Saturday, february 6, 2016 by GLOBAL MEDIA MIRROR LIMITED

Vol. 6 No. 06

Saturday, February 6, 2016

NEWS

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National Mirror Online

Sport

@NationalMirror

NEWS

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30 million Nigerian Lagos shuts down women mutilated for marathon meet

N150 P.8

Anxiety returns to Arepo:

3 Naval ratings shot dead by pipeline vandals

Osinbajo takes over ...as Buhari goes on leave

P. 9

Former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, being received by Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majiesty, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi.

Libel:

Dokpesi begs Tinubu

P. 7

Go face your trial, S’ Court tells Saraki I’m disappointed — Senate President

P. 6

Sealxk T

Why do men watch porn?

oma Chi.21 P P. 34

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FEBRUARY 6, 2016

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Top Stories I’m enjoying my marriage to Adams —Mrs Oshiomhole 2

SebaStine ebhuomhan

ife of the Governor of Edo State has debunked the falsehood going round the internet and social media that she has filed for a divorce of her marriage to Comrade Adams Oshiomhole. Mrs Lara Oshiomhole, who has spent almost a year in the blissful marriage to the former President of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and social activist since May 16 2015, said that she is not only en-

INSIDE

Entervaganza

The Saturday Mirror Magazine

Fashion Frenzy How to flatter your slim frame P.24

Relationships Should a woman fight her husband’s mistress? P.34

Sex talk Why do men watch porn?

P.34

Uche ... star actress Don’t wait for Lassa Fever! Pg 38 Mirror

Thursday sanitation irks Lagos traders Pg 31

Dear Bukola ‘My brotherin-law violated me’

Pg 33

divorce

court ‘My wife poisoned Pg 36 my meal’

Crime Watch

Hotelier petitions IGP over police brutality Page 43

joying her marriage, contrary to the news making the rounds, but that she is also enjoying doing her humanitarian work in Edo State; We Care Trust. According to the originators of the spurious and malicious report that is believed to have been written to embarrass Comrade Adams Oshiomhole because of his direct and frontal attacks against acts planned or intended to sabotage the Nigerian national economy and reduce the standard of living of Nigerians, Lara allegedly filed for a divorce because, according to her, Oshiomhole is allegedly too fetish and petty. Responding to the falsehood in Benin City, Mrs. Oshiomhole, who spoke in a statement signed and emailed to Saturday Mirror by the Executive Director of Media and Public Affairs in the Governor’s Office, Mike Mayaki, described the news as a “satanic report”. “My attention has been drawn to a most wicked and malicious rumour making the rounds in the social media that the wife of the Governor of Edo State, Mrs. Lara Oshiomhole, has filed for divorce.” “Ordinarily, we would have seen no need to join issues with the merchants of rumours whose stocks-in-trade is to malign public figures, but for the need to allay the fears of those who might have been misled by their devious garbage. We are compelled to clear the air before this careless, utterly reckless, unethical and irresponsible journalism becomes an epidemic. “Which court of law was the alleged divorce initiated and to whom was it served? Which country, state, municipal or coun-

Governor and Mrs. Oshiomhole

ty, if any, is the court situated? And when was the action or suit filed? Of course, the writers didn’t bother to inform their readers. The truth, however, is that the answers only exist in the warped imagination of the purveyors of the lies. “The fact is: Mrs Lara Oshiomhole is enjoying her marriage. She will never file for divorce, and there is clearly no basis for it. Mrs. Oshiomhole was in her office throughout the week holding meetings and brainstorming on how to better the lots of the less privileged, women and children in the state through her project, We Care Trust. She also had the opportunity to accompany her beloved husband, the Comrade Governor, on project inspection; including inspecting the world-class new Central Hospital, which is ongoing

in Benin City; some erosion control sites and some road construction sites.” Contrary to the falsehood, Saturday Mirror reliably learnt that Mrs. Oshiomhole also visited four orphanage homes in the Benin metropolis in demonstration of her meekness and kindness, drawing from the active support of her husband. On Thursday, February 4, after series of engagements, she was sighted in the office of the Governor before later embarking on a journey with her husband. Saturday Mirror exclusively gathered that We Care Trust is presently embarking on the training of Edo youths in a programme christened: Project Focus, as part of Mrs. Oshiomhole’s efforts to uplift the socio-economic life of Edo State people.

because she was traumatised as a result of the incident, but the magistrate refused. While he pressed further that he would bring written application for the request to the court, the court said it did not have jurisdiction to entertain such application based on the nature of the case. However, a fast one was played on the journalists that positioned themselves near the Black Maria that was to convey Yewande and other accused persons to Agodi Prisons. While waiting for Yewande to enter the Black Maria, some officials of the Nigerian Prisons Service threatened to attack the journalists and break their cameras. However, the suspect was conveyed out of the court premises in a blue Primera Nissan car purportedly owned by a lawyer, while other accused persons meant to be remanded in Agodi Prisons were conveyed in a Black Maria. When the accused was leaving the court room, she was led downstairs through the staircases in the dock, which prevented journalists from capturing her picture. She was led through Court Five into the blue Nissan primera car probably to shield her from the waiting cameras of the journalists. A legal practitioner, Mr. Sina Olaniyan, while speaking on the incident, described the accused as somebody that has high regards for due process of the law and of good character.

He said, “But this is a test for the judiciary. It is going to be a test for the Nigerian Bar Association as whole. The members of the public are watching to see where the pendulum of justice will swing. She is still presumed innocent until she is proved otherwise.” Also speaking, another legal practitioner, Mr. Adeleke Bakare, described the accused as a very amiable and gentle person, and a dedicated person to her job. “She is somebody who fights against crime, and she is always here, doing her job as a prosecutor, diligently. The person I have known that always discourage crime has now been involved in a crime, and it is a crime we can describe as of highest magnitude, which has highest punishment known to the law. Honestly, I am surprised,” he said. It will be recalled that since the murder of the France-based businessman, Lowo, his Ajanaku family based in Gbongan, Osun State, has cried out that justice must be done in the matter. The head of the family, Mr. Adelani Oyediran, while speaking with journalists in Gbongan, Ayedaade Local Government Area, said Yewande, 36, allegedly stabbed her husband with scissors in the back and shoulder at 12 midnight on the day of the incident before she purportedly stabbed him with a knife in the neck at about 3:00a.m same night, which eventually led to his death.

Alleged husband killer arraigned in Oyo Kemi olaitan

n Ibadan Chief Magistrate Court presided over by chief magistrate, Mrs. Kehinde Durosaro-Tijani, yesterday, adjourned the trial of a woman, Mrs. Yewande Oyeniran, who allegedly stabbed her husband, Lowo Oyeniran, to death last Tuesday, at Akobo, Ibadan, to February 16, this year for mention. She also ordered that the accused be remanded in Agodi Prisons. The prosecuting police officer, Inspector Amos Adewale, had preferred a one-count charge against Yewande, who pleaded not guilty. The prosecutor, in the case marked: MI/1539/2016, told the court that Yewande on February 2, 2016 “at about 06:10am at No 30 Abidi Odan Akobo area, Ibadan in the Ibadan Magisterial District did unlawfully cause the death of one Oyelowo Oyediran, 38, by stabbing him with knife on the neck, which later resulted to his death.” He further told the court that the accused had committed an offence contrary to Section 316 and punishable under Section 319 of the Criminal Code Cap 38 Vol II Laws of Oyo State of Nigeria 2000. The lead defense counsel, Mr. Seun Abimbola, had applied that the court should remand Yewande in Police custody

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FEBRUARY 6, 2016

Saturday Starter

Can 2016 Budget save the economy? The 2016 Budget is significant in a number of ways. It is the first budget of a new administration. It is also the first expenditure outlook of an opposition party coming into power. Therefore, with President Mohammadu Buhari and his party’s avowed commitment to change, so much is expected from the new budget. What with the dwindling economic fortunes of the country! But how far has the 2016 Budget reflected the commitment of the federal government and the new ruling party, asks NICK UWERU.

“I think of a country like Nigeria. That’s a country that is facing a real hardship.” –Legarde, IMF President

n an interview with the media on the sidelines of the Albright Institute at Wellesley College, the InCONTINUED ON PAGE 4

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FEBRUARY 6, 2016

Saturday Starter

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

‘Deficit funding in budget too high’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3

Slump in oil price will affect earnings

ternational Monetary Fund, IMF, boss, Christine Lagarde made the observation above. She has a basis for her concern. According to Lagarde, “quite a few countries” are keeping her awake lately, but at the top of the list are low-income nations that rely heavily on exporting oil, she says. “I think of a country like Nigeria, for instance, where 90 percent of its exports and 60 percent of its revenue are generated by oil or oil-related revenues,” Lagarde said. “That’s a country that is facing…a real hardship,” she added. Put simply, Nigeria is running out of money because of cheap oil in the international market. It is reported, for instance, that the federal government is considering asking the World Bank, the African Development Bank and other international organizations for a billion dollar loan to fund its 2016 budget currently being vetted by the National Assembly. “It’s necessary for Nigeria to very promptly redesign its business model and realign its interests with a completely new reality which is here for longer than many think,” Lagarde said. For many policy analysts, the way to go for Nigeria is to reprioritize its

budget focus starting with the 2016 appropriation bill now at the National Assembly, NASS. Rather than raise confidence, the current Budget since its submission has drawn flaks, condemnation and real worries as to whether President Mohammadu Buhari actually understands the enormity of challenge facing the country. Bukola Saraki, Senate President, pledges though that the NASS would be done with ratifying the appropriation act by the end of this month for early implementation. The is based on a crude oil benchmark price of $38 per barrel and a production estimate of 2.2 million barrels per day for 2016. The deficit will be financed by a combination of domestic borrowing of N984 billion, and foreign borrowing of N900 billion, in total N1.84 trillion. There is a proposed a 9 percent reduction in non-debt recurrent expenditure, from N2.59 trillion in the 2015 budget to N2.35 trillion in 2016. The budgeted N300 billion for Special Intervention Programs, takes the total amount for non-debt recurrent expenditure to N2.65 trillion. According to federal government, the efficiency unit set up by the current administration, together with

effective implementation of GIFMIS and IPPIS, will drive a reduction of overheads by at least 7 percent, personnel costs by 8 percent and other service wide votes by 19 percent. On paper, the projections appeared neat and tight. But with the attendant dramas, knocks and flaks attending details of the budget, there are fears that the date may not be realisable much less the budget implementable. For instance, many wondered why, against previous practice, Federal government chose to benchmark crude the budget by crude oil price way above prevailing market price. As at the time the budget was submitted, oil price had slumped from $38 to $34 per barrel. Lagarde, the IMF boss worry stemmed from her first sighting of the bill. Though she spoke mostly tongue in cheek on the budget, she was the first to draw attention to how difficult it would be for Buhari to realise the budget. The federal government in the budget for instance planned to finance its expenditure by borrowing N2.22 trillion (equivalent to 2.16 percent of Nigeria’s GDP) to finance the budget deficit. Speaking on this, the IMF boss pointed out that such borrowing is

needless. As gathered, too, the IMF boss was said to have hinted the President to take a second look at budget. This, it was gathered led to the withdrawal of the budget already submitted to the NASS in an untidy manner. The episode created a drama of its own. This was because by the time the Senate was ready to look at the appropriation bill, it discovered that it had two different copies of it. After a while the Presidency owned up, explaining that it had cause to withdraw the original copy for fine tuning. Despite the tinkering though there appears to be gaps in the budget. Only earlier in the week, Senate Committee on Education, uncovered N9,982,258,479 believed to have been hidden in the budget of parastatals by the Federal Ministry of Education. The committee, which discovered the amount at the commencement of its 2016 budget defence, said the amount was hidden in the ministry’s parastatals. The parastatals allocation for the year, according to the Senate Committee, increased at geometric progression by almost N10 billion while CONTINUED ON PAGE 5

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FEBRUARY 6, 2016

Saturday Starter

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‘Government must change economic focus’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4

the entire personnel cost for the ministry and all its subsidiaries including schools and colleges declined drastically when compared to that of last year. To this end, the committee chairman, Senator Aliyu Wamakko, ruled that the permanent secretary and the ministry should go back to the drawing board and come up with a more sensible overhead cost, saying its discovery was that the huge sum was deliberately hidden under parastatals’ personnel cost. As seen, the ministry’s parastatals’ personnel cost rose from N88.1 billion in 2015 to as high as N98.1 billion in 2016 estimate proposals while the personnel budget of universities reduced by as much as N16.245 billion, declining from N227.2 billion in 2015 to N211.0 billion in 2016. Similarly, colleges of education budget decreased from N40.2 billion in 2015 to N37.6 billion, while polytechnics’ personnel cost which previously stood at N61.44 billion in 2015 was trimmed to N58.23 billion just as unity colleges’ budget had been cut from N288.7billion to N7.588 billion. While the ministry itself reduced its budget by only N244.9 million from N3.768 billion in 2015 to N3.523 billion in 2016, UNESCO Paris was the worst hit with the drastic reduction of its budget from N288.3 billion in 2015 to N7.588 billion in 2016. Minister of State for Education, Professor Anthony Anwuka,who appeared before the Senate Committee on Secondary School Education for budget defence, in company of the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Folasade Yemi-Esan, gave account of the education budget performance in 2015. He said N483.183 billion budget was earmarked for education in 2015, with only N13.279 billion released. Anwuka added that only 50 per cent of N23.5 billion, amounting to N11.9 billion was released for capital education. However, after his submission, a member of the committee and Senate Chief Whip, Senator Olusola Adeyeye, queried the rationale behind the increase in only the budget of parastatals by only about N10 billion while the budget of universities reduced by as much N16 billion. Adeyeye wondered while parastatals which were meant to support the institutions should have their personnel budget increased by such a huge volume. He, therefore, demanded for an explanation. “If you look at personnel cost on

Buhari, presenting 2016 Budget

page 28, almost every sub-sector of the ministry lost some money except parastatals that got increase. What is special about the parastatals that they gained more than universities, colleges, polytechnics and unity schools? Why should the parastatals that are meant to serve them keep growing in personnel cost?” Adeyeye queried. The minister pushed

the question to the permanent secretary who for want of expression said they would go back to look into it. She said: “We will go back and find the aggregate of the parastatals put together so that we can look into the details and find out those that are increasing and the difference between them.” Dissatisfied by that response, Adeyeye insisted that the ministry

I thInk of a country lIke nIgerIa, for Instance, where 90 percent of Its exports and 60 percent of Its revenue are generated by oIl or oIl-related revenues. that’s a country that Is facIng…a real hardshIp – lagarde, Md, IMf

must explain how a whopping sum of about N10 billion was added to the parastatals’ personnel budget at the expense of institutions which actually need budget increase. He said: “The budget of the parastatals have N9 billion extra while others lose money. We can’t have a situation where schools are losing money and parastatals are gaining. How did parastatals have such a quantum leap?” Responding again, Yemi-Esan said the reduction in personnel budgets of schools and colleges was not imposed on them. Rather, she said it was what they submitted that the ministry collated and submitted as their personnel costs. But taken from another perspective, the ongoing drama may well not be different from previous practice. Budgets, in the last 16 years, rarely perform above 30 percent. Many experts think that shoddy preparation and vetting may just be the cause. But the problem is that the last 16 years is very much unlike the present when oil prices never came this low and may still crash further.

nce at e r their he suit.

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NATIONAL NEWS

FEBRUARY 6, 2016

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Go face your trial, S’Court tells Saraki •I’m disappointed —Senate President 6

Doosuur Iwambe ABUJA

enate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki, has had his appeal challenging his trial at the Code of Conduct Tribunal, CCT, thrown by the Supreme Court and being ordered instead to go face his trial. The apex court dismissed the appeal of Senate President that sought to stop his trial at the CCT. Saraki, in a later reaction, made known his disappointment at the ruling but vowed to prove his innocence at the tribunal. The judgment on Friday had multitudes of Saraki’s followers at the Supreme Court, Abuja already stationed in anticipation of the court ruling. After the apex court decision, the followers were seen dispersing in ones and twos, dejected. In the lead judgment taken by Justice Walter Samuel Onnoghen, the court held that the CCT was properly constituted to exercise jurisdiction over Saraki’s trial. It also resolved the issue of whether the tribunal had jurisdiction to try criminal matters and issue bench warrants against Saraki. “I

find no merit in the appeal, it is hereby dismissed,” the court ruled. The court dismissed all grounds of Saraki’s appeal and upheld the judgment of the appeal court, stating that his trial must continue. The apex court had scheduled February 5 for judgment in the appeal of the senate president against the CCT. In November 2015, Mahmud Mohammed, chief justice of Nigeria, who led a panel of seven judges, announced the date after hearing the brief of the counsel to the plaintiff and the respondent. Making his argument, Joseph Daodu, Saraki’s lawyer, pegged his brief on three points. He argued that the CCT, in its trial of the senate president, was not properly constituted, and that the tribunal was not a court of competent criminal jurisdiction. “The CCT is just a disciplinary panel for public officers,” he had said. He also argued that the case against his client was not properly initiated owing to the absence of an attorney-general at the time.But Rotimi Jacobs, counsel to the CCT, urged the apex court to dismiss Sara-

ki’s appeal for lack of merit. He argued that tribunal was properly constituted, as only two members were required to form a quorum to sit in judgment on a case. He further argued that in the absence of the attorney-general of the federation, an officer in his office could initiate criminal proceedings against anyone as was in the case against the senate president. On November 12, 2015, the supreme court asked the CCT to stay proceedings in the trial of Saraki, pending the determination of the appeal before it. In October 2015, Saraki approached the appeal court, asking it to quash his trial at the CCT. His request was also grounded in the argument

that the CCT was not properly constituted, and that the tribunal lacked the power to try criminal matters. But on October 30, 2015, the appeal court dismissed Saraki’s argument that the CCT was not a court of competent jurisdiction to handle the criminal charges preferred against him. “The CCT is a court of criminal jurisdiction, albeit limited jurisdiction,” the court had held. “The immediate question is whether it is a court or not. There is no inherent difference between a court and a tribunal. The only difference is that tribunals in most cases handle special cases. The tribunal has power to impose sanctions according to the law. It is a court with

specific criminal jurisdiction.” But reacting to the ruling Saraki, through his Media Adviser, Yusuph Olaniyonu, expressed disappointment over the Judgment of the apex court in the country on the six grounds of his appeal. Saraki said he would prove his innocence in the Court when trial resumes. Olaniyonu states: the Senate president expresses disappointment over the Judgment of the apex court in the country on the six grounds of his appeal. He however will like to put it on record that the facts of the substantial matter are not before the Supreme Court since the apex court was only invited to

rule on some preliminary issues in the process of commencing the trial. Olaniyonu also added that Saraki believes he will have his day in the court to prove his innocence of the charges proffered against him during the trial proper. “Dr. Saraki will like to thank everyone who has expressed support for him from the beginning of the case. He assures everyone that at the end of the day truth will prevail and justice will be served, Olaniyonu stated. On November 5, 2015, Saraki’s lawyers walked out of the CCT courtroom after the tribunal ruled that the trial must continue despite the pending appeal at the upreme court.

…No cause for alarm, says Kwara APC wole aDeDejI ILORIN

he All Progressives Congress, APC, in Kwara State yesterday pleaded with its members to remain calm as regards the the Supreme Court judgement on the appeal filed Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, the Senate President against the Code of Conduct Tribunal, CCT.

APC Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Sulyman Buhari In a statement on Friday, the Party described the Supreme Court ruling as “disappointing, surprising and shocking”. Buhari urged the surpporters not to bordered about the apex court verdict

bearing in mind that “the ordeal of the Senate President is not an anti- corruption driven case but a politically motivated prosecution aimed at undermining the person and the office of the Senate President”. The spokesman urged “members to embrace calmness, peace and tranquillity as the innocence of the Senate President will be proven in due course and justice will prevail over political shenanigans.” The Supreme Court, where Saraki ran to late tear as final arbiter to help tell the CCT that it has no business trying him for alleged false declaration of assets while running for elections into the Senate.

L-R: Chairman of the Occasion, Mr. Foluso Philips; Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; Chief Executive Officer, Centre for Values in Leadership (CVL), Prof. Pat Utomi, and his wife, Ufoma, at the 13th CVL annual Lecture and International Leadership Symposium, in Lagos, yesterday.

Osinbajo acting president as Buhari goes on vacation rotImI FaDeyI ABUJA

ight months after he took over power from former President Goodluck Jonathan on May 29, 2015, President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday proceeded on vacation. A statement issued by Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina said Buhari would be on vacation from yesterday to Wednesday, February 10. The statement said while Buhari is on vacation, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo would perform the func-

tions of the President. According to the statement, in compliance with Section 145 (1) of the Nigerian Constitution, Buhari has dispatched a formal notice of his vacation to the Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara. Buhari had on Tuesday embarked on a trip to France and Britain. While in Strasbourg, France, Buhari addressed a special session of the European Union Parliament which was attended by members of the executive

and legislative arms of the Union. The address focused on terrorism, violent extremism, corruption, Nigeria and Africa’s current security, economic and developmental challenges, as well as the need for greater support from the European Union and advanced nations for their rapid resolution. Buhari was scheduled to hold talks with the President of the European Parliament, Mr. Martin Schulz and the President of the European Commission, Mr. Jean-Claude Juncker on the same issue.

Buhari later left France for London to join other world leaders at the Supporting Syria and The Region Conference which opened on Thursday. He used the opportunity of his participation in the conference co-hosted by Britain, Germany, Norway, Kuwait and the United Nations to continue his push for more global understanding, collaboration and support for Nigeria and other countries in the frontlines of the war against terrorism who are striving to overcome its very adverse effects on affected populations.

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

FEBRUARY 6, 2016

NATIONAL NEWS

AMCON takes over Aero Contractors, N dissolves board

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FG must fix roads to ease Nigeria’s transportation challenges —NURTW

BOladale BaMigBOla OSOGBO

Olusegun KOiKi

he Asset Management Company of Nigeria, AMCON, has taken over the management of the troubled carrier, Aero Contractors. Also, AMCON said it would engage a reputable accounting firm to undertake a forensic audit of the airline’s accounts in the past five years to know its financial status.. The company said that the essence of the takeover was to position the airline for economic use in a profitable manner. Statement issued in Lagos by the media consultant to the airline said that AMCON has immediately

dissolved the Board of Director of the airline and has immediately appointed a manager to oversee the affairs of the airline. The statement hinted that the step taken by AMCON was in furtherance of the statutory responsibility of acquiring eligible bank assets and put them in the right channel. AMCON is both the majority shareholder and creditor of Aero. The statement declared that AMCON would put in place Industry based management team that would provide the highest level of professional competence, which would ensure a quick repositioning of the company. The statement added, “The management of

AMCON decided to make changes in the management of the airline to protect the brand heritage of the airline, a very well cherished value. AMCON also maintains that its intervention is in the public interest to sustain and improve the robust and premium quality service which Aero is known for in the country. “AMCON would like to assure the regulatory authorities, the traveling public and key stakeholders that the airline will continue to operate on the solid foundation of safety and security with excellent customer service.” The statement added that AMCON has also engaged a reputable accounting firm to undertake a forensic au-

dit of the airline’s accounts over the last five years. It would be recalled that Aero Contractors had been in the news in the past months for negative reasons. Last December, leading industry unions staged a peaceful protest against the board of the airline, accusing it of massive corrupt practices. The unions, National Union of Air Transport Employees, NUATE, and Air Transport Senior Staff Services Association of Nigeria, ATSSSAN, alleged that the board as constituted lacked professionalism and charged AMCON to dissolve the management, a call, which AMCON had hearkened to with its present decision.

ational Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, has pleaded with the federal government to fix all roads under its jurisdiction to ease transportation challenges facing the country. The union also noted that when all inter-state roads that are, at the moment in bad shape, incessant road mishaps will be reduced. Speaking in Osogbo at the 8th Quadrennial Delegates Conference of Zone 2 of the union that comprises Ekiti, Lagos, Ondo, Ogun Osun and Oyo states, NURTW national president, Alhaji Najeem Yaa’sin, attributed most cases of road mishaps in the country to bad roads, urging the present administration to give top priority to road construction and rehabilitation. Alhaji Yaa’sin, who

Federal projects: FG assures states of reimbursement KeMi Olaitan

T L-R: General Manager, National Theatre, Kabiru Yusuf; Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Muhammed; Director, Goethe-Institute, Germany, Marc-Andre Schmachtel; Director-General, Centre for Black and African Civilisation, Ferdinand Anikwe, and Director General, National Museum, Yusuf Abdallah, during the meeting of the minister with German Cultural Organisation, in Lagos, yesterday. PHOTO: SAMUEL ADETIMEHIN

Tinubu, AIT agree on out of court settlement

Mathew irinOye

he legal battle between Daar Communications Plc, owners of African Independent Television, AIT, and the national leader of the All Progressive Congress (APC) Asiwaju Bola Tinubu yesterday reached a conclusion as the parties opted for an out of court settlement in a libel suit.

