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We won’t act to satisfy EFCC returns misguided interests in 10,000 euros to love scam victim forex market – CBN

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Reggae star, Victor Essiet, arraigned for alleged $86,376 fraud

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We won the battle, lost the war —Buhari ‘Continue to work together, accept supremacy of party’ P. 7 ... Govs meet Saraki, Dogara to resolve logjam

President Muhammadu Buhari accompanied by APC National Chairman, Chief John Odigie Oyegun being welcome by party leaders, among whom are the President of the Senate, Senator Bukola Saraki, (in hand shake), Speaker Rt Hon Yakubu Dogara and Deputy National Chairman South West, Engr Segun Oni on arrival to the NEC meeting in Abuja, yesterday.

NASS: How Saraki saved APC from embarrassment *PDP’s plan B was to hijack NASS leadership

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July 4, 2015

EFCC returns 10,000 euros to French love scam victim

he Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has returned 10,000 euros(N2.2m) to a French man who after meeting a Nigerian man online posing as a lady, thought he had found love but was scammed out of his savings. The victim identified as Francois Mercade had met Omodara Adedapo Oluseye, a male student of the College of Agriculture, Akure, who posed as a lady bearing the name Kate Williams on the Internet sometime in 2009, and they developed a relationship which was to ‘culminate in marriage’. In a statement issued by EFCC’s spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren, Mercade in the course of sustaining the relationship wired money to his fake lover at the instance of the latter. The statement reads, “The scam was reported to the Commission via a petition from the French Consulate in Lagos, on behalf of Mercade. “The petitioner alleged that he met a Nigerian beauty by name, ‘Kate Williams’ on the internet sometime in 2009 and they developed a relationship which was to culminate in marriage. ‘Williams’ was to relocate to join Mercade in France to consummate the relationship. “While Mercade planned the logistics of the relocation, ‘Williams’ who purportedly did some jobs for an unnamed company in Nigeria, came up

Ayodeji and Adedapo

with a story that the company refused to pay ‘her’ for job done. ‘She’ sought the assistance of Mercade and the ‘couple’ contacted a lawyer named ‘James Robert’, to procure traveling documents and also help her claim money from the company owing her. “Mercade parted with the sum of 25,000.00 Euros(N5.5m), through Western Union, in processing his brides’ passage with no bride in sight. Eventu-

ally, it dawned on him that he had been scammed. “Investigations into the matter by the Commission revealed that ‘Kate Williams’ is the pseudonym of Omodara Adedapo Oluseye, a male student of the College of Agriculture, Akure, who, however, resides in Ibadan Oyo state. “Omodara’s accomplice, Adesuyi Ayodeji Adedapo, assisted in collecting

the money transferred by the victim from the Akure, Ondo State branch of a new generation bank, using forged drivers’ license The two scammers were prosecuted on a two count charge of conspiracy and obtaining money by false pretences before a Federal High Court ,Lagos, convicted and sentenced on 13th June 2011, to one year imprisonment each without an option of fine.”

Raggae star, Essiet arraigned for alleged $86,376 fraud

fter his speculated kidnap last Saturday in Nsit Ubiom area of Akwa Ibom State, veteran reggae artiste, Victor Essiet of the 90s Mandators fame, yesterday was arraigned before an Ikeja Chief Magistrate Court for alleged fraud of $86,376(about N17.2m). He was arraigned alongside one Patricia Enobong before the court, presided by Chief Magistrate Y. E. Aje Afunnwa. They were alleged to have obtained the sum by false pretence from one Etim Maurice. The duo are facing a three -count charge bordering on conspiracy, felony, stealing and fraudulent obtaining, made against them by the police. But they pleaded not guilty to the charges when read to them in the court. The prosecutor, Superintendent of Police, Samson Ekikere said the

Essiet

defendants committed the alleged offences in October 2009 at Adeniran Ogunsanya, Surulere Lagos. He posited that the defendants obtained the said sum from Mau-

rice through Standard Chartered Bank under the false pretence of buying and delivering five Mack trucks meant to carry his goods which they failed to deliver.

According to Ekikere, the offence is contrary to section 312 (1)(a)(b) and punishable under section 312(3) of the criminal Laws of Lagos State of Nigeira 2011. Chief Magistrate Afunwa granted them bail in the sum of N5 million with two sureties who must be blood related, gainfully employed and must have verifiable addresses. She further ordered that the defendants should not travel outside Lagos without the approval of the Court. She also said that the defendants should deposit their international passports with the Court. The Magistrate adjourned the matter to October 28, 2015 for trial. It would be recalled that Essiet recently returned to Nigeria after a long sojourn in the US. Back in the days, he was known to sing alongside his late wife, Peggy, and has remained single since her demised.

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

July 4, 2015

NIGERIAN ACCENT

National language question

Has English language played its role well? When the country settled for English as its official language, it was well aware of the need to have a central medium of communication. In other climes, dominant indigenous language(s) is favoured in the choice of which to pick to fulfill this requirement. But with inter-ethnic rivalry among tribal and cultural nationalities in the country, neither of Igbo, Yoruba or Hausa, the dominant languages, nor any of the multitudinous other tongues could be favoured to fulfill this critical role in national development. But indeed, the choice of English is not bad. For one, the language, over time, has demonstrated itself as dynamic; able to absorb cultures and yield to hybridisation. These qualities have favoured it in assisting development initiatives of countries in Asia. For instance, Singaporeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s huge leap in development could be traced to its language policy, which reinforced English language exposure on its citizens. Hong Kong and now recently, Philippines have followed suit in this fashion. Though English language has been with Nigeria for more than two hundred years, not a few observers say that the language has not met the many expectations of Nigerians from such as a medium of expression, writes NICK UWERU.

t a workshop put together by the Department of Linguistics, Faculty of Arts, University of Ilorin, sometime in 1997, Victor Manfredi, a Fulbright scholar from African Studies Centre, Boston University, opened a new possibility for linguists in the country. He explained that Linguists in the US,

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July 4, 2015

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‘Yoruba, Igbo, Hausa still regional lingua franca’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3 his country, are highly sought after by telephone and computer based companies and not just as teachers in language research institutions. They write programs that help in processing information, he said at the time. This research work resulting in computer applications has helped in the creation of voice recognition software. This technology has immense uses in various fields like office stenography, transcription of court proceedings, media applications in the newsroom; in this instance, news reporters need not labour through grueling hours to transcribe lengthy interviews. Even the shadowy world of high level crime fighting, espionage and intelligence operation, voice recognition can be used to do voice identification (voice print). All these potentials can only be accessed with a well developed language, widely spoken so as to attract government backing, funding and varied range of experts in the field. Manfredi, an expert in syntactic mappings of the Niger-Kongo languages (family of languages spoken in the West African sub-region and beyond) believes that the application suits major languages spoken in Nigeria, like Igbo, Yoruba and Hausa because the languages as it were, has been standardized. As much as this holds out a great deal of prospect for the country in terms of development in all spheres of life, there is a major snag: none of these indigenous languages is accepted as the country’s national language; none of them is accepted by all tribal nationalities in the country and officially backed by government policy as such. No thanks to ethnic pride, the languages have remained the lingua franca in their region of origin, spoken and taught in schools more out of ethnic pride or to fulfill some curricular requirements. Manfredi has since returned to his native country, the US. Ordinarily, were University of Ilorin not situated in peculiar clime like Nigeria where tribal politics pervasively determines almost every policy direction, his scholarly stimulation may have germinated and bore fruits by now. This is because the language departments of the faculty in the University of Ilorin (Modern European Languages, MEL, at the time, and Linguistics) were largely leading in the field of Formal Linguistics, according to Manfredi at the time. Maybe by now, the average reporter in vernacular based medium may well have transcriber software installed in his computer; our court clerks may have less work to do recording court proceedings; even so will lawmakers have easier access to printouts of their proceedings. With crime going hitech, voice identification of criminals over the GSM or other gadgets would have been made possible just as long he or

she speaks any of the languages captured by this application. This snag, notwithstanding, same result could be achieved with the next best language settled for as the country’s official language: English. Introduced into the country by the British, colonial overlord of Nigeria and a number of African countries in Africa, the Caribbean and other parts of the world, English, in Nigeria is the language of officialdom. It is also the

language of politics, media, teaching in schools, diplomacy and commerce. Since 1956, scholars have been fascinated with the prospect of having Standard Nigerian English, SNE, much like the Singaporean standard, South African Standard, Australian standard and so on. As defined by experts SNE is a dialect of English spoken in Nigeria. Though based on British English, increasing contact with the United States,

US, has forced to incorporate some words of American English origins. As a result, two of Nigeria’s central examination bodies, WAEC and NECO, allow for the use of coinages and words from any of these English varieties, so long as there is consistency. Additionally, SNE has some new words and collocations which come from the CONTINUED ON PAGE 5

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July 4, 2015

Can there be Nigerian English? With Oxford English Dictionary, OED, incorporating new words from what used to be hybrid English varieties in Asian countries, what does it say of efforts to evolve globally accepted Nigerian English standard? She’s a dinky-di Pommie Sheila. (Australian English, native speaker variety, meaning “she’s a typical Englishwoman”) I might could do it. (Spoken in the Appalachian Mountain region of the USA as well as many parts of Scotland. It means “I might be able to do it.”) The lass didn’t gan to the pictures, pet. ‘Geordie’, speech of the Tyneside area of Northeastern England; It means “The girl didn’t go to the cinema.”) They’re a lousy team any more. (Northeastern USA; meaning considered mysterious because it means, “They used to be a good team but now they are lousy”) I am not knowing where to find a stepney. (Indian English expression and it means “I don’t know where to find a spare wheel.”) English language speakers across the world were thrown into excitement last week after Oxford English Dictionary, OED, added fresh list of new words into its lexicon. The buzz may not be in the words themselves, rather, the etymology or the origin of the new set of lexis says so much about just how hybridised the English language may well have become since it became world’s number one lingua Franca. English is Nigeria’s official language. For more than 50 years, there has been efforts further develop the Nigerian variety of the language into something that could have a global reckoning. Apparently from the recent release by OED, other countries with sim-

ilar linguistic traits like Nigeria have been more successful. Most of the new words in the English dictionary as recently included come from Asia, though there were some that originated from traditional English speaking places. For instance, twerk and FLOTUS were added to English lexicon. OED Editor, Danica Salazar, said in London that the word

twerk, a dance popularised by music stars and Internet memes, actually dated back about 200 years as a combination of twist and jerk first spelled as ``twirk.’’ He said the use of twerk to describe a type of dance, which emphasises the performer’s posterior, has its roots in the early 1990s in the New Orleans ‘bounce’ music scene. Salazar said the word itself

seems to originate from more than 170 years before that. ``Joining twerk in the updated online OED is the acronym FLOTUS, or First Lady of the U.S. ``A term that the First Lady, Michelle Obama, felt obliged to explain to London schoolgirls last week when she mentioned her FLOTUS Twitter handle,’’ he said. But the real excitement are the Asian originating words. The editor said Philippine word carnap, meaning to “kidnap,” or steal, a car, originated in the mid20th century in the U.S. but was no longer used there. He said another word from the Philippines was presidentiable, “a person who is a likely or confirmed candidate for president.” Salazar said throughout the years, Filipino English speakers have been adapting the vocabulary of this once foreign tongue, using it to express their own identity and way of life. ``Many additions refer to “specific elements of Philippine culture, such as greetings and terms of address. “The boundless optimism of Filipinos and their unshakeable belief that things will work out in their favour in the end is reflected in the phrase bahala na.” Salazar said several other new entries are from South Asia and South-east Asia, where several hundred million people use English as a first or second language. Katherine Martin, the OED’s Head of U.S. dictionaries said the term “Batchmate’’ a member of the same graduation class as an-

other, was used in both Philippine and South Asian English. She noted that among the latest words popularised via the internet are crowdfunding, Internaut, webisode and photobomb. Martin said some words and phrases are so well-used that their inclusion in the list of new entries was perhaps surprising. She identified them as dartboard, tan line, young gun, South Korean, North Korean, Special Olympics, and self-immolate. What these development shows is dynamism of the English language. A country could adapt to suit its own way of life and develop its national life with it. There are several English language standards. For instance, the expressions above (adapted from a paper developed by Marphuz Adedimaji, PhD) demonstrates some regional types of the English language verities. Without proper interpretation to English as we know it, the meaning may not be easily discernible. If Philippines could develop its English language variety up to level where OED could have a look in on some of its words, why can’t the Nigerian English have the same status? Speaking on this, Mahfouz Adedimeji, an English lecturer at the University of Ilorin, said that English language is a living and dynamic language. “Borrowing is a sociolinguistic reality. English will continue to borrow words from other languages. If we also promote and project our languages, lexicographers can include them in future.

‘Proficiency in English still a problem’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4 need to express concepts specific to the culture of the nation, for example, there is ‘bride-price’, ‘senior wife’ and so on. But in furtherance of this belief in the existence of SNE, the Nigerian English Studies Association, NESA, published a dictionary of SNE. But properly developing the language to a level where it plays roles similar to a national language, rather than its official status has remained herculean on account of some factors. There is the problem of proficiency in the use of the language. With most Nigerians holding fast to their traditional languages as a matter of pride, learning English in Nigeria has often been hobbled by what experts call mother tongue inter-

ference. This is a situation where speakers articulate English through the grammar of their native tongue, either by the stringing of words together or in vocalization. As result, not a few linguists have suggested that Nigerian English, also a variation of SNE, be nationalized since there are larger numbers of speakers of the language in Nigeria. Even more, in regions like Niger Delta, and barracks across the country, most young and impressionable Nigerians speak it as a first language. Nigerian Pidgin, a pidgin derived from English, is more used in informal conversations than SNE. And there are large supporters of the move to have the variety formalized as National Language. In fact, some of Nigeria’s earliest lit-

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Since 1956, scholars have been fascinated with the prospect of having Standard Nigerian English, SNE, much like the Singaporean standard, South African Standard, Australian standard and so on

erature were written in pidgin. The ‘Palmwine Drinkard’ by Amos Tutuola, published before independence was written in pidgin. Literary analysts have described as broken English, a form of pidgin. Ken Saro-Wiwa, late Ogoni human rights activist published in 1985, ‘Soza Boy’, also in pidgin.

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Christopher Edewor, executive director, Youth Education Empowerment Initiative, YEEI, an educational non-governmental organization, is a vocal supporter of the formalization of pidgin. According to him, pidgin complements English. “Its introduction in school and other places will help CONTINUED ON PAGE 6

July 4, 2015

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

‘There is standard Nigerian English’

Mahfouz Adedimeji, PhD, lecturer with the Department of English, University of Ilorin, insists that there is already a Standard Nigerian English. More schools in major cities like Lagos have begun what they call ‘diction teaching’. They get instructors to teach pupils from the nursery on correct pronunciation and usage of English. Would you say that these may later result in mother tongue speakers of English? Teaching pupils ‘diction’ is not actually new. ‘Oral English’ and ‘Phonics’ have for many years been taught at pre-primary and primary stages of education to achieve the same purpose. Teaching correct pronunciation without affectation is a right step in the right direction. If what is worth doing at all is worth doing well, it goes without saying that a language that is worth speaking at all is worth speaking well. The English language is an international language and we should strive to speak it to attain international intelligibility, not just social acceptability. Speaking the English language correctly doesn’t make it become one’s mother tongue. Yet, one can attain a native-like control, which parents and teachers

your take on this? My take in making the English language the language of communication because of the children is that it is good. What is bad is denying children the ability or opportunity to speak their mother tongues. The more languages children are exposed to, the more cognitive sophistication one attains. There are schools in this regard, the English Only and the English Plus. Even in the West, especially the US, the latter school is gaining more ascendency. Speaking a single language, whether English or any other one, is like having one eye. We would rather have a third eye than be confined to the limits of one eye.

Adedimeji

try to achieve in their children and pupils. English will continue to be a Second Language (SL) in Nigeria but a Second Language can still be spoken fluently and proficiently, like a First Language.

More and more, parents at home now make English the language of communication. For them the belief is that children who learn the language from home are better equipped to grasp learning sessions in school more. What is

With English as world dominant language and believed to be necessary for national development, to what extent does ‘Ife Project’ hold much relevance? The relevance of “Ife Project” lies in its credibility. The English language is for everyone but our people say ten eyes are not like one’s own. We can actually have English without losing our

languages, which should be promoted. No country has attained true development based on the language of others solely. The achievements of such countries as Japan, China, Russia, Malaysia, etc. are rooted in not discarding their languages. Language is the pedigree of nations. Recently, Oxford English Dictionary, OED, made inclusions into English words. As gathered, most of the new words came from Asian countries like the Philippines. What does it say of these countries’ English standards? The English language is a living and dynamic language. Borrowing is a sociolinguistic reality. English will continue to borrow words from other languages. If we also promote and project our languages, lexicographers can include them in future. Can we say that there is, effectively a Standard Nigerian English? There is Standard Nigerian English. This has been the focus of scholars since 1958...

‘Some say pidgin English is better as national language’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5

most of our pupils and students especially in the North. If you go to most government offices, you will discover that most of the workers cannot speak properly and yet are graduates. So it is a welcome idea as long as messages can be passed across and understood properly,” Edewor said. But for Ladidi Maidodo, a television producer, pidgin could be limiting in scope. “It means we cannot connect with the global village,” he said. For Binta Abdullahi, a civil servant, it is a ‘no please’. “Pidgin should not be introduced. We have not finished learning proper English to start with, which one is pidgin?” she asked. But for men like John Dara, a politician argument is neither here nor there. “The controversy over the importance of language in education will always be with us,” he explained. But he says that learning process will be better if taught in mother tongue. “The problem is that of standardization. Lingua franca as a unifying force must not necessarily be taught in all of the geographical regions as each

region can adopt the most commonly spoken language by each. For example, Hausa is mostly spoken in the north even though there are other languages. So it can be adopted and the same goes for the other regions,” Dara said. There are studies that backs Dara’s claim. For instance, in 1986, a research called the Ife Project was carried out with primary school pupils to determine which medium was best suited for learning in the South West. Two set of pupils where taught separately; one with English, the other with Yoruba. By the end of the test, the set of pupils taught in Yoruba performed far better than the other one. But for Uzoma Ihedirimadu Abudu, executive director, Pyramid of Excellence Schools, Abuja, native language cannot help Nigerians in the global stage. “English remains the best means of communication with our students in school. It is a language of prestige and of the elite. Nigerians will always communicate with others from other countries and English will be the means of communication, she said.

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

NATIONAL NEWS

July 4, 2015

APC won the battle, lost the war —Buhari

•‘Continue to work together, respect supremacy of party’ ... APC govs to meet Saraki, Dogara to solve logjam ... Tinubu Osibanjo absence: They are not NEC members —Mohammed Obiora Ifoh Abuja

resident Muhammadu Buhari yesterday appealed that all members of the All Progressives Congress, APC, should forgo their ambition and submit themselves to party supremacy, even as he emphasised that though the party won the general election, but it has failed to overcome the inherent crisis. President Buhari also warned against denigration of party authority by party leaders and other elected officers of the party, whom he said became what they are by virtue of being members of the party. This was just as the APC National Publicity Secretary, Lai Mohammed, said NEC has provided an enabling environment to look into ways of resolving the National Assembly logjam. Mohammed said: “Later in the day, the governors will be meeting with the Speaker and the Senate President in a further attempt to find a lasting solution to the lingering logjam at the National Assembly. The less said about this logjam the better it’ll be for not only this party but the whole nation. It is for the interest of everyone who voted for change. When you talk about party’s supremacy, it is derived from the constitution.” Buhari, while addressing the first APC National Executive Council, NEC, after the general elections, emphasised that with the efforts put into forging the alliance of opposition political parties that metamorphosed to the APC, ‎they should not at this moment embark on activities that would disintegrate pre-election cohesiveness. The well-attended meeting witnessed some APC members protesting outside the party secretariat,

chanting songs that nobody should override party supremacy. It was also observed that the party’s national leader, Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu and Vice-President Yemi Osibanjo did not attend the meeting. But Mohammed said both Tinubu and Osinbajo are not members of the APC NEC, adding that the NEC and the National Working Committee, NWC, of the party always use their “discretion on who to invite or not and it is not out of respect to question why they are not here, but the bottom line is that neither of them are members of the exco of the party.” Buhari said: “I appeal in the name of God that whatever is anybody ambition, let us put it aside; let us work so that our constituencies will be happy. Let us work to satisfy our constituencies. Please, continue to work together. Please accept the superiority of the party.” The president reminded them that elections have come and gone “and APC won the battle and lost the war; this is the paradox of democracy and we can see how we can manage it, by going forward. “I have already appealed to you through our governors, National Assembly members and other top members of our party that APC should not disappoint Nigerians. We have to convince our various constituencies that we are individually worthy of the various sacrifices they have made, travelled all over and made sure the party won the election”. On the emergence of Bukola Saraki and Yakubu Dogara as Senate President and Speaker House of Representatives respectively, which has polarised the APC, Buhari reminded them that “human actions are not perfect; let our collective actions prove that

we have won the battle and will eventually win the war. “As for me as the President, I have to understand the constitution. I have successfully contested election three times; successfully lost three times and also successfully lost three times at the Supreme Court and I think I have the experience. What happened to the APC shows that we won by the power of the Almighty God.” He told the NEC that

with all the forces at its command, PDP would not have conceded defeat and congratulated them for the courage. He added: “I appeal in the name of God, let us work so that our constituencies will be happy. Let us work to satisfy our constituencies. Please, continue to work together. Please accept the superiority of the party”. APC National Chairman, Chief John OdigieOyegun, in his remarks,

noted that after the last NEC in January in Port Harcourt, they had not met till yesterday, “because of preparations for the election and transition.” He reminded them that “victory was by combined efforts of stakeholders from the ward level to the national level, noting that it was Buhari’s charisma, incorruptibility and concern for the down trodden that provided the opportunity to chart a new course for

the country, through a landslide victory at the polls. He added: “Among the agenda for this meeting is the ratification of the membership of the BoT. We want to complete the composition and ensure that all organs of the party come into operation. “We also have to discuss the political challenges we are passing through which we assure you will be dealt with before the National Assembly resumes.”

L-R: President Muhammadu Buhari with National Chairman All Progressives Congress (APC) , Chief John Oyegun, during the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of All Progressives Congress (APC) at the party Headquarters in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO :ROTIMI OSASONA

APC NEC passes vote of confidence on Odigie-Oyegun Olajide Olajide Reprieve yesterday seemed to have come the way of the National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, as the party’s National Executive Committee, NEC, passed a vote of confidence on him. Odigie-Oyegun, who has been under fire from different categories of membership of the APC over his role in the leadership tussle that almost tore the National Assembly into shreds and has been called

upon severally to resign from office, got the nod of the APC NEC to continue in office at its first meeting since after the 2015 elections yesterday in Abuja. APC National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, announced the party’s decision while briefing newsmen about details of the outcome of the NEC meeting. The National Publicity Secretary also said the meeting agreed on two major issues, one of which was that party supremacy is sacrosanct. He added: “The Senate

President and the Speaker of the House of Representatives also pledged to find lasting solution to the logjam in the National Assembly. “It was agreed that the party should be supreme. Secondly, this government must work. It must deliver on its campaign promises and bring about the change the people of Nigeria want.” Admitting that there was a problem, Mohammed emphasised that the NEC had provided an enabling environment to resolve the party issues.

He said: “We have a problem and we must find the best way to resolve it, this house which is the APC, must not fall. “The less we say about the logjam the better for the nation, let us dwell on issues that can move the country forward, bring about cohesion, not just in the party but in the polity. “I cannot say yes or no that the Senate President and the Speaker have been accepted, because I will be pre-empting NEC, but the party is working to resolve the crisis.”

News

July 4, 2015

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

NASS: How Saraki saved APC from zzPDP’s plan B was to hijack NASS embarrassment leadership Olajide Omojolomoju

he emergence of former governor of Kwara State and senator representing Kwara Central as the Senate President saved the ruling All Progressives Congress from a huge national embarrassment that the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, planned for it. Despite the fact that Saraki’s emergence has continued to generate ripples within the ruling APC, Saturday Mirror gathered that although PDP senators had decided to vote enbloc for Saraki to spite former governor of Lagos State and APC national leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, they also hatched a plan ‘B,’ which was to capitalise on the division within the APC to hijack the Senate Presidency. According to an insider source who pleaded anonymity, the alternative plan was to nominate former Senate President, David Mark, as one of the contenders for the office of Senate President, with the belief

that he would garner the majority votes against APC candidates. He said: “We planned to use the division within the rank of APC senators to hijack the Senate Presidency, believing that we have the requisite number of senators to win the plum seat and we would have gotten away with the coup!” Asked how that would have been possible, he enthused that the 1999 Constitution as amended in Section 50, did not stipulate that a particular party should occupy the presiding officer’s seat, but rather stated that senators shall appoint from among them a presiding officer. He also added that had APC senators stayed away from proceedings on June 9, PDP senators would have held the plenary and elected one of them, preferably, Mark, as Senate President. He said: “We would have gotten away with it. Senate Standing Rule 10 provides that one-third of members of the Senate forms quorum for the Senate to sit. Onethird of 109 is 37 and we have

49 members and with all of us on the floor, we have more members than the required quorum.” He added that on the other hand, with the division among APC senators over Saraki and Ahmad Lawan’s candidacies, neither of them would have mustered the required simple majority to emerge Senate President, adding that Saraki and Lawan would have shared the 58 APC senators among both of them while all 49 PDP senators would have voted

It pointed out that based on its believe that the 48 per cent drop in oil prices may not be transitory, bold policy changes were undertaken, including closure of the subsidised Official FX Window, which resulted in a 22 per cent depreciation in the Naira, which remained justified. CBN noted further that because the Nigerian economy was heavily dependent on imports and the exchange rate pass-through to inflation is high, it believed that this adjustment was optimal at this time. Expatiating further, the apex bank stated that contrary to the article’s argument, adjustments to a sharp decline in supply of US dollars cannot all be borne by an indeterminate depreciation, without considering the full impact on the Nigerian economy. It added that the demand side also had to be considered, not just in response to the pressure on the naira but as an opportunity to change the economy’s

structure, resuscitate local manufacturing, and expand job creation for our citizens. CBN clarified: “The CBN does not panic and will not take desperate measures to satisfy few misguided interests in the market. “The CBN believes that Nigeria cannot attain its full potentials by importing anything and everything. For far too long, this trend has significantly weakened the operating capacities of

for Mark. It would be recalled that the straw poll conducted by APC showed Lawan polling 32 votes out of 58, which by implication means that in the proper election, he would have polled same 32, while Saraki may poll 26 and Mark would have polled 49 votes. And since election of Senate President is by a simple majority, Mark would have emerged and his emergence could have been valid. Recall that in the mock

election conducted by the APC to choose its consensus Senate President, that Senator Ahmed Lawan polled 39 votes to defeat Senator Bukola Saraki who polled 26 votes. Therefore if all the members of the APC were present on the Senate without reaching a consensus, Senator Mark would have been re-elected Senate President of the 8th National Assembly with the block votes of the 49 PDP senators. However, Mark’s decision

not to put himself up for election saved the day and gave Saraki victory, thus nipping what would have been the greatest coup in the political history of the nation in the bud. Another clincher was also Saraki’s appearance on the floor of the red chamber, against all odds, having been allegedly pencilled down for either abduction or being totally barred from entering the National Assembly grounds.

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (right) with Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun (left) during the All Progressives Congress (APC) NEC meeting in Abuja, on Friday, July 03, 2015

We won’t act to satisfy misguided interests in ••• faults Economist’s stance on selective forex market –CBN forex restriction Tola Akinmutimi

entral Bank of Nigeria, CBN, yesterday restated its commitment to ensure that the nation’s foreign exchange policy measures were guided by national interests rather than by the selfish interests of individuals or groups. The apex bank, in a statement issued by its Director, Corporate Communication, Ibrahim Mua’zu, in reacting to the The Economist’s stance on the recently adopted selective foreign exchange policy, said the measure was informed by the peculiar nature of the Nigerian economy and the need to promote its macroeconomic stability. Faulting The Economist’s position of the magazine in its article titled ‘Toothpick Alert’, as totally misplaced; CBN stated that the article seemed to ignore the fact that the exchange rate remained a price that is essentially determined by the forces of supply and demand.

our industries, but now is a good opportunity to begin a reversal.” It added that like other oil-exporting countries, Nigeria is grappling with its share of the aftermath of the oil price decline but that despite this, Nigeria’s economic fundamentals remain strong, noting that inflation still remained within the CBN’s single-digit band, the exchange rate had stabilised around N197 per US dollar for the last five

months, GDP expanded by 4 per cent in the first quarter of this year while 469,070 new jobs were created in the same quarter. Citing rice imports as example, the CBN queried that why should Nigeria keep allocating scarce FX to rice importers when vast amounts of paddy rice of comparable quality produced by poor hardworking local farmers across the rice belts of Nigeria are wasted, and farmers are

falling deeper into poverty while we export their jobs and income to rice producing countries? In what appeared a poser to the publishers of the magazine, the CBN stated that if the article believes the CBN should adjust to reflect the current parallel market rate, why was this suggestion not made in the week following the inauguration of President Buhari when the same rate fell sharply to under N190 per dollar?

