Saturday, February 9, 2013 by GLOBAL MEDIA MIRROR LIMITED

AFCON final: Jonathan sends delegation to cheer Eagles

P. 9

Vol. 03 No. 8

z z z z z

$620, 000 bribe

Lawan, Boniface granted bail P. 10

Saturday, February 9, 2013

Chime returns to Enugu after 140 days

N150

•Fails to address supporters

P. 52

Gunmen kill 9 female health workers Enugu State Governor Sullivan Chime (middle) acknowledging cheers on his return to Enugu after over 4 months of absence in Enugu, yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

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•We’ll fish out killers –IGP •Jonathan orders enhanced security

Budget 2013

BOLA AJIBOLA

Presidency, NASS’ ‘I will not subscribe disagreement to dismemberment stalls approval of Nigeria’ P. 3

P. 8

Stephanie

Prince

P. 21

Page

Top Stories

Two

‘Things are tough, but life goes on’ P.33 •Spinal cord injury victims

OWERRI

T ...As Mexican nine-year-old becomes a mother the same day

February 9, 2013

Imo youths protest medical doctor’s murder CHRIS NJOKU

P.36 Argentine schoolgirl, 12, gives birth to twin sons

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

he gruesome murder of a young medical doctor, Chinonye Nwishi, by unknown gunmen on Wednesday triggered off a serious protest by scores of youths in Nguru Nwenkwo in Aboh Mbaise Area of Imo State, leading to the breakdown of economic and social activities in the area. An eyewitness told Saturday Mirror that the deceased was returning from his clinic located in the area at about 9 pm after attending to his patients when he was accosted by the men who

first requested for the keys of his Toyota Camry saloon. According to the account, the late Nwishi was said to have been trailed by the criminals on a motorcycle from Ahiara Junction where his clinic is situated, and while attempting to turn at Nkwogwu Junction on the way home, the men of the underworld confronted him. When he saw them, Nwishi threw his car key into the nearby bush and this angered the criminals who pumped bullets into his body thereby killing him. When the corpse was later discovered by the youths of the

community, they went on rampage destroying everything that they could. The protesters also carried placards with various inscriptions demanding government to fish out the killers and also condemning how their illustrious son was murdered in such a gruesome manner. The late Nwishi’s corpse, as gathered, has been deposited in a nearby morgue. The police public relations officer (PPRO) in the state, Vitalis Onugu, a Deputy Superintendent of Police said he was not aware of the incident, but promised to investigate it.

Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha

Twenty people cheat death in Abeokuta accident FEMI OYEWESO ABEOKUTA

Man kills fiancée over infidelity P.49

P.51

Fake pastor dupes businesswoman

The afflictions of fishermen P.35

wenty people, among who were two babies, escaped death when the 18-seater passenger bus in which they were travelling swerved off the road and finally plunged into a ditch at the Aro end of Lagos-Abeokuta expressway in Abeokuta yesterday. The accident, which involved a blue colour Mazda bus with registration number Ogun XE 413 TTD was on full speed when it got to the speed breaker at the Aro Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Abeokuta where it suddenly swerved off the road into the ditch. Though no life was lost, eyewitnesses told Saturday Mirror all the victims of the accident who were seriously injured were taken to Ogun State General Hospital, Ijaiye for medical attention. When Saturday Mirror visited the accident scene, the bus

The accident scene

was in the ditch, damaged and stained with congealing blood. Passengers’ luggages, mobile phones and some naira notes as well as a blank motor park passengers’ manifest were scattered all over the accident scene. Speaking with newsmen,

an officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) from Ewekoro Division, Sodiq Owolabi, confirmed the accident. He added that the victims were all taken to the hospital by men of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and the Fed-

eral Road Safety Corps (FRSC). Owolabi, who gave the name of the bus’ driver as Biodun Biobaku also explained that the driver oversped and lost control of the vehicle at a point along the road which resulted in the accident.

Ogun community head, 2 others docked for stealing plantain FEMI OYEWESO ABEOKUTA

he community head of Imedu-Nla in Obafemi Owode Local Government Area of Ogun State, Chief Jimoh Adebayo, has been arraigned before Owode-Egba Chief Magistrates Court for allegedly stealing one bunch of plantain valued at N2, 000. According to the police prosecutor, Sergeant Evidence Ony-

enmaobi, the accused with two others identified as Wahab Ayenreti (70) and Surajudeen Ayenreti (35) were said to have connived and stolen the bunch of plantain within the premises of Jubilee Baptist Church located in the area on December 31st, 2012. “The community leader (Adebayo) and his accomplice jumped into the church’s compound, cut down the bunch of plantain and were carting it away when they

were sighted by the pastor of the church who the third accused person threatened and chased with a cutlass to prevent him from raising an alarm,” Onyenmaobi said. He argued that the offence contravened Sections 516, 390 (9) and 86 (2) of the Criminal Code Laws of Ogun, 2006. The accused persons pleaded not guilty to the thre- count charge of conspiracy, stealing and threat to life.

Counsel to the accused persons, Mr Ade Agbolade pleaded with the court to grant the accused persons bail, assuring the court that they will not jump bail. The Chief Magistrate, Emmanuel Adekunte granted the accused persons bail in the sum of N100,000 each with two sureties each in like sum. He then adjourned the case to March 21st for further hearing on the matter.

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

AJIBOLA

February 9, 2013

InThe

Prince Bolasodun Adesumbo Ajibola was Attorney General and the Minister of Justice of Nigeria from 1985 to 1991. He was a Judge of the International Court of Justice, Hague, from 1991 to 1994, and also served as President of the Nigerian Bar Association from 1984 to 1985. A respected Prince of Owu Kingdom, he was chairman of the panel set up by the Plateau State government to probe the 2008 Jos riots. In this interview with TEMITOPE OGUNBANKE, he speaks passionately on the need to restructure the Nigerian judiciary, among other issues. Excerpts:

Spotlight

s an elder statesman, what is your view about the state of the nation? If I have to advise the government, I would like to address some salient points that are of importance to the nation at the moment which need addressing very strongly. First and foremost is the issue of what I will call lawlessness. We have to be very careful in our light and ineffective ways of addressing serious issues of the moment like corruption. Apart from the fact that economically, corruption is destructive, it also breeds lawlessness, terrorism, chaos and destruction. And if we are not careful, it may even destroy the entity that is known as Nigeria. Coincidently, this is the period that we are about to celebrate our centenary of existence; the time that Lord Lugard referred to us as a state called Nigeria. The only achievement we have had is the fact that we are still together artificially. But we can still develop this nation and move it forward if we are ready and willing to put things in the right direction. At the moment, our security is very much questionable and unfortunately very destructive in the situation that we are now. We have to look very seriously into what we call rule of law and make sure that anyone found violating the law is adequately and properly dealt with. We need to do that in order to address the current state of lawlessness. We should be ready to deal with anybody by imposing the appropriate sanction on anyone found violating the law. It is very necessary because people may presume that there is no more effective law binding the people and that people can do whatever they wish to do with impunity. Hence, we must take lawlessness as a point that should be cleared, cured and dealt with promptly. Therefore, the two issues of corruption and lack of security are very important issues to be dealt with and we must work very hard to ensure that we improve immediately on these issues. There is also need for our courts to be very objective in handing down social justice. We should be very objective looking into the situation of the country and coming out with rightful and proper judgement in terms of any violation of the law. There are cases, which options or sanctions need to be addressed in terms of matters of the moment, whereby people who have looted should be adequately dealt with. I think matters of that nature will need to be addressed when one is looking at the discretion of judges in the court.

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;I will not subscribe to dismemberment of Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; What is your view about the state of the Nigerian judiciary, considering various allegations of corruption and confusion over the rulings of some judges? We have a serious question mark along that line. May I say that although there is nowhere you cannot find individuals who are really, for one reason or the others, violating the rules and regulations or the law, we

cannot say that all the judges are bad. There are still few just judges and there are also some judges that are turning things upside down and those can be dealt with adequately by putting into motion the machinery of justice. What machinery of justice do you think should CONTINUED ON PAGE 5

SPOTLIGHT EXTRA

February 9, 2013

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Jurist of no mean repute, Prince Bola Ajibola has transversed the globe doing what he does best since 1962. Now at 79 he says it is time to sit back, take things easy, serve God and support humanity. TEMITOPE OGUNBANKE

t 79 years old, how would you say life has been for you? One must thank God for this relative longevity that one has enjoyed. I am delighted that I have been able to put a little bit into the development of the country called Nigeria. I have my own personal sentimental approach to this entity called Nigeria in the sense that I have been given the opportunity to serve this nation. I served it to the best of my ability and it was a selfless service. How did you serve the country selflessly? I served as Attorney General and Minister of Justice for six years, three months, 20 days and one and half hours and that was done meritoriously and without taking any money. Were you not paid salary as Attorney General and Minister of Justice? I never took home a kobo Why? I used it to help the nation. In what way? I gave back to the government 35 per cent of the money to run the government very well. I gave 25 per cent to the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) and the remaining 40 per cent I gave to the needy, the deprived; those who are lacking in their daily needs. So, I did that for almost six years. Not only that, I employed staff at the Ministry of Justice to serve this nation when I was paying the staff ’ salaries just to make sure that all that had to be done was done at that time. It was quite a lot and I left behind many laws in the Ministry of Justice like the laws of the federation of Nigeria, law development and so many other laws and the monthly law reports. What were your happiest and saddest moments as Attorney General and Minister of Justice? The happiest moment I can say was the first day that I served in that office and I looked at it as a challenge. I looked back and felt that this was a chance and opportunity for me to distinguish myself. I was determined to do my very best without taking any remuneration. As a matter of fact, that is why people like us are horrified about this looting, reckless, heavy huge looting of our money in billions and trillions. I feel so sad that this is all that is now happening because at that time I would not even take any gift presented to me because I did not want any situation that would amount to an abuse of office. So, coming to me and giving me

The young barrister

‘One is old and not able to run around’ lawyer was going on with it. So, he said; ‘I will adjourn this case, young lawyer, you should go and look into it from another angle which is being introduced to the matter. So, tomorrow will be another day.’ I was wiser the second day and more effective.

a wrist watch, I would ask our secretary to have it kept well and we were having quarterly sales. All those things would be sold and the money ploughed back into the government coffers. That was done for six years. Why did you do so? Was it as a result of your rich background? My background was there too but the law is also there that I must comply and live up to expectation as an Attorney General and Minister of Justice. Why should I prosecute anybody if I myself happened to be a criminal? I cannot stand it. I cannot allow for it. Why did you not venture into partisan politics? I never wanted to venture into politics because the way it is being played in Nigeria is still with a question mark. The needed attribute of trust, responsible acts is still lacking. I just don’t believe that politicians are honestly and prudently assisting us to get the right approach into matters that affect Nigerians. What was your first day in court like? I was before Justice Dandi Onyeama in a civil matter for my first case in court. The matter was a civil matter on negligence and it was another senior counsel

Ajibola now

that was against me. The senior counsel was marshalling his points and although I had studied my own case, I was not looking at it from the perspective of that lawyer. But quite happily, Dandi Onyeama noticed my naivety and the fact that I had not approached it the way the other

At 79, what are you really missing about your childhood and youthful days? Now, one is old and not able to run around as usual on matters of impotance, to face challenges, to take a stand on issues of the moment, to work heavily against the infringement of human rights, to give a strong perspective on matters of the moment and to attend a lot of conferences all over the world like I used to in those days. I think all those things are subsiding now, having reached this age. But having regards to my time now, I am gradually putting more time into the service of God and support to other services. Service to God and humanity are my special areas now. To serve God, I have an Islamic Mission for Africa and I do go there every Sunday for us to pray, serve and worship. I also go there on Friday for services. But the other days, I do normally get to the Crescent University to help in developing all that is needed to be developed in the university.

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

IN THE SPOTLIGH

February 9, 2013

THE RULE OF LAW

I WAS INVOLVED IN THE BAKASSI ISSUE FOR 22 YEARS AND I COULD

VIOLATING THE RULE

PLEA BARGAINING IS ALIEN TO OUR LAW IN NIGERIA. WE DON’T HAVE IT IN OUR COMMON LAW; NEITHER DO

OF LAW OUGHT TO BE

WE HAVE SUCH PROCEDURE

AHEAD, LOOMING LARGE,

REMOVED FROM THE

IN ANY OTHER PARTS OF OUR

BECAUSE THERE WERE

IS ALWAYS THERE AND ANYONE FOUND

JUDICIAL SERVICE IN THIS COUNTRY

LAWS. IT SHOULD NOT BE

ENCOURAGED. IT IS SOMETHING

SEE THE DOOM COMING

FORCES AGAINST

NIGERIA

FROM OUTSIDE

TO BE EXPUNGED

‘Plea bargaining is alien to Nigeria’s law’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3 be put in place? Their decisions could be reviewed. There could be removal aspect of it. The Council of Judges could take necessary actions because they are all subject to the rules and regulations of the courts. We have the body of benchers. We have the houses of judges and all these people are those who can put things right and I think they should do so. Pastor Tunde Bakare, a few days ago, described the Nigerian judiciary as a refuge of crooks and many people have also alleged Nigerian judiciary of being corrupt. How would you react to this? Corruption is a universal thing and is applicable in so many other countries of the world. Therefore Nigeria is not an exemption. When I was serving as the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, this situation happened and I was able to call on Justice Kayode Eso to set up a Judicial Commission of Enquiry and so many judges were immediately retired at that time. We know the bad ones among the present judges. What are we doing about them now? We should taking positive actions in fishing out those who are not doing the right things in terms of justice. So, you believe that some judges must be forced to go on retirement as part of the measures to sanitise the judiciary? Of course, those who are violating the rules of justice should be removed. The rule of law is always there and anyone found violating the rule of law ought to be removed from the judicial service in this country. One of the issues presently attracting criticism is plea bargaining. What is your view about plea bargaining? I have spoken out against it. It is alien to our law in

Nigeria. We don’t have it in our Common Law; neither do we have such procedure in any other parts of our laws. It should not be encouraged. It is something to be expunged. The police can do their thorough investigation on any matter and they don’t need another group to do their job for them. It is unnecessary; it is a means of dispensing good justice in an unsavoury and unprogressive manner. I have always been against the idea of plea bargaining. I am personally against it because I think it is undesirable and very unhelpful. They should allow people to face the sanction and be put in prison for whatever they have done and that should be the decision of the court. How do you see the ruling of an Abuja High Court which gave only two years jail term with option of only N750,000 fine to a former deputy director with the Police Pension Fund who was convicted of stealing N32 billion? A judge has the discretion that must be exercised in terms of social justice, and once it is exercised that way, it devalues the quality of that judgement and will create a lot of chaos in the country. Also, if the discretion is not rightly exercised, it could destroy the nation. This is not the time that you must just award a pittance considering the amount of money said to have been stolen. That is ridiculous and that is inciting people towards criminal acts. It means that you can steal billions and then be fined a very small sum of money. It is an incitement to misbehaviour in the society. It is wrong. The Judiciary is regarded as the last hope of the common man. Do you see Nigerian judiciary as the last hope of the common man? A good cleaning up could help us to do that. We have done it before and we can still do it. You know that from time to time, you get the wrong people in but that does not mean that you cannot go in again, review and

check and see those bad eggs removed. Looking at the state of the nation, many of our problems have been blamed on corruption. How do you think corruption can be stopped in the country? I think the president and the National Assembly could take the matter up more seriously and more effectively in order to help this nation. The only answer to all these is to follow the rule of law and to let people know that anyone that goes against the law must be punished and sanctioned. Considering the way those who looted the treasury in the past are walking freely on the streets today, do you think government is really fighting corruption? It is a very difficult situation but it is not something that cannot be cured. What you do is to say a drastic situation needs a drastic cure and a good one would be to set up a very strong Judicial Commission of Enquiry made up of principled judicial personnel who can call a spade a spade and cure the evil that is now plaguing us. Some people have suggested capital punishment for any public office holder caught in act of corruption. Do you support death penalty for corrupt officials? I have never supported death penalty because it solves no problem. Those who have suggested it are not mindful of the fact that it is not a right thing to take anybody’s life. It is God’s creation and one must just allow God’s intervention at the right time. But on this earth, if somebody should do anything wrong, they should be adequately sentenced. If we look at the present world situation, we will not allow capital punCONTINUED ON PAGE 6

IN THE SPOTLIGH

February 9, 2013

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

‘Corrupt judges must be flushed out’ I THINK THE PROLIFERATION OF STATES WILL NOT HELP US.

THE 36

STATES WE HAVE NOW ARE VERY UNWIELDY.

IT IS UNADVISABLE; IT IS TIME AND

MONEY WASTING AND BACKWARD

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5 ishment to resurface. It is no longer in the adequate punishment. The adequate punishment now is that the criminals should be put in jail and stay there with all the consequences of their acts being inflicted on them. Many have been calling for the restructuring of Nigeria and one of the issues that are dominant in the country today is the review of the constitution. What is your take on this? There are certain areas of the constitution that would need reviewing. But let us objectively go back to true federalism, which I subscribe to. A unitary kind of government will not help this nation. We need to positively look into having true federalism. I even think that proliferation of states will not help us. The 36 states that we have now are very unwieldy. It is unadvisable; it is time and money wasting and backward. At most, perhaps, we should have six zones in this country and I think that will reduce the uneconomic way of administering our country. It is very expensive the way we are running our government in Nigeria. It is terribly expensive and we are one of the most expensive nations in the world. It is not advisable to put the whole burden on the federal government. There should be something that would take care of our needs, wants and actions like the way we started, which was only three regions. But if we have six at the moment, it will still satisfy our political and social needs. In a few months Nigeria will celebrate her centenary anniversary. But some individuals and groups are fanning the embers of disunity. Should Nigeria remain one or be divided based on agitations of some ethnic nationalities? We have put in so much to bring about Nigeria and we should build on that; develop that further, strengthen that and make ourselves the greatest nation in Africa. Divided we shall fall, united we shall stand. Although the situation is still very awkward at the moment, we can come together and live in harmony. For example, the United States of America has up to 50 states and they are still living together in

harmony. They once had their civil war and fought bitterly in the 19th century but nevertheless, they learnt to live together. There was a time the Southerners were not with the Northerners but at the end of the day they could see the benefit in positive togetherness and that was what they did. We have put in a lot into this so-called Nigeria. It is an amalgamation of people of different nations, tribes and ethnic backgrounds, but we have been able to stitch it together for the past 50 years that we have lived together. I will not subscribe to our dismemberment. I will subscribe to the idea that we do what we called mending of any of the defects in terms of our nation. You were one of the judges that gave the ruling that ceded the oilrich Bakassi Peninsula to Cameroon at the International Court of Justice (ICJ). As a Nigerian, do you have any regrets over your action? No, on the contrary I thank God for using me in a way that did not throw the whole nation into warfare and armed conflict, perpetually. Not with only Cameroon but all other important nations supporting Cameroon in a subterranean manner that could have destroyed the whole entity called Nigeria. I really thank God for putting me in the rightful position to see and put in all my efforts in ameliorating the situation. You see, we were on an uphill task and our case wasn’t that good and it has also been articulated by Nigerians against the interest of Nigeria in the Bakassi issue. I was involved in Bakassi issue for 22 years; from the time that I served as Attorney General and Minister of Justice to the

time that I served at the International Court of Justice and also when I was serving as the chairman of the Cameroon-Nigeria Mixed Commission. I was involved in Bakassi issue for 22 years and I could see the doom coming ahead, looming large because there were forces against Nigeria from outside and Nigerians also didn’t help the position of Nigeria. What do you mean by that Sir? A lot of evidence presented before the court that damned Nigeria’s own attribution to the Bakassi area were all evidences from Nigeria. The first one I can tell you was a note verbal from Nigeria accepting that the whole of Bakassi belongs to Cameroon. If you go and look at the map, you will see that the whole area of Bakassai our own Surveyor-General kept excising Bakassi into Cameroon. So, it wasn’t part of Nigeria at all. And when the whole thing was coming to articulation as to what is involved in the AngloAmerica agreement, which touched on Bakassi, the two demarcating points are Akwa Yafe and Rio Del Rey. If we had insisted on Rio Del Rey being the channel dividing Nigeria from Cameroon, we would not have had problems standing on the ground that we owned Bakassi. But if it has to go on to Akwa Yafe; that means that we have agreed that Cameroon owns Bakassi. What Nigerian government agreed to is that the boundary is on the Akwa Yafe channel. That spells everything out and we agreed and signed document on that. So, it is a case of admission. We have already damned ourselves. The rest of the world was looking at it from that perspective and they were watching

THERE ARE CERTAIN AREAS OF THE

CONSTITUTION THAT WOULD NEED REVIEWING.

BUT LET US OBJECTIVELY GO BACK TO TRUE FEDERALISM, WHICH I SUBSCRIBE TO. A UNITARY KIND OF GOVERNMENT WILL NOT HELP THIS

NATION.

WE NEED TO POSITIVELY LOOK INTO HAVING TRUE FEDERALISM

if we would go against the judgement of the court. Thank God I was there because the situation could have been worse. The judgement that would have been given against Nigeria could have damned Nigeria into colossal compensation that would be paid to Cameroon for eternity. But I was able to convince the court that it shouldn’t be. How did you convince the court? By law, you don’t damn a man until he is guilty of committing the offence. You already try to condemn Nigeria before a decision is given. It is not done by logic and law. So, it wasn’t done, otherwise it would have been a case of attribution and that would have been serious against Nigeria. But at the end of the whole thing, Nigeria was still able to claim positive gain with regard to the boundary from Lake Chad to the sea in Nigeria. We gained a lot of land there, which was with Cameroon before. In fact what we gained put together would be more than Bakassi. Again, Cameroon wanted the whole of Nigeria’s oil in our foreshore and they fought terribly hard to get hold of that but we were able to make that impossible by advancing our arguments against it. Cameroon wanted the boundary line to encompass the land of Nigeria but through the judgement they couldn’t do that. Otherwise the whole of the oil that is being tapped and recklessly spent by Nigeria would have gone to Cameroon. Are you saying Nigeria did not actually lose in the ceding of Bakassi to Cameroon? In terms of maritime boundary, we did not lose anything at all. We signed further agreement with Cameroon and we now know the areas that went into the other side, which is being well managed now. We came out successfully in the whole exercise that took place between us and Cameroon because it is a proliferation of litigation that has to do with Chad, land boundary, maritime boundary and Bakassi but it did not end there. It has to do with state attribution. That state attribution is a criminal offence against Nigeria which we were able to prevent by my strong arguments over there at our deliberations.

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

NATIONAL NEWS

February 9, 2013

Gunmen kill 9 female health workers in Kano •We’ll fish out the killers –IGP AUGUSTINE MADU-WEST KANO

he spate of attack in Kano, Kano State, took a new dimension yesterday as some unidentified gunmen stormed two community health centres at separate times, killing nine female health workers. The attacks were carried out in Angwar Uku and Hotoro areas of the state. The slain health workers were involved in the ongoing polio immunization exercise in the state. An eyewitness who pleaded anonymity said the incident occurred at Shargawlle Comprehensive Health centre in Angwar Uku quarters noted that the gunmen stormed the health centre on a motorbike and

tricycle and attempted to burn the health centre while the healthcare workers were carrying out the immunization exercise. Also, it was gathered that a portion of the healthcare centre was set ablaze. The intention, it was suspected, was to raze the entire building. In the attack in Haye, Hotoro quarters, the gunmen were said to have opened fire on the health workers who were also on immunisation exercise in the area. When contacted, spokesman of the Kano Police Command, ASP Magaji Musa, who confirmed the incident said the incident occurred at about 9.30 am. He said the gunmen stormed Hotoro and Angwar Uku healthcare centres and

killed nine people, all women. He however said that the areas have been cordoned off following the incidents. No arrest, he said, had been made yet, even as he declared that investigations into the incident had already been launched. While also confirming the attack, the Commissioner of Health, Dr Abubakar Labaran, said gunmen attacked the two healthcare centres, killing some female workers carrying out immunisation exercise. Labaran who disclosed that the victims had been taken to hospital, described the development as a sad development. But speaking on the incident, the Inspector General of Police, Muhammadu Dahiru Aabubakar, has assured

the government and people of Kano State that perpetrators of the attacks would be brought to book soon. Abubakar, made the promise when he paid a courtesy visit to Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso at the State House yesterday. He was received by the State Deputy Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje. The killing of nine women in Kano, the IGP pointed out should not be viewed as a security collapse. He said security agents were on the trail of the culprits, and promised that in due course, there would be no hiding place for those behind the heinous crime. He also express regret over the attack on the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero. He said, steps were also being taken to tackle in general, the state of insecurity.

He disclosed that some level of success had been recorded by the police, as some of the suspects had already been apprehended. The police boss stressed that law enforcement agents would not be deterred in the task before them. “We will do everything within our capacity to restore peace to the ancient city of Kano. We urge the people of the state to assist the police in providing relevant information, as well as intelligence reports that will help the police to nail the perpetrators of such crimes.” Kano State governor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, who was represented by his deputy, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, thanked the Minister of Police Affairs, and the IGP for coming to Kano to commiserate with the people and government of Kano State. Ganduje explained that the government of Kano was fully aware of the ongoing security challenges in the state, disclosing that the government had adopted a pragmatic approach in tackling the issue. He said that the state government had donated vehicles and other security

equipment to the police in the state, towards improving the security situation. Meanwhile, the militaryled Joint Task Force and the Police in Kano have intensified their house-to-house search for suspected militants of Boko Haram sect. Kano State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Idris, yesterday said his men were on the trail of two fleeing suspects, who abandoned assorted explosives and firearms when they were being chased by security agents. Addressing the press at the Bompai headquarters of the Kano State Police Command, CP Idris said the command received a distressed call from some residents in Kawaji area that two young men carrying a large bag were seen in the area in a manner that was suspicious. Following the tip off, he said, security agents swung into action while the suspects abandoned the bags and took to their heels. The bag, he said, was found to be containing dangerous weapons , including six AK 47, assault rifles, pistols among others.

…Jonathan condemns killings •Orders enhanced security for health workers

P Former chairman Ad-hoc Committee on Fuel Subsidy, House of Reps., Hon. Farouk Lawan, (second right) granted bail of N10 million in Abuja High PHOTO: ROTIMI OSASONA Court, yesterday.

Death penalty’ll rid Nigeria Lagosians are in safe of corruption –Varsity don hands –New GOC IJEOMA ABUJA

EZEIKE

foremost educationist and pioneer director of the United Nations African Institute for Prevention of Crime (UNAFRI), Professor Femi Odekunle, has advocated for death penalty as one of the ways to cure the nation of its endemic corruption. According to him, corruption would drastically be reduced only when those entrusted with public thrust are constantly reminded of the penalties if found guilty of corruption charges. Professor Odekunle who also served as Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences

at the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and currently a Criminology lecturer at the University of Abuja, drew instances from China and Malaysia where death penalty had worked as deterrent against corruption. Professor Odekunle made the submissions yesterday when he gave a keynote address at an event organised by Global Training Consulting (GTC), a UK-based institute in Abuja. Speaking on the topic, Transformation Agenda, Corruption and National Security, Professor Femi also alleged that over 90% of the country’s resources are being cornered and consumed by far less than 10% of the population.

SEGUN ADIO

he new General Officer Commanding 81 Division, Nigerian Army, Major-General Obi Abel Umahi, has said that Lagosians and residents of the Area Of Responsibility of the division is in safe hands under him. General Umahi said this in Lagos yesterday while officially taking over the command from his predecessor, Major-General Kenneth Minnimah, who has been posted as Commander, Nigerian Army Infantry in Kaduna State. Before his new posting,

General Umahi, was Commander, 4 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Benin City, Edo State. Gen. Umahi, who claimed he was not a stranger to the hustle and bustle of Lagos, maintained that the people of the state would have a smooth relationship with officers and men of the service under his watch. His words: “My new appointment is a challenge to join hands in repositioning the army and I need to study the terrain well. However, I am not a stranger to this ground. All I call say for now is that the people of my AOR are in safe hands.”

resident Goodluck Jonathan has condemned the terrorist attacks yesterday in Kano which claimed the lives of health workers who were dutifully engaged in vaccinations to protect and save the lives of Nigerian children. Following the development, Jonathan has directed that enhanced security measures be put in place immediately for health workers in highrisk areas. A statement issued last night by Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, said, “On behalf of himself and the Federal Government, President Jonathan extends commiserations to the families of the victims and the government and people of the state.” Jonathan who is currently on official trip to London and Paris assured the bereaved families that the loss of their loved ones would not be in vain as the Federal Govern-

ment would ensure that the mission to totally eradicate polio from Nigeria in which they were patriotically engaged is carried out to a very successful conclusion. The president further assured all Nigerians and the international community, especially international health organisations and Nigeria’s development partners that the federal government would not be distracted from its objective of accelerating the reduction of maternal and child mortality in all parts of the country by mindless acts of terrorism. While the government would continue to do everything possible to track down and apprehend agents of terrorism in the country, Jonathan has directed that enhanced security measures be put in place immediately for health workers in highrisk areas. He prayed for the repose of the souls of the victims of the attacks.

NATIONAL NEWS

February 9, 2013

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Budget 2013: Presidency, NASS’ disagreement stalls approval OBIORA IFOH ABUJA

he disagreements between President Goodluck Jonathan and the National Assembly on the oil benchmark, constituency projects and lack of budget for the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) may delay the signing of the budget till March. The National Assembly had in December last year passed the sum of N4.987trn as the 2013 budget but the president has failed to assent to it as the presidency claimed it is still studying the figures. It also claimed that they are waiting for the budget breakdown from the National Assembly. But a presidency source told Saturday Mirror that President Jonathan is not comfortable with the new figure which he said is unsustainable. The source said that the signing may be delayed til next month as the president, who is now

on foreign trips, may be unavailable for any immediate dialogue with the leadership of the National Assembly over the matter yet. According to the source, “the president is worried over the oil benchmark approved by the National Assembly which is $4 more than what the president thinks is realistic. The president believes that with the uncertainty in the oil market, a fall will push the nation into a serious economic situation and may cause undue hardship and stress in the economy. “The president is also worried that the zero allocation to the SEC will adversely affect that all important sector of the economy. He is not happy that the National Assembly is not considering the institution but has gone for ego trip of getting at an individual. He is also concerned about the constituency projects injected by the lawmakers in the budget as it is capable of eroding the functions

of the executive.” The Senate and the House of Representatives had settled for $79 as the crude oil benchmark for the 2013 budget. The recommendation for the approval was contained in the report of the Conference Committee of the two chambers on the 2013-2015 Medium Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper of the Federal Government. The $79 is $1 less than the $80 the House of Representatives passed in October, and $1 above the $78 that the Senate passed earlier. However, it is $4 higher than the original proposal of $75 by the Executive. The implication of the harmonised position is that both chambers kept to their word not to approve $75 as the benchmark for next year’s budget. It would be recalled that the oil benchmark for the proposed budget of N4.9tn had generated much heat between the

Customs detain FAAN security, contractor over blockage OLUSEGUN KOIKI

t was a show of might yesterday at the Murtala Mohammed Airport (MMA), Lagos when an officer of the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), Airport Command, locked up a security staff of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), including its contractor, Maczoll Nigeria Limited, for allegedly blocking the road because of the ongoing construction at the Hajj and Cargo terminal. The two men were dragged and locked up in Customs cell at the airport for about 10 minutes. The two men were detained on the order of the Deputy Comptroller of Customs in charge of tarmac operations at the airport, one Mr. Usman, according to the site engineer of Maczoll Nigeria Limited, Mr. Bewaji Kayode, who was also detained by the Customs. Kayode narrated that trouble began when Usman allegedly drove to the

barricaded road, a site of the ongoing construction of the cargo terminal by the ministry of aviation. He explained that the Customs boss requested to know why the road was barricaded and on whose order the road was blocked for motorists, but was not satisfied with the explanation of the FAAN security official and so ordered his men to lock up the duo. He said, “The road is being constructed for the ongoing remodeling of the cargo terminal opposite the customs office at the Hajj Camp Cargo Terminal. We told the customs boss that the order was from the FAAN Chief Security Officer (CSO) in order to allow for free working of the contractors on the site. “But the custom boss said that the FAAN authority has no right to block the road and that the security officer on the site was a suicide mission.” He added that all entreaties to the customs bus by the FAAN CSO proved

abortive as the Customs boss refused to respond to the call made to him by the former. He noted that the construction works ongoing at various airports in the country was for the benefit of air travellers and Nigerians at large. “We expect better synergy between FAAN and the customs and we don’t expect them to take the laws into their hands when they feel uncomfortable. “We are using this opportunity to solicit for the cooperation and understanding of the airport users. This project is a key agenda of the Federal Government transformation agenda,” he said. When Saturday Mirror contacted the office of the Customs Public Relations Officer, our correspondent was told that the PRO was not in the office for comment. But a Customs source told our correspondent in confidence that the issue had been settled by both parties.

