Saturday, april 30, 2016

Vol. 6 No. 18

Saturday, April 30, 2016

WOMAN

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National Mirror Online

TOP STORY

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CRIME

I’m just 278 police officers I keep guns for armed robbers privileged killed in 2015 —IGP —13-year-old-boy — Folorunsho Alakija

EFCC hunts Diezani’s son over N23bn P. 6

Oba Erediauwa of Benin joins ancestors M e P.2 rcy 1

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How ex-NIMASA boss, Akpolobokemi, others diverted N2.7bn —EFCC P. 8

Saraki: ACF warns FG against pre-determined judgement

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Face-saving tips for two-minutes men

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Oba’s death: Benin males to shave heads T he Benin Traditional Kingdom has formally announced the transition of Benin Monarch, Oba Uku Akpolokpolo Erediauwa.

A statement by the Iyase of the Kingdom, Sam Igbe, relayed in local Benin language, and translated to the hundreds of palace chiefs, sons, daughters and journalists, said the traditional ruler had re-united with his ancestors.

The formal announcement followed the breaking of the

INSIDE

White Chalk at the UrhoOzolua shrine in the presence of palace high chiefs and others, a symbolic ritual to signify the demise.

The prime minister of the kingdom, Chief Igbe, as a sign of respect to the monarch, directed all markets to close till further notice.

He also directed the sons of the Kingdom to shave their heads while palace chiefs with

multiple beads are to wear only one.

By the directive, at least 15 major markets across the seven local government councils that make up Benin Kingdom and Edo South District closed immediately.

Oba Erediauwa was aged 92.

He was 56 when he succeeded his father, Oba Akenzua 11, on March 23, 1979 as the 38th Oba of Benin.

Oba Erediauwa

278 police officers killed in 2015, says IGP function effectively of preventing and

controlling crimes, the police require diverse skills noting that the work of police

James abraham

became more difficult in societies like

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between the police and the public.

JOS

he Inspector General of Police IGP Solomon Arase yesterday disclosed that no fewer than 278

police officers were killed last year while on duty between January 2014 to December 2015.

He also said that 194 others sustained various degree of injuries between Janu-

Can we really end malaria for good?

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ary to April 2016 adding that 72 police officers lost their lives while 78 others were injured in the course of maintaining internal security .

He also noted that cases of killing of police personnel have increased since 2009

Mirror

due to terrorist attacks by Boko Haram.

The IGP made the disclosure in Jos

Water, water everywhere in Lagos

while speaking on the topic,” Police-pub-

••• Not a drop to drink for residents

lic partnership in prevention and control of violent crimes and conflicts in Nigeria organise by the advancement office of the University of Jos. He added that in order to perform its

Nigeria where there is mutual distrust “Assistance to the police is often withheld by the citizens.”

He highlighted some of the factors that undermine effective partnership between

Arase

the citizens and the police to include the

cy of the police.

Other factors include widespread disrespect for the law by the citizens across all the sectors and strata of the society adding that attempt to re-enforce the law is often resisted by significant, proportion of the population who resent support for law, authority and police in Nigeria.

circumstance in which the police emerged in the country, inability of the country to introduce required reforms for the re orientation of the inherited police forces in a manner that will integrate both the police and the community and lack of required resources and skills to ensure the efficien-

Kano man to hang for friend’s murder

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Kano man who stabbed his friend to death during a heated argument over a football match in 2011, has been sentenced to death.

A Kano High Court found Kabiru Sani of Brigade Quarters, Nasarawa Local Government Area of the state, guilty af-

ter years of trial.

Justice Faruk Lawan said Mr. Sani’s act contravened Section 221 (2) of the Penal Code and that he was guilty as charged.

He sentenced Mr. Sani to death by hanging.

Nigeria imports N165bn fruit juice annually –MAN Pg 15

Dear Bukola I feel so lonely Pg 33 divorce

court

‘My husband is a defiant womaniser’ Pg 31

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igeria spends N165 billion annually to import fruit juice, the President of the Manufacturers’ Association of Nigeria (MAN), Dr Frank Jacobs, has said.

In a paper presented at a workshop organised by the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) in Owerri on Friday, Jacobs noted that in spite of the high rate of fruit production and a thriving juice market, the country imported fruits concentrates.

In the paper entitled ``Promoting Investments in Concentrate Production,’’ he said the situation resulted in an estimated loss of one billion dollars annually.

Jacobs, represented by Mr Nwabueze Anyanwu, observed that Nigerian farmers also lost 60 per cent of their produce as a result of lack of processing facilities.

He listed other factors to include limited demand and logistics challenges such as handling and trans-

porting the fruits to the urban centres. ``Importation of concentrates has adversely affected local fruits cultivation for juice processing,’’ the MAN president said.

He also said that the continued dependence on massive importation of concentrates by industries was not healthy for the nation’s economy.

He said that the availability of raw materials, a large market, a ready domestic concentrate and good export potentials should serve as incentives to attract investment in the project.

Jacobs said that the challenge of poor concentrates in the country could be overcome with improved high-yield seedlings, technology and technical services and better education and enlightenment for farmers.

He noted that the recent drive by the Federal Government to diversify the economy, encourage resource-based industrialisation and backward integration should provide the needed impetus to attract

investors.

He urged the government to ensure policy consistency to avoid a repetition of policy summersaults of yester-years.

The industrialist said that research and development be made an integral part of the country’s backward integration policy while various research institutions should be strengthened through funding and manpower development.

Another area to be considered, he said, was a ``special lending facility of not more than 5 per cent interest rate’’ for investments in concentrate production in view of the huge capital outlay required for the project.

Jacobs opined that the gains of promoting resource-based industrialisation included conservation of foreign exchange, employment generation, wealth creation, economic diversification and poverty reduction.

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Mental illness: Neglected time bomb?

In spite of its importance to the overall wellbeing of an individual, it appears that government is not concerned about the mental health of Nigerians, a development which experts say will not augur well for the development of the country writes MUDA OYENIRAN

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n Thursday April 7, 2016 the Ugbo Ukwu community in Anambra state was thrown into mourning when Ejike Nwankwo Ohagba, a 30 year old mentally unstable man killed his mother Mrs. Christiana Ohagba.

He reportedly overpowered her and threw her into an abandoned well in his late father’s compound. He then stoned her to death in the well Before this sad incident, Ejike had reportedly killed his siblings in a well last year.

Cases of violent behavior such as this by CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

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‘20% of Nigerians prone to mental disorder’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3

mentally challenged individuals abound in every part of the country. They exhibit unusual bad temper and could not live peaceful with others in their community as they are dangerous to their neighbours, others exhibit suicidal tendencies while some ultimately take their lives and sometimes those of others.

According to experts, there is no health without mental health while the World Health Organisation(WHO) defines good health is a state of complete physical, social and mental well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.

Dr. Rahman Lawal, immediate past medical director, Federal Neuropsychiatric haospital, Yaba also described mental health as the bedrock of holistic health, he said: “If you are physically well but not mentally well, one is not holistically well” According to Professor Oye Gureje, a foremost psychiatrist in Nigeria, the country loses billions of Nigeria due of loss of man hour of productivity occasioned by mental illness such as depression, a common form of mental disorder. Also rising cases of suicide especially among young people in their productive ages has been attributed to depression But does the Nigerian government accord this all-important aspect of citizen’s health the importance it deserves, Lawal had this to say: “Mental health is taken for granted here in the country, unlike in foreign lands.

It is when you have good mental health that you can boast of good health. Mental health is the bedrock of good health. If you are physically well but mentally unstable, you are not well. Mental health is important; it goes hand in hand with physical health” Mental illness, he said, is perceived by what people experience, noting: “We can say there is major mental ill health, where sufferer has problem with perception and claims to see, hear or feel what is not real.

This means that, such see, hear, sense or feel what the rest of us cannot see, hear, sense or feel; some may even smell what others like us cannot smell Unfortunately, a large proportion of the country’s population are said to be suffering from mental disorder. Consultant psychiatrist and former Chief Medical Director of the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital(LASUTH), Dr. Femi Olugbile disclosed that at least 20 per cent of Nigerians are prone to mental disorder. Olugbile, also a former Chief Medical Director, Lagos State University Teaching Hospial (LASUTH), Ikeja, spoke in an interview with pressmen in Lagos. “At least 20 per cent of the population will at some time in their lives experience at least one episode of mental disorder,’’ he said. According to him, it can also be due to high rate of poverty, lack of social

Some metally ill patients

welfare and high rate of endemic infectious diseases.

He said that at any point in time, two to five per cent of the 20 per cent population would manifest the symptoms of mental disorder at early stage. “These figures are universal, but the mental disorder can increase in times of social upheaval, such as war, terrorism and so on. “Also, security challenges including kidnappings and armed robbery can lead to increased stress, which increases the likelihood of nervous breakdown,’’ Olugbile said.

This is just as Lawal also expressed worry over increased hospital admission for mentally ill patients. “The number of patients we receive on any day at the Emergency Unit has increased. We now see 35 to

40 new patients, per day. It is like a busy market each day, here in the hospital premises.

Compared with 10 years ago, the population of the country has increased side by side, increase in the population of any country.

That translates to the fact that psychiatric population of such communities would have increased in number. The percentage may not increase, but the population would make the number to increase. So we may be talking of 12 percent for example, but when you look at 12 percent of our population 10 years ago and now, you will realize that the number has increased. And we should not forget the socio-economic reasons, too.

The consultant psychiatrist decried the few number of psychiatry hospitals in the country, said that the facilities would not meet the number of people that need medProfessor Isaac Adewole, Minister of Health

PeoPle who suffer from various mental illnesses tend to be Perceived by the society as witches or being attacked sPiritually. what such PeoPle need is family and social suPPort so that they can get aPProPriate treatment

ical attention. He suggested that a larger number of specialist hospitals spread across the country should be useful in the management of mental disorder. “There are eight Federal Government-owned neuro-psychiatric hospitals, and there are smaller units in the teaching hospitals and a few general hospitals handling mental cases. “However, there is need to effectively use what is on the ground as mental healthcare should start from the Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs). “All PHCs should be primed to render basic mental healthcare in form of diagnosis and simple treatment, while referral, where necessary, should originate from CONTINUED ON PAGE 5

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‘Insurgency has contributed to poor mental health’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4

here,’’ Olugbile said. He said that the private hospitals should also be integrated into the system to provide universal care.

Olugbile said integration of private hospitals would enable people to get care close to their homes, while the specialist hospitals would only deal with serious referral cases.

Also speaking, another consultant psychiatrist, Dr Maymunah Kadiri, said that there was need for more enlightenment of the populace on mental disorder. Kadiri, who is also the Medical Director of a Lagos based private hospital, Pinnacle Medical Services, said that stigmatisation still remained a challenge in the management of mental illnesses. “The society need to be educated on the signs associated with mental illness including depression, schizophrenia and anxiety. “When people are well educated, those with mental disorders will be appreciated rather than being stigmatised. “People who suffer from various mental illnesses tend to be perceived by the society as witches or being attacked spiritually. “What such people need is family or social support so that they can get appropriate treatment they needed”, she said.

In his own submission Mr. Emmanuel Owoyemi, Founder Mental Health Foundation, Lagos.

It is quite obvious that government is not doing enough in the area of mental health in Nigeria; government does not consider mental health of Nigeria as something crucial.

Last year alone, the Federal Neuropsychiatric hospital, Yaba was on strike for many months because of the way the hospital workers are treated by the government; the whole hospital was shut down for months and the patients resorted to self treatment.

That alone is enough to know that government is not interested in the mental health of the citizens.

Aside this, millions in the internally displaced camps in the north eastern part of Nigeria are battered and bruised as a result of Boko Haram invasion of their communities. Many of them are still grieving the loss of their loved ones; some of them have lost part of their bodies. Some of them witnessed the killings of their close relatives by the Boko Haram insurgents. Although we take food stuffs to them, this cannot compare to the grief they are experiencing as a result of their loss. But who is attending to their mental health needs; how many government officials are seeing to their mental well-being.

Chief Kolapo Mojeed, Chairman Atorise Traditional and Spiritual Psychiatric Healers of Nigeria and founder Olaiya Naturalist Hospital.

Government seem not to be interested in mentally ill people because we have written to them on several occasions (especially the

Chief Kolapo Mojeed attending to a mentally ill patient

Oyo state government) that we are ready and willing to provide free treatment for the mentally ill people in the state but we did not get any positive response from them. We are convinced we can heal them but the government is not willing to accept our offer.

This is in spite of the fact that mental illness is generally on the increase in the country due to several factors such as hemp smoking among people, spiritual attack, money ritual, accidents leading to head injury, unfavorable life events leading to depression, insomnia (lack of sleep) and so on.

According to him, herbal/traditional medicine provides total cure for mental illness unlike the orthodox medicine which only provide temporary relief only for the disease to keep reoccurring.

Dayo Oyekole, a professor of epidemiology and Secretary General National Association of Nigerian Traditional Medicine Practitioners (NANTMP) said mental illnesses could be properly handled through traditional medicine saying orthodox medicine is not as effective as herbal medicine as far as mental illnesses are concerned.

“The reason is understandable because mental health may not necessarily be due to an infectious condition; may not be due to germs whether bacteria or virus and that is what the orthodox medicine is best at doing, that is using antibiotics and drugs to kill germs. But mental health problems go beyond that; it may be nutritional in which the brain cells are not well nurtured; it may also be spiritual or psychological (from the mind).

Dr. Femi Olugbile

Prof. Dayo Oyekola

He added: “So because no drug can cure the mind, we need to tune to the natural dimension so as to supply the missing items by supplying the natural remedies and this is why natural medicine works best in combination with spiritual practices for mental health than the orthodox use of pharmaceutical products.”

He however offered some useful suggestions on how to make it work. “There are two approaches and the first is advocacy; enlightening the public on the need for them to apply the natural form of medicine that we believe will work better. Secondly, to train and improve on the standard of practice of traditional psychiatric homes, so that they can adopt some measure of hygiene and standard procedures. If you visit many of

the mental homes, they are not good; they treat their patients as if they are not human beings as if they just pack some animals into cages. But by the time you enlighten them and train them, people will find it easy to approach them and take their sick people there.

“Also, the government has to complement our effort by providing the facilities; I would want government to establish some clinics where traditional medicine practitioners can conduct their own practice freely and then show their results. Prof. Adeoye Lambo created an example of such at Aro mental home where they created a unit where traditional medicine could be put into practice. So, I think we should just go back to that and develop it.”

ents must face processes of law to be reintegrated PAGE

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NATIONAL NEWS

APRIL 30, 2016

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

EFCC hunts Diezani Alison-Madueke’s son Marcus FatunMole ABUJA

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he Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, is on the trail of Ugonna, son of former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, over his alleged roles in the disbursement of $115m to officials of Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and election monitors in the build-up to last year presidential election.

Managing Director, Fidelity Bank, Mr. Nnamdi Okonkwo, was arrested last Wednesday by the anti-graft agency, together with other top officials of the bank, over the revelations that the bank was used to prosecute the lodgment and transfer of the fund, which at the time was put at N23 billion.

Ugonna would be instrumental to arresting persons involved in the case, an unnamed senior EFCC official told an online medium yesterday.

According to the report, EFCC officials had

stated that Diezani’s son served as a middleman between his mother and the bank MD. “A senior official, who spoke to our correspondent on condition of anonymity, said, ‘We have launched a manhunt for Ugonna, who the suspects said was the one who drew up a list of individuals, who should be given the N23bn ($115m).

‘We don’t know exactly where he is but we will get him. He needs to explain his role in the sharing of the money because the bank officials have been mentioning his name since they were brought in,’ the report said.

The report stressed: “Ugonna is the Head of Business Development and Commercial Marketing at Radam Maritime Services Limited, a firm, which is headed by his father, Alison Madueke, a former Chief of naval Staff, who is also under investigation by the EFCC for alleged money laundering.

“He is said to have business interests in the United States and the United Kingdom.

Finally, Nigeria migrates to digital broadcasting today JaMes abrahaM JOS

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igeria’s dream of transiting from analogue to digital broadcasting has finally become a reality with the digital switch-over today in Jos, the Plateau State capital.

It will be recalled that the journey towards digital migration started on June 17 ,2006, when the country signed international and regional agreements to conclude the project by June 17,2012.

However, due to paucity of fund and other reasons, it has been difficult for successive administrations to actualize the project as they kept shifting the date for the eventual migration with Plateau State as the pilot state for the project.

Addressing journalists in Jos yesterday, Plateau State Commissioner for Information and Communica-

tions, Malam Muhammad Nazif said the ceremony to mark the switchover will be performed by the Minister of Information, Mr Lai Mohammed at the Rayfield Government House in Jos. He disclosed that as part of efforts to ensure a successful switch-over, the digital switch over team led by Engineer Edward Amana has concluded arrangement to distribute about 200,000 set-up-boxes free of charge to residents of three Local Government Areas in the state including Jos South, Jos North and Jos East.

Expressing delight that the eventual switch-over today was made possible as a result of the commitment of the federal Government, Nigerian Broadcasting Commission, PRTV and the various stakeholders to the project, The Commissioner called on all Nigerians to key into the project to ensure its success.

Ugonna, who is an engineer, came into limelight in 2012 when photos showing his ostentatious lifestyle went viral on the Internet.

“In one of such pictures, the graduate of University of Maryland College Park in the US, was seen flying in a private jet and later drinking champagne in a limousine. He has also been seen displaying wads of dollar notes on social media.”

Meanwhile, efforts to confirm the report from spokesperson of the

EFCC, Wilson Uwujaren, failed, as his phone number was unavailable, while a message sent to his phone was not replied as at the time of filing this report yesterday.

The allegation adds to sequence of gross corrupt practices allegedly orchestrated by the former minister, who was arguably the most powerful minister in the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan.

A wristwatch worth 600,000 pounds was seized

from the former minister’s house recently during a raid on her house by the anti-graft operatives.

Diezani has not been prosecuted over torrents of frauds she was alleged to have committed by Nigerian government, but she is standing trial in the UK where she was arrested late last year, and has had thousands of pounds confiscated from her by the UK government. She has been ill with cancer, and has been receiving

treatment abroad.

Preparatory to the 2015 election, former Central Bank of Nigeria Governor and now Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, had raised alarm that $20 billion was missing from account of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, headed by Diezani. Sanusi was fired, and was soon replaced by the incumbent governor.

She has however denied all allegations against her through her family lawyer, Oscar Onwudiwe.

Former President Chief Olusegun Obasanjo on a condolence visit to the residence of late former Deputy Governor of Lagos state, Chief Rafiu Jafojo on Thursday. With him is Mrs. Mosunmola Jafojo, widow of the late former deputy governor and Chief Johnson Fasawe (left)

Assets declaration: ACF warns FG against predetermined judgement Doosuur IwaMbe ABUJA

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he Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has warned the Federal Government not to set a bad precedent for the country in the ongoing trial of the Senate President Dr. Bukola Saraki over false assets declaration.

The forum which is the umbrella body of the leaders of thought in the North, warned that the Federal Government through the Code of Conduct Tribunal must not give a pre-determined judgment against Saraki for political reasons as doing so, will not be in the best interest of this country.

Former Senator and National Vice Chairman, Arewa Consultative

Forum, Joseph Waku, described the on-going prosecution of the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, as a premeditated trial that will bring no justice to the defendant (Saraki).

Addressing judiciary correspondents after observing the court session on behalf of ACF, Waku claimed that from all indications and conduct of the proceedings, the Tribunal Chairman, Mr. Danladi Umar was being teleguided by external forces.

The former Senator, who claimed that he was sent to the Tribunal by the national leadership of the ACF, said he was not impressed with the performance of the Tribunal in the trial.

His words: “I have been watching the proceedings on the television and

reading in the newspapers, and I was mandated by the Arewa Consultative Forum to come here as an observer and watch the proceedings and go back to report what I have found.

“My observations are that there is a premeditated something that is going on in this country.

The judiciary is on trial, the country is on trial, the Justices are on trial and we are watching to see, because similar cases have gone on before and we know how they ended.

“So, my observations here are those things that I have witnessed and I have to go back to the mother organizations to report my findings based on what I witnessed, what I have seen and the way I have looked at it”.

Adding: “I think that

Nigeria is again moving through a trying period of Judicial process and I make bold to say that the prosecution does not have prerogative of knowledge but from the look of things, there is already a teleguided and premeditated judgment that one expect to see in future and that may not be good for this country.

“It will not be good for judicial process, it is not going to be good for democracy and it will not be in the best interest of the ‘Change’ that we are looking for”.

“In as much as we are against corruption, let the legal process take its due cognizance of the facts that it is the last hope of the ordinary and common persons. That is my observation”, he concluded.

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Buhari condemns increased risks to journalists W

orried by the pitiable condition of media men, President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday, in Abuja, condemned the increased global risk to journalists in the performance of their professional duties.

The President spoke at the opening of the Congress of the Federation of African Journalists hosted by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the president delivered a keynote address on the theme: ”The Political Change and the Safety of Working Journalists in Africa”.

Buhari, who was represented by the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, said the risk came in the form of “harassment, arrests, detention and murder”.

“According to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), 72 journalists were killed globally in the year 2015, the most recent information available in that respect. Eleven of the 72 who died in that year were killed in Africa.

“The same year, out of 20 listed deadliest countries for journalists, five were from Africa – South Sudan, Somalia, Kenya, Democratic Republic of Congo and

Libya.

“Also, 90 journalists are currently being detained in many countries.

“It is, therefore, fitting that the safety of working journalists in Africa will be of concern to your organisation, the Federation of African Journalists,” he said.

The president said that journalists were targeted not only to restrict the free flow of information, but in-

creasingly as leverage to secure huge ransoms and political concessions through sheer violence.

He charged the Federation to work with the governments of their countries to remove the existential threats to media practitioners.

He said the Federation could also work with other organisations committed to the protection of journalists.

Such organisations according to him, include the Committee to Protect Journalists, the International Federation of Journalists and the International Press Institute, to eliminate or reduce the risks to journalists “It is also important for media institutions to ensure the adoption of best safety protocols for their journalists.

“They must develop and implement procedures and tools aimed at ensuring the physical and psychological safety as well as the digital

security of journalists,” he said.

The President said his administration saw the media as a partner in progress, and “has never contemplated harassing, not to mention killing, any journalist”.

“The media represents the eyes and ears of the world and attempt to silence it through the harassment, arrests, detention and murder of journalists, is akin to making the world go blind and deaf.

“I can report to this Congress that not a single journalist is being detained or harassed in our country today.

“The government of the day is not a threat to the media, and it is not about to stifle press freedom or deny anyone his or her constitutionally guaranteed rights, “he said.

The president also noted that his Administration placed preference to security and welfare of its citizens.

Workers’ Day: NSCDC deploys 3,000 personnel

L-R: Group Managing Director, First City Monument Bank (FCMB) Plc, Mr Ladi Balogun; Chairman, Dr Jonathan Long; Company Secretary, Mrs Funmi Adedibu and Founder, Otunba Michael Balogun, during the 3rd Annual General Meeting in Lagos, yesterday.

PHOTO: SAMUEL ADETIMEHIN

UNIABUJA VC cautions SSANU against industrial action Regina OtOkpa

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he Vice Chancellor of University of Abuja, Professor Michael Adikwu has called on members of the Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Universities (SSANU), to pursue dialogue rather than resort to threat and confrontations.

Reacting to resolutions from the recent congress held by the local chapter of SSANU in Abuja yesterday, the VC said his administration was poised to promote labour-friendly environment that would bring out the best from every worker to guarantee continued growth and development of the university.

While urging the asso-

ciation to resolve their differences with the management of the university, the VC assured the workers that salaries would continue to be paid in full adding that in an occasion where any issue contrary to this development should arise, SSANU would always be consulted and taken into confidence before decisions were taken.

Furthermore, Adikwu rejected the accusation of ‘’indifference’’ and shielding of corrupt officials leveled against him.

He disclosed that several investigation committees were being set up on all reported cases and has urged any worker with strong evidence of corrupt practices by any member of staff to come forward.

Also clarifying the issue

on the employment of new staff, the VC said those recruited were mostly medical doctors who were already teaching in their hospitals some of whom were from the National hospital as part of the drive to secure the accreditation of those courses.

He said: ‘’ We only regularized those on month to month basis, temporary appointment most of whom were employed by the previous administration and who had spent two years, they were now given what is called confirmation of appointment.

“Even the number of staff whose appointments have been regularized now may look big but when you look at it, we need more staff if we must get accreditation for our college of

medicine, we don’t even have staff at the clinical level.”

The Professor maintained that rather than dictating to the governing council on whom they should admit on the strength of their elections, the union should petition the council with proven evidence of non- conformity.

Adikwu also noted the concerns expressed by the union on the plight of the widows and promised that they would be absorbed as soon as the opportunities exist.

It would be recalled that SSANU, Uniabuja Chapter held their congress earlier this month threatening to down tools by May 2nd if their salary were not paid in full.

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head of the annual Workers’ Day scheduled to hold on Monday, the Lagos State Command of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) said on Friday that it had deployed 3,000 personnel to provide security for Sunday’s Workers’ Day celebration in the state.

This is contained in a statement signed by the command’s spokesperson in the state, Mr Mefor Chibuzor.

The statement said that the measure was to ensure adequate security of lives and property within the state during this period, ``taking cognisance the prevailing security situation that confronts the nation’’.