Tinubu, made the decision when Daar Communications Plc agreed to tendered unreserved

apology before Justice Iyabo Akinkungbe of a Lagos High Court, for the documentary “Lion of Burdillion” aired on Africa Independent Television, AIT. It would be racalled that, Tinubu had instituted a N150 billion suit before an Ikeja High Court against Daar Communications Plc, owners of AIT, for airing the documentary. Tinubu also alleged that the documentary, which started airing on March 1, 2015, was libellous and aimed at tarnishing his image.

During Friday’s proceedings, Counsel to Daar Comunication Plc, Mike Ozekhome SAN informed the court of his client’s wish to embrace alternative dispute resolution. “My lord, we have come to court today to embrace Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR). Every war that is fought is always settled amicably on a roundtable. “Both parties have expressed their desire to settle amicably based on the terms of settlement which my Honourable Lord has been furnished with. “We reached the agree-

ment to enable both parties to continue with the good relationship that they have always had. We have driven the devil away with a spiritual “Koboko”, Ozekhome told the court. Tinubu’s Counsel, Wole Olanipekun SAN also informed the court of his client’s willingness to settle out of court, “I align myself with the submissions and sentiments of my learned friend. I can also confirm that the terms of settlement which was drawn up on the 29th of January has been accepted by both parties,” Olanipekun said.

was represented by the vice-president of the union, Comrade Adegboyega Tomori, said the union would continue to support government to ensure safety on the highways. While speaking on the newly inaugurated executive of the union for zone two, the national president said NURTW would continue to elect its leaders through a transparent means to ensure peace. He then advised newly elected zonal executive to discharge their duties in line with the constitution of the union and expressed confidence in their ability to take the union to a greater heights. Responding, the newly elected Chairman of the union for zone two and chairman, Oyo State council of NURTW, Alhaji Toafeeq Oyerinde hinted that his administration would focus on programmes that would improve welfare of members.

he Federal Government has assured state governments that it would reimburse them resources spent on construction of federal roads in their states. Speaking with journalist todayin Ibadan was The Minister of Transport, Mr Rotimi Amaechi, gave the assurance yesterday in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, while speaking with journalists during an inspection tour of federal road projects in Oyo State. He made it clear the intention of the Federal Government to refund state governments who have used state funds for the construction of federal roads in their domains. According to him, a committee on reimbursement to state governments on federal road projects headed by the Minister of Works, Power and Housing, Mr. Raji Fashola, has been inaugurated with the responsibility of inspecting the level of work done on these roads. During the inspection of federal road projects in Ibadan, Amaechi who is

the Head of the Committee for the South West zone, expressed satisfaction on the level of work done on the roads. He said the federal ministry of works and public procurement department of the federal government would work together with the Oyo State ministry of works to ensure the projects were of high standard. He added that the Federal Government is ready to reimburse the state government and also provide future assistance to aid subsequent projects in the state. Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State, said the visit of the federal government delegation would help fast track other ongoing projects in the state. He expressed confidence in the Federal Government for its change initiative and called for prompt reimbursement to assist the state government. Some of the roads inspected by the Minister include New Garage-Old Ijebu road, Azeez Arisekola Alao way, Elebu-Apata road, Molete-Dugbe road and Mokola-Ojoo road.

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Lagos shuts down for marathon meet

he Lagos State Government has affirmed its readiness to host over 20,000 Local and International Marathoners in the forth coming Access Lagos City Marathon race scheduled to come up tomorrow, February 6th, 2016. According to the State’s Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Steve Ayorinde, all logistics have been put in place and Lagos is ready to host the event as well as replicate an international version of the event in the state come Saturday. He confirmed that several renowned marathoners from Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda and other countries are already in town for the event, while local and other athletes are fully prepared to participate in the event. He said the State Government has put in place water-tight security measures to protect athletes and other participants in the international event adding that a team of motorized and motorbike escorts have been provided to monitor the event throughout the duration of the race. “Similarly we have put in place a team of fully trained and well equipped medical team that will accompany all the participants from the kick-off of the race to the end”, Ayorinde said. He said a combined team of traffic managers will also be on ground to control traffic along the designated routes, while alternate routes have also been provided for motorists during the 7 hours event. “The Lagos State Government is therefore appealing to Lagosians to come out en masse and cheer these athletes as well as encourage them during the course of the race,” he said. While regretting any inconvenience the traffic restriction would cause during the period, the Commissioner said Lagosians are reminded that the gains inherent in hosting the event will further boost the economy of the State as well as promote Lagos as a destination worthy of visit by tourists, sportsmen and investors.

NATIONAL NEWS

FEBRUARY 6, 2016

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30 million Nigerian women genitally mutilated —UNICEF,UNFPA T

PDP to hold NEC meeting next week obiora iFoh ABUJA

Marcus FatunMole ABUJA

he United Nations Population Fund, UNFPA, and United Nations Children Fund, UNICEF, said Nigeria currently accounts for about a quarter of 130 million females with genital mutilation, worldwide. The statistics makes the country have “the highest absolute number of female genital mutilation worldwide,” hovering around 30 million. UNFPA and UNICEF have been at the forefront of campaign against the practice, which they claimed is prevalent in Ebonyi, Ekiti, Imo, Osun

and Oyo states. The campaign, according to a statement made available to National Mirror by UNFPA Media Associate, Kori Habib, is to enable the nation achieve an end to the practice in the next two decades, as set by the United Nations General Assembly. Both organizations currently work though the United Nations Programme to eliminate female genital mutilation/cutting, “The UNFPA-UNICEF Joint Programme on Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting: Accelerating Change.” Second phase of the programme has been launched in 17 countries, covering Africa and Middle East, and will be effective from Janu-

ary 2014 to December 2017, in line with the strategic plans of the agencies. Nigeria was added to the second phase Joint Programme. “Female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) is practised at various scales in many communities and settings in Nigeria, despite legislation and policies prohibiting the practice. “Nigeria, due to its large population, has the highest absolute number of female genital mutilation worldwide, accounting for about one-quarter of the estimated 130 million with FGM in the world,” the joint statement said. It added: “Addressing the challenges of FGM/C in Nigeria has become imperative, not only because

of its harmful impact on the reproductive and sexual health of girls and women, but also because it violates their fundamental rights and undermines equitable social economic development of the country,” part of the agencies’ statement said. It notes that FGM has no health benefits, harms girls and women in many ways. It involves removing and damaging healthy and normal female genital tissue, and interferes with the natural functions of girls’ and women’s bodies. More than 125 million girls and women alive today have been cut in the 29 countries in Africa and Middle East where FGM is concentrated,” WHO argues further.

President Muhammadu Buhari(3rd left) with National Security Adviser Babagana Monguno, Minister of Foreign Affairs Geoffrey Onyeama, Acting High Commissioner to London Amb. Simon Ogah and Special Adviser Media & Publicity Mr Femi Adesina as President Buhari meets with Members of Nigerian Community in London, yesterday.

Anxiety returns to Arepo:

3 Naval ratings killed by pipeline vandals

Dare akogun

hree Naval ratings have been reportedly killed in a shootout with notorious pipeline vandals operating in the Arepo/Ikorodu creeks in the early hours of Friday. The latest incident it was gathered was fallout of the attack by the security personnel stationed to protect the Pipelines in the area on Wednesday morning, when the vandals were accosted and shot at leading to the boat with which the stolen fuel was being conveyed

exploding. The vandals escaped with minor injuries. This, allegedly, enraged the vandals who regrouped with miscreants from Ikorodu and Shagamu. “The boys went to the place and immediately the security operatives sighted them, they opened fire on them but, the boys who are very familiar with the creek waited for them to exhaust their rounds before retaliating. Three of them were killed and their body was taken away, “ he added. Residents of Beach Land Estate Arepo corroborated the story saying that they

heard gun shots around 11:00 pm and lasted almost through out the night. According to Mrs Hussein Shittu, “ I was about going to bed when I started hearing the gun shots and I believed it was the security men protecting the pipelines. Around 2:00 am we were woken up by the Military men that there is a fire raging from the creek which I later found out was the result of the exchange of gun fires between them and the vandals. “This thing started on Wednesday morning about 8:00am in the morning

when we heard a loud explosion and we saw fire on the water, which I learnt it was the boat of vandals destroyed by the military. “My neighbor later told me that some men of the military were killed and their body is still missing, we are living in constant fear as I know this won’t be the end of their frequent clash, we hope the government will be able to do something about this, we can hardly sleep with our two eyes closed, “ she lamented. Another resident Mr. Segun Ojo alleged that

he Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has scheduled meetings of key statutory organs of the party including the National Working Committee, NWC to discuss the crisis threatening the existence of the party. National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, in a statement on Friday said, “according to the schedule approved by the National Working Committee, the meeting of the National Caucus of the party has been slated for Tuesday, February 9th, 2016 at 7pm. It will be followed by the meeting of the Board of Trustees (BoT) on the morning of Wednesday, February 10th. The National Executive Committee (NEC) will meet at 2pm on the same Wednesday, February 10th, 2016. “The meetings are in furtherance of internal discussions on very crucial issues within the party as well as ways to reposition it for the challenges ahead.” The PDP has been enmeshed with series of internal leadership crisis resulting to three factions headed by the acting National Chairman, Uche Secondus and former Presidential aide Ali Gulak. The PDP governors forum has also filed behind the National Secretary, Professor Olawale Oladipo whom they have asked to assume office pending when a subsative chairman from the North East will emerge.

the shoot out between the vandals and the security operatives arose from disagreement on their cut from the proceeds of the siphoned fuel. “ When this military men came around November the illegal bunkering stopped, but some weeks later we learnt the vandals have commenced their activities after meeting and agreeing on a sharing formula between them and the security operatives. “But those men have been changed and the new sets have not agreed on the percentage of their settlement that was why they were attacked on Wednesday when they went to siphon fuel,” he alleged.

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FEBRUARY 6, 2016

Lagos Commissions Five Mobile Courts matthew irinOye

n a bid to broaden the pathway that guarantees citizens access to justice, the Lagos State Government yesterday commissioned five Mobile Courts. Both the state Attorney General, Kazeem Adeniji and the Chief Judge, Justice Olufunmilayo Atilade issued the warning at the inauguration of five buses that serve as mobile which held at the High court premises, Ikeja. The Chief Judge however warned that it should be known that era of recklessness and impunity on public roads and highways are gone. Justice Atilade said that “Those who chose to make life difficult for other people, especially on our roads should have a re-think, as they would henceforth be held accountable for their misdeeds”. The chief judge pointed out that flagrant disregard and violation of traffic

rules with impunity is unacceptable and urged the people of the state to discourage and condemned the act. She said the judiciary will, on its part, remain committed and stop at nothing to back the initiative of the government. Earlier, the state Attorney General, Kazeem Adeniji said that the essence of the mobile court is a symbolic indication of the important policies of Governor Akinwumi Ambode’s administration on law and order. The Attorney-General added that the Mobile Courts which is an institutional reaction to identified societal challenges will facilitate prompt and immediate trial of traffic and environmental offenders. The commissioner said that those who would be tried in the Mobile court include persons, motorcyclists who drive against traffic or refuse to obey the traffic signs like zebra crossing and traffic light indications.

PDP is not dead —Chieftain Kemi Olaitan IBADAN

chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Oyo State, Mr. Femi Babalola, yesterday in Ibadan, said the forthcoming congresses of the party will mark the beginning of its rebirth. He also said the structure of the party is fully on ground in every local government and states across the country. The former governorship aspirant of the party while speaking with journalists, said it will be wrong for any person or group to think that the party is dead.

According to him, the African factor which usually discourages people to accept failure as a challenge will not affect the bouncing back of the party. He stated that many among those who are in the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) are PDP products and when it is time, they will trace back their root and return home. He said, “We are going to take collective decision this time around just as we did in 1999. I foresee a sober group of people coming to correct past mistake. In the process to correct past mistakes, you will see sincerity of purpose.

C-of-O to be granted within 90 days in Osun —Aregbesola

he Governor of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has assured investors and residents in Osun speedy process of Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) to legitimately acquired property within ninety days of commencement of processing. The Governor stated this at the presentation of N50m cheque in support of Osun Certificate of Occupancy Fast track project (OCOFO) by Sterling Bank PLC at the Banquet Hall of the Government House, Osogbo. Aregbesola commended the bank for its partnership with the state, noting that the support from

Sterling Bank will go a long way in strengthening the resolve of his administration to fast track the issuance of C of O in the state. He added that with the OCOFO project, the 90 days of getting a Certificate of Occupancy for legitimately acquired property will be made possible as opposed to the old regime where it may take eternity to obtain a C of O. The Governor called on investors, residents and citizens of the state to take the opportunity of the new C of O regime and get titles for their landed property within the stipulated 90 days.

SOUTH WEST

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Olubadan begins final journey Kemi Olaitan IBADAN

he burial ceremony for the late Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Samuel Odulana, Odugade 1, who died last month, commenced yesterday with special jumat prayer, held at the Oja Oba Central mosque, Ibadan At the event where prominent Ibadan sons and daughters were present, the Chief Imam of Ibadanland, Sheik Abdulganiy Abubakri Agbotomokekere, charged Nigerians especially political leaders to make the fear of God their guiding principle. While delivering his sermon which centered on the fear of God, the cleric described the fear of God as one of the qualities of a true believer.

Agbotomokekere who quoted several verses of the Holy Qur’an, said God made life to be full of both good and bad sides which all believers must be ready to thank God for which ever come his or her way. He maintained that a true believer must have as one of his or her attributes fear of God, stating that whoever in life does good shall be rewarded for good while anyone who does bad shall also be rewarded for that. He said, “The fear of God is important for all human beings as it is what the Almighty Himself hold in high esteem. To show how big it is, God mentioned it in 258 times in the Holy Qur’an, let us stand up and stand with the fear of God, we shall know that God hold it in high esteem.

“You believers, lies and all other unholy behaviors make people to distance from God, if you want to be friend with anyone, you have to be friend with those with the fear of God, those who look for the mercy of God, these are the people you have to move closer to, these are the friends of God. “Now, the question is that, how do we know the friends of God, when you see them, you will know them from their behaviors. Those who distance themselves from God are people who differentiate and distance themselves from the command of God and that of the Holy Prophet, Muhammed (SAW), those who are the people believers must be distance themselves from.

“A true believer must be able to always thank God and be prayerful.” Agbotomokekere then prayed for the High Chiefs in the city as well as the cabinet of Governor Abiola Ajimobi. The Chairman of the burial committee set up by the state government, Alhaji Olalekan Alli, while speaking with journalists after the prayer session, said preparations are on top gear to give the late Olubadan a befitting burial. Present at the special prayer were Alli, the Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, Alhaji Daud Akinola, representatives of the Olubadan-in-Council, family members of the late Olubadan, among whom is former Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Prince Gbade Lana.

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (middle), with Commissioner for Science & Technology, Mr. Olufemi Odubiyi; Ambassador of Finland to Nigeria, Ambassador Pirjo Suomela-Chowdhury; Deputy Minister, Finland Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Matti Anttonen; Consulate of Finland, Lagos, Dr. Kingsley Akinroye and others, during a courtesy visit to the Governor by a Delegation from Finland, at the Lagos House, Ikeja, on Friday, February 05, 2016.

FG must fix roads to ease Nigeria’s transportation challenges —NURTW BOladale BamigBOla OSOGBO.

reduced. Speaking in Osogbo at the 8th Quadrennial Delegates Conference of Zone 2 of the union that comprises Ekiti, Lagos, Ondo, Ogun Osun and Oyo states, NURTW national president, Alhaji Najeem Yaa’sin, attributed most cases of road mishaps in the country to bad roads, urging the present administration to give top priority to road construction and rehabilitation. Alhaji Yaa’sin, who

discharge their duties in line with the constitution of the union and expressed confidence in their ability to take the union to a greater heights. Responding, the newly elected Chairman of the union for zone two and chairman, Oyo State council of NURTW, Alhaji Toafeeq Oyerinde hinted that his administration would focus on programmes that would improve welfare of members.

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Nasarawa to promote only productive workers

NORTH

Henry Iyorkase

asarawa State Government yesterday said it will only promote workers on its payroll who are productive. This is, as it urged those who are not productive to brace up so as to earn promotion in the course of their civil service career. Special Adviser to Governor Umaru Tanko Al-Makura on information command centre, Hamza Elayo, stated this in Lafia, the Nasarawa State capital, when reacting to the ongoing strike embarked by civil servants in the state. He therefore assured the striking workers of government readiness to implement their clamour for promotion even as he added that such promotion would be subjected to availability of existing vacancy. His words: “Government is not stopping promotion but it will be done in a due process and the financial implication of it must be observed. Those who are productive would be promoted; where as those who are not productive should work hard to earn promotion in the course of their career.” He said the new promotion process has become imperative to the fact that Nasarawa state is the only state which pays the highest minimum wages rate in the country. “Civil servants on GL 16 in the state earn not less than N240,000 per month, where as their counterparts in other states are paid about N150,000.” he maintained. The special adviser then dismissed the rumours going round that government has concluded plans to pay its workforce salaries in percentages. Elayo concluded by calling on leaders of the striking workers to come back to the negotiation table for the continuation of dialogue in order to resolve the matter amicably as government doors are opened.

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Ortom vows to recover all stolen funds from Suswam

Igbawase UkUmba Lafia

FEBRUARY 6, 2016

Makurdi

overnor Samuel Ortom of Benue State yesterday at the People’s House in Makurdi received the submission of report by Chairman of the Judicial Panel of Inquiry into funds accruing and utilized to the state from 2007 to 2015. The panel headed by Justice Kpojime recommended that 52 individuals and 10 corporate bodies should refund over N107 billion to coffers of the state treasury while also seeking the state government to investigate further the possible refund of over N44 billion. Justice Kpojime dis-

closed that during the period covered by the assignment, N1. 21 trillion accrued to the state from about 27 identified sources out of which N802 billion was appropriated while N219 billion was expended but not appropriated. “Out of the total revenue that accrued to the state, only 15 per cent thereof was allocated to capital expenditure, while 85 per cent was for recurrent expenditure,” Justice Kpojime stated. “The little amount allocated to capital expenditure was characterized by lack of due diligence in contract awards, contracts inflation, abandonment of projects after collecting payments as well as payments for jobs not done,

while there were multiple payments for same jobs.” In her submission, the management of the huge recurrent expenditure was even worse as financial instructions and regulations were completely set aside examples of which she said include outright theft of public revenue such as the payment of N3. 11 billion out of the proceeds of the sale of government shares, into a private account. Governor Ortom while receiving the report commended the commission for a diligent and assiduous working round the clock to obtain the data and further pledged to institute another committee with a view to verify the statistics contained in the

report before final decision would be taken. According to Governor Ortom, during the cause of this assignment attempts were made to witch hunt some members by those involved by using any foul means to bewitch others with intention to thwart their efforts at getting accurate records of their misdeeds. He said he would set up a white paper drafting committee immediately; assuring that the white paper would be implemented to the latter adding that those who took ill during the course of the engagement their bills will be offset at the instance of the state government.

FG, UN, EU and World Bank assessment team of IDPs situation on visit to the governor Darius Ishaku at Taraba Government House, yesterday

Boko Haram: NGO trains 200 widows on skills acquisition, enrols 60 orphanages in Borno InUsa ndaHI Maiduguri

erwa Community Development Initiative (HCDI), a Non Governmental Organization in partnership with International Civil Society Action Network and International Alert has trained about 200 widows in skills acquisition who lost their husbands in 10 wards of Kawar Maila community of Maiduguri, the Borno State capital. This is in addition to free enrolment into schools of over 60 orphanage children who also lost their parents during the Boko Baram men-

ace in the community. It would be recalled that Kawar Maila, a densely populated community in the heart of Maiduguri metropolis witnessed series of deadly attacks by insurgents in the last two years, with the slaughtering of about 12 victims after shooting several others with AK47 rifles by insurgents in broad daylight. Speaking shortly yesterday at a colourful ceremony with the Coordinator of HCDI, Mallam Mohammed Ngubdo Hassan during the handing over of the orphanage to Management and Staff of Abbaganaram Primary School for enrolment said, the project

which is being funded by International Civil Society Action Network (ICSAN) and International Alert (IA) is mainly ‘facilitating social norms realignment’ in Kawar Maila community. He regretted that for the past two years, residents of the 10 existing wards do not associate with each other as a result of suspicion that “most children of those in three wards of Kawar Maila were members of Boko Haram terrorising other surrounding seven wards of Gangamari, Kofar Biyu, Nimeri Korongoso, Awasulum, Limanti among other wards”. He said, even though,

the insurgents were finally chased out of Maiduguri, the suspicion and stigmatization continued amongst the residents which led to non- inter-marriage and lack of mutual coexistence, until when HCDI with its team and other stakeholders such as religious and traditional rulers collaborated and swung into action by visiting the community for dialogue which was successful. The Coordinator pointed out that, after sensitizing them that not everybody in the community is Boko Haram, and as well, reconciled with the people of the community,

NDLEA arrest 25 suspected drug addicts, traffickers in Kaduna

he suspects were arrested in a popular drug addicts’ den, called ‘The Black Street’ in Sabo area of Kaduna and were paraded at the Kaduna Command headquarters of the agency in the metropolis. Parading the suspects, NDLEA Commander, Samuel Azige said during the raid, both cracked and powder form of cocaine were recovered from the suspects. Azige observed that preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects wrap the powdered cocaine and sell, while they heat and inhale the cracked ones. He said that the suspects would be charged to court as soon as investigation is concluded, adding that they had constituted nuisance and engaged in all forms of vices in the community. “In fact, we have identified the owner of the houses the suspects use, and he told us that, he had made efforts to secure his property against the addicts, but when he brought blocks to fence the house, the boys packed the blocks and sold them. “There is another house where they have completely sent the owner away. He had to relocate to another place because of their threat. “In fact, people have put their houses for sale around the area due to insecurity caused by these people.” He said. The recovered drugs include cocaine, Indian hemp, codeine, tramol, among others were displayed for people to see. Meanwhile, the agency is presently on the trail of another drug baron, whose car, loaded with drugs had been confiscated by NDLEA. One of the suspects, Barret Salihu, 22 said, “I don’t know why they arrested me, because I don’t sell wee-wee. I only take it.” Asked why he takes Indian hemp, Salihu said, “When I take it, I feel okay, but now, I have not taken it, and I am not feeling okay.” He said

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FEBRUARY 6, 2016

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POLITICS

Jonathan on Boko Haram war:

When silence is golden

Lekan adejuwon

ormer President, Goodluck Jonathan has been enjoying his new role as a global statesman, no thanks to his memorable feat of ‘willingly’ relinquishing power after losing an election to the opposition party in Nigeria last year. This perceived unusual achievement has been lauded by the west as both exemplary and agenda setting for the crème of sit-tight African leaders who are still lurking around the corridors of powers in many countries. Known for his characteristic gentle disposition, the former president had been enjoying his retirement at his Otuoke country home since May 29, 2015 until recently, when he suddenly broke his silence. However, Jonathan’s first official interview has been perceived in some quarters as largely unwarranted even as many believed the former leader should have maintained his dignified silence on key national issues. The former President had in an interview with a foreign media, France 24, monitored in Geneva, Switzerland, last week, hinted that President Muhammadu Buhari administration is prosecuting the war against the Boko Haram insurgency with thearms his government procured, saying that he laid a solid foundation for terrorism to be defeated Dr Jonathan then expressed hope that very soon the new government would defeat the insurgency But the federal government, in a swift reaction, debunked the claim saying that the weapons allegedly purchased by the former president were substandard. Jonathan in another breath, disclosed that he will speak on the controversy surrounding the appropriation of the funds meant for the procurement of arms under his government by the then National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki It would be recalled that President Buhari had launched a probe which led to the arrest of Dasuki and some officials of the Peoples’ Democratic Party PDP, They were accused of diverting funds meant for arms purchase into Jonathan’s re-election project. Consequently, there have been pressures on the former president to speak out over the matter as many believed that the whopping $2.1b involved in the alleged arms scandal was too humongous for a sitting president to claim ignorance. But in a series of messages in his Twitter handle, Jonathan said he would react to the issue when the time was ripe. His words; “My voice will certainly be heard at the appropriate time regarding the alleged arms funds mismanagement. I would not want to interfere with the proceeding by the judicial system that my administration worked tirelessly to strengthen” The former President said he would

not like to comment on the arms probe matter now because his comment could affect witnesses and the judicial proceedings that had been initiated by the current administration. “I cannot comment. Definitely, I will speak. My comment now may affect witnesses and the judicial process” he said However, the government in a statement made the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, insisted that substandard weapons could not have been responsible for the recent successes of the military in the fight against terrorism. Mohammed described as unfortunate and unsubstantiated the statement credited to the former president attributing the recent chains of successive victories by the Nigerian soldiers over the dreaded Boko Haram as a result of arms he purchased while in office. He said the present administration owes it a duty to put the record straight since the issues raised by the former President are of public interest and border on national security. His words; “The weapons, munition and equipment which the former President said he bought were refurbished and lacked the basic components and spare parts “Additionally, the ammunition bought for both high caliber and small weapons have mostly expired incompatible with weapons and grossly inadequate “It is pertinent to state that the ammunition he was referring to were back loaded because they explode within the barrel when fired thus leading to deaths and injuries among soldier” Continuing, the minister noted that the high level of casualties sustained by Nigerian soldiers was most unprecedented and cannot be compared to any known military operations in recent times as a result of terrible state of affairs suffered by the military under the Jonathan administration. “It is also clear, as has been shown so far by the outcome of the panel probing past arms deal that the purchase of substandard weapons apparently resulted from the massive corruption that enveloped the deals, the kind of horrifying graft that saw the purchase of refurbished choppers that lacked rotors or fighter jets that could not be deployed to the theatre of war because they werenot to up to par” Meanwhile concerns have been raised from a cross section of watchers of political events about the propriety of former President Jonathan to speak up on the ongoing probe of arms purchase during the last administration. Only last Tuesday, the PDP engaged in exchange of words overJonathan’s stand on the ongoing arms deal. While the party’s Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Abdullahi Jalo had called on the ex-President to respond to the claims by the embattled former NSA that the money was shared on his direc-