Buhari, APC must succeed –Saraki Olajide Omojolomoju

enate President, Bukola Saraki, has reiterated the commitment of the 8th Senate to the success of President Muhammadu Buhari-led All Progressives Congress, APC, administration in its efforts to change situation of things in Nigeria for the better. Saraki spoke in Abuja when APC state chairmen from across the country visited him in Abuja, pledging

that the Senate would not disappoint Nigerians and neither would APC senators abandon the party on whose platform they made promises of development, security and improved standard of living to the people. In a statement from his media office, Saraki said: “Finally I want to use this opportunity to assure you of our cooperation with the executive arm led by President Buhari, with the party and its members across the

country. I want to reassure you that all of us, APC senators, are committed to ensuring that APC is successful so that we can continue to win elections for many years after because of the foundation we are laying.” Commending the party chairmen and Nigerians for their efforts and sacrifices that led to APC’s victory in the last general elections, he said: “It is now our responsibility to pay back so that you can sit back and say that our

efforts were not in vain and that those we elected made this party proud and made this country great.” Earlier, chairman of the state Chairmen of APC in Nigeria, Umar Haruna Doguwa, from Kano State, said the group was in the Senate to congratulate the Senate President and all APC senators for their victory during the 2015 general elections and the leadership for their selection by their colleagues.

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Nick Uwru

ormer governor of old Kaduna State and chairman, Movement for Unity and Progress, MUP, Col. Abubakar Dangiwa Umar, has strongly advised President Mohammadu to quiz state governors who have been unable to meet fiscal obligations in their states on how they got themselves into the mess in the first place. The fiery political commentator said that the governors have not justifiably acquitted themselves on why the Federal Government should provide them with bail out.

NATIONAL NEWS

July 4, 2015

Expressing his disgust at the manner the governors went to Abuja to seek assistance from Buhari, Umar, in a signed statement, a copy of which was obtained by Saturday Mirror, stated that it is not at all clear if state governors ever gave thought to the political and even ethical implications of their demands on the Federal Government. He said: “Doesn’t it ever occur to them that by always coming to the federal government cap in hand, they expose their own sordid impotence and give additional ammunition to those that question the wisdom of running our peculiar federation through so many states and local governments?

Umar to Buhari: Bar govs from Aso Rock *Blames military for creating non-viable states, LGs

“Are they aware that the public has gained the impression that states are run without fiscal discipline, especially where the egos and whims of the governors are quite large?” The former military governor believes that the development where states are unable to meet their

fiscal obligation aptly demonstrates that many states created by the military are not viable. He said: “It is evident that most of the states and local governments are not viable and should not have been created in the first place. One of the greatest disservices to the nation

by some military regimes was the creation of these unviable, revenue guzzling administrative structures.” Over 26 states, according to the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, are owing workers accumulated salary arrears raising major worries amongst workers and other stakeholders.

But the former governor of old Kaduna State puts the blame squarely at the door steps of the governors because, according to him, “current desperate financial situation of most state governments or at least those of them that have declared insolvency, is a nightmare long foretold.”

I never said President’ll release ministerial list “in a few days’’ —Mohammed

ational Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has debunked stories making the round that President Muhammadu Buhari will release ministerial list ‘in a few day’, credited to him. In a press statement he made available to Saturday Mirror yesterday, Mohammed said: “My attention has been drawn to a report in a section of the media on Thursday quoting me as saying that President Buhari will release his minis-

terial list ‘in a few days’. “This is a distortion of what I told journalists on Thursday at Oro, Kwara State, during the 9th Lai Mohammed Ramadan Lecture. What I said was that the delay in the release of the ministerial list was caused by the unprecedented transition of power from the ruling party to the opposition and the fact that the handover note was not given to the Transition Committee set up by the incoming government until four days to the presidential inauguration.

Boko Haram: RTEAN urges Nigerians to seek God’s intervention

… Distributes gift items to over 750 IDPs in Abuja Adeola Tukuru ABUJA

oad Transport Employer’s Association of Nigeria, RTEAN, has called on Nigerians to seek God’s intervention to curb insurgency occasioned by the Islamic sect, Boko Haram, in the country. RTEAN National President, Alhaji Musa Isiwele Shehu, noted this yesterday when he distributed gift items to over 750 Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, in their camp, in New

Kuchingoro located along the Airport road in Abuja, emphasising that Nigerians should embrace love as well as seek God’s intervention towards surmounting the current security challenges. He further observed that Nigeria was suffering from lack of love and harmony among her people. The RTEAN boss opined that the dearth of love among Nigerians had given birth to distrust, intolerance, hatred and unwarranted violence among the citizens of this country.

President Muhammadu Buhari, (2nd right), National Chairman of All Progressive Congress, (APC), Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki and Speaker, House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara (far left) at the APC NEC meeting in Abuja on Friday.

CET: 1m Nigerians may lose jobs *Local drug manufactures raise alarm

Muda Oyeniran

hould the Federal Government go ahead with the implementation of a recently adopted Common External Tariff, CET, by the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, over one million Nigerians currently employed by the local drug manufacturing industry risk losing their jobs. Pharmaceutical Manufacturer Group of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, PMG-MAN,

which raised the alarm at a press conference in Lagos on Thursday said the policy, if implemented, would reverse the gains made towards the nation’s self-sufficiency in essential medicine and open all doors for total importation of finished medicines Speaking through its Chairman, Mr. Okey Akpa, PMG-MAN said it was regrettable that the damaging consequences of the policy on the local pharmaceutical manufacturing sector were not considered despite its desperate attempts to draw attention to it.

Akpa said: “This policy undoubtedly spells doom for the local industry as imported medicines will become far cheaper than locally produced ones. This situation is inimical to the survival of the local pharmaceutical manufacturing sector, and there is a need for an urgent review.” Speaking on other consequences of CET, the PMG-MAN boss said that lack of demand for locally manufactured medicines as a result of cheap imports would lead to idle capacities and negatively impact previous investments in

the sector worth over N300 billion He added: “A weak local manufacturing sector will inevitably lead to an influx of cheap imported medicines of doubtful quality. A weak or non-existent local manufacturing industry would lead to a dearth of skilled manpower and ultimately a massive brain drain from the industry.” PMG-MAN therefore called for a complete review of the policy, saying this was essential for the growth of the local pharmaceutical manufacturing industry.

NATIONAL NEWS

APC USA charges NEC on honesty, transparency Olajide Omojolomoju

nited States of America chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC-USA, has charged the newly constituted National Economic Council, NEC, to display honesty and transparency in all its dealings. In a statement by its international secretarial, APC-USA, while congratulating members of the NEC, under the able leadership of the Vice president, Prof Yemi osinbajo, said the the NEC membership is highly commendable, adding that the constitution of the council signified that it’s no longer business as usual and President Muhammadu Buhari has started work in earnest, thus diffusing the perception of slow pace of work since assumption of office in May. It said: “To members of NEC, we say that the purpose and your call to duty is timely and recommend honesty and transparency in all your dealings! We

trust that your team will further leave no stone unturned in helping deliver Nigeria from local and international accumulated financial shame and disgrace. “Be aware that Nigerians and the international community are looking forward to significant improvement in Nigeria’s financial systems, economic development and business relationships. Please discard selfishness, pride, in the entire process; rather use collective-divergent knowledge, skills and abilities accordingly. Commending President Buhari for including in the terms of reference of the NEC pervasive corruption; fuel and power shortages; public service reforms; and the need to allow every tier of government to exercise its constitutional responsibilities, among others; APC-USA said: “This administration is fully committed to embarking on sustainable visionary initiatives and programs that will restructure and transform our national economy.

July 4, 2015

BVN: Disabled Nigerians allege discrimination Adeola Tukuru ABUJA

xecutive Director of Centre for Citizens with Disabilities, CCD, Mr. David Anyaele, has condemned in the strongest terms the discrimination against persons with disabilities by the Central bank of Nigeria, CBN, and other banks in the ongoing Biometric Verification Number, BVN, registration due to lack of access to banking halls and services by Persons Living with Disabilities, PLD. Anyaele, while briefing the press yesterday in Abuja, called for continues biometric registration of bank customers without deadline to ensure proper capturing of all Nigerian bank customers irrespective of ability or disability. He said: “We are worried that CBN/Nigerian banks are yet to remove barriers hindering persons with disabilities from participating in the banking activities due to limited access to banking halls as the oval doors at the banks discriminates persons on wheelchairs and crutches. He explained that in 2012, CCD carried out a survey of

PDP condemns Borno attacks

… Stands with President Buhari on anti-terror efforts Obiora Ifoh ABUJA

eoples Democratic Party, PDP, has condemned in strong terms continued terror attacks, particularly the mindless killing of over 145 Nigerians in Borno State on Thursday. The party in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh on Friday, quoted the acting National Chairman of the PDP, Prince Uche Secondus, saying that it was extremely grieved by the killings, which cannot be

justified under any guise, while calling on Nigerians to present a common front against insurgency. It said: “Indeed, the time has come for all Nigerians, irrespective of ethnic, religious and political affiliations to be in one accord in the fight against terrorism in our dear country. “In this challenge, the PDP stands with President Muhammadu Buhari and the nation on any measure adopted by the Federal Government aimed at ending this ugly experience. We may not be on the same page on some policy issues, but not when

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it comes to matters that directly affect the security of our citizens and our stability as a nation.” While calling on those behind the insurgency to embrace peace and end the senseless bloodshed, the party commiserated with the government of Borno State, the families of those who lost their lives and prayed God to give them the fortitude to bear the loss. It also called on all citizens to continue to support and pray for the security forces as they risk their lives while defending the nation.

160 banks in Lagos State to determine the level of accessibility of banking halls and services to persons living with disabilities in the state. He said: “The survey revealed startling results. It concluded that 98 per cent of the banks surveyed where inaccessible to persons living with disabilities and only two banks had limited access to persons living with disabilities. Anyaele noted that “the level of inaccessibility for persons living with disabilities to banking premises and halls has become worrisome, thus denying them opportunities to facilities that could enable them generate income, alleviate poverty and contribute to the socio-economic development of the society.” He said activities of the banking sector have implications on the following provisions of the Lagos State Special Peoples Law 2010: Section 21 which

states that no person with disability shall be discriminated against on grounds of his or her disability by any person or institution in any manner or circumstances whatsoever. His words: “Section 22(1) provides that ‘no person with disability shall be subjected to torture, cruelty or inhuman degrading treatment’. The attitude of staff and environment perpetrates this. “Section 24 provides that in “Lagos State a persons living with disabilities shall have the right and necessary facilities to access public building and public places. “And that ‘no public building shall be constructed without the necessary accessibility aids such as lifts (where necessary), ramps and others that shall make them accessible and usable to persons living with disabilities’. “We appreciate the ef-

forts of CBN to regulate and protect bank customers through introduction of BVN, but this was designed at the exclusion of persons with disabilities. “We recognized the need to ensure accountability, check identity theft, reduce exposure to fraud, and enhance credit advancement to bank customers, protect bank customers’ account from unauthorized access and also encourage financial inclusion. “We are therefore insisting on a proper consideration of our complaint and also serving notice of our preparedness to seek judicial review if necessary. Anyaele also called on President Mohammadu Buhari, to sign the Discrimination Against Persons with Disability Bill currently awaiting his assent, adding that this will reduce the pain and agony of people living with disability in Nigeria.

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REGIONAL NEWS

July 4, 2015

Ambode warns Nigerians on cyber fraudsters South WEST

agos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Friday alerted the general public on the activities of some impostors impersonating him via various social media platforms with the intention of defrauding unsuspecting citizens. The Governor in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Habib Aruna, said some unscrupulous characters are attempting to capitalize on his goodwill to dupe members of the public

particularly his associates. He said he had been inundated with complaints from his associates alerting of the rapid proliferation of his identity in cyberspace under different platforms, especially the social media, with obvious intents to defraud Nigerians. The Governor said a faceless character who currently operates with the e-mail: a_ambode@ yahoo.com is going about soliciting for CVs from his friends and acquaintanc-

….Approves welfare support for abandoned mother of triple twins

agos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Friday directed his deputy, Dr. Mrs. Oluranti Adebule to effect the immediate rehabilitation and provision of welfare assistance to Mrs. Ruth Uche, the mother of three set of twins whose husband absconded from their home in Agege, Lagos. This was contained in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Habib Aruna. Governor Ambode’s directive followed newspaper publications which narrated the ordeal of the woman, who spoke with reporters during her distress visit to the Government Secretariat, Alausa on Thursday. The Governor who was visibly touched after reading the plight of the woman and her children, noted that as a responsible government, the well-being of the people of the State irrespective of their ethnic, religious or political affiliation is paramount to his administration and assured that his government will continue to provide good leadership that will guarantee adequate protection of lives and properties of all Lagosians.

Her husband, Mr. Benjamin Uche was alleged to have absconded from home as a result of the expected birth of another set of twins from his wife, making it the third in a row. While acknowledging the present economic situation in the country, the Governor noted that it is not proper for anyone to abandon his family, especially young children that they willingly brought to life, admonishing that it is only when such children are properly taking care of that they can achieve their full potentials in life and become responsible citizens in the future.

es for appointments. He also alerted the public on the multiple identities these faceless persons operate on Facebook

with his name and photographs. The Governor therefore urged Nigerians to disregard entreaties from such

persons calling on them to report to the law enforcement agencies to ensure that those behind the nefarious act can be made to

President, Women Arise, Dr. Joe Okei Odumakin (2nd right), Principal, Ojudu Junior Grammer School, Mrs. Adebola Kolawole (right) with students of the school when Dr. Okei-Odumakin celebrated her birthday with students of her alma mata at the school assembly ground in Lagos, yesterday.

Sexual assault victims, care givers need support —Mirabel Centre Juliet Umeh

rs Itoro EzeAnaba, Managing partner, Partnership For Justice, owner of Mirable Center has called on government and relevant stakeholders to give support to care givers and sexually assaulted victims. She made this call on Wednesday during the two anniversary of

Mirabel Centre, the first referral center for sexual abused victims in Nigeria. The center has handled 737 victims of rape. This number includes a 10 month old baby and 70 year old woman. Statistics from the Centre indicates that Alimosho has the highest number of victims with 128. Others include Kosofe, 91; Agege, 80; Oshodi-Isolo, 72 and Ikeja, 56. Anaba said the issue of

rape and sexual assault is not dealt with by one person alone but collectively. That is why, according to her, “we have partners so that where we are not able to function effectively because of limited resources; the media can go further and talk about it.” She therefore advocates for the co-operation of corporate bodies. While explaining what necessitated the opening

ARFH hands over Lagos HIV vulnerable children project Oseyiza Oogbodo

he Association for Reproductive and Family Health (ARFH) has formally handed over the orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) in Lagos supported by the Global Fund through the Global Fund Round 9 Phase 11 HIV/AIDS Grant to the Lagos State Govern-

face the wrath of the law. Governor Ambode also assured that efforts will be made to nab those behind the dastardly act.

ment. Speaking at the handover during the week, Kehinde Osinowo of ARFH explained that the project was specifically targeted at children infected with or made vulnerable through HIV/AIDS and that they were handed over to the LASG to continue with their care as the Global Fund provided just the funds to take care of them

from January 1st, 2013 to June 30th, 2015. “We selected only OVCs in dire need of education, skills, health services and other psycho-social services,” she added. “The phenomenal increase in the number of vulnerable children from all causes is an issue of great concern and calls for more concerted efforts to reduce the burden of OVC in Lagos State.”

Also speaking, Omobolanle Ogunmola, Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Women Affairs, promised that Lagos wouldn’t do anything less than what Global Fund had already done for the children and added that Lagos might even take up the care of their parents, in instances where their parents are still alive.

of the centre, Mrs. EzeAnaba, noted that the increase in reported cases of sexual violence, especially child sexual abuse, has become a topic for national discourse. “One of the biggest challenges in seeking justice for the survivors is the absence of reliable and verifiable date and lack of support services, hence the situation has led to many survivors not seeking for help nor reporting to the police,” she said. Director of clinical services, Dr Adedokun, who represented Prof. Wale Oke, Chief Medical Director, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, LASUTH at the event, said many do not believe sexual violation also known as rape exist. “But with the Mirabel Centre coming on board it became very obvious that it is one of the problems we actually need to tackle in this part of the world. We need organizations like Mirabel Centre for men and women who cannot speak for themselves,” Dr Adedokun said.

REGIONAL NEWS

July 4, 2015

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Goje alleges politicisation of case by EFCC Williams Attah Gombe

mmediate past governor of Gombe State and a serving Senator, Mohammad Danjuma Goje, has alleged that the ongoing court suit against him for money laundering and embezzlement of funds belonging to the state government was politically motivated. Senator Goje stated this yesterday through his Counsel, Chris Uche (SAN) during an interview with newsmen immediately after the over three years’ case was again adjourned till 14th October, 2015 at the Federal High Court in Gombe. According to Chris Uche who presented to the court, evidence that contracts awarded by the accused during his tenure as Gombe State Governor followed due process, said Goje should not be prosecuted for his excellent performance during his eight year tenure. He said, “We are happy with this development and we have been saying all this for a while that, this is a political case, that a man like Goje who did so much for this state should not be

prosecuted in this manner, the prosecutors do not have a case and we have been able to demonstrate that through the questions and the answers we got from the witness, those documents we are tendering is going to destroy this case.” He added that based on the evidence, the defence counsel had elicited from the witness brought by the Economic Financial Crime Commission (EFCC), it has confirmed that contracts awarded by the accused during his administration as governor followed due process contrary to the claims by the prosecutor, and that this may destroy the court suit. But EFCC’s counsel, Shittu Wahab, who also denied the allegation during an interview with newsmen, said the EFCC as a reputable organisation must not be seen in the case as a persecutor but rather a prosecutor. According to him, the prosecution was for the interest of justice alone adding that only the court has jurisdiction to form an opinion on the case. He said those documents been presented that seemed

against the prosecution were actually tendered deliberately because they were for contracts of different categories that were awarded on the same day. Earlier, during the court hearing, the accused counsel sought to tender documents formed from series of evidence brought by the EFCC in the course of their investigation. The documents which contained copies of due process of certification in award

of contracts, copy of minutes from meeting by State Universal Basic Education Board ( SUBEB), evidence of confirmation of contract award by Universal Basic Education Commission Abuja, evidence of signatory by chairman and secretary of the board, evidence of meeting attendance by twelve members the board, among others. The defense counsel prayed that the documents were perfectly admissible

and that the court should tender the documents as evidence against the EFCC. Counsel to the prosecutor however admitted no objection to all documents tendered but objected to the evidence of receipt of advance payment for contract on the basis that they were not certified, which the accused counsel withdrew immediately. Wahab also asked the court to admit the documents in whole rather than

allowing the accused counsel select the document. The presiding judge, Justice Babatunde Quadiri, having considered submissions by both counsels tendered some of the documents as court evidence saying, the court proceeding must strictly adhere to the rules. He however announced adjournment of the sitting to 14th to 16th of October for further hearing.

Representative of Director-General of NEMA, Mr. Daniel Atabo (2nd left) presenting relief materials to the Secretary, Askira-Uba LGA of Borno State, Alhaji Sanusi Bello (right), during the second phase of the agency’s integration programme for internally displace people, returnees in Uba town of Borno State on Thursday.

ALGON absolves Al-Makura over non-payment of LG salaries Igbawase Ukumba Lafia

ssociation of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) in Nasarawa State has absolved Governor Umaru Tanko Almakura of any involvement in the inability of local government areas in the state to pay salaries of their workers. The state ALGON chairman, Hon. Suleiman Wambai, made the disclosure in Lafia, yesterday, at a press conference organized by the association to clear the air on the imbroglio surrounding the non-payment of local government staff in the state. Hon. Wambai was emphatic that Governor Almakura, since assumption of office in 2011, had respected the

fiscal autonomy of local governments and did not interfere with allocation accruing to the third tier of government. The ALGON boss disclosed that local councils in the state need a total of N2.2 billion to survive the salaries of their workers which was made impossible by the drop in allocation from the federation account. Wambai, who is also the chairman of Lafia local government, said in the past, shortfalls from federal allocations were augmented with savings from excess crude savings, subsidy re-investment programme (Sure-P) and savings from other local governments who have excess after salaries of their staff are paid. He said: “Since we assumed office over a year ago, Governor Almakura

did not interfere with the finances accruing to local government areas in the state and for that reason, has no involvement whatsoever in the current

impasse regarding salaries of local government workers in the state”. He added that after exhausting the Sure-P and excess crude savings,

local councils in the state resorted to bank overdrafts which they jettisoned after two months due to heavy interest rates charged by the banks hence resorting

to paying workers percentages of their salaries in line with what was realized as revenue at the end of the month.

Gombe APC celebrate as tribunal grants forensic examination of election materials Williams Attah Gombe

upporters of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Gombe took to the streets in jubilation over the granting of a forensic e examination of electoral materials of the last governorship election in the state by the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Gombe. The supporters who gathered outside the court premises which was under tight security spread to other parts of the state capital shouting and jubilating over what they described

as a victory for the party in the pre-hearing stage of the case as soon as they got information that the Tribunal had granted the motion of APC counsel which was earlier rejected. The Tribunal granted the application after receiving a motion submitted during the Tribunal’s session last week by the counsel to the petitioner, Barrister Ayola Ajayi who insisted that the Tribunal granted its motion to conduct the forensic exercise. The Petition earlier filed by the APC’s governorship candidate Alhaji Inuwa Yahaya and the party had

sought the tribunal to nullify the 2015 governorship election which declared Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) winner, based on alleged electoral malpractice, snatching of ballot boxes, and other electoral irregularities. But lead counsel to Governor Dankwambo, Barr Ibrahim Isiyaka (SAN) and counsel to INEC, Barr Hassan Liman (SAN) had kicked against the motion arguing that complaints listed in the petition did not affect the entire polling units where votes were casted and that allowing recount of the entire votes

would amount to waste of time. The counsels added that carrying out forensic examination of electoral materials was uncalled for since the petition does not contain complaints on impersonation, forgery or multiple voting. Chairman of the Tribunal, Justice Mathew Adewara while reading the Tribunal’s ruling, declared that the Tribunal has resolved to grant the order for forensic examination of the electoral materials but has set aside the application for the recount of votes casted.

Politics

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July 4, 2015

Buhari: Much ado about 30 days

Lekan Adejuwon

uge expectation from Nigerians on the barely one month old administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, appeared to have led to forlorn hope as mixed reactions continued to trail the seeming slow pace of Buhari-led All Progressives Congress (APC) administration which was sworn in on May 29. For a country bedevilled by endemic corruption, infrastructural decay, insecurity and unemployment, Nigerians saw Buhari as the messiah who would solve their problems and so, unanimously voted for him on March 28, but 3 months after the historic victory and considering the fact that every day in the life of any government counts, the past 30 days had been characterized by what many have regarded as ‘movement without progress’ Not even the earlier defence of Alhaji Ahmed Joda, chairman of Buhari’s Transition Committee that; “This is not an ordinary transfer of government from one President to the other as witnessed in the country before” could sway the thinking among some political gladiators that Buhari has failed to hit the ground running as he had repeatedly assured Nigerians during his campaigns. Indeed, many have expressed concerns over Buhari’s inability to appoint key appointments such as the Secretary to the State Government SGF, Chief of Staff and cabinet ministers, 30 days after his inauguration, a development which many believed, may indicate that government would remain at a standstill as those who are supposed to drive the administration are not yet there. From economic front, Prof Pat Utomi, a Political Economist and former Presidential candidate opines that the delay may spelt doom for the economy, breeding fear among investors who had been waiting to see the calibre of persons that would be in Buhari’s cabinet as a way to reading the likely direction of the new regime Utomi, who was not convinced about the reasons for the delay however said, it might be a deliberate attempt by the government to ensure that it made the right choices. Said he:“I don’t know if there is an anxiety or fear. I don’t know. They might be and they may not be. “I don’t know those who are making the decisions on what they are doing but may be, they are considering all kinds of things to make sure there is optimal choice” he said However, the President who appeared not to be in a hurry to appoint his ministers blamed the immediate past PDP government for the late take-off of his government. “I don’t know why people are so anxious for the ministers,” Buhari told Arise TV. “The main reason is that I had a transition committee, which I agreed with former President Goodluck Jonathan that the ministers of the outgone government should handover their notes and documents to this transition committee so that we could be prepared. “Unfortunately, the outgone government did not cooperate, so, what the committee did was to divide itself into about five sub-committees, and I (only) got the report, I think, three days ago. I was waiting for that report because I would like to know what positions there are in the government, especially in terms of the finance and petroleum portfolios.” But the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) like a roaring lion, during the week, seized the rare moment to take Buhari and the APC to the cleaners. The party lambasted Buhari for failing to form his cabinet after four weeks, and not outlining clear plans for the nation. It urged Nigerians to pray for the president and his party, the All Progressives Congress, APC. The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh, in a statement, said that the enormity of the confusion sur-

Buhari

rounding the government and party in the last one month makes it imperative for Nigerians to pray as the success or failure of the Buhari administration will not only affect the President and his party but also the entire nation. “We urge Nigerians to join hands in prayers and offer useful suggestions to President Muhammadu Buhari and the APC because with what we have seen in the last 30 days, the present administration is finding it very difficult to get its bearings right while showing no inclination towards implementing its numerous campaign promises for which they were voted into office at the center. “We are deeply worried that the president, who promised to unveil his cabinet two weeks after his inauguration, has not been able to decide on key appointments such as ministers, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), a Chief of Staff and advisers in key sectors of the economy. According to the PDP scribe, “This is more so as the delay has brought government business in ministries, de-

Many have expressed concerns over Buhari’s inability to appoint key appointments such as the

Secretary to the State Government SGF, Chief of Staff and cabinet ministers, 30 days after his inauguration, a development which many believed, may indicate that government would remain at a standstill

partments and agencies to a dangerous standstill with coordination of important policies vested on ministers and the SGF now in tatters while the system drifts. This situation also creates loopholes through which overzealous persons around that President can connive with unscrupulous elements in the bureaucracy to siphon public resources in addition to possibly misleading the President to violate due process by spending beyond and outside his statutory limits. “The situation is taking its toll on the economy sector, which has in the 30 days witnessed unprecedented decline with a terrifying crippling of foreign and domestic investments including activities in the money and capital market sectors. Under President Buhari, the stock market has lost over N238 billion while the All-Share Index fell by 849.87 basis points as at June 19. In a swift reaction, the ruling APC countered PDP’s claim in a statement made by Buhari’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina said: “It is amusing to read what the National Publicity Secretary of the defeated Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Olisa Metuh, considers a 30 days appraisal of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration. “He wants Nigerians to join hands in prayers for the government, so that things would begin to move. What he does not know is that Nigerians had long formed such coalition. “They are hands in hands, and that was what gave victory to President Buhari in the March 28, 2015 poll. They had teamed up to uproot an administration that had brought the country to her knees, and was about to tip her off the precipice. Condemning the PDP for the pitiable state of the country’s economy, Adesina said the APC government is bidding its time in order to clean the mess created by the PDP. “Nigerians have resolved that never would they allow any government to divide them along regional, religious and ethnic fault lines again. “The Buhari administration is naturally contemplative because there was absolutely no rhyme or reason to the way PDP ran the country, particularly in the immediate past dispensation. “That is why the Augean Stable is being cleaned now, and it requires scrupulous and painstaking planning. In a related development, National Secretary of Labour Party (LP), Kayode Ajulo, has slammed President Buhari of tardiness in handling the nation’s affairs. Ajulo observed that 30 days into his administration, the president was yet to take any major decision and was yet to get his cabinet. He reminded the president of his party’s promise of change and expressed hopes that he would move fast to confront the country’s challenges. His words: “In his first month in office, President Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has not clearly taken any decisions that tend to show the direction his administration might be travelling in the next four years. “He has apparently shown to be slow and unsteady as he’s yet to show that he is in firm control of the government of the federation. As firework on Buhari’s first 30 days in office rages, some have expressed confidence in the ability to deliver on his promises to Nigerians pleading for more time as it is too early to judge his government in 30 days. Former speaker of the House of Representatives, Alhaji Ghali Umar Na‘abba on his part pleaded for time saying: “The president should be given time. I don’t believe he has not made the appointments without reasons. I am sure he is going to come out in full force soon. I am sure the president is not averse to the feelings of Nigeria.”