It said that the corps Commandant in the state, Mr Tajudeen Balogun, had assured people in Lagos that the celebration would be hitch-free. ‘’Towards achieving

this, officers will be deployed in strategic locations to watch over critical infrastructure within the state during the period. ‘’Intelligence officers of the corps in plain clothes will be deployed to mount surveillance and gather intelligent information, especially from public recreation facilities and parks within the state. ‘’This we will do in collaboration with other security agencies in ensuring that the celebration is peaceful. ‘’I advise all Lagosians to be security conscious and avoid, as much as possible, being in overcrowded environment. ‘’I appeal to all members of the public to be law abiding and report any suspected movement or any gathering that pose a security threat to the corps or any security agency close by,’’ Balogun was quoted as saying.

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Enugu massacre: Security agencies have questions to answer —Ugwuanyi emmanuel ezeh ENUGU

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overnor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State, yesterday declared that security agencies in the state owed Nigerians answer to the killings

at Nimbo community in the state by Fulani herdsmen.

Ugwuanyi stated this while addressing the people of the State over the carnage at Nimbo.

He equally announced the constitution of a judi-

How ex-NIMASA boss, Akpolobokemi, others diverted N2.7bn ISPS fund —EFCC witness Wale. IgbIntade

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n Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) witness in the ongoing trial of the former Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Patrick Ziadeke Akpolobokemi, and six other accused persons, yesterday, gave graphic details of how 89 percent of the contract sum meant for the implementation of ISPS code was diverted to personal use.

The witness, Orji Chukwuma, an Investigation Officer of the Commission, who was led in evidence by EFCC prosecutor, Rotimi Oyedepo, stated that only N3 500,000 million out of N2. 658, 957,666 billion was used in clearing boats.

He stated that the fund was not used for it’s purpose as contained in the approval sought by the former Director-General of NIMASA, Dr. Akpolobokemi.

Orji stated that sum of N437 million was paid into Access Bank account number 000532644033, which was later transferred to the Seaburg Limited’s account number 0003602602 with Diamond Bank, by a roadside Bureau de Change operator who changed from Naira to United State American Dollar equivalent.

The witness also stated that Ace Protesis received N66.8 million, from the contract sum, which was used in buying a property at block 26, plot 21 Northern Offshore Lekki for the second accused person in the criminal matter, Captain Ezekiel Bala Agaba.

Orji further disclosed that two companies: Alkenzo Logistics Limited and Blocks and Stones Company Limited, belonging to the fourth accused person, Ekene Nwakuche, received the sums through its Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB); while three companies: Southern Offshore, Seaburg and Southern Offshore Limited, belonging

to one Uche Obilo received N118 million.

He also informed the court that a total of N268 million, was transferred to OSeni Sabo’s Zenith Bank, while a roadside Bureau de Change Operator, who could not read and write in English, and that the sum of N86 million to Haji Kawu Bureau de Change’s company.

He added that the sum of N31 million was recovered from Uche Obilo; while Extreme Vetex Nigeria Limited, company belonging to a tailor, Emeka Onuoha, received the total of N22.8 million from a Zenith bank account, while another company, Caniz Nigeria Limited received N53.7m with its Access Bank account.

The EFCC investigator stated that the sum of N1.123 billion from investigation as the first approval by the Presidential National Security Adviser for the implementation of ISPS while the Second approval of N795.2 million was made but N946.3 was converted to dollars as if it was the purpose of the second approval with the remaining six percent going to the suspects who are at large.

However, the presiding judge, Justice Ibrahim Buba adjourned the matter May 23 and 27, 2016 for cross examination of the witness who is the 12 EFCC witness.

Akpobolokemi is standing trial before Justice Ibrahim Buba led-court alongside with three others, namely; Captain Ezekiel Agaba, Ekene Nwakuche, Governor Juan, and three companies, namely Blockz and Stonz Limited, Kenzo Logistics Limited and Al-Kenzo Logistic Limited.

In a 22-count charge by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the accused persons were alleged of converting a total of N2, 658,957,666 between December 23, 2013 and May 28 this year. All the accused persons had pleaded not guilty to all the counts.

cial commission of inquiry over the incident.

It would be recalled that the herdsmen stormed the community in the early hours of Monday, killed several persons, injured others and destroyed properties.

The Governor spoke at the Government House in a solemn session attended by several leaders in the State, including the Deputy Senate President, Chief Ike Ekweremadu, other senators and members of the House of Representatives from the State, the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Hon. Eugene Odo, former information minister, Chief Nnia Nwodo, among others.

Speaking in an angry tone, Governor Ifeanyi said security agencies owed Nigerians explanation over the attack.

“On Sunday, April 24, 2016, by 7 pm, the night before this carnage took place, I got security information from Uzo-Uwani Local Government Transition Chairman, Hon. Cornell Onwubuya that

such an incident was likely to take place in the state.

“I immediately summoned a meeting of the State Security Council which commenced by 10 pm.

“In the meeting, we received assurances from the Commissioner of Police that the Area Commander of SARS was on ground in Nimbo.

“That the Anti-Terrorism Unit was at Nimbo “That he was in contact with the Kogi State Commissioner of Police and reported suspected herdsmen grouping at Odolu in Kogi State preparatory for an attack on Nimbo and Abbi communities “That Police mobile force and conventional police were already drafted to Nimbo and Abbi communities.

“That he was in touch with the Area Commander, Idah, ACP Ikegwuonwu and had linked him with the Area Commander, Nsukka, ACP Monday Kuryas. Both men according to the CP reported that there were no traces

of suspected herdsmen in Nsukka or Idah.

“That he ordered the Area Commander, Nsukka to redeploy to Nimbo.”

He further noted that “the Garrison Commander on his part assured the meeting that Military was already deployed to Nimbo”, adding that “the State Government provided logistics for these deployments.”

“Sadly, in the early hours of Monday reports of this carnage reached me. More disturbing was the report that the attack of innocent and defenceless citizens were carried out at about 6 30 am.

Further reports available to me indicate that apart from the killing and maiming of innocent and defenceless citizens of Nimbo a Church was also burnt. Following this development, I engaged the security agencies in order to ensure that the Nimbo area was secured from further attacks that might escalate the situation.

“On Tuesday, April 26, 2016, I visited Nimbo in order to establish first-

hand the extent of carnage. My visit to Nimbo was revealing. I came face to face with the wounded and bereaved. I saw burnt and damaged personage of Christ Holy Church. I saw a traumatized community in shock and despair. I saw a dead body.

I wept. I wondered what has become of our quest for a united, peaceful and prosperous nation. Our first national anthem had a phrase which went thus: ‘though tribe and tongue may differ, in brotherhood we stand.’

“Only two weeks ago we gave a posthumous award to Alhaji Umaru Altine, a Katsina born Muslim who was elected mayor of Enugu before the Civil War, in the period that Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe was leader of the NCNC. “Now in less than three months, violent clashes have occurred in Enugu State in Awgu, Nike, Abbi and Nimbo between suspected Fulani Herdsmen and our people.

This situation cannot be allowed to continue.

Some of the 19 Northern States Governors Forum during their meeting in Kaduna, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

Buhari mourns Oba of Benin ... says death of monarch a national loss

RotImI FadeyI ABUJA

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resident Muhammadu Buhari yesterday, expressed sadness over the death of the revered traditional ruler of Benin Kingdom, Omo n’Oba n’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Erediauwa.

According to a statement issued by Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, Buhari also expressed an

immense feeling of great national loss.

The statement said, “On behalf of the Federal Government, President Buhari extends sincere condolences to Governor Adams Oshiomhole, the people of Benin Kingdom and Edo State on the passage of the beloved monarch who had ruled over his people since his ascension to the throne in 1979” “The President extends special commiserations to Crown Prince Eheneden Erediauwa and other members of the late Oba’s immediate family.

“President Buhari assures them of the fullest sympathy and solidarity of the Federal Government and all Nigerians as they mourn Oba Erediauwa who will always be remembered as one of the most outstanding traditional rulers of his era” The statement further said, “as the late Oba goes to join his very illustrious royal ancestors, President Buhari believes that his place of honour in the history of the Benin Kingdom and Nigeria has been assured by his long and highly

successful career as a public servant, administrator and chief custodian of the much celebrated culture and traditions of his people” “The President prays that God Almighty will receive the late Oba’s soul and grant him peaceful repose.

He also prays that God will grant Crown Prince Erediauwa the wisdom and courage he will require to build on the laudable legacies of Oba Erediauwa”, the statement added.

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

APRIL 30, 2016

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Ambode commends Buhari’s economic investment drive T

he Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Friday paid a visit to President Muhammadu Buhari at the State

House, Abuja, where he lauded the President’s recent overseas trips aimed at attracting foreign direct investments into the country.

Osun sends 20 youths to Germany for training bolAdAle bAmigbolA OSOGBO

T

he Osun State Government has restated the need for all potential farmers to embrace modern methods of practicing agriculture to have maximum success.

The government, which is sending 20 of its youths to Germany for training on modern technology in agricultural practices, said the era of subsistence farming has passed, hence its investment in training of the younger generation modern agricultural practices.

Speaking shortly after the rounding off a German language training programme for the 20 youths, the coordinator of the training programme, who is also the immediate past

Senior Special Adviser on Quick Impact Intervention Programme, QUIIP, Mr. Dele Ogundipe, explained that serious agricultural development has always been the cardinal objective of the present administration.

He said because of the quest to develop agriculture in the state, the state governor in May 2012 got in contact with the state of Saxony-Anhalt in Germany to be of assistance to the state in the area of agricultural development.

According to him, the completion of the language course under the supervision of a German instructor, marked the end of the preparations for the journey, aimed at producing the next set of technically skilled hands who would advance the state in its agricultural business enterprises.

Fayemi insists on diversification of economy bolAdAle bAmigbolA OSOGBO

F

ormer Ekiti state governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, yesterday declared that the era of paying lip service to the diversification of the economy, stressing that the parlous state of the economy requires more aggressive approach to solid mineral development.

Fayemi disclosed this while delivering 3rd edition of Chief (Dr.) John Agboola Odeyemi Annual Lecture with the theme: “Harnessing Our Natural and Cultural Heritage for National Development”, at the Conference Centre and Guest Houses, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife. The minister of Solid Minerals Development said that many states had to go to the federal government cap in hand to beg for funds over their inability to pay salaries

suggested that an urgent need for economic diversification.

He added that for several decades, policy makers and observers warned that the country’s continued dependence on oil as the mainstay of her economy was bound to jeopardize her long term economic growth and development.

The minister said the country now faces a future in which crude oil either ceases to be a strategic resource or one in which her status as a producer becomes irrelevant to her prospects for economic advancement within the international economic environment.

Making case for solid minerals as alternative to oil, Fayemi said President Mohammadu Buhari often said that he wants the sector to be a key source of economic growth and diversified revenue base for Nigeria.

Governor Ambode who spoke to State House Correspondents shortly after the visit expressed high optimism that the President’s trips would in no short time begin to yield benefits in the interest of all Nigerians.

The Governor specifically commended President Buhari for his purposeful

leadership to restore the nation’s place in the comity of nations, saying his recent trip to China and the profitable discussions will go a long way move Nigeria forward, including Lagos.

He said the investment pact signed with the Chinese government will benefit the people of Lagos, especially with the coming

of the Lagos-Kano Rail Project and the Lagos Metro Rail project expected to cost about $2.5billion.

It would be recalled that President Buhari recently returned from a one week visit to China where Nigeria signed series of investment pact expected to yield about $6 billion investment for Nigeria

and also expected to have positively huge impact on key sectors of the Nigerian economy including power, solid minerals, agriculture, housing and rail transportation.

He said the visit was therefore to thank President Buhari for his laudable plans for Nigeria and especially Lagos State.

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, addressing State House Correspondents shortly after his meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari, at the State House in Abuja, on Friday, April 29, 2016.

Lagos community petitions FG over land grabbers

Victor Udoh

R

esidents of Okun Mopo community, along Lekki-Epe Expressway in Lagos State, have cried out following their forceful eviction from their ancestral land at Sangotedo monastery by policemen from State Anti-Robbery Squad, Lagos zone 2 under the instigation of one Ajayi Apata Property Limited.

According to the residents, SARS team led by one DSP Isaac Okeke (rtd) illegally invaded the locality on April 27, 2016 demolishing people’s homes and structures with caterpillars and bulldozers.

The community therefore, through their solicitors, Mr B. Olugbani and Ms A. Seriki, called on President Muhammadu Buhari and Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, to prevail on the land grabbers to

retrace their steps in the interest of peace. They also advocated the immediate arrest and prosecution of Okeke and the errant policemen.

They regretted that their homes and structures had been destroyed by the authority, a move which is against the policy thrust of the present administration both at the federal and state levels.

In a petition to Lagos State Commissioner of Police, the residents

through their traditional rulers condemned the use of the instrumentality of the Nigeria Police by the land grabbers to chase away the people from their properties without good reason.

The community leaders also expressed concerns about the repetition of similar incident in Ibeju-Lekki last year, where the Managing Director of the Lekki Free Zone Ltd, Mr Tajudeen Disu, was killed.

tions perpetually in your prayers because your continuous prayers for us will keep us in the right track. The people’s continuous prayers for us will instill the fear of God in our minds and make us serve the people with the fear of God and serve right,” he said yesterday in Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State at a thanksgiving service

in commemoration of his victory of his election’s petition at the Supreme Court.

“After losing at the Appeal Court, I was in Jerusalem with Ekiti State Governor Fayose and at a time, I became burdened and I told him (Fayose) that I am prepared to go back to my state. But he advised me to stay back

and that the Almighty God that we serve would ensure my success.

“He said it with such emphasis and assurance that subdued my fears.

I then promised that if I should win the Supreme Court verdict that I would do my thanksgiving in Ado Ekiti and that is what I am doing today (yesterday).”

Pray for us leaders, Ishiaku begs AbiodUn nejo ADO EKITI

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araba State Governor, Arch Dairus Ishiaku, has begged Nigerians to pray for their leaders from the President to local government councillors in their course of service.

“Please keep those of us in leadership posi-

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SON raids shops, confiscates substandard items in Kogi Wale IbrahIm LOKOJA

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n a bid to rid the Nigerian market of substandard goods,the Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has confiscated several thousands of fairly used tyres, substandard electrical cables and fake gas cylinders worth millions of Naira during a nationwide raid carried out yesterday.

The State Coordinator of SON, Anne Okechukwu, who spoke to journalists during the raid to sanitize markets from low quality items in Lokoja, the state capital yesterday, stated that the raid became imperative in view of substandard items that have flooded Nigeria markets.

Okechukwu explained that following the directives by the National Headquarters to raid the markets and seize all dangerous products, stressing that such items are products not measuring with standard, and should be not allowed to reach the customers.

“You are all aware that President Mohammadu Buhari has zero tolerance for corruption, so also the Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) is not left out of the campaign against corruption. The sale of substandard items to unsuspecting customers is total corruption,” she stressed.

The State Coordinator further revealed that SON, under the leadership of Dr. Paul Anya, set aside yesterday to raid all substandard products: “The reason why we are doing this is to save Nigerians from danger. Nigerians must get value and satisfaction for their money. We are also working hard for SON can compete favourably with other countries and also promote made in Nigeria goods.”

The State Coordinator therefore appealed to Nigerians to stop buying substandard product, noting that items brought for sale in the market.

NORTH

APRIL 30, 2016

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

el-Rufai inaugurates first electronic land registry in Kaduna a za msue KADUNA

K

aduna State Governor, Malam Nasir el-Rufai, yesterday signed the first set of digital Certificates of Occupancy produced by the state’s new electronic land registry.

The signing of digital Certificate of Occupancy follows the creation of the Kaduna Geographic Information Service (KADGIS), an agency backed by legislation. el-Rufai, who also inspected the facilities of KADGIS, commended the efforts being made to digitalise the

land archive.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, el-Rufai said that the government is making the process of securing title easier and more user-friendly for citizens.

He explained that the by digitalising land titles, the state is ensuring the integrity of title documents.

The Governor called on residents of the state to use the services of KADGIS, and obtain title documents that are valid and secure.

It will be recalled that, as former Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister from 2003 to 2007, el-Rufai established the first electronic land registry in Nigeria.

He was expected to repli-

cate that feat in Kaduna as part of the processes of restoring the state as a modern, rule-based state.

KADGIS is expected to vastly increase the registration of land titles in the state, where most property do not have Certificates of Occupancy.

The Governor said that, as a major capital project of the current government, KADGIS is also expected to make a significant contribution to improving internally generated revenue (IGR) in the state.

KADGIS replaced the former Ministry of Lands, Survey and Country Planning. The law establishing KADGIS was passed by the Kaduna State House of Assembly following an ex-

ecutive bill. KADGIS was established to create an electronic land registry and to facilitate the registration of land documents in the state.

While presenting the KADGIS bill, el-Rufai said that “KADGIS is a one-stop shop for all land matters.

It is intended to make life easier for citizens in securing title for their land holdings, and to use such titles as valid collateral.

“The simpler processes and modern products KADGIS will provide will also encourage investors and create clarity about who owns what, speed up land transactions and contribute to the government’s quest to make Kaduna State a more favorable place to do business.” He said.

A cross-section of members of the Army-Shite Clash Judicial Commission of inquiry, taking oath of office during their inauguration in Kaduna, yesterday.

Presidency donates relief materials to IDPs in Taraba JustIn tyopuusu JALINGO

T

he Presidential Initiative for the North East (PINE), yesterday, donated relief materials to the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) from Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states camping at different locations in Taraba State.

Secretary of the body, Alhaji Umar Gulani, who presented the materials to Governor Darius Ishaku for onward distribution to the IDPs, said the Federal Government was committed to ending insurgency and communal clashes in some parts of the country to enable all of them return to their homes.

Umar urged the IDPs to support government’s efforts by staying in peace with their host communities and among themselves.

“The materials we have brought for you today are meant to alleviate your suffering at the moment; government is working tirelessly to put an end to all forms of insurgency and crisis across the country so that you can go back home.

“I therefore urge you to be at peace with your host communities and among yourselves as a mark of appreciation and support to government efforts towards a peaceful country,” he said.

Represented by PINE’s

Liaison Officer, Mr. Monday Oviangbede, Umar explained that the Initiative would present the materials to seven local government areas of Taraba where IDPs were identified.

Receiving the materials on behalf of the IDPs, Governor Ishaku thanked the Presidency for the wonderful initiative aimed at making life meaningful for the people affected by insurgency.

Ishaku enjoined the IDPs to support government’s efforts at achieving peace, saying no development can take place in the face of crisis.

The Governor, who was represented by the state’s Head of Service, Mr. Daniel Angyu, prayed God to grant Nigerians

the needed unity against all forms of crisis.

In his remarks, Permanent Secretary, State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Mr. Novalga Danhabu, urged the IDPs to feel free to interact with the people of the state, and promote peaceful co-existence.

Responding on behalf of the IDPs, James Abusalami, who is the chairman of Abuja Phase 2 IDPs camp, commended President Muhamadu Buhari for prioritising the fight against insurgency, and for sending the relief materials to alleviate their sufferings. He also urged the Federal Government to facilitate their quick return to their homes.

Items donated include bags of maize, beans, millet, pieces of mattresses, buckets, plastic cups, cartons of soap among others.

Boko Haram: Adamawa women lauded for involvement in peace process

M

s Grace Atim, a Senior Research Fellow with the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR), have lauded the commitment of women in Adamawa to peace process following the return of normalcy after insurgency in the state.

She made the commendation in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Yola on the sidelines of peace training.

Atim fielded questions as a resource person for the just concluded training on peace building for stakeholders in Adamawa organised by the IPCR in collaboration with UNHCR and Adamawa Government.

According to her, the participation of women in the peace project is impressive. ``The participation of women is high; when I engaged them, I realised that they are eager to be involved in the peace building process as enshrined in United Nations Convention,” Atim said.

She said 23 women were among the 50 Peace Volunteers so far selected after the three weeks peace building training in the three senatorial zones of the state.

The official said the women would act as mediators and change agents in their respective communities, among others.

Commenting on the training, a female trainee, Ms Maryam Abubakar of National Council for Women Society (NCWS), expressed satisfaction with women participation in peace building.

She promised that they were fully committed to the peace project.

APRIL 30, 2016

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Herdsmen as new face of terror

Lekan adejuwon

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t is obvious that the reckless adventure of herdsmen is on the increase. They have as usual been leaving behind their usual trademark of bloodletting and mindless killings of farmers and innocent residents of their host communities.

Indeed, there was a national outrage on Monday when the suspected Fulani herdsmen launched another deadly attack on the sleepy Ukpabi Nimbo community in UzoUwani council of Enugu State, killing scores of residents mostly farmers and destroyed property worth millions of naira.

Sources in the area put the casualty figure at 48, though the police is yet to put a definite figure.

According to eye witness accounts, the herdsmen in their numbers invaded the community in the early hours of the fateful Monday with guns, bows and arrows, machetes and swords ensuring that any human being within sight was hacked down.

The suspected Fulani herdsmen had since January, unleashed a reign of terror on at least five communities beginning from what has now become the famous Agatu massacre where ten communities were razed while no fewer than 500 lives were lost.

This was followed in no particular order, by similar attack in twenty-five local government areas in Delta State which grounded activities on the Benin-Asaba Expressway.

Reports say the herdsmen allegedly killed over 23 persons. Interestingly, the police recovered 20 AK-47 rifles, 70 dane guns, 30 double-barrel guns and over 1,000 live ammunition, mostly from Fulani herdsmen during this period.

In a related development, farmers in Lagun, Iyana Offa, Offa, Atagba, Lapata and their surrounding communities in Lagelu Local Council Area of Ibadan, Oyo State, alleged that a group of Fulani armed men attacked their communities at night, injured a guard and carted away valuables.

The attention was shifted to Taraba State where Fulani herdsmen attacked two villages in Gashaka Local Government Area of the state and killed 15 people and followed by the last Monday’s episode.

Enugu State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, who broke down in tears at the scene of the gory incident on Wednesday evening met behind closed doors with President Muhammadu Buhari to brief him on the herdsmen attack at Ukpabi Nimbo.

Ugwuanyi left a meeting of the Nigeria Governors Forum which was holding inside the old Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja midway to meet Buhari inside his official residence at about 10pm.

The governor however expressed delight that Buhari had ordered security chiefs to fish out the culprits.

Speaking for the first time after the herdsmen attack in Enugu State, Buhari said that it has become necessary for his administra-

Fulani youth with AK47 tion to prioritize ending the incessant attacks and killings perpetrated by the herdsmen.

Garba Shehu, the Senior Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the President, made this known in series of tweets on Wednesday.

According to him, “Following continuing reports of attacks by ‘herdsmen’ on communities across the country, particularly Monday’s attack on Ukpabi Nimbo in Enugu State, President Muhammadu Buhari assures all Nigerians, once again, of his administration’s continued commitment to ensuring the safety of lives and property in all parts of the country,” Shehu wrote on Twitter.

“President Buhari unreservedly condemns the attack on Ukpabi Nimbo on other such acts of extreme violence against communities in other states of the federation.

“Acting on the president’s directive, the inspector-general of police and heads of the nation’s other security agencies are already taking urgent steps to fully investigate the attacks, apprehend the perpetrators and bring them to justice.

“Ending the recent upsurge of attacks on communities by herdsmen reportedly armed with sophisticated weapons is now a priority on the Buhari administration’s agenda for enhanced national security and the armed forces and police have clear instructions to take all necessary action to stop the carnage.

“In keeping with the president’s directive, the inspector-general of police, the general officer commanding the 82nd division of the Nigeria army and the director of the Department of State Security in Enugu state have, visited Ukpabi Nimbo to personally oversee investigations into the attack on the community and ongoing efforts to apprehend the culprits.”

The Arewa Consultative Forum, ACF has called on security agents to unmask the perpetrators of the attacks on Ukpabi Nimbo community in Enugu state by suspected Fulani herdsmen The group commiserates with the gov-

ernment and people of Enugu state over the attacks on the community saying traditional Fulani nomads have coexisted peacefully with their host communities and have been grazing their cattle for decades all over Nigeria without any such attacks The group has however warned that Nigeria cannot afford to graduate from Boko Haram insurgency to an unwarranted attack by unknown gunmen alleged to be Fulani herdsmen.

The group in statement on Thursday, by its national publicity secretary, Alhaji Muhammad Ibrahim, commiserated with the government and people of Enugu state over the attacks. ACF said: “The traditional Fulani nomads have coexisted peacefully with their host communities and have been grazing their cattle for decades all over Nigeria without any such attacks.

“ACF is therefore disturbed and seriously concerned with this recent development. “It therefore calls upon the security agencies to do a thorough investigation into the identities of the suspected gunmen in order to stop this dangerous generalization of labelling certain tribe or people of certain faith as responsible for these attacks.

“This will cause mistrust and likely incite people of different tribes and faith who have lived together peacefully for decades However, a strong voice of opposition was added to the ongoing development as the Nobel laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, has criticized President Muhammadu Buhari for his reaction to increasing attacks and killings by herdsmen in several states in the country.

Soyinka in an address to the National Conference on Culture and Tourism on Wednesday said he was shocked by the President’s claim that the attacks would soon be over.

He added that comments made by the President and the government fell short of expectation and did not provide any reassurance for Nigerians.

For him, “When I read a short while ago, the Presidential assurance to this nation that

the current homicidal escalation between the cattle prowlers and farming communities would soon be over, I felt mortified.

“He had the solution, he said. Cattle ranches were being set up, and in another 18 months, rustlings, destruction of livelihood and killings from herdsmen would be ‘a thing of the past’. Eighteen months, he assured the nation. I believe his Minister of Agriculture echoed that later, but with a less dispiriting time schema.