Executive and the National Assembly, particularly the House of Representatives. While the Executive claimed it was playing safe because of unstable crude oil prices on the international market, the House argued that a higher benchmark should be used to cut budget deficit. The 2013 budget has a deficit of over N1tn. The House stated that rather than borrow over N600bn from the domestic market to fund the deficit as proposed in the budget, the government should raise the benchmark from $75 and use the difference to finance the deficit. The benchmark was the only major area of difference in both chambers’ versions of the MTEF, as they largely agreed with the Executive’s proposals on other areas. The House retained the crude oil production levels of 2.526 million barrels per day for 2013; 2.611 million bpd for 2014 and 2.68 million bpd for 2015. One hundred and sixty members of the House of

Representatives on Thursday threatened to push for an override of President Jonathan’s veto in signing the N4.987trn 2013 budget passed by the National Assembly in December last year. The 160 members of the opposition parties’ caucus after a closed-door meeting yesterday threatened to vote for an override of the President’s veto on the bill. Speaking on behalf of the lawmakers, the Minority Leader, Hon. Femi Gbajabiala (ACN, Lagos) said: “We call on Mr. President to quickly sign the 2013 budget and we will work with him on this if there are genuine grey areas. “We are already in February and a situation where the legislature will have to override his presidential veto as constitutionally provided is not a good way to start the year or foster a good legislative-executive relationship. We also ask that Mr. President begins to respect official resolutions from an equal arm

of government as these resolutions are always in national interest. If two heads are better than one, then surely 360 heads are better than one. The delay in signing the 2013 budget has been subject of a lot of meetings in the National Assembly,” the caucus said. But the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had dismissed as empty boast, threat by opposition members from the House of Representatives to override President Jonathan over the signing of the 2013 budget. PDP said the lawmakers were merely playing to the gallery and do not have the muscle to set agenda for the PDP-controlled National Assembly. PDP National Publicity Secretary Chief Olisa Metuh, in a statement yesterday waved off the threat but added that President Jonathan was taking his time in studying the budget to ensure that the provisions were in the general interest of all Nigerians.

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

NATIONAL NEWS

February 9, 2013

UNILAG name-change: Jonathan ill-advised –Afe •Varsity honours Balewa, Mbanefo, Afe Babalola MOJEED ALABI

F Chairman of the occasion, Prof. Babatunde Obilana (left), and Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, at the farmer registration and growth PHOTO: NAN enhancement support scheme implementation training in Abuja, yesterday.

AFCON finals: Jonathan sends delegation to support Eagles •Plans dinner for Tuesday

ROTIMI FADEYI ABUJA

resident Goodluck Jonathan has raised a high-powered delegation led by Senate President, David Mark, to represent him and the federal government at the African Cup of Nations final match in Johannesburg tomorrow to further boost the morale and spirit of the Super Eagles. According to a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati,

the president said because of urgent official commitments in London and Paris, he would not be physically present in Johannesburg to lead the cheering for the Super Eagles as he would have wished. He has therefore charged the delegation to ensure that the members of the team are properly motivated and in the best possible spirit to win a resounding victory for the nation on Sunday. The president asked the delegation which also includes Governors Peter

Obi (Anambra); Isa Yuguda (Bauchi) as well as Minister of Police Affairs, Navy Capt. Caleb Omoniyi Olubolade; the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Professor Viola Onwuliri and her counterpart in the Ministry of Works, Ambassador Bashir Yuguda, to reassure the team of his full support and best wishes for victory. They are to also inform the team that the president would host a dinner reception for them at the State House Banquet Hall at 7pm on Tuesday, to per-

Violence against persons prohibition bill yet to be passed –Minister IJEOMA EZEIKE ABUJA

he Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Zainab Maina, yesterday disclosed that the committee that was set up to harmonise all bills dealing with violence against women into a single bill titled Violence Against Persons Prohibition Bill (VAPP) is still lobbying for its speedy passage. The minister who stated this at a one-day stakeholders preparatory meeting on 57th Session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) said Nigeria, as a member of the United Nations, will join other member states at the 2013 session in New

York to evaluate national and international progress made on women empowerment and gender equality agenda. Hajiya Zainab hinted that recent analyses of Gender Based Violence generated from 18 states of the federation and representing the six geopolitical zones recorded 21. 08% of sexual violations, 44.25% of physical violation and 18. 37% of domestic violence. Maina explained that the federal government had joined league of other nations to curb the ugly trend. Said she: “You are aware that violence against women is one of the twelve critical areas of the Beijing Platform for

action and the platform reaffirmed the commitment of government to eliminate all forms of violence and discrimination against women and remove all obstacles to equity and equality including the need to ensure gender perspective in all policies and programmes.” Earlier, the UN Women Representative to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Grace Ongile, said UN women has been mobilising various actors across the globe to ensure full participation by key players at the international, regional and national levels. She urged the delegate of the Of CSW to work assiduously so as to be able to come back with a strong result.

sonally thank and honour them for their positively transformed performance in South Africa which has re-established Nigeria as a major power in international soccer. The president charged the team to go out against Burkina Faso with the greatest determination to win a final victory that would bring immense joy and happiness to millions of Nigerians at home and abroad.

ormer Pro-Chancellor of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Akoka, and founder of Afe Babalola University (ABUAD), AdoEkiti, in Ekiti State, Chief Afe Babalola, has again expressed his opposition to President Jonathan’s decision to rename UNILAG after the late business mogul and the acclaimed winner of the 1993 presidential election in the country, Chief M.K.O. Abiola. Afe, who spoke yesterday while responding after he was conferred with the institution’s honourary doctorate award of letters, described the step as ill-advised and unfortunate. Afe was honoured alongside former Nigeria’s Prime Minister, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, who was honoured posthumously, and another of the university’s Pro-Chancellor and former Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Chief Arthur Mbanefo. The award was the concluding part of the university’s golden jubilee convocation and anniversary

ceremony. Afe, who noted that he had earlier made his opinion public by writing in the dailies, said he also wrote the president to properly counsel him and point out how he erred in the face of law by his proclamation. “President Jonathan was ill-advised to have made such proclamation to rename a university that was established by an act of parliament and was much more wrong to have approached the National Assembly when the matter was already a matter before the court,” Afe said. He, therefore, urged the parties to the matter to opt for settlement out of court as the only lasting resolution of the matter. He also advised the Presidency to name the National Assembly or Aso Rock, as befitting monuments after the late politician. Meanwhile, the Visitor to the university, President Goodluck Jonathan, who was represented at the event by the Minister of Education, Prof. Ruqayyatu Rufa’I has described the 50-year-old academic institution as the nation’s leading university and Nigeria’s pride.

This Day in African American History February 9: On this day in 1952— African American Author Ralph Ellison’s Novel, Invisible Man, Wins the National Book Award! Ralph Ellison had a unique upbringing. Ellison was born in a poor neighborhood in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. At the time, Oklahoma was a frontier state with no legacy of slavery, making it a unique space for fluid racial integration not possible even in the North. Despite his financial state, Ellison had the mobility to go to a good school and the motivation to find mentors—both black and white—from among the most accom-

plished people in the city. Ralph Ellison’s literary masterpiece, Invisible Man, challenged American society to reflect on the state of contemporary race relations in 1950s America and contributed to the progress of American social values. The themes in Invisible Man were unprecedented and transcended traditional social dynamics. Ellison fashions the main character as a complex Southern black man that feels chained by social expectations forced upon him by both black and white members of society. The Invisible Man searches for identity and truth in the social normative and arrives at an interesting conclusion. Ellison felt that the task of the writer is to “tell us about the unity of American experience beyond all considerations of class, of race, of religion.” Ellison was undoubtedly ahead of his time and out of step with the literary and political climates of both black and white America. Today, as we reflect on the implications Invisible Man has on social justice, racial equality, we remember the contributions of the prominent African American novelist Ralph Ellison.

NATIONAL NEWS

February 9, 2013

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

$620,000 bribe: Lawan, Boniface get N20m bail •To deposit passports in court’s registry EMMANUEL ONANI ABUJA

fter spending a week in Kuje prison, the embattled chairman of the House of Representatives’ Ad-hoc Committee on Monitoring of Fuel Subsidy Regime, Hon. Farouk Lawan and the Secretary, Mr. Emenalo Boniface, were yesterday granted bail “in the sum of ten million naira and two sureties each in like sum”. Also, the accused persons were ordered to “deposit their international passports with the registrar of the court and shall not

travel out of the territorial boundaries of this court without permission.” In granting Lawan and Boniface temporary reprieve yesterday, trial judge, Justice Mudashiru Oniyangi noted that the offence upon which they were charged was “ordinarily bailable”, moreso that “the discretion of the court to grant bail must be exercised judicially and judiciously, upon presentation of material facts.” Justice Oniyangi further held that judicial discretion is not exercised by mere figment of facts, but based on circumstances

necessitating it. “When facts deposed to in an affidavit have not been contradicted, such facts must be taken as true”, Oniyangi stated. While noting that the prosecuting counsel, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, did not file any counter- affidavit to the accused/ applicants’ averments, Oniyangi maintained that, the averments therefore satisfy the requirements for grant of bail. “Consequentially, therefore, I have come to the conclusion, after considering the facts, that this is a proper circumstance where the court

can exercise its discretion judicially and judiciously. “Finally, I hold that the application succeeds and I therefore overrule the objection by the prosecution,” the judge concluded. It would be recalled that Justice Oniyangi adjourned for ruling yesterday, after counsel for Lawan and Boniface, Mr. Rickey Tarfa (SAN), moved the bail application, which he said was brought pursuant to Sections 95 and 96 (5) of the constitution of Nigeria (as amended), as well as sections 340 and 341 of the Criminal Procedure Code, CPC. The motion for bail,

New General Officer Commanding, 81 Div Nigerian Army, Major-General Obi Abel Umahi (left), shares a joke with his predecessor, Major-General Kenneth Minimah, during the handover ceremony in Lagos, yesterday.

FG approves N10bn for shelter belt and afforestation council ROTIMI FADEYI ABUJA

he federal government has approved N10 billion for the take off of the National Council on Shelterbelt and Afforestation even as Vice President Namadi Sambo charged members of the council to ensure all issues regarding ecological problems are speedily addressed. Sambo, who chaired its maiden meeting yesterday at the State House, said that President Goodluck Jonathan had directed that the project and task of the council must be taken seriously and diligently. He charged members of the council to put in their best to ensure the success

of the activities of the council. The vice president who recalled that the council was set up on January, 19, 2004, said that with the coming on stream of the Great Green Wall initiative in 2005, the council became dormant. “With the launch of the Programme in Nigeria, the National Council for Shelterbelt, Afforestation, Erosion Control and Coastal Zone management became dormant as its afforestation functions were carried out by the Presidential Afforestation Initiative, mandated to carry out the Great Green Wall programme, which is now desirous of urgent attention in view of the time lag since inception”,

Sambo said. As a wake up action, the Federal Executive Council decided to resuscitate the Council for Shelterbelt and Afforestation and its underlying institutional arrangement, the programmes and activities that will be put in place to achieve the national and by extension sub-regional objectives,” he added. The vice president directed the Ministry of Environment, which is the secretariat of the council, to prepare a comprehensive work plan of activities with specific timelines of implementation, stressing the need for adequate sensitisation of the programme and its objectives. He also directed that the

private sector and some notable personalities be co-opted in the membership of the council. Sambo further directed the Environment Ministry to prepare a report on the activities and achievements of Nigeria regarding the implementation of the Great Green Wall initiative for presentation at the Biannual Heads of State meeting scheduled to take place this year. In her presentation, the Minister of Environment, Hajiya Hadiza Ibrahim Mailafiya, commended the president and Sambo for the resuscitation of the council and their determination to address the myriads of ecological problems in the country. She also expressed appreciation to the Jonathan-led administration for the approval of N10 billion for the take off of the programme.

which was supported by a 26-paragraph affidavit, prayed the court to grant the accused persons bail on “self-recognition”, even as it drew its attention to the fact that Lawan has been a member of the lower chamber of the National Assembly since 1999. According to Tarfa, the fact that the accused persons never failed to report to the Police in the course of investigation into the criminal offence, coupled with their numerous trips abroad and back, were eloquent testimonies that they would not jump bail. He concluded by reminding the court that granting of bail was the sole discretion of the judge and that it was the responsibility of the prosecution to show why bail should not be granted. “The burden is on the prosecution to show how the accused persons will not be able to appear to stand trial...We urge your Lordship to grant the accused persons bail on very liberal terms and on sel-recognition”, Tarfa concluded. In opposition to the bail, however, prosecuting counsel, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), argued that the offences with which the accused persons were charged with “are not ordinarily bailable”, stressing that sections 10, 17 and

23 of the Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Act 2000, prescribes two to seven years prison terms,as punishment. In Awomolo’s contention, “An application for bail is an application for equity, which requires your Lordship to exercise your discretion judicially and judiciously.” The Prosecutor further submitted that the accused persons, in their affidavits, did not make an undertaking that, if allowed to go back to the House and to head committee, they will not ask for another bribe sum, or even higher than the one with which they were standing trial. “ The Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, arraigned the duo on a 7-count charge of violating the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000. A businessman, Mr. Femi Otedola, had sometime last year alleged that upon pressure from Lawan to exonerate Zenon Petroleum and Gas Ltd from culpability in the mismanagement of fuel subsidy funds, he doled out about $620,000 to the lawmaker. He claimed that the “bribe-for-clearance” money was given to stave off pressure.

We still own Daily Times, says Folio Communication OBIORA IFOH ABUJA

he management of Folio Communications Limited said it is still the owner of Daily Times of Nigeria as 96.5 per cent of the pioneer media outfit is under their control. The company said a purported ruling of an Abuja Federal High Court on Wednesday on the ownership of Daily Times did not hold water as the a case on the matter was subsisting at the Appeal Court in Lagos. In a statement issued on Friday and signed by its Group Managing Director, Noel Anosike, Folio said running from the Appeal Court to obtain a judgment from a court of lower jurisdiction, amounted to desperation on the part of Ikechukwu Obiora. It said that a respondent at a court of superior

jurisdiction could not run to a lower court to become a plaintiff. “If a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja or anywhere for that matter gives ruling on a case subsisting at the Court of Appeal, that so-called ruling or judgment is null and void and therefore of no consequence. This is the position of the law in Nigeria and this too is well known to even primary school pupils. This matter is presently at the Court of Appeal in Lagos. The matter came up on Tuesday 5th February 2013 and is reserved for judgment. For any High Court which is of a lower jurisdiction to give ruling on the matter is another case of politicians using dubious means to make a mockery of the nation’s judiciary and abuse court processes,” the statement says.

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

REGIONAL NEWS

February 9, 2013

SOUTH WEST

Rumpus in Ogun exco as AG quits •Others may follow suit

trong indication emerged yesterday in Abeokuta, the Ogun state capital, that Governor Ibikunle Amosun may reshuffle his cabinet within the shortest period from now. This was coming just as the state’s Attor-

ney General, Wemimo Ogunnde, tendered his letter of resignation from the cabinet. Saturday Mirror reliably gathered that the AG, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), handed his resignation letter to the Secretary to the State

Government (SSG) at the close of work last Thursday and flew out of the country to the United Kingdom. Though the AG had premised his resignation on the fact that he wanted to return to private practice, but Saturday

Mirror, however, reliably gathered that Ogunnde actually resigned owing to what he called “undue interference” with the assumed constitutional responsibilities which has prevented him from carrying out his statutory functions well. Sources within the Ogun State government circle also told Saturday

L-R: Prof. Adenike Osofisan; her husband and author of the book, Prof. Femi Osofisan and Prof. John Pepper Clark at book reading On Prof. Clark In Ibadan, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

Mirror that Ogunnde’s functions as the Attorney General has always been carried out by the SSG who himself is a legal practitioner by profession leaving the AG to just rubber stamp such. Meanwhile, it was also gathered that all entreaties by Governor Amosun to Ogunnde to rescind his decision proved abortive as the former Attorney General had already travelled out of the country. Aside from Ogunnde, Saturday Mirror also gathered that the state’s Commissioner for Health, Olaokun Soyinka, the Chief of Staff, Ambassador Emmanuel Ademola Ogunnaike as well as two other commissioners in the Amosun-led administration may also submit their resignation letters in the coming week. Saturday Mirror gathered that Soyinka had since last year 2012 tendered his letter of resignation to Governor Amosun over what he also described as “undue interference” by both the gov-

ernor as well as the State House of Assembly over the disagreements that trailed the recruitment exercise of health workers in the state. Governor Amosun as well as the lawmakers in the state were said to have pestered Soyinka to accept list of unqualified health workers who were candidates of politicians in the state. Soyinka, who reportedly rejected the list was said to have tendered his resignation letter because the state has prevented him from carrying out his vision for the health sector in the state. Following the failure of core Amosun loyalists among the commissioners to disuade Ogunnde from resigning however, source close to the state government told Saturday Mirror that Governor Amosun has since yesterday been contemplating reshuffling his cabinet so as not to bring disgrace to his administration that his commissioners were resigning.

Osun warns parents against female genital mutilation

sun State Commissioner for Health, Dr Temitope Ilori, has warned parents to desist from practising female genitals mutilation through circumcision. Ilori gave the warning in Osogbo at a programme organised by the ministry to commemorate the International Day of Female Genital Mutilation. The commissioner defined female genital mutilation as a practice involving partial or total removal of the external female genital for unknown medical reasons. The commissioner said that the practice in any form, had been recognised as harmful and a violation of the fundamental human rights of women. In the words of Ilori, “The state government, under the leadership of Governor Rauf Aregbesola, is strongly against the practice,” the com-

missioner said. He said the unwholesome practice could lead to a series of short and long-term physical, men-

tal and sexual health risks. Ilori stated that genital mutilation had no health benefits, noting that the

practice had affected 140 million women globally. According to the commissioner, more than three million girls are

still at the risk of being subjected to genital mutilation every year. He noted that the international day of zero tol-

erance for female genital mutilation “is observed each year in order to raise awareness about the bad practice.”

Oranmiyan launches Ireland chapter today MOJEED ALABI

ranmiyan Foundation, a sociopolitical group founded as a charity group by the Osun State Governor, Engr. Rauf Aregbesola will today formally launch another chapter in the republic of Ireland. The formal public presentation of the group, which will be performed by its worldwide President, Prince Felix Awofisayo, is scheduled to hold at Calton Hotel, Tyrrestown Dublin 15, a suburb of the capital city of Ireland. According to a press statement issued by the foundation and signed by its Board of Directors Chairman and Secretary,

Drs. Oluwole Alabi and Gbenga Salawu respectively, stated that the decision to establish the group is to contribute to the development currently going on in Nigeria particularly in the State of Osun where the foundation’s

grand patron currently serves as the governor. The statement read in parts, “Oranmiyan Foundation is a non-governmental organisation established in Nigeria as a charity with branches worldwide. It is in line

with the general aims of the foundation that the Ireland chapter, comprising professionals who have made their marks in their chosen field, is being established solely for charity purposes. Meanwhile, as part of

efforts to fulfill its objectives, the foundation has already scheduled a medical mission initiative for the month of April in Osun State where thousands of people living with curable ailments will be attended to.

Ekiti cleric chides colleagues over ‘patronizing sermons’ ABIODUN NEJO ADO EKITI

he Dean of the Cathedral Church of Emmanuel, Ado Ekiti, Most Rev Francis Bankole, took a swipe at some clerics yesterday over what he called patronizing sermons to the rich and corrupt politicians at the expense of preaching the truth. The cleric said that the segregation of the rich

from the poor in churches marked the beginning of corruption in the country. Bankole, who spoke yesterday at the funeral service of the late Olori Abigail Oyeyemi Adejugbe, mother of the Chairman, Ekiti State Universal Basic Education, Prof Modupe Adelabu, cautioned members of the Anglican Communion to desist from such a perilous acts. According to the cleric,

“Today, we have a sermon for the wealthy and they are always very attractive and pleasant because their purses are the target and they do give. I so much pity the poor people, because they often get terrible sermons. But one thing is certain, the spending of the rich will resort to nothing, except they accept the truth and be righteous before God”, the cleric said. He said that the ap-

plause that greeted the mention of the names of national leaders like the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo and Nnamdi Azikwe in view of their sacrifices to the country should be challenges to the present leaders. Dignitaries at the service included Governor Kayode Fayemi: his wife, Erelu Bisi Fayemi; former Governor of old Western Region, Major Gen Adeyinka Adebayo.

REGIONAL NEWS

February 9, 2013

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

SOUTH SOUTH

A’Ibom chief judge frees 13 Eket prison inmates TONY ANICHEBE UYO

hirteen inmates of the Eket prisons yesterday breathed air of freedom when they were left off the hook to go home to their families. The Akwa Ibom chief judge, Justice Ntem-Isua, who announced the release of the 13 suspects

at the Eket prison, said it was an act of mercy which came as part of her tour of prison formations in the state. Announcing the release of the 13 detainees, which comprises seven suspects alleged to have been involved in the killing of the former chairman of Mbo Local Government Council, Justice

Ntem-Isua said she the release of the inmates was necessitated because no case had been established against most of them who had been in detention for a long time. The chief judge, who explained that some of them had no reason being there, noted that after the suspects had been brought to prison, their

accusers failed to show interest in their cases, as well as the inability of police to produce case files. Granting the release of seven out of 12 suspects linked to the killing of the former chairman of Mbo Local Government Council late Mr Okpo Ekere, Ntem-Isua pointed out that although five others had been charged to court,

she acted on a letter sent by the DDP that there was no charges against the seven identified as Enobong Nkume, Uduak Nkume, Akaninyene Effiong, Okon, Peace Odor Itong, Nsikak odoro Itong, Eteka Asuquo Okon and Etete Okon Asuquo. She therefore ordered their release. One Esther Peter Udo Essenowo who was detained for allegedly conniving with her mother to kill her father in Ikot Abasi was released on health ground she was granted

bail in 2009, no case was instituted against her. Basseyanwan Okon Akpan from magistrate court Nsit Ubium, was released for lack of case to answer while Tom Edet Uwe who had stayed in detention for over three years on the ground that his case files was not seen also regained freedom. Okon Ebito Okon, Asuquo Sunday Daniel all from Oron magistrate’s court and Sunday Okon Ekpo detained for stealing and defilement were also released.

Merger parties’ll curb regional politics, says Rives PDP

Akwa Ibom Governor Godswill Akpabio, presenting a souvenir to Akwa Ibom State Chairman, Penticostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Dr. Pastor Sylvanus Ukafia, during PFN visit to Government House in Uyo, recently.

ivers chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) says it welcomes the merger of four parties into the All Progressive Congress (APC), saying the move would strengthen democracy and eliminate regional and religious politics. Rivers PDP Publicity Secretary, Mr George Ukwuoma said this in an interview with journalists yesterday. Ukwuoma described the merger as the desire of the ruling party which, he said, had al-

N’Delta think-tank calls for speedy passage of PIB

he South South Development Think-Tank (SOSODETT) has called on the National Assembly to ensure speedy passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) to enhance transparency and accountability in the oil and gas sector. The call was contained in a communiqué issued in Abuja yesterday and signed by Dr Otive Igbu-

zor, Director, Advocacy and Campaigns of the think tank group. The communiqué read in parts, ``The passage of the bill is critical to the development of the oil and gas sector in Nigeria, all efforts must be geared towards its expeditious passage in the interest of the country. The bill should be passed as soon as possible in a form that will promote

transparency and accountability in the oil and gas sector. It stated that the bill should be passed in a form that would guarantee equitable interest and benefit to host communities. It noted that government should promote inclusive growth that would provide employment for the youth. It further said that

youth unemployment was partly fueling kidnapping and other crimes in the Niger Delta region. According to the communiqué, there is reported growth in the economy of Nigeria since returned to democracy in 1999, but poverty remains high in the Niger Delta region. The group stressed the need for a national

conference to discuss how Nigeria should be structured to promote rapid development considering the Niger Delta experience in the last 99 years. ``There is the need for the restructuring of Nigeria, ensuring that the country practices true genuine federalism with proper fiscal arrangements,’’ the communique said.

Akpabio orders LG chairmen to move into security villages TONY ANICHEBE UYO

overnor Godswill Akpabio has given local government chairmen in Akwa Ibom State until March, 1st, 2013, to relocate to the newly constructed security villages in their ar-

eas. The governor also directed that other officials qualified to occupied the estate should also moved in forthwith. Akpabio gave the directive yesterday during a meeting with chairmen of the 31 local government areas in the state. The security villages,

are cited in the 31 local government areas of the state and to be occupied by chairmen, vice chairmen, heads of local government services, directors of finance, divisional police officers and heads of the state security service, among others. There are 14 buildings in

each of the residential estates. The governor, who pledged to commission the security villages during a town hall meeting for political stakeholders in each of the three senatorial districts, mandated them to “Go and take over the security estates and

provide security there.” The state chairman of Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Mr. Nse Ntuen, thanked the governor for holding the meeting, giving them opportunity to serve as chairmen and for positively developing the state, assuring him of

ways advised opposition parties to shun regional politics. In the words of Ukwuoma, “The recent merger of four political parties to form APC is not new to us, and we encourage that. What they have just done is what PDP stands for right from inception, we stand for national outlook and we encourage regional parties, ethnic parties to come up as national parties. So, we have effective and competitive politics devoid of rancor or acrimony; our own governor here, Rt. Honourable Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi, is a performing governor,” he said. The Rivers PDP spokesman said that the party’s record of achievements spoke volumes, adding that its ability to win elections became inevitable. Ukwuoma said that the party was not threatened by the merger because Nigerians would always cast their votes based on competence not political parties, adding that PDP had credible membership. their support to complement his effort in this direction. Ntuen, however, observed that due to financial handicap confronting them, it would be difficult to furnish the villages. He therefore appealed to the governor to allow them use the one percent fixed agricultural fund to undertake the project.

Politics

Tinubu

Buhari

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February 9, 2013

Shekarau

Is APC the messiah?

TEMITOPE OGUNBANKE

he plan to wrest power from the People s Democratic Party (PDP) in 2015 general elections by the leading opposition parties is gradually becoming intense. After so many months of merger talks, some of the parties - Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), All Nigeria People’s Party (ANPP), All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) and Congress for Progress Change (CPC) - on Wednesday dissolved into a new party called the All Progressives Congress (APC). According to a statement signed by all the chairmen of the merger committees of the different parties, which include Chief Tom Ikimi (ACN), Ibrahim Shekarau (ANPP), Garba Mohammed Gadi (CPC) and Senator Annie Okonkwo (APGA), the four parties resolved to form a political party committed to the principles of internal democracy. They also disclosed that the new party would focus on serious issues of concern to Nigerians. They expressed their determination to bring corruption and insecurity to an end; grow the country’s economy and create jobs in their millions through education, housing, agriculture, industrial growth among others. They also plan to stop the increasing mood of despair and hopelessness among Nigerians. Speaking on behalf of the committee members, Ikimi, former Minister of Foreign Affairs, disclosed that the process of registration of the APC with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), would commence and the emblem unfolded. His words: “At no time in our national life has a radical change become more urgent. And to meet the challenge of that change, we, the following progressive political parties, namely ACN, ANPP, APGA and CPC, have resolved to merge and become the All Progressives Congress and offer to our beleaguered people a

recipe for peace and prosperity. “We believe that by these measures only shall we restore our dignity and position of pre-eminence in the committee of nations. This is our pledge.” Prior to the Wednesday event, 10 governors from the four political parties had earlier endorsed the merger talks. It would be recalled that governors of the ACN, CPC, ANPP and APGA, after a fourhour meeting at the Lagos State House, Marina, Lagos, on Tuesday, unanimously endorsed the merger arrangement among the political parties. At the end of their meeting, Governors Babatunde Fashola (ACN-Lagos); Kayode Fayemi (ACN-Ekiti); Rauf Aregbesola (ACN-Osun); Abiola Ajimobi (ACNOyo); Ibikunle Amosun (ACN-Ogun); Abdulaziz Yari (ANPP-Zamfara); Kashim Shettima (ANPP-Borno); Rochas Okorocha (APGA-Imo); Umaru Tanko Almakura (CPC-Nasarawa) and Ibrahim Gaidam (ANPP-Yobe) who was represented by Senator Dejere Alkali, posited that the merger of the opposition parties would rescue Nigeria from the grip of the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP). According to Governor Shettima who read the communiqué to journalists shortly after the meeting, the decision of the governors to endorse the merger initiative was based on the need for a positive change in Nigeria and with a primary intention to ‘fix Nigeria.’ Said he: “Having reviewed the situation in our country, we resolved to rescue Nigeria. This is a task that must be done. As progressive and patriotic leaders of our people across party, religious and geo-political zones, we are extremely concerned about the state of the nation and we put our heads together in the interest of our people to deliberate on what can be done to rescue our country. “As governors, we fully endorse the merger initiatives already commenced by our various political parties and we will put our full weight behind these efforts.

“Nigeria is greater than all of us and we have a duty to make it work for our people and for the future of our children yet unborn.” Apart from the governors’ endorsement, the party’s leaders, in the past few months, have engaged in different consultations and networking to ensure that the merger becomes a reality before the 2015 general elections. As APC is about to be registered, many people are of the view that with the commitment and resources put into the merger and considering the calibers of people behind the new party, APC is going to be a strong platform that will cut across the country. At present, ACN is the ruling party in the South-West, where it is presently governing five out of the six states in Yoruba land. APGA, founded by the late Igbo leader and Biafran warlord, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu, is believed to be an Igbo party and it is ruling Anambra and Imo states. ANPP and CPC are believed to be the major opposition parties in the Northern part of the country. Besides, the new party counts on the clout of former Head of State, Gen. Mohammed Buhari, to give it the required boost that it requires to give the ruling party a strong fight in 2015. Strong as the party may appear, some analysts are pessimistic about a successful campaign against the PDP in the 2015 general election. The argument of the analysts is that similar efforts in the past had yielded no fruit, despite all the promises they held. For instance, despite the effort of the Alliance for Democracy (AD) and the All Peoples Party (APP) to present a common candidate against PDP during the 1999 presidential election, APP lost to the PDP. Since then it has been difficult for major opposition parties to come together and form a formidable platform to contest against the ruling party. The opposition party came close to forming an alliance or merger during the last general election in 2011, but the move was believed to have been truncated by the

inability of the party leaders to agree on some crucial issues, one of which was, who would be the flag bearer and the political party to use for the election. To pessimists, achieving the goal of sacking the PDP government goes beyond the formation of a party alone. Rather, a number of other crucial factors would play some key roles. How well the leaders of the APC are able to resolve such issues, would therefore give an inkling of how far it can go. One of the issues that many people believe may cause crisis in the new party is the sharing of party offices and candidates for the 2015 elections among the four major parties that make up the APC. Considering the calibres of the people behind the APC and personal ambitions of some of the party leaders, it goes without saying that it may be difficult for the party to appoint or elect his party officers and candidates. Who among the party will produce the new party chairman, deputy chairman, secretary, national publicity secretary, presidential candidate, vice presidential candidate, governorship candidates, among other positions? The issue of the presidential candidate and his running mate promises to be a big challenge too as it has been the case in the past. At present, it has been rumoured that Buhari may fly the new party presidential ticket while former governor of Lagos State and ACN national leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu may serve as his running mate. In some quarter, people are of the view that former governor of Kano State, Alhaji Ibrahim Shekarau, former Minister of FCT, Mallam Nasir el-rufai and former chairman of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, may be asked to fly the presidential flag, while the likes of Governors Babatunde Fashola, Adams Oshiomhole are being rumoured as likely vice presidential candidates. Also, considering the fact that some CONTINUED ON PAGE 15

POLITICS

February 9, 2013

Chief Maxi Okwu, lawyer and politician is the national leader of the Citizen Popular Party (CPP) and the Convener of the Save Enugu Group (SEG). Okwu, in this interview with TEMITOPE OGUNBANKE, speaks on the return of the Governor Sullivan Chime of Enugu State after a prolonged absence from the state, the emergence of the All Progressive Congress (APC), 2015 presidency and other issues.

hat is your view about the return of Governor Sullivan Chime to Nigeria after a long

absence? Save Enugu Group received with joy the news of the return of Governor Sullivan Chime, into Nigeria, in the wee hours of Thursday. We note that this event is taking place exactly one month after we first sounded the alarm of prolonged and unexplained absence. If further information on the frail condition of the governor is reliable, we wish to state that Governor Chime did not deserve being hustle out of ‘gainful stay’ in good health institutions if the right things were done first and before questions arose. In that respect, we, like other good people of Enugu State stand to hold those responsible for primitive lies and needless cover ups responsible. We wish him well and full recovery. During Governor Chime’s absence there were criticisms within and outside the state about his absence on the account that the information were not properly managed. What do you think went wrong? If I were him I would immediately sack the Commissioner of Information, Mr. Chucks Ngwuoke. On the day that Chime returned to Nigeria, I read on Sahara Reporters that the Commissioner for Information maintained that the governor was on vacation. No responsible CEO goes on five months vacation. Why did your group, Save Enugu Group, decide to challenge the prolonged absence of Governor Chime? Were you politically motivated or what? I think our motive can be discerned from our mission statement, which I beg to give you an excerpt: The Save Enugu Group is a pro-democracy association based in Enugu. The promoters of the association are Nigerian citizens of Enugu State extraction, driven by the highest patriotic ideals which are of particular concern to our dear state. SEG is committed to the rule of law and liberal democracy, the greatest good for the greatest number. We also believe that governments must be responsible and responsive to the yearning of the electorate. We shall hold the government accountable to faithful observance of Section 14 of TCFRN 1999 (as amended), which makes the welfare and security of the people the primary purpose of government. SEG is irrevocably committed to demo-

Okwu

Expect another political alliance apart from APC –Maxi Okwu cratically engaging the government on full disclosure, transparency and accountability. SEG eschews violence and formally declares itself, a non-violent association. In our agitation and advocacy campaign we are entitled and would extract the benefits of our fundamental rights and freedoms enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended). We refer particularly to sections 39 and 40. The Chime saga is merely the factor that triggered our first public intervention. It is only the first in a series of populist pro-democracy engagements in Enugu State. For too long the political administration of the state has been run Mafioso style. The only difference between a military administration and a democratic one is the existence of a virile and active legislature. There is also the need for a vigilant press and civil society. The Enugu State legislature has been in deep slumber over the years. What is your view about the emergence of the All Progress Congress (APC), the platform that ACN, CPC, ANPP and APGA intends to dissolved into to challenge the PDP in 2015 election?