Jonathan

Dasuki

tives, but PDP Acting National Chairman Prince jalo reportedly told newsmen that “As all of you know, no single kobo can be spent by the federal government without an Act of the National Assembly. Money earmarked for arms purchase some people diverted it to something else. So many people that you cannot even expect were involved “Jonathan is alive”, he said. “He should clarify whether he asked his former NSA to distribute money meant to fight Boko Haram into his campaign” Uche Secondus, in his submission,said Jalo was speaking for himself and that his views did not represent the position of the party “Let me make it clear to you that Jalo was only expressing his personal opinion because his views did not represent the position of the party. There was no time such a thing was discussed at the National Executive Committee that Jonathan should speak on the arms deal. Speaking in similar vein, former Minister of State for Works, Prince Dayo Adeyeye has said that the decision of former President not to comment on the probe of the alleged arms scandal was in order. He said it would be wrong for Jonathan to speak on matters that are pending in court. “Though I can’t speak for former President Jonathan on this issue, but nobody can force him to speak because that could be subjudice. We should rather allow courts to determine who is guilty or innocent rather than arm-chair thrials being conducted by APC-led federal government”he added. Earlier, the chairman, Presidential Advisory Committee on Corruption, Prof Itse Sagay, had advised the former President to meet with President Buhari and confess all he knows about the multi billion naira arms scandal. He said if Jonathan could provide ade-

quate information he would be accorded the adequate respect by virtue of being a former head of state. When asked if Jonathan could be arrested despite his soaring popularity in the international community for conceding defeat in the last presidential election, the Professor of Law said the issue was a sensitive one. According to him, “The great reputation that Jonathan seems to have is the fact that he admitted defeat, there are thousands of actions that are negative actions. So, I don’t think that we should overplay it “But on the issue of former President going to prison, I agree it is a bit touchy politically, but the case of Jonathan is particularly bad if you see the manner with which the country’s resources and government coffers have been turned into a bazaar parlour where everyone goes to collect his own share just like Warri boys would ask. You don obtain your own?” He stressed that dealing with a former head of state is always sensitive but advised that the former President should seek a private audience with Buhari and says all that he knows. It would be recalled that some prominent politicians who served under the immediate past administration led by ex-President Jonathan are currently been prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission EFCC for theiralleged role in a multi-billion naira arms deal which was allegedly siphoned by the accused for purposes other than what the money was to be spent. The development has, however, thrown up a fresh debate over the culpability of the former President under whose watch the alleged criminality was perpetrated. But whether the time is ripe for Jonathan to spill the beans would remain a matter of public discourse for as long as the scandal lingers.

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POLITICS

FEBRUARY 6, 2016

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Most Nigerians are corrupt –Anisulowo Chief Mrs Iyabo Anisulowo is the first female senator in the south west representing Ogun State between 2003 and 2007. In this interview, the former teacher explains her reasons for going to politics, her experience and views on corruption to LEKAN ADEJUWON

s the first female senator in Ogun State, why did you go into politics, a terrain which hitherto, had been dominated by men? Politics has been a vocation for me. I am a teacher by profession. I was trained to teach Mathematics and Physics in secondary school and I taught for many years. I also taught in Teachers Training College because I had (B.ED) in Mathematics and Mathematics Education. After this, I went into activism. I was the coordinator of Women in Nigeria, and the activism at that time was based on marginalization of women in the scheme of things in the country, male chauvinism, widows’ rights, genital mutilation and the rest and the fact that we really engaged the government at that time and mind you, it was a military administration at that time where we also joined the campaign for a return to civilian democracy. So we had international connection and so on, but at the end of it, we felt that we cannot change things if we are outside the process. So invariably many of us left to do politicking. That was what brought me to Ilaro for the first time and I got involved in politics fully. Going by the records, you were in the senate in 2003 where few women had the opportunity of being in the National Assembly. Don’t you feel intimidated and marginalized by the share number of men in the assembly? We were four at that time and after us they became eight I am not sure of the figure now. In a Senate of 109 members, you only have 9 women. Do you still need to be told that some people were marginalized? There is of course, but you see, politics is now money-driven and women have not being in government enough to be able to amass wealth and if even women were to amass wealth, they are going to distribute it as in the saying; ‘train a woman, you are training a nation but if you train a man you only train an individual. So invariably, there is not enough money for women to use in order to grab political power. That has been the problem. A few women that had been able to make their mark achieved

Anisulowo

this by working ten times as hard as a man. Since you left in 2007, has any woman being able to beat your record in the three senatorial districts of Ogun State? Iyabo Obasanjo did it and you know why that she had a better and easier ride than some of us. But since she left, there has not being any woman thereafter. I could recollect a particular incident during your tenure in the senate where you engaged a fellow senator in a shouting march which led to some uproar in the floor. Would you attribute your activism to that ugly incident? No not at all. It was not activism as such. You know men naturally, because of the respect we accord to them as women, many times, they overdo things. They blow their ego beyond. At least we are colleagues in the senate and if you respect a man because you have a man at home as your husband, it doesn’t mean that man should override you. I was the chairman of the committee. He was the Vice Chairman which ordinarily he shouldn’t have been because he was a second timer, I was a first timer during the time, but because I was a minister also and what I was given was not anything too fantastic Senate Committee on state and Local Government administration. The issue was about senate money. Right from the time I was the Secretary to the Local Government, I don’t share government money. I can do business and if I have government business and I do it and I make profit, I am ok. But for me to take the chunk of the money meant for public good, I don’t, and if I should distribute government money at all, I can only distribute to people who worked. So that

was what happened. As for my activism in the senate, I was proactive during my time. I contributed to almost all the debates and if we are to succeed in the senate at that time, I am somebody you can’t ignore. At the inauguration of the 8th assembly, business at the senate was initially stalled as a result of controversies and infightings among senators over what they described as ‘juicy committees’. Will you in all honesty tell me if truly there are such committees? Well there could be juicy committees. I will not tell you lie. Juicy committees in the sense that when you go for your oversight functions, you have enough to do and it is the avenue where you go to the books of the administration and perhaps that is where you help your constituency because if you are the chairman senate committee on petroleum for example, there is no way they are doing recruitment that they will not refer to you and say ‘let’s give him two or three slots there’ That is the sense in which I see a juicy committee, but if you are posted to a very dry place that every time you are going to presidency to request for this or that. It shows you were in a committee where you always go to look for money for them to operate. When I was going round the other time to get to the senate, I went to an area where they delivered a baby but no water to bath the baby. You know what I did? I came back to Ilaro and chartered a trailer load of pure water and went and dump it in that village for their use. So when I got to the senate I made sure that a N45m water project was done in that community called Orisadare. I did one in Ipake, another one at Agbodeg-

bomo in Imeko area because I felt and continue to feel the deprivation of the locals in those areas. So in a nut shell, there are juicy committees, there are dry committees, but it all depends on who is the head. I believe wherever they put you, you can make your mark You started as a PDP politician, all of a sudden.. (cuts in) No I didn’t start as a PDP politician. Actually I started with SDP during Babangida era where he created two political parties. There used to be Peoples Front, brought by late Shehu MusaYar’Adua. I joined PF briefly at that time, but when it was not registered, most of us returned to our shells. So I later joined SDP. After SDP, there was military incursion again. It was during the SDP era that I became the Secretary to the Local Government. So during Abacha era, I was a Commissioner in the civil service. Left that place and became Commissioner for Agriculture and Water Resources. Then I became a Minister of State for Education. Then it was that time that Abacha formed five political parties and I joined UNCP. We were preparing for the congresses of the UNCP when Abacha died. So when Abacha died, I joined APP. I was the first Yewa person to get the party ticket to contest an election. I contested with Osoba and Jubrin Martins Kuye. It was after that scenario that Baba Obasanjo became President and being an Ogun State indigene and although his party was PDP, I felt we shouldn’t leave him alone but to give him all the necessary support. That was why I contested for the senate on the platform of the PDP. So I actually moved from APP to PDP through which I contested and won the senate seat beating my opponent with a wide margin. It was when I was to go for second term that trouble started and I went back to ANPP but I am now in APC. The present war against corruption has attracted severe criticisms from the opposition and some human rights activist that the war is selective? (cuts in) Well there is no way you can do it perfectly. If you are looking for a perfect way to get it done, we will not get it. Let us start it first and we will be perfecting it. if anyone of those people who are crying wolves outside. Let them write against anybody in government to the EFCC and let us see whether they will take it up or not. There was a revelation that a governor that left office 9 years ago, a two term senator was arraigned in court for money laundering. What is your take on this? Most Nigerians are corrupt. The Bible says blessed are those whose sins are covered. There are so many corruptive tendencies in the system. Take for example anyone who is a minister now, his entire family would feel they are lucky that the man should be stealing money to share to them on weekends and if he doesn’t do that, they start tagging him because they believe he must steal and as long as we don’t take this out of our politics we will get nowhere.

FEBRUARY 6, 2016

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

TALKING POLITICS

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‘Judiciary is my ‘Buhari is judiciary’s main headache’ main headache’ —President Muhammadu Buhari

— Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, lawyer and right activist

“O

n the fight against corruption vis-à-vis judiciary, Nigerians will be right to say that is my main headache for now. “If you reflect on what I went through for 12 years when I wanted to be the president, I attempted three times and on the fourth attempt through God and the use of technology, it was possible for Nigerians to elect an APC candidate as President. “In my first attempt in 2003, I ended up at the Supreme Court and for 13 months I was in court. “The second attempt in 2007, I was in court close to 20 months and in 2011, my third attempt. I was also in court for nine

“I months. “All these cases went up to the Supreme Court until the fourth time in 2015 when God agreed that I will be President of Nigeria.”

verily believe that the president might have been misquoted, but if he is quoted right, it has shown the president as someone with a different understanding of the components of a democratic government. “I sympathise with the president given his background as a military man. He may not understand the workings of a proper democracy. “In a democracy, especially like that of Nigeria, Sections 4,5 and 6 of the Consti-

‘Look beyond judiciary’ — NBA chairman, Mr Augustine Aleghe, SAN

“L

ooking at the judiciary alone will not solve the problem We must critically focus on investigation and our laws, as we cannot blame the judiciary in isolation. “Government must look at justice sector as a sector and when you are doing sectorial reform, there is the need to start from the laws. Are the laws up to date? Are they straight forward? “How are the cases being investigated? If there is a failure along the line, the court will be helpless and if the court is helpless, the trial is doomed to fail “Therefore, there is higher need to reform the laws, security and the prosecutorial agencies as looking at the

judiciary alone will never solve the problem. The entire judicial system requires reform.”

‘Buhari’s statement direct affront to judiciary’

—Uche Secondus, PDP Acting National Chairman

‘Buhari’s statement should be taken in context’ — Malachy Ugwumadu, constitutional lawyer

“Y

ou will recollect that the president had, at some time, insisted that he was not going to court again to reclaim his mandate after about four attempts that landed him at the Supreme Court. “However, such statements should be taken in context. This is with regards to the delay we are experiencing in the justice delivery system in Nigeria and the uncertainty of the law. “If the president throws his hands to high heavens complaining about his challenges and frustrations, where then does he expects ordinary Nigerians with little or no power to get the strength to carry on? “There are quite a number of judges that are upright and above board in this country. “These are judges that can hold their ground and dispense justice according to law. Awa Kalu SAN) “I also saw the headlines in the papers

on Monday, but the statement is not specific, so one does not know how to comment on it. “May be if the president comes out more specifically, we will know how to react. “It is not good to quote him out of context. So let us wait for him till he comes out plain, before we know what to say.”

tution create what is called separation of powers. In that regard, the president has no right to interfere in the workings of the judiciary by influencing their decisions or threatening or intimidating them. “What the judiciary needs is a total reform to upgrade the salaries and welfare of judges, to repair the courts, build more courts and carry out a total overhaul of the judiciary. “In fact, it is for the president to declare a state of emergence in the judiciary so that judges can be well paid for them to declare more dividends. “It seems to me that the president is just coming to the reality of all that we have been saying after his swearing. “This is to the effect that an anti-corruption war without reforming the judiciary amounts to a mere propaganda. “Until the judiciary is properly funded, the president cannot fight any war. “As it is in Nigeria now, it is the president who is the headache of the judiciary. He is the one intimidating them and not obeying court orders from courts. “It is the executive that is the headache to our democracy presently.”

“T

his statement coming from the President of a country was a direct affront on the statutorily guaranteed independence of the judiciary.

“More worrisome is the fact that a president of a country had to tie back already settled judgements of the Supreme Court, the highest court in the land, in cases involving him, as a benchmark of his assessment of the judiciary at the moment. “While we express worry at the attacks on the judicial arm of government, we are aware that they are intended to blackmail and stampede the judiciary to deliver judgements against the PDP in various pending cases involving our party and some of our leaders in the courts. “While we urge the judiciary to ensure that it adequately guards its flanks from all external influences, we also cautioned the executive to focus on governance while respecting the constitutional guaranteed principle of separation of powers by allowing the judiciary and the legislature, indeed all statutory arms of government to freely operate within the bounds provided by our laws.”

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FEBRUARY 6, 2016

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Demons in school

Stories of violence in schools were before now frequent in countries where weapons such as guns or knives are legalised and freely used. Though arms are used by few licensed to have it in Nigeria, illegal use of weapons such as guns, machetes and daggers to settle scores is gradually creeping into Nigerian secondary schools through students who are members of cult groups. Experts say youth violence is caused by negligence on the part of parents and government, writes JULIET UMEH

hen a Senior Secondary School 3 student of Gaskiya College, Ijora area of Lagos State, late Saheed Jimoh, left the home where he was living with his uncle, Mr. Shakiru Oluayo, at Adejiyan Street, Amukoko area, for school on the morning of Wednesday, November 4, 2015, he probably said ‘good bye,’ but little did he know the day would be so ‘bad’ that he would not make the usual return journey home. The life of the promising 19-yearold Jimoh, who was the school’s labour prefect, was allegedly taken by a junior, a Senior Secondary School 2 student in the same school, Saka Ahmed, aka Ejo (snake). Though there has never been any love lost between Jimoh and Ahmed, an

eye witness told said the punishment Jimoh gave Ahmed and some others the previous day for coming to school late was the bone of contention. Ahmed became so extremely angered by the punishment that he plotted an attack against Jimoh outside the school premises after the close of school same day in revenge for the humiliation he suffered in from him. However, he could not achieve his devilish aim that day; therefore he made sure he perfected a new strategy overnight that could result in the achievement of his cruel scheme. The following day, it was gathered, Ahmed, like a snake quietly and secretly lurked around behind a food canteen near the school and immediately he sighted his ‘enemy,’ Jimoh, approaching the school’s

Victim

main entrance, he quickly waylaid him and stabbed him in his chest with a knife. Though poor Jimoh fought against death with his youthful strength, he gave up the ghost shortly after he arrived at a private hospital where he was rushed to. Jimoh was fated to die maybe, because according to Mr. Oluayo, the deceased uncle, “My nephew had initially decided not to go to school on that fateful day, but changed his mind because he did not want to miss classes,” he sadly stated. At the centre of another pathetic story of violence in school is Oluwadamilare Olugbamu, a pupil of Nawarudeen Secondary School, Jibowu, Lagos. Unlike Jimoh, Olugbamu could be said to be lucky he still has his life after he had shave with death in the hands of a suspected cult member, a pupil from another school, on the morning of July 1, 2015. According to reports, the 16-yearold boy, Olugbamu, had left the compound of his school, at the close of school, when he was attacked with a knife by another 16-year-old boy suspected to be a cult member. The assailant, Idris Ajagbe, a pupil of Birel Secondary School, Lagos, stabbed him in the left thigh with a knife suspected to have been poisoned. Pitiable as the case was, insult was added to the injury, eleven days after the attack, when his left leg was amputated at the Lagos State University Teaching

Hospital, LASUTH, Ikeja, Lagos, because the report from medical doctors showed that blood no longer flowed through it. Olugbamu’s sorry story and struggles for survival continued, but his travails did not end. On August 15, the same leg had to be re-amputated because it continued to bleed without healing. Cultism in Nigerian educational institution started in Nigeria’s premier university, The University of Ibadan in 1954, when some young undergraduates because of some ills on campus among students and in the society formed Pyrates Confraternity (PC). Then it was non-violent, but humanistic organisation like fraternities in higher institutions in the western world. Among the objectives of cults then was protection of female students from harassment and attacks in magazines, but in recent times cultism has spread to secondary and primary schools with female students swelling their number, yet members are not noted for worthwhile programmes or peaceful presence but organised crimes. Saturday Mirror, in the course of investigation, discovered a catalogue of malignant actions by cult members in Nigerian secondary schools over two decades. In 1995, 22 students of Comprehensive High School Ayetoro, CONTINUED ON PAGE 16

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‘Teacher factor is critical’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 15

Ogun State, were arrested at a secret meeting. They, on interrogation, confessed to have joined the group under the supervision of tertiary school students purposely to enhance examination malpractice. In 1997, five students of Community Secondary School, Okomedo, Obiakpan Local Government Area of Rivers State, were arrested after an attempt to initiate a fellow student failed when he ran away after they had pierced his head and were licking blood from his skull. Also in the same year, 10 SSSI students of Mount Carmel Secondary School, Ikare Akoko, Ondo State, were expelled for belonging to a cult “Seven Stars Cult” while in November, an SSS111 student of western Boys’ High School, Benin City, Edo State, was stabbed to death by his colleagues who were cult members. Recently, an officer attached to Ogun State Police Command, confirmed the arrest of eight secondary school students of Remo Divisional High School, Kara, Sagamu, suspected to be cult members while performing an initiation rites. The suspects were said to be apprehended by police operatives attached to Sagamu Division with the help of members of the state Vigilante Service. According to the Ogun State Police Command Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, those in the net were suspected members of Black Scorpion Cult Group and were rounded up while they were initiating Ayoola Ahmed, a student of their school, in a nearby bush. The suspects, whose ages range between 15 to18 include: Sodik Suleiman (16), Seyin Okebiyi (15), Olaide Sodik (15), Dare Sodiya (16), Ogunfuwa Samson (17), Adegba Michael (18), Usman Adams (17) and Isa Suleiman (18). Moreover, the police foiled the initiation of 46 students of Mission Secondary School in I Izzi Local Government Area of Ebonyi State in July this year. Reports have it that the students, who had just concluded writing their Senior School Certificate Examination, were alleged members of a cult group identified as Junior Vikings. They were said to have gathered in a hotel in the metropolis located along old Enugu Road to be initiated into a senior group known as Senior Vikings when the police swooped in on them through preinformation. During the initiation, the police stormed the venue leading to the arrest of over 15 of the students while those billed to conduct the initiation escaped. According to the Police spokesperson in the state, Chris Anyanwu, “the initiators had dangerous items on them, but the police had mounted a man-hunt to arrest the fleeing suspects.” He explained that the ‘initiators,’ who were members of the Senior Vikings, mandated the graduating students who were dressed in white hats, red shirts and black trousers to be initiated into the senior team or face difficulties in their lives. These bizarre cases, generating wide reactions from well-meaning and worried Nigerians, have left a lot of questions than answers on cult groups in secondary schools because Nigerians believe that because of the ugly activities by cults in secondary school, pupils now

engage in dangerous activities outside learning, the aim of being a student. A parent, Mr. Daniel Akinpelu said: “The rate of secondary school students’ cult killing is alarming. Ejo acted truly to his nickname. He’s a future Agbero.” But while pundits continue to give the touchy subject noble reflections, many reasons have been adduced why cultism is practised in institutions of learning. These include grandstanding, revenge an insult, power show, thirst for blood, instrument of threat and attack by gangs that thrive in secrecy after crimes such as robbery, rape, election fraud, examination malpractice etc, but Emeritus Professor Muyiwa Awe once said “the basic reason is spiritual.” Little wonder, cults have practices akin

Nigerian school system. A social analyst, Mr. Godwin Illoh, believes institutional, cultural as well as social and family issues are some of the reasons why violence exists in schools and some pupils join cults. “It is not uncommon for kids to bully other kids in order to feel they have some power in this world. Institutional causes of bullying often come from a home environment or a school environment where the standards are not very high when it comes to how people treat each other. Social issues come into play within the subject of bullying because the kids doing it know that it will get them attention that they desperately crave. Since the world is a place where negative actions get more attention than positive, bullies are inspired to

what kind of teachers do we have. do we have teachers that are committed, motivated and satisfied on the job? do we have teachers who look forward to going to school to impact children? when you look at all these variables, the teacher factor is very critical to religion though strange: initiation, songs, hymns, doctrine, worship system, place of worship, altar, shrine, regalia, lingo, images, symbols hierarchy and responsibilities of members etc. “They have special handshakes as if they are members of secret societies; they initiate new members by incising their hands and drink each other’s blood for bonding and covenant-taking; sometimes these are done at cemeteries,” said Azuka Amamize, a sociologist. A psychology lecturer at the Lagos State University, Ojo, Lagos, Dr Mrs. Debora Adewuyi, said the killer of Jimoh is a suspected cult member. According to her, school violence wears many faces: gang activity, locker theft, bullying and intimidation, gun use, assault, just about anything that produces pain to a victim. Specifically, students these days verbally abuse one another physically, mentally or psychologically. Also the use of guns, knives and other dangerous weapons and other abuses – physical or psychological – are now more common than ever in

participate in these negative actions. Many times both scripted and reality TV shows make kids think that bullying is all right because they see negative behaviour and actions highlighted on these shows. In addition to TV shows, video games are often blamed by the parents of bullies as cause of their child’s actions in the first place,” he said. Equally expressing bitterness over the recurrent cases of cult activities in Nigerian secondary schools is Professor Ngozi Osarenren, of the Faculty of Education, University of Lagos. She said such issues tell the level of debasement in our society, noting that the last two decades had witnessed secret cult violence in higher institution in Nigeria which has had spilledover effect on the secondary schools and leaving in its trail, bloodletting and wanton waste of human lives. She however heaped the blame not only on parents but also on government because “As a people, we have lost it. we have failed to do the needful as parents.

we have also failed to do the needful as government. If all parents have been able to look after their children, teach them the right values, we won’t have the incidence of cultism in our secondary schools. “Secondly, some parents are bad role models because they are strong cult members. So it is like passing on the baton of a family tradition from parents to children, because as impressionable children, what they see or hear influences them. If my parents are doing it, then it is good, I have to do it they think. And if their parents are not doing it, their friends are doing it. Therefore the professor of educational foundation added: “Peer pressure, the strong feeling that a child has when he thinks he must do the same things as others of his age if he wants them to like him, is another factor that leads to cultism. At a very critical period in a child’s life, there is increased reliance on friends than family. And they long to belong to that which their friends belong. And they would do everything possible to be members of that clique.” However, Prof. Osarenren didn’t proffer any solution to this social problem but stressed: “we need to be sincere to ourselves. Many parents delude themselves that their children are bigger than them, but a child can never be bigger than his parents except the parents don’t want to say the truth. The only way out is for parents to start doing what is right,” she appealed. Nonetheless, for schools and teachers, she has a piece of advice: “In schools, the teachers, the principals should start focusing on school itself, not school as in quote. Most teachers that are supposed to be foster parents hardly play that role. we have to look at the school again; what kind of teachers do we have. Do we have teachers that are committed, motivated and satisfied on the job? Do we have teachers who look forward to going to school to impact children? when you look at all these variables, the teacher factor is very critical in ensuring that the incidence of cultism is reduced in our secondary schools. Corroborating the stance of the education lecturer is the Head of Department of Psychology, University of Lagos, Professor Ibinabo Agiobu-Kemmer, who sadly remarked that parents have abdicated their roles. In her words: “Parents are not checking or monitoring their children or don’t have time for their children as they should have. Some are delegating their responsibilities to others. Those who still want to keep the values are probably getting fewer and fewer. Also, in the house, if one adult wants to correct the child to maintain the value and what is right, another will be contradicting and saying “leave them alone, this is new world order, that is old school.” The children don’t need conflicting messages to develop morally. She however, re-emphasised the need for moral and religious values in homes. “we have to restore the family altar, restore prayer time, sit together to defend family and scriptural values. How do we correct children’s morals and values? we have to start from the home’’.