The Nobel laureate, who said the signs were already clear and the rampage of impunity was already manifesting a cultic intensity of alarming proportions almost a year ago, noted that the current violence and killings by the herdsmen would among other things hurt tourism in the country.

He said, “It is not merely arbitrary violence that reigns across the nation but total, undisputed impunity. Impunity evolves and becomes integrated in conduct when crime occurs and no legal, logical and moral response is offered. I have yet to hear this government articulate a firm policy of non-tolerance for the serial massacres have become the nation’s identification stamp.

“I have not heard an order given that any cattle herders caught with sophisticated firearms be instantly disarmed, arrested, placed on trial, and his cattle confiscated.

“The nation is treated to an eighteen-month optimistic plan which, to make matters worse, smacks of abject appeasement and encouragement of violence on innocents.

“Let me repeat, and of course I only ask to be corrected if wrong: I have yet to encounter a terse, rigorous, soldierly and uncompromising language from this leadership, one that threatens a response to this unconscionable blood-letting that would make even Boko Haram repudiate its founding clerics.”

“For every crime, there is a punishment, for every violation, there must be restitution.

The nomads of the world cannot place themselves above the law of settled humanity.”

The literary giant has spoken.

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Fulani herdsmen attacks can lead to ethnic warfare –Hon Alli Elder statesman and former House of Reps member representing Lagos Island during the Second Republic, Honourable Adekunle Alli in this interview, x-rays burning national issues. LEKAN ADEJUWON reports

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here has been upsurge in killings

by Fulani herdsmen in different parts of the country. Only a few days ago, over 40 Igbo citizens were murdered in cold blood by these rampaging herdsmen. What does this portend for our nascent democracy?

I am not so worried about our return to democracy, but I am worried about the future of the country itself and that future means its national integrity. The Boko Haram insurgency in the North East, the Fulani herdsmen as they are called in the south west and parts of the south east, the two coming from the north, I don’t want to believe that it was premeditated or organised secretly by anyone but I think it is a fearful development if it is not arrested in time. And I am very glad that only yesterday, the President, himself, a Fulani man was said to have called on the army to clamp down on these ravaging Fulani terrorists, I will call them. Where they get their weapons from, I don’t know, but I sincerely hope that there is no international conspiracy behind the whole movement.

But then again, another school of thought says that the Fulani herdsmen that we used to know are peace loving.

What could have transpired that would make a supposedly peaceful Fulani man to begin to carry arms. Don’t you see a new dimension in terrorism even as many are wont to believe that the Boko Haram may have infiltrated their rank?

It is not impossible giving the way and the rate at which Boko Haram developed in this country and the fact that they have not been successfully subdued by the authorities but a distinct development about it is that while should the Fulani herdsmen held south for grazing land for their cattle? Where have they been grazing their cattle in the past?

Or has the North become so decertified that there are no grazing land in the North again? I think there is something very hideous about this ugly development and I want to see how a democratically elected government can cope with this kind of situation How do you mean?

Fighting battle on two fronts-against terrorists (I will now use the word terrorists

Alli

for the two) when a man comes to your house with weapons, even if you as you knocked at my door and pointed a gun at me, I will know you are not coming as a journalist, you are coming as a terrorist with this proviso that you will send me out of this house, whether you can remain inside of it with the law on my side, but where the law has totally broken down, then of course it may be a different kettle of fish.

The present government has been variously accused of handling the case with less seriousness even as the president failed to make a categorical statement on the matter.

The development has been translated to mean that the President is treating his Fulani brothers with kid gloves.

The pattern has not come out clearly to me but I am just hoping and praying, we are not going into another ethnic warfare Just to buttress your point, the Afenifere has reacted a couple of days ago saying that Yoruba nation would no longer fold its hand at the incessant killing by the herdsmen. The Agbekoya Farmers Revolution Council has equally condemned the act threatening to go for self help if the trend is not curbed I questioned the authority of Afenifere to speak on behalf of Agbekoya No, the Agbekoya issued a separate statement Then what is the connection between the two now?

They are both ethnic champions Ok, then they are not political organizations anymore, they are ethnic champions and that is what they made us believe. Whether they have the capacity to translate their activism into effective action is another thing.

But you cannot deny the fact that one of the prominent members of Afenifere, Chief Olu Falae has been a serial victim of these herdsmen in his farm?

It is a pity that even the last government had been viewing the country in the light of conflict between the south and the north and therefore gathering together the elements in the south to form a block to be able to confront the northern power block and of

course, it is well known that the Afenifere leader who was attacked by the Fulani collected on behalf of Afenifere N100million On behalf of his party SDP? Which is another smokescreen for the Afenifere and don’t forget he was the candidate for the Afenifere in 1998 presidential election but he did not succeed so w cannot isolate this from the trend which is forming up in the country which I personally opposed. If we want one Nigeria, let it be, but if we don’t, well, but it must not be by these subterranean military incursions into ethnic territories even though it has been prophesied by foreign powers that by the 2015, there will be no more Nigeria. The election we held falsified that prediction, but whether this is the continuation of this foreign assumption is another thing. So, if the government really comes down hard on the Fulani terrorists, then of cours, there is hope for the future but if we are left to self help, I think that may be the beginning of the end for the country and that is what I don’t pray for.

But that stills boil down to the inactiveness on the part of the government because Boko Haram started as pockets of resistance by some Islamic fundamentalists but has become a festering sore over time. Don’t you think that these herdsmen are making a statement to break the country?

They have not made a statement. Are they organized at all? They are jut wandering bands of herdsmen who happen to posses ammunition or they are just another group which have been infiltrated by this international terror group like the ISIS Perhaps entering from the porous borders in the country?

Yes. And don’t forget when we talk of porous borders, the borders in the north. I don’t know if you have been to the North before, there is not any worse word one can use than porosity. it is virtually not protected.

Nothing whatsoever to demarcate except communities which recognize authorities from one side or the other and something I have read which worried me about Boko Haram sect was that, this is how Vietnam

war started more than 60 years ago before it resulted to South and North Vietnam which is still the political division of that country till today. One having to perpetually depend on one foreign power while the other one is also depending on another foreign power and the country becomes so to say, balkanized, both politically and militarily. It is a foreboding prospect but I just hope and pray that we will not get to that stage which I am trying to catalogue to you.

The 2016 budget is actually attracting a life of its own if I may say because of the controversies it has generated. As at today, the President is yet to assent the Appropriation Act as a result of discrepancies in the final list. As a former National Assembly member what do you think is the problem with this particular budget?

The budget basically is designed by the executive and presented to the legislature to ponder over it, considers it. we usually go into committees to look into the nitty-gritty of the budget, but one feature which appears to me from the reading of the budget this year was the changing of provisions in the constitution by the legislature without the consent of the executive is something strange and it has never occurred in my own experience. If there is going to be any change, then, there is a joint standing committee of the National Assembly drawn equally from the senate and also from the House which has to regulate or reconcile these differences but in this case, it was the whole thing which was sent back. Executive discovered that the original bill had been tampered with and that tampering virtually involved the total rehabilitation of the budget itself, removal of the railway project from Lagos to Calabar and transferred to other less important projects. In that wise, they have made the budget presentation, very complex. That is what I see about that.

The scenario playing out in the 8th assembly has given rise to insinuations from many quarters as the Senate President is always in the dock at a time he supposed to preside over the senate. This has greatly affected the smooth running of the government as much attention is been drawn to the corruption trial at the expense of crucial national issues including the low pace of passing the budget It is not only the slowness in passing the budget it is the integrity of the National Assembly itself. In fact, I have written severally about it on the social media. If anybody has any modicum or propriety, he should have gone, he should have removed himself without waiting. But you see, the whole place is so corrupt. Indeed, it is hard for me to imagine any corrupt legislators in the past in the country than now. The whole place is so totally rotten and I am talking now of the senate, not the House of Reps.

The House somehow, because of the number, they are still able to stay on course but the senate, no.. I wont touch it by a long spoon.

Indeed, I felt it is the wrong type of people who find their way into the Senate because of the use of money to influence voters.

I regret this kind of thing and the thing is affecting the entire senate to the extent that people are calling for the abolition of senate as an institution of the National Assembly, but I said no. it is not possible by the type of constitution we are operating. The senate is an integral part of the nation’s federal constitution. It stands for the equality of the state whereas the House of Reps stands for the equality of the voters.

Transition

APRIL 30, 2016

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Oba Erediauwa of Benin reunites with his ancestors T

he traditional ruler of the Benin Kingdom, Omo n’Oba n’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Erediauwa, has died. He was aged 92.

The monarch’s demise was officially announced by Adams Oshiomhole, the Governor of Edo State, yesterday, confirming the worst fears of Nigerians who have been speculating about the whereabouts of the revered monarch for months.

Almost one year ago, the monarch, who ascended the throne in 1979, was rumoured to have passed on after an undisclosed illness.

The rumour became widespread after the campaign trail of then president, Goodluck Jonathan, landed in Benin in February 2015, and the Oba was conspicuously absent.

Frank Irabor, Secretary of the Benin Traditional Council, quickly moved to dispel the rumours.

“They have been peddling that rumour for more than a year now, because the Oba has not been coming out,” Irabor said in a statement.

“If there is anything like that, there is usually a statement from the

We are enveloped With a deep sense of nostalgia that our great

oba, a greatgrandfather, grandfather, father, uncle

and iconoclastic royal father of exemplary carriage and

conduct, Who sustained the dignity of the average

edo mind,

has joined his ancestors

palace or from the Benin Traditional Council.

“The fact that he has not been coming out, even when the President came last week, does not mean that there is anything like that.”

One month later, a delegation of princes and chiefs of Benin Kingdom, led by Ada Erediauwa, visited Abuja to convey the King’s assurance of his victory at the polls.

However, a few days later, the Crown Prince of the Kingdom, Eheneden Erediauwa; the Iyase (Prime Minister), Sam Igbe; and some traditional chiefs declared that the monarch had not endorsed any candidate for the election.

Eheneden had been formally installed as the Edaiken of Uselu, the heir apparent to the throne on March 7, 2015.

One of the last public appearances of Oba Erediauwa was when he handed the Red Egbeigben, the highest Benin traditional attire, to former president Jonathan.

Prince Solomon Aiseokhuoba Igbinoghodua Akenzua (later known as Oba n’Oba Erediauwa) was 56 when he succeeded his father, Oba Akenzua 11, on March 23, 1979.

Born on June 22, 1923, the young prince attended Government College, Ibadan, in 1939, from where he gained admission into Yaba College six years later.

Afterwards, he was admitted into King’s College, Cambridge, to study Law and Administration.

In 1957, he returned to Nigeria to join the Eastern Nigeria Civil Service as a District Officer.

He retired from the civil service in 1973 and became the regional representative for Gulf Oil Company.

Two years later, he was appointed the Commissioner for Finance by the military administration of Major-General George Innih.

Omo n’Oba n’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Erediauwa, the 28th Oba of Benin, was an author, peace advocate, father, grandfather, and great grandfather.

“Our hearts are heavy, laden with pains and grief, at the announcement of the passing to glory… of our highly revered Oba…,” Governor Oshiomhole said in a 431-word stateCONTINUED ON PAGE 14

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APRIL 30, 2016

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‘Thorough-bred bureaucrat, iconoclastic royal father’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 13

ment announcing the king’s death.

In his statement, Oshiomhole described the monarch as a thoroughbred bureaucrat who was “brave, fearless and punchy.”

“Edo people will miss our inchoate royal father of the great Benin Kingdom,” Oshiomhole said. “Nigerians and Nigeria will miss this great exemplar of a Royal Father, an Oba of distinction and integrity. Adieu until we meet to part no more.”

The statement did not, however, say when and how the monarch died.

Meanwhile, Edo indigenes and residents have continued to mourn their much loved royal father. Commercial activities have virtually grounded to a halt as all markets have been shut down as a mark of respect for the departed monarch.

The entire Benin kingdom was thrown into epic mourning and grief when top hierarchy of palace chiefs announced the death of Oba of Benin, His Royal Majesty, Omo N’Oba UKU Akpolokpolo, Oba Erediauwa.

The Oba’s demise was officially announced to his people by the Iyase of Benin Kingdom, Chief Sam Igbe, Chief David Edebiri (The Esogban of the Kingdom) to His Royal highness, the Edaiken N’Uselu, Ehenede Eradiauwa and other members of the royal family.

The announcement was consequently followed with traditional rites at the ancient palace which were marked by solemn moments, grief, pain and tears in the eyes of sympathizers, family friends and palace chiefs who thronged into the palace to witness the events and bid farewell to their respected monarch.

Prior to the breaking of the news, some of the top palace chiefs embarked on a procession, accompanied by a man carrying the traditional ‘’Akpoki’’(a round sacred stool-like box with cover at both ends believed to contain some traditional spiritual items).

They thereafter walked straight to the middle of the entrance gate to the palace where the Iyase of Benin made some traditional incantations and smashed a big white chalk on the ground after which he announced that the monarch has joined his ancestors.

Meanwhile all the markets, including the famous Oba market in

the ancient city, were closed down after the news filtered in, in accordance with tradition.

The Iyase, Chief Sam Igbe, in an official statement, stated that HRM Oba Erediauwa, has joined his ancestors. He described the late Oba of Benin as ‘the Prince of Peace” and prayed God to grant his soul eternal peace.

Parts of the statement read, “As announced by the Iyase of Benin Kingdom, Osorhue Bunrun, Oba Erediauwa of Benin Kingdom, the Prince of Peace, Ebo, Ayenmwirhe (CMINI, MINI, MNI) has reunited with his ancestors. May he find perfect peace with God, Amen.”

Statement of the Edo State Government announcing the death of the Oba of Benin

“O

ur hearts are heavy, laden with pains and grief, at the announcement of the passing on to glory of Omo n’Oba n’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Erediauwa of Benin, our highly revered Oba, a distinguished Edo numero uno, an accomplished Nigerian, a seasoned bureaucrat, quintessential unifier, unique personage and exemplary Omo N’Oba, whose reign brought distinction, immense class, finesse and integrity to traditional institution in Edo state and the country at large.

“His carriage comes with an élan that was peculiar with the reverence of royalty. His uncommon courage was symbolic of the can-do spirit of the Edo mind. His unity of purpose was not in doubt even as he used his revered position to promote constructive engagement amongst all shades of opinion and culture in Edo state.

“As a thorough-bred bureaucrat, rising to the pinnacle of his career as a Federal Permanent Secretary, he understood the dynamics and intricacies of governance. He was the alternative voice to the many voiceless in our society, calling government attention to issues of development and transparent governance, without minding whose ox is gored.

He was brave, fearless, punchy and instructive in his verbal and written messages.

“To us at the Edo state Government, he was our strongest supporter; both in his uncommon faith in our ability and his readiness to offer uncommon advice to sharpen public

discourse in our shared commitment to transform Edo state. It gladdens our heart, therefore, that our revered Oba was alive to witness the positive transformation of Edo state under his reign, and for standing with us through thick and thin in the course of making the Edo economy a treasure to behold. Being part of that eloquent history of transformation before his reunion with his ancestors gives us further reassurance that he will occupy a special pride of place in the hereafter.

“We are enveloped with a deep sense of nostalgia that our great Oba, a great-grandfather, grandfather, father, uncle and iconoclastic royal father of exemplary carriage and

conduct, who sustained the dignity of the average Edo mind, has joined his ancestors. We are, however, encouraged by the fact that another great son of the Great Benin Kingdom, His Royal Highness, Edaiken N’Uselu, Crown Prince Eheneden Erediauwa, who is already showing manifest quintessential attributes of his great father, will step into his father’s big shoes.

“Edo people will miss our iconoclastic royal father of the great Benin Kingdom. Nigerians and Nigeria will miss this great exemplar of a Royal Father, an Oba of distinction and integrity. Adieu until we meet to part no more.

“Oba gha to kpere, ise.”

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

APRIL 30, 2016

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15 Water, water everywhere in Lagos Not a drop to drink for residents •••

An acutely uncomfortable shortage of water has suddenly started to ravage Lagos.

ERIC ELEZUO visited some parts of the metropolis and filed this report.

I

was privileged to visit a friend at the Onipetesi Estate, along the Lagos Abeokuta Expressway, recently.

At a time, I felt like using his toilet, and what I encountered was better imagined.

The water cistern was more like filled to the brim with all kinds of faeces; different shapes, sizes and colours. I let out a scream which brought my friend and his colleagues running to my rescue. They were surprised to see that I shouted just because I ran into faeces. To them, it was a normal sight; something they were used to,” a resident of Abeokuta told our correspondent.

A further enquiry revealed that the area, in fact the entire communities inhabiting the Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway, which include Mangoro, Cement, Egbeda, Abule Egba, Dopemu, Alagbado among others, have been experiencing severe shortage of water. It has gone so bad that residents have to trek distances in search of water.

At the Onipetesi axis, where it seems to be biting harder, residents complain that the absence of water is the last straw that breaks the camel’s back, saying that they have been going through tough times in recent times, following the current economic crunch occasioned by the fuel scarcity.

“All this problems are a direct consequence of the power situation. The fact that there is NEPA problem has been compounded by lack of petrol to power our generators, which in effect is used to operate the bole holes. This has made it extremely difficult to get the normal bolehole water for house hold use. More so, the so called ‘pure water’ which the average family manages, is no longer

within reach. It is completely becoming frustrating. Honestly, we will looking for the nearest stream or even river to go in search of water,” a resident of Onipetesi, who gave his name as Geofry, said.

While the people of the community lament the new face of ‘oppression’ as they called it, it is not yet known when the situation will improve. This is as a cross section of the residents has said that the future looked gloom.

It will recalled that the Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, during the harder days of the fuel scarcity, announced that the long queues at fuel stations will come to an end in May. But, the Minister came under serious attack, to the extent that he was invited by the National Assembly for questioning. In an apparent desire to please the people, he said what they wanted to hear, saying that the scarcity will end on April 7. That was on March 28. Now it is just one day before May. It seems the Minister’s assessment is factual.

In the Mangoro area, residents were seen trekking long distances to where a particular borehole was noticed to be functional. The queue noticed was akin to the queues at the filling stations where cars, bikes as well as generators stand on line waiting for their turns.

“I have been standing here for God knows how long, hoping it will get to my turn. In my house right now, not even a drop exists, and there seems to be nowhere else to go in search of water. All the companies around have shut their gates against us because the people were coming in droves, and they felt they couldn’t take the risk,” a woman, who called herself Tinuke, said as she hung at a distance watching her cans on the

queue.

Saturday Mirror’s investigation at one of the companies along the expressway revealed that the management’s decision to lock their gates was as a result of security issues.

“The people were coming in their hundreds and there was need for us to take precaution. The fact that we wish to do good does not mean we should permit security lapse. So for security purposes, we have to stop for a while. It is not as if the company is shutting anybody out; we just wish to put a few things in order. You know the country is not very safe at the moment,” a security official told Saturday Mirror.

At the Egbada area, it was discovered that most wells, which had formed the alternative source of water, or in most cases the major source of water, had dried up making it almost impossible for residents to do anything with water.

“Here, we buy water we use for any purpose; plate washing, bathing, cooking and so on. Most of the wells in this area are dried up, and those that can still afford one keeps it under lock and key.

Searching for water here is like searching for diamond, and it is something we cannot do without,” a woman, who was called Mama Ndidi said.

A mild short drama played out as Saturday Mirror was busy with the respondents when a young girl mistakenly kicked and threw away some water, not all, from the bucket of an elderly woman. She turned in obvious anger, and rained abuses on the young girl, even as bystanders were appealing to her to take it easy to no avail. She said in part: “Is it your father that will provide water for me after you have thrown this one

away, oloshi.”

That explains the frustration that has become common place in most parts of the Lagos metropolis as a result of the inability to find water.

The situation with the fact rain has not fallen in recent times. This was reversed on Friday as heavy downpour blessed the entire Lagos city.

Saturday Mirror’s investigation in some of the areas, especially Mangoro and Onipetesi, revealed that residents trooped out en masse with plenty water containers to fetch water, saying they have to fetch as much as they could as no one knows when the next rain will fall, or when situations will improve so that there will fuel to pump water since electricity companies are out of it.

A source at the Lagos Water Corporation along the LASU/Isheri Road, who prefers anonymity confided in the medium, saying that the situation in the country, especially in Lagos, also affects agencies and parastatals.

“We also depend on fuel to function, even as the electricity companies are not forthcoming with their services. And now, it is largely difficult to come across fuel at a price that is friendly,” he said.

The crisis is not only limited to areas as itemized; many areas in the metropolis are practically living without water, which for all intent and purpose, is very essential.

“The government should come to our aid as soon as possible before people start drinking their urine,” Wale, a resident at Dopemu said.

Well, it takes someone who drank water to produce urine, meaning that if events continue the way they are there will be no urine to produce.

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Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Unjust imprisonment: Woman seeks justice, help Patience OgbO

O

luwatoyin Akano 40 , a mother of two is calling on Nigerians to assist her so she can put her ugly prison experience behind her and move forward in life.

Toyin was one of the 15 inmates released from prison in Ogun State last year. But she is homeless and in dire need of a job abortive .

Toyin says though her plight is not different from that of many Nigerians struggling to make a living in the sun and in the rain but she has resorted to begging following her “illegal” imprisonment for murder for a crime she said she did not commit but is stigmatizing her and all her efforts of seeking justice and getting a job have proved.

Toyin tells her story: “My name is Oluwatoyin Akano. I am 40 years old, a divorcee and mother of two children.

My predicament started sometimes in May 2013 when a lady called Bose stole my Blackberry phone from my friend’s room. I was squatting in the friend’ s apartment and charging my phone in the room at Iyana Iyasi in Otta Ogun State when this lady Bose who was also a divorcee in our neighourhood whom I had assisted walked into the apartment and stole my phone. Everybody in our community at Iyana Iyasi knew that Bose was a thief. I started looking for my phone but Bose had disappeared with it. I went out looking for her from Mashalashi bus stop down to Bells Hotels and for two hours, I was looking for her. Some boys in our area saw me walking up and down and they called me with my alias Mama T. They asked me why I was agitated and walking up and down . I told them I was looking for Bose and the next thing they asked me was if Bose had stolen from me. I said yes and left them to look for her”.

Toyin said shortly after she left where she stood talking with the boys, she learnt Bose walked by and the boys decended on her in a bid to retrieve her blackberry phone but the boys beats Bose up badly and after some weeks she died.

She said “Not up to five minutes after I spoke with the boys in my area and left in search of Bose, Bose walked by and these boys accosted her. They asked her where she kept my phone but she refused to confess. That was how these boys started beating her up so she can confess. I did not ask the boys to beat Bose up. After walking around in search of Bose, I decided to go back home but to my shock, I walked

into Bose and the boys. I then asked Bose if she had my phone and she said yes. She took me to the engineer she had taken the phone to to change the password for her. I retrieved my phone and warned her against stealing. Bose went her way and I also went mine.

I saw Bose two days later and I travelled to Ilesha in Osun State. However two weeks after my stay in Ilesha, I received a call from my neighbours that I should not return to Iyana Iyasi. They told me that Bose was dead and her brother who is a Mobile Police man stormed the area with gun throttling policemen and they were looking for me. I was shocked and asked what my offence was and they told me that Bose’ s family linked her death to the beating she recieved from the boys.

Her MOPOL brother was after me and I should not come back to Iyana Iyasi.

I waited and after ten months, I went back to Iyana Iyasi . I went back to the scene of the crime and that was how I was arrested and taken to the Onipanu police station in Otta. On April 5, 2013 , I was transferred to the Ogun State police command at Elewaran.

I gave the policemen money to carry out thier investigation and on April 11th 2013, I was charged for murder. I was the only person that was charged.

The policemen said the boys that beat up Bose had fled the area and so they charged only me for Bose’ s death. I was remanded at Igbara Abeokuta old prison for one year” Toyin says her experiences in prison as far better than what she has been experiencing since she was released one year after her incarceration.

She said “ I was on the awaiting trial list for one year. I had to adjust to prison life and I met alot of people , inmates that said they were in prison for crimes they did not commit. Some

Oluwatoyin Akano

of the prison warderess were good to us and they helped us to forget our pains and not think too much but others were not that kind. Churches came around to preach to us and offer assistance. They cater for our needs. All the while I was in prison, I kept praying to God to deliver and bring me out of the prison. God answered my prayers and on April 29, 2015 the Chief judge of Ogun State visited the prison and released fifteen inmates. I was one of them and the only female that was released. Sadly ,after I came out, life has been harsh. People I called friends have been avoiding me like a plague. I went to them for help but they turned me away. I have been homeless in the

Life is harder for me now that i am out of prison than when i was there. i have been approached by criminaLs to join them so i can survive but i turned down aLL their efforts to Lure me into crime. i Learnt that five of the inmates that were reLeased with me have been arrested and sent back to prison

last one year. People don’t see prison as a correctional home. To them going to prison is bad omen and they don’t want to relate with a released inmate especially if such person is poor and in need. It’s sad people don’t want to know if one was framed for a crime he or she did not commit and sent to prison. Life is harder for me now that I am out of prison than when I was there. I have been approached by criminals to join them so I can survive but I turned down all their efforts to lure me into crime. I learnt that five of the inmates that were released with me have been arrested and sent back to prison because they did not get help when they returned to the society. I don’t want to go thier way. I was not a criminal.