It is a most welcome development. I pray it succeeds. This is not the first time such an effort has been made, but with its endorsement by 10 governors, this one may just make it. It has been my position over the years that until we have a political platform big enough to eye ball the PDP our democratic growth would be stunted. Ghana has achieved this phenomenon which is enjoyed by most advanced democracies. We are not part of this endeavour since the promoters do not reckon with us parties that don’t have governors. However next week 10 of us would go into a formal political alliance with merger as a goal. We shall constitute the third leg in the national political equation. Do you think the merger will actually work in 2015? There would be teething problems. I am amazed that APGA is said to be part of this arrangement. The facts are still unfolding but I believe it may well be Rochas Okorocha and his loyalists who are freshmen in APGA. Secondly a faction of CPC loyal to pioneer national chairman, Senator Hanga is singing a different tune. I equally suspect that Buhari may not be too comfortable

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with his old pals of the ANPP. These however should not discourage the promoters. We are not invited to the founding talks, so any invitation now is an after-thought and would carry junior partner status. What advice would you like to give to the leaders of the APC? I would advise them to stay focused and commence the processes as provided for in Section 84 of the Electoral Act 2011 to make the merger a reality. Do you really see APC dislodging PDP in 2015? The issue is that the 14 years the PDP has controlled the nation’s administration at the national level has been more of years of the locust. I believe that fatigue has set in and all lovers of Nigeria should do everything possible to flush PDP out of power. Up until now there has been no effective challenger. That is the potential of the APC; that is its attraction to patriots like me. Though we have not been invited we celebrate the development. It is still early days let us wait and see. How do you intend to achieve the constitution of the third leg in the national political equation? And who are those going to be involved in the process of the third leg national political equation? Ten of the existing 25 political parties are involved in the process. Hope you are aware that INEC has just de-registered two more parties? We’ll go public next week. CPP is playing an anchor role. We shall address a joint press conference in Lagos on the 20th of February at Eko Hotel. Do you think the group you are leading will have the financial muscles and structures to compete with PDP and APC in 2015? Finance is a problem but we are not daunted. We are starting early and would partner with civil society organisations. We are adopting a new and radical approach which will rely heavily on info-tech and new media. It worked in several paces before and it is the secret behind Barrack Obama breaking of previously held beliefs, rules and theories in political mobilisation. With the various opportunities of about three formidable political parties, do you still see Igbo presidency becoming a reality in 2015? It is a possibility if not a probability. It all depends on the party nomination for that office. The PDP is already occupied by the president who, for all intents and purposes, is eying the nomination. He will get it if he declares. With the APC now having a third leg with Rochas and his group, maybe they would throw their hats into the ring there. Will Igbo support President Jonathan if he decides to run in 2015 or will the zone give their blessing to another candidate against Jonathan? It all depends. Jonathan is yet to redeem the political IOU with Ndi-Igbo. Time is running out on him. Let us see how that goes. Ndi-Igbo have staked out a claim on the presidency of Nigeria for 2015. Would you advise Jonathan to run for second term? In my own humble opinion President Jonathan’s administration has been lacklustre. This is particularly so in the light of his formal education. But you never know he has about a year and half more to impress us. He may very well have a Saul of Tarsus on the road to Damascus experience. Miracles still happen in this day and age, you know. So we wait and see.

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POLITICS

February 9, 2013

Is APC the messiah?

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 13

Tukur

Okonkwo

from a reliable source that some political parties are also planning to form an alliance as alternative to the PDP and the proposed APC. Some of the parties, which are minority parties are believed to be behind the idea. As intrigues are playing out almost on a daily basis, PDP also seem not to be insensitive. It is working working tirelessly to see that the merger talks did not materialise. At present, it is believed that the PDP has infiltrated the opposition parties with some of its allies, to frustrate whatever plans may be on ground. How far that can help the PDP in spite of the various challenges it is also facing within, is a different issue entirely. But expressing his view over the merger project, the national chairman of PDP, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, said that his party was not bothered about it at all. He noted that even with the merger, PDP remained well accepted amongst Nigerians. His words: “The more the merrier. There is no polling in the whole of Nigeria where you do not have one member of PDP. It is the only party that fields candidates in every polling booth in the country. We are the only party that shows the acceptance. It is the party in government now that is in the majority. It does not mean that we want to be a party and there is no opposition, in fact opposition is charged to action. “If they have the strength, why do they come together? If you go for a contest, you have the striker, you know Lionel Messi, PDP is Messi in that contest. They (opposition parties) are no threat at all; it is better, it inspires PDP to action. In that contest (merger) tell them Chairman said PDP is the Messi. “When we come to form PDP we did not ask anybody we want one party state, depending on Nigeria, Nigeria should really decide, it is the electorate; ours is a grassroots party. My job is to handover this party to the owners, they are there, they are the one to decide from the ward, local government to the state to the zone and to the centre. PDP is the party that is steering the nation governance.” Speaking to Saturday Mirror on the emergence of APC, three-time governorship candidate of the National Conscience Party (NCP) in Ogun State, Ogbeni Lanre Banjo, commended the move, saying that the rule of the PDP must

be extinguished and Nigerians must be extricated from the claws of PDP before we are all suffocated. “I also applaud the vision of those 10 governors who came together to send a strong signal to Nigerians that succour is on the way,” he said. Baring his mind on the emergence of APC, the national leader of the Citizen Popular Party (CPP), Chief Maxi Okwu, stressed the need for a viable alternative party to PDP. His words: “The endorsement by the 10 governors is a most welcome development. I have argued before along this line that without the input of the

governors, the merger talks would not go far. The governors have enormous resources available to them. I recalled with nostalgia the progressive governors’ forum initiated by the Obafemi Awolowoled Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN). It is important to Nigeria that this effort succeeds.” The national coordinator of the Right Monitoring Group (RMG), Mr. Olufemi Aduwo, believes that the merger is the coming together of strange political parties and it will not work. His words: “It will not last, it will collapse. If you tell the ACN members to leave ACN and come to APC, it will not work. They are just talking politics, it is a loose coalition and at the end of the day what they are going to do is to ask each party to go and fight for its strong area and that will not work. Nothing can stop PDP, even they if they come together we will just be talking about 10 governors and PDP have about 23 governors. So, even if all the opposition parties’ governors come together, they are still minority to the PDP. They cannot achieve any results and there is no way they can deceive Nigerians. If they come together it is coming together of strange parties.” But can Aduwo and people who think like him be right to say APC will not fly, so to speak? Chances are that they are hasty in their judgement. With time, it would be obvious to all, how far the APC can go, especially at the end of the 2015 general elections.

In your refreshingly different Still, uneasy calm in ALSCON as Supreme Court rules

Cash-for-job: How the syndicates work

Finally, what most Nigerians know - that nothing goes for nothing - in the search for employment in the country has finally come into the open. For the army of unemployed in the country, getting a job is like passing through the eye of a needle. Money must change hands and, in most cases, after having paid, the job does not even come. Investigation reveals that there is a syndicate in charge of this cash-for-job scam. The questions are, how does the syndicate work? Who fronts for them and, most importantly, who are their collaborators in the MDAs? We provide answers tomorrow.

The Supreme Court judgement over ownership of ALSCON between United Company (UC) Rusal and Bancorp Financial Group (BFIG) would ordinarily have led to the resolution of the crisis in the Akwa Ibom-based company. But that is not the case. Ousted company (UC) Rusal is not giving up without a fight as it has filed another suit in a London Arbitration Court. This time, what is it that the Russian company wants? What has really happened in ALSCON since its takeover about six years ago? And most importantly, what are the workers saying about the situation? We provide all the answers tomorrow.

Nigeria of my dream –Durojaiye Interview

of the governors in the opposition camp are serving second term in office and the fact that some of them are rumoured to be nursing 2015 presidential ambition, the party may be in for a big crisis. But on the other side, noting the amount of influence governors wield in the determination or emergence of a presidential candidate and his running mate, the support of the governors are quite significant. There is perhaps, a legion of other challenges. One question, for example, still begging for answer is whether all the members of the different parties would be ready to move into the new one. There is also the fear that the leadership tussle in the component states would be brought into the new one and it would create further problems. Except ACN and ANPP, the other parties in the merger project have leadership crises. While the Prince Tony Momoh-led faction of CPC is involved in the merger arrangement the Senator Rufai Hanga-led faction of the same party is standing aloof. As for APGA, the inclusion of the party in the merger arrangement has raised a serious controversy as the two factions of the party have denied participating in the merger arrangement. The two factions are of the view that whoever that paraded the name of the party or represents APGA in the merger arrangement is doing so at his own risk. The absence of Governor Peter Obi of Anambra, an APGA governor at the Lagos meeting of the governors is also a clear indication that APGA is not fully part of the arrangement. The Secretary of the Chief Victor Umeh faction, Mohammed Shinkafi, said that the party had not been consulted and could not have constituted a merger committee to represent it in the arrangement. He warned that whoever paraded the name of the party in the arrangement did so at his own risk. “APGA did not receive any invitation to partake in the merger talks and, therefore, unaware of any merger meeting going on. As the National Secretary of APGA, I am not aware of any merger talks to which the party was invited,” Shinkafi said. Similarly, the Alhaji Sadeeq Masalla faction of APGA has also disowned its participation in the merger arrangement stressing that the issue of merger of political parties was a very serious matter that needed adequate consultation. The national secretary of Masalla faction, Dr. Ifedi Okwenna, disclosed that the party did not permit Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State to be part of the merger talks. He said that according to the party’s constitution, the decision to initiate any merger discussion is vested in the National Executive Committee, NEC, of the party and ratified by the national convention. Another relevant issue is the possibility of extending the merger project to other parties like Labour Party, Accord Party, Peoples Party of Nigeria, KOWA and others which presently have elected officers at national and state levels. Worthy of note too is the information

Chief Biyi Durojaiye, former senator and an Afenifere chieftain was 80 years old on February 8. It was an opportunity to speak about the country of his expectation while growing up, what has gone wrong and most importantly, his take on the merger plans by the three major parties and what it portends for 2015.

I live for today and enjoy every moment of my life Zainab Tanko Yakassai is the granddaughter of popular Northern Nigerian politician, Alhaji Tanko Yakassai. This US-trained beauty speaks about her life as a dermatologist, but most importantly, the special relationship she has with her granddad who, “I strive to live up to his greatness” and who is her most favourite person. These and many more available tomorrow in your

February 9, 2013

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18 Dayo Olomu was once a manager of top fuji musician, K1 De Ultimate. Today, he is a motivational speaker and one of Nigeria’s leading lights in the UK where he is based. He tells OSEYIZA OOGBODO his plans for the future and for Nigeria.

February 9, 2013

‘I like challenging stuff’ 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.

Celebrity

ou 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.’

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.

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. Why did you leave Nigeria for the UK? When I came to the UK January 1996, I was not sure whether I wanted to stay permanently. So, for the first two years I was shuttling between London and Lagos. When I got an admission to study for a degree programme in business information systems at the University of East London in 1998, I decided to settle down permanently in the UK.

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.

Do you plan to return to Nigeria fully? For some years now, I have been coming home at least three times a year. I hope to return home soon to contribute my quota to the development of the country. However, I am already doing that remotely through my mentoring scheme which many people in Nigeria have benefitted from. Is living in the UK more suitable? It depends on the way you look at it. UK provides a platform of good reliable public services, particularly health, housing, job opportunities, security of lives and properties, education and transport which enable the private sector to deliver wealth to the people irrespective of their ethnicity, gender, sexuality or disability. I like the security of life, the educational system, the infrastructure development, giving people equal opportunity irrespective of their age, religion and ethnicity, whereas Nigeria struggles with some of these things. In terms of the weather, Nigeria is better than the UK. Also, in terms of raising children, Nigeria is

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better. There is a proverb that says it takes a village to raise a kid. In terms of positive role models for Black children, Nigeria is better. The UK may be more advanced in technology, but if you compare it to where we were 10 years ago, you will see that Nigeria has come of age. The big break in technology and communication especially telephone is good and more people are using computers these days and that means more people are spending more time in the information superhighway. I believe that the future is bright. Our next 50 years will be greater. Nigeria is a great nation. You are a successful motivational speaker. What would you say hin-

ders 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

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.

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February 9, 2013

Entervaganza

With OSEYIZA OOGBODO

08023755142 kingseiza@gmail.com

Zee World to hold birthday concert

Zee World

entebo crooner, Zee World, has concluded plans to celebrate his birthday with a concert tomorrow. In a chat with Entervaganza, he disclosed that his birthday is actually January 24th but he is holding the concert now so that his musician colleagues will be free to support him. “January was a bit tight in terms of getting my colleagues to appear but tomorrow is quite okay as we are all less busy now,” he explained. Adding that he will perform with a live band as against the much-criticised miming, he mentioned Skales, Adol, Terry G, O’Black, LKT, Artquake, Seriki, YQ, Reminisce, Drama, Fuji musician; Shanko Rasheed among others as those who will support him in performing. A dynamic musician, Zee World’s energetic stage performance is one of his unique points as a musician. He’s been around in the industry for more than a decade and finally hit the limelight with the hit song, Tentebo, about four years ago. He has since released other hit songs including Love featuring Seriki, Rover and his latest, All My Ladies.

Susan

Susan drops Dance Floor

resently, it’s almost as if a week doesn’t go by without an upcoming female singer releasing a song in a bid to become as successful and recognised as the reigning divas like Omawumi, Waje and others. This week, the upcoming singer who

dares to seek a place among the elite female singers is Susan, a UK-based Nigerian afro-pop singer, songwriter and model. Beautiful and sexy to boot, Susan is also astute so her song is a danceable number aptly titled Dance Floor and featuring fast-rising act, Yung Boss.

Soul E turns to gospel music I

t’s official. Soul E is now a gospel musician and already has a gospel music album, Message, in the market. Even as a secular musician, his songs were not lewd and meaningless, as is the trend, an indication that he would one day tow the gospel line. Speaking with Entervaganza about his foray into gospel music after his secular stint, he said, “I’m back to my actual calling. I started in the church and it’s only natural that I’ve returned there now. And I’m even now more close to God and I just want to serve Him all the way and that’s why I’m singing for Him.” The course of his professional music career has been controversial, to say the least, and he admits that the controversies were an inspiration to record his Message album. “After weathering so many storms, I just needed to thank God for His grace in my life. He’s been so kind to me. And I also want people to learn from my story and thank God through me,” he said. Message is an 8-tracker made up of Baba You Too Much, Thank God, By My Side, Love, Healing In The House, He’s Alive, Baba Baba, Oba and Your Love. Thank God has already been made into a video that’s now receiving air play and Soul E added that the video of Baba You Too Much will be released in March.

Alade

Valentine show to counsel couples

Soul E

ouples are being presented with an opportunity to celebrate Valentine at an event tagged Soul Ties and organized by C2RU in collaboration with Flaming Hypermedia. In a press release made available to Entervaganza, Soul Ties was described as an event “geared towards empowering relationships. It is intended for sincere couples, married, engaged or seriously dating, and they will learn about sustaining their relationships.” Solid Star, Yemi Alade, Oshadipe Twins, Eyo, Baba De Baba, Headmastar and others are those billed to entertain the couples.

ENTERVAGANZA

February 9, 2013

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CLASSICAL RYHMES

AIRWAVES LINK

Goldie, Denrele start reality show O

n-air personality Denrele and peculiar singer Goldie have taken their deep friendship a step further by starting a reality show, Tru Friendship. Reality shows are presently the vogue in the world and Nigeria has not been left out of the trend. Singer-actress Omotola was the first to come up with hers in the country and she was soon followed by Jim Iyke. But going by Goldie and

Denrele’s antecedents, their own reality show might just turn out to be the cream of the pack in Nigeria. Reality shows thrive both on the popularity of their cast and their lifestyles. Denrele and Goldie’s lifestyles are a bit out of the way and the stuff that people want to know about. There is an added plus for theirs, however, as they also intend to feature the everyday lives of some of their celebrity friends.

Solid Star

One in a Million Artist: Solid Star

Goldie (L) and Denrele

New MTV Base VJs are guests on Glo Big Friday Show

Mabena

Ehiz

iewers of Glo Presents The Big Friday Show will have the chance to watch and interact with the newest MTV Base VJs, Ehiz of Nigeria and Nomuzi Mabena of South Africa. The two who recently won the video jockey (VJ) search in their respective countries are the celebrity guests of the week on this weekend’s edition of the show. Twenty-five-year-old Ehiz is a Lead City University graduate of Computer Electronics while Mabena is a 20-year-old female DJ from Benoni, otherwise called Ben City in Johannesburg. Viewers who are Glo subscribers can send in questions via text messages to know more about the studio guests who will answer the questions live on the programme. Mabena also presented this week’s Vlog segment. New kids on the block, SK Boiz, are the upcoming act for the week. The multi-talented group was given this week’s challenge

Eko FM DJ to celebrate birthday

ko FM DJ, Scotty Jay, is set to celebrate his birthday next Saturday in Lagos. Stars who have confirmed that they will be present at the party include 9ice’s Alapomeji All-Stars,

Kennis Music All-Stars, Artquake, Side 1, LKT, Drama, K-Solo, Slim Joe, Dude Tetsola, Olamide, Terry G, Reminisce, Ajasa and AZ-Flow. The party promises to be fun especially as it is being

to perform in order to qualify to showcase their talent to Africa at the end of the show. Viewers will find out how the trio fared and if they were able to showcase their versatility and promote their smashing single, Takundum. The Prank Yo Peoples segment continues to get more and more interesting as a Glo subscriber in Lagos, Tolu Olayemi, got The Big Friday Show crew to pull a prank on his friend, David Oladele. This weekend episode was shot in Lagos and anchored by regular host, popular comedian Basketmouth. Big Friday Show runs on MTV Base on Friday at 8:30 p.m. Central African Time (CAT). It also runs on Silverbird Television (STV) in Nigeria at 6 p.m. and 11 p.m., and in Ghana on Viasat1 TV at 5 p.m. and in Benin Republic on ORTB at 9:30 p.m. Viewers in Nigeria can also watch the show on Africa Independent Television (AIT) at 9:30 p.m. on Wednesday.

supported by Crown Natures, an organisation that specialises in the manufacturing of various kinds of head wears. Speaking on why Crown Natures is supporting the event, the company’s Head of Operations, Mrs. Busayo Gbaluwe, said that “Scotty Jay has contributed immensely to the growth of the Nigerian music industry,

and because our company is structured to give value and promote the African culture, we are proud to be part of his birthday celebration.” She added that the guests will also win some of their products during the allnight shindig that will be hosted by MC Kirikiri, Headmastar, MC Icewater, Haruna and Pencil Gee.

Chorus My one in a million girl Would you please come back My one in a million girl There is nothing I can do without you baby My one in a million girl Now I realiize My one in a million girl Uh, that’s what you are Verse 1 No be as e be yesterday My sheri koko na so e go be today All things go surely pass away As you see me so, omo I don change I was lost but now I’m found Now I realize that you are so nice Baby, please give me one more chance To treat you right like a queen that you are I realize that I’ve been so bad For all these years I’ve been making you sad Take me back to your paradise Cuz now I relize, I realiize, I realize that Repeat chorus Verse 2 Since you left me I’ve been so lonely Pretty girl since you left, I’ve known no peace Come back to me baby Cuz you are the apple of me eyes can’t you see Every day I keep praying to God Almighty To bring you back to me Can’t you see my baby that I’m going crazy Come to my rescue eh Everlasting love now I promise you I’ll be your guide, I’ll protect you For you I’ll do anything just to have you back my baby Repeat chorus

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ENTERVAGANZA

February 9, 2013

BOX-OFFICE HITS

BRAIN BEHIND THE SCENE

Stephanie Okereke … a serious filmmaker

f you’ve been seeing Stephanie Okereke as just another pretty face actress, it’s time you realised she is more than just an actress with a pretty face on a sexy body. She is also a brain behind the scene and is rising by the day in her achievements behind the camera. She is the writer, director and producer of the acclaimed movie, Through The Glass, an American-Nigerian comedy that was nominated in the best screenplay category of the 5th African Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) in 2009. Shot in America, Through The Glass is about a guy who has an abandoned baby on his hands so he seeks the help of his neighbour to take care of the baby pending when its mother would be located. Though it was shot on a low budget, it is veritable proof of Oker-

eke’s skills behind the camera as she ensured that its low budget didn’t affect it technically. Through The Glass is not her only production. Last year, she was reported to be shooting Dry which focuses on the female health condition, vesico vaginal fistula (VVF). Speaking about VVF, she said, “I am very passionate about it. It defies normal living for girls and women of different ages so I decided to share their stories through Dry which journeys into the heart-wrenching details of a culture not too many films dare to explore. The issue might seem controversial, but if it will set one girl free and open the minds of the people, and also instruct different bodies and i n d iv i d u a l s to take action, then the movie would have served its purpose.”

any superlative expressions have been used to praise Warm Bodies. One of them is that it’s the “first movie worth paying to see in theatres this year.” One of the mains reasons it’s be-

Okereke

arker is another winner at the box office. Its tale is intriguing and captivating. It is that of criminals who betray each other. It is a tested and trusted story angle that almost always pays off. The lead character is of course named Parker and is played by Jason Statham. He is a successful career criminal. When the rest of his gang prefer that they should invest their latest earnings into a bigger operation, he prefers instead to take his share and disappear. Seeing him as a threat to the unity of the gang, they shoot him in the face and leave him for dead. But as such stories go, he did not die. And he became so angry at the treachery of his ex-part-

ing highly praised is that one of its lead characters is a zombie that falls in love another of the cast. R o mance is always a seller at the box office while zombies too are a major attraction. A combination of the two is therefore a surefire box office attraction. Warm Bodies is best seen to believe it and to also form your own opinion about it. In a world of zombies, one of them falls in love with a normal human being and does everything to protect her after killing her boyfriend and eating his brains. Interesting, right?

ners that he seeks them out to take revenge. Singer-actress Jennifer Lopez is also in this movie and that’s also one of its selling points. Anyway, make it a date with Parker for another delightful movie experience.

February 9, 2013

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Relationships Should you use sex I

Don’t do it

n the beginning it was a relationship made in heaven. You guys couldn’t keep your hands off each other’s bodies. Every opportunity alone was an avenue to grope each other with its attendant end being played out like a script in the bedroom. Yes, that was how the script was always supposed to be played out. You felt cherished, loved and desired. But before long in the relationship the situation changed. Your partner, who couldn’t keep his or her hands off you, becomes less interested in intimacy and sex with you, most especially when there is a little misunderstanding in the relationship. Your feelings are still the same. Your partner is still appealing and adorable, even sexy. Your level of desire hasn’t changed too, but that person who once seemed so giving sexually and who couldn’t keep his or her hands off you, now becomes stingy with his or her sexual affections. Sex is actually a healthy part of a good marriage. Sexual expression is an inherent and obviously pleasurable part of a good marriage and it is a healthy means to good communication in a comfortable relationship. It is part of living and loving and growing together. The lack of it through refusal, may signal a problem, especially if the couple has been living together for quite some time and one of the partners is truly dissatisfied with the current arraignment and sees the lack of good sexual communication as a weapon that is being used by the other partner when things are perceived to be going wrong in the relationship. There is no particular means or formula of determining how much sex and how often or when, is the sign of a good and healthy relationship. Sex for the wrong reasons or too little sex, as being perceived by one partner is no healthy sex at all, but a diversion from other problems which may be temporary or permanent. It is at this junction that we find ourselves as men asking the question, ‘what happened?’ Good sex is the glue that holds a marriage together and this is true, whether you like it or you

want to believe it or not. Refusal of sex in marriage for any reason that is not mutually agreed upon by both parties is wrong from my point of view. Yes I know those feminists among the ladies will say but it is their body and they have a right of refusal at any time they don’t feel like having sex or even getting seriously intimate. To me, withholding sex for whatever reason in marriage is all about control, even when the excuse may be religious like fasting or being told by a religion to stay away from sex without the consent of one’s partner and I believe no true religion will allow that without the permission of your partner. It is a passive/aggressive way of expressing a deep seated anger that is being directed at the partner one is refusing to have sex with. Refusal of sex implies that one has something precious to give and is refusing to give it to show displeasure at the partner on the receiving end. People who refuse to give sexual pleasures to their partners for reasons best known to them or for any frivolous excuse do it to feel in control because they will feel they have the upper hand sexually. The psychological effect of rejection when it comes to sex is very devastating to the partner that is being refused. It leaves the partner feeling unattractive and undesirable. The feeling is internalised and the partner may start feeling depressed and inadequate as a human being with a very low self esteem and damaged self image. My take on this is not to agree and take things lying low. I believe one should call the partner on his/her behaviour. Let the partner know that you believe he/ she is upset and you know about it and that you deserve to be told what is wrong instead of refusal of sex being used to punish you. If the partner’s excuse is work related, or tiredness being used, then you can suggest the use of blood tonic and rest. Any and all the reasons your partner may use can be addressed if there is good communication between the two of you. The lines of communication should always be opened and never closed.

SEX TALK

This column is x-rated

20 steamy phallic facts Yes, it can be broken It may sound way out, but penile rupture is very real. It tends to happen mostly during vigorous sex. Most guys who have experienced the unthinkable report hearing a popping noise, followed by excruciating pain. And as profoundly humiliating as it may be, a quick trip to the doctor’s office is in order, since an untreated fracture can lead to permanent erectile dysfunction (ED).

If a guy is having trouble getting it up, check his health A rotten day at work will certainly kill the mood for most guys, but if he just can’t seem to get back in the saddle, a check-up is in order. Erectile dysfunction can be one of the first signs of heart disease. Other chronic diseases like diabetes and hypertension have also been linked to ED.”

Shrinkage is not a myth Cold weather and cold water are a penis’ mortal enemies. Testicles need to be warm to effectively make sperm and testosterone. So after exposure to cold, such as a dip in the pool, your guy’s tools will literally huddle up against him to get warm.

Smokers have a hard time A human chimney may actually be less of a stud than his healthier compatriots. It’s no secret that smoking clogs the arteries, including those that fill the penis with blood at that critical moment. This means smokers may have a harder time rising to the occasion.

It has a mind of its own The penis is controlled by the nervous system, which means erections can occur at random.” Take, for example, the notorious morning erection. It’s most likely the result

of impulses firing from the brain during REM sleep. The foreskin is not penis-friendly As protective as guys are of their family jewels, research has shown some slight health benefits to circumcision, such as less urinary tract infections and a decreased risk of contracting HIV.

Most penises are created equal Adult penises typically measure between three and four inches when flaccid and five to six inches when erect. What’s more, when it’s time to get busy, a man who started out on the small side can end up expanding proportionally more than larger dudes.

Human males stack up pretty well compared to other mammals The erect organ of a human male is actually pretty large compared to other animals. Chimpanzees, for instance, have equipment that’s about half the size of the human male’s. But human guys pale in comparison to the blue whale, whose penis is 11 feet long. But who needs that!

Curves are common The vast majority of penises lean ever so slightly to the left or right when rigid. However some bend so dramatically (or curve up or down) that having sex is almost impossible. This is known as Peyronie’s Disease and happens when the penis doesn’t expand evenly during a hard-on.

Don’t blame the ancestors Penis size, thickness and shape are not genetic. Penises are actually formed in-utero when those wild and crazy male hormones kick-in. So if your guy’s unhappy with what he’s got, he has no one to point the finger (or any other appendage) at but Mother Nature

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RELATIONSHIPS

February 9, 2013

CHINWE ANNIE AMAECHI 07028684481 chinweamaechi@gmail.com

as a weapon? M

This column is x-rated

Guys are programmed to finish quickly So don’t take it personally. The true purpose of intercourse is procreation and men have evolved to have sex just long enough to get the job done. In fact 85 percent of guys can seal the deal in three minutes or less. However, the wise man hangs in there long enough for his partner to catch up.

A guy doesn’t need his brain to climax The male orgasm actually starts with the spine. The signal to ejaculate is the result of muscle contractions in the spinal cord and pelvis.

Staying power is not always a good thing Although guys pride themselves on their ability to go the ‘extra mile,’ an erection that simply won’t go away isn’t a miracle, but a medical emergency. If the blood flow that causes an erection doesn’t eventually leave the penis, serious complications can result, like blood clots.

Extra-large condoms are only for a select few Only 6 percent of the male population needs extra-large rubbers, according to condom manufacturers. In other words, 94 percent of men lie about their true size.

Aching balls really do exist Men really do get “aching-balls.” Technically called “prostatic congestion,” the achiness in the testicles is caused by “trapped” blood. But it’s not true that only orgasms can relieve it. A warm shower or aspirin will also do the trick.

Penises contrast in color to other body parts Penises are generally darker in color than the bodies they hang from. Why?

This column is x-rated

It’s part of the sexual maturation process, but it’s also because during puberty, nature introduces men to a special friend: their right hand. Your skin would darken too if you were manhandled that often

Kiss the shoe size theory goodbye There is no correlation between penis size and shoe size, hand size or nose size. And while we are at correlations, there’s no correlation between penis size and wallet size.

Masturbation is good exercise Masturbation is healthy. Use it or lose it isn’t just an excuse for a guy’s hands to migrate south; it’s the official tested and studied conclusion of sex experts. The less a guy uses his sexual plumbing, the more problems he’ll have doing the real pumping later on.

Drinking affects the penis Men will go limp if they drink too much. But how much is too much? About three and a half drinks for a 150-pound man. After that, the only thing standing upright in your house will be the vacuum cleaner.

Penises all have a “seam” All men have a line going down their penis and over their testicles. It’s more a “seam” on the underside of the penis. It forms when the fetus is in the uterus. In women, the seam becomes the inner lips of the vagina. In men, the seam encloses the urethra along the length of the penis.

Nothing can make a penis bigger Nothing can make a penis bigger -- except aging. Unfortunately, the penis stops growing by the time men hit their early 20s.