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c Fear is the single greatest PAGE

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ELEBRITY ELEBRIT ELEBRI TY

obstacle to success —Dayo Olomu

Dayo Olomu is one of Nigeria’s topmost celebrities. He’s a successful motivational speaker who’s known worldwide. He told OSEYIZA OOGBODO how he became the success he is and what people must do to succeed. You are a successful motivational speaker. What would you say hinders people from achieving their desired goals? Fear is the very natural and normal response to the challenges we face in life. Fear tells us that there is something we must be cautious about. It puts us on alert and tells us there is something we must be prepared for. We face so many fears in life: fear of change, fear of the unknown and fear of rejection, amongst others. But the single greatest obstacle to success in adult life is fear of failure. One of the best ways to conquer fear is to face it. If we face fears and worries, we ‘step up.’ But when we run away from it, we ‘step off ’ from the race of life. Action cures fear. You have to feel the fear and do it anyway. To conquer the fear of poverty I went into multiple disciplines to have multiple streams of income. To conquer fear of public speaking I joined Toastmasters. The things we want most are often the things we most fear to approach. Still often we have to feel the fear and do it anyway. What do you want to actually achieve yourself in life? I want to use my creativity and enthusiasm to make a positive difference in the world, to serve God, to transform lives and connect people to their destiny. I will also like to run a profitable business that would become a global brand in the personal development and business building industry. When I get to the end of my life, I want to know that my life counted for something, that long after I have left this world, somehow my impact lived on. I want to know that I have done all that I could to make this world a better place by positively enhancing the lives of those around me and helping thousands, if not millions, to become who they desire to be and achieve what they thought was impossible. I want to know that I gave everything my best shot. I want it to be on

record that I maximised my potential and stretched myself to the limit. Most importantly I want to know that I served God and that I was a good husband and father. Do you have any regrets whatsoever, maybe something you once did that you regret now? Based on the knowledge, skills, and information I have at my disposal now, there are some things that I would have done differently, but I do not have any regret in life. I believe that whatever happens to man in this world happens to him for his own good and my past does not equal my future. How do you intend to contribute to Nigeria’s growth? I intend to contribute through mentoring, coaching and training to help increase the level of human capital in the country, increase the number of business leaders and entrepreneurs, develop effective communicators and public speakers, help people to conquer fear, to stop procrastination, to believe in themselves and to take action so that they can become the person they are destined to be. What are your plans for the future? My long-term goal is to impact one billion people’s lives in a positive way by 2020. My vision is to become a leading global brand in the personal development and business building industry. My legacy is when I get to the end of my life I want to know that my life counted for something, that long after I have left this world, somehow my impact lived on. I want to know that I have done all that I could to make this world a better place. You run in marathons. How easy is it? It is not easy but when you are determined to achieve a goal you do not see anything except your target. I participate in the London Marathon. I enjoy

running because it is a stress reliever. It is a time to myself when I can get away, be on my own, solve problems and deal with anything and everything. I also enjoy mountain climbing, fire walking, board breaking, bar-bending, and other challenging stuff that have an element of fear in them. To use the words of Susan Jeffers, I like to ‘feel the fear and do it anyway.’

Is it true you and your wife support two of the greatest rivals in English football? If so, how does it affect your marriage? It does not affect our marriage because we are not football fanatics. The only difference is that her club has won more championships than mine. She supports Manchester United while I support Arsenal.

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with

Oseyiza Oogbodo 08036961187 kingseiza@gmail.com

Ruggedman revisits his controversial issue with 9ice

ome years back, Ruggedman had a very public problem with 9ice that led to people alleging that he slept with 9ice’s wife, Toni Payne. Now, after 9ice has reportedly admitted that it wasn’t true, Ruggedman has found it necessary again to revisit the issue by writing about it. His words are below. “In 2010 9ice released a song that made a lot of people wrongfully drag me into a terrible situation. People who misconstrued the song and it created a rumour; a terrible false rumour that was fueled by journalists and bloggers who were only after hits on their sites. Bloggers and journalists who did not care to investigate and confirm the rumour, but chose to print and post it anyways not caring who got hurt in the process. “I remember pleading my innocence and that of Toni Payne but social media people being who and how they are, chose not to listen. “I remember calling 9ice on the phone CIA style to talk to him about it and he was clearly heard admitting the song was not about myself or Toni Payne, but social media people being who and how they are, chose not to listen. “I remember asking 9ice to publicly

Ruggedman

9ice

clear the air on the terrible rumour, but was shocked when my friend said he would not because he was busy and didn’t have time for such. Again nobody wondered why. “Fast forward 2016. Six years later and

I was surprised when I heard that 9ice has finally come out to say I never slept with his wife and the song was not about me and even apologised on top. That he has finally come out to say the truth about the

issue that cast a negative shadow over my head and that of his ex-wife for six years. “All I can do is smile because I know me better than anybody out there who insulted me over the matter. I said it then and I say it now; Michael Ugochukwu Stephens will never sleep with his friends’ wife. “Families and husbands you can now relax. Your daughters and wives are safe around me hahahahaha!! “To 9ice, bro you left it a bit too late. You had your chance to clear this matter up 6 years ago when it really mattered but you did not take it. I do not know why and exactly what it was that made you keep quiet all that while. I did my best to clear my name without you and moved have moved on since. “Anyways I accept your apology and thank God we are all alive. “To bloggers and journalists: You will be who and how you are, but the best and most successful ones amongst you will be the ones who actually get professional about with their work and try to investigate stories before putting it out there. I really hope you all realise it’s not all about the hits. Do not lose your humanity all because you want to be the first to break news.”

Seyi Shay to headline Zaina drops Pana video Tanzania concert P romising singer, Zaina, has finally dropped the video of her promising song, Pana, which was released last year and has been steadily gaining ground.

Tekno

Shay

uperstar Seyi Shay has announced that she will be headlining a concert in Tanzania later this month. The Pepsi ambassador has recently spoken in series of interviews about her intention to go on tour round Africa to promote her recently released album, Seyi or Shay, and the trip to Tanzania

would mark the beginning of her tour around Africa. The Muzika Festival will take place in Mwanza and will feature stars in Tanzania and beyond, and superstars Seyi Shay and Tekno have been confirmed as headliners for the concert put together by STR8 UP ViBES.

Acclaimed dancer, Kaffy, also appeared in the video which is set to make Pana become even bigger. Before Pana, Zaina had released notable songs like Lo Lo La and Totally Yours featuring Wayne Wonder. Now that she’s kicked off 2016 with the smoking hot Pana video, will this be her year? Just watch out for her.

Zaina

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FEBRUARY 6, 2016

Efe Omorogbe lashes Blackface I

t’s no longer news that former Plantashun Boiz member, Blackface, has accused 2face, his former bandmate, of copyright theft on the song, Let Somebody Love You, as recorded by 2face. Now, Efe Omorogbe, 2face’s manager, has reacted to the issue, and he did so with a strongly worded missile. “When my attention was drawn to Blackface’s Twitter rant about the ‘theft’ of his songs by his ex-bandmate, 2Baba, my initial reaction was to ignore what I perceived as an obvious marketing gimmick for his new single. The reaction from a vast majority of people on social media who read about the allegations was evidence that the ploy had backfired. “Blackface’s press interviews since the Twitter rant have however made it necessary for me to present the flip side and set the records straight. “1. 2Baba and Blackface do have a bunch of songs they co-wrote in their days as Plantashun Boiz. “2. Both artistes have collectively and individually recorded and commercially released materials from this collection. “3. 2Baba has always given Blackface (Austin Ahmedu) co-writing credit every time he recorded any song that has Blackface’s input – No matter how minimal. “4. Blackface has neither given 2Baba (Innocent Idibia) co-writing credit nor sought ‘permission’ to record any of the materials they jointly authored. “5. Blackface has earned royalties off his shared publishing rights for about a decade. “6. A huge chunk of income he has made derives from royalties earned by the commercial exploitation of the successesful materials performed/recorded by 2Baba. “7. 2Baba did not and couldn’t have stolen Let Somebody Love You from Blackface. The song was released about 2 years ago. Blackface complained about

CLASSICAL LYRICS

Obimo

Artist: Kayswitch Intro Hey! I’m D’banj Say na Kayswtich

Obodo oyinbo oh oh oh Chorus Kanyi na tana Toba turkey Oga bar tender Where the Hennessy? Because today I want to jolly She dey make me feel like to spend my money Chukwu gozie mbasi furugi Ha … obimo Ine memo bi gim gim gim Ha … obimo From January to December sosogi Ha … obi mo After our wedding obodo oyinbo Ha ... straight ... obi mo Verse 1 Ha Baby come make we chill This loving is for real You and I Only you and I Ayigewewulu wewe kwegima Cause a man that findeth a wife

Blackface

Omorogbe

his name being misspelt on the CD sleeve and we personally apologised to him. “8. Yes. Blackface contributed to the writing of the first verse of the song. The second verse was entirely 2Baba. Bridget Kelly wrote her verse and Efe Omorogbe wrote the outro verse. “9. Efe Omorogbe is not 2Baba’s manager on Let Somebody Love You but a co-writer. “10. The outro verse was lifted from the song How? written in 1997 and recorded in 1999 at Dolphin Studios, Surulere. Blackface didn’t write that bit. Couldn’t have written that bit. Blackface cannot in 2016, touch Efe Omorogbe’s writing from 1997. “11. Blackface should be honoured to have shared co-writing credit with 2Baba. I am. For each and every song we have collaborated on. “12. Blackface should be grateful 2Baba

recorded their co-authored materials to ensure a lifetime of royalty income for him. “13. Blackface should record and release his own version of Let Somebody Love You and keep 100% publishing on that version. Oops! 2Baba will still be entitled to a share. “14. Blackface is not in 2Baba’s league as a songwriter. Their post-Plantashun Boiz’ catalogues speak for themselves. “15. Blackface should go to court to seek redress if he indeed believes he has a case. “16. Blackface should know that nobody ever secured a court judgement via a twitter rant or media tour. “17. Blackface must have realised by now that the unfortunate tirade has not made Killa a hit. At least, not at the moment. We grind our way to the results we seek bro. Just HARD work. No short cuts!”

Who gave you that, demands KC Pozzy

Pozzy

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orn and raised in Lagos, Nigeria, KC Pozzy has a very different story, compared to many of his peers in the African music landscape. Abandoned at the tender age of 10, he was forced to fend for himself on the streets of Lagos, where he learned how to do life the hardest way, with perseverance and passion for music enabling him to sing his way out of the projects. His tenacity and passion for music eventually landed him in the United Kingdom, where he continues to hone his craft and further establish his artistry. Europe provided him with a diverse cultural landscape, which fuelled his creativity and love for diversity in music, and with the help of producers Rymez and Ayo Beatz, he released his debut single Mi Girlo last year to rave reviews.

Pozzy announces his intentions for 2016 with the release of his brand new single Who Gave You That produced by Ayo Beatz, accompanied by a music video, and a 7-track EP of the same name, released via Pozzy’s own record label, Motive Entertainment. Shot on location in Leeds and London, the Who Gave You That video shows Pozzy in his performance element in a carefree atmosphere. Also, anticipate more visual releases from Pozzy from his new EP, including the soon to be released I Got The Car Keys featuring Ms. Banks. About his plans for 2016, he declares: “I just want to contribute to the great African music landscape, as music makes a fundamental part of who I am. I want to be able to share that with you.”

Has found a very good thing Wa yoma So hold my hands Oya make we dance As we dey celebrate in advance I don turn your number one fan So hold my hands Oya make we dance As we dey celebrate in advance I don turn your number one fan Chorus Verse 2 My baby make you no dey wait No chere kambia Let us celebrate This love wey we dey share My darling dance anyhow you want to Today na your day Me i go dance very well Cuz you don make my day Ebi ebi ru le ebi ebi You will be my baby Ebi ebi ru le ebi ebi You will be my lady Ebi ebi ru le ebi ebi You will be my … Chorus Outro Chukwu gozie mbasi furugi Ha … obimo Ine memo bi gim gim gim Ha … obimo From January to December sosogi Ha … obimo After our wedding obodo oyinbo Ha … straight ... obimo

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FEBRUARY 6, 2016

MI goes into partnership with Mo Abudu

hocolate City and EbonyLife TV have announce a strategic partnership called Chocolate City Unsigned, a genuine homegrown reality TV show created to search for the next Africa’s next biggest music star, spearheaded by Chocolate City, one of Africa’s biggest indigenous record labels, and EbonyLife TV, Africa’s first global black entertainment and lifestyle network and production powerhouse. This project was announced at a press conference which held recently and which had in attendance the Executive Chairman and CEO of EbonyLife TV, Mo Abudu; President of Chocolate City Group, Audu Makori; CEO of Chocolate City, Jude Abaga (MI), as well as Victoria Kimani, and other key Chocolate City talents. Chocolate City Unsigned is set to be the first ever indigenous pan-African talent hunt show created with the sole aim of discovering, developing and supporting fresh artistes, giving them a platform to showcase their skills, launching them into a professional career of instant music sensation, stardom and celebrity status. The EbonyLife TV and Chocolate City partnership recognizes Africa as home to the highest concentration of a rapidly growing, vibrant and young class of people who have an amazing penchant for the most passionate and most fervent music culture in the world; a rising creative generation to watch and the next wave of stars poised to take the African music industry by storm. In view of this, Chocolate City Unsigned is a great opportunity for brands that not only wish to gain a foothold with Africa’s teeming new audiences, but who also understand just how important music is to these young target demographic, and who therefore wish to form stronger connections with them while introducing their brands to them through the new and innovative music talent hunt property. Sponsors for the show will be unveiled by the end of March, 2016. Registration for the Chocolate City Unsigned competition will be opened to all interested participants across Africa on March 21, 2016 while the competition proper is billed to commence in Lagos, Nigeria, in May 2016. Chocolate City Unsigned will be televised on EbonyLife TV and other select TV channels. According to Maikori, “Chocolate City Unsigned” is set to bring in something that no music reality TV has ever had — artist discovery, developments and support from a team that has done so with some of Nigerians biggest artists. The competition

is the first indigenous music reality Television show in Nigeria to discover new talents across the African landscape.” For Abudu, “Africa is brimming with thousands of yet-to-be-discovered singing talents and this partnership of globally recognized brands, EbonyLife TV and Chocolate City, through Chocolate City Unsigned, is poised to create a truly indigenous platform that guarantees youths jobs for life from a record label that understands the African music scene more

Abudu

than anyone else; one that knows how to create stars and make them relevant to the African market. We are greatly excited about this platform, not only for the African youth, but also for brands that appreciate the power of an amazing music property to connect with the drivers of arguably the most vital segment of the economy.” For CEO of Chocolate City, MI, “In summary, Chocolate City Unsigned is about creating stars. I’m a living proof of

this exciting reality and I and the team are now ready to take others on this amazing journey to stardom. Chocolate City have the recipe for making music stars and EbonyLife TV have the recipe for making TV stars. It’s a partnership like none other. We both create stars because we understand the local nuances of making stars. We find raw talent from nowhere and take them right to the top. Chocolate City Unsigned will do nothing less.”

Omoni Oboli flies higher with new movie

fter impressive cinema showings with her past movies, Being Mrs Elliot and The First Lady, Nollywood actress and director, Omoni Oboli, will be taking her third movie as an executive producer, Wives On Strike, to the cinema. The movie, Wives On Strike, which will be in cinemas from April 8, features a blend of Nollywood talents, such as Uche Jombo, Chioma Akpotha, Ufuoma Mcdermott, Kehinde Bankole, Kalu Ikeagwu, Julius Agwu, Kenneth Okonkwo and many others. Wivwes On Strike, a hilarious comedy about a group of market women who decided to take matters into their own hands against their husbands in a bid to stir them into standing up for a young girl whom they wanted to protect from the wishes of her own father. The women, who hilariously interpret their roles, set a series of events in motion to give the movie many moments of laughter without missing a beat on the reason for everyone to know why they are on strike.

Wives On Strike poster

EVENTS

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FEBRUARY 6, 2016

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Juliet Ibrahim, Segun Arinze, other celebrities storm Butterscotch Evenings

Butterscotch Evenings held last Saturday with American singer Brian McKnight as the headliner. He was supported by Omawumi, Styl-Plus and other Nigerian artists. The stars did their best to thrill the audience that was made up of many celebrities, Juliet Ibrahim and Segun Arinze included.

Azuka Ogujuiba

Brian McKnight

Jeffrey Daniel

Pamela Leesi

Styl-Plus

Juliet Ibrahim

Nikki Laoye

Omawumi

Segun Arinze

Vixen

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le StyGlam and

with Yemisi Adeniran

(08037801158) ydiran@yahoo.com

Rare mix FEBRUARY 6, 2016

from

very woman desires the outstanding look. So, she will always go the extra mile to pick her wears, in terms of the choice of fabric, other details including the accessories.

For now, getting your fabric stylishly picked is another way of standing out and up in the crowd. You really donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have to buy two different fabrics this time around, jjust go the way of Lanre Da Silvaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s special collection and get a ready-made wear. Simply tagged rare mix, LDA as she is popularly called takes your passion for exploration and intrigues as a fashion freak to a higher level. Just look and make your choice.

Style & Glam

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Style & Glam

FEBRUARY 6, 2016

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Fashion f

How to flatte

deal, life is fun when dram t you are bigger? It’s no big tha es tim at ls fee and slim re you are ways to achieve this. fabrics of your choice. Here and urs colo in pe sha r you flatter est ally when trying to crea pieces are going to be your bigg red uctu Str es: piec e ctur Try stru do most of the work fo them out. Buy clothes that will fill to pe sha r you on rely ’t don ne your shape. A jacket w and that they jackets. Make sure they help defi ing buy n whe rule e sam the and hips. Use create a shape. out your figure by strategic to go too overboard, you can fill t wan ’t don you ile Wh : mes give yourself hips you did Speak in volu ll tiers, you’ll create volume and sma l era sev with t skir a or t voluminous skir ts of your body appear bigg attract attention and make par to g goin are urs colo ter Ligh er (within reason) and he Lighten up: These will help your legs look wid s. jean nd frie boy or ut t-c boo distressing on the hips w go for wide, hs will make them look fuller and thig on sing res Dist me. fra r ed and fill out your thin f help fill out you make your look more sophisticat to way y eas lly rea a are ers Layer it: Lay ing for. So, don’t be afra the hourglass figure you’re look you give help will er blaz d ure a more formal event, the a well-struct for business wear or clothing for ing look ’re you If es: styl ine are more gradual than Invest in A-l es out at the hem. Some A-lines flar tly gen n the and t wais r you out your shoulders. narrower at to your bottom half to balance th wid ing add by you nce bala A-lines will help

Fashion f

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FEBRUARY 6, 2016

frenzy

Style & Glam

PAGE

er your slim frame

g off you and helps clothing that doesn’t just han matic. All you need do is find pe to them e sure that your pieces have sha ate an appealing, sexy figure. Mak your bust from t at the waist, to define your wais or you. Buy shirts with darting trying to in way long waist and flared hem will go a with an enhanced bust, darted . By wearing a a to do this to is your bottom half cally adding volume. The best are dn’t know you had! s and slacks and . Look for lighter washes of jean ger or wider than they really are sed washes can res dist ’re looking for. Also, strategic elp you get the proportions you and make them look wider. will help draw attention to them A thin T-shirt and overboard and bulk up too much. frame. Just be sure not to go looks. aid to experiment with layering skirt starts skirt. As the name implies, the ine A-l an in st inve en be sure to style you choose, t looks best on you. Whatever others, so experiment to see wha

frenzy

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FEBRUARY 6, 2016

SOCIETY Mirror

Actor Yemi Shodimu turns palmwine seller T

o many people, Yemi Shodimu is a talented thespian, a producer, a singer, a dancer, a radio and television presenter as well as a compere. But only a few are in the know that the Dramatic Arts graduate from the Obafemi Awolowo University in Ife, Osun State and a Master’s degree holder in Mass Communication from the University of Lagos, is a palm wine producer.

For the past five years, Yemi has been bottling palm wine under the name ‘Emu Shobam.’ The factory is currently situated in his hometown in Abeokuta, and according to him ‘the journey has been so interesting.” Speaking on the capacity of the factory, Yemi told Society Mirror in a chat that the business is lucrative and he’s thinking of expanding. “The business is interesting and I

Fernadez house in disarray over inheritance

Worries over Titi Atiku’s health

with Deola Adeoti. Tel: 07055695565, mofat07@yahoo.com

can tell you that even our output now is not meeting the demands. It’s that interesting.” However, Yemi said the bane of the business is funding as he’s struggling to expand the business. “The problem I’m facing is finance, but we would keep working on it. In the process of expansion, we need it.” Married to Tolu, Yemi would be remembered for his dazzling role in Oleku where he played Ajani.

o one fights dirtier or more brutally than blood; only family knows its own weaknesses, the exact placement of the heart. No doubt, this sentiment has proved to be true in many cases and even now. As you read, the family of late billionaire, Deinde Fernadez is in disarray barely six months after his death. Following his demise, family of the world renowned billionaire has figuratively taken up arms to prosecute one another over the late billionaire’s estate. No sooner did Fernandez die that his wife, Halima, his children and extended family members engaged each other in a bloody battle for control of his estate.

ne of the scariest moments in life is when someone close to us is taken to the hospital for treatment. At this moment, we are terrified for the fear of the unknown. And this was exactly what happened few days ago when news swirled around that Titi Atiku, the wife of former Vice President; Atiku Abubakar was flown abroad for treatment after her health suffered a decline. According to sources, the Ilesa, Osun State born society matriarch had been battling with a leg ailment for quite some time now. The situation, however, became unbearable towards the end of last year and she had to seek medical attention

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abroad. Inside sources disclosed that her husband, Atiku Abubakar, initially did not want to have anything to do with the treatment due to some family feud. However when the couple’s first child, who happens to be the Commissioner of Health back home in Adamawa State intervened, he had to budge and gave all the necessary logistic support to ensure that his first wife got adequate treatment in India where she was flown to. The family has in recent times had its own share of upheavals as Titi is said not to have been on good terms with her husband over some family issues.

Sources revealed that several factions have emerged in the ensuing brouhaha that has Halima, his widow, battling his older children on one hand, and the extended family members on the other. Immediately after he died, it was said that Halima took charge of his properties within her grasp, while the other family members took possession of parts of his estate within their reach. According to an insider, it has become a case of survival of the fittest as everyone is fighting the other for what they can hold on to until his will is made public. Few days back, the battle became so intense that both Abimbola, one of the deceased’s daughters and her step moth-

er, Halima started exchanging words on social media. Bimbola was said to have told her step mum that she’s ‘not legally married to her father and hence she should go back to Kano and be with her family.” Earlier in her tweet, Bim had also argued that Halima buried her father against his wish as Fernandez wanted to be buried in Kano. “Didn’t dad tell you he wanted to be buried back home? Why didn’t you invite his children to his funeral? Why are you legally battling his heirs.” In response to her comment, Halima reacted, “still mourning my husband, but seems like I can’t catch a break from decedents of houseniggers fake royaltys.”