I never committed the crime I was arrested and charged for but I see my experience as part of God’s will for me. I have turned fully to God and I am taking a bible course in Winners Chapel called (WOFBI) so I can do the work of God my creator. I decided to speak out so my story can reach people that I am innocent of the crime I was sent to prison for. I want help from Nigerians.

I am not ashamed to beg for help. I am appealing to Nigerians to assist me as getting a job has been difficult due to the stigma my prison experience has tagged me. I am homeless and in dire need of a job or money to start a business. Government should be interested in ex prisoners so they don’t go the way of crime by assisting them with fund and job to start life again”.

Entervaganza

The Saturday Mirror Magazine

Sex talk

Face-saving tips for two-minutes men P.34

Relationships When is it time to say goodbye?

P.34

Fashion Frenzy How to rock Get chic in high heels ethnic jacket P.24

Folorunsho ... oil mogul

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APRIL 30, 2016

ELEBRITY ELEBRIT ELEBRI TY

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Why I’ve not featured in Yoruba movies —Freezon Delectable actress, Fisayo Ajisola, popularly known as Freezon, has carved a niche for herself in the entertainment industry with her acting prowess, dynamism and beauty. The graduate of Biochemistry from the Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta (FUNAAB), Ogun State, is also a musician and a model. In this interview with VICTOR UDOH, she speaks on her career and choice of man.

Early this year, you promised that you would take the industry by storm. How are you planning to achieve this?

Yes, I made that promise and I meant it. I will start by saying that the Lord has been good to me since the beginning of the year and has been helping me to achieve all the goals I have set before me.

Recently, I featured in Jenifa’s Diary series and my face was also on Chapeau Wine. I want to concentrate more on my acting career. The era of combining academics with movie location is over. Now that I am done with my first degree, I have the ample time to pursue my dream; I am ready for the game and confident that it is my time to shine. I am not new in the industry, it is just that I have not been able to give it more timebecause of school. This is because I didn’t want to drop out of school.

I am a very organised person and I know how to manage my time and life.

Tell us more about your modelling career.

The truth is that I have not been taking modeling seriously because I have been doing more of acting as well as singing, but acting has been my predominant talent. I wasn’t conscious of the wine deal until last September. My agent informed me that some of his clients who went through my pictures would love to have a deal with us. So, I had to do more photo shoots and they were dazed with what they saw. That was what led to the discovery.

You are an actress, musician and also a model. How are you able to combine them?

I don’t have any problem handling these jobs. I am happy that I am flexible to combine them without stress. I can act, sing and flaunt my curves. Meanwhile, don’t let us forget that all these still fall

under entertainment. I see myself as an all-round entertainer.

How has your life been since you took up acting as a full time career?

Acting has been fun. For me, acting is all I want to do, though it may look somehow that I went to study Biochemistry at the university, I still have a strong urge to go back into acting because it is one thing I feel very easy to do. I find it easy to interact and interpret my roles, though it comes with a lot of stress to try to convince people that you can actually interpret a particular role and at the same time going for casting and auditions. The good part of it is that I am enjoying the roles I have been playing and it is satisfying.

What brought about the idea of the NGO you run?

To be candid, I see that as my baby and also part of my responsibility to give back to the society, especially the needy. I thank God that we have been able to affect lives positively with this initiative for some years now. This is a vision God gave to me to impact into lives, especially to the young generation and I was able to gather people of this like mind to make it a reality. And by God’s grace we have been able to use this NGO, the Jewel Empowerment

Foundation (JEF) to orientate school leavers, underprivileged, orphans and People Living With HIV/AIDS, among others. Our core targets are the children and the youth. We also organise entrepreneurship programmes for undergraduates. I would say it is basically for the youth. I am confident that we have a lot of things in stock for this year.

Tell us the sort of man you want.

He must be a loving man. He must allow me pursue my career, make me happy and love me for who I am. I am not a kind of woman that emphasises on the physical appearance of a man. What I look for in a man is not what the ordinary eyes can see. The intangible things that can move me to a man include love, patience, trust and things that we cannot quantify.

Why haven’t you featured in Yoruba movies?

We have choices. I am not saying I cannot feature in Yoruba films, though I know I have been doing more of English. I am proud to be a Yoruba girl and there are also some lines of Yoruba in some of the soaps I have done. I believe I can handle any script for any Yoruba movie.

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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with

Oseyiza Oogbodo 08036961187 kingseiza@gmail.com

Seyi Shay romances monster dog

S

ince her arrival on the Nigerian mu music scene, it has been difficult to associate Seyi Shay with any man. It’s been so difficult that there haven’t even been any rumours of her dating a certain person or at the worst, that she had a fling.

Rihanna, for instance, is always having allegations of dating trailing her. The allegations are so numerous that whenever she jumps on a track with her male colleagues, they say she’s dating them.

Yet Shay has featured so many of the industry’s top boys and not once has there been a rumour that their association wasn’t strictly a working one but also included some amorous time out.

And some of the boys she’s worked with are known ladies men, so is it that they never got their paws on her or they’re not kissing and telling?

Some of those boys are Wizkid, Ol-

amide, Vector, Phyno, and they’re really hot boys so there should have been romantic chemistry, right?

So, while Rihanna is an international example, an example closer to home is Tiwa Savage who this week has been alleged to have been involved in steamy sexual trysts with Don Jazzy, Dr SID and 2Baba.

Anyway, while we’re yet to discover if a man is eating her apple or not, she has been caught out romancing a monster of a dog in her latest music video, Pack And Go, and she couldn’t have enough of the dog, cuddling it, blowing it kisses and all that.

Sadly, and even embarrassingly for her, the dog didn’t return her attention, as its attitude was one of you’re-the-one-forcingyourself-on-me-and-I’m-not-interested-inyou.

Sorry, girl.

Why Don Jazzy is afraid of D’Banj

Shay

Mike Tee returns with Blessings

Jazzy

D’Banj

or a long time now, there have been agitations in several quarters that the erstwhile business partners, D’Banj and Don Jazzy, should start working together again.

And it has become obvious that while D’Banj is ready to work again with Jazzy, it seems Jazzy is not. So ready is D’Banj to work with Jazzy that he came out shamelessly in public to request that Jazzy should make a beat for him so he can sing on it.

And not once, not twice, it has always been D’Banj publicly trying to associate with Jazzy by shouting him out and inviting him to grace the stage with him.

Jazzy however snubs him most times.

Like at 2Baba’s 40th birthday concert.

2Baba publicly pleaded that they should record even just one song together again.

While D’Banj nodded in agreement, Jazzy was noncommittal.

And at Ben Murray-Bruce’s 60th birthday ceremony. Murray-Bruce called Jazzy to come on stage to have a chat with Jazzy, but he sneaked away and when he was bashed, he claimed he had left before he was called.

So why doesn’t Jazzy want to work again with D’Banj?

Or more appropriately, why is he afraid, scared of working with D’Banj?

The reason is simple.

While D’Banj has been demystified since he and Jazzy parted, with his stock plummeting further and further by the day, Jazzy has been rising instead so he’s afraid that if he were to work with D’Banj and the project fails, it would demystify him too and lead to problems for his brand.

F

Tee

D

ynastee Music act, Eteimo Michael, aka Mike Tee, has dropped another single, Blessings. The new single is accompanied by a music video that should be on television stations from next week. The video, which was produced by E-Kelly and directed by Tosin Igho, was shot on several locations in Lekki, Lagos State.

The afro-R&B singer, who hails from Sagbama, Bayelsa State, grew up in Warri, Delta State. He is also a Mathematics and Computer Science graduate from the Delta State University (DELSU).

Formerly under Treasure Empire Entertainment, Tee is excited about the success his first single under his present label, Friendzone, has been enjoying on airwaves and also over the confidence his record label has in him.

Mike Tee has promised to drop more hits as he has been recording and collaborating with some musicians all in his effort at producing the best music and videos. “I won’t disappoint my fans. Music is everything to me, so expect nothing but the best from me this year. Hope y’all ready.”

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news

APRIL 30, 2016

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Tunji Balogun tears entertainment industry apart

Tunji and Tiwa

S

ome are referring to it as a publicity stunt. Some are just hopeful that it’s all just not true. Some are saying there is no smoke without fire. Some are sitting on the fence waiting to see what’s really going on. And some are just plain confused by it.

Suffice it to say it’s safe to say that the entertainment industry has never witnessed the kind of ugliness that transpired this week over the most unexpected of couples, Tiwa Savage and her husband, Tunji Balogun.

Right now, there’s really no solid ground to stand on regarding their issue, especially as there’s been a sort of denial about the nasty comments attributed to Tunji about his wife and his mother-in-law.

In no-holds-barred online posts, Tunji allegedly claimed he’s been turned to a dummy serving Tiwa by Tiwa’s mother who did same to her own husband also. He claimed he was ready to take his own life and that Tiwa has been sleeping with his friends, Don Jazzy, Dr SID and 2Baba included.

The posts will definitely create problems for these latter trio as two of them are married.

The best way to describe the posts is shocking and almost unbelievable.

Whether they were from Tunji or not, they’ve cast a very dark cloud over the couple that has hitherto had no known marital problems.

Some of the posts are reproduced below.

“Please just take care of JamJam

(their son). I sacrificed my life for you and put in work and my money to your success. You are Tiwa Savage the super star now right. You will never have peace with that fame. Your mother wants to turn me to what she turned your DAD to? I will rather Die. Ask her to confess what’s she’s done to me! All I did was look out for your success.”

“I’m sorry Olabisi, Gaetano. Onah and Jamil. All daddy wanted to do is be a good father and take care all of you but they won’t let me. I have been fighting this spiritual battle since I was a kid. My mother and father can testify. Went from family battle to motherin-law’s battle. @tiwasavage, ask your mother to confess what she’s done to me.”

“Lord knows I tried. I can’t take it anymore. I decided that I wanted to take time out from music business so you and me will not be in the same basket of the music industry. You never supported me from day one. Every move I made and every project I laid my hands on all went bad. Thanks to your mum’s witchcraft! Tell her to confess to you.”

“Lord knows I tried. I have been mentally tortured by the woman I gave everything to. I’m not perfect but I’m far away from being the best husband.

Because when I didn’t have, you paid bills and you took my manhood away.

You have thrown my clothes out of the house more than 5 times. Because of the love I have for you, I still take it and because of Jamil. I don’t want to go through divorce like my father that has

2Baba

Jazzy

been married 4 times.”

“Tosin Yosuf aka Omawumi’s husband. I wish I met you earlier when I just moved to Nigeria. You have been a great friend and brother to me in throne month. I should have done this 2weeks ago but the joy of being around didn’t let me. You have a wife that has not let the music business take the best of her.

I know how Mrs Yusuf treats us when we’re at your house. I feel very at home and praying that I wish my wife can get a life and be like this. All she cares about is next single, her make and hair, her brand and all that BS. Pls tell the world have you asked your husband in the last 3 years if he has eaten. Thank you to Ani Idibia and Anita my Neigbor that provides home cooked meal for me when I needed. That! Yes you became the bread winner when I decided I’m not in business with you again take everything I just want my wife. Tiwa. You will never have peace except my spirits forgives you. Tell your mother to confess what she mounted in the house for you shine with my star. It’s deeper than what you think.”

“Within what period of time did you f**k Jazzy and Dr SID. And I didn’t care because of the love I have for you. I looked at it that we all have a past. Even when at this same f**king time you were f**king with 2face.”

“To you Mr Ibrahim Olatunji Balogun Snr. I tried my best not to be like you but instead of focusing on being a better person I was worried about not wanting to be like you. I reached out

and cried to you as my father, but all you care about is yourself and your money.

I ended up having kids like you by multiple women and my first marriage and only marriage didn’t make make it to 2 years just like the one you had with my mum. Why the f**k did God make you my father.”

“I’m sorry I must have disappointed you guys . I just didn’t have the strength to fight this battle any more.

May God forgive me and accept my soul in peace.”

Dr SID

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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APRIL 30, 2016

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Mercy Aigbe escapes police bullets in Osun

T

he State of Osun is fast becoming associated with negativity. It’s no longer news that it has become the poster state for states in crises.

And now, the news A-list actress Mercy Aigbe has about the state is definitely not palatable. According to her, she was lucky not to have been killed during her recent trip to the troubled state.

Her online post below says it all.

“It has come to my attention that news has been flying around that I was arrested by the police in Osogbo. For the records, I was never ARRESTED! I was shooting a movie in Osogbo and was going for a break with my PA and driver when we saw a police van chasing us. They later double crossed us, came out of their van and started banging the bonnet of my car asking us to come down. I was shocked and scared because I didn’t know what was going on. I stepped out of the car to

ask them what happened and why they double crossed us in that manner, the policeman started shouting and acting crazy pointing his gun at me.

“On seeing his behaviour, I took out my phone and started to record them, one of them forcefully collected my phone from me. My PA also started recording them with an iPad and the policeman slapped her and threw the iPad away. At this point a crowd had already gathered when they saw me and what was happening,they started booing them, saying that is how Osogbo policemen harass innocent citizens. When the policemen saw the large crowd supporting us and that they could be mobbed, they stylishly left only to call for reinforcement of other police officers. Those ones came and started shooting sporadically into the air, everyone had to run for their lives.”

We thank God for you, Mercy.

Helen Paul celebrates 17 years on stage

M

ultiple award-winning entertainer, Helen Paul, has celebrated her 17 years on stage with the release of her anticipated play, Life Burial.

During the celebration event last Sunday which was attended by Prof Olumuyiwa Adebanjo-Falae (Dean, Faculty of Arts, UNILAG), Barrister Femi Bamisile, Chief Charles Nwoji and Dr. Otun Rasheed among others, Paul also unveiled members of her drama troupe officially.

Adebanjo-Falae, who was the chief launcher of the day with his wife, described Paul as a “special breed. Her husband is lucky to have her, and she is lucky to have a gentleman like him too because without his support and sacrifice, she can’t be where she is.”

Nwoji, who gave Paul her first official public performance as a singer in Abuja in 1999, narrated how he met and discovered the entertainer’s singing prowess almost two decades ago.

According to Rasheed, a senior lecturer at the University of Lagos, a genius is someone with one percent aspiration and 99 percent perspiration. He further described Paul as a “focused lady I have been monitoring from her undergraduate days. She started the idea of writing Life Burial five years ago. It’s thoroughly edited and I can boldly say that it can compete anywhere in the world.”

Life Burial is a boisterous comedy on

Aigbe

F

Paul

the relationships between a licentious man, Chief, and his assorted women.

Apart from Anike, the only woman that Chief married, marriage and love is a game in the life of the other characters.

In playing the game of love and marriage, Chief maintains a clear distinction between the woman he married, Anike, and the other women who got married to him. Unfortunately, the whole game takes a fatal turn when envy mixes with desire and denial.

In the play, laughter is made an antidote to a confusing and confused world. In an amorphous world where social values are derided, where truth and honesty are evaded and the law is made to look as a buffoon, nothing is left but the surprises of being and becoming.

Olamide, Lil Kesh deny bad blood

Olamide and Kesh

ollowing the sudden discovery that Lil Kesh is no longer signed to Olamide’s YBNL Nation as a recording artist, news of bad blood between the two spread rapidly.

However, they’ve both come out to say that there are no issues between them as their initial agreement was just a two-year deal and it’s now over but they are still working together with YBNL still managing Kesh.

So, for all those hoping there should be a problem between the two successful acts, there isn’t oh.

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NATIONAL NEWS

APRIL 30, 2016

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

APRIL 30, 2016

StyGlelam and

an isi Adenir with Yem

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com

n@yahoo.

1158) ydira

(0803780

Style & Glam

Flowing Chics I

s a skin-tight dres nstead of choosing t ep up with the ho or skirt just to ke yle t for a flowing st and cute trend, op y people om the body. Man fr ay aw s aw dr that ng that mistake of thinki on m m co e th e mak ill make flowing material w d an ng lo a ng ri wea ick to rable, so, they st si de ss le ok lo them oosing a This is wrong. Ch . rs ea w py im sk the the body flows away from at th l ia er at m g flowin ulation increased air circ w lo al ly on t no does r a adds to its weare so al it , dy bo e into th is found phistication that so d an ce an eg el rare d princesses. amidst queens an e , you may make th ok lo ic at am dr a For ith a s strappy form w es dr e th of rt pa upper aghetti, or halter-neck, sp e ap sh d ke ec -n closed strap f shoulder, monoof , re pi em , ss le sleeve feel l sleeve that you fu ti au be of nd ki or any or y crowd. A soft an of t ou u yo d will stan ring give you that allu so al ill w l ia er at sheer m Cotton ance you desire. and stylish appear e also en or brocade ar lin a, ar nk A of ls materia your Remember to pair y. da y an s ce oi good ch or a wedge, platform be n ca s el he h it outfit w tch ics, it’s time to ca ch g in w flo t Ge o. a stilett some fun!

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Style & Glam

APRIL 30, 2016

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

APRIL 30, 2016

Fashion frenzy

W

How to rock high heels

hen it comes to looking stylish and glamorous, nothing beats a pair of high heels. High heels work wonders for a woman’s figure, they make the feet appear smaller and the legs look longer with lower leg muscles more defined. Overall, they make a woman look slimmer, altering her posture, flexing the calf muscles, tucking in the tummy, lifting the bottom, and making the bust and buttocks more prominent.

High heels also alter a woman’s walk making hips sway and hypnotizing any male following her curves, so making a woman look sexy and confident.

Worn properly, high heels are one of the best arms a woman has regarding accessories to seduce a man. After all it is a rare man that is not charmed by a pair of long legs wearing the most audacious high heels.

Unfortunately many women find high heels very painful and choose not to

benefit from this arm of seduction. You will enjoy one if you follow this guide 1. Buy and wear the right size. Not wearing the right size has a price in comfort, so never buy shoes that are not your size, even if they are the latest Louboutin’s at half prize!

2. Try before buying. When you are trying for size, walk around with the shoes as you would normally walk and even try a few dance steps if you are going to wear them to a party.

3. Alternate shoe styles. To avoid your feet crunching into one weird shape wear different types of shoes ; alternate round-toed shoes with pointy-toed shoes, stiletto heels with platforms and so on. Allow your feet to recover their natural shape this way.

Fashion frenzy

4. Walk barefooted. Whenever you can, walk barefoot at home to allow your feet to recover their natural shape and arch.

5. Don’t go too high. Podiatrists agree that a shorter heel of one-totwo inches is a good choice for comfort and foot health. Avoid three or four-inch heels, which put undue pressure on the ball and frontal bones of your foot. Kitten heels always look sexy; you don’t need to wear stilettos every day to look and feel sexy.

6. Vary the height of your heels. The more you vary the height of the heels you are wearing, the better for your feet. Different heights put pressure and exercise different muscles and nerves in your foot.

9. Tailor your width. Make sure the width of your shoe matches the width of your foot.

Style & Glam

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SOCIETY Mirror

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

with Deola Adeoti.

Tel: 07055695565, mofat07@yahoo.com

Akin Osibajo takes another shot at marriage

F

ew years ago, death invaded the world of Prof. Akin Osibajo like a medieval ogre and snatched away Oluwatoyin, the love of his life in her prime. There is no gainsaying the loss created an emotional void in the life of the respected academic. In the wake of the tragedy, he felt his world had fallen apart and he almost lost faith in his capacity to fall in love again.

However, news now has it that Prof. Osibajo has rediscovered love in the arms of Moriyike Omololu. Indeed, time has a way of healing even the deepest wounds. This is because the former Ogun State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, has put the death of his first wife, Oluwatoyin behind him as he has found solace in the arms of Moriyike.

The amiable professor has taken a bold step towards embracing a new life by marrying

Moriyike in grand style. The high-octane event, which signaled a new life for both Osibajo and Moriyike, took place at the prestigious Yetunde’s Apartment, Park View Estate, Ikoyi, Lagos. It was a day when the high society of Ogun, Lagos and some other states temporarily shifted base to Ikoyi in honour of the highly revered and erudite legal luminary.

The couple reportedly met when Moriyike observed her mandatory one-year National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme at the Ministry of Justice in Ogun State. The Professor was allegedly swept off his feet by Moriyike’s beautiful personality and one thing led to the other; the rest, as they always say, is now history. The new couple are reportedly headover-heels in love with each other. And they have sealed their union with beautiful kids.

T

Drums of war beat between Wande Akinboboye, Aralola

hose who think all is well between frontline promoter, Wande Akinboboye and drummer girl, Aralola Olumuyiwa may have a rethink after reading this gist. Years back, it would be recalled that both engaged in a bitter war that permeated the news media. The genesis of that scuffle is said to be rooted in Aralola’s resolution to leave the promoter who brought her to limelight after think-

ing she’s served him enough.

But on the other hand, some attributed their ‘chicken fight’ to the story of love gone sour.

Whatever the case may be, one thing is certain: the promoter was never happy with the departure and this recently came to fore.

Recently at a function held in the palace of the new Ooni of Ife, in Ile-Ife, Osun State, the warring parties ran into each other. Wale, a very close ally of

His Royal Majesty was said to have told the king that Aralola who was contracted to perform at the palace would never perform while he’s around. Those at the event squealed that he subtly threatened the drummer girl as it was all written over her. But due to the intervention of the king, Ara was left to perform, but sources at the event revealed that throughout the event both parties never crossed each other’s part.

Staff spoil ex-Ogun governor with Rolls Royce car gift

F

ormer governor of Ogun state, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, who celebrated his birthday recently at Oriental Hotel has gotten a lovely Rolls Royce as a gift after the event.

Society Mirror gathered that the staff of his companies bought him a Rolls Royce phantom and it may interest you to know that the phantom gulped almost 450,000 dollars which is approximately over 70 million

naira.

Otunba Gbenga Daniel is the boss of Kresta Laurel Limited with Corporate Head Office in Maryland, Lagos.

Following his ouster from the government, the ex-governor who ruled the gateway state for eight years was said to have returned to his personal business, using his connections and goodwill to secure several contracts for his

company.

It would be recalled that OGD’s 60th birthday took place at the Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, on Sunday, April 10, 2016, amidst pomp and pageantry.

The elaborate event, which paraded top politicians, respected monarchs, society big wigs and captains of industry, saw King Sunny Ade perform to the delight of attendees.

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Fashion

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Guest G

‘I love beautiful things’

One thing you cannot take away from actress Ronke Odusanya is her versatility when it comes to script interpretation. A pretty and intelligent actress, Ronke speaks on her style and exploits in her career.

10 enemies of good sleep

T

I

n few years, you have joined the league of the most celebrated top actresses. How does it feel?

Well, I feel very great and full of thanks to God. He is the one responsible for all that I have been able to achieve and become. I never knew I could come this far but it has pleased Him to be faithful to me. I was once a nobody, I mean faceless, but He has considered me with an appreciative face. I feel good and highly honoured. Although, this, as you know, comes with its challenges.

I still thank God for making His grace available for me.

What are some of these challenges?

Oh, the usual ones. One is not free to do just anything like before. You know you have become a known person and heads automatically turn wherever you go and that means you must be a bit cautious of your appearance, utterances and conduct, otherwise, one might become a disappointment to her teeming fans. Besides, you don’t know when the paparazzis are around and you wouldn’t

know who is watching you to sign you on for one contract or the other. As a celebrity, you are not permitted to laugh, eat and play freely as you would have loved to but we are coping all the same. Again, you may be going quietly and someone will scream out your name in excitement from nowhere and whether you like it or not, you must smile at all cost otherwise, you will be putting them off. Of course, that will be bad market.

What’s your view on fashion?

It is wearing what is convenient for you and not just what is in vogue. As for me, I love good and beautiful things but I am a simple dresser. I love to appear decent yet cute.

How do you cope with your teeming male admirers?

God has been helping me in that regards. I just believe that it is normal for a good looking girl to have male admirers. Even those that think they are ugly do have admirers, so, I see no big deal in that.

aking a full stomach or bladder to bed: There’s nothing like a full bladder or stomach to disrupt your sleep. Getting up to urinate will interrupt sound rest, so drinking too much before bed may mean multiple trips to the toilet during the night.

Eating a large meal near bedtime may provoke heartburn symptoms when you lie down that can make you uncomfortable.

Tossing and turning: If you are having trouble getting to sleep, the last thing you need to do is lie there awake. If this happens chronically, as may occur in insomnia, you may learn to associate your bed with anxiety and not being asleep. Rather than tossing and turning, try a relaxing activity like reading.

Sleeping in a place that is too cold, too warm, or too noisy: It’s no use trying to sleep in a place that is stimulating to our senses. If the stereo is blaring, the lights are on, it’s stifling or freezing, how can you expect to sleep?

Taking prolonged naps: If you sleep well at night, napping may not be a problem. However, if you are having trouble sleeping then, the last thing you need to do is to add fuel to the fire by sleeping during the day. Naps diminish your ability to sleep at night, and excessive daytime sleepiness may suggest a sleep disorder.

Using your bedroom as a stimulating multipurpose room: Filling your bedroom with televisions, gaming systems, computers, telephones, and other gadgets will ensure a plethora of stimulation will be at hand. Unfortunately, none of these will help you to sleep better. Using them just prior to bed will prompt your brain to be active, and this is the last thing you need to fall asleep.

Taking alcohol, coffee, or ciga-

rettes just prior to bed: Alcohol may cause you to feel a little drowsy, but it fragments the stages of your sleep and makes it more disrupted. Caffeinated beverages like coffee, tea, soft drinks, and foods like chocolate work as stimulants to keep you awake. Likewise, nicotine from a cigarette will ruin your ability to sleep, and the craving associated with withdrawal may wake you during the night. These things should be avoided in the six hours before bed.