No way

ost times when people talk about conjugal rights in marriage, they seem to propound the theory that the man is the owner of the rights while the woman is the one who is duty-bound to accord him those rights. In this regard, it is usual for husbands to be the ‘complainants’ while the wives are the usual ‘defendants’ in disputes regarding deprivation of sex in marriage. So, the usual debate is whether a woman should refuse to have sexual intercourse with her husband at any point in time. However, we ought to look at the topic from both angles. Should a man/woman deprive his/her spouse of sex for any reason whatsoever? Let us start by agreeing that conjugal rights pertain to both the husband and the wife. Encarta dictionaries define conjugal rights to mean “right of spouses to sexual intercourse: the rights that a husband or wife is entitled to in a marriage, especially the right to have sexual relations with his or her spouse”. Once two people exchange marital vows and become Mr. and Mrs., their bodies and other possessions which were personal prior to marriage, immediately convert to mutual possessions. Everything becomes jointly-owned; the man’s body becomes the woman’s property while the woman’s body becomes her husband’s. Because of the male ego, many of them rebel against the idea that their bodies belong to their wives. To them, it just doesn’t sound right. But man, it is a fact. I must admit that deprivation of sex is more of a weapon for women than for men. But the truth is that men are as guilty of the crime as women. Sex is a married man’s greatest need in marriage, while most women are not so crazy about sex. Therefore, a wife may not necessarily whine when her husband directly or indirectly refuses to have sex with her. But the man is very likely to fume when his wife says no to his advances towards sex. Why? The answer is simple: a man’s interpretation of his wife’s “no” to sex is that his wife no longer recognises his authority over her. And the man’s reaction is instant. The wife’s refusal need not be more than once for him to reach his conclusion and quickly look for another bed mate. On the other hand, a wife may not make a big issue of the man’s “no” to sex at the initial stage; instead, she could make excuses for him. However, it becomes another ball game when his direct/indirect refusal becomes a trend. The danger signals become more apparent and she starts to sense a big problem. She becomes very insecure

and suspicious towards her husband. In order to decide whether sexual refusal is okay in marriage, we need to consider why a spouse would do so and how the other is likely to react. A man could have several reasons for depriving his wife of sex, for instance: she is no longer attractive (especially after childbirth!), he finds her boring and unappealing, she nags a lot; he is tired of the marriage, bla bla bla. But the woman’s reason for saying no to her husband’s advances is very simple: she is upset. That’s it! Maybe she doesn’t feel loved anymore, she feels used, he has refused to give her something she asked for, or has not played his role as the provider. Men have sex with their heads while women do so with their hearts. Therefore, if a woman is not happy with her husband, sex would be a difficult task. As stated above, a man’s usual immediate reaction to sexual deprivation would be to totally ignore his wife and look to another woman for sexual fulfilment. This does not however exempt the man from feeling insecure and void of the mantle of authority in his home. The woman’s long-term reaction, however, is primarily emotional – she would either be confrontational by querying him and nagging or she may give the man “silent treatment”. Only a few women indulge in extra-marital affairs because of sexual deprivation. Based on the above, it seems that it is the woman who suffers more when she refuses to accord her husband his conjugal rights. Clearly, except a man is spiritually sound and has very high moral standards, he is bound to go ‘shopping’ elsewhere whenever his wife closes ‘shop’. However, men should also know that they can never have a peaceful home when their wives are unhappy. Therefore, if a woman wants her husband not to get on the path of infidelity, she should not deprive her husband of sex. (There are many other ways of letting him know you are upset!) In the same vein, a man who wants peace in the house as well as a submissive and loyal wife should not deprive his wife of physical intimacy. The bottom line is: sex is one of the rights each spouse should accord the other, no matter the circumstances. It is not a weapon for communicating satisfaction or otherwise. Mature people should be able to resolve differences lovingly. In my opinion, sexual deprivation is a childish act and a distasteful form of emotional abuse and manipulation in marriage. So, is it wise to deprive your spouse of sex? I think not.

February 9, 2013

e b t ’ n a c I h t i w t h g u ca n a m r e h anot i t u K e y i –Ja

Woman

Sultry actress, Jaiye Oluwakemi Kuti, has been able to keep her marriage intact in spite of the peculiarities of her job. She told YEMISI ADENIRAN the secret of her success both at home and at work. Excerpts

ou are the Chief Executive officer of Jaylex Production. What exactly is your vision for this company? Jaylex Production is into film productions, music and entertainment in general. It is basically established to discover and expose talented people, both young and small, to build up those who want to make a career out of entertainment and to give meaning to their acting dreams in the world of entertainment particularly. In short, it is all about creating job for creative minds. That is what Jaylex is all about. For how long have you been acting and what are some of your exploits? It has been over nine years now. Even before I went into it fully, I had always known that I had this passion for acting. But it did not jell until later. When I decided to go into it fully, I had to leave my job as the personal assistant to the managing director of a big company I was working with. And really, I can make bold to say I have no regret taking that step. It is what I love to do, it is what I enjoy doing and I thank God that I am able to find myself in my dream early enough. I started with Laff Pattern and Everyday People. Coming into the industry was like coming to a familiar terrain beKuti cause I knew I had (I still have) the talent of acting in me. That was how I started - from soap operas to home videos and to my own performing company. At a time, I was the assistant coordinator for Actors Guild’s of Nigeria (AGN) in Ogun State; I later joined the Association of Nigeria Theatre Arts Practitioners (ANTP). I started with Oga Bello, and then Prince Jide Kosoko. I studied under so many people. After studying under these people I came out with my own film which is “Ewon Laafin” “Itan Kokoro Ede” which was shortly taken to Italy. It was a big one, I was happy for that. I have done another one which is “Eni Agbelebu” I have another coming. How would you describe the journey so far? Not quite rough and not so smooth, but to the glory of God, it has been wonderful. I have the good story to tell about it and I am enjoying it and I thank God. What makes you unique amidst other actresses? I think God has made me very special. He daily loads me with wisdom, knowledge and understanding with which I can stand shoulder-to-shoulder with other outstanding actresses. With His help, I also try to be unique in my own little way, to try to create things better than what I see. As you know, creating what is better than the best, of course, will stand you out. How would you evaluate the Nigerian movie industry? By my own rating, I would say the Nigerian movie industry is growing and growing really fast. Apart from the problem of piracy that we all face, I can say honestly that we are not doing badly. The quality of our movies has improved in the kind of story line. They are deeper and better focused, and then the technology and stage performances, all are getting better. People’s tastes have gotten higher and quite

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WOMAN

February 9, 2013

unpredictable. So, actors and actresses are set on their toes for very impressive movies. Everyone wants good films that will not just be good within Nigeria but beyond it. I am not going to do a movie that I cannot take out of Nigeria; I want to be able to take it to anywhere in the world, but if you don’t do a good movie you can t take it anywhere, may be you will rather take it to your house and watch it with your family. We are growing fast and we are doing better than what it used to be. Is it true that successful actresses in this industry sleep their ways up the ladder like many claim? From my own experience in the industry, I have never been asked out by any producer, directors, or even co- artistes. They may admire you, like you may also pay them good compliments. This, I believe is normal everywhere. I have never been told specifically that because of a role I have to go out with you, and I don t think anybody has reported anyone or a case like that to me. It is possible to have happened or be happening but I believe it takes two to tango. And as long as no one is crying out over it, then, it is either not happening or not any issue. As far as I know, it is what you want that you will receive; it is the way you present yourself anywhere, whether as an actress or anyone in any other career that you will be handled. As you lay your bed so you will definitely lie on it. When you are focused and believe in yourself and your mission in the industry, you can’t be easily derailed. If you know the purpose of your coming to the industry and why you are there, nobody will try flinging the bed offer to you. If you are good, they will beg to use you. I know a lot of actresses that if they come for an audition, producers and others struggle to offer them roles because they are good. Many also believe there are lots of lesbians in the industry. What do you think? Well, people talk about it, but I have never seen one. I don t know anyone in the industry that is a lesbian. How do you handle your male admirers? Whether you are beautiful or not, you can’t run away from your admirers. Even the ugliest woman or man doing well will have his or her own admirer. You will get to see people asking how did the man get to marry her and the man is so handsome. And when you see the woman you will start wondering if this man married a monkey or what. The thing is for every woman, there is a man, and for every woman there are many men to appreciate or admire her. I have lost count of men who say they want me; some will even say they want to take me away from my husband, they don’t mind what the action will cost them. They don t care. They will tell me is it not money, that they know that my husband is rich. They are prepared for whatever, I am familiar with those lines but I am stuck with my husband. What about top admirers like senators, governors, or even commissioners? I don t know o, I have never been approached or spoken to either by gover-

nors, senators or commissioners. What I do is to give people who trouble me a special phone number. I have a special number I gave to such people.

Keeping ABREAST

Why don’t you give them the number people know you with? I have two lines, a personal one and business line. I give them the business line. I cannot be going out with two or three phones. My husband knows what I do, the two of us read my scripts together. My husband once told me that he doesn’t like Yoruba movies that they don’t act romantic roles well, that I should try and change it. He is interested in what I do, he contributes, corrects, and encourages me where necessary. Does he watch your films? Of course; and religiously too. He saw me in one movie in a romantic role, and he asked whether the person there was his wife. He asked himself and people around him, “ What is that man doing with my wife?” He was just joking. The man he saw me with was Jide Kosoko, he was hugging me and at the same time Aremu Afolayan was in the same bed with me, romancing and caressing me and my husband was watching. He said kai! my wife. But that was all, He knew it was all work and nothing more. I thank God for his kind of person; he is loving, mature and trustworthy. What do you think gets you attracted to the opposite sex? I have this physique of an African woman, and when you have this physique of an African woman, believe me, it is the hottest in the world. We call it figure 8. when the woman is having a pretty face, then you have got everything in place, in the right places - the front, the back and above all, you are friendly. That makes you a hot figure and irresistible for the opposite sex, and I think I have got all these. What will Jaiye Kuti not be caught with? I can never be caught with another man. I love my husband, I respect him, I need no other, I can’t hurt him. What word do you have for women generally? They should be honest with their husbands, no matter the situation, the trials and distraction. They should respect and care for them as much as they can. God is always there to make things right. They should be focused also on their work or career. It is going to be well. And to the men? They should keep loving and supporting their wives. No woman is perfect, they should be contented with who their wives are, appreciate them, trust them and put them right where necessary. They should see their wives as their flesh and treat them as they will treat themselves. What about your fans I appreciate them. They should continue supporting Jaiye Kuti; they should know that without them, there can’t be Jaiye Kuti, and they should also continue buying my films. They should expect the best from me.

Crisps and chips in pregnancy can cause underweight babies –Study

onsuming a vast quantity of chips, crisps and biscuits during pregnancy can lead to babies having a lower than average birth weight, a study has found. Mothers-to-be who have a high intake of acrylamide - which is found in commonly consumed foods and coffee - are also more likely to have a baby which has a smaller head circumference. The size of a child’s head has been associated with delayed neurodevelopment while lower birth weights have been associated with adverse health effects in early life and as children grow up. Babies born to mothers with a high dietary intake of acrylamide were found to be up to 132 grams lighter than babies born to mothers who had a low intake, researchers said. The mean birth weight among children who were exposed to the highest levels of acrylamide compared with

children in the lowest was around 100 grams, the authors said. The effect caused by acrylamide is comparable to lower birth weights caused by maternal smoking, they said. The infant’s heads were also up to 0.33 centimetres smaller, they found. Acrylamide is a chemical which is produced naturally in food as a result of cooking starch-rich food at high temperatures, such as when baking or frying. It has been found in a wide range of homecooked and processed foods including crisps, chips, bread and coffee. “The potential public-health implications of our findings are substantial,” the authors said. “Increases in head circumference are an important indication of continued brain growth, and reduced birth head circumference has been associated with delayed neurodevelopment.” Culled from www.telegraph.com

Stillbirth linked to mother’s sleeping position

new study by Australian doctors has identified a link between stillbirths and pregnant women sleeping on their backs. Six babies are delivered stillborn every day in Australia but the causes largely remain a mystery. The lead researcher and his crew studied 295 women from eight hospitals around Australia. “We had 295 women all together. So 103 families who had lost a baby and 192 control families,” she said. She found women sleeping on their backs later in pregnancy were six times more likely to have a still-born baby. “The most important findings have been related to foetal movements, baby growth and maternal sleep position,” she said.

“We found that sleeping on the back in late pregnancy was associated with approximately a six-time increased risk of stillbirth.” Explaining why this is so, the doctor said, “There is a biological rationale behind that which is secondary to compression on the large blood vessels and that return blood back to the rest of the bodies, so particularly, the inferior vena cava situated at the back and on the right hand side of the aorta which is the main artery.” “We know from physiologic studies that sleep position in pregnancy can affect an oxygen supply to the baby so we think this is predominately a kind of mechanical biologic rationale.” Culled from www.abcnews.com

February 9, 2013

Parenting

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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

llergies are the result of an immune system run amok; they develop when your body overreacts to a normally harmless substance, such as pollen, cat dander, or dust. About 20 percent of children at one time or the other are plagued by allergies. The hallmark symptoms include sneezing, coughing, wheezing, chest tightness, difficulty breathing, itchy eyes, hives, and rashes. For allergies to things like foods and medications, avoidance is your only option. But for allergies to seasonal things, like pollen, or those in your home, like dust mites, there’s a lot you can do to minimise the misery. Here are, the best home remedies to soothe allergies and allergy symptoms in your children. Meanwhile, before you start any treatment, visit a doctor to be sure allergies are causing your child’s troubles. Once you know he really has seasonal allergies, these quick tips can offer much-needed relief.

. Stay inside. The best way to treat allergy symptoms is to avoid allergens to begin with. So when pollen counts soar, keep kids indoors as much as possible. Pollen is usually at its peak mid-morning, early evening, and when the wind is blowing. . Use saltwater. Having a plugged-up nose can be one of the toughest symptoms for children with allergies. For relief, older children might want to try nasal irrigation with a saline solution. You can buy saline at the drugstore or make your own by mixing in a squirt bottle eight ounces of boiled water to one tea-

Home remedies for allergies in children

spoon non-iodized salt. . Stay hydrated. All that sneezing and blowing can leave a child parched. Keep a water bottle full and close to hand and encourage your children to keep sipping. . Warm it up. Steam from a warm shower or bath seems to offer allergy symptom relief for some so encourage kids to enjoy a little tub time. Just be careful to make sure the shower is not too hot. . Keep it cool. To keep pollen out when the weather’s hot, air condition your car and home and keep windows closed. . Deal with dry air. A little moisture in the air makes breathing easier for most, so if the air in your house is dry, get a humidifier. But be careful: Humidity over 40% can encourage the growth of indoor allergens like mold and dust mites. . Go cold. When itchy eyes are driving your kid crazy, try a cold compress, which may help reduce the itch and soreness. . Keep your hands to yourself. Help kids to avoid rubbing their itchy eyes. Rubbing will only irritate them -- and could make the itchiness even worse. . Spice it up. If your kids will eat spicy foods, a dish made with cayenne pepper, hot ginger,

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ParentingUpdate

Melanie Tanner with her daughter Jasmine

fenugreek, onions, or garlic may help thin mucus and clear nasal passages. . Use top tissues. When kids’ allergies are at their peak, tender noses can get sore pretty fast. Look for tissues with lotion or aloe.. . Rub jelly on it. And if your child’s nose is raw and red from blowing, you can soothe his sniffer with a dab of petroleum jelly. . Gargle to relieve sore throats. If drainage leaves your child with a sore throat, gargling with warm salt water made of 1-2 Tablespoons of table salt in 8 ounces of water may ease the pain. . Drink warm tea. Drinking more fluids can also help sooth tender throats. Try a weak tea with honey and lemon. Bonus: The steam may relieve sinus congestion, too. . Get face time. Warm compresses applied to the face may also help soothe a child’s sinus pressure and pain. . Watch out for certain foods. If your child is allergic to rsome components in some food, he may also have an allergic sensitivity to some foods that may include bananas, melons, chamomile tea, sea foods, and cucumbers.

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When to call a doctor  If you have a known allergy and notice any of the following symptoms, you should see your doctor:  Welts that spring up in response to exposure to an allergen, also known as hives. They may indicate the onset of anaphylactic shock, an allergic reaction severe enough to kill. Seek medical attention promptly.

 Wheezing -- a whistling sound when you breathe.  Asthma -- congestion of the chest severe enough to make breathing difficult, often accompanied by wheezing.  An allergy attack that doesn’t respond to OTC medications within a week.  Any time your allergy symptoms prevent you from doing things you want to or make you miss work or school.

Tiny Feet

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NAME: Oluwatofunmi Ojo BORN TO: Mr. and Mrs Ojo AGE: 6 months BIRTH WEIGHT: 3.5 kg Have you just had a baby? Send a picture of your bundle of joy to mirrorbabies@gmail.com

Baby survives 11 life-saving blood transfusions while still in womb

aby Jasmine Tanner needed 11 life-saving blood transfusions to save her life while she was still in her mother’s womb. Jasmine, who is 15 months old, had to repeatedly undergo the procedure after doctors discovered her blood type was incompatible with that of her mother. Mrs Tanner developed Rhesus disease, which was causing her antibodies to destroy her child’s blood cells, putting Jasmine at risk of dying from heart failure, so doctors gave her the infusions until she was sufficiently developed to be born. Her defence mechanism assumes the baby’s blood is alien and produces antibodies to fight it, resulting in the

baby becoming anaemic. Drugs that can sometimes overrule antibodies did not work in her case. Without intervention Mrs Tanner’s baby would probably not have survived. Fine needles were used to inject the donated blood into a vein in the baby’s liver, with an ultrasound screen in the darkened theatre to guide him. There was a big risk each time, doctors said. ‘’The antibodies are trying to destroy the baby’s blood cells. With a foetal blood transfusion there is a 2 per cent loss rate with bleeding inside the baby,’’ he said. ‘’It’s about the fiddliest thing we do just lining things up. The last thing you need is for the baby to do a somersault.’’

Finding a matching donor is also a challenge. Jasmine was eventually delivered at 34 weeks by caesarean section and immediately taken into intensive care where she had a further three blood transfusions. Now, more than a year on, Jasmine is healthy and the only evidence of her battle for survival are small needle scars on her abdomen. The condition, which affects just one in 10,000 women, was diagnosed only nine weeks into Melanie’s pregnancy with treatment starting seven weeks later •Culled graph.com

from

www.tele-

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February 9, 2013

le StyGlam and

with Yemisi Adeniran

(08037801158) ydiran@yahoo.com

r o f s e l y t s r i a h c i t n a m Ro

y a D s ’ e n i t n e l a V V alentine’s l ti ’ D Day is i the th mostt romantic day of the year. Whether you are spending the evening at home with your sweetie or heading out somewhere, you will look and feel gorgeous with one of these romantic hairstyles. Messy updo One of the most popular hairstyles for special occasions is the messy updo. Instead of a perfectly coiffed style, this one is a bit messy and a lot sexy. It’s ideal for a romantic night out on Valentine’s Day. This style works for shoulder-length hair

that th t is i straight, t i ht wavy or curly l. Pull the majority of your hair into a high ponytail on the back of your head and secure with an elastic band. Be sure to leave some strands loose to frame your face. Next, separate your ponytail into three or four sections. Then you need to bring each section down, folding it over and into the base of your ponytail, securing with bobby pins or another elastic band. Tousled waves Tousled hair isn’t just for the beach, it’s actually a very playful, romantic look

that for Valentine’s th t is i perfectly f tl suited it Day. This style works best with hair that is naturally wavy. Half-up, half-down If you are going somewhere special for Valentine’s Day, take inspiration from wedding day hairstyles. For curly hair, the romantic half-up, half-down look is one of the best. It allows you to show off your beautiful curls and also puts the focus on your gorgeous face. This hairstyle is very simple to create. Pull the top portion of your hair into a ponytail, leaving the bottom portion long in the back. Add

to the romantic look by leaving a couple tendrils free around the face. Side ponytail For long hair, a side ponytail is a beautiful yet fun look that is terrific for going out. Gather the hair all together into a ponytail and position the base of the ponytail behind your ear, then secure with an elastic band. Romantic braid Braids are beautiful any day. On a day like Val’s, make sure they are neatly done, but get your hair retouched earlier for a beautiful and neater look.

STYLE & GLAM

February 9, 2013

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

YEMISI ADENIRAN

alter dresses come in a variety of prints, colours and fabrics. It can either be short or long with two extra pieces of straps attached on the two sides of the bust line of the dress, which you can use in different ways. You can either tie the strap or if you want you can even put it behind your neck and just sew it. But the most popular form of halter dresses are those where you tie the straps behind your neck. These straps can either be the adjustable ones or the specific sized one. But mostly you must opt for the adjustable strap halter dresses as they will give you the perfect fit. To wear your halter dress well, you need to follow these tips: Keep your neck bare of accessories: While wearing a halter dress you must avoid all sorts of necklace or any other neck piece. A neck piece will make your neck look much smaller than it is. So, never ever wear any neck piece while you are wearing a halter dress. Pay attention to the kind of bra you wear: You have to understand how to wear halter dress with a bra. A halter dress means baring your back, so, you cannot afford to showcase your bra. Your bra straps must not be visible while you are wearing a halter dress. You should therefore buy a strapless bra that can be easily concealed under the dress. You can also go completely braless. For a perfect shape, you can opt for those halter dresses that have foam cups as this will give you a perfect look even if your dress is a low cut one. It must fit you correctly: Never ever buy halter dresses that are way too large or too small for your body. If you are going for a large halter dress for yourself, it might give you a weird look, making you look fat. On the other hand, if the halter dress is too small, it will make you look fat and outline your extra body fat. So, try to buy such a halter dress that fits your body perfectly and make sure that it is meant for your body structure only. Choose a colour, fabric and pattern according to the frame of your body: If you want to know how to wear halter dress perfectly then you must also give a bit of thought to your bust line. If you have a heavy bust line then you must not opt for a light fabric halter dress, as it will make your bust line look much heavier than usual – and not in the best manner. And, you might not want that. In case of colour, if you are on the broader side, dark colours like black and navy blue halter dresses will do wonders. In case of smaller frame bodies, you can go for any colour or even prints like polka dots and floral patterns. Select the right straps: If you have a bigger body frame, opt for those with thicker straps as this will give you a better look. But those who have a very small shoulder frame must opt for smaller straps as this will give them a broader look.. Accessorise correctly: For a halter dress you can try out accessories like big earrings, attractive handbags, strappy stilettos and also beautiful heavy bracelets that will compliment your earnings as well as your dress.

BEAUTY

Q&A

Your candid response to all fashion questions What to wear for small or slope shoulder Defined shoulders always make a lady’s arms look sexy. The shape of your shoulders can affect the overall appearance of an outfit and they seldom catch the attention that they deserve. Clothing that fits poorly upon your shoulders can destroy a chic silhouette. You might know your body shape, but did you know that your shoulders are the

next most substantial aspect to silhouette proportion? Listed below are some guidelines that can help to address your narrow shoulders body shape, once you know how to dress a narrow shoulder, your selfconfidence will growth and your inner beauty and personality will come shining through. The ideal shoulder line balances the hips and create a proportion body shape so choose the most flattering sleeve, collar, neckline, color,

fabrics an Sleeve • S puff sleev up with r of broade sure that

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February 9, 2013

Select tops with the following kind of sleeve such as cap sleeve, ve, leg-of-mutton-sleeves, gathered sleeves, sleeves that draw ruching or fluted angel sleeves. They will deliver the effect ening your shoulders in a beautiful and feminine way. But be the shoulder seam of the sleeve fit your shoulders perfectly

Facelift

ashion Frenzy

nd seaming detail to help balance your entire body shape.

STYLE & GLAM

Cause a storm with your accessories

and in the right position. You will not get that elongated lean line if the shoulder seams drops off your shoulder and appears too big. • you can also try out tops with draping off the shoulder sleeves, it also work well at broadening the upper body. • Sleeveless clothes that are cut in at the shoulder should be avoided as they tend to make the shoulder appear even narrower. If you want to wear sleeveless tops, opt for wider straps.

Accessories, we all know are the best way accentuate our looks and outfits. On a day like valentine, you just must add colour to your outlook and these are just some tips to achieve this; Make your bag clutch types and get them in cute designs. Pick costume jewelleries up in their bogus shapes and dazzle your beholders. If your choice is the beads or pearls, make them longer and colourful. For your formal outings, church services in particular, step out in heels; covered or sandals. And for the casual or evening dates, do not forget the bangles, chandelier earrings, the flip-flops and the waist belts. It’s no longer a must to match your shoes with your purse otherwise you be tagged old fashioned. But if you wear black shoes and carry a red or yellow purse, it will just be fine. Don’t forget the make-over On a day like this, your make up must be mild but handled by an expert at least for the day time. For the evening outings, apply some level of creativity and make them bolder and more colourful to stand you out in the crowd and make you beam under light effects at parties.

February 9, 2013

Male Essentials

OLUWASEGUN IJABIKEN

ne sure way to make your presence felt is through your traditional cap. There are so many of them and the one you wear will depend on your outfit. Like icing on a cake, so is the cap that matches your outfit. The Igbos have their red caps and other styles. Likewise the Yorubas. They have their abeti aja, etc. The Hausas too have theirs but it’s not just these three major Nigerian

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tribes that have their own caps. Every Nigerian tribe has its own cap and traditional outfit and you are free to wear any of them any time you feel like. Check out President Goodluck Jonathan in a Yoruba abeti aja cap and agbada outfit as against his usual Niger-Delta outfit and you will understand why you should quickly start making a fashion statement by wearing as many of the traditional caps and outfits as possible to prove your fashion worth.

How to look sharp this year T

he colour of 2013 Navy blue was big for men’s clothing in 2012 and blue is still very much in. However, it gets a bit lighter and playful with solid mid-tones that are reminiscent of a crystal-clean lake in Ontario or the mighty Atlantic out on the East Coast. Patterns The emphasis on this 2013 fashion trend is in its plurality, meaning you should get comfortable mixing and matching two different patterns. Not three patterns, mind you. That will be pushing your luck. Pair your patterned shirt with striped ties of similar colours to pull off a fun, businesscasual look year round. Watch the watch This one’s not so much a particular

fashion trend exclusive to 2013, as it is a good style practice to keep up. Change your watch’s wristband. 2012 saw lots of playful colours like subbing steel links and leather straps with striped, elastic bands was a trend as hot as the blistering summer heat. But now it’s time to change back to a strap that suits your personal style. Footwear Speaking of footwear, dress shoes are out for 2013 and boots are very much in. Now, these aren’t your grandpa’s Hunters or swamp waders we’re talking about here. What men want to look for are long, leather boots preferably in a dark black or brown tone, whichever best compliments your wardrobe). They’ll add a layer of complexity and versatil-

ity to any outfit and won’t leave your feet soaking wet when the rain comes. Fabrics Cotton is safe but it’s boring and as common as a leaf on the ground come October. Instead, some fabrics to try out for 2013 will be tweed and wool. Tweed adds a rustic look to any blazer or sports jacket that will automatically jazz up any outfit. Wool also works with jackets and coats but goes great as part of a sweater with a cotton blend to avoid that itchiness. Jewellery Men might shy away from the jewellery department but this is an area where guys can have a lot of fun and really set themselves apart from the crowd. One of last year’s most popular accessories was

the leather wristband or bracelet. This year, guys will want to work with metals like bronze or brass into rings, cufflinks or tie clips. Suit up When it comes to suits, a three-button jacket is still very ’90s. What’s more in line with 2013 is the two-button jacket since the placement of the buttons adds height and creates a slimming look. Also worth noting is the pocket square’s explosion in popularity. The rise of the pocket square may have kicked off in 2012 but it’s definitely something that men should get used to seeing in 2013. Not only can a pocket square add colour or texture to an outfit, it draws attention away from the belly which can also help with creating a slimming effect.

People

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Fayemi at 48: The Music has just begun OLAYINKA OYEBODE

n a recent encounter with journalists during an inspection of projects in some parts of Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, Governor Kayode Fayemi was asked how he manages to raise funds for the numerous projects his administration is undertaking in the state. The reporter had asked the question upon realizing that the Operation Renovate All Secondary Schools in Ekiti (ORASE), which led to the renovation of the 183 public secondary schools in the state and the purchase of 40,000 units of furniture for teachers and students cost the state a whopping N2.5billion. For a state that is ranked number 35th on the federal allocation ladder and gets a little above N2billion monthly from the federation purse, the reporter’s concern seems apt, especially given the fact that the comprehensive renovation of public schools and the computer-per-child initiative of the administration are running side by side with other projects. When the journalist was told that the state would soon commence the comprehensive renovation of all hospitals and primary health care centres in the state beginning from January, he simply retorted: “Your Excellency must be a magician!” Fayemi had politely told the reporter that the passion to see poverty and sickness banished from the State and the determination to make the Ekiti the number one destination of choice for business and leisure remain the vital tonic that drives the developmental agenda in Ekiti and provides the creativity that unlocks the required funds. What perhaps is unknown to the journalist is the fact that JKF, as Dr Fayemi is popularly called, remains one of the few leaders in the country who view their call to serve as a privilege and therefore put in everything to ensure that they leave a legacy. Caroline Mcloughlin, Executive Director of the Washington based Centre for Visionary Leadership, vividly captures the essence of visionary leadership in one of her works. According to her, “Visionary leaders are the builders of a new dawn, working with imagination, insight, and boldness. They present a challenge that calls from the best in people and brings them together around a shared sense of purpose. Their eyes are on the horizon, not just on the near at hand. They are social innovators and change agents, seeing the big picture and thinking strategically.” Mcloughlin’s definition, no doubt encapsulates those key attributes that have

marked JKF as an innovative leader with a great ability to inspire others and an insatiable appetite for setting and attaining developmental goals. Through a combination of forceful imagination, prudent spending, compassion for the led and placing much premium on the concept of doing development with the people, JKF has, in the last two and a half years, been able to launch the state on an irreversible path of development. His immediate concern include how transformational leadership can replace transactional politics. How institutions of state can be strengthened to ensure effective service delivery. How leaders and the led can work together to achieve common goals. What systems and processes should be put in place for genuine empowerment of the citizens towards the attainment of the good life for all. He believes that by providing the right leadership, excellence can become the habit of all. In theory, JKF has espoused this concept of good governance and the concomitant empowerment of the citizens as well as the strengthening of the institutional framework at the various lectures and discussion groups he has participated locally and at the global stage. In practical terms, he demonstrates this in the running of the affairs of Ekiti State by laying emphasis on key elements of good governance including accountability, transparency, efficiency and effectiveness, responsiveness, the rule of law and forward vision. JKF stated this much in his most recent publication – “Reclaiming The Trust”. He admits that what he has brought into governance in the last two years is the kind of trust that is based on and compels competence, openness, concern and reliability. “Trust is a public good; we cannot do great things collectively without trust. But trust has to be earned” he stresses. Within two and half years, Fayemi has been able to place Ekiti on the centre stage, by re- awakening the Omoluabi concept in government and laying a solid foundation on which a more prosperous Ekiti would be built. The Social Security Benefit Scheme which pays monthly stipends to indigent elderly citizens of the state; the computerper- child initiative, where each student in the public secondary schools gets a solarpowered lap top computer are first of its kind in the country. The massive investments in industrial, infrastructure and

tourism development in the state as well as diverse youth and women empowerment programmes in an atmosphere devoid of the brigandage and violence of yesteryears have greatly enhanced the profile of the state. Perhaps this explains why the rain of endorsements of his person and leadership style continues to pour in torrents since the September 18, 2012 endorsement by a former Nigerian Permanent Representative at the United Nations, Alhaji Maitama Sule, at the Leadership Awards in Abuja and that of the 26 Pan-Yoruba groups under the auspices of the Oodua Nationalist Coalition (ONAC) in Ibadan, recently. As JKF turns 48 today, the question is no longer about what he is capable of doing as a leader. For he has been able to demonstrate his capability as an imaginative leader. Rather, the question will be about what he would not do as a leader. Regarded in some circles as ‘an activist in government’, many believe that his past has adequately prepared him for the present and the future. John Kayode Fayemi was born on February 9, 1965 into the family of the late Chief and Mrs. Francis Falade Fayemi. A native of Isan-Ekiti in Oye Local government, he had his elementary education in Ibadan before attending Christ’s School, Ado- Ekiti for his secondary education between 1975 and 1980. He received his first degree in History and Politics from the University of Lagos in 1985, a Master’s degree in International Relations from the University of Ife, Ile-Ife

February 9, 2013

(now Obafemi Awolowo University), in 1987 and a doctorate in War Studies from the King’s College, University of London, England in 1993, specializing in civilianmilitary relations and defence planning. Prior to his active involvement in politics, Dr Fayemi was the pioneer Director of the Centre for Democracy and Development, a research and training institution dedicated to the study and promotion of democratic development, peace-building and human security in Africa. Dr Fayemi was a Georgetown University Leadership Fellow in 2000 and a Senior Vi s it-

ing Fellow in African Studies, Northwestern University, Evanston, USA in 2004. He is also an Associate Fellow of the Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies, University of Ibadan and was on the Adjunct Faculty of the African Centre for Strategic Studies, National Defence University, USA, between 2001 and 2005. He was a member of the Governing Board of the Open Society Justice Institute, New York and African Security Sector Network. He was Technical Adviser to Nigeria’s Human Rights Violations Investigation Commission (known as the Oputa Panel) and also served on three Presidential Advisory Committees on Conflict Management and Security Sector Reform; NEPAD and the Millennium Development Goals under the Olusegun Obasanjo administration. An advocate of true federalism, Fayemi has written and lectured extensively on governance and democratization. He is also a recipient of several awards, fellowships and grants including the Ford Foundation grant on the Special Initiative on Africa and the Macarthur Foundation research grant. He was named Governor of the Year, 2011, by the Leadership Newspaper. With forty and eight fruitful years in the kitty, the music has just started for Fayemi – the one Ekiti people love to call “Ilufemiloye ”. • Oyebode is Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Ekiti State.