Day Pastor Sam Adeyemi would never forget as he clocks 49

oft-spoken pastor and founder of Daystar Christian Centre, Samuel Adesanya Adeyemi, fondly called Pastor Sam, clocked 49 years old on Wednesday February 3, 2016 and the society did well to heap praises on the success coach. No doubt, Pastor Sam has carved a niche for himself through his growing ministry and popular TV programme, Success Power. And with his success in the vineyard of the Lord and impactful teachings on success, many may simply assume that he had it all smooth from the beginning. But the reverse is the case. He actually had a rough start just like many starters. While he was still struggling with poverty, one of those moments we learnt he would never forget in hurry was a day his church members were sent out of their worship place all because there was no money to pay the rent. The Kogi State born pastor who graduated from Kwara State Polytechnic with Higher National Diploma in Civil Engineering was said to have appealed to the manager in charge of the hall to exercise patience with him while

he promised to pay at the end of that day. But in between his sermon, the manager reneged on the agreement as he was bent on collecting his money. Rather than take offerings at the end of the service, he was said to have collected offerings in the middle of the service and given the manager his money. We were told Pastor Sam still remembers those days and whenever he reflects on this past, he praises the Lord the more for the positive transformation that He has brought to his ministry.

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Fashion

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FEBRUARY 6, 2016

Guest G

‘Can’t stand arrogant people’

As far as Benita Oghuekim is concerned, no mountain is too high to climb. “Success comes easy with determination,” she told YEMISI ADENIRAN in this interview.

Metabolism boosters (II)

Boosting metabolism is the holy grail of weight watchers everywhere, but how fast your body burns calories depends on several things. Some people inherit a speedy metabolism. Men tend to burn more calories than women, even while resting. And for most people, metabolism slows steadily after age 40. Although you can’t control your age, gender, or genetics, there are other ways to improve your metabolism. Here are 10 of them.

Continued from last week.

What attracted you to modelling? Well, I may not be able to say exactly now, all I can say is that I have always love to showcase myself since I was a child. I remember my mum always shouting at me, criticising the long hours I used to spend in front of the mirror. I would leave the front of the mirror but I was always going back. I always wanted to decide the best way to smile, talk, pose and walk. I think that was how I got the idea of modelling, although I did not know what it was all about. But my mum and others knew. They would laugh at me and say I did not like to do any strenuous work other to be posing around. Later on, I started seeing models on Television and I fell in love with the career. Do you want to make a career out of modelling? If God says so. I see modelling as an hobby. Yes, an hobby for now because I still must get my degree before any other thing. How supportive are your parents of this choice of yours? I am enjoying their support and I guess I will continue to if I will also keep my

side of the bargain, which is not to allow it intercept my education. What does fashion mean to you? It is a trend, a way of wearing what suits you at a point in time. For me, I wear in anything beautiful but simple. I’m a simple girl and I love to show that all the time. What’s your turn-on? Humble people and people that are good, what they do honestly without being fake. Turn off ? Arrogant people, I hate them with a passion. For how long have you been modelling and how has it been? I have been modelling for a couple of years now, like some five years now and I tell you, it has not been so rosy but it has been quite exciting and rewarding. The thrills and all the attention are just enough to pay for all the pains. And as far as I know, there is no pain without gain. All those people up there will always tell you of the different prices they have paid before getting there. So, I’m not going to see whatever hitch I have experienced as a deterrent but as a stepping stone to the success I desire.

Spice up your meals Spicy foods have natural chemicals that can kick your metabolism into a higher gear. Cooking foods with a tablespoon of chopped red or green chili pepper can boost your metabolic rate. The effect is probably temporary, but if you eat spicy foods often, the benefits may add up. For a quick boost, spice up pasta dishes, chili, and stews with red pepper flakes. Power up with protein Your body burns many more calories digesting protein than it does eating fat or carbohydrates. As part of a balanced diet, replacing some carbs with lean, protein-rich foods can boost metabolism at mealtime. Good sources of protein include lean beef, turkey, fish, white meat chicken, nuts, beans, eggs, and lowfat dairy products. Sip some black coffee If you’re a coffee drinker, you probably enjoy the energy and concentration perks. Taken in moderation, one of coffee’s benefits may be

a short-term rise in your metabolic rate. Caffeine can help you feel less tired and even increase your endurance while you exercise. Recharge with green tea Drinking green tea or oolong tea offers the combined benefits of caffeine and catechins, substances shown to rev up the metabolism for a couple of hours. Research suggests that drinking 2 to 4 cups of either tea may push the body to burn 17% more calories during moderately intense exercise for a short time. Avoid crash diets Crash diets -- those involving eating fewer than 1,200 (if you’re a woman) or 1,800 (if you’re a man) calories a day -- are bad for anyone hoping to quicken their metabolism. Although these diets may help you drop pounds, that comes at the expense of good nutrition. Plus, it backfires, since you can lose muscle, which in turn slows your metabolism. The final result is your body burns fewer calories and gains weight faster than before the diet.

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FEBRUARY 6, 2016

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WOMAN ‘It’s time to make slim girls desire some flesh’ Temi Aboderin Owoyemi has been thriving in the fashion business that caters for the big and curvy girls for some years now. She spoke with YEMISI ADENIRAN in this interview of her exploits so far. How would you describe business now that we have more people coming into the fashion for the bold in recent times? I am glad to say it is a development that is good for the business. I have been encouraged by the fact that more people are now in the business. It is an indication that we are making a great deal of impacts on the society. It shows we are doing well and it is keeping us on our toes because we are the ne leading and we don’t want to trade that position for anything. You will agree with me that competition is always good for

business. It has made us better. Not so many business men and women view competition this way. Don’t you think it’s a dangerous development? I see no danger in it. I am not threatened at all. If we are not doing something good, no one would have had any need to toe our line. We are set out to set a good pace and we will not frown at anyone trying to toe our line. They can only help us to get more creative, we are the original. Has this not reduced your clientele list?

Not at all. Instead, it has increased their number. We have them from all the classes, the high, the medium and the low. Anyone with a penchant for perfection is just a good client because we are very affordable. How would you define your style? I am a boho chic with a little bit edgy and rock thrown here and there. What do you see style generally? It is anything that comes naturally; it is not what you can acquire. You can build your style but you

can’t acquire it. If it does not come naturally, you will always be needing people to tell you what to wear and when to wear it at any given time. This is why it is good for every stylish woman to have a style consultant to dress tem up. When you don’t naturally have style in you, you use such professionals. This is what we combine with our work at JPKingdom. We get close to our clients and dress them up according to their taste and personalities. With a style consultant at your beck and call, you will not need to worry your pretty head about your appearance.

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He or she does it all for you. Celebrities do this abroad, I see no reason why we can’t do it here in Nigeria. What exactly does JPKingdom stands for? The ‘J’ stands for James, my late father’s name, ‘P’ for Princess, his favourite name for me and all his female children and ‘k’ for Kingdom which is my world of business. What are other things you do? We go into seminars, teachings to make the plus-sized feel good about themselves. We give them handouts talking about how they can take a good care of themselves, know that they are God’s creatures and how they should dress their shapes well to impress themselves and to stand confidently in any crowd. What are the main things that has helped your business this far? Without having to sound religious, I will say my number one help has been God. From my own personal perspective, I will say I am a very focused person like I have said before. I do not believe in mediocrity. Whatever I need to do, I do it well. Perseverance is another factor that is working for me. How would you describe the fashion industry in Nigeria? I will say the fashion industry has grown of age. There are more people involved, more stylish people out there which is creating rooms for creativity and lots of healthy competition in the industry. The fashion industry in Nigeria has risen even to the international level such that our Ankara, an indigenous fabric has become so popular even abroad. The industry is doing well and I believe the sky is really the starting point for all players. What advice do you have for young women out there who look up to you for inspiration? They should be focused. They should take their time to discover their calling in life and invest all into it. When I say invest all, I mean they should give their time, person and finances into it. They should not be copycats, they should be original and encourage their God-giving talents. They must be hard working and be ready to face challenges. They must be conscious of the fact that nothing good comes easy. How fulfilled are you and what plan do you have for your line this year? I feel good and very fulfilled in this line of business. Anytime I come around this office, I feel happy especially after the restructuring and the move of things right now. I plan taking this business of mine to greater levels this year and the years coming. I am set out to make curvy girls the envy of other girls who are not curvy. JPKingdom will come up with several designs that will make slim girls go green with envy. We will make them want to add up to their shape the way they have made curvy girls go on diet to shed off their weight. It is time for

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FEBRUARY 6, 2016

The era of feeling bad for being on The bigger side is

long gone.

Women

should be proud of Their shape and exploiT iT

To The maximum.

They should noT

Keeping ABREAST

Islamic scholars warn against Hijab ban

see Themselves as inferior To slim

Women. in facT, They should realise Their gifT and shoWcase iT in a Way ThaT Will inTimidaTe slim girls and make Them crave for more flesh curvy girls to flaunt their God-given blessing after all, Nigerian men love bi girls. We are set to make curvy girls look sexier than slim ones. Do you have a special advice for curvy girls? Well, like have always said, the era of feeling bad for being on the bigger side is long gone. They should therefore be proud of their shape and exploit it to the maximum. They should not see themselves as inferior to slim girls, in fact they should realise their gift and showcase it in a way that will intimidate the slim girls and make them crave for more flesh. They should however learn not to showcase their flaws but their assets. This, they should do in their choices of dresses, styles and other accessories. They should avoid copying just any style in vogue instead they should pick the one that fits and flatter their figures. That way, they will dominate their world and make heads turn around whenever they move around. How do you combine this work with your home as a mother? I am coping well and God is helping me. Like I have said sometimes before, the phase of motherhood was one that propelled me into having this business in the first place. I was working as a project manager before but when I became pregnant, it became very important that I pull out to be able to take care of the home front. As an entrepreneur, I am in control of my time and I used my discretion to do what I have to do at a particular time. It is the best thing for every married woman who wants to enjoy her marriage. The challenge of having to work for people is always enormous and it usually takes its toll on one’s health and home.

Olowu of Owu, Oba Muhammad Qozeem Rohji Adekunle Okikiola Ilufemiloye, flanked by his wives in full hijab at a public function recently

s Muslims in Nigeria join other countries to mark World Hijab Day earlier this week, stakeholders have tasked Muslim women to see wearing of hijab as an act of faith and obedience to their Creator. This was the submission at a oneday public lecture organised by Bodija Muslim Youth Forum at the Islamic Centre in Ibadan on the topic: “Hijab: Why the Controversy”. Contributing to the topic, Prof. Kamil Oloso, Head of Department, Arabic and Islamic Studies, University of Ibadan, said hijab wearing was an injunction from Allah as contained in the Holy books of both Muslims and Christians. Mr. Oloso, who doubles as the Chairman, Board of Religious Affairs (BORA) of Bodija Estates and Environs Muslim Community (BEEMC), said it was surprising for anybody or institution to be antagonising or legislating against divine commandment. The Islamic scholar said it was ignorance on the part of those criticising the wearing of hijab as it does not in any way diminish the status of those wearing it. Having listed major advantages of wearing the hijab, Mr. Oloso encouraged Muslim girls and women wearing it not to despair or be intimidated as they are protected under both the divine law and Nigerian constitution. “Hijab is an injunction from Allah. It does not diminish your intellect, instead, it enhances your beauty and dignify you as a Muslim woman,’’ Mr. Oloso said. Earlier, an Ibadan-based islamic scholar, Abdulhakeem Ishola, who was the guest lecturer at the occasion, traced the origin and types of hijab, saying it is a dress code prescribed for female Muslims who have reached pu-

berty. Mr. Ishola, who quoted various portions of the Qur’an and Hadith to justify his position, said hijab was a commandment from Allah and that wearing it was an act of obedience to His commands. He said wearing of hijab, like any other commandments of Allah, brings the wearer closer to her Creator and give her a sense of satisfaction and contentment. While frowning against the call for ban on hijab for security reasons in Nigeria, Mr. Ishola said hijab “promotes modesty, decency and seeks to minimise immorality within the society.” He, therefore, said banning hijab under any guise in Nigeria would be tantamount to denying Muslim women of their God-given fundamental human rights as “it is part of our religion and symbol’’. According to him, Muslim women followed the example of righteous women in the past such as Mary, the mother of Jesus, as evidenced in 1 Corinthians 11:36 and 1 Timothy 2: 9-10. He appealed to Muslim women not to shy away from Allah’s commandment as hijab enables them to have confidence in themselves and increases their self- esteem. Mr. Ishola added that hijab is an “act of liberation, purity and most importantly, belief. Respect for women is an important aspect of Islamic teachings, and this is illustrated through the use of hijab.” Earlier, the chairman of the Forum, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, said the lecture was to sensitise members of the public on the importance of hijab globally and correct the erroneous perception of those wearing it. Mr. Balogun, therefore, urged Muslim women to continue to wear their hijab without fear and abide by the rules guiding it.

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FEBRUARY 6, 2016

Parenting

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Children are like wet cement. Whatever falls on them makes an impression

Dealing with the withdrawn Tiny Feet child

ormally, lack of confidence and low self esteem always form during childhood. It is the crucial time that the concept and views of “self ” are forming. Therefore, parents should detect the sign and address the issue early. Low self esteem is a form of thinking disorder in which the child views and considers himself as lousy, inadequate, unworthy, unlovable, incompetent. The major key is to help the children to change their views of themselves and subsequently encourage them to change their thinking and attitude or behaviour in order to break the vicious cycle. Most importantly, the parents need to help the children to improve their emotional intelligence to deal with negative feelings and learn to communicate withpeople. Teach your child to

solve problems and make decision: High self-esteem and emotional resilience are founded on the belief t hat we have control over our lives. If your child is to develop this sense of control; they must learn problem solving and decision making skills early in life. It is impossible for a child who lacks these skills to feel in control.

Help them to learn from, rather than be defeated by mistakes All children and most adults are concerned about making mistakes and looking foolish. Children with high self esteem can view mistakes as learning experiences, while children with low self esteem view mistakes as things they cannot change, that is why they quit or avoid task. To raise resilient children, it is essential to encourage a positive attitude towards mistakes. Teach your child to handle their emotions: Parents tend to avoid teaching children how to

ParentingUpdate

he Senator representing Kaduna Central, Shehu Sani, has promised to foot any foreign medical bill of a three-year-old boy whose two eyes were gouged by yet to be identified persons in Zaria. Mr. Sani stated this during his visit to the boy at Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria, on Sunday. While sympathising with the boy and his family, Mr. Sani said: “I will foot the innocent boy’s medical bill in any country recommended by the hospital.”

The governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, had also given the boy’s parents some money and promised that the boy’s education up to the university will be taken care of by the Kaduna State Government. There had been rumours about the amount given by the governor. But the boy’s father clarified how much he got. “What Bashir Ibrahim Dabo, Special Assistant to Governor El-Rufai, who came on behalf of the governor to the hospital gave me in addition to the N150,000 cash, was $100 cash,

handle difficult emotions, but by teaching them this will result in growing compassionate children and later grow into compassionate adults. Explain to them that there will be times when they may feel as if no one likes them or they can do nothing and sometimes everyone may feel as if others do not like them; when they feel this way it is the time to find someone to talk to. Communicate with your child and teach them how to express their emotion: Make the child feel that the parents are always willing and available when they are ready to discuss their issues. Parents can help the child by teaching them vocabulary of emotions, making it easier for them to express their own emotions. It is not easy for a child, even adult to directly speak about and state their own feelings since it is human nature to over complicate how we feel and blame another person for stirring up their emotion.

NAME: Hameedat Eniayo Ajayi BORN TO: Mr. and Mrs Hameed Ajayi AGE: 3 weeks BIRTH WEIGHT: 3.9 kg Have you just had a baby? Send a picture of your bundle of joy to mirrorbabies@gmail.com

Boy, whose eyes were removed, gets help

which I changed to N29,500. “My son has been operated

upon, even though he has lost his vision completely,

many sympathisers still troop in to offer help for treatment anywhere in the world, which is very good and encouraging. “My family and I are most grateful to government and everybody who supported us in the trying time and we are still soliciting for God’s miracle to restore my son’s vision and to expose the perpetrators,” the father said. An official at the hospital confirmed that Sadiq underwent two surgeries on his eyes but may not regain his vision.

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FEBRUARY 6, 2016

Mirror

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Thursday Sanitation irks Lagos traders

Many years ago, during the military administration, a monthly environmental sanitation exercise was initiated. This was fixed for every last Saturday of the month, barring any other engagement or activity of national importance. Since the exercise restricts movement, activities are made to come to a sudden halt for the three whole hours it lasts, which is between 7am and 10am. But Lagos added every Thursday to its regular Saturday sanitation for traders in markets, stalls, shops, warehouses or wherever there is massive gathering of people for business activities. But traders argue that there is a dire need to reverse the trend, citing loss of revenue as a major reason for their grouse. ERIC ELEZUO reports.

very Thursday, for a very long time now, the city of Lagos, and in fact, most other cities of the federation, has been involved in locking up their places of business in the name of environmental sanitation or cleaning up of the premises. The exercise, which somehow, has come to stay in the socio-cultural existence of the metropolis, has received a lot of punches from the primary targets

of the exercise, the traders. Across business circles and environments, traders have lamented the closure of their source of income for upward of three hours once every week in the name of what they feel could be integrated in the work, and of course without compulsion. At the Computer telecom market, Odu-Ade Building materials market, Alaba International Electronics market, Alade market, Ikeja, Mile 12 meat market, Gbaja market among many other markets in the metropolis, the story remains the same as the

This loss of Three hours is uncalled for, and should be done away wiTh. i know i have To keep my environmenT clean. iT is my moral obligaTion, and i will do iT

traders fume over the three hours break ‘wrongfully’ dedicated to cleaning up dirt. According to an electronics dealer at the Alaba International Market, the situation is condemnable, wondering why someone had to persuade him to carry out a duty which he is very sure he will perform. He added that it is a moral burden for him to abandon what he knows he must do. The man, who gave his name as Chika Oso, reiterated that no one needs the lashes to keep his environment clean. “I know it is my duty to keep my surroundings clean. As a result, I do not need the coercing of the government to bamboozle me into known action. This loss of three hours is uncalled for, and should be done away with. I know I have to keep my environment clean; it is my moral obligation, and I will do it,” he said. Mercy Maduako, a food stuff seller at the Iddo market in Lagos, CONTINUED ON PAGE 32

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FEBRUARY 6, 2016

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The exercise has come to stay – Govt CONTINUED FROM PAGE 31

agreed with Mr. Oso, emphasizing that a lot of money is lost while people are sitting back at home in the name of environmental cleanup. Mrs. Maduako said that most times, the traders who are supposed to be involved in the clean-up are nowhere to be found during the exercise, as most of them are still in their homes at the time, owing to the fact that most traders live very far from their markets of business. “The so called exercise may not be achieving an aim, except to deprive us of our income as at the time. This is because the traders who are supposed to participate in the exercise are most times back at home throughout the period of the exercise. So who is fooling who?” She queried. However, a market executive at the Agbara market which holds once every week, said that the reasons being deduced by most people who are not at home with the environmental sanitation, cannot hold water, since there is every reason for one to keep his surroundings clean. The woman, who does not wish her name in print, because she spoke unauthorized, the issue of letting the traders clean the markets according to their conscience does not arise as no one will ever remember to do such, being heavily engrossed in their business of buy and sell. Consequently, she said, the market will remain very dirty and non-presentable. “Human nature is very unpredictable, and must be monitored. If you leave this cleaning up exercise to the discretion of the traders, you will discover that from week to week, nothing will happen, and the trading environment will remain a massive heap of refuse. The government is right to have approved the weekly sanitation exercise as it must have been suggested by the market leadership,” she said.

However, some traders told our correspondent that some customers chose the earliest hours to prosecute their transactions, and they hope to meet them at the business point when they come, adding that unfortunately, the sanitation thing keeps everyone away, and when the customers come, they are not engaged. They stressed that some of these customers come neighbouring

countries, therefore, making it almost impossible for anything to happen. In his reaction, a member of the meat sellers association at a popular lock up market in Surulere, told National Mirror that it is possible that most customers come from outside the shores of the country, especially business in electronics and building materials among

Human nature is very unpredictable, and must be monitored. if you leave tHis cleaning up exercise to tHe discretion of tHe traders, you will discover tHat from week to week, notHing will Happen, and tHe trading environment will remain a massive Heap of refuse other trans-border items, saying that that has been taken care of as the exercise has been on for a long time, and all involved are aware of the schedule, saying that no one can claim ignorance of the modalities with which the markets operate. “Our markets are not operating for the first time, consequently, events are known to both the seller and the buyer. As a result, it is expected that by now, everyone would have arranged his schedule to his own benefit without running foul of the relevant laws guiding

opening places of business within the markets at specified days and times. We know this affects more, traders who run businesses that could be bought from customers across the border such as electronics and building materials,” he said. A ministry official with the Lagos State Ministry of the Environment, who craved anonymity, said that like every good thing meant for development, the people will fight against it, stating that that is the essence of government. He said that the government has resolved to sustain the good things that must happen to the people, and will not be distracted to do otherwise. He lamented the masses’ insensitivity when it comes to selfishness and making sacrifices. While speaking exclusively to our correspondent, he said that the government is committed to the welfare of its people, and do what he thinks is right for the good of the populace, and so the Thursday environmental sanitation as well its Saturday equivalent, has come to stay. “We need not bother ourselves over issues that are not very complimentary. The issue of sanitation days is final. The exercise has come to stay, and the people just have to comply. The exercise is not a form of intimidation; it is what must be done. And because it is a very important aspect of living, it must be monitored, and by the government too. So, we must continue to do the needful and that is exactly what we are doing,” he said.

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FEBRUARY 6, 2016

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

I complain too much but can’t help it Dear Bukola, I am a 32 year old man who has been in a relationship for about 2years now but I find myself complaining over almost everything. I fight with my girlfriend all the time but I think it is because I complain too much. I find it difficult overlooking things. Sometimes, I feel I should just end the relationship. Please help cause I am not getting any younger. Dear confused, f you are in a relationship where you complain over almost everything, you have to do an evaluation. What exactly is the problem? Are you not finding the fulfilment you desire from your partner or things are just not working the way you expected? You mentioned finding it difficult to overlook things; that may be the problem. If you want a smooth relationship, you sincerely don’t need to complain over everything. There are instances where the best route to take is overlooking things. It makes room for peace to reign. If because of these issues you are already nursing the thoughts of ending the relationship then I think you have a lot of work to do personally …. You may need to go for therapy because if you are not careful, this attitude may keep affecting your future relationships. It is important for you to note however that a true relationship don’t just happen, it takes time, patience and determination of two people who want to be together. Also, imagine how you would feel if your woman starts complaining over almost everything you do, definitely you wouldn’t like it…. That may be exactly how she feels. Therefore, you need to develop the attitude of overlooking or letting go of some things. Silence often times speak louder than words, you don’t have to talk too much before she realizes how you feel about some issues. Lastly, if you really love this woman and want to spend the rest of your life with her, let go of all insecurities or trust issues that may be getting at you. Deal with her like she is a partner, give room for her flaws and know that just as you are not perfect, so also is she. Work with her so as to bring out the best in each other. Cheers.

My brother-in-law violated me Dear Bukola, am in a desperate situation. It happened as a result of a childhood experience I went through. I was brought up by my elder sister and she was really good to me. But anytime I think of that period of my life, I feel very angry, not due to any fault of my sister’s but as a result of what her husband did. When I was about ten, he raped me. This sexual abuse continued for years, as he emotionally blackmailed me to continue. It only stopped when I left their house to attend university. Now, apart from the fact that I am plagued with guilt feelings as well as feelings of worthlessness, it is hard for me to trust men. I get angry at my boyfriend sometimes for being a man. I need to stop being this way but I can’t help how I feel. Please help!Dear Abused,

Dear violated, t’s so sad you went through all you mentioned as a girl of ten. I wish predators like your broin-law don’t exist but unfortunately

they do… may God protect the young children out there. Sweetheart, I understand all what you are feeling, it is expected from a lady with such experience but notwithstanding, you need healing. To achieve this, you have to forgive yourself for everything that happened. It was never your fault. You were a child but unfortunately your innocence was taken away, it is really not your fault in any way. Fate and chance just happened. You must take out all feelings of guilt from your heart. It is also very important for you to renew and step up your self-esteem. You are not worthless and can never be. You are a woman, a special kind, a beautiful creation… always have that at the back of your mind. So many women out there went through worse situations but it didn’t stop them from getting married to a man of their dreams; your case can be a testimony too. Now about you not trusting men, it is also understandable. This is also not your fault, it was because of what you went through in the hands of a man that should have been there for

you like a brother… anyway, we need not continue dwelling on the past. To overcome this distrust you have for men, ask God to forgive your brother in law. It may sound difficult but yes you should pray for him. Forgive him also from the depth of your heart…. You are doing this not really for him but because it will give you peace of mind. When you forgive him genuinely, it will lift the burden (of hatred, anger, regrets etc.) you have carried around for a long time, off your shoulders. It will also go a long way in bringing back to you, the emotions you should be feeling towards men. Trusting a man wouldn’t be a problem and your boyfriend will tend to have a better relationship with you. Lastly, this man deprived you of your childhood; please don’t let him hinder you from having a loving relationship with the man of your dreams. You deserve to be loved, you deserve to build a loving family and you deserve to be happy irrespective of what you went through as a child. I wish you all the strength you need.

I find it difficult falling in love Dear Bukola,

am a Christian woman of 28years but I think there is something wrong with me because I have never fallen in love. All through my years in school I turned down every man that asked me out and now that I am working I still do the same. I don’t know what is wrong with me but I have never felt anything for a man, I only like having them as my friends. What should I do? My parents are already putting pressure on me to settle down. Anonymous Dear Anonymous, irstly, you need to know that there are women out there who are in the same shoes as you. Some people just find it difficult developing feelings for someone of the opposite sex… not like it’s their fault but because that is just the way they are. Though I can’t give you a definitive answer about your situation, I can give you some things to think about. Do you have other kinds of deep, long-lasting relationships — with female friends, colleagues or relatives? People with no deep attachments may have issues with trust and be unable to get truly close to others. It’s also possible that you have personality traits that make you fearful of having deep feelings, or that you act in ways that drive others away. If you have had no important long-term relationships, I would consider that to be a disturbing sign of difficulty maintaining any intimacy. The point I am trying to make is that if you want to fall in love but feel you can’t, examine your other relationships and your personality traits for clues as to why. Lastly, irrespective of your religion, pray to God to give you to the grace to love. God himself is love, so invite Him into your heart… I have the assurance that He will be willing to do so. All the best.

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FEBRUARY 6, 2016

Male

Jide animashaun 08034710902

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Angle

Should a woman fight h M

No way!

ost people will tell you that the only love worth having is the one worth fighting for and that anything short of that just isn’t love. They may be right to an extent, but a physical fight with the “other woman” is really something else. The truth is, everyone is going to hurt you. You just have to find the person worth suffering for. Fighting with the other woman can cut both ways. Sometimes it drives a wedge between a cheating spouse and his or her lover. But sometimes it can and will backfire. It may draw a cheating spouse and the other person closer together. In every relationship that started off with intimacy or where intimacy is involved, there will always be moments of anxiety or jealousy when external stimuli relates adversely or against the expectations of that relationship. Most people will and do get jealous when they get to find out that their partner may be involved intimately with another person. And if the truth be said, a lot of men are known to keep at least a mistress outside their marital home. Trying to find out why these men have mistresses or cheats is another thing entirely because the reasons for doing so is something only the men can tell you and most of those reasons are from the mundane to the very serious. While most women will never want to hear their hubby is involved in an extra marital affair, the truth here is that they only have one of two choices to make if they ever find out. When some get to know, most of the time it is always trouble either against the man himself or the mistress. Some women can go to the extreme and cause serious havoc or everlasting pains to either the man, the mistress or even herself or anyone within the immediate vicinity of the quarrel or discovery. When you’re cheated on, the devastation of betrayal can make you react in uncharacteristic ways. Obsessive behaviours take over and you may behave in a way you never believed possible. This isn’t only true for women because this applies to men who have been cheated on as well. If you do hap-

pen to find out who the other person is, the open wound may cause you to act out via confrontation. The driving force when we feel a compulsion to confront and physically fight with the other person is typically to feel better and to take away a bit of our pains from being cheated upon while inflicting bodily injuries on the other person and also as a deterrent. Somehow, we think that that course of action provides more benefits than the alternative of showing restraint via maturity and a path of peaceful resolution with our partners but we are mostly always wrong with that line of action. Rarely have I seen much benefits and believe me when I say that I have certainly witnessed a great deal of harm done. It is really never a win-win situation. One might even end up losing the partner while going to jail or end up dead. When you’re really hurting, it’s tempting to think about making the other party experience the same pain that you’re going through. The only problem is that this course of action only results in self-inflicted emotional injuries. Don’t compromise your personal integrity by acting in ways you normally would never approve of. Injuring another will never bring the peace you seek, and it will only lengthen the amount of time it’s going to take to recover. You don’t want to act in ways that allow the other person to believe your mate was justified in coming to them. If you act like a crazy person in confronting them, you only give them justification for their actions and maybe an excuse for your husband to bring her in as a second wife and that is if he doesn’t even kick you out to the curbs for embarrassing him publicly. My take is to allow for a mature and cooler set of actions. Finally, the person who betrayed you wasn’t the mistress though she also had a part to play but your husband. His mistress really doesn’t have a duty of care towards you. If I were you I would let it go, refocus on your husband and try to rebuild the marriage you have.

SEX TALK

This column is x-rated

Why do men watch porn? W

hat’s with men and their porn addiction? Are you a woman who wonders why men watch porn the way they do? Well, here’s an explanation that’ll put your mind at ease.

Most women have a problem with men and their interest in pornography. Somehow, realising that their man ogles other women in the nude seems to piss them off. Well, any normal woman would be pretty pissed off by this. While men think porn is sexy, women think it’s obscene and tacky. Men think porn is a way to see many more naked women without really being unfaithful. Women think watching porn is infidelity! Now, not all men and women feel this way. But certainly, most of them do. Why can’t a man just watch his woman in bed? A man could sit up in bed and stare at the beautiful woman sleeping in bed with him, and he may do that too. But he could do that anytime he wants, so really, where’s the novelty in that? Women should know that most men don’t watch porn every single night. They do it now and then, most often when they’re feeling bored. And even when they watch naked women online or in tapes, they don’t always see the same girls again and again.

Why do men like porn? Men like porn for a lot of reasons. Here are a few that could help you understand his interest in all things naked. He gets to see more boobs A man can never see enough of boobs. All breasts may seem like the same for women, but those subtle dissimilarities between one pair and another make the men want to see all of them. He gets to learn new things in bed Most of the time, men watch porn only to satisfy themselves. But every now and then, men watch porn because it’s funny or completely unique. It’s a fun pastime that men enjoy. He thinks it adds to the pleasure of masturbation Almost all men have spent a big part of their single life with the little boy in their pants. And every now and then, he misses the times he’s spent with the little guy. Hanging out with his hands in his shorts can at times, even feel a lot better than sex. There’s no stress, and the fun time can stretch on for hours. And the best part, he gets to see so many naked women while having fun at the same time. He is curious Every time a man sees an attractive and de-

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Female

Angle

YEMISI ADENIRAN 08029894772 email: ydiran@yahoo.com

her husband’s mistress? Get tough guys to trail, warn her

This column is x-rated sirable woman, one of the first things he does is wonder how she looks beneath her clothes. With so much curiosity, it’s easy to imagine why men can’t wait to see and learn about different women’s body parts. Will your guy watching porn affect your relationship? No. His interest in watching porn has nothing to do with the relationship status. To a man, porn isn’t his way of cheating on you or fantasising about other women. It’s just one of his favorite pastimes when he’s feeling restless or bored. But will he ever compare you to a porn star he likes? It’s obvious he will. Has he ever asked you to try something new or kinky in bed all of a sudden? It’s probably an inspiration from pornography. But whether he compares you or not, a man’s mind is developed enough to realise that what he sees in porn isn’t real, at least to him. It’s just a fantasy girl stripping herself off and moaning at everything she sees. And men like it! Will he love you less because he sees other naked women? No. Somehow, watching porn doesn’t seem to affect most men, unless they’re addicted to it and can’t live without it. No research or scientist has been able to conclusively prove the real reason behind why men like porn just yet. Perhaps, it’s just his desire to see more naked women

This column is x-rated and feel good about it. After all, no man is ever satisfied with the number of naked women he sees in his lifetime. Should a woman be bothered by his curiosity? Don’t be. Men hardly ever think their interest in porn qualifies as cheating. Instead, cuddle up with him and watch a few movies yourself. Think of it this way: A woman watches romantic movies all the time. And she would definitely be able to relate to the feelings of love and affection the actors share on screen. A woman may enjoy the movie, but does that mean she’s falling for the actor in the movie because she felt all those emotions? She may even wish her man was more like the romantic actor in the movie. But does that really change anything in real life? No! And that’s the same thing with men and porn. They may watch women flaunting their assets in pornography, but they soon forget all about it. Now that you know why men watch porn, relax and stop worrying about it. It’s just a movie and those boobs are just another pair of several breasts that he’ll admire in his lifetime. At the end of the day, you’re the beautiful woman he sleeps with and he likes his life just the way it is! Well…hopefully!

here is this common saying in Yoruba language that “ Igbati Esinsin ba n je elegbo, ko si eniti o maa nmo. Sugbon nigba ti elegbo ba bere si ni je esinsin, awon eniyan a bere si maa pariwo.” This can simply be translated as when houseflies are feasting on the wound of a person, no one notices, but when the wounded person begins to eat up the houseflies, people notice and raise alarm. Just why should any man that believes he is responsible keep a mistress? Ca anyone explains this? For crying out loud, no one says a man should not marry a second or third wife if he cares, but why keep a mistress? It is nothing but cheating. It is a fraud! Strangely, Nigerians have a way of describing it. They call the other woman a mistress whereas a woman is not allowed to say she has a mister(if this is permitted to say). I don’t understand why this country is so gender-biased. Anyway, while I will always support that a woman put her husband’s mistress on check, I wouldn’t advise that she engages in a physical battle to achieve this. There are reasons for my conclusion. When you’re cheated on, the devastation of betrayal can make you react in uncharacteristic ways. Obsessive behaviours take over and you may behave in a way you never believed possible. If you do happen to find out who the mistress is, the open wound may push you to confront her. And what’s the driving force when we feel a compulsion to speak to the other person? Typically, it’s to feel better, to take away a bit of our pain. But then, consider these, 1. The mistress can lie It is not uncommon for the mistress to lie and manipulate the situation to get the upper hand. 2. Talking to his mistress is comparing apples and oranges. One of the most difficult pieces of an affair to discern is motive. Frequently, there is a compulsion to discover why this has happened. Don’t be mistaken and think the answer lies with his mistress. In reality, his mistress has

created an illusion of what your mate’s reason for cheating is. So please don’t think that the causes and motives thought by her match those of your mate. 3. Vengeance doesn’t work. When you show that you’re really hurting, it will only results in self-inflicted injuries. Don’t compromise your personal integrity by acting in ways you normally would never approve of. Injuring another will never bring the peace you seek, and it will only lengthen the amount of time it’s going to take to recover. 6. Trying to get them to “get it” is futile. One of the most common motivations for confronting the other person is to try to get them to see that you’re a real person and that their actions are destroying real lives. The defence mechanisms put into place to justify the affair in the first place are most likely still in place after the affair. You’re not going to be the person capable of breaking through their denial. So, what do you do? *Send people to trail her. This will scare the hell out of her and she can pull out of the relationship for the threat on her life. Employ possible stalking styles, such as following in a car. Arrange for some strange people to warn her. This does not have to involve you and they do not have to mention your name. Let them do this via the phone or any of the numerous social media. Your guy may not even trace it to you since he is adulterous and he is likely to keep a harem of them. You should not also let this reflect on your relationship with him. Arrange with some people to shoot from nowhere after the warning. This may not be real gun shot and it may be. She won’t want to risk her life. Overall, be smart enough to discover why your husband has violated his marriage vows for an affair with another woman. Try and work on them privately to woo him back to your side. Be very calm and calculated with your actions. A word should be enough for you if you will be wise. Catch ya!

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FEBRUARY 6, 2016

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divorce court

‘My wife sent me packing from our house’

• A landlord on our street came to our house shouting and saying that my husband attempted to rape his housemaid. He always beat me and chased me out of the house with cutlass most times, I sleep in my friends’ houses —Wife

he Iyana Ipaja Customary Court in Lagos has dissolved a 17-year marriage between Ajoke Ayoola and her husband, Omotayo, for infidelity and frequent beatings. In her judgment, the President of the court, Alhaja S.O Mumuni, said the petitioner was adamant despite all mediation from the court and family intervention. “The marriage between Ajoke Ayoola and Omotayo is hereby dissolved from today in accordance with the Lagos State Customary Law, 2013 Cap.19. “Both parties are no longer husband and wife; they are free to marry any partner of their choice without any hindrances and molestation. “Both parties are to keep peace all the time, any viola-

‘My wife poisoned my meals’

• Since 2008, I have noticed that my food was being laced with poison, which has resulted to my deteriorating health. As I am standing here, I’m sick —Husband • My husband has diabetes and hypertension; and he keeps eating those foods that the doctor warned him to desist from. Please tell me why he won’t be sick always —Wife StorieS by Muda oyeniran

middle-aged man, Prince Agina, on Wednesday told an Igando Customary Court in Lagos State that his wife, Obianuju, has been poisoning his meals since 2008. The union which was consummated on Dec. 24, 2006 in Anambra had been blessed with three children. Obianuju was also accused of frequent fighting and infidelity by her husband. “Since 2008, I have noticed that my food was being laced

with poison, which has resulted to my deteriorating health; as I am standing here, I’m sick. “Usually, I travel a lot. On one occasion when I returned home; I noticed that the centre table in our home had broken; when I asked my daughter how it happened, she told me that one uncle broke it. “This means my wife brings other men into our matrimonial home whenever I travelled because my daughter knows all her uncles. “She goes out at will without my permission, she does not listen to me as her hus-

band and I don’t love her anymore,’’ Agina said. However, the respondent denied all the allegations leveled against her by her estranged husband. “My husband has diabetes and hypertension; and he keeps eating those foods that the doctor warned him to desist from. “Please tell me why he won’t be sick always. “I stayed with him at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) for four months looking after him but he did not listen to the doctor’s advice. “So, how has his disobedience become my fault. “He married

me a virgin; so why will I start sleeping around now, why will I bring men into the house where my children are staying with me. “He abandoned me and the children for four years when he travelled to Angola and he wasn’t sending money from there for our upkeep. “My family members took care of my children and I throughout the period,’’ she said. The president of the court, Adegboyega Omilola, referred the couple to the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) office for possible settlement. .

tion of the order will amount to contempt of court without option of fine,’’ Mumuni held. She referred the issue of custody of the only child to the family court within the Lagos Judicial Division. Ajoke, 52, a businesswoman, had urged the court to dissolve her marriage to Ayoola for alleged infidelity and constant beating. “My husband is a shameless man and a flirt, he run after anything in skirt “There was a day a landlord on our street came to our house shouting and saying that my husband attempted to rape his housemaid,’’ Ajoke said. She said that her husband regularly beat her with dangerous weapons and had turned her into a punching bag. “He always beat me and chased me out of the house with cutlass most times, I sleep in my friends’ houses,’’ she said. Ajoke, a mother of one, said that Omotayo eloped with their only child to Oyo State without her consent and denied her access to the child. Ayoola, 53, a businessman, said that his wife chased him out of the house because she was the one that built the house. “I relocated to Oyo State last September when my wife sent me packing from her house. “I had to go with my daughter because Ajoke always use her at her beer parlour and will not allow her to focus on her education,’’ Ayoola said. Ayoola said that he had never beaten his wife, and challenged Ajoke to show any mark or evidence of the frequent beating. He accused his wife of always instigating their daughter to run away from Oyo State to Lagos. The respondent asked the court to grant his wife’s wish since she insisted on dissolution.

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FEBRUARY 6, 2016

‘She discusses my issues with my tenants’

divorce court

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• She has no respect for me. She has no regards for my family and I can no longer tolerate this —Husband · I have never discussed him with his tenants. Why would I do that when he feeds me and the children and also takes care of the children from the money realised from rents —Wife

n Igando Customary Court in Lagos has dissolved the 22-year marriage between one Samson Atunwa and his wife, Comfort, over irreconcilable differences. The marriage was blessed with three children. Atunwa had accused his wife of instigating his tenants against him. He also accused her of frequent fighting and lack of respect for him and members of his family. “My tenants don’t respect me because she discusses my issues with them and they don’t pay rent as at when due. “She has no respect for me, she has no regards for my family and I can no longer tolerate this,’’ Samson said.

Comfort, however, denied all the allegations by her estranged husband. She said: “I have never discussed him with his tenants; why would I do that when he feeds me and the children and also takes care of the children from the money realized from rents. “I have always shown him respect but I guess my respect is not good enough for him; I am as tired as he is of the marriage.’’ The President of the court, Adegboyega Omilola, pronounced the marriage dissolved. Omilola ordered the plaintiff to pay N15, 000 monthly for the upkeep of the children.

‘ I caught her in bed with church members’

58 year old prophet identified as Elijah Johnson, has explained to an Alagbado Grade A Customary Court, Lagos, how he allegedly caught his 47-year old Prophetess wife committing adultery with some of his male church members on different occasions. The divorce seeking prophet and founder of Holy Timothy Church, Aboru, Iyana-Ipaja, Lagos, said his wife, Taiwo Johnson, is very hostile and always insulting the church members. The couple lived together for 28 years and have seven children. The petitioner said that they started living together in 1987 and he did not pay any dowry on her. He said that when he married a second wife, Taiwo was always fighting her. He complained that his wife does not care about him and even finds it difficult to cook for him, especially whenever he just returns from his missionary

travels. He stated further that he does not love her anymore and wants the court to grant him a divorce. The respondent said that all his claims of hostility are false and it is not in her character to fight people. Taiwo said that she loves her husband and that he means everything to her. She stated that for the 28 years that they have been together, no other man has seen her “indecency”. She said does not want the court to dissolve her marriage and wants them to plead with her husband to consider the number of years that they have been together. She wants her husband to consider their children and not dissolve the marriage. The court President, Mr. M.O. Jolaoso, after listening to both parties, adjourned the suit and urged them to maintain absolute peace.

‘He assaulted me and I was rushed to the hospital’ • Instead of the parents to resolve whatever differences we have, they always take sides with their daughter —Husband

28-year-old housewife, Esther Famakinwa, has urged an Agege Customary Court to dissolve her marriage over alleged assault and lack of care of their child by her husband. She said the four years marriage to Rotimi Famakinwa had known no peace because he always beat her at the slightest opportunity. “The last time he assaulted me, I was rushed to the hospital. It was so severe, I had to move out of the house,”

she said. Esther urged the court to dissolve the marriage and award her custody of their child but her husband should be responsible for the child’s upkeep. In his reaction, the respondent, Rotimi, 28, denied all the allegations, saying he had never beaten her. He alleged that whenever they had misunderstanding, she always packed out of the house to her parent’s place. `` Instead of the parents to resolve whatever differences

we have they always took sides with their daughter,’’ he alleged. Rotimi, however, urged the court to dissolve the marriage but asked his wife to return the Certificate of Occupancy to his landed property. ``She can have the custody of our child,’’ he said. The President of the court, Mr P.A. Williams, adjourned the case for judgment. He warned that both parties should maintain the peace and be law abiding.

‘She lied to me about her age’ • That woman is a liar because she lied to me about her age. Before I got married to her, my family did not approve of our union, but I went ahead because of the love I had for her. But now, I can’t take it anymore, I want a divorce —Husband

43-year-old man, Uchenna Nwosu, recently pleaded with an Agege Customary Court in Lagos to dissolve his marriage of eight years. The father of three accused his wife, Christiana, of being disobedient, nagging and assaulting him publicly. He claimed that the marriage started on a wrong foot and because of that, it could no longer work. My wife is a very disobedient woman, she nags at every little thing I do. She disobeys me and also encourages the children to disobey me as well. That woman is a liar because she lied to me about her age.

I found out when I was going through her school certificates. “When I confronted her, she said I should mind my own business, that it is her life. To me, this is not marriage, this is hell. “On May 28, 2011, she wanted to go out that evening but I was trying to persuade her not to go because her children needed her to prepare food for them. Instead of her to stay back, she left, giving the excuse that she had an important thing to attend to. “When she came back, she met my children and I watching a programme on the television, the next thing she did was to switch off the television and asked me to return

the money she lost because I delayed her from achieving what she went out to get. I saw that I couldn’t handle the situation again so I moved out. “A month later, she came to my office to embarrass me. She tore my shirt in the public pretending to demand the children’s school fees. Due to this incident, the management asked me to resign. “Before I got married to her, my family did not approve of our union, but I went ahead because of the love I had for her then but now, I can’t take it anymore, I want a divorce.” . The president of the court adjourned the case for continuation of hearing.

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FEBRUARY 6, 2016

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Don’t wait for Lassa Fever !

ike the Ebola virus and its short lived rampage in 2014, another hemorrhagic fever -Lassa also struck recently, spreading across several states in Nigeria. Unlike Ebola, Lassa has always been with us. First discovered in Lassa village of Borno state in the late 60’s -1969 specifically-Lassa Fever has struck at least on more than two occasions; since the beginning of this decade and at every point in time it seems to always meet us napping as a nation. Between 2012 and 2013 alone, more than 2,000 cases were recorded in Nigeria, while all over the world, close to half a million deaths are recorded annually.

symptoms and report them immediately in any individual. The Symptoms: More about Lassa fever: Early presentation at the Symptoms of Lassa are hospital and treatment with Lassa fever is endemic to West Africa. It is a zoonotic; non specific and varied. Ribavirin has been known to one of the diseases spread Though most infections are improve the survival rate of from animal to man. In this asymptomatic, Lassa fever significantly. Fever, case multi mammate rats have Prevention: Malaise, been implicated as reservoirs The role of simple hygiene Weakness, of this virus. They infect in preventing infection Headache, man through contact with and spreading of diseases And muscle pain may occur is unquantifiable. Though their urine, droppings, foods they have contaminated and in mild cases prevention of Lassa fever is In severe cases other less common route. by keeping rodents out of the Vomiting Human to human contact is home and practicing good Bleeding from body openings hygiene, history of similar through body fluids and this Body pains particularly poses a grave risk outbreaks of different diseases Respiratory distress for healthcare workers has shown habits that promote And The most recent outbreak health will always stand us in Miscarriage in pregnant good stead when it comes to in Nigeria which involves states like Bauchi, Niger, women keeping ourselves safe from Deafness- may occur as a various diseases that threaten Kano, Rivers, Edo, and Lagos amongst others has led to common complication while our existence on a daily basis. the death of more than forty Death ultimately results in a This then is the crux of the citizens including medical very low percentage matter. Why wait for Lassa It is important to know these or Ebola? Why not make the practitioners.

following precautionary measures a usual habit? Good personal hygiene Regular hand washing Proper cooking of food Proper waste disposal Environmental sanitation Proper food storage And Early Presentation at the hospital when ill Conclusion: Next week, we will look at yet another virus on the loose in another part of the world. The Zika virus. Till then, let’s keep ourselves safe from the Lassa virus and any other organism that may be waiting for us to let down our guards! You can chat with a doctor FREE at www. prettyhealthcare.com.ng. Every Wednesdays and Fridays (4-8pm)

Sport

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FEBRUARY 6, 2016

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Sofoluwe to NFF: No foreign coach now Super Eagles players in a group photograph

…says Nigeria must learn from CHAN mistake

IfeanyI eduzor

s the hide and seek game between national team coach, Sunday Oliseh and Nigeria Football Federation continues unabated, ex-international, Yisa Sofoluwe has advised Nigeria Football Federation to jettison the idea of hiring a foreign technical adviser but rather look inwards and correct the mistakes identified at the African Nations Championship in which the home based Eagles failed to go beyond the group stage of a competition designed exclusively for footballers playing in their domestic leagues. Super Eagles gaffer, Sunday Oliseh immediately after his team failed to qualify for the knock-out stage of the competition, alerted the nation that the NFF was to blame for the early ouster of his team from the championship because they failed to pay players bonuses and allowances which affected

their morale. He also stated that he spent his personal fortune amounting to about $ 4,000 to feed the players when it became obvious that the football house was not interested in the welfare of the players. Apart from this, early this week, Oliseh turned down an invitation from the technical committee of the NFF; insisting that part of the contract he signed with the football house does not include meeting with its technical committee. Before this, he had earlier raised alarm that many Super Eagles players might boycott the 2017 African Nations Cup qualifier against Pharaohs of Egypt over unpaid allowances and match bonuses which prompted many Nigerians to conclude that the romance between the Glass House and Oliseh may soon be over. In an exclusive interview with Saturday Mirror, Sofoluwe noted that it is wrong for Nigerians to heap the blame of the poor performance of the home based Super Eagles on Oliseh and his technical crew, positing that the

players should be blamed for not showing enough commitment in their match against Guinea. “It is very unfortunate that Nigeria lost to Guinea in a match they needed at least a draw to go through to the next stage of the competition. The truth of the matter is that the Guineans were better than us in every department of the game. However instead of blaming Oliseh for the loss, the blame should go to the players who did not do what they were expected to do. “I want to tell you that when you have a good team, there is the tendency that the coaches’ job will be easy but when you have bad players, even a Jose Mourinho cannot do anything meaningful with the team”, stressed the former Super Eagles defender. He noted that instead of hiring a foreign coach or terminating the appointment of Oliseh as being suggested in some quarters, the NFF must look inwards and solve those problems that made Nigeria crash out so early in an African competition. Sofoluwe popularly known as

‘Defence Minister” during his playing days stated that for Nigeria’s football to move forward ,there is the need to learn from the 2016 CHAN mistake. “I believe that part of the reason why we failed to beat Guinea was because as one of the leading football playing nations in the continent, we took a lot of things for granted. We failed to realize that Guinea is one of the best teams in the Africa and that it was the same country that prevented us from qualifying for the 2012 Nations Cup. Guinea is like Senegal, Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire and Cameroon and any time you are playing any of these teams, you must put in your best which our players failed to do. “What this means is that we must understand that there are no more minnows in African football and both football administrators, coaches and players must learn from the CHAN mistake especially now that we have a very important 2017 Africa Nations Cup qualifier against North African giants, Egypt”, noted the former U-17 assistant

Sofoluwe

national coach. According to the former IICC Shooting Stars and Abiola Babes defender, there is the need for the NFF to enter into useful discussion with the Super Eagles gaffer, Sunday Oliseh with the aim of solving any outstanding issue with the coach to enable him concentrate on the job. “My advice is that the Amaju Pinnick led NFF and Sunday Oliseh must sit down and have an amicable settlement of all the issues raised by the coach in order not to jeopardize the chances of Nigeria qualifying for the 2017 African Nations Cup”, concluded the former RS Sinamiou and Winter Clark of Belgium defender.