POLITICS

July 4, 2015

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Any state that depends on federal allocation won’t survive –James Bassey James is the Chancellor, Akpabiosm Centre for Leadership. He is also the founder of Southern Youths Development Forum. James in this interview with LEKAN ADEJUWON, speaks on the industrialisation projects of the Deacon Udom Emmanuel led new administration in Akwa Ibom State as well as the state government’s drive for investors and tourism amongst others. Excerpts:

ou have always canvassed for investors to come to Akwa Ibom State and take advantage of investment opportunities. What incentives are there for investors who may wish to come into Akwa Ibom State? We started this journey several years ago by inviting investors to come to Akwa Ibom. We have clearly stated that Akwa Ibom State is the best place to invest, because we have stability in terms of economic development, stability in terms of politics, stability in security, and we have a wiling government that listens and the people there are ready to work. So, everything that an investor needs is already in Akwa Ibom State. And Akwa Ibom State is strategically positioned by God to service the needs of the entire South-South, South East and the Gulf of Guinea. So, for us, we have done several seminars in Lagos, Abuja and some other parts of Nigeria. Under Akpabiosm, we had the opportunity of having the present governor, Deacon Udom Emmanuel, speak on the investment opportunities in Akwa Ibom, in Lagos and in Abuja, even when he was not the governor. So his having become the governor of Akwa Ibom State, behoves on us to go to the streets, to the markets, to the entire world to announce the Akwa Ibom project for everybody. So, the Akwa Ibom project is a project for all and sundry, especially Akwa Ibomites. If you talk about the most stable state in Nigeria, it is Akwa Ibom State. If you talk about hospitality, you can find it in abundance. If you talk about a conducive atmosphere for investors, the place is Akwa Ibom. Just this morning, I had a chat with somebody from Italy and some of the investors from Indonesia. They said to me they want to come to Nigeria to go round the states. I told them that in Nigeria, the first point of call should be Akwa Ibom State. But this campaign has been on since the immediate past governor Akpabio. How do you hope to sustain the tempo in the new administration of Deacon Udom Emmanuel? If you look at the emergence of Udom Emmanuel, it becomes a plus for us. So, we want to take advantage of his banking experience to make sure that there is development in the state, because we have discovered this that every banker tends to look at the areas of making profit. No

banker can run a bank without profit. So, Udom, having worked as a banker at that height is going to make sure that Akwa Ibom State makes profit. Udom Emmanuel having being a major player in the banking industry has learnt so much about the politics of banking, the politics of the economy, strategic movement, re-engineering, human management, capacity building, intelligence set-up, profit making and all the good things you can see in entrepreneurial ability of a emerging personality that qualifies to be a governor is in him. The greatest thing anybody can offer his state is to put the state on the level of less dependence on the national cake that is coming from Abuja. So, we want to see how we can add value to what is coming into the state to create an identity for ourselves. Akwa Ibom State can be able to generate funds to cater for its needs. Will you give an insight into the Udom industrialisation project? Two weeks ago, His Excellency, Deacon Udom Emmanuel went to Pickup Paints. Pickup Paints happens to be one of the best paints manufacturers in Africa, not just in Nigeria. But unfortunately that industry was allowed to die. For Udom Emmanuel to have come to visit that factory gave a lot of hope to us that he is coming with a basket of industrialisation in the state. Of course, every bank develops business, markets, manufacturing and whatever. So, I think that it does not take N100million or N200million to own an industry. All it takes is the attitude, it is the character and the mindset to do it, because most industrialists we are not billionaires. You can open industry with N100million, N200million. I remember some years ago when a friend came to me from Indonesia and he said he has a capacity to develop industry for us. We asked him to come back. So with Udom, I think that the Pickup Paints will hit the market, and the ceramics industry may be coming back. Independent Power Plant is already started working. So, cottage industry is the way out. Small and Middle Scale Enterprises is the way out, and I challenge the bank of industry to come to Akwa Ibom State. If they don’t come to Akwa Ibom State, we would force them to come to Akwa Ibom State. Why do we have to force them? It’s because the Bank of Industry cannot just service a particular area of the nation. It is going

James

to service the North, service the South West, service the East and service the South-South. If you talk about the SouthSouth in Nigeria today, to avoid mistake, we are the major player in the Nigerian economy or the major player in Nigerian politics today. So, the Bank of Industry and any other bank cannot ignore us. That apart, I also want to advise the local government chairmen and those who are coming on board that you cannot just pay salary. You must tie your salary to development. Any state that depends on federal, state and local government fund cannot function very well. You’ve seen that some states cannot even pay salaries in some of the South West and other states, because if you depend on what comes from Abuja every month you cannot make headway. Supposing Abuja can no longer pay. What do you do? So, there is the need for us to bring in the local governments together and give them a marching order of developing even if it is the cottage industry. We would do that. We have 31 local government areas in Akwa Ibom State. If it is these that we list together, for instance, they say every month we are going to contribute three million. Three million would have given us almost hundred million naira. Hundred million can set up an industry in any area of Akwa Ibom State. If you do that, I can assure you that in less than one year, we should be talking about 12 industries. And you bring in indigenes who have the wherewithal to manage the industries. One of the most painful things in my life was the death of Cooperative Bank. It was the most painful thing. I found it difficult to forgive those who gave that bank out just like that, because Akwa Ibom State must have a bank they can run to. Our population is getting larger by the day. Our children, most of them, are getting education in very strategic schools all over the world. So, what are they com-

ing back to do? They are not coming to be PAs and Local Government Chairmen, because there are only 31 Local Government Chairmen, few councillors and all that. We cannot have more than 20 commissioners or more. So, there must be a deliberate drive for investors. The commissioners must also look at the way they can do partnership. Because you know in this century what we discovered is that government has no business in business. Government can only create an avenue for industry to thrive, give security, give infrastructure and give the necessary support like C of O, which my government is ready to do. Our government is ready to do that for investors to come. So, whoever comes into Akwa Ibom State, the people are ready. Why do you consider Akwa Ibom State a tourist destination? Akwa Ibom is a tourist destination. For instance, I spoke about the geographical position of Akwa Ibom State. Look at the landmass, look at the riverine collection. It takes about 30 to 40 minutes for you to get to Cross River State, our sister state. It takes about maybe one hour to get to Cameroun, latest two hours to get to other parts of the Gulf of Guinea. Through the same waterways, you get to Bayelsa, Rivers and many other states. On the land, it takes about 40 minutes to connect the Eastern part and some parts of the SouthSouth. Then, the people are well prepared for strangers. And what would you need in tourism? It is security. We have it in abundance. If you are talking about natural resources, the natural resources are there. If you want to invest in Agriculture, forget about fertiliser. Our land is fertilised that the moment you put in anything there, you have it. If you are talking about the people, the people are ready to do whatever you want to do – very patient people, energetic, wonderful and peaceful. So, anything you need in Akwa Ibom is there.

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

July 4, 2015

Talking Politics

‘Buhari’s performance ‘Nigerians should not expect in 30 days surpassed anything from Buhari’s govt’ Metuh, Publicity Secretary of the Jonathan’s in 6 years’ —Olisa Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) “I “T Alhaji Lai Mohammed, National Publicity Secretary, All — Progressives Congress (APC)

ackling insecurity and fight against terrorism is one area in which the Buhari Administration has hit the ground running. “The President had hardly been sworn into office than he embarked on a shuttle diplomacy to rally Nigeria’s neighbours to act as a common front against the terror group Boko Haram. “ The President travelled to Chad and Niger, and then hosted a summit of the Lake Chad Basin Commission that comprised Cameroon, Chad and Niger, with Benin also invited. “The result is the decision to deploy the Multi National Joint Task Force (MNJTF), with headquarters in N’Djamena, Chad, on July 30th to pep up the fight against Boko Haram! “This is the same force that the past administration could not get off the ground in six years! “That’s what we meant when we said what the Jonathan Administra-

tion could not do in six years, the Buhari Administration has done in three weeks, not minding that some mischievous elements decided to quote us out of context”.

f by the declaration of the APC National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed that President Buhari has done

excellently well thus far, then, Nigerians should not expect anything from this administration. “The PDP as a responsible political party committed to the national interest, we urge the APC to henceforth desist from unnecessary propaganda which ought to have ended with the campaigns, settle down and help the President form a government and chart a direction for the nation. “Finally, while we restate our respect for the office and person of the President, the Presidency and the APC must know that though Nigerians are willing to give them time to perform, they are tired of their unfounded excuses of handover notes coming late; of meeting empty treasury, of clearing the so-called Augean Stable among nuances of other frivolous claims”.

‘Zakari’s appointment untidy’

‘Zakari’s appointment based on merit’

“T

“W

— PDP National Scribe, Olisa Metuh

he PDP is particularly disturbed by the development in INEC where President Buhari, who knew all along that the immediatepast INEC Chairman, Prof Attahiru Jega would be leaving office by June 30, had to wait for him to handover to one of the national commissioners only to reverse it immediately, thereby injecting bad blood in the commission. “The situation in INEC since the PDP government reformed and granted it operational autonomy has been peaceful, but Tuesday’s untidy overruling of Prof. Jega and appointing of Mrs. Amina Zakari as acting chairman which, we gathered was

influenced by personal relationship with the Presidency and one of the new governors of the North West, ostensibly to pave the way for the APC at the electoral tribunals, has completely eroded public trust in the commission. “Whereas the PDP recognizes the right and powers of the President to appoint the Chairman of INEC and the Accountant General of the Federation (AGF), we reject attempts as in the case of the AGF to paint the process as transparent and objective when such was not the case, but brought to question the sincerity and commitment of the present administration to due process.”

— Femi Adesina, Special Adviser to President on Media and Publicity e have noted with regret, the latest tirade against President Muhammadu Buhari issued today by the PDP’s Spokesman, Mr Olisa Metuh. “Other than boring reporters at his press conference with a rehash of baseless allegations of inaction against the President, Mr Metuh clearly had nothing new to say apart from his charge of nepotism and partisanship in the appointment of the Acting INEC Chairman, which also lacks any factual foundation. “President Buhari certainly did not

“overrule” Prof. Attahiru Jega in appointing Mrs. Amina Zakari as the Acting INEC Chairman, as Mr Metuh alleged. “Contrary to Mr Metuh’s allegations, President Buhari’s appointment of Mrs Zakari as Acting INEC Chariman was based entirely on merit, her vast experience in the internal operations of INEC and the President’s commitment to affirmative action in support of gender equality, because, apart from being fully qualified for the position, Mrs Zakari was the only woman among the six Commissioners considered.

‘Buhari has done nothing at all’ ‘Give Buhari more time’ —Ahmed Gulak, Political Adviser to former President Goodluck Jonathan —

“T

here is nothing I can assess on a government elected for a period of four years. Talking is not my problem, but when you open your mouth to talk, you are supposed to talk on substance. “What can a government elected for a four-year term do in one month? The government has not even been formed; there is no cabinet and even the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) has not been appointed. So we have to give them time before we can assess them,”. “The situation in INEC since the PDP government reformed and granted it op-

Ebun Adegboruwa, Lagos lawyer and human rights activist

erational autonomy has been peaceful, but Tuesday’s untidy overruling of Prof. Jega and appointing of Mrs. Amina Zakari as acting chairman which, we gathered was influenced by personal relationship with the Presidency and one of the new governors of the North West, ostensibly to pave the way for the APC at the electoral tribunals, has completely eroded public trust in the commission.

“I

cannot agree with Alhaji Lai Mohammed that President Buhari has performed more than former president, Dr Goodluck Jonathan, since his swearing-in. “The number one issue of contention is that he has refused to constitute a national cabinet. He has also refused to publicly declare his assets. “As we can see since his swearing-in, insurgency has been on the increase. “ Suicide bombers now carry out their

activities on a daily basis. “The crime rate has gone up drastically. The recent killing of a the former vice chancellor of Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) and the brazen daylight robbery in Ikorodu, Lagos are testaments to this,” “The rate of a Dollar to the Naira is soaring on a daily basis. Filling stations are still recording long queues, the road network has collapsed. “I don’t understand how a person who has done nothing has performed. Buhari has hit the ground sitting down. He has done nothing at all. All the lofty promises he made has remained unfulfilled. Nigerians have entered one chance.”

July 4, 2015

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Living

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

July 4, 2015

Sexual Offences Bill:

Legalising sex with ‘babies’

The Sexual Offences Bill, hurriedly passed recently by the National Assembly, has received knocks across the country for fixing the age of consent for sex at 11 years. Nigerians across all levels of society have described the Bill as the ultimate outrage, reports JULIET UMEH

enator Chris Anyanwu, immediate past Imo East representative in the National Assembly, undoubtedly gained acceptance in the hearts of human rights activists as well as concerned Nigerians in 2013 when she sponsored the Sexual Offences Bill on the floor of the Senate. Of course, worried Nigerians who were disturbed by the rising cases of rape were overjoyed that, at last, sexually abused

Nigerians would get justice and that the Bill would go a long way in curbing rape and sexual offences. So amazed were Nigerians when more than 40 bills were hurriedly passed by the just-concluded 7th assembly. Thank goodness, the Sexual Offences Bill sailed through. But unfortunately, Nigerians who were hoping to get a respite from the Bill got the biggest shock of their lives when it allowed sex with girls from the age

of eleven. The Sexual Offences Bill, 2015, also stipulates life imprisonment for any individual found guilty of rape or sexual intercourse with children under 11 years; 10 years for incest; 10 years for child pornography or a fine of N2 million; and 14 years for sexual abuse, among others. By a strange twist of fate, the same

Among the most vociferous critics of the Bill has been Nobel laureate, Whole Soyinka, who has urged President Muhammad Bukhara to withhold his assent to the Sexual Offences Bill passed by the last National Assembly. Last week, the Noble laureate said: “President Bukhara – and here I make my first imposition on his presidency – should never place his assent

This is like taking undue advantage of somebody with inadequately developed psychological competences. I want to believe that the people who assented to the Bill actually wanted to benefit from child sex Senator Anyanwu, who won the hearts of Nigerians, has been slammed for being one of the minds in the just-concluded 7th assembly that passed the Bill that allows sex with girls from 11 years. Since the passage of this Bill, reactions have continued to trail the Bill from all quarters.

on such a nefarious distraction,” he said in a letter to the organizing committee of the June 12 Movement of Nigeria. “Its implications doom the victim to afflictions that churn the stomach even to think of the human toll. Perhaps, those CONTINUED ON PAGE 18

LIVING

July 4, 2015

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

‘Some people merely want to benefit from child sex’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 17

legislators think that vaginal fistula is something thought up by arm-chair critics with nothing better to occupy their minds. No matter, let those who profess a genuine concern declare their stand on this. “On my part, I find unacceptable any effort to build a nation on perversions that merely minister to man’s sexual appetites. This is a sordid appeasement of a minority that actually requires psychiatric help. President Bukhara should not give his assent to the Bill without amendments that address the earlier Yakima gift to the nation. It’s a trap,” Soyinka said. For Austin Anywhere, a businessman, it’s cheering news. He gave kudos to Anyanwu, the sponsor of the Bill and congratulated the Senate for having the moral fiber to make the Bill see the light of the day. He, however, has condemned an aspect of the Bill. “The only minus in the Bill is limiting the age of minors to 11years, which invariably means that any girl of 12 years, with her consent, can be engaged in sexual intercourse without consequences. “This shortfall in the Bill has strengthened the sexual appetite of men who love to marry and have sex with underage girls. I believe in future, the age limit should be looked into and amended,” he said. Speaking in the same vein, Emmanuel Oakum, a Lagos-based civil servant, says that the stipulation of 11 years as the age limit for sexual offenders to be culpable renders this Bill a beautiful nonsense. “For goodness’ sake, a child is any person below the age of 18 and it is proper assumption that such doesn’t know her left from her right as regards sexual relations and its consequences. Neither have they both psychological and physical strength to bear it. Such a provision indicates the ignorance of our so-called legislators. It is my earnest prayer that the president will refuse assent, so that the annoying provision would be reviewed and amended appropriately.” Jennifer Obsequy, a top civil servant said it is about time Nigerian women stood up to this nonsense in unison. “How can anyone, especially a female stand to say they are proud to be Nigerian when educated members of the National Assembly that could not be bothered to read and look into children’s welfare, have legislation stating that it is lawful for children to be effectively raped or given out in marriage to pedophiles. I will be going to various international conventions and I am already being asked why my country, which everyone thought was progressive, had done this, I’m disgusted and very disappointed.” Similarly, Irate Doyle, a popular Nigerian actress and television star suggested that the Bill must not be allowed to fly. She said people must unite to fight it, adding that the fight against that Bill must not be left for human rights activists alone. “Each and every one of us can sign a petition; we have representatives in the

They are supposed to peg it at 16 years because that is when you can say the girl is ready to bear children.

pelvis is now ready.

The

But if they start before the age of 16, that is why these young girls who are married off too

Vesico Vaginal Fistula (VVF)

early end up with

National Assembly. Write a petition telling them that the Bill is not acceptable and call them to order,” Doyle submitted. Even as the Bill continues to receive knocks from Nigerians across board, human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, has threatened to go to court if the controversial Sexual Offences Bill is passed into law. The Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) has been reported to have expressed shock over the age limit set for rape and sexual offences victims by the Bill. With the provided provision, the suggested law appears to stipulate that incidents

involving children above the age of 11 will not be considered crimes. The life imprisonment penalty would only apply to those convicted of having sexual intercourse with children under 11 years old. “Since the obnoxious provision was illegally inserted by the Committee on Judiciary and Legal Matters without approval, the Senate ought to reverse itself and amend the relevant provisions of the Sexual Offences Bill, 2015. Our law firm has made a request to that effect,” the SAN declared. “If the Bill is eventually passed into law

with its obnoxious provisions, we shall not hesitate to pray the Federal High Court to strike it down in view of Article 18(3) of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act (Cap A9) Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 which has imposed a duty on the Government of Nigeria to ensure the elimination of every discrimination against women and ensure the protection of the rights of the woman and the child, as stipulated in international declarations and conventions.” Another Lagos-based lawyer, Basil Due Impawn, believes the Bill was hurriedly passed as the Senate didn’t take time to appreciate its details. However, he thinks the law will fail because it will be denied adequate enforcement. “It is in contradiction to the Child’s Rights Act and Child’s Rights Convention to which Nigeria is a signatory. These laws stipulate that a child below 18 years of age cannot give consent to sex while the present Bill connotes that a child is legally capable of granting carnal knowledge from age 11. “Rather than go along with this law, its better we implement the laws amply provided for in our statute books. These offences are provided for in reasonable details already. Like I have always postulated elsewhere, it is the dutiful enforcement of laws that deter prospective criminals rather than the letter of the law. Therefore, whether this law sees the light of the day or we dust up the provisions of the criminal or Penal Code, nothing will come out of it unless there’s the political will to enforce it. Law enforcement agents are not rendered innocuous by corruption.” Recently, a Kano High Court sitting in Getaway discharged 14-year-old Wasilla Tarsi over the murder of her late husband and three others. In a landmark judgment, the judge ruled that based on the formal application before the court from the Office of the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, “the case is hereby terminated and the accused is discharged.” When Wasilla Tarsi was forced into marriage to a 35-year-old man, little did people know what would come out of such forceful marriage? The young girl allegedly gave her husband and his friends poisoned food. However, when she was discharged and acquitted, many believed there was never a case against the poor girl. Rather, the little girl needs an apology from her country that failed to protect her interest. Perhaps if the controversial Bill is passed into law, Nigerians may expect more bizarre cases. CONTINUED ON PAGE 20

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LIVING

Homeless in Lagos July 4, 2015

Life is good in Lagos. But life is not easy in Lagos if you don’t have a viable means of livelihood. Just ask Chidinma, Maryam and her eight-year-old son Onyekachi, and the thousands more who are languishing in slums, wooden shanties right on top of the lagoon, uncompleted buildings, crumbling houses, road sides, dumpsites, under bridges, railway stations, market stalls and abandoned class rooms. Maybe you or your loved ones should have second thoughts about heading to Lagos if you have no means of living the Lagos dream, writes JULIET UMEH Since 2008, when she became homeless after the destruction of illegal structures by Lagos State Government at Tarkwa Bay, life has been cruel for Imo State-born Chidinma Ejike and her only son. Up till now, she is yet to get a home of her own, making her to go through hardship since she lost all that she had laboured for. Ejike’s headache is not just lack of suitable and befitting accommodation, but ill-health and poverty caused by the demolition of her stall. Even though many describe Tarkwa Bay as a place to love, it is, however, a nightmare for Ejike. Narrating her story, she said: “I was a landlady in that community, I ran a restaurant and water business, which was called ‘Mama Water Board.’ I had a mini super market with a fridge and a television set. Until 2008 when officials of Lagos State Department of Physical Planning and some soldiers came to chase us out of the community, I was very comfortable. “I gathered the few things I had. The Bar Beach Police Station gave me a small place in their market to trade. But early in 2014, the police received a signal message that I should be sent away from the market. The shop was later destroyed and I became homeless again. This caused me stress. My mental health was also affected. My leg started to swell and there was no money for me to go to the hospital. The destruction also made me to relocate my son to his father. Now, I am staying in an uncompleted building at Park View Estate, but the owner has also threatened me with a notice that I should quit by August. I don’t have anywhere to go and where will I get money to get the bits and pieces of my life together? I am therefore appealing to wellmeaning Nigerians to come to my rescue because she I’m lonely and single.” Pitiably, homelessness is not rocking Ejike alone. Another woman, Maryam Obiora’s own story is similar because

Obiora and Onyekachi, her eight-yearold son, are also coping with the agony of homelessness. The Delta State-born trader said, “My late husband, a former Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) employee, retired as a clerk from NRC, but didn’t get his gratuity and pension, until he died in penury in 2014. We were all staying at Pura community at Nigerian Port Authority, where I was selling second-hand textiles. But when Lagos State Physical Planning Department people armed with canes and tear gas came, they demolished my stall and carted away my goods. Only my son and I were left to mourn our loss.” Sobbing profusely, she added, “After they had burnt our house, I moved to the Bar Beach, but officers of Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI) came with a bulldozer to demolish our property and our small shop. Now my son and I are sleeping in the open at the Bar Beach under the canopy; rain or shine. My son cannot go back to school because there is no money to pay his fees. I am also appealing to the government and kind- hearted Nigerians to assist me in this hard period. I need a house and help for my son to go back to school. I need money to start my business because now, I am jobless, homeless and penniless.” A teenage boy who only identified himself as Ikechukwu, an Ebonyi State indigene, also belongs to this group. He said, “I ran away from the house of my uncle who brought me to Lagos, who

Onyekachi Obiora

promised my parents that I was coming to learn a trade in Lagos. But a few days after we got to his house in Iyana Ipaja, Lagos, he gave some other boys and me some items like key holders and handker-

Security is not guaranteed on the streets because it is an open space, an open environment where nobody looks out for anybody

chiefs to hawk on the highway. Anytime he felt we didn’t make much money, we would be starved. “I lived with my uncle for a year and six months, made some friends and mastered few places. One of the hawkers then introduced me to windscreen cleaning. I realised that I could make a little money that could feed me. Therefore, I decided to leave my uncle’s house and joined some of my friends in their ‘home’ under the bridge.” Raphael Ehis Oboh, better known as ‘Oligbese 4 Sale’ from Ewohimi in Esan North-East Local Government Area of Edo State also flew to Lagos on the wings CONTINUED ON PAGE 20

LIVING

July 4, 2015

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‘This Bill is like taking advantage of minors’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 18 Dr Onaolapo Nurudeen, consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist at the Ajeromi General Hospital, Lagos, does not understand why the offending Bill was actually passed by the senators. He told Saturday Mirror that they were supposed to peg the age at 16 at least, instead of 11. “They are supposed to peg it at 16 years because that is when you can say the girl is ready to bear children. The pelvis is now ready. But if they start before the age of 16, that is why you see in the North, these young girls who are married off too early end up with Vesico Vaginal Fistula (VVF) because the pelvis is not developed enough for the baby to pass through. Eleven years is too young. In some countries, it is 16 years while in others, it is 18. Adulthood starts from 18,” he explained. “There are so many implications involved in this, ranging from psychological to physical. Some of the girls who were raped at an early age don’t enjoy sex in future because of that trauma. Someone I know was deflowered by her girl friend’s elder brother. Now as a married woman, she does not enjoy sex. In some cases, such girls will not even want men to talk to them because of that experience. And that too can lead to problems in the home; divorce in extreme cases. If the woman is not attracted to sex, the man may feel bad and it will lead to family disharmony.

“In some rape cases, the man does not penetrate the woman and if the man does, it can even injure the vagina, she may have tears. So many women have been rushed to the hospital when they bleed from forceful sex or rape. So you can imagine at a younger age, it can cause serious tear around the private part,” the gynaecologist explained. Dr Joy Agbara, another gynaecologist and obstetrician agreed that marriage with underage girls has severe negative health consequences as the girl is often not psychologically, physically and sexually mature. Besides, teenage pregnancy is a high risk pregnancy to gynaecologists. The senior registrar with Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, (LASUTH), explained that it is a challenge because a teenager is still a child, an evolving woman who is still requiring care. “The pelvic bone of a woman is formed as a child, but it grows to the point when one gets within the reproduction stage where a baby can pass through. In teenage pregnancy, where the pelvic girdle is not well developed, you have obstructed labour and all the other consequences that follow. “Early childbearing is one of the major causes of obstetric fistula – a preventable condition in which tissue is torn when blood supply to the tissues of the vagina and bladder and or rectum is cut off during prolonged obstructed labour,” she submits. Nigeria records at least 12, 000 cases of

fistula every year. This report was made known to the public by Dr Habibu Sadauki, the project manager of the USAID Fistula Care Plus project. According to him, in Kano State, 10 to 15 new cases are recorded every week in various hospitals in the state. He explained categorically that early marriage, prolonged labour, and harmful traditional practices are the causes of the affliction. But Akin Gabriel, clinical psychologist at the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Yaba, Lagos, believes that the controversial Bill was passed by the House because some people are trying to be selfish, so that they can have advantage over children. “Yes, we know that in physical development, the woman’s body develops at

a particular rate, though it is believed that women develop faster now than before. Now, you see a girl child of about 11 years already menstruating with all the secondary characteristics fully developed, we agree that is true. But the fact that the physical secondary features are developed does not mean that the internal organs are developed to that level.” “Even though the physical development is there around age 11 or thereabouts, what about psychological development? We as psychologists know that psychological development is the ultimate even over physical development and we know that each individual has stages of development in terms of psychological development. A child between age 10 and 11 is still at a level in which he or she may not be able to take decisions individually in terms of responsibility and decision. Such a person is still under guidance, she is still receiving training in all aspects. This person is still unsure of who she is. She has not even developed the concept of self, which defines the type of person he or she is, let alone taking decisions that are fundamental to her life. “Are you now saying that it is this person that you will expect to just have sex with? This, I want to believe, is like taking undue advantage of somebody with inadequately developed psychological competences. I want to believe that the people who assented to the Bill actually wanted to benefit from child sex. Definitely, it is like taking advantage minors,” the clinical psychologist noted.

‘Nobody looks out for anybody on the streets’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 19

of hope. He told his story: “After my secondary school education, I had to leave for Lagos in search of greener pastures. After arriving in Lagos, I had nowhere to stay. So as a street boy, I had to hang out under the Obalende Bridge, where I met a couple of my colleagues. They were barbers, so, for me to survive, I also had to learn that profession. I had my own shop where I did barbing under the bridge for about seven years and also trained some boys. “From the money I made from barbing, I enrolled for GCE exams because I didn’t go back to check my WAEC result after leaving the village. I also wrote JAMB and got an admission to study Business Administration at the University of Benin, but I couldn’t go because of financial constraints. I remained a destitute for 11 years. To make matters worse, the Lagos State Task Force came and destroyed my plank shop under the bridge. So I had to move to Ajegunle and began working as a bus conductor for a couple of months. I raised money and joined a cousin of mine I met at Ajegunle to start selling fairly used clothes. We used to go to Kotangowa, a second hand market, to buy secondhand textiles which we hawked.” Olugbenga Ashafa, who has been under the Eko Bridge for more than eight years said, “Life on the streets is such that the children and youths are exposed to vari-

Maryam Obiora

Chidinma Ejike

ous hazards. Some of us face a number of problems ranging from financial problems to harassment and extortion from police and miscreants, popularly known as ‘area boys.’ Insecurity, severe beatings, fighting, sexual abuse (especially of the females) are common experiences daily. But we just have to continue staying here because we don’t have choice”. Homelessness, however, is not an exclusive Lagos affair. The United Nations says the number of homeless people globally is estimated to be in excess of

one billion, although it is impossible to get the actual number, because of the transitory nature of the homeless. Whereas the homeless population in the West is largely made up of men (though the proportion of women and children is steadily increasing), the homeless in Nigeria, particularly in Lagos, appear to be mainly children, women and youths. Head of the Department of Psychology at the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital Yaba, Lagos, Tayo Ajerotutu, also confirmed the universality of home-

lessness, while Mr. Kayode Akorede, a sociologist and educationist, described it as a global tragedy. ‘‘It is a global problem. Homeless people are everywhere. It is a problem that is often neglected by governments, particularly in Africa,” Akorede said. According to Dr Ajerotutu, “Security is not guaranteed on the streets because, It is an open space, an open environment where nobody looks out for anybody. It is at your own risk. People are exposed to danger, fights, violence and young girls are assaulted sexually. The environment makes people not only to be hardened but bestial. Some of them have gone into crimes ranging from child abuse to murder.” From Saturday Mirror investigation, homelessness is a big issue in Lagos because many bridges and bus stops are homes to lunatics, miscreants, con men, touts popularly called agberos and armed robbers. Further investigations also revealed that most ‘low grade ‘sex workers have no accommodation to ply their illicit trade, therefore they are now found at road sides, parks, beaches, slums and the frontage of low-end motels every evening advertising their bodies for patronage. This is, however, the lot of many, who because of ignorance and inadequate planning have found themselves on the streets of Lagos and other Nigerian cities.