PEOPLE

February 9, 2013

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

‘I’m not ready for Old People’s Home’ 70+ and still going strong … Shola Odunfa’s energy will put manyy younger journalists to shame. Apart from his journalism, the old ‘warhorse’’ says the m him is only other thing nobody can take him away from or take away from his cold beer. Continued from last week

THOMAS USHIE

uring your hey days as a journalist, how did you relax after the day’s work? Just as I am now, in a beer parlour. I go to my favourite joint and take my beer, especially Guinness. I love Guinness. After that, I go back home and eat, sleep and prepare for another day. If work is hectic and I have no break time, I will quickly check my schedule, and focus on fulfilling the day’s activities to the best of my knowledge, and with a bottle of beer by my side. Why did you choose to retire and what are you up to now? Reporting news stories goes beyond my age. I am above 70 now. And there is a limit to what I can do. Unlike before, nobody can call me from anywhere in the world now and order me to go to somewhere and file in a report in an hour’s time. No. I’ll say sorry I cannot do it. I cannot at this age be on the field from one spot to another, reporting news. I can however do analyses of the news. If I want to continue with aggressive reporting, I will not live to enjoy the money. But I want to enjoy every kobo I have earned. Presently, I write a column for the BBC online. Have you finally bowed out of journalism or do you still have something to offer? I am sure that people will hear more of me because I am not in the mood to go six feet down or to go into an old people’s home. I regard myself as a professional reporter, not necessarily a Nigerian reporter. I am a reporter of the news. Wherever it happens, wherever it develops, I am there to report. Over the decades of my practice, I have found out that reporting is dynamic and to remain relevant and useful, a reporter must flow with change. There was a time I was scripting my report on paper; there was a time I needed to type my report and I bought myself a manual typewriter, a time came when I had to file stories internationally, and resorted to using the telex at NITEL. A time came for the use of a photocopier with typewriter and fax. Then a time came when my major tool became the telephone as I started reporting for radio. Looking back and now forward, for anybody to practice journalism successfully at my level, you don’t need just a telephone but also the Internet. When you need to send a story to three or four media, you can do so in a few minutes through the Internet. Now everything goes through the Internet, whether for radio, television or newspapers and magazines. So, the latest way to file stories is via the Internet and it can be done by voice, video, or texts. This avenue makes the job easier because

I can set up my station anywhere. I can report from any location under the sun without looking for NITEL or carrying typewriter. So, things are changing and I believe the person that changes with time is the person that is ready to succeed. You cannot depend on 1970 technology in 2014. No way! You’ll be jobless. What has been your best moment in journalism so far? I have not pondered over such moments but I think it was the coverage of the Nigerian civil war. Considering your passion for the job, did any of your children take to journalism? Unfortunately, none! Why? Maybe because of the life I was living. I was always on the go. They are all female and when they get married, I don’t think that the job would have been okay for their hubbies. No man would allow his wife to jump all over the place looking for stories as I did. They have their careers and they are pursuing it. It was not my position to choose or influence their career choice. Mine was just to give them good education. In your quiet time when you sit back and reflect over your career as a journalist, what are your regrets? I do not have a single regret going into journalism. Whatever I have achieved, I have achieved. No regrets whatsoever. I may have done certain things wrong, I may have a written couple of stories which were not right, but I have no regrets whatsoever, going into journalism. If I come into the next world, I’ll choose journalism again and I will do it better. How do you spend your idle times? I spend my idle times sleeping after which I drive to the Island and socialise with friends. What is the attraction to the Island? In Lagos, everything happens on the Island. You cannot sit down in Surulere or Lekki and expect to know what’s happening. The Island is the hub of Lagos! When you come down to the Island, you meet with people from all walks of life were you can interact and gain more knowledge that you would probably not gain from books or the media. A reporter who closes from the office and goes back home is not doing himself any favour. When a reporter socialises with other people, he is bound to know much more and enrich himself on the job. It is easy to get people talking in their social and natural environment than when you do so with a tape recorder to their mouth. So I always enjoy listening to people discussing government policies, social life, economics and so on in their natural environment. Could you appraise journalism in your days, as it is now and as it could

be? I told you in the beginning that journalism is changing with the society, it is changing with culture, and it is changing with technology. It baffles me when print media still report news stories that are 24 hours old, news stories that everybody must have read via the Internet, through the social media, BlackBerry broadcast, as well as from online publications. I gave a lecture sometimes ago in a department of mass communications and I told them

that they must get themselves equipped in information technology, else they would be left in darkness. To be a good reporter now, you must have access to the Internet. Newspapers all over the world are now specialising in analysis of stories and interviews, not reporting. News stories are instantly aired on radio and televisions and the newspapers don’t need to report but analyse the news already reported. Now, the readers need more than mere reporting of the news.

Living

Afolabi

Bassey

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

February 9, 2013

Akang

‘Things are tough, but life goes on’ L

ife is a twisted road that is full of ups and downs. This aptly describes the different situations of the spinal cord injury victims who are currently undergoing rehabilitation at the Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation Centre located at Alakoso Avenue in Amuwo Odofin area of Lagos state. These men and women have one thing in common: they are all victims of their various circumstances. Adejoke Afolabi, an indigene of Ondo state was a secondary school student when she met her doom in 1984. According to this now mother of an 18 year old daughter, she was on her way to see her mother who was living in Ondo town before proceeding to Benin City where she was schooling when the unexpected happened at Shagamu. She says, “July 12th 1984 will never leave my memory. I had set out that day to see my mother in Ondo before proceeding on my journey the following day back to Benin City where I was schooling. When we got to Shagamu, the vehicle I was riding in had an accident; the tyre and the rim went off the vehicle while on speed. The bus made a thunderous sound and that was all I could remember. By the time I opened my eyes, I found myself on the hospital bed and all I could ask was ‘how did I get here?’ Form Shagamu General Hospital where I found myself, I was referred to the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Igbobi, where I spent nine months. My entire world came to halt.” After nine months, Adejoke voluntarily left the Orthopaedic Hospital in pursuit of

Life goes on for the inhabitants of the Spinal Cord Injury Association Resettlement Centre. Despite the grimness of their situations, they find reasons to go on with life with determination and gusto. further treatment in the traditional way. She continues her story. “I met an Ijaw person who told me that he will be able to assist me in treatment and that they have dealt with even worse cases that mine. I decided to yield. After several painful sessions from the so called native treatment, I had to resign myself to fate. Being from a polygamous home, life was tough and so I had to look for a feasible solution to my challenge and that was how through the contact of a friend, I was able to get admitted into the Spinal Cord Injury Association Rehabilitation Centre in Maryland (Lagos) which was where they used to be before they moved down here. “As if the troubles were not enough, I lost my mother who was my closest confidant in the middle of all the crises. It was a very sorry case for me. Today I am an orphan and a mother of an 18 year old daughter who is currently studying Biochemistry at the University of Lagos studying.” Adejoke, however, stresses that disability is not inability. This was why she trained as a Fashion Designer. Incidentally, she had been interested in the vocation and had started learning it way before the accident that changed her life. Apart from fashion designing, Adejoke also engages in the production of liquid soap, which she also learnt over the time just to earn a living rather than take to beg-

ging as many in her shoes would. Although at some point, she got married to the man with whom she had her daughter, they separated somewhere along the line. She has hopes for a better future and is appealing to Nigerians to come to her aid and assist in financing her business and also in securing a decent accommodation where she could lay her head and do her business. She says, “I am not a lazy person and I am also good in business which was why I went into soap production business and fashion designing. But because of my condition, going to places to market the products and sourcing for customers is an issue. I am entreating anyone who is moved to kindly assist me in actualizing my goals and enable me make a good livelihood from the works of my own hands and also take care of my daughter and see her through school” Another victim of spinal cord injury resulting from vehicular accident is Happiness Akang who is from Akwa Ibom State. For her, December 24, 2009 is a day to forever remember. “I was on my way to my home town in Akwa Ibom from Lagos when the unthinkable happened. The car crash happened in Isele Ukwu junction in Delta state. I couldn’t remember anything that happened because I went unconscious. I only

awoke the second day to find myself on a hospital bed. I was told it was St Theresa Hospital in Delta state. I was later referred to the National Orthopaedic Hospital in Igbobi, Lagos. When I was taken to Igbobi, I was rejected there, and instead was referred to the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) where I spent five months. It was a real setback for me at that time because before the accident, I was working and at the same time preparing for my University Matriculation Examinations. Unknown to me, I would not have the privileged to sit for the exam that year. It was a rude shock and I felt so demoralised,” Happiness recalls. “I lost my father earlier and was hoping to go to school and make something meaningful out of my life so I could assist my mother in taking care of my siblings. Although I am the second to the last child of my parents, I had the burden to help. Unfortunately, I am stranded here.” Nevertheless, Happiness as her name implies, still find reasons to stay happy and face life vivaciously. “Although things have been so tough for me since the accident, I surely know that someday soon, God will make a way. I did computer training but I have nothing to commence business with for now. I am just hoping and praying that God will send CONTINUED ON PAGE 34

LIVING

February 9, 2013

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Agony of spinal cord injury victims CONTINUED FROM PAGE 33 me a helper that will help me get back to school so that I can still actualise my goal of studying business administration at degree level. I also play table tennis and I surely hope that my skills will one day speak for me and take me to my promised land.” Felicia Umoren’s story is a little different. Her spinal cord injury is not from an accident. Akwa Ibom-born Umoren says she was in her teens when she had a strange experience one night. She recalls, “I was in my teen years when I had a strange encounter. It was in the night. I suddenly felt a strange breeze blowing me and then I had a funny sensation burning through me almost immediately. Before the next morning, I realised that my feet were swollen and I couldn’t walk, I became grounded from that very day. It was like a movie, I could not comprehend what was happening to me. I was rushed to the National Orthopaedic Hospital in Igbobi where I spent over fifteen years. After several tests, nothing concrete was discovered to have caused my condition and that was how I became confined to this wheel chair.” Umoren, however, did not allow her strange experience get in the way of her success. Shortly after she left the hospital, favour smiled on her and she got help from a white woman who gave her a scholarship to study abroad. “After my hospital experience, favour came my way when I met a white woman who took me abroad on scholarship to

I HAVE COME TO THE REALISATION THAT LIFE IS FULL OF UPS AND DOWNS, MADE UP OF THE SWEET AND THE BITTER. I HAVE ALSO LEARNT TO BE GRATEFUL TO GOD IN ANY SITUATION I FIND MYSELF IN LIFE. I HAVE LEARNT TO COUNT MY BLESSINGS. study fine art which was my desired career. I did a diploma in Fine arts at Hartley Sentinel in United Kingdom. I came back two years later to live at the Sentinel Home in Mushin which was also owned by the same person. I got in here about seven years ago,” she says. Umoren has learnt to accept whatever challenge life throws her way. Although she is yet to be married or have kids of her own, she has learnt to wait on God. She says, “I have come to the realisation that life is full of ups and downs, made up of the sweet and the bitter. So I have learnt to wait on God to accomplish his mission and purpose for my life. I have also learnt to be grateful to God in any situation I find myself in life. I have also learnt to count my blessings.” Although Umoren is currently employed as a teacher by the Nigerian Girls Guide, she would like public spirited Nigerians to assist her with accommodation, which she says has been a tough one for her.

“I have been through several ordeals in the hands of fake agents who would promise heaven and earth to get a good place for me, at the end of the day, nothing resourceful comes out of it. The last straw that broke the camel’s back was the one that duped me of over N200, 000. Most of the houses they have been getting for me are upstairs and I cannot live upstairs because of my condition, I can only live on the ground floor. That is the major challenge I have been going through now,” says Umoren. Alice Bassey’s story is also quite pathetic. She had an auto accident in 1976 which claimed one of her legs. She says, “I was standing at the bus stop in Yaba on that fateful day. Form nowhere, a municipal bus emerged with speed and ran into me crushing me on the pavement. If not for God, I would have been history today. I was then taken to the Orthopaedic Hospital in Igbobi where I spent three years. I had one of my legs amputated. It was a very sad experience for me.”

Being the first of a family of four boys and five girls, with an aged mother, life has been extremely tough for Alice. “Life after the accident has been very tough. I am the first born of my parents and I have four sisters and four brothers. My mother is also advanced in years. I am just looking up to God to send help to me as soon as possible, so I could raise enough money to get a decent accommodation because this place is not a permanent residence, it is only for some time. I have also gone through computer training and I am just waiting on God to get something doing so I can earn a living for myself, because begging is out of it for me.” Obioha Ononogbu, chairman of the Spinal Cord Injury Association (SCIAN) asserts that the association has done a lot in assisting several people in his shoes. Founded in 1984, Ononogbu says the primary aim of the association is to lighten the burden of the victims, especially those who may have been abandoned by friends and relatives, with no hope of where to go when they are discharged from the hospital. According to this Ononogbu who became disabled in 1983 when he was on his way from his home town after the New Year celebration, a lot of people in this condition are usually abandoned by their care givers, leaving them with no hope. And that was why the association was formed with the assistance of the then Chief Medical Director of the National Orthopaedic Hospital in Igbobi, where he himself spent three and a half years.

SCIAN has assisted several victims Obioha Ononogbu is the chairman of the Spinal Cord Injury Association of Nigeria (SCIAN). He spoke with FUNMI SALOME JOHNSON on how the association came to be, what it stands for, its achievements over the years and the challenges it is facing presently.

ow long has this association been in existence? The association has been existing since April 12th 1984. It will turn 29 years in April. What is the aim of the association? The aim is to assist victims who in many cases are abandoned by their friends, relatives and family members. As a matter of fact, we got backup from the then Chief Medical Director of the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Igbobi, Lagos in the person of Dr Owosheni and one late Dr Ogungbesan who was the head of the Spinal Cord Injury Unit at the Orthopaedic Hospital. With the help of these people and others, we were able to start the organization. As a matter of fact, we started our meetings at Igbobi before we were able to get a rented six bungalow apartment after two years of inception at Maryland Crescent, around Jesu Oyingbo Estate. How has the association been funded over the years? It is a non-governmental association and so it has been funded basically through contribution of various Nigerians. For instance, this permanent site

where we are now was given to us by Her Excellency, the late Mrs. Maryam Babangida in 1988 when she came on visit to the association. You know that the first lady usually pay visits on independence days to places like orphanages or other places where there is need. Fortunately for me, I used to work at the Ministry of Internal affairs which used to be in charge of such things as where the First Lady will visit during independence. I happened to know a few persons there to whom I indicated interest that we would love to be visited by the First Lady. That was how an official was sent to inquire what our needs were and we told him of the need for a place of our own. God bless Maryam Babangida who before her visit had requested for a piece of land form the then governor of Lagos state, Raji Rasaki. So on the day of her visit, she presented to us the C of O of this property. We then started building on our own from different contribution from people. That is why you will find different names on the various buildings because they were not all donated by one person or body. What have been the achievements

Ononogbu

of the association so far? Like I said, moving from a rented apartment to our own site is one achievement. We have also been able to assist several victims in the area of accommodation, training and others. We have a fashion workshop with sewing machines where we train victims. We have also been able to prove that disability is not

inability and it is not a license to start begging. We also have sports grounds and sporting activities where we have been able to train several victims. Before now, there was no association aimed at giving awareness to the disabled. We were the first. Most of the disabled you now see doing Paralympics started it because of what they saw us doing. What are the challenges of the association? The major challenge we have is the need to build more blocks so that there will be enough space to accommodate more people. We also need Nigerians both individuals and corporate bodies to patronise the fashion workshop in by giving us contracts so that we will be able to raise money on our own to sustain the needs of the association. This place is not meant for people to come and stay permanently and so if we can get people to assist the existing victims to get accommodation out of here, there will be more space for fresh victims to come in. That will be a great help. We have also completed a multipurpose hall that could be used for events and generate revenue of our own. So we entreat Nigerians to help by giving us patronage and doing all they can to help us. We want to be able to build a place where other disabled people can come and socialise and interact freely.

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

LIVING

February 9, 2013

‘Many are the afflictions of fishermen’ Moses Megbuanwu is of Ilaje (Ondo State) stock. Like many of his kinsmen, he is a professional fisherman. He shares the ups and downs of being a ‘creature of the rivers’ with THOMAS USHIE.

Boats “parked” at the bank of Lagos lagoon

ou could say Moses Megbuanwu started fishing even from his mother’s womb. Born in the riverine area of Ondo State, his parents started preparing him early for a life in the fishing business. He however, had other plans. He became a civil servant. But as if it was predetermined by the gods, he went back to fishing and has continued to live his life on the river in diverse ways. “I started fishing as a little boy. Way back then, our parents would take us along for fishing and we started learning the act of fishing from them until we become proficient in it. And with time, we set out to do it on our own,” he told Saturday Mirror. While those on the mainland could be aquaphobic, Megbuanwu was a creature of the river. For him, having been born and bred “in the river”, there is no way he could be sacred of it, insisting that when one confronts what he fears, the death of fear is certain. “I am an Ilaje man from the riverine area of Ondo State. I was born near the river. Going into the river or sea and coming out of it is our way of life. We are born to fish out anything in the river or sea. That is why you see most of us from that area being in the fishing or sand business. It is the trade we have been known for through the ages. “However, things are beginning to change as most of our children are now into other professions. But in our local and traditional settings, we are fisher men and women and also, we do sand business. So, a child that was brought up in these businesses cannot fear water. It is very rare. But if you are, it is better to face what you fear and overcome it,” he admonishes. “Fishing business is not peculiar to us. It is an old business. Even in the Bible, there was a certain Peter and others who were fishermen. While we could also farm, most of us choose to be fisher-

Megbuanwu

men,” he said. The life of a fisherman preoccupies him and confines him to the river or sea. Was Megbuanwu able to savour the taste of formal education, even at the primary level? “It is a matter of time and choice. If it could not allow me, would I have been able to speak with you in English,” he asked rhetorically while going down memory lane to recall how he presented different species of fish to his primary school teachers during Agricultural Science classes. “While in primary school, we had Agric Science as a subject. During these classes, if you were into farming, you would bring resources from the farm. If you were into fishing, you would bring resources from there. So, as one into fishing, I brought my own specimens from the river,” he explains. As is often said, ‘to become a man is not a day’s job.’ For Megbuanwu, to become a fisherman is not a day’s job. He explains that to venture into profitable fishing is financially tasking. His words: “There are a lot of challenges facing the local fishermen. As I have said before, we learnt this from childhood

and to become fully integrated, taking it as a profitable career in this modern time, is not an easy task. We are always faced with the challenges of finance. To buy good fishing nets, engine boats, requires good money. In those days, we ‘manufactured’ fishing nets and constructed paddle boats by ourselves. And when there was need to buy, it was very cheap. But with the advent of engine boats, which has also evolved through time, it is very expensive, not to think of fishing trawlers. “Fishing then was very tedious. Not everyone took to fishing as a profession. When the government started dredging the rivers, it affected fish catch because fishes have places of abode and when they are disrupted, they will scatter away from their habitat. It also affects fish multiplications and populations. Fishing is a seasonal job. During the dry season, to get fish becomes very difficult because the water level would go down. If we go out for fishing in the morning, we will toil throughout till evening to make a tangible catch.” Being frequently on the sea comes with high probability of being struck with stormy gale. Has Megbuanwu in the course of fishing, been victim of boat mishap? For him, it is a “normal” occurrence. “We always experience storm but at the end of the day, we do overcome.” Asked if he has witnessed any incident where a fellow fisherman got drowned, he waxes philosophical: “A fisherman cannot drown. When there is storm, their boats might capsize but they will always survive it. A fisherman is a natural swimmer. He is born in the water and cannot be destroyed by water. “In those days, before our parents would take us along for fishing, we would be taught how to swim. Being taught how to swim and knowing how to swim very well is the first thing a fisherman learns, before canoeing, and swinging the net. If you are not perfect, you would not go with them for fishing or become a fisherman,

because of the eventualities of boat mishap”. And was there a time in his “fishing life” that his boat capsized? He responds in the affirmative. “Yes. Several times! I was not a little boy when it happened. I was already grown up. If I did not survive all of them, I would not have been here talking to you. That was why I said that a fisherman cannot drown. We could be afflicted with storm but we would survive them all,” he boasts. Explaining further, he reveals how once upon a time, they toiled from dusk to dawn “without a catch”. “It always happens. That does not mean that you will go home without a single fish. No. When you leave your house to the sea as a professional fisherman, you are not going there to catch for your family’s consumption. Your aim is to catch enough fish that could be sold to make a living. And when the catch is not in commercial quantity, it means there is no catch at all. That is why I said it always happens. It is just like the Peter example, they caught fish but it was not enough. That is why it was said that they laboured throughout without a catch. It was not enough for them to eat and sell. So, whenever we leave our houses to fish, our prayer is to catch enough fish that we could make a living from it. When your children are in school, you need to pay their fees. It is not as it is now that there is free education. During our time, we paid fees in the primary school until Awolowo introduced free education in the Western Region.” The revolution in modern fishing was followed in succession with fish pond. Naturally, the era of fish pond where fishes are cultured and nurtured outside their natural habitat and mature within few weeks, would definitely affect the activities of the fishermen. Megbuanwu explains how: “In those days, we relied on God-given fishes not man-made fishes. We did not depend on agric fish. With the coming of fish pond, fishes are grown in less than one month and sent to the market to be bought and consumed. This will definitely affect the business of natural fishermen. Even then, those who know the worth of natural fish prefer to patronise us than to buy from fish ponds. That is why our fish is more expensive, because it has more value”. Comparing the business of fishing in times past to what obtains today, he says, “The nets we were using then are not the same with those in use now. We made nets by ourselves. Those nets had larger holes that would not catch smaller fishes. This allows for the maturity of fishes in the river. However, it is not the case these days. The nets manufactured now have smaller holes and catches even smaller fishes. I believe that these types of nets are reducing the population of fishes in our rivers unlike those we were using in the olden days. Except for nets used in catching Cray fish, we had a fixed form of nets that could be used in the fishing. We were fishing before the white men came with their nets. We used materials from bamboo to make fishing nets.”

LIVING

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

February 9, 2013

Season of baby-mothers

Argentine schoolgirl, 12, gives birth to twin sons ...As Mexican nine-year-old becomes a mother the same day

n Argentine schoolgirl who fell pregnant aged just 11 has become a mother of twin sons. The unnamed youngster gave birth just a month after celebrating her 12th birthday. News of the birth comes just a day after it emerged a girl aged nine gave birth to a baby daughter in Mexico on January 27, the same day as the twin boys were born in Argentina. A teacher at the Argentinian girl’s school was the first to notice her baby bump and inform her mother of her suspicions. Police in her town of Chilecito, 650 miles north west of the capital Buenos Aires, say they are treating the case as child abuse and have questioned two youngsters aged 16 and 20. The babies were born five weeks prematurely by Caesarian weighing just 3lb 4 oz each. Authorities say the girl’s sister, aged just 14, gave birth herself three months ago. Locals have had a fundraising to help the handyman father of the two girls and their housewife mother pay for the cost of raising the newborns. And in Mexico, where a nine-year-old girl has given birth to a daughter, Mexican police are hunting for the 17-year-old father on suspicion of rape. The baby girl was born on January 27 in Zoquipan Hospital, in Zapopan, Mexico’s western Jalisco state. It weighed 5.95lbs. The mother of the nine-year-old mother, identified only as Dafne, told local officials: “The girl was just over eight when she got pregnant. The father is a boy who is 17, but we have not found him, since he ran away.” Jorge Villasenor, from the state prosectors’ office, said: “We are looking for the young man to get his story because she does not understand what has happened. This is a rape or child sex abuse case.” Both girls were released from the hospital last weekend, apparently doing well but the hospital said it would have to do extensive follow-up due to the new mother’s age. More details of the new mother’s home life were later revealed. Dafne has 11 siblings. Five of them live with their mother, and and six with their father. Hospital chiefs revealed that they inserted a contraceptive implant into the girl’s arm to ensure she did not fall pregnant again. Her poverty-stricken mother has told authorities the girl slept willingly with the new-born’s father. She never reported him to police because she was not aware he had committed a crime. The teenage father is said to have offered to let the new mother move in with him, but she refused. He has since left

Amy aged 13 with her baby Alfie

Jalisco state to look for work. Raymundo Serrano, head of Gynaecology at Zoquipan Hospital where the nine-year-old gave birth, said: “The girl received a subdermal contraceptive implant after her parents signed consent forms. It was administered in her forearm and will be effective for up to three years.’ Mr Villasenor added: “The girl comes from a dysfunctional family.” Britain’s youngest mum is Amy Crowhurst, of Crawley, West Sussex, who got pregnant aged 12 after a one night stand

and had a son, Alfie, at 13 in 2002. Today, at 22, she says she has no regrets about becoming a teen mum. In fact, Amy Crowhurst advocates having children early as she admits that at the age of 22 she now has “the freedom to meet mates and go clubbing when my mum babysits.” Amy, who is on benefits and lives in a council house says, “Having kids young was the smartest thing I ever did.” She adds, “When I see girls I went to school with having babies now, I’m so glad I got it out of the way. They’ll be at

home and up in the night for the next 10 years. Plus they’re fat and I’m a size 6! I missed school, but I can catch up – and I’ll appreciate it more.” Amy fell pregnant in 2002 when she was just 12-years-old after having sex with a 15-year-old boy she barely knew. She gave birth to son, Alfie, when she was 13 and dropped out of school to care for him. She said at the time, “I know I was stupid but I’m not that bothered. Of course I wish it had never happened but it’s too late now.” At the age of 16, she moved out of the home she shared with her mum and eight siblings in Crawley, West Sussex, to a council flat of her own. Although she hadn’t been in a relationship with Alfie’s father since her son was born, they then had a ‘one-off ’ reconciliation in 2005 - which led to her falling pregnant again. At the age of 16, she gave birth to daughter Destiny. She didn’t remain in contact with her children’s father and admits for a period she struggled to cope as a single mum. This led to her getting in trouble with the law as she was found in possession of cannabis in 2009 - for which she was sentenced to a community order - and then evicted from her council home in 2010 for throwing ‘wild drug-fuelled parties’. When she pleaded guilty to possessing cannabis, she told the court she had taken it to get away from the stress of parenthood and forget about everyday life. Despite this, Amy says she wouldn’t mind if her own daughter became a teen mother. She says, “Having sex at 12 is fine if you feel ready and aren’t pressured. I wouldn’t encourage Destiny to plan pregnancy at 12, but if she did have a baby, I’d be happy – it’d be fun being a grandmother at 27!” Amy says she now has her life back on track. She and her children, now aged nine and seven, are living in a three bedroom council house and she is returning to college to get her GCSEs with ambitions of becoming a healthcare worker. She believes she’s a better mum for having had children early as she has lots of energy and can relate to her offspring because they are closer in age.

The world’s youngest mothers

. Lina Medina, from Ticrapo in Peru, gave birth to a baby boy named Gerardo by caesarean section aged five years and seven months old in May 1939. Her parents thought she had a tumour but when she was taken to hospital, she was found to be seven months pregnant.

. Yelizaveta “Liza” Gryshchenko had just turned six when she gave birth to

a stillborn baby girl in the Soviet Union in August 1934. The infant’s father was Liza’s 69-year-old maternal grandfather. The family emigrated after the scandal.

. A six-year-old girl, known only as ‘H’ gave birth to a daughter by caesarean section in June 1972 in Delhi, India. She was initially admitted to hospital with what was thought to be an abdominal tumour.

. An unidentified Indian girl died during childbirth, along with her baby, in August 1933. She was just eight years old.

. Griseldina Acuña, from Colombia, reportedly began menstruating at three and gave birth to a baby boy in September 1936, aged eight years and two months. The father is thought to have been a family friend.

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

LIVING

February 9, 2013

Mayhem in the city SEGUN ADIO

n a manner reminiscent of war movies, residents of three Bariga communities recently laid siege on Pedro Police Station in Palm Grove area of Lagos State chanting war songs. The residents, both men and women, old and young displayed placards with inscriptions such as “No more of this assault,” “Away with Feeling/Stealing Boys,” and “Free our community of cultists.” Some of the women were almost half naked, with frustration written all over them. The protesters were reportedly irked by a recent assault on their community by men suspected to be rival cult groups operating in the area. As they filed through the streets, onward to the police station, traffic flow was partially affected while many school children joined the protest. It was alleged that on Wednesday, February 6, 2013, the entire Ore-Ofe, Popoola and Oluwalogbon streets in Bariga Local Government Area of Lagos State were thrown into pandemonium after suspected members of Eiye cult group reportedly clashed with a notorious group called EFCC boys, both operating in the communities. In the wake of the fierce cult battle, about a dozen vehicles were reportedly damaged and several shops looted, while some houses were burgled as many occupants had fled for dear lives. When policemen attached to Pedro police station reportedly moved in to forestall further breakdown of law and order, the suspected cultists reportedly engaged them in gun duel. The superior firepower of the law enforcement agents, however, forced the hoodlums to take to their heels. The cult clash commenced at about 3:00p.m on that fateful day and lasted a little over one hour. Later in the day, say about 9p.m, the hoodlums numbering about two dozen, fully armed, marched round the affected areas chanting war songs. As they marched along, the suspected cultists smashed the wind screen of any vehicle in sight. When things calmed down, leaders of the communities met to chart the next line of action, out of which came the protest march to the police station. So, on Thursday, residents all came out in large numbers and marched to the police station apparently to register their displeasure over what they termed increasing activities of cult groups in the area. Newly posted Divisional Police Officer in charge of Alade Police Station, Shomolu, reportedly ordered that the perpetrators of the crime be apprehended. Some of the protesters shared their thoughts with reporters. At Ore-Ofe area of the community, a 13-year-old girl, who was returning from school, was badly hit by pebbles thrown by the suspected cultists. The girl is said to be recuperating at an undisclosed hospital in the area. A female food vendor, identified simply as Iya Jummy said no time is better

Damaged vehicles, vandalised shop

Bariga cultists show residents red

than now for residents of the embattled areas to make the government listen to their plight. “We were only saved by God when the cultists came here. Because of what I had heard about them, I hurriedly carried my baby and fled leaving, my shop wide open. By the time I returned, they had scattered everything I left behind,” she wailed. Chief Bajowa, who is one of the com-

munity leaders said that many of the suspected cultists have their parents in the community. He maintained that the CDAs are ready to rid the areas of notorious elements. In his words, “We cannot take the law into our hands. That is why we were at the police station to tell the law enforcement agents that we can no longer tolerate them in our communities.” The community leader also said that

plans are afoot to engage known backers of the cultists, especially their parents and possibly banish such people from the area. A police source at Pedro Police Station confirmed that some community residents were at the station that day and claimed that their grievances were receiving due attention by the station authorities.