Sleeping less when you are busy: We all get busy for different reasons, and it’s easy to find extra time by sleeping less. Unfortunately the quality of the time we spend awake is significantly impacted by not getting enough rest. If you cut back on sleep, you may find that you aren’t gaining much if you spend the day bleary-eyed and befuddled.

Staying active until the moment you hop into bed: Sleep is a quiet, relaxing activity, so it doesn’t make much sense to try to transition to that directly from something that is quite the opposite. Our bodies don’t do well with abrupt changes. Quiet sleep rituals such as reading, listening to calming music, or taking a nice bath helps prepare us mentally and physically for sleep.

Exercising before bed: Although it is ideal to exercise every day -- and this will likely ensure a good night’s sleep -- doing it right before bed is a bad idea.

It causes difficulties, as your body will be revved up when you should be winding down.

Varying your sleep time: We are creatures of habit, and our sleep is no exception. If you go to bed and get up at different times every day, your body will have no sense of when it is supposed to feel tired and sleep. By keeping a consistent schedule, we are able to sleep better.

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Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

WOMAN

I am just privileged

–Folorunsho Alakija

Mrs. Folorunsho Alakija, the Chief Executive Officer of Famfa Oil and the World’s Richest Black Woman recently added another feather to her success cap when she was appointed Chancellor of Osun State University. The charming mother of four spoke with YEMISI ADENIRAN on her new appointment amidst other issues. Excerpts:

C

ongratulations on your new appointment? How does it feel to be on this new field that is totally different from others that you have been known for?

I am happy and very grateful to God Almighty and the executive governor of the Osun State for the honour given to me by this appointment. I feel good and grateful. I am not the only one worthy of this kind of appointment but I am just privileged by God. I am very delighted and promise to give my very best to the successful piloting of this great institution to the highest level possible.

How do you intend to combine your new assignment with all others that you have forayed into?

There is no assignment given by God that fails. My God has never failed and He can never fail. He is a supportive God and His love for His own is as constant

as the Northern Star. Since it has pleased Him to assign this job to me, He will surely see me through. I have never done anything behind Him and He has never let me down so, this is definitely going to be a good success. He gave good success to Joshua and other people of His own, He will surely give me the same in this endeavour.

Tell us about the exploits that Rose of Sharon Foundation is making?

The major objective of Rose of Sharon Foundation is to provide for the needs of widows and that of orphans. It stands to empower them( the widows) and their families. It is to give them hope of a better tomorrow. This is what it has been doing and God has been faithful to us in this regard. It is our little way of giving back to the society and to the glory of God, God has been very supportive.

Not many comfortable Nigerians belief in philanthropic steps. What is your advice on this?

My honest advice is to everyone. As long as we are alive and God is backing us up in ways we can clearly see, no matter how small, it is important that we cultivate the attitude of giving. The Bible says seed time and harvest time will always remain with us. It also says that the needies will always be in our midst.

Because we all know that this is true, we will be making God happy by giving some token to the needies around us. It is better and more rewarding to give than to take. We must not wait for a particular time before we begin to give unto others.

As long as we are healthy and can afford something no matter how little, we should give because there is definitely someone around us that is not as privi-

leged as we are. It is a charge for everyone and there is definitely a reward for it. We should remember that giving is gi giving to ourselves. If you give to someone just know that you are sowing a seed that will germinate sometime very soon for you as an harvest. Whatever blessing you have today is honoured you so as to benefit others.

You look radiant always despite your age. What’s the secret?

I do not have any special beauty routine that I keep to daily or anytime, my secret is God. I have enjoyed God so far and I am grateful to Him to this. Personally, I just do things whenever I feel like doing them; I eat and sleep whenever I am chanced. I don’t have any special menu or eating habit, so, I cannot be saying that I do this particular thing or that.

I am just blessed of God and honestly,

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this extends to every sides of my life. I have just been blessed by God and I am grateful.

As a fashionista and a major stakeholder in the fashion industry, how would you rate the Nigerian fashion world?

Fashion in Nigeria has been very progressive. We have made a lot of progress as it is obvious. The old generation of fashion designers have worked so hard that they can inspire the new ones. We have become more creative such that we now have a good influence even on the international scene. Really, the Nigerian fashion world has come a long way and this is very commendable.

You have indeed proven to all that women should not be limited by their sex. What else would you add to this?

Women should believe more in themselves because this will go a long way in achieving their goals in life. There is nothing great that men are doing that women cannot do if only we will see ourselves as that. Women are not the weaker sex, we must not feel like that.

You are also successful in your marriage despite your achievements in the business world. What do you attribute this to?

It is God again. No marriage comes without its own challenges but when one is determined to keep the marriage, it will surely last. Besides, I have been blessed with a wonderful man who is more than a husband to me. He is my father, my brother, my friend and a good companion. He gave me all the support I need in life to fly and so I can fly, all thanks to God. I thank God also for the children He has given me, they have also contributed to the success of the home.

If they have been truant, I am sure we will not be saying what we are saying today.

But most marriages don’t last this long. What would you say is responsible?

It is the desire of God that men have lasting marriages and so all depends on the two players in the marriage. It takes two to tango, they always say so, both the man and the woman have all the responsibilities to shoulder. While the man should be able to occupy his position as the man, providing love, care, finance and encouragement to the woman and the kids, the woman needs to be submissive, patient and understanding too. She should respect her husband no matter who or whatever she is. They should not allow any third party between them, keep communicating as friends, stay away from seeking revenge on each other and above all make God their first and all.

You are not just a pride to womanhood, but a pride to Nigeria as a whole. What special word do you have for Nigeria generally?

Nigerians should love Nigeria the more because no matter how far we travel, no matter how long we spend there, home will remain our home. Nigeria remains our home and of course, there can never be anywhere like home. We should do all to maintain peace and work positively to the growth of the nation. If we do not do it, no one will do it. Men should not look down on women, women should not feel higher than men just because of the positions they have attained. The

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We should not give up on our nation, nigeria, but use our godgiven talents to affect our country and the people around us as much as possible. there is no nation that is doing Well today that is Without sacrifices from its citizens. youths should rise up to their expectation as the strength of the nation by being hard working, honest and proud of their country. Nigerian leaders must do more for its citizen, in areas of provision, security and youth empowerment.

We should be more passionate about Nigeria to make it what we all dream of. We should effect positive changes in our nation. It should not be seen as the responsibilities of our leaders alone. We should learn to start from our little places, all of these efforts will one day come together to form an ocean of strength.

We should emulate leaders like late Nelson Mandela, Magarette Thatcher who brought changes to their world. Coming back home, we have the likes of Tai Solarin. We may not have good supply of electricity and other things we desire, but the fact remains that God has blessed us tremendously in several other ways.

All we need to do is to use our talents, our strength and wisdom to move the nation forward, helping others, forgiving and forgetting past wrongs to make the nation better. We should not give up on our nation, Nigeria but use our God-given talents to affect our country and the people around us as much as possible.

There is no nation that is doing well today that is without sacrifices from its citizens. It’s a joint exercise not that of one person.

Most successful women find it difficult to maintain their marriages or to combine both. What do you think is responsible and what should they do?

It is all about determination. If indeed two heads are better than one like the Bible says definitely, a woman’s marriage should be a blessing to her. This is because she has a helper, a companion who will draw her up when she is down.

So, success should not be a hindrance to successful marriage and vice versa. The more the challenges we face, the stronger we should become. A successful woman should be humble and honour her husband and other people around her so that she will not end up alone. Planning ahead of our assignments for each day will help us manage our situation very well. In addition, every woman making exploits in life should get closer to God for wisdom and more strength. It is in God that success is gained, managed and secured.

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Keeping ABREAST

US Army gets first ever female infantry officer •She will be leading 150 soldiers into battle next year!

Captain Kristen Griest (right)

C

aptain Kristen Griest will become America’s first ever female Army infantry officer. She graduated from training early this week.

Griest has completed the Maneuver Captains Career Course at Fort Benning, Georgia, passing a two-month leadership course necessary for holding a command position.

Captain Griest has already completed Ranger and Airborne School and could take charge of her infantry unit of about 150 soldiers in Spring next year.

Women were banned from combat positions until 2013 when the long-standing limitation was overturned by the Pentagon. But it was only in December 2015 that Defense Secretary Ash Carter ordered all combat positions to be made open to women.

Captain Greist became the first woman to complete Ranger School last year, after which she returned to serve at her home base at Fort Campbell, Kentucky.

Her course at the Ranger School was part a research program undertaken by the US Army to determine whether women should be admitted into combat units.

A spokesman at Fort Benning, Georgia said: “Like any other officer, male or female, that wants to transfer their branch, she took the opportunity and applied for an exception to the Army policy to transfer her branch from Military Police to Infantry.”

Sue Fulton, a member of the 1980 West Point class that was the first to include women, told the journalists that she has full confidence in Captain Griest: “Having gotten to know her, I can tell you that Kris is the kind

of officer we need in the infantry: extremely tough, smart, a quiet professional and a team player.

“She is the first of a select group of women who will step up to the challenges of Army Infantry, and make it stronger through their talent and selfless service.”

As of 2015, women make up about 15 per cent of the U.S. military. More than 165,000 women are enlisted and active in the armed services with over 35,000 additional women serving as officers.

This summer, Fort Benning will see 22 women enroll in its Armour and Infantry Basic Officer Leadership Courses.

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APRIL 30, 2016

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

divorce court

‘He deceived me with sugar-coated tongue’

• Adeniyi with his sugar-coated tongue, told me that he was a well paid worker of an oil company in Port Harcourt. When I eventually got pregnant for him, he took me to a hotel for our honeymoon and I was surprised that we didn’t go to his home for the honeymoon. I received further shock when his elder brother invited us into his apartment to live there —Wife

A

Mapo Customary Court in Ibadan has dissolved a two-year marriage between Bolaji, a banker and her husband, Tope Adeniyi, over laziness and deception into marriage The presiding president of the court, Mr Henric Agbaje, held that what had just happened should be a big lesson to young ladies and even men.

Agbaje said that they should try as much as possible to distinguish between appearance and reality.

He added that the establishment of an enduring marriage institution transcends mere mouth making in order to put a woman in the house.

‘My husband is a defiant womaniser’

• He lives in deceit and he is a professional pretender. He is a church leader but a trouble maker; I want to enjoy the remaining years of my life, I cannot continue to stay with a man who beats me always —Wife

A

n Orile Agege Customary Court in Lagos has dissolved a 30-year-old marriage between, Omolola and Kehinde Shobowale, on grounds of threat to life and infidelity.

The president of the court, Dr Kayode Whenu, held that the marriage had broken down irreparable.

“The binding love and affection is totally missing and despite all the counseling, the wife insisted on divorce hence

the court has no choice than to oblige her. ``Starting from today, you ceased to be addressed as husband and wife; you shall go your separate ways and maintain the peace. ``The children in the marriage are adults and the only teenager among them stays with the oldest child, so there is no reason for custody in this case,’’ he ruled.

The petitioner, Omolola on November 2, 2015 had urged the

court to dissolve her marriage to Shobawale, citing battery, threat to life and infidelity.

Omolola, 53, a caterer of No. 24, Bakare Jafojo Street, Abule Oki, Iyana Ipaja, a suburb of Lagos, said that her husband beats her at will. ``My husband is adulterous and a defiant womaniser, he lives in deceit and he is a professional pretender. ``He is a church leader but a trouble maker; I want to enjoy the remaining years of my life, I

‘I never enjoyed my marriage to him’

.

• He beats me at the slightest provocation, he does not provide for me and the child; I provide everything in the house, including fuelling the generator. Yet, I have not received positive encouragement from him, I tried so hard to cope but the more I try to make things right, the more he creates obstacles—Wife

A

n Orile-Agege Customary Court in Lagos has dissolved the four-year marriage between one Modupeola Alabi and her husband, Taye, over constant battery, threat to life and lack of care. President of the court, Mr Adegboyega Omilola, said

since the marriage had broken down irretrievably the court had no option than to dissolve it.

“The court discovered that theirs had been a union of incompatible couple who managed to be together for four miserable years.

“Taye’s persistent absence from the court after his first appearance is indicative of his height of irresponsibility and his declined love for the petitioner, Modupeola.

“So starting from today, you CONTINUED ON PAGE 31

cannot continue to stay with the man who beats me always. ``I took care of my children while they were young and I paid all their bills,’’ she said.

The mother of eight, aged 29 to 13, told the court that she had left her matrimonial home since 2013. ``The summation of the years of trouble where I experienced hardship and hostile environment led me to have left the house. I want a divorce,’’ she insisted.

Her husband, Kehinde,59, of 17 Bello Owolabi Street, Iyana Ipaja, denied all the allegations and opposed the request for dissolution.

“The allegations made by my wife are baseless, unnecessary and devil induced. These allegations were strange and frivolous.

“You will agree with me that it is not a normal situation that a partner is seeking dissolution of a 30-year-old marriage,’’ he said.

“In the interest of peace and tranquility, the court has put an end to the union between Bolaji and Adeniyi.

He awarded custody of the two-year-old child to Bolaji and ordered Adeniyi to N5,000 monthly feeding allowance for the upkeep of the child and his other welfare.

In her petition to the court, Bolaji said that Adeniyi deceived her into a hopeless marriage, painting a picture of what he was not.

“We met each other just at the time when I was just starting my NYSC, making all the promises in this world.

“Adeniyi with his sugar-coated mouth told me that he was a well paid worker of an oil company in Port Harcourt and he did go there often in my presence.

“I eventually got pregnant for him, he then took me to an hotel for our honeymoon and I was surprised that we didn’t go to his home for the honeymoon.

“I received further shock when his elder brother invited us into his apartment to live there for sometimes.

“After six months, his brother’s wife stylishly drove me out when she started misbehaving towards me because we were staying too long in their house.

“With my job as a banker, I started taking responsibility of most of the things, including feeding and furnishing the house.

“Worst still, Adeniyi took to unleashing mayhem on me at any slightest disagreement as well as destroying my property.

“Then, one day, I moved to my parents’ home telling them how providence has brutally changed my life.

“As a matter of fact, Adeniyi had no qualification because he had no higher education, had no job, but dresses well because his brother works with an oil company and sometimes gave him money.

“For more than a year now, we have been staying apart,” Bolaji explained.

Adeniyi, who had no explanation to deny all the allegations rejected the divorce request.

“My lord, I love Bolaji and I don’t want to divorce her for the reason of love and because of our child who might suffer.

“Bolaji’s father had told both of us that he is not interested in any divorce and that anyone who wants to divorce should just write him a letter and not the court process,” Adeniyi said.

(NAN)

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

‘He doesn’t want to see me with another man’

divorce court

APRIL 30, 2016

.

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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 has 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

A

Mapo Customary Court in Ibadan has dissolved a 25 year marriage between Adebowale and her husband Obasola Odutoye for persistent beating and infidelity.

The President of the court, Mr Ademola Odunade, held that the court terminated the marriage because of Adebowale’s insistence on divorce.

“If separation remains the only means of achieving peace and tranquility, then, the union between Adebowale and Odutoye has ceased to be henceforth,” he held.

He, however, noted that Adebowale all through the trial demonstrated acts of unforgiveness despite appeal from the court and Odutoye.

He awarded custody of the last three children to Adebowale, adding that the first three should remain in the custody of Odutoye.

Adebowale, a fashion designer, told the court that her husband had turned her into a punching bag, accusing her of unsubstantiated infidelity.

“I have never known peace since I got married to Odutoye since 1991 because he

kept monitoring my movement about in Ibadan.

“Anytime he sees any man with me, Odutoye unleashed mayhem on me and sometimes beat me to unconsciousness.

“In fact, I have stopped living with him since July 2015 when he almost killed me.

“My lord, I am completely tired of being his wife due to his inhumanity to me,” Adebowale said. Odutoye denied maltreating Adebowale and opposed the divorce. He told the court that she insisted, she should return all his property in her custody. “Adebowale is highly promiscuous as I have caught her with her secret lover in her shop. “I have warned her times without number that I don’t want to see her with that man again but she remained adamant.

“Though I have since turned a new leaf since the court intervened, adding more money to her business and other monthly allowances.

“Yet Adebowale has insisted on going, she must return all my property in her custody,” Odutoye stressed.

(NAN)

‘My wife threatens to kill me’

• She threatened my life, saying she will kill me and that she is ready to become a widow—Husband · My husband beats me constantly whenever we have any misunderstanding and he does not have any respect for me —Wife

A

32-year-old man, Aliu Olagunju has pleaded with an Agege Customary Court to dissolve his 11 year marriage with his wife, Adijat, over alleged threat to his life.

Olagunju told the court that there was no more love between him and his wife.

According to Olagunju, his wife is arrogant, does not take corrections as well as not taking care of the children.

“She neglects the children and no motherly love for them,” the petitioner said.

Olagunju told the court that two years ago he sought the dissolution of the marriage, but due to several mediations,

he accepted to withdraw the suit.

He said he had moved out of the house to a friend’s place due to his wife trouble.

“She threatened my life, saying she will kill me and that she is ready to become a widow,” he said.

The petitioner begged the court to separate them, as he did not want to die now as his wife always threatened to kill him.

He also prayed the court for the custody of the first two children, adding that the last child, who is nine months old, can live with his wife.

Defending the allegations, Adijat, a final year student of

the Lagos State University and mother of three, denied the allegations.

She said that her husband was irresponsible and does not provide for her and the children.

“My husband beats me constantly whenever we had any misunderstanding and he does not have any respect for me,” she said.

The respondent, however, begged the court not to grant her husband’s request, saying that she still loves him.

President of the court Phillip Williams adjourned the case for mediation and urged the couple to come with their family.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 30

ly for the child’s upkeep. “The man should also pay N20,000 as compensation to the woman and should provide a decent accommodation for her.”

The petitioner had approached the court to dissolve her marriage, citing battery, threat to life and lack of care.

Modupeola, 26, a fashion designer, who lives at 7, Akintunde St., Orile-Agege, a suburb of Lagos, told the court that she had never enjoyed her marriage.

She said: “I managed to be in the union for four years but when my life was threatened, I ran for my dear life.

“He beats me at the slightest provocation, he does not provide for me and the child; I provide everything in the house, including fuelling the generator.

“Yet, I have not received positive encouragement from him; I tried so hard to cope but the more I try to make things right, the more he creates obstacles.”

‘I never enjoyed my marriage to him’ cease to be addressed as husband and wife; you shall go your separate ways and maintain the peace,” he ruled.

Omilola granted the mother the custody of their threeyear-old, the only child of the marriage.

He further stated: “But any contention over the custody of the child should be referred to Ikeja Family Court; the man should be paying N7, 000 month-

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APRIL 30, 2016

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Parenting

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Teaching your child how to Children are like wet cement. Whatever falls on them makes an impression

make choices T

eaching your child to make choices is the most important elements of raising a well-behaved, resourceful child. Children learn how to make big choices by watching you do it, and by gaining experience through making little choices. Here are some tips about teaching choice to your child:

•

Never give a choice you aren’t willing to follow through on. That means if you say, “Either you clean your room or we are not going out to dinner tonight,” you should be prepared to start cooking. It also means if you say, “Clean your room and I’ll take you to the fanciest restaurant in town,” you need to be prepared to pick up that phone and start making reservations.

It’s your responsibility to keep your child safe and healthy. Keep food choices healthy, and allow your child to choose what to eat. If your kid chooses to eat only cookies and ice cream, stop having them as a choice.

Unless your child is very skilled at choice-making and your budget is unlimited, never offer choices without parameters. Give them an “ei-

•

•

ther/or” if they are young, or up to several options if they are older. You’re looking for trouble (and you’re not teaching choice) if you say, “You can choose where we’re going on vacation,” or “Whatever you want for dessert, it’s your choice.” (Whee! We’re going to Mr Biggs to eat a carload of chocolate mousse topped with champagne cream and gilded with gold leaf !)

When a child is making choices about her behaviour, you can point out the choice and the consequences of it.

“David, I notice you have chosen to play Nintendo before dinner instead of doing your homework. I hope you are aware that you have chosen to stay home and finish your homework tonight instead of going to the movies with your friend Jeremy.”

Older children can use choices to learn how to prioritize. You can say, “Your laundry needs to be in the hamper, Rex needs a walk, and your book report is due tomorrow.

You can choose how you arrange to get it all done.” (You might add, “If you would like some help organizing your time, I’ll be happy to take a couple of minutes with you at

•

•

ParentingUpdate

A

new analysis concludes that spanking fails to alter kids’ behaviour in the long term. What it does instead is amp up their aggression And if you still believes in beating your kid for whatever dangerous/annoying/forbidden behaviour he’s doing right now, just go on.

But be prepared for that same child to be more aggressive toward you and his siblings, his friends and his eventual spouse. You should also get ready for some other antisocial behaviours.

A new analysis of two decades of research on the long-

term effects of physical punishment in children concludes that spanking doesn’t work and can actually wreak havoc on kids’ long-term development.

Studying physical punishment is difficult for researchers, who can’t randomly assign children to groups that are hit and those that aren’t. Instead, they follow children over many years, monitor how much they’re spanked, and then take measure of their aggression over time. “We find children who are physically punished get more aggressive over time and those who are not physically punished get less aggressive over time,” says the article’s

any point this evening.”)

Once a child makes a choice, lay off on the options, don’t continue to offer choices. (“Well, maybe not Mr Biggs, perhaps The Bamidele’s place.”) That’s what a choice is, it’s a decision. It’s part of choosing to live with all the ramifications.

Once a choice has been made, be clear as to when it becomes final. (“The special price on those discount tickets expires at midnight, so we need to be prepared to buy before bedtime.”)

•

•

Why must you do this as a parent?

Part of being self-disciplined is understanding and taking responsibility for making life’s choices. Helping your children learn the difficult skill of making positive, appropriate choices is a big part of parenting well.

A child who is skilled at consciously making choices will understand her own needs, and gain a sense of control over her own life.

Choice-making also helps teach internal discipline, organization, and prioritizing.

(You’re not going to have a lot

of problems from a kid this empowered.

Which brings us to the question, What if your child doesn’t like her choice? That can be hard for a wimpy parent to watch. It can even be hard for a strong, reasonable parent to watch. Nobody enjoys watching a child be disap-

pointed. But making a choice entails learning to live with the choice that’s been made.

Don’t “rescue” your child from her experiences; it may make her feel better in the long run, but it ultimately won’t teach her anything at all. Disappointment is a good teaching tool, and discipline is teaching.

Tiny Feet

•

• •

NAME: Prescious Johnson

BORN TO: Mr and Mrs Johnson AGE: 7 month old BIRTH WEIGHT: 2.85kg Have you just had a baby? Send a picture of your bundle of joy to mirrorbabies@gmail.com

Spanking aggravates kids’ aggression - Study lead author.

In fact, regardless of the age of the children or the size of the sample, none of more than 80 studies on the effects of physical punishment have succeeded in finding positive associations. “If someone were to hit us to change our behaviour, it might harm our relationship with that person. We might feel resentful. It’s no different for children. It’s not a constructive thing to do,” added the lead researcher.

Culled from health.com

www.child-

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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APRIL 30, 2016

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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

My 10-year -old daughter is becoming too self-conscious Dear Bukola,

I

I feel so lonely Dear Bukola lost my parents 4 years ago to a fatal auto crash. I was their only child. Since their death, I’ve been taking care of myself all alone. All their family members that promised to stay by me and fill in the gaps are nowhere to be found. There have been several instances of my life I really wish I had died with them in the crash because I feel so lonely.

I

O

Dear lonely, h dear, I sincerely share your pain. To lose a parent can be saddening but you lost both parents at once. I can imagine what you

must have been through for these past years. When we lose a parent as a child, so many promises are made by friends or family members just to make us feel better. That doesn’t mean they will strive or make any effort to keep those promises.

That is why you should forget about all those people and their promises because even if they did try, they can never fill the gaps left by your parents. You need to learn how to be your own pillar of support.

You have survived the four years since their death so there’s nothing stopping you from becoming who you want to be.

Do everything positively possible to be who God wants you to be. Stop blaming God for keeping you alive, know that it is because there are some important things

you have to accomplish in life, you are a blessing to your generation and your positive impact must be felt. Be happy with yourself….remember that your parents sure wouldn’t want to see you unhappy.

Forgive all those who made promises and were not able to keep it so that you can live a good life. About feeling lonely, try to surround yourself with people that can make you feel better. Be part of institutions that can help you accomplish your goals in life. Lastly, commit everything into the hands of God. Be more spiritual; ask for God’s direction in order to get to His planned destination for you. If you can do all these, you will become a testimony sooner than later. I wish you all the grace you need.

of his house but she says she can’t leave my 2 half-siblings she bore for him so she would rather endure. I really love my mum but I am scared she would die soon.

There are organisations or NGOs that are interested in such cases, do some research so that you can get them involved in her case. Abuse kills a woman gradually so it is one of the worst things that can happen.

In the meantime, you could also involve her parents or anyone you know she and your step-dad respect well (in case they do not know about it). As elderly people, they could proffer lasting solutions to the issue on ground. Also, be available to give her love as much as you can; remind her of how much she means to you and her other children. If you can do all these, I really don’t see your mum dying anytime soon. Give her my love!

I think my step-father wants to kill my mum

Dear Bukola, y mum got pregnant of me while she was in the university and according to the story I heard, my father rejected my pregnancy.

My grandparents stood by her and made sure she came out successful. Fortunately or unfortunately for my mum, she met and got married to my step father 17years back. He started physically abusing her several years ago and I think with the level at which he metes it out on my mum, he has plans of killing her. I have told her to move out

M

Dear scared, ost women in abusive relationships (especially in this part of the world) refuse to speak out not because they enjoy the abuse but because they want to protect their children….

Unfortunately, I sense that is what is going on with your mum. I want you to know that your mum needs your support now than ever. If she won’t speak out, then you need to help her.

M

am a single mother with a 10 year old daughter. My daughter though young is very beautiful and I have been told this by various people. I think her beauty should be a blessing but the truth is that it is actually making me scared. She is becoming too self-conscious. She takes her time to dress herself up, matches her dressing just like an adult. The way she carries herself makes me wonder where she got that carriage from? I am worried because I think with the way she’s going she may start getting unnecessary attention from boys. I love my daughter and don’t want her to repeat my mistakes.

Dear single mother, o you know that what you noticed with your daughter has become too common these days? Most little children have become so self-conscious that their childhood is almost cut short. The level at which they mature these days is all too rapid that one can’t but wonder what exactly may be happening. I personally think it has a lot to do with advancement in technology, social media and exposure to it.

What your daughter needs is some form of assistance/support. Be her friend as much as you can so that she can always put your opinion into consideration. Always have a heart to heart talk to her about what matters most in life which is; facing her studies and becoming the best person she can be. If possible, reduce the level of access she has to the social media sites. Let her know life comes in phases and the phase she is right now is the learning phase in order to have the capacity to earn in the future. The truth is if this self-consciousness if well managed it may turn out to be a blessing. There is no harm in having a fashionista as a daughter….

Most renowned fashion stylists started that way, either way, your daughter needs you as an important part of her life. Lastly, if you keep nursing the fear that your daughter might repeat the mistakes you made in the past, it can possibly affect the way you relate with her. Take that fear off your mind but be the best friend shec an ever have. All the best!

D

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APRIL 30, 2016

34

Male

Jide animashaun 08034710902

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Angle

When is it time t I

Is the partner abusive?

f one is to go to any good bookshop or on the internet to browse marriage books on the popular and not so popular self-help shelves, the vast majority of the books we will find will be about saving your marriage. While healing an ailing relationship is usually what we all want, sometimes it’s wise to know when it’s time to let go. Every marriage is different, but there are some universal truths to all marriages and one of these truths is this, if one or both partners refuse to put in the effort to save the marriage, it’ll never get fixed. We really can’t feed a dead horse anymore or can you? For most of us, it will all end in futility. A good marriage is like planting a beautiful rose bush that will need all the nurturing that we can give it to survive. A lot of effort must be put into making any marriage to be successful.

Another universal truth has to do with generally always involving a third party in issues relating to the marriage. The clock starts ticking on the end of a marriage as soon as one spouse puts the couple’s problems out in the open. The more time that passes after that without any effort made, the lower the odds are that you’ll stay together though most couples start out intending to stay together but the opposite is the case. You must have heard the famous proverb, “The road to hell is paved with good intentions.” All marriages are fraught with problems. Show me a perfect marriage, and I will show you the world’s greatest illusion. So if you are the type of person who is always bringing in family and friends to “help work out issues you guys are having with each other” and generally getting people involved in your marriage because it did not work out the way you envisioned your perfect life to be, I’ll say that you should wake up to the real world.

So many people have so any ideas of how they want their marriage to be. Hollywood and Nollywood have also added new

dimensions to the expectations on the institution of marriage.

But in truth it is apt to play upon some borrowed words of W.B Yeats in his poem “The Second Coming” to say that when things fall apart and the centre cannot hold, mere anarchy will be loose upon the world of marriage. Now what kind of anarchy are we talking about or should we even be referring to?

When couples are quarrelling, they tend to exchange lots of negative strokes. Over the years they remember these barbs and store them until they build a wall between themselves and once this wall is in place, couples stop feeling close and stop talking intimately. Every time you are sarcastic or critical, you drive a wedge in your relationship. It is the advent of this wedge that finally signals the beginning of when one can start thinking of walking out of the marriage.

Personally, I do not really think there is an ideal time or an ideal situation that can or should warrant when to walk out of one’s marriage but issues like threat to life or anything that can endanger one’s life are examples of when we can and should walk out of a marriage. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not an advocate of divorce or staying in a loveless marriage all in the name of one of the partners wanting to be married which may be out of the fear of stigmatization or other stuffs.

If there seems to be no chance of reconciliation, divorce may be inevitable. A relationship devoid of love is no relationship at all. When you have a partner who refuses to work on his or her inner demons, or is not ready to let go of the baggage from previous relationships and is not ready to take his or her time in getting to know the special partner that you are but is constantly abusive, whether physically or emotionally, then it truly is time when we can walk out of a marriage because we are nothing but emotional widows whose partner had “died” to us.

SEX TALK

This column is x-rated

Face-saving tips for two-minutes men E

arly ejaculation happens to the best of men. You’re with a girl and it’s feeling good -- really good. All of sudden, it feels way too good. Before you know it, you’ve concluded your business and you’ve barely made it past the one-minute mark. As she stares quizzically into your eyes, you have a split second to decide what to do about your early ejaculation.

Should you try to play it off with a joke or genuinely apologize? Here are the dos and don’ts of how to react.

Laugh it off Trying to casually make a joke of the situation is a valid reaction. If you can get her to laugh about it with you, then it will just be an amusing hiccup in an otherwise pleasurable evening. Take a break, have a good laugh and then try again. If she does not find it funny, you have two options: (1) Try distracting her or (2) Find yourself a girl who’s not so uptight.

Apologise Sure, you could apologise for your premature ending. It’s a fine option as long as you don’t grovel. A quick “sorry” wouldn’t hurt, but don’t dwell on it. It really doesn’t require a solemn declaration of regret. The only thing you could really be sorry for is leaving her unsatisfied after

your quick orgasm.

Don’t sulk Grown men should not sulk. It is not becoming at the best of times, and it is certainly not appropriate on the occasion of early ejaculation. Be a man, suck it up and try again. It may be disheartening, but acting like a petulant two-year-old will guarantee that you don’t get a second chance. You could also get some dubious points if you manage to directly or indirectly make her feel like your early ejaculation was her fault.

Don’t panic Do not panic. In the event of an unexpected climax, resist the urge to flee the room in shame. Stay calm and try to act like it’s not a big deal. She’ll still be out there when you finish hiding in the bathroom, and your freakout will just make things more awkward when you finally chill out.

Don’t try to explain The phrase “this never happens to me” should not escape your mouth in this situation. She probably won’t believe it despite your insistence on the rarity of the occurrence. In fact, she might even think you are protest-

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Female

Angle

YEMISI ADENIRAN 08029894772 email: ydiran@yahoo.com

to say goodbye?

Is he a possessive batterer?

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This column is x-rated ing too much. Believe it or not, women are aware that it happens every once in a while. She doesn’t need an explanation.

Don’t fake like it didn’t happen Faking an orgasm is one thing, but faking not having an orgasm is probably even harder. There is gel-evidence left behind after all. So don’t try to pretend it didn’t happen; just act like it didn’t. Instead of pausing to acknowledge it, just move on and keep the pleasure going by other means.

Your penis does not have to be directly involved for sex to continue.

Distract her The best possible reaction to early ejaculation on your part is to focus your attention on her pleasure, thereby distracting her from the fact that you’re already finished. If you’re using your mouth or hands to please her, she won’t care when you had your orgasm.

Try, try again No matter which of these reactions come to you at the moment of your untimely orgasm, you can save the situation by getting yourself together and starting from the beginning. If you can’t manage to get it up a second time, make sure she is happy for the night by using the other means at your disposal and giving her a repeat performance in the morning, which will be sure to last longer than the first.

This column is x-rated The ultimate face-saver for Premature Ejaculation is a great repeat performance.

So, how can you guarantee that your repeat performance will have redeeming value?

Which positions are great for prolonging ejaculation?

Instead of the missionary, these two positions offer guys a LOT more control during intercourse and when performed the right way, can significantly boost your endurance in bed: Woman on top and Spoons If changing positions still fails you, you should be able to improve matters by simple ‘distraction techniques’. This means turning your mind to something else when you sense that a climax is near. For instance, you can: Think very hard about something totally unconnected with sex, such as your best friend’s funeral!

Pinch yourself hard.

Bite the pillow.

Wear a condom. Yes, the good old condom. If you think the three distraction techniques do not or may not help, there is one last way out; wear a condom. One of the most overlooked simple cures of premature ejaculation is to wear a condom. Besides being a good practice against sexually transmitted diseases and a contraceptive, a condom can help reduce the sensation of great sex and thus prolong the action.

arriage, in this part of the world is naturally viewed as a till - death – do-us affair. Just as it is commonly said that we live in men’s world, it is the woman that is usually tagged with negativity once a marriage is called off. She is viewed as a failure and treated like an outcast not by the people she love most but the society as a whole.

They simply can’t believe that a one-time “Mrs” is now suddenly a miss.

But in the actual sense of it, there really should not be any big deal with the issue. I won’t for any reason concur with the forever decision to stay in an abusive marriage. As far as I am concerned, as soon as a marriage is short of cordiality, love and genuine feelings for a woman especially, she should simply take a walk. Honestly, if she does not, her life like we have heard of many instances is just on the line. I will refer simply to that banker-woman who had her pretty and precious life terminated by her gigolo hubby. If she was careful and honest enough with her situation, she would have been alive today. We will all recall that her father- in-law particularly and very boldly attested to their several fights where she (the lady banker) was assaulted. The man said, they were hoping that one day; she would opt out of the marriage.

It was one commendable confession that not many in-laws would have made.

So, why should a woman wait until she gets killed all in the name of marriage and possibly because of what the society and its people will say? Just why?

Basically, if a woman notices any of the following development in her marriage, she should know that it is really time to call it quits.

Lack of mutual respect: If your husband stops respecting you and your feelings, the foundation of the marriage is torn apart and little can be done to mend it. You should begin to make a move out of the marriage.

Excessive control or possessiveness: A healthy relationship partner supports you in having your own

life, interests, and outside friends without feeling guilty or intimidated. If he suddenly wants to know who you talk to, where you go and how much money you spend daily, then there is bound to be trouble. He possibly doesn’t trust you anymore.

Blames others for problems or situations that go wrong: A man who won’t take responsibility for his actions and finds fault with everybody else, especially you, creates a climate ripe for divorce.

Too self-absorbed or easily insulted: If you have to walk on egg shells because you are fearful or uncomfortable speaking your mind and if there is no regard for your comfort or concerns, you’re with a man who only cares about himself. In other words, your existence is really not important. You will therefore do yourself some good by taking your exit.

Consistently critical: A man who is critical, degrading, nasty, argumentative or moody is emotionally abusive. He is the type who instils fear, insecurity and doubt in his partner and can destroy your self-esteem.

History of past physical abuse: A batterer usually will not change unless he had had some professional intervention. He will not only make you feel unsafe, he will intimidate and threaten you regularly with his behaviour and language. If you refuse to take your leave when you still have your head still standing on your entire body, you will be shocked that one day, he will snuff life out of you and claim to have done it under some influence.

Every woman desires a long-lasting marriage but when her life is at stake, the wisest thing is to seek and make real an escape. A good marital relationship feels safe, supportive, nurturing and respectful.

The healthiest intimate relationships are based on mutual love and respect. A man and his wife need to be sharing, growing, compromising and working together so that their relationship keeps blossoming.

Once this not found in existence, honestly it is indeed time to call it quits!

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Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Parking merchants mint money on Lagos streets

Have you ever had to pay for parking on the street or market environment! Welcome to the world of parking merchants. JULIET UMEH spoke to some of these street boys.

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aturday Mirror investigation revealed that regular visitors to some popular markets in Lagos such as Balogun or Idumota, Mushin, Oyingbo, Oshodi, Ladipo and many others have so many things to worry about. Among their headaches is where to park their cars in such markets.

The likes of the boy that terrified Joy are always found, directing people where to park their vehicles after which they collect money from them as service charge.

Patrick Iloh, a Mushin resident said: “In my area in Mushin, the so called street boys make lots of money. Of course, their hearts gladden at the sight of visitors because they are sure nothing less than N200 will come out. But they don’t approach residents. ”In Surulere, it is a similar story. Before a stranger parks his or her car, some boys will emerge from nowhere to ask for money. In a local parlance they will say: “Anything for the boys?”

Sadly, the story is the same with most public buildings or commercial areas because of space constraints in the city of Lagos.

Investigation by our correspondent showed that Marina in Lagos Island habours most of these boys.

While descending the Marina Bridge to connect any of the markets on the Island, you are sure to be ’warmly’ welcomed by some overzealous boys who beckons on you to park at a specific space under the bridge of Akponmgbo. The boys bother less about who is in the car or whether the car owner(s) are going to an office with a parking space.

The moment they sight you descending the bridge, they keep waving and directing your car until you either follow their direction or drives out of their sight. To wary visitors, the unsolicited offer of assistance by this category of persons might be strange and frightful as happened to Joy. Lagos neighbourhoods with event centres and halls also suffer headaches when they host occasions or events. This is because most of the facilities do not have enough spaces for vehicles to park. Bolaji Idowu, a resident of Ogba who lives close to one of the popular Pentecostal churches shared his experience with urchin boys in that area of Lagos.

“Do you know that most weekends and Sundays, it takes several precious minutes, sometimes hours, to drive on some roads that should take not more than 10 minutes on my street? These boys collect money from visitors to our area and the reason is simple.

Vehicles are always parked on all sides of the streets, blocking vehicular movements and making passage difficult.

“The situation, I must confess to you, has become a pain in our necks. As we expect visitors we keep in contact with them to know when they arrive to avoid embarrassment over where they are to park their vehicles.

Some of us are becoming irritated and are having a rethink about where to live,” he

said.

Similarly, a visit to most offices and shopping malls in Lagos showed that many of them do not have enough space for their staff and customers to park. This has left buyers and shoppers with no choice than to utilise adjoining open or residential spaces under the supervision of urchins, popularly known as street boys or area boys. Some vehicles have been lost in the process, vandalised, crammed or towed on a regular basis.

Saturday Mirror interacted with some of these urchins who wave at cars and discovered that the business is a money-spinning venture for them. Matthew, a resident of Bariga, a Lagos suburb Apongbon works in under bridge where he waves at vehicles and directs their owners where to park on daily basis.

“This is not the only job I do; I’m into shoe making; I sew clothes, do customised jobs for customers and also work in a cold room,” he said. For Matthew, the problem of inadequate parking space is a money-making avenue for them in Lagos State.

The motivation for those engaged in? Matthew gladly said: “There’s no enough space for people to park their cars in this area; everywhere is occupied by buildings. That’s why government created this place as parking space so that those boys that are jobless can see something to do instead of just being idle. A car owners pay N500 for a whole day,” he said.

Our correspondent observed that the venture is really yielding money for some of them. While explaining their mode of operation, Matthew said: “We make more than N10,000 in a day but the money is not for us.

It is the people that collected approval from the government that take the money but there is a certain amount they remove from it before giving us the rest and will share it.

At the end of the day, I’m sure of going home with not less that N1,500 in a day. Sometimes, if we don’t meet the target they will collect the whole money from us like that. They may still give us a small amount. Sometimes, we hit more than the target and if that happens, the extra becomes our own gain. That’s why we try to work harder.”

Kazeem, one of the boys has been in the job for more than five years. He looks at the situation from his own perspective: “Government did not provide enough parking spaces in Lagos; the place they provided are too expensive for some car owners. You can see Marina car park; they pay N700 and their money reads per hour but for our side, we don’t charge per hour and you know we are using roadside. If you tell them to pay per hours, they will go claiming that the cars are parked at the owner’s risk. But here we collect N500 no matter the numbers of hours involved.

“Each pole in under the bridge has about five people that work on it under the supervision of one person who also has a superior he accounts to. It is not only one person’s busi-

ness,” he said.

Kazeem however, confessed: “I am not enjoying the job but there is no other work to do. It’s not easy to be under sun from morning to night.”

The bitter truth is that educated people are also found among the car park boys. One of them is Azeez, a graduate of Moshood Abiola Polytechnic. He also speaks on why he is into it. “I have not been working here for a very long time. I come here only on Saturdays. I have just graduated from Moshood Abiola Polytechnic and I am doing my industrial attachment. I am doing this for the mean time so that I wouldn’t be idle. I have a boss that I report to and he also has a boss too. I am not aware of the total daily package but any time I close for the day I will be given N1, 500,” he explained. He went a little further. ”What happens here is that, the money made here from Monday to Friday belongs to the government and it is a different group of people that work here. On Saturdays the people that stay around this area take over,” he explained.

Azeez’s boss, who refused to reveal his name also spoke to our correspondent. He however justified their work, saying that the “Marina Park is there, but it’s not enough for people in Lagos. You know that a lot of people have cars in Lagos even though I haven’t bought one. One family will have like four or five cars and he and his wife and children will all be on the road at the same time just to buy some things and because of that there will not be space again.

“Some will even come and will not see space; they will have to go and turn again at Ijora Olopa and before they come back another car must have chanced them,” he said.

Though they are making money, all is not that rosy for them.

Said Azeeez’s boss: “Things are too hard in this country now; even people that come here with fine cars, to pay N500 is a big problem to them. I have collected N200 and N150 today. What do I do? Some will even want to park on credit - to pay next time and if you dare try it you will not see them again. There was one I allowed today because he mention one name that I know. I can’t even recognise his face. Some people are very rich but are very tight-fisted.

He added: “I have four children and the eldest of them will be going to secondary and there is no money to sponsor him. The next

option will be to send him to public school.”

However, some of the car owners that talked with our correspondent are comfortable with the boys said Mrs. Bola Aboshi: “There’s nothing we can do; you know it is their land; they are Lagosians; you cannot carry the land in your town to this place. If we don’t cooperate with them they might vandalise our car. They collect N500 and it is okay because if you say you will not pay, they may destroy your vehicle which may even cost as much as N50, 000 to repair and when you come back you will not see any of them.”

Peter Opadeyi another patron added: “One is not totally sure the car is safe but you really don’t have any choice if you don’t want to be late for an appointment or your engagement. The boys charge more and sometimes make away with valuables. But it is a choice one must make if you don’t want to have your vehicle towed for parking just anywhere,” he stated.

They face other challenges apart from some uncooperative customers that fail to give them N500. Matthew said: “Our challenge is the uniformed people like the army, police, navy and air force. They always tell us that government doesn’t pay.”

Though government over the years has tried to put measures to ameliorate the challenges of parking space by proving a number of commercial car parks across Lagos in addition to the ones administered by officials of local councils, huge number of vehicles is not really helping matters and that’s why the street boys have cashed in on that to make money for themselves.

A town planner, Dr Adebayo Adebiyi, however blamed the problem on the government saying that providing a parking space is one that is best addressed long before structures are built. He said most of our cities and streets are jammed. There was no adequate provision for spaces where vehicles could be parked. Since development has overtaken provisions, such challenges are inevitable.

He therefore offered a solution saying: “The only remedy for a city like Lagos is to regulate indiscriminate building of event centres and business complexes and the Ministry of Physical Planning should not approve buildings that cannot provide enough parking spaces. This should ensure future explosion and contingencies are taken into consideration.”

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APRIL 30, 2016

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Help us rebuild our shattered dreams — Okobaba fire victims Patience OgbO

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esidents of Okobaba community in Lagos State have become constant victims of fire outbreaks.

Last weekend, a midnight fire outbreak in the slum community rendered more than one thousand residents including children and the aged homeless.

The recent fire outbreak said to have been caused by electricity surge is coming less than one year after a deadly fire destroyed homes at the upper part of the community.

Residents affected by last year’s fire incident are still counting their loses and rebuilding their lives from the devastating effects of the fire outbreak of September 3rd 2015 when another fire which residents claimed started about 2:30pm on April 23rd is another bitter pill too harsh for the residents to swallow.

When Saturday Mirror visited the community, devastated residents were seen taking refuge in a mosque while others were sleeping in the the open while the charade remains of saw milling machines were seen littering the community.

Affected residents described their situation as pathetic and they are in dire need of shelter and relief materials to alleviate their plights.

Saturday Mirror however gathered that like other previous fire incidents, the residents are claiming they have been left to bear the burden of the aftermath of the devastating fire as no government relief materials have arrived the community days after the fire outbreak.

Thought residents are claiming that the fire was caused by power surge ,Saturday Mirror Investigation reveals that the fire might be the handiwork of land grabbers whom the residents alleged have been going about setting slum communities ablaze and taking over the land.

Speaking on the recent fire incident, the traditional ruler(Bale) of the community, Alhaji Musbau Amole Jinadu expressed sadness over the incessant fire incident in his community.

He said “ I am a sad man and this fire is two much for our people. I received a call on my phone about 1:30am that the community was on fire. I was asleep then and I woke up in shock. Since I was not in the community, I quickly called the fire brigade. When it was dawn, I raced to the community and saw that the fire had razed the lower part of the community. This area is not the same place where the last year’s fire occurred.However, this portion which was affected last weekend, was engulfed on Jan 7th, 1998 during the administration of former military governor Buba Marwa who came down and inspected the place before paying compensation to the people. From what I was told, the fire started from an apartment after electricity was restored to the community and this sadly led to a power surge which then resulted to the fire. The fire spread very fast because of the saw millers dusts and most of the houses were built with wood .We have not seen any

The ravaged Okobaba Community

government officials to inspect the level of destruction and condole with victims. “.

A victim of the fire , Mr. Omotayo Sadiq 56 said he lost his means of livihood to the fire outbreak. “ I am a builder of machines used in making polythene. I built the machines myself and they are prototypes. The fire destroyed the machines worth more than N250,000 while other property like polythene bags I produced were also burnt to ashes. The polythene bags worth more than N500,000. The fire brigade came about 4:45am but could not access the community on time but thief efforts stopped the fire from spreading to the block buildings.

I am sad and need urgent help to start my business. We are appealing to government not to take over the land. The fire was a result of a power surge”.

One of the victims of the fire incident, Igwe Michael 50, said he lost all his property to the fire outbreak.

“I am from Ebonyi State in Eastern Nigeria but I have been residing in Okobaba community for thirty years. I am a sawmiller . I was not at home the night of the fire but my wife and three children were at home. I got a call on my phone about 1:30am last weekend that the community was on fire. My wife and children were lucky to have escaped with their lives but we lost everything in our house. I am appealing to government not to seize our land . They should give us time and assist us to rebuild as we don’t have money to rent other accommodation elsewhere” Another victim ,a mother of five Mrs. Sariatu Ismaila Okeka 48, said she was lucky to have escaped alive with her children “ I am a fish seller and was born and breed in this community. I was fast asleep when I started hearing shouts of fire, fire fire . I jumped from the bed and helped my children to escape. But I could not rescue any property from my house.

People were trying to use water to quench the fire but it kept raging because of the saw dust.

My property which include my freezers,television, DVD,clothes,fan,bedding ,clothes and a sum of N45,000 and other household were destroyed. I need government to help us to rebuild our home. We don’t want them to take

Bale of Okobaba Community, Alhaji Musbau Jinadu

Mrs. Okeka, one of the victims

over the land”.

For 47 years old Shifiyu Adekunle,a father of two, the fire incident has put pressure on his meagre source of income. Adekunle like others is appealing for help to rebuild his home.

“I was born in this community. I am a trader and I sell iron rods. I was asleep when I started hearing shouts of fire fire. I could not rescue any property in my house as the fire kept raging from the other apartments towards my house. I lost all my property. I had only a dress on and be wearing it for days. I was not making much from my business but this fire has added to my financial difficulties. My wife and children have been sleeping in the open . I need urgent help to get them a roof over thier heads but there is no money.

No government officials had visited us to alleviate our plight. It has been very difficult to feed in the past few days. Our appeal is that government should not take over our land.

They should allow us enough time to rebuild’” The President of the Rural Urban Development Initiative (RUDI) Mr. Agbodimu Musbau urged government to assist the victims to rebuild thier homes.

“Housing is a basic necessity for humans and like snail to his shell, you cannot separate people from houses. Government should do the needful by building low cost houses

for the people like what former governors like Jakande did. If the government has been building low cost houses for the masses, the issue if people living in slum communities would have been addressed. It is sad that what we see when there is such incident is that government will take over the land and send the residents away . That land would then be sold to the highest bidder while the residents who are usually too poor to get another home would end up relocating to slums. Any good government should take where it’s citizens live seriously by providing them with decent and affordable accommodation’” A human rights activist and leader of Team Social Media Mr. Mike Achimugu condermed the incessant fire outbreak at Okobaba community and calls on government and relevant agencies to alleviate the plight of the victims.

“We sympathise with the victims of the recent fire disaster at Okobaba. This fire is one too many and we are calling on the government and the relevant authority to come to the aid of victims. Government needs to get to the root of the incessant fire to find out if the fire is caused by persons or groups trying to force the residents out of the community.

Team Social Media will rally support for the victims and will involve government and relevant agencies.”

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Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

World Malaria Day: Can we really end malaria for good?