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FEBRUARY 6, 2016

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DOAMF Charity tourney gets corporate support

Organisers give reasons for GOtv boxing NextGen search

Golfers at the last edition of DOAMF Championship.

afolabI GambarI

rganisers of the Daniel Ogechi Akujobi Memorial Foundation (DOAMF) Charity Golf Tournament have confirmed corporate support for this year’s edition of the event, as the final tees-off today at the Golf Section of Ikoyi Club 1938 in Lagos. According to the Chairman of the Organising Committee, Pat Bassey, the sponsors include Price waters house Coopers, Diamond Bank, Zenith Bank, ARM Pension Managers, Arik Air Limited, Channels Television, Radial Circle Group, Cappa & D’Alberto, SPAR (Park N’ Shop), Southern Sun, Four Points by Sheraton, and Ikoyi Club 1938. “The different levels of support offered by corporate and individual sponsors will go a long way in helping the Foundation

to touch more lives,” Bassey said yesterday. “We feel honoured that these business concerns and individuals see our efforts at improving lives as a worthy cause and we will be accountable while also reaching more people in need,” he added. About 57, 000 lives have been touched since DOAMF was founded over six years ago, out of which 9, 000 were reached last year. “We achieved all these by applying funds raised from the golf event and that is why we value the support we get from corporate organizations as well as groups and individuals,” Bassey further said. Over 160 players will participate in today’s final in an 18-hole stroke play format while prizes will be presented at a cocktail where sponsors and donors will interact.

Watson critical of TPC changes

ubba Watson made no secret of his dislike for the course changes made at TPC Scottsdale ahead of the Waste Management Phoenix Open. The two-time Masters champion praised the condition of the course and the overall venue, but is unhappy with modifications to the Stadium Course that were made last year to make it more challenging. New changes include additional bunkers and one hole on the back nine that has been lengthened. And world number five Watson, a runner-up for the past two years at the tournament,

suggested that the alterations have made the course overly challenging. “I didn’t see any reason to change it. You know, again, they didn’t ask me. It’s just my own opinion. I didn’t see any reason to change it. “It just seems like all they did is just tightened it up. Scores didn’t change. It just makes it more challenging and tougher, which is not fun for us. “We came here for a reason. We came here because we want to play golf and shoot good scores. 500,000 people show up here. I didn’t see there is a reason to change something that’s not broke.”

Song beats Spieth to win first title

outh Korea’s Song Younghan held off world number one Jordan Spieth to win his maiden title at the Singapore Open. The duo were among 13 players who had to finish their final

Song

rounds on Monday after Sunday’s play at Sentosa Golf Club was curtailed by thunderstorms. American Spieth sank a fivefoot birdie putt on the last hole for a five-under-par 66 to finish 11 under. Song, resuming on 12 under, parred his remaining three holes for a one-under 70 and victory by one shot. The world number 204 began the day with a testing 12-foot putt at the 16th, but a simple tap-in at the last secured his first professional victory after two second-place finishes on the Japan Tour. Song, 24, led from the second round and was five in front of Spieth heading into the final round.

xxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxx xxx

IfeanyI eduzor

rganisers of GOtv boxing night have explained why they are holding GOtv Boxing NextGen Search, slated to take place in Lagos between 17 and 19 February. Promoter of the fight and Chief Executive Officer of Flykite Sports, Jenkins Alumona told National Mirror that the idea was conceived to raise a fresh crop of professional boxers to replace the current stars when they eventually hang their gloves. According to Alumona, GOtv Boxing NextGen Search was conceived to widen access into the professional category for young professional boxers and amateurs aspiring to turn professional. The search, he

added, will widen the pool from which boxer for the hugely successful GOtv Boxing Night will be selected. “GOtv Boxing NextGen Search is being held in association with the Nigerian Boxing Board of Control and it will offer a launch pad into the big time for talented boxers from any part of the country. The event is open to professional boxers and those who wish to turn pro,” explained Alumona. The event, which will feature five distinguished boxing coaches as judges, will open on 17 February with the unveiling of the partnership between GOtv Boxing Night and the Lagos Boxing Hall of Fame at the Lagos Boxing Hall of Fame Gym, Olatilewa Street, Surulere, Lagos. The same day, sparring sessions by boxers

registered for the event will begin and continue the next day and at the same venue under the watchful eyes of accomplished coaches, who will select the brightest talents. The concluding part of the event, which will hold at the Old Skool Restaurant of the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos, will be devoted to free medical examination for boxers who make the grade. Selected boxers will also have the opportunity of attending a sports /medical seminar to be addressed by famous sports personalities and Doctors on how boxers can take care of themselves and grow in the sport. Each boxer who makes the cut will have his boxing licence paid for by the sponsors, GOtv Boxing Night

Plateau govt seeks loan to complete stadium James abraham JOS

he Plateau State Government said it would obtain a bank loan to complete the new Multi-billion Naira Jos stadium. Samuel Galadima, Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development, made the disclosure during an inspection visit to the recently abandoned Multi-billion naira stadium under construction. Galadima expressed dissatisfaction with the years the project has taken without been completed and stated government’s readiness and commitment at completing it at all cost. He stated, ``Governor Simon Lalong is keen at completing this stadium as soon as possible. ’’ ``The only challenge of the government is finance, but we are planning to obtain a bank loan that will enable us complete the project as soon as possible. ``We are aware that once this stadium is completed, the state will be a tourists’ centre, where the whole world would converge for sporting events considering our good and unique weather, ’’ he said. The commissioner said that the state government was aware that any further delay would mean spending more money on the project considering the value of the naira compared with the US Dollar and Euro.

He said that once completed the state internally generated revenue would be boosted and help in the growth and development of the state. Earlier, Plamen iliev, Manager Directing of the contracting firm, BCC Tropical (Nig) Limited, had told the commissioner that work stopped at the site since last March due to lack of fund. ``I presently have four pending certificates amounting to over N600 million for payment; t he last payment we got was last march, ’’ he said. Illiev disclosed that the contract sum was N11. 3 billion and that N6.8 billion had so far been

Lalong

expended on the stadium leaving a balance of N4.5 billion. According to the contractor, he was ready to go back to site and complete the project as soon as fund was made available to him.

ITF/CAT U-18 tourney: Adetunji, McLoed lead ‘Team Nigeria’ to Tunisia IfeanyI eduzor

TF/CAT West and Central Africa Junior Championship Girls’ U-16 singles champion Adetayo Adetunji and Angel McLeod will both headline Nigeria’s challenge at the 2016 ITF/CAT U18 Championship billed for Tunis, Tunisia from February 7-13. Nigeria junior tennis head coach, Mohammed Ubale disclosed that the pair, who helped Nigeria retain the West and Central Africa Junior qualifiers in Abuja in January, will be joined by Andiyo Inwang, a 16 year-old born of Nigerian and German

parents. This will be the second successive year that Nigeria will be heading to the championship, with a debuting player of dual nationality as Russian-born Melissa Ifidzhen made her start as a Nigerian in the 2015 edition which was also held in the Mediterranean country. Ifidzhen had an average outing as she made an early exit in the singles but made up for it with a semi-final finish in the doubles where she paired with Elizabeth Garos-Pam, another player that made her Nigerian debut in 2014 to reach the semi-finals in the doubles.

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IAAF investigates China doping letter

he body that governs world athletics has said it is investigating a letter alleging historic state-backed doping in the sport in China. The previously unseen letter was apparently written by Chinese Olympic medalist Wang Junxia in 1995, but only published in state media this week. The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) said it was aware of the letter and is trying to confirm if it was genuine. In a statement, it said: “The IAAF’s first action must be to verify that the letter is genuine. In this respect, the IAAF has asked the Chinese Athletics Association to assist it in that process.” The IAAF said that under federation rules any athlete who admits to taking a prohibited substance prior to achieving a world record could be stripped of his or her title. Wang broke the world record for 10,000m and 3,000m in 1993. No athlete is yet to come within 20 seconds of her time on the

MIRROR SPORT

FEBRUARY 6, 2016

10,000m. She also won the 5,000m at the 1996 Olympics, finishing second in the 10,000m. The Chinese Athletics Association could not be reached for comment. Wang has not yet commented. Chinese news outlet Tencent Sport published a series of reports on Wednesday on the doping allegations, which were then covered widely in state media. The report quoted extensively from a chapter which was removed from a 1998 book on famed Chinese Coach Ma Junren before publication.

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Flamingoes resume camp ahead world cup qualifiers

he national U-17 women’s football team, the Flamingoes, will return to camp on Sunday in preparation for the final qualifying stage for the 2016 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup holding from September 30- October 20 in Jordan. Flamingoes’ coach, Bala Nikyu, told NAN in Abuja on Friday that all the players who were in the team for the second round of the qualifiers were expected in camp. NAN reports that the Flamingoes had beaten the Baby Gladiators of Namibia 4-0 and 5-0 in the last round and will now face South Africa in the final round. “We are resuming this Sunday to begin camping in Abuja in

preparation for the final round of the World Cup qualifier against South Africa. “We have a team already. The players who prosecuted the home and away matches against Namibia are automatically invited to the team’s Serob Legacy Hotel camp in Abuja. “We can only make slight changes if we have exceptional players who can displace any of the old ones,’’ Nikyu said. The players are goalkeepers Cynthia Nnadozie and Nimot Ajayi, as well as defenders Esther Adeboye, Joy Duru, Patience Dike, Onyinyechi Ibe and Ijeoma Kenneth. Others are midfielders Ramat Abdulkareem, Peace Efih, Precious Oyagbarh, Christy Ucheibe

and Folashade Ijamilusi, while the forwards are Rasheedat Ajibade, Cynthia Aku, Yetunde Fajobi, Rejoice Ikoyo, Kikelomo Olaiya and Chidinma Okeke. The Nigerian girls, who beat Namibia 9-0 aggregate, will host their South African counterparts in the weekend of March 11 to March 13 in Abuja while the return leg will hold between March 25 and March 27, with the winners over two legs automatically going through to the World Cup finals scheduled for four Jordanian cities. The Flamingoes have never failed to qualify for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup finals since the event debuted in New Zealand in 2008.

IAAF president, Coe

I’ll not be distracted by Man City job, says Guardola

ayern Munich boss Pep Guardiola says his move to Manchester City will not distract him this season. Guardiola, 45, has agreed a three-year deal to replace Manuel Pellegrini at the Premier League side in the summer. In six full seasons, ex-Barcelona coach Guardiola has won

Guardola

19 trophies including six league and two European Cup titles. “Why would it be difficult? I am like a woman, I can multitask and control both situations. I have a big talent for this,” said Guardiola. Guardiola reportedly rejected a new contract with the Bundesliga champions last year and announced in December he would be leaving the club. His side is still chasing a league, cup and Champions League treble and could meet City in the latter stages of the European competition. “I cannot say something every week about it,” said Guardiola. “It is another four months and for me it is not a problem. Newspapers can continue attacking and I will continue doing my job.

Emenike in line for Hammers debut

mmanuel Emenike could make his Premier League debut today for West Ham United. The Hammers face Southampton at Saint Mary’s and Emenike, who joined the club on loan from Turkish side Fernabahce, is in contention to make his debut. West Ham United manager Slaven Bilic revealed in his press conference that Emenike has been training with the rest of the squad and could yet get the nod to play against the Saints. “We will watch him in training before deciding whether he will be in the squad today.“He arrived in England on Wednesday because of the work permit issues.“We will see how it goes on today,” he said.

Flamingoes celebrate after scoring a goal against Namibia.

Abia Warriors dismiss reported Chikatara transfer fee

bia Warriors have refuted reports in some sections of the media that CHAN 2016 revelation Chisom Chikatara moved to Wydad Athletic Club Casablanca of Morocco for $700,000. Refuting the story, principal partner of Activity Chambers, the club’s legal consultants, Johnny Ogbah, admitted that Chisom has been transferred to Wydad Athletic Club, but insisted that the figure quoted by the

papers is not true. “The truth is that Chisom Chikatara is now a player of WAC Morocco. All parties have agreed and signed the necessary documents, but the figure being quoted is not correct. “It is important that journalists verify stories before rushing to publish it. I read the story and there was no single quote from an official of either clubs, or the player or his intermediary. I wonder where the journalists got the figures they are brandishing

FIFA Presidency: Africa backs Sheikh Salman

T Emenike Emenike has scored 74 league goals since he began his professional football career with Turkish club Karabükspor in 2009. The 28-year-old has also previously played for Spartak Moscow in the Russian Premier League.

he Confederation of African Football (CAF) has backed Shaikh Salman’s bid to become the next FIFA president. With 54 of the total 209 votes, CAF member associations have the biggest voting bloc in the election. The CAF executive committee met in Rwanda on Friday and confirmed their support for Bahrain’s Sheikh Salman, which makes him hot favourite to succeed Sepp Blatter at the FIFA elections later this month. CAF’s endorsement does not mean that Sheikh Salman -who is president of the Asian Football Confederation, can count

on receiving all 54 African votes at the election in Zurich on 26 February. But it is nevertheless a significant boost to him and a blow to UEFA hopeful Gianni Infantino and Frenchman Jerome Champagne. The news is likely to spell the end of South Africa’s Tokyo Sexwale’s bid to become president. He was the only African in the race to succeed Blatter, and without the support of CAF he may now withdraw. A CAF spokesman said: “The CAF executive has decided that they will fully support the candidature of Sheikh Salman bin Ebrarim al-Khalifa.”

from. “Our national dailies too should be careful to verify stories they see on websites before publishing them. A simple phone call may have given the true picture of the whole scenario but nobody did so, they just rushed and published without verifying. This is very bad.” In his reaction, Abia Warriors chairman Emeka Inyama in refuting the figures being branded as Chikatara’s transfer fee, said the 21-year-old Umuahia- Ibeku born striker has already signed the dotted lines to join Wydad Casablanca, adding that he was now updating his documents at the Moroccan embassy to enable him unite with his new club as soon as possible.

Chikatara

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Crime Watch

Hotelier petitions IGP over police brutality Patience OgbO

business man, Chief Bonaventure Mokwe, has petitioned the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Solomon Arase, asking the police boss to investigate a team of policemen attached to the Special Anti Robbery Squad, Awkuzu Police, Anambra state for allegedly framing and battering him over trump up allegations. The petition by the Network of Police Reform in Nigeria (NOPRIN) specifically urged the IGP to bring a certain James Nwafor, officer in charge of SARS, Awkuzu, to account over what he they term as ‘numerous egregious human right abuses.’ Okechukwu Nwaguma, coordinator, NOPRIN, calls on Arase and the Police Service Commission (PSC) to immediately bring James Nwafor CSP to account for his numerous human rights atrocities and crimes in Anambra State before his recent posting, to Bauchi State. Chief Mokwe who claimed he has been ill due to the alleged torture from the police narrated his ordeal. He said “I inherited a Motor park which I turned into a plaza in Onitsha Anambra State. The property is located in choice area, a place you can say Onitsha started from. The people of Onitsha became interested in my property which also included a hotel called Upper Class Hotel. That was how the tussle started to take over my land but I defended my property. Two weeks after, an Onitsha indigene planted two human skulls and Ak 47 rifle in one of the hotel rooms to set me up. The police arrested me and in less than thirty minutes, former governor Peter Obi arrived the hotel and ordered it to be demolished. No investigation was conducted in spite of the manifest of lodgers submitted to the police every day. I was detained in Awkuzu SARS with my staff and the Officer in Charge one James Nwafor told me that he would kill me and my blood can be on his head and his children’s. There is a torture room the policemen took me to and they ordered me to remove my trousers. Nwafor tied my neck with the trousers and he and another policeman pulled the legs of the trousers at both ends and I fainted. When I woke up, James Nwafor showed me a confessional statement he had prepared and forced me

Mokwe

Solomon Arase, IGP

to thumb print. I told him that the statement will not stand since I was not an illiterate who can only thumb print. He got angry and threw me into a cell called Cell 5. I was in that cell for weeks without food. It was while I was in that cell that I witnessed the extra judicial killings by policemen. We were twenty seven suspects all from Anambra State in that cell including a 23- year old boy who said he was arrested by his uncle over

land tussle. About 10pm that night, seventeen of the suspects including that 23 year old boy were brought out and summarily executed.” Mr. Mokwe added that he was later removed from the cell after pressure from his lawyer and human rights groups mounted on the police became unbearable. He said “I was brought out from Cell 5

Patience OgbO

SARS officers arrested Ademola following a petition by two victims (names withheld) whom the suspect allegedly used Adeshina’s name to swindle of Thirty five million naira (N35million). According to the petition, the suspect informed the victims that he was setting up a pet project on behalf of the former Agriculture Minister called Cattle Exchange program where Nigerians invest in the business and make

to Cell 1. Nwafor became friendly all of a sudden and told me to write an undertaking that I will give up my property and will not cause trouble. I refused to write the undertaking. A legal Adviser to former governor, Peter Obi, called Ogodo G also urged me to write the undertaking but I refused. That was how Nwafor brought a false complainant CONTINUED ON PAGE 44

Business man in police net over N35million theft

olicemen attached to the Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS), Ikeja, Lagos State police command, have arrested a Lagos based businessman, one Mr. Adelabu Adeniyi Ademola, who claimed to be an associate of former Minister of Agriculture now President, African Development Bank, Adewumi Adesina.

huge investment returns. According to our source, the suspect claimed to be the manager and the facilitator of the project on behalf of the former Agriculture minister. the source said, “following the assurances from the suspect, the two victims subsequently started a company where the suspect headed but after months of investing and waiting for returns, It was learnt that the suspect CONTINUED ON PAGE 44

Do you have a story for us? Contact 08138773277 or crimewatchmirror@yahoo.com

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Crime Watch

Keg of fuel, N100,000 missing after police raid Patience OgbO

olice men attached to the Lagos State Task Force, Special Offence Unit, have been accused of raiding staff and workers at various offices at the National stadium, Surulere Lagos, and allegedly carting away money, keg of fuel after they arrested the workers. It was gathered that the policemen numbering about fifty drove into the stadium at about 1am in their Black Maria and patrol vehicles and began raiding workers sleeping. Eyewitnesses said the team of policemen led by the Chairman of the Task Force CSP Olubukola Are did not spare any office as the policemen combed all nooks and crannies in the stadium in their bid to fish out armed robbers who have been terrorizing visitors and workers in the stadium . Our correspondent was reliably informed that the Task Force Officials raided staff and security personnel at the NTA Sport office, a popular drinking joint called Ojez and another called old school. It was further learnt that the security personnels arrested athletes who were spending the night at the Sport Writers Association Of Nigeria (SWAN) office and took them in the black Marie to the Task Force Office at Alausa after the officials allegedly stole ten litres of fuel belonging to the NTA and about one hundred thousand naira(N100, 000) proceeds from the sales at Old Skool drinking joint. A security man at the NTA and a Camera man who simply identified themselves as David and Emma respectively narrated their ordeal in the hands of the Task Force Officials. Emma said, ‘I slept in our sports office

Fatai Owoseni, Lagos CP

because we had work to do and I could not go home. However about 12 midnight, we started hearing sounds at the gate and the policemen said we should come out. I came out and before I could ask what their mission was, they held my trousers and dragged me into their van. I was asking what my offence was but they said we are criminals they have come to arrest. I told them I am a Camera man with NTA and showed them my Identity card but they did not listen. The policemen were raiding and pushing people into the black Marie. I

called my editor to come to my rescue and when she came, the policemen did not listen to her after she identified me as her camera man. Despite her pleading, the policemen took me and others to their office at Alausa where I spent the he night and was released the next day.” The security man, David, said “When I learnt that Emmanuel was arrested, I rushed out to identify him but the policemen arrested me too and took me to their office at Alausa. I was released the next day.” A worker at Ojez drinking joint said the police arrested six of the staff and they spent the night in the cell. The worker who requested anonymity said, “we were working when they came and arrested us. We told the policemen that we are workers on night shift but they did not bulge. They took us away in their Black Maria van to their office at Alausa where we spent the night. It was our boss that came to pay our bail and we were released. They did not find any incriminating item on us. “ The workers at Old Skool drinking joint said the policemen used the butt of their gun to hit a cook. One of the workers Stanley said, “we had closed for the day and were busy tidying up and counting our cash we made that day when we saw the policemen. They ordered us to hands up and they used their but of gun to hit our female cook. They collected all the money we made that day that we were counting and threw us in their van. We were released the next day.” Our correspondent contacted the Task Force Chairman for his comments but he said he was on his way to the police command for a conference with the commissioner of police.

Hotelier petitions IGP over police brutality CONTINUED FROM PAGE 43

against me and my hotel manager, Justin Nwankwo. We were arraigned on the allegation of killing one Unana Okafor, and we were bundled into prison. It was while we were in prison that we ran into colleagues of the said Unana and they told us that Unana was the leader of MASSOB barracks at Silas Road, arrested by the Awkuzu SARS and summarily executed by the policemen. I told my people to get me a tape recorder and we recorded this statement. My people tracked Unana’s mother to her village and she confirmed that her son was arrested and gave the name of his IPO as one Inspector Umokoro. The mother claimed that she begged him for her son’s release. Ironically, the IPO also happened to be my IPO. We reported my ordeal to NOPRIN and when the case came up in court, and after listening to Unana’s mother, the court ordered our release. I have since sued Peter Obi in

his personal capacity and the Anambra State government and the police. Despite our numerous petitions against James Nwafor over his atrocities at Awkuzu SARS, the police high command did nothing but to transfer him to Bauchi State.” Mr. Nwaguma while calling on the IGP to stop extra judicial killings by SARS officers, said that “NUPRIN since 2004 has written several petitions to the office of the IGP documenting numerous cases of gross and flagrant human rights abuses and acts of misconduct committed by or under the supervision of James Nwafor. These range from frame up, arrest, torture and indefinite detention of people while being held incommunicado to settle scores for politicians or influential business men who are his sponsors; illegal raid of markets and other public places, arbitrary mass arrest and extortion of traders and other innocent people; countless unresolved cases of

extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearance; the Ezu river floating dead bodies, for example. “NOPRIN is seriously concerned that while none of the petitions has been acknowledged or any known action taken in response to the petitions, the victims and their families have been denied justice while James Nwafor and his gang of torturers, extortionists and murderers at SARS continue to revel in their crimes, acts of cruelty and injustice. “The Nigeria police and its oversight agencies have an obligation, under domestic law and international human rights treaties to which Nigeria subscribes, to ensure that perpetrators of extrajudicial killing and other egregious human rights abuse are brought to account. Therefore, we demand that James Nwafor and his fellow perpetrators of crimes and gross human rights abuses at Awkuzu SARS be brought to account without further delay.

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

FEBRUARY 6, 2016

Business man in police net over N35million theft CONTINUED FROM PAGE 43

became incommunicado and could not be reached at home and in his office at Ikoyi after he was paid Ten Million naira (N10million) and twenty five million(25million) respectively by his victims”. Findings at the SARS office show that the police have since arraigned Ademola on a seven count charge bordering on false pretense, forgery, and stealing. Count two read: That you Adelabu Adeniyi Ademola and others now at large on the same date, time and place in the aforesaid magisterial district did obtain by false pretence the sum of ten million (N10,000,000.00) and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 312(1)(a)(b)(3) of the Criminal Law of Lagos state 2011. Count III read: That you Adeniyi Ademola and others now at large on the same date, time and place in the aforesaid magisterial district did steal the sum of ten million and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 278(1)(2)(a(f) of the criminal law of Lagos state 2011. Count IV read: that you Adelabu Ademola and others now at large on the same date, time and place in the aforesaid magisterial district did obtained by false pretence the sum of twenty five million naira (N25,000,000.00) and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 312(1)(a)(b)(3) of criminal law of Lagos state 2011. Count V: That you Adelabu Adeniyi Ademola and others now at large on the same date, time and place in the aforesaid Magisterial District did steal the sum of Twenty Five Million (N25,000,000) and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 278(1)(2)(a)(f) of the criminal law of Lagos state 2011 Count VI read: That you Adelabu Adeniyi Ademola and others now at large on the 11sth day of May 2015 at about 10;30hrs in the Lagos Magisterial District did forged a Guaranty Trust Bank Plc documents purported to have been issued from a system and control group of the said bank in order to deceive and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 363(1)(3)(a)(g) (i) of the criminal law of Lagos 2011. Count VII : that you Adelabu Ademola and others now at large on the 9th day of October , 2015 at about 1030hours in the Lagos magisterial district with intent to defraud did issue one Unity Bank Plc cheque number 12638617 and cheque number 12638618 dated 9th October , 2015 for the sum of Ten Million naira (N10,000,000.00) and Five Million naira (N5,00,000.00) respectively and thereby presented for payment , it was dishounoured on the ground that there was no sufficient funds and thereby committed an offence npunishable under section 320(d) of the criminal law of Lagos state 2011.

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Ebonyi gov suspends Orji, Ekweremadu hail S’Court adviser for revenue over Abia verdict fraud

he Ebonyi State Governor, Dave Umahi, has suspended his Special Adviser on Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), Jeremiah Oketa, indefinitely. It was learnt that Oketa was suspended for creating a separate bank account for payment of IGR without the consent of the state government. Mr. Oketa was said to have connived with a company mandated to enumerate all the buildings in the state for tax payment and created separate bank account where the taxes would be paid without the knowledge of the government. It was gathered that the state government had already created its own account for the purpose. Angered by the devel-

GeorGe oji

opment, the government wielded the big stick, and suspended him indefinitely. Announcing the suspension at a press briefing, the state’s Commissioner for Information and State Orientation, Emmanuel Onwe, said Mr. Oketa had already been stopped from collecting IGR for the state. He announced that commissioners had been banned from collecting IGR for the state, adding that only the Board of Internal Revenue (BIR) is charged with the responsibility of collecting Internally Generated Revenue. He said the decision was to allow the commissioners to concentrate on their jobs for optimal performance.

mmediate past Governor of Abia State, Senator Theodore Orji and the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, have commended the Supreme Court for affirming Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu as the authentic winner of the Abia State governorship election of last year. In a statement in Abuja yesterday, Orji, who is currently representing Abia Central Senatorial zone at the senate said the verdict has further reinforced his unshakable belief in the court as the last hope of all citizens. He said the Supreme Court ruling has finally laid to rest, the accusation and counter accusation over the

actual winner of the Abia polls. The lawmaker urged all citizens of Abia State to support Ikpeazu to enable him deliver on the dividend of democracy, for which he was elected in the first place. The two paragraph statement by the former governor reads: “The verdict of the Supreme Court on Wednesday, February 3, 2016, has laid the rest, accusations and counter accusations, most of them unfounded. The tendon attendant to the falsehood got to a breaking point for most of us who have not experienced this before. I was never perturbed because the truth is a fortress that every honest man should rely on. “As stated in my previous release, I am an unshakable believer in the judiciary as

the hope of all citizens. Elections have come and gone, all Abians should join hands and build. “We have to take it as irrevocable fact that there can only be one governor at a time. Based on present reality, Dr. Victor Okezie Ikpeazu is the elected. All Abians on all sides of the divide, irrespective of party affiliations, should support Ikpeazu. “I urge all to be law abiding, and at the same time respect each other’s rights as guaranteed by the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.” Ekweremadu in a statement described the Supreme Court as the “the bastion of the nation’s democracy,” noting that the apex Court’s verdicts on the election petitions “were not

only resounding victories for the masses of Abia and Akwa Ibom States, but also for the nation’s democracy in general.” He added: “By these verdicts, the Supreme Court has once more, reaffirmed the supremacy of the ballot box over might and propaganda. I commend the Court for upholding the PDP as the overwhelming choice of the people of Abia and Akwa Ibom States, and urge my two brothers, Okezie Ikpeazu and Emmanuel Udom, to continue with their uncommon transformation of their respective states even as they extend the olive branch to all political interests in the state.” He urged the people of both states to continue to support their performing governors and the PDP.

Inherited liabilities: Group sues Anambra govt Patience oGbo

Non-Government Organisation (NGO), Unshackle the Brain Project (UBP), has urged Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State to published details of his inherited liabilities. Speaking with journalists in Lagos, on Friday, the President of the UBP, Chief Bonaventure Mokwe, stated that Governor Obiono’s refusal to give details of his inherited liabilities from former Governor Peter Obi”s administration, which was listed as N185 billion shows lack of transparency in his government, and a way of promoting corruption. The group therefore, in order to force the government of Anambra State to make public inherited liabilities, sued the Obiono-led administration at the Federal High Court, Abuja Chief Mokwe said:

“It is the sincere belief of the Unshackle the Brain Project members that we do not owe up to such amount of money, and some may indeed be ghost contracts. Such as the Umunachi Road, that is not more than four kilometers which was said to have been awarded for N800 million, and no single sand has been deposited at the site. “This is in addition to his saga with Peter Obi on near cash or actual cash investment of N75 billion. His clear dodging of the issue promoted the legal arm of unshackle the Brain Project to commence legal proceedings against his administration at the Federal high Court at Abuja to obligate him to give Anambra people all the details pertaining the issue,” he said. Chief Mokwe said that the era when a contract that would have been executed for N20 million gets listed for N200 million in the state has ended.

Governor of Imo State, Rochas okorocha (right), welcoming the new Area Comptroller of Customs for Zone ‘C’, Mr. Haruna Mahmud, during the visit of officials of Nigeria Customs Service to the government house in Owerri on Thursday

Anambra NASS members sack in order, says Ohaneze

he Igbo apex ruling body, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, yesterday in Nkwelle-Ezunaka, Oyi Local Government Area, Anambra State, hailed the sack of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’s three senators and eight House of Representatives members from the state by the Supreme Court, adding that the apex court’s verdict served PDP well. Reacting to the sack, the Anambra State Chairman of Ohanaeze, Elder Chris Eluemuno, said that “it is a welcome development in the sense that

PDP, especially in Anambra State, has been doing things with impunity.” “At every election, they will bring out three candidates at the same time, and the three will be contesting for the same position and at the end of the day, one candidate will be given all the votes to the disadvantage of other political candidates. “This will teach them a lesson; there are certain things you don’t do; it is pure political rascality.” he stated. He said further that, “I am happy that the Su-

preme Court has stopped that PDP rascality in the state”. “PDP in the state has done it severally and gets away with it so this will teach them and other parties a lesson” Eluemuno posited. “Every time PDP will come up with list of three or four candidates and it is a deliberate act so that one person will win. With this they should sort out their problems before presenting a candidate next time”, he added. It would be recalled that the Supreme court last

week sacked senators Andy Uba representing Anambra South, Uche Ekwunife representing Anambra Central and Stella Odua from Anambra North stating that Ejike Oguebego state Ezecutive of PDP is the recognized one in the state and not the one led by Ken Emeakai that produced the sack senators. The verdict also sacked House of Representative members from the state who emerged through Emeakai’s executive.

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Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

46 Fire razes three science Timber laboratories at CRUTECH market inferno: Wike approves N200m intervention Richard Ndoma Calabar

DenniS naku

Port Harcourt

n a move to assist victims of the inferno that ravaged the Timber Market in the Mile 3 area of Port Harcourt, Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike on Friday, approved the release of N200million to help the affected traders to rebuild their stores and businesses. Governor Wike who led top government officials to inspect the extent of damage at the Timber market, sympathized with all those who lost their wares to the inferno. He said that his administration will always stand by the people by taking necessary steps to encourage businessmen. He said: “I am here to sympathize with you over the unfortunate fire incident that ravaged portions of this market. This is a sad development which has affected the sources of income of many of you. “This administration will always ensure that it caters for the welfare of all residents of the state. I have approved the sum of N200million as an intervention to assist victims of this unfortunate incident.” The governor directed the State Commissioner for Special Duties 2, Mr Emeka Onowu to liaise with the leadership of the market to ensure the proper use of the fund for the revival of the market. Affected traders in the market broke into spontaneous jubilation following the announcement of the intervention fund by the governor.

Mystery fire has razed down 3 Science laboratories belonging to the Faculty of Basic Medical Science in Okuku, Ogoja campus of the Cross River University of Science Technology CRUTECH. National Mirror learnt that the incident occurred at the early hours of last Tuesday. The fire also affected Histology, Biochemistry and Physiology Departments of the school. The inferno is said to have disrupted academic activities and at the moment, carcases of the burnt equipment were seen littered all over the place of the once adoring

laboratory. However, about 20 expended cylinders of fire extinguishers used by the university community to tackle the inferno were seen around littering around the building. Students of the institution were also seen milling around the area counting the huge loss their school had suffered due to the fire incidence while lamenting how the incident is going to hamper their academic pursuit. According a fourth year student, Christopher Adie, the pathetic situation was capable of retarding the progress of the academic calendar adding that the incident was a bad omen for them. However, the Dean of

the school, Dr Esebonu Ugochukwu put the value of the loss at several millions of Naira stressing that the labs gutted by fire were demonstration facilities for 1st year students describing the inferno as the worst in the history of the institution. As at the time of filing this report, the cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained but there were speculations that the fire may have broken out due to electricity fault from public power supply. Dr Ugochukwu averred it was unfortunate that all efforts made by the university community to quench the fire was to no avail as the fire service station complained of lack of equipment.

Assessing the disaster, the DG SEMA Mr John Inaku described the disaster as very unfortunate and assured of govt intervention. However, the Vice Chancellor of the institution Prof. Anthony Owan who was contacted on phone via a text message to react on the issue, said that he is yet to lay fingers on the necessary details and as such he cannot comment on anything for now. His words; “I will be in Okuku on Monday to find out the true situation. I cannot place my fingers on anything at the moment. You will be contacted as soon as the facts becomes clear” The institution Vice Chancellor maintained.

L-R: Administrator, Maryland Comprehensive Secondary School, Rev. Sr. Agnes Adepoju; Head of Radiotherapy and Oncology Department, Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Prof. Aderemi Ajekigbe; Executive Secretary, Yaba LCDA, Hon. Bola Lawal Olumegbon and representative of Lagos Commissioner for Health, Dr. Olajumoke Oyenuga, during the 2nd Omolara Jolaoso Memorial Lecture in commemoration of the 2016 World Cancer Day, yesterday

Police arrest 2 armed robbery suspects in Bayelsa

he Police on Wednesday in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa capital, arrested two armed robbery suspects while they were robbing a shop. DSP Asinim Butswat, the police spokesman of Bayelsa Police Command confirmed the arrest in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Yenagoa. Butswat said the arrest followed a distress call by the victim who alerted neighbours and the police. He said the robbery took place at Okaka area of Yenagoa, adding that the suspects were arrested with a locally made pistol when a team of policemen arrived the scene. “On Wednesday, at about 1920hrs, two young men armed with a locally made pistol, entered a boutique of one Sunday Anyigor, at Okaka St., Yenagoa. “They selected assorted wears and other valuables and pointed the gun at the shop owner and his wife. The shop owner bravely locked the robbers inside and alerted neighbours and the police. “The robbers were arrested and the exhibits recovered,” Butswat said (NAN)

Family of slain UNIBEN student seeks trial of DPO SebaStine ebhuomhan

he family of a slain 500-level student of the Faculty of Laboratory Science in the University of Benin, Ibrahim Momodu, has called for the immediate prosecution of a senior police officer, who allegedly ordered a junior officer to kill him after he was arrested by her patrol team in Benin City. Carol Onyeka Afegbai, a Chief Superintendent of Police, who held office then as the Divisional Police Officer of Ogida Police Station, and who led the deadly patrol team on the night, was alleged to have given Idahosa Amadin, a constable, an order to kill 22-year-old

Momodu after his arrest at a junction around his home at Igbobawaye Street, Off Siluko Road in Benin City, Edo State, on May 27, 2013. An Edo State High Court that sat in Benin City sentenced Mr. Idahosa to life imprisonment for fatally shooting and killing Mr. Momodu after being found guilty on a charge of manslaughter as against murder. In the court’s judgment that was delivered on Monday, January 25, 2016, Justice R. Irele-Ifijeh, pronounced Amadin guilty of manslaughter and sentenced him to life imprisonment after the state prosecutor, M. O. Omozeghian, successfully argued that the offence was punishable under Section 319

of the Criminal Code Cap 48, Vol. II, Laws of the defunct Bendel State of Nigeria, as applicable in Edo State. Jefferson Uwoghiren, counsel to the victim’s family had expressed joy at the conviction, promising thereafter to follow up with a civil litigation against the Nigeria Police Force for the murder while that of the accused person, Olayiwola Afolabi, said that his client would appeal the judgement, being a first offender, who did not deserve to bear the full weight of the law. Rising after a thorough review of the judgment, Barrister Uwoghiren along with the mother of the victim, Mrs. Osas Okungbowa-Momodu, the family has called for the

arrest and prosecution of the former DPO after claiming that there was enough evidence to nail Afegbai for her alleged complicity in the extrajudicial killing. The family, friends and supportive civil rights activists have therefore made five demands that must be met quickly by police authorities for justice and peace to reign. They are: the immediate investigation, dismissal, arrest and prosecution of CSP Carol Onyeka Afegbai (attached with a petition to the Inspector-General of Police); the immediate release of the corpse of Ibrahim Momodu for a final burial; the pursuit of a state appeal for murder as against conviction for manslaughter; the release of Ibrahim Momodu’s personal

items with the police to the family; and, finally, an apology from the police to the victim’s family. Forensic analysis had showed Momodu was shot three times at close range while lying face down on the floor after which he was labeled an armed robber, his corpse paraded with a gun, a bag, phones, an unregistered motorcycle and cartridges before the police secretly buried him at a public cemetery the following day. The police had claimed he had been on their wanted list for kidnapping and robbery. But the murder raised more questions after a panel of enquiry Governor Adams Oshiomhole established exhumed the victim.

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

FEBRUARY 6, 2016

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

PAGE

Gunmen execute 11-yearold hero

n 11-year-old Afghan boy who had been praised for his bravery in leading security forces in battle against the Taliban was killed by the militants this week, Afghan authorities said. Wasil Ahmad had commanded a police unit for 43 days as it fought to repel a deadly 71-day Taliban siege last year, according to his uncle Mullah Samad, an Afghan Local Police commander in the Khas Uruzgan district of Uruzgan province. Gunmen on motorbikes shot the boy in the head Monday at a market in Tarin Kowt, the provincial capital of Uruzgan province, said Dost Mohammad Nayab, spokesman for the province’s governor. Wasil was taken to a local hospital, then transferred to a better-equipped hospital in Kandahar, where he died

of his injuries, Nayab said. The Taliban claimed responsibility for the killing on its website Monday. Wasil had only recently returned to civilian life, enrolling in school in Tarin Kowt last year after surviving the brutal Taliban siege in Khas Uruzgan, Nayab said. Despite his age -- and national and international laws prohibiting the use of children in warfare -- Wasil had distinguished himself on the battlefield last year, Samad, the boy’s uncle, told CNN. Wasil, in combat gear last year, had returned to civilian life before his death. He said Wasil, who lost his father in fighting with the Taliban, had asked him more than a year ago how to use machine guns. “I asked him why did he want to learn. He told me that he wanted to take

revenge from those (who) had killed his father,” Samad said. Samad said he trained the boy in the use of AK47 and PK machine guns, rockets and mortars as well as satellite phones and VHF radios. “He was a very intelligent boy; he quickly learned all of them,” he said. Last summer, the area under the uncle’s control came under Taliban siege, and Samad and some of his men were injured in an attack. “That was when Wasil claimed the command of my men,” Samad recalled, saying the boy would position himself on the roof of the family home firing his machine gun from morning to night. “There were days that he fired up to 3,000 bullets,” he said, adding that Wasil had killed a number of Taliban fighters. “He commanded my men for 43 days in total, and at the end, we broke the siege. We were only 75 people but were fighting hundreds of Taliban.”

Samad had been a Taliban commander before but switched sides in 2012 to fight for the Afghan

government, he told CNN. His brother, Wasil’s father, had also been a Taliban fighter and switched

sides at the same time. The Taliban killed him a year later, Samad said.

Wasil

Over 100 people unaccounted for after South Africa mine collapse – Union

ore than 100 people were unaccounted for after a gold mine in Mpumalanga province in north eastern South Africa caved in Friday, a union official said. According to the report, private emergency services said 49 miners had so far been brought to the surface. South Africa’s mines are the deepest and among the most dangerous in the world. Manzini Zungu, spokesman for the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU), said some 115 union members were trapped underground after a cave-in at the Makonjwaan Gold Mine in Barberton, Mpumalanga province, at 8:40 a.m. “At this point it’s unclear what caused the disaster,” he said The mine is located about 360 km east of Johannesburg. A spokesman for the

ER24 rescue service, a private emergency rescue medical company said 49 miners had so

far been brought to the surface, and that they had sustained only minor injuries.

Fatalities in the industry have been falling due to both improved safety practices and a

reduction in the labour force as production declines. According to the report,

Zika virus active in saliva, urine

ctive Zika virus has been detected in saliva and urine, a Brazilian public health institute said Friday, posing new questions for researchers trying to understand how the virus could spread. “It was known that the virus could be present in both urine and saliva. This is the first time we’ve demonstrated that the virus is active [in those fluids], with the potential to cause infection,” Fiocruz researcher Myrna Bonaldo said. The discovery opens “new paradigms for understanding the transmission routes of the Zika virus,” she said. But it doesn’t necessarily mean you can get sick from contact with an infected person’s saliva or urine, said CNN Chief Medical Corre-

spondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta. “People have already shown that it can spread to bodily fluids other than blood, so this isn’t entirely surprising,” he said. “Presence of virus in saliva doesn’t mean that it’s necessarily transmissible that way.” Health officials had previously reported isolated instances of the virus being passed via blood transfusions and sexual contact, including a U.S. case reported this week. Other labs, including the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, must now confirm the Fiocruz finding, Gupta said. The World Health Organization on Monday declared a public health emergency over the Zika virus and increased reports of

birth defects and a serious neurological condition that could be linked to it. The mosquito-borne virus has spread to at least 29 countries. As many as 3 million to 4 million people across the Americas will be infected with the virus in the next year, WHO has estimated.

While most people have mild symptoms at worst, health officials say the virus is suspected of having a link to an alarming spike in babies born with abnormally small heads -- a condition called microcephaly -- in Brazil and French Polynesia. Reports of Guillan-Barre

in 2015, not less than 77 workers were killed in mining accidents, the lowest number on record.

Syndrome, a neurological conditon that can lead to paralysis, have also risen in areas where the virus has been reported. The CDC is warning pregnant women against travel to affected areas, and health officials in several of the affected countries are telling women there to avoid becoming pregnant.

Theatre hanging: Actor Raphael Schumacher declared brain dead

talian actor Raphael Schumacher has been declared clinically dead after he was strangled in a stage hanging scene that went wrong. The 27-year-old’s family authorized the donation of his organs, and the doctors have started the procedure, a spokesperson at Cisanello Hospital in Pisa told CNN on Friday. Police have launched an

investigation into the incident and say they are trying to establish whether proper safety procedures were in place. According to Italian news agency ANSA, four people are under investigation for manslaughter in the actor’s death. Schumacher was performing in an experimental theater production in the court-

yard of Pisa’s Teatro Lux when a member of the audience noticed that the rope around his neck was too tight. The actor’s head was covered at the time, but the spectator -- a female medical graduate -- saw him trembling and realized something was wrong. She ran to him, loosened the noose, and with the help of another spectator, lowered him to the ground. He was taken to hospital shortly after.

Quote of the day “Cassava is more available than any other crop in Nigeria. It can generate between N5 trillion and N8.5 trillion annually which is far above the budget of the country. Cassava alone can transform Nigeria and even Cross River State which is the largest producer in the country.” — Augustine

BACK PAGE

Oqua, Chairman, Nigeria Cassava Growers Association, Cross River State chapter.

Saturday, February 6, 2016. www.nationnationalmirroronline.net

The American Dollar: A global success

he fuel that drives every economy is the currency, which is perhaps the identity of the economy. Nothing can be done without it. This explains the concentrated efforts put in place by every nation in ensuring that her currency is well designed and appreciated by all. A lot of energy, socio political, and more importantly, economic thinking and working is put in place towards getting a currency that can be said to be the pride of a nation. The loyalty and commitment of every citizen to the currency depends on the integrity of the currency itself. Loyalty to currency depends on the performance of the currency. There is no civic responsibility if the currency is not worth more than the paper on which it is printed. Unlike a flag which represents the totality of a nation and her independence, the currency can only become the flag if it has economic meaning. It is not a disservice to maintain a distance from a currency if the currency, as in some cases, is not worth more than a piece of paper in the waste bin The American dollar stands out today as a global currency because of commitment to the understanding that the currency can make and unmake America. And if it can make America, it can also make the world! If it can destroy America, it can destroy the world! We are gradually getting to a situation where many countries will simply see their currency as a servant of the US dollar! Governments now domesticate their budget and even their debt in the US dollar. And what is more, every corporation prepares their budget in the US dollar or provides, unsolicited, the dollar version of it. No one appears to understand financial statements except it is in dollar language. The dollar has replaced gold and become the golden currency globally celebrated today. The dream of America to colonise the world with the dollar is gradually becoming a reality.

CFR

The loyalTy and commiTmenT of every ciTizen To The currency depends on The inTegriTy of The currency iTself.

loyalTy

To currency depends on performance of The currency.

There is no civic responsibiliTy

if The currency is noT worTh more Than The paper on which iT is prinTed The dollar - flexible in usage, interesting in design, pleasing to hold, assuring in saving, secured for the future, acceptable in simplicity, loyal in integrity - remains the only currency in the universe that draws inspiration from God. It bears the official motto of the United States: “In God We Trust.” The dollar was uniquely put together. According to the Wikipedia, “In 1862, paper money was issued without the backing of precious metals, due to the Civil War. Silver and gold coins continued to be issued. And in 1878, the link between paper money and coins was reinstated. This disconnection from gold and silver backing also occurred during the War of 1812. “The use of paper money not backed by precious metals had also occurred under the Articles of Confederation

from 1777 to 1788. With no solid backing and being easily counterfeited, the continentals quickly lost their value, giving rise to the phrase “not worth a continental.”This was a primary reason for the “No state shall... make anything but gold and silver coin a tender in payment of debts” clause in article 1, section 10 of the United States Constitution. “The Gold Standard Act of 1900 abandoned the bimetallic standard and defined the dollar as 23.22 grains (1.505 g) of gold, equivalent to setting the price of 1 troy ounce of gold at $20.67. Silver coins continued to be issued for circulation until 1964, when all silver was removed from dimes and quarters, and the half dollar was reduced to 40% silver. Silver half dollars were last issued for circulation in 1970.

“Gold coins were confiscated by Executive Order 6102 issued in 1933 by Franklin Roosevelt. The gold standard was changed to 13.71 grams (0.888 g), equivalent to setting the price of 1 troy ounce of gold at $35. This standard persisted until 1968. “Between 1968 and 1975, a variety of pegs to gold were put in place, eventually culminating in a sudden end, on August 15, 1971, to the convertibility of dollars to gold, later dubbed the Nixon Shock. The last peg was $42.22 before the U.S. dollar was left to freely float on currency markets. “According to the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, the largest note it ever printed was the $100,000 Gold Certificate, Series 1934. These notes were printed from December 18, 1934, through January 9, 1935, and were issued by the Treasurer of the United States to Federal Reserve Banks only against an equal amount of gold bullion held by the Treasury. These notes were used for transactions between Federal Reserve Banks and were not circulated among the general public.” Every country is now benchmarking their currency with the dollar and some countries even call their own currency dollar! Interestingly, there is no misrepresentation of the America dollar, which is the only dollar we all know! The dollar derives its strength from good governance, respect for human dignity, disapproval of oligarchy, the use of, and appreciation of democratic values, the joy of knowing that everything is from God, judicial independence, obedience to law and order, as well as respect for judiciary and law. The social network of appreciating all and America’s leadership of extreme display of maturity also strengthen the dollar. There is more to learn about civilization in a democratic environment if all is to be well, for “In God we trust.” Apologies to God’s own US dollar!

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