…As Yesiru boys stab man in Shomolu daylight robbery

egun Mathews is currently receiving treatment in an undisclosed private hospital on Lagos Mainland following stabbings he received from hoodlums recently. Mathews, 32, is a part time pastor with a new generation church in Lagos. Until he went into pastoral work, Mathews ran a commercial motorcycle business around Akoka and Sabo areas of the metropolis. A native of Abeokuta, Ogun State, Matthews is heir to his father’s property in Shomolu area. Because of his father’s advanced age, the burden of monitoring the real estate investments rests squarely on Matthews’ shoulders. One of such property is the house on No 51, Moshalasi Street, Shomolu. Moshalasi is reputed to be a den of robbers and cultists who converge on the street and openly smoke marijuana there, always waiting for an opportunity to carry out atrocities in the neighbourhood. In the last couple of years, Mathews has taken it upon himself to collect rents from his father’s tenants on behalf of the old man. This he does once every year. Mathews was on that mission on Sunday, February 3, 2013, when he met the unexpected. On that fateful day, Mathews was at the compound before anyone in the building would go to church or for any

other scheduled engagements. Within one hour, he was able to collect the rents of all tenants in the fairly big building. After passing a few instructions to tenants about the upkeep of the compound, Mathews left the place and headed for his house. Just as he walked down the street, the unexpected happened: men numbering about seven reportedly encircled him and asked him to produce all the money on him. The men, who were wielding dangerous weapons like broken bottles and knifes, were led by a notorious cultist in the area, who is identified as Adesanya. The said Adesanya was recently discharged from Kirikiri Prisons after serving a prison term for robbery. Apparently confused and not knowing what to do, Mathews fled back into the building. The thieves gave him a good chase into the compound. But with his good knowledge of the compound, Mathews ran into the back of the house and jumped the low fence into the next compound. The pursuing thieves, probably, thinking Mathews entered one of the rooms, ransacked the whole building but did not see him there. They soon realised that he jumped into the next compound. The thieves gave him a hot chase, caught up with him and gave him the beating of his life. He was also stabbed

with broken bottles. Despite the beating he took from the hoodlums, Matthews did not give surrender the money for which he was attacked. He somehow escaped from the thieves and ran into Market Road, where he managed to crawl into a moving commercial bus, and fled the scene. Mathews says of his ordeal, “It is a miracle I am still alive today. The aim of the hoodlums was to dispossess me of the money, but I was determined not to release it to them. They stabbed me with broken bottles and other weapons until God took me out of their midst.” A resident of the community, identified as Kasumu, told Saturday Mirror that the Yesiru boys, suspected to have carried out the attack on Mathews, have been a thorn in the flesh of the community. According to Kasumu, “It was like a war that day. What we first heard was the noise of a lot of people chasing after someone. It was when they had gone that we came out and realised that it was the landlord’s son that they wanted to rob.” A source at Alade Police Station, who craved anonymity told Saturday Mirror that Mr. Mohammed, the Divisional Police Officer, had swung into action, promising to bring perpetrators to book and rid the community of hoodlums.

February 9, 2013

Dear Igho

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

TTel: el: 08023924679 (SMS only)

ighomit@gmail.com

Having diﬃculties with relationships, family, work or any other aspectt off your life? lif Help is at hand with TOBORE IGHO OVUORIE

Help! I’m in love with two ladies Dear Igho, I’ve been with my girlfriend for nearly over nine years. We split up last December, as I thought it was for the best as things went sour. And after that, I met another girl. She makes me really happy, and I do love her. But my ex and I have a child, and I’m a good dad. I’m finding it really hard to let them go. I’ve be going back and fourth between them both, which is horrible of me, but what one lacks, the other excels in. My ex is my baby mother, and a great housewife, and the other has her own kids and the fun, the laughter is all there. We get along so well. But when I’m with her, I miss my old family, and when I’m with my ex, I miss her loads. I just don’t know what do as I want to start this year afresh. They both know about what’s gone on, but I don’t know if my ex will ever forgive me for go-

ing with someone else. I just want to be happy with the choice I make, as they both deserve to be happy as well. Everyone keeps saying don’t just go back for the kids, and I’m aware of that. And, yes, part of it is, but I don’t know if I put enough effort back in it if we might be able to rekindle what we had before. Abraham Odeh, Makurdi, Benue state. Dear Abraham, If this isn’t a reason for couples’ counseling, I don’t know what one would need! This is going to take a lot of effort on your part, because were you to go back to your ex, you’d not only want it to be a clear and decisive move on your part, you’d have to be sure she’ll forgive you for being with your present girlfriend, and not have her hang it over your head, ad infinitum.

Obviously, you are clearly not ready to make a decision. Being with a new mate is enticing. There’s the newness, everyone gets along, but the tough part is making it work on a day-to-day basis, with all the things that can enter a relationship that aren’t flowery and feel good. I don’t know what your options are in terms of counseling, but your friends are right- moving back in with your former partner, for the reason that you

share a child (and she’s a good housewife), will not make you happy, nor her. You had problems (that’s why you left), and they would have to be solved. Were that not to happen, and you did move back in, it will only mean you’ll be searching for someone who does fill the void your partner leaves in you, and that will bring you back to this point in time. All I’ll say is: “Act in haste, repent in leisure”. Good luck!

My ex-boyfriend has fled with my camera Dear Igho, I’m 17, and started dating this older guy almost a year ago. One time he asked to borrow my camera so he could pursue something he was interested in and, being there to support him I said yes, but told him that I needed it back a few days later. That was a month ago, and since then he’s changed his numDear Igho, There is this girl that lives a few blocks from my home. We went out on a couple of dates (3 actually). We had sex on our third date, and on New Year’s eve, our fourth date, we went out again and had a great time. Later that night, we went back to her place for sexy time. She jumped in the shower, and I jumped in two minutes later. After making out for like 10 minutes, out of nowhere, she casually asks me to get out. I get out of the shower and wait for her in the room. She comes in

ber and won’t answer any of my messages. To make things worse, I ended up finding him on Instagram and realized he’d been cheating on me with his ex girlfriend. As heartbroken as I am, I just want what belongs to me and be done with him, but I can’t get in contact with him and no longer know where he lives. Please help me.

Tee girl, Unilag. Dear Tee girl, This may end up a lesson learned. Shakespeare said: “Neither a borrower, or a lender be.” You wouldn’t be the first who loaned something and it was never returned, or returned damaged. I’ve certainly had it happen to me! We tend

Do I call or let her be? and lies down on the bed while I, still in the mood, lie down next to her. About five minutes later, when I try to get her in the mood, she asks me to leave. I don’t know why? I ask her for a good night kiss and she says NO! So I get dressed and ready to leave, she comes to the door and kisses me goodnight. I haven’t called her since. Fast forward to today. I see her going to work from my room window (she

has to cross through my house to go to work), so I go outside at the same time, to throw the trash, and I pretend I don’t see her. She walked right by me, and didn’t even say Hi! I really like this girl. Should I call her? Miserable guy, Festac. Dear Miserable guy, I think you may have dodged a bullet

Help! Want to move on with my life Dear Igho, How do I let go of something I was crazy about? First, a place, now a person, and I’m afraid I will never move on. Toluwanimi,

University of Ibadan. Dear Toluwanimi, If the person is out of your life for good, and there’s no chance of returning to a place you loved, it narrows down to hav-

ing a mature approach to life and the understanding that many things in our lives will not be constants. You see, people come and go during different phases, and the only exception would be a best friend(s), family, spouse, children- but even those relationships can end, or drift apart. That is why, although

to be trusting souls, but it ends up to be nothing more than hope. My dear, never loan anything you can’t afford to lose. He was a creep, there’s no question about that, but I doubt if you can get it back without knowing an address he’s traceable to, even if that of a friend of his. However, I doubt if you are up for the task of turning yourself into Sherlock Holmes (and I don’t blame you), again, lesson learned! from a semi-human automatic! This is very bizarre, and she’s either playing a game with you, or has a mental disorder! Her behavior, after having a few dates and good times, does not add up. A normal response, if she were playing some kind of sex game, would be to follow through, at some point, but she didn’t. And if she has psychological “issues”, you need to stay away from her. There are some red flags here, and she’d have to come to you and explain why she behaved the way she did, and it would have to be rational, and reasonable. few people would ever choose to be alone, you must depend on yourself to move forward, be open to new experiences, keep good memories of the past, but be willing to create new memories, as well. When you lose someone in a relationship break-up, it’s rarely a smooth transition. It takes time to heal, and it doesn’t happen overnight. Be rest assured, with time, you’ll move on.

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

February 9, 2013

air loss (alopecia) can affect just your scalp or your entire body. It can be the result of heredity, certain medications or an underlying medical condition. Anyone — men, women and children — can experience hair loss. Baldness typically refers to excessive hair loss from your scalp. Some people prefer to let their baldness run its course untreated and unhidden. Others may cover it up with hairstyles, makeup, hats or scarves. And still others choose one of the medications or surgical procedures that are available to treat hair loss. Before pursuing any treatment option, talk with your doctor about the cause of and best possible treatments for your particular type of hair loss.

ment ends.

Causes As people age, hair tends to gradually thin. Other causes of hair loss include hormonal factors, medical conditions and medications.

Hormonal factors The most common cause of hair loss is a hereditary condition called male-pattern baldness or femalepattern baldness. In genetically susceptible people, certain sex hormones trigger a particular pattern of permanent hair loss. Most common in men, this type of hair thinning can begin as early as puberty. Hormonal changes and imbalances can also cause temporary hair loss. This could be due to pregnancy, childbirth, discontinuation of birth control pills or the onset of menopause.

Symptoms Hair loss can appear in many different ways, depending on the problem that’s causing it. It can come on suddenly or gradually and affect just your scalp or your whole body. Some types of hair loss are temporary, while others are permanent.

Medical conditions

Signs and symptoms of hair loss may include:  Gradual thinning on top of head. This is the most common type of hair loss, affecting both men and women. In men, hair often begins to recede from the forehead in a line that resembles the letter M. Women typically retain a line of hair at the forehead but experience a broadening of the part in their hair.  Circular or patchy bald spots. Some people experience smooth bald spots, often about an inch across. This type of hair loss usually affects just the scalp, but it sometimes also occurs in beards or eyebrows. In some cases, your skin

Alopecia may become itchy or painful before the hair falls out.  Sudden loosening of hair. A physical or emotional shock can cause hair to loosen. Handfuls of hair may come out when combing or washing your hair or even after gentle tugging. This

type of hair loss usually causes overall hair thinning and not bald patches.  Full-body hair loss. Some conditions and medical treatments, such as chemotherapy for cancer, can result in the loss of hair all over your body. The hair usually grows back after treat-

A variety of medical conditions can cause hair loss, including:  Thyroid problems. The thyroid gland helps regulate hormone levels in your body. If the gland isn’t working properly, hair loss may result.  Alopecia areata. This disease occurs when the body’s immune system attacks hair follicles — causing smooth, roundish patches of hair loss.  Scalp infections. Infections, such as ringworm, can invade the hair and skin of your scalp, leading to hair loss. Once infections are treated, hair generally grows back.  Other skin disorders. Diseases that can cause scarring can result in permanent hair loss where the scars occur. TO BE CONTINUED NEXT WEEK

LETTER

I need help for gonorrhea and painful urination Dear Mirror Doctor, Good afternoon doctor. What type of drug will cure gonorrhea? I have been using different types of antibiotics without improvement. The pain while passing urine is too much. Please I need your help and advice. +2348023--------------61 Mirror doctor replies Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted infection caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhea. Gonorrhea affects both men and women and can infect the cervix, urethra, rectum, anus and throat. Gonorrhea is one of the most common sexually

transmitted diseases (STDs). Gonorrhea is easily curable but if left untreated it can cause serious health problems such as pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), which can lead to abdominal pain and ectopic pregnancy in women. Untreated, gonorrhea can also lead to infertility, meningitis and septicaemia. Gonorrhea is treated with antibiotics. Treatment is recommended for a person who has a positive gonorrhea test, anyone who has had sexual contact in the past 60 days with a person diagnosed with gonorrhea, whether or not they have symptoms or used condoms, a newborn whose mother has gonorrhea at the time of delivery. If you are prescribed more than one

dose of an antibiotic, be sure to take your antibiotic exactly as directed. If you miss doses or don’t take the full course of medicine, the gonorrhea infection may not be cured. Do not have sexual contact with anyone while you are being treated. Until both you and your partner(s) have been tested and treated. If you are treated for gonorrhea and your sex partner is not, you will probably become infected again. If your treatment is a single dose of antibiotic, wait at least 7 days after taking the dose before having any sexual contact. Always use a condom when you have sex. This helps protect you from sexually transmitted infections.

Symptoms that do not go after treatment may be caused by another gonorrhea infection or treatment failure. Certain strains of the gonorrhea bacteria have become resistant to some antibiotics. When bacteria become resistant to an antibiotic, they no longer can be killed by that medicine. If you have been treated for gonorrhea and don’t get better, you may be retested with a gonorrhea culture to see if there is bacterial resistance to the antibiotic you were taking. If there is bacterial resistance, you will need another antibiotic to cure the infection. To prevent reinfection, don’t have sex until any partner that might be infected is tested and treated.

LEISURE

February 9, 2013

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sport

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

February 9, 2013

IFEANYI EDUZOR

x- international Friday Ekpo and Dolphins of Port Harcourt coach, Hassan Abubarkar has revealed that the Super Eagles has what it takes to be crowned champions of AFCON 2013. The Super Eagles will tomorrow meet the Stallions of Burkina Faso in the finals of the 29th edition of the championship slated for Soccer City Stadium, Johannesburg. According to Ekpo, the Stephen Keshi-tutored side having defeated Cote d’Ivoire and Mali in the quarter-finals and semifinals respectively are in a better position to win the championship after about 19 years waiting. “I am looking forward to a tough game against Stallions of Burkina Faso, but I believe that at the end of the full 90 minutes, the Super Eagles will triumph over the Burkinabe. “It is true that Burkina Faso has good players who can hold their own against any opposition like they did against the Black Stars of Ghana, but they will be over whelmed by the attacking prowess of the Super Eagles,” he said. The former midfielder while advising the Super Eagles not to underrate their opponents, posited that they should approach the match like they did against Mali and score early goals to ensure victory tomorrow. “My advice to the technical crew of the Super Eagles and the players is not to underrate the Stallions because it is a very technical and physical side. “I expect them to approach the game the way they did in the match against Mali and take their chances as easily as they come because that is the only way to frustrate their opponents,” Ekpo, who was a member of the Super Eagles squad that won bronze at the 1992 edition concluded. Meanwhile, Dolphins of Port Harcourt coach, Hassan Abubarkar has showered praises on the Super Eagles of Nigeria for their marvellous showing at the Africa Cup of Nations; expressing confidence that the team has all it takes to lift the trophy on Sunday.

Super Eagles celebrating after booking a final ticket for the 2013 AFCON

Ekpo, Abubarkar tip Eagles for AFCON glory Abubarkar told our correspondent that the Super Eagles qualifying for the Nations Cup finals after thirteen years is a feat that must not be taken lightly. “Keshi has shown once again the reason why we should be patient with our coaches. After

Mohammed salutes Keshi P. 42

all the complaints that the team was not doing well and the fact that the team seemingly did not start well at the competition, their last two games have shown they have began to play like the true Eagles. “I believe he got the choice of players to take for the com-

petition right and he also got his tactics right,” Abubarkar said. The new Dolphins’ coach added that the performance of Godfrey Oboabona, Sunday Mba and Ejike Uzoenyi in the competition is a good advertisement for the Nigerian league.

Nigeria wary of Burkina Faso threat P. 43

Ekpo

Messi hints at Argentina move P. 44

SPORT

February 9, 2013

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

AFCON: Time to tame the Stallions

he ongoing Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in South Africa has produced a lot of surprises and rendered the permutations and analysis of some soccer pundits irrelevant. Aside the aforementioned, the qualification of the Stallions of Burkina Faso for the finals of the continental showpiece is one that beat the imaginations of many followers of the round leather game in Africa and beyond. To the Super Eagles, very few fans believed they could go far in the tournament, especially after the Walya Antelopes of Ethiopia gave them a scare at the group stage of the competition. But, today, the entire soccer-loving continent of Africa is agog ahead of tomorrow’s final game between both countries. Deviating a bit, it is on record that the qualification of both Nigeria and Burkina Faso for the finals of the competition has brought lots of joy to the citizens of both countries, but unfortunately yours sincerely is in a dilemma. Listen, have you ever felt the pressure that comes into your household when your country and the country of your in-laws are involved in the finals of a tournament? Your guess could be as good as mine. I remember on Wednesday shortly after Burkina Faso defeated the Black Stars of Ghana to reach the finals of the tournament, the first phone call I got came all the way from Ouagadougou. This time it was from my father in-law. His voice was unmistakable,

HARD TACKLE with

Andrew Ekejiuba anelsports@yahoo.com

08023103605

Stallions of Burkina Faso celebrating after eliminating Black Stars of Ghana in the semi-finals of the ongoing AFCON.

as he began by congratulating the Super Eagles for reaching the finals of the competition. Then he gave me a poser on the need for me to pray for Burkina Faso to win the trophy for the first time since the history of that nation. But, I craftily tried to make him understand why we needed the trophy, too. Firstly, I told him that winning the Nations Cup means a lot to Nigerians because this is a game that unites the country, especially now that we have insecurity problems resulting from the insurgence of the Boko Haram sect. I went further to let him

know that there is need to have a soothing balm to calm the frayed nerves of some citizens of my dear country who are directly or indirectly traumatised by the attacks of this dreaded sect. Secondly, I went down memory lane, revealing to him how many times we had gotten to the finals of this competition, and yet we could not lift the trophy. For example, I told him that Nigeria have come second four times in the competition-1984, 1988, 1990, 2000 and have taken the third place seven times in 1976, 1978, 1992, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2010. And from the records, it is almost 19

years since we last won the trophy, despite being seen as one of the giants of African football. In conclusion, I told my father in-law that it will be unfair if Nigeria fails to win the trophy this time, even after losing the 2000 edition before our home crowd at the National Stadium, Lagos, Somehow, he chuckled and we could not reach a common ground as we left our arguments hanging half-way until we witness the final outcome of the encounter tomorrow. From the foregoing, it is clear that the entire continent will be agog once again as both teams have demonstrated great determination to lift the trophy. But the question is who will be crowned champions between the Stallions of Burkina Faso and the Super Eagles of Nigeria tomorrow? It is true that the Super Eagles have struggled to find a consistent striker over the years and while the likes of Yakubu Aiyegbeni and Obafemi Martins have tried to shoulder the attacking responsibilities of the Nigerian team over the years, young Emmanuel Emenike looks like the man that could propel the Eagles to a highly anticipated victory tomorrow. But, taking a closer look at the Stallions, one can confidently see that the team is a giant killer for sure. The reason is because of the manner with which the Burkinabes surged forward relentlessly and out-played the Black Stars of Ghana in their semi-final clash which is enough to prove that they have something up their sleeves. But it is up to the Super Eagles to tame them.

Many soccer analysts saw the Burkinabe team as one that has the capacity of playing for 24 hours without fatigue, but their greatest undoing could be the goal-shyness of their strikers. HT believes that this is one major default the ambitious Stallions have and the Super Eagles must take up the gauntlet and punish them for this. Just like HT noted in previous write-ups, it is suicidal for a team to be wasteful in front of goal at the knockout stage of any competition. For the Eagles, they must not play under pressure and the players should utilize every opportunity that comes their way to score against the Stallions, just as they did against the Malians. After fourteen long months since Stephen Keshi became Super Eagles’ sweat merchant, the socalled ‘Super Chickens’ are slowly, but surely on course of redeeming their faded status, if their landmark semifinal 4-1 win over Eagles of Mali was anything serious. Nigerians are anxiously waiting for the Super Eagles to fly over Burkina Faso in tomorrow’s explosive final at the prestigious Soccer City Stadium, in Johannesburg, hoping to claim their third Nations Cup trophy after winning the 1980 and the 1994 editions. If Keshi succeeds in lifting the 2013 Nations Cup title, history will surely be made, as he will become the second football icon, after Egyptian Mahmoud Al Gohari to win the tournament, as a player and later coach. HT wishes the Super Eagles great luck and a tremendous victory tomorrow!

SPORT NEWS

Mohammed salutes Keshi Cricket: Ibeju-Lekki maintains unbeaten run IFEANYI EDUZOR

IFEANYI EDUZOR

beju- Lekki Cricket Club continued its unbeaten run in the second phase of the ongoing Club Cricket Committee League when it defeated her arch rival, GCI Cricket Club of Ibadan by 34 runs at the TBS cricket oval. Ibeju Lekki batted first and scored 213 all out in 50 overs with Leke Oyede scoring 64 runs off 72 balls, with Jide Bejide scoring 51 runs off 71 runs, while Endurance Ofem had 31 runs in 71 balls. From the bowling side, Seun Odeku took 4 wickets in 7 overs for 37 runs; Chiemezie Onwuzulike took 3 wickets in 10 overs for 32 runs, Wale Adeoye took a wicket in 10 overs for 36 runs while Sesan Adedeji took 1 wicket for 23 runs in 5 overs.

In the second innings, GCI scored 179 runs for 9 wickets in 41.1 overs. GCI’s Osita Onwuzulike scored 66 runs off 82 balls, Dotun Olatunji scored 36 runs off 38 balls and Wale Adeoye had 26 runs off 54 balls. From the bowling side, Endurance Ofem took 3 wickets for 30 runs in 7 overs, Jide Bejide took a wicket for 5 runs in 1 over; Lekan Awolowo had 1 wicket for 34 runs in 10 overs while Seye Olympio had 1 wicket for 37 runs in 7 overs. Speaking with Saturday Mirror shortly after the explosive encounter, captain of GCI Old Boys Cricket Club, Osita Onwuzulike expressed disappointment on their inability to make use of some chances that came their way and some balls that were dropped while batting.

IFA accredited football agent, Abdullah Mohammed, has commended Super Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi for giving opportunity to young Nigerian players in the local league to be part of his AFCON campaign, just as he noted that plans are underway by the National Association of Nigeria Football Agents to bring back the lost glory of Nigerian football. Mohammed, who is in South Africa to support the Super Eagles at the on-going AFCON 2013 tournament, told our correspondent in a telephone interview, that Keshi by his decision has shown that Nigerian league boosts of talented players and if given the opportunity, they will excel at the international level.

“Keshi’s decision to include many home-based players in his team is an indication that Nigerian football could only be repositioned through grassroots football development. “The performance of these players has also shown that Nigerian league boosts of talented players who can write the country’s name in gold at international competitions, if they are given adequate exposure,” he said. Mohammed while predicting victory for the Super Eagles in their final match against Burkina Faso noted that his association is working on a number of projects to help develop the country’s footballers. “The National Association of Nigeria Football Agents is working on a number of projects to bring out the best in our talents. Victor Moses is making waves

Keshi

today because he had a good developmental programme. ”There are many other players like that in the Nigerian local league which the association wants to expose to international football to enable them achieve their full potentials,” he concluded.

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

SPORT

February 9, 2013

Nigeria wary of Burkina Faso threat

igeria are one win away from ending a 19-year wait to reclaim the Africa Cup of Nations, but the favourites are wary of the threat posed by surprise finalists Burkina Faso in tomorrow’s showdown at Soccer City. When they drew 1-1 in their opening Group C match there was little to indicate that the two West African nations would meet again in the final. However, both teams have shown grit, determination and a winning mentality that promises an excellent finale to the threeweek long tournament in front of a sell-out crowd. Nigeria appears to hold most of the keys to success having no real injury worries apart from some concerns over forward Victor Moses who has been outstanding but picked up another niggling problem in Wednesday’s 4-1 defeat of Mali in the semifinal. In contrast, Burkina Faso will have to do without Alain Traore, who scored three goals at the start of the tournament but has missed out on the knockout rounds because of injury. They might also be missing

defender Mohamed Koffi who went off injured in the 3-2 penalty shootout victory over Ghana in their semifinal on Wednesday. Burkina Faso also look as if they will have to cope without one of their most effective and important players, Jonathan Pitroipa, who was sent off after being shown two yellow cards by Tunisian referee Slim Jdidi against Ghana. But, if the appeal against the dismissal from Burkina Faso is successful, Pitroipa will be reprieved and will play. The never-say-die spirit and determination could test Nigeria to the full tomorrow if the Stallions defence can keep at bay a Super Eagles attack which was rampant against Mali, hitting three goals in a 20-minute first half blitz. Oddly, both sides are likely to be without their captains who have slipped out of contention during the tournament. The match is also naturally highly significant for the two coaches, who could hardly be cut from more different cloth. Burkina Faso coach, Belgian Paul Put, is seeking something of a personal redemption after he was banned for life in Belgium after being involved in a match-

AFCON 2013 JOURNEY TO THE FINAL DATE

RESULT

GROUP A 19-01-13

South Africa 0-0 Cape verde

19-01-13

Angola 0-0 Morocco

23-01-13

South Africa 2-0 Angola

23-01-13

Morocco 1-1 Cape verde

27-01-13

Morocco 2-2 South Africa

27-01-13

Cape Verde 2-1 Angola

GROUP B 20-01-13

Ghana 2-2 DR Congo

20-01-13

Mali 1-0 Niger

24-01-13

Ghana 1-0 Mali

24-01-13

Niger 0-0 DR Congo

28-01-13

Niger 0-3 Ghana

28-01-13

DR Congo 1-1 Mali

GROUP C 21-01-13

Zambia 1-1Ethiopia

21-01-13

Nigeria 1-1 Burkina Faso

25-01-13

Zambia 1-1 Nigeria

25-01-13

Burkina Faso 4-0 Ethiopia

29-01-13

Burkina Faso 0-0 Zambia

29-01-13

Ethiopia 0-2 Nigeria

GROUP D

Super Eagles striker, Emmanuel Emenike, looking set to increase his goal tally against Burkina Faso tomorrow.

22-01-13

Cote d’Ivoire 2-1 Togo

22-01-13

Tunisia 1-0 Algeria

26-01-13

Cote d’Ivoire 3-0 Tunisia

Keshi captained the Super Eagles to their last title in 1994 and could become only the second man in the 56-year history of the tournament to win it as

26-01-13

Algeria 0 - 2 Togo

30-01-13

Algeria 2 - 2 Cote d’Ivoire

30-01-13

Togo 1-1 Tunisia

We can’t make excuses …As Ladipo charges Eagles to beat Stallions over loss to Nigeria –Keita

02-02-13

South Africa 1-1 (1-3p) Mali

02-02-13

Ghana 2-0 Cape Verde

03-02-13

Burkina Faso 1-0 Togo

03-02-13

Cote d’Ivoire 1-2 Nigeria

IFEANYI EDUZOR

he President General of the Nigeria Football and Other Sports Supporters Club, Dr. Rafiu Ladipo has charged the Super Eagles to complete their good run at the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) with a victory over the Stallions of Burkina Faso in the finals on Sunday, even as he congratulated the team for beating Mali 4-1 in the semi- finals of the biannual tournament. In a telephone interview with our correspondent, he noted that there is the need for Nigerians to embark on prayers to enable the team lift the trophy tomorrow. “The Super Eagles must maintain their winning mentality and ensure they defeat Burkina Faso in the finals on Sunday. “It is also necessary that I congratulate not only the team for beating Mali in the semi- finals but also President Goodluck Jonathan, the NFF and all Nigerians for the victory.

fixing scandal in 2007. His opposite number Keshi will write his name in the record books if he leads Nigeria to a third African title.

Ladipo

“I also want to appeal to Nigerians to pray for the success of the team because at this level of the competition, only prayers and hard work can do the magic,” he said. According to him, the supporters club contributed greatly to the victories through its unrelenting support, just as he noted that the club will be at its best tomorrow, rendering soul searching songs in the three major Nigerian languages that will spur the team to victory.

ali captain, Seydou Keita said they cannot make any excuses following their defeat in the hands of the Super Eagles of Nigeria. Mali lost 4-1 to Nigeria in the semi-finals of the continental showpiece at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on Wednesday night. This is the second consecutive tournament that Mali has lost in the last four phases of the continental showpiece. “There is no point in trying to point fingers at other people. I don’t need to make excuses. The problem is that we played against a very good team and we didn’t really handle them well. Today we failed to win; it is not about individuals but about a collective effort. We were very happy against South Africa because we played as a team. Tonight we didn’t play well and we must all share responsibility,” the Mali captain said. Mali had been dominated by Nigeria in every department. The Nigerians attacked with

pace – something that clearly troubled Mali. The former Barcelona man said he was disappointed about the fact that their dream of reaching the finals of the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations ended abruptly.

QUARTER FINALS

SEMI FINALS 06-02-13

Mali 1-4 Nigeria

06-02-13

Burkina Faso 1-1(3-2) Ghana

THIRD PLACE MATCH 09-02-13

Mali VS Ghana

FINAL 10-02-13

Nigeria VS Burkina Faso

CAF fines Renard for comments

ambia coach Herve Renard was fined $10 000 and warned by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) on Friday after he claimed that the ruling body was happy his team was eliminated from the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) because it was “not sexy enough” to win. CAF said the fine was suspended and would be lifted “provided no repetition of such behavior occurs within the coming year.” Defending champions Zambia were knocked out in the group stage with a 0-0 draw with Burkina Faso, prompting Frenchman Renard to say CAF didn’t want

his team to win again and represent Africa at the Confederations Cup in Brazil. “To be honest with you I think that CAF is very happy because Zambia is not going to play the Confederations Cup,” Renard said in Nelspruit on January 29 after his team’s elimination. “Because (they think) Zambia is not sexy enough to go to the Confederations ... it’s the truth.” CAF said it had accepted letters of apology from Renard and the Football Association of Zambia, but still issued the warning and suspended fine “in order to ensure the non-repetition of such behavior which tarnishes the image of CAF and its officials.”

SPORT

February 9, 2013

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Messi hints at Argentina move

ionel Messi has hinted he may finish his career in Argentina after extending his Barcelona contract to June 2018. The Argentina forward, 25, who has signed a two-year contract extension, enjoyed a record-breaking 2012 for club and country, scoring 91 goals. “I said it before - in Europe I’d like to end my career at Barca. I wouldn’t consider moving to another European club. “With that said, I’m not ruling out ending my playing ca-

reer in Argentina,” Messi said. Messi signed a new deal on Thursday afternoon and follows Carles Puyol and Xavi, who both signed their extensions last month. Defender Puyol and midfielder Xavi agreed new deals until 2016. Barcelona are top of La Liga with a nine-point cushion over nearest rivals Atletico Madrid. They play the first leg of their last 16 tie in the Champions League away at AC Milan on February 20. Messi has been in the best

Beckham keen to prove doubters wrong

avid Beckham has revealed he is taking inspiration from former Manchester United team-mates Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes as he attempts to prove himself again at Paris Saint-Germain. Beckham stole the headlines on transfer deadline day when it was announced he would join bigspending PSG on a five-month deal. There has been some questions raised, however, as to whether the 37-year-old’s arrival is more a publicity stunt than a boost to the

Ligue 1 leader’s on-field fortunes. Beckham is determined to prove those doubters wrong and has cited the likes of Giggs and Scholes - who continue to play important roles with United - as proof he can make an impact on his return to European football after leaving Los Angeles Galaxy. Asked if he can help PSG’s push for domestic and UEFA Champions league success, he said: “Why not? I feel great, physically, I’ve always said, as long as I can continue to play the

goal-scoring form of his career and surpassed Gerd Mueller’s 40-year-old record of 85 goals scored in a calendar year with a brace in a 2-1 win over Real Betis on December 9. He has scored eight times in Barcelona’s first five La Liga matches of this calendar year, including four against Osasuna in a 5-1 win on January 27. Last month he was awarded the Ballon d’Or for a fourth year running ahead of Barcelona teammate Andres Iniesta and Cristiano Ronaldo of Real Madrid.

game at the highest level then I will continue to play. “I never expected, when I was 30 years old, to still be getting the offers that I’m getting at 37 years old. “Motivation never changes. I think once you have that motivation in you, it continues throughout your whole life. “I look at players like Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes, playing at Manchester United, still at the highest level - they don’t play every game but when they do play they are big influences in the game, so I’m looking to do that. “I’m looking to continue to be successful. And like I said, what keeps me going, I have four children at home, three boys and a little girl, so my energy comes from them.” Despite his optimism Beckham admitted he was not sure where he would fit into a starstudded PSG squad. Beckham has been training with Premier League side Arsenal in order to try and fast-track his fitness before he is due to meet up with his new team-mates in Paris next week.

Rodgers praise for Carragher

rendan Rodgers expects Jamie Carragher to continue to make a significant contribution to Liverpool for the remainder of the season. The veteran defender is to retire at the end of the current campaign, ending a 16-year career at his only professional club. The 35-year-old has been a first-team regular again since Rodgers took over at Anfield in the summer and the Liverpool boss says he will continue to draw on his vast experience. “Jamie has been absolutely outstanding for me since I joined the club,” he began. “He has been a model professional on and off the pitch and has shown an unswerving commitment to our work. “We still have a lot to play for as we look to finish as high up the Barclays Premier League as possible and continue our progression in the Europa League, a competition we’d like to win. “He will have a significant

EURO BRIEFS

Rooney: Title race not over yet

anchester United striker Wayne Rooney believes it is too early to write off its title rivals despite the Red Devils further extending their lead at the top of the Premier League last weekend. Rooney’s goal in his side’s 1-0 victory at Fulham helped United move nine points clear of defending champion Manchester City and 16 above Chelsea in third.

Messi

Aguero calls for Mancini’s support

ergio Aguero feels Manchester City should stand by Roberto Mancini and not look to explore other management options. It has been suggested that Mancini is working on borrowed time, with the City board ready to move in a different direction. Premier League title success last season earned Mancini plenty of plaudits, but he has overseen group stage exits in the UEFA Champions League in each of the last two seasons and is struggling to mount a successful defence of City’s domestic crown. Ending the season emptyhanded could see him ushered through the exits and a new man drafted in. Jose Mourinho is expected to become available in the summer, with question marks hanging over his future at Real Madrid, and City would be among those in the market for his services. Aguero, though, feels City should be seeking stability, with Mancini retaining the full backing of those in the playing squad at the Etihad Stadium. The Argentine forward said: “Roberto is a very hard-working coach who has won important trophies that should be valued by everyone. “I have a good personal relationship with him, too. He talks to me a lot in training, tells me what kind of movements I should make.”

Jamie Carragher (left) still has plenty to offer Liverpool says Brendan Rodgers (right)

role to play for us between now and May and I know his commitment and dedication on the pitch will remain as it has done his entire career at Liverpool. “When the time is right we, as a team and a club, will give the man the tribute and recognition he deserves. I know the sup-

porters will want to say thank you to someone who has served them with such distinction for so long.” The 35-year-old arrived at Anfield as a trainee in 1994 and has made 723 appearances since making his Reds debut in January 1997.

Macini

I don’t fear the sack –Pardew

ewcastle United boss Alan Pardew admits he never feared for his job despite seeing the side slide down the table. The Magpies have struggled in the bottom half of the Premier League table this season and they currently lie just six points above the relegation zone.

Pardew

United keen on Vucinic

irko Vucinic’s agent Alessandro Lucci claims that Manchester United do have an interest in the Montenegro striker. United were said to be keen on luring the Juventus striker to England, and the summer arrival of Fernando Llorente has placed question marks over his future.

Dembele open to striking role

ousa Dembele would be prepared to help Tottenham Hotspur through a striking crisis by providing attacking cover. Spurs saw Jermain Defoe pick up an untimely ankle injury during last week’s 1-0 victory over West Bromwich Albion, leaving them alarmingly short on options.

PREMIERSHIP TABLE TEAM

PTS

1. Man Utd

2. Man City

3. Chelsea

4. Tottenham

5. Everton

6. Arsenal

7. Liverpool

8. Swansea

9. West Brom

-1

10. Stoke

-6

11. West Ham

-8

12. Sunderland

-5

13. Fulham

-6

14. Norwich

-15

15. Newcastle

-11

16. Southampton

-11

17. Reading

-14

18. Wigan

-18

19. Aston Villa

-26

20. QPR

-19

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

February 9, 2013

Seeking refuge in pig farming Against all odds, religious beliefs and personal preferences, pig farming has continually thrived in Nigeria, showing that the business is not only desirable but highly lucrative. A visit to Oke Aro Pig Farm, reputed to be the largest piggery in black Africa confirms this, as YEMISI ADENIRAN reports.

ituated on about 30 hectares of land on a slope, Oke Aro Pig Farm, which is situated in the rustic Oke Aro village in Ifo Local Government Area of Ogun State, has become a haven for retired civil servants and many others who are at a loss on what kind of business to invest in. Established some 17 years ago by a group known as The Pioneers, the farm is neat, orderly and free of the filth and stench often associated with pigs. More surprising is the fact that most of its stakeholders are Muslims. Alhaji Lateef Shuaib is one of the owners of the farm. He says,

“I have been into this business now for over 10 years and I have no regrets. I am a Muslim and I see no reason why I cannot go into any business that interests me and will benefit me and my family.” According to Shuaib, “When the land was first offered to ‘The Pioneers’ by the federal government, it was used for cropping. But the original farmers soon converted it into a piggery when the land became infertile. Since then, the land had not only thrived and become a money spinner, it has attracted a lot of investors who are majorly retired civil servants in Nigeria and even from abroad.” One outstanding peculiarity of the farm is its well constructed pens. A lot of efforts are put in place by the farmers to ensure that the place is kept tidy round the clock to attract customers and even more investors. As a rule, each farmer is required to construct a borehole to guarantee a steady supply of water. Each pen, for instance, has a tub with a tap that affords the pigs to have their bath as many times as it pleases them. To ensure that the pens are well kept, there are about 3,000 attendants sponsored by the farmers who are currently about 5,000 in number.

Adeniyi

But why is there such a large number of people in the pig business, Saturday Mirror enquired. According to Shuaib, “The influx of people into the business is informed by no other factor than the increasing consumption of pork. A lot of people

now take delight in eating pork and so many now see the need to invest in the business. Even those who detest pigs for their perceived filth usually change their opinion on setting their feet into the farm. “That is why we make sure there is a regular supply of water where the pigs can wash themselves and the attendants can easily get the place washed.” Throwing light on why pigs generally appear dirty, Shuaib says, “Pigs are different from other animals in the sense that they are naturally endowed with lungs and no sweat glands for respiration unlike other animals and human beings. They therefore need to cool their temperature more often than other mammals. And the only way they can do this is to find any pool of any liquid no matter how dirty it looks. So, you see them jump into dirty water all the time and they appear repulsive to people around them. It is to avoid this that we have provided a tap and a bathtub in each of the pens to afford them their desire and to make them desirable to our teeming customers.”

CONTINUED ON PAGE 46

February 9, 2013

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

‘Pigs are not necessarily dirty’

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 45 The farm, indeed, is blessed with good patronage. Within the first 20 minutes of this reporter’s visit, a large number of customers came into the pen for different purposes. There were those who came to buy piglets for their own personal businesses and there were those whose visits were for the purchase of fresh pork for sale. There, the pigs were killed and their meat weighed for sale. The process of killing pigs, however, is gruesome and quite dramatic. It was witnessed by our reporter. A pig ready for slaughter, for instance, was tied to a stake. A sharp cutlass was placed just behind its ears and from behind, its killer promptly and with all his might, chopped off its head with an axe. As soon as the head rolled off, the body which was yet to be conscious of the incident broke into an unusual dance of death. The dance, of course, came to a halt after a period of about ten minutes. The dramatic aspect of it is that as soon as another pig, which is also awaiting the same fate, sees what happened to its fellow pig, it breaks into a desperate run for escape. There is instant pandemonium as everyone has to join the race to get the pig ‘arrested’ and brought back to face its fate. According to the pig farmers pigs are easily maintained. Any leftover food brings about a great feast in their domain. They, however, have to be fed often, because once a pig is hungry; it

CLEANLINESS IS THE RULE. IF YOU CLEAN THE CAGE, IT WILL NOT SMELL BAD AND YOUR NEIGHBOURS WILL NOT EVEN NOTICE THAT YOU HAVE A PIGGERY consumes anything in sight including its own piglets. They eat the walls of their pen, the wood and whatever they find. Shuaib has some tips for prospective pig farmers: “The profit is not immediate. You need to have a lot of patience and be ready to sacrifice a lot of money, because your profit rests solely on the amount of money you inject into the business.” But how do the pig farmers cope with the filth of pigs? Mide Adeniyi, another pig farmer, says, “Dirty as pigs may appear or be perceived to be, a lot depends on the way the owners or managers handle them. If they are kept and maintained in a good environment and the attendants are also clean, you will be impressed by the way they will appear at any time of the day. In fact, they can easily catch diseases if their surroundings and the people who take care of them are dirty.” And for those who may want to use their backyards for a small-scale pig-

gery business, Adeniyi says, they should not be deterred. “The first emphasis should be on the pig cage or pen. A drainage system and a septic tank are musts. This way, every time the pigs urinate or defecate, the area can be cleaned immediately. Pigs defecate twice daily and the cage will become smelly if their faeces get mixed with the urine. “Cleanliness is the rule. If you will immediately clean the cage, it will not smell bad and your neighbours will not even notice that you have a piggery in your backyard because it will not emit a foul smell. “There should also be a steady source of water because pigs need to be washed at least once a day. They also need to drink clean water regularly. “The roofing of the cage should be high for proper ventilation because the sow will easily suffer miscarriage if the area gets too hot. The pen should have regular anti-bacterial sprays. “The gestation period for pigs is just three months and 21 days. The piglets get weaned within the period of eight weeks after which they are left to grow off their mothers and are ready for sale. A pig can give birth twice in a year and will get sold off after operating in this manner for a maximum of three years.” According to Shuaib, “With about N500, 000 and N1million, a prospective farmer can take off. This, however, does not mean that one cannot start with less than that. But for a worthwhile profit margin and as is obtain-

able in other business endeavours, it is always advisable to start big. An investor can begin to smile broadly to the bank after a year if all the mandatory rudiments are put into consideration. Such requirements are in the area of the construction of the pen and a borehole which would gulp nothing less than N500, 000. The piglets will cost between N100, 000 and N150, 000 and lots of provision will be made for their food. But at the end of the day, it will be worth the investment. Pork is sold at N220.00 per kilogramme and the bigger the pig, the higher the price.” While pig farming can be a money spinner, the Oke Aro pig farmers are not spared some pains. Though the vast land on which the farm is built was offered to them free by the state government, the farmers are required to construct their pen and provide water, gulps a lot of money. Besides, the roads linking the farm are in a sorry state. “The roads deter easy movement. The cost of transport is higher than what we would have spent ordinarily. There is again the fear of swine disease which is highly contagious. When there is an outbreak of it, it always wipes out all our animals. The last experience we had was in 1998. We are calling on the government, both state and federal to come to our aid in the area of funds, roads and electricity to make our job easy. Most of us are retired civil servants trying to survive on our own and giving life to others who we pay,” Shuaib concluded.

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

February 9, 2013

Producing soap for export

he Federal Government in 2012 policy guidelines released lists of products that will not be imported into this country. Amongst these products is all types of soaps products, both laundry and bathing soap. The effect of the policy created more opportunities for manufacturers and prospective investors in Nigeria. With this development, investment into quality soap (both toilet & laundry) production that would serve the local market, as well as exported to other African nations is recommended to Nigerians. Here the writer takes time to educate prospective investors on how to set up the project, putting into consideration the technical, marketing, financial and other factors implications of going into this project. For successfulness of the project there is need to talk about the management, since so many projects have failed because of negligence of importance of effective and efficient management. For further clarification both from the beginning of the project, implementation, management and marketing, please contact the writer. Despite the downturn in the economy of the country, the demand for cosmetics by Nigerians has not changed as most Nigerian still put high premium not only in what they wear, but also in what they rob in their bodies, hairs and even fingers. As the standard of living of citizenry improves, their consumption habits changes and this affects their mode of dressing and even the type of cosmetics (soaps) they use. In determination of the type of cosmetics they use, certain factors are put into consideration such as the availability of the products, quality and prices of the products. Our market survey revealed that most of Nigerian businessmen have capitalized on the wrong habit of Nigeria love for foreign products to travel to Asian

countries, such as Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea etc to produce and import into this country different types of soap, (both standard and substandard soap) perhaps at much reduced prices. These businessmen are after making huge money from their businesses without thinking of how to transfer such technologies into our beloved country. They have rather turned Nigeria into a dumping ground for all types of assorted soaps into the country. It is pertinent to note that all the raw materials required for the production of any type of soap is available in Nigeria. Even our local technology has grown to accommodate production of quality soap both toilet and laundry soap. The most important thing the prospective investors require is to make sure that the project implementation is handled by experienced project consultant. This implies that the consultant handles the project from the feasibility stage to the implementation and marketing stage. From research carried out, Nigeria can conveniently produce any type of toilet & laundry soaps required by Nigeria populace. The raw materials and Technology are readily available and experienced manpower too. Soap production is one of the manufacturing industries that can be established on a cottage, small, medium or large scale, depending on the investorsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; funds. The technology and art of making soap has been with us for a very long time. It is only the technology that has improved globally, which Nigeria investors can as well imbibe. Soap production, whether laundry, liquid or toilet, can be carried out in any part of the country One can conveniently set up a virile and dependable plant using locally manufactured machinery and equipment. The raw materials are locally abundant in the country.

Prospective investors will be advised on the best recommended producers of these machines within the country. Alternatively, some foreign manufacturers of complete sets of the toilet & laundry soap making machines would be recommended to prospective investors. Soap has a wide range of uses. There is hardly any home or industry where soap is not used on daily basis. Also Glycerin, a by â&#x20AC;&#x201C; product recovered during soap production, commands very high commercial value as it is very useful in cosmetics and pharmaceutical formulations and in laboratories as reagents. The market for soap is wide. Its consumption for personal hygiene and general cleanliness per household is rising and need not be over emphasized. Nigeria market is a very large one considering the population that grows everyday. With the increase in population, there is a widening demand-supply gap. As a result there becomes the need to establish more soap production plants in both rural and urban areas at the various levels of production to cater for the cleansing needs of various classes of consumers. Apart from the big Nigeria markets, one can cash in on, the high demand from the neighbouring countries (whose indigenes travel several kilometres to Nigeria to purchase their daily essentials) to embark on export, once the quality is good and price competitive. With the type of local raw materials available, Nigeria can provide high quality products that can even be exported to developed part of the world. The machines required to set up this plant are oil storage tanks & vessels, steam Generators, filter press, soap reactors, recovery vessels, drying machines, cooling frames, plodder, cutting tables, stamp, wrapper etc. Plants of various sizes exist to pro-

duce 1500, 1600, 2200 metric tonnes of soap per annum. The capacity of production will depend wholly on availability of funds and plant capacity chosen. The essential raw materials for soap production are animal fats or vegetable oil, chemicals including fragrances, wrapping materials and cartons. These raw materials are 100% locally available. The local availability of raw materials, among other things, will ensure continuous production and profitability. Modern soap production technology involves pre-treatment, saponification, graining and drying. Details of the modern production processes would be discussed in detail in the feasibility studies. The minimum number of workers required to carryout the above production depends wholly on the capacity chosen and on whether the proposed investor is interested in producing Bar or toilet soap or both. For attractive products, the most important thing is the packaging system adopted. The packaging must be carefully done, make sure that it is equal to or more attractive than the imported products. From preliminary investment analysis conducted, the cost of setting the project will depend on the scale and type of machines to be used (whether imported or locally made machines). In average, using locally made machines the cost is estimated at N4.6million. The return on investment is very encouraging. The payback period is also very short depending on the production and marketing strategies adopted which will be treated in the feasibility studies.

Courtesy: Uba Godwin, ubagodwin@yahoo.com

February 9, 2013

‘We plan to produce 2,300 entrepreneurs in 2013’ Olayinka Odutola, Director General of the Foundation for Entrepreneurship Development in Africa (FEDA) and Promoter of the First Option Microfinance Bank, is a professional banker and fellow of the Chartered Institute of Bankers. He spoke with STANLEY IHEDIGBO on SME development and other related issues.

How many Small and Medium Enterprises have benefited from your organisation’s capacity building in Nigeria? We have been doing training for would- be entrepreneurs. So, if you assemble, for instance, a congregation for us, we are ready to teach them how to enhance their potential. We are bringing those things down to the level of the grassroots, which are very ordinarily very expensive. If you want to do an entrepreneurship programme in a business school, you will know the cost. Again we have a partnership with Ma-

have today, where government is seeking their support and contribution to the development of the country. And people are coming up but some of them, their hands are tied, because of the bottleneck in registration. If not for the new development in the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), ordinarily it takes three to six months to register a business name in the country. If I can employ 10 people in my organisation and empower 1,000 people yearly, other organisations are doing the same. I can tell you that one way or the other, we are making headway. You were in an event recently where the Federal government presented data for development of SMEs in various states. As an expert, does the information reflect what is on the ground? There is always a gap in what government is doing and what the reality on ground is. But I can tell you for the first time that government is trying to make sure that their statistics are reliable. It is not possible to get correct data because of many factors. Nigeria is a very big country. Lack of good road network to access some areas is another challenge. Again the government has started from somewhere and what they need is to improve on it. In fact, that one government office came up with statistics on SME development in the country is commendable and they must not relent in their efforts. Rather, they should expand their sampling.

hat is the aim of your organisation? The organisation was born out of a vision to solve problems related to issues of entrepreneurship development and wealth creation. It is also meant to look into poverty alleviation in our environment, because poverty is something that is dominating this country. Nigeria is kind of contradiction of nature, where you see wealth, but you will not be able to touch it. So, what we are doing is to bridge the gap. People should be able to really see and touch the wealth of this nation one way or the other. Also we are connecting individuals to the resources they need to start to nurture, to grow their businesses. If you are talking about resources, we are looking at financial resources like our micro finance bank, which is our financial tool and financial partner for FEDA towards reaching the grassroots. We have other things like human resources to develop capacity for intending entrepreneurs. Again entrepreneurship is the key to growth everywhere in the world. The scenario of white collar jobs is no more sustainable. This makes the development of entrepreneurship an absolute necessity.

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Odutola

rine Business School, so that the people in the corporate world, the great entrepreneurs, will come together and share their experiences with the new entrepreneurs. And we have a programme this year 2013, to produce 2300 entrepreneurs. As an entrepreneur promoter, what is your assessment of activities of government agencies on Small/ Medium Enterprises (SME) in the country? If you look at the Ministry of Trade and Investment, the Minister has been doing a very good job and as much as possible he is trying to make sure that Nigeria is an investment hub. Also, he wants to reduce all the challenges and factors that discourage entrepreneur development. It is the first time an agency like the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) is registering business names within 24 hours. I believe with time, things will be better in this country. Also the Bank of Industry, I know that they have a lot of programmes towards assisting entrepreneurs and I can tell you that from my own perspective, people have been benefiting from government programmes for the development SMEs in the country. The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) too is trying to standardise what people are doing. Some private sector players on their part are providing opportunities where people are trained for empowerment and entrepreneurship devel-

opment. We will get there, as government is being sincere about the development of SMEs programme, because they know that wealth and job creation are based on empowerment of SMEs. They know that whatever they are doing, one of the best ways to impact on citizens, on tax payers, is to create wealth, to create jobs. And government cannot do it alone, so it partners with local and international organisation to support its efforts. Also many Non Government Organisations in the country have programmes for SMEs, but their impact has not been felt. What is your view about on this? Nigeria has a lot of issues especially in the area of infrastructure development, which is a disaster. A country that has a population of 170 million and we don’t have an adequate rail system, good road network and other infrastructure is a big problem. It even affects our agriculture produce. Also, power is not there for the Small/ Medium Enterprises. All these affect the activities of these NGOs. The environment is not conducive for most of them to make things happen. That is why people are not feeling the impact of SME development through the NGOs. But I can tell you that they are trying their best and also the government of the day is encouraging many of the NGO to come up. Ten years ago, there was nothing like what we

What is the position of SME development in the 2013 budget? The issue of budget in this country has always been that most of the allocation goes to payment of salaries of the public officials. So any point in time, we have the majority of the budget in recurrent expenditure. What can help SMEs the most is if government will concentrate on capital budget, because as I said early, a major challenge of SME development is the lack of infrastructure facing the country. If all these impediments are removed, the real sector and the SMEs will be encouraged. But, as of now, what we are seeing is not too impressive and government should take proactive step, revolutionary approach towards infrastructure development, towards capital expenditure in the budget. Because we have not seen that radical move, that is why the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, recently called for sack of 50 percent of the civil service. What about the various Federal Government intervention funds for SME development in the country? Another issue we do encounter in Nigeria is that government will have a very good policy, but to get to the right people is always a problem. The fact that documentation prevented an average SME operator from accessing such funds is also a problem. Although, we as an organisation can assist the entrepreneurs to package their proposal for the fund, I can tell you that accessibility is still an issue.

Crime Watch Crime Watch P. 50 Police arrest two fake officers in raid

BRIEFS

Police arraign man, 20, for armed robbery

n Ibadan Chief Magistrates Court on Thursday remanded a 20-year-old man, Abolade Idris, in prison for alleged conspiracy and armed robbery. The Prosecutor, PC. Olalekan Adegbite, alleged that Idris, with one other person now at large, armed himself with one locally made pistol with the intent to rob one Yekini Kolade. The alleged crime was said to have been committed on Dec. 30, 2012 at about 12.00 p.m. at Olodo, Ibadan. Adegbite said that the offence contravened Section 2 (1) (2) (a) (b) of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provision) Act Cap R II, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004. It is reported that the plea of the accused person was, however, not taken. The Chief Magistrate, Ebenezer Idowu, remanded the accused person in prison custody, pending the release of legal advice from the office of the Directorate of Public Prosecutions. He, thereafter, adjourned the case to February 21, 2013, for mention.

Man, 53, docked for alleged cheating, inciting disturbance

he Nasarawa State Police Command on Thursday arraigned one Pever James, 53, before an Upper Area Court in Mararaba for alleged cheating and inciting disturbance The Police Prosecutor, Mr Jospeh Ahwa, told the court that the accused, of New Nyanya, sold a plot of land measuring 100ft by 50ft to two different persons. “The land James sold is located behind Faith Link Church, Appma, New Nyanya Site, Nasarawa. “He sold the land to one Adendegh Amos of the Federal Ministry of Finance, Abuja, on Jan. 8, 2012. `”He sold a portion of the same land measuring 50ft by 50ft to one Amush Raphael of Kayayi, Mararaba, for N280,000 on Jan. 30, 2012. `”He gave different descriptions of the same portion of land.’’ The prosecutor added that the accused urged the buyers to go ahead and develop the same plot without considering the chaos it might cause. The prosecutor said that the offences of cheating and inciting disturbance contravened Sections 322 and 114 of the Penal Code. He objected to the court granting bail to the accused. The accused pleaded not guilty to the charges.

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February 9, 2013

SEGUN ADIO

hillip Onyia and Grace Akpa were scheduled to be wedded on the first Saturday of April, 2013. They started dating in 2009, the same year Onyia left the shores of Nigeria for further studies in the United Kingdom. Having gone through thick and thin together, they were supposed to conclude the dating stage of their relationship and proceed to matrimony. The proposed marriage can, however, no longer hold. Grace, the wife-to-be is dead, from injuries she reportedly sustained in a knife attack by the man she loved. Reported to be a student of Adeniran Ogunsaya College of Education, Ijanikin, Lagos, she was only 26 years old. Onyia, 32, allegedly stabbed the lady he had planned to marry because of an alleged romance with another man. Investigations revealed that throughout his stay in the United Kingdom, Onyia took charge not only of Grace’s upkeep but that of her siblings as well. Grace never lacked any good thing of as Onyia never left anyone in doubt as to his seriousness to take Grace as his wife after his education. Things, however, started falling apart around August 2012. Onyia’s cousin, identified as Chidi, reportedly met Grace with another man at a popular beer parlor at Social Club Street, Abule Egba. When asked who the man was, Grace reportedly denied being in any love relationship with the man, but claimed he was her senior in school. But Chidi remained unconvinced about Grace’s defence. It was also reported that on two other separate occasions, Chidi caught Grace and the man arms in compromising situations at separate joints in Ogba area of Ikeja, Lagos State. On each occasion, Chidi called the attention of Onyia to the situation. But Onyia gave no attention to the reports he received from home about his fiancée’s alleged promiscuity. Onyia finally returned to Nigeria in November 2012. Immediately he came back, he and Grace began intense plans for their wedding formalities. Their families met recently and fixed Saturday, April 6, 2013, for the traditional marriage somewhere in Obanliku Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State. It was reported that when Onyia confronted Grace with the story of her other relationship, she bluntly denied, saying that Chidi never wanted Onyia to marry her from day one. But the truth was made open recently when Onyia reportedly caught his wife-to-be in a hotel somewhere around Abule Egba area. On Sunday, February 3, 2013, Onyia and Grace were scheduled to meet at a beer joint around Fagba area in Iju, Lagos. Hours before the appointed time, Grace reportedly called Onyia that her mother sent her on an errand to one of her sisters at Ajegunle area of the metropolis. She reportedly told her fiancé that she would be going to school the fol-

Man kills fiancée over infidelity lowing Monday from Ajegunle. Onyia’s weekend was thus ‘shattered’ because he would not enjoy the company of his fiancée as planned. He resigned to fate and decided to remain indoors for the day. That was around 4:00pm of that fateful day. But around 6:30pm, a friend of Onyia’s reportedly called on him and dragged him out to join him in watching a football match in the on-going African Cup of Nations tournament. Reluctantly, Onyia got up from his bed and followed the friend out. The two friends then headed for a hotel around Abule Egba area to watch the match. After the football match, the two friends settled for drinks and midway into that, Grace emerged from one of the chalets at the hotel arms wrapped round the man she had been rumoured to be dating. The stunned Onyia shouted his fiancee’s name and Grace was dead shocked to see Onyia there. On seeing Onyia coming her way, Grave reportedly broke loose from the man she was clinging unto and ran out of the hotel premises. Onyia raced after Grace and traced her to her family home. Grace did not go home directly apparently sensing that Onyia would trace her there. Onyia did not meet her at home. But on his way back home, he saw Grace at the bus stop close to her house. An enraged Onyia wasted no time. He reportedly grabbed the knife of a Suya seller close by and allegedly chased Grace around the neighbourhood with the knife. When he caught her eventually, Onyia reportedly stabbed her sev-

eral times all over her body and fled the scene. The bloodied Grace was rushed to a hospital somewhere at Agege area of the state. Investigations revealed that Grace died the second day from injuries she sustained from the multiple knife stabs. Onyia has since taken to his heels. Speaking to reporters, Malam Shehu, whose knife was used to stab Grace, claimed that he prevented Onyia from carrying out the act but he (Malam Shuehu) sustained injuries in the process. He says, “What I first noticed was that the man was beating the girl and we tried to separate them. Suddenly, the man grabbed my knife and ran towards the lady and stabbed her many times. We tried to get hold of the man but he threatened to stab whoever came his way. That was how he ran away.” Mrs. Ojelere runs a hairdressing salon beside the spot where Onyia stabbed Grace. According to her, “I never knew that they were lovers. It was later that we heard that he caught the lady with another man in a hotel. At first, we thought the lady stole something from him because of the way he beat her. It is unfortunate that that lady died just like that.” One of Grace’s relatives who identified himself as Paul Frank, a professional baker, is understandably aggrieved by the young women’s grim end. He says, “We shall get to the root of this matter. How come meeting your girl friend with another man would lead to killing her?” Efforts to get Onyia relatives to speak on the matter were futile as no one was ready to talk.

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CRIME WATCH

February 9, 2013

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Police arrest two fake officers in raid IT IS TRUE THAT I WAS IN THE FORCE AT MOPOL 16, OGUN STATE. BUT SOMETHING HAPPENED ALONG THE LINE

I WAS RETIRED. FOR SOME TIME NOW, I HAVE BEEN JOBLESS. AND I HAVE BEEN

AND

I HAVE LOVED TO BE A POLICEMAN ALL MY LIFE, BUT I JUST COULD NOT MAKE IT. I AM JUST TRYING TO LOOK FOR WHAT TO EAT AND NOTHING MORE

DOING THIS TO FEED MY FAMILY

–FAKE CORPORAL

–DISMISSED SERGEANT

SEGUN ADIO

sergeant who was dismissed from the Nigeria Police Force and a fake corporal were Thursday arrested by men of the X-Squad of the Lagos Police Command. The duo was arrested at different times at various locations in the metropolis over what police authorities called “terrorising motorists and obtaining from them illegally on the road. The two men (names withheld) were apprehended after series of complaints from interested members of the public. Not long ago, Lagos State Police Commissioner, Umar Manko, had assured residents of the State that illegal extortion and other criminal acts by some unscrupulous elements in the force would be a thing of the past. To this end, CP Manko had given fresh orders to mop up the state of fake personnel extorting money from members of the public. This order paid off last Thursday when the two men were picked up by men of the special outfit.

During investigations, the ex-sergeant was confirmed to be a dismissed Mobile Policeman. It was learnt that he was attached to Mobile Police Unit 16 in Ogun State before he was booted out of the force for similar anti-establishment activities. This time around, the dismissed sergeant was caught with knitted police cap, while a police uniform was hidden inside the bag on his back. In his confessional statement, the disgraced sergeant confessed that he was in the habit of fraudulently obtaining money from innocent motorists while dressed in Nigeria Police kits. He claimed that his area of operation spanned Benin Republic and some south western states of Nigeria. The former sergeant also claimed that he had acted as clearing agent for some people, where he extorted huge sums of money from them. On his part, the fake corporal, who was clad in full police uniform, even though he had never enlisted in the Force, first told members of the team that arrested him that he was a bona fide policeman, currently

IGP Abubakar

serving at the Railways Police Division in Lagos. He was arrested at the Oshodi market. But the X-squad team would not be fooled by the man’s antics. They probed him further to truly ascertain the genuineness of his claims.

But when he was probed further to give the names of the commissioner of police in charge of railways and names of some senior officers of the unit, the fake corporal became mum and could not give any answer. The man also could nei-

ther remember the duty post assigned to him in the Railway Divisional Police Office at Iddo, Lagos Mainland Local Government Area of the state nor could he remember the name of the Divisional Police Officer he is supposed to be working with. The final straw that broke the camels’ back was that the service number on his uniform was written on the left side, while his name was written on the right side of his black uniform, as against service rules. Speaking on the arrests of the two suspects, Kola Okunola, Officer in Charge of the X-squad, who led the operation leading to the arrest of the two culprits, said that the unit would not relent in its resolve to rid the Lagos State of fake policemen. His words, “We have been inundated with complaints of policemen harassing and extorting people on the streets of Lagos. But we kept assuring the complainants that those who perpetrate these heinous acts could not possibly be true policemen. That was why we embarked on this clean-up exercise and came up with the arrest of these two people. One of them has been dismissed from the Police Force and the other has never enrolled in the Force all his life. These are simply not policemen.” The dismissed sergeant in his statement said that he was pushed to the act by the need to cater for his family. He was quoted as saying, “It is true that I was in the Force at Mopol 16, Ogun State. But something happened along the line and I was retired. For some time now, I have been jobless. And I have been doing this to feed my family.” The fake corporal on his part was quoted as saying, “I have loved to be a policeman all my life, but I just could not make it. I am just trying to look for what to eat and nothing more.”

Kano Police Command declares 3 wanted over Emir assassination bid

he Police Command in Kano State has declared three persons wanted in connection with the recent attempt to assassinate the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero, and series of armed robbery operations in the state. The Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Ibrahim Idris, made the announcement while briefing newsmen at the command’s headquarters in Kano on Thursday. He gave the names of the wanted persons as Na Allah, a shopkeeper at Sabon Gari Market implicated in the attack on the Emir and Babangida Salihu of Sauna Kawaji, a Jigawa State indigene, suspected of being the gang leader

of armed robbers and an associate of Na Allah. The third person, Adamu Safiyanu, also known as Adamsy of Kafur in Katsina State, was declared wanted in connection with the recovery of arms, ammunition and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) abandoned at Sauna Kawaji quarters. The commissioner said that following a distress call, his men arrested one Hashimu Ado of Rimin Kebe Quarters and Mohammed Auwal of Dutsinma in Katsina State for conspiring with three other suspects to rob a supermarket at Jogana. He added that before the arrival of policemen at the scene however,

Emir of Kano, Ado Bayero

members of the community had already lynched one of the suspects simply identified as Zailani of Wudil Town in Kano State,

while the other three suspects escaped. He said that during investigation, the arrested suspects “con-

fessed that Babangida Salihu was the one who gave them weapons and directed them to where to go and when.” He said the police recovered three AK-47 rifles, five magazines, 69 rounds of live ammunition and two mobile handsets. In a separate raid, the commissioner said his men recovered “a bag carefully secured containing six AK-47 rifles, two assault rifles, a pistol, two IEDs, 723 of 5.6 live ammunitions and 152 of 7.6 live ammunition.” Asked about the Emir attack investigation, he said that more than four persons had been arrested, and he assured that the details would soon be made public.

Crime Extra

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

February 9, 2013

Fake ‘pastor’ dupes businesswoman SEGUN ADIO

elight Onyekachi, a Lagos-based businesswoman, is blessed with two things: Apart from being well-to do, she also uses her God-given wealth for the service of humanity. Those close to her testified that Onyekachi, 32, is a cheerful giver especially to those in need that come her way. Her wealth notwithstanding, Onyekachi is still not a happy woman as she has some personal issues that her money could not buy for her. Many of her church members attest that Onyekachi is not a happy person in spite of her wealth because wherever and whenever an opportunity presents itself during church service, Onyekachi would cry aloud and complain to God about these personal issues before her, asking the church elders to pray for her over these personal problems of hers. As a result, Onyekachi’s personal problems are well- known to all members of her church. While members of her church always join their faith with hers towards finding a solution to those problems, one member of the church had a totally different idea. He thought of Onyekachi’s problems as merely an avenue to make money. He has caused Onyekachi to be swindled of N800, 000. The church member, identified as Lambert Ejike worked his way into the prayer group to which the businesswoman belongs. He soon began to attend prayer meetings where personal problems are shared among members and prayers offered for them. He also sug-

House where Onyekachi committed the crime

gested that all members of the group should endeavour to visit one another at home for further prayers. On Wednesday, December 12, 2012, Ejike met with Onyekachi and the two of them engaged in a marathon prayer session. In the middle of the prayer session, a man, who later identified himself as a pastor, burst in and joined them in praying. The selfproclaimed pastor is Obinna Obi. After the prayer session, ‘Pastor’ Obi claimed he received some revelations from God about Onyekachi that he must relate to her. Obi thus went to relay all the problems confronting the businesswoman to her. Onyekachi, to say the least, was stunned because neither

she nor Ejike knew the ‘man of God,’ at least to the best of her knowledge. Immediately ‘Pastor’ Obi finished relaying all her problems to her, Onyekachi reportedly knelt before this ‘strange and powerful’ pastor, asking what could be done to alleviate her problems. At that point, Ejike, who had remained silent all along while the ‘pastor’ relayed his message to Onyekachi, asked how the man knew that much about the woman. Obi promptly told the two prayer mates that that the spirit of God directed him to the woman and also that God asked him to deliver Onyekachi from her problems and also save her life from impending danger. Apparently moved by the ‘pastor’s

‘spiritual gift,’ Onyekachi asked what she would do to take her reproach away from her. Obi then told her that God said he would need about N800, 000 to buy some items with which he would solve all her problems. The woman did not hesitate but reportedly rushed to the bank to withdraw the required sum and gave it to ‘Pastor’ Obi, who promised to be back in three days after. Three days passed and there was no sign of ‘Pastor’ Obi. A month after the encounter, he still did not show up. Onyekachi became suspicious of Obi. Onyekachi’s prayer partner, Ejike, also stopped coming for the usual prayer meetings and even the main church service. She promptly reported the case

at a nearly police station and law enforcement agents swung into action. Somehow, ‘Pastor’ Obi was traced to No 4, Ogunseye St., Idimu, Lagos State. He was picked up and placed in police custody for further investigation into the crime. Obi did not waste time to reveal the architect of the crime as Onyekachi’s prayer partner, Ejike. Speaking to police investigators, Obi said, “I was in my house one day when Ejike brought a business to me. He came and told me that a certain rich woman in his church has some problems and he believed that we could swindle her. That was how he told me all the woman’s spiritual problems and said I should came into their prayer meeting as a pastor and reveal to the woman all her problems and demand for N800, 000 from her.” When police investigators got to Ejike’s house, he was said to have abandoned the place and taken to his heels. A police source said that the two men collaborated to defraud Onyekachi of the sum because of the trust she had in her church members. Onyekachi, in her statement before law enforcement agents, claimed that she had no inkling that the man that she had been praying together with for months could set her up the way he did. “This is difficult to believe. I never imagined that kind of thing. This was somebody I opened my mind to when we prayed together. I never knew he had other plans in his mind,” Onyekachi said. Obi is due to be arraigned in court over incident, while a manhunt has been launched for Ejike, a police source said.

Enugu police rescue kidnapped 79-year-old woman

he Enugu State Police Command has rescued a 79-year-old woman allegedly kidnapped on December 13th last year at Awgu community of the state. Theresa Udeji was allegedly abducted by armed men on the said date and taken to an unknown destination. Following the ugly development, operatives of the Anti -Kidnapping Unit of the state’s police swung into action which paid off on Thursday, January 31st last month when she was successfully

rescued in an uncompleted building around Nara axis of Nkanu East Local Government Area of the state. Spokesman for Enugu State Police Command, Ebere Amaraizu told reporters that no ransom was paid for her release. Amaraizu also claimed that the victim has since reunited with her family. Her rescue notwithstanding, law enforcement agents are still on the trail of the kidnappers and one of them, who gave his name as Ozoemena Mbah of Onuorie Nara area

of the state has been arrested. Mbah is currently assisting investigators to ascertain and fish out other suspects of the incident who are currently at large. Addressing journalists, Amaraizu urged members of the public to continue to offer useful information on criminals to law enforcement agents in the state. He particularly lauded the efforts of the Neighbourhood Watch of Nara community in the eventual rescue of the victim and arrest of the single

suspect. Amaraizu remarked that the police will continue to collaborate with all relevant stakeholders in the business of security to free the state of crime and criminals. In another development, the state police has commenced investigations into the alleged killing of one Ejike Onah in Nsukka. The victim was allegedly attacked in his house on Sunday, February 3rd, 2013 by yet to be identified persons over an alleged incidence of destruction

of some parts of the house of one Ndubuisi Ugwu at Agbani Nguru Nsukka. The state police commissioner, Mr. Musa Daura, also assured that the command would continue to partner all relevant stakeholders in the security business in order to send crime and criminality to the abyss since “security is everybody’s responsibility.” He also thanked his men for their feats and charged them to maintain the tempo in the war against crime and criminality.

REGIONAL NEWS

February 9, 2013

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SOUTH EAST

2015: Merger party can’t save Okorocha –Imo PDP CHRIS NJOKU OWERRI

he People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Imo State, has criticised the recent move by Governor Rochas Okorocha to join forces with the merger party, the All Progressive Congress (APC), saying that the move would not return to the Douglas House in 2015. The party’s publicity secretary, Chief Blyden Amajirionwu, said that the Okorocha’s decision to dump his party, the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), was a threat to his political future especially his ambition to return to the government house. In the words of Chief Amajirionwu, “The governor’s decision to join the merger party is to his politi-

cal detriment and not the PDP’s. APGA has rejected him, even Imo citizens. It is obvious that he is at cross road. He cannot de-

ENUGU

fter five months of absence from work, Governor Sullivan Chime of Enugu State yesterday returned to the state amid huge cheering supporters who he failed to address. The governor who had arrived Abuja, Wednesday from London, touched down at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport Enugu around 3:00 p.m yesterday amidst

wu, throws his weight behind the governor saying that “the party is behind the Governor in the merger arrangement.”

cheers from the crowd of enthusiastic citizens who had thronged the airport since morning to welcome him. Chime on arrival at the airport acknowledged cheers from the crowd and shortly boarded a long convoy that took him to the state government lodge where another crowd were waiting to see him. On arrival at the government house, the governor was ushered into the lodge where only

VIPs went in to see him. Outside the lodge were large number of supporters who ate and danced in front of the complex. But the cheering crowd soon disappeared when it appeared that Governor Chime would not come to address them. Chairman of Ezeagu Local Government of the state, Mr. Emeka Ozoagu said that the return of governor Chime has carpeted his distracters, saying that the governor was back to continue with his good works. Governor Chime was welcomed on arrival by the Acting Governor, Mr Sunday Onyebuchi ac-

companied by his wife, Nneka, National and State Assembly members and other top government officials. Spotting a cream white jacket, blue stripped shirt and a pair of black trousers and eye glass, Governor Chime acknowledged cheers from the ecstatic crowd that included many federal and state legislators, traditional rulers and top government officials before being driven to the Governor’s Lodge. The news of his celebrated return spread in Enugu like wide fire with many expressing happiness that he was back at last.

Court sacks Umeh, disbands APGA structures DENNIS AGBO ENUGU

n Enugu High Court presided over by the state Chief Judge, Justice Innocent Umezulike, yesterday sacked the entire executive councils of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), starting from the national executive council down to the ward levels. One Jude Okolie had in August, 2012, brought a suite before the court

Although some members of the party have kicked against the governor’s move, the APGA state chairman stated

Enugu State Governor Sullivan Chime (right) and his Deputy, Mr. Sunday Onyebuchi (left) on his return to Enugu after over 4 months of absence, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

Chime returns to Enugu, fails to address supporters DENNIS AGBO

cide for the enlightened people of Imo state”. However, the APGA chairman in the state, Prince Marshal Anyan-

seeking to restrain the National Chairman of APGA, Chief Victor Umeh from convocking any meeting of the party, contending that Umeh was no longer the Chairman of the party. Ruling on the pleas, Justice Umezulike said that the 2006 election that brought in Umeh’s executive expired on December 2010, adding however the due process of the party’s election was not followed on February 10, 2011 to elected a new set of ex-

ecutive. Umuzulike therefore declared the entire executives of APGA as null and void since it was done through voice vote instead of the constitutional secret ballot. Reacting to the judgment, Umeh said that Umezulike’s judgment was predicted, adding that while he goes to appeal court for redress, he remains the chairman of APGA. Umeh’s words: “By sacking the National

Working Committee of APGA that was elected at the National Convention of 10th February 2011 which the court declared null and void, Justice Umezulike has completely decapitated APGA and left it without a leadership. This is like removing the head of a trailer and the body of the trailer can no longer move. “By this his judgement, there is no organ of the party left to execute the orders he made, therefore the orders are in vain.”

that, those opposed to the merger arrangement are not in a position to speak for APGA, adding that, “Tim Menakaya’s tenure as a member of the Board of Trustees has expired two months ago and for that he cannot speak for the party”. Anyanwu further said that the merger arrangement was in the best interest of the nation’s democracy as it would bring healthy competition in a new era of good governance and accountability. Also in his response, Imo State commissioner for Information, Chinedu Offor, urged the PDP to “mind their business and allow the leaders of the new party to bother with the issues of the merger”. Offor said that “the merger is a grouping of progressives of like minds of which the Governor is one.”

MASSOB: Court orders police to issue hearing notice on DPP NWABUEZE OKONKWO ONITSHA

n Onitsha Magistrate Court in Anambra State, presided over by Magistrate E.O. Ughanze, has ordered police to issue a hearing notice to the state’s Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP) on a case involving Chief Arinze Igbani, Region 4 Administrator of the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB).

Igbani and two others, Ugwu Chikezie and Chukwudi Udemobi, were yesterday arraigned in the magistrate court on two count charge of conspiracy, aiding and abetting. The prosecutors had charged the accused of committing felony to wit by aiding the escape of two armed robbery suspects, as well as aiding and abetting the same armed robbers to escape out of the court on December 3, 2012 at the Onitsha Magistrate Court premises.

Abia gov signs N137b appropriation bill into law GEORGE OPARA ABIA

overnor Theodore Orji of Abia State yesterday signed into law the state’s 2013 appropriation bill in into law. The bugdet proposal which was jerked up from N134 billion to N137 billion by the House of Assembly, was pre-

sented to the house on November 20, 2012. Speaking while signing the bill into law, Governor Orji urged all taxable adults in the state to be alive to their responsibility by paying all government approved taxes in the state, saying it was one of the sure ways to fast tracking development in the state.

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REGIONAL NEWS

February 9, 2013

NORTH

Kano Okada ban fallout: Jigawa warns relocating operators SEGUN ADIO AND ABDULLAHI ODEY DUTSE

ollowing the ban on commercial motorcyclists in neigbouring Kano State, the Jigawa State police command has urged operators relocating to the state to be law-abiding. The warning was given in Dutse, where the influx of the motorcyclists has reportedly outnumbered their resident counter-

parts. The Kano State government had, sequel to the attempt on the life of Emir Ado Bayero of Kano recently, outlawed commercial motorcycles in the state, which necessitated the operators to relocate to neighbouring Jigawa State. Speaking on the development, Jigawa State police public relations officer Abdu Jinjiri, an Assistant Superintendent of Police, said efforts are afoot for the law enforce-

ment agents to work with the motorcyclists union to identify strangers among them which ltimately would ensure maintenance of law and order and peaceful co-existence in the state. Jinjiri said though so far no wrongdoing has been reported from the motorcyclists operators in the state, he maintained that the police command would not spare any one found to be engaged in

criminal activities. He assured the public of constant police protection and called for cooperation of all and sundry for effective policing of the state. Commenting on the crime rate in Jigawa, Jinjiri said the command has a strong intelligence and monitoring mechanism to check nefarious elements. Jinjiri also said the state’s police commissioner, Kayode Theophilos,

and his principal officers, often undertake constant patrols of the metropolis when vehicles are thoroughly checked at the thirty six check points mounted in the state. Meanwhile, the Secretary of the state scrap iron dealers, Ibrahim Bala has said that its members have arrested three persons suspected to be criminals and handed them over to the police. Bala told Saturday Mir-

ror that the suspects were apprehended when they brought goods to the dealers and it was discovered to have been stolen. Bala’s comments came amidst speculations that some scarp dealers collaborate with thieves to steal vehicle parts. Denying such action, Bala explained that every item is certified to be from a genuine source before any transaction is conducted.

Nasarawa: Al–Makura calls for end to all hostilities, bloodshed

overnor Tanko Al-Makura of Nasarawa State has warned those fanning the embers of crises in the state to desist from the act.

This is contained in a statement made available to journalists in Abuja yesterday by Sani Mairiga, the governor’s Senior Special Assistant on Media.

The governor was reacting to renewed crisis and secret killings in some parts of the state. Al-makura said that his government would not fold its arms and

watch disgruntled people hold the state to ransom. The statement said the governor would deal decisively with those trying to cause chaos and instability in Nasarawa State.

It read in parts, ``If we bring to justice those, who engaged in this evil, it would serve as deterrent to others who are nursing such ill feelings against the state and its people. It was unfortunate that some people are still perpetrating evil against their fellow human beings at a time when the state is counting the gains of democracy,’’ the statement said. According to the statement, the gover-

nor has vowed to prosecute all those arrested in connection with the crisis not minding whose ox is gored. The governor, however, appealed to the warring communities to bury the hatchet and continue to live in peace with one another for the betterment of the state. ``No meaningful development could take place in an atmosphere of rancor,” the statement noted.

Kaduna lawmaker drums support for Yero A ZA MSUE KADUNA

L-R: Representative of Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Ibrahim Arabi and Bauchi State Deputy Governor, Alhaji Sagir Saleh, presenting a bag of rice for dry farming season to Ahmed Umar, at the launch of 2013 Dry Season Farming and Paddy Rice Production in Shira Local Government Area of Bauchi State, recently. PHOTO: NAN

Plateau awards N749m contract to revive own newspaper JAMES ABRAHAM JOS

he Plateau State government has moved to revive the state’s owned newspaper, The Nigerian Standard, with the signing of a N749 million contract with 10 different companies. The state’s commissioner for Information and Communication, Pastor Yiljap Abraham, while speaking at the con-

tract signing ceremony in Jos, yesterday, said the media outfit which was established in 1972 will go daily by the time the contracts were executed. The Commissioner expressed optimism that the action of the state government will go a long way to restore the past glory of the newspaper. The commissioner added that the state government has done a lot to turn the information

sector around as no fewer than N2.4 billion has so far been spent to revamp the sector since the inception of the present administration. He said the fortunes of the media outfit nosedived to abysmal level due to neglect adding that the state government, led by Jonah Jang decided to step in in order to keep alive the legacies and dreams of those who floated the outfit some 4o

years ago. According to Pastor Abraham, areas of the contracts signed will include the supply of Web Off-Set machine, consumables, one 500KVA generator,4 Hilux Pick-up vans, one Toyota Forerunner, one 16-seater bus and another one Hilux van. Others according to him include the procurement of Printing Press and refurbishment of Printing Machines.

ember representing Sanga Constituency in the Kaduna State House of Assembly, Mrs Esther Dyaji Habu, has called on the people of the state to rally round the administration of governor Mukhtar Ramalan Yero to enthrone peaceful co-existence in the state. Habu also urged people of the state to shun act of violence and support the current effort by government to achieve peace stressing that no society develop in the midst of anarchy. The lawmaker gave the charge while commissioning 20 bole holes, as part of her constituency projects. She also appealed to Governor Yero to save the academic future of her constituency by building a stan-

dard boarding school in the area. The lawmaker who also renovated four schools spread across the three Chiefdoms of her Constituency, frowned at the absence of a boarding school in the area. Mrs Habu, however, lauded the efforts of the members of the Fertilizer Standing committee, her project, aimed at ensuring even distribution of fertilizer to the farmers during dry season. Her words, “Fertilizer remains one of the key elements for agrarian communities, but it is rather unfortunate that, the farmers themselves don’t have access to it, as it is usually hijacked by some businessmen. I am highly pleased with the work the committee is doing by insisting that only farmers gets fertilizer for their farm produce,” she said.

REGIONAL NEWS

February 9, 2013

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

NORTH

Kebbi immunises 1m children against polio T

he Kebbi State Primary Health Care Development Agency (KSPHDA) said on Friday that one million children had been immunised against Polio and other killer diseases in the state. Dr Abubakar Koko, the agency’s Executive Secre-

tary, said in Birnin Kebbi that the success recorded was sequel to a rigorous house-to-house advocacy conducted by the agency. Koko said the role of traditional and religious leaders also contributed to the feat, especially attraction of parents to embrace vaccine immunisa-

tion. In the words of Koko, ``In the recent exercise, success had been recorded in the number of children immunised, especially in areas that had been resistant,’’ he said. Koko also commended the role played by local governments, especially

in the provision of additional logistic support and campaign for the success of immunisation. He, however, decried the poor level of compliance by parents in Jega and Birnin Kebbi Local Government areas. The executive secretary said ``the agency had

faced serious rejection of the exercise in these areas, but we will not relent to ensure 100 per cent success’’. The state’s commissioner for Health, Alhaji Shehu Sambawa, said that modalities had been evolved to prosecute erring parents.

Sambawa stressed that the zero-level record of Polio control would be sustained in the state. According to Sambawa, ``The success recorded would be sustained, especially control at boarder communities to prevent victims from those areas,” he said.

Bauchi realises N880m from workers salary deductions –HOS

he Bauchi State Government said on Friday it realised N880 million in four months from 10 per cent deductions from its workers’ salaries. The Isa Yuguda government in the state, had in 2012, resolved to deduct 10 per cent of the workers’ salaries beginning from September to December 2012. According to the government, the deduction is due to its all-time dwindling resources from the federation account. The Head of Service, Mr Abdon Gin, announced this at a news conference in Bauchi. According to Gin, ``A general circular was issued in the middle of January by my office on the discontinuance of the infamous 10 per cent deduction service from

workers’ salaries for the period of September to December 2012. Government kept faith with this gesture of workers and stopped it and hailed the resilience of workers not because the circumstances leading to the deductions were no more. ``The financial situation of government was still not any better as at Dec. 31, 2012 when the deduction was halted,” Gin added. He said: ``We were happy that the paltry contribution of the workers in this regard added to its meagre resources to sustain salary payments.’’ Gin therefore called on the workers in the state to exercise restraint and avoid rancour, stating that ``it is neither my intention nor that of the government to inflict pains on workers,’’ he

Governor of Plateau State, Dr. Jonah Jang (left) and Director General, National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mr. Mike Omeri, during a courtesy visit to the governor in Jos, yesterday.

added. He said the deduction was to allow the government to proceed with the funding of its major projects. Gin continued, ``Furthermore, during the period, no worker was retrenched and government’s all-time dwindling resources from federation account necessitated the withdrawal of allowances given through His Excellency,” he said.

Zamfara health commissioner restates commitment to polio eradication

amfara State Commissioner for Health, Alhaji Kabiru Janyau, has said that the efforts being made to eradicate polio in Nigeria by December, 2013 remain on course despite some challenges. Janyau said yesterday in Gusau that the level of

Robbery scare: Banks remain closed in Omu –Aran

ome commercial banks in OmuAran, Kwara State, have remained closed to business since Tuesday followed rumours of possible robbery attacks. Many of the banks located on Aperan Way as well as Landmark University Road remained closed for business on Friday. it was revealed that the branch manager of an old generation bank claimed to have received a text message threatening that the bank would be robbed.

A print-out of the purported text message made available to reporters had directed the manager to produce N2 million to avert an attack. The text sent from mobile phone number 08062822878 read: ``Hello Mr Oyetunde, if you value your life, the life of your workers and your families, you should drop N2 million or else we will attack you. “If you don’t want what happen in Lokoja, Osogbo, Oro banks to happen to you, the life of your customers, work-

ers and families is in our hand, we will tell you where to drop the money, expect our call anytime,’’ it said. An official of the bank, who preferred anonymity, told journalists that the directive to close down the bank’s branch was received from its headquarters. But contacted on the development, the Divisional Police Officer at Alakaka, Mr Rasak Adebayo, said the command had urged the banks to ignore the threat and open for business.

Adebayo said that the command had taken up the issue of the SMS alert with the appropriate authorities, adding that the command received reinforcement from the state police headquarters to contain any threat to security. His words, ``I do not know why they have refused to open for business after much assurance that we have put everything in place to curb any threat to security, especially within banks’ vicinities,” he said.

commitment of the stakeholders to polio eradication was sufficient to guarantee polio-free Nigeria at the targeted time. He said that bringing all stakeholders on board to fashion out a new approach to polio eradication had paid off as the recipients now understood the need to allow their children to receive polio vaccines. He said that although the figure of polio cases in the country rose in 2012, the situation would not discourage the stakeholders in meeting their 2013 target. Janyau’s words, ``We are on course, and I can tell you that it is feasible for Nigeria to eradicate polio by the end of this year despite some few challenges. Take example of Zamfara, we have been able to reach our projected target during the justconcluded polio immunisation,’’ he said. He, however, did not disclose the number of

children covered in the exercise which ended on Wednesday. Janyau continued, ``This is an indication that the on-going crusade for polio eradication is well on course and we are confident that we are meeting the target,’’ he said. Janyau denied that some communities in Gusau, Tsafe and Mafara Local Government Areas of the state rejected polio immunisation during the just -concluded exercise.

Gov Yari

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Violence mars funeral of slain Tunisian opposition leader

olice and mourners clashed at the mass funeral yesterday, of secular opposition leader Chokri Belaid, whose assassination has plunged Tunisia deeper into political crisis. Braving chilly rain, at least 50,000 people turned out to honor Belaid in his home district of Jebel al-Jaloud in the capital, chanting anti-Islamist and anti-government slogans. It was Tunisia’s biggest funeral since the death of Habib Bourguiba, independence leader and first president, in 2000. Violence erupted near the cemetery as police fired teargas at demon-

strators who threw stones and set cars ablaze. Police also used teargas against protesters near the Interior Ministry, a frequent flashpoint for clashes in the Tunisian capital. Tunisia, cradle of the Arab uprisings, is driven by tensions between dominant Islamists and their secular opponents, and by frustration at the lack of social and economic progress since President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali was ousted in January 2011. Belaid’s assassination has shocked a country which had hitherto experienced a relatively peaceful political transition.

Deal or No Deal winner charged with fraud

mother who won £95,000 on TV game show Deal or No Deal before being pictured hugging host Noel Edmonds is wanted for benefit fraud after allegedly failing to declare her winnings. Caroline Banana, 40, is accused of failing to notify the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) of her win while continuing to claim £5,000 in benefits. Claimants must notify the authorities if their bank balance exceeds £16,000 either through a

windfall or inheritance. Zimbabwe-born Banana won £95,000 when she appeared on the Channel 4 show supported by her husband Michael, 48, in November 2011. Millions of viewers watched as she took out the red box which she did not know contained £75,000, prompting the Banker to offer her £35,000 for it. She rejected the offer and went on to accept £95,000. She and her hubsand then posed for pictures with host Noel.

Blast near mosque kills journalist, 15 others in Pakistan

bomb blast killed 16 people and wounded 27 in Pakistan yesterday, government officials said, in an area that authorities said they had cleared of Taliban fighters. “Most of the dead and injured were returning from Friday’s prayers at a mosque,” said Mehmood Aslam, a government official in the area. A Pakistani journalist and a paramilitary fighter were among the dead, said Fazal Qader, the regional deputy official. The blast took place near a shop in Kalaya, the capital of the semi-autonomous Orakzai region in

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

February 9, 2013

the ethnic Pashtun belt that runs through northwestern mountains along the Afghan border. No group claimed responsibility. Following the attack, nine militants were killed after jets bombed their hideout, a local official and a military official said. Security forces launched a major operation in Orakzai in March 2010 to push out insurgents fleeing a military offensive in the nearby South Waziristan region on the Afghan border. Orakzai was previously seen as a stronghold of Pakistani Taliban chief Hakimullah Mehsud.

UK in for another freezing weekend

…Temperatures to fall to -5C

orecasters have yesterday warned of severe cold weather and icy conditions this weekend - with temperatures dropping dramatically to -5C into the start of next week. The Met Office issued a Cold Weather Alert yesterday and said the freezing conditions will cause chaos on roads and be potentially dangerous for vulnerable people. It says the snow will be ‘disruptive’ and warns of temperatures dropping dramatically. Strong winds are also expected. Although some parts of the UK will see snow Friday and today, the worst of the weather is expected to-

morrow. Up to four inches of snow is expected lasting well into Monday. The Met Office issued warnings for ice across southwest England and the West Midlands and warns of a risk of icy conditions on untreated surfaces across the rest of the UK. Forecasters say snow was possible yesterday on higher ground but also on low levels in East Anglia. Snow is also expected tomorrow across central and east England. However, the worst of the snow is expected on Sunday for most parts of the UK. This is expected to last well into Monday causing problems on the transport

network. Weather experts say ‘heavy’ snow will fall across Scotland and eastern parts of England, especially the north-east, throughout Sunday afternoon and night. Gareth Harvey, a forecaster for MeteoGroup, said: ‘The next few days will only see a few light snow flurries affecting mountains in Wales and Scotland and the Pennines, in northern England, while temperatures will stay cold. ‘The weather will change on Sunday when a front coming in from the west meets cold air. ‘It looks like there will first be some rain before it progresses to snow over large parts of Scotland

and the eastern half of England, particularly the north-east. ‘There could be some significant, heavy amounts.’ Despite temperatures still hovering around freezing, snowdrops were seen yesterday - which usually indicate first signs that Spring is just around the corner. The stunning carpet of tiny bell-like blooms covers an incredible 25-acres of the sprawling grounds at Welford Park. The stately home near Newbury, Berkshire, has been in James Puxley’s family for four hundred years and his wife Deborah said this year’s snowdrops are the best or many.

Tunisian women gather in front of the house of slain opposition leader Chokri Belaid’s father prior to his funeral in Tunis, yesterday.

Austerity reaches Brussels as EU tightens budget E uropean Union leaders neared agreement on the first ever cut in their common budget yesterday after almost 24 hours of talks, seeking to placate millions at home struggling through government cutbacks and recession. The expected deal met the demands of northern European countries such as Britain and the Netherlands that wanted belt-

tightening, while maintaining spending on farm subsidies and infrastructure to satisfy the likes of France and Poland. It will be the first net reduction to the EU’s longterm budget in the bloc’s history, representing a decrease of around 3 percent on the last budget and shaving spending in areas from infrastructure to scientific research. Last-minute haggling

over precisely how to divide up the 960 billion euros (823.5 billion pounds) to be spent between 2014 and 2020 delayed a definitive agreement, but officials said a broad framework had been put in place. “The 960 billion euro figure is aimed at finding a balance,” said a French official in Brussels who declined to be named. As well being signed off by all EU leaders, the deal

must be still approved by the European Parliament, where leading legislators have already expressed opposition. After negotiating through the night, leaders broke up for a rest, allowing German Chancellor Angela Merkel to swap her green jacket for a lilac one, and returned to a myriad of questions, including whether to reduce the burden on the Netherlands.

Quote

Towards a borderless Africa

with President Olusegun Obasanjo hexcellency2011@yahoo.com

BY THE MID-1960S AND 1970S, SEVERAL ECONOMIC ARGUMENTS BEGAN TO EMERGE IN SUPPORT OF RAPID INTEGRATION. IT BECAME OBVIOUS TO

AFRICAN LEADERS THAT MOST

AFRICAN STATES WERE TOO SMALL OR TOO

WEAK TO INDEPENDENTLY NEGOTIATE ON THE INTERNATIONAL SCENE tinent’s need for integration. Yet, the nature and character of the post-colonial African state made it unattractive for the political leadership in Africa to aggressively pursue integration. By the mid1960s and 1970s, however, several economic arguments began to emerge in support of rapid integration. Indeed, it became obvious to African leaders themselves that most African states were too small or too weak to independently negotiate on the international scene. This gave rise to the birth of several regional eco-

nomic communities which are commonly regarded as the “building blocks” of the African Union. To be fair to them, regional economic communities have played a key role as models for the further integration of the African continent. Despite this, integration efforts in Africa have not seen much success. Intra-Africa economic, political and military relations have at best been minimal and insignificant when such relations are compared to those of African states and European or Asian countries.

SPORT EXTRA

AFCON: NFF, Eagles await President Jonathan ANDREW EKEJIUBA

he Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) leadership and the Super Eagles players are anxiously awaiting the arrival of President Goodluck Jonathan in South Africa ahead of tomorrow’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final clash against the Stallions of Burkina Faso. Saturday Mirror gathered that already, the Minister of Sports/Chair-

day

It is a collection of fiction, half-truths, exaggeration and a reflection of selective memory. Its claim that former President Olusegun Obasanjo kneeled before me to seek my cooperation for a second term in 2003 is a figment of el-Rufai’s imagination. Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, reacting to some of the contents of The Accidental Public Servant, a book by the former FCT Minister, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai.

Saturday, February 9, 2013. www.nationalmirroronline.net

ince the days of the Casablanca group, regarded as the progressives or radical group, and the Monrovia groups, regarded as the conservatives or reactionary group, the issue of integration in Africa has been on the front burner. The events in the world, particularly in Europe before the erection of the Berlin Wall in 1961 had encouraged the bringing down of borders. The vanishing of borders in Europe was hastened by the European Union soon after the end of the Second World War. For Africa, the paramount issue after the Second World War was emancipation or decolonisation. The first positive results of the agitation of African leaders for emancipation came in 1956 with the independence of Sudan from AngloEgyptian colonialism. This was quickly followed by Gold Coast, now Ghana, in 1957. The pace of decolonisation quickened and 1960 was declared the year of independence. For Africa as close to fifteen countries secured independence that year. Nigeria was one of them. With independence came the desire for close cooperation among Africa countries and African peoples. The continent was moved along two tracks – those who wanted close cooperation and indeed immediate integration among whom were Ghana, Mali, Tanzania, Zambia, and others who believed it should be done immediately before the fervor of nationalism abated to turn it to pan-Africanism and on the other side were older countries like Liberia, Ethiopia, supported by countries like Cote d’Ivoire, Senegal and others who preferred gradualism. Despite their different views on Africa’s integration process, both groups of nations generally agreed on the con-

the

man, National Sports Commission, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi and a number of directors in the Commission, including the Director of Federations and Elite Athletes Department, Dr. Bolaji Ojo-Oba are on ground in Johannesburg to welcome the President. Officials insist that the players woke up at their Garden Court Hotel in Johannesburg on Friday confident that skipper Joseph Yobo will lift the Africa Cup of Nations trophy tomorrow. Also NFF President, Alhaji Aminu

Maigari on Friday heaped plaudits on the Executive Governor of Rivers State, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, for his tremendous support to the Eagles in their 29th Africa Cup of Nations finals campaign. After a somewhat lethargic and anxious start to the tournament, the Super Eagles improved steadily and are now on the verge of a third Cup of Nations triumph, as they clash with Burkina Faso in tomorrow’s final match at the National Stadium in Soweto.

Figures in the early 1990s suggest that the proportion was only 8.4 per cent in 1993 compared with Western Europe (69.9 per cent), Asia (49.7 per cent), North America (33 per cent) and Latin America (19.4 per cent). Several factors account for this slow progress including lack of political will, weak inter-country infrastructural facilities, political instability, economic nationalism, suspicions of dominance by large states, divisions along colonial heritage, etc. Clearly, the challenges are mostly political in nature. A major failing of these past efforts, therefore, has been the focus on the political leadership and the neglect of nonstate actors in the integration process. Indeed, it was not until the 1990s that African leaders gave non-state actors a strong voice in the continent’s integration initiatives. At the Conference on Security, Stability, Development and Cooperation in Africa (CSSDCA) organised by the Africa Leadership Forum (ALF) and held in Kampala, Uganda in 1991, there was, for the first time, an extensive analysis and synthesis of how to promote regional cooperation and integration for Africa’s socio-economic development, security and stability which involved Africa’s civil society and other non-state actors. Participants at the conference agreed that “the process of integration is too important to be left to governments alone.... Equally important is the need to encourage and promote active involvement in the integration process of various socioeconomic actors such as trade unions, chambers of commerce, academics, women, youths and other professional associations.”

TO BE CONTINUED

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