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he theme of this year’s World Malaria, which is celebrated on the 25th April of every year is to ‘’end malaria for good’’. The connotation is that, rather than scratch the issue on the surface, the world should simply go for the jugular of this rampant disease and eliminate it once and for all. Is this possible at all? ‘Yes’ could be the answer if we consider the fact that human kind has eradicated a number of diseases in the past and has tamed others either through vaccine development, efficacious medications or effective preventive strategy. But eradication of malaria wouldn’t happen by wishful thinking alone. It’s going to take concerted efforts by all concerned before we can even dream of ending the scourge. For now, malaria costs the Nigerian nation a huge fortune in man hours, school absenteeism, reduced productivity and actual cost of treatment.

It is also a huge burden globally, costing the world at least 12 billion dollars annually, according to available statistics.

The quick facts here before we go ahead.

1. More than 3billion people, about half of the world’s population are at risk of malaria infection 2. Almost half a million people still die of malaria globally every year , while several million others fall sick of malaria 3. Of these millions,90% occur in sub-Saharan African alone 4. Nigeria is responsible for one third of malaria cases in Africa Where we are: But there are silver linings, thanks to global efforts. Since the inception of the roll back malaria initiative in 1998,deaths from malaria have reduced by more than 40% .A few countries are now free of malaria, while others are on their way to achieving this milestone. A number of specific efforts accounted for this; including: 1. Campaign for people to sleep under insecticide treated mosquito nets especially pregnant women and children under five years who are the group most at risk

2. Intermittent preventive treatment of malaria in pregnancy that involves administering sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine tablets for pregnant women at pre-determined periods of their antenatal visits.

3. Ensuring proper diagnosis of malaria before treatment; and subsequent treatment with approved efficacious medications.

Where we are going: The ultimate goal is to stop malaria completely in its tracks. The world health authorities have set a time frame. Between now and 2030, there is a race to reduce active malaria transmission by at least 90% the world over. Not only that, it is hoped that another 35 countries in the world will become totally free of malaria at about the same time. The estimated total cost required to achieve this and sustain the current momentum is put at about 6billion dollars annually. This is an enormous amount that will require contributions from all and sundry-governments, NGOs, individuals etc - especially because

the countries with the highest burden are also the most impoverished.

What are the obstacles?

Total eradication of malaria will not happen as long as governments in Africa leave the efforts to private individuals and international donor agency alone. The Bill and Melinda Gate foundation amongst others have pledged a big chunk of money for the malaria eradication efforts.

Thanks to them, but without commensurate local efforts, such funds may not achieve the desired effect. If political leaders in Africa insist on stealing the common wealth and using it to fund exotic cars and expansive mansions for themselves, the malaria battle might well have been lost. Because every affected country must be willing to assist with counterpart funding and also ensure judicious use of donated funds.

What must we do?

Governments must specifically take these steps to keep the fight up against malaria –Increase funding –Strengthen their health systems –Step up campaigns that have recorded success in the past –Monitor programs and progress –Make rapid diagnosis, prompt treatment and effective prevention, a

reality for their people But it is not just the governments; we as a people also have roles to play in ridding the world of malaria.

We should: –Key into the various programs, governments and international health authorities are rolling out –Keep our environments free of stagnant water, where mosquitoes can breed –Sleep under insecticide treated mosquito nets and use other preventive methods such as mosquito repellent and prophylactic medications, when necessary.

–Visit the hospital early to be diagnosed of malaria before commencing treatment –Take full dosage of medications as prescribed, to prevent development of drug resistance And –Register early enough for antenatal care when pregnant to benefit from the antimalaria initiatives Conclusion: In conclusion, we really can end malaria for good. Yes we can!

You can chat with a doctor FREE at www.prettyhealthcare. com.ng. Every Wednesdays and Fridays (4-8pm)

39 Sport Mike Dominic backs Siasia to succeed at Olympics Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

APRIL 30, 2016

IfeanyI eduzor

A

s the U-23 team intensifies preparations towards the Rio 2016 Olympic Games holding from Aug 5 to 21 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, ex-international Michael Dominic has expressed confidence that the Coach Samson Siasia led side is capable of repeating the feet performed by the history making ‘Atlanta 96’ team.

Nigeria, historic winners of the 1996 Olympics soccer Gold are drawn in Group B alongside Sweden, Japan and Columbia and will play their first match against Asian champions Japan on August 5 before meeting Sweden on the 7th at the same venue and three days later, South American giants, Columbia at Corinthians Arena, Sao Paulo.

To ensure good outing in Brazil, Coach Siasia last week invited 30 players to camp ahead of the championship while the NFF have also concluded arrangements for the team to participate in an invitational tournament in Korea, which will feature another Rio Olympic qualifier, Honduras and the host nation, South Korea.

In an exclusive interview with Saturday Mirror, Dominic who was a member of the Flying Eagles team to the 1985 Russia U-20 World Cup noted that Siasia has enough experience to surpass the silver he won at the 2008 Olympics.

“Siaisa is an experienced coach who is familiar with the Olympics.

You should remember that he took the Flying Eagles to the finals of the U-20 World Cup in 2005 at the Netherlands and three years later at the Beijing 2008 Olympics, he won silver after losing to Argentina in the finals.

“Apart from the intimidating record he holds at the U-23 level, he is also a disciplined coach who understands the psyche of players and how to use them to achieve success which I think will be in his favour when hostilities begin in Brazil in four months time.

“When you look at the caliber of players Siasia has invited to camp ahead of the Olympics, you will discover that he took his time to get some of the best players in the country’s domestic league and some foreign based players who are already making their mark in

Europe and as such he is on the right track”, stated the winger who was team mate of Siasia in the Flying Eagles.

Speaking on the aborted Toulon invitational tournament which was later cancelled by the NFF because of its inability to raise the 80,000 euro needed to feature in the tournament in the South of France, he stated that although he would have loved Nigeria to participate in the competition because several of the teams for Rio Olympics will finalise their build-up at the competition but that does not translate to failure in Brazil.

“I am disappointed that Nigeria will not be participating at the Toulon tournament because several of the Olympic bound teams will be taking part in the tournament and would help the coaching crew make proper assessment of their players ahead of the Games.

“But I’m delighted that the team will participate in another tournament in South Korea which will also feature one of the Olympic bound teams, Honduras. The Korea tournament would also serve as a good build up ahead of the Olympics and I believe the players and coaches will benefit immensely from it”, assured the former National Bank Football Club player.

On the statement credited to Siasia that he is dreaming of a final match between Nigeria and Brazil at the Games, Dominic who was nicknamed ‘Canon Shots’ during his playing days, noted that for the U-23 gaffer to have made such a statement is an indication that he has confidence in his teamand will delivers against any opponent.

“It is too early for Nigerians to start losing sleep over Brazil when the first ball has not been kicked. I believe Siasia made the statement based on self confidence which has been working for him over the years.

“Brazil is the undisputed number one football playing nation in the World but that does not mean they cannot be beaten by Nigeria. We did it at Atlanta 96 and I have no doubt that we can still do it again.

“So, when Siasia made the statement, he knew what he was saying and personally, I look forward to such an entertaining finals which everybody around the globe will be willing to watch”, concluded Dominic.

Siasia

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NIS matriculates 101 students ...as Director harps on good conduct

IfeanyI eduzor

D Tiger Woods

Woods registers to play at US Open

T

iger Woods has formally registered to play in the US Open, suggesting he is close to a return to competitive golf.

The 14-time major championship winner has had three operations to fix back problems and last played a tournament in August 2015.

His exempt status means he is free to play if he wishes, but his registration is no guarantee he will compete at Oakmont on June 16.

Speaking on the latest development, his agent, Mark Steinberg said the paperwork was “simply procedural”.

Woods missed the cut at last year’s US Open at Chambers Bay, one of three occasions in the 2015 majors that he failed to participate.

He did not take up his invitation to play in this year’s Masters at Augusta National as he recovered from surgery on his back last September.

Schwartzel opts out of Rio Olympics

F

ormer Masters champion, Charl Schwartzel is the latest high-profile player to opt out of the Rio Olympics.

The South African’s decision comes a week after compatriot Louis Oosthuizen withdrew, while two other Masters champions, Fiji’s Vijay Singh and Adam Scott of Australia, will also not play.

“We had a great team but now obviously it will not be

as good,” said South Africa team captain Gary Player.

Golf returns to the Olympics after a 112-year absence at the Rio games.

Three-time major winner, Singh said fears over the Zika virus would prevent him competing in Brazil, while Scott pulled out in order to focus on the PGA Tour.

The Games takes place August 5-21, with the men’s golf tournament ending on 14 August.

McIlroy picks French Open over WGC Invitational

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ory McIlroy will miss the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational this summer after choosing instead to play in the 100th French Open at Le Golf National.

The two tournaments clash as a result of the PGA Tour’s 2016 calendar being re-worked to accommodate the Olympics.

As a result of the scheduling conflict the European Tour refused to sanction the WGC event, which 26-year-old McIlroy won in Akron two years ago. He believes the course in Paris will better prepare him for The Open.

The French Open starts on Le Golf National’s exacting Albatros course which will host the 2018 Ryder Cup on June 30, two weeks before the year’s third major begins on the Ayrshire links of Royal Troon.

Four-time major winner McIlroy has played in the event on the outskirts of Paris twice before, missing the cut in his first full season as a professional in 2008

before firing a closing 66 to miss out on a three-man play-off by one shot in 2010.

The European Tour’s decision not to the sanction the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational means it is not part of the 2016 European Tour international schedule, and therefore money won in it will not count towards the Race to Dubai or Ryder Cup qualification.

Rory McIlroy

irector/ Chief Executive Officer of National Institute for Sports, Dr. Eke Kingdom Chukwudi has charged newly admitted students of the institute to be disciplined, orderly and exhibit good conduct to sustain the peaceful and harmonious atmosphere exiting in the Institute.

He gave the charge Wednesday during the matriculation of 101 students for the 2016/ 2017 academic session held at the school’s premises at the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.

He reminded them that the challenges they will face as students is enormous, enjoining them to properly utilize resources at their disposal with a view to dissipating their energies on worthwhile projects whose benefits should reflect in their academic performance throughout the duration of their studies just as he urged them to merge theoretical experiences with practical expertise in order to demonstrate that Nigeria Sports Professionals has come of age.

According to the Director, NIS management will at all times strive to maintain the institute’s vision of being a first class Institute transforming Nigeria and sustaining it as a World

Dr. Eke Kingdom Chukwudi

leader in Sports promising the students that their academic encounter in NIS will put them in a position to fashion out modern scientific coaching and sports management strategies required to move Nigerian sports to an enviable height.

“It is on record that NIS has produced World acclaimed coaches and sports managers who have made the country proud in their exploits within and outside the country. They include Shaibu Amodu, Fanny Amun, Manu Garba, Late Coach Yemi Tella, Chioma Ajunwa-

Opara and a host of others and you too could be added to the list at the end of your course”, the Director stated.

Highlight of the occasion was the administration of matriculation oath on the students by the Acting Registrar, Adeyemi Adeneye Musibau. They will pursue courses in Advanced Certificate in Coaching, Diploma in Coaching, Higher Diploma in Coaching, Higher Diploma in Sports Management and Higher Diploma in Stadium Management.

Wrestling: Asaba agog for PWA title defence IfeanyI eduzor

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ll is now set for the much awaited title defence between PWA African Wrestling heavyweight champion, Power Lee of Nigeria and his challenger and number two contender to the title, Marvelous Buffalo of Angola.

Tagged “The return of Glory” Asaba 2016, the title defence which comes up tomorrow at the Indoor Sports Hall of Asaba Township Stadium, will see Power Lee whose real names are Godspower Ikpide defend his title for the first time since defeating Camerounian champion, Michel Nouden “Le Matraqueur at the Palais De Sports, Yaoundé, Cameroon on September 19, 2015 to emerge Pro-Wrestling Africa Heavyweight Champion.

Power Lee told Saturday Mirror that he is fully prepared to defend the title with a

warning to his opponent to be ready to be stretched back to his country even as he expressed gratitude to the Delta Sate Government for sponsoring the event.

“I am happy that the title defence will finally happen in Asaba tomorrow and I want to appeal to my fans to troop out in their thousands to cheer me to victory because I will not disappoint them.

“It is also important to tell my fans that other dreaded wrestlers such as Zion Lion, Engle de great nail, Stylish J, Young Power Mike, Mr. Sharp man, Flying Danko, Mighty Man, USA Bing of Democratic Republic of Congo, Dangerous Angle, Young Stamina and Power Vic will all be there to showcase their talents while wrestlers will also be coming from Ghana, Cameroon, Egypt and Libya and as such, it is going to be the best of wrestling on display.

“My message to my opponent is to be ready to be sent back to Angola on stretcher because he is going to face the real champion and to the Delta State Government especially the state Governor, Senator. Ifeanyi Okowa and Chairman of Delta State Sports Commission, Tony Okowa, I say a big thank you for making the title defence a reality,” Power Lee said.

Power Lee

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

MIRROR SPORT

APRIL 30, 2016

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Referees want foreign Coach for Super Eagles

P Serena Williams

Serena Williams withdraws from Madrid Open

S

erena Williams lost in three sets to Svetlana Kuznetsova at the Miami Open in her last appearance on 28 March Serena Williams has withdrawn from the Madrid Open because of flu.

Agnieszka Radwanska takes over as top seed for the tournament, which starts on today, while Williams is now due to start her clay-court season in Rome.

The 34-year-old world number one has only played four tournaments since August, failing to win any of them.

She lost in the US Open semi-finals in September, before defeats this year in the Australian Open and Indian Wells finals and a round-four loss in Miami.

Serena Williams also lost in three sets to Svetlana Kuznetsova at the Miami Open in her last appearance on 28 March.

Search and Groom partners Lagos FA on Coerver Coaching

S

earch and Groom, a non-governmental organization that specializes in youth development has secured the franchise to bring “COERVER® COACHING Training for Trainers” to Nigeria.

The project which is supported by Lagos State Football Association will hold in Lagos from May 9 - 11.

Executive Director of the company, Yomi Kuku told Saturday Mirror that the project is specifically created to incorporate coaches in clubs, communities and schools into a coaching developmental programme, for the purpose of developing football players within professional, semi – professional, grassroots clubs, communities and school’s system.

Kuku further added that, the programme is specifically proposed to support and share globally acknowledged technical ideas with coaches in Nigeria, to enhance coaching expertise and

development which will be of immense contribution to player development at the youth level.

Chairman Lagos State Football Association, Seyi Akinwunmi, a beneficiary of the course said that if young footballers can imbibe what they are taught under that system, Nigeria we will in the long run have players with better technique playing for the national teams.

COERVER® COACHING has a huge collection of experienced instructors with the ability to impart high-quality training on coaches, which in turn will help train players focusing on the “Player development method”. It is this exclusive method that is responsible for the high success rates in 50 countries across the world including but not limited to England, Japan, Netherlands, France, Germany and United States of America amongst others.

Cross River Police Commissioner decorates victorious athletes rIchard ndoma, CALABAR

C

ross River State Commissioner of Police. Henry Fadairo, on Thursday awarded Certificates of Recognition/ Commendation to 13 police officers for winning 34 medals at the last Police Games held in Abuja.

Speaking while presenting the certificates to the officers, he urged them to be involved in constant training so as to be in top shape and win more medals for the State

IGP , Solomon Arase Hiddink

Police Command in future.

The police commissioner stated that about 64 police athletes traveled from the Cross River State Police Command on the platform of Zone 6 Police Command to Abuja to participate in the Games, adding that ‘Team Cross River’ returned with nine gold,15 silver and seven bronze medals.

“This is a very fantastic performance. I want to thank you for the stride made at the competition. I know what you went through to win the medals. I implore you to do more so that you can win more medals,” he said.

Responding on behalf of the athletes, the Assistant Sports Officer and Handball coach, David Eteng, said he and his team mates were happy for the honour done them and promised to redouble their efforts so as to win more laurels in subsequent editions.

Similarly, the Police Commissioner decorated some officers who got promoted by the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Mr. Solomon Arase, during his familiarisation tour of Cross River State.

resident of the Nigeria Referees Association, Tade Azeez, has urged the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), to hire a foreign coach to re-position the Super Eagles.

Azeez made the call in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ilorin. He said that hiring a foreign coach was the only way for the NFF since indigenous coaches cannot separate coaching from business.

Azeez said that indigenous coaches usually had their biases for some players, making such players to feature in tournaments, not minding the implication for the team.

“If the board believes they can get a foreigner that will work very well and they know that they have a way of paying his salaries, I will support the agitation for a foreign coach.

“I’m saying this because our indigenous coaches cannot separate their coaching abilities from busi-

ness. They are all businessmen, who have interest in one player or the other and because they want to make money, they force such players on Nigerians.

“That has been the problem with them. “ They are not after the best players representing us and I think as professionals, they should be able to differentiate between coaching and business. I doubt if any of them can do that,’’ Azeez said.

The Super Eagles have been without a substantive coach since the sudden resignation of Sunday Oliseh. On April 20, the NFF named a Technical Director, Shaibu Amodu and Salisu Yusuf to take charge of the Super Eagles on interim basis. The duo are expected to lead the Eagles to two international friendly matches against Mali and Luxembourg’s national teams on May 27 and June 1, respectively.

Super Eagles players celebrate after scoring a goal in a match.

GOtv Boxing Night 7: Boxers talk tough

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head of GOtv Boxing Night 7, holding tomorrow at the Indoor Sports Hall of National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos, boxers scheduled to fight have been indulging in boasts and counter-boasts.

National lightweight champion, Nurudeen “Prince” Fatai, who is defending his title against Oto “Joe Boy” Joseph, has vowed that his opponent will not last the distance.

“This fight will be different. Joe Boy is a small boy who is not fit to be a champion. I will knock him out and he will go and stay on the queue,” bragged Fatai.

Responding, Joe Boy, who defeated Fatai via a fifth round knockout at GOtv Boxing Night 4, said he will repeat the trick.

“I defeated him before and I will defeat him again even if he has acquired four hands in addition to the two he already has. He said I defeated him because he was injured. I’m glad that he is now fit and wonder what the excuse will be when I beat him tomorrow,” he said.

Joe Boy, a previous winner of the N1million cash prize for the best boxer award at GOtv Boxing Night, added that he will win the award again. “I used him to win the other time and I will do so again,” he boasted.

Idowu “Cabasa” Okusote, who will fight Chibuzor “Chibunky” Vincent in a cruiserweight challenge duel, said his opponent will visit hell via the ring.

“I have been looking for an

opportunity to fight. This is it.

Chibunky or whatever he calls himself will see hell on earth when we fight,” he said, a boast his opponent described as empty. Osamudiamen “Shiso” Goodluck, who takes on Rilwan “Real One” Oladosu, said though he is a professional debutant, his record as an amateur is one many would wish to have.

Rilwan “Baby Face” Babatunde, who squares up with Tope “Berinja” Agboola in a light welterweight duel, said he has trained well for his professional debut and will defeat his more experienced opponent.

Chukwuebuka “Wise King Ezewudo,” self-proclaimed new king of Nigerian boxing, has also warned his opponent, Ganiyu “Energy” Kolawole to be ready for punishment.

NPFL: Okpodu targets Heartland’s scalp IfeanyI eduzor

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ead Coach of Ikorodu United Football Club, Sammy Okpodu has vowed that his lads will subdue Heartland of Owerri today in match week 14 of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) clash.

Having recorded only a win in their last 13 league matches, the team will meet the Naze millionaires at the Agege Stadium in a match the former Warri Wolves tactician believes is a must win.

Okpodu told Saturday Mirror that although inexperience has made them be at the bottom of the League table but he is going to unleash four new players on

their opponent which he believes will help them in grabbing the three points at stake.

“The match against Heartland will be very tough but we will surprise them because we want to move away from the present position we are to a more comfortable one.

“It is true that we are on the bottom of the league but we are trying to solidify the team which led to the introduction of four new players who I will unveil in today’s encounter. “ Our problem has not been the issue of bad players; the players are good but they lack experience required for the premiership campaign”, he stated.

Okpodu explained that playing their game at the Agege Stadium instead of Onikan Stadium will

Okpodu

be a blessing in disguise because that has been their traditional home, positing that their fans will have good news at the end of the encounter.

Ikorodu United occupy the last position on the log with 6 points from 13 league matches while the visitors sit on 11 position with 18 points from the same number of games.

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LEISURE

APRIL 30, 2016

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

APRIL 30, 2016

Crime Watch

43

I keep guns for armed robbers —13 year-old-boy

boys in his market. He and his gang stole somebody’s property and he was appre-

hended and beaten but other of his gang ran away.”

Another trader Mummy Jesuseun said the suspect and other boys are wayward children going about in the market and they sleep in the open and shops. “ These boys in the gang are more than forty. They sleep anywhere they found to be comfortable for them to carry out their operations. These boys are between the ages of 8 years - 13 years and they are about forty in number, they move in group of five and seven. Their hideouts are inside uncompleted buildings in the market where they sleep at night and by morning sometimes. they disappear into the crowd and rob people of handsets and other valuables because they are children, no one consider them harmful. I have caught this boy on several occasions but people just ignore his criminal tendencies. These are boys whose parents have abandoned to cater for themselves and they ran away from home and thier parents do not care. They were born in the market and they are growing up to become harden criminals” The boy however said he was forced into stealing as his parents abandoned him . “ I was born in this market. My father and mother are also selling in this market but they don’t cater for me. I roam about to eat and fend for myself. About forty children sleep with me in shops at night. We wake early to leave the shops before people start coming for business.

Sometimes last year while I was playing football with other children, some guys from Jankara market called me and gave

me a gun. They said I should help them keep the gun. They also called one of my friends called Daniel and they gave him guns to keep. We hid the guns in our clothes. There was a day that they took us to Agege to rob. Daniel and I kept the guns they used for the robbery operation that day. They have taken us to other places to rob too. They don’t give us anything.

They threaten us with guns that they will kill us if we don’t go with them. I don’t rob people with gun. I only carry it and hide it for them. My parents are in Idumota market but they don’t care about me. I am living here in the market with other children whose parents have abandoned.

Sometimes we sleep inside toilets other times we sleep in the open”.

The Lagos State Commissioner of police Fatia Owoseni said the police have been arresting minors in the state.

The Lagos police boss expressed concern over the growing rate of minors involve in crime as he urged parents and guardians to keep a close watch on thier children and wards.

He said “ The growing rate at which minors are getting involved in gangerism is worrisome. These children from age 13 to 18 are getting involved in cultism and they are used to fight rival gangs . The police arrested a group of boys at Lagos Island with axe, knife and matchetes recently. They go by the gang name Happiness at Shomolu,Owonikoko gang at Lagos Island and Awawa boys at Agege.

These boys have been involved in gang war since January . Parents and guardians should keep watch over thier children and monitor their movements.”

member of the National Union of Road Transport Workers ( NURTW) at Ijora.

His name is Taju and he was the one that introduced me to stealing of motorcycles popularly called Okada. We in the gang work and take the proceeds to our boss Taju. Taju tells us where and where to rob the bike but we usually target the motorcycle parked on the streets tied with iron chain. We use our big plier to cut the chain and that is how we steal the bike. We have stolen more than seven motorcycles and I have made more than N40,000. I usually get between N5000 - N10,000 on each of our operation. Taju takes the bigger share but he is nowhere to be found at the moment.

We usually take the stolen motorcycles to him. He sells them and gives us whatever share he deems fit. I am regretting my action. Is not as if I don’t make money from mechanic work but I was decieved”.

Another suspect , Ayo Kola said “ I am

Suspects a conductor. I joined the gang to make quick money. I am looking for money as my conductor job don’t fetch me much.

We usually go to monitor the area before

going to cut the chains used to safeguard the motorcycles. I regret my action because I have not made much before I was arrested.”

Patience OgbO

T

raders at the Idumota market in Lagos State apprehended a 13-year -old boy (name withheld) for alleged stealing and armed robbery operations in the market.

Saturday Mirror gathered that the boy would have been lynched after he allegedly led his gang to dispossess traders and thier customers of cash and handsets but for the quick intervention of the Lagos State Traffic Management Agency officials at the market who rescued him and whisked him away.

The boy, however, had bruises all over his body and a deep cut on his head following the severe beating he recieved.

Traders and customers however felt no pity for the boy as they expressed anger that he and his gang are terror in the market and environs.

A trader, Kemi Idris described the 13year-old boy led gang as ‘horror’ to customers and traders .

She said, “This boy is a harden criminal. He is the leader of the boys straying around in this market and all they do is pick pockets and steal money. They don’t have anywhere they go to from this market. They sleep in the market and carry out thier operations in this market. This particular boy has been arrested and handed over to the security in the market but they will always release him because he is a boy . They see him as a child but he is a devil’s incarnate. He is a notorious armed robber and leader of the bad

13 -year -old boy that keeps gun for armed robbers

Mechanic, gang members arrested for stealing motorcycles Patience OgbO

A

mechanic in Lagos State Amuda Segun has been arrested by policemen in Lagos State police command for allegedly stealing motorcycles parked on the streets in the Agege and Iyana-Ipaja areas of the state.

Saturday Mirror gathered that the suspect and other members of his gang were arrested following a tip off from members of the public.

Saturday Mirror further learnt that following the police investigation, three members of the gang were arrested but thier alleged leader ,simply identified as Tajudeen is still on the run. “ I am a mechanic at Ijora but my shop was demolished during the construction of road at Ijora. I lost everything and had no money to rent another place. I met a

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 30, 2016

Teenager uses toy gun to rob motorists Patience OgbO

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olicemen attached to the Special AntiRobbery Squad SARS, Lagos State Police C ommand are investigating a teenager, Touchukwu Ibe over his alleged involvement in armed robbery operations at the Iyana-Ibe area of the state and environs.

Saturday Mirror gathered that Ibe a secondary school dropout allegedly belongs to a gang of armed robbers that rob motorists stranded during traffic gridlock along the LagosBadagry Expressway.

According to police sources revealed that Ibe’s gang had allegedly dispossessed stranded motorists of thier handsets , bags

and other valuables and were sharing thier loots in a hideout when a team of policemen who were alerted of thier alleged crime, trail them to their hideout and arrested Ibe while the others fled.

The police source who requested anonimity because he was not authorised to speak said “ The gang operates along the Lagos- Badagry Expressway. They target motorists during traffic gridlock and they use their guns to threaten the motorists to steal from them. The gang had snatched a woman’s handbag and her phone but she raised alarm and before anyone can offer any help to get the boys behind the crime, the boys had fled.

A brave police man trailed

them to their hideout and arrested one of them. We found out that the gun they used is a toy gun. Other members of the gang fled but we are on their trail and they will be arrested soon”.

Ibe however denied the allegation as he stated that he was only keeping the toy gun for the gang members . He was arrested at Iyana-Iba at night “ “I was in school but I don’t go any more. The toy gun belongs to my friends call Awala,Yellow and Tallest. They are the ones that use the toy gun to collect money and phones from people while they are held up in traffic. Awala told me to buy the gun for him. I bought it for N700 at Trade Fair . I don’t steal but I help them to keep the toy gun.”

Ibe

visited the church but were shocked to discover after the pastor dug up portions inside the Church items

suspected to be charms, cow head, pigeon head tied with Kolanut, big clay pot wrapped with white clothes

CAC Pastor arrested with charms, cow head inside church Patience O gbO

O

peratives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Ondo State command have arrested a 34 -year- old pastor of Christ Apostolic Church for allegedly using his church for fetish activities where he buried animals and other ritual items.

According to a statement

by NSCDC spokesperson in Ondo state, Kayode Balogun gave the name of the Pastor as “Dangunro”, Moses Abiodun who hails from Esa Oke in Osun state.

According to Balogun, the alleged fake pastor was arrested for burying fetish items in his Church located along Ijare road before Ikota Junction in Ifedore local government area of the State.

The pastor who is a founder of the CAC “Dagunro” was arrested following a tip-off that he allegedly buried a human head inside his church.

Moses Abiodun

The statement by the NSCDC further stated that operatives of NSCDC quickly swung into action, and

and other numerous fetish items were exhumed from the ground both at the entrance and inside the church.

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

APRIL 30, 2016

Lagos/Calabar rail line: APC chieftain berates South East senators

A

chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) from Abia State, Prince Benedict Benjamin Apugo, has lambasted members of the National Assembly from the South East for not representing the interest of Ndigbo well.

Apugo raised his voice against the backdrop of the fact that the controversial Lagos/Calabar rail line would run through the coastal states without having a link with the South East.

Speaking in Umuahia, Apugo said: “How can I feel happy? That was why I said we don’t have any Senator. What about the South East senators. Were they not there when the budget was presented?”

Taking on the Senators specifically from the zone all of who are members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the APC BoT member said it was disheartening that such a monumental project which would impact positively on the economy of the South East would elude the zone and those who had gone to represent the people would not raise any objection.

“It is heart rending that such project would be tabled before the Senate and

the South East was not in the plan, yet those who claim they are representing the people kept quiet; it is unheard of.

“How can new rail lines crisscross the country, from Lagos to Calabar and from Lagos to Kano without any plan of going through the South East and our senators are busy sleeping at the Senate chamber, or at best lead others on solidarity to the courts.”

Apugo said he was surprised at the level of docility being exhibited by Senators from the South East and urged them to wake up from their slumber.

“These people that have gone to represent us that call themselves Senators cannot talk because they have skeleton in their cupboards; you can only speak if you are clean.

They all have one problem or another with EFCC.” Apugo called on President Muhammadu Buhari to take a second look at the controversial rail line project and bring the South East, which he said needed it most going by the entrepreneurial nature of the people, into the picture, stressing that this would give the people a sense of belonging.

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Enugu Killings: Iwuanyanwu preaches against reprisal…

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business magnate and frontline politician, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, has called on Igbo leaders to stop Igbo youths from any reprisal action as that, he said, might have negative repercussion against the people, who are dispersed all over the country.

Iwuanyanwu, while talking to newsmen on Friday at his Glass House office, Oji, Owerri, urged President Muhammadu Buhari to give urgent attention to the matter by bringing the perpetrators to face the law and adequately compensate the families that lost their dear ones in the ill-fated Enugu killings.

He stated that the greatest injury one can inflict on an Igbo man was to attack and kill him in his home, adding that it was worse when prop-

erties were destroyed, lives lost and women raped among other heinous activities.

He said: “This is completely a new and strange phenomenon. For many years, the Fulani herdsmen have co-existed peacefully with the rest of Nigerians. They have done their businesses and reared their cattle without any harassment or rape.

It is important for the law enforcement agents to find out if the so-called herdsmen are actually Nigerians. This is because their behaviour and activities are completely strange.

“This matter should no longer be treated with levity but regarded as a matter that can seriously affect the peace, unity and economic progress of this country. For example, most farmers in these areas are afraid to go to their farms for fear that they may be

killed or raped by this group, resulting in poor agriculture production in Igboland and other parts of Nigeria, where they are invading”.

He also thanked Mr. President for directing the Inspector- General of Police, Mr. Solomon Arase and other law enforcement agencies to crackdown on those herdsmen, whose activities had taken a dangerous dimension.

But Iwuanyanwu noted that the Nigeria Police Force was already stretched, adding that it was impossible for the country to get enough policemen to police Igbo farm lands and other parts of the country, where the herdsmen were rampaging.

He further said that there was no provision in the law of Nigeria where individuals were allowed to carry automatic weapons, and ask,

“Who allowed the herdsmen to carry automatic weapons?”

He also regretted that since the invasion, kidnapping and raping by the herdsmen commenced years ago, that there had not been any arrest or prosecution/ conviction whatsoever made.

He noted: “Since the history of this country, Igbo have never initiated a bloody attack against any part of Nigeria. On the other hand, Igbo has been attacked in many places on every flimsy reason. The matter has deteriorated to a situation, where Igbo are been attacked, slaughtered, dispossessed, their women raped in their home land by a group alleged to be Fulani herdsmen.

The recent attack in Ukpabi Nimbo in Enugu State is very painful to Nigeria and to Igbo in particular”.

Enugu govt makes demands, rejects grazing reserves

T

he Enugu State Government says it is opposed to the creation of grazing reserves across the country.

The state declared its position following the invasion of Nimbo community by suspected herdsmen, who reportedly killed more than 20 people.

The Deputy Governor of the State, Cecilia Ezeilo, made the declaration in Enugu on Friday while presenting the government’s position on the incident to the Defence Headquarters Committee on persistent clashes between herdsmen and farmers in Nigeria.

The committee led

by Edward Nze, a Major General, was in the state on the mandate of the Chief of Defence Staff to find a lasting solution to the menace of herdsmen in the country.

Mrs. Ezeilo recommended that the Federal Government should create ranches to reduce the clashes between herdsmen and farmers.

In the document, the state government called for immediate disarmament of the herdsmen across the country and a proper screening by the Nigeria Immigration

Service (NIS) to repatriate the aliens among them.

It also said that in discussions with herdsmen, they accused the Shua Arabs headed by one Ahmed Adamu, who was included in a peace committee as a major culprit in the security challenges.

“There should be immediate disarmament of the herdsmen across the country, as they carry sophisticated weapons such as AK-47.

“Adequate measures should be taken to ensure proper policing of the country’s borders to check the influx of irregular aliens and security men equipped to face challenges,” it stated.

The state government called for a proper investigation into the circumstances that surrounded the invasion of the community where scores of residents were killed and compensations paid.

“Having spent enormous resources in the construction of a heliport for the Nigeria Police Force in Enugu, the state government calls for effective use of the facility with regard to fighting crime.

People of Ndue Eduo community at a malaria outreach programme organised by Africare in Eket LGA, Akwa Ibom. PHOTO: NAN

…as Anambra CP deploys policemen to 3 communities T

he Anambra State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Hosea Karma, yesterday, said that policemen and other security agents have been deployed in Amanse, Umuobom and Anyamelum communities to avoid possible clash between herdsmen and farmers in the areas.

The CP said Governor Willie Obiano has taken proactive measures to ensure peaceful coexistence between the herdsmen and farmers in the state by setting up committee comprising some traditional rulers, town union presidents, elders and security agents which he chaired to ensure peace and avoid possible

clash.

Karma disclosed this yesterday at the Police Area Command, Onitsha, when he was honoured by the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC) among other heads of security agents in the state. He said the security challenges being faced by the country would be surmounted in the shortest time.

He said: “We have serious security challenges between the herdsmen and farmers across the country. The Governor has taken proactive measures to ensure peace in the state as it relates to Fulani herdsmen by setting up committee comprising some traditional rulers and town

union president, elders and security agents as to ensure peace in various communities to avoid possible clash between farmers and Fulani herdsmen.

“And that is why we have not had any clash between the herdsmen and farmers in the state because whenever there is any attempt for any attack, it would be properly managed and curtailed.

We have deployed policemen to Umuobom, Amanse and Anyamelum to maintain peace, and to avoid clash between farmers and herdsmen in the area.”

He said the success recorded in the security of lives and property in the state over time was as a result of Gov-

ernor Obiano prioritising security, and the cooperation of the people. He urged the people to always give Police information that would assist them in the performance of their duty.

In his remarks, the Chairman of PCRC, Area Command, Onitsha, Sir Victor Agubisi, said the honour to CP Karma was well deserved due to the peculiar and unique style he adopted in piloting the affairs of the Police in the state by clamping down on criminals. He said that night life has returned in the state as traders who ran away due to insecurity were returning following the calmness and improved security in the state.

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Rivers saves N1bn from BVN exercise

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ivers Deputy Governor, Mrs. Ipalibo Harry-Banigo, on Friday said that the state had saved about N1 billion as a result of workers’ Bank Verification Number (BVN) exercise it carried out.

Harry-Banigo made this known at the Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (PHCCIMA) Business Luncheon in Port Harcourt.

She said that the state government was constrained to embark on the verification due to current poor revenue profile of the state.

She said that the state’s Board of Internal Revenue had been strengthened to perform optimally towards improved revenue generation.

Harry-Banigo assured that the state government would provide the necessary infrastructure to encourage business to thrive in the state.

She stated that the current administration in the state had since inception carried out massive road rehabilitation, including Federal roads, as part of efforts at providing conducive business atmosphere in the state.

She said that government would continue to provide the necessary infrastructure for the people in spite of reduction in allocation from the Federation Account to the state.

The Deputy Governor said that the state government was also committed to ensuring adequate security for smooth business atmosphere across the state.

According to her, the government has met with the security agencies to ensure adequate security in the state.

She also said that the administration was poised to provide jobs for the people, and called on investors to come to the state.

Harry-Banigo stressed that the state has a lot of facilities to help businesses grow, and urged the business community to avail themselves of the sea ports, airport and other infrastructure in the state.

In his remarks, President of PHACCIMA, Mr. Emi Membere-Otaji, said that the luncheon would be a remarkable forum to bring together the business community in the state.

He said that participants would receive a great deal of education on how to embark upon successful business activities, and avail themselves of many business opportunities that would be exposed to them at the forum.

Membere-Otaji called for diversification of the economy, regretting that because of fall in oil price, some companies had started sacking their workers.

SOUTH SOUTH

APRIL 30, 2016

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

We are determined to make huge investments in youths –Buhari Nosa akeNzua ASABA

P

resident Mohammadu Buhari, yesterday, reiterated his commitment to make huge investment in youths across the country.

The President, who spoke through the Delta State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, at the “Batch A” double stream National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) orientation course at Isselu-Uku, Delta State, said the Federal Government was not unmindful of the numerous challenges confronting the NYSC, especially corps members rejection, infrastructural deficit at the orientation camps and dwindling resource allocation, noting that the problems have persisted unabated due to monumental growth in graduate population and inadequate corresponding resource provisions.

He said: “These seemingly intimidating obstacles should not dampen your zeal to make the desired sacrifice to service your fatherland as government is prepared to address these problems.”

He implored the corps members to settle down quickly and learn about higher ideals of life and make themselves amenable for mobilization toward national growth and development.

The President explained that the collapse of industries and the eventual over bearing pressure to grab public jobs had put the nation in a sorry state, adding that unemployment of graduates and the search for non-existing jobs had also deepened the bad state of the economy.

He said: “This is why this administration is anxious to recover illicit wealth to channel them into productive economic venture to absorb thousands into employment.”

While urging the corps members to embrace the prevailing remedial strategies put in by public and private institutions, President

Buhari disclosed that government would take interventionist programmes such as NYSC venture, the War Against Poverty (WAO), the

skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development Programme (YIEDP) serious to occupy the corps members in their post- service

self-employment.

Earlier, the state Coordinator, NYSC, Mrs. Olive Essien Etukudo, appealed to Federal and state governments to pro-

vide the NYSC spacious office accommodation, perimeter fence at the camps, toilets and bathrooms including hostels.

Director General, National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brig Gen Johnson Olawumi(sited), interacting with Corps Members serving in Command Secondary School, Mbiri, Delta State during his visit to them at the school on Thursday.

PDP chieftain murdered in Rivers A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Lucky Ajie (Idu), has been murdered in Rivers state. The PDP was shot dead in his compound, at his home town in Okposi, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA. Sources say he was trailed and murdered in front of his compound on Thursday, April 28. Condemning the killing, former Chief of Staff of ONELGA Council, Mr. Chijioke Ejebide, who visited the family members to commiserate with them, described the dastardly murder of Chief Ajie as regretful.

Ejebide called on the Police to investigate the murder, and bring the culprits to book. Okposi community is the home of Onyekachi Nwokocha, former Rivers State Commissioner for Power.

The death of Chief Ajie highlights the alarming rate of extrajudicial killings in Rivers State. It would be recalled that about a month ago, some yet-to-be identified gunmen murdered Franklin Obi, an APC chief-

tain, his wife, and 18-yearold son in their residence in Omoku, Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State. The gunmen have invaded the house at about 9pm on a Saturday,

and beheaded the lawmaker, who was the chairman of ward 4 in Omoku.

The Rivers State Police Commissioner, Musa Kimo, has visited the residence and offered his condolences

to the surviving members of the family. He said the killers would have been caught red-handed had the Police been contacted as the murders were being carried out.

Rivers: Court remands man, 43, for arson DeNNis Naku, PORT HARCOURT

A

Chief magistrate court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, has remanded 43 years old Fortune Ifi in prison custody over alleged vandalism and destruction of crude oil pipeline belonging to Nigeria Agip Oil Company (NAOC).

The oil facility is located at Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State.

Mr. Ifi and others still at large, were arraigned in court by the Department of State Services (DSS), over conspiracy, vandalism and setting ablaze of crude oil pipelines between December 2015 and April 2016, at Okwuzi and Mgbede of ONELGA. The accused person who is facing a five count charge in suit number PMC/821c/16 could not take plea as the court lacks

jurisdiction to try the matter.

Part of the charge reads: “That you, Fortune Ifi, and others still at large, sometime between December, 2015 and April, 2016, did threaten to vandalize and sabotage Crude Oil pipelines belonging to Nigeria Agip, thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1 (a) and punishable under Part VI, Section 33 of the Terrorism (Prevention) Act, 2011.

“That you, Fortune Ifi, male, adult and others still at large, on or about the 13th day of April, 2015, at Okwuzi in Ogba/Egbema/ Ndoni LGA, within the jurisdiction of this court, did conspire to commit felony to wit: vandalism and burning of Crude Oil Pipeline belonging to Nigeria Agip Oil Company (NAOC), thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 516 of the Criminal Code Act (Cap

C 38), Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

“That you, Fortune Ifi, male, adult and others still at large, sometime between February and March 2016 at Mgbede Field, in Ogba/Egbema/ Ndoni LGA, within the jurisdiction of this court, did vandalise a Crude Oil Pipeline belonging to Nigeria Agip Oil Company (NAOC), thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1 (iii), and punishable under Part VI, Section 33 of Terrorism (Prevention) Act, 2011.”

Mr. Chidi S. Eze prosecuted the matter.

However, the trial Chief Magistrate, BMF Jamabo, has directed that the case file be remitted to the Director of Public Prosecution for legal advice, while the accused be remanded in the prison custody.

The matter was adjourned to June 13, 2016 for the report of compliance.

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

APRIL 30, 2016

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

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47

Kenya to torch illegal ivory worth $170m

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t’s an overpowering display of the sheer size of Africa’s poaching crisis.

For the past week, several dozen men have circled a site in Nairobi National Park, unloading elephant tusks from shipping containers -- many of them so big it takes two men to carry one tusk -- and building them into towers of ivory up to 10 feet tall and 20 feet across.

It forms something like a graveyard for some of the world’s iconic

endangered species.

On Saturday (today), the graveyard will turn into a crematorium.

Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta will light a match to 105 tons of elephant ivory, 1.35 tons of rhino horn, exotic animal skins and other products such as sandalwood and medicinal bark.

This destruction of illicit wildlife goods dwarfs anything similar that has been done before.

The tusks alone -- from about 8,000 elephants

-- would be worth more than $105 million on the black market, according to wildlife trade expert Esmond Bradley Martin.

The rhino horn, from 343 animals, would be worth more than $67 million. Together, it’s more than $172 million worth of illicit wildlife goods going up in smoke.

That’s one and a half times more than Kenya spends on its environmental and natural resources agency every year.

An ivory statue seized in transit will also be added to the pyre But the Kenyans say perspective, we’re not Director General Kitili that the stockpile is not watching any money Mbathi said. “The only valuable -- it’s worthless. go up in smoke,” value of the ivory is “From a Kenyan Kenya Wildlife Service tusks on a live elephant.”

Scores of protesters took to the streets Thursday night outside a Donald Trump campaign event here, drawing out police officers in riot and tactical gear and on horseback who sought to disperse the crowd.

The crowd gathered in the streets outside the OC Fair & Event Center as Trump addressed several thousand supporters at the Center’s amphitheater.

At least one police car was damaged and several scuffles broke out amid the hectic scene.

Protesters blocked a main intersection, impeding traffic, and officers with the Orange County Sheriff ’s Department and Costa Mesa Police Department worked to disperse the crowd, ordering protesters out of the streets.

About 20 people were arrested, the Orange County Sheriff ’s Department tweeted late Thursday night after the protests had cleared.

Lt. Mark Stichter, the Sheriff ’s Department’s public information officer, could not provide an official estimate on the number of protesters, but demonstrators could be seen filling the intersection of Fairview Road and Fair Drive.

Several scuffles broke out between Trump supporters who were leaving the rally and people in the streets who accused them of being racists. One Trump supporter was visibly bloodied after being punched in the face.

Several people damaged a police car, smashing its back window before jumping on it and kicking its

doors. As a crowd formed around the car, police officers in tactical and riot gear moved into action, forming a perimeter around the crowd before forcing the demonstrators to move down the road.

While some demonstrators shouted insults and slurs at police officers, others focused on delivering a message of protest

against the Republican front-runner’s rhetoric.

Several protesters told CNN they were demonstrating against Trump’s rhetoric on illegal immigration. Some were seen carrying Mexican flags as they marched in the street.

Other demonstrators shouted insults and slurs at police officers.

Rojelio Banuelos, a

26-year-old student, carried a sign that read, “Liberation not deportation.”

“I’m against Trump’s nativist and nationalistic agenda, which divides people and is very hateful of the other,” he said.

While Banuelos simply marched through the streets, he called the property damage and anger some demonstrators ex-

pressed Friday night “the symptom of hate speech” and said he did not believe any individuals were taking advantage of the protest.

Katie Brazer, a 26-yearold community organizer who marched alongside Banuelos, agreed.

“I think people are tired of these messages of hate,” she said.

hances are baby boy Saw Jet Star will raise more than a few eyebrows when he’s old enough to explain the story behind his unique name.

His mom, who gave birth on Jetstar flight 3K583 from Singapore

to Myanmar last week, named the newborn after the airline.

Weighing six pounds and seven ounces, the baby was safely delivered on the plane by a team of three doctors and crew after landing in Yangon on April 22, according to Jetstar

Asia’s Facebook statement.

Plane passengers welcomed the baby’s birth with a round of applause, Singapore’s Straits Times newspaper reported.

Both the mother -- who unexpectedly went into labor during the three-hour journey -- and the baby are

reportedly in good health and have since been discharged from the hospital.

The low-cost carrier said it would donate SGD1,000 (around $745) worth of baby supplies to the family.

Jetstar’s policy requires a doctor’s letter from pregnant passengers entering

their third trimester, at 28 weeks or more, certifying they are in good health.

Women up to 40 weeks pregnant are allowed to travel on flights less than four hours long.

The airline has yet to respond to CNN’s request for further information on the birth.

Violent protests erupt at Trump rally

Baby born mid-flight named after airline C

Asylum seeker dies after torching himself

A

n Iranian asylum seeker has died two days after setting himself alight in an Australian detention center on the remote Pacific island of Nauru.

The 23-year-old man was first treated at Nauru Hospital before being flown by air ambulance Brisbane, Australia, where he died in hospital from his injuries, according to a statement from Australia’s immigra-

tion department.

“Appropriate support is being provided to his wife and friends,” the statement said.

The man, named as Omid, had been held for three years in the Australian center on Nauru, according to the Asylum Seeker Resource Center.

The camp is one of two offshore centers where asylum seekers are detained while their claims are pro-

cessed. The other one is on Manus Island in Papua New Guinea (PNG).

Earlier this week, the PNG government announced that the Manus Island detention center would be shut down after the country’s Supreme Court ruled that it was illegal.

Around 900 men are currently being held on the island, while around 300 families, including dozens of children are being held

on Nauru.

An inquiry by the Australian government’s own human rights commission in 2014 concluded that “children on Nauru are suffering from extreme levels of physical, emotional, psychological and developmental distress.”

Campaigners have urged the Australian government to close the centers and transfer the detainees to Australia.

The government imposed its policy of offshore detention after a sharp rise in the number of boats crammed with asylum seekers arriving in Australian waters.

Between 2007 and 2013, the Australian government says at least 1,200 people lost their lives trying to make the treacherous sea journey. It says that its strict immigration policy is saving lives.

Quote of the day “Medical personnel responsible for providing health care services in the need to ensure the availability and accessibility of their services in a way to promote good health among the populace.�

—First Lady, Aisha Buhari, while speaking in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, at the South-West free health screening programme for women, under her pet project, Future Assured Initiative.

BACK PAGE

Nigeria and collapse of Pyramid of Trust Saturday, APRIL 30, 2016. www.nationnationalmirroronline.net

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ho can be trusted in Nigeria? Do the people trust the government?

And does the government trust the people to perform their civic responsibilities? Where is trust?

When did we lose it? And when will it come back to our national lives?

Can the electorate trust the politicians and can the politicians trust the electorate for one more vote?

Can the private sector trust the government and can the government trust the private sector?

Do workers trust their employers and do employers trust their workers?

Can the church trust their members to be Christ-like? Can church members be trusted with issues of praxis of behaviour and holiness? And do members trust the church? Can they trust that there is any benefit in giving their tithes and offerings?

Even in matrimonial issues, trust plays high. The pertinent question here is: Can spouses trust one another in their agreed covenant of holy matrimony?

Does the wife trust the husband or is she just playing along? And can the husband trust the wife?

Who can say with certainty that all is well with trust? What is trust? Certainly an expected, irretraceable commitment between two people to the performance of an act.

Trust flows from the people to the government, such that men and women who constitute gov-

CFR

Can the ChurCh trust their members to be Christ-like? Can ChurCh members be trusted with issues of holiness?

and do members trust the ChurCh? Can they trust that there is any benefit in giving their tithes and offerings? ernment can be trusted to use the tax paid by citizens to provide social service delivery at all levels. Commitment flows from government to the people that government will protect them in peace and in crises.

Commitment flows from the employee to the employer that, for instance, if I work for you until the age of retirement, and I so work faithfully without stealing, you are committed to the payment of my pension continuously and forever.

The question is: Who is working faithfully without taking bribe and stealing in Nigeria

today? Who is working without making provision for his tomorrow as if the pension will not come? If you are not working faithfully, then you need no reward! There may be reason why you are not working faithfully, but you have paid yourself by breaching the trust, the commitment.

The pyramid of trust flows from people to authority, and where there is no trust, there is no law.

Government spends a lot of time and resources on enforcement of laws which ordinarily should be voluntarily complied

with. In such situation, the judiciary will work more and the prison will demand more resources to feed convicted persons.

What developed countries enjoy today is that high level of trust from the citizen. When the government is not performing, there are established limitations to non compliance with laws and non implementation of the commitment to trust.

Developing countries can only make impact if governments start to work on how to bring back the lost trust between citizens and government. For how much can anyone trust government on wicked problems such as lack of employment, deficit balance of payment, insurgency, respect for rule of law, and protection of citizens and their properties? The level of loyalty that government expects from us is measured by how much we can trust government. And without citizen loyalty, government has no place to draw down legitimacy, especially in times of need.

What went wrong is the collapse of the pyramid of trust. No one trusts the other. This needs to be arrested immediately if we are to move the nation forward.

We must borrow from the Swedish government before things go irredeemably bad!

There is clear evidence that it is not only individuals that can fail. Nations do fail! Now, who is that individual that can, if truth be told, succeed in a failed nation?

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