba Usman, to risen up to the occasion and save lives in Ogwashi-Uku, before everybody parks out of the town for fear of attack by robbers, the victim pleaded.
‘How I stole N1.2m from bank without firing a shot’ A How terrible is Staphylococcus? Pg 38 Mirror
Bridge top fishermen invade Lagos
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‘He brings home older women’
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Police arrest woman for stabbing neighbour to death
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banks, I observed that the cashiers and other bank staff are too busy and I capitalised on their carelessness.”
DSS nabs five certificate racketeers in Kwara Wole adedeji ILORIN
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he Kwara State office of the Department of State Security Service, DSS on Friday in Ilorin paraded five persons caught engaging in certificate rackets. State Director of DSS, Abdullahi Shinkafi who paraded the suspects at the headuarters of the service said the arrested fraudsters specialsed in forging University, National Youth Service Commission,NYSC exemption/Discharge, Polytechnics, Colleges of Education, Secondary, WAEC, NECO and Local Government Indigenship certificates. The arrested suspects included Adebimpe Ayodeji, Moshood Abdulhafiz, Sikiru Rafiu, Aliyu Abdullahi and a woman; Musilimat Majeed.
The DSS boss who said the suspects’ arrest followed a tip off that a syndicate was producing ‘fake indigenship certificate of LGAs which first led to the arrest of the ring leader; Abdulmajeed Olaide. Olaide however, had since jumped bail, according to Shinkafi. He said a search warrant was executed at the residencies of the five suspects where incriminating items that were displayed to journalists to see were found. The items included a stamp pad of Kwara State High Court, hundreds of Kwara state indigeneship certificates for Oke Ero, Ekiti, Ilorin South, Ilorin West, Ilorin East, Edu and Irepodun LGAs. Others were First School Leaving Certificates, NYSC Excemption Certificates, 100 copies of Kwara Poly Certificates, College of Education. Certificates, University of Calabar,
Lagos State University Certificates, NECO, and WAEC Certificates, passport photographs stamp pads and seals of several institutions. The DSS chief said the certificates looked very genuine which accordiing to him had certainly made several unsuspecting persons, particularly public officers in many government offices to get unmerited certificates to work. “The service findings is not unconnected with the discovery of fake academic documents during the ongoing screening of workers and pensioners in some LGAs by the State Committee on Personnel Database Development,” Shinkafi said. He called on members of the public to be vigilant and wary of fraudsters calling on people to report suspicious activities in their neighbourhood to security agencies.
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APRIL 23, 2016
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Two years after abduction:
Will Chibok girls ever return? More than two years after the Chibok girls were abducted, MUDA OYENIRAN writes that hope has continued to dim on their return.
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he abduction of over 200 girls from the Government Girls Secondary School, in Chibok Borno state perhaps remained the greatest puzzle that CONTINUED ON PAGE 4
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‘Some of the girl will never return’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3
Nigeria as a nation have had to contend with in its recent history. The entire abduction saga started with the purported denial of the incidence by the federal government led by former President Goodluck Jonathan. The thinking in the government cycle then was that it was practically impossible to take away such a large number of persons from a place without people raising the alarm. According to Borno state governor, Alhaji Kazeem shettima it took President Jonathan 19 days before he telephoned him on the issue. On Wednesday, March 30, 2016, Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose declared that no pupil was abducted by Boko Haram from the Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State. According to the governor, reports about the Chibok abduction were merely part of the propaganda aimed at sealing the fate of the Jonathan administration ahead of the 2015 general elections. “I don’t think any of these girls is missing; it is a political strategy. Who is fooling who? If you wanted to use it to remove some people, you have succeeded already. “I don’t know if there are missing girls but no indication has shown that. It is a political strategy, because I don’t think any girl is missing. If they are missing, let them find them,” Fayose said while declaring open a two-day workshop on “Political Aspirants’ Capacity Enhancement” organized by Women Arise for Change Initiative for women from Ekiti, Osun and Ondo states. The sad incidence which has attracted wide local and international condemnation has generated a lot of controversies with accusations and counter-accusations. And as the blame game continued the parents of the girls are the worst hit and for them their tears will never dry until the girls are found. But will the Chibok girls return in peace to the warm embrace of their parents and loved ones after two years of their abduction? This remains a big question that has defied an answer. Perhaps former President Olusegun Obasanjo was saying the obvious when he said the Chibok girls would never return. Obasanjo made this statement last year while speaking at the Hausa service of the British Broadcasting Corporation. He said: “I believe that some of them will never return. We will still be hearing about them many years from now, some will give birth to children of the Boko Haram members, but if they cannot take care of them in the forest, they may release them.” Obasanjo said. Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osibajo while speaking on the issue recently said
BBOG advocates
that although the federal government was committed to bringing back the girls, it would be unrealistic to put timeline on the search. Osinbajo who stated this at a forum on vulnerable people in Nigeria said the Federal Government is not sure of when the Chibok girls will return. Leader of the group at the time Abubakar Shekau, had boasted to sell the girls off into slave marriage. With this the whole globe was alarmed and prompted intensified search for the girls. To corroborate this, early in May, 2014, a video recording surfaced, showing Abubakar Shekau, claiming responsibility for the abduction of over 200 girls from the Government Girls Secondary School in Chibok, Borno State. In the video that lasted about an hour, he threatened to give the abducted students out in marriage “I am the one who captured all those girls and will sell all of them. I have a market where I sell human beings because it is God that says I should sell human beings. Yes I will sell women, because I sell women.” Till date there is no evidence about how far he has gone with his threat nevertheless, it remains indubitable that anxiety persists in the mind of many who continue to imagine the fate the Chibok girls may have suffered in the hands of their captors.
In the past two years groups campaigning for the return of the girls have been resolute and kept hope on top of the situation. Hear Aisha Yusuf, one of the leading activists in Bring Back Our Girls( BBOG) in Nigeria, “On this, we stand; no retreat, no surrender”. “It remains the duty of the Nigerian government to rescue the Chibok girls – all 219 of them and we will not give up on that,” she added. In the same vein, former Education Minister Mrs Oby Ezekwesili has relentlessly mobilized global attention to the plight of the girls, but two years on, the girls are still far away from home. With the efforts of the bringbackourgirls activists the campaign hit the social media and the consciousness of millions of people across the globe got woken up. In Nigeria and abroad, legions of youth have tweeted or written some messages on the issue of the missing Chibok girls. The United States of America’s First Lady, Michelle Obama was among mothers in distant climes who stridently reechoed the BBOG campaign message. Similarly Nobel Peace Prize laureate Malala Yousafzai criticised Nigerian leaders for not doing enough to find the girls. The 17year-old Malala, who rose to international fame after she survived an
attempted murder by the Pakistani Taliban for her advocacy of free education for girls, said Nigerian leaders and the international community must do more to help the girls. “In my opinion, Nigerian leaders and the international community have not done enough to help you,” she said in a letter to the girls, whom she called “my brave sisters”. “I am among many people pressuring them to make sure you are freed,” Malala continued. “Remember that one day your tragic ordeal will end, you will be reunited with your families and friends, and you will have the chance to finish the education you courageously sought. “I look forward to the day I can hug each one of you, pray with you and celebrate your freedom with your families. Until then, stay strong, and never lose hope. You are my heroes.” Malala wrote the letter on the eve of the first anniversary of the mass kidnapping. Last July, she urged the Nigerian government to focus on the search of the missing girls during a meeting with the girls’ relatives in Abuja, Borno State. “If you don’t focus on the future generation it means you are destroying your country. Think about these girls,” she said during the meeting. Only last Friday, activists under the CONTINUED ON PAGE 5
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‘18 of their parents have died of stress’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4
auspices of the BBOG campaign began one week of activities aimed at further drawing attention to the Chibok girls who have been missing for about two years now. The ‘Global Week of Action’ started with Islamic prayers and teachings, along with prayers in several mosques in Nigeria and other parts of the world. At Unity Fountain, in the heart of Abuja where the BBOG campaigners have always held their activities, both Sheikh Nura Khalid and Ustaz Abdulfatah Adeyemi were invited to deliver lectures on the topics: “Importance of Girl-Child Education in Islam” and “Islamic Prohibition of Forced Marriages.” Church activities and special Christian worship/prayers took place on Sunday, ahead of other events during the week. Sophisticated satellite surveillance, otherwise referred to as “Eyes in the sky” recorded only one possible sighting about two months into the girls’ disappearance. A rescue attempt for the fraction sighted around a ‘tree of life’ in Sambisa forest was deemed unfeasible. Several times, teams of foreign experts and RAF Sentinel spy planes were quietly scaled down, pulled out, or re-assigned to more pressing theatres of conflict like Syria and Iraq. Besides, series of attempts to negotiate towards effecting the girls’ release all fell through due to a lack of reliable go-betweens. So far, the best efforts by the world have remained fruitless. Much has been said and done, yet the question remains: where are the Chibok girls?
Michelle Obama on BBOG
In May last year, it was reported that the military had reclaimed most of the areas previously controlled by the insurgents, including many of the camps in the Sambisa forest where it was suspected the Chibok girls had been kept. Although many women had been freed, none of the Chibok girls were found. In January this year, the military was reported to have freed 1,000 women held captive by Boko Haram. But none of the Chibokgirls was amongst the women. Just this week, hopes were again dashed when the government denied reports that the insurgents were demanding $50 million from it as ransom before releasing the abducted girls. Daily, the military is reportedly demolishing more terrorists camps, defusing improvised explosive devices, setting free more people but even after so much of that, seeing or hearing about Chibok girls has remained more of a fantasy. Chief of Defence Staff, General Abayomi Olonisakin also revealed recently that the military does not have any report on the abducted Chibok girls. In spite of their continued stay in Boko Haram’s captivity, the Army says little headway has been made on their rescue. General Olonisakin disclosed a few details of the efforts to rescue the Chibok girls, to journalists after addressing officers of the Nigerian Navy at a one-day seminar in Abuja. He said that interrogation of females rescued has not yielded the desired result, thus far. “So far, we don’t have any report concerning them (Chibok girls), but of course, we have some Boko Haram terrorists, who have surrendered. Among them
are women and children. “We have collection point for their wives and children and we are moving them to areas where we can profile and identify them and ensure that they are not really involved in Boko Haram activities. For parents and relatives of the girls, the past two years have been spent with untold agony, grief and dreams. So far, efforts by government and agencies have remained fruitless. Reported sightings of them have been negligible these days. Recently, Hosea Tsambido, Chairman of Chibok Community in Abuja, stated that words cannot suffice in explaining the pains gnawing through the hearts of parents of the abducted Chibok girls. “I can confirm to you that at least eighteen parents of these girls have died because of the stress and anxiety caused by the abduction,” Tsambido said. He spoke shortly after members of the BringBackOurGirls Group concluded the first part of weeklong memorial events at the Unity Fountain in Abuja. From the BBOG, civil society and religious groups, eminent Nigerians, including some embattled parents of the abducted girl, the message was the same: ‘Free the Chibok girls,’ Bring Back Our Girls.’ Marking the second anniversary, the group trooped to the Aso Rock , the seat of government, to remind the occupants that the primary responsibility of the government is protection of lives and property. Before the march, the co-convener of the group Aisha Yesufu, addressed newsmen at the Unity Fountain, Abuja. She said: “It’s unbelievable that two years on, we are still talking about Chibok girls in
captivity. We are not talking about Chibok girls’ rehabilitation and how far they have come after their captivity. It’s so sad. “It’s a sad, heartbreaking and painful day, especially talking about the video that has been released by CNN and seeing a parent crying so wretchedly, so painfully. “Today, apart from being a painful day, is a day we renew our hope. “As far as the girls are in captivity, Nigeria is in captive,” Yesufu said. Led by Oby Ezekwesili, former Minister of Education and leader of the BBOG, the group displayed placards and banners which read “Hope endures, “Bring back our girls now and alive. They lamented the nonchalant and ‘I don’t care’ attitude to rescue the abductees and as well, the government’s seeming inability to do anything about it. Fatima Tabji, Eli Joseph, Hauwa Isuwa, Maryamu Lawan, Tabitha Silas, Ladi Joel, Maryamu Yakubu, Zara Ishaku, Lydia Habila, Laraba Yahonna, Na’omi Bitrus, Rahila Yahanna, Ruth Lawan, Ladi Paul, Mary Paul, Esther Joshua, Helen Musa, Deborah Abge, Awa Abge, Hauwa Yirma, Asabe Manu, Mwa Malam pogu, Patiant Dzakwa, Saraya Mal. Stover, Mary Dauda, Gloria Mainta, Hanatu Ishaku, Gloria Dama, Awa James, Esther Markus, Hana Stephen, Rifkatu Amos, Rebecca Mallum, Ladi Wadai, Tabitha Hyelampa, Ruth Ngladar, Na’omi Yahonna, Solomi Titus, Rhoda John, Rebecca Kabu, Debora Yahonna, Naomi Zakaria, Hanatu Musa, Hauwa Tella, Saraya Paul, Jummai Paul, Mary Sule, are amongst the 219 abducted girls still missing
ents must face processes of law to be reintegrated PAGE
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Naira devaluation is against common man — Buhari Rotimi Fadeyi ABUJA
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resident Muhammadu Buahri yesterday, insisted that he was yet to be convinced that the vast majority of ordinary Nigerians would derive any tangible benefit from a devaluation of the Naira. A statement issued by
Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina said Buhari spoke at a meeting with members of the Council of Retired Federal Permanent Secretaries. Buhari said that he still held the conviction which motivated his principled resistance to devaluation in his first tenure as Head of State.
Fresh crisis in NASS as Saraki rejects Omolori as Clerk
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here is a fresh crisis in the National Assembly over the appointment of Mr. Sani Omolori as the Acting Clerk. The Chairman of the National Assembly and Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, has written a letter to the Chairman, National Assembly Service Commission, Alhaji Adamu Fika rejecting Omolori’s choice. The letter, signed by Saraki’s Chief of Staff, Senator Isa Galaudu, declared that “Mr Benedict Efeturi, who is Deputy Clerk of the National Assembly (DCNA) and who has previously acted as the Clerk of the National Assembly, should be the first to be considered”. Below is the letter: Withdrawal of Letter of Appointment of Acting Clerk of National Assembly “We present to you the compliments of the President of the Senate and Chairman of the National Assembly, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, CON. Please recall that during your last meeting with the Senate President on April 20, 2016, the procedure of the appointment of the Acting Clerk of the National Assembly was discussed. “The Commission was directed to follow due process and ensure that seniority is
adhered to. Of course, Mr Benedict Efeturi who is Deputy Clerk of the National Assembly (DCNA) and who has previously acted as the Clerk of the National Assembly should be the first to be considered. “The President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives were informed that Mr. Efeturi was not considered for the appointment because he was not duly appointed as Deputy Clerk of the National Assembly. On further enquiry, we found he was duly appointed by the National Assembly Service Commission vide Extract from Minutes of its 403rd Meeting held on Friday, 21st November, 2014. “From the foregoing, you have misled and misinformed the President of the Senate and Speaker of the House of Representatives. Consequently, I am directed by His Excellency, the Senate President, to inform you that the letter appointing Mr Sani Omolori as Acting Clerk of the National Assembly be withdrawn immediately for further consultations. Please accept the assurances of my warmest regards”. freedomonline.com
“When I was military Head of State, the IMF and the World Bank wanted us devalue the Naira and remove petrol subsidy but I stood my grounds for the good of Nigeria. “The Naira remained strong against the Dollar and other foreign currencies until I was removed from office in August, 1985 and it was devalued. “But how many factories were built and how many jobs were created by the de-
valuation? “That is why I’m still asking to be convinced today on the benefits of devaluation,” Buhari told the retired Permanent Secretaries led by Otunba Christopher Tugbobo. The President welcomed the Council’s pledge of support for the successful implementation of his administration’s Change Agenda, especially in the priority areas of improving security, curbing corruption and
revitalizing the national economy. “I am glad you have rightly identified the key issues we campaigned on. “We need a dynamic bureaucracy which will not mislead us into taking wrong decisions,” the President said. The Council of Retired Federal Permanent Secretaries was established in 2004 to serve as a platform for retired permanent secretaries to offer construc-
tive advice to government on key policy issues. Chief Philip Asiodu, the pioneer Chairman of the Council, said that its members want the present administration to succeed because Nigeria has already lost many opportunities for progress. “We are non-partisan. The interest of Nigeria is paramount to us and we are anxious that you should succeed,” Asiodu told the President.
Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo (right) welcoming the Chairman, Council of Africa Tax Administration Forum, Mr Gershem Pasi, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, yesterday.
FG allays fear of power transmission disruption by union T he Federal Government has, in a statement issued by the Federal Ministry of Power, Works & Housing, addressed the instructions issued by the leadership of National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE), to its members in the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), to stay away from their duty posts. While affirming that reports of this action by the leadership of NUEE have understandably led to fears of a nation-wide blackout, the statement said the Ministry, is not aware of any declaration of industrial dispute by NUEE, nor any lawful notice of strike action
against TCN. Therefore no staff of TCN has any legitimate cause to absent him or herself from duty. “The Ministry is fully aware that the Nigeria Police initiated heightened security measures at the PHCN Headquarters building at 14, Zambezi Crescent, Maitama, which is also the head office of TCN. The heightened security became necessary as a result of a series of security breaches in the building by persons who claimed to be carrying out the instructions of NUEE, some of whom were not identified by TCN as their staff. The most recent incident was targeted at officers of the Nigeria Police Force who were in
the building on official assignments, and accompanied by officials of the Ministry. “The heightened security measures are not meant to lock out any official of TCN or any member of the public who has legitimate business with TCN. The NPF put the measures in place to protect Federal Government facilities and operations. The measures are also meant to ensure the building is accessible only to persons who are authorized to be in the building by TCN or the Ministry. The measures were put in place by NPF to secure a safe working environment for all TCN and Ministry staff in the building, including any
staff of TCN who happens to be NUEE member. “The Ministry has confirmed from TCN that appropriate contingencies are being put in place to safeguard the national grid to avert any unnecessary inconvenience and suffering for its customers and the Nigerian public. “The Ministry has also confirmed from TCN that any member of staff who absents him or herself from work without a legitimate reason should be prepared to forego any compensation for the period of such absence and to face the disciplinary processes that govern his or her employment contract with TCN.”
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APRIL 23, 2016
NATIONAL NEWS
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Court refuses to quash charge against Ricky Tarfa Wale IgbIntade
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Lagos High Court yesterday, dismissed an application filed by embattled Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Rickey Tarfa asking the court to quash the charge of bribery preferred against him by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC). The SAN had through
his counsel, Mr Anthony Idigbe, SAN had in his application prayed the court to quash the charge against him. Tarfa, was arraigned on March 9, by EFCC on a 27-count charge bordering on refusal to declare assets, making false statement, offering gratification to public officer, failure to declare his assets in the assets declaration form. He pleaded not guilty
and was granted bail on self recognizance. But, in her ruling Justice A A Akintoye refused all the prayers of the defendant in the preliminary objection and held that the EFCC has the power to investigate and prosecute Tarfa. The Court held that “On the issue of the charge being an abuse of court process as argued by the defendant, I hold that the information con-
tained in the charge before me is different from the one before my learned brother. “In that charge what the defendant was charged with, is obstructing EFCC official from carrying out their lawful duties. Besides, Justice Akintoye held that the information in the charge was not an abuse of court process. Akintoye also ruled that the commission has
United States Permanent representative to UN, Amb Samantha Power (right) interacting with victims of Boko Haram insurgency during her visit to Malkohi IDPS camp in Yola, Adamawa State, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN
States’ debt repayment deferral not bail-out, Adeosun insists T
he federal government has clarified that putting on hold deductions from the monthly allocations to states in respect of repayments for their salary assistance loans should not be mistaken for a bail-out. Vice President Yemi Osinbajo made the disclosure during the 66th meeting of the National Economic Council, NEC in Abuja that President Muhammadu Buhari had approved the suspension of the deductions from the allocation for March 2016. Osinbajo had explained that the presidential gesture was to give states that benefited from the loans a breather, as they continue to grapple with recent pressures on their finances in the face
of dwindling monthly revenue allocations as a result of declining global oil prices. The Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN governor, Godwin Emefiele, had told the Council that about N689.5 billion had so far been disbursed as salary assistance loans to the benefiting states, while additional N310 billion was disbursed as Excess Crude Account-backed loans. But, at the Federation Accounts Allocation Committee, FAAC, meeting, representatives of the 36 states governments went home sad, as they were handed parlous shares from a total N299.75 billion statutory allocation for the month, the lowest allocations in more than five years. Details of the allocations showed that the states,
which took home about N64.52 billion in February, were to share only N55.34 billion, representing 26.72 per cent of the total revenue for the month. The Federal Ministry of Finance said on Thursday that the lean revenue allocation was not only as a result of the crisis in the global oil market, but also a reflection of the seasonally low collection period for the Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS. At the moment, the ministry said at least 27 states were struggling to meet their obligations, particularly to their workers, most of who have had to go for several months without salary. Latest report by the National Bureau of Statistics, NBS painted a bleak portrait of the revenue sit-
uation of the states, with only 11 of the 36 states of unable to improve their 2014 internally generated revenue, IGR, records in 2015. Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun said the deferment of a total of N10.9 billion obligatory repayments due to the Federal Government from the states in respect of their restructured loan obligations was informed by this reality. “We (federal government) are not able to guarantee that all states will be able to meet their salary obligations, as each state’s situation is dependent on its own cost profile and other obligations it may have, but this initiative is to better position them to do so,” the minister explained.
the power to ask the defendants to declare his assets anytime, whether upon arrest or later, so far the offences charged were related to financial crimes. The judge also said that the EFCC has the authority to prosecute any financial crimes under state laws, therefore, the alleged fact of gratifying a public officer which the defendant was charged with, falls under the powers of the EFCC. She said contrary to the argument of Tarfa , that there was no evidence in the proof of evidence filed by the prosecution which linked him to the offences, the court held that there enough evidence to that regard. “It is my opinion that the information disclosed by the prosecution in their case against Tarfa established a prima facie case which mean that the defendant as case to answer .. “The court will not restrain a statutory body from performing it’s statutory duties in respect of anyone.
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“I hold that this court has jurisdiction to entertain this charge, the subject matter is within the jurisdiction of this court. “I refuse the prayer to quash this charge and I refuse the prayer to restrain the EFCC from investigating or prosecuting the Tarfa,” Akintoye said. The court, however, adjourned the case till May 20 for commencement of trial and May 27 for further hearing. Meanwhile, EFCC opened its case against another Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Dr. Joseph Nwobike, before Justice Raliat Adebiyi. Nwobike is standing trial before the court on a charge bordering on an attempt to pervert the course of justice and offering gratification to a public official, a charge he denies. The Commission called its first and second witnesses, Joseph Oyekunle and Oliver Enwerem, both of United Bank of Africa and Access Bank plc respectively.
Boko Haram: Troops arrest four insurgents’ kingpins Ubong Ukpong
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he Nigerian Army has confirmed the arrest of four kingpins of the Boko Haram insurgents by its troops yesterday. This was confirmed in a statemen issued through its Director of Army Public Relations, DAPR, Colonel Sani Usman. Usman said that the four were arrested by troops of 3 Battalion, of 22 Task Force Brigade. Usman described the arrest of the four Boko Haram terrorists as “an unprecedented catch, effected at Rann, headquarters of Kala Balge Local Government Area.” He said that the arrested kingpins, were arrested following a tip off by well meaning members of
the public, specialised in various aspects of criminality to sustain the Boko Haram terrorists group in their areas. “Subsequently, the troops conducted a cordon and search operation in the general area that led to the apprehension of the terrorist leaders, who contribute to the sustenance of the insurgency through their illegal trade specialisation. “The arrested kingpins include Umara Mai Gyaran Rediyo (Radio Technician), Umaru Mai Nama, (who specialised in cattle rustling and sales), Alifa Makinta (a specialist in stealing foodstuffs) and Balu Jugudum (who is in charge of stolen jewellery),” Usman stated, adding that the suspects are undergoing interrogation.
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NATIONAL NEWS
APRIL 23 , 2016
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Group faults Amnesty International’s report on Shiite clash AdeolA TUkUrU ABUJA
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civil society group, Centre for Social Justice. Equity and Transparency (CESJET) has faulted the report of Amnesty International (AI) on the army, Shiite clash, describing it as gross misrepresentation of facts and an attempt to incite sectarian crisis which could snowball into a full blown conflict. Addressing journalists yesterday in Abuja, CESJET Executive Secretary, Ikpa Isaac, condemned the amnesty report, describing it as a despicable attempt
to destabilize Nigeria by undermining critical institutions. He said Nigerians must all unite to demand that Amnesty International’s intrusion in Nigeria’s affairs stop forthwith. The human rights groups also called for the probe of the Country director of Amnesty International, Mohammed .K. Ibrahim, the Kano State- born, but Zaria educated erstwhile career diplomat who was an official of the (OIC) Organization of Islamic Conference and a diplomat in Libya to determine if he has affiliations to Islamic fundamentalism.
According to Isaac, the Amnesty International’s report titled, “Unearthing the Truth: Unlawful Killings and Mass Cover-Up in Zaria” is another futile attempt to divert attention from the many atrocities of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) which Amnesty International has fruitlessly attempted to defend in the past. He described the report as a deliberate and concerted effort by Amnesty International to portray Nigeria in bad light, adding that anyone that has been following public discourse on the Zaria incident will
see that some lines in the report were taken straight out of the articles that IMN sympathizers had written to hijack the narrative of what the real problem is. “Despite its criminal intent, one must acknowledge that Amnesty International unwittingly mentioned a fact here. The people holed up with the extremists inside the compound got repeated entreaties from the Army to come out but they refused. This speaks volumes; it depicts the mentality of those who have been brainwashed to the point of hearkening to their manipulators while disregarding
state institutions. “Note that the compound has its own medical facility, which AI played smart to describe as makeshift. Why should an individual have a medical facility and a “mortuary”? What else lies inside that compound: a guards’ station, detention cell, an armoury? The self-contained nature of this compound should raise questions for the discerning mind since this is a sect that has disavowed the Nigerian state and runs a parallel government with cells scattered nationwide.” He said, “it is repeating this tired strategy of pitch-
ing Shia against Sunni and people of other faiths without bothering to place the disclaimer that IMN is an aberration that is working for foreign influence to terrorise Nigeria. We do not expect AI to make such disclosure since it fits snuggly into its agenda. “We will not allow Amnesty International to make Nigeria its latest stop for the deaths it successfully plied in Libya, Yemen, Iraq, Syria and the former Yugoslavia, where it persistently called for humanitarian intervention that has now been proven to be the code word for invasions.”
FG moves to set up national emergency response system gloriA UsmAn ABUJA
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he Federal Government through National Emergency Management Agency,(NEMA), has said. it will establish a national emergency system for effective response to emergency situations across the country. Minister of State for Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire disclosed this when he led his team on a courtesy call to the Headquarters of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) . Osagie also disclosed that the ministry has been consulting with emergency response agencies such as Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Nigerian Police, Nigeria Civil Defence Corps (NCDC), Fire Services, Nigeria Red Cross Society and others on modalities to be adopted in setting up the national emergency response system. He said the essence of their visit to NEMA was to interact on how to continue to cater for victims of emergency including those suffering from psychological trauma as a result of the insurgency in the north east. “Thank God the insurgency is being tackled but the job of response to take care of the victims is still going on and will continue to go on. The purpose for the visit is in two fold, one to interact with NEMA on the great work NEMA is doing in the north east particularly relating to
health of the victims”. “The second is to consult as we are planning to create a national emergency response system that will create the kind of response system that will take this country to the next level” . “We are planning to set 10,000 primary healthcare centres, one in every ward to be equipped and manned by the locals who will be trained and we are going to be working closely with NEMA,” the minister stated. He also revealed plans to set up a emergency victims fund to enable hospitals and other health care operators attend to emergency victims without demanding for immediate payment. The minister who however said that the amount is still at the consultation level said when finalised the fund will address, “How to pay for victims brought to hospitals during emergencies. Under no circumstances should victims of emergency be denied access to medical treatment. There will be designated hospitals for emergencies”. Responding, Director General of NEMA, Sidi muhammed who commended the minister for the visit, assured him of NEMA’s support. “Our strength lies in our synergy, I want to assure you that NEMA will continue to collaborate with you, especially in the area of emergency. We believe that it is time for proper coordination our emergency response system,” he said.
L-R: Representative of Vice President, Dr Yomi Dipeolu; Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Mr Abubakar Malami; Lead Speaker, Mr Todd Foglesong and Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase (right) speaking at the opening of the Strategic Police Management conference in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN
Troops kill 27 terrorists, lose two CJTF in Borno Ubong Ukpong ABUJA
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he Nigerian Army yesterday, said that its troops in the ongoing military operations in Borno State on Thursday, killed over 27 persons suspected to be Boko Haram terrorists and lost two Civilian Joint Task Force , CJTF members to the battles. The Army stated this in an operational update of the war throughout the state, issued through its Director of Army Public Relations, DAPR, Colonel Sani Usman. Usman disclosed that 41 persons including wives, children and captives of the insurgents were rescued by troops during the operations. The Army Spokesman said that Thursday’s operation was in continuation of clearance operations of the remnants of Boko Haram
terrorists, where troops of 7 Division in Operation LAFIYA DOLE recorded tremendous progress in their various areas of operational responsibilities. He said that they were able to carry out clearance operations, raids and patrols that resulted in the killing of so many suspected Boko Haram terrorists, arrested and rescued the persons, as well as recovered arms and ammunitions. “On Thursday, 21st April 2016, troops of 21 Brigade Nigerian Army carried out clearance operations at Bulari, Tori 1, 2 and 3 during which they successfully cleared the general area of remnants of Boko Haram terrorists. “During the operation, 10 terrorists were killed and one was captured alive. Unfortunately, 2 Civilian JTF accompanying the troops lost their lives. The troops rescued 7 civilians and recovered
a Volkswagen Golf car, 15 bicycles and various bags of foodstuffs”, he said. He also stated that the troops of 22 Brigade on the other hand intercepted 26 persons comprising mostly women and children, coming towards Adah village in Ngala Local Government Area of Borno State, Usman said that on interrogation, they “stated that they were held hostage by Boko Haram terrorists, but escaped as their captors were moving towards Lake Chad general area because of troops presence. “Similarly, troops of the same Brigade carried out a fighting patrol, cordon and search operation on Thursday 21st April 2016, along Dikwa-Marte road, Kaje, Selenge, Manekura, Mane Gana and Gawayi villages. “Although there wasn’t any encounter with the terrorists, the troops recovered 5 motorcycles,
6 Boko Haram terrorists flags and 4 bags of grinded corn in Mane Gana village. “They also rescued 3 women and 5 children at the same village. The rescued persons told the troops that their husbands were actually Boko Haram terrorists who have ran away towards Lake Chad area due to immense pressure from the military clearance operations.” On their part, he said that troops of 3 Battalion also conducted patrol towards Diema, Sigel and Kala in which they had an encounter with Boko Haram terrorists in which the gallant troops killed 8 of them and recovered 2 Dane Guns and 4 assorted batteries. The DAPR stated too that the troops of 7 Division Special Fighting Forces attached to 25 Task Force Brigade Damboa, at a checkpoint, arrested a suspected Boko Haram terrorist.
Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
APRIL 23, 2016
Cleric tasks govts on humanitarian services
… begins foundation for needy abiOdun nejO ADO EKITI
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eneral Overseer of The Word Bible Church International, Prophet Julius Kumoluyi, has said that lack of care for the less-privileged and needy in society is responsible for increase in the rate of crime and other social malaise. Kumoluyi said that to redress the trend, his church is setting up an interdenominational foundation where he would be helping the needy, widows, orphans and assisting in the education of the poor. The general overseer spoke in a message entitled: “I Shall be Remembered” during the 2016 edition of the yearly one-day Prophetic Anointing Service of the church at its Ekiti and Ondo States Headquarters, Igbara Odo, Ekiti State. Kumoluyi said the committee of clerics, intellectuals and eminent Nigerians saddled with the responsibility of preparing the blueprint of the Foundation, had begun sittings ahead of its takeoff. He said: Our aim is to assist the less privileged. Through the scheme, we will be helping the poor, blind and disabled, orphans, and widows among others. There are many bright youths whose parents cannot afford to sponsor them in school, we would help such and sponsor them up to university level.
“We want to encourage the governments to do things like this too so as to get rid of a situation where our uneducated youths become criminals and trouble the society. Those to benefit from the humanitarian gesture of the church would include non-members, we are not limiting it to our members only”. The cleric, who told the congregation at the Anointing Programme with the theme: “Covenant of Uncommon Mercy” that “kindness opens doors,” also advised on support, assistance and kindness to parents. According to him, the five-year-old programme is based on divine revelation to anoint members “for goodness and mercy to follow them and to experience the unlimited mercy of God from generation to generation.” He said that “the programme has since inception been accompanied by testimonies of instant divine miracles, salvation, total deliverance, breakthrough, perfect healing, liberation, complete victory and outpouring of Holy Spirit.” Kumoluyi, who reiterated that “anointing breaks all yokes,” assured of God’s intervention in the affairs of Nigeria, saying: “The country is facing a lot of problems now. But they are for a short time. The hardship Nigerians are passing through at the moment are temporary.”
Ajimobi reappoints Alli as SSG
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overnor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State, yesterday announced the retro-active reappointment of Mr. Ishmael Olalekan Alli, as Secretary to the State Government (SSG). A statement by the Special Adviser, Communication and Strategy, Mr. Yomi Layinka, conveyed the governor’s decision. It will be recalled that Alli, who was the SSG during the governor’s
first term, has been functioning as SSG-designate since the commencement of the second term of Ajimobi’s administration in June, last year. The announcement has finally put official seal on the appointment of the SSG, while other appointments are expected to be announced in due course. Sent from my BlackBerry® smartphone provided by Airtel Nigeria.
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Olubadan ends Igbo leadership crisis
… endorses Balogun Ndigbo Kemi Olaitan IBADAN
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he over two decades leadership crisis among Igbos in Ibadanland yesterday came to an end with the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji, endorsing Chief Alloy Obi as the Balogun Ndigbo of Ibadanland. The monarch who performed the ceremony at his Popoyemoja, Ibadan palace, said the time has come for all Igbos not only in Ibadanland but all over Oyo State to bury the hatchet and support their leader, noting that there is no more room for Eze Ndigbo title in Ibadanland.
He said the endorsement of the Balogun Ndigbo should not come as a surprise given his contributions to the development of the ancient city, stating that he gave his approval because he was presented to him by all the Igbo stakeholders. Oba Adetunji however warned that with his endorsement of the Balogun Ndigbo, nobody should parade himself as the leader of Igbos in Ibadanland or Eze Ndigbo, insisting that he would not hesitate to call for the arrest of such a person. He said, “With my blessing, from today Alloy Obi has become the leader of all the Igbos in Ibadanland,
Wife of Lagos State Governor, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode, signing the condolence register of the former Chairman, Mushin Local Government, late Hon. Olatunde Babatunde Adepitan (OBA), during her condolence visit to the family at the Alfred Garden Estate, Olusosun, Lagos, yesterday.
thus putting an end to the leadership crisis which has been raging for sometime now. What I am doing today is just to give approval to what my predecessors did by conferring the title of Balogun Ndigbo on him. “Let me however say that it has now become an offence for any other person to parade himself as the leader of the Igbos in Ibadanland. Whoever dear to do this will be going against my authority and I promise that such a person will face the full wrath of the law.” The Olubadan then advised Obi to extend hands of fellowship to all Igbos in the city, stating that a leader can only succeed
when he operates an open door policy in which he sees himself as father to all. Obi while thanking the Olubadan for brokering peace among the Igbos in Ibadanland by approving him as the leader of the Igbos, assured that he would not disappoint the monarch, the Olubadan-In-Council and the generality of the Igbos. He said with his endorsement as the Balogun of Ndigbo, history has been made among Igbos in Ibadanland, stating that the Igbos are now prepared more than ever to continue to contribute to the development of Ibadanland.
Wife of Lagos State Governor, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode (left), commiserating with the wife of late Hon. Olatunde Babatunde Adepitan (OBA), Mrs. Rachael Adepitan, during Mrs. Ambode’s condolence visit to the Adepitan family at the Alfred Garden Estate, Olusosun, Lagos, yesterday.
Top Osun State officials kidnapped T he Head of Service, Osun State, Sunday Olayinka Owoeye, has confirmed the kidnapping of three Osun State Government officials yesterday in Kogi State. In a press release signed by Owoeye, he named the kidnapped officials as the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance, Mrs. Adebimpe Ogunlumade; Director, State Audit, Mr. Tajudeen Badejoko; and a driver, Mr.
Oladapo Ajani Arogundade. According to the release, Owoeye said preliminary information indicates that the gunmen accosted them between Obajana and Lokoja the Kogi State capital and forced them to stop before the three officials were violently whisked away. The officials were returning from Abuja where they attended the briefing on the State and
Local Government Reforms Project which is a World Bank and European Union programme. Concluding, he said they’ve alerted all necessary security agencies nationwide in general and Kogi State in particular towards the safe release of the three abducted officials and added that “we also appeal to all Nigerians for information that could lead to their immediate release.”
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Bauchi: 61 women died of child birth complications in 2015 EzEkiEl TiTus BAUCHI
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o fewer than 61 women died as a result of child birth complications in various health facilities in Bauchi state between August and December 2015. The National Technical Advisor of Evidence for Action (E4A) Mr. Oko Igado, disclosed this while presenting the 2015 Bauchi Maternal Death Record scorecard during a one day meeting on Bauchi State Accountability Mechanism for Maternal, Newborn and Child health (BaSAM) Action Plan 2016 Development. Igado, who expressed worry over the alarming rate of maternal deaths in the state, stressed that no woman should die while giving birth According to him, 28 maternal deaths were recorded from August to September 2015 while 33 women died between October and December 2015. He added that the report indicated that 11 women died of Anemia in pregnancy, 14 died of Eclampsia, while APH killed 18 women and nine women died as a result of PPH. Igado lamented the inability of some health facilities to review maternal death, saying only 6 health facilities out of 25 secondary health facilities in the state review maternal deaths. He said: “It is very important to review the maternal death; that is to Investigate why the women are dying while giving birth so that we can know the action to take to prevent further deaths. “If no action was taken to prevent maternal death, more women will die, and we must not allow this to continue because the lives of the women are worth saving. On the 16% allocated to the health sector by the Bauchi State government in the 2016 Budget, Igado commended BASAM for their effort in convincing the government for the huge allocation. He thereby urged BASAM to put in more effort to ensure timely release of the budget as well as effective implementation of health programmes.
NORTH
APRIL 23, 2016
Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
NSCDC parades NARTO chairman, others in Taraba over fuel diversion
Maimako emerges UNIJOS VC
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ered that fuel scarcity in the state has caused untold diversion alongside a pet- explained that the petrol hardship to residents with JamEs abraham JusTin Tyopuusu rol tanker belonging to the tanker loaded with 40 thou- a litre of fuel selling for JOS JALINGO sand litres of fuel was al- between N250 and N300 by NARTO chairman he Dean, Faculty of araba State ComParading the suspects located to an MRS filling black marketers. Management Scimand of the Nige- before newsmen at the station in the state capital, ences, University of ria Security and command headquarters but the suspects only gave There have been accusa- Jos, Sebastian Maimako, Civil Defense Corps (NSC- in Jalingo, State Com- 12,300 litres to the station tions by motorists in Jalin- has emerged the new Vice Chancellor of the instituDC) yesterday paraded mandant of the NSCDC, and diverted the rest to go that the state leadership tion. the state Chairman of the Kamilu Ado Isah, said black marketers. of the National AssociaThe 12th Governing Nigerian Association of his men apprehended the Kamilu said the NSC- tion of Road Transport Council of the University Road Transport Owners suspects while dispensing DC command in the state Owners has been diverting approved the appointment (NARTO), Alhaji Ishaku the commodity in jerry would not tolerate any act the commodity, resulting yesterday after the CounKashere, for alleged diver- cans to black marketers at of fuel diversion by any to the acute scarcity of the cil’s consideration of the sion of fuel allocated to a about 11:15pm on Monday stakeholder in the petroproduct in filling stations recommendation of its Sefilling station in Jalingo. along Jalingo/Yola Road. leum sector as it causes while black marketers con- lection Board at its Special Meeting held yesterday. The Command also pahardship to the public. tinue to exploit unsuspectPrincipal Assistant raded three other suspects The NSCDC Commandant Saturday Mirror gath- ing public. Registrar, Information and in connection to the fuel Publications of the university, Abdullahi Abdullahi, who confirmed the development in a statement yesterday, said the appointment which is for a single term of five years will take effect from June23, 2016. The statement disclosed that Sebastian Maimako, a Professor of Accounting and Finance, has held several administrative positions in the University including Dean, Faculty of Management Sciences, Deputy Dean, Faculty of Management Sciences, Deputy Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences, Head, Acting Head, Department of Management Sciences, all in the University of Jos before his appointment A 1987 graduate of Management Studies from the University of Jos, ProWife of the governor of Kebbi State, Hajiya Aisha Bagudu ( 3rd-left), presenting relief materials to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPS) at their camp in Sawwa, fessor Maimako, 54, took Argungu Local Government Area of Kebbi State, yesterday. up appointment with the University of Jos in 1989 as a Graduate Assistant. He was promoted to the rank of Professor in 2010 and correspondent that two The traditional leader spite efforts by the Governor, appointed Dean, Faculty days earlier, there was a lamented that the attacks Darius Ishaku and the Chief of Management Sciences robbery incident in the area have forced the displaced of Bakundi, Alhaji Muham- on April 1, 2015. Professor where both Tiv and Fulani people who are managing madu Gidado Misa, to ensure Maimako obtained a MasJusTin Tyopuusu people were robbed, but the to return to their homes security of IDPs in Bali, some ters Degree in Business JALINGO Fulani, acting on suspicion to flee, and appealed to the people were bent on frustrat- Administration in 1992 and unmen suspected that Tiv youths were behind state government to mo- ing the peace efforts, adding bagged a Ph.D Degree in to be Fulani herds- the robbery that left two bilise the task force earlier that the situation is worst in Management in 2006. He has authored and men have killed at dead, attack and killed sev- set up by government to su- areas like Yelwa Kararuwa, collaborated in the publileast 13 people in separate en people in the village. pervise the return of IDPs Sansani, Yake and Ganso. cation of many academic attacks on communities in These latest attacks are back to work to prevent the Confirming the report, Bali and Donga local gov- coming barely one week killing of innocent people. Taraba State Police Public works, especially in the field of Accounting and ernment areas of Taraba after suspected Fulani “Government should Relations Officer, ASP Joseph Finance, and has attended State. herdsmen over ran several intervene by ensuring that Kwaji, said two Tiv farmTiv Central leader in communities in Gashaka the Task Force on the se- ers were attacked and killed many national and international conferences. Taraba, Chief Zaki David and Bali local government curity of the IDPs return- while sleeping in their round Professor Maimako Gbaa, in a phone interview areas, killing 44 people. ees intensifies patrol of hut by suspected Fulani is the Chairman, Plawith Saturday Mirror disChief Gbaa said the at- affected areas to ensure the herdsmen in a village in Bali teau State Economic and closed that two people were tackers burnt eight hous- safety of the returnees, es- Local Government Area. Finance Advisory Council killed in Bornon Kurku es and wounded over nine pecially now that raining On the attack in Donga, (Economic Team) and around Kungana area people who are currently season is around the cor- the PPRO said two Fulani was an Honorary Senior while others were killed receiving treatment at San- ner. men were robbed and killed Special Assistant to the in Anchogo and Tortondo ta Maria and General hospi“The land belonging to around Igo village and the Fu- Executive Governor of Plavillages of Bali Local Gov- tals in Bali town. the IDPs have been sold lani mobilised and attack the teau State from November ernment Area. He named some of those out by the local chiefs to village, and burnt some hous- 2003 to November 2006. Saturday Mirror also killed in Bornon Kurku, strange Fulani herdsmen, es, but no life was lost. Professor Sebastian gathered that armed Fu- Aungwan Gobiri and Tor- and attempt by them to reHe added that the com- Maimako is a Fellow of lani men on Thursday tondo villages to include; turn is being resisted by mand has deployed its men to the Institute of Chartered attacked and killed seven Myimanga Agbayongo, the attackers, who are now the area to calm the situation, Accountants of Nigeria people in Igo village in Memga Temaga, Tyokpega claiming ownership of the saying investigations were (ICAN] and Associate member Institute of CertiDonga Local Government Kaior, Bem Nomsule and farmlands,” he said. ongoing to bring the perpetrafied Public Accountants of Area. Iorkegh Gbatoon among He wondered that de- tors of the attacks to book. Nigeria (ICPAN). An eyewitness told our others.
Herdsmen raid Taraba communities, kill 13
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APRIL 23, 2016
POLITICS
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Macabre dance in hallowed chambers Lekan adejuwon
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he Senate of the 8th assembly had been in the news for every wrong reason, from the sublime to the ridiculous, in the outgoing week. Tempers have risen against the backdrop of the pitiable state of the economy in particular, the non- passage of the 2016 budget by the National Assembly. Many have argued that the current lull in governance was largely as a result of the face-off between the National Assembly and the presidency as shown by the ongoing trial of the Senate President, Bukola Saraki who is standing trial at the Code of Conduct Tribunal over sundry allegations of corruption However, the senate has vowed to swim or sink with the embattled Senate President Even when it was obvious that the nation’s upper legislative chamber was not on trial, a development which many perceived as unpatriotic. Not a few Nigerians have expressed outrage last week with the move by the senate to amend the Code of Conduct Act, with the objective of removing the Code of Conduct Tribunal, CCT, from the office of Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, and the Presidency. The controversial bill was within 48 hours passed through the Second Reading, a development which many have described as extreme desperation. The timing of the proposed amendment will however, remain suspect in the eyes of watchers of political events in the country as concerns are being raised over the promulgation of a new law to favour one individual With the fresh initiative, it appears the Senate is out to whittle down the powers of the Code of Conduct Bureau, CCB, and CCT. The controversial bill which was sponsored by the Chairman, Senate Committee on Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Peter Nwaoboshi, (PDP) Delta North, passed first reading. In the bill, entitled Code of Conduct Act Cap C15 LFN 2004 (Amendment) Bill 2016, the Senate is seeking to transfer the control of CCT and CCB from the Office of Secretary to Government of the Federation, SGF, to National Assembly or the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation, AGF. There was a mild drama in the senate prior to the first reading of the Bill when the Order Paper, which was circulated to journalists, was withdrawn. In the withdrawn Order Paper, the Code of Conduct Bill was omitted, but included in the copy distributed to lawmakers. But in spite of the shenanigans by the senate, the reactions from a cross section of Nigerian public, was spontaneous as
groups, individuals and interests have strongly criticized the move. The Nigeria Labour Congress, which suddenly woke up from slumber led the campaign against what it calls a dangerous precedent. The NLC while describing the move by the Senate as dangerous, said even if the intention of the Senate appeared noble, the timing was wrong. The President of the NLC, Mr. Ayuba Wabba, in a statement, said it was rather curious that it took the Senate the ongoing trial of its President, Saraki, to realize the stated “errors” in the Act. His words, “However, we at the Nigeria Labour Congress hold the view that the noble intention of the Senate notwithstanding, the timing is suspect and fraught with danger. It is quite intriguing that it took the trial of the Senate President for the Senate to discover these flaws in the law(s). “Putting it bluntly, in spite of the spirited defence by the Deputy Senate President to the contrary, not a few believe that this legislative move is a desperate attempt to scuttle the trial of the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, at CCT.” Wabba stressed that while it was true that legislative amendments were the constitutional responsibility of the National Assembly, and also proper to have legislation to guarantee fair trial since corruption cases could be triggered by other reasons, the timing was wrong. He added, “On our part, we do not think the privileges of the Senate President extend to exemptions from civil or criminal trials. At the moment, only the President and his deputy, the governor and the deputy enjoy this rare privilege. “Thus, what the Senate is trying to do is no more than a legislative ambush.” He stated that there should be equality of all Nigerians before the law, stressing that the ongoing campaign against corruption should not be selective. Wabba said the amendment should not be allowed to go through as it would set a bad precedent in the society. Also, the Transparent Monitoring Group (TMG) has also described the amendment being carried out by the Senate as a manifestation of legislative rascality. It believed that the move was meant to protect Saraki from the long arm of the law. The TMG, in a statement by its Chairman, Ibrahim Zikirullahi, said the proposed amendment was an abuse of legislative power, stressing that “this latest manifestation of legislative rascality goes to show the level of desperation and the despicable extent to which these so-called legislators are willing to descend in the discredited venture of helping their tainted leader escape justice.” The group added, “While it is true that
Saraki the legislature is empowered by the 1999 Constitution, as amended, to make laws for the good governance of the nation, it is immoral and unacceptable to deploy legislative powers to further personal ends. “As far as we are concerned, Saraki’s trial at the Code of Conduct Tribunal is his personal business. It is therefore a vexatious affront to the sensibilities of the Nigerian people that the weight of the entire legislature would be brought to bear in this disturbing attempt at giving him political rehabilitation.” The TMG frowned on what it called the gangster approach to legislative business by the Senate and commended the symbolic gesture of legislators who had tried to distance themselves from “this show of shame.” “Considering their antecedent in lawmaking, it will be hard put for the senate to explain to Nigerians that the amendment is not self-serving. It is wrong to legislate in anger. Legislation must not only be altruistic but futuristic. “It is unfortunate that the Senate has not accorded the same kind of urgency it is currently doing in the amendment of the CCB and CCT Act to timely initiation of legislation to support the Buhari administration’s resolve in stamping out corruption in the country. “Nigerians expect the National Assembly, which is dominated by members of the ruling All Progressives Congress, to be in the same front seat to drive the current war against corruption with the executive. “What the senators have unfortunately demonstrated so far is that they are not in sync with the executive in the current war against corruption.” Human rights lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana (SAN), went a bit further by writing to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Yakubu Dogara, to ensure that the House did not concur with the Senate an-
ticipated amendments. Falana urged the House of Representatives not to lend its support to the ongoing process by the upper chamber to amend the CCB/CCT Act. In his letter, dated April 15, 2016, addressed to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Yakubu Dogara, Falana described the proposed amendment by the Senate as illegal and self-serving. A copy of the letter titled, ‘Re: Proposed Amendment of the Code of Conduct Bureau and Code of Conduct Tribunal Act by the National Assembly’, was sent to the Senate President. Falana said going by the nature of the CCB/T Act, which is a duplication of provisions of the Constitution, the amendment could not be valid without amending the constitution. However, the Senate on Wednesday, bowed to pressure mounted by several Nigerians and civil society organisations by suspending work on the amendment of CCB and CCT Act. Rising from a rowdy two-and-half-hour executive session, Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu, who presided over the session, disclosed that after an exhaustive deliberation, the Senate resolved to suspend further amendments of both Acts. He said: “After exhaustive deliberations and being sincere to ourselves, we have decided to put behind us all things that have divided us since the inception of the Eighth Senate and work as a united Senate in the best interest of our country. “We agreed that this Senate should stand by the Senate president in his trial until proven guilty by the court in accordance with our constitution and democratic practices all over the world including South Africa, Brazil and Russia. As the tribunal commenced Saraki’s trial this week, the question on the lips of many observers is how far can this senate go?
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APRIL 23, 2016
Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
The Braithwaite I know –Branco-Rhodes Akitoye Branco-Rhodes, politician and businessman is an in-law to the late lawyer and activist, Dr. Tunji Braithwaite. BrancoRhodes was Chairman of Lagos State chapter of defunct Grassroots Democratic Movement (GDM) under the Sani Abacha political transition. He contested last year’s governorship election in Lagos State on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). In this interview, BrancoRhodes gives an insight into the person and politics of Dr. Braithwaite. LEKAN ADEJUWON reports
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ow did his death come to you? In what circumstance did he die, even though we know that he died at the ripe age of 82? His death was really a shock to us. Even though we knew how he was in his gym exercising when he fell. And from that fall, the doctor said he lost consciousness, and from that state he didn’t really completely recover consciousness. But we kept praying and holding the forth believing that he was going to come back home, until the morning that we were told that he stopped breathing. Will you consider him a socialist or a welfarist? He started out as a welfarist, though his was a socialist party. The NAP was a socialist party. But as we sojourned, we then reclassified. The global political landscape was changing. It was moving from the full socialist to social democratic. We then decided to pitch our tent and decided to label ourselves as social democratic by the time we were re-enacting the new parties, the DAM and all that. Who would you consider as his political associates, I mean his enduring political associates? I mean his enduring political associates including those he himself must have looked forward to? I think his closest political associates were those who formed the NAP with him, who helped him in the formation of the NAP. The NAP shaped him. The NAP came out of his belly and he knew that the NAP, I told you, was the only way forward for the political emancipation and correction of Nigeria. And everyone that played a role in the formative years remained very dear to him to the end. Ben Obi is one of them. So, many of them that even lost contact with, but he kept them dear to his heart. He didn’t seem to have had Northern collaborators.
Rhodes
As a person, he respected those who had content, who had things to offer, and Alhaji Balarabe Musa was very dear to him. He was a man that he really respected and he loved, always wanted to have close relationship and collaboration with in his political journeys. That was why they were always together. But they were not many who shared his ideology and his convictions. From NAP to DAM, what are the essential features of a typical Braithwaite political platform? What the NAP was formed for was to work for a revolution in Nigeria. Every platform we formed was formed by daddy to have that clear vision for a revolution in Nigeria, to carry out a revolution in Nigeria. A revolution was not bloodletting. He explained it that once you talk about a revolution in Nigeria, people will mistake it to mean bloodletting. We are not talking about a revolution that will let blood. No, no, no. He is a Christian and we are not here for bloodletting. But a revolution is to take Nigeria away, urgently take Nigeria away from the path it was going. From the path Nigeria is going, it will not achieve its potentials. Every platform he created, it always has that revolutionary flavor. He believed that the young men have a future and they have to participate in shaping the future. There are some Nigerians who he identified with one way or the other. Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, for instance. Obafemi Awolowo, Gani Fawehinmi. and even Emeka Ojukwu. It is not as if all of them are confined in within one region. What did he find in them? What was the basis of their association? What daddy loved was courage. He loved men that have courage to express themselves. I will start from Fela. He believed in Fela’s musical talent, and that Fela was a man that expressed himself. He liked that trait in Fela, that boldness and courage. When the government now saw Fela as an enemy, of course, anywhere he saw injustice, and it was in his element to fight the injustice. He saw Fela as an oppressed Ni-
gerian by the government and he was not going to stand by and let the government oppress defenceless citizen. For that cause, he threw his hat in the ring for Fela to take up his case in court and he encouraged him. In Fela’s case when they came and said the king could do no wrong, he said King ke. This is not UK. You can’t use UK law in Nigeria to cover your shameless act. He took up Fela’s case all along. With the burning of Kalakuta, it was at that point that he began to think of the social re-engineering of Nigeria and the need for a political party. It was Fela’s injustice that really brought out that in him. Awolowo also. He felt that the government was oppressing the young man, Awolowo in the treasonable felony claims against him. Daddy thought they were not true of course. And when it seems Awolowo’s allies thought it was the most dangerous challenge travelling with Awolowo, he felt I will step in and even take up the case at the cost to his life. At that time, he didn’t care. He took up the case for Awolowo. The moment he went to court for Awolowo, he wrote letters to encourage Awolowo in prison. He didn’t know him personally, but his ideology was to fight the injustice that was met to his young man. He just thought he should fight for him, and that was to represent him. And afterwards, Awolowo appreciated him. When Awolowo came out, he held him very dearly. And Awolowo must accept that he had political inclinations, and Awolowo was hoping that may be one day, Tunji will join them in his UPN. But Awolowo was shocked when he picked up his form to register his own political party. Also, he saw Ojukwu as one who thought that the structure was wrong. And he didn’t see why anybody would be oppressed for standing against what he believes was wrong. He said we all knew that this is not a workable structure. So, whatever it takes to address it or to correct it, why not. It is going to take men with clarity and focus to write the wrongs of this country. So, as far as he was concerned, Ojuk-
wu was a champion that led a very noble cause, fought for a noble cause, and he gave him his due respect all through. Then Gani Fawehinmi. Gani was one young lawyer that he said one day met him in court and said that when I grow up, I like to be like you sir. I like the way you practice your law and everything. I think he encouraged him and he watched him from the sidelines in his political sojourn, how Gani Fawehinmi handled his legal briefs and things. So, he respected Gani for his legal boldness and he encouraged him. He was in NAP. He founded NAP. He also founded Democratic Advanced Movement. He also joined GDM when individuals were allowed to form political parties under Abacha. There was this former IG of Police, M.D Yusuf, who was also making a show of contest the presidency at that time, but he fizzled out eventually. What really happened? His sojourn with the GDM really started with me, having joined the GDM first. Initially, he thought it was a big joke. He said what are you doing, wasting your time on this thing. This thing is not going anywhere. This transition cannot go anywhere. This is not designed to survive or to even bring any democratic gain to Nigeria. And as the journey went on and we of the GDM were showing traits of our willingness to be different from the bank of the other parties, particularly when I became the Chairman, when I took over Chairmanship of GDM Lagos State from Captain Shobayo, that sort of caused him to give it a second thought. He said, okay, let’s look at this thing. When we met with him at close circuit with GDM members, Festus Okubor, Gambo Lawan, all of us when we met with him and had talks with him, he couldn’t understand what was actually going on because he has already concluded the transition as a waste of time that nothing good would come out of it. But the commitment that we demonstrated to the cause of trying to forge a new deal for Nigeria through even the GDM, he thought it was unexplainable contradiction. But he gave us benefit of doubt. He gives what he doesn’t understand benefit of doubt to see how things go. Of course, his involvement came to us as a surprise in the GDM. When we had prepared a seminar called Participatory Democracy in NIIA in V.I, it was a programme anchored by the GDM Lagos State, and I went to him and said daddy we are having this participatory democracy. We believe that everybody must participate and we know you believe in participatory democracy. And I told him that I wanted to be chairman of the occasion of the discussion we are going to have in that programme. I showed him a list of those we had in mind to participate in that event. Immediately, he saw it and he saw that we had included Afenifere leader, Abraham Adesanya, he took a second look at it and said under Abacha transition, you are going to organise this. I said yes sir. He said okay. And he threw his hat in the ship, and he even helped us to make contact with Abraham Adesanya and told him that he should come for the programme we are having. The first thing that everybody that saw the invite said under an Abacha transition, this collection of men and women, and Dr. Braithwaite was chairman of occasion. He was a fearless man. For him, there was nothing he couldn’t stake for the development of this country.
APRIL 23, 2016
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TALKING POLITICS
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‘Why Senate should ‘Discussion on proposed amend CCT/CCB Act’ Bill suspended’ —Ike Ekweremadu Deputy Senate President
— Senator Peter Nwaoboshi
“I
n my proposed amendment, the section now looks like this; “The functions of the Bureau shall be to – (a) receive asset declarations by officers in accordance with the provisions of this Act; and (b) take and retain custody of such asset declarations. “It shall examine the asset declarations and ensure that they comply with the requirements of this Act and of any law for the time being in force if otherwise the Bureau shall invite the public officer concerned and take down his statement in writing. “It shall receive complaints about non-compliance with or breach of this Act and where the Bureau, having regard to any statement taken or to be taken after
such subsequent complaint is made, considers it necessary to do so.”
‘Timing of proposed Bill inauspicious’ —Senator Yahaya Abdullahi, Kebbi North
“I
just rise to raise a point of caution. I have read and gone through the areas where the amendments are sought and I am not against it, but what I have against is the timing. “We must be ready on the issue of public perception about the position of the Senate in this regard. “Perception can be reality, the Nigerian people can easily interprete the action we are taking today to mean that for all these years, a decree, which became law since 1991, is not being challenged until today because our principal officer is standing trial before the same tribunal. “I think for the credibility of this Senate, I think we should re-examine
“W
ell, I have not seen the provisions (of the bill) and I don’t know if it will have a retroactive effect to the extent that it will affect a case that is already instituted and ongoing. “For me, it is still a subject of speculation. And I don’t think that the Senate, in view of the outcry that has attended the ongoing trial of the Senate President, will do anything that will further enmesh that august institution in further controversy by passing a law to undermine or terminate the proceedings. “But if it is true, it is very condemnable.”
“A ‘It’s highest level of shameful misconduct’
fter exhaustive deliberations and being sincere to ourselves, we have decided to put behind us all things that have divided us since the
—Prof Itse Sagay chairman presidential Advisory Committee on Anti-Corruption
“I
t’s a surprise to me, because I really don’t know that our mentality has degenerated to such a level of self-service that the people, who were sent to the National Assembly to make laws for the benefit of all Nigerians, have started a process that will allow a complete crisis; an Act that corruption cannot be prosecuted. “To me, this is the highest level of shameless misconduct by the generality of the members of the red chamber. Obviously, there is no limit to the level of disgusting things they can do.” “Any amendment of the law under the constitution cannot and will not have retrospective effect. The amendment will not have any effect on pending cases in court.”
whether the timing is right for this bill to go through the second reading or not.”
‘Proposed Act shameful’ — Mr. Kunle Ogunba SAN
inception of the Eighth Senate and work as a united Senate in the best interest of our country. “We also agreed to suspend the discussion of the Committee on Ethics report on Senator Marafa. We agreed to suspend further deliberations on the amendment of the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act and the Criminal Administration of Justice Act. “We agreed that this Senate should stand by the Senate president in his trial until proven guilty by the court in accordance with our constitution and democratic practices all over the world including South Africa, Brazil and Russia. “We also agreed to set up a committee – two senators from each geopolitical zone to address all the remaining issues. And as part of the reconciliation, those in court should consider withdrawing the cases.
‘Proposed amendment devilish agenda’ —Mr Femi Falana SAN
“T
he excuse being advanced for the devilish agenda is jejune because the CCT, whose members are screened for appointment by the Senate, cannot be said to be under the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation. “The proposed amendment also amounts to a conflict of interest because you cannot, because of one man, amend the law of the land. It will amount to an exercise in futility.”
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LEISURE
APRIL 23, 2016
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APRIL 23, 2016
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Bridge top fishermen invade Lagos
It is common to see some men standing on top of bridges across Lagos. A wary visitor to the city could mistake such individuals for some kind of criminals but for the fishing equipment in their hands with which majority of them make a living, reports JULIET UMEH.
C
hristopher Emechiete, a retiree of Leventis Motors, wakes up every day to resume his fishing job at the top of some of the Lagos bridges, under which bubbles fresh water laden with fish types. For this purpose, he has become a common sight on Eko Bridge, Cater Bridge, Falomo Bridge, Third Mainland Bridge as well as the Independence Bridge which is very close to the Officers’ Mess in Boney Camp, Victoria Island. It is safe to say that Lagos bridges could as well be regarded as his office since they are the places he rushes to while others rush to resume work in their different offices or business places every morning. For the past 10 years that the father of six retired from Leventis Motor, fishing has automatically become the alternative means of
survival or livelihood for him and his family. Of his six children, three are already married while the remaining three are still under his roof, taking their daily bread from him. His former office helped him to train the first three in school while he caters for the remaining with his dividends from bridge top fishing. According to him, averagely, he makes up between N15, 000 and N20, 000 daily, “but there are some days you can catch very few fishes and on such a day you go home with as little as between N1, 500 and N3, 000!” The Delta State-born apparently looked fulfilled with fishing as he was glad to dish out to Saturday Mirror the story behind his present occupation. Said he: “I started fishing over 10 years ago when I retired from Leventis Motors. I had
to fall back on fishing because I had nothing else to do as that is the only job I know I can do. Thank goodness, I learnt fishing when I was small because then, we used to live near a river at Iponri, Lagos. As a small boy, we used to go fishing but we were doing it like a hobby then. So, now that I’ve retired from paid employment, I decided that I can help my family instead of engaging in begging or becoming a burden to people.” While other fishermen are using boat and net to do their exploits on the sea, it is interesting how Mr. Emechiete does his own fishing as he explains that “some use net, but I use hook. Net people catch more fish than those of us using the hook; but at times people with hooks catch more fish than the net users because fishes move according to the direction of the water: they will not move
about when the water wave is inimical to them. We use hooks to which are attached a bait to catch the fish. The baits are in the form of periwinkle, crayfish and fish sliced into small portions. The bait attracts the fish and then come chasing after it. In the process we snatch back the twine holding the hook and the hook in turn hooks the fish’s mouth and it is pulled out,” Emechiete explained. Emmanuel Isaiah is another common sight on the bridges in Lagos Island. The Edo State-born who claims to be a clearing agent, said: “I started fishing a long time ago. I am not a full-time fisher man. I have my own work; fishing is just a hobby. I am a clearing and forwarding agent. At my leisure, instead of doing nothing or roaming about with friends, I go hustling because my salary is not always enough. So, this is like family support to me.” According to him, he makes between N10, 000 and N20,000 on a very good day. He explains: “With boat and the type of fish CONTINUED FROM PAGE 16
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‘VVe fish on bridge instead of begging’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 15
you are lucky to catch, you become a happy man. If you are using net, you can make more money than people using hook. And, to make bigger money, you need a bigger net and a boat that can take you deeper into the sea. “But people that fish on a small scale such as what we are doing now can make like N3,000 up to N10,000 a day. But it depends on the kind of fish you catch because there are some fishes you catch that could be sold for up to N5,000 apiece. If you are able to get up to five of such fish a day, you will smile to the bank that day.” For Abdul Raman, a father of two, fishing is better than his former job. “I started fishing two years ago. I learned it when I was working with my former employer because my office was very close to a bridge. Then, I used to go to watch people fishing atop the bridge. When the act caught my interest, I started by asking them how to tie the hook which they use in tracking fishes, and I was given an informal education on it. When I left my job and eventually joined them, I used to pay N500 every day for the hook. But when I had learned how to prepare the hook I chose to use my N500 to buy the required materials which surprisingly lasts for three days. “Apart from fishing, I am into fish and chicken barbecue. I make chips and salad. That was what I was doing in my former job. But I had to leave the job because my salary was meager. I resigned to face life squarely. My dear, the situation of our country requires forward-thinking and that is making everybody to look for alternative means of survival,” Raman said. Patrick Okpara, an Imo State-born, obviously, is not satisfied with his current job as a security guard on Solomon Close, Victoria Island, Lagos. Therefore he is currently supplementing the job with fishing the product of which he sells to people in the office where he works. He however gave another reason he opted for part-time fishing. His words: “I like fishing; it a kind of hobby to me. So, any time I am off work, I do fishing. And I sell the fish I catch to people in my place of work. It is during rainy season that we catch good fishes.” Since they make much from his fishing business, would they want any of their children to take after them? Emechiete answer: “God forbid; I would like my children to also come and park their cars here and price and buy fishes like these big-time customers. It’s not easy to come out here and be doing this throughout the day. Sometime, you catch nothing.” For Isaiah, Okpara and Raman, the rainy season is the period they catch more fishes; but one of them, Emechiete, has a divergent view. Said he: “The thing is that every season has its type of fishes. During rainy season, we have types of fishes that move around more, but are scarce in dry season.” He added: “These boys you see throwing
nets now, in the rainy season, they will not be able to catch anything because the water is rough. In rainy season the water is always muddy. The fish may be there but you may not see them.” Lagos residents who frequent most of the bridges will certainly agree that this trade thrives among those engaged in it. Due to the ever-busy nature of Lagos roads on work days, one may not take note of the bridge top fisher men’s major customers. But at weekends, cars of different shapes and sizes are packed along some of these bridges, especially the Independence Bridge where their occupants wait patiently for the fishermen’s wares. Mr. Emechiete however confirmed that “weekends are when our business booms very well, because if you pass you will witness our customers’ parked cars, waiting patiently for us.” But who are their major customers? “Mostly, it is white people who patronise some of us,” Emechiete said. “Some of them don’t price down our fishes, especially the Indians; but the Lebanese do really price down our market.” To confirm his claims, our correspondent watched him go afar on the bridge with a container laded with fishes slightly above the base of the bucket only to come back, beaming with smiles. “I told you; I have sold that fish for N1,500; that Indian bought it,” he said happily.
the river. Among them are Engr. Zach and Engr. Ralph - both are white workers at the Eko Atlantic’s construction site in Victoria Island, Lagos. “Fresh fish is better than the frozen fish in the shops. They taste better and are more delicious,” they said. In the same vein, Mrs. Tayo Tegbe who works in Victoria Garden City, also said: “It is better to buy fish fresh from the sea than the ones frozen in the shops because you don’t know what is mixed with them or where they are brought from. Sea fish is fresh; no chemicals have been added to it. You don’t know the quality of what you are
I lIke fIshIng; It a kInd of hobby to me. so, any tIme I am off work, I do fIshIng. and I sell the fIsh I catch to people In my place of work
Similarly, Isaiah confirmed that “we always see those white men who buy from us at weekends. They buy the fish at a higher price than our people. A fish that they will buy for N3,000, our people will price it N1,000! I have sold the one I caught since morning for N3,000. I sold it to a Lebanese, even though the Lebanese don’t price well. But those of them that are contractors price well because they have money. With white people of different nationals that patronise us like the Philippines, Indians, Israeli, Lebanese and Italians, there is no how I can catch fish without getting a buyer. It is on weekends that we sell most,” he recounts. “We catch fishes such as cat fish, red snapper, white snapper, groupers and others.” However, some of the buyers who spoke to our correspondent explained why they are addicted to fresh fish caught direct from
buying in the frozen shops,” she said. Comparing the prices of frozen fishes in the shops with the fresh ones from the sea, she said: “Well, it might be slightly more expensive but you are paying for what you get.” Mrs. Chizoba Benson, a nutritionist, however, lent a professional voice to the discourse. From her angle, frozen fish do not reduce in nutritional content and both fresh and frozen fish can be healthy choices as long as they are properly stored and prepared for eating. “Freezing slows down the decaying process and also preserves the high-protein cholesterol-fighting effects of fish. Fish contain very rich source of lean proteins, omega-3 fatty acids, which are heart-healthy; vitamins A, B12 and D - all these vitamins are well conserved when fish is frozen within a few hours of being caught.
“It is vital to note that during transportation of the fish, it may be thawed and this may lead to loss of water content as the fish thaws. The water contains some of the water-soluble vitamins and minerals. If you use all the water lost from the fish for cooking, you are sure to retain the vital vitamins and minerals. Fresh fish does not lose any of its water content, vitamins or minerals. “Overall, in terms of flavour and texture, freshness, farm-raised fish are often preferable by most people. “But with today’s technology, wild-caught fish by law has to be frozen in order to kill its parasites. So, we don’t have to be discouraged while consuming frozen fish because technology has also made provision for freezers that house fish right from the farm sites or immediately upon landing at the seaport. This has made frozen fish a healthier option, more economical and often better for the environment and fisher men than fresh-caught sea foods,” Mrs. Benson explained She, however, spoke on the economic angle of the two. Said she: “Economically, frozen fish can often be a better value than the freshcaught fish, in that you can easily control wastage in consumption. Purchasing frozen fish can save up to 25 per cent of the money used in purchasing fresh-caught fish. We also have the benefit of purchasing frozen fish all year round for a larger population than freshly-caught ones.” However, for the roadside fisher men, they have one major challenge which they confided in our correspondent. “We are being disturbed by some government agency like the Kick Against Indiscipline, KIA; but it is at weekends that they disturb us,” Isaiah said. However, Emechiete confirmed that they are disturbed only when they display their wares by the roadside. “They said the state governor doesn’t want anybody to sell on the road. But we do settle them. We used to contribute N500 every month,” Emechiete revealed.
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14 bedroom mistakes women make P.34
Relationships What If the man is perpetually absent? P.24
Fashion Frenzy Get chic in Get chic in ethnic jacket P.24
Maka ... soul singer
c Why I want to PAGE
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APRIL 23, 2016
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direct Nigerian music videos —Trev Cheeatow Trev Cheeatow is a Canadian filmmaker who has the ambition of shooting music videos for Nigerian artists. He told OSEYIZA OOGBODO why he has the desire and the innovation he plans to introduce to Nigerian music videos. Why did you become a filmmaker? I think film embodies and has the potential to express all the creative art forms in one synchronized visual and auditory experience. Filmmakers are able to bring you into their reality by constructing interactive illusions of pictures and sound along with storytelling. Who else can show you really what is going on in their minds? How long have you been into it? I’m self-taught and have been doing this for six years now. What have you done and achieved? I first started doing promotional videos for small businesses then TV ads then television shows with people like Discovery Channel. Now I’m producing and directing my own documentaries and soon feature films. What are your plans? My ultimate plan is to create a media company for good. Too much of the media focuses on tragedies and the negative side of humanity. I want to use the persuasive powers of film in media to inspire and empower the world by telling stories of local and international heroes who are doing good things for humanity. I want to make doing ‘good things’ the trend by propagating a message of harmony, happiness and fun. After all, life is short so let’s stop the world’s fighting and try to have as much fun together as we can. What is your view of music? Music is the pulse of the universe. Music is vibrating harmony. When humans connect to music by creating it or listening to it we can transcend to high levels of intellect and tap into our inner consciousness. Humans
are meant to dance. When music takes us over it can bring us into ‘the zone,’ which is a realm of pure expression from the deepest parts of our soul. The move-our-bodies-without-thinking. We absorb the sound wave frequencies and reflect them back in the form of dance. And of Nigerian music? Nigerian music stirs up something inside you that you cannot control. To me, it feels like a ticking clock inside my body wanting to blast out. I love the rhythms and the drums are like sweet caramel popcorn to my ears. I don’t think there is anyone who cannot dance listening to this music. Dance had the inherent power to unite people together and therefore I think Nigerian music has a great power to unify a people ... but is it being used for this? Is it true you want to hit the Nigerian music industry as a music video director? I’ve always dreamed of visiting Africa, the cradle of life. This is where it all started and I think music could have been the first artistic human expression. It’s maybe for this ancestral reason that, for me, African music is more ‘human’ that any other type of music. It lifts you soul and shakes your bones. A humbling, grounding and earthy feeling bringing people together even around something as simple as a drum and a voice. I think Africa needs to shine its light to the rest of the world because it has a lot of good to share. And the time is now! I want to be a part of this movement. What different thing do you want to bring to Nigerian videos? I would like to see a deeper meaning in the stories told by the current music videos. This doesn’t mean it has to
be serious. It can still be fun and make you dance but let’s move away from the ‘money, sexy girls and expensive cars’ idea. It’s so overdone and presents the wrong message to the masses and more importantly to the youth. Instead I would like to create something more artistic and even conceptual to have the audience start thinking with their
minds and dancing with their bodies instead of just following what they see the artist supposedly spending all their money on. Music is a powerful medium and I want to use it to inspire and empower everyday people to tap into their truest potential. And the right music video is even more powerful than a song alone.
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Oseyiza Oogbodo 08036961187 kingseiza@gmail.com
Maka premieres The Truth on international platform
H
ailed as one of Africa’s best kept music secrets of the year, on the back of critical acclaim on the continent for her introductory singles last year, Ife (Love) and Mu Na Gi (You And I), eclectic Nigerian soul singer, songwriter and musician, Maka, is finally emerging from anonymity and ready to take centre stage with the release of her exciting debut EP, The Truth, premiered via international magazine and platform, The 405.
The Truth EP is a rich, resounding and assured debut offering from the Nigerian native, and is backed by glorious hip-hop and soul music backdrops provided by hip-hop DJ/ producer, Teck-Zilla, over which Maka bares her heart on love, life and everything-in-between, in a uniquely sincere and relatable fashion, underpinned by her signature Afrocentric
and soulful stylings. From the opening track, Forever, which samples Chaka Khan’s Stronger Than Pride to glorious effect, and her soulful hip-hop ode to her hometown Lagos, to the triumphant and life-affirming FMH (Feeling My High), and the already well-received Mu Na Gi, every song on this EP contributes to what makes for a captivating listening experience and an exceptional body of work from Maka. Speaking about the inspiration for the record, she said, “Making this EP came as true and pure to me as anything I’ve ever done. I wasn’t trying to please anyone but myself. Working with Teck-Zilla never felt contrived. We weren’t rushed or disturbed, and we had the freedom to create whatever we wanted. That’s where the title of the record comes from, in the sense that creating it was indeed true.”
Blackmagic adds another year
B
Blackmagic
lackmagic has celebrated adding another year. The afrocentric rapper who goes by the name Efemena Mukoro was a year older during the week on Thursday. Blackmagic has carved a niche for himself as one of Nigeria’s most original acts, making his own music and not following the trend. He has created several household hits that include Tomorrow, Confam, Repete, Africa, Pass You By. A rapper, singer and song writer, he draws his inspiration from afrobeat, hip-hop, classic and soul music. Also known as EjayBlackmagic, he broke into the music industry scene in 2010. His first single, Tomorrow, was released in December 2010, and it’s a clinical cross of hip-hop and afrobeat talking about making the most of today. He has dropped two albums titled Version 1.0 and Version 2.0 and enjoyed great success with his music from appearances in major shows to topping charts and claiming major awards like the award for the best alternative song at The Headies in 2013.
Maka
Waconzy wades into American politics
June and Waconzy
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s the United States of America elections draw closer, Nigerian singer and business mogul, Waconzy, was recently spotted in Silver spring, Maryland with June Trone, wife of US congressional candidate and business mogul, David Trone. In a video posted online, Waconzy and June urged the people of the 8th
district of Maryland to show support for Trone. Trone also tweeted at Waconzy to endorse his support. Now that the I Celebrate singer has waded into American politics, what does it mean for his music career? Waconzy fans, let us know what you think.
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CLASSICAL LYRICS
Prince, singer and superstar, dies at 57 at Paisley Park
Purple Rain
Artist: Prince
I never meant to cause you any sorrow I never meant to cause you any pain I only wanted to one time to see you laughing I only wanted to see you Laughing in the purple rain Purple rain, purple rain Purple rain, purple rain Purple rain, purple rain I only wanted to see you Bathing in the purple rain I never wanted to be your weekend lover I only wanted to be some kind of friend Baby, I could never steal you from another It’s such a shame our friendship had to end Purple rain, purple rain Purple rain, purple rain Purple rain, purple rain I only wanted to see you Underneath the purple rain
T
he hugely popular, acclaimed and influential musician Prince has died at his home in Minnesota at the age of 57. Police were called to a medical emergency at his Paisley Park estate earlier on Thursday, US media reported. An investigation is under way. Prince became a global superstar in the 1980s, with albums such as 1999, Purple Rain and Sign O’ the Times. His innovative music spanned rock, funk, and jazz, and selling more than 100 million records during his career. “It is with profound sadness that I am confirming that the legendary, iconic performer, Prince Rogers Nelson, has died,” a spokeswoman for the musician said. “There are no further details as to the cause of death at this time.” Born in 1958, Prince was a prolific writer and performer from a young age. A singer, songwriter, arranger and multi-instrumentalist, Prince recorded more than 30 albums. His best known hits include Let’s Go Crazy and When Doves Cry. He also wrote music for several artists, with Sinead O’Connor’s version of Nothing Compares 2U becoming a worldwide smash in 1990. In 1984, he won an Oscar for the score to Purple Rain, a film he also starred in. Throughout his career he had a reputation for secrecy and eccentricity, once changing his name to an unpronounceable
symbol. In 2004, Prince was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, which said he “rewrote the rulebook.” A musical prodigy from a broken home, Prince famously wrote, arranged, produced and played almost all of his hit records. But the Purple man’s purple patch really came with his first band The Revolution.
With them by his side, he wrote more than two dozen rock classics in a five-year flurry. Purple Rain, Little Red Corvette, 1999, Raspberry Beret, When Doves Cry, Kiss... At the same time, he dashed off Manic Monday for The Bangles and Nothing Compares 2U, made famous by Sinead O’Connor. In the studio, he was unstoppable. But the magic really happened on stage. He would vamp, preen and tease an audience into a frenzy, then slay them with a quiet moment of crystalline beauty. He was a joy to watch. Prince’s latest album, HITnRUN Phase Two, was released last year and he had been touring as recently as last week. On 15 April he was rushed to hospital hours after performing on stage, but was soon released. At the time he reassured fans he was feeling much better and was resting at home. Tributes have been pouring in on social media and fans have been gathering at Paisley Park. Chic guitarist Nile Rogers said there were “tears and love on our tour bus”. Pop star Katy Perry said “the world lost a lot of magic”. Director Spike Lee said: “I Miss My Brother. Prince Was A Funny Cat. Great Sense Of Humour.” “Numb. Stunned. This can’t be real,” wrote Justin Timberlake, while Boy George said: “Today is the worst day ever. Prince R.I.P I am crying!”
Honey, I know, I know I know times are changing It’s time we all reach out For something new, that means you too You say you want a leader But you can’t seem to make up your mind I think you better close it And let me guide you to the purple rain Purple rain, purple rain Purple rain, purple rain If you know what I’m singing about up here C’mon, raise your hand Purple rain, purple rain I only want to see you Only want to see you In the purple rain
Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
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Freeze blasts Seun Egbegbe over Toyin Aimakhu
O
n-air personality, Freeze, is fast gaining a reputation for himself as a social commentator. He comments on a lot of issues and his views are always so blunt that they raise eyebrows. The latest issue he has chosen to comment on is that of actress Toyin Aimakhu’s latter relationship which is presently bringing her a lot of bother as her lover in that relationship, Seun Egbegbe, is badmouthing her all over town. Freeze however takes a stick to Egbegbe in his comments reproduced below. “From the interviews Seun has been granting concerning his relationship with @aimakhutoyin, embarrassing snippets of which are being released one after the other, to an audience with an insatiable appetite for drama, I have deduced that he never loved her, rather, was infatuated with her on-screen persona. If he truly loved her, he would have respected her ‘status’ as a public figure instead of exploiting it through cheap publicity. “I don’t think it’s fair for Seun to think he can have a relationship with her onscreen alter ego if he is not ready to love and respect her as a ‘woman’ first! “Seun said all sorts of demeaning things about her. With statements like ‘I gave her my Range and entered taxis’ to his credit, you can catch a glimpse into his mindset. (By the way that car is not a Range. It’s an LR3 which is a Land Rover and not a Range Rover). I thought that statement was a bit off, but unknown to me, that would only become the inception of a harrowing onslaught directed at her person in front of a cheering audience. “Why should Seun say ‘Toyin is not ready to live in any man house’ like he put it in his ‘Queen’s English?’ The fact that he failed at having a successful relationship with her doesn’t mean every single man who tries would also fail. Until Sir Edmund Hillary climbed to the summit of Mount Everest, it was considered impossible because every man before him failed. “Seun, what you did to her would drown most women but not Toyin, as she personifies the strength of a woman. Under pressure, she didn’t crack! She ‘chested’ it like we used to say back in secondary school when a teacher flogged you and you pretended like it didn’t hurt! It didn’t remove the agony from the situation. It just showed that the
Freeze
combined force of her inner strength and high pain threshold have done a ‘back to sender’ thereby reversing the consequence of your action and the joke is now on you. “My advice is, do her an apology for what you have said and move on. Hopefully you guys can still be friends and gain from each other, one way or another. And while you’re at it, please stop talking and granting interviews because honestly, we have laughed enough!’’
Egbegbe and Aimakhu
I will never abandon Nigeria —American star
U
zo Aduba, a Nigerian actress doing well in America has come out to say that she’ll never forget her
roots. Sharing a picture of jollof rice and fried plantain recently, she reminded her American fans of her ancestry with the picture’s caption: ‘You can take the girl out of Nigeria, but you can’t take the Nigeria out of the girl. #igbokwenu#naijagirl #yummy.’
She has always been known to never hide her Nigerian lineage, and in a previous interview with Uptown, she did so as well in explaining her name’s meaning. “Uzoamaka means ‘The road is good.’ Quick lesson: My tribe is Igbo, and you name your kid something that tells your history and hopefully predicts your future.” Good for you, girl.
Aduba
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EVENTS
APRIL 23, 2016
Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
Mode Men turns ten in style Last Saturday, Mode Men magazine marked its tenth anniversary with a dinner at Intercontinental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos. In attendance were several celebrities including Okey Bakassi, Bovi, Uru Eke and Frank Edoho.
Cutting the cake
The anniversary cake
Abubakar Tafawa Balewa
Bovi
Alex and Lara Adegbenro
Frank Edoho
Okey Bakassi
Julius and Ibiere Agwu
Uru Eke
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APRIL 23, 2016
StyGlelam and
an isi Adenir with Yem
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com
n@yahoo.
1158) ydira
(0803780
Style & Glam
Icyfromcharm DIARRA S
xiest dresses ometimes, the se veal just enough are those that re , allowing the to create mystery ey wild. Although th n ru to n io at in ag im u tally revealing, yo to be t ve ha t n’ do e. your desired styl to in em th gn si de can ing, ort and body hugg sh e ad m be n ca It ng that exact vibe perfect for creati g with a dramatic or long and flowin g ere for a temptin touch here and th beneath. Elegant, glimpse of what’s is d seductive, this sophisticated, an ack dress. your next little bl llection, from the This particular co and is titled “Icy Diarra Bousou br e the opulence of ic Charm” as it uses kles lection of icy spar throughout the se . The collection is in blues and grey pring d tops, hot for S filled with croppe ith gh waist skirts w and long flowing hi slits. teasing thigh-high
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Style & Glam
APRIL 23, 2016
Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
APRIL 23, 2016
Style & Glam
Fashion frenzy
Get chic in ethnic jackets T
he Ankara fabric has continually taken over the fashion scene both home and abroad. They are the toast of every trendy woman and Nigerian designers, especially are not tired of experimenting with it. For now, they are ruling in jackets and the whole world is loving it. Fun and chic all at once, these jackets are adaptable for every of your formal and informal wears. Just pick a cool colour for your work hours and your boss will raise no eyebrow for your choice. But for your casual outings, you can have a field day with your choice. Pair them with a
Fashion frenzy
jean of any colour and you are simply good to go. If you are the bold and the daring type, match them with a bum short and you will turn your world all round. As for the design of your jacket, your designer is in the best position to show you the best of her creative excellence. While the models here are enough cues you may need for now, you can try your choice of an Ankara jacket this weekend for any of your events. Of course, you will be breathing life remarkably into your once boring wardrobe.
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APRIL 23, 2016
SOCIETY Mirror
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with Deola Adeoti. Tel: 07055695565, mofat07@yahoo.com
Why Joke Adefulire, Kemi Nelson don’t see eye-to-eye T
he pages of political history are filled with accounts of hatred, tantrums and dirty game of scheming. So, we aren’t surprised seeing its top players displaying these characteristics to the fullest. Let us inform you quickly before others start spreading it that there is an ongoing enmity between former Lagos State Deputy Governor, Joke Adefulire and former Commissioner for Women Affairs, Chief Mrs. Kemi Nelson which is gradually playing to the fore. We can authoritatively tell you that both are not on talking terms. This was evident recently at a wedding ceremony of a Lagos based politician’s nephew, held in Ibadan. The party was the gathering of many fine politicians which include Senator Oluremi Tinubu, former
Lagos First Lady Abimbola Fashola, Osun State First lady Sherifat Aregbesola and many others including the warring duo. We noticed that during the church thanksgiving proceedings, Kemi approached the deputy governor for a handshake but Joke returned the gesture with a cold face as she only went ahead to exchange pleasantries with other dignitaries in the first row. A disappointed Kemi who was putting on all smiles had to go back to her seat in the fifth row to enjoy the rest of the programme. And the two never crossed each other’s path while the event lasted. On what could have led to their imbroglio, we gathered that Kemi was the first to have fired the first salvo when she allegedly started peddling false information about the deputy governor. It would be noted that Joke took over
from her in 2003 as the Commissioner for Women Affairs. And she enjoyed her reign for good eight years before finally emerging the former deputy
governor. But this is said not to be going down well with her predecessor who is said to be of the belief that Joke is enjoying too much than what she
hen it comes to the most impressive and exuberant display of the splendour of wealth, Nkiru Anumudu dusts them all. But the irony of it is that her husband, Willy, the boss of Globe Motors in Lagos is the opposite of it. While Nkiru is known for her Owambe lifestyle, the husband is
reclusive and likes to do his things in clandestine. Those close to the opulent couple said that the husband has constantly warned her about her flamboyant and extravagant lifestyle, but his pleas have continued to fall on deaf ears. He was also said to have complained to Nkiru’s confederates but none has changed
Why Nkiru Anumudu paced down the socials W
Gospel star, Biyi Samuel, reacts to infidelity scandal
I
gi Aruwe crooner, Biyi Samuel has cleared the air on the infidelity mess hanging on his 9 year old marriage. Few weeks back, news swirled around that the vibrant musician is in love with a pretty London based married woman named Debby Kuti. Debby is said to be married to one Mr. Kunle Kuti in London, but gist have it that anytime she’s in the country she’s always
in the arms of the musician. Tale bearers added that in return of their love affection, Debby showered the singer with gifts, money and even furnished him a posh apartment in Lagos. However, in an exclusive chat recently, Biyi debunked the infidelity tale, calling it ‘baseless and unfounded.” When quizzed about his relationship with Debby, he said: “Debby and I have been friends
deserves. Some of this backbiting was said to have gotten to Joke and since then we were told she has decided to stay away from her.
for close to a decade. She’s a top fan. And I swear there is nothing more. You know me well; I would never do such an unclean thing. Debby and I are just platonic friends.” However, Biyi said he’s happily married and would never consider cheating on his wife. The Abeokuta born singer is married to Folake who is a caterer and fashion designer. Their union is blessed with two kids.
the convivial and gregarious woman. With Nkiru’s incorrigibility, source said the husband has now employed a new tactic to reform his erring wife. And this tactic, though odd, we heard, has paid off as the showy woman barely goes to parties these days without the consent of her husband.
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Fashion
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APRIL 23, 2016
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Guest G
‘Fashion is Seven ‘bad’ foods that everything to me’ are good for weight loss
Emmunella Viola is an upcoming artist. A half-caste with paternal roots in Italy, she spoke with YEMISI ADENIRAN on her career and style. Excerpts:
G
ive us an insight into your background, where did you grow up and what was it like? I am a half cast, my mum is from Edo state, Nigeria and my dad is from Italy. Most of my life I spent in Italy but I came back to Nigeria few years ago. Growing up in Italy was fun but I actually needed to visit my mum side which is why I came down to Nigeria. Since when have you been into this career and what informed your choice? I came into this game for a while now probably for a year and six months. My friend introduced me to it, they were like, come on girl, you are pretty and beautiful, you will make a pretty face on TV, you have got the facial look, the height, and the body for this for this, I got interested and went into it and actually it became part of me. How benefiting has this job being to you? It has really given me the chance to see different characters of people, like the way they relate with other people, what they eat and wear. The number one thing I have benefitted is the opportunity of meeting top celebrities and associating with them. I believe in due time I will become a celebrity too. Was this what you have always wanted to be? No it wasn’t what I actually wanted to be, I have always dreamt of wanting to be
Seductive foods seem to lurk at every turn, especially when you’re trying to lose weight. But many foods that have gotten a bad rap aren’t so terrible after all. Learn which tempting treats can actually help you lose weight and keep it off.
E
a doctor. I am still pursuing this anyway; I am just doing this by the side and in the mean time. What is fashion to you? Fashion is just everything to me because every day of one’s life as a person, you make up, you dress up for people to see and appreciate your look. There are some who may as well want to look like you and bring out something different too, so, fashion is what we do everyday. Do you enjoy the support of your parents in this passion of yours? At first, my parents were not in support, most especially my mum. She thought it would expose me unnecessarily to negative things which she did not want for me. But I pleaded with her and was able to convince her with some reason. She then gave me the go ahead. What do you think has worked for you so far? Well, God and my pretty face. My determination to become outstanding is also working for me. What advice do you have for young girls like you? They should find out what they can do to make them stand out and do it well. They should be hard working, be determined and not nurse any fear of falling or getting disappointed because every disappointment today will end up as a blessing tomorrow.
ggs: When it comes to healthy eating, few foods have sparked as much debate as eggs. The latest research suggests an egg a day is safe and nutritious for most adults -- and if you eat that egg for breakfast, you’ll boost your odds of losing weight. The reason: Eggs are packed with protein, which takes time to digest. Eating protein in the morning keeps your stomach full, so you eat less during the rest of the day. Beef: For years, health experts have been admonishing us to eat less red meat. But steak is not always bad for the waistline. In fact, a lean cut of beef has barely more saturated fat than a similar-sized skinless chicken breast. Like eggs, steak is loaded with protein and can keep you feeling full longer. To get plenty of protein with less fat, choose extra-lean cuts -- and limit portions. Pork: Talk about a bad reputation -- the term “pork” is used to describe all kinds of excess, so it’s no wonder dieters often steer clear. Here’s a case where the meat itself is not what it used to be. Today’s cuts of pork tenderloin are 31% leaner than 20 years ago. That makes this white meat a lean source of protein with benefits similar to those of lean beef. Pasta: Pasta than avoiding pasta when you’re dieting, make the switch to whole grain and keep your portions small. Research suggests people who eat several servings of whole-grain foods per day are more likely to slim down and maintain healthy weights. According to one study, eating whole grains rather than refined grains can also help burn belly fat.
Nuts: Nuts may be high in fat, but it’s the good kind. And they are also rich in nutrients, protein, and fiber, which can help stabilize blood sugar. Sure, you’ll get a few extra grams of fat from munching on a handful of nuts, but it’s worth it if it helps you avoid reaching for cookies or other sweets. Even peanut butter can be a dieter’s friend. In one study, people who ate a handful of nuts a day were slimmer and even lived longer. Cheese: Dieters often try to cut calories by nixing calcium-rich dairy foods, but some studies suggest this is a mistake. One theory is that the body burns more fat when it gets enough calcium, so eating low-fat cheese, yogurt, and milk may actually contribute to weight loss. Calcium supplements don’t seem to yield the same benefits, so a diet rich in dairy may have other factors at work as well. Dairy foods are also rich in protein, which helps keep you feeling full. Coffee: Coffee only falls in the “bad” category when you drink too much of it (3-5 cups a day) or mix in cream, sugar, or flavored syrups. Drink it black without added fat and calories. Drink it skinny: Stir in skim milk for added calcium and vitamin D, and artificial sweetener or one teaspoon of sugar. Watch your portions: Just about any “bad” food can be part of your weight loss plan if you stick to small enough portions. In fact, dietitians advise against banning your favorite treats. Depriving yourself of the foods you crave could set you up for failure. A better strategy is to set limits on quantity - for example, one chocolate bar a day and stick to them.
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WOMAN ‘My father’s beatings made me wet my panties’ For Princess Titilade Ijiwole, the proprietress of Datforte Internationals schools in Lagos, parents should give top priority to the discipline of their kids. “Today’s parents are not given to serious discipline of their children which is why the children of nowadays are spoilt and too dependent,” she told YEMISI ADENIRAN in this interview.
H
ow long have you been into school business? I was a teacher in public schools for about 16 years at Ibadan. I also taught in Omole Grammar School in Ojodu , Lagos before I retired to start my own school which is Datforte International schools. I have so much interest in children and love to impact knowledge. Molding lives is what pushes me into the business and today I have no regret being in the business it. What are the challenges facing you as a proprietress? There are lots of challenges but to the glory of God, they are surmountable. They are just like normal challenges you face in every businesses and environmental factors. Can you tell us about your growing up? I grew up in Ile-Ife in Osun state, a typical Yoruba climate. My father is a disciplinarian, not like the children of nowadays that don’t see any reason for you to beat or scold them. My father beat me one day to the extent that I had to wet my pants. This
was because he wanted me to have the fear of God and be nurtured well morally. He ensured that he inculcated in me the fear of God. I am using this opportunity to advise parents, to emulate this. I think the society will be a better place. For some of us who grew up in the 50s, 60s we know what it is to be a child. I had a humble beginning and my parents did a lot to make sure that I had the best. Today’s parents are not given to serious discipline of their children which is why the children of nowadays are spoilt and too dependent. If they will be more committed to disciplining their kids, Nigeria will be better for it. We will have no fear of the leaders that are coming in the future. Can you tell us about your educational background? After my secondary school education, I went for a teaching course at the Central College in Oyo and bagged the National Certificate in Education, N.C.E. From there, I went to the University of Ibadan where I studied education. I proceeded for my masters degree in educational administration at the University of Lagos. I have
also gone for various courses and seminars in education and other areas of human endeavors. How do you see education in Nigeria in the next five years? It is my prayer that the nation’s educational system gets better. But my concern is that we need people to come up with better ideas that will move the society forward because right now, some people are drawing the hands of the nation’s educational clock backward. The new JAMB system, no doubt, has curbed a lot of frauds in our educational system in terms of the JAMB entrance exam but we have a lot of people who are against it. They want to take the country back. Meanwhile, we must march forward because the world is now a global place in terms of technology. Nigeria needs to move forward. When we have people coming up with good ideas, it is not good for people to be against it because of what they will benefit. For instance, some of the tutorial centers usually promise their students some uncommon miracles concerning their examinations. This is not good enough as
they are not helping the students and the nation in general. It is not good for a group of people to gather themselves to draw the country backward; it will hinder us to get to where we are destined because the youths are the leaders of tomorrow. When people come up with good ideas, we should support them. So far, I will say that Nigeria is not doing badly in the area of education. My appeal is that we should be opened to innovations and new ideas that can move our society forward. What influence would you say today’s technology is having on students? Technology has two sides. There is the good side and the bad side. But if our youths are well supervised by the facilitators, the good side of it will benefit us and override the bad side. I think the carve for technology is not as bad as many see it. It all depends on the monitoring of the children. If the kidnap that happened in Ikorodu had taken place in your school, what would have been your reaction? First and foremost anything can happen to anybody, but government should im-
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prove on the security of the country. Presently, the security of the country is shaking. Government needs to work hard in the area of security. It is simply unimaginable, all these didn’t happen in our days. It is like people are so wicked nowadays. How could somebody be so heartless to the extent of abducting teenagers? It is simply terrible. In our school, we have started taking some security measures, we have CCTV camera in our school and we have invited security experts to train our student on safety measures. Everyone should be very sensitive of happenings in the environment, if people we don’t know are parading, we should report them to the police. We have to help ourselves because these evil-minded people are not ghosts, they are human beings like us. They live like us in the society. So, we have to be sensitive and watch our neighbours and know what they are into. When we see people going around aimlessly in our area, we should ask them what they are looking for or called the attention of law enforcement agents. I prayed that what happened in Ikorodu will not happen in our schools again. But as a parent, I felt bad but I prayed that our law enforcement bodies will stand up to their security duties in the society. How have you been keeping your home and school business together? It’s God’s strength that has helped me so far. Balancing the two together is not an easy job. I am not a supporter of people that believe that somebody should not have a home because you want to be career woman. Someone must apply wisdom and do the two together. You must be energetic to do the two together. Is your husband in support of this business? My husband is a very calm man. I enjoyed his cooperation. He is always happy to see his family making progress. Even though his job has kept him off, he believes in whatever I am doing. He knows that I will do it well and gives his support as much as possible. What is your take on the increase in the number of broken homes? I think the onus lies more on the women because they are the owners of the home. Women have to be very tolerant of our men. Men play pranks and they are very restless. They are adventurous, they can be everywhere. But women have to be at the home front, do their best and leave the rest for God. Most of the problems we face today in the society begin from home. If the home is not settled, I wonder the kind of children we will be raising. The children that are not well raised are the children that will go to the society to disturb the well - trained ones in the society. So, while don’t you try and make sure that your home front is settled. We should make sure that our home is in peace. Men should also contribute to their homes, in term of moral upbringing of the children. They should teach them the way of the Lord through either the Holy Bible or the Quran. I was surprised when I read on the social media that some cultists in university cut off the heads of their mates. I could not even look at it. These are children that are been raised by some parents. These are the children parents spent so much on. All these happened in our society because these people’s home fronts are not settled. Parents should ensure that the home front is well looked after. We should make sure that we raise our children in the way of God. I remembered when I was young; I was made to attend church programmes four days in a week. I was a member of Girl’s Guild, a choir member and a drama group member. Every Sunday, my parents make sure that I go to church. They make sure that I didn’t step out of the church during service. My father was one of the elders in Anglican Church. If you mistakenly stepped out of the service, we were seriously punished. I will advise parents to allow their children to join groups
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The developmenT of The socieTy lies on The shoulders of boTh men and women.
i jusT
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Keeping ABREAST
What body type are YOU?
• Ectomorphs are delicate with narrow frames • Mesomorphs are more muscly with a thin waist • Endomorphs are feminine and more curvy
pray ThaT men will give women The chance To play Their role well in The socieTy in the church. There are groups where people learn the words of God in churches. The society needs serious attention in term of education, moral and others. The way ladies dress nowadays shows that there is need for serious attention on discipline at homes. I don’t know why ladies believe that it is until when they go naked that they can be attracted to a man. It is bad. It is embarrassing. In our own days, we wouldn’t dress anyhow and men were all over us. We were decent. Every man wanted a decent lady. There were also communal efforts in our time, everybody was watching the back of each other, and we were leaving like one family. Over 200 Parents look after a child. This is not the case today. We need to go back to the basics. We need those things we did in the past that made our society peaceful. What is the most remarkable day in your life? There are a lots of remarkable days in my life. The day I had my first son, Oluwadare was one of the remarkable days in my life. The day two of my children graduated from the university in the United Kingdom. My last child will be graduating this year. I thank God for this, because it shows that I have achieved well in life. I also thank God that I don’t have a broken home. My children are also doing well in life, I thank God for this. To the Glory of God, I have a lot of students that have passed out of my school and are doing well in various universities while some are doing well in their working places. What other things do you do aside your school business? I have an NGO that looks after the youths and women. I am also planning to start a media programme that will touch the lives of the youth as well. What is your take on women going into politics? There is nothing wrong about women going into politics. Everybody has their own role to play in the society. The development of the society lies on the shoulders of both men and women. I just pray that men will give women the chance to play their role well in the society. What is your philosophy of life? I don’t believe in laziness. I am a goal getter. If I tell you I want to get anything done, I will surely do it. This has been my style since I was a child. There was a time I was selling oranges in the front of my house. I had also fried fish to sell to people in my street. If you want to make it in life, you have to work hard and pray. Don’t procrastinate because procrastination is dangerous t success. Have faith also in God.
Y
ou may know your weight, clothes size and height, but do you know your body type? According to scientists, we all fit into three main categories - known as somatotypes - which are based on the distribution of our fat and muscle. Ectomorphs are delicate with a narrow frame, mesomorphs are more muscly on the torso and shoulders with a thin waist, while endomorphs are feminine and more curvy. Aside from identifying shape, our somatotype can also have profound implications on the type of exercise that suits our bodies. Leading British physiotherapist, Sammy Margo, explains that “Most of us are a bit of a mix of somatotypes, but what we find is that each body type is suited to specific sports.” The three categories were first identified by psychologist Dr. William Sheldon in the 1940s, who believed the categories gave an insight into the human disposition. Although his psychological theories have since been disproven, his categories have stood the test of time and been used by sports scientists ever since. Read on to discover your body’s identity - and what exercise best suits your frame: Ectomorphs typically have slender, narrow frames. Fashion models generally fit this category. Think Agbani Darego and other such wispy ladies. This body shape can also be identified by narrow shoulders, hips and chest, with very little fat or muscle. Long arms and legs and a thin face and high forehead are also associated with
this category. According to Sammy, who previously worked with the England football team during the World Cup, a lightweight frame can give a great advantage in sports that need speed. “Slim and lightweight persons will be better at distant sports, which need endurance such as long distance running, football (in some positions), triathlon and walking. Ectomorphs are also suited to sports like gymnastics.” Mesomorphs have a muscular physique and might commonly be referred to as athletic. They might have slightly wider torsos and shoulders but a narrower waist and hips. Michelle Obama would fit into this category. Like ectomorphs, mesomorphs also have very little body fat, with strong, muscly limbs. Because they gain muscle and strength easily, they are generally a sporty bunch. “Being muscular with low body fat means mesomorphs will do well in sports needing power and strength, such as 100m sprints or cycling,” explains Sammy. Mesomorphs also tend to be good at Yoga and sports that rely on strength. Endomorphs have a more feminine curvy figure. Consider Jennifer Hudson. As well as having curvier bodies, they also often have a rounded head. This body type, which is commonly referred to as pear-shaped, has a larger frame and a higher percentage of body fat - with wide hips. But shoulders tend to be narrow, as are the ankles and wrists. “Heavier and carrying more body fat, this shape will do better at sports needing power and body weight such as weight lifting,” adds Sammy.
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APRIL 23, 2016
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divorce court
‘Marrying my husband is my greatest mistake’
• My lord, my marriage to Adebayo was the greatest mistake of my life. My husband is a lazy man, he does not want to work and he steals my money. He also drinks to stupor and does not go to church, he has a hardened heart. I pay all the bills including the children school fees —Wife · I beat her because of her disobedience and illegal abortions for her patients in my house. I drink but not to stupor. I did not steal her money, I only took N1,000 from her money when I wanted to go out. I still love my wife, I don’t want dissolution of our marriage —Husband
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38-year-old nurse, Victoria Adebayo has told an Orile Agege Customary Court that her greatest mistake was her marriage to Adebayo 14 years ago. Victoria, who reside No 2, Shittu Street, Orile Agege, a suburb of Lagos, urged the court to dissolve her marriage, citing battery and theft. “My lord, my marriage to Adebayo was the greatest mistake of my life. My husband is a lazy man, he does not want to work and he steals my money. He also drinks to stupor and
‘He brings home older women’
• My husband accuses me of starving him of sex, so he brings home older women —Wife
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45-year-old blind man, Rahman Folami has pleaded with an Agege Customary Court to dissolve his 20-year marriage with his wife, Kudirat, over alleged threat to his life and battery. Folami, a resident of No. 37, Ogunjebe St., Papa Ashafa, Agege, Lagos, claimed that there was no more love between
him and his wife. The petitioner also alleged that the wife planned to kill him. He added that his wife had been peddling lies against him and had refused to assist him financially in the upkeep of the house. “Before l lost my job in 2008, l usually buy foodstuff and other
provisions in the house but when l lost my job, l asked her to be helping me in any way she could which she did until 2013. “However, my wife suddenly changed and became reluctant and I had to borrow money to support the family due to my health challenge.” Folami also told the court that whenever they had a fight,
‘He sold my jewelries, steals my money’
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• I did not sell her jewelries neither did I steal her money —Husband
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n Orile-Agege customary court was told by Mrs. Temitope Salaudeen how her husband constantly raped and beat her up. Mrs. Temitope also prayed for her 10-year-old marriage to be dissolved. The 32-yearold trader who resides in the Agege axis of Lagos, pleaded with the court to dissolve her marriage over alleged rape, battery and threat to her life. She told the court that her husband is a wife beater and treats her like a slave. “My husband rapes me anytime he feels like having sex and does not care about my feelings or
my emotions. He sold some of my jewelries without my consent and steals my money at will,” she added. Temitope said that the greatest mistake she had made in life was getting married to her husband Alilu Saludeen. “I ran away from the house sometime in November 2015 with my children because if I continue living with him, he might beat me to death one day,” she said. The mother of two, aged 3 and 6 years, pleaded with the court to dissolve the union and grant her custody of her children. However, her husband, Alilu, 39, a building contractor, denied
all the allegations. He said: “I have not beaten her before, she starved me of sex for one and half years despite the fact that we were living in the same house.” “She hides her phone from me and I did not sell her jewelries neither did I steal her money,” Alilu added. He told the court that he was still in love with his wife and not ready for dissolution of the marriage. The court president, Dr Kayode Whenu told the couple to maintain the peace and adjourned the case for further hearing.
his wife beats him up. He begged the court to separate them, saying “I don’t want to die now as my wife always threaten to kill me.” Responding, Kudirat, 41, a cleaner, said her husband was irresponsible, a drunkard, a smoker and a gambler. She said “my husband accuses me of starving him of sex so he fornicates a lot by bringing home older women. “He is also fond of fighting and cursing me all the time to the extent that l developed blood pressure,” she said. The respondent, a mother of four, also alleged that the petitioner fought with co-tenants and landlord that they had to be served with a quit notice. She also begged the court to dissolve the marriage, saying she was also fed up with it. The court President, Mr Phillip Williams, then invited the couple into the inner court chamber for Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) and did not fix a date for further hearing into the matter.
does not go to church, he has a hardened heart. “I pay all the bills including the children school fees and still he beats me at will. It Is better not to have a husband than having one that is not functioning as a husband and still beat you, I want a divorce,’’ the mother of two said. The respondent, who resides at No 2, Anijilaje Street, Alfa Nla, Orile Agege, admitted to beating his wife. “I beat her because of her disobedience and illegal abortions for her patients in my house. I drink but not to stupor, I did not steal her money, I only took N1,000 from her money when I wanted to go out. “I still love my wife, I don’t want dissolution of our marriage,’’ Adebayo said. The President of the court, Dr Kayode Whenu, told the couple to maintain the peace, and adjourned the case till April 19 for further hearing.
‘ My husband wants to kill me with too much sex’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 31 arrested my brother again and he was detained at Agodi Prison for six days. He continuously threatened everyone around me with arrest. “My Lord, I am fed up with this relationship. Please, separate us. I don’t want to die now.” Responding to his wife’s allegation, Musibau who is an Alfa admitted to the claims but asked the court to allow him have custody of the child because his wife cannot cater for the child. In his ruling, President of the court, Chief Agbaje Olasunkami averred, “Having observed the evidence given by both parties, the court rules thus: the divorce on repayment of bride price is hereby granted with immediate effect.” Olasukanmi ordered that the child remain in custody of the plaintiff while the defendant must be paying a monthly sum of N3, 000 for the upkeep of the child until he is grown up. (NAN)
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APRIL 23, 2016
‘He embarrasses me in presence of my friends’
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• We have been separated for seven years but whenever he sees me in public, he embarrasses me in the presence of my friends. Despite the fact that he had married another woman, he doesn’t want to see me with another man. There was a time he assaulted a male friend and tore his clothes. He is very troublesome and I need freedom —Wife
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he Agege Customary Court Lagos has dissolved the 18-year union between Mr and Mrs Nurudeen Lawal. The Court’s President, Pa Adekunle Williams, ruled that the parties ceased to be husband and wife and free to go their separate ways. The petitioner, Mrs Mariam Lawal, had sought the dissolution of her marriage over the long separation between them. “We have been separated for seven years but whenever he sees me in public, he embarrasses me in the presence of my friends, especially the opposite sex. Despite the fact that he had married another woman, he doesn’t want to see me with another man. There was a time he assaulted a male friend and tore his clothes.
He is very troublesome and I need freedom,” she said. The mother of two said she has been paying the schools fees of her daughter who lives with her. The boy lives with his father. Lawal, 48, said they were separated for five years and not seven years. He said his daughter, who lives with his wife, was not going to school. But the petitioner presented her daughter’s school receipts and reports cards. Williams further ruled that the children’s education and medical expenses should be the parties’ responsibility and ordered the respondent to pay N5,000 monthly for his daughter’s upkeep. The union produced two children aged 12 and 17.
‘ My husband wants to kill me with too much sex’
• I wish to divorce my husband because he is too fond of sex —Wife
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middle-aged woman, Soliat Adekojo, has asked a Grade ‘C’ Customary Court sitting in Mapo, Ibadan South-East Local Government Area of Oyo State to dissolve her five years marriage to her husband, Musibau over his excessive sexual desire. The complainant, a trader who resides at Amuloko Area of Ibadan told the court that he seduced her into marrying him five years ago and the union is blessed with a child. Soliat said, “I wish to divorce my husband because he is fond of sex. All he knows in his life is sex and is not an ordinary desire, but a marathon sex. He used to have sexual intercourse with me, at least six days of the week and it may be twice a day. He does not give me rest of mind. He monitors me around. “Whenever I refused to allow him, he would beat me mercilessly. I have told him on several occasions that I am not fit for marathon sex, but he refused to listen. “On any occasion he had sexual intercourse with me, he uses his singlet and pant to clean my private part and whenever he did this, I would not be okay and may fall sick sometimes. “When I told him I would not be able to continue to have marathon sex with him again because of my health; he panicked immediately and told me I will have to leave his house, and that before I leave,he would surely deal with me. “I called my brother, Biodun
Adebayo, to inform him about the situation of things, he came to my rescue and my husband’s mother told my brother that he should take me away from the plaintiff because she could not handle the situation. “I later got to know through his mother that I am the plaintiff ’s ninth wife. “A week after I left his house, the plaintiff came with the police to arrest my brother, that I conspired with my brother to steal his N2.5 million. “My brother was detained in police custody for three days but I was bailed the second day by one of the plaintiff ’s daughters, Sakirat. Sakirat explained to the police that her father (the plaintiff) was lying about his claim of stolen money. “Last year June, my husband’s friend, Alhaji Adebolu, called me to inform me that my husband had parked all my belongings to his house. He explained that he also told him that he did want to see me and his son again. “I later went to his friend’s house to park my things. A week after, I fell sick to the extent that I was referred to a psychiatric hospital for a brain examination because they said I was always mentioning the plaintiff ’s name during the sickness. “My Lord, while passing through this sickness, the plaintiff did not for once ask after me or his only son. “Early this year, the plaintiff CONTINUED ON PAGE 30
‘My wife wants to kill me to inherit my property’ • My wife prepared vegetable soup for me. The soup was black, I refused to eat because that is not my first time of eating vegetable. It should be green in colour. I told her I don’t feel like eating the soup that she should prepared custard. She brought the custard and it was also black in colour. I didn’t drink it. I gave her to drink but she refused. I gave one of our children to drink, she snatched it from him and poured it away —Husband • I did not poison my husband’s food—Wife
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56-year-old retired military man, Durojaiye Rodoye, has told an Igando Customary Court, Lagos that his wife, Adenike was after his life. “My wife is after my life so that she can inherit my wealth,’’ he said, adding that “she is threatening my life by poisoning my food. “My wife prepared a vegetable soup for me to eat, the soup was black, I refused to eat because that is not my first time of eating vegetable. It should be green in colour. “I told her I don’t feel like eating the soup that she should prepared custard, she brought the custard and it was also black in colour, I didn’t drink it. “I gave her to drink but she refused, I gave one of our children to drink, she snatched it from him and poured it away. “She always beat me up whenever I query her for wrong doing, she once beat me in the
public and tore my clothes,’’ he said. The petitioner said that he left his 22-flat for the respondent because of frequent beatings, adding that she always instigates the children against him. “Around 12 a.m. when I came back from work, I saw strange guys about 15 of them with my two children smoking hemp heavily in my sitting room. “Immediately they sighted me they picked their cutlasses and other dangerous weapons to attack me but I escaped and all that was in the presence of my wife. He begged the court to dissolve the 20-year marriage to Adenike because he was no longer in love and his life in danger. Adenike, 44, a trader, denied all the allegations, adding that she never poisoned her husband’s food. “I did not poison my husband’s food. He once told me that his girlfriend told him that I have poisoned his food that
was why anytime he chased me out of his house he will come begging me back. The mother of five said her husband was fetish and once came home with a horn from a witch doctor for her to go a junction at 10 p.m. to swear over alleged missing N19,000. “I complied because I was innocent of the accusation. He followed me that night and I did as he instructed but nothing happen to me. “After some days, he said that I have laced my body with charm that was why nothing happen to me and he asked me to travel with him to one “Ifa” oracle shrine, I refused’’. The respondent begged the court not to grant her husband’s wish that she was still interested in the marriage. The court President, Mr Adegboyega Omilola, urged the couple to maintain peace, and adjourned the case for judgment.
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People
Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
APRIL 23, 2016
Meet Britain’s national treasure at 90 O n April 21, 1947, Princess Elizabeth marked her 21st birthday with a live radio speech in which she paid tribute to her subjects across the Commonwealth and the British Empire. “I declare before you all that my whole life, whether it be long or short, shall be devoted to your service,” the U.K.’s future queen said from Cape Town, South Africa. “I shall not have the strength to carry out this resolution unless you join in it with me, as I now invite you to do.” These words still rang true for her supporters on Thursday, her 90th birthday. For millions of people, the longest-serving monarch in British history is a part of the fabric of U.K. society and a steadfast constant in their lives. “For many of us, in our lifetime, the queen is all we have known,” Katie Nichol, royal correspondent for the Mail on Sunday newspaper, told NBC News. “She’s on the stamps that we lick and put on our envelopes, she’s on the coins that we pay for everything with … she is an institution, she is a national treasure.” The queen is marking her birthday by meeting well-wishers outside Windsor Castle, west of London. She is also lighting the first of more than 1,000 beacons throughout the country in honor of the event. “As a nation we want to thank our queen for her boundless duty,” said Ingrid Seward, editor-in-chief of London-based Majesty magazine. “A lot of people don’t get near that [age], but she is still out there doing that, looking lovely in her brightly colored clothes, shaking hands, and talking to people.” Journalist and royal commentator Roya Nikkhah added: “She came to the throne in her early 20s and I think in this country the public recognize and admire and appreciate the fact that she has given pretty much her entire life to service.” The Windsor event is no anomaly; despite her age the Queen carried out 306 engagements in the U.K. and 35 abroad in 2015, leaving the younger royals in her wake. Prince Harry, Prince William and Duchess Kate managed only 198 domestic and 94 foreign engagements between them last year. “I think it’s remarkable,” 84-year-old royal enthusiast Tim O’Donovan said. “How many ladies of 90 work as hard as she does?” O’Donovan, a retired banker from Windsor, has marked every royal event for the past 37 years by adding clippings of the occasion to his scrapbook.
10 unusual facts about Queen Elizabeth • She became the first reigning Sovereign to have a child since Queen Victoria when she gave birth to Prince Andrew in 1960. • She created a new dog breed—the “dorgi”—when Princess Margaret’s dachshund Pipkin mated with one of her corgis, according to the British Royal Family’s website: “There have been 8 dorgis—Tinker, Pickles, Chipper, Piper, Harris, Brandy, Cider and Berry.” • Photography is one of her hobbies. • Some of the most unusual gifts she has received during her reign include: two live tortoises and a 7-year-old bull elephant named “Jumbo.” • She has about 200 racing pigeons. • A 116-year-old Canadian man was the oldest person she has ever written a letter to, and that was in December 1984.
• In 1982, an intruder scaled Buckingham Palace and entered her bedroom. They had a 10-minute conversation before she called up security. Initially charged with burglary for drinking a bottle of Prince Charles’s wine, he was acquitted by a London jury. • A “gin and Dubonnet” has been her cocktail of choice, former personal chefs to the Queen told The Telegraph. • There is a practical reason for her monochromatic outfits. “You have to be able to see that figure in a lemon coat and hat from far away,” Hugo Vickers, author of Elizabeth, The Queen Mother, told the New York Times. • She has a way of imitating the sound of the Concorde, the now-defunct supersonic jet, royal biographer Sally Bedell Smith told People.
The queen was voted the most popular U.K. monarch of all time last year and most British people are in favor of the monarchy. But not everyone agrees. Almost a quarter of Britons said they did not think the country would still have a hereditary monarchy in 100 years’ time and 9 percent said they were against the royals altogether, according to a YouGov poll last year. Representing that viewpoint is the campaign group Republic, which wants to “see the monarchy abolished and the queen replaced with an elected, democratic head of state.” It calls the royal family “a broken institution.” Dr. Anna Whitelock, a researcher at Royal Holloway, University of London, says that while many people respect the monarchy, some question its place in a modern society. “It belongs in many ways to a bygone age,” she told NBC News. “There are some who would questions its relevance — what it symbolizes is privilege, elitism.” Furthermore, there are signs that the queen may need to start to take things a bit slower following her birthday. “I think that Buckingham Palace is very keen to say it’s business as usual,” Nikkhah said. “But there is no doubt that, at 90, both the queen and her aides see it as a game-changer, and there is only so much we can expect of the monarch at age 90.” British media reports suggest that some of the charities and causes championed by the queen will be handed over to younger royals. Duchess Kate will take on the queen’s patronage of the Wimbledon tennis tournament, Prince Harry will look after the governing body of rugby in England, and Prince Charles is expected to travel on more of the foreign tours in her stead. The next generation may be starting to take on more royal duties, but they acknowledge that when it comes to the royal family, the queen continues to reign. On tour in India this past week, Prince William spoke about his grandmother. “I am incredibly lucky to have my grandmother in my life,” he said. “As she turns 90, she is a remarkably energetic and dedicated guiding force for the family.” William added: “It is very important that everyone here tonight understands that I am here as the queen’s representative. She may be my grandmother, but she is also very much the boss.”
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Dear Bukola
Having problems with your marriage, family, relationship, career or life generally? Help is at hand with Bukola Oyetunji, Relationship Expert, Life Coach, Motivational Speaker, Author of Stranded With a Status and One Good Spouse Deserves Another. www.bukolaoyetunji.blogspot.com, Follow on twitter @bukolaoyetunji
bukola.oyetunji@gmail.com. +2347012974472
He hasn’t gotten over his wife
Dear Bukola, am a 32 year old woman in a relationship with a 42 year old divorced man. We started dating about 3 years ago. At the beginning it was smooth but all of a sudden he started comparing me with his ex-wife. Anything I did, his ex-wife had done better. Whatever I strive to do; he was always there to let me know his ex-wife had done it a long time ago. I told my friends about this attitude of his but they think I should allow him express himself and stop being selfish. I have never compared him with my ex-boyfriends so I feel sad that he won’t leave his ex-wife out of our relationship. Frustrated.
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Dear Romeo, Dear Frustrated, think your man needs some time alone to clear his head. It is disrespectful of him to keep comparing you to his ex-wife because that is why there is ‘ex’ before the ‘wife’. You deserve to have a relationship with him without the interference of the wife he couldn’t stay in a relationship with. You need to have a frank talk with him about how you feel about this issue. Ask him how he would feel if you brought your past relationships or ex (es) into your relationship with him. He shouldn’t make you feel inferior by comparing you with his ex-wife. If you achieve anything in life, he should appreciate you, encourage you and celebrate you for it. Like I wrote earlier, express your feelings to him; hopefully he would change. If he doesn’t, I think it would be best for you to take a walk…. Surely someone who would appreciate you and see you as their best option will find you. Good luck with it.
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I’m always so unlucky with love Dear Bukola, am a frequent reader of your column; you are doing a very good job in touching lives of people by providing adequate advice to help solve their relationship/life issues. Well-done ma! I need your help with my relationship problem. I am the type of guy that loves taking good care of women because I was brought up to know that they are very special creatures but over the years I have noticed that women don’t want to commit with me. After spending a lot of money and attention over them, they leave me for someone who is not even as caring, nice or good looking as I am; the type you could call a bad guy. My last relationship was the most painful because
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I already started plans to take her home to mama. I helped her start a business she really loved and without meeting her parents, I spent a lot of money on them. Despite all these, she broke up with me without batting an eyelid… I’ve really been unlucky with love. One of my friends advised me to become a mean or bad guy that I will get a woman to stay with me if I do that but I wasn’t brought up that way. What do you think I can do? Good guy. Dear Good guy Thank you for reading the column, grace speaks through us all. Also, please ensure you tell your friends. Sometimes being a good guy requires
patience especially in relationships. The fact that all the ladies you dated earlier did not appreciate the attention and money you showered on them does not mean you won’t get someone who will. I think the problem is that you keep dating the same type of women. Try to keep your mind open, soon you will meet a woman that will appreciate you and your person. There are women out there who have been maltreated by men in the past, if they meet a man like you, be rest assured they won’t let you go. Just keep doing good, don’t listen to your friend’s advice because if you become a bad guy, getting a woman that would make a good wife may be a difficult feat to achieve. All the best!
My husband never listens to a word I say Dear Bukola, I have tried all my best to understand why my husband wouldn’t listen to a word I say all to no avail. He never listens to my advice over anything. Even when I have some personal issues I want him to attend to all he does is ignore me. I am tired of this attitude of his. Anonymous. Dear Anonymous. he truth is men seldom listen (no offences meant) except you state your points properly. You need to study his mood so that you can know when to discuss whatever you have on your mind with him. Like I tell women all the time, each man has a particular key that opens his door. As women, we need to study our men properly in order to identify their likes and dislikes and how to make them dance to our tune. I want you to take your time to know how you can get through to your husband. He will listen to you. Getting him to attend to your personal issues also would not be impossibility if you can take your time to understand him. There is q8bring up personal issues you need help with. He is your husband so I believe no matter what; he would want the best for you. Lastly, be patient with him. If you ask him for favours the first time and he is not forthcoming, give him some time and try again. Show him love as much as possible and try to be there for him when he needs you too. All the best in your marriage.
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Male
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What if the man is p A
Adjust
confidant, according to the dictionary is a close friend or associate with whom secrets or very private issues are discussed. Where relationships are concerned, a confidant will definitely be that man or woman who is readily available to listen and to share moments that touch or affect the feelings of his or her partner. Most times, men are most guilty of exposing their women to confidants who may end up being harmless or very harmful. I must clear here, however, that not all confidants end up sleeping with their female co-confidants or snatch the woman from her husband. Some are just there to keep her company. Whatever case it may be, once a woman or man is pushed into seeking confidants outside her matrimonial home or relationship as the case may be, an intruder is given an entrance and a distraction is caused. Like I said earlier, men are most guilty. They are the ones who are usually distracted by all kinds of clutters that they bring along their relationships. These clutters are any third-party that can disturb the equilibrium, peace or intimacy between couples. Apart from children who at times take the attention of women, work, television, friends, hobbies and most recently, the laptops and handsets are the intruders taking the place of women and obstructing the free flow of communication between couples. A man who is too busy or tired to pick his woman’s calls or listen to her gists will in no time drive her into the waiting arms of a confidant most time in the office. Women love to talk and to be listened to. They love to share their daily experiences with their partners. Most men however, see this as frivolous and time wasting. They hide under the necessity to cater for the home and end up turning their wives to one of their properties in the house. This do not always go down well with women. And believe me, this is one major factor affecting sexual relationship in almost all homes. Taking time to share and talk out issues bring couples together which of course strengthens sexual relationships. Its absence makes the relationship too formal, rigid and very boring. It eventually and usually drifts cou-
ples apart. What most me don’t know is that a marriage or relationship is only as strong as what it costs to protect it. In other words, you value what you invest in. What to do Couples who spend quality time together stay together. We all live busy lives but we should make out time together as a couple sacrosanct. We should make it our top priority if we want to make our marriage work. Stop neglecting your wife by staying glued to the Television set all the time for whatever reason. Don’t sit near your wife and be engaged with your Ipad, Iphone or whatever technological device you own. In marriage creed, it’s a sin not to listen and pay attention when the other partner is trying to communicate. Communicate deeply with one another. Openly talk about your wobbles and foibles; your worries and triumphs. This helps to create a convivial atmosphere around the home. Planning outings without the kids makes a relationship interesting Draw the line between your friends and your wife. Make your wife, of course, first in all that you do. If she discovers that she is very important on your agenda, she will have no need to go and confide in another person outside. There is one profoundly simple truth that men need to know. It’s this – Women leave men they love. It is hard to believe or to do but when they are left with no other option, they do. I tell you, most women have had to do this. They feel terrible about it. It tears their heart out, but they do it. They rally their courage and their resources and they leave. Women leave men with whom they have children, homes and lives. Women leave for many reasons, but there’s one reason in particular that I want men to understand: Women leave because their men are not present. He’s working, golfing, gaming; watching TV, fishing… the list is long. These aren’t bad men. They’re good men. They’re good fathers. They support their families. They’re nice, likeable. But they take their wife for granted. They’re not present. I have heard some Women say “Someone could come and sweep me off my feet, right out from under my husband.” Sometimes the realization
SEX TALK
This column is x-rated
14 bedroom mistakes women make Faking orgasm: It might seem like a kindness to fake an orgasm -- if it makes your partner feel better, what’s the problem? First, you’re denying yourself pleasure -- that’s a bad habit. Second, if you fake it, you’re giving your partner the wrong impression. The stuff that your significant other thinks is working for you isn’t working. Over time, reinforcing that wrong impression can lead to a not-so-satisfying sex life. Masturbation-phobia: Your partner masturbates. So what? It doesn’t mean there’s anything wrong with your sex life. It just means your partner’s human. 91% of men under age 70 have masturbated and 76% of women -- and likely many more. Masturbation has benefits, too: It relieves stress, helps with PMS pain in women, reduces early ejaculation in men, and may even help you sleep. Seeking simultaneous orgasm: If you’re always trying for simultaneous orgasms, give yourself a break. For most couples, it’s impossible to control. Trying just adds a level of pointless pressure -- and, usually, disappointment. It’s tough to surrender to the moment if you’re gauging your partner and your partner is gauging you. Instead, take turns so you can each give in and fully enjoy yourselves. Look at simultaneous orgasms as nice but rare things, like seeing a shooting star. Wondering why men think about sex so much: It’s one of those clichés that seems to be true, at least according to research. One recent study found that on average, men think about sex twice as often as women
do. Of course, that doesn’t mean that sex isn’t important for women or that they don’t think about it plenty. That same study showed that the average woman thinks about sex 10 times a day. Worrying about not having enough sex: If you’re preoccupied with how much sex you “should” be having, or how much sex is “normal,” we’ve got good news. There is no ideal, recommended amount. So you can stop worrying about how much sex you think everyone else is having and focus on your own relationship. How much sex will keep you both fulfilled? That’s what really matters. Turning the bedroom into a junkyard: Consider how our bedrooms tend to become warehouses for junk -- unfolded laundry, piles of dusty magazines, and kids’ toys. Getting in the mood for sex means shutting out distractions, and that’s easier to do if your bedroom is not full of nagging reminders of boring, daily life. Stripping down your bedroom to make a more neutral, relaxing space can help. Thinking men will have sex anytime, anywhere: A lot of women are surprised and maybe even dismayed when their partner doesn’t feel in the mood. Don’t jump to the conclusion that there’s some deeper, underlying problem. You know what it’s like not to feel like having sex. He may just be tired or having a bad day -- it happens to everyone. Try again later. Believing honesty is the best policy: Sur-
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YEMISI ADENIRAN 08029894772 email: ydiran@yahoo.com
perpetually absent? V
This column is x-rated prised? If you’re unhappy with some aspect of your sex life, you need to talk about it. But that doesn’t mean you should list every last one of your complaints. Sex is a sensitive topic for everyone, and your partner is likely to feel hurt. Try to keep the discussion positive. Emphasize what’s going right -- and encourage more of that -- instead of dwelling on what’s wrong. Never spring a serious discussion about your lack of sexual fulfillment during sex. That’s not going to go well. Shying away from sex aids: Too many women worry that masturbating, particularly with a vibrator, will desensitize them. Actually, some research has shown the opposite. One study found that compared with women who didn’t use vibrators, women who did had better lubrication, were more easily aroused, and found it easier to orgasm when having sex. Experts say that masturbating helps you get in touch with what you like sexually, and that can make for a richer sex life with your partner. Not realising that men are visual beings: This is another cliché that’s backed up by scientific data. It’s not that women aren’t visual; it’s that they have more avenues to arousal. Men are likely to be turned on most by visual cues. If he really wants to do it with the lights on, or is always pestering you to wear lingerie, you may have biology to thank. Taking work to bed: Many couples don’t have much time alone together during the week. Because of that, the few hours that they do have after work often get eaten up by practical discussions -- talking about work, the kids’ upcoming birthday parties, and your budget for the next week. It’s not exactly sexy. To improve
This column is x-rated your love life, make a conscious decision to steer clear of stressful topics before and in bed. Yes, those things still need to be discussed, but try -- for instance -- getting them out of the way in an email exchange during the day. Shunning adventure in bed: Trying something new in bed? Terrific! Experimenting sexually will help keep your relationship fresh. Just make clear what your boundaries are beforehand. Some women worry that they’ll seem inflexible and uptight if they start listing stuff they don’t want to do. But setting clear guidelines before you get busy is good. You’ll both feel more comfortable and relaxed, and that can lead to better sex. Relying on spontaneity: When it comes to sex, planning gets a bad rap. Sure, at the beginning of a relationship, it’s easy to have lots of spontaneous sex. But as you settle in -- especially if you’re also juggling jobs and kids -- relying on spontaneity is a mistake. Sex can get shoved aside from the more pressing stuff that makes it into your daily planner. If planning sex seems unromantic, think again. Remember: Vacations and days off are fun, and we plan those. What’s wrong with planning sex? Not being open to new ideas: Sometimes, women can get a little uneasy when partners suggest something new in bed. It can feel like a sign of dissatisfaction with you. Try not to look at it that way. Remember that a healthy sex life is always growing and changing. Why go through life doing the same three things in bed for 60 (or more) years? If you’re not particularly keen on the suggestion, just say so. But think about suggesting something else that you’d like to try instead.
Totally unacceptable!
ery many men today have sacrificed romance for their careers, no thanks to the economic downturn in the country. The song on the lips of almost all today is: hold tight to your job for there are countless others struggling to snatch it from you when the least opportunity presents itself. As a result, therefore, most men cling to their careers, get glued to it and romance it as if that is all that there is to living. This is not right. At least, with me, it is just not right. It is unacceptable. It is intolerable. No amount of excuses that may be put forward would make me agree with anyone that romance should be sacrificed for a career. Whether anyone agrees with me or not, everything has its place in the life of a human being. The career has its role to play, so is romance. As far as I am concerned, sacrificing one for the other would amount to doing the wrong thing. Much as the career is needed to keep up the financial state of the home, it can never be an excuse to abandon romance. Rather, it should be employed to create the required atmosphere for a good romance. Abandoning romance for career has its gave implications. How on earth, would a man expect his wife to cope when he is the type that leaves home early and comes back in the dead of the night only to wake up early the next day for the office? How on earth would a man expect his wife to cope with a business trip to Dubai today, another one to America tomorrow and yet another one to only God knows where? It would just not work. I can’t see how a man would convince me that all because he wants to feed the family, provide the best of homes for us and make us absolutely comfortable, he would have to turn his career to his better half. No. I can’t be convinced, and I believe a truly caring and loving wife who is passionate about her relationship would allow that. Most women marry their husbands not because of their careers, even though that may be, in a way, an attraction, but to a great extent because of the love they have for them. So, for them to be abandoned, because that is what it amounts to at the end of the day, would just not be right. Like I was saying earlier, the sacrifice of romance for career by some men has been discovered to be the major reason for the problems in many marriages today. We have heard of cases of women “making up” with drivers, cooks, brother –in-laws and other persons, including people in the neighbourhood, when the “oga” of the house has abandoned his home and wife for his career. These are the people that give them the affection they are denied by their career-minded husbands. As much as no reason would be permitted for infidelity, it bothers the mind what option is left for these set of women who find themselves in this circumstance. For most men, staying glued to their career does not mean that they are strictly upright, if you get what I mean. We have heard stories of men on their so called endless business trips and how some skimpily dressed god-forsaken sluts hover around them and play the role of
the madam outside the home. This, of course, keeps the men away from the home under the excuse of being glued to their careers. With romance gone, where is love? With love nowhere to be found, where the sweet home to come back to? The children even suffer and the natural good home building that Africans are known for will be lacking. It makes the man not able to play his fatherly role at home, thus leaving the children to be brought up by a “single” mother. For the man too, it becomes a disadvantage. What is the essence of the career then if because of the money that comes in or the mere love of the career, he is not able to build a home where he would retire to at the end of the day and savour the bliss of a warm romance or happy family in general? My take is that many men who think romance is not necessary as long as the career is intact, should have a rethink. The right thing is to balance the two and get the rare pleasure of the two worlds without one hurting the other. How pleasant it would be to take care of your career and romance. This will amount to maximising the gains of the two key factors in making a good life. This helps keep the home intact and gets you more loved, appreciated and appreciative. Therefore, to enjoy the benefits of the two worlds, you need to make these efforts and you will be surprised how beneficial it will be. Give priority to both your work and love life by not sacrificing one for the other. If you have to work late night, you should let it be known that it is not because you don’t appreciate your love life. Make up for it in another way and let it not be to the detriment of your work. This is because when you get promoted in the office and everything is looking up, you will get the love of your life to share in the pleasure. Give unto Caesar what is Caesar’s so the popular saying goes. In this instance, what you need to do is when at work, be focused and give your all. Don’t let your love life distract you because you will have enough time for it later. In the same way, you don’t have to take a load of work home. Devote the time at home for your love life and you will find your partner loving you then ever. Time management is another factor that you must note. You have to plan your life well so that nothing will suffer. If you will embark on a business trip that will take you some time away from home, you can arrange a weekend outing with your partner. This will be an opportunity to spoil her and give her the kind of feeling that will linger enough in her memory before your return. With that kind of arrangement, you will be able to concentrate well at work and that will increase your productivity. Another opportunity made available is social networking. That can come to the rescue too. So, even while in the office, and without disturbing your work, you can take some time out to send text messages to your partner and chat on the Facebook. So, guys, it is simply unacceptable for you to sacrifice romance for career. It is certainly intolerable. No excuse will do. Get romantic while you take care of your career. Just balance it.
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Parenting
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How to care for infants Children are like wet cement. Whatever falls on them makes an impression
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nfants are small, helpless, and needful newborns and need their parents or caregivers to take care of them. They need a lot of attention. Sometimes, providing that care as a new parent or caregiver can seem daunting. Take a deep breath - it gets easier once you learn about your infant’s basic needs and how to provide for them.
Eating is pretty much a new infant’s favourite way to spend “awake time”. Newborns grow very quickly and have a need to consume milk, either from a breast or bottle, to help support and sustain that growth. Breast milk or formula is a choice each parent should make before a newborn arrives so they can be prepared with the appropriate knowledge and equipment that will be needed to feed a newborn. Make sure to ask the nursing staff or a lactation consultant if you need help feeding your infant before leaving the hospital. Dirtying up diapers is the result of all that eating! Plus, it’s a good indication that your infant is getting enough nutrients and formula. Each baby should have about 8-10 wet and/or dirty diapers a day through the first six weeks
of life. After about six to eight weeks you may see this decrease to between 4-6 wet diapers a day, and some baby’s may only have a bowel movement once every week or two! Make sure you are prepared with some diapers before your newborn arrives; pull them out of the pack and familiarize yourself with the way the diaper goes on and closes. Be prepared for “accidents” when your still getting use to changing your baby. Bathing an infant everyday is not necessary. Since most newborns do not get down on the floor and crawl around in dirt, bathing is not essential to everyday care. However, it is a good idea to give your infant a wipe down (especially in the diaper area and under chin/neck folds) just to ensure baby is clean and sanitary. A gentle bath at night before bed may help an infant relax and sleep better.
Umbilical cord care is an often unpleasant but necessary task with newborns. Each time you change a baby’s diaper you should use a cotton swab or ball to cleanse around the umbilical cord. Be careful not to pull or tug on the umbilical cord as this could force it to come off before has
Parenting
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father in India has chopped off the hands of a teenager who was accused of raping his sevenmonth-old daughter. Parminder Singh, 25, is said to have beaten the 17year old, tied him to a tree, and hacked off both his hands, before leaving him abandoned next to a canal. The teenager was accused of molesting Singh’s baby daughter after allegedly being caught in the act by the baby’s mother. Police sent him to a juvenile remedial home as he awaited trial. On April 19, he was
healed into a belly button. Also, when you are cleaning the umbilical area, be sure to watch for unusual discharge or blood as this may indicate an infection or tear. By the time your baby is two months old, this will fall off and you won’t have to worry about it anymore!
Toys are not necessary to newborn infants as they cannot see far and have little interest in anything but people and faces. If you want to buy toys for your infant, pick things that are contrasting, like a soft black and white block with some red on it, as colours are very hard for newborns to make out. Infant massage and skin to skin time are important bonding times when caring for an infant. As a parent, you want to do all you can to make your baby feel safe, secure, and loved, so take some time out of the day to rub your baby down with lotion or hold him/her up against your bare skin (baby’s skin should be bare also). This contact is reassuring to a newborn, who is used to being inside of mom’s belly and hearing and feeling the constant presence of another human being. Sleep is important for both new parents and new
babies. New babies should sleep about 16 hours a day, but they usually sleep in spurts. Don’t get frustrated with your infant because they won’t sleep, there is probably a reason why. Most babies need to be fed about every 2-4 hours because they have small stomachs.
Uncomfortable wetness or dirty diapers can also wake a baby. Sometimes, babies just want to be held or comforted. Develop a strategy with your partner for taking care of an infant when you are both tired. Ensuring that everybody is well rested will make life with an infant much easier.
Tiny Feet
NAME: Anjolaoluwa Onikute
BORN TO: Mr and Mrs Jokotola Onikute AGE: 1 month old BIRTH WEIGHT: 2.8kg Have you just had a baby? Send a picture of your bundle of joy to mirrorbabies@gmail.com
Father chops off hands of Update seven-month-old daughter’s rapist
making a court appearance in the Bathinda district of Punjab, when the baby’s father apparently lured him away by offering him an out of court settlement. Swapan Sharma, a senior police officer of Bathinda said: “He (the father) took him near a dried up canal, beat him up badly and then tied him to a tree and finally hacked his hands off. “Locals alerted police and we rushed to the spot. We picked him up, picked his hands, and took him to the hospital.” He confirmed the man was in a stable condition, but
said: “There is nothing below the wrists now.” The police say they are now hunting for the father, a brick labourer, who they will charge with attempted murder. Sexual assault is a prevalent problem in India, with 24,923 cases of rape reported in the country in 2012 alone. Nearly one in three rape victims are under the age of 18. The country suffers from a slow, and often corrupt legal justice system, which leads many people to turn to vigilante justice.
• The father lured suspect away from court appearance and tied him to a tree • He beat him and hacked off his hands
In November 2014, a 36-yearold Indian father tortured and killed his daughter’s
alleged rapist, who was a tenant in his home, before turning himself in to police.
Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
APRIL 23, 2016
Mirror
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Community celebrates renovation of expressway
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Eric ElEzuo
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ew weeks ago, we published on this column the devastating situation of the Mechanic bus stop road in Mebamu community, along the Badagry Expressway. The state of the road became worsened with the heavy traffic on it, which was mostly occasioned by the constant movement of heavy duty vehicles on the axis. Prior to the publication, countless number of trailers, tankers and many other types of articulated vehicles have somersaulted at the spot, spilling their contents, and causing long queues in resultant hold-ups. This, consequently, brought about untold hardship to both residents of the community, their visitors and other road users. But in a twist of fate recently, members of the community woke one morning to discover that the road has been given a facelift. According to most of the residents, who responded to Saturday Mirror’s enquiries, the project was the greatest surprise to have happened to them, adding that nobody expected the gesture prior to its execution. The insisted that there was nothing that presented a clear demonstration of the renovation before the finished work was witnessed early one morning as the residents came out to board buses for the day’s activities. The first callers to the road on Tuesday morning were full of smiles even as the fuel crisis bites harder with its attendant rise in price of commodities, especially fares. They confided in Saturday Mirror that this is what government is all about, and not noise making with no attendant action. The renovated road, which stretched from Mechanic bus stop till Iyana Isasi, took proper care of dilapidated areas, and restored smoothness. Some residents noted that from the face value, the job looks thourough while a few believed that as a ‘hush hush’ job, the situation will soon go back to despondency. One of the residents, who made it to the bus stop earlier that morning, and gave his name as Chudi, said he was impressed at the effort of whoever was responsible for the good works on the expressway. “This is very good. Whoever God has touched to do this should be applauded considering that this is a country where everybody thinks for himself alone. While we clamoured for the repairs or renovation, we were not really expecting much. As a result, this deserves celebrating, and I will celebrate in my own little and private way,” he said beaming with smiles. Chudi was not the only one so elated. A woman who preferred being addressed as Sidi, and sells recharge cards at the bus stop said that at least the government has proved for once that they are responsible. She cited the secrecy with which the work was done as novelty, saying that action speaks better than noise. “If you come to this place in the morning and witness the commotion that is always seen here, you will pity the people living around here. Vehicles come from every direction, and you
wouldn’t even know the direction to your destination because vehicles are facing random directions. We thank God for his little mercies, and more especially the quietness with which the whole job was done. We woke up in the morning to see the beauty of governance. It is appreciated,” she enthused. Saturday Mirror sought the opinion of some members of the Community Development Association towards ascertaining their level of involvement in the bringing to reality the repairs of the road that has caused so much hardship to the residents. ‘In all reality, the community has no hand in the renovation as regards provision of funds and manpower. It is true that the executive and the baale, in his own way, have at one time or another, spoken to some friends in the government concerning the situation. But since these approaches are basically unofficial, nothing was expected from them. So, I can say categorically that the government did it for the sole purpose of what they are – government,” a vice president of one the CDAs in the area, who prefers anonymity, said. However, last weekend, members the community trooped out from their individual corners and shouted their joys for the magnanimous efforts, saying it is like a dream come true, as not in
all cases do government respond to the peoples’ clamour for a particular good life, adding that it is therefore, something worth marking and celebrating. A resident recounted how he luckily escaped a falling trailer at the worse part of the damaged road. “I had got down from the bus, and was making my way to crossing the road when I noticed struggling to find a most suitable area to pass through. The dangling nature of the container against the heavily mangle road made me become conscious of my movement. Suddenly, I decided to go back to the other side of the road where I started from, and that was when I heard a deafening sound, followed by dust everywhere. The container of the train had fallen, the head redirected. The fall was not far from where I had left. I stood still in fear for a moment before I recovered myself, and started praising God,” the resident, adding that with the rehabilitation of the road, the repeat of such unfortunate incident is remote. On the other hand, some members of the community, in the typical manner of not being satisfied, has condemned the renovation, saying that the materials used are cheap and quick-to-spoil materials that will not stand the test of time. “See what they have done. Once the rain starts now, the whole thing will
return to square one or if heavy duty lorries should use the road. I am sure that one contractor has siphoned the larger part of the money, and come out with this thing,” a woman, who was talking to no one in particular said. However, like every good thing that comes with its prices, the renovation has also caused a few traders some customers and sales. A food seller said that the lull in the traffic at that point has been a source of business boom for her as motorists and commuters use the opportunity to make a quick stop and ‘reload’ themselves. She regretted that now the traffic flows speedily, and there is no longer opportunity to make orders. In the same vein, most artisans, hawkers and brisk business undertakers of many kinds, have said that though the effort at repairing the road is a welcome development, but it has come with a price which they just have to let go – their business. However, a call has been made to the government to develop a Zebra Crossing at the point to enable school children and other road users find easy access to go from one end of the road to the other. This, they believe will find expression, considering that the major work of reconstructing the thoroughfare has been undertaken.
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How terrible is Staphylococcus? H
ow terrible is staphylococcus? Well, it depends on who is asking, and of course also on who is providing the answer. A significant number of well advertised ‘’medical practitioners’’ who benefit from the staphylococcus scare will tell you it is one of the worst ailments you could possibly be afflicted with. To them, Staph is to be blamed for all sort of problems; physical, mental or even spiritual. It is not a strange sight to see white and black posters of these practitioners at street corners, proclaiming the expertise of a staphylococcus ‘professor’ who is ready and able to diagnose and cure you of the deadly disease. If your erection is weak, it is staph! If you cannot impregnate your wife, it is staph too and if your period is dark colored; or you are experiencing repeated miscarriage, you are simply suffering from staphylococcus infection! As a result, when anyone is diagnosed of having staph infection, you can bet that such persons will be worried. Sadly too, once the diagnosis is made, it is very difficult to convince these normal healthy people that they don’t have a life threatening illness at all. This brings us to the question. What exactly is this staphylococcus? And how terrible a disease does it cause really?
What is staphylococcus? Staphylococcus is a type of bacteria and its one that is somehow ubiquitous. A good number of us have the organism resident on our skin, in our nostrils, around the armpit etc without any harm to us. Its effects on the body are more mild than severe. The severe form of the disease usually results from toxins released by the bacteria into the body, but with the appropriate antibiotics treatment, it is surely NOT the killer disease most people are wont to believe. It is instructive to know also that even these severe forms of the infection are mainly diagnosed in immunosuppressive individuals So what disease does it cause? Staphylococcus aureus, the most popular member in this group is responsible for simple infections limited to the skin and occasionally for more invasive infections. It may cause Skin/soft tissue infections: like Boil Impetigo Cellulitis Wound infection
And the most severe of them all Staphylococcus skin scalded syndrome: which is most commonly found in children. It presents as large blisters, which break and leave scars resembling that of someone who has been scalded by a hot liquid, hence the name. Systemic infection: The skin infections caused by staph seldomly spread deeper into the body and cause various diseases depending on the area of the body affected It infects the joints and cause ‘’septic arthritis’’ It infects the bone to cause ‘’osteomyelitis’’ The lungs to cause ‘’pneumonia’’ The heart to cause ‘’endocarditis’’ The intestine to cause ‘food poisoning’ when ingested in contaminated food And The blood to cause ‘’sepsis’’ or its more severe form; Toxic shock syndrome: in which case, the bacteria releases toxins into the blood and leads to life threatening symptoms such as high fever, faint-
ing, dizziness .This condition, which used to be common when women use tampons more frequently and left it for too long inside the vagina is rare these days; with the advent of more hygienic alternatives. Route of transmission: As earlier stated, staph is a harmless resident on the skin and other parts of the body. From here it can spread in various ways such as: •Through a break in the skin •Direct skin to skin contact or through sharing of personal materials such as towels •Through food contaminated by a cook who hasn’t washed the hand properly Or •Through invasive objects such as catheters passed into the body Treatments: Staphylococcus can be easily diagnosed with the appropriate tests in the hospital. Even after diagnosis however, not all cases require treatments. For minor skin lesions, merely cleaning with antiseptic solution and keeping it clean will suffice until the infection resolves spontaneously. In more serious infections, antibiotics are required for treatment. The antibiotics to use vary and the doctor will be in the best position to determine that, especially because of the multi drug resistant strain of staphylococcus now common. Despite this, staphylococcus infections are rarely
fatal. The treatment modalities are; Application of appropriate antibiotics, in form of tablets, creams or injections And Where necessary, surgical drainage of pus or abscess from bigger lesions. Prevention: You can prevent staphylococcus infection in different ways: •When you have a wound ,clean with antiseptic solution to prevent an already existing staph colony from invading the wound •Avoid sharing intimate materials like towels, under wears, toothbrushes etc. •Make hand washing with soap and water a habit ,it prevents the spread of a lot of infections And •Cook your food properly to avoid staph poisoning Conclusion: Staphylococcus is resident in more people than we are led to believe, however it is far less dangerous than projected . Therefore, at this time and age, you should not allow anyone talk you into parting with your hard earned money for a magic concoction that would cure all the ‘’staphylococcus’’ in your life. You can chat with a doctor FREE at www.prettyhealthcare.com. ng. Every Wednesdays and Fridays (4-8pm)
Sport
Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
APRIL 23, 2016
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Super Eagles players in training session: Inset Rev. Iloh
NFF Leadership Tussle:
Stop embarrassing Nigeria, Rev Iloh cautions Giwa IfeanyI eduzor
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s the proprietor of Giwa Fc, Chris Giwa continues to lay claim to the leadership of Nigeria Football Federation following the judgment of Jos Federal High Court two weeks ago that nullified the election that brought in Amaju Pinnick as president of the country’s football house, former Vice President of Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC), Rev. Dr.Moses Iloh has advised him to bury his ambition for the interest of the country’s football. In an exclusive interview with Saturday Mirror, he noted that instead of Giwa subjecting Nigeria football to distraction and international embarrassment, he should re-strategize and prepare well for the next election “It is unfortunate that we are witnessing this type of embarrassment in Nigerian football.
It is equally unfortunate that it is only in Nigeria that everybody jostles for the leadership of the football house without having any agenda of what he wants to do when he gets the job which is run profitably in other countries. “I understand that Giwa has a football club based in Jos. That to any civilized person is not enough to earn him the plum job. Where is he coming from? What is his pedigree in the sport he aspires to lead? “People should not misunderstand me because am not trying to downgrade him or doubt his ability to administer the game well but the way and manner he is going about the whole thing makes me conclude that he is over ambitious and desperate for power. “Giwa should also understand that his insistence on removing the NFF president through the judiciary will make Nigeria incur the wrath of FIFA who has already threatened to
suspend the country if the issue is not settled amicably and once this is done, Nigeria will not be part of the Rio 2016 Olympics”, cautioned the foremost sports administrator. According to the erstwhile President of Nigeria Cycling Federation who also doubles as Grand patron of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, Lagos chapter, there is the need for the Minister of Youth and Sports, Solomon Dalung to use his good offices and bring lasting peace to the glass house even as he commended the Minister for taking the bold initiative of setting up a seven man reconciliation committee headed by former NFA President Alhaji Ibrahim Galadima to restore peace to the football house. He noted that although, it has been reported that Giwa’s group has rejected the committee, but he is optimistic that with proper counseling, they will accept the committee. “My advice is that the sports
minister has a major role to play. I expect him to use his good offices to broker peace among the two warring factions. “I must commend his decision to set up a reconciliation committee headed by a respected sports administrator and one time President of NFA, Ibrahim Galadima to broker peace among the factions and I expect both Pinnick and Giwa to respect the committee and accept whatever recommendations they make at the end of their sitting”, stated the General overseer of Steward of Soul Winning Chapel Yaba, Lagos. On the current state of Nigerian football, Rev. Iloh noted that there is the need for the Amaju Pinnick led board to be supported by all Nigerians to enable them reposition the country’s football which he says has taken a nose dive in recent years. “The present board of the NFF under Amaju Pinnick
should be supported by all Nigerians to enable them succeed. Anybody that wants to mount the stage should go through due process, which is election. Nigerians of all shades owe the current executive committee the obligation of total support which is fair play that the game preaches. “On their own part, members of the board must ensure they carry all stake holders along and accept meaningful advice on the way forward as that is the only way we can have the type of Super Eagles we were all proud of in the 90’s. “It is also important for Amaju Pinnick as the man in charge of football in the country to ensure he works with broad-minded individuals who are conversant with the terrain of African football politics to avoid further heartaches caused to Nigerians during important qualifying matches on the African scene”, concluded the octogenarian.
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MIRROR SPORT
MirrorGolf Mirror With Pius Anakali
APRIL 23, 2016
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Scott, Oosthuizen opt out of Rio Olympics
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dam Scott has ruled himself out of selection for the Rio Olympics, opening the door for Marc Leishman to play for golf ’s first gold medal in 112 years. World No7 Scott issued a statement from his home in the Bahamas, confirming his unavailability. The 2013 Masters champion had long indicated he had little interest in going to Rio for golf ’s long awaited return to the Games, preferring to focus all his efforts around the sport’s traditional four major championships. But Australia’s Olympic golf captain Ian Baker-Finch had held out hope he’d have a change of heart and join world No1 Jason Day in a high-powered two-man men’s team. “My decision has been taken as a result of an extremely busy playing schedule around the time of the Olympics and other
Scott
commitments, both personal and professional,” said Scott. “I have informed the Australian team captain and relevant authorities, who are understanding of my position and I wish the Australian Olympic team the very best of luck in Rio.” Meanwhile, former Open champion Louis Oosthuizen of South Africa has joined Adam Scott in opting out of the Olympic Games in Rio.
Masters champion, Willett joins PGA Tour
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anny Willett has joined the PGA Tour following his Masters triumph at Augusta this month in the year’s first major championship. Willett, 28, will receive a five-year exemption on the US tour that runs through the 2020-21 season on the
strength of his three-shot victory for his maiden major. So far in the 2015-16 season, Willett has three top-five finishes in five starts in US tour events and climbed to No9 in the world rankings. The golfer, who has five career wins on the European Tour, has also won this season’s Dubai Desert Classic.
Johnston claims first European Tour win
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ndrew Johnston won his first European Tour title with victory by one shot at the Spanish Open in Valderrama. The 27-year-old was one over for the tournament after a final-round 70, with Joost Luiten a shot behind and Sergio Garcia finishing on three over. Tournament host Garcia produced the best round of the final day with 67 but missed from 10 feet for an eagle on the 17th and bogeyed the last. “It’s great, I’m so happy with the way I played,” said Johnston. “I drove the ball well all week, chipped and putted pretty well but struggled a bit with my irons the first three days. “I just kept going and digging in and found something on the fourth. “I hit one four iron as a lay-up and hit it straight out of the middle and was like ‘OK, there you go, that’s the feeling’, and I
managed to keep that going the whole way through.” Overnight leader Michael Lorenzo-Vera quickly dropped down the standings before two-time major winner Martin Kaymer and playing partner Luiten had spells at the top of the standings. However, they fell away and Johnston made up for a three-putt bogey on the 14th with a birdie from 20 feet on the 16th on the way to victory.
Johnston
Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
NFF crisis fallout: Ex-3SC boss flays gang-up on Giwa FC AfolAbi GAmbAri
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ormer chairman of Shooting Stars FC of Ibadan, Elder Bode Oyewole, has faulted the circumstances that the Nigeria Premier Football League side Giwa FC of Jos has endured in the season which enters the 13th week tomorrow. Oyewole spoke to National Mirror against the backdrop of what he called questionable officiating that the Jos club has suffered in recent weeks which he described as possible backlash of the ongoing crisis between club’s Chairman, Ambassador Chris Giwa, and the hierarchy of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF). “I am opposed to what is happening to Giwa FC at the moment whereby matches involving the team are not unnecessarily inconclusive, but also visited by deliberate poor officiating,” Oyewole, who is also a seasoned journalist, said. “The fact is that the situation that involves the club’s boss with the NFF is being allowed to descend to a ridiculous level, suggesting a gang-up, and I think this ugly trend must be addressed urgently in the inter-
Elder Bode Oyewole
est of progress in the league,” he added. According to Oyewole, the new season has seen the NPFL attain prominent height compared to the recent past and should be sustained. “Every stakeholder is happy with the turnaround that the league has enjoyed and efforts can only be geared towards improving on the standard attained,” the football admin-
istrator further said, stressing, “Giwa’s players are like their colleagues in other teams who want to maximise new opportunities offered by the NPFL.” Although Giwa FC defeated Pillars of Kano 2-0 in a league game on April 6, the side has lost its two subsequent games to Plateau United and Nasarawa United in Jos and Katsina respectively amidst allegations of biased officiating.
NIS assures on athlete development ifEANYi EDUZor
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anagement of National Institute for Sports, (NIS), Lagos says that it will sustain its annual athlete development sports competition to enable it produce quality athletes for the country by the year 2020. In his address while declaring open the maiden edition organized for some selected secondary schools in Surulere Local Education District of Lagos State, Director of the institute Dr. Eke Kingdom Chukwudi noted that the decision to hold the competition was in response to the growing need for young athletes to have a forum for exhibiting and developing their talent and skills to ensure they become future champions. According to him, the NIS being an institution saddled with the responsibility of producing coaches as well as research realizes that quality positions and medals can only be earned and won when athletes are exposed to friendly, local and international competitions which prompted it to embark on grassroots development programme .
“We decided to organise the championship as part of our efforts at discovering talented athletes at the grassroots which is one of the principle objectives of establishing the NIS. “The competition is a response to the growing need for young athletes to have a forum for exhibiting and developing their talents and skills and our target is to catch the athletes young and through that get replacement for the ageing ones”, he stated. The NIS boss while explaining that the competition was uniquely packaged to focus on track and field events where the young athletes would showcase themselves in the area of athletics, promised that some of the athletes selected would soon be invited for camping even as he appealed for financial support from Government and corporate organizations to enable it nurture athletes for the country. The students participated in 100meters, 400 meters, 4x100 meters and Long Jump for both boys and girls. At the end of hostilities, Igiadu Gideon won the gold in 100 meters boys with Sulaiman Abdulahi and Mohammed Numan
winning the second and third positions respectively. In the girl’s category, Udoka Chidinma won the first position with the second and third positions going to Daramola Daudu and Ajake Peace. Certificates were presented to the winners by the Director assisted by the Acting Registrar, Adeyemi Adeneye Musibau. Eight schools namely; Akoka High School, Akoka, Araromi Secondary School, Orile, Grace Secondary School, Orile, Gbaja Boys High School, Surulere, Clegg Girls High School, Surulere, Seylek City School and Stadium High School both in Surulere took part in the one day competition.
Dr. Eke Kingdom Chukwud
Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
Leicester’s only aim is EPL title, says Ranieri
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eicester City boss Claudio tle ahead of some of the more Ranieri believes it is “now or traditional challengers has been never” for the Foxes to win compared to Nottingham Forest’s the Premier League title. achievements in the late 1970s and Leicester has enjoyed a remarkearly 1980s. able campaign and are five points Under Brian Clough, Forest won clear of Tottenham at the top of the then First Division title in 1978 the table with four games remainin what was their first season in the ing. top flight, before lifting successive They are already guaranteed a European Cups. top-three finish and Champions League football next season, and Ranieri say his focus is now on winning the title. “We achieved the Champions League; a great achievement for everyone but now we try to win the title with all our strength, all our heart, our soul, everything. “We need eight points and we are champions, and we will try to do this. I said to my players, ‘now is the right moment to push to the end.’” Leicester winning the tiRanieri
P/Harcourt to host Brown Ideye Challenge
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rrangements has been concluded for the successful hosting of the maiden edition of a thirty two team football tournament, christened the Brown Ideye Challenge slated for Port Harcourt, Rivers State. Olympiakos striker, Brown Ideye has decided to keep the youth of Port Harcourt and its environs busy by putting his resources to sponsor the one month fiesta. “It’s something I have planned to do for some time and I believe the youths of Port Harcourt will greatly benefit from this chance to showcase their talent to the world,” Ideye said. “A lot of people want to play
football but do not get the chance to do it at any level whatsoever, so I believe this will be one opportunity for them to shine.” Secretary of the Local Organising Committee of the event, Sanipe Damiete Tonte revealed that registration for the tournament will open on Saturday, April 23, 2016 and close a week later. “We have been planning this tournament since December last year and we always had it in mind that it will hold this time. “We propose that the event kicks off on Wednesday, May 2 with the final match before the end of the month with Brown Ideye himself present on the day,” Damiete said.
CNS championship ends today IfeanyI eduzor
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he final of this year’s annual Youth Sports Federation of Nigeria organized Chief of Naval Staff U-14 boys and Naval Officers Wives Association U-17 girl’s football competition will be decided today at the Old Parade Ground, Area 10, Abuja. Tournaments’ favoorite Enugu which has lived up to its rating before the championship will face Benue state to decide who amongst them will emerge this year’s champion. To get to the finals Enugu State defeated FCT 2-1 in the first semifinal while Benue recorded a 1-0 victory over Edo State to book a place in today’s final. In the female category, Delta
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MIRROR SPORT
APRIL 23, 2016
which recorded an emphatic 2-0 victory over Benue will confront FCT which defeated Lagos in a one sided semi- final match to decide who emerges the women champion. National President of YSFON, Nasiru Gawuna has expressed happiness with the spirit of sportsmanship exhibited by the teams just as he promised that the Federation will continue many competitions aimed at grassroots football development in the country. Meanwhile, Vice President North Central of YSFON, Mustapha Allahdey has commended the outstanding performances of some individual players positing that it is an indication that Nigeria boasts of abundant talents in the grassroots. “I am highly delighted with the football skills exhibited by some players such as; Umoru Monsuru from Edo state, Samuel Amusan and Isaac Abu from Osun State. Honestly these players mentioned are talented and can be well monitored and nurtured for the future. “With what I have seen from this championship, I have no doubt in my mind that Nigeria has abundant talents in the grassroots and we at YSFON will not relent in our efforts at developing football at the grassroots which the Federation is noted for”, he concluded.
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LMC, La Liga set to seal partnership deal
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delegation of the board of Spanish League (La Liga) will arrive Nigeria Monday for a bilateral meeting with the League Management Company to conclude discussions on collaboration between the two leagues which began during a similar visit by the LMC to Spain earlier this year. League Management Company Chairman, Shehu Dikko and Nduka Irabor, the Chief Executive Officer were in Madrid, Spain from February 29 to March 1 for follow-up talks with the La Liga initiated when both Leagues met at the Forum of World Leagues in Germany. The La Liga delegation will be led by the President, Javier Tebas, International Advisor, Melcior Solar, Head of La Liga South Africa, Antonia Barradas and Fernando Sanz, the Head of La Liga Middle East office, who is in charge of African affairs. The two bodies are expected to sign a memorandum of understanding for a partnership that will cover exchange of knowledge, trainings for Nigeria Professional Football League Club Coaches and administrators, La Liga and NPFL Clubs’ exchanges, marketing, commercial, promotional activities and Youth Development. Dikko said the visit is a land-
Dikko
mark for the NPFL as it will be a culmination of strategies for extensive and wholesome development of the league. “As a developing league, we have continuously sought collaborations with some of the global model league management and La Liga is the first of such coming into fruition. There are several benefits that will accrue from this relationship and we intend to tap deeply into their over 25 years of experience of commercialization of football”, said the LMC Chairman.
The delegation on arrival in Abuja will pay a courtesy visit to the Sports Minister, Solomon Dalung and the Spanish Ambassador to Nigeria and also undertake a tour of the Abuja National Stadium while the formal unveiling of the partnership will hold on Tuesday. “The formal unveiling of the partnership will hold on Tuesday while we would create opportunity for stakeholders to interact with the delegation at some point during the day”, Dikko further disclosed.
Rio Olympics: Iwobi warns against complacency
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lex Iwobi has warned Nigeria U-23 team against complacency when they begin their 2016 Olympics campaign in Brazil. The Dream Team VI are pooled in Group B alongside Japan, Sweden and Colombia and the Arsenal forward believes Samson Siasia’s men will triumph with hard work and commitment. “First, I would like to join the nation in commending Coach Samson Siasia for securing a ticket to the Rio Olympics football tournament “It took a lot of hard work, dedication and sacrifice on his part and we should not let his effort and the efforts of the officials and players be in vain. “If I am invited to be part of the Olympic; I assure fellow Nigerians that I will give my best. I am a Nige-
rian by birth and have made it clear that I will always offer my services to the nation if and when called upon to do so. “I remain grateful to England for the opportunities given me to play at youth level. However my decision has been made to give my services to Nigeria and there is no going back.” “I have noticed with interest the group draws. The favourites for the Olympic gold medal are of course Brazil or Argentina. However Nigeria has shown in the past that they are a nation to be reckoned with in Olympic football,” he continued. “We have been drawn into a group which includes Sweden, Colombia and Japan. These are countries with different styles of football. “A lot of fans would expect us to qualify easily from the group but
Iwobi
I must warn that we should guard against complacency. It has been proved time and time again that there are no easy games especially in international football”, he concluded.
Tombim Abuja Open: Safwat, Der Duim battle for top prize IfeanyI eduzor
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ohammed Safwat of Egypt and Antal van Der Duim of the Netherlands will battle for the top prize as the final of the first leg of the 2016 Tombim Abuja Open holds today at the National Tennis Centre, Package B, National Stadium, Abuja. No 2 seed, Safwat, who came from a set down to beat Swiss Lenny Hampel in the quarterfinal, produced another masterful display to beat Nicolas Meister of the USA 6-4, 6-4 in 1hr 27 minutes while no 3 seed, Van Der Duim turned a 3-0 second set deficit to a 6-3 win against
top seed, David Perez Sanz to stop the tournament going the way of the rankings. The Dutchman took the opening set 7-6 to remain the only player not to drop a set yet.
Safwat
25-year-old Safwat, the world no 276, broke the fourth-seeded American in the fourth game of the first set to take control of the game. Safwat, with career high 206 ranking in 2013, got another break in the second game of the second set and held on to his serves to see out his North American opponent in 84 places below him on the ATP rankings. The qualifiers for the second leg is also scheduled to begin on today with no fewer than six Nigerians expected to feature while the country will also be privileged to retain the four wild cards that was reserved for it in the first leg for the main draw serving off on Monday.
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NATIONAL NEWS
APRIL 23, 2016
Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
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APRIL 23, 2016
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Crime Watch
Police arrest woman for stabbing neighbour to death Patience OgbO
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mother of two, Ndifreke Femi, 30, has been arrested by policemen attached to the Ajah police station Lagos State police command for allegedly stabbing her neighbour to death. It was gathered that the incident which happened at the Ikota area of Ajah in Lagos state on April 1st is still a shock to residents of Block 109 Ikota Housing Estate Ajah as the residents described the deceased one Ayomide Ayenuwa, a part time student as a hardworking gentleman and peacemaker who had to die in such a horrible manner It was gathered that Ayenuwa 28 who is a neighour to the Femis, met his untimely death when he went to the apartment of the Femis’ to settle his electricity bill but Ayenuwa met Mr. and Mrs Femi embroiled in a domestic scuffle and being a peace maker, he made efforts to settle the quarrelling couple only for Mrs. Femi to rush into the kitchen and brought out a kitchen knife which she allegedly used to stab Ayenuwa on his neck. Ayenuwa, according to police sources, died shortly as a result of the stab wound despite frantic efforts to save his life after he was rushed to the hospital. Narrating the incident, a neighbour who simply identified himself as James Peter said, “ That fateful day about 5pm on April 1st, Ayenuwa went to Mr. and Mrs. Femi’s apartment to pay his electricity bills. However, when he got to their room, he saw the husband and wife quarrelling. Ndifreke was accusing her husband of stealing the N20,000 she hid under their mattress. Her husband denied the allegation but she was hell bent on a fight. It was at this point that Ayenuwa made efforts to settle the quarrelling couple but they kept fighting each other. Ayenuwa appealed to Ndifreke to take the matter easy but she descended on Ayenuwa and started calling him names. Moreover, Ndifreke’s husband had maintained that he has nothing to do with the disappearance of his wife’s money. Depite all entreaties made by Ayenuwa to appease Ndifreke, she sadly turned her anger on Ayenuwa and started abusing him to mind his business . That was how Ayenuwa left the couple to their troubles. As he was walking away, Ndifreke ran into the kitchen and brought out a kitchen knife which she used to stab Ayenuwa on his neck from behind. Neighbours made frantic efforts to save Ayenuwa’s life while others held Ndifreke down and almost lynched her . The concerned neighbours with Ayenuwa’s family rushed him to the Peninsula Hospital at Ajah for treatment but he was referred to the General Hospital at Akodo. Sadly, he died on his
Ndifreke way to the hospital.” Saturday Mirror learnt that the case was reported at the Ajah police stationand Ndifreke was arrested but her husband fled and he is still on the run police sources said. Saturday Mirror also learnt that the
Deceased, Ayomide Ayenuwa case has since been transferred to the Homicide Unit State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department at Panti Yaba for discreet Investigation. However, in her statement to the police, Ndifreke had stated that she acted in self defence . According to her,she claimed that
Ayenuwa was the first person to attack her and he allegedly went ahead to punch her on her forehead which cost her to bleed profusely. She added that it was in her bid to free herself from his punches that she defended herself by stabbing him an act she attributed to the handiwork of the devil.
‘How we use toy guns to snatch cars’
Patience OgbO
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sman Musa 28, is telling policemen attached to the Lagos State police command how he and his gang of suspected armed robbers use toy guns to snatch exotic cars in Lagos State . Musa who used to be a loader at the Coker area of Lagos State said he took to armed robbery following pressures from his friends who were living large from the proceeds of crime. Luck however ran out on Musa after the policemen attached to the Special AntiRobbery Squad SARS Ikeja Lagos State police command trailed him to his home at Ajegunle and he was arrested. Narrating how he joined the armed robbery gang , Musa said “ We are five in
Robbery suspects our gang. Two members of the gang called Ezekiel and Tony are the leaders of the gang. Before I went into crime, I was carrying tiles at Coker area in Lagos state but
Tony kept pestering me that I would make alot of money from robbery. I told him I CONTINUED ON PAGE 44
Do you have a story for us? Contact 08138773277 or crimewatchmirror@yahoo.com
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Crime Watch
Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
APRIL 23, 2016
We use cutlasses, not guns —Suspected armed robbers Patience OgbO
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uck ran out on a gang of armed robbers that specialise in attacking hotels in the Ebute -Metta area of Lagos State recently. The gang according to residents have raided more than ten hotels at the Ebute -Metta area Lagos Mainland and are said to be behind the gruesome murders in the area. Lagos State Commissioner of police Mr. Fatia Owoseni while confirming the arrest of members of the gang, gave the name of the leader of the gang as one Idris Kazeem, popularly known as Aloma while other members of the gang were identified as Ramon Sanusi, 22, Faudi Azeez and Juniad Mufta, 22, were also arrested According to investigations,the suspected armed robbers are said to be also members of deadly cult group known as the Kogbagidi boys have been terrorising residents and business owners at EbuteMetta area of Lagos state. Mr. Awoseni stated that the gang raided On Point Hotel, Moonshine Hotel and Minister Excellence Hotel. Saturday Mirror was informed that the gang also attacked security personnels and raid homes , vandalising vehicles at will. Saturday Mirror also learnt that during one of such armed robbery attacks ,the suspected armed robbers numbering about eleven, stormed the Best Form hotel at Odaliki Street Apapa Road on March 12th where they beat up the guests, stole cash and valuables including the CCTV recorder of the hotel . A policeman informed Saturday Mirror that the armed robbers also raided the hotel Director’s office and they stole the CCTV recorder and used thier hammer to break down doors . The armed robbers also raided a newly built hotel called the Exclusive Mansion Hotel at Ondo Street Ebute
Suspects
Metta three days after they raided BF hotel as well as the Sharrylesh hotel at Vaugh Street Apapa Road,TSquare hotel at Parklane , XP hotel as they beat up lodgers and robbed guests and workers at the hotel. Following the activities of the gang, the residents held an emergency security summit where they charged the police to fish out the gang
members. Saturday Mirror learnt that following a combined clampdown in the area by policemen from the Iponri Division and Special Anti Robbery Squad in collaboration with the Vigilantes in the area, seven members of the gang were arrested. Narrating his alleged involvement in the crime, Kazeem said “ we are seven in
the gang and we love fighting our rivals. I fight them everyday and when we go to club , we take time out to attack hotel when we are coming back from partying in the club. We use cutlass to attack the hotel guests and we collect phones and other valuables. We don’t use guns to rob. We only use cutlass to fight our rivals and attack hotels.” Another member of the
gang Azeez Faudi who is a self acclaimed Muslim cleric said the gang contacted him to help them get charms that will make the gang members invisible. “Aloma contacted me to help them get charms that will make them invisible when they are fighting their rivals. I have not collected any money from them before I was arrested.”
‘How we use toy guns to snatch cars’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 43
cannot rob but he kept pestering me. He lured with with his expensive life style until he succeeded in convincing me to join them. I started following Tony and Ezekiel to rob since last year but I have not spent six months in this crime. What we usually did during our operations was to go out to the Expressway and block vehicles with our car.We usually operated at Oshodi Expressway where we block the vehicles with our car. That way we forced the occupants to come out of the
vehicle and we dispossess them of cash , handsets and other valuables. We also rob motorists plying the Ikorodu road at Palm Groove area. We don’t kill anyone because the guns we carry are toy guns and we don’t wear mask as we operate at night from 10:30pm. Tony and Ezekiel are the ones who sold the stolen cars . They gave me N25,000 for my first operation with them . The second time, I got N20,000. I have gone to rob with them four times but I was arrested at a pooling joint at Ajegunle. I regret my action and
I appeal to government to forgive me. I will never allow friends to deceive me to join bad gangs again “ When asked what he did with stolen goods he got from thier robbery operations,Musa fingered one Idris Garuba as the receiver of his stolen goods. The police following Musa’ s confession, arrested Idris for buying the stolen goods from Musa. Idris however denied the allegation but Musa maintained that he was the receiver of his stolen
items. “ I know Idris. He is a jewelry merchant at Ajegunle. I have sold jewelry to him like six times. He paid N10,000 for the last jewelry I sold to him” Idris in his defence said “ I was sitting in my shop at Ajegunle when he (Musa) walked to me and told me he wanted to sell the gold necklace he was wearing. I asked him if he was the owner and he said yes. I went ahead and paid him N10,000 and he gave it to me. This is my first time of buying goods from him.”
Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
APRIL 23, 2016
Petrol prices nosedive, vehicular movement increases in Enugu
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ehicular movement on Friday resumed in full swing within major roads in Enugu metropolis as petrol prices continued to nosedive, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports. NAN reports that most of the petrol stations in the metropolis have the product. The Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and major petroleum marketers still sell petrol between N86 and N86.50 per litre and with lesser queues. The product is currently sold between N140 and N170 per litre, against N200 and N180 it sold a week ago in CONFIRMATION OF NAME
SAMUEL: This is to confirm that SAMUEL ADUBASIM and OLUCHUKWU ADUBASIM refer to one and same person. All documents reflecting any of the Stated names remain valid and should be treated as one person. Banks and the general public take note. CONFIRMATION OF NAME
AKOVOBAWU: This is to confirm that AKOVOBAU R.D. and AKOVOBAWU RICHARD ILORI refer to one and same person. All documents reflecting any of the Stated names remain valid and should be treated as one person. Banks and the general public take note. CONFIRMATION OF NAME
BELLO: This is to confirm that BELLO KUNLE JOHN and BELLO KUNLE YAHYA refer to one and same person. Henceforth wish to be known and addressed as BELLO YAHAYA OLAKUNLE JOHN. All documents reflecting any of the Stated names remain valid and should be treated as one person. Banks and the general public take note. CONFIRMATION OF NAME
OBANLA: This is to confirm that OBANLA ADEWALE and ADEWALE OBANLA refer to one and same person. All documents reflecting any of the Stated names remain valid and should be treated as one person. Banks and the general public take note.
many filling stations owned by independent petroleum marketers without queues. Mr. James Edeh, the Manager of Timmerpet Filling Station, Agbani Road, said that many IPMAN members were trying to sell their old stocks at exorbitant prices. “With the continuous drop in price, within a week or more, it is likely the price would drop to the official price in all IPMAN members’ filling stations in Enugu. ``However, most IPMAN filling stations were trying to sell their old stock bought at exorbitant price,’’ Edeh said. Mr. Peter Igeh, official of Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), said the Department would continue to monitor the product to ensure that the price dropped to the official price set by government. CONFIRMATION OF NAME
OLADEJO: This is to confirm that OLADEJO TUNDE. and OLADEJO TUNDE ALIMI refer to one and same person. All documents reflecting any of the Stated names remain valid and should be treated as one person. Banks and the general public take note.
Abia groups caution Police on unlawful activities Eric ElEzuo
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usiness groups and other stakeholders in Aba, Abia have called on the Police to restrain their men from unlawful actions to improve their relations with the populace. The stakeholders made the call in Aba on Friday at a Police/community Partnership Forum organised by the Aba Area Command of the Police in conjunction with the Coalition of Business Groups and Associations in the area. Speaking at the event, the traditional ruler of Aba, Eze Isaac Ikonne, said that the Police had some bad eggs full of unlawful activities unknown to its hierarchy. ``Policemen extort road
users, intimidate, harass citizens and scare them from giving information to the Police by leaking such information before the giver leaves their office. ``The Police authorities should take time to find out what their men are doing from time to time by asking residents in confidence, and punishing erring police officers,’’ Ikonne said. On his part, the Obi of Ahaba, Eze Moses Nwannu, frowned at the return of transferred policemen to Abia two weeks after they were moved to other states. He said that the corrupt practices making the “working of transfer” by policemen possible should be stopped to ensure that they did not align with criminals to terrorise the people. Nwannu urged the Police authorities to transfer po-
licemen who had stayed beyond two years in the state to restrain them from supporting criminal gangs and encouraging lawlessness. Also contributing, Chief Goddy Egbuchulam, the Chairman of Hoteliers Association of Nigeria, Aba chapter, called on the Police to stop their men from frequent harassment of lodgers which affects their businesses. ``The Commissioner should ensure that when policemen need to come to hotels, he should contact the owner or manager directly or through the area commander rather than barging-in on lodgers,’’ he said. In his speech, Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu said that the state would ensure that its resources were deployed to promote peace and harmony among the residents.
Ikpeazu, represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr. Eme Okoro, said that the Police/ community relationship would help to safeguard the investment of Abia residents. He urged the police to respect the people and give them the opportunity to create wealth. The Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr. Habila Joshack, cautioned policemen against impunity, stressing that the new face of the Police which encouraged community policing had no chance for that. He called for a cordial relationship between the Police and their host communities to flush out criminals in Abia which would not be possible without the collaboration of all the stakeholders.
CHANGE OF NAME
PRISCA: Formerly known and addressed as PRISCA ELILY CHIKA now wish to be known and addressed as GIFT OKAFOR CHIKA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME
BREWAH: Formerly known and addressed as BREWAH BEATRICE NANCY now wish to be known and addressed as ABU BEATRICE NANCY. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.
CHANGE OF NAME
CHANGE OF NAME
LAMINGA: Formerly known and addressed as LAMINGA GABRIEL FILIBUS now wish to be known and addressed aa LAMINGA GABRIEL PHILIP. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.
NWOSU: Formerly known and addressed as NWOSU CHUKS VINCENT now wish to be known and addressed as NWOSU CHUKWUNONYE VINCENT. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.
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CHANGE OF NAME
CHANGE OF NAME
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DANIELS: Formerly known and addressed as DANIELS FOLAKEMI ELIZABETH now wish to be known and addressed as OLONIYO FOLAKEMI ELIZABETH. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.
MMADUBUGWU: Formerly known and addressed as MMADUBUGWU AMALA JOY now wish to be known and addressed as ONYENEKWE AMALA JOY. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.
DANIELS: Formerly known and addressed as DANIELS FOLAKEMI ELIZABETH now wish to be known and addressed as OLONIYO FOLAKEMI ELIZABETH. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.
SOUTH-EAST
CHANGE OF NAME
AUSTUS: Formerly known and addressed as AUSTUS ONYEKACHI OKEKE now wish to be known and addressed as STANLEY ONYINYECHI ALICHE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME
I, formerly known, called and addressed as MISS ADEBAYO FLORENCE ADENIKE, now wish to be known, called and addressed as MRS. AJIBOWU FLORENCE ADENIKE. NYSC and general public to take note.
ARE: Formerly known and addressed as ARE BABATUNDE WAHAB now wish to be known and addressed as BABATUNDE WAHAB OLAYINKA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.
CHANGE OF NAME SANNI: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS SANNI ADEDOYIN OMOLADE now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. AKERELE ADEDOYIN OMOLADE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.
AKANIHU: I formerly known and addressed as MISS AKANIHU MILLICENT IFEYINWA, now wish to be addressed as MRS. OSOYODE MILLICENT MARIAM. Former documents remain valid. General public note.
CHANGE OF NAME
L-R: Guest Speaker/General Manager, Natnudo Foods Nigeria Limited, Mr. Toromade Francis; General Manager, Sales and Marketing, Livestock Seeds Plc, Adedeji Adegboyega; Chairman, Poultry Association of Nigeria, Lagos State Chapter, Prince Adetoyi Olabode; Ajiran of Ojomu Land/Chairman, Poultry Association of Nigeria, Lagos State Chapter, Oba Akinsateru Akinloye, and Executive Vice President, Animal Care, Mrs. Agbato Olufunmilayo, during a Stakeholders meeting of the Poultry Association of Nigeria …yesterday.
Community appeals to Ugwuanyi for protection EEic ElEzuo
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he people of Ugbene AlorUno in Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu State have appealed to Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi to protect them from the people of Ejuona, their neighbours. Addressing a news conference in Enugu on Friday, the people claimed that their neighbours had unleashed their youths to cause mayhem in their area after branding them as “settlers”. The Chairman of Ohaneze Ugbene Leaders of Thought, Mr. Nelson Ogbonna, told newsmen that the governor had recently waded into the conflict, and called foratrucebetweenthetwogroups. Ogbonna said that on the day of the peace meeting with the governor earlier in the week, some people from Ejuona led policemen
to arrest eight people from Ugbene without any provocation. “As I speak, six of those people are still in detention five days after their arrest. Two of them were release because of their age and health conditions,” he said. He accused the people of Ejuona of striving to decimate his people through spontaneous attacks, saying that many people had been violently attacked for passing through a major road designated by them for only “the indigenes”. He said that many prominent people from Ejuona were responsible for the attacks by sponsoring their youths, adding that his people had availed the Police of all the information at their disposal. ``We are calling on the governor to intervene again. We did not know that when we were meeting with him, policemen were arresting our people from their homes. ``We are peace-loving people,
and we will not like this violence to escalate. The people of Ejuona want to decimate our people because they don’t want to see any meaningful person rise from our place,’’ Ogbonna said. The candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial candidate for Enugu West, Chief Philip Eze, had filed a petition challenging Ekweremadu’s victory. Delivering judgment on the matter, Chairman of the tribunal, Justice Michael Edem, ruled that the petition lacked substantial evidence, and struck it out. He awarded a cost of N60, 000 in favour of Ekweremadu, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the last respondent. Edem said the petitioner, Philip Eze, failed to prove his case beyond reasonable doubt, adding that the evi-
dence adduced in the trial showed that the petitioner was included and not excluded in the senatorial election which held on March 28, 2015. “The petitioner remembered to forget or forgot to remember that in law, he who asserts must prove. The petitioner first asserted and must prove. Pleading without evidence amounts to no issue,” he said. The petition number EPT/ENU/NASS/ SEN/03/2015 had three respondents which included Sen. Ekweremadu, INEC and one other respondent. Eze had petitioned the court over unlawful exclusion in the election. Justice Edem also held that INEC was not guilty since the commission was not served.
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Labour Party scribe slams Oshiomhole over supremacy battle with State Assembly Lucyiano osademe
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he National Secretary of the Labour Party, Comrade (Barr.) Julius Abure, has slammed the Edo State Governor, Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole, over the rift with the members of Edo State House of Assembly on battle of supremacy as regards the power to dissolve local government councils describing it as shameful and ‘’laughable.’’ “The disagreement between Governor Adams Oshiomhole and the House of Assembly over tenure expiration of local government chairmen and councilors is not only laughable but shows the hallowness of Edo State government towards issues of development, rule of law, due process and the principles of democracy,” he said.’ He berated the Governor for not creating an enabling environment for free, fair and credible local government elections in Edo State before the expiration of the tenure of the dissolved local government council chairmen, stressing that it is unconstitutional. “Section 7 (1) of the 1999 Constitution as amended provides the system of local government by democratically Elected Local government councils is under this Constitution guaranteed; and accordingly, the Government of every state shall subject to section 8 of this Constitution, ensure their existence under a law which provides for the establishment, structure, composition, finance and functions”, Barrister Julius said. Comrade Julius regretted that Oshiomhole, who is a product of due process, rule of law and democratic ethos, will overtly or covertly subvert the wishes and aspirations of the people. He, however, enjoined both the Governor and the legislature to quickly address the concerns and sufferings of the people, who are wallowing in poverty, unemployment, fuel scarcity, etc rather than engaging in undue fisticuffs over who is constitutionally empowered to dissolve local councils without giving premium to constitutional democracy of electing people into the dissolved councils.
SOUTH SOUTH
APRIL 23, 2016
Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
One dies, three injured as crisis engulfs Delta community nosa akenzua ASABA
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rms confrontation allegedly ravaging Ogborikoko community in Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State has claimed the life of one Godwin Eselema while three persons are said to have been injured as many others have fled the community. A group, Ekpan Integrity, yesterday sued for peaceful co-existence and peace to reign, urging security agencies to checkmate arms proliferation, recurring violence and alleged killings in the community in the past six months. The group speaking through its spokesman, Mr. Edwin Oghenevo, however called on security agents and the Police Commissioner in the state, Mr. Alkali Baba Usman, to redouble efforts in the community to secure lives and property. He said: “We want peace to reign in our community and we all call on the Police to redouble its efforts to secure lives and property; the killings must stop.” Investigation revealed that three persons were allegedly shot, and one of them, a woman, Mrs. Actress Ogodor, 36, sustained serious injuries as four unidentified hoodlums allegedly fired shots at her from a moving Toyota Camry car around Afieke Quarters, Ekpan. But the Police Commissioner in the State, Alkali Baba Usman, confirmed to journalists yesterday that the alleged killing may not be unconnected with the communal crisis in the community, adding that six persons were arrested, and are currently being interrogated at the Police State CID. “We have arrested six suspects and they are talking to the Police already while policemen have been deployed to the area to maintain peace”. Sources said Ezelema was not felled by bullets but shock, as he could not withstand the roaring gunshots, and probably
got hypertensive and fell into coma where he allegedly died. Unconfirmed sources said the crisis is perpetrated by a terror group allegedly sponsored by some “political thugs” which
allegedly kidnapped Mrs. Ogodor’s brother and looted their father’s house. Further investigation revealed that the story is not different in neighbouring Ugborokoko community where another crisis
• Group sues for peace had allegedly claimed the lives of two persons and injured two others who are in critical situation in an undisclosed hospital. Speaking further, the
state Police boss, Alkali Baba Usman, said the Police will do everything possible to bring to book the hoodlums perpetrating the evils.
L-R: President, Magistrates Association of Nigeria, Mrs. Victoria Isiguzo; Governor of Rivers, Nyesom Wike and Rivers State Deputy Governor, Mrs Ipalibo Harry-Banigo, during the visit of the association to the governor in Port Harcourt, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN
Cross River to ban use of wood for roofing –Gov G overnor Ben Ayade of Cross River State has expressed his administration’s resolve to legislate against the use of wood for roofing to check deforestation, restore lost greenery and boost forest regeneration. Ayade spoke when Ms Elsie Attafuah, the Senior Regional Technical Adviser, United Nations Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (UN-REDD) programme, visited him at Government House, Calabar. He said: “We are in a process of enacting a new law that will prohibit the use of woods for roofing and encourage the use of steel instead. ``So, very soon when the House passes the law, we will stop roofing with woods and when this happens, the demand for timber will drop drastically. ``As we speak, a company is already on ground to start production of these
roofing materials to meet the needs in the industry, and reduce the dependence on wood as deliberate plans to save and protect the forest.’’ Ayade also urged the UN ``to do away with theoretical work and be more practical in its programmes in a manner that will translate into wealth creation among Nigerians.’’ He said the state government expected the REDD programme to impact in a desired manner on the citizenry, particularly host communities, to the reserved forests across the state. Ayade said that in the last three years, the REDD programme focused only on training and educating people on understanding measurement analysis baselines and safeguards. He said although the programme was appreciable, `` the time has come when they must reflect on the needs of the people to better their lots.’’
The governor said: ``REDD PLUS is a plus, and so please reflect on the needs of my people. Please fast track this readiness so that we can get into the investment phase because truly, everything REDD has done is wise. ``What they have not done is that they have not been able to put one tree on the ground, so I don’t know how you want to reduce emissions when you are not focusing on the practical aspect. ``Essentially, REDD Plus is intended to preserve the forest for the good of mankind. So, if that man that you are preserving the forest for has to die of hunger, REDD must be coming too slow. ``So, for me as a governor, a Professor of Environmental Science, a lawyer, a combination of all these tells me clearly that the communities are not having a fair deal. `` The communities are in pain and you must look into this as soon as possible. The ultimate thing is that action must be on ground,’’
he said. Ayade said REDD Plus still remained a technical issue but added: “We are reducing it to the level where the local community can participate in planting, nursing and maturing trees. ``It is still a process ahead, let us fast track this process, and give us a good clearance, so that people truly will enjoy the benefits of the luxury of their forest; let them finally see the reward for conserving and preserving the forest.’’ Attafuah earlier told the governor that she was in the state with her team to commence the implementation process of the programme. She said the REDD programme would bring the desired benefits to the communities where the project was being carried out. She said that policy dialogue at the highest level was necessary for the smooth transition of the UN-REDD projects from strategy to implementation. Attafuah also solicited the support of the state for a successful transition.
Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
APRIL 23, 2016
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
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London Mayor implies Obama is a hypocrite
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ot everyone in Britain, it is safe to say, welcomes the intervention of an American president in what’s viewed as the internal politics of the United Kingdom. In a visit to London, President Barack Obama has argued in an opinion piece that Britons should vote to stay in the European Union rather than pull out. The UK has scheduled a nationwide vote on the issue for June 23. And some Britons have reacted to Obama’s advice in what they see as an internal British matter in a way that echoes the words of the American author Ring Lardner: “ ‘Shut up,’ he explained.” London Mayor Boris Johnson, writing for The Sun newspaper, implied that Obama was a hypocrite because Washington would never surrender so much power to Brussels, the EU’s defacto capital. And he suggested that “the part-Kenyan President” had an “ancestral dislike of the British empire.” Neither was everyone on social media impressed with what they viewed as Obama’s butinsky attitude. Take for example, this tweet from @ shedboy63, who identifies himself or herself as Desailly’s Child: “Obama sticking his hooter in the #Brexit debate. Well I suggest the USA become part of the United Kingdom again! How’d ya like them apples?!” Brexit is shorthand for the British exit from the EU. In his piece published in The Daily Telegraph, Obama evokes the Americans who died defending Britain in World War II and argues that Britain’s
decision on whether to stay in the EU affects the rest of the world. Obama argues that Britain will amplify rather than diminish its global influence by remaining a member of the EU. Not everyone resented his advice. People interviewed in London by CNN on Friday generally said the President was entitled to state his viewpoint. “He’s welcome to an opinion,” one man
said. “But I think if you look closer to your own borders you’ve got bigger things to worry about than us staying in Europe -- you’ve got a few crazies running for your presidency. So we’ll deal with our problems, you deal with yours, and we’ll thrash it out in the end.” And a Twitter user named Peter Coles, otherwise known as @telescoper, said the President was right to make his case. “ O b a m a ’ s
intervention is fully justified by history & economics,” Coles tweeted. “Abusive reactions on the #BrExit campaign reveal their ignorance of both.” But even some people who agreed with the President thought he would have been better off keeping his trap shut. “Whilst I think we are better off staying in the EU,” tweeted Jack Duncan, or @JD_ Duncan, “I resent this patronising pat on the head from Obama. P*** off ! Could back fire #Brexit”
Obama
Trump slams new $20 bill
Tubman and Jackson
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onald Trump thinks anti-slavery icon Harriet Tubman is “fantastic” -- but he says the move to have her replace seventh president Andrew Jackson on the $20 bill is “pure political correctness.” “Well, Andrew Jackson had a great history, and I think it’s very rough when you take somebody off the bill,” Trump said during a town hall on the “Today” show on NBC Thursday morning. “I think Harriet Tubman is fantastic, but I would love to leave Andrew Jackson or see if we can maybe come up with another denomination.” Trump suggested -- as Ben Carson also has -that Tubman be put on the $2 bill, which is no longer printed. The business mogul
heaped praise on Jackson, whose presence on the $20 bill was criticized due to his history as a slave-owner and his dismal record on Native American and racial issues, epitomized by the Jackson administration’s infamous “Trail of Tears” policy that forcibly relocated the
Cherokee people to devastating effect. “(Jackson) had a history of tremendous success for the country,” Trump said. “(The $20) really represented somebody really that was very important to this country. I would love to see another denomination and that could take
place. I think that would be more appropriate.” Trump also attributed Jackson’s removal to the popularity of the hit musical “Hamilton,” since it was the $10 bill, graced by first Treasury Secretary Alexander Hamilton, that had initially been targeted in the push to put a woman on a piece of U.S. currency. “As you know they were going to do the $10 bill, and then all of a sudden the Broadway play, ‘Hamilton,’ sort of saved that one,” Trump said. Trump’s primary competitor John Kasich praised Tubman on the campaign trail Thursday. “She wasn’t some big shot. She became a big shot because of what she did,” Kasich said.
“She saw something that she thought did not represent justice, she saw something she thought that was just patently unfair. Tubman, who died in 1913 at the age of 91, escaped slavery in the South and eventually led hundreds of escaped slaves to freedom as a “conductor” of the Underground Railroad. After the slaves were freed, Tubman was a staunch supporter of a woman’s right to vote. Of the decision to put Tubman on the $20 bill, which was announced this week, Treasury Secretary Jack Lew said, “What she did to free people on an individual basis and what she did afterward -- that’s a legacy of what an individual can do in a democracy.”
ed at least 25 others, but Islamic State militants battling government forces in the north and west have regularly targeted Shi’ite areas in the capital. The rise of the ultra-hardline Sunni Muslim group has exacerbated a long-running sectarian conflict in Iraq, mostly between Shi’ites and Sunnis, which emerged after the
U.S.-led invasion in 2003. The Iraqi government has retaken several major cities from the Islamic State in the past year and slowly pushed them back towards the Syrian border. The authorities said they want to recapture the northern city of Mosul this year, but Iraqi officials privately question whether that is possible.
Suicide bomber kills 9 at Baghdad mosque after Friday prayers
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suicide bomber killed at least nine people when he detonated an explosive vest after Friday prayers at a Shi’ite Muslim mosque in south western Baghdad. Iraqi police and hospital sources said the second suicide attacker at the mosque in al-Radwaniya district was shot and
killed by security forces before he could set off his explosives. Meanwhile, a security and medical sources confirmed that a separate bomb went off on Friday in the district of Abu Ghraib, west of Baghdad, killing two and wounding nine. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack, which wound-
Quote of the day “Though President Muhammadu Buhari recognizes the fact that Nigeria has made great progress in securing the nation, the government’s commitment to restoring the nation’s economy, ravaged by past mismanagement and corruption is unwavering, this is in spite of the plummeting price of oil in the international market..”—Special
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Adviser to the President on Political Matters, Senator Babafemi Ojudu, when he met recently with the Political Counsellors of the European Union, EU.
Saturday, APRIL 23, 2016. www.nationnationalmirroronline.net
Conspiracy of convergence: The leadership challenge
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world with 70 trillion dollars in balance sheet requires a leader. This figure, perhaps, instigates the conspiracy of convergence in real economic terms. America is 12 trillion dollars in balance sheet, while China’s balance sheet is 18 trillion dollars. In addition, China has 1.26 trillion dollars in America’s Federal Reserve Bank. This is about 10% of America’s total balance sheet. The central issue today is the leadership of the world: Who will lead the new world order? Who can lead the world? It is also important to try and answer these two important questions: What does the world want from her leader? What quality must the leadership process? If we are able to answer these questions, it may translate to benefits for the new world as the conspiracy of the convergence continues. What is leadership? According to Robbins and Judge (2015), “Leadership is the ability to influence a group towards the achievement of a vision or set of goals.” Peter Drucker argues that“Leadership is lifting a person’s vision to high sights, the raising of a person’s performance to a higher standard, the building of a personality beyond its normal limitation. Jimoh Ibrahim (2015) states that “Leadership is a desired journey that does not have a destination, but has the capacity to realise part of its objective in the progress of time without reaching a final destination.” The way leadership is difficult to define precisely is a reflection of the difficulty of leading a world with as much as 70 trillion dollars in balance sheet and over seven billion people in population! The theory behind the trajectory of the leadership paradigm in itself is clustered with difficulties. Studies show various characteristics of leadership from classic theories to contemporary theories and to new developments. The demands differ just as the characteristics differ. The time also differs. What you learn from the attributes of yesterday’s leaders may not be relevant for today or for the leadership challenges of tomorrow. One demand of the conspiracy of convergence is the quality of who will lead the new world economic order? Such a country must create comparative advantage and lead in innovation. This is where China comes in. It’s by no means a matter of choice! It’s clear that if you don’t go to China, China will come to you very soon. The dragons are here. Doing nothing is not an option!
CFR
The way leadership is difficulT To define precisely is a reflecTion of The difficulTy of leading a world wiTh as much as
70 Trillion dollars in balance sheeT and over seven billion people in populaTion!
But will China be able to deliver leadership in the context of her overcapacity in institutional void? Think corruption, closed data, closed culture, closed language, closed praxis of behavior and closed currency! The question of self determination requires some level of autonomy and self concordance. How will China handle this? How will China handle democracy? Is China prepared to learn basic lessons on democracy and its vulnerabilities? Freedom of citizens, rule of law, strong and autonomous judiciary are not issues that can be compromised in the new convergence! How will China react to the basic demand of laws in the interest of justice for everyone? The challenges include, but are not limited to, the orthodox view of conflicts between common law, civil law and Islamic laws, the fresh view of alternative dimensions for clustering, practical regulatory differences emerging from degree of harmonization in trade agreements, bilateral and multilateral issues. Again, on daily basis, what plays out in business, which remains a burden to China includes the commercial issue of Corporate Governance, Tariff and non Tariff barriers, enforcement of contract agreements and contract exchange relating to intellectual property. Will China be ready for international
compliance standards? If not, can the conspiracy of convergence succeed assuming it is China’s move? Will China ever support the conspiracy of convergence if it is not in her interest? Will it be in her interest in the present circumstances with the disclosure of the new facts? Cultural distance exist that could create leadership challenges to China or any other country interested in leadership. Again, can America lead when a single country like China, with 20% of the global population, is not in the cultural net? Hofstede identified such social network of variance in social ties when he defined culture as “Collective programming of the mind that distinguishes the members of one group or category of people from others.” And it is those unwritten games of culture that China or America needs to navigate. How much the complexities of human nature will allow the navigation remains a constrain to the new conspiracy of convergence. What will play out in the spectrum includes Evil against Good, Dirty against Clean, Dangerous against Safe, Forbidden against Permitted, Moral against Immoral, Paradoxical against Logical, and Rational against Irrational. Who is prominent in Evil,
Dirty, Dangerous, Forbidden, Moral, Paradoxical and Rational? And who has Good, Clean, Safe, Permitted, Immoral, Logical and Irrational in short supply? The main challenge before the new world leader is to find a convenient balance. The new leader must hold firm the major essentials of leadership. These include identifying common good, establishing credibility, providing evidence and connecting emotionally. This she can only do effectively if she knows what to drop, what to keep and what to add as the world demands. Max Depree argues that “The first responsibility of a leader is to define reality. The last is to say ‘thank you.’ In between, the leader is a servant.” Is China or America ready to be the servant in the new world convergence? Organizational management is struggling to provide empirical evidence of possibility of these essentials in global leadership. They are moving fast in leadership behaviour of improving structure, organising, teaching, supervising and evaluating the vision of their direction on one hand. On the other hand is the continuous facilitation of supportive issues of basic principles of ‘ask for input, listen rather than talk, facilitate problem solving, explain rather than define’ as well as the need for leaders to always encourage. Today’s managers are encouraged and are indeed ready to do more. But like I have often said, it is important to realise before frustration sets in, that leadership is a journey and not a destination. And as John Quincy Adams also insists, “If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more, you are a leader.” The conspiracy of convergence is a big project that cannot be premised on a budget or a schedule of delivery. It may be demanded in this generation, but certainly, it will not be delivered in this generation. It is a destruction of the current peace of the world. When it is successful, it will be a celebration of the Third World War. In the meantime, its contentious debate is the unguided spending of resources on what is otherwise seen as an otiose ambition of a few. No one is against a new chapter in History, but it is my submission that a progressive world is not beyond the sincere implementation and total submission to the United Nation Chapters and the appropriate funding of the United Nations organisation. Ibrahim wrote from the University of Cambridge.
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