Entervaganza

The Saturday Mirror Magazine

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ENTERVAGANZA

July 4 , 2015

Celebrity

I’m in Malaysia to become an international star —Sunky Fast-rising model-actor Olasunkanmi Ogunade popularly known as Sunky shocked the entertainment industry with his sudden relocation to Malaysia to study. One of the lead characters of popular soap opera, Two Sides Of A Coin, and also a face of Chivita, he was in the country recently and he told OSEYIZA OOGBODO about life in the Asian country. How is life in Malaysia? Well, to start with, Malaysia is a developing country and it’s moving at a very fast pace. It’s a very beautiful country and I am enjoying every bit of it. It can be weird at times but it’s all part of the adventure. Life there is easy as it’s a country where the wellbeing of the citizens comes first. Three square meals a day is guaranteed there. As far as I’m concerned, food is the cheapest thing there. When you wake up, you don’t need to think about what to eat or where. With 10 ringits, you are very okay for the day. There are so many different aspects but I choose to stop here. Food is an important aspect of life and if it can be so affordable, think about the rest. Why did you go to Malaysia and not Europe or America? Right from my early years in the secondary school, I have always loved the Asian part of the world, so I was very happy when the opportunity came. I was shooting a TV commercial in Lagos and during the shoot, one of the oyinbo guys picked interest in me and we got talking, Along the line, I discovered he was from Malaysia. We spoke a lot and that was how it started. God was so merciful that he arranged all and even paid part of the cash. It was like magic but I give God the glory. Tell us about the racism you have experienced or observed. To be honest, racism is on the low side in Malaysia. The only one I have experienced was in the train on my way to the university. There was an empty seat and I attempted to sit on it but a Malaysian guy told me not to sit near him. I was so annoyed and embarrassed, and while we were still arguing, another Malaysian, a woman, told another Malaysian guy to sit on it. I

knew they were silly racists. I just stepped back and accepted my faith. Another fact is that they don’t like Nigerians. If any black-skinned person does any bad thing, the first country they mention is Nigeria, even if the individual is from Angola, they would still shout that he’s Nigerian. It can be funny and painful. Even when you make attempt to talk to some pretty Malay girls, the first question they ask is, where are you from? And if you tell them Nigeria, that is the end, they just walk away. But apart from these little experiences, you are free to walk around and live life the way you desire. It’s a cool country.

lieve Nigeria is full of dubious and heartless individuals because most of their girls have been heartbroken by many Nigerian boys. They don’t trust Nigerian boys and they also believe we are capable of doing something weird thing at anytime. On the other hand though, some of them love Nigerians to the bone and they support you even when some people say shit to you in their dialect. Some girls also love Nigerian boys and would do anything to date one. So, I feel the Nigerian likeness depends on the individual and the amount of exposure he or she has got. Some of them even express innermost love for Nigeria. They have read so much about Nigeria and would love to visit one day. So, it’s different strokes for different folks. What do you do over there? I am schooling, modelling and also into photography! I snap pictures up and down. What I mean is, you call when you need me. I work with some night clubs and all! Another thing is, I snap and cover exclusive events here and send to media houses in Nigeria! Modelling is different here and very profitable. I have not done any major job, but I get extra roles here and there, and I am praying and I know God will surprise me. I am hoping on God and I believe with time, He would answer me. Is it that their attitude is preventing you from getting modelling and acting jobs? Not really. The modelling arrangement there is entirely different from Nigeria’s. You need to get an agent that would link you to a company that would always use you for their brand. I’ve gotten an agent and I’ve been attending casting calls but I’ve

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not gotten the big job but it’s just a matter of time. As for acting, the language is one big barrier. They mostly speak their dialect in their movies, unlike Nigeria where the major language for most films is English. There it is strictly Bahasa Malaysia and you hardly find soap operas or films in English. But sometimes, they call on strictly English speaking actors but the turnout is always mad and scary. But God go do am. But was it sensible for you to leave all your modelling and acting achievements in Nigeria to start afresh there? I specifically decided to upgrade myself. I love entertainment and can never leave it. Due to this fact, I decided to do courses that are in relation to it. I am studying business information system in Malaysia and planning to do a diploma in marketing and Master’s in advertising. I love advertising and I have endless passion for it. I am a natural actor and can always model anytime, any day but you cannot just say you’re an actor without concrete educational achievements. Acting with professional qualifications in other fields will definitely stand you out. I have participated in so many commercials but I just realised at a point that I need to upgrade myself. Anyway, I am still coming back to Nollywood but on a better level and with adequate exposure. What are Nigerians doing over there in Malaysia? Nigerians do loads of stuffs there. From lecturing to club managers, complex owners, actors, models, pastors and it goes on. We have bad eggs and there is nothing we can do about that but there are loads of positive Nigerians there repping Nigeria well to the world. How are Christians treated there, since it’s an Islamic nation? They treat Christians appropriately. They don’t condemn religions. Many of them believe in one God disregarding the fact that you are a Christian, Muslim, Buddhist or some other religion. Do they have churches there? Yeah! More than enough churches, but Christianity is on the very low side. We have RCCG, Winners Chapel and so on attended by Nigerians and the locals too.

Why do they have attitude to Nigeria? Actually, it’s not all of them. But most of them don’t feel comfortable when you say you are a Nigerian. They b e -

Sunky

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

July 4, 2015

Skales attacks Davido ... ‘I’m self-made, unlike you’

Skales

elf-acclaimed Man Of the Year, Skales, is not a stranger to controversy. As a matter of fact, his music career has been aided greatly by one controversy or the other. While signed on to Banky W’s Empire Mates Entertainment popularly known as EME, the basic controversy about him was that he was the underdog to another EME signee, Wizkid, so he gained a lot of fans who were sympathetic to his perceived plight of being neglected by the label for Wizkid. And when EME refused to renew his contract, that he wasn’t justifying its investments in and on him, his rejection by the label turned out to be a blessing in disguise for him as it gained him more fans still out of sympathy.

Sore loser … Yemi Alade takes BET loss bitterly

hen Yemi Alade was announced as one of the nominees for the Africa category of this year’s BET Awards, she didn’t complain. She was definitely happy at the nomination and definitely hoping to win. A lot of fans also hoped that she would win and become the category’s first female winner. Alas, the award ceremony held last weekend, and she didn’t win. She however turned out to be a sore loser and lambasted the organizers after her loss. According to her, BET is humiliating Africa with the category and they should scrap it. “By the way, BET, Africa is not a country,” she wrote in an online post. “It is wrong to nominate huge African stars and publicly try to humiliate Africa. Why on earth is the African category of the awards held hours before the main event? “If African artists are not worthy in your sight, please by all means cancel, delete, omit the Africa category out of this glorified award. This is wrong, wrong, wrong. Please next time, credibility over paddy, paddy.” Now, the only problem with Alade’s observation is that it came after she lost, not before. It has been public knowledge that BET doesn’t honour the Africa category winners on the main stage, so she might as well have declined her nomination. And her criticism now only makes it obvious that she’s bitter she didn’t win. Well, Yemi, there’s always another year, so work harder, and you might still win the BET.

EME’s rejection of him made the music loving public want to listen to him, so when he released Shake Body post-EME, it became a massive hit. Probably aware of what being controversial was doing for him, he and Wizkid had a very public falling out in which they allegedly tore each other to pieces online. Many people saw their spat as a publicity stunt, but whatever it was, it did further wonders for Skales in enhancing his brand to the extent that he’s finally been able to release his debut album, Man Of The Year. And now he has attacked the self-styled Omo Baba Olowo, Davido, in his latest song, Ijo Ayo. According to Skales in Ijo Ayo, he’s not the son of a rich man but he’s now rich and successful. So what say you, Davido?

... as Dencia keeps blasting BET … Fuse ODG too joins her

Alade

Davido

hile Yemi Alade criticized BET just because she didn’t win, her colleague, Dencia, who has never even been nominated, but has always criticized it, has insisted it’s a sham. Speaking out again against it, she inferred that it’s just appalling that BET which is organized by blacks for blacks can treat African artists badly by not awarding them at the main show but several hours before it, thereby implying that they were inferior to their American counterparts. She added that if it was the Oscars that treated the Africans that way, everyone would be screaming racism. Finally, she pointed out that when she criticized the award a couple of years ago for shabbily treating African artists, she was labeled a hater, but she doesn’t care because winning awards don’t really determine how successful an artist will turn out. And supporting Dencia in justly criticizing BET, Azonto singer, Fuse ODG, in a tweet to BET, said the reason he didn’t attend the ceremony was because “you give

our awards backstage. You have no respect for our hard work and achievements.” Considering all these criticisms casting credibility on BET, will they change from next year and awrd the Africa category at the main show? We’ll know that next year.

Dencia

July 4, 2015

CLASSICAL LYRICS

E-NEWS

Ace entertainers, Gbenga Adeyinka, Okey Bakassi enroll with NEIHIS

Adeyinka

cross the length and breadth of the country, more and more entertainers, both young and old have continued to identify with the Nigerian Entertainment Industry Health Insurance Scheme (NEIHIS) and the prominent entertainers are not left out. Talented comedians, actors and great comperes, Gbenga Adeyinka and Okey Bakassi have also joined fellow premier entertainers who have enrolled with the Nigerian Entertainment Industry Health Insurance Scheme (NEIHIS).

Bakassi

They were both recently presented with their official documents and other healthcare packages. Speaking during his official presentation, Gbenga Adeyinka who also doubles as an ambassador to the scheme says having an insurance policy of this nature is long overdue. ”This initiative is one of the best things that happened to our industry in recent years and it is high time we all as entertainers come on board to join this laudable project. I have decided to safeguard future worries by been part of a well-thought in-

surance scheme for members of the entertainment industry”. Okey Bakassi also spoke highly of the initiative. “Health is wealth and is always good to have a good healthcare plan in case of emergencies. NEIHIS is a well thought-out plan for the practitioners of the entertainment industry.” The Nigerian Entertainment Industry Health Insurance Scheme (NEIHIS) is an initiative of the Nigerian Entertainment Industry Lecture Series (NEILS) and endorsed by the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).

TFAA calls for nominations

s part of its the launch of the 2015 season of The Future Awards Africa (TFAA), The Future Project (TFP) paid courtesy calls to the Canadian High Commissioner, Mr Perry John Calderwood and Swiss Deputy Head of Mission, Mr Daniel Cavegn, in Abuja recently. The courtesy team will also be visiting Senegal, South Africa, Ethiopia, Kenya and Ghana throughout July 2015 in order to introduce TFAA and its goals. The courtesy team included Mfon Ekpo, Executive Director, The Future Project, Bukonla Adebakin, Team Lead, The Future Project, Jake Okechukwu, Winner, The Future Awards Africa Prize in Community Action 2014, Debbie Magnut, External Relations Director at RED, and Ikechukwu Akagba, Lead, The Future Project Volunteer, Abuja. The courtesy visits also announced the commencement of nominations for the 10th annual TFAA, and the awards are seeking nominations from the public, for people between the ages of 18 and 31 who have been able to create incredible impact and well documented accomplishments

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Mercy Johnson is a past winner of the Future Award

within their community and/or globally in the last year. These achievements should revolve around their results, potential for growth plus the ability to inspire

other young people in Africans. The theme for this 10th anniversary is Imagine Africa!, chosen to highlight young Africans fulfilling the promise of the continent. TFAA is proud to demonstrate the richness and variety of positive change catalysed by these young ideas. “Locally and globally, young Africans continue to reshape and redefine the narrative of just what it means to be a young individual in a developing country,” said Mfon Ekpo, Executive Director, The Future Project Africa. “They are demonstrating incredible resilience and resourcefulness, and in doing so are reshaping a continent and helping to create brighter futures for a continent of over one billion people. It really is an exciting time for us as we highlight the incredible things occurring.” Nominations are opened to young Africans between ages 18 – 31. The award categories for 2015 are for education, agriculture, advocacy, technology, public service, community action, business, entertainment, enterprise support, and African young person of the year.

Expensive Shit

Artist: Wizkid

Intro Sarz on the beat you know … yaga Yee eh yeh eh e … h yeah Wizzy Wizziy oh oh Wizzy Wizzy … Yah eh Hook We dey go to my house together Make we carry go eh I get lady wey get wahala oh Make she carry go eh I get lady wey like designer oh She too like money oh eh I get one wey too like to fire oh Sometimes I carry go eh Chorus Omo the way you shake Things you do making me craze Rocking expensive shit oh eh eh eh eh eh I say wetin you wear, the things you do Making me craze I know you like expensive shit oh oh eh eh eh Hook We dey go to my house together Make we carry go eh I get lady wey get wahala oh Make she carry go eh I get lady wey like designer oh She too like money oh eh I get one wey too like to fire oh Sometimes I carry go eh Chorus Omo the way you shake Things you do making me craze Rocking expensive shit oh eh eh eh eh eh I say wetin you wear, the things you do Making me craze I know you like expensive shit oh oh eh eh eh eh Bridge Make we dey go eh eh … kiloso eh eh Go down, down, down, down, down, down Make we dey go eh eh… kiloso eh eh Go down, down, down, down, down, down Oya! Ice … oh eh … yeah Feel the bass, take it low and feel the bass Go down, go down (2x), feel the bass Verse Pretty pretty pretty lady Age is just a number Ijo lani kojo shugbon shakara oloje ni Just make I feel you baby Feel the sound and feel the flow oh oh Ijo lesere owo be lapomi Chorus Omo the way you shake Things you do making me craze Rocking expensive shit oh eh eh eh eh eh I say wetin you wear, the things you do Making me craze I know you like expensive shit oh oh eh eh eh Bridge Make we dey go eh eh… kiloso eh eh Go down, down, down, down, down, down Make we dey go eh eh … kiloso eh eh Go down, down, down, down, down, down Oya! Ice …

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

E-NEWS

July 4, 2015

Twins of music

Adegbodu Twins

P-Square

Twins Affair PIP Classic

here is no doubt that the singing twins, P-Square, seem to be the only set of singing twins the country because they are the most popular, most visible and most successful such twins. They are however not the only musically inclined twins Nigeria boasts of. There are many other singing twins like P-Square, but none as successful as them. Among these others are some who have endeavoured musically to the extent that they have achieved a bit of recognition and success. Twin-X, Oshadipe Twins, Adegbodu Twins, Ajogbajesu Twins, Twins Affair, Twice and PIP Classic are some of these others. Of their number, Twin-X can be said to have come closest to P-Square. Back in the days when they broke into the industry, they were managed by Big Bamo, a music producer cum record label proprietor, who was also behind the breakthrough success of the groups, Maintain, and Krazy Kulture. Nowadays, not much is being heard of Twin-X musically, but back in the mid-2000s when they were really hot, they could have given P-Square a run for their money as Big Bamo went all out to ensure that

their songs and music videos were receiving the needed promotion to make Twin-X a household name. And that is why now they’ve been musically quiet for quite some time, their name still rings bells and one of their songs, Mother Mi, which celebrates mothers, is still highly acclaimed. Adegbodu Twins and Ajogbajesu Twins are also into gospel music, albeit the traditional type, but they’ve also both been able to achieve some modicum of success. Like P-Square, Twins Affair are also into contemporary music, and they’ve been trying their best to become really popular, but things are just not working out for them yet. Other music twins are Twice and PIP. Twice are ladies while PIP Classic are male and are also named Peter and Paul like P-Square. The big question is if any other music twins can become as successful as P-Square. That is not an impossibility as the basic secret of P-Square’s success is that they work very hard so any other music twins that want to be as successful will have to work just as hard as them.

Twin-X

July 4, 2015

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Lupita Nyong’o finally wears an African designer L

eading fashion label, Maki Oh continues to prove a hit amongst Hollywood’s fashion elite as Lupita Nyongo’o has worn two classic hand-painted and hand-dyed pieces by the designer and champion of adire, the traditional Yoruba cloth dyed with natural indigo. The Oscar winner, currently on her much talked about homecoming tour – her first since winning the movie industry’s top award for her breakout role in 12 Years A Slave – returns to Kenya with a mission to save wild animals. She has since been named a global elephant ambassador.

At two of her public outings, the actress made fashion forward choices including a silk satin scarf blouse and silk cotton skirt ensemble to a mentorship talk where she spoke about the importance of art in education. Later at a press conference, she wore a silk satin and velvet vest with silk cotton wide leg trousers to spearhead a new campaign to stop the slaughter of elephants for their valuable ivory. Maki Oh is the first African designer the actress has worn at an event. Founded by Maki Osakwe, the eponymous fashion label is internationally known for its strong sense

of individuality and African identity and ability to create alluring conversational pieces that fuse traditional techniques with detailed construction. The label has been an advocate for African textiles since its launch in 2010. Maki Oh’s increasing creative success continues to earn the brand a star-studded cast of fans and startling reviews both in Nigeria and on the international fashion scene. Maki Oh is a favourite amongst international high-profile figures including Michelle Obama, Solange Knowles, Lee Lee Sobieski and Arden Wohl.

AdeJosh sings Karolina L

Lupita

ondon-based 21-year-old Nigerian afrobeats singer, songwriter, and musician AdeJosh, has dropped the music video for his debut single, Karolina, which was produced by long-time collaborator ATG Musick, and has been released on iTunes by potlight First Entertainment. Karolina, the first official solo single from AdeJosh, comes on the back of his addictive collaborative single, Silver And Gold, with Lcxn and Obado; last December’s massive hit, Make We Go, with Rugez STP; and stellar collaborations with YFS, Selecta Aff and Jibbz Olowo that have put AdeJosh firmly on the worldwide music map. Directed by Danny Wonders for WonderVision on location at the re-

nowned Lost Theatre in London, with dance choreography and art direction from Susan King, the Karolina music video sees AdeJosh starring as a talent show contestant trying to get to his Karolina amidst a flurry of dancers, while imagining himself performing at a live concert, as the future superstar he is destined to be. Having been making music from the tender age of 13, honing his craft all through his formative years, first as part of his church choir and then as the lead singer of his renowned secondary school choir, Robert Clack School Choir, AdeJosh is now poised to conquer the afrobeats scene, both in Africa and worldwide, so watch out.

AdeJosh

Alaafin’s son, Tilla, to tour UK, Ireland

Tilla

illa, the musician son of the Alaafin of Oyo, has concluded plans to embark on a tour of UK and Ireland and set the plans in motion by dropping the video of his latest single, Badman. The tour, which will see Tilla performing at Cambridge, Birmingham, Manchester, London, Oxford, Liverpool, Dublin, Glasgow and Aberdeen, was arranged by his label, Aquila Re-

cords, in conjunction with Certified Nation and DIY Entertainment. Meanwhile, Badman, which’s audio was released a few weeks ago, is fast spreading, and when its video was exclusively premiered to a select list of industry eggheads recently, their reaction was generally of awe and surprise with several of them commenting on how different and superlative it is.

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

StyGlleam and

with Yemisi Adeniran

e v o l e g Kitefronm

July 4, 2015

(08037801158) ydiran@yahoo.com

s the indigeno us Ankara fabr ic continues to ru le the fashion scene both at home and abro African design ad, ers all over th e world are also set to be at their best as they keep experimenting with it. One of their latest creation that turns out so uniquely is this one ta gged Kitenge by a designer called Evelyn Rugemalira. With just a de ep look at the fabric and many designs that her coun terparts have come up with, she decided to create an uncommon collection that combines the Ankara fa bric with our dear denim material. â&#x20AC;&#x153; The denim s a stro ng fabric that we discov ered very frie ndly and uplifting with other fabrics especially the Ankara fabric . All we need to do is to ge them in their t different colo urs and add a touch of the colourful Ankar a in our own way to make a unique outfi ts for our de clients,â&#x20AC;? she ar said. Just take a lo ok at some of the designs and have a fe el. What do yo u say? We are simply wao ed by this co llection.

STYLE & GLAM

July 4, 2015

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Fashion

Sexy ‘n’ slea Adding sizzle to your look

Every wants to tell a sweet, fairy tale with her appearance anytime she steps out for an outing. Such stories they wish to linger on in their beholders’ minds for a very long time. This why each day is a new day of adventure for a stylish lady. If you are yet to catch this bug but you aspire to do, here are ways to add a little sizzle to your look. Wear an exotic look. Adding unexpected touches to whatever you choose to wear and making your little essentials very glamorous makes you look sexy and irresistible any day. This may be an unusual touch on your outfit by your designer and a red or one colourful lipstick and other accessories as much as possible. Consider your skin Pick fabrics that feel great against your skin. Be bold to show some skin, either on the upper side or the lower side. Just be sure it is the area where your endowment is more pronounced. Accessorize with shoulder-duster earrings. Skip every other piece of jewellery, pull your hair back and make sure your makeup stays soft. This look goes great with bare shoulders and updos, too. Definitely an after-dark look. Wear shades. Perhaps the single sexiest item you can own are a great pair of sunglasses. They add tons of mystery, look cute even on top of your head and actually serve the practical purpose of protecting your eyes. Make a grand exit. Sexy is all about surprises, so a deceptively simple dress from the front can be a showstopper in the back. Open backs, lace-up backs, great dress trains all make for dramatic effects. Stay soft with touchable fabrics. Forget everything you’ve ever heard about hardcore leathers or sparkly sequins being heat-inducing. Cashmere, silky satin, buttery soft suedes are the real scene-stealers. Touchable fabrics not only invite another’s touch, they have the added bonus of feeling great against your skin so you feel pampered. Play peekaboo.No need to bare your breasts, even with lace. Nude linings, camisoles and slips all keep you covered while the lace itself stays really suggestive.

Fashion

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

n frenzy

azy

n frenzy

July 4, 2015

STYLE & GLAM

Fashion Guest

STYLE & GLAM

‘I’ll take on the world’ Within just two years of entering the modelling world, Oluwatoyin Oladunjoye’s face has become endearing to many product advertisers. ‘I have not even started,’ she told YEMISI ADENIRAN in this interview. You are young in the industry yet you are thumbing your contemporaries, what’s the secret? There is nothing special but God and my determination to succeed. I have always loved to be a success in whatever I do and the modelling career won’t be an exception. That is what has been at the back of my mind since I ventured into the career and this; I think is what has been working for me. It is my desire to take on the world and I surely will with God on my side. Do you have any special attributes that you think is working for you? I don’t think so but may be my love and excitement at being behind the camera and the fact that I am a lively person who makes friends easily. How do you cope with lectures and the modelling jobs? This is no big deal; I study a little and give it back to my lecturers in the bulky way. I play when I should and work when I should. I don’t allow my modelling job to affect my studies I have no problems. It has been wonderful so far. What special beauty regiments do you do to keep in shape? Nothing spectacular. I think my slim frame, if you agree with me on that, is a gift from God. I give glory to God in heaven for my good looks and to my sweet mama whom I got the shape from. Nevertheless, I watch what I eat and avoid junk and starchy foods at all times. I engage in regular physical exercises also and drink a lot of water What’s your opinion about the industry? Of a fact, the Nigerian modelling industry will go places. I have no regrets at all choosing this profession. It is one industry that allows you to grow as much as your determination and vision can take you. No one hinders the other and

the society itself is accommodating as against what we had before. How do you cope with male admirers? I guess God has been helping me in this wise. There are many of them and of course they increase in number by the day, but I take my time to handle them. I don’t snub them and I don’t make myself available for them. Besides, my schedule is tight, it does not allow excessive play or too much of familiarity. Who are your role models I have one role model and that is my mum. I love her very much too. She has always been there for me. I also love my dad very much. Greatest natural asset I love my stomach. It is flat and has been my greatest asset. My set of teeth too and generally my stature Advice for up-coming models Be focused and determined to suc-

July 4, 2015

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Vital health checks every woman needs …from 12 to 90

rom a child to a 90-year-old, there are vital health checks we need to avoid serious risk. Women go through the hustle and bustle of their lives without much thought of their health… as long as they look and feel alright. However, there are checks and therapies that are important for a long, healthy and happy life. AGED 12-18 By age 12, one would expect most girls to show signs of puberty and start their periods by age 13. However, this can vary from 11 to 15 years old. If your daughter has no pubertal changes (for example no breast buds by age 13 and no periods by age 15), it is recommended that you seek medical advice, as this means puberty is delayed and needs investigating. Regular eye and dental checks are also important and should be lifelong. It’s best to start early. And in addition to the usual immunisation schedules, it is recommended that girls from age 12 get vaccinated against HPV (human papilloma virus) before they are sexually active. This prevents against cervical cancer and possibly genital warts. AGED 18-24 Young women are usually fit and well. However, if you are sexually active or are about to become active, it is important that both you and your partner have a screen done for sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Chlamydia, for instance, is an important one to check for as it is very common among people aged 18 to 24, easily detected and readily treated with antibiotics. A sample of blood will do for hepatitis, syphilis and HIV. Other sexually transmitted infections, such as chlamydia and gonorrhea, can be tested from a vaginal swab. AGED 25-39 Healthy lifestyle changes regarding diet and exercise must be part of your daily routine. The health changes you make now will sustain you for many years to come, as long as you make it a lifestyle choice. It is also important to start being aware of your body and know what various parts feel like. In particular, breast awareness is very important and knowing how to check for any abnormalities is vital. Breast cancer affects one in eight women and is the most common cancer among women age under 40. Being breast aware – how they look, feel, nipple changes and any lumps or bumps- is vital to pick any early signs. Do seek medical attention should you notice changes. It is also important to have cervical smears every three years until the age of 49. Following this, every 5 years should be sufficient unless otherwise indicated by your doctor. If you are on contraception, having regular discussions and checks of your blood pressure and weight are also recommended as hormones can affect these. This is the age range in which longstanding heavy periods can begin to show their effects and you may experience symptoms of tiredness and low energy. Should this be the case, it is advisable to have a blood test to check your iron levels. This is easily corrected with supplements and dietary changes as well as considering medication to make the

periods lighter. This is the time in our lives when we consider having children. It is therefore important to see a health care professional for preconception advice and to check your weight and blood pressure. The use of supplements is also important at this time. AGED 40-60 Compared to our ancestors in the 18th century – who had a life expectancy of 40 years – we still feel young and healthy well beyond this age. However, we might begin to question how healthy we are. This is the time to have regular health screenings such as your blood pressure, blood sugars, bone health and cholesterol (fat in the blood). It is advisable to take other tests towards preventing heart disease, stroke, diabetes, kidney disease and certain types of dementia. From the age of 50, it is even more important to be breast aware as the risk of breast cancer goes up with age. Having regular mammograms every three years is vital. This is a breast X-ray to look for any changes that might suggest cancer. Breast cancer affects one in nine women and checking for changes helps greatly in decreasing its impact. AGED 60 AND OVER Having maintained a healthy lifestyle throughout the years, you should be able to take this through into your 80s and 90s and remain fit and active. Unfortunately, certain conditions are more common at older ages and it is vital to have more checks. Important ones not to be missed are regular eye tests, to check for eye pressures, cataracts and degeneration. Seeing an optician yearly should pick up on any problems. It is essential to regularly monitor your gut health and have regular screens for bowel cancer. A simple stool test is usually all that is needed. The health of your bones becomes even more important especially as you are now post menopausal. You must keep moving and / or exercise regularly and get adequate doses of calcium and vitamin D A screening test for osteoporosis may be indicated, depending on your medical history. The test is usually a bone density X-ray using very low doses of radiation. It takes about 10 to 15 minutes, causes no discomfort and involves lying down while a scanning arm passes over you to take pictures of your spine and hip. Discuss with your doctor whether you will benefit from this. (Culled from www.mailonline.com)

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July 4, 2015

Male Essentials

easons change, and with them, so do our clothes. As cold weather gives way to warm, our sweaters and wool trousers give way to polos and khakis. And what do we do with our cold weather clothes until the cold season rolls back around? Some of us may leave them hanging around the closet or crammed in a drawer somewhere. Some of us may even store them away — which you should be doing — but chances are we’re not storing them away properly. Clothes are an expensive, important investment that can last for years, as long as you’re taking proper care of them. And part of proper care is proper storage. So, to help make those expensive sweaters and linen shirts last longer, remember these three simple rules for storing your clothes: clean, protect, organize.

08036961187

with Oseyiza Oogbodo kingseiza@gmail.com

How to keep your clothes clean and crisp

Clean

Even though this may seem like a simple idea, be sure you give it a fair shake. The first step in storing our clothes and insuring they make it to next season is one final wash. Your threads are very susceptible to bugs and mites — especially when they are dirty or soiled. And not all stains are immediately visible, so take every precaution. Just because you can’t see it doesn’t mean it’s not there. Unattended stains will come back to haunt you, especially if they are left lounging on your clothes for a few months. When you retire clothing items for the season, be sure you wash them or dryclean them properly, even if they don’t appear to need it. After all, everyone knows what they say about cleanliness.

Protect

Clean clothes don’t remain unharmed while in hibernation. You’ll need some protection, and you’ll need some wood. Cedar is the easiest — and smartest — thing you can do to protect your clothes while storing them. The fresh scent of cedar not only repels bugs and mites, but also absorbs abrasive odours from your laundry basket and gym bag. Cedar works wonders, and everyone knows it. That’s why cedar products abound for protecting your clothes. Your best bets are cedar blocks for drawers and containers, cedar hang-ups for closets, and cedar hangers for winter suits and heavy coats. All are available in the storage section of your local department or hardware store, and all deflect harmful bugs that will devour your clothes. But cedar is just one step in the protection process. You also want to protect your clothes by storing them in dry, cool, dark, well-ventilated areas. Got all that? Fabrics need to stay dry to prevent moulding, and they also need to breathe to avoid mustiness. Darkness protects from fading, and temperate storage areas avoid unnecessary damage. It may sound overwhelming, but it’s really quite simple. Just be strategic in storing your clothes in the proper places and with the proper protection to ensure their longevity.

ment bags. These bags allow you to contain clothes in one central area, making storage a breeze. Plus, they also block light and provide a breathable shell for clothes. And the next time you need these items, they will be safe, clean and easy to find. You should also consider other storage items to help organize your wardrobe. Sweater and under-the-bedstorage boxes lend you flexibility in arranging and storing clothes properly. Containers such as these add structure to your closet, unifying and containing aspects of your wardrobe; in addition, they also maximize your wallet by providing clothes-protecting options. Getting organized has many advantages. So, as seasons change, organization is an integral part of storing your wardrobe and simplifying your life.

Clothing care

Organize The final phase in storing your clothes properly is organization. Take your clean clothes and your protective elements, and pull them all together cohesively. A little bit of order goes a

long way in mainstreaming your closet and maintaining your wardrobe. And the fundamental key in organization is grouping like elements together. For instance, store unneeded, off-season hanging items in natural cotton gar-

Rules exist in every game, and like it or not, we must play by them if we wan to be successful. The game of fashion is no different, gentlemen. Clothes properly cared for stand out in a crowd — as do clothes improperly cared for. So, as we rotate items in and out of our wardrobe, we must remember these three simple steps for proper storage: clean, protect, organize.

July 4, 2015

Male

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Relatio

Angle

Jide animashaun 08034710902 jidemashaun@yahoo.com

Should you flee a lo

Not quite necessary

here are no good answers for this, and certainly no socially acceptable ones though a lot of people will crucify me for what I’m about to say on this issue. If you think you married for only love or that people do marry for basically love and no other underlying more basic reasons, then you may really be living in a world that is far from the realities on ground than you think. I can tell you that you are as far away from the said realities as the North pole is from the South pole. Consider that by the time you are in your old age it may well not even be easy for both parties in a relationship to have such a sizzling romance as they once did though some people will carry theirs well into the grave. Sex and Coital frequency which are part of the physically attributes of love and affection though not the only attributes does not increase with age. Some people place more importance on certain issues than other people and there’s nothing wrong with that unless you get one person who wants something and another person who doesn’t. That is when the relationship or marriage is doomed. Many people marry for different reasons especially here in Africa from the mundane to the very serious. From the funny ones to the not so funny. At times love and affection is the last thing on their mind during marital proposals and the wedding proper. For so many people, lust and sexual emotions will over rule other expectations that they want in marriage. Others will go into a marriage strictly for financial gains and as far as they are getting what they want, their partner may be involved in other things. They will not be bothered. I have seen cases where people got married for religious reasons and not because there was anything like love and affection between the parties. And truth be told, our grandparents didn’t even marry for love or affection. They had marriages of expedience and they stayed together for a lot of reasons. Whatever yardstick we are using, a marriage is simply two people coming to live to-

gether as one after all societal, religious or legal obligations may have been fulfilled in the concept to keep them together as a man and his wife. Divorce on the other hand is strictly the end of a union. It’s that simple and straight-forward. Without equivocations, once a marriage is over, it is really over and the excuses for it ending do not really matter though a lot of people will want to ascribe different meanings to its end and lack of love or a complete alienation of affection and attention are usually ascribed as the major reasons for the demise of any relationship. Truth be told, the end of a relationship is strictly the result of a lack of whatever reason was the primary objective of the people going into the relationship in the first instance. A relationship will definitely end if the reason for its coming into being was as a result of two families deciding to pool their financial resources together through the union of their children and the end of that financial expediency. For others it may be to create a larger land mass for mechanised farming or whatever reasons since large land owners hardly ever want to diminish their wealth. Whatever the reasons may be, once it is over, it is over. Now coming into the concept of love and attention which most people term as the primary reason for staying in marriage, it is generally believed that once a partner cannot or will not show love or pay attention to the other partner, the basis for marriage is over but like I’ve rightly noted above, your reason for marriage will and should be the only basis for divorce from that marriage if you are truly being sincere with yourself. Why should I divorce a partner who I married for financial or sexual gains just because that person cannot show me love or attention? I’m a pragmatic romantic and I know why I’m in a relationship. Let’s not beguile ourselves with semantics here, alienation of affection and love cannot and should never be a reason for divorce in a marriage.

SEX TALK

This column is x-rated

12 of men’s best kept secrets

1. We like to cuddle. Cuddling is all about mood and ambience. It’s peaceful to lie in someone’s arms in the dark with great music or even the low buzz of the TV (although that tends to distract) in the background. It’s nice to hear nothing but your lover’s breath against the backdrop of the evening or early morning. Holding someone close in bed also makes you feel very secure with one another and the relationship. 2. We think we are good in bed. Men are taught that confidence solves just about anything. You can be making a total mistake, but as long as you’re confident, it will turn out okay. This may explain why we are so clueless at what we are doing in bed, but we act like we know. 3. We want to bail the morning after a one-night stand. Do not linger in bed hung over. I’m horrible when I’m hung over, so I am sure others are too. You can’t contaminate someone’s bed with that. Do everything you can to get home and fester in your own bed. People have things to do over the weekend. Give each other a hug, wish each other well. Don’t say anything about calling, and don’t believe him when he mutters that he will call

you. 4. You’ll never understand our sports obsession. Some women love sports. But are they as obsessed with sports like guys are? I read about sports every day, and go over stats. And I do find myself telling my sisters about football teams of the schools they attend! There is no reason women wouldn’t understand or know sports like guys do if they were as obsessed. I just think guys across the board are more sports-obsessed than women are. 5. Sex in the shower is overrated. I once tried this, but the entire time I was trying to contort my body so that I could get ‘everything’ inserted correctly. That “up against the wall” variation is tougher than it sounds. The entire shower apparatus is so slippery, and then you have soap all over the place. It’s a danger zone. Plus, I do my best to keep my bathroom clean, but I don’t think I’d ever want to have sex anywhere near something called “mildew.” 6. Leave your baggage at the door. Guys are happy to help out their girlfriends with emotional issues. But if the baggage becomes apparent too early in the relation-

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RELATIONSHIPS

July 4, 2015

onships

Female

Angle

JACQUI IWU 08165049669 email: amiicaregroup@aol.com

oveless marriage?

Absolutely yes!

This column is x-rated ship, then a guy will probably bail. Also, baggage causes people to put pressure on or damage a relationship, so it may be doomed from the outset. 7. We are afraid of commitment. Commitment means that I’ve decided that the woman I’m settling down with is perfect and there is no one else out there for me. Commitment means I’ve found my soul mate, that I am completely secure with myself, and that there should be no going back. I don’t know about you, but all of that is pretty heavy. I think the old adage “Girls mature faster than boys” comes into play here. Commitment is a sign of maturity, and it just takes some of us longer. 8. Confidence is key in the bedroom. I know if a girl seems unsure of herself in bed, it gets distracting and starts to feel awkward. The best thing to do is to act like you have some experience, and not question anything. I think back to the advice my dad once gave my sisters and me when he snuck us onto the “premium members only” tennis courts at his club. While we played, security goons watched closely, and my dad could tell that we were nervous: “Just act like you are supposed to be here, and they won’t ask any questions, he said.” Sure enough, it worked! 9. We play hard to get — and we know it. Sometimes, I just act like they have no chance, even though I might like them. I openly flirt with other girls in

This column is x-rated front of them, and talk about how hot other girls are in front of them. I make myself look really picky and difficult to get to. Then, I get really tender and give all of my attention to this girl who thought she had no chance. 10. We check out other women (Even if We’re in Relationships) Sorry, but we notice a hot girl any time, any place. Hopefully, most of us don’t make it obvious, but we check out a cutie when we can. The worst is if your younger sister or best friend is hot, we’ll check her out too. 11. We fear growing older As we get older, we gain weight, we lose our hair, we get tired faster, and younger guys look better in our presence. It’s especially painful for athletic guys who can’t quite do the things they used to do physically. We go through depressions, mid-life crises, etc...until finally, we just give up. 12. We say we’ll call even if we don’t mean it We always say we’ll call, because it’s the nice thing to say. It’s almost as thoughtless as the “fine” answer when someone asks us how we’re doing. Would you rather us say: “Look, I’m not planning to call you?” And sometimes at that very moment we say we’ll call, we do mean it, but then after 24 hours we change our mind after sleeping on it…or another girl shows up and takes up all our attention.

want to ask you dear reader a question (if you are married)... why did you marry? I bet you are not even sure and probably searching yourself very well sceretly to answer this truthfully within you. Now if you are not married yet...why do you want to get married? What is the first thing that just got to your mind now why you should get married? Can you really answer this with all honesty to yourself ? Are your answers focused more on giving- Real Love/Attention to someone else DAY AFTER DAY? Some religions do not allow divorce. Can i also ask which one is more appropriate in a human life. Living under the same roof with someone who hates you with passion in the name of marriage or allowing each other to go and find happiness after trying so hard to mend your marriage without success? Which one is better? I think time has come for us to start looking at things in a more realistic manner rather than confusing issues with things we know are not reasonable and more disastrous in life. God does not enjoy divorce but same God also does not enjoy seeing a man/woman who is married trying to kill his wife/ husband secretly without any mercy just to be free from an abused marriage. Hundreds of men and women have died prematurely, gone practically mad, destroyed and clinically depressed due to not finding a way out of a rotten marriage. Honestly there are marriages you will encounter you as a single person will swore not to marry. Stale/rotten/fatal marriages! Do not be decieved when you see some married couples walk out of their gates smiling.They are pretending, caged, trapped...looking for escape. Some have asked their spouse for a divorce but he/she refused! You are not in love with someone....you do not value/respect the person. you batter and violate the persons human rights day after day....and this person is pleading to go away from you but you refuse? Aren’t you a psycho? What other word do i use to describe you? You cannot enjoy living with someone who does not make you happy...whom you hate with passion and still does not want him/her to go and you call yourself a good thinking sane human being? You are more dangerous than the devil himself !!

Everyone has one life to live on this planet, a very short one for that matter...so why should you insist someone’s life must never be pleasant and enjoyable before he/she gets called back home by his/her creator? Why? Is being married a death sentence if you do not want to continue being married? Meanwhile, this same person you refuse to let go gets no love, admiration, attention from you..year after year. The only attention could be when you are fighting and beating the hell out of her... yea...it is always the women that get stuck in this kind of marriage mess. Meanwhile, you the man will be having fun outside chasing all kinds of women, enjoying your life the way you want....go and come as you wish but due to societal conditions here in Africa, the woman cannot even go out to make friends not to talk of seeing another man while under your prison of a house ...she is just a hostage...what -a -hellllllll?? All in the name of marriage?? Some couples will go to churches for marriage counseling and the Pastors will only focus on ‘’keep praying for God to change his/her mind’’. With all due respect for our men and women of God, i strongly believe that God can change people for better but in a situation things keep getting worse and worse for such couples that you counsel for years and you keep telling them same thing is absurd. God cannot be fooled by anyone because HE sees the innermost intention of all us. Have you wondered why such couples situation rather than improving keeps getting worse? One day one of them will get killed and you as the pastor will still link God to this by saying...God knows best..only God knows why this happens!! My point is that, we have to face realities as we relate with God. There are situtations you encounter in your counseling and you your self gets pretty scared to even ask them questions deeply to extract facts and all you tell them is to go home and pray? There are two areas to this—praying and facing realities and calling a spade a spade. Such couples do not even have the stamina to do serious prayers due to the trauma,abuse,torture they are in physically and mentally day after day. Unless you address and stop all these, they are in no state to do prayers that can work for them.

July 4, 2015

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Woman ‘Marriage is a make or break issue’ Honourable Princess Folashade Olabanji-Oba, a real estate consultant and founder, Shelter of Grace, tells YEMISI ADENIRAN about her pet project, her love for philanthropy and why marriages fail. Excerpts:

What’s your growing up like? My growing up was fun. Anytime I think about it, I smile. Whenever I remember all that I enjoyed as a baby, I always feel good. I was blessed with a wonderful father and a most loving and caring mother. Although things were not rosy all the time, we got along quite well. This was largely because our parents understood that their children’s needs come first. Interestingly, my father was a semi-literate, while my mother was illiterate. They were, however, bent on giving us quality education. My mother was always unhappy about the fact that she didn’t go to school; she was particularly unhappy because of all her siblings, she was always sickly. She was not someone who compromises however. Before you could get anything from her, it must be for school or for

something reasonable. She would call us pet names and praise us every morning. I was a very shy girl but my mother kept encouraging me to quit being shy. She never stopped talking about my beauty which she insisted being both inside and outside. She boosted my confidence so much. Though she wanted me to be bold, the way she raised us made me to be afraid of her. Till the day she died, I couldn’t look straight into my mother’s eyes despite the love and respect I had for her. My father was a disciplinarian, who spared nothing at ensuring that I turned out alright. Sometimes, my mother would feel like my father was being too harsh on me. He raised me like a boy because he wished I was a boy. He wouldn’t drop a standard despite the fact that I am a girl. Before he died, my father, who claimed he felt like

a fool when God gave me to him, confessed that there is a better plan for me. Till his death, he was so proud of me. It was much later that I found out that he loved me. He just did not want me to be over pampered and spoilt. My mother had me very late, and there was that tendency for her to spoil me, but she didn’t. What kind of girl were you when you were small? I was like every other girl, I love dancing, listening to music but I loved my books. Because I was in boarding school from my nursery, primary to secondary school, I always looked forward to coming home for holidays, to help my mother in her retail business. She was into textiles and once I came home, she would make sure that I woke up by 4 am, got dressed to follow her

to the market. Most times, I stayed there till evening before coming back home; she wouldn’t leave me at home. She kept me by her side always to have quality time with me every day. What was your childhood dream? I wanted to be a lawyer. As a little girl, I liked to represent other people’s interests. I liked to share and take care of people and though I was very fragile, I didn’t like trouble. I felt people listened when I talked. Then, I left secondary school and got admission to study Law. My mother felt I was too young, and should go for my ‘A’ level. Fortunately, I ended up studying business administration. My mother was really interested in me being an entrepreneur and always said I have sales skills. Everybody was comfortable with her; they could buy things from

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July 4, 2015

Marriage is a make or break issue for

most people in life.

One of the best

things you can do for yourself when you meet anybody, apart from the

physical aspect, is to intimately know the level of the person’s

relationship with

God

her and always trusted her judgment. She felt I had the same gift. Later, she ventured into real estate, which I am also doing now. How did you meet your husband? My husband played a fast one on me; he was my brother’s friend. Anytime, he visited my brother, he would tell me: Please, help me get a good wife like you. Whenever I asked him what he seeks in a woman, he would reply that he needed a good wife material like me. After a while, he asked me to marry him, but I declined saying that he was a difficult man. I told him I like soft-spoken, gentle guys. However, he always made me laugh. One day, he looked at me and said he wanted to tell me something. He wouldn’t look me in the eye, however. The following week, four of his friends called me saying they wanted to take me out for dinner. I didn’t have any choice than to go with them. He was there smiling at me. One of his friends said they had a message for me from one of their closest friends who loves me so much. They said he secretly adored me and was always singing my praises. They said he could not even sleep well and was desperate to marry me. What was your reaction? I was shocked and wondered who the person might be, and why he could not confront me personally. What surprised me most was the fact that all these while, he was there watching while his friends spoke on his behalf. I looked him straight in his eyes and asked him why he could not talk for himself ? He replied that I should just answer the questions the friends asked me. I told him that I would not answer the questions until he used his mouth to tell me himself. It was then he rose up to tell me of his love for me. He demanded my immediate response. I laughed and looked straight into his eyes and told him he is a big-for-nothing guy, who could not talk to a lady despite all he’s got. We both laughed over it. When we got into the car and in the presence of his friends, he went back to the same subject and asked whether I would marry him. I responded in the affirmative. I think it was tough for him to ask me out because he had often talked of his reservation about Mushin girls. As far as he knew, Mushin girls or ladies do not know how to love. Besides, he was raised by a single mother. I also told him of my fear that he is never serious about anything because he jokes a lot. Why did you finally settle down with him? I think because he always makes me laugh. I used to call him a comedian, while he would call me Iya Jesu, let’s pray. Obviously, I like to serve God. I think he used

that to sweep me off my feet. As a philanthropist and a politician, how do you manage your family? It is difficult because each needs more than 24 hours a day to thrive well. I will just give all to God who has made it all worked. There are days I felt like spending more time with my family, there are other times I also felt like spending more time out there with my commitments. Somehow, however, I tried balancing all and it keeps working. All the glory be unto God Almighty. One thing that I think has continually worked for me is the fact that I am into all that I do because I love doing them. The message here is that we must never forget that the primary reason for being alive is to love one another as God first loved us. And in whatever capacity we are endowed, we should ensure that we are a blessing, and live a life of blessing. At those times you feel you are running alone and you are scared of how everything you desire will work out well, God is always there to take care of everything. What is Shelter of Grace all about? It is an empowerment and training center, a voice for the voiceless, especially women. It is however not restricted to women because we have a lot of men that we have trained in different fields like agriculture, fish farming, mechanics, shoes making and so many other things. What do you think is responsible for broken marriages in Nigeria? I think everybody should pray for good luck and grace to marry the right spouse. Parents must especially pray for our children and this must start from when they are little. Marriage is a make or break issue for most people in life. One of the best things you can do for yourself when you meet anybody, apart from the physical aspect is to intimately know the level of the person’s relationship with God. It is good to marry somebody with the fear of God and this can be well achieved if the person inquiring is also close to God because it takes someone who is in God to also know the stand of the other person. It is also important for couples to agree on the way to sail the boat of their homes. For instance, you cannot be newly married and live apart. You must also believe in each other’s visions and missions. What other advice do you have for couples? Let’s always put God first. Moreover, we must curb greed because there is so much competition all over the world. And a lot of our young girls want it all in one day; they don’t have time to go through the process. Once you pick a partner, believe in him or her. Above all, find ways of communicating with each other always. After studying Business Administration; why did you decide to go into politics? After studying Business Administration, I studied Real Estate and Mortgage Banking which is what I am still doing now. I’m a Real Estate consultant and Developer. Politics came out of my desire to serve God. It started like a ministry and I made up my mind that I want to give my life to God and live the Christ-like life as much as I could. At the time I made that call, so many things were not right in my life, and so when anybody asked me, I would tell them all I want is an inner peace. For me, peace is priceless, but the peace I crave for comes from knowing and loving my God and giving Him all, no matter the challenges I am going through. I know He is bigger than my problems. I realised I can reach out to the children and thereafter started reaching out to the community. Funnily enough, I ventured into politics because of voluntary services, I just wanted to be of help and I am glad

Keeping ABREAST

Meet the sexually liberated Tuareg women

• They embrace sexual freedom and dictate who gets what in divorce.

or centuries, the nomadic Tuareg tribe has crossed the Sahara desert, sometimes being led by the blind who used their heightened sense of smell and taste to pick a safe path across the ever-shifting sands. But behind the ancient way of life is a culture so progressive it would even make some people in liberal western cultures blush. Women are allowed to have multiple sexual partners outside of marriage, keep all their property on divorce and are so revered by their sons-inlaw that the young men wouldn’t dare eat in the same room with them. What is even more surprising is that even though the tribe has embraced Islam they have firmly held onto some of the customs that would not be acceptable to the wider Muslim world. It is the men, and not the women, who cover their faces, for example. The explanation of their society is very simple: Photographer Henrietta Butler, who has been fascinated by the Tuareg since she first followed them through the desert in 2001, once asked why this was. “The women are beautiful. We would like to see their faces,” was the explanation. But this is certainly not the only place the Tuareg, related to the Berbers of North Africa, differ from the Muslim world of the Middle East, and even other parts of their own continent. Before a woman marries, she is free to take as many lovers as she wants. “They turn a blind eye,” explained Butler. “The young girls have the same great freedoms as the boys.” For years, a Tuareg male has been able to ride to a young woman’s tent, and sneak into the side entrance - while his well-trained camel stands quietly and waits. There, they will spend the night together - while the family, who all live in the tent, politely pretend not to notice. Should the woman choose to welcome a different man into her tent the next day, so be it. Privacy is all important for this centuries old tribe of nomads. The man is always gone before sunrise. ‘The Tuareg are utterly discreet. Everything is done with utmost discretion and

respect,’ said Butler. The relaxed customs around sexual partners has resulted in the girls getting married later than they may otherwise do, with the age of 20 not being uncommon. Unlike in so many other cultures, women lose none of their power once they marry either. Any visitor who goes to a camp would be vastly underestimating the power of the women in the tent if they believe their sole duty is to make the food and look after children. In fact, she owns the home and the animals. Many marriages end in divorce among the Tuareg. And when it happens, it is the wife who keeps both the animals and the tent. And it is she who normally decides that she’s had enough. It is unlikely there will be any quibbling over who gets what. Pre-nuptial agreements are the norm. In practice, this often means a man is forced to return home to his mother, possibly with just his camel and nothing else. His wife, meanwhile, will keep possession of everything she brought to the marriage and that includes the children. And there is no shame in divorce. Families will often throw their daughters a divorce party, to let other men know they are available once more!.

Parenting

July 4, 2015

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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

Does your baby have eczema?

our baby, no doubt, has inherited a lot from you and your partner: your height, your complexion and perhaps your tendency towards sensitive skin. If someone in your immediate family has allergic tendencies, eczema may be the first sign that your baby shares that tendency too. Eczema can start as early as your baby’s second month. Symptoms can be mild and barely noticeable, or itchy and intense.

Signs of baby eczema Symptoms of eczema in babies include skin that is: dry, tender, red, scaly, cracked, thick or leathery, itchy, crusting or oozing, has circular patches of red areas or light areas Some of the symptoms above can indicate other problems such as diaper rash. So, don’t always assume your baby has eczema. Talk to your baby’s pediatrician before treating the skin problem.

2. Avoid scented products. What irritates eczema varies with each baby, but start by avoiding fragrances in all products that touch baby’s skin, including soaps, shampoos, and lotions. Opt instead for mild body soaps or soap-free cleansers. Also avoid perfumed laundry detergents. 3. Moisturise. Moisturising is the foundation of healthy skin for people with eczema. You can soothe your baby’s eczema symptoms by moisturizing skin at least two or three times daily, using a fragrance-free, hypoallergenic product. Look for oilbased ointments. These help lock in moisture better than lo-

tions, which contain more water. 4. Use eczema creams. Creams that contain colloidal oatmeal or mild hydrocortisone can help ease itching and skin irritation. Some steroid creams may be too potent for infants. Before using steroids on your baby’s eczema, always consult your doctor. And don’t use hydrocortisone creams for longer than a week unless advised by your baby’s doctor.

your baby these medicines.

6. Keep cool. Hot water strips the body of skin-protecting oils. So be sure to bathe baby in lukewarm water, then moisturise soon after. 7. Avoid dietary changes. Certain foods can be an eczema trigger for some babies, but “sorting that out can be very challeng-

ing. Don’t eliminate foods from your baby’s diet without the supervision of your doctor. The take-home message when treating your baby’s eczema symptoms is: talk to your pediatrician. Your doctor can verify that baby’s symptoms are eczema, and can help you pick the eczema treatments that are just right for baby’s sweet, sensitive skin.

Tiny Feet

5. Consider oral antihistamines. Oral antihistamines like Benadryl, Claritin, and Zyrtec, may help if your baby’s itch is severe. But consult with your pediatrician before giving

Top tips for treatment 1. Avoid triggers. The problem with eczema is that skin is easily irritated, so the main treatment is avoiding irritants. Triggers that may irritate your baby’s eczema include dry air, pollen, mold, dust, harsh soaps and detergents, heat and sweating

NAME: Akomolede Testimony BORN TO: Mr and Mrs Akomolede AGE: 3 months old BIRTH WEIGHT: 3.7 kg Have you just had a baby? Send a picture of your bundle of joy to mirrorbabies@gmail.com

ParentingUpdate I

t’s a simple professional portrait celebrating the newest addition to a family. So what could possibly go wrong? But clutching her newborn baby, one woman received a stark reminder of the messy realities of motherhood. Her adorable slumbering baby squirted a stream of excreta on her arm. The impressive amount of excrement also made it onto the baby’s grandmother, who received the worst of it, as it splashed onto her arms. The mustard hue of the baby’s faeces seemed to add colour to the otherwise colourless occasion. The photographer, who subsequently put the image on Facebook,

Expensive shit!

zz Family portrait goes spectacularly wrong after newborn soils his mother’s arms with poo!

explained: “This little guy was in for his newborn photo session, and during the sweet photos, he decided to let it go. Should this be the birth announcement?” The image, which has gone viral, has already been shared on Facebook 17,000 times, with many people offering their ‘condolences.’ One sympathetic Facebook user commented: “You know you are a mom when someone has pooped on you.” This is definitely not the first time that an unsuspecting parent has been ambushed with the bowel movements of their little ones. Has your tiny bundle of joy ever

marked a moment with poo? Was it an outing or a simple family meal? Did you have friends or relations over, only for them to get a poo welcome from your tiny one? Has your baby ever unleashed a torrent of excreta at the most inappropriate time? Please share your experiences with us at mirrorbabies@gmail.com

People

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

July 4, 2015

US polygamist applies for license to marry second wife …after Supreme Court ruling on gay marriage

Montana (US) man said on Wednesday that he was inspired by last week’s U.S. Supreme Court decision legalising gay marriage to apply for a marriage license so that he can legally wed his second wife. Nathan Collier and his wives Victoria and Christine applied at the Yellowstone County Courthouse in Billings on Tuesday in an attempt to legitimise their polygamous marriage. Montana, like all 50 states of the US, outlaws polygamy. But Collier said he plans to sue if the application is denied. “It’s about marriage equality,” Collier said. “You can’t have this (legalizing same sex marriage) without polygamy.” Collier and his second wife were met with confusion when they went to the Yellowstone County court house on Tuesday to fill out their marriage application. “So, are you legally married, you didn’t get divorced?” one clerk asked, when he saw that Collier marked ‘not applicable’ on a question asking for the dissolution date of his previous marriage. Collier responded that he was indeed still married and trying to marry for a second time. “We’ll have to deny that. Let me go grab the other supervisor real quick so I can get confirmation. But as far as I’m aware you can’t be married to two people at the same time,” another clerk said. County clerk officials initially denied Collier’s application, then said they would consult with the county attorney’s office before giving him a final answer, Collier said. Yellowstone County chief civil litigator, Kevin Gillen, said he is reviewing Montana’s bigamy laws and expected to send a formal response to Collier by next week. “I think he deserves an answer,” Gillen said, but added his review is finding that “the law simply doesn’t provide for that yet.” “All we want is legal legitimacy. We aren’t asking anybody for anything else. We just want to give our marriage and our family the legitimacy that it deserves,” Nathan Collier said. In a Facebook post on Wednesday, Nathan Collier said he was yet to hear an answer from the county attorney on their decision to grant or deny the marriage license. However, he says that he was told, through ‘other sources,’ that the attorney general’s office is considering charging him for bigamy. “I knew the risks I faced when I asked

Nathan Collier (center) and his two wives Victoria (left) and Christine (right) are moving to legalize their plural marriage based on the recent Supreme Court decision on gay marriage

the State to grant legal legitimacy to my family, and I accepted those risks. “I only ask that if their intent is to lock me in a cage over my family dynamic, contact me privately and I will walk in your front door. I have no reason to run or hide,” Collier wrote. Collier goes on to say that he is ‘saddened’ that his family faces such challenges in the ‘land of the free.’ “You can believe that the entire nation is and will be watching your choices and actions. There is no honor in destroying functional families,” Collier added. The US Supreme Court’s ruling on Friday made gay marriages legal nationwide. And Chief Justice John Roberts has said that people in polygamous relationships could make the same legal argument that not having the opportunity to marry disrespects and subordinates them. Collier, 46, said that Robert’s dissent inspired him. In his dissent of last week’s historic Supreme Court decision legalising gay marriage, Chief Justice John Roberts said that the majority’s opinion could in fact legalise other forms of marriage, such as plural marriage (Read polygamy).

Said Roberts, “Although the majority randomly inserts the adjective ‘two’ in various places, it offers no reason at all why the two-person element of the core definition of marriage may be preserved while the man-woman element may not. “Indeed, from the standpoint of history and tradition, a leap from opposite-sex marriage to same-sex marriage is much greater than one from a two-person union to plural unions, which have deep roots in some cultures around the world. If the majority is willing to take the big leap, it is hard to see how it can say no to the shorter one. It is striking how much of the majority’s reasoning would apply with equal force to the claim of a fundamental right to plural marriage.” Collier owns a refrigeration business in Billings and married Victoria, 40, in 2000. He and his second wife, Christine, had a religious wedding ceremony in 2007 but did not sign a marriage license to avoid bigamy charges, he said. Collier said he is a former Mormon who was excommunicated for polygamy and now belongs to no religious organisation. He said he and his wives hid their relation-

ship for years, but became tired of hiding and went public by appearing on the reality cable television show ‘Sister Wives.’ In the episode, the Colliers hosted the show’s stars - the Brown family - at their home in Billings and discussed their polygamist lifestyles. The Colliers and the Browns had never met before. The three have seven children of their own and from previous relationships. In an interview, Nathan Collier said he courted both of his wives at the same time. He says he fell in love with both and couldn’t choose so they decided to start one family together. Christine and Victoria said they are so happy with their lifestyle that they are thinking of adding another wife to the mix. When they first started their family, Victoria and Christine lived in separate houses on different sides of town with Nathan splitting his time between the two. But now they live together all as one, which they say works better. “My second wife Christine, who I’m not legally married to, she’s put up with my crap for a lot of years. She deserves legitimacy,” he said.

July 4, 2015

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

‘Sex with my husband gives me stomach discomfort’

‘I found fetish objects in her wardrobe’

• Whenever I see my wife, fear would set in. I also found a lot of fetish objects in her wardrobe which I packed and destroyed —Husband • I am not fetish, the only black soap that was in my wardrobe was given to me by my husband in conjunction with my brother when I was having terrible headache —Wife Stories by: Muda Oyeniran

r Joseph Odusina has told the Iyana Ipaja Customary Court of how he found fetish objects in the wardrobe of his wife, Mrs. Basirat Odusina. He also accused his wife of taking his photograph to their church in 2000 for deliverance without his permission. Mr. Odusina who is the petitioner in the case while giving his evidence alleged that his wife (the respondent) was a threat to his life because of her fetish nature. According to him, their church Pastor told him to perform deliverance and gave him money to perform it adding however that his wife went behind his back to give his photograph to the Pastor without his authority. “When I came back from Port-Harcourt, I went to visit the Pastor and he told me that the deliverance rites have been carried out. I then asked him how the deliverance was carried out in my absence. The Pastor showed me my photograph that was used. Secondly, whenever I see my wife, fear would set in. I also found a lot of fetish objects in her wardrobe which I packed and destroyed”, the petitioner explained.

He also alleged that the respondent was not appreciative at all because he sold his car and gave her N90,000 out of the proceed adding that when he retired from service, he also gave the respondent N350,000 out of his retirement benefits. Furthermore, the petitioner said he bought freezer for the respondent to improve her business so that she could assist in the smooth running of the home saying that she never appreciate all of his effort. “Despite the fact that I buy foodstuff for the home as well as gave her house keeping allowance, she refused to prepare food for me to eat. Due to the reasons stated above, I am no longer in love with her and I want the court to separate us”, he stated However, the respondent in her evidence said it was the Pastor that called her and informed her that the petitioner gave him money to buy materials for deliverance rites which he had bought and had called the petitioner several times without response “At around 7pm, the Pastor asked me to bring his photograph as an alternative to his physical presence because most of the items bought are perishable in nature, and I obeyed. I did this in good faith”, she said She also denied being fetish.

“I am not fetish, the only black soap that was in my wardrobe was given to me by my husband in conjunction with my brother when I was having terrible headache while oil and seeds were given to worshippers in the church for blessing” She acknowleged that the petitioner gave her N90,000 from the proceeds of the sale of his car but she however added that it was a refund of money she gave to him to purchase auctioned cars from customs department saying that both of them eventually spent the money together. The respondent also told the court that the petitioner gave her N300, 000 out of his gratuity instead of the N350, 000 which he claimed to have given her. She disclosed that the money was used to rent a shop and stocked the shop with foodstuffs for sale. “Unfortunately after 5 days after the opening of the shop in 2010, the problem set in as the petitioner started telling people i used charm to collect the money from him and up till this moment, the problem is still there even though I have been using the proceeds from the business to serve the home”, the respondent explained On the allegations that she CONTINUED ON PAGE 39

50 year old housewife, Mrs Abeke Olowolafe has approached AdoEkiti Customary Court seeking dissolution of her 32-yearold marriage to her husband, James. Abeke is seeking the dissolution on grounds of public assault and blackmailing, telling the court that her husband always disgraced her in public, calling her various names. She said that her husband usually referred to her as a promiscuous woman dating different men. Abeke, a mother of three, said there was a particular day her husband told her to lie-down on the bed to know whether she had sex with another man. She told the court that she had been responsible for the children’s upkeep and her husband

has not been supportive According to her, whenever she had sex with her husband, she always had stomach discomfort which resulted in her seeking medical attention. But the respondent, James, (56) told the court that his wife always starved him of food when they were together before they separated. He added there was a particular night she received a man’s call that she said was her friend’s husband but later caught him with her. James said he had been taking care of the children and even took a loan to enable her to start her own business. He said he has had to take a second wife because of Abeke’s behaviour. naija.com

‘She wants to abandon me after achieving her aim’

• She just wants to divorce me after she had used me as a ladder to climb to her present status —Husband • I don’t want the marriage anymore, he should just take care of my children; we cannot live together again, the love is no more there —Wife

rs Florence Adeoye, a lawyer has pleaded with an Ojo Customary Court in Lagos State to dissolve her 20-year-old marriage over threats to her life. Florence, a 28-year old civil servant on Grade Level 12, told the court that her husband, Nelson Adeoye, wasn’t taking care for her and her two daughters, aged 11 and nine years. “The trouble is too much, my husband refused to allow my second daughter to go to the boarding school she got admission into with the pretext of ill-health. “My daughter should have been a student in a model school now but my husband is too selfish, he wants to keep my children closer to him and because I refused, he did not pay her fees,” She told the court that the constant beatings from her husband made her to pack out from his house to her own. “I don’t want the marriage anymore, he should just take

care of my children; we cannot live together again, the love is no more there, “she said. Florence asked with the court to dissolve the marriage so that she would not lose her life and that of her children. Mr. Nelson Adeoye, the husband is a teacher with the Lagos State Ministry of Education. He described his wife’s claims as false, saying that she had some hidden agenda for moving out of his house. “She just wants to divorce me after she had used me as a ladder to climb to her present status, and wants to abandon me after she has achieved her aim,” he said. He added that he had to be cooking for her for some years to further express his love for her. “I am also fed up of the marriage, the court should go ahead to dissolve us. “She has caused me so much pain through her violent behavior, she has even built a house for herself yet I marCONTINUED ON PAGE 39

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DIVORCE COURT

July 4, 2015

‘My wife wants to kill me’

• She beat me almost every day with dangerous weapons. On three occasions, she broke my leg, preventing me from going out for days —Husband • It was my husband that always beats me on any slight provocation, I have never beaten him —Wife

r Emmanuel Osuya, A 55- year-old retired civil servant has narrated his ordeal before an Igando Customary Court detailing how his wife has turned him into a punching bag. Mr Osuya, has therefore asked the court to dissolve his 32-year-old marriage to his wife, Abigeal Osuya, 50, who he alleged threatens his life with constant beating. He said: “My wife wants to kill me; she beat me almost every day with dangerous weapons. On three occasions, she broke my leg, preventing me from going out for days,’’ Osuya also accused his wife of turning his children against him, thereby making them to hate him.: “Abigeal succeeded in creating enmity between me and my children, she tells them false and damaging stories about me in order to hate me. “So my children only care for her by sending her money and other items every month, without extending their love to me, they always ignore me as if I do not exist.” Mr Osuya also accused his wife of being a thief. He said she had rendered him financially broke by constantly robbing him of his money. Osuya said: “I cannot keep money at home again because my wife will steal it. “ She acts as if she is not always satisfied with the money I give her in spite of the fact that my children always send her money every month.” “I am no longer interested in the marriage, I don’t want

to die now, more so that I am out of love’’. Abigeal denied all the allegations. The mother of five said that she had never beaten her husband since the day she married him.” he added. His wife, Abigeal, has however denied turning her husband into a punching bag She said: “It was my husband that always beats me on any slight provocation, I have never beaten him.” Abigeal also claimed that she had never stolen her husband’s money. She asked the court not to grant her husband’s prayer for divorce because she is still in love with him. naija.com.

‘He threatened me with a knife at midnight’ • My mother came to help us nurse the baby for 41 days. Two days after her departure, my husband took a knife in the middle of the night to threaten me —Wife

housewife, Mrs. Taiwo Ojesina has told the Iyana Ipaja Customary Court of how her husband, Mr. Sunday Ojesina took a knife in the middle of the night to threaten her. According to Mrs. Ojesina who is the petitioner in the case, problem started in the marriage when her husband who is the respondent asked

‘She wants to abandon me after achieving her aim’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 38 ried her without anything,” he said. “The girl she said I refused allowing to go into the boarding house in a secondary school is below the prescribed age. “She is just nine years’ old and she needs to complete her primary six before gaining admission into the secondary school,” he said.

However, Mr. Hakeem Oyekan the court president appealed with Florence to allow the daughter to complete her primary six programmes before going to secondary school. Oyekan advised the couple to go home and try to work out their differences adding that they must not allow their personal issues affect their children’s progress. naija.com

her to move out of their matrimonial home because he owed rent. “I looked for ten thousand naira to assist him towards new accommodation. I left home with the first child and one month pregnancy. When I gave birth to the second child, I returned home. My mother came to help us nurse the baby for 41 days. Two days after the departure of my mother, my husband took a knife in the middle of the night to threaten me”, she explained The episode according to the petitioner made her to

leave the matrimonial home in February 2014. The petitioner also complained to the court that whenever he came to see the children he would cause commotion in her shop The petitioner also disclosed that the respondent beat her twice; the first occasion was when she waited for the respondent to provide food allowance so that she could cook and the second occasion was when she asked him for money to buy baby things in preparation for the arrival of their second baby. “I was seriously beaten on both occasions that I had to

report him Baale of Alaja town in Ayobo She also accused the respondent of not providing for her and the children since she started her beer parlour business when she was three months pregnant for the first baby. “I paid for both ante-natal and delivery charges of the two children. I would have left him after the birth of the first child but for the intervention of people who advised me to have a second child for him. Since I packed out of the house, he has been harassing

‘I found fetish objects in her wardrobe’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 38 did not took care of the petitioner, the respondent said she did all she could to appease him adding that her efforts were to no avail. According to her, she took care of the petitioner to the best of her abil-

ity. “When he refused to eat, I continued to prepare food for almost a year, pleaded with him but he would not bulge. So I stopped preparing his food”, she added She claimed that she still loved the petitioner but added that since the petitioner in-

sisted on the dissolution of the marriage, she prayed the court to grant his request. The court thereby dissolved the union saying it was glaring and evident that the marriage between the couple had broken down due to lack of trust.

INTERNATIONAL LIVING

July 4, 2015

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Desmond Tutu celebrates 60th wedding anniversary

nglican Archbishop Emeritus, Desmond Tutu, on Thursday, fell head-over-heels in love again, and saluted his wife, Leah, who has been at his side for the past 60 years. The couple celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary by renewing their wedding vows at a Eucharist service at St George’s Cathedral in Cape Town. Tutu, the Nobel Laureate, who played a pivotal role in the struggle against Apartheid, said the woman he met in Soweto in the 1950s had played an important role in his career. After renewing their vows at the ceremony attended by Njongkulu Ndugane, who succeeded him as Anglican Archbishop of Cape Town, Rev. Barney Pityana, and the cathedral’s pastor, Rev. Michael Weeder, among others, the couple danced to Marimba music performed in the cathedral. The couple will attend another service in their honour in Soweto on Saturday. Thabo Makgoba, the current Anglican Archbishop of Cape Town, who was unable to attend the ceremony, described Tutu as a channel of God’s richest blessings. Tutu, who was now retired, received many laurels. They include the Nobel

Peace Prize in 1984, the Albert Schweitzer Prize for Humanitarianism in 1986, the Pacem in Terris Award in 1987, the

Sydney Peace Prize in 1999, the Gandhi Peace Prize in 2007 a South Africa Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2009.

Eighty-three-year-old Tutu is one year older than his wife and they have four children and seven grandchildren.

as not only did she walk down the aisle dressed in traditional white garb and with a very large piece of duct tape around her snout, but she was also baptised prior to the festivities. The ceremony happens every year, and Mayor Rojas even exchanged vows with a new reptile, who is thereafter referred to as his wife. And like all wedding parties, this one was followed by a massive ceremony where the newlywed princess crocodile changed into more colorful attire and was held by her new husband as he danced and swung her around the floor. There is no mention of what happened to Mayor Rojas’ crocodile bride from last year, or how 3-year-old Maria Isabel beat out the other eligible crocodile ladies for this highly anticipated arranged marriage. Also being kept under wraps is where Maria Isabel will be living now that she is married to the town mayor. Previous crocodile wives and Rojas’ human wife seemed to have no objection to welcoming this new woman into their lives. The ceremony and reception, which also featured fireworks to mark the momentous occasion, was all paid for by the town council.

Last year also, mayor Joel Vasquez Rojas had married a crocodile ‘bride’ in a live ceremony. On the day of the wedding, hundreds of fishermen from San Pedro Huamelula dress up the crocodile princess as ‘bride,’ while the mayor of the town becomes the groom. After the ceremony, which starts with ritualistic baptism and exchange of wedding vows, the mayor has to kiss the bride. As a precaution to prevent the crocodile from biting, its snout is closed

with a tape. After the wedding ceremony, which is followed by a dance and festive fireworks, the ‘princess bride’ is released back into the pond. A local resident says the traditional wedding ceremony “means a lot” to the people of San Pedro Huamelula as “it’s the greatest treasure our ancestors have left us.” All expenses for the wedding are borne by the local community and those who do not contribute are fined.

Man marries crocodile

ne town in Mexico just got a very snappy first lady. Last Tuesday, Joel Vazquez Rojas, the mayor of San Pedro Huamelula, tied the knot with a crocodile princess named María Isabel in a traditional ceremony as hundreds in the town watched and cheered. It is a symbolic ceremony that is part of local tradition. The annual ceremony is meant to bring plenty of fish, shrimp and seafood to the many fishermen who live in the Pacific coast town. In the Mexican village called San Pedro Huamelula, crocodiles regarded as the princess of waters, with powers over fish and other creatures. “It’s my wish to marry the young princess,” Mayor Vasquez Rojas said, as the pair tied the knot. He then danced with his new wife in his arms before guests joined in. The groom later told reporters that he was delighted with how the day went and loved the excitement. “A group of Marenos [a local name for village people] welcomed the officials carrying the animal with fireworks . . . because the princess has arrived,” he said. The crocodile is now referred to as Mr Vasquez Rojas’ ‘wife’ It was busy day for the lucky croc,

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

July 4, 2015

Doctor Talabi has answers to your health questions

Don’t ignore these signs

Write him today at prettyprevent@gmail.com or text 09099346165 (sms only pls)

...even when you are broke!

he Nigerian economy is not at its best and the realities seem to be biting in every household. As a result, every family is cutting costs and trimming their budget as much as possible. Part of those things that will suffer is personal healthcare. People, at this time, are wont to self- manage their medical conditions, as visits to the hospital may be too much a financial burden to bear. They may resort to self diagnosis, buying of drugs at pharmacies without prescription, taking injections at makeshift ‘clinics’ manned by ‘qualified quacks’ or out rightly resorting to swallowing of herbal concoction. Anything to avoid paying hospital bills! While this is understandable, it is not advisable. And in the quest to manage resources, lets watch out for these symptoms. Headaches: Who doesn’t have headaches? No one I guess. It is almost not regarded as a symptom by most people. Headaches could be due to stress, lack of sleep, or even the intake of some medications. Also it goes away automatically sometimes, while at other times analgesics may be needed. As innocuous as headache seems; when it becomes persistent, worse in the morning, or associated with vomiting, then is the time to head to the hospital. For all you care it may be due to a brain tumor or meningitis.

Bleeding: Bleeding of any sort is not desirable. In a pregnant woman any form of bleeding portends danger and should be promptly investigated. And for women generally, bleeding in between periods, bleeding with abnormal colour, odour or smell should also be looked into. Sinister causes of bleeding in pregnant women are placenta separations, spontaneous abortion or an abnormally situated (ectopic) pregnancy. Bleeding from the

Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA) which is a forerunner for stroke. In fact you just had a minor stroke, and may not be as lucky next time, except you see to it immediately.

Chest pains/’Heart burn’: Sometimes the feeling is described as heartburn by the sufferers, but it is actually signaling an impending cardiac arrest. Chest pain that is left sided, worsening with activities or relieved by rest, with the pain radiating to the shoulder or the neck is almost certainly a sign of heart failure. Go to the hospital and arrest the cardiac arrest before it arrests you.

High fever:

nostrils (epistaxis) is one bleeding that should also not be waved aside even if it has stopped. Though it is generally due to mild causes, efforts should be made to rule out causes such as hypertension and bleeding disorders.

A very high grade fever in any individual young or old is not a good sign. For all you care, it may not be malaria. Instead we may be dealing with meningitis, pneumonia or even Ebola (God forbid!).Such unrelenting fever should be treated promptly and effectively in the hospital.

Growth:

Abdominal pain:

Any unusual growth or swelling in any part of the body should not be ignored, even when it is painless. While some of those swellings are harmless, some others herald the appearance of pathological conditions. An old swelling that is increasing in size, getting darker or lighter or becoming itchy must be seen to immediately. This is important to diagnose early ,swellings due to cancers.

Abdominal pain is another common symptom and one that can be easily ignored if it is the recurrent type. ‘I have had it before, this one too will soon go away’ don’t be too sure! Have you ruled out appendicitis? Or internal bleeding , perforated intestine or any of the numerous causes of abdominal pain that could suddenly deteriorate to a life threatening stage if not handled early enough. If the pain is not going away, or you are beginning to vomit or feel dizzy, head to the hospital with or without cash

One sided weakness: Do you suddenly see a shadow move across your vision and disappear? Has it happened that one side of the body especially the limb suddenly went numb? Maybe the feeling has passed and you are now relaxed? Don’t be. Now is the time to race to the hospital. It just might be

Excessive stooling: Maybe you thought it was what you ate. You went to the toilet the first time, and the second time, then the third, and you had to lean on the door frame to visit

the toilet the next time, home treatment is no longer for you. When volumes of water and electrolyte depletes to a certain stage in the body, oral intake will no longer be sufficient .You will have to visit the hospital and get an intravenous fluid that will quickly replace the lost volume. Failure to do so can result in death faster than anyone could imagine

Chronic Wound: Is there a wound in your leg that is not going away? In an effort to heal it, you have squeezed some herbs and placed it on it. Or accepted the native doctor’s solution of making scarification marks around it, while calling on the ancestors to come to your rescue .Not just to heal you, but also to visit your relative that poured the diabolical substance you stepped on with thunder. Yet the wound is not healing. Why not try the hospital, in case all you had was diabetic foot. So that you can get immediate care and avoid amputation.

Conclusion: Our list of course is not exhaustive and the conditions are not mutually exclusive. Therefore it is very important that we are alive to the responsibility of caring for our own health. No one else will do it for us. For one, it is good to buy health insurance to avoid spending on unpredictable medical situations. In addition, we should have a financial plan in place that will ensure that emergency health needs of our families are well taken care of. This prevents deterioration of health conditions and the need to have to pay more for care. And as much as we want to manage our finances, we should remember that we need to be alive to make more money. The deads don’t go broke! You can chat with a doctor FREE at www.prettyhealthcare.com.ng. every Wednesdays and Fridays(4-8pm)

July 4, 2015

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Explore the wonders of Agbokim Falls S

ome short distance away from the Nigeria-Cameroon border is the very captivating sight called Agbokim Waterfalls. The Falls situated in Cross River State lies less than 30km from Ikom and is highly recommended for picnics. The falls are pleasantly surrounded by green vegetation. Situated 17 kilometres from Ikom, close to the Nigeria-Cameroon border, is the Agbokim Waterfall; a collection of seven cascades which pour over a cliff creating an impressive seven-part waterfall. If you are lucky you will catch the falls at a time when the mist drifting from the crashing water conjures up rainbow colours. The waterfall is located on the Cross River, enclosed in a lush, tropical rainforest. It is the ideal spot for a picnic or to escape to a tranquil spot to be with nature. The river descends through the forest via picturesque terraces, providing plenty of secluded spots that are perfect for bird watching or just enjoying the sound of the water. Being such a spectacular sight, the falls have been selected as part of the country’s ‘Seven Wonders of Nigeria’ project, and this natural commendation will bring further touristic value to the area. The government is aiming to upgrade all the amazing tourist sites in the state, and this means Agbokim Waterfall could become more visitor friendly in the coming years perhaps even seeing the development of an eco-resort here.

Be dazed by the Long Juju Shrine Agbokim-waterfall Cross-River-Nigeria

rochukwu is a famous tourist destination with the cave of the famous long juju oracle as a particular attraction. Located in Abia State, South East of the country, the cave is made up of dark kilometre-long series of tunnels. The site is still primarily a religious one, and only secondly a tourist attraction. Some deeply unpleasant but mysterious features include the Throne of Judgement, where Chukwu, the Great God, would decide on the fate of a person, the Tunnel of Disappearance, and the Red River, which would turn coloured when a person was killed. The cave is believed to hold the long metal pipe through which the gods speak to the people. A traditional religionist would find the oracle quite

an attraction. It is, first and foremost, a religious centre with a well-laid down administrative structure headed by a Chief Priest. A long time ago, when West Africa was broken into many different kingdoms, Ibinu Ukabi or the Long Juju Shrine, was used to judge the perpetrators of crimes. In the kingdom of Arochukwu, those at trial would enter the temple complex, and wander through it, ready to face the judgment of Chukwu (God). It acted like a court, mediating the society of the old kingdom. In the 15th Century, European powers started the slave trade, and West African middlemen used it to their advantage. Those condemned were not killed inside the shrine, but were secretly sold on into slavery.

Long Juju

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July 4, 2015

LEISURE

July 4, 2015

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From the Civil Service FIRS collect N1.8trn in six months T

he Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) said on Thursday in Abuja that it collected N1.85 trillion as tax from the various sectors of the economy between January and June this year. The Acting Chairman of agency, Mr Samuel Ogungbesan, made this known before the leadership of the Senate to intimate it on the performance of the agency in the first half of 2015 fiscal year. He disclosed that N697 billion was generated from

Petroleum Profit Tax, N778 billion from Company Tax, while N376 billion was realised from Value Added Tax within the period under review. However, he noted that there was a shortfall in the level of non-oil revenue. According to him, the increase in tax evasion by individuals and corporate bodies was responsible for the low level of non-oil revenue. He noted, for instance, that efforts by the FIRS to get surcharges from own-

ers of private jets and mansions in the country over the years had not yielded the desired results. ``We looked at those who own private jets and thought that yes, you are enjoying facilities and assets Nigerians do not have privilege to enjoying; we will name something we call surcharge on you, and of course customs also was to do some others like furniture surcharge, mansion surcharge, various kind of

surcharges. ``But regrettably, we have not been able to administer this. One, we have challenges; we raised assessment on about 130 private jet owners because we were made to understand that we have up to that number,’’ said Ogungbesan. The FIRS boss further explained that the agency recorded low revenue collection this year as a result of the general election and delay in the passage of the

2015 budget. Other factors, according to him, include poor financing of the real sector by banks and Boko Haram insurgency in the North East region. He, however, expressed optimism that the new administration would work toward improving on the country’s revenue base. The President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki, tasked the FIRS to find ways to improve on collec-

tion of non-oil revenue. He frowned at the country’s dependence on revenue generated from crude oil sales. Saraki pointed out that non-oil revenue was capable of making up for the revenue shortfall recorded by the country following the drop in international oil price. He said: ``I think Nigeria’s continued dependence on oil is not something we should encourage.’’

New NSCDC Commandant vows to dislodge hoodlums in Taraba

r Kamilu Isah, the newly-posted Commandant of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) in Taraba, on Thursday vowed to deal decisively with hoodlums in the state. Isah, who said this at his maiden media briefing in Jalingo, said there would be no sanctuary for miscreants throughout his tenure in the state. The commandant said he would form a synergy with other security operatives to combat criminal activities

in the state. Isah said the command would not relent in its mandate of tackling criminal activities and protecting lives and property. “I’m here to complement other security agencies, and to curb criminality,” he said. A native of Kano State, Isah replaced Mr Walter Akubuiroh who was recently transferred to Edo. The new commandant had previously worked in Ondo, Kwara and Jigawa commands.(NAN)

L-R: Corps member, Miss Edoamhen Edith; representative of Plateau State Governor, Mrs. Dorcas Din and State NYSC Coordinator, Mr. Abdul-Razak Salawu, during the presentation of the best NYSC state honours award at the passing out of 2014 Batch ‘B’ corps members in Jos on Thursday. PHOTO: NAN

Assembly calls for dissolution of Lagos State Judicial Service Commission

he Lagos State House of Assembly on Thursday called on Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode to dissolve the membership of the state Judicial Service

Commission following expiration of its five-year tenure. The call followed a motion moved by Mr Sanai

The governor explained that the revenue generation mechanism at the local government level lacked accountability and should be reviewed. He said that currently 99 per cent of the state’s allocation and earnings were spent on paying salaries and allowances which was not acceptable. Al-Makura said that the state would embark on aggressive IGR to augment the allocation and meet up with its task of developing the state. While announcing the intended levy on workers, he said that he would also

cut the allowances of all political appointees in his administration as part of the sacrifice for the development of the state. Earlier, Mr Jonah Ogbole, the Chairman of the Committee, while submitting its report, acknowledged that Al-Makura’s administration had recorded appreciable achievements in the last four years. He however said that a lot still needed to be done for the rapid socio-economic development of the state, ``which calls for sacrifice from all the citizens of the state’’. (NAN)

Nasarawa workers to pay development levies to boost IGR

ll category of workers in Nasarawa will henceforth pay development levy to boost the states Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), according to Gov. Umaru AlMakura. The governor made this known on Thursday in Lafia, while receiving the report of the Transition Appraisal Committee set up to assess his administration’s performance since 2011. He noted that given the harsh economic reality in

the country, there was need for all to make some sacrifices for the development of the state. Al-Makura said that he had been able to pay salaries promptly in spite of the meager allocation from the Federation Account to the state in recent years. He blamed the inability of the local governments to pay workers salaries to the over bloated workforce at that level of governance, adding that it needed to be critically looked into.

Agunbiade (APC- Ikorodu 1) and seconded by Abiodun Tobun (APC-Epe 1) during plenary session. Agunbiade, in the motion, said the call become necessary because the members had completed their stipulated five-year tenure. “This House knows that section 197 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), said there shall be established, a state judicial service commission. “We further know that Lagos state Judicial Service Commission sees to the appointment, promotion and discipline and control, recommendation for National Judicial Council for the appointment of Chief Judge and judges of the High Courts. He pointed out that the Chairman and members were still in position in spite

of the fact that their tenure expired in February. After a voice vote conducted by the Speaker, Mr Mudashiru Obasa, the House resolved to call on the state governo to dissolve the current membership of the commission. The House constituted an Ad hoc committee to review the Assembly’s Code of Ethics 2001 to meet with the current reality. This followed a motion moved by Mr Rotimi Abiru (APC-Shomolu 2), and Mr Oluyinka Ogundimu (APCAgege 2). The speaker listed the committee members to include Mr Rotimi Abiru (APC-Shomolu 2), Mrs Omotayo Oduntan (APCAlimosho 2), and Mr Oluyinka Ogundimu (APCAgege-2). Others are Mr Segun Olulade (APC-Epe 2), Mrs Mosunmola Sango-daraRotimi (PDP-Surulere 2) and Mr Hakeem Bello (PDPAmuwo-Odofin).

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July 4, 2015

WWC Final: USA, Japan battle in Vancouver

…Japs seek to retain title, Yankees plot revenge

United States of America’s Abby Wambach (R) and Japanese Naomi Iwabuchi getting ready to lead their teams to victory in tomorrow’s finals.

Ifeanyi Eduzor

nited States of America’s Women national team will be having revenge at the back of their minds when they confront defending champions, Japan, in tomorrow’s final of the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup to be decided at the BC Place Stadium, Vancouver, Canada. The championship which kicked-off on June 6 with 24 teams representing all the continents of the world participating, will see the two women football power houses meeting for the third time in a major championship. While Japan will be aiming to join the United States and Germany as two time winners of the prestigious title, the ladies from America will be aiming to create history as the only country that has won the trophy three times. To qualify for the ultimate match, Japan defeated England 2-1 on Wednesday after a heartbreaking stoppage-time own goal by Laura Bassett enabled them to go through to the final for two consecutive time, while the United States advanced to the final on Tuesday with a 2-0 victory over Germany. In 2011, Japan shocked the world by winning the Women’s World Cup four months after an earthquake and tsunami

killed over 15,000 people. Japan’s national team heroically rallied a nation at that World Cup to defeat hosts Germany in the quarter-finals for one of the biggest upsets of all time. Then Japan defeated bookmakers’ favourites, United States in the final; twice rallying from behind to force penalty kicks. The Yankees got the upper hand a year later at the London Olympics, beating the Japs in the gold-medal game to earn a third consecutive Olympic gold and fourth in five Olympic Games. Both teams have met 31 times at the international level with the United States winning on 30 occasions while Japan’s only victory against them was at the 2011 World Cup final where they beat the Americans to their own game, rallying twice from behind to level up before recording a 3-1 victory through penalty kicks. Japan’s only victory in 31 all-time meetings against the United States came in that 2011 World Cup final. They beat the Americans at their own game, twice rallying from behind. And Japan was a team of fate then, with a nation behind it for very serious aforementioned reasons. Only Germany has ever successfully defended a World Cup title, winning the 2003 and 2007 tournaments. As has always been the case with previous women world cup finals, this year’s edition was eventually narrowed down

to teams from Europe, Asia and America after teams from other continents such as Africa and Oceania failed to make any significant progress in the championship. Super Falcons of Nigeria, one of Africa’s representatives who many thought would improve on their top eight finish in the 2003 edition especially after forcing European power house, Sweden, to a 3-3 draw in their opening Group D match became a shadow of themselves in subsequent matches, as they failed to qualify from the Group. This scenario has prompted many Nigerians to demand for a total reorganisation of the team and the replacement of some ageing players with younger ones who will post a better result in the 2019 edition. Although bookmakers have tipped the United States to revenge their loss four years ago considering their physical approach to the game coupled with the fact that that many Americans will cross the border into Vancouver to cheer the team to victory and their convincing victory over World no. 1 Germany in the last eight, but the Japanese who are known for fast football, technical prowess and ability to maintain possession might be a hard nut to crack in tomorrow’s epoch making final and re-enact the form that gave them victory four years ago in Germany. Both managers have already given assurances that they are capable of winning the trophy with the Japanese Coach Norio

Sasak noting that the final will be a worthy one and that his team is aware they are playing one of the best teams in the World and will work hard to ensure they retain the trophy while his American counterpart, Jill Ellis, who will be relying on their inspirational striker, Abby Wambach, to do the damage insists it is going to be a fantastic final. “In order to be the best team in the world at the World Cup, you have to beat the best teams. “We beat the No. 1 team in the world, Germany, and now we are facing Japan, another team that we have so much respect for. They have an amazing team and they’re the reigning World Cup champions so I think it’s going to be a fantastic final. Everyone will have to bring their ‘A’ game and whoever finishes their chances the most will come out on top. Hopefully it will be us,” Ellis said.

Past Winners 1991 1995 1999 2003 2007 2011 2015

USA Norway USA Germany Germany Japan ???

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July 4, 2015

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Neville backs Chelsea P for Premiership title

Pizarro eyes Bundesliga stay

ary Neville believes that Premier League champions Chelsea have to be seen as the team to beat ahead of the new season. However, the Sky Sports pundit and former Manchester United defender insisted that with still just over a month until the season starts and plenty of transfer business yet to take place; it is difficult to confidently make any definitive predictions. “We’re in July when teams haven’t completed their business yet; that’s something I think you’ve got to be very careful about at this stage,” he told Sky Sports News HQ. “But as I stand here today now, I think it would be very difficult

Neville

to look to past Chelsea. “However, who knows what is going to happen in the next month

in terms of signings and how those signings will then come in and adapt.” Without the business having been done you aren’t as informed as you’d like to be but Chelsea would be the team to beat and I think everyone would say that Neville is confident that there will be plenty of new faces on show as Premier League clubs look to get their transfer business done in time for the start of the season. “Things can always happen and you could look at a team in a month’s time and think ‘they’re going to take some stopping with the people they’ve signed’, we haven’t seen the transfer market flush itself out yet,” he added.

Podolski sets for Arsenal exit

eru veteran Claudio Pizarro, the top foreign goalscorer in the Bundesliga’s history, has said he wants to keep playing in Germany’s top flight now his Bayern Munich contract has expired. Having scored 176 German league goals during spells at Werder Bremen and Bayern, Pizarro is now out of contract and seeking a new employer to prolong his Bundesliga career

Hernandez ruled out for four weeks Pizarro

ukas Podolski looks set to leave Arsenal this summer after his agent claimed the Germany international has been given permission to find a new club. The 30-year-old forward moved to the Emirates three years ago but struggled to hold down a place in Arsene Wenger’s side, spending the second part of last season on loan at Inter Milan. His agent Nassim Touihri says Wenger has begrudgingly allowed the World Cup winner to leave. “We had good talks with Wenger,” Touihri told German newspaper Bild. “He wanted to keep Lukas at Arsenal but could not guarantee him a starting position. That’s why we agreed to make a transfer.” Despite moving to Arsenal with a fine reputation, Podolski’s chances became limited as Wenger added the likes of Mesut Ozil, Alexis Sanchez and Danny Welbeck to his forward options.

Manchester United striker Javier Hernandez should be fit to return towards the end of pre-season after having surgery on his fractured collarbone. Hernandez, who spent last season on loan at Real Madrid, was operated on in Houston on Thursday after he was injured in a friendly between Mexico and Honduras. ‘Chicharito’ will miss the upcoming Gold Cup being played in the United States and Canada between July 7 and 26 because of injury. “Javier Hernandez’s surgery ended successfully. The player is in post-operative recovery,” read a statement from the Mexican football federation.

Osaze

Osaze extends Stoke deal

toke striker Peter Odemwingie is looking to repay the club’s faith in him after signing a contract extension. The 33-year-old has agreed a deal which will keep him at the Britannia Stadium until the end of next season with the option of a further 12 months. After making his comeback last season following eight months out with a knee injury the Nigerian is keen to give

something back to the Potters. “I’m very happy that the club has shown me tremendous support after some very tough times,” he told the club’s website. “I’m happy that Stoke trust my ability in helping to improve and push the team on to greater height, so I’m delighted to still be a part of that. “I have had to really push myself hard, so this new contract extension is a reward for

all the effort I have put in but also for the medical staff that did a great job supporting me along the way. “I really want to repay the club for having faith in me and I’m thankful for the support that everybody connected with the club has given me. “I didn’t want to leave on a note like this, I started very well here and I want to have a good season this year, which I have every faith in doing.

Man City restrictions lifted by UEFA

M Podolski

having not been offered a new Munich deal. The 36-year-old striker was in the Peru squad for Friday’s Copa America third-place play-off against Paraguay on Friday and says he will focus on finding employment once the tournament is over. “I have already had a few offers, but I have waited until the last minute, because I really wanted to stay with FC Bayern.

anchester City has had their restrictions on transfer spending lifted and will be able to field a full Champions League squad this season after meeting their Financial Fair Play targets. City were ordered to play in last year’s Champions League with only 21 players in the squad and spending on new signings in

last summer’s transfer window was capped at £49m as punishment for breaching FFP rules. The club also agreed that total wages last season’s Champions League squad must not exceed that of the 2013/14 season. City were also fined £16.33m a year for three years totaling £49m but only the first year’s fine has been imposed. City’s

settlement agreement with UEFA means they still have to hit targets they agreed with the European governing body for 2016. Paris Saint-Germain was in the same position as City last season and also met their targets, according to the European governing body’s Club Financial Control Body (CFCB).

Hernandez

Chelsea sign Falcao on loan

helsea have signed Monaco striker Radamel Falcao on a season-long loan deal, with the option to make the deal permanent. The 29-year-old Colombia international spent last season on loan at Manchester United, scoring four goals in 29 games. He links up with former Atletico Madrid team-mates Thibaut Courtois, Filipe Luis and Diego Costa. “I am very happy to be joining Chelsea and can’t wait to start training,” Falcao said. The striker scored 72 goals in two seasons for FC Porto between 2009 and 2011, before joining Atletico Madrid. After 70 goals in two prolific seasons with the Spanish side, Monaco signed him for £50m in 2013.

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French Open: McDowell targets third win in a row

d r a r r e G x e l A aces r b em wood y l l o H L

iverpool appears to be a distant memory for Alex Gerrard as she continues to embrace a rather more relaxed lifestyle following her move to Los Angeles. Accompanied by footballer husband Steven, the stunning WAG was seen looking happy as she stocked up on various groceries from her local Pavillions in Beverly Hills on Wednesday afternoon. The married couple, who are parents to three beautiful young daughters, also made sure they spent some quality time together by grabbing lunch at Le Clafoutis restaurant at Sunset Plaza. Alex relocated to southern California with her family over the summer as Steven endeavours to make his transition to Los Angeles Galaxy. Alex certainly drew attention in her bright purple sunglasses as she showed yet another outfit in her extensive active-wear collection Her look comprised of grey

leggings, a white sleeveless top and bright orange trainers, with the wife of Steven Gerrard also toting a designer bag. Earlier this year, before moving to the US, Alex admitted she works hard on her figure and her health in order to look and feel her best, especially as she had her future in health-conscious LA in mind. Speaking to Closer magazine, the WAG discussed snaps of herself that were revealed from her holiday in Dubai, where she proved her fitness gains in a skimpy bikini ‘I’m always dead critical of myself... but I do feel good at the moment. I’ve got a lot more definition than I thought I’d ever have. I’ve definitely noticed the difference most on my stomach and my legs,’ she told the magazine. ‘I just want to look my best out there because I know everyone in LA is so into their appearance, fitness and healthy eating,’ she admitted. The blonde beauty also ad-

mitted she looks better than she previously did: at 5ft 9in and just over 9st in weight, she is in better shape than ever before, and it shows. ‘I’m a lot leaner and more toned now than I was before. Back then I obviously wasn’t overweight, but I was unfit and probably had a bit of excess weight here and there.’ Her husband Steven, 34, left his boyhood club Liverpool FC to join LA Galaxy following the last Premier League season, and is expected to make his debut on July 11 against Club America. The footballer and his wife, who recently celebrated their eighth wedding anniversary on holiday in Ibiza, are reportedly setting up home with their three daughters in a £16.8million Malibu home. Alex, Steven and their daughters - Lilly-Ella, 10, eight-year-old Lexie and Lourdes, three - will reside in Los Angeles for 18 months while Steven plays out his contract with the team.

raeme McDowell will this week attempt to become the first player in 77 years to win three French Opens in a row. No player has achieved the feat in continental Europe’s oldest Open since Marcel Dallemagne in 1938. Northern Irishman McDowell, 35, would also become only the sixth player to claim a hat-trick of European Tour titles in the same event. “Having a chance to win three in a row is very special,” said McDowell. “I have always enjoyed this golf course.” McDowell, who won by four shots in 2013, overturned an eightshot deficit in the final round last year thanks to a brilliant closing

67. Only Ian Woosnam, Sir Nick Faldo, Colin Montgomerie, Tiger Woods and Ernie Els have won the same European Tour event three times. American Kevin Stadler’s fourshot overnight lead disappeared with 41 on the front nine, and he missed a par putt on the 18th which would have forced a play-off. “The two wins were obviously very different,” said 2010 US Open champion McDowell. “You always like to win a tournament, as opposed to being given it to a certain extent. “From that point of view, I guess 2013 was a bit more special than 2014. But winning a tournament back to back is also very special.”

Woods opens with 66 at Greenbrier

iger Woods is back, and he’s going to win all the majors forever. That seems to be the consensus reaction to Woods’ opening 4-under 66 to kick off The Greenbrier Classic in West Virginia on Thursday. Woods’ round at the Old White TPC concluded with three consecutive birdies, offsetting a disappointing, flashbackinducing double bogey on the par4 sixth, his 15th hole of the day. Woods came out of the gate on the 10th hole looking like a player in control of his game and a guy that owns his swing. Aside from a drive, albeit, a fairly straight, 300yard one that ended up in a water hazard on the par-5 17th, Woods was a fairway-hitting machine, hitting 10 of 14 fairways. That 71.4 percent mark is substantially better than his season-long average of right around a coin flip. He gave himself a Woods

lot of birdie chances, too, hitting 14 greens in regulation. The putter, which hasn’t been much of a low-light in 2015, was working as Woods gained almost three full shots on the field with the flatstick. All in all, it was a solid performance on a course that Woods -- well, the Woods we know and remember at his best -- should destroy. The Old White TPC is one of the easier par-70 courses on the PGA Tour, and Woods knew going into the tournament that he’d have to make a lot of birdies to be in the conversation.

McIlroy wants to end runner-up streak

he familiar environs of the Emirates Golf Club is where Rory McIlroy hopes this week to end a streak of three straight second-place finishes on the European Tour. The Desert Dubai Classic is the tournament McIlroy has played the most often, including twice as an amateur. It is also where he notched his first win as a pro in 2009, and finished in the top-10 every year since. ‘’I am disappointed if I don’t win, to be honest,’’ he said on Wednesday, the day before the

classic starts. ‘’You’re not here to try to finish in the top five. ‘’I’d definitely like to break the runners-up duck the right way than the wrong way. We’ll see. But I’m comfortable on this golf course, and I have good memories here, and I seem to play the course very well.’’ McIlroy was runner-up in the World Tour Championship in November, the Alfred Dunhill Championship in December, and the Abu Dhabi Championship two weeks ago in his first start of the year.

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July 4, 2015

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Supporters Club craves ANALCA partnership Ifeanyi Eduzor

L-R: The Executive Director, Unmissable Incentives Limited, Kayode Idowu, Member of the Award Panel, Mitchel Obi, the Director General, National Sports Commission, Al-Hassan Yakmut , Member of the Award Panel, Falilat Ogunkoya and the Award Panel Chairman , Ikeddy Isiguzo during a courtesy visit to the National Sports Commission in Abuja recently.

NSC pledges support for Nigerian sports award Afolabi Gambari

he National Sport Commission (NSC) has pledged to throw its weight behind the organizers of the Nigerian Sports Award in its quest to inspire outstanding performances in Nigerian sportsmen and women through recognition and reward. The Director General, National Sport Commission, Al-Hassan Yakmut made this known in Abuja recently when he received members of the Award Panel who paid him a courtesy visit in his office. Addressing the members of the Award Panel during the courtesy visit, Yakmut commended the effort of the organizers for remaining steadfast and committed towards the objectives of the Award, which is to reward excellence performance among Nigerian athletes. The Director General noted that the Nigerian Sports Award could be described as the outsourced aspect of the National Sports Policy, which has provision for Reward and Incentives. He added that commission needs to give its maximum support to the initiative especially in line with the Public-Private Partnership drive of the government. Speaking earlier on the mission of the team to the National Sports Commission, the Chairman of the Award Panel, Ikeddy Isiguzo disclosed that the Panel was in Abuja to congratulate

Yakmut on his recent appointment as Director General and also to deepen the relationship between the Commission and the Nigerian Sports Award. Isiguzo called for more participation and involvement of the National Sport Commission in the Nigerian Sport Award by making its presence felt during the award Gala Night ceremony which he described as the cel-

ebration of the achievements of the sports Ministry. While presenting the Nigerian Sports Award plaque to the Director General as a mark of honour, Mitchel Obi, a member of the Award Panel stated that the appointment of Yakmut is well deserved having come a long way in Nigerian sports from being a Volleyball player to an administrator.

AAG: Max Air touted as official carrier

o ensure an efficient airlift of athletes to the forthcoming All Africa Games (AAG) slated for the Republic of Congo in September, the National Sports Commission has solicited the partnership and support of the management of Max Air to act as the official carrier for the Games. Speaking at a meeting with the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the airline, Alhaji Dahiru Bara’u, Director General, National Sports Commission, Alhassan Yakmut said “I have been observing with keen interest the support you have been giving to sports development such as football and Polo in Katsina State and I am sure you will be interested to partner and sponsor the Federal Government’s outing in the forthcoming All Africa Games in the Congo by using your airline to airlift our athletes to the games”. Yakmut explained that given the present economic reality, there is need to seek for partnership and support from well-meaning Nigerians to contribute their

resident General of Nigeria Football and other Sports Supporters Club, Rafiu Ladipo has expressed happiness at the cordial relationship existing between the club and members of Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) saying that he looks forward to sustaining the relationship for the benefit of both bodies. He stated this, Tuesday; when he led members of the club to the association’s national secretariat in Amuwo Odofin Lagos to officially inform the National President of ANLCA, Prince Olyawola Shittu that he has been nominated as a patron of the club. According to Ladipo who was the pioneer National President of the association, the decision to nominate Shittu as the club’s patron was borne out of his numerous contributions to the upliftment of not only the association but Nigerian sports through the union’s annual participation in the Maritime Football Competition, positing that the club will soon play a friendly match with

the association as part of efforts to cement their relationship. “Nigeria Supporters Club being a worldwide institution is happy with the giant strides that Prince Shittu has recorded since assumption of office as the National President of ANLCA. Through his efforts, the association emerged winners of the last edition of Maritime Football competition thereby putting the association in Nigeria’s football map. Shittu, while decorating Ladipo with the association’s insignia commended the club for not only paying his association a visit but also finding him worthy to be made a patron promising that he will sustain the cordial relationship exiting between the two bodies.

Ladipo

Nigeria wins Abidjan chess tourney

eam Nigeria emerged as champions at the 2015 Ivory Coast Chess Championships concluded on Sunday in Abidjan. The championships also featured Team Ghana and two teams representing the host country. Nigeria won the tournament with a total of 45.5 points ahead of hosts Ivory Coast, who had 25.5 points. Ghana finished third with 20.5 points, while Ivory Coast’s second team had 16.5 points to stay at fourth position. In the first category, Nigerian duo of Daniel Anwuli and Osunfuyi Abimbola finished with nine points apiece to top the log, while their compatriots Adeyinka Adesina and Efemuai Odafe finished as the top two in the second category with 8.5 points

and 7.5 points respectively. Nigeria Chess Federation President, Lekan Adeyemi, said the championships had further sharpened the players’ skills. “Participating in international championships will bring players against some of the best in the world. This event has served the purpose of giving some of them international experience,” Adeyemi said after the team arrived on Tuesday. Another set of players are currently in Accra to participate in the ongoing Ghana President’s Cup, which will end on Sunday. “Apart from that, we also have our U-14 team that will be featuring in another tournament in Ghana later this month,” Adeyemi said.

Musa savours 2015 Wimbledon Open experience Yakmut

quota in sponsoring the country’s contingent to this year’s All Africa Games. He added that the airline stands to benefit tremendously from the proposal as it would be a win-win situation for both parties, saying the use of the airline’s logo and advertorial of the company’s activities will receive adequate attention from the commission. The company’s secretary, Sani Ibrahim while responding on behalf of the CEO assured that the organization will partner with the Commission to perform the task.

Ifeanyi Eduzor

igerian referee, Saidu Musa is savouring his experience at the ongoing Wimbledon Open Champions in England and is now eyeing an elevation by the International Tennis Federation. Musa, who is the highest ranked ITF official in West Africa with bronze badge is one of the few African officials at the SW19 and says he looked forward to more duties after taking charge of his first match on Wednesday.

“It’s a privilege to be among the few African referees in Wimbledon,” he said. “I have been involved in one match here and hopefully, I will take charge of one or two other games because it’s a dream for any referee to be on duty at the Wimbledon which most people considered as the most glamorous of all the four Grand Slams in tennis,” he added. This is the second time that the Niger state-born Musa will be officiating at the All England Club after his first experience in 2012.

Crime Watch CBN currency scam:

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

July 4, 2015

Court adjourns for counsel to serve applications

ustice Nathaniel Ayo-Emmanuel of the Federal High Court, Ibadan, Oyo State on Thursday adjourned till July 6 further hearing in one of the three suits relating to the N8 billion Central Bank of Nigeria mutilated currency scam. The adjournment is to give parties the time to tidy up the filing and service of all pending applications. The Economic Financial Crimes Commission was served a motion minutes before the commencement of sitting on Thursday. B. B. M. Hashim, representing Olalekan Ojo, the lead counsel to the second and third defendants, Olaniran Adeola and Togun Philip, confirmed serving the EFCC on Thursday morning. “We filed and served the prosecution our application and written addresses

Businessman docked over unpaid N1m commission

businessmen, Alphonsus Amaefule, who allegedly refused to pay the agreed N1million commission to an estate agent, was arraigned on Friday in an Oshodi Magistrates’ Court, Lagos. Amaefule, 55, who resides at No. 5, Mosaku St., Mafoluku, Lagos, is being tried for fraud and stealing. The prosecutor, Cpl. Kehinde Olatunde, told the court that the accused committed the offences on May 15 at No. 33, Alhaji Abdul Rasak St., Oshodi, Lagos. He said that the accused and one Valentine Orieukwu conspired by refusing to pay one Mr Wole Adebayo his N1million commission over the sale of a building. The accused converted the sum of N1million belonging to the complainant being the commission over the sales of a building,” the prosecutor said. Olatunde said that the accused approached the complainant who is an estate agent that his elder brother wanted to sell his building and he needed his services. “The accused employed the services of the complainant to help look for buyer for his elder brother’s house. “They both entered an agreement that 10 per cent of the total sales of the buildCONTINUED ON PAGE 51

this morning,” Hashim said. Similarly, M. Yussuf, representing Olayinka Bolanle, the counsel to the first defendant, Kolawole Babalola, told the court that his applications were being filed at the court’s registry. “As I speak, we are attempting to file two applications, which should be ready in the next five to 10 minutes,” Yussuf said. However, F. Edema, representing the fourth defendant, Tope Akintade, drew the attention of the court to the fact that being a joint trial, all counsel should have copies of filed applications. “By this, I mean to say that we are yet to be served any of these applications,” Edema said. The trial judge agreed that it was the practice for all counsel involved in jointtrial cases to be served copies of all filed applications. Ayo-Emmanuel, therefore, adjourned till July 6 for hearing of all pending applications, stressing that such applications were to be promptly filed and served on all the counsel. NAN recalls that four sister cases before Justice Adeyinka Faji of the Federal High Court, Ibadan suffered the same fate on Wednesday. Faji likewise had to adjourn till July 10 to enable all counsel in the cases to file and exchange all pending applications.

Ibrahim Lamorde, EFCC boss

The EFCC had on June 2 and June 3 arraigned a total of 22 bank officials, including seven employees of the Central Bank of Nigeria, over the mutilated currency scam.

The anti-graft agency alleged that the CBN officials caused adversity to the country’s economy by putting back in circulation mutilated currency marked for destruction.

Medical director in critical condition after gun attack Patience Ogbo

r. Jatto Stephen, Nigeria Medical Association, NMA, chairman, Ijaiye Ojokoro branch is lying critically ill at a Lagos hospital following gunshot wounds he sustained when armed men suspected to be assassins trailed and shot him. Dr. Stephen who is also the Chief Medical Director of De Champion Hospital was said to be on his way home from office on June 24th when the incident happened.

According to an eye witness who requested anonymity, three armed men in a Toyota Corolla double -crossed Dr. Stephen at about 7pm that fateful day. But for divine intervention, the doctor would have been killed. Dr. Stephen was driving in his Lexus SUV car, marked LSR 684 DA when the gun men shot him twice and immediately fled the scene. The source added that Dr Stephen would have bled to death but for the quick intervention of the Divisional Police Officer, DPO, in charge of Alakuko Police Station, Chief Super-

intendent of Police. Musa Alim that received the distressed call and dispatched Anti-Robbery team led by Supol Fasakin and Inspector Amos to the scene. The team who took the doctor to a private hospital for treatment. About 15 doctors were said to have conducted an emergency operation on Dr. Stephen . Our correspondent learnt that the police recovered the Lexus jeep and parked it at the station. A police source confirmed that the timely arrival of the police saved the life of Dr Stephen as he has lost a lot of blood.

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CRIME WATCH

July 4, 2015

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Wife kills mentally retarded husband with ‘otapiapia’

mentally retarded husband has been killed by his wife and the wife’s lover in Lagos State. The victim’s wife, Kwenume Ojo (pictured) is a citizen of Benin Republic while the victim, Jimoh Ojo (pictured) who was mentally retarded hailed from Yewa in Ogun State. 17-year-old Kwenume was said to have been forced to marry Jimoh who was a petty carpenter, and at 32, was twice the teenage bride’s age. The couple lived on Apolo Street in Makoko, and were blessed with a girl child. Forced by her parents to marry the man she didn’t have affection for, reports have it that Kwenume was having love affair with one Segun. Their illicit affair got so steamy that Kwenume and Segun hatched a plot to kill her husband. The murder plot execution last Friday has landed them in police net. Police said Segun gave Kwenume the poison that was used to lace Jimoh’s drink by the disgruntled wife.

Late Jimoh Ojo and wife, Kwenume

Lagos bank robberies: Residents hire vigilante groups

ecent bank robberies at the Ikorodu area of Lagos State has forced residents in the area to seek the services of vigilante groups to stop a repeat of the ugly incident in their community. Four banks came under siege after armed robbers attacked commercial banks in the area leading to loss of lives, properties and millions of Naira. The banks affected include, First bank, Zenith and Wema. While normalcy has since returned

to the area, our correspondent who visited the community however found out that the residents are still traumatized and the banks are under lock. As Away of preventing the armed robbers from attacking the community again, Saturday Mirror learnt that the residents have began employing the services of vigilanteee group known as Onyabo. While some of the communities are said to be employing the services of the Oodua People’s Congress, OPC, to check

crime and criminality, it was learnt that despite the efforts of the officers of the Nigeria police force and the OPC, crime rates have continued to soar in the area leading the residents in seeking services of the Onyabos a more dreaded group than the OPC . The president of the Igbo-Olumo Central Working Committee in charge of 28 communities in Ikorodu, High Chief, Kolawole Adekoya, stated that that there is urgent need to stop the growing crime rate in Ikorodu.

He said, “we appreciate the Nigeria police force for doing their best to stop crime in our communities but the police seem to be overwhelmed because just one police station is protecting the lives of people in 28 communities. “The Owutu police station is very far from a big community like Igbo-olomo and when distress calls are made they take a long time to respond. Apart from that, the policemen are very few and CONTINUED ON PAGE 51

Two remanded for collecting N12m marriage money from American

saze Akhigbe and Ndekwu Jindu have been remanded in Kirikiri Prisons in Lagos State for allegedly duping an American lady of of $64,000, an equivalent of N12 million. They said the money was for payment for marriage engagement. The men posed as white men to dupe the American lady via internet. The two men were arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission before Justice Lawal Akapo of the Lagos State High Court, Ikeja on an 11-count charge bordering on conspiracy to obtain goods and money by false pretence. The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to them.

Akhigbe and Jindu were arrested by the EFCC in 2013 after receiving a petition from one Jolanta K, an American. The EFCC spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren, said: “Jolanta alleged that she met Jindu, who introduced himself as a selfemployed Caucasian pharmacist, online in June 2012. She said she was impressed by his profile and ‘fell in love’ with him. Both of them agreed to get married.” According to Uwujaren, the victim further alleged that in the course of the relationship, Jindu, at different times, hoodwinked her into parting with over $64,000. Count 2 of the charge reads: “That you, Osaze Akhigbe on or about the 6th of September 2012 at Lagos within the Ikeja Ju-

dicial Division with the intent to defraud obtained a total sum of $1,900 from one Jolanta K. through western union money transfer under the false pretence that the money represent payment for marriage engagement processes between you and her in Nigeria and which pretence you knew was false.” In view of the plea of the defendants, the prosecution counsel, A. A. Akujo, asked for a trial date and prayed the court to remand them in prison custody. Justice Akapo adjourned the case till September 21, 2015 for hearing of their bail application and ordered that the defendants be remanded in Kirikiri Maximum Prison Uwujaren

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

July 4, 2015

Police arrest 12 men for initiating boys into cult

Patience Ogbo

welve men suspected to be cultists have been arraigned before a special court at the Lagos State Task Force on Environment and Special Offences Unit for allegedly sponsoring a cult gang called the Awawa Boys. Adedeji Akeem, a Superintendant of Police and the new chairman of the task force stated that the men were arrested by officers attached to the Area G police command and handed over to the taskforce for prosecution. SP Akeem said, “This gang known as the Awawa boys have their base at the Agege area of the state. The policemen attached to the Area G Command raided thier hide outs and arrested them. The gang is notorious and twelve of them have been arraigned in court. Task force officers will continue to conduct raids in the area and other parts of Lagos to rid the state of cultists and other criminals.” SP Akeem however assures residents that the task force officers will not engage in arbitrary arrest. He said, “We are going to apply dialogue by inviting the stake holders, Human Rights groups, the academics, traders and drivers to a regular meeting for us to find a common ground on how best to protect the environment from criminals and hoodlums. The governor of Lagos State,w Akinwumi Ambode, wants us to treat Lagosians and visitors with utmost respect. “We are going to respect the rights of the people but we will do our job professionally. Our team have undergone training and retraining on how best to police with a human face so there will be no arbitrary arrest by our men.

SP Adedeji Akeem

“We will engage in enlightenment campaigns on radio, TV and other media to discourage people from flouting the laws”. SP Akeem also reiterated the commitment of the Task Force to maintaining law and order at the ever busy Oshodi market and other flashpoints in the state. “I want to use this opportunity to warn hoodlums and street traders to stay clear from Oshodi and other flash points as we are committed to maintaining law and order in these areas. These hoodlums should not think that because

there is a new person in charge they can come back to disrupt the peace and serenity in these areas. “Our officers are stationed at Oshodi and all the areas that have been cleared and they will arrest anybody trying to disrupt the peace in these areas. The commercial motorcycle riders are also reminded to stay clear from routes they have been prohibited from plying as they will soon begin to feel our presence. I also appeal to residents to be law abiding and cooperate with us by giving us useful information.” He added.

‘Quest for easy money cause of rising murderof girls’

ederation of Muslim Women Association of Nigeria (FOMWAN), on Thursday reacted to rising cases of murdered girls and advised young girls against keeping secret lovers. Describing the incidences as “very evil and barbaric’’, FOMWAN, through its chairperson in Plateau, Mrs Mairo Sani, cautioned young girls against following men to their homes or hotel rooms. ``When you follow a man to such private places, you become very vulnerable,’’ Sani told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Jos. There have been recurring incidences of corpses of young ladies discovered in the early hours of the day in some parts of Jos. On Tuesday, one of such bodies was

discovered with some parts of it removed around Domkat Bali Ring Road in Tudun Wada. Sani also advised them to always be in the company of good female friends. ``Young girls should be observant of their friends’ behaviours; evil people can use such friends as a bait to cajole them to dangerous places,’’ she said. She further advised them to avoid night outings even if they were not living with their parents or guardians. ``The girls do not have to follow men; responsible men will visit them at home,’’ she said. The FOMWAN official advised also parents not to encourage their daughters to live promiscuous and dangerous lives through forcing them to fend for their families. “Parents should rather train their

children to fear God and be watchful,’’ she said Also speaking on the trend, Mr Bulus Dabit, Director, National Orientation Agency, Plateau, cautioned young ladies against excessive love for easy money. He noted that many girls had often lost their lives to ritual killers. Dabit also advised girls against going after men they met on social media and decried the influx of evil in the society through the social media. He urged girls to work ``very hard’’ in order to earn a living, and advised them to be contented with whatever little they had. The director also advised women to avoid quest for flamboyant life beyond their means, saying that such habit was usually exploited by men seeking people to kill.

Crime Watch

Lagos bank robberies: Residents hire vigilante groups CONTINUED FROM PAGE 50 they have few vehicles to patrol the communities. “On our part, we have written several letters to the government to establish a police post closeby but the procedure involves getting a land and building the station which we are ready to provide but we have not got any feedback from the government so you see all sorts of crime going on in our midst and arresting the culprits is difficult. “We decided to seek the services of the Onyabo vigilante group because they have been effective in checking the activities of dreaded cultists. We feel if we can employ a little self help to complement the effort of the police, then it will go a long way in halting crime and our people can sleep with their two eyes closed.” The secretary of the Igboolomu Community Development Association, Deacon Obatunashe Adebayo further stated that residents decided to seek self help to check the vices in the area as a way of promoting community policing. He said, “Community policing should be encouraged by the government because nobody knows a community better than the people living there. According to the community policing rules, each street should have at least two policemen on guard but thus far it is not so here. It can be recalled that gun men said to be vandals attacked the Owutu police station in April and killed two policemen. Also, suspected gunmen also believed to be vandals engaged in a gun duel with members of the OPC and the shooting led to the death of a pregnant woman in the community.

Businessman docked over unpaid N1m commission CONTINUED FROM PAGE 49 ing will be the complainant’s commission. “But after the complainant sold the house, the accused refused to give him his 10 per cent commission which is N1million, he said. The prosecutor said that the accused person was on the run and anytime the complainant called him, the accused would refuse to pick the call. According to the prosecutor, if the complainant uses another phone number, the suspect will pick the call and cut the call after identifying the caller. The offences, Olatunde said, contravened sections 278 and 410 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011. Section 278 prescribes a three- year jail term as penalty for offenders. The accused denied committing the offences and was granted bail in the sum of N50, 000 with one surety in like sum. The Magistrate, Mr Akeem Fashola, adjourned the case till July 15 for mention. (NAN)

July 4, 2015

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

How to make millions from soap production

he list of import prohibited items in Nigeria include toilet and laundry soap, and it is a very good decision that they are on the list. Apart from protecting local industries, the policy will also create opportunities for investors to set up in the country. This in turn will lead to more employment opportunities and reduction of pressure in demand for foreign exchange and also lead to the enhancement of the nairaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s value. From studies carried out, Nigeria has the potential to produce high quality toilet soaps more than Malaysia, Singapore and other Asian countries. Nigeria as a country can easily produce (using local raw materials and technology) quality toilet soap that can gain international acceptance. This is what this country deserves at this point in time. It should be noted that the unemployment situation in the country, foreign debts, unfavourable balance of payments and other related economic problems will not be solved unless Nigeria looks inwards to establish more industries, develop technologically and also protect the existing local industries from the effect of imported products. That said, soap making is one business that can be established on a cottage, small, medium or large scale, depending on the investorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s funds. Soap production, either laundry or toilet of any type, can be carried out in any part of the country. One can conveniently set up a dependable plant using locally manufactured machinery and equipments. Prospective investors can be advised on the best makers of these machines within the country. Alternatively, some foreign manufacturers of complete sets of the toilet and laundry soap making machines can also 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 a daily basis. Glycerine, a by-product recovered during soap production, also commands very high commercial value as it is very useful in cosmetics and pharmaceutical formulations and in laboratories as re-agents. The market for soap is wide. Its consumption for personal hygiene and general cleanliness per household is rising and needs not be overemphasized. The Nigerian market is a very large one considering the population that grows every day. As at today, the popula-

The good thing is that soap making is one of the projects that the Bank of Industry is interested in funding. Other financial institutions are also interested in funding it because soap is one of the consumer goods that are listed as essentials tion of Nigeria is estimated at over 160 million. And with the increase in population, there is a widening demand-supply gap. As a result, there is 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 the price competitive. With the type of local raw materials available, Nigeria can provide high quality products that can even be exported to the developed part of the world. The machines required to set up this plant are oil storage tanks and vessels, steam generators, filter press, soap reac-

tors, recovery vessels, drying machines, cooling frames, plodder, cutting tables, stamper, wrapper etc. Plants of various sizes exist to produce 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% available locally. The local availability, 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 carry out the production de-

pends 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 to make sure that it is equal to or more attractive than the imported products. The minimum cost of establishing a small scale plant, using locally made machines, is estimated at N8.5m The return on investment is very encouraging. The payback period is also very short, depending on the production and marketing strategies adopted. And the good thing is that soap making is one of the listed projects that the Bank of Industry is interested in funding. Other financial institutions are also interested in funding it because it is one of the consumer goods that are essentials.

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

REGIONAL NEWS

July 4, 2015

SOUTH EAST

Blame Obiano for Boko Haram prisoners’ relocation —Peter Obi

ormer Governor of Anambra State, Sir Peter Obi, has expressed shock over Governor Willie Obiano’s claim that the transfer of Boko Haram prisoners to Ekwu-

lobia prisons in Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State was concluded in 2012 under former President Goodluck Jonathan administration.

The ex-Governor described it as a blatant lie. Governor Obiano of Anambra State had on Thursday said that the transfer of Boko Haram prisoners to Ekwulobia

prisons was concluded in 2012 while Peter Obi was the governor of Anambra State. The governor who spoke through his senior special adviser on Political Matters, Mr. Chinedu Obidigwe, said

The Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Achebe (4th right); some of his cabinet chiefs and members of United Nations Industrial Development Organisation, (UNIDO), working group on the ‘green paper’ for the national policy on technical regulations, during their courtesy call to the Obi of Onitsha in his palace in Onitsha, Anambra State, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

Respect host communities, Igbo group tells members Chinenye Chikwere

gbo Community Forum, ICF, Ilupeju chapter, a group affiliated with Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has called on all Igbos leaving in Lagos and other parts of the country outside the eastern heartland to maintain peace and harmony in their host communities. Making this call, Remigius Onugha, founder and patron of the group stated that Lagos does not belong to Igbos so indigenes’ culture and ways of life must be respected. ICF recently made public its constitution which lay the fundamental principles that members will adhere to. He further stressed that anyone that fails to adhere

to the Constitution will be penalized. In a Statement issued by the Chairman of the Forum, Mr. Sunday Ike, the group stated that it would hold its festival of ‘Iri iji’ new yam festival. “In the coming two month of August a program will be held, it’s a

thing that the Igbos are known for and it is called the eating of yam which is Iri Iji. “Igbos abroad travel down to their various communities to participate in the festivity.” Explaining on ICF, Ike stated that the group is affiliated to the Ohaneze

ndi Igbo in Lagos. “We have a registration fee. For a start you must be an indigene of an Igbo state before you can become a member, secondly you must belong to your town meeting here in Lagos, you must be above 18 years before you can be a member,” he said.

the decision was taken during a seminar organized for officers and men of the Nigeria Prison Service, NPS, in which Ekwulobia and Kuje prisons in Anambra and Abuja capital territory respectively, were chosen as prisons for the Boko Haram inmates. However, Obidigwe said the transfer of the suspects would have been effected immediately but for the 2015 general elections on ground that it would affect the second term ambition of Jonathan in the South East geo-political zone. Obidigwe contended that a decision made under the past administration in the state and the country in general should not be blamed on the current regime in Anambra. “In as much as the state government would not want to join issues with such section of the public, it is important to note that the policy of transferring Boko Haram inmates to Anambra State had been made since 2012 under the regimes of President Goodluck Jonathan and Mr. Peter Obi, but for the 2015 general elections which the then President was contesting for a second term. “Since the transfer of the 47 inmates, panic had gripped the people of Ekwulobia as residents in the area were apprehensive of an imminent attack by members of the Boko Haram Islamic sect,” he said. Reacting to the claim that former President Goodluck Jonathan and former Governor Peter Obi were behind the relocation of Boko Haram terrorists to Anam-

bra State, Peter Obi, speaking through his media aide, Mr. Valentine Obienyem, said he was shocked that Governor Willie Obiano would personally sign such a release laying claims to what appeared nauseating and childish. Obienyem said that such a claim would only end up proving to the people that there were more to the relocation than they already knew. Describing the claim as a blatant lie, Obienyem wondered how an action or a plan concluded by a man who left office almost 16 months ago was being implemented now. He said: “The governor is clearly looking for an alibi for an action that was against the people. He should look elsewhere and not in the direction of Mr. Peter Obi, who, since he left office, had opted to stay away from Awka and not to distract the present government in any way.” Obienyem said Anambra people expected commendation from Obiano for Obi for the N75 billion in cash and investment he left for him and for restoring the pride of the state when other governors were bequeathing debts to their successors, rather than trying vainly to drag his name to the mud through statements such as this present one linking him to the Boko Haram issue. He said the present campaign was not the first, recalling that the same people mass-produced documentaries against Obi and shared them free to people.

Buhari makes case for moral education in schools Charles Okeke Awka

resident Muhammadu Buhari has thrown his support towards move by Rev. Sister Mary-Jude Therese Nwodo led Association for Moral Education to reintroduce moral education as a core subject in the curriculum of schools

across the country. Buhari’s support for strenghtening of moral education in schools comes against the backdrop of the positive interest he was showing towards the seminar scheduled for Awka from 14th to 18th July, 2015 at which lead papers dealing with how to strenghten moral educa-

tion in schools would be presented by the speakers invited by the Nigerian branch Asociation For Moral Education,a United States of America based body. The National Coordinator of Association For Moral Education, Reverend Sister MaryJude Therese Nwodo who spoke to journalists in

Awka, yesterday,on the import of the seminar her group would be staging in Awka later this month,said they sent an invitation to Mr President to be the chief guest of honour at the seminar and they got a message that he ( Buhari) has shown positive interest to it. “We are expecting

that Buhari would be in attendance or send a re presentative”,Sister Mary-Jude stressed. She stated they will at the said seminar bring together key professionals from different religions to fashion the best and appropriate curriculum for moral education to guide the society well.

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

REGIONAL NEWS

June 27, 2015

SOUTH EAST

Blame Obiano for Boko Haram prisoners’ relocation —Peter Obi

ormer Governor of Anambra State, Sir Peter Obi, has expressed shock over Governor Willie Obiano’s claim that the transfer of Boko Haram prisoners to Ekwu-

lobia prisons in Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State was concluded in 2012 under former President Goodluck Jonathan administration.

The ex-Governor described it as a blatant lie. Governor Obiano of Anambra State had on Thursday said that the transfer of Boko Haram prisoners to Ekwulobia

prisons was concluded in 2012 while Peter Obi was the governor of Anambra State. The governor who spoke through his senior special adviser on Political Matters, Mr. Chinedu Obidigwe, said

Respect host communities, Igbo group tells members Chinenye Chikwere

Buhari makes case for moral education in schools Charles Okeke Awka

REGIONAL NEWS

July 4, 2015

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

SOUTH SOUTH

Bayelsa govt moves to save Ijaw language from extinction Osahon Julius Yenagoa

s part of efforts to save the Ijaw language from going into extinction, the Bayelsa State Government said it had undertaken wide spectrum of consultations with academics in the state-owned Niger Delta University, Ministry of Education and beyond. According to the

Commissioner for Culture and Ijaw National Affairs, Dr. Felix Tuodolo, these and other measures are to ensure that all Ijaws become competent speakers of Izon language in the state. The Commissioner therefore urged parents and guardians to do their utmost best to ensure that their children and wards understand how to speak Ijaw language fluently.

Dr. Tuodolo, who stated this while presenting Ijaw literacy books to Prof. Steve Azaiki Public Library in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State capital, on Friday, said “In order to meet up with these objectives, several books had been written in Ijaw dialects to actualize government’s determination to save Ijaw language from extinction”.

The commissioner revealed that the development was informed by the pitiable deficiency in effective communication of Izon language among the various age groups in Ijaw nation. He stressed that the trend was a threat to the sustenance of Ijaw language and the culture of the people. “A situation where pidgin

English now takes the place of Izon language from individual families is indeed a danger signal which, if not decisively handled now, may lead to the extinction of the language” he said. “To reverse this ugly trend, therefore, the ‘Izon bebe tolumo’ books have been presented to the library for the benefit of the general public. “Therefore, we wish

to urge parents and wards to take it as a responsibility to ensure that their children and wards are taught the Izon language at home and not Pidgin English.” Receiving the various books from the state government, the International Director of Azaiki Public Library, Mr. Derevianko Sergii, expressed profound gratitude to the government for the laudable initiative.

C’ River: Tribunal dismisses election petition against Ayade Richard Ndoma Calabar

he election Tribunal sitting in Calabar and presided over by Justice Aliyu Mohammed Mayaki, on Friday, dismissed the petition brought before the court against Governor Ben Ayade by Ntufam Fidelis Ugbo. Ugbo, governorship candidate of the Labour Party had brought a petition before the tribunal praying the election tribunal to nullify election result which

brought Prof. Ben Ayade as Governor of Cross River State alleging that it was marred by gross irregularitie. Ugbo had filed a petition challenging the elections result which the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC, declared Ayade as winner of the April 11 governorship elections in the state Ugbo claimed that the result was manipulated in favour of Ayade. The Tribunal Presiding Judge, Mohammed Aliyu Mayaki dismissed the case

L-R: Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike; new Commissioner of Police, Mr. Chris Ezike and Deputy Governor, Mrs. Ipalibo Banigo, during Ezike’s courtesy visit to the governor in Port Harcourt, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

saying the petition lacks merit and substance. Earlier, the LP candidate had pleaded

with the court to withdraw its case against the PDP candidate and so it should be withdrawn.

Godwin Ettah 3rd respondent and representative of the PDP thanked petitioner for

the earlier step taken and wished them to join the Ayade`s train of progress to move the state forward.

...as Ayade receives over 30,000 Bakassi refugees

n a related development, over 3, 000 Bakassi returnees have charged the Federal Government to take over their camp just as the Cross River State government moves to review the issue. Speaking with newsmen in Calabar, the Bakassi Returnees Camp Leader, Etim Ene-Okon, said: “We are 3,226 returnees hear in the camp. We need the Federal Government led by President Buhari to take over this camp like it

did in Borno. “We are suffering and from the Look of things, the state can no longer manage the camp because of the feeding, education, empowerment and employment. Cross River State government can no longer manage this situation,” he stated. Ene-Okon said that even the State Emergency Management Agency’s Director-General, Vincent Aqua had “told us that it could no longer manage the camp due to paucity

of funds because our situation was caused by the Federal Government.” He continued: “We want President Buhari to look into this problem by relocating us from here and the Federal Government to take over the camp. “Our people started suffering after we handed over our ancestral home to Cameroun, they sacked us from the place in a manner that was inhuman because the Green Tree Agreement provides for

our choice of stay either there in Cameroun or here in Nigeria. “But immediately after the terminal date of the window of the appeal provided for by the ICJ, they sacked all of us and killed so many while others have been jailed,” he maintained. “Since 2013 we have been refugees in our land, living in the primary school here. More worrisome are our aged mother and small children.

C o m m e n t i n g , Governor Ben Ayade said, “it is my responsibility as a governor to provide housing for all. “Therefore, the issue of Bakassi returnees is very critical on the front burner and so we will train them on low cost housing technique and when we train them, they can be on their own. “Take note that the Bakassi issue is the duty of the Federal Government and we are going to take their cause to the

Federal Government to be reviewed and revisited. “But I will not wait for the Federal Government before taking my action and by the time the Federal Government see my actions and result, definitely, President Buhari will respond and I believe that in the next three months if you ask me this same question, Bakassi issue is one of those issues I will address in my 100 days in office with a practical solution,” the governor stated.

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

July 4, 2015

China criticised over Ramadan restrictions

ome schools and local government agencies in China’s restive Xinjiang province have adopted policies that critics, including the Turkish government, say prevent residents from fasting during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. The fast -- traditionally observed from dawn until dusk -- is a central tenet of Islam, the religion practiced by many of the ethnic Uyghurs native to China’s western province of Xinjiang. The Turkish Foreign Ministry published a statement this week saying that reports of Uyghurs being “banned from fasting and fulfilling other acts of worship have been received with sadness by the Turkish public opinion.” The ministry said it had conveyed Turkey’s “deep concern” to the Chinese ambassador in Ankara. A Chinese Foreign Ministry representative responded Wednesday, telling journalists in Beijing that “China has already demanded that Turkey clarify these reports, and we have expressed concern about the statement from the Turkish Foreign Ministry.” Turkey, a majority Muslim country, has close ethnic, religious and linguistic ties to China’s Uyghur minority. In Malaysia, another country with a large

Muslim population, the Chinese Embassy said in a statement on its website that “reports from foreign media regarding the banning of fasting during Ramadan are complete nonsense.” Senior Chinese officials insist they do not force Muslims in Xinjiang to break the Ramadan fast, citing clauses in the Chinese Constitution that enshrine freedom of religion. But statements posted on the official websites of two middle schools, a village Communist Party branch and two county governments all include instructions that appear to be aimed at restricting people from observing religious rites during Ramadan. The Food and Drug Administration for Xinjiang’s Jinghe County instructs employees to sign a statement that includes a “pledge to obey political discipline to firmly ensure that families that have (Communist) party members and students will not fast and will not participate in any forms of religious activities.” Contacted by phone, an employee of the agency who refused to be named told CNN that “our main goal is to prevent extremists from threatening them.” “Ordinary people can fast, have religion and worship ... people are not forbidden from Ramadan

as long as they are not Communist Party members,” the employee added. Within several hours of the conversation, the statement was removed from the Jinghe County government website. The website of a middle school in the town of Bole published instructions calling for teachers to ensure that “students and juveniles do not fast during the holy month and do not participate in religious activities.” A middle school in the city of Tunshuq published

a statement on its website ordering department heads “to conduct thorough inspections of classrooms, canteens and dormitories before Ramadan; to completely prohibit teachers and students from participating in Ramadan activities.” Reached by phone, a person from the school who also refused to be named told CNN that the policies against Ramadan were “a region-wide ban” aimed at preventing public servants and students from practicing religion.

US President, Barack Obama, is in the eye of the storm over spying allegations

TransAsia plane crash

Pilot shut off wrong engine

“Wow, pulled back the wrong side throttle”. These are the words of the captain of TransAsia Airways Flight GE235, eight seconds before the plane clipped a bridge and plunged into a Taiwanese river mere minutes after takeoff, killing 43 people on board. The latest report by Taiwan’s Aviation Safety Council into the February crash confirms that the captain of the ATR 72-600 turboprop aircraft mistakenly switched off the plane’s working engine after the other lost power.

The plane is designed to be able to be flown on one engine. The report also showed that the captain had failed simulator training less than a year earlier, partly because he had demonstrated a lack of knowledge of how to respond to engine flameout at takeoff. The aircraft, which was less than a year old, flew perilously between buildings and clipped a bridge and a taxi before crashing into the shallow Keelung River in Taiwan’s capital, Taipei. Fifteen of the 58 people

on board the flight, all mainland Chinese or from Taiwan, survived. The plane’s entire cockpit crew was killed in the crash, authorities said. The findings come in the Aviation Safety Council’s Factual Data Collection Group Report, a presentation of facts found in investigating the crash. The report draws no conclusions and makes no recommendations, and a final report is to follow in April 2016. The report showed that less than a minute af-

ter takeoff, once the plane had climbed 1,200 feet, a master warning sounded, and a display showed that there had been an engine flameout, or power failure, in engine 2. The captain responded by pulling back on the throttle -- but on the other, working engine, shutting it off about 46 seconds after the other engine failed, causing the aircraft to stall. The mistake was not noticed until about two minutes later, when the pilot managed to restore some power to engine 1, but it was too late to avoid

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

‘White House spied on media’ A n investigation by the German parliament is publicly raising questions as to whether the Obama administration not only spied on journalists in that country but interfered in the exercise of the free press under the guise of U.S. national security. On Thursday, the German government’s intelligence coordinator, Günter Heiss, testified before a parliamentary investigative committee of the German parliament, the Bundestag, focused on the activities of the U.S. National Security Agency’s spying on Germany and the knowledge and/or role of German intelligence, the Bundesnachrichtendienst or BND. That the NSA was spying in German officials is not new, though it continues to upset free press advocates and those in Germany with memories of repressive governments both Communist and Nazi. That the NSA was spying on German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s cell phone was first reported by the respected German magazine DER SPIEGEL in 2013 with information gleaned from the stolen then leaked files of Edward Snowden. On Thursday Wikileaks released more information presumably from that surveillance, with Merkel said “professed to be at a loss” over the Greek financial crisis, and information suggesting that the NSA was spying on German ministers in addition to Merkel. U.S. Ambassador to Germany John Emerson was summoned to meet with the Chancellery chief of staff Peter Altmaier to discuss the news. Less observed: that this week came news that the NSA was eavesdropping not only on Merkel, but in some capacity on Germany’s free press as well, namely DER SPIEGEL. CNN has learned that in early Summer 2011, the CIA station chief in Berlin (also representing the NSA at the U.S. Embassy) met with Heiss, and his assistant, Guido Müller. The CIA station chief urged the two men to take action against Heiss’s deputy, Hans-Josef Vorbeck, whom he said was leaking classified information to journalists. Later that summer, CNN has learned, Heiss went to Washington, D.C. and discussed this same matter with U.S. government officials. In the meantime, the

Chancellery opened a file on U.S. protocols of intercepted communications between Vorbeck and journalists. By August, Vorbeck had been re-assigned to the Archive -- a move widely seen as a punishment for his cooperating with reporters. The incident raises many questions. That the U.S. government thought it appropriate to spy on journalists doing their jobs is controversial enough. But why would it be appropriate for U.S. officials to use these tools -- given to save lives and protect U.S. national security -- to notify the German government about officials talking to reporters in the normal exercise of a free press? Asked about the matter, U.S. National Security Council spokesman Ned Price did not deny or confirm the facts obtained by CNN, saying on the record only that “people around the world -- regardless of their nationality -- should know that the United States is not spying on ordinary people who don’t threaten our national security. We also have made clear that we take their privacy concerns into account.” Price would not discuss the specific matter of the Obama administration spying on DER SPIEGEL and then telling Merkel’s government about an official cooperating with the press. “While we are not going to discuss specific targets, we have repeatedly made clear that the United States does not collect intelligence for the purpose of suppressing or burdening criticism or dissent, or for disadvantaging persons based on their ethnicity, race, gender, sexual orientation, or religion,” Price said. “Signals intelligence is collected exclusively where there is a foreign intelligence or counterintelligence purpose to support these missions and not for any other purposes.” German journalists have a much different take, not surprisingly. “It feels bitter to learn, that American intelligence agencies spied on reporters in another country and denounced alleged sources to the government,” said one reporter involved, who asked not to be identified for fear of repercussions from his government or the US government. “This is something I expected to happen in authoritarian states like Russia or China but not in a democracy.”

Quote

the

day

We’ll take all the necessary actions to significantly improve the operating environment for domestic and international companies to boost employment and properly position the economy on the path of sustainable growth. — President Muhammadu Buhari, while receiving the letters of credence of the new Japanese Ambassador to Nigeria, Sadanobu Kusaoke.

Saturday, July 4, 2015. www.nationnationalmirroronline.net

...And the rich man buried Jesus!

very time we celebrate the departure of a loved one, it usually comes with a sizable budget. When someone of advanced age dies, we seize the opportunity to hold an elaborate programme to say good bye. Sometimes, burying our aged ones entails celebrations that are worth millions of Naira. Some burial programmes even come with billion Naira budgets, such as when the president of a nation is being buried, or someone who has played a very prominent role in the life of a nation, or an international religious leader such as the Pope. The question curious bystanders and observers often ask is: Why waste so much money and resources on someone who is dead? The fact remains that the dead is not even available to see all the parties being held in his/her honour or partake in the ceremonies. There are lots of invitations to different groups of people in society. The undertaker is selected after proper consultation with the spouse, children and elders of the family. A common clothing material for use during the burial (Aso Ebi) is purchased and distributed to family and well wishers. A major renovation of the deceased’s house is done. Arrangements are made for food and drinks, the church service, the internment, and finally the thanksgiving. Children are listed in the funeral service programme, along with grand and great grand children, to show how successful the deceased was in procreation. The pastor uses the opportunity of his sermon at the funeral service to remind the living that this is how everyone will end one day. While committing the dead to the Almighty God for judgement, the preacher reminds the living that the time will soon come for everyone to give account of themselves. He capitalises on the mood of the moment to ask for change of attitude and repentance. The Pastor usually concludes with the need to always be on the side of the Almighty God at all times, as the end appears near. In most cases, a Holy Communion service is held to regain our consciousness of righteousness. But that is not the end, as the real merriment begins thereafter. The scale of the merriment is determined by the nature of the reception, the choice of venue and musician, the dancing and the spraying of money. At the very end of it all comes calculation of the profit and loss. The basic question is: Who instructed

CFR

one good thing the poor has not said is that it was a rich man that buried

Jesus

and perhaps that it was the poor that

Lord Jesus Christ to the cross and killed him.

nailed our

us to bury the dead this way? Is there any biblical account of such burials or any authorisation that directs us to go this way? Or is it by our imagination or conscience? Those questions become necessary as many churches and denominations are divided in their opinions on how to bury the dead. To some, the dead should not be celebrated. Churches that hold this view are even opposed to dancing at funerals. But to some denominations, a burial is a celebration, an opportunity to recount how good the dearly departed soul was in his/her lifetime. Every bad thing is said about the rich, mostly by the poor, who are in surplus majority; that the rich man is wicked, greedy, selfish, corrupt, deadly, incorporative, and self-centred. The rich man, according to the poor, is the only problem of the society, and if the poor can find a way to take the rich out of this world, there will be peace. Regrettably, one good thing the poor has not said is that it was a rich man that buried Jesus and perhaps that it was the poor that nailed our Lord Jesus Christ to the cross and killed him. In the book of Isaiah 53:9, it was predicted that Jesus will be buried amongst the rich: “And he made his grave with the wicked and with the rich in his death; because he has done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.”

The fulfilment of the above was the coming to pass of the prophecy of Isaiah concerning the death of Jesus even before He was born. The confirmation of the prophecy was made in the book of Matthew 27:57-60 “When the even was come, there came a rich man of Arimathaea, named Joseph, who also himself was Jesus’ disciple. He went to Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be delivered. And when Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean cloth, and laid it in his own tomb; he had hewn out in the rock: and he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre, and departed.” It was clear that the rich man that buried Jesus was Joseph and that he was one of the disciples of Jesus. The Bible gives details of the events leading to the death of Jesus. And all the events were predicted before they happened. That our Lord Jesus Christ will be wounded by His enemy was predicted even before He was born, by David in the book of Psalm 22:16 “For dogs have compassed me, the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me, they pierced my hands and my feet.” This was the prediction of David one thousand, five hundred years before the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. The exact fulfilment of the prophecy was the confir-

mation of His word in the New Testament book of Luke 23:25 - that the wicked will nail Jesus, in both his feet and hands. “And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him and the malefactors. One on the right hand, and the other on the left.” The chances that any other king was killed like Jesus is calculated to be one in twenty four billion, and that very one is Jesus. For in the past and during that time, kings were either murdered or killed with the sword. Only Jesus was crucified and died in this particular manner. Jesus, according to the Bible, was spit upon and beaten. For instance, before the occurrence of that event, it was first predicted by Prophet Isaiah. Specifically in Isaiah 50:6, he recalled: “I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from the shame and spitting” The above prediction came to pass in the book of Matthew 26:67 “Then they did spit in his face, and buffeted him, and other smote him with their palm in their hand.” Jesus was tormented before He was killed. How sad! The Biblical account shows that our Lord Jesus Christ gave His life for us to enjoy the present life. The pain He went through is so much that His death needs to be celebrated and this accounts for the need for the rich to play that very prominent role in the burial of our Lord Jesus Christ. Left for the poor and the wicked, they could even have set the body of our Lord on fire. If there is anything the rich have done, that no one can disapprove, from generation to generation, it is providing for the celebration and the burial of our Lord Jesus Christ. That laid the foundation for the celebration of the death of Jesus today. It is also the basis for celebration of the dead. This practice is so important that in the village, no one waits for the children of the deceased before they contribute money for celebration of the dead, even before the arrival of the deceased’s children. It is left to say that there is no biblical justification for non-celebration of aged people when they die and the idea that no one should dance or rejoice during the burial ceremony of an aged person is strange to Christianity. It is the imagination of preachers who do not know the reason for such rejoicing and it must be disregarded